asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will take steps to ensure that the consumer's interest is protected during the introduction of metrication.

As I have assured other hon. Members, I have this very much in mind in considering the implications of the change to metric.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what representations she has received from organisations representing immigrants about food subsidies; and what reply she has sent.

I have received a considerable number of representations on behalf of the Asian community requesting action to hold down the prices of their staple foods, particularly rice and chapatti flour. In my replies I have explained that the Government have no proposals to subsidise rice but that chapatti flour will come within the scope of the scheme for household flour.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will take steps to ensure that consumer subsidies on basic foodstuffs have the effect of bringing the prices of such commodities in remote areas of Great Britain down to their level in the more populous areas.

We have introduced consumer subsidies in order to hold down the general level of prices of certain basic foodstuffs throughout the country. There would be immense practical difficulties in equalising prices in all parts of Great Britain, and the present subsidy arrangements are not an appropriate instrument for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection it she is satisfied that the largest items in the budget of poorest families are given sufficient weighting in the retail price index.

While the prime responsibility for the retail price index remains with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment, I am prepared to consider what the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what was the increase in retail prices last month and the month before; and how this compares with the largest increase in retail prices in a single month since records were established.

From March until April 1974 the Retail Price Index rose by 3·4 per cent. In May the monthly increase was 1·4 per cent. The previous largest monthly increase in the retail price index was 2·1 per cent. between March and April 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will seek to persuade supermarkets' associations to instruct their members to stop marking down some goods as loss leaders while maintaining higher prices than is necessary on other goods.

No, but the purpose of the voluntary agreement which my right hon. Friend has reached with the retail trades is that they should concentrate their promotional price cutting on goods of particular significance in the budgets of low income families.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what studies she has made of the effect of price control upon future levels of investment in industry.

It is not possible to quantify the precise effect of price control on future levels of investment. The Price Code already contains special provisions to encourage investment and I intend to make investment a priority in the forthcoming Price Code review.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will take action to prevent the selling by ticket touts of tickets at several times their original cost.

I do not think that this is an area in which Government action on prices grounds is feasible or necessary. Customer resistance is the best prevention of a practice to which the hon. Member understandably objects.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will take steps to halt advertisements by central heating firms which indicate tax relief on long-term loans when such tax relief ends on 5th April 1975.

The question of tax relief on loans for central heating is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I understand that it is not the case that all such relief will end on 5th April 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when she expects to receive the report of the Price Commission on the increased charges made by the Anglian Water Authority.

My right hon. Friend does not expect to receive a report on these charges. I understand that the Price Commission is investigating water charges generally. Any action as a result of that investigation will be decided by the commission and notified to the water authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether she has yet decided whether to refer the proposed takeover of the Nottingham Manufacturing Company by Sears Holdings Limited to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

My right hon. Friend expects to announce her decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will ensure that any bread subsidy applies to whole meal flour and wheat germ bread as well as to the ordinary white loaf.

Both whole meal flour and wheat germ flour qualify for subsidy if used in accordance with the general provisions of the bread subsidy scheme in the manufacture of bread for sale.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the proposal for an EEC Council of Ministers directive for harmonisation of the laws relating to the scale of charges for the testing of gas meters.

Our general policy is to support Community efforts to remove technical harriers to trade. The object of the proposed directive is to avoid disparities in conditions of competition among the manufacturers of gas meters.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many dwellings are owned by the National Coal Board in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively; and how many are classified as unfit in each of the three countries.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the £1 million loan made to the National Coal Board by the European Coal and Steel Community to help modernise miners' homes will be spent in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively; and how many dwellings will be improved in each of the three countries as a result of this loan.

This is a matter of internal administration for the National Coal Board, and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the average price per therm of gas charged in Great Britain, Scotland, England and Wales respectively during the most recent annual period for which figures are available: and what percentage increase would have been charged in England and Wales if there had been a uniform price throughout Great Britain.

The average revenue per therm from gas sold in 1972–73 was 7·25p for Great Britain, 10·61p for Scotland, and 7·10p for England and Wales. These figures reflect differences in the pattern and level of consumption as well as variations in tariffs. The answer to the second part of the Question is not readily calculable.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the average price per unit of electricity charged in England and Wales for domestic and industrial consumers respectively at the most recent date for which information is available.

The average net selling values per kilowatt-hour of electricity sold by electricity boards in England and Wales in 1973 to domestic and industrial consumers were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the fishing industry over possible anti-pollution measures and clearance of oil derived debris on the sea bed in the Scottish sector of the North Sea.

My Department has taken part in the consultations with the fishing industry that have taken place on these as indeed on all aspects of the interrelationship of the fishing and offshore oil industries. Moreover, the consultative group which will shortly be set up by the Government with the fishing and offshore industries is intended to provide a means whereby both sides can accommodate their various interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the Scottish tourist industry over anti-pollution measures to clear oil spillages from beaches likely to be affected by operations in the Scottish sector of the North Sea.

In our discussions with local authorities about the prevention or mitigation, of onshore pollution from oil spillages the interests of all those who stand to sustain damage from such pollution have been taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if lie will commission surveys to determine the likelihood of oil spill in the Scottish sector of the North Sea and publish the results of these inquiries.

No. We have considered all aspects of this question carefully and concluded that the risks are remote. However, both my Department and other Departments concerned will continue to keep a very careful watch on the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the numbers, qualifications and locations of staff whose duties include assessment and monitoring of pollution hazards arising from Scottish offshore oil.

So many Government Departments and local authorities are concerned with the assessment and monitoring of possible pollution hazards arising from offshore oil exploration and exploitation that it is not practicable to list all the staff concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has made estimates of possible oil loss through future normal non-accident leakages in the Scottish sector of the North Sea.

The discharge of persistent oil from pipelines and seabed exploration and exploitation operations is prohibited under the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971. There should, therefore, be no such loss.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will consider establishing a fund to indemnify the fishing, tourist and other industries damaged by a major oil spill from development of Scottish offshore oil.

A North-West European Regional Convention on civil liability for damage from oil pollution from offshore operations is being drafted. Meanwhile the oil companies will, it is understood, be introducing a voluntary scheme to provide swift compensation for direct damage if any oil spill is caused in the North Sea.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions he has had with British Smelter Constructions with regard to setting up a smelter in Chile; and what advice on this matter has been given to British Smelter Constructions by the Export Credits Department.

British Smelter Constructions understands why ECGD cover remains limited for commercial reasons in this market.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the latest figures for night jet movements at Heathrow since 1st April 1974; and how these compare with the figures for the same period in 1973 and 1972.

The details of night jet movements at Heathrow from 1st April up to 30th June in each year are:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps are being taken to ensure that sales promotional flights of Concorde are seen as joint Anglo-French ventures.

Concorde flights take place under an agreed Anglo-French programme to complete the aircraft's development and enable it to enter service as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has received any reports of shortages of women's tights following the Flixborough disaster.

No, I have received no reports of shortages of women's tights following the Flixborough disaster.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will list the 16 companies owned by Court Shipbuilders that are now being brought into public ownership.

The companies brought into public ownership by acquisition of Court Shipbuilders Ltd. are: Doxford Engines; Wolsingham Steel Company; K. & L. Marine Equipment; Sunderland Shipbuilding Dry Dock Engineering Company; Sunderland Shipbuilders; Appledore Shipbuilders; North East Coast Shiprepairers; and their subsidiary companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the number of mini steelworks in the United Kingdom together with those approved and their locations, indicating which are privately held and which are owned by the British Steel Corporation.

Since the repeal of Section 15 of the Iron and Steel Act 1967 with effect from 1st January 1973, Government authorisation has not been required for steel-making projects by private sector steel companies, but outside the development areas industrial development certificates are necessary for new projects above the current exemption limits. From published information the following companies have announced their intention to proceed with mini steelworks projects—that is, those incorporating electric are steel-making and continuous casting:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if W. H. Allen of Bedford is included in the list of companies the Government intend to seek to nationalise;(2) if ICL is included in the list of companies the Government intend to seek to nationalise.

The Government's proposals for the extension of public ownership will be published in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied that sufficient research is taking place to ensure the most appropriate development of sodium-sulphur batteries with a view to the promotion of energy conservation.

One of the Department's research requirements boards has recently considered the need for strengthening sodium-sulphur battery research and it is expected that a further research programme will be set in hand shortly. The Department of the Environment is considering further support for work by British Rail as part of a co-ordinated programme. Discussions are continuing

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many industrial development certificates were granted to the North Staffordshire region in each of the last five years; and what is the estimated amount of employment resulting from them;(2) in each of the past five years, how many industrial development certificates were granted in North Staffordshire to firms from outside the area;(3) how many industrial development certificates were granted in each of the past five years in the West Midlands Region; and what is the estimated amount of employment resulting from them.

I regret that information on the origin of IDC applicants is not available. The following table related to industrial development certificates issued for schemes of 15,000 sq. ft. or over; exemption limits were raised in December 1970 and July 1972.between Government Departments, Harwell, British Rail and industry to ensure that rapid progress is made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had designed to ensure that there will be an adequate supply of cheese in the next few months.

My Department is in touch with representatives of the industry and the trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate is available of the ratio of wholemeal or wheat germ bread consumed in relation to ordinary white bread.

Estimated figures published by the Government Statistical Service of the Department of Industry show that in 1973 ordinary white loaves and wholemeal bread accounted for 82 per cent. and 1·6 per cent. respectively of total household consumption of bread. Figures for wheat germ bread are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to prevent the random and wholesale slaughter of birds by the use of poisoned grain; and if he will make a statement regarding the scale of this bird killing and also state what advice he has given to farmers on the matter.

Such action would be illegal except under licence for controlling those species scheduled as pests, and offenders are liable to prosecution under the Protection of Birds Act which is administered by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. I am not aware of any general infringement of the law here, but in view of some reported incidents which have recently come to notice, my right hon. Friend and I welcome this opportunity of reminding all concerned that the provisions of the Act must be observed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding the stocks of ware potatoes unsold in Northern Ireland as a result of the export ban.

Details of a scheme for the purchase of a limited quantity of good quality potatoes remaining unsold on farms in Northern Ireland as a result of the export ban have already been announced. I know that the quantity notified to the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland exceeds the tonnage estimated to have been affected by the ban. The situation is currently under discussion between the Departments concerned and the Ulster Farmers' Union.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost to the Exchequer of the National Agricultural Advisory Service during its last complete year of operation and the cost of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service during its first complete year of operation.

The cost of NAAS in its last year of operation, 1970–71, was £7·3 million and the cost of ADAS in its first year of operation, 1971–72, was £16·1 million. These figures, of course, are not comparable because ADAS includes a range of other professional and technical services which were not part of the NAAS.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will immediately commission a study of the profitability of the poultry industry with a view to assessing how best the short-term liquidity problems can be mitigated.

I do not think that such a study is called for. We are, however, aware that producers in the poultry industry are facing difficulties and we are keeping the situation under review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been received and what consideration has been given to proposals for subsidising poultry feed in the light of assistance that has been given recently to other livestock producers; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about the difficulties facing egg and poultry producers. There would be major problems about subsidising poultry feed. We are keeping the situation under review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has available any figures for the amount of institutional investment in agricultural land in England and Wales.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to make a statement on forestry policy.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Mr. Kelley) on 5th July, 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom is developing a variant of the multi-rôle combat aircraft to meet future air defence requirements; and if this development will mean a substantial addition to the cost estimated for the standard version.

Feasibility studies for an air defence variant of the MRCA were started in 1969. Work on project definition began last year, its primary purpose being to provide a sound assessment of costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities exist for members of the Brigade of Gurkhas to remit funds from their pay to relatives in Nepal and to what extent these facilities are used.

Members of the Brigade of Gurkhas wherever they are serving are able to remit funds to their families in Nepal through their unit paymaster by telegram.This system of transmitting money is both quick and efficient. It is used extensively within the brigade, the majority of men making voluntary allotments for their families.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the amount by which the total cost of fuel for the three Services for 1974–75 is estimated to ex- ceed the cost for (a) 1972–73 and (b) 1973–74.

Estimated net expenditure in 1972–73 on all oil products and on solid fuel, electricity and gas was £82 million and in 1973–74 £105 million. The latest forecast for 1974–75 is £190 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to visit Hawker Siddeley Aviation's factory at Woodford, Cheshire.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make a further statement on the future of the maritime Harrier.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) on 21st May.—[Vol. 874, c. 160.]

asked the Attorney-General what representations he has received asking him to increase the limit of disposable capital for elegibility to legal aid, in particular in relation to the effects of taking into account the value of the applicant's own home.

Criticisms are made from time to time about the level of the capital limits of eligibility for legal aid, particularly in relation to the rise in house prices. The Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee is examining afresh the whole basis of the financial limits for legal aid, including the capital limits.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service on how many days in each of the parliamentary Sessions commencing in 1966 and continuing to the latest convenient date in this Session parliamentary papers have not been immediately available to hon. Members as a result of industrial action; and if he will list the information Session by Session.

I regret that the information requested is not available for the 1966–70 Sessions. The number of days on which, due to industrial action, parliamentary papers have not been immediately available to hon. Members in the more recent Sessions is as follows:

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make it the practice of Government Departments to transmit official mail by second-class post except in cases when speed is genuinely required.

It is already the practice of Departments to use the second-class post for all mail except in cases when they judge that there is a clear and defensible need to use the first-class service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied that all "career opportunity" publications at present available in schools meet acceptable standards.

I am satisfied with the standard of publications circulated through official sources. I cannot answer for other publications which schools may receive.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider issuing a circular to local authorities and educational establishments advising against advertising in career opportunity publications which do not meet acceptable standards.

No. It is for individual local education authorities and educational establishments to decide where to place advertisements.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has approved for new school buildings and school building improvements in the County of Avon.

The following major school building projects in the County of Avon area received approval during 1973–74:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware of a problem of truancy caused by teenage schoolgirls visiting hairdressers; and whether he will encourage local authorities to establish hairdressing services which can visit schools.

No. If the hon. Member has evidence of widespread truancy in order to visit hairdressers and cares to write to me, I shall consider what action should be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied that figures of absenteeism in schools properly represent the level of truancy; and whether he will remove from these figures schoolchildren who absent themselves following their final examinations.

The figures which my Department has collected are for a day in January and are unlikely to be affected by examinations. I accept entirely that absence is not the same thing as truancy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received any submission involving the comprehensive reorganisation of Rock Ferry Convent, Wirral, Merseyside; and what action he has taken.

The Department has had under consideration for some time certain questions which arise in connection with the future use of the premises of this independent school. There have been discussions with officers of the local education authority, the Diocesan Schools

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce legislation to require local authorities to provide paracurricular activity outside school hours.

This is unnecessary. The existing powers of local authorities and governors of schools in this respect are sufficiently extensive.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the salary range for a teacher with a first class honours degree in each of the years since 1970.

On the basis that in 1970–71 all assistant teachers, and after 31st March 1971, under a new salary structure, only those on Scales 1, 2 and 3, received additional salary for possession of the degree, the information, in respect of teachers other than heads and deputy heads, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in the course of his examination of the safety of school roofs, he has examined any school roofs in the county of Essex.

No. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for the Environment have jointly issued letters of warning and advice to all authorities following the collapse of the roof of the swimming pool of a school in Stepney earlier this year, and officers are keeping in touch with authorities. I understand that a number of schools in Essex have been checked and that parts of five schools have been taken out of use pending further investigation. But direct responsibility for the safety and maintenance of their schools rests with local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many handicapped persons aged between 16 and 19 years are receiving full-time education in England and Wales; and if he has any information about how many are unable to find places in suitable schools and centres.

In January 1973 the number of pupils aged 16 and over in special schools was 5,477; and 600 full-time students between the ages of 16 and 20 were in establishments for the further education and training of the handicapped in January 1974. The numbers of young people with varying degrees of handicap in ordinary schools and colleges of further education are not known, nor the number unable to find suitable places.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether there are statistics available as to the number of children diagnosed as autistic in England and Wales at the present time.

In 1971–72 special returns from LEAs showed a total of 1,470 autistic children in England and Wales. Annual returns have been introduced this year for the first time but the 1974 figures are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many voluntary aided and how many maintained schools in England and Wales provide education solely for children defined as autistic.

Three special schools and 29 units of this kind are maintained by local education authorities. There are no equivalent non-maintained special schools, but there are 10 independent schools run by voluntary bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools had direct grant status in June 1970 and June 1973; and what are the latest available figures.

The number of direct grant grammar schools in England and Wales, in June of each year, was 178 in 1970, 176 in 1973 and 175 in 1974. A dozen schools of other kinds, mostly nursery, also have direct grant status.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will give the figures for the approved education authority minor works programmes for (a) the Lancashire County Council and (b) the Hampshire County Council; and if he will publish the formula on which such approvals are based.(2) whether, in view of the high number of schools in the Lancashire County Council's area of responsibility that were built wholly or partly before 1903, he will approve an increased allocation for minor works in the county in 1975–76;(3) whether, in view of the number of schools within the Lancashire County that are without outside toilets, he will approve an increased allocation for minor works in the county in 1975–76;(4) if, in view of the high number of schools in the Lancashire county that are without kitchens, he will approve an increased allocation for minor works in the county in the next financial year.

The 1974–75 minor works allocations for Lancashire and Hampshire are £900,000 and £1,885,000 respectively. In allocating the resources available for minor works in 1974–75 account was taken of the needs both of those authorities whose school population would still be increasing rapidly in 1975 and of those with large numbers of small, old primary schools: the effects of local government reorganisation were also taken into account. I cannot yet say what level of resources will be available for school building in 1975–76.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will provide figures showing the number of schools with outside toilets in the Lancashire County Council area of administration;(2) if he will provide figures showing the number of schools in the Lancashire County Council area that are without kitchen facilities.

This information is not collected by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, if he will provide figures showing the number of schools in the Lancashire County Council area that are in premises built wholly or partly before 1903.

This information is not regularly collected by the Department. In particular, it has not been sought since the recent reorganisation of local government.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of primary schools built since 18th June 1970 are of an open plan design.

Many primary schools contain arrangements of open and en-

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary schools have been constructed since the 18th June 1970; and how many are under construction.

Between 1st July 1970 and 31st March 1974, 1,943 primary schools or departments of primary schools were completed. At the end of the period, 757 primary schools or departments were under construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the public attendance figures at the national museums and galleries for the months of April, May and June 1974, broken down to the totals for each month at each individual institution.

The attendance reported by the national museums and galleries were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many colleges of physical education for males and females, respectively, are in use at the present time; how many applicants with suitable qualifications applied for admission for the oncoming session; and how many were accepted.

In England and Wales there are four colleges of physical education for women and one for both men and women. In addition, four other colleges for men, 10 colleges for women and 90 colleges for both men and women offer physical education as a main subject of study.I regret that the other information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Eduaction and Science when he expects consultations with the local authorities concerned on the report on school transport to be completed.

In view of the extreme pressures experienced by the local authority associations in recent months, I do not think that all their considered comments on this report can be expected before the end of the Summer Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science hat is the number of students entering medical schools for the last four academic years.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Sillars) on 28th June 1974.—[Vol. 875, c. 551–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the most recent figures for (a) the annual administrative cost, excluding publicity, of free school meals, (b) the annual cost of publicity for free school meals, (c) the total administrative cost per recipient of free school meals, and (d) the number of civil servants employed to administer the free school meals scheme.

The free school meals arrangements are administered by local education authorities which also take responsibility for local publicity to bring them to the attention of parents. This publicity is known to be effective, since some 800,000 free school meals are taken up each day, which compares favourably with other means-tested benefits. It is not possible to identify local education authorities' costs on these items within their overall expenditure on administering the school meals service. Nor can any specific estimate he made of the costs incurred by central Government in publicising free school meals or in administering the national scheme governing entitlement to them. No civil servants are wholly or mainly employed on these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state (a) the total population of women over 18 years of age in the United Kingdom, (b) the number gainfully employed and (c) the number belonging to a trade union.

The latest estimate of total population of women over 18 years of age in the United Kingdom, for June 1973, is 21,056,000.The number in the employed labour force is available only for females aged 15 years and over; the estimate for June 1973 is 9,271,000. The corresponding estimate of population of females aged 15 and over is 22,237,000. At the end of 1972, the total female membership of trade unions known to have their head offices in the United Kingdom, hut excluding members of overseas branches, was 2,877,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state (a) the total population of men over 18 years of age in the United Kingdom, (b) the number gainfully employed, and (c) the number belonging to a trade union.

The latest estimate of total population of men over 18 years of age in the United Kingdom, for June 1973, is 19,164,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the total number of redundancies in Scotland notified to his Department during the first six months of this year; and if he will show how this compares with the same period in each of the past five years.

The total number of redundancies in Scotland notified to my Department during the first six months of this year was 5,854. The figures for the same period in each of the past five years are:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the average year-on-year percentage increase in the earnings of oil tanker drivers during 1974 resulting from the settlement negotiated for them by his Department; and if he will give full details of the terms of this settlement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

No settlement has been negotiated by my Department for oil tanker drivers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give the figures, for each of the employment service offices within the Melton parliamentary constituency, of the number of persons undergoing courses under the Training Opportunities Scheme at present, indicating in each case the number at Government training centres and the number at colleges of further education.

I regret that the Manpower Services Commission has advised me that this information is not readily available and could be produced only a disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many mature married women have received training in secretarial or clerical skills in the last 12 months under the Training Opportunities Scheme; what are the equivalent figures for each of the employment service offices within the Melton parliamentary constituency; and whether he will indicate in each case the number of women receiving full TOPS assistance, and who are only receiving infill grants.

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that the information is not available. However, on 31st May 1974 there were about 4,400 secretarial and clerical trainees aged 35 or over under the Training Opportunities Scheme, the majority of whom were women. The equivalent figures for the Melton parliamentary constituency are not available.I am also advised by the commission that the allowance paid to a trainee on a course run exclusively for TOPS trainees does not differ from that paid to a trainee on an "in-fill" course.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average length of time that it has been necessary for married women who have received training under the Training Opportunities Scheme in secretarial or clerical work to be found a post by his employment service offices; and what are the equivalent figures for each of the offices in the Melton parliamentary constituency.

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that precise information is not available as many women trainees make their own employment arrangements. However, nationally about 75 per cent. of women are known to have entered employment on completion of a course in a college of further education under the Training Opportunities Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will identify in tabular form in the OFFICIAL REPORT, both as a number and a percentage, the total number of persons who have completed courses for each separate skill since the inception of the Training Opportunities Scheme, indicating also for each skill what proportion were trained in Government training

I have assumed that by "skills" the hon. Member has in mind the manual skills taught in skill-centres. The following table, supplied by the Manpower Services Commission, gives the information requested. In addition, a very small number of people were trained in employers' establishments.