asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek powers for the compulsory labelling of containers of harmful insecticides with adequate warnings for use and instructions for disposal; and if he will make a statement.

Such powers are already available in the Farm and Garden Chemicals Act 1967. However, as matters stand I see no reason to use them because, under the Pesticides Safety Precautions Scheme, labels for these containers already carry all necessary warnings and instructions for safe use as determined by the expert Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the current rate of investment in the food manufacturing industry is sufficient to provide for economic production in the years ahead.

My Department is in close touch with the food manufacturing industry about the effect of Government and other measures on the rate of investment. These issues will be further examined in the forthcoming review of the Price Code.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial assistance has been given to the glasshouse section of horticulture from public funds for each year since 1964 to the latest available date.

No statistics are available of grant actually paid to particular sectors of the horticulture industry in the United Kingdom. However, by far the greatest part of this assistance was given, until last year, through the Horticulture Improvement Scheme and the table below shows the grant payable on expenditure in the glasshouse sector, so far as this can be determined, which was approved for grant under this scheme. Aid was also available under smaller schemes and, from 1st January 1974, under the Horticulture Capital Grant Scheme and the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme which together replaced the HIS. Information on grant approved for these schemes is not yet readily available. The first payments of the fuel oil subsidy, worth about £7 million in 1974, are due to be made shortly.

Grant payable on approved investment in the glasshouse sector under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme
Financial year	£'000
1964–65	574
1965–66	863
1966–67	1,833
1967–68	3,179
1968–69	3,491
1969–70	3,767
1970–71	4,114
1971–72	3,297
1972–73	6,372
1973–74	5,612

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now extend the subsidy on oil used by growers in the glasshouse section of horticulture beyond the date when the present scheme is due to terminate.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Emery) on 25th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many public appointments are within his gift; and what is the cost to the Treasury.

My right hon. Friend is responsible for making 35 salaried and fee-paid appointments and, in addition, there are 101 for which he shares the responsibility with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as appropriate. The annual cost of these salaries and fees is about £200,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of farm visits made by National Agricultural Advisory Service personnel in respect of farm management advice during its last complete year of operation and the number of farm visits made by Agricultural Development and Advisory Service personnel in respect of farm management advice during its first complete year of operation.

Precise figures are not available for the period in question, but the approximate number of farm visits in respect of farm management advice made by National Agricultural Advisory Service personnel in its last year of operation, and the number of similar visits by Agricultural Development and Advisory Service personnel in its first year of operation, from 1st March 1971 were 36,200 and 23,500 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of farm visits made by the National Agricultural Service personnel during its complete year of operation and the number of visits made by Agricultural Development and Advisory Service personnel during its first complete year of operation which would formerly have been made by National Agricultural Advisory Service personnel.

Precise figures are rot available for the period in question, but the approximate number of farm visits made by National Agricultural Advisory Service personnel in its last year of operation, and the number of similar visits by Agricultural Development and Advisory Service personnel in its first year of operation, from 1st March 1971, were 427,600 and 378,700 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total tonnage of poultry sold in a fresh uneviscerated state; what proportion that figure represents of total sales of all poultry; and what is the proportion for turkeys around Christmas time.

Separate figures are not collected on this trade. On the very limited information available, it has been estimated that the total tonnage of poultry sold in the United Kingdom in a fresh uneviscerated state in 1972 was about 15–20 per cent. of total sales of all poultry, or around about 120,000 tons. I regret that there is no information available on which to base an estimate of the proportion for turkeys around Christmas time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of (a) chicken, (b) turkeys, (c) old hens, and (d) ducks were normally sold in an uneviscerated state at the latest date for which figures are available; and what is the annual tonnage for each class of poultry sold in that form.

Separate figures are not collected on this trade. On the very limited information available it has been estimated that in the United Kingdom in 1972 the proportions of poultry sold in the fresh uneviscerated state were as follows:

	Approximately
Chicken	15 per cent. or 65,000 tons
Turkey	25 per cent. or 20,000 tons
Old hens	35 per cent. or 30,000 tons
Ducks	25 per cent. or 5,000 tons

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he can now make a statement on forestry policy.

Yes. My right hon. Friends and I have decided to bring in new arrangements built upon the revised policy framework which was announced by the previous administration on 24th October last and which included provision for the Forestry Commission's own operations. We attach great importance to the continued progress of forestry on these lines.In particular we are introducing a new dedication scheme, which has been devised after wide consultation with the interests concerned, including representatives of private forestry, planning, amenity, agricultural and other organisations. We aim to start on 1st October. An explanatory leaflet has already been prepared, and copies are being placed in the Library of the House. Details of the arrangements are being notified to the European Commission.Owners entering the scheme will accept a continuing obligation to manage their woodlands so as to secure sound forestry practice, good land use, including effective integration with agriculture, environmental benefits and provision of such opportunities for recreation, including provision for public access, as may be appropriate. In return they will receive a basic grant of £45 per hectare—£18·21 per acre—payable after approved planting of an approved crop. For land approved for planting with hardwoods and planted so as to establish a hardwood crop and give a predominantly hardwood appearance in the landscape over the greater part of the woodland's life, a supplementary grant of £125 per hectare—£50·59 per acre—will be payable in addition.The Forestry Commission will consider for entry into the scheme both existing woodlands and bare land for planting providing it normally extends to at least one hectare, approximately two and a half acres.For the entry into the scheme of areas of 10 or more hectares, approximately 25 acres, there will be a legal instrument of dedication under which, at the time of felling, either party will be able to exercise an option to end dedication. Similar but less formal contracts are proposed for areas of less than 10 hectares. In either case a successor in title will customarily be invited to take up his predecessor's rights and obligations under a fresh agreement.Owners will be entitled to retain their existing rights and obligations by remaining under the previous schemes or they can transfer into the new scheme any area which meets its requirements.In considering applications the commission will consult the Agricultural Departments, local planning authorities, and other interests concerned as appropriate with the object of ensuring that land use, agricultural, amenity, recreation and nature conservation requirements are satisfied. They will also consult the planning and other authorities over environmental issues when considering owners' plans of operations. In handling individual grant applications and felling licensing the commission will endeavour, as at present, to secure the agreement of all parties concerned. However in cases where differences of view remain the commission will invite the appropriate regional advisory committee to assist it in the process of reconciling views; and if this further procedure fails to produce a settlement acceptable to all concerned the commission will refer the case to Ministers for decision. The commission will also consult regional advisory committees before commenting upon regional, structure and local plans. Meantime steps are being taken to reconstitute the regional advisory committees to include representatives of agriculture, planning and environmental interests and the Forestry Commission will be announcing further details in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will specify any measures arising out of British membership of the EEC which have, firstly, raised, or, secondly, lowered, barriers on imports of horticultural produce into Great Britain.

During the transitional period our tariffs against other member States are being gradually removed. Our tariffs against other countries are concurrently being aligned with the Common Customs Tariff—subject to certain preferential agreements with some countries. Some fresh fruits and vegetables are subject to the Community's reference price system.The import quotas for apples and pears which we used to operate have been abolished, but during the transitional period a degressive system of compensatory amounts applies to our imports and exports. Most quotas applying to fresh fruit and vegetables from the Eastern Area have also been abolished.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the principal foreign sources from which tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuces and flowers were imported into Great Britain last year with the estimated value of the quantity imported in each case.

I have been asked to reply.Following is the information:

	£ million cif	Hundred tons
Tomatoes, fresh or chilled
Canary Islands	18·5	735
Netherlands	8·8	288
Spain	6·0	244
Roumania	1·5	53
Irish Republic	1·2	50
All other countries	0·8	27
Total	36·7	1,398
Cucumbers
Netherlands	3·3	130
Canary Islands	3·0	125
All other countries	0·3	16
Total	6·7	270
Lettuces, including endives
Netherlands	3·3	74
All other countries	0·6	21
Total	3·9	95
Cut Flowers
France	1·1	5
South Africa	0·2	3
Columbia	0·3	2
Netherlands	0·5	2
Kenya	0·2	2
Malta	0·2	2
All other countries	0·7	4
Total	3·2	19

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many public appointments are within his gift; and what is the cost to the Treasury.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind salaried appointments to public bodies, where the salaries are met from public funds, outside the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Services, in which case the answer is "None". I do, however, make a large number of unsalaried appointments to standing committees, advisory bodies, boards of trustees, and similar organisations, but it would involve disproportionate effort and cost to public funds to list all these.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the additional hours of duty involved for military personnel at Heathrow and Chequers in respect of visiting delegates to the International Socialist Conference; and what was the cost to public funds.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of full-time bands and bandsmen in each of the Services, the cost of maintaining the band services and the extent to which this cost is recovered by charges made for public performances.

The number of full time bands and bandsmen is:

	Royal Marines	Army	Royal Air Force	Total
Bands	11	78	6	95
Bandsmen	546	3,438	319	4,303

The numbers of bandsmen include trainees—including junior bandsmen—undergoing full-time military musical training.The total cost of the band services for 1973–74 is estimated at £12·7 million.The sum recovered by the Defence Vote in 1973–74 as a result of charges made for public performances is estimated at £26,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of graduates from universities in 1973 who still remain unemployed.

According to figures supplied by the University Grants Committee 1,367 students who obtained first degrees from universities in Great Britain in 1972–73 were believed to be unemployed when last contacted between graduation and December 1973. In addition there were 2,006 in temporary employment while awaiting permanent employment or further study.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in the light of the recommendations of the Ninth Report of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries, what steps he intends to take to obtain a national career structure for museum staff, for parity of grades for equal responsibility and for interchangeable pensions rights linked between national and provincial museums.

In the case of museums wholly maintained by local authorities, their staff are already able to transfer their pension rights if they move to the national museums and vice versa. The conditions of employment in provincial museums and galleries are, of course, the responsibility of the authorities that maintain them. Local authorities have been invited to consider the recommendations on this subject made by the Committee on Provincial Museums and Galleries when reviewing their museum services as a consequence of the reorganisation of local government.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pictures and works of art from public collections are currently on loan to Her Majesty's Embassies and high commissions overseas; and whether he will publish a list of present loans and of their duration.

26 works are on loan to Her Majesty's Embassies from the national collections, 18 from the Tate Gallery and eight from the National Portrait Gallery, none to high commissions. The loans are usually for five-year periods or related to the term of the appointment of the head of mission but may be extended as appropriate. In present day circumstances it would not be desirable to publish a detailed list.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is taking steps to establish outstations assigned to house a suitable and significantly related group of exhibits from the national collections in selected provincial museums.

As responsibility for provincial museums rests mainly with local authorities it would not be desirable to establish an outstation from a national collection within a provincial museum. An outstation of the Science Museum, the National Railway Museum, is however being established at York, which will continue to be administered as a national institution. There are various arrangements, for example by loans or by circulating exhibitions, whereby objects in national collections may be shown in provincial museums; these are matters for the trustees or other authorities responsible for the national institutions. In all cases it is for the governing body of the national institution to satisfy itself about the security and care of the objects on loan and their relevance to the rest of the national collection or to the local collection concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to introduce a general extension of Government indemnity covering the outlay on insurance charges on the loan of pictures and works of art from national collections to provincial museums and galleries.

It is existing policy that borrowers from the national collections should themselves carry the additional risk to any object occasioned by the borrowing, whether by insurance or otherwise. I am, however, aware that local museum authorities may find it difficult to cover the additional risks involved in borrowing from national collections. I am, therefore, considering whether any means can be found to help local museums to increase the numbers of objects borrowed from the national institutions, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in the light of the Ninth Report of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries, he is taking steps to encourage loans from national collections to provincial museums and galleries; and whether he will make a statement.

I am continuing to provide, for the museums within the Department, additional resources for travelling exhibitions, which are the main means by which objects in the national collections can be seen in provincial museums. Since 1971 two more large circulating exhibitions and seven additional exhibitions have been provided by the Science Museum, and the V. and A. Museum continues to offer a range of 73 exhibitions under five categories depending on the resources available for display and the arrangements for safeguarding the exhibits.These programmes are subject to the difficulties and increased risks faced at the present time by the custodians of all objects of great value. Notwithstanding these difficulties, I hope that the museums in the Department, and the trustees of the other national collections, will be able to continue and expand their loans to local museums. In addition, increasing numbers of objects offered to the nation in lieu of death duties are being made available to local collections on the advice of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average time at present taken to process applications under Section 29 of the Charities Act 1960 where an order is sought authorising the mortgage of property vested in an educational charity.

These applications are dealt with by the Charity Commissioners, to whom my right hon. Friend's functions under Section 29 of the Charities Act 1960 were transferred on 1st February last.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on his proposals for a certificate of extended education; and what consideration he is giving to proposals for a certificate of further education, as suggested by colleges of further education.

Proposals for a Certificate of Extended Education examination are at present under consideration by the Schools Council. I will await a recommendation from the council before I consider whether such an examination should be established.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children aged 15 years are remaining at school for their final year of compulsory, full-time education; and how many of them are attending link courses at colleges of further education during that year.

About 715,000 children were in their final year of compulsory school education in England and Wales last January. The number of these attending linked courses during the year is not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many colleges of further education are now providing link courses for children in their last year of compulsory full-time education; and how many are not.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what formal methods of consultation are used by him in dealing with colleges of further education.

Letters, memoranda and meetings as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list the members of the Business Education Council, indicating their qualifications, the area from which they come, and the salary or fees payable to them.

Following is the information:

• Mr. J. M. Bruce Lockhart, CB, CMG, OBE, MA (Chairman). Adviser on Post Experience Programme, Graduate Business Centre, City University.
• Mr. M. A. Abrams, PhD. Director, Survey Research Unit, Social Science Research Council.
• Mr. W. M. Allen. Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
• Mr. S. Broadbridge, MA(Econ). Principal Lecturer, North Staffordshire Polytechnic.
• Mr. D. Bruce, MC, AFM, MA. Principal, Kingston-upon-Thames College of Further Education.
• Miss E. M. Byrne, BA, PhD. Divisional Educational Officer for the Lincoln Division of Lincolnshire.
• Mr. J. Chadderton, MA. Director of Education, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
• Mr. E. P. Chappell. Morgan Grenfell & Co, Ltd, Merchant Bankers, London EC2.
• Mrs. J. M. Elliott, MSc(Econ) Cert Ed. Lecturer, Tottenham College of Technology.
• Mr. A. N. Fairbairn, MC, MA. Director of Education, Leicestershire County Council.
• Mr. D. Fiske, MA. Chief Education Officer, Manchester.
• Mr. J. Foord. Chairman, Hull Division, Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical and Computer Staffs; Councillor, Humberside County Council.
• Mr. M. Hempsell. Director, Ellis & Buckle Ltd, Chartered Loss Adjusters, London WC2.
• Mr. P. W. de L. Holmes, BSc(Econ), MSc, MBIM. Head of South-West Regional Management Centre, Bristol Polytechnic.
• Mr. L. H. Jones, BA(Com), FCIS, FISM, AMBIM. Principal, South-West London College.
• Mr. R. G. King, FCA. Head of Professional Studies Department, Hull College of Commerce.
• Mr. F. F. Land, BSc(Econ). Senior Lecturer (Computing), London School of Economics.
• Mr. D. Lofts, MA, DPA. Director, Local Government Training Board, London SE1.
• Mr. T. Lovett, OBE. Councillor, Gwynedd County Council.
• Mr. J. M. Morris, MBE. Director of Management Development, Post Office Central HQ.
• Mr. J. F. Phillips, OBE, LLM, FCIS. Secretary, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.
• Mr. C. T. H. Plant, OBE. General Secretary, Inland Revenue Staff Federation.
• Mrs. S. Platts. Councillor, Derbyshire County Council.
• Miss S. Rodden, BSc., PhD. Wolsey Ltd, Leicester.
• Mr. L. D. Smith, MIEx, AMBIM. Laporte Industries Ltd, Luton.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will set out the terms of reference of the Business Education Council; and what steps he intends to take to ensure that the opinions of lecturers in colleges of further education are fully taken into account by that body.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a Question by the hon. Member for Plymouth, Drake (Miss Fookes) on 29th January 1974—[Vol. 868, c. 55]. My right hon. Friend has not given the council formal terms of reference. Its task will be to develop policies for a unified and nationally recognised system of awards for those whose occupations fall within the broad area of business and public administration and whose educational needs will not be met by courses and qualifications in the office skills such as shorthand and typewriting on the one hand or by a degree or the Diploma Higher Education on the other. Several members of the council are members of the teaching profession and my right hon. Friend has made it clear that he will expect the council to seek the advice and co-operation of the many bodies and individuals concerned with business studies, including the teachers. He has no doubt that the council will act on this request.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the industrial dispute at Fleetway Printers, Northfleet, and state what action is being taken by his Department to bring the dispute to a speedy conclusion.

During the recent national dispute in the printing industry some 50 members of the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades employed at Fleetway Printers, Gravesend, refused certain work and were informed that no payment would be made for the period of refusal. About 200 union members took strike action in protest from 13th June. The strike continues in support of the union's claim for payment for the period of refusal and for the period following the end of the national dispute on 24th June. Representatives of the company and the union are meeting under my Department's chairmanship tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the population of the United Kingdom excluding Northern Ireland is currently in full-time employment; and how this compares with 1964 and 1954, respectively.

The proportions of the population of Great Britain who were in employment at mid-year in 1954, 1964 and 1973, are shown below. The proportion in full-time employment is shown for 1973.

Year	Percentage in employment	Percentage in full-time employment
1954	47·5	—
1964	47·5	—
1971(a)	44·6	—
1971(b)	43·9	37·8
1973	44·7	37·7

Notes:1. Employment data for 1954 and 1964 cannot be separated between full-time and part-time.2. In calculating the proportion in full-time employment for 1973 it has been assumed that no self-employed person works part-time.3. Figures for 1971 are also shown, since employment estimates up to 1971 (

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now seek to intervene in the industrial dispute at the Liverpool grain terminal; and if he will make a statement.

I have asked the National Joint Council for the Port Transport Industry whether it proposes to take any further steps to bring about a settlement of the outstanding issues. If a settlement is not in prospect within the industry's procedure arrangements, I have suggested the use of my Department's Conciliation Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has sent to the city of Birmingham's protest at the cutback in capital expenditure by the Government for the Severn-Trent Water Authority.

The water authorities, in common with other public sector bodies, have been subject to a cutback of 20 per cent. in capital expenditure this year imposed by the previous administration. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my letter to Birmingham District Council about the representations it has made to me regarding restrictions on capital expenditure on water services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he is giving to the future of the Halt-whistle to Alston railway line; and whether he will make a statement.

After careful consideration I have concluded that the decision of the previous administration should stand and that this service should be withdrawn as soon as the road improvements can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the safety helmet regulations to take account of the position of the Sikh community who as a matter of religious conscience find themselves unable to comply.

I have reviewed the regulations and come to the conclusion that I should not be justified in making a special exception for the Sikhs. I have, however, agreed to see a deputation from the Sikh community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to issue a circular to local authorities about the administration of the rate rebate scheme with particular reference to the operation of Regulation 5(1) of the regulations at the authorities' discretion thereunder.

Circular 85/74 (DOE) which was issued on 5th June urges rating authorities to use this power very sparingly and only in exceptional cases where to grant a rebate would be an abuse of public funds. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been done on the possible effect of high speed trains on ground vibration and possible damage to property adjacent to railway lines and the aerodynamic noise effects of such trains.

The Railways Board, with my Department's support, is carrying out an extensive programme of research on noise and ground vibration arising from rail operations, including high speed trains. Information about the operation of high speed trains abroad has already been obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from residents of Yiewsley and West Drayton calling for a public inquiry into the appeal by Brent Oil against the decision of the London borough of Hillingdon not to permit the use of 66 Albert Road, Yiewsley, for the storage of paraffin in a residential area; if he will grant such a public inquiry; and when it will take place.

The Hillingdon Environmental Action Party has written to my right hon. Friend and has forwarded a petition requesting, an inquiry into the appeals against an enforcement notice served by the Hillingdon Council. The notice alleges the carrying out of building operations in the erection of oil storage tanks at 66 Albert Road. While the local planning authority had agreed to the appeals being determined on the basis of written representations, I have decided to arrange a local inquiry in view of the representations made by local residents and the additional ground of appeal which has been pleaded by the appellants. I shall be getting in touch with the council about possible dates.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons with diplomatic immunity were attached to the British Embassy in 1950, 1960 and 1973 in USSR, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, respectively.

The numbers were as follows:

	1950	1960	1973
			A	B
U.S.S.R.	81	76	84	—
Poland	19	23	21	23
Hungary	18	11	13	26
Czechoslovakia	38	32	34	—
Romania	13	11	14	13
Bulgaria	29	18	24	—

Column B shows the numbers of persons employed at diplomatic missions in an administrative or technical capacity entitled to a more restricted immunity in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about recent meetings between British Ministers and the Prime Minister of Malta.

On 28th June, during his recent visit to London, the Prime Minister of Malta, the Honourable Dom Mintoff, had talks with my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence, as well as myself.In the course of wide-ranging discussions of both international and bilateral questions agreement was reached on the resumption by the Government of Malta of the servicing of outstanding British Exchequer loans and on the provision of further British technical assistance to Malta.The talks, which were conducted in a very cordial atmosphere, served to reaffirm and to strengthen the close links between Malta and the United Kingdom. It will be the continuing aim of Her Majesty's Government to maintain and further develop their friendly relations with the Government of Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to secure for British Airways landing and overflying rights for the Concorde supersonic aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.I have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) on 10th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received the report of the Crawford Committee on Broadcasting Coverage; and, if not, when he expects this to be available.

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the report of the Committee on Broadcasting Coverage; he expects to receive it during the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish a list of all public appointments which fall within his departmental responsibility to make or recommend, together with the salaries currently paid to each, where appropriate, and the dates upon which all existing appointments expire; whether applications or nominations from the general public are allowed; and if he will make a statement.

Information on the main appointments concerned can be found in the White Paper listing members of public boards of a commercial nature (Cmnd 5609). It is not customary to invite applications for public appointments of this kind as they fall vacant. But I am glad at any time to hear about people whose qualifications and experience equip them for such appointments.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will give the separate valuations upon which the consideration for the purchase of the share control of Court Shipbuilders was levied.

The price for the issued share capital of Court Shipbuilders was arrived at in negotiation with Court Line taking into account the relevant factors including the underlying net assets and the past results and future propects of the Court Shipbuilders Ltd. companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will specify the terms and conditions of interest and capital repayment attaching to the £4 million belonging to Court Shipbuilders which he has agreed to leave with Court Line Ltd. meantime; and what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of any difference between such terms and conditions and those which would be chargeable to Court Line Ltd. in the open market.

The terms and conditions of the £4 million loan to Court Line from Court Shipbuilders will be identical to the terms and conditions of the commercial loan to Court Line from the National Westminster Bank.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the location of each of the operations of Court Line Ltd., and the numbers employed at each; and the Section and subsection of the Industry Act under which he has agreed to safeguard the holiday operations of this company.

I have nothing to add to my statement of 1st July on the arrangements for the acquisition of the share capital of Court Shipbuilders Ltd. using the powers in Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972. The main operations of Court Line are listed in the company's annual report, a copy of which I have placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what arrangements he has made to have his decision in principle to acquire the assets of Court Shipbuilders Ltd. and to safeguard the holiday operations of Court Line Ltd. scrutinised by the Industrial Development Advisory Board, as required by Section 9 of the Industry Act; and if he will publish the board's findings.

Although under Section 9 I am not obliged to seek the board's advice, I would have done so had there been enough time for the normal consultation, but the exceptional circumstances of the particular case precluded

Company			Location					Employment
Doxford Engines Ltd.	…	…	Sunderland	…	…	…	…	850
Wolsingham Steel Co. Ltd.	…	…	Bishop Auckland	…	…	…	…	425
K. L. Marine Equipment Ltd.		…	Newcastle upon Tyne		…	…	…	125
Sunderland Forge Engineering Co. Ltd.			Sunderland	…	…	…	…	650
Sunderland Shipbuilders Ltd.	…	…	Sunderland	…	…	…	…	4,100
Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd.	…	…	Appledore, Devon	…	…	…	…	800
North East Coast Shiprepairers Ltd.		…	Hull, Sunderland, South Shields and Jarrow					2,700

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what estimate he has made of the proportion of production effort in the aircraft, shipbuilding and engineering industries and of the construction industry that is currently engaged on publicly-funded work.

No precise figures are available, but it is estimated that nearly half of the construction industry's output and one-fifth of the aircraft industry's production output is on publicly-funded work. Estimates are not available for the engineering industries or, for security reasons, for the shipbuilding industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, without identifying particular firms' professional charges, he will state how many of the firms providing professional accountancy and management consultancy services to his Department are being remunerated at less than £168 per day.

Payments to those firms which are remunerated on a daily basis depend on the number of staff employed which may vary from day to day.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the location of each of the operations which the Government have agreed in principle to purchase with Court Shipbuilders Ltd., together with the numbers of persons currently employed at each.

The main operations concerned, with their employment figures and locations, are:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost of local authority expenditure which was met by (a) domestic ratepayers, (b) non-domestic ratepayers, and (c) Government grants, in the latest year for which figures are available; and what would be the required increase in the standard rate of income tax if that part met by domestic ratepayers were instead to be met by the national Exchequer.

The estimated outturn figures for the United Kingdom in 1973–74 are: (a) £1,200 million; (b) £1,491 million; (c) £3,826 million.The increase in the basic rate of income tax required to produce extra revenue of £1,200 million would be about 4p.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the level of income at which a form P11D return has to be made.

As the hon. Member will know, I undertook in Standing Committee on the Finance Bill to put down a clause at Report stage which would have the effect of raising the level of income at which a form P11D return has to be made to £5,000 with effect from 6th April 1975.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what criteria he adopts before deciding, in the interests of stockholders, whether to apply a sinking fund to the purchase of stock before its final redemption date;(2) if the operation of a sinking fund on Government stock can affect the marketability and therefore the market price of a stock; and why the sinking fund on Redemption 3 per cent. 1986–96 has not been applied since 1971;(3) following the answer on the sinking fund on Redemption 3 per cent. 1986–96 given to the hon. Member for St. Ives on 27th June, whether the stockholders have a greater assurance of redemption at par on Redemption 3 per cent. 1986–90 as a result of the existence of a sinking fund on the stock than would be the case if the sinking fund did not exist.

The criteria for the operation of sinking funds are laid down in the prospectus of each stock or in the relevant legislation or the undertaking given by the Government at the time of the issue. Among the factors that can influence market price is demand arising from the operation of a sinking fund.The sinking fund for 3 per cent. Redemption Stock has not been applied to the purchase of that stock since 1970 because the stock has not been available at a suitable price; sums available to the sinking fund have been applied instead to the purchase of other securities. The existence of a sinking fund for this stock does not enhance the assurance of redemption. The stockholders are fully assured of redemption at par on 1st October 1996 or, at the option of the Treasury, on or after 1st October 1986.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) by how much he would have to raise the standard rate of income tax in order to raise £2,000 million in extra revenue;(2) by how much he would have to raise the standard rate of income tax in order to raise £1,000 million in extra revenue;(3) by how much he would have to raise the standard rate of income tax in order to raise £100 million in extra revenue.

In order to raise £100 million, £1,000 million and £2,000 million additional revenue in a full year it would be necessary on 1974–75 income levels to increase the basic rate of income tax by about ⅓, 3⅓, and 6⅔ percentage points, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there is any change in the attitude he expressed in answer to a Question on 5th April 1974 by the hon. Member for Bedford that he did not intend to mortgage future North Sea oil production, in view of the balance of payments deficit now anticipated for 1974.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much assistance has been provided from the Exchequer to each of its nationalised industries since their respective vesting dates in respect of (a) grants of a kind which are also available to private industry and (b) capital write offs.

The information requested in the first part of the Question is not readily available and could not be provided at the cost of disproportionate time and effort. For details of capital write offs I would refer the, hon. Member to Table B in the answer given on 3rd July to the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the 5¾ per cent. rise in retail prices during the three months from 28th February was attributable to his Budgetary measures; and if he will list the items in the Budget which contributed to those rises.

I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the workforce in the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland, is currently in the employment of the Civil Service, local government service, and the nationalised industries, respectively.

I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that United Kingdom silver alloy coins are being purchased at a premium over face value, but below silver value, for export to EEC countries for melting down; and what action he proposes to take.

This trade, which has developed in recent months following a steep rise in the price of silver, is against the interests of the British taxpayer, on whose behalf the Royal Mint has for many years operated a silver recovery programme. I have arranged with the Department of Trade for the issue of an amended open general licence the effect of which, from Monday 15th July, will he that the export of these coins to EEC countries in quantities of more than 10 will be subject to individual export licence, as is already the case for the export of the coins to all other destinations.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will invite leaders of the Churches in Northern Ireland to the conference to be held in Oxford; and if he will make a statement.

The conference to which my hon. Friend refers is the annual conference of the British Irish Association. The composition of the invitation list is a matter for the association.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what support her Department gives to the Flying Doctor Service in Africa.

I have agreed to provide from aid funds a British aircraft for use by the African Medical and Research Foundation for its Flying Doctor scheme in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Sudan. My Department will also be financing a study into the cost and benefits of differing methods of providing mobile medical services in Botswana. This will both help the Botswana Government to decide their future policy and also contribute to the general pool of knowledge on the efficacy of, inter alia, flying doctor services.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the figure of British economic assistance to the Sultanate of Brunei.

Britain does not provide economic assistance to the Sultanate of Brunei.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (1) if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the guardians of the Birmingham Assay Office, along with their length of service and age;(2) if she will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the attendance figures for each of the guardians of the standard of wrought plate of the Birmingham Assay Office at the annual meetings required by Section 6 of the Birmingham Assay Office Act 1824, for each of the past 10 years.

My right hon. Friend has no responsibility for the management of the Birmingham Assay Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will set up an inquiry into the operation of the Birmingham Assay Office under Section 20 of the Hallmarking Act 1973.

Section 20 does not come into operation until 1st January 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what representations she has received about the operation of the Birmingham Assay Office; and if she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received certain representations from the National Association of Assay Office Employees which, with the agreement of the association, she is putting to the management of the Birmingham Assay Office.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the task force set up by the Government according to paragraph 39 of Command Paper No. 5046 has now worked out a scheme to develop interchanges between the Civil Service and the research councils, universities and industry.

I have been asked to reply.The task force chaired by Sir Hermann Bondi has completed its discussions and I am planning to publish the report later this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will invite the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee to survey the housing needs of the handicapped in Scotland and assess the value of the work in progress.

The general question of housing for the handicapped is currently under consideration by the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee. I intend to continue to consult the com

							Estimated cost
							(£m.)
A. Under construction:
Scheme—
A8/M8 West Ferry-Port Glasgow		…	…	…	…	…	2
M8 Bishopton Bypass, Stage II		…	…	…	…	…	4
B. Included in forward plans
Scheme—
M77 Glasgow City Boundary-Malletsheugh		…	…	…	…	…	2
A77 Malletsheugh-Ayr County Boundary		…	…	…	…	…	2·2
A742 Criswell Chapel-Inverkip		…	…	…	…	…	1

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the guidance he gives to local authorities on the provision of housing for handicapped persons in each new housing development and in numbers adequate to the need.

The attention of local authorities was drawn to their various obligations under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 shortly after its enactment. They were reminded in a circular issued in March 1972 about the requirement placed on them by Section 3 of the Act to have regard to the special housing needs of the disabled in their areas. I am at present considering the issue of further guidance on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what special financial assistance, if any, is given to encourage housing associations to make provision for the housing of handicapped persons.

Housing association expenditure approved for subsidy purposes takes account of special facilities provided for handicapped persons.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the current programme of road improvements for which he is responsible in the landward areas of Renfrewshire with costs shown and state for forward plans for improvement for which funds have, and have not, respectively, been allocated.

The current programme of trunk road improvements in Renfrewshire for which I am responsible is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the schemes for the improvement of principal roads in Greenock, Port Glasgow and Gourock which have recently been

Improvement of Principal Roads
							Estimated Cost
							(£'000)
A. Schemes authorised recently
Greenock
A8—Helen Street to burgh boundary	…	…	…	…	…	…	600
A742—Neil Street to Branchton Road	…	…	…	…	…	…	132
A742—Inverkip Road—footpath	…	…	…	…	…	…	13
B. Schemes included in approved programme for 1974–75 but deferred for the time being
Greenock
A742—Improvement at IBM Factory	…	…	…	…	…	…	145
A8—Cartsburn Street to Knowe Road	…	…	…	…	…	…	180
C. Schemes included in approved 1974–75 programme but not yet submitted for authorisation
Greenock
A742—Branchton Road	…	…	…	…	…	…	300
A742—Auchmead Road to Benmore Lane	…	…	…	…	…	…	130
Port Glasgow
A8—West Lodge (burgh boundary) to Fyfe Shore			…	…	…	…	950

NOTE:No proposal has been submitted for principal road improvement in Gourock in 1974–75.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to increase the supply of qualified teachers for adult training centres in England and Wales.

There are at present 320 places on courses approved for the diploma of the Training Council for Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped and an additional 85 places have been approved for the coming year. The Central Council for the Education and Training in Social Work, which will assume responsibility for relevant training in the autumn, is currently considering plans for a substantial further development of training in this aspect of day services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if teachers in adult training centres are on the same pay scales as teachers in special schools.

No. The pay of instructors at adult training centres is negotiated by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Professional, Technical and Clerical Services. Teachers in special schools are paid on Burnham Committee scales.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many adult training centres there are under the responsibility of Hertsmere District Council.

The relevant local social services authority is the Hertfordshire County Council, which currently has six adult training centres providing a total of 620 places. Hertsmere district residents attend the adult training centres at St. Albans. Welwyn Garden City and Watford.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the youngest age at which a handicapped person may join an adult training centre.

16 years, though children who can benefit from staying at school beyond the minimum leaving age are encouraged to do so where this is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she expects to announce the names of the members of the Newham Community Health Council.

The formation of the community health council is the responsibility of the North-East Thames Regional Health Authority. The council has now been appointed and I shall ask the authority to send my hon. Friend a list of the membership.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will consider recommending that district nurses should be provided with houses.

Many of the health staff who transferred from local authorities to area health authorities as part of the health service reorganisation were already living in accommodation provided by their previous employers. Their rights as tenants are fully protected.Area health authorities have been advised to discuss with local housing authorities what help they can give to cater for the needs of staff appointed since reorganisation. Housing authorities have been asked to treat health service staff no less favourably than their own staff. The extent to which health authorities can themselves provide accommodation—whether for staff employed in hospitals or for those engaged in community health work—depends on the amount of accommodation already available and on how much they can afford to devote to increasing the supply from the financial resources at their disposal. As will be appreciated, there are many other urgent competing calls on National Health Service funds at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will improve the car allowances for health visitors.

Mileage allowances for staff employed in the National Health Service are negotiated in the General Whitley Council. Increases to the present rates of allowances are currently being discussed in the council and details of the new rates, which will be backdated, will be circulated as soon as agreement is reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes are envisaged with regard to the status and remuneration of health visitors in the reorganised health service; and if she will make a statement.

It is not proposed that the reorganisation of the health service should lead to any change in the status of health visitors. Indeed, my right hon. Friend, in her reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mrs. Jeger) on 6th May—[Vol. 873, c. 55–7.] accepting the Briggs Report, announced that the name of "Health Visitor" would be retained and incorporated in the title of the proposed new statutory bodies. She also announced that the new Central Council of Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors would have a Standing Health Visiting Committee.The remuneration of health visitors is primarily a matter for the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council and is also within the terms of reference of the present independent inquiry into the pay and conditions of service of nurses and midwives.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the population of the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland, is currently over retirement age; and how this compares with 1954 and 1964, respectively.

The percentage of the population of Great Britain—England and Wales and Scotland—aged 65 and over for men and 60 and over for women is estimated to have been 16·7 per cent. at mid-1973. This compares with 14·9 and 14·1 per cent. for 1964 and1954 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish a table showing the net income of couples with one, two and four children over a standard range of earnings, allowing for the social contributions and benefits if child tax were withdrawn, school meals were made free for all children, family allowances were paid at £2·50 per week for each child; and what would be the net cost.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st June 1974], circulated the following information—Net incomes of married couples if family allowances (FAM) payable at £2·50 for each child, child tax allowances

withdrawn, and school meals free for all children:

	Married couple with
Weekly Earnings	1 child (aged)	2 children (aged 8 and 12)	4 children (aged 8, 10, 12 and 14)
£	£	£	£
20	19·28	22·66	29·14
25	20·20	23·41	29·45
30	22·13	25·34	31·38
35	24·27	27·34	33·30
40	27·35	30·42	35·64
45	30·42	33·49	38·71
50	33·50	36·57	41·79
60	39·65	42·72	47·94
80	52·97	56·04	61·26
100	66·37	69·44	74·66
150	94·77	97·84	103·06
200	116·86	119·93	125·15
The estimated net additional cost is about £500m. a year.

The estimated net additional cost is about £500m. a year.NOTES:1. Net income is defined as earnings plus FAM, FIS, rent and rate rebates and the value of free school meals (60p); less income tax, national insurance contributions, rent, rates and work expenses (65p).2. Assumptions made:

	Rent	Rates
	£	£
Family with 1 child	3·55	1·36
Family with 2 children	3·57	1·37
Family with 3 children	4·28	1·64

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the estimated total number of employees of limited companies whose employees exceed (a) 2,000 and (b) 200.

The information is not available. Censuses of production and distribution show that there are around 4,950,000 persons employed by enterprises with 2,000 or more employees, and around 6.850,000 persons by enterprises with 200 or more employees, engaged in manufacturing and retailing. An enterprise is defined as one or more firms under common ownership or control and commonly consists of a single company or of a holding company and its subsidiary companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when Airside motor vehicle passes for London Airport were last called in for renewal; what is the total number now issued; how many are reported as having disappeared; and how many are estimated to be missing from their original owners or vehicles.

This is a matter for the British Airports Authority. However, I understand that motor vehicle air-side passes are changed regularly to avoid the problems which could arise if passes are lost or mislaid and to which the hon. Member alludes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he is taking to secure agreement on a differential fare structure for passengers on supersonic aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

The fares must in the first instance be agreed in IATA, but I am keeping in touch with British Airways about their proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what measures he proposes to prevent the sale in the United Kingdom by foreign airlines of air tickets at unauthorised discounted rates.

If the hon. Member will send me evidence of cases he has in mind we will carefully examine the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to complete his review of the sound insulation scheme for those affected by aircraft noise living near Heathrow; and whether he will make a statement.

The review is continuing. I am not at present able to say whether it will be possible to make an announcement before the Summer Recess. I can, however, give an assurance that this will be done at the earliest practicable date.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement with regard to the future of Pinewood Studios.

Pinewood Studios are engaged in the business of film production and so far as I am aware are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is proposing to put forward any proposals with regard to restructuring the application of the Eady Levy system for the British film industry.

My right hon. Friend is considering recommendations from the Cinematograph Films Council on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his present policy In connection with the issue of licences under the Prevention of Frauds (Investment) Act 1958 authorising invitations to the public to invest in schemes for the joint ownership of agricultural land.

Permission to distribute circulars relating to agricultural land syndicates is restricted to schemes providing suitable protection for potential investors. Two main conditions under current policy are: (a) each syndicate may not comprise of more than 20 participants; and (b) the minimum investment for each syndicate member is £10,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will state the trend of liquid petroleum gas prices in the Community and the extent to which the market price has moved in the past 12 months.

Some information on prices of liquified petroleum gases in countries of the European Economic Community may be found in the Energy Statistics Yearbook issued by the Statistical Officer of the European Communities. The latest publication—1972—contains data up to 1st January 1972 and relates to prices to household consumers. I regret that I have no later information for other member countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the number of persons employed in the Energy Technical Support Unit.

The present staff is eight qualified scientists or engineers with some clerical assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the monitoring by the Energy Technical Support Unit of overseas studies into the question of energy conservation.

I am satisfied with the progress it is making. It is concentrating initially on the research and development aspects of conservation in industry and is participating in the international study on that topic taking place as part of the post-Washington discussions on co-operation in the energy sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the Romanian Government's intention to invest in British sector North Sea oil and gas.

The Romanian Government have put forward no proposals for consideration by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many wellheads will be required to exploit each oilfield in the Scottish sector of the North Sea.

The number of wells required to develop an oilfield depends upon its size and reservoir characteristics. The fields so far discovered in the waters off Scotland vary widely in both these respects so that the number of wells required varies from as few as six to over 100 for the different fields.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether it remains his expectation that 5 million tons of North Sea oil will be landed in 1975.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 1St July 1974; Vol. 876, c. 17–18], gave the following information:Delays in the construction and installation of platforms have increased the chance of a further reduction in the estimated production in 1975.