asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from ratepayers in Derbyshire about his rate support policy; and what replies he has sent.

I have received a number of letters from ratepayers in Derbyshire, and have arranged for the appropriate replies to be sent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the planning departments of local authorities are adequately staffed.

Some local authorities may experience difficulties in adequately staffing their departments at certain levels, as Circular 74/73, issued when the right hon. Member had a responsibility for these matters, admitted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the staffing position of local authorities following reorganisation and, in particular, whether staff shortages in planning departments are causing difficulties.

At this stage it would be premature to make firm statements about the staffing position of local authorities as a whole. There are known to be shortages of staff of particular professions and in particular areas but recruitment is still in progress. As far as planning staff are concerned I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to the right hon. Member for Crosby (Mr. Page).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what instructions he has issued to new town corporations regarding the sale of houses to sitting tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will authorise the resumption of the sale, to existing tenants, of new town houses, which practice ceased in April 1974.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Northampton, South (Mr. Morris) on 24th May 1974.— [Vol. 874, c. 375.] The policy remains under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight County Councils concerning the invasion of the Solent by Japanese seaweed.

None. But the Nature Conservancy Council, which is represented on a working party of local authorities and other bodies concerned with the problem, has been keeping me fully informed of the work that is being done locally. I expect shortly to receive a report from the working party.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average amount paid in rates by council house tenants in England and Wales; and what is the average amount paid by owner-occupiers.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to public a Green Paper on the Government's proposals for nationalising development land; and whether any further consultative processes will be carried out.

Consultations with interested bodies will be carried out when the Government's proposals are announced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to provide grants for utilization of private railway slidings; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the financial assistance arrangements for British Rail over the next five years.

The Railways Bill which I am introducing today deals with these matters. It will introduce a comprehensive new system of financial support for British Railways, will reduce the board's capital debt, increase their borrowing powers, put the financing of their pension obligations on a sounder basis and encourage the transfer of freight from road to rail, in particular by the payment of grants for the provision of private sidings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the voluntary housing associations concerning their financial future.

Representations have been received from some individual associations and from the National Federation of Housing Associations. The provisions already in the Housing Bill will go a long way to meet their difficulties and a new clause to be introduced will make subsidies available, in appropriate circumstances, towards revenue deficits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what special study he is making of speed limits in view of the decline in fatal accidents during the period when special speed restrictions were in force as a result of fuel scarcity.

A study is being made of the complex factors, including speed limits, which affected road safety during the period of the fuel shortage. I hope to report on this in the autumn. Provisional results only confirm what has been known for a long time: that lower speeds are associated with fewer accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to stimulate local authority house building in the West Midlands.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to the question by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Carter). The initiatives we have taken to stop the decline in local authority house building which we inherited will benefit the West Midlands, as elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in England and Wales have installed computers; and if he will use his good offices to ensure that such computers can be shared by other local authorities to ensure their full utilization.

I understand that some 200 local authorities have their own computers. I certainly hope that authorities will share the use of computers where this makes for efficiency and economy, but think it best that they should make their own arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has now had an opportunity of studying ring rail, and ring rail reviewed and the various papers and documents connected with the same, sent to him by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West; what action he has taken or intends taking in connection with his planning powers; and whether he will make a statement concerning this subject.

The whole concept of orbital railways in London is being considered by the London Rail Study. I would not wish to reach conclusions before I have seen its report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take action to promote security of tenure for the residents of houseboats.

No. I have no evidence that there is widespread need for legislation and it would not be practicable to protect houseboat owners in this way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been received concerning the proposed M42 motorway and with what results; and when a decision will be taken on the proposals for alterations in route made by the Water Orton Parish Council.

The four sections of the M42 Birmingham to Nottingham motorway have prompted a great many representations. If my hon. Friend will let me know which he has in mind, I shall be pleased to write to him. I hope to let the parish council have my views on its alternative routes next month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received a report of the recent meeting between the National Federation of Site Operators, the Mobile Home Residents Association and the National Cara van Council about improving the security for home owners on mobile home sites and the conditions affecting the resale of mobile homes; and what is his policy with regard to legislative action thereon.

I understand that much progress was made at the meeting on 30th May and that the parties hope to consider a draft model contract at a further meeting on 25th July. My right hon. Friend will announce any proposals for action by the Government when he knows and has considered the outcome of the parties' negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the dangers to which pedestrians are subjected because of the traffic con gestion in the High Street at Hythe; and whether he will investigate the possibility of providing pedestrian crossing to help shoppers, especially those with young children or babies in prams, to cross the road with greater safety.

The proposed removal of through traffic is the best way of solving pedestrian problems in Hythe High Street. Meanwhile I am looking into the possibility of short-term measures though I doubt whether pedestrian crossings are the answer in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it a condition of future loans to the building societies that no such loans are made until the building societies are in a position to make advances to individual mortgagors.

I am satisfied that the terms under which the loans have been offered are putting building societies in a position to achieve a higher level of mortgage advances than would otherwise have been the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet devised a means of relieving households without main drainage of sewerage charges for the year 1974–75; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ask local authorities to expedite the supply of information to water authorities about properties not connected to main drainage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a statement regarding relief for those paying sewerage charges who are not connected to main drainage.

Not yet. The unfortunate absence of any relief at this stage from these charges is of course the inevitable result of the inadequate time scale adopted by the previous administration for water reorganisation. My right hon. Friend expects, however, to discuss the matter with water authorities shortly. An important factor in resolving the problem will be the progress that can be made, in collaboration with the responsible local authorities, in identifying the properties concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now make a statement on action to help those who are paying sewerage charges on buildings that are not connected to main drainage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in arranging for the future that those householders who are not enjoying the facility of a sewage disposal system are not assessed for this in the rate demand notes.

There are no adequate records of properties not provided with main drainage on which to base relief in appropriate cases, and preliminary inquiries by water authorities show that local authorities are likely to take some time in identifying such properties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement on the Government's attitude to the present freeze on business rents.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Finchley (Mrs. Thatcher), on 23rd May.—[Vol. 874, c. 266-7.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the rate at which local ombudsmen are being appointed; and if he will make a statement.

I am glad now to be able to announce that Her Majesty the Queen has approved the recommendation of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment that Baroness Serota of Hampstead, Mr. Denis Harrison and Mr. Patrick Cook be appointed local commissioners. These appointments will bring into formal existence the machinery for investigating complaints alleging maladministration by local authorities and water authorities— the Commission for Local Administration in England. My right hon. Friend proposes to designate Lady Serota to be chairman of the commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the hon. Member for Tiverton has received no reply from him to a letter dated 8th April 1974 concerning a petition signed by residents in the Dawlish area on the subject of the rate burden arising from his alteration of the rate support grant, although his office acknowledged receipt of both the letter and petition six weeks ago.

The hon. Member's letter called only for an acknowledgment, which was sent on the day after receipt. Nevertheless a very full letter was also sent on 29th May. Letters on the same issue were sent on 23rd May and on 6th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if water resources of England and Wales are adequate to meet the estimated doubling of demand for public water supplies from 14 million cubic meters a day in 1971 to 28 million cubic meters a day in 2001.

The Water Resources Board, in its report "Water Resources in England and Wales", estimated a total deficiency of 12·1 million cubic meters a day in public water supplies from existing and authorized sources in the year 2001. The report examines a number of strategies which would enable this deficiency to be met. These are being considered by the National Water Council and the new water authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will intro duce legislation to prevent evictions from service tenancies.

Those service tenants whose tenancies comply with the Rent Act criteria already have protection. I hope that, following my meeting with union representatives on 20th June, 1 should be able to say something about our plans to abolish the agricultural tied cottage, since occupants of such cottages normally lack protection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the route of the M16 and public inquiries to be held thereon.

The proposed route of the Ml6 between Waltham Cross, Epping and Brentwood was published in November 1973 and will be open to objection until 19th July. If a public inquiry is necessary it will probably be held in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that owners of houses let under a regulated tenancy are unable to collect rent increases awarded by a rent officer because of the rent freeze; and if he will consider making special payments to rectify this situation.

The purpose of the rent freeze was to prevent rent increases, whether resulting from the registration of higher fair rents or otherwise. I do not intend to make payments of the kind the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the operation of the Leasehold Reform Act in order to consider what amendments should be made to the Act to make leasehold enfranchisement more readily accessible to leaseholders.

The Act as it stands should already make leasehold enfranchisement readily accessible to qualified leaseholders who invoke it. I should, however, be happy to consider carefully any evidence or representations which suggest that the Act is being evaded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce comprehensive legislation to give security of tenure to caravan dwellers.

My right hon. Friend will decide what steps to take on mobile homes when he has been able to examine the model for agreements between caravan residents and site operators now being drawn up by representatives of the parties concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the reduction in rate support grant to Yorkshire local government districts as a result of his recent rating proposals.

The changes in rate support grant, with the substitution of a flat rate of 13p in the pound for variable domestic relief, are estimated to be as follows:

			Change in grant (£'000) (+ gain, -loss)
District
South Yorkshire
Barnsley	…	…	-545
Doncaster	…	…	-192
Rotterdam	…	…	-108
Sheffield	…	…	+1,218
Sub-Total	…	…	+373
West Yorkshire
Bradford	…	…	-300
Calderdale	…	…	-433
Kirk lees	…	…	-888
Leeds	…	…	+1,633
Wakefield	…	…	-530
Sub-Total	…	…	-488
North Yorkshire
Craven	…	…	-180
Humbled	…	…	-258
Harrogate	…	…	-444
Richmondshire	…	…	-122
Ryedale	…	…	-204
Scarborough	…	…	-250
Selby	…	…	-217
Yorks	…	…	-149
Sub-Total	…	…	-1,823

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the approach and associated roads for the Humber Bridge.

There has been no change in the priority to be given to these schemes. They are being completed as quickly as resources and statutory procedures permit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the ways in which the recommendations of the Borner Committee on the functions of valuers in local government, etc., are to be implemented.

Consultation with the local authority associations over the selective checking of local authorities' land transactions has begun. The other main recommendation accepted, for simplified machinery to settle disputes over small claims, is under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consult with local authorities on the effect on their tenants of new electricity charges in cases where heating charges are part of rent, with a view to taking this into account in future rent policies.

My right hon. Friend is already in consultation with the local authority associations on further rent policies, including charges for services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to announce his decision on the county borough of Sol hull's structure plan which is now deemed to have been submitted by the West Midlands Council.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to send his proposed modifications and reservations to the West Midlands County Council during the summer, with a request that they should be published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to continue the grant to the Institute of Consumer Ergonomics to investigate the suitability of the British lavatory seat; and what progress has so far been made.

My Department has commissioned a research project with the institute, which was first begun by the previous administration in June 1972, is well advanced, and should be completed by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give particulars of the oil, gas and chemical products stored on Convey Island, including descriptions of the products concerned, their quantities, loca- tion and precise distances in each case from the nearest dwellings, including caravan sites; if he is satisfied with the arrangements for their safe keeping; and if he will make a statement.

I do of course understand the anxieties of people on Convey Island; however, since 1st April 1974 the Essex County Council has been the licensing authority under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 in respect of petroleum spirit, including cyclohexane, storage tanks, which have to be licensed annually. It is for the county council to obtain information of the kind asked for by the hon. Member and to satisfy itself that arrangement for safe keeping are satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the hazards to Convey Island represented by the existing concentration of gas, oil and chemical storage, including such products as cyclohexane, he will now use his powers to halt the construction of the oil refineries for which planning permission has been given against the advice of the local authorities.

No. The Government will take whatever action is necessary as soon as the report of the Flixborough inquiry is available. In the meantime it would be premature to take action of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present attitude of the Government to the work of the Citizens' Advice Bureaux; and what is the basis of Government financial support.

Citizens' Advice Bureaux are an essential part of the network of centers through which advice and information are provided on public and social services and on consumer affairs. Grants for the maintenance and extension of the work of the bureaus are given by local authorities to individual centers and by the central Government to the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the disaster at Flixborough, he will review planning consents so as to ensure that new developments of a potentially dangerous nature will not be allowed near residences.

Local authorities have been urged to take safety factors into account when deciding planning applications for development of a potentially hazardous nature. Circular 1/72 of January 1972 asked local planning authorities to seek advice from Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate in appropriate cases. My right hon. Friend is considering what additional advice may be needed.The Government are concerned to ensure adequate arrangements for consultation between local planning authorities and the Health and Safety Commission to be set up under the Health and Safety at Work Bill at present before the House; and that local planning authorities have adequate information about hazardous uses, particularly uses already established in their areas. Provision for this is, therefore, included in the Bill, and urgent consideration is being given to how the powers might most effectively be exercised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement with regard to the current charges that residents are obliged to pay per foot frontage for private street works.

The recovery of expenses incurred in making up private streets is a matter for the street works authority, subject to statutory rights of objection and appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the increasing practice of night parking of heavy goods vehicles on the public highway despite the provision of special parking facilities by local authorities; and whether he will consider regulations to control this practice.

Local authorities already possess wide powers to restrict parking in streets.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what date, at the present rate of sales of council houses to tenants, he estimates that half the tenants of the present stock of public authority housing will become owners of the properties which they now rent.

Such an estimate would be neither appropriate nor meaningful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the working parties, advisory committees or other standing committees of his Department were founded by statute, specifying under which section of which Act in each case.

The information is as follows:

Body	Statute
Advisory Committee on Rent Rebates and Rent Allowances	S. 23, Housing Finance Act 1972.
Ancient Monuments Board for England	S. 15, Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act 1913.
Building Regulations Advisory Committee	S. 9, Public Health Act 1961.
Central Housing Advisory Committee	S. 24, Housing Act 1935 (now S. 43, Housing Act 1957).
Central Transport Consultative Committee	S. 56, Transport Act 1962 (as amended by S. 55, Transport Act 1968).
Clean Air Council	S. 23, Clean Air Act 1956.
Freight Integration Council	S. 6, Transport Act 1968.
Historic Buildings Council for England	S. 1, Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953.
Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council	S. 110, Transport Act 1968.
Local Government Boundary Commission for England	S. 46, Local Government Act 1972.
Local Government Staff Commission for England	S. 257, Local Government Act 1972
National Ports Council	S. 1, Harbors Act 1964.
Railways and Coastal Shipping Committee	S. 150, Transport Act 1968.
Transport Users Consultative Committees (11)	S. 56, Transport Act 1962 (as amended by S. 55, Transport Act 1968).
Water Services Staff Commission	S. 34, Water Act 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in awarding future contracts for the disposal of waste collected from the House of Commons, he will specify that the waste should be recycled.

Details of disposal procedures for various classes of waste are as follows:1

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the terms of reference of his Action Group on London Housing and his Standing Working Party on London Housing, respectively; whether steps are taken to prevent duplication of work; and how often each met in 1973.

The terms of reference of the Action Group on London Housing, which was set up in 1971, are

"to review regularly and at frequent intervals the progress of the drive to eliminate the London housing shortage, and to take any action necessary to keep up its momentum ";

those of the Standing Working Party on London Housing, set up in 1965, are

"to consider ways and means by which central and local Government co-operate in implementing measures to deal with the problems reported by the Milner Holland Committee and generally to improve the housing situation in London and to keep under review any arrangements made for these purposes ".

There is no duplication of work. Since the Action Group was set up the main rôle of the Standing Working Party has been to examine, through expert subgroups, and report on questions of a specialist nature, leaving the Action Group to concentrate on the broader rôle.The Action Group met on five occasions in 1973 and made 11 visits to London boroughs. Standing Working Party sub-Groups met on nine occasions in the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will define the general responsibilities which he has allocated to each of the Ministers and Under-Secretaries of State in his Department.

I am responsible for all the work of my Department. Other Ministerial responsibilities in the Department at present can be summarized as follows:The Minister for Transport deals with roads and transportation, nationalized transport, and road safety. He is sup' ported by the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Kelvingrove (Mr. Carmichael).The Minister for Planning and Local Government deals with land use and regional planning, land policy, new towns, and local government matters. He is supported by the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Widens (Mr. Oakes).The Minister for Housing and Construction deals with housing and construction industry matters, and the Property Services Agency. He is supported by the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Ardwick (Mr. Kaufman).As Ministers of State my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Small Heath (Mr. Howell) deals with sport, pollution policy and countryside matters, while my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Open Shaw (Mr. Morris) deals with urban affairs generally, ancient monuments and historic buildings, and conservation.The Lord Privy Seal and Lord Garn worthy are the Department's spokesmen in another place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from housing associations concerning the new provisions on furnished accommodation contained in the Rent Bill.

None. The provisions do not relate to tenancies provided by housing associations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to set up a public inquiry into the proposal to enlarge the Channel Tunnel rail link through Kent, as is the case before a major road scheme can proceed.

No. A public inquiry would largely duplicate the examination which the rail link, unlike a road scheme, will receive from Parliament under the procedures applicable to private legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards the introduction of additional rates of VAT following his consultations with industry; and whether he will make a statement.

In the last two months Customs and Excise have, on my right hon. Friend's authority, opened consultations with representative trade bodies about the procedural changes that would have to be made in the VAT system if additional rates were introduced. They have suggested that it should be assumed, for the purposes of those consultations, that either one or two additional rates might be introduced, making a maximum of four with the standard rate and the zero rate. No proposals have been made by Customs and Excise as to the particular goods or services which might be affected, and a newspaper report that particular rates had been proposed was incorrect. My right hon. Friend will naturally study the responses of the trade bodies before taking any firm decisions, but he has already, in his Budget speech, expressed the view that the single posi- tive rate of VAT has substantial disadvantages from the point of view of flexibility.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in connection with the proposals in the 1974 Finance Bill for taxing foreigners resident in the United Kingdom, he will compare the percentage amount of net income after tax of a person domiciled overseas who has been resident in the United Kingdom for less than nine years and is employed by a concern resident outside the United Kingdom with the corresponding percentage amount if that person were a resident alien working in various other countries.

The information is shown in the table below.

	Gross income before tax
	£10,000	£15,000	£20,000
Foreigner working in	Approximate net percentage of income after tax
United States of America	75	68	63
Belgium	82	77	72
Denmark	52	48	46
France	86	80	77
Germany	75	69	64
Ireland	57	45	38
Italy	76	73	70
Luxembourg	73	64	59
Netherlands	81	73	71
Sweden	46	39	35
Norway	60	51	46
Switzerland—
Basle	78	72	70
Berne	76	71	67
Geneva	77	71	69
Zurich	77	72	68
Japan	75	65	57
United Kingdom (50 per cent. basis)	88	85	82

Notes:(1)The figures are in respect of a married man with two children under 11.(2)The figures take account of central and local Government income taxes in the country of employment only.(3)The limited 30 per cent. special expenses allowance for foreign employees in Belgium and the 35 per cent. reduction in taxable income for foreign employees in the Netherlands have been taken into account, as have other statutory minimum expenses, allowances, earned income relief, etc. Social security contributions have been ignored.(4)Current exchange rates have been used. United Kingdom tax rates are those proposed for 1974-75.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of hospital beds for acute medical cases and/or surgical cases in Moray and Nairn.

17 and 66 respectively, situated at Dr. Gray's Hospital, Elgin.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take the necessary administrative steps to compile and publish a land ownership register for Scotland.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Doig) on 20th March 1974.—[Vol. 870, c. 1019-20.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will convene a conference of the new regional and island authorities sitting together to consider the Kilbrandon Report.

No. The local authority associations are among a number of bodies I have invited to send me their observations by the end of this month on the discussion document about devolution published on 3rd June. At the same time I drew the attention of the new regional, island and district authorities to this document so that they could consider the various questions which it raises. I am satisfied that this is the best course of action in present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to speed up the approvals by his Department of house improvement schemes submitted by local authorities.

Schemes are dealt with as expeditiously as proper consideration of their content and cost permits.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue the necessary consent to borrow so that Argyll County Council may proceed to make improvements to the B8007 Salen-Kilchoan road.

I have asked the county council what amount is required in this financial year to allow work to start on the first two sections.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the relationship between the Scottish Special Housing Association and the Scottish Office.

The Scottish Special Housing Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered under the Companies Act 1948. In its main role—the provision of houses for renting, to assist Scottish local authorities in areas of economic expansion or in connection with overspill agreements—the association is financed from moneys voted by Parliament.The Chairman and members of the association's Council of Management are nominated by the Secretary of State, and the conduct of its business is regulated in broad terms by an agreement between the association and the Secretary of State. Such matters as the association's housing programmes and the general level of rents charged are subject to my approval, but day-to-day housing management, including the allocation of tenancies and the determination of individual rents, is in the association's own hands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average daily consumption of oil fuel by the Scottish fishing fleet; and what percentage of this amount is now available to the fleet.

The estimated average daily consumption of oil fuel by the Scottish fishing fleet is about 200,000 gallons. I understand that the fleet is not now experiencing any difficulty in obtaining its fuel requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will make a statement about the latest agreements with Argentina concerning the Falkland Islands;(2) to what extent Her Majesty's sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and their Dependencies was raised and discussed during the negotiation of the latest agreements with Argentina affecting the territory and any talks connected with those negotiations.

The latest agreements concluded with Argentina were those concerning the construction and operation by the Argentine Government of a temporary aerodrome in the Falkland Islands, and the establishment and provision by the Argentine Government of a regular air service between the Falkland Islands and the Argentine mainland, which came into force on 2nd May 1972 and 24th October 1972 respectively. The texts of the agreements were presented to Parliament as Command Papers 5027 and 5203. The position of Her Majesty's Government with regard to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands is fully protected by the texts of the agreements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government intend to sign the United Nations Convention against apartheid.

We strongly condemn apartheid and have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In respect of the Convention on Apartheid there are some very real problems about adherence since it contains provisions which would violate the principle of international law concerning the proper exercise of criminal jurisdiction and it raises matters of criminal law which are not in accordance with United Kingdom law. In our view the problem of racial discrimination is far more effectively dealt with in the Con- vention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which we shall strictly observe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take action to secure the immediate release of Miss Ballantine, arrested by the East German authorities while in transit from West Berlin to the Federal Republic and held incommunicado contrary to the United Nations Charter of Human Rights and to international conventions.

The British Vice-Consul in East Berlin saw Miss Ballantine this morning. When his report is received we shall consider what further steps can be taken to help Miss Ballantine.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of recent events in Angola, he will raise in the Security Council threats to international peace in Southern Africa arising from the continued occupation of Namibia by South African forces.

Our policy towards Southern Africa, including Namibia, is at present under review. It is too early, therefore, to say whether we shall raise the question of Namibia at the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will now accept the advisory opinion of the International Court on the illegality of the continued occupation of Namibia by South Africa.

This matter is still under review. My hon. Friend will understand that it involves legal and other considerations of considerable complexity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he intends to take as a result of the report of the European Commission on Human Rights submitted to the British Government and the Council of Europe on the British Government's treatment of Kenyan Asians; and if he will publish the report and make a statement.

In accordance with the procedures of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Commission's report on the case of the 31 Asian United Kingdom passport holders from East Africa now falls to be considered by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The contents of the report are confidential and, under Article 31 of the convention, may not be published unless and until the Committee of Ministers so decides.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to discuss with his colleagues in Western countries the problems caused by convicted criminals, terrorists and hijackers whose offences involve more than one country who, upon sentence, pose a security risk to the State whilst they are held in custody; and if he will seek to discuss with other Governments the building of a prison in a remote area, far from urban civilizations but under the supervision of the United Nations or a similar body.

We are always ready to discuss with other Governments effective measures which will contribute to the prevention of international terrorism and the punishment of terrorists. The setting up of a prison under the control of an international body would pose severe difficulties of a practical nature as well as of principle and is not under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will express to the Government of Pakistan Her Majesty's Government's concern about the possible danger to British citizens and the relatives of British citizens from the anti-Ahmadiyya riots throughout the province of Punjab.

No. We have received no reports that British citizens have been endangered. If such situations were to arise, I am sure that the Pakistan authorities would take steps to ensure their safety as they will be doing in any case for their own nationals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what plans he has for the expansion of Stagnated and Southern airports.

Any expansions of Stagnated or Southern airports are in the first instance matters for respectively the British Airports Authority and the Southern District Council. It is premature to speculate about the future role of the two airports until the current reappraisal of the Mapping project has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of his reassessment of the Maplin project.

The reappraisal of the Maplin project is proceeding satisfactorily. As my right hon. Friend said in his announcement on 21st March, he intends making a further statement before the Summer Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the amount of the grant to the British Tourist Authority for each of the last three years; and what is the grant for the current financial year.

The figures are:

1971–72	…	…	…	£3,550,000
1972–73	…	…	…	£4,500,000*
1973–74	…	…	…	£5,600,000*
1974–75	…	…	…	£5,225,000
*Includes a special provision of £3,50,000 in 1972–73 and £980,000 in 1973–74

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the obligations of EEC membership preclude the introduction of a pig feed formula as a means of insulating pig producers against fluctuating feed prices; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The previous administration having terminated the feed formula in our pig guarantee as part of the arrangements for our adoption of the common agricultural policy, any such proposal would need to be negotiated with our Community partners.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the expected impact on the meat importing trade of the EEC decision that imports of frozen beef from third countries outside the GATT agreement should be matched by imports from EEC intervention stocks; and if the Government will insist on the boning-out of EEC intervention beef in view of the foot-and-mouth epidemic now prevalent in certain continental areas of the Common Market.

When special arrangements for the import of frozen beef into the EEC were discussed in principle by the Council of Ministers at the end of April, I said that I would ask for changes in the system if in practice it proved unsatisfactory and unduly restricted imports. The detailed arrangements that were subsequently made for operating the system were unsatisfactory and I have accordingly pressed for changes to be made. Some have already been agreed, and a reduction has been made in the sale price of some types of intervention beef; others are still being discussed. Until the details of the scheme are finally settled it would be premature to attempt any assessment of its impact on the meat importing trade.There is no question of the United Kingdom's accepting beef from intervention stocks which does not fully comply with our animal health requirements. Deboning of meat is only required on animal health grounds from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is endemic. No EEC country is in this category. However, boneless beef clearly offers advantages in storage and handling, and provision has now been made to allow intervention agencies to demon beef before freezing it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish his proposals for dealing with the question of agricultural tied cottages.

The situation remains as stated in the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mr. Bishop) on 10th April 1974 and my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens) and others on 23rd May 1974.— [Vol. 872, c. 195; Vol. 874, c. 214.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the situation of the inshore fishing industry in the South and West of England.

Members of the South West Fishermen's Association are collating factual information showing the present state of their costs and earnings. When they are ready to send it to me I will gladly consider it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet reached a decision regarding the future of the grant-and-loan scheme for inshore fishermen; and if he will make a statement.

Productive consultations with the industry make me confident that we can shortly resume giving approvals for fishing vessel grants and loans in a way which will protect public funds. The industry asked, however, for a little more time to consider the detailed arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether import levies or duties are now being imposed by the United Kingdom on wheat, barley or maize imported from outside the EEC; and if so for what purpose.

No import levies or duties are currently being charged on the import into the United Kingdom of wheat, barley or maize.

asked the Minster for the Civil Service whether he will set out, for each Ministry and Department of State, the number of temporary secretaries or shorthand typists in post on the latest date for which figures are available; and what proportion they represented, for each Ministry, of the total secretarial or typist staff in post on that date.

Ministry or Department			Number of temporary secretaries or shorthand typists in post	Proportion these temporary staff represent of total secretarial and shorthand typist staff in post Per cent.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	…	…	6	1·4
Cabinet Office	…	…	4	5·6
Central Office of Information	…	…	6	19·4
Civil Service Department (and sub-departments)	…	…	47	27·0
Customs and Excise	…	…	1	1·0
Ministry of Defense (including P.E.)	…	…	2	0·1
Department of Education and Science	…	…	11	6·3
Department of Employment	…	…	43	11·4
Department of the Environment (including P.S.A.)	…	…	72	11·1
Foreign and Commonwealth Office	…	…	1	0·1
Department of Health and Social Security	…	…	101	17·6
Ministry of Overseas Development	…	…	20	22·2
Department of Trade and Industry	…	…	133	19·1
H.M. Treasury (and sub-departments)	…	…	18	19·6
H.M. Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor	…	…	18	48·6
Welsh Office	…	…	2	3·9

asked the Secretary of State for Defense what was the total strength of each category of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve on 1st January 1973 and on the latest available date.

The strength of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve on 1st January 1973 was 59,299 of which 3,533 were Group B, which consists mainly of university officer training corps and TAVR bands which have a lower liability for call-out. Comparable figures for 31st March 1974, which is the latest available date, are 54,658 of which 3,798 are Group B.

asked the Secretary of State for Defense what are the average age and highest age of the vessels currently being operated by the Royal Naval Reserve; and what proposals he has to replace them with new vessels.

17·5 years and 20 years respectively. These "Ton" class vessels are planned to remain in service until the 1980s: the options for their replacement are under consideration.

Following is the information required—as at 1st January 1974—for Ministries and Departments known to be employing temporary secretaries or shorthand typists:

asked the Secretary of State for Defense whether the use of Simons town or other ports in the Republic of South Africa are forbidden to vessels of the Royal Navy or Royal Fleet Auxiliary engaged on or proceeding to or from the blockade of Beira.

It is not the practice to give operational details of the Beira patrol.

asked the Secretary of State for Defense what indication he has received that the United States of America would order over 300 more Harriers if the aircraft were further developed.

My Department has been jointly engaged with the United States Government over the past year in examining the feasibility of an advanced version of the Harrier. The United States Government have not yet stated a formal requirement for such an aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he is continuing to apply the statutory provisions imposing responsibility for maintenance on parents of female students who marry during their courses of study at universities.

My right hon. Friend does not regard marriage of the student as sufficient reason for waiving the responsibility of the parents to contribute according to their means to the higher education of their student son or daughter, where that student is not regarded as independent. If a woman student before the start of her course is 25 or over, or has supported herself for at least three years, no parental contribution is expected, whether or not she marries during the course.

LIST OF ONE YEAR FULL TIME COURSES FOR TEACHERS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
Institution	Course	Number of Enrolments 1972-73*	Number of Enrolments 1973-74*
University of Leeds, Institute of Education	Diploma in the Education of Backward Children	10	10
City of Leeds and Carnegie College	Certificate in the Education of Backward Children	15	13
Newcastle upon Tyne College of Education	Certificate in the Education of Backward Children	20	18
Matlock Training College	Diploma in the Education of Backward Children	11	15
School of Education, University of Birmingham	Diploma in Special Education (Teaching of Visually Handicapped Children)	6	6
London Institute of Education	Diploma in the Teaching of Deaf and Partially Hearing Children	22	26
Department of Audio logy and Education of the Deaf, University of Manchester	University Certificate for Teachers of the Deaf	29	27
Department of Audio logy and Education of the Deaf, University of Manchester	Diploma in Audiology	1	9
Department of Audiology and Education of the Deaf, University of Manchester	Diploma in Advanced Study in Education of the Deaf	2	1
The Lady Spencer-Churchill College	Certificate in the Education of Deaf and Partially Hearing Children	27	23
School of Education, University of Birmingham	Diploma in Special Education (ESN)	16	16
Cambridge Institute of Education	Diploma in the Teaching of Educationally Sub-normal Children	11	11
University of Liverpool, School of Education	Diploma in Special Education	27	25
University of London, Institute of Education	Diploma in the Teaching of Educationally Sub-normal Children	20	15
King Alfred's College of Education	Diploma in the Teaching of Educationally Sub-normal Children	—	10
Manchester College of Education	Teaching of Children with other Handicaps	15	21
University of Southampton, Institute of Education	Diploma in the Education of Handicapped Children	11	9
East Bourne College of Education	Certificate in the Education of Handicapped Children	10	9
City of Birmingham College of Education	Supplementary Certificate Teachers of Handicapped Children	10	26
Redland College	Teaching of Handicapped Children	24	23
Kingston upon Hull College of Education	Diploma/Certificate in Education of Handicapped Children	18	21
City of Leicester College of Education	Diploma in Educational Studies (Handicapped Children)	25	22

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many qualified teachers attended the various one-year courses leading to a relevant diploma or certificate in the education of handicapped children in the academic year 1972–73; and what information he has about the number of teachers attending such courses in the current academic year.

The following is the information in respect of one-year full-time courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many plans for the building of special schools have been submitted by local authorities; and how many have been approved and how many rejected by the Department in the years 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973, respectively.

The number of proposals submitted by LEAs in England and the number included in annual building pro- grammas for the years 1971–72 to 1973–74 were as follows:

Year			Number of proposals	Number included
1971–72	…	…	254	132
1972–73	…	…	306	113
1973–74	…	…	301	145

Comparable figures for 1970–71 are not available.Normally school plans are approved by the Department after discussion with the authority of any modifications considered desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers completed a three-year course of initial training in the education of mentally handicapped children in the academic year ending in 1973; and how many he expects will complete their course in the years 1974, 1975 and 1976.

The provisional figure for 1973 of students successfully completing three-year certificate and four-year B.Ed, courses of initial training for teaching of mentally handicapped children is 106. It is estimated that the corresponding numbers in 1974, 1975 and 1976 will be about 200, 250 and 300, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he proposes to introduce legislation to enable children of primary school age to be given free milk in school.

Future policy for the provision of milk to school pupils is still under consideration.

askec1 the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he can now say what further help and guidance he intends to give local authorities to encourage and assist voluntary youth organizations' work services for young people.

My right hon. Friend intends to hold wide-ranging discussions with both statutory and non statutory interests about the future development of the youth service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has put to the Northumberland Education Committee with regard to the future of Alnwick College of Education.

My Department has invited the Northumberland Local Education Authority to consider the case for discontinuing initial teacher training at Alnwick College of Education in the context of the total future provision in its area, and to submit its views in order to enable my right hon. Friend to take a decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what building works have been put in approved programmes for Alnwick College of Education during the last three years; and what was the cost of those works.

A major scheme to bring up to standard the library, teaching and communal accommodation was included in the programme for 1972–73 and a minor scheme of conversions to provide additional residential places was in the programme for 1973–74. The respective costs on tender were £178,852 and £18,384.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the net cost of eliminating parental contributions from student grants, taking into account the increased revenue which would accrue from the reduction in the number of parents eligible for tax relief on dependants in full-time education.

If abolition of the parental contribution were accompanied by the withdrawal of tax relief to parents in respect of their student children, the net cost for Great Britain might be in the region of £20 million to £30 million in the current year, depending on the basis on which the tax relief was withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider issuing a circular containing guidance to local education authorities about the future training, status and career structure of education welfare officers.

I shall be considering with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services whether to issue a circular on the education welfare service and what such a circular should say.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary schools in the Greater