asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce an Order-in-Council to bring North Sea oil and gas exploration divers within the scope of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

My officials are having discussions on this subject with officials of the Department of Energy and I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to introduce the amending legislation to the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action is proposed to amend the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974; and when legislation can be expected.

I expect to introduce a short Bill amending the serious defects in the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act later this week or next.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will pay an official visit to Luton.

I paid an unofficial visit to Luton just prior to 10th October and trust it was helpful, and would be glad to come again sometime.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people who left school in 1973 are still registered as unemployed in the Mexborough and Wombwell employment exchange areas, at the latest available date.

On 14th October there was one girl, who is severely handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on progress towards equal pay.

Although in many industries and companies good progress has been made, the situation is patchy and in some cases there has been little or no progress. I propose to begin shortly a publicity campaign to make employers aware of their responsibilities under the Equal Pay Act and of the need to take appropriate action now in order to comply with the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what investigations his Department has carried out into the problem of cancer risks in industry; and if he will make a statement.

The problem of cancer in industry is being kept under constant review by my employment medical advisers and Inspectors of Factories. Work has been taking place at international and national levels and investigations are being made into many possibly carcinogenic materials and the industries that manufacture or use them.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what further consideration has been given to the location of the office of the Health and Safety Commission.

I have asked the commission to study thoroughly the question of the ultimate location of its headquarters, and to let me have its considered advice as soon as it is able to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will undertake during the present Session to introduce a Bill to bring agricultural work-people within the scope of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to bring agricultural workers within the scope of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.

Agricultural workers are already within the scope of the Act, although provisions relating exclusively to agricultural matters are the responsibility of the Agriculture Ministers. However, as foreshadowed by the Consultative Document, the Employment Protection Bill will amend the Act to give the Health and Safety Commission responsibilities for health and safety matters relating exclusively to agriculture. As already announced, the Bill will be introducted during the present Session of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what recent studies have been made of labour relations in the steel industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

There have been no official studies of this kind. A joint committee of the British Steel Corporation and the TUC Steel Industry Consultative Committee has recently completed an internal report on industrial relations at the corporation's Llanwern works. The Government welcome the mutual desire to improve industrial relations at Llanwern expressed in the report which will require appropriate action by both sides if its recommendations are to be implemented.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to assist employers, trade unions and the general public to identify which wage claims and settlements fall within the social contract.

As a general rule, I doubt whether it is helpful for the Government to pass judgment on all claims and settlements. But I will be discussing the relationship between particular settlements and the social contract, if I catch Mr. Speaker's eye in the debate later today.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the working so far of the social contract.

As we have said on many occasions, the social contract is concerned with a wide range of economic and social measures. One of its important aspects is that it has made possibe a return to free collective bargaining and the establishment of the guidelines for negotiation prepared by the TUC.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of those registered as wholly unemployed on the South Shields register at the latest available date are under 30 years of age and how many are over 60 years of age; and what are the comparable figures for 12 months previously.

On 8th July 1974, the latest date for which figures by age are available, 1,607 unemployed people in South Shields were aged under 30 and 355 were aged 60 and over. The corresponding figures for 9th July 1973 were 1,414 and 405 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for the establishment of Government training centres to assist young school leavers to learn a trade in north-west Lancashire.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that skillcentres, formerly known as Government training centres, mainly provide accelerated vocational training for adults. The prime responsibility for providing craft training for young school leavers rests with employers, with the support of the industrial training boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is now the level of unemployment amongst the registered disabled compared with this time last year.

59,882 registered disabled people were unemployed in September. This compares with 66,259 in September 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of the number of industrial disputes and of the days lost as a result was caused by the Industrial Relations Act during the period from 1st July 1970 until the repeal of the Act this year; and what percentage of stoppages and days lost was caused by pay disputes during the same period.

Information cannot be given in the form requested by the hon. Member. The official series of statistics on industrial stoppages covers only stoppages over terms and conditions of employment. However, some other figures are available on stoppages whose principle cause is directly attributable to the Industrial Relations Act, and these are given below. Analyses by cause of the official series of statistics on stoppages are available only for each calendar year. Information on pay disputes and on stoppages caused by the Industrial Relations Act cannot therefore be given for comparable periods of time.Such relevant information as is available is below:

Period 1st July 1970 to 31st July 1974
Stoppages due to Industrial Relations Act or proposals for the Act	18
Working days lost in those stoppages	4,199,000
Total stoppages over pay and conditions beginning in period	10,723
Working days lost in such stoppages	59,599,000
Period 1st January 1970 to 31st December 1973
Stoppages due to pay disputes beginning in period	6,559
Working days lost in such stoppages	48,331,000
Total stoppages over pay and conditions beginning in period	11,504
Working days lost in such stoppages	55,565,000

ANALYSIS OF TRAINING PLACES AT SKILLCENTRES IN WALES BY TRADE GROUP AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 1974
Trade Group	Cardiff	Llanelli	Port Talbot	West Gwent	Wrexham
Construction	128	32	84	48	32
Engineering Production (including miscellaneous Engineering)	150	66	134	54	48
Engineering Servicing	72	24	44	20	20
Electrical/Electronics	91	—	24	—	20
Plant and Automotive Trades	36	36	36	36	12
General Servicing	—	—	—	—	—
Miscellaneous	15	1	25	12	1

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to set up an inquiry into the industrial relations aspects of the road haulage industry.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the overall capacity of Government retraining facilities in Wales, giving details for specific industries and regions.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that in Wales on 30th September 1974 there were 1,301 places available for training in skillcentres. The following table analyses them by trade group. It is not possible to provide an industrial alalysis since trainees in a particular trade may go to a number of different industries.Outside skillcentres, the Training Opportunities Scheme makes use of facilities in colleges of further education and employers' establishments as necessary. On 30th September 1974, 931 trainees were under training in these establishments in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why new potatoes are included in the cost of living index.

I have been asked to reply.The General Index of Retail Prices measures the change in the prices of all the goods and services consumed by over four-fifths of the households in the United Kingdom. The 350 separate items, the prices of which are included in the index, were chosen as representative of all items consumed by households and particular items are included when they account for a significant proportion of total household expenditure. When in season new potatoes easily qualify for inclusion, but their price is reduced to allow for their higher quality compared with old potatoes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will consider tightening up the regulations so as to ensure that claimants for unemployment benefit who are registered for and capable of work do not refuse employment offered to them on unreasonable grounds.

Under provisions of the National Insurance Acts, persons who refuse suitable employment without good cause can be disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit for up to six weeks on each occasion. In addition, repeated refusal may lead to a decision that the claimant is not available for employment and therefore not eligible for unemployment benefit on that ground. I am very conscious of the need to prevent abuse of the National Insurance Fund, and this matter is constantly kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how far her decision to close the maternity unit at the Herts and Essex Hospital, Bishop's Stortford, was due to an assumption that the Hertfordshire Area Health Authority had considered and acquiesced in the closure; and whether she will now review her decision so as to take full account of that authority's opinion when received.

The decision to close the maternity unit was taken by the previous administration in June 1972. As I wrote to the right hon. and learned Gentleman, the new health authority was given the opportunity to review the situation and through a misunderstanding the Hertfordshire Area Health Authority was thought to have agreed. Consequently, my right hon. Friend saw no reason to alter the earlier decision. However the area health authority is now due to report to the regional health authority and I shall take all its views fully into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the Medicines Commission's report on the presentation of medical products in relation to child safety.

I shall do so when the consultations that are now taking place are completed, probably in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will clarify the position regarding the Christmas bonus for disabled persons in Part III accommodation who are on supplementary benefit; if she will clarify the position for disabled people who go to Part III accommodation for day care; and if she will make a statement.

Under the proposals in the Bill now before the House, persons resident in or attending Part III accommodation will be entitled to payment of the £10 as long as they are entitled to payment of one of the qualifying benefits, which include invalidity pension and supplementary pension but not supplementary allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will increase the 25p supplementary benefit addition for pensioners over 80 years, with a view to restoring its original purchasing value.

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the Government's proposals for increasing existing social security benefits.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what proportion the real value of the 25p supplementary benefit addition, for pensioners aged over 80 years, has fallen since its introduction.

About one-quarter.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the duration of delay currently experienced in awaiting hospital attention in the Cheshire Area Health Authority of the Mersey Regional Health Authority; and how this compares with the national average.

Waiting times for admission vary according to the circumstance of each case and urgent cases are admitted without delay, so that averages are misleading. However, at 30th September 1974 of the 7,555 non-urgent cases awaiting admission to Cheshire hospitals 67 per cent. had been waiting less than six months, 18 per cent. between six and 12 months, 11 per cent. between 12 and 24 months and 4 per cent. over 24 months. For out-patient clinics the waiting time varies from one to 24 weeks. Corresponding figures are not available nationally, but in 1972 the average wait experienced by non-urgent patients admitted to hospitals in England and Wales was 13·4 weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make a statement about the present hospital plans in the Mersey Regional Health Authority, including plans for the proposed new Macclesfield District General Hospital.

The Mersey Regional Health Authority is unable to forecast when proposed hospital developments will commence building because I am not yet able to inform authorities of their capital allocations for the financial years 1975–76 and beyond.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many passenger and bed lifts in the Macclesfield district of the Merseyside Regional Health Authority conform to British Standard Institution specifications.

Of the five bed and three chair lifts in hospitals in the Macclesfield district of the Mersey region four of the bed lifts conform to BSI specification.Health authorities have been urged to meet British Standard requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines or norms are set by her Department for the number of surgical beds per 100,000 population within a district of an area health authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines or norms are set by her Department for the number of major operating theatres per 100,000 population within a district of an area health authority.

My Department gives advice to regional health authorities on planning of surgical services but no national guidelines or norms are set for either surgical beds or major operating theatres. Existing provision and future plans prepared by health authorities vary to some extent since they must take account of variations in local circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the number of hospitals beds per 1,000 population in the North-West compares with the national average in the various categories of bed.

In all categories the total number of available beds per 1,000 population in the Mersey and North Western Regions, generally compares favourably with the average for England with exception of the following:

BEDS PER 1,000 POPULATION
Speciality	Mersey and North Western	England
Neurology	0·02	0·04
Physical Medicine	0·01	0·03
Dental Surgery	0·01	0·02
Obstetrics	0·31	0·37
Mental Handicap	1·10	1·21
Mental Illness	2·21	2·36
General Practitioner	0·13	0·22

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her policy towards the conclusions about the lack of safety of invalid tricycles contained in the reports of the Cranfield Institute of Technology—July 1973—the Goff Report —August 1973—the Sharp Report—March 1974—and the Motor Industry Research Association—August 1973.

The various characteristics of the invalid three-wheeler noted in these reports were among the factors taken into account in the Government's decision on Lady Sharp's report. My continuing aim is that these vehicles should satisfy all relevant contemporary construction and use regulations, and that such other improvements should be made as are feasible having regard to the inherent characteristics of a vehicle solely intended to provide independent mobility for severely disabled people. The the hon. Gentleman knows, the invalid three-wheeler has to be seen as an elaborate prosthesis rather than as a motor car.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the estimates of accident involvement in invalid tricycles compared with four-wheeled cars for the year October 1972 to September 1973.

Following are the figures:

	Number of vehicles on issue at 30th September 1973	Number of incidents reported October 1972 to September 1973
Cars	8,133	1,577
Three-wheelers	19,274*	4,914
* Excluding a reserve fleet of about 2,300.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the maternity unit, Royal United Hospital, Bath, will be included in the 1975–76 programme.

Regional health authorities will prepare their building programmes for 1975–76 having regard to the amount of capital allocated to them and the relative priorities of their proposed building schemes. At the present time I cannot say how much capital will be allocated to Wessex Regional Health Authority, which, in consultation with the South Western Regional Health Authority, is responsible for health services in Bath. It is, therefore, not possible to say whether the authority will be able to include this maternity unit in its 1975–76 programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans she has to further the development of the self-raising wheelchair, designed by the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.

An improved version of this type of chair has recently been delivered to my Department and is now being appraised.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the establishment of pharmacists for the North-West Durham Health District; what is being done to secure a full establishment; and to what extent the establishment is met.

The establishment of hospital pharmacists is six. There is one vacancy, which has been advertised both locally and nationally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made with the National Health Service behind-the-ear hearing aids for adults.

The new hearing aid became available on 1st November for people in the priority categories announced last year, that is, war pensioners, mothers with young children, children and young people up to age 18 —21 if still receiving full-time education —those whose head-worn aids were replaced by bodyworn models when they left school and people with exceptional medical need or an additional severe handicap, such as blindness. We hope to be able to increase the categories of those eligible during next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future use of Dundonald Camp, Troon.

The married quarters at the camp are required for future use by all three Services, and we are preparing plans to build additional married quarters there. We are considering whether there is a further Defence requirement for the rest of the site.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the present Army operation in Northern Ireland.

The Army is in Northern Ireland to assist the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the task of combating violence and terrorism, from whatever quarter it may come. To this end Army operations are intended to prevent terrorists from acquiring and using arms and explosives and to help to bring to justice those who commit acts of violence.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the UDR resigned from the regiment during 1973; and how many have resigned during 1974.

1,535 members of the UDR resigned from the regiment during 1973. 873 members resigned between 1st January and 31st October 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total number recruited into the Ulster Defence Regiment since its inception and the total number of resignations.

The total number recruited into the UDR from its formation up to 30th October 1974 was 23,766.The total number of resignations over the same period has been 4,781.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and what is the current rate of recruitment.

The strength of the UDR on 30th October 1974 was 7,815. The rate of enrolment over the quarter ending 31st October 1974 has averaged 41 per week.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the building project in Belize in respect of a NAAFI and cinema; and when its completion is anticipated.

Work is currently in hand to replace a NAAFI Club and Cinema destroyed by fire in June 1973. The new accommodation, in three converted Romney huts, should be completed in February 1975. Alternative accomodation has been used since June 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the delay in paying student grants; what are the reasons for the delay; and when he expects to complete the payment of grants to those who applied in April 1974.

Representations have been received from Members, students and parents about delays which have been caused by a changeover this year in the system for dealing with student grant applications from a purely clerical procedure to one involving the use of the computer. Most students have now been paid and urgent effort is being made to ensure that outstanding payments are made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in future editions of the Scottish Economic Bulletin, he will include a section on Scotland's relationship with the EEC and the effect of EEC legislation on Scottish affairs.

The Scottish Economic Bulletin has on occasion included material relating to Scotland and the countries of the EEC. As and when appropriate information becomes available it will be considered for inclusion in future editions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to make an official visit to the EEC Commission.

I am ready to visit Brussels whenever the need arises, but have no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up a unit within the Scottish Office to monitor EEC renegotiations from a purely Scottish point of view.

Adequate arrangements already exist for dealing with all EEC matters within the Scottish Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out his plans for keeping the Scottish people informed of progress being made on the fundamental renegotiation of United Kingdom terms of entry to the EEC.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has already made a statement in the debate on the Gracious Speech and the Government have made it clear that they intend to keep the House and the British people fully informed of the progress of the renegotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish Ministers in the present administration have been personally present at meetings of EEC Council of Ministers or at other official meetings of Ministers concerned with EEC affairs.

So far, such a need has not arisen. Scottish Office Ministers play a full part in the formulation of Government policy in EEC matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from parents and others about amending the school leaving regulations in order that a young person may leave school on his or her sixteenth birthday; and if he will make a statement.

I have received representations from a number of sources, including parents, teachers' associations and education authorities. There are strong educational considerations in favour of fixed school leaving dates which must be taken into account. So far I have felt that there has been insufficient experience of the present arrangements since the raising of the school leaving age on which to reach any conclusions, but I shall look at the situation again shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make the available and facilities of his Department available to cater adequately for the problems created by raising the school leaving age to 16 years.

Yes. The advice and help of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools is already freely available to education authorities. Assistance in devising and providing courses suited to the needs of pupils in the age group concerned has also been given by the Consultative Committee on the Curriculum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce the first rate support grant for the new local government set-up in Scotland.

I expect to lay a rate support grant order before the House early in 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the pupil roll in Scottish primary and secondary schools at the present time; and how this compares with the position in 1964.

On the basis of the latest available returns, the comparison in respect of education authority schools is as follows:

	Total roll
	January 1974	January 1964
Primary pupils	634,677	580,365
Secondary pupils	370,864	275,147

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional assistance since February has been given to housing authorities to improve the rate of house building in the public sector.

As the level of financial assistance to housing authorities is directly related to the increase in their expenditure from year to year, the considerably increased number of approvals and starts this year will attract correspondingly increased assistance. I have modified tendering requirements, to speed up progress and meet local difficulties in the construction industry. In July, I made, with the consent of this House, an order increasing by £60 million the upper limit on advances to the Scottish Special Housing Association.The Housing Rents and Subsidies (Scotland) Bill, to be introduced this Session, will increase the level of support available to authorities faced with increasing housing expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish an early White Paper on the Scottish economy.

I have at present no plans to do so. The Government will pursue policies for Scotland's economic development along the lines described in the Labour Party's manifesto for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress being made on the designation scheme for Scottish schools.

In the absence of agreement about the introduction of a new designation scheme the Scottish Teachers Salaries Committee decided on 28th October to continue the current scheme until the Houghton Committee's Report is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the talks about the future of Hampden Park.

I understand that the working party to which I referred in my reply on 6th May to my hon. Friend—[Vol. 873, c. 13–14.]—now hopes to present its report early in 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the official visits made to schools by himself and other Scottish Office Ministers since he took office.

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Education visited the following schools in Glasgow in April this year:

• Bellarmine RC Secondary School.
• St. Mary's RC Primary School.
• Garthamlock Secondary School.
• Hawthorn Primary School.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ascertain and publish a list of the EEC grants that have been made to fishing vessels, with full details in each case of amount of grant, the proportion of grant to price, the names of persons to whom grants were made, the place where the boats were registered; and, in each case, what is the date of first application for grant and the date on which the contract to build each boat was entered into and the date on which construction of each boat commenced.

Under the 1973 programme of grants for individual capital projects under Regulation (EEC) No. 17/64, the Commission of the European Community approved eight Scottish applications relating to the construction of 10 fishing vessels. The owners of eight fishing vessels to be based in Peterhead are due to receive grants totalling £305,701, while the owners of vessels to be based at Whalsay and Fraserburgh are to receive grants of £25,956 and £62,521 respectively. It would not be right to disclose particulars of individual applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to issue a statement on his decision to permit a five-year period of transitional rating for Scottish local authorities following regionalisation.

Scottish Office and local government officials are studying the question of transitional rating arrangements. I expect to receive their report before the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that there are sufficient supplies of Factor VIII being produced within the National Health Service in Scotland to provide the optimum treatment of haemophilic patients.

Sufficient supplies of the product are available from the blood transfusion service to meet present clinical requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of total payments made to claimants for displacement compensation, to the nearest available date, under the Land Compensation (Scotland) Act 1973.

I do not have information which would enable me to estimate the amounts paid by local authorities and other public bodies on this account.

asked the Secretary of State Scotland what is his estimate of the number of teachers of mathematics who will retire in the next 10 years; and if he will show this figure as a percentage of the present Scottish mathematics teaching staff.

It is not possible at present to make any such estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what requests he has received from Ayr County Council for approval to demolish 49 unfit flat-roofed houses; and what replies he has sent.

After correspondence and discussion with my Department in 1973, Ayr County Council decided to study the feasibility of repairing and improving these war emergency houses. It has now informed my Department, in a letter dated 30th October, that it wishes to demolish the houses. The decision lies in the discretion of the council, and my reply will be to that effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission, electrically propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars or travellers, respectively, which were on issue in Scotland as at 30th September 1973 and 1974, respectively.

The numbers were, respectively:

	On issue at 30th September
	1973	1974
Motor invalid tricycles with manually operated gearbox	1,225	1,074
Motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission	455	719
Electrically propelled invalid tricycles	47	38
Four-wheeled cars or travellers	784	896

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission; electrically propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars or travellers, respectively, which were involved in accidents in Scotland as at 30th September 1973 and 1974, respectively;(2) if he will list the total number of drivers of motor invalid tricycles with manually operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycle with automatic transmission, electrically propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars or travellers, respectively, who were actually injured in accidents in Scotland as at 30th September 1973 and 1974, respectively;(3) if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission, electrically propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars or travellers, respectively, which were involved in accidents in which they overturned or were blown over in Scotland as at 30th September 1973 and 1974, to the nearest available month, respectively;(4) if he will list the total number of drivers of motor invalid tricycles with manually operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission. electrically propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars or travellers, respectively, who were actually injured in accidents involving their vehicles overturning or being blown over in Scotland as at 30th September 1973 and 1974, to the nearest available month, respectively;(5) if he will list the total number of drivers of motor invalid tricycles with manually operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission, electrically propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars or travellers, respectively, who were actually injured in accidents in which their vehicles were in collision with another vehicle, pedestrian or immovable object in Scotland as at 30th September 1973 and 1974, to the nearest available month, respectively;(6) if he will list the total number of drivers of motor invalid tricycles with manually operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission, electrically propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars or travellers, respectively, who were actually killed in accidents in Scotland as at 30th September 1973 and 1974, respectively;

Records are not kept in such a way that the information requested can be provided without disproportionate use of resources. Such information as is available, however, suggests that the numbers of drivers of disabled vehicles killed in accidents were respectively:

	Year to 30th September
	1973	1974
Motor invalid tricycles with manually operated gearbox	—	—
Motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission	1	1
Electrically propelled invalid tricycles	—	—
Four-wheeled cars or travellers	1	—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the annual charges for students in the halls of residence at Moray House, Callendar Park and Dundee College of Education training colleges for session 1973–74 and 1974–75, respectively.

The information is as follows:

	Hostel fees Session 1973–74†	Hostel fees Session 1974–75†
	£	£
Callendar Park College of Education	219·00	294·00
Dundee College of Education	219·00	294·00
Moray House College of Education*.	232·50	294·50
* There are no hostels at Moray House College of Education but women students at the college can use hostel accommodation provided by the Edinburgh Association for the Provision of Halls of Residence for Women Students.
† These fees exclude the cost of week-day lunches.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the average monthly level of sugar supplies to wholesalers for each of the last 12 months.

Figures of supplies to wholesalers are not available. Deliveries of sugar by United Kingdom sugar refining companies for the retail trade have been as follows:

1974	Tons
January	98,000*
February	84,000
March	83,000
April	93,000*
May	76,000
June	79,000
July	98,000*
August	81,000
September	90,000
October (part estimated)	100,000*
* Five-week months.

In addition, sugar refined in other EEC member States started to arrive for distribution to the retail trade in the early summer. It is estimated that by September these additional supplies for retailers had risen to a level of about 3,000 tons a month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given to the introduction of a system of rationing to ensure regular supplies of sugar.

As my right hon. Friend said in the reply given on 1st November —[Vol. 880, c. 13.]—to the hon. Member for Blackpool, Souh (Mr. Blaker) our total sugar supplies in the year ending 30th September were in fact higher than in the previous year; and in particular supplies of retail packs in recent months have been at least as high as during the same period of 1973. I am very conscious of the difficulties being experienced by some consumers, but I regard these as arising not so much from an overall lack of supplies as from abnormally high demand, which, I hope, will moderate in due course. A close watch will continue to be kept upon the supply situation and in particular on the operation of the EEC arrangements referred to in reply to my hon. Friend's other Question; but we do not at present consider that it would be justifiable to seek powers that would enable rationing to be introduced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is proposed to enable consumers to obtain sufficient and regular supplies of sugar.

Action has already been taken in several ways. Firstly, as a result of recent discussions with the exporting parties to the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement, shipments under the agreement between now and its expiry at the end of the year should be close to normal levels. Thereafter, we intend to see that the developing countries concerned continue to have access to the EEC market for 1·4 million tons of sugar.Second, the Agricultural Ministers of the EEC recently decided to subsidise imports from the world market to the extent necessary to ensure an adequate supply of sugar throughout the Community during the 1974–75 marketing year at common prices.Third, the increase which has been negotiated in the United Kingdom's beet sugar quota with effect from next year, together with our expected move to the full EEC prices for beet from 1st January, should encourage plantings next spring.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) in view of the difficulties of stock farmers, if he will draw up emergency plans to provide food for some farmers in the South-West;(2) what consultations he has had with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals over the problems of stock farmers in the South-West of England;(3) in view of the difficulties experienced by stock farmers, if he will support the setting up of a national fodder bank.

I am aware of the shortfall in the supplies of hay and straw and of the special difficulties in the South-West. Our officials are keeping a close watch on the situation both nationally and locally and have met officials of the NFU, MMB and MLC who are in general agreement with the arrangements being made. We have already set in hand a detailed survey of all fodder crops so that a full assessment of the national situation can be made. We shall do all we can in our contacts with merchants and through our advisory effort to ensure that fodder is being used as efficiently as possible. We have not had consultations with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals but I am aware of its concern over the shortage of fodder. Our regional veterinary services are well acquainted with possible malnutrition problems that might arise in some areas and according to the needs in each region they will be supporting their colleagues in ADAS in mounting advisory campaigns.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will revive the former goods and services procedure for British agriculture.

We have no plans to do so at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make an immediate cash injection into the agriculture industry, in view of the depression into which it has fallen.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's speech in the debate on the Gracious Address when he explained that we had already injected the massive figure of nearly £300 million of aid into the industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now hold an immediate Price Review.

Preparations for the normal annual review of agriculture are now well advanced and preliminary meetings between officials of the Agricultural Departments and representatives of the Farmers' Union will be starting shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives he intends to take at the forthcoming World Food Conference; and if he will make a statement concerning his response to proposals to be discussed there.

The Government intend to make a positive contribution to the work of the conference. That work will centre on the suggestions which have been produced by the preparatory committee of the conference, in which the United Kingdom has played an active part. Amongst the many proposals before the conference, I would mention that we propose to support the expansion of the existing food information system, to reiterate our acceptance of the basic principles and objectives of the world food security undertaking which has been developed within FAO, and to declare the Government's willingness to put greater emphasis on food production and rural development in its aid for developing countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make an early statement outlining the Government's attitude towards the recommendations contained in the O'Brien Report.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Sir J. Langford-Holt) on 4th November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he can give of the number of calves and sows slaughtered in the United Kingdom during the latest few weeks for which figures are available; and how these compare with the equivalent figures 12 months ago.

The information requested is given below:

('000 head)
	Calves		Sows*
Week ending	1973	1974	1973	1974
28th September.	3·0	14·9	8·9	8·2
5th October	4·3	14·5	9·2	8·1
12th October	4·0	14·3	8·8	8·0
19th October	3·6	16·8	9·5	7·5
* Includes Boars.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what rate of interest his Department is currently recommending to farmers that they take into account when calculating the cost of the borrowing requirement for future investment over 3, 5, 8 and 10 years.

My Department does not make recommendations of this nature. Farmers generally are aware of current bank lending rates and no doubt take these into account when estimating likely borrowing costs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Project No.		Description	Value of application£
UK/1/73	…	Construction of wholesale food market, Birmingham	12,706,760
UK/8/73	…	Construction of factory for cheese and milk products, Maelor, Flintshire	5,172,000
UK/9/73	…	Expansion of Stilton cheese factory at Hartington, Derbyshire	953,697
UK/10/73	…	Construction and equipping of egg packing stations in Wiltshire, Surrey and Gloucestershire.	422,474
UK/11/73	…	Reorganisation of drainage at Upwell Fen, Cambridgeshire	113,897
UK/12/73	…	New pumping station, Cambridgeshire	129,885
UK/13/73	…	Modernisation and extension of pig processing factory at Elmswell, Suffolk	270,309
UK/15/73	…	Reorganisation of drainage schemes in Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire	376,905
UK/16/73	…	Construction of new seed handling complex at Rothwell, Lincolnshire	346,530
UK/17/73	…	Construction of flood prevention embankments, River Lugg near Hereford	250,000
UK/20/73	…	Conversion of non-refrigerated store into cheese pre-packing unit and cold store, Johnstown, Carmarthen	871,029
UK/21/73	…	Construction of two pumping stations and drainage improvements, Appleby Carrs and North Kelsey Carrs, Lincolnshire	108,360
UK/22/73	…	Replacement of obsolete horticultural and fish wholesale market, Bradford	845,816
UK/27/73	…	Drainage scheme on east bank of River Ouse, Norfolk	190,430
UK/29/73	…	Flood prevention measures on Sudell Brook, Lancashire	129,800
UK/32/73	…	Construction of two beef production research units, Leicestershire and Ingleston, Edinburgh	239,279
UK/33/74	…	Construction of two stern trawlers to be based at Hull, Yorkshire	321,178
UK/37/73	…	Extension and modernisation of cheese manufacturing capacity and installation of whey processing facilities, Llandyrnog dairy, Denbighshire	1,985,808
UK/49/73	…	Construction of seven water pumping stations and associated works at Witham Valley, Lincolnshire	364,000
UK/50/73	…	Flood prevention measures on River Wharfe, Yorkshire	146,700
UK/52/73	…	Flood prevention measures on River Ouse, Yorkshire	247,000
UK/53/73	…	Flood prevention measures, Market Weighton Canal and River Foulness, Yorkshire	1,202,834
UK/58/73	…	Flood prevention measures between Selby and Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorkshire	346,394
UK/59/73	…	Modernisation and expansion of bacon and pork factory, Norton, Yorkshire	269,673
UK/60/73	…	Flood prevention measures, Winestead Drain, Yorkshire.	98,660
UK/65/73	…	Extension of laboratory for research into toxicological problems relating to agricultural and processed food products, Carshalton, Surrey	282,446
UK/72/73	…	Milk standardisation at three dairies in Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire	256,800
UK/75/73	…	Construction of grain storage and denaturing plant, Gloucester.	216,966
UK/82/73	…	Construction of flume tank for testing model trawls at Hull	256,000
UK/83/73	…	Extension and improvement of co-operative grass drying plant, Holton-le-Clay, Lincolnshire	105,618
UK/87/73	…	Intensification of bulk milk collection in England and Wales	5,924,360
UK/89/73	…	Extension and modernisation of dairy at Durham	931,418
UK/91/73	…	Improvement of drainage water supply and roads on agricultural estate near Harrogate, Yorkshire	175,450
UK/92/73	…	Intensive drainage and ditching work on agricultural estate in North Riding of Yorkshire	186,410
UK/93/73	…	Land drainage works in parishes of Scrayingham and Acklam in East Riding of Yorkshire	111,087
UK/94/73	…	Construction of farm roads and bridge near Ramsey, Huntingdonshire	116,653
UK/96/73	…	Construction of central grain drying, cleaning and storage centre at Winblington, Cambridgeshire	253,621
UK/99/73	…	Land drainage works on an agricultural estate near Skipton, Yorkshire	130,000
UK/104/73	…	Construction of buildings and plant for liquid milk standardisation at a dairy near Liverpool	358,150
		Total	37,414,397

Following is the information requested:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present staffing establishment of the Cheese Subsidy Section of his Milk and Milk Products Division; what was the establishment on 16th May; and what is the annual cost to public funds, both in salaries and administrative expenses, of the section.

The section now comprises one principal, one higher executive officer, one executive officer and three clerical officers, an addition of two clerical officers compared with the staffing on 16th May.The annual cost to public funds covering both salaries and administrative expenses is estimated to be about £34,000 in a full year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the officials in the Cheese Subsidy Section of his Milk and Milk Products Division are still engaged full-time on the administration of the cheese subsidy.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of full licences

		Civil Servants, already retired	Civil Servants retiring
			1975–79	1980–84	1985–89
Pension.	…	£11 million a year declining to £4 million by 1990	£2 million a year by 1980	£1 million a year by 1985	£1 million a year by 1990
Lump sum	…	£30 million	£7 million	£5 million	£3 million

The gross cost of conceding full reckoning of unestablished service is estimated at several hundred million pounds spread over a long period of years.It is not possible to estimate what tax would be payable by those pensioners who would benefit if the concession were to be allowed.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will provide fur-

The number of full licences issued in England and Wales at 30th September was 38. Additionally, there are 1,132 premises which are being brought up to the required standard and which do not present a significant disease risk to susceptible stock. These premises have been given certificates temporarily exempting them from the full requirements of the Diseases of Animals (Waste Food) Order.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what he estimates as the gross and net of tax costs of making unestablished service fully reckonable for pension purposes for those civil servants who have retired and for those expected to retire in the next 5, 10 and 15 years.

Unestablished service in the Civil Service given on or after 14th July 1949 reckons in full for pension. Unestablished service before that date normally counts as to one-half. Excluding the effect of future cost of living increases, the estimated gross cost figures requested are given in the table below.nished accommodation at public expense with free services to civil servants in his Department in line with the provision made for civil servants in the Northern Ireland Office who are employed in Northern Ireland.

The application of the policy relating to staff on detached duty is a matter for employing Departments in the light of their own particular circumstances. The Civil Service Department has no staff serving in Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will publish a table showing average salaries for each of the administrative and executive grades of the Civil Service in 1960 and 1974, expressed at current prices and at constant prices.

Average salaries by grade in 1960 are not imme-

		1st January 1960 (Actual) £ per annum	1st January 1960 at 1974 prices £ per annum	1st January 1974 £ per annum
Executive Officer	…	1,110	2,227	2,782
Higher Executive Officer	…	1,375	2,758	3,585
Senior Executive Officer	…	1,800	3,611	4,542
Chief Executive Officer	…	2,200	4,413	5,775
Principal	…	2,325	4,664
Senior Chief Executive Officer	…	2,650	5,316	—
Senior Principal	…	—	—	6,582*
Principal Executive Officer	…	3,000	6,018	8,338*
Assistant Secretary	…	3,350	6,720
Under-Secretary	…	3,750	7,523	9,000
Deputy Secretary	…	4,950	9,930	11,100
Permanent Secretary	…	6,950	13,942	16,350
* Under the terms of the Counter-Inflation (Price and Pay Code) (No. 2) Order 1973 the increases due to the Senior Principal and Assistant Secretary grades were to be paid in two instalments. The second instalment is payable from 7th November 1974 and will bring the scale maxima to £7,050 and £8,850 respectively.