asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's abstention from the vote in favour of inviting the Palestine Liberation Organisation to send observers to meetings of UNESCO and to take part in the UN General Assembly.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to what I said on this subject on 30th October in the debate on the Address.—[Vol. 880, c. 238.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he has made to transfer to the United States Government the facilities at present enjoyed in South Africa by the United Kingdom under the Simonstown Agreement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an up-to-date assessment of the latest situation in Cyprus as it affects British nationals outside the SBA territories.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present position in regard to the property and well-being of British resident in Kyrenia.

All British nationals in Cyprus, particularly those in the Turkish-occupied area, are, under the present circumstances, suffering some degree of hardship, but they appear to be in no danger. The High Commission in Nicosia has reminded the appropriate authorities of their responsibility for the safety of British subjects and will make further representations whenever there is need to do so. The Foreign Secretary discussed the position of British nationals and their property with Vice President Denktash during their recent talks in London.In respect of British property in Cyprus I would refer to my earlier reply today to the hon. Member for Arundel (Mr. Marshall).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement upon the proceedings of the Law of the Sea Conference in Caracas upon 16th June to 29th August, with particular reference to international fishing limits.

The second session of the conference made important progress towards a new convention. I am hopeful of a successful outcome of the next session, which will be held in Geneva in March 1975. No final decisions were taken at the Caracas session on fishing limits or on other issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the measures to be taken to free Mr. Kenneth McIntosh from imprisonment by the illegal régime in Rhodesia.

As hon. Members know well, there is little that Her Majesty's Government can do about the actions within Rhodesia of the illegal regime. I therefore regret that we can do nothing to help him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that there is no intention to change or reduce the British political and military commitment to Hong Kong.

We have no intention of abandoning Hong Kong. On the question of defence, the present agreement on Hong Kong's contribution to the cost of the garrison expires in March 1976. The successor agreement will of course be the subject of consultation with the Hong Kong Government at the appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, as part of the renegotiation of the terms of Great Britain's accession to the EEC, he will call a meeting of Commonwealth Ministers to discuss the issues involved.

We are in close and continuing touch with Commonwealth Governments on all matters of common interest. We therefore see no need for a special meeting, and no Commonwealth country has suggested that one should be held.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to present to the House an interim report on renegotiation of the British terms of membership of the Common Market.

We will keep the House fully informed of significant developments as they occur. The first six-monthly report on Community activities will be published shortly and will cover questions raised in renegotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimated saving in staff and annual financial saving in administration if vehicle excise duty licences for private vehicles were to be abolished.

When vehicle licensing is fully centralised, there would be a saving of about 3,000 staff and of about £12 million a year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the compulsory MOT test provisions to invalid cars.

No. I see no benefit to be gained from extending the MOT test to invalid vehicles supplied, maintained and tested under arrangements made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on alumina content in cement; whether any houses are affected; and to what extent.

On 8th February 1974 a precast prestressed concrete roof beam over a swimming pool at a Stepney school collapsed with very little warning. A second beam fell later. An investigation by the Building Research Establishment confirmed that the collapse was caused by deterioration in the strength of the high alumina cement concrete of which the beams were made.The reasons for the loss of strength were not apparent and it was therefore concluded that all buildings containing long-span structural members made of this material should be examined. Action has been taken to publicise the problem and steps have been taken to bring home to owners of such buildings the advisability of having them professionally appraised and of taking safeguading measures where necessary.It is thought that few houses will be found to have high alumina cement concrete roof or floor construction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities in England about the rate of inflation that should be allowed for in preparing schedules of expenditure in the coming year, in particular in relation to the labour-intensive character of local government.

None. This is a matter I shall be discussing with the local authorities in the negotiations about the next rate support grant settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for extending the Government's rent policy to owners of mobile homes.

I regret that this would not be practicable, but am considering other possible action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when work will begin on changing the road signs on the M2 motorway to include directions to Ramsgate, as promised in the Minister for Transport's letter of 6th May.

Signs to Ramsgate are now to form part of comprehensive improvements being planned for direction signs at Brenley Corner on the M2. I hope that this work can be included in the programme for 1975–76.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are employed by the new water authorities; and how many people were previously employed on maintenance of the services now taken over by the new water authorities.

The number of staff now employed by the regional water authorities is 54,098, but certain of their functions are carried out on an agency basis by the new district councils and the water companies. The Ogden Report of the Management Structure Committee made an estimate in July 1973 showing a figure of 75,000 employees. The two figures are not strictly comparable.

					Clerks of County Councils	Town and District Council Clerks	Designated Chief Officers
					£	£	£
1960 (1st October)		…	…	…	2,120– 6,480	1,040– 5,175*	890–5,005*
1972 (1st July)	…	…	…	…	4,548–12,984	2,466–10,674	2,343–10,044
1973 (1st July)	…	…	…	…	4,998–13,227	2,736–10,917	2,490–10,287
* Prior to 1970 the salaries in the largest authorities were at the discretion of those authorities.

Expressed at constant prices—September 1960 = 100—the salary ranges for

					Clerks of County Councils	Town and District Council Clerks	Designated Chief Officers
					£	£	£
1972 (1st July)	…	…	…	…	2,610–7,460	1,420–6,130	1,350–5,770
1973 (1st July)	…	…	…	…	2,640–6,990	1,450–5,770	1,320–5,430

The number of clerks and chief officers in receipt of salaries within the ranges set out above would have been about 1,340 and 3,200 respectively in each of the years referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest official estimate of the overall increase in local government staff, including the new water authorities, which has taken place since April 1973 in England and Wales.

I am unable to estimate the overall change in numbers of local government staff since 1973 until the figures for June 1974, compiled by the Department of Employment, are available. With regard to the staff of the new water authorities, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport and Recreation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the average salaries paid to the top two grades of local government staff in 1960, 1972 and 1973, respectively, expressed at current prices and at constant prices; and how many people received these salaries in each of the years referred to.

My right hon. Friend does not possess information on the salaries paid by individual local authorities to their clerks and chief officers.The nationally negotiated salary recommendations for clerks and designated chief officers of the authorities operating in 1960, 1972 and 1973 provided for salaries within the following ranges according to size of authority:1972 and 1973 would be approximately as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many roads of dual and three-lane carriageway have been built in Scotland, England and Wales since 1950 to the latest date for which figures are available; where their precise location is; and what has been the cost of building them.

Since 1950, 26 dual two-lane motorways, with a total length of 206 miles, have been built. Five of these schemes—33 miles—have subsequently been widened to dual three-lane. Since 1964, 179 all-purpose dual two-lane trunk roads—comprising 400 miles—and 11 trunk roads—about 13 miles of single three-lane width—have been built as new schemes or major improvements. These roads form part of the trunk network the detail of which is shown in the Department's "Trunk Road Map" published in 1974.Statistics prior to 1964 are not readily available for all-purpose trunk roads, nor is it possible to identify easily the cost of selected schemes such as those referred to above.Roads in Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of the respective Secretaries of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will propose safeguards to ensure that only bona fide central heating firms offer services to the public;

Financial Year					Domestic per cent.	Commercial Per cent.	Industrial Per cent.	Other Per cent.
1969–70	…	…	…	…	58	12	7	23
1970–71	…	…	…	…	58	13	7	22
1971–72	…	…	…	…	58	13	8	22
1972–73	…	…	…	…	59	13	8	21
1973–74*	…	…	…	…	60	13	10	18
1974–75†	…	…	…	…	56	11	12	21

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can indicate the methods by which he intends business rents to he assessed following the ending of the Counter-Inflation Act 1972 in March 1976; and if he will make a statement.

The present control restricts the rate of rent payable, not the level at which rents can be agreed, and the letting market continues in operation.

I have been asked to reply.The Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association operates a guarantee scheme for central heating work done by their members, but if there are general problems as regards the quality of work I shall be glad to have details. I am not aware of any widespread difficulties caused by the insolvency of central heating firms and I shall be glad to have information on this point also.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to obtain and publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the percentage of rateable value in Northumberland payable by domestic, commercial, industrial, and other subjects, respectively, for each year from 1969 to 1974.

The rateable values of the various classes of property in Northumberland, expressed as percentages of the rateable value of all properties in the county, were as follows:I have no proposals to seek a renewal of the powers of the Counter-Inflation Act 1973 for the control of business rents when they expire at the end of March 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can give an indication when the Layfield Committee at present examining local government finance will report.

Mr. Layfield has been asked to make his recommendations as soon as possible, and at the latest by the end of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will announce the names of the members of the committee which has been appointed to reassess the viability of the Channel Tunnel.

Sir Alec Cairncross has, as previously announced, agreed to chair the group of independent advisers who are to assist the Government in their reassessment of the Channel Tunnel project. Other appointments to the group so far include:

Mr. David Lea, Secretary, Economic Department, TUC.

Mr. J. H. Sargent, Group Economic Adviser, Midland Bank Ltd.

Professor Alan Wilson, Professor of Urban and Regional Geography, University of Leeds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has yet completed his discussions and consultations on the Matthew-Skillington Report on the quality of architectural design in his Department; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he will list the individuals, organisations and journals to which he sent the Matthew-Skillington Report on the DOE's architectural rôle for comment.

I have not yet completed my consultations on the Matthew-Skillington Report. When I have done so, I shall make a statement.The organisations and journals to whom the report was issued on 19th July are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what decision he has made about the site of the new National Library.

I am not yet in a position to add to previous statements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for crash barriers to be erected on the central reservation of the Western Avenue on the section between Northolt and Hillingdon, in view of the short distances between the recently erected lamp standards.

No. The lighting columns are short, light-weight and specially designed for safety.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take about residential rents after the present freeze ends on 31st December.

In the public sector I have decided to extend until 31st March 1975 the present order freezing rents. "Chis will allow time for the enactment of the Housing Rents and Subsidies Bill which has been introduced today. The Bill will provide for the return of responsibility for rent fixing to local authorities, and the extension of the freeze will remove the present uncertainties concerning rent increases after 31st December under the existing law.In the private sector I also intend to extend the freeze, with certain modifications, until the restrictions on rent increases provided for in the Bill come into force. Measures will also be taken to terminate automatic decontrol by reference to rateable values.The necessary orders will shortly be laid before Parliament. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will be taking corresponding action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to take a decision regarding the line of the proposed new A7 road through Galashiels station yard.

The technical problems involved in designing the junctions for the new line of A7 are proving more complex than was expected, but I hope to publish draft orders early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about an interim salary award to teachers; and what replies he has sent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will propose an immediate interim award of 10 per cent. increase to all Scottish teachers.

I have received representations from some Members of Parliament, parents and teachers pressing for an interim salary award to be made to teachers. In the cases where a reply was appropriate I have explained that in a response to a claim by the teachers' side of the Scottish Teachers Salaries Committee for an immediate 10 per cent. interim increase the Management Side on 30th October agreed in principle to the making of an interim payment when the Houghton Committee's report is available, the amount to be determined then with retrospection to 24th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a ministerial broadcast to the Scottish people setting out the main areas of concern for Scotland in the renegotiation of United Kingdom terms of entry to the EEC.

No. The Government's objectives are well known.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with inshore fishing interests about the EEC common fisheries policy; and whether inshore fishing policy is a matter for fundamental renegotiation.

My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State met representatives from both the inshore and deep sea sectors of the Scottish fishing industry on 19th June for a full discussion on these matters. The Government have indicated to the Community that the common fisheries policy will need to be modified in the light of the eventual outcome of the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many persons so far appointed to posts within the Strathclyde Region will earn salaries in excess of those currently enjoyed by the lowest-paid town clerk in the present large burghs within the west of Scotland;(2) how many persons currently employed by local authorities in the west of Scotland earn salaries in excess of that earned by the lowest-paid town clerk in the present large burghs within the west of Scotland.

I do not have this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up an inquiry into Scottish boat building, including the question of increase in prices in the last year.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the dates and places of meetings planned with representatives of the Scottish farming industry.

Continuous liaison is maintained by Ministers and officials with representatives of the Scottish farming industry, and meetings are arranged as and when necessary, frequently at short notice. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs and Agriculture met office bearers of the Scottish NFU in London yesterday. At present the following meetings at official level are planned: 11th November in London; 12th November in Edinburgh 19th or 22nd November at Mylnefield, Dundee; and 13th December in Edinburgh.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what inquiries he has made or intends to make regarding the wholesale butchery industry.

I have no plans for any inquiries. The Price Commission is, however, at present making an in-depth study of meat and poultry prices in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will look into the problems caused by the fluctuations in the price of lamb on the British market, as a result of the opening and closing at random by the French Government of the entry of British lamb on to the French market.

The fat sheep guarantee ensures that producers receive on average at least the weekly standard price irrespective of fluctuations below that figure in the market price. Licences to import lamb into France are available from the French authorities except when the French market price is below a predetermined threshold price.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why two major projects for the provision of more geriatric beds in Fife are being delayed; and whether, in view of the need for these facilities, he will review the matter.

The need for geriatric beds in Fife has been recognised by the priority given to major schemes with geriatric beds in the national hospital programme. Two of these, at Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes, have passed the approval in principle stage, but the subsequent planning process has taken longer than the Fife Health Board had hoped, owing in part to site difficulties at Kirkcaldy and to improvements in the design concept at Glenrothes. A more satisfactory rate of progress should now be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce proposals for dealing with the position of Scottish housing authorities which delayed their implementation of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972.

I am proposing to include appropriate powers in the Local Government (Scotland) Bill which will be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he will take on rents following the end of the present freeze.

I made an order on 29th August 1974 extending the standstill on public sector rents to 15th May 1975. This will relieve existing local authorities from the requirement to make rent increases at a time when local government is being reorganised and will hold the position pending the coming into operation of the new arrangements to be embodied in the Rents and Subsidies Bill which is to be introduced shortly.I intend to extend the standstill also in the private sector until effect can be given to the restrictions on rent increases which will be provided for in the new legislation. The necessary order will be laid before Parliament shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions on naval defence have been held with our NATO allies following the change of Government in Portugal.

Matters of naval defence have continued to be discussed in NATO as necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average length of the vetting period between the application to join the UDR and notice of acceptance or rejection of the application; and if he will take steps to shorten the vetting period.

The period betwen the receipt of an application to join the UDR and notification to the applicant of his acceptance or rejection is on average about five weeks. The time taken in individual cases varies considerably and depends on a number of factors, many of which are outside the control of my Department. Those procedures within our control are kept under constant review to avoid any unnecessary delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons, male and female, have applied to join the UDR since 1st January 1974; how many have been rejected; how many have been accepted; and how many applications are still being processed.

Between 1st January and 31st October 1974, 2,238 men and 528 women applied to join the UDR. In the same period, 1,141 men and 336 women were enrolled and 292 men and 57 women were rejected. At 31st October 1974 the applications of 439 men and 90 women were still being processed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider some means by which applicants for the UDR who have been rejected may be allowed to appeal and have the opportunity of knowing and challenging the reasons for rejection.

Applicants who have been rejected for service in the UDR may already appeal to the Secretary of the UDR Selection Board or direct to my Department. Alternatively, they may reapply at any time and the reasons for their previous rejection are then carefully re-examined. It would not be appropriate, in the circumstances in Northern Ireland, to disclose the reasons for the rejection.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the death of Mr. Gibson who served in C Company. NI Militia TA; and what state the inquiries into his death have reached.

I have been asked to reply.At 7.50 p.m. on Monday 21st October 1974 a police patrol found an abandoned laundry van parked at Ballysillan Road, Belfast. At 8.45 p.m. on the same date Belfast police received a report that a body had been found in a derelict house at Velsheda Park, Belfast. a short distance from where the abandoned van had been located. This body was identified as that of Samuel Malcolm Gibson of Lisburn, Co. Antrim, an employee of the laundry company to which the van belonged. The deceased had gunshot wounds to both sides, groin and chest. Police investigations are continuing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards economic and monetary union in the context of the renegotiation of British membership of the EEC.

The Government's attitude towards economic and monetary union was set out in paragraph 6 of my right hon. Friend's statement in the Council of Ministers on 1st April 1974 (Cmnd. 5593).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was raised by income tax in each of the last 10 years of assessment; and what is the estimated yield for the current year of assessment.

The figures for 1964–65 to 1972–73 are given in Table 1 of the report of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Inland Revenue for the year ended 31st March 1973 (Cmnd. 5487). The yield in 1973–74 was £7,137 million. The estimated yield of income tax for 1974–75 as given in the March "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1974–75" is £9,682 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was raised by corporation tax in each of the financial years since its introduction; and what is the estimated yield for the current financial year.

The figures for net receipts are as follows:

Year	£ million
1966–67	1,048·9
1967–68	1,214·4
1968–69	1,343·8
1969–70	1,696·7
1970–71	1,582·7
1971–72	1,553·6
1972–73	1,533·1
1973–74	2,262·0*
1974–75	3,265†
* Including advance corporation tax for about nine months.
† Estimated yield for 1974–75 given in the March Financial Statement and Budget Report—including advance corporation tax and ACT addition.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the gain to the Exchequer of withdrawing child tax allowances, and what level of family allowance this would permit if the money were used for this purpose including the first child in each family.

The latest estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of child tax allowances for 1974–75 is about £1,220 million. This amount would finance an increase of family allowances to about £1·90 per week assuming that the allowance was not taxable and was extended to the first child and to children aged 19 and over in full-time education.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to public funds of exempting from income tax the retirement pension paid to men and women over 75 years of age.

I regret that the information on which to base an estimate is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will zero rate the value added tax levied on election posters in the same manner as for election addresses and leaflets.

Election literature is treated for the purposes of value added tax in the same way as comparable printed material prepared for other purposes. My right hon. Friend does not propose to provide special relief for election posters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to implement the recommendations of the Page Report on national savings.

The Government have recently announced their decisions on the Page Committee's major recommendations. Subject to the passage of legislation, the trustee savings banks will be allowed to develop along the lines the Page Committee proposed; and the competitive strength of the National Savings Bank will be maintained. Two new experimental index-linked savings schemes will be introduced next year as additions to the range of other national savings securities on offer. The national savings stamp will be discontinued after a period of about 2 years but the Government have rejected the committee's recommendation that the national savings movement should be abolished.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when supplies of the national savings stamps will be made available to all post offices following the printing dispute.

Provided that the present output of national savings stamps is maintained, supplies should be available at all post offices by the end of November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has announced the withdrawal of the 10p national savings stamp.

The Government's decision represents acceptance of the recommendation of the Page Committee to review national savings that the national savings stamp should be abolished. The Government believe that the stamp is a bad bargain for both savers and the Government, and have therefore announced that sales will be discontinued in about 2 years' time. The precise timing will however, be discussed further with the leaders of the voluntary national savings movement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will rescind the March increase in stamp duty on transactions in recognised securities.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce legislation to increase the relief for capital gains tax purposes on the sale of a business upon retirement at the age of 65 years beyond the present figure of £10,000, having regard to the fall in the value of money since the figure was fixed in 1965; by what amount the figure of £10,000 would need to be increased in order to restore the real value of the relief to that existing in 1965; and what would be the estimated cost to the Exchequer in a full year of such an increase.

Section 34 of the Finance Act 1974 doubled the limit on gains which can qualify for "retirement" relief under Section 34, Finance Act 1965, from £10,000 to £20,000 for an individual aged 65 or over. The equivalent of £10,000 in 1965 would be approximately £18,500. I regret it is not possible to estimate the cost of the concession.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his policy is toward fertiliser subsidies, bearing in mind the increase that has occurred in the prices of fertilisers; and whether he will make a statement.

I recognise that the price of fertilisers has risen considerably. I do not think, however, that a fertiliser subsidy is necessarily the best way of giving aid to those sectors which may need it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to promote growth in the output of British agriculture in 1975, 1976 and 1977 in each major sector.

Discussions with the interests concerned about the long-term future of the industry are in progress. We are at present awaiting the views of the Farmers' Unions on future levels of output. For the shorter term we shall pursue our objectives in the course of the annual review and in the discussions on the fixing of Community farm prices for 1975–76.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to inform the public about the true cost of home grown food.

I think that the British public are already conscious of the high costs of production which farmers now have to face. My right hon. Friend has recognised this in public statements and will continue to do so. Information on costs will, as usual, be included in the next Annual Review White Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that beef producers have been assured a reasonable return as he indicated would be the case with the introduction of his premia on 17th July.

The Beef Premium Scheme provided the incentives for orderly marketing of clean cattle with a view to maintaining total returns to producers at a reasonable level over a period. Excessive marketings have so far negated the objective of the scheme and prices have been further depressed by the generally lower than usual quality of animals. With a more normal flow of marketings and steeply increasing rates of premium returns should improve over the next few months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now set out in tabular form the total sums paid out to date in respect of cheese subsidy on (a) home-produced Cheddar and Cheshire, (b) other United Kingdom territorial cheeses, (c) imported Cheddar and Cheshire, (d) Gouda and Edam and (e) other imported varieties.

It is regretted that statistical information in this form is not yet available. Staff resources have been concentrated on the payment procedures, but work is currently in hand on the preparation of statistics in the form requested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many manufacturers of White Stilton cheese have been registered as eligible for cheese subsidy; and what sum, in total, has so far been paid to them.

Nine manufacturers of White Stilton cheese have been registered as claimants for the subsidy on cheese. Statistics are not being collected on the amounts of subsidy paid on individual cheeses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the recent working and current prospects of the Dairy Herd Conversion Scheme.

Up to the end of September 1974, 2,935 schemes had been approved. The estimated cost of these approvals is £14·4 million to be paid over the next three years, half of which is recoverable from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. Under the present regulation these grants are only available to farmers who apply by 31st December 1974.The EEC Commission is at present preparing a report on the operation of the scheme in the Community generally and a decision whether to recommend its continuance beyond the end of this year will be taken in the light of this report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will state the maximum permitted tonnages or acreages of sugar beet for each member of the EEC for each of the A, B, and C quotas for 1975; and what limits these are to the growing of off-quota beet at producers' risks in France;(2) if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total sugar beet quotas in tonnes for all member States of the EEC and the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1975, together with actual production.

The EEC sugar arrangements place no limit on the tonnage or acreage of sugar beet which may be grown. This is a matter to be settled between processors and growers in the the light of the quotas. Each processor has a basic and a maximum quota. expressed in terms of sugar. Sugar produced between basic and maximum quotas—"quota B"—is liable to a levy and may, therefore, be less remunerative than production within basic quotas—"quota A"; production above maximum quotas—"quota C"—must, except in case of shortage, be exported outside the EEC, so that the return to the processor depends on the world market price. These different levels of return are reflected in the prices paid for the corresponding beet.The information requested is as follows (figures in 1,000 metric tons white sugar equivalent):

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider continuing the oil subsidy to horticultural producers.

After considering the most recent representations by growers my right hon. Friend has decided that in present circumstances we shall not be able to continue this subsidy beyond the date originally announced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated size of the present Common Market beef mountain; what additional cold meat storage is available for further surplus production; and what evidence he has of the final destination and price being paid for such beef that is sold from intervntion for extra-Community consumption.

Statistics concerning intervention operations are kept by the EEC Commission and not by my Department. I understand that total stocks of beef in store in October were approximately 220,000 metric tons. I could not speculate about what further storage space is available. The selling prices for beef from intervention stores intended for export are set from time to time in published EEC regulations and vary according to the cuts and qualities of meat available for sales. The destination of such exports is a matter of commercial transaction by private traders and details are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at approximately what acreage in England outside hill farming areas a farmer wishing to hand his farm over to his son will be worse off under the proposed capital transfer tax than under the present arrangements.

I have been asked to reply.A farmer's liability to the capital transfer tax must depend on his particular circumstances and on the forthcoming legislation.

asked the Attorney-General what is the difference in time between a decree nisi and a degree absolute in divorce cases in England and in Northern Ireland; if he will take steps to shorten the period in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

In Northern Ireland a decree nisi cannot be made absolute until six months has expired, unless a shorter time is fixed by a court in any particular case. In England the period is six weeks. Any proposal to shorten the period in Northern Ireland would require legislation, which would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what protection on rental charges will be available to students in university accommodation when the current rent freeze expires.

The present levels of student grant are intended to enable students to pay economic charges for board and residence, irrespective of the freeze.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total sum which he has allocated to the Leicestershire County Council for major school projects in the building year 1974–75; what proportion of that figure is intended to provide for replacement as well as basic need; and what was the sum for which the county council asked.

The Leicestershire Education Authority's lump sum authorisation for major school projects in 1974–75 designed to meet basic needs is £2,355,000. None of this is intended for replacement purposes; education authorities will shortly be notified of projects accepted for this year's replacement programme. The authority did not ask for a sum for basic needs; it inherited from its predecessor authorities lists of projects for both basic need and replacement purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what factors have led him to recommend that the Charlotte Mason College of Education, Ambleside, should continue to provide initial teacher training.

Charlotte Mason is the only college of education in the large Cumbria Local Education Authority. The college has made great strides in recent years and applications for admission greatly exceed available places. In September 1973 51 per cent. of its intake to initial training had two or more A levels, compared with a national average of under 40 per cent. It has pioneered a professional BEd degree course for teachers of young children in association with the University of Lancaster and intends from September 1975 to offer degree courses only.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement further to his correspondence with the hon. Member for Basildon on measures designed to assist towards ending the teacher shortage in Basildon.

I understand that vacancies for secondary school teachers in Essex have been reduced to 85, of which 16 are in Basildon. Recruitment should be helped by the agreement on London weighting, whereby teachers in Basildon will receive an allowance of £141 per annum with effect from 1st April 1974, and by any improvement in salaries which may result from the forthcoming report of the committee of inquiry into teachers' pay.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress he has made in locating premises for job-centres in Kingstanding and Great Barr, Birmingham.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that efforts to obtain suitable sites for job-centres in Kingstanding and Great Barr continued after my letter to the hon. Member on 2nd May 1974. A site was recently identified in Great Barr, but because the funds available for fitting out jobcentres have been temporarily exhausted negotiations for the acquisition of the site have had to be abandoned. All the funds available in 1974–75 and likely to be available in 1975–76 for the acquisition of premises and conversion into job-centres have now been earmarked and there is little possibility of opening job-centres in the places mentioned before 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the number of post-stage 3 wage settlements which have broken the TUC wage-bargaining guideline concerning the 12-month gap between principal settlements.

No. In the present situation of free collective bargaining, it is not the function of the Government to make pronouncements about the details of individual settlements.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males are employed in the steel industry in Cardiff, Ebbw Vale and Flintshire respectively; and what is the total number of males in employment in each of these areas.

The latest information relates to June 1973 and is as follows:

	Total number of males employed in the steel industry	Total number of males employed in all industries and services
Cardiff	8,452	89,325
Ebbw Vale	8,471	11,291
Flintshire	11,365	38,211

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the redundancies recently announced by the London Brick Company.

The London Brick Company announced on 30th October that because of a general decline in house building and the fact that it had been stockpiling for some time it had found it necessary to make a further reduction in its labour force. I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that consequent upon this decision some 450 workers at Peterborough, 250 at Bedford and 100 at Bletchley are due to terminate their employment on 15th November 1974.The MSC assures me that the full range of its services will be made available to assist those workers who may be made redundant. Provisional arrangements have already been made for officials of the Employment Service Agency to interview those being made redundant prior to their discharge in order to assist them in obtaining alternative employment and to advise them on opportunities for training and retraining. These arrangements will be put into effect immediately the individuals who may be made redundant have been identified.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the current dispute in the Tyne docks, particularly in relation to the difficulties which the conciliation and arbitration service has experienced in its attempts to mediate between the opposing parties.

I understand that there was a return to work on Monday and that the issue in dispute is being dealt with through the agreed joint procedures for the industry. In the circumstances there has been no request for assistance but the regional officials of the CAS are keeping in close contact with the parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library an account of the Government's understanding of the social contract.

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to page 5 of the most recent Labour Party manifesto, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the organisations or their representatives, apart from the TUC, who were signatories to the social contract, or who participated in the consultative and formative stages of the drawing up of the contract.

The basis of the social contract emerged from the discussions of the TUC-Labour Party Liaison Committee whose report "Economic Policy and the Cost of Living" was published in February 1973 and approved by the TUC General Council. The TUC's understanding of the contract as set out in the General Council's report "Collective Bargaining and the Social Contract" was overwhelmingly endorsed at the TUC conference in September.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the Government's understanding of the date of commencement of the social contract.

The basis of the social contract was set out in the TUC-Labour Party Liaison Committee document "Economic Policy and the Cost of Living" in February 1973. The implementation of the contract commenced when the Government took office in March this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the percentage of male unemployment in Llanelli, Port Talbot, Merthyr, Cardiff, Abertillery, Ebbw Vale and Newport at the latest available date;(2) what is the percentage of male unemployment in Aberdare at the latest available date.

Following is the information for 14th October 1974:

	Percentage rate of unemployment:
Travel-to-work area	Males
Llanelli	2·3
Port Talbot	3·0
Merthyr Tydfil	3·6
Cardiff	4·7
Ebbw Vale, which also covers Abertillery	4·2
Newport	3·2
Aberdare	5·6

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the £228 million received by the nuclear industry between 1968–69 and 1972–73 by way of Government financing of innovation was expended in Wales.

This sum largely represents net spending on or by Atomic Energy Authority establishments, of which there are none in Wales. It would not be practicable to ascertain how much of the detailed expenditure involved contracts and subcontracts placed in Wales. So far as the country's total spending on nuclear power is concerned, the hon. Member will recall that two nuclear power stations have been constructed in the Principality.

NCB DISPOSALS TO MERCHANTS
('000 tons)
	Annual				April to September
	1970	1971	1972	1973	1973	1974
House coal	14,838	12,248	9,929	8,836	4,455	4,580
Naturally smokeless	1,893	1,660	1,496	1,380	739	771

The National Coal Board is continuing to make maximum possible supplies available, especially of anthracite boiler fuels which are short following the strike in the pits and a subsequent strike at opencast sites and coal preparation plants. It

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the current shortfall in normal deliveries of domestic coal to suppliers, and of any steps he is taking to improve the position, particularly in respect of deliveries of anthracite.

It is not possible to define normal levels and hence to measure shortfalls because of short-term variations in coal deliveries and the long-standing trend towards reduced domestic coal consumption. However, the figures below show higher deliveries during this summer compared with last, despite a steady decline in annual disposals between 1970 and 1973.hopes to satisfy all contract commitments for the most popular of these grades throughout the winter, and is working with the coal trade to arrange distribution as equitably as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the West Midlands Metropolitan Council probation and after-care service may expect the Home Office's decision on the setting up of district committees for the seven metropolitan districts within its authority.

This matter involves a number of difficult issues which are still being considered in consultation with the West Midlands Probation and After-Care Committee. I am unable at present to say when a decision will be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what objections he has received from the Epping Forest District Council to his proposals to site a remand centre at North Weald.

Planning clearance in principle was obtained for the proposed remand centre before the creation of the present district council. The council has expressed a wish to be consulted about the details of the scheme and discussions will take place shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the recent police investigations into allegations of corruption among councills and local government officials in Thanet.

I understand from the Chief Constable of Kent that the additional cost to police funds arising from these investigations was approximately £1,400.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the official bodies currently keeping laws and penalties under review; and what are their respective terms of reference.

The work of many official bodies involves them in reviewing laws and penalties. The Law Commission and the Criminal Law Revision Committee are the principal bodies responsible for reviewing the criminal law in England and Wales. The functions of the Law Commission are set out in Section 3 of the Law Commissions Act 1965. The Criminal Law Revision Committee was set up

"to be a standing committee to examine such aspects of the criminal law of England and Wales as the Home Secretary may from time to time refer to the committee, to consider whether the law requires revision and to make recommendations".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the London Motor Cab Trade Joint Committee; if he is satisfied that it adequately represents the London cab trade; and when he next plans to meet it.

This committee last met at the Home Office in July 1967, since when formal consultations with the trade have been conducted with individual representative organisations. My right hon. Friend has no plans for any further meeting at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will give figures showing financial advances made to firms under Section 7 of the Industry Act since 1st March 1974;(2) how many offers of financial assistance have been made to firms under Section 7 of the Industry Act since 1st March 1974; and what were the sums involved for each individual firm;(3) how many applications have been received by his Department for financial assistance under Section 7 of the Industry Act since 1st March 1974.

Between 1st March and 30th September 1974, 876 applications for regional selective assistance excluding shipbuilding, were received under Section 7 of the Industry Act. In the same period 593 offers totalling £41 million were made in respect of 400 projects which are expected to cost £380 million and provide 45,000 new jobs. Payments of regional selective assistance in the same period totalled nearly £12 million. I regret that for reasons of commercial confidentiality I am not able to list all the firms to which offers were made. However, the names of companies which receive offers of £10,000 or more after 31st July will be published in the journal "Trade and Industry" in the quarter after the first payment is made in accordance with the arrangements the Secretary of State for Industry announced to the House on that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many industrial development certificates have been given, and how many refused, in Norfolk for each year from 1970 to 1974, respectively, by industry; and what is the estimated loss of jobs in the county as a result of the refusals.

The numbers of industrial development certificates approved and refused for Norfolk in the years 1970 to 1973 and in the first nine months of 1974 are as follows:

Year	Approvals	Refusals
1970	120	Nil
1971	66	Nil
1972	42	Nil
1973	32	Nil
1974 (January to September)	33	1

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish a table showing the latest figures for investment intentions by manufacturing and by distributive and service industries, respectively, compared with the same period in 1973.

The Department's survey carried out in August-September 1974, results of which were published on 7th Ooctober 1974, indicated that the volume of manufacturers' capital expenditure would be 5 per cent. higher in 1974 than in 1973 and would rise by a further, though smaller, amount in 1975. Expenditure by distributive and service industries was expected to fall by 5 per cent. in 1974 and to show a further, but smaller, reduction in 1975. The survey carried out a year earlier indicated, for manufacturing, a strong increase of the order of 15 per cent. in 1974, and, for distributive and service industries, a small increase in 1974. 1975 was not covered by by survey.A summary of the raw data from which the estimates for manufacturing industry were derived was published in "Trade and Industry" on 10th October 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for the RUC Reserve he has received since he announced his new scheme; and how many new reserve constables have been sworn.

Since my announcement on 2nd September of proposals for the extension of policing in Northern Ireland there have been 2,836 applications to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve. Of these 432 have been sworn, 2,038 applications are being processed and 366 have been either withdrawn or rejected.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will advise that there should be a Royal tour of Northern Ireland.

I have no plans to do so.