asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration is being given to the synthesis of carbohydrates as a means of producing hydrocarbon fuels.

The most direct route to fuel production from carbohydrates would be the conversion of natural carbohydrates, e.g., starch, sugar, to alcohols. The technologies for this are well established but are uncompetitive.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will revise the table appearing in the Official Report in answer to the hon. Member for Bedford on 7th February 1975, col. 655–6, in accordance with price increases of fuels already announced.

Current figures for coal are set out below. Present prices for fuel oils are thought to be similar to those quoted for end-1974, i.e. 9·5–10·5p a therm. No more up-to-date data than already advised are yet available in respect of gas and electricity.

FUEL COSTS TO INDUSTRIAL USERS
			pence/therm
	England	Scotland	Wales
Coal*	7·1–8·3	8·0–8·7	8·2–8·4
* Prices effective from 1st March 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the length of time the 16,000 jobs that have come to Scotland due to the oil-related development will last.

It is not possible to provide such an estimate. It is hoped that the expertise built up over the current period and the next few years will enable firms to compete successfully on a global basis for offshore business and thus ensure continuity of oil-related work. The number of jobs quoted covers a very wide range of industries, and diversification into other fields should, therefore, be posusible if the demand for oil-related work should fall off.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent it is the Government's policy to accept a floor price for North Sea oil; and whether the range of $6,$8 a barrel is contemplated.

We and the other member States of the International Energy Agency are considering the principle of a floor price for imported oil as one possibility for assisting the development of energy resources. It is too soon to know in what range a floor price, if adopted. would fall.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent the provisions of the Treaty of Rome apply to the pricing of gas by the British Gas Corporation.

There are no provisions in the Treaty of Rome which apply specifically to gas. British Gas, like other undertakings, is, of course, bound by the general rules on competition set out in Articles 85–90.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent United Kingdom controls over the export of oil, its destination and its use are affected by the EEC Treaty.

The Treaty of Rome provides for the free movement of goods between member States. The United Kingdom has no export controls on oil; licensing imposed exceptionally at the time of the 1973–74 oil emergency has been automatic since spring 1974 and ceased on 4th March 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the size, rôeed for the expansion of the Energy Technology Support Unit.

The Energy Technology Support Unit was set up in April 1974 with a budget for 1974–75 of £200,000. The present strength is 10 scientific and engineering grades, with four supporting clerical staff. Budget provision for 1975–76 is £400,000, which could provide for some expansion in the number of staff. The rôle of the unit is to assist my Department in establishing and assessing the technological strategy options available to the United Kingdom in the field of energy policy and to advise on possible new areas of Government-sponsored R. & D. which could contribute towards the solution of long-term energy problems. The staffing requirements of the unit are kept under review; further expansion will be determined in the light of my Department's continuing need for support and of the results of the unit's present assessment programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy towards the size of the science and technology division of the Department of Energy; if he will list in the Official Report its current strength in each discipline there represented; and if he will make a statement.

The Energy Technology Division of the Department of Energy provides the technological input into the work of the policy divisions. It will be maintained at the strength required for this purpose, bearing in mind the ancillary rôhe Energy Technology Support Unit at Harwell, the Atomic Energy Authority more generally, and the R. & D. capabilities of the nationalised energy industries.The Energy Technology Division currently has on its strength 14 professionally qualified officers with experience in the following scientific disciplines:

Fuel Technology	4
Gas Engineering	1
Electrical Engineering	2
Chemistry	3
Industrial Chemistry	1
Physics	1
Mechanical Engineering	4
Chemical Engineering	1
Information science	1

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to research being currently conducted in the universities with regard to production of energy; what research from universities or other sources is now available to him; and if he will make a statement.

I am regularly informed of such research, the latest information being in the Report, "Energy Research—The Research Council's Contribution ", prepared in September 1974 by the Committee on Energy Research of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils of which my Chief Scientist is a member. I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Results of publicly-sponsored research at universities or elsewhere become available to my Department through formal and informal contacts. My Chief Scientist has set up and chairs a Committee of Chief Scientists on Energy Research and Development, consisting of the Chief Scientists of Government Departments with representatives of the Science Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council, for the purpose of interchange and co-ordination of energy research sponsored directly by Whitehall Departments. Information about research in the nationalised energy industries and the UKAEA is given to me on a regular formal basis by the organisations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the practice of the police and the news media of announcing that persons who have not stood trial have murdered or killed persons and are wanted for questioning, he will propose making it a specific offence for these persons to be proclaimed as having committed murder unless they are found guilty by the courts.

No. The law of contempt of court is already available to punish statements which may prejudice a fair trial, and I am not aware of any such practice as my hon. Friend describes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons in prison for offences relating to cannabis have previous convictions relating to drug offences;

I regret that the available information does not enable such persons to be identified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Sunday markets began operations during 1974 and in the nine preceding years;(2) how many Sunday markets are currently operating in Great Britain.

I regret that this information is not available. Responsibility for administration and enforcement rests with local authorities, and there is no requirement that records of this kind should be kept.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now take steps to implement such recommendations of the Erroll and Clayson Committees with regard to licensing that he regards as non-controversial.

The Erroll Committee made a number of useful recommendations for rationalising and simplifying licensing procedures which I should;

PROJECTS APPROVED FOR MANCHESTER UNDER THE URBAN PROGRAMME Manchester County Borough (1969–74)
			Cost at time of approval£
Circular No. 1 (Approvals January 1969)
Capital
1.Nursery class, Plymouth Grove	…	…	5,000
2.Nursery class, Claremont	…	…	5,000
3.Nursery class, St. Joseph's	…	…	9,385
4.Nursery class, Grimsworth	…	…	9,385
5. Nursery class, Our Lady	…	…	9,385
6. Nursery class, St. Mark's	…	…	9,385
7. Nursery class, St. Thomas'	…	…	3,500
8. Nursery class, St. Augustine's	…	…	500
9.Nursery class, St. Margaret's	…	…	8,700
10.Nursery class, St. Robert's	…	…	5,700
11. Nursery class, Stanley Grove	…	…	9,385
12. Nursery class, St. Francis	…	…	9,385
13. Nursery class, Heald Place	…	…	5,700
14. Day Nursery, Longhurst Road	…	…	51,500
15. Hostel for working girls	…	…	54,000

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the proposed Equal Opportunities Commission will be empowered to investigate the employment practices of organisations where there is evidence that women are under-represented in the higher grades.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions persons detained at Her Majesty's Borstal, Hatfield, have absconded during the last six months.

During the period 1st September 1974 to 28th February 1975, 29 trainees absconded from Hatfield Borstal.

asked the Secretary of Stale for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of projects in the Manchester area sanctioned under the urban aid programme.

Following is the information requested:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration appeals were heard by adjudication during 1974; how many appeals were successful; and what proportion of those persons entitled to appeal exercised that right.

The number of immigration appeals determined by adjudicators during 1974 was 5,568, of which 934 were allowed. About one person in three exercised his rights of appeal, but of this proportion about one in five withdrew before the hearing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek powers to redefine the definition of charitable organisations to exclude self-styled religious cults whose principal objects consist of the recruitment and indoctrination of members.

No; my right hon. Friend and I see many difficulties in the way of such an amendment of charity law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many defendants at the Crown court were acquitted and awarded costs during the 12 months from 1st July 1973, and from 1st July 1974 to the latest available date.

In the period 1st July 1973 to 30th June 1974, 120; and in the period 1st July 1974 to 31st December 1974, 78.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many defendants at the Crown court who were acquitted during the 12 months from 1st July 1973 to the latest available date applied for their costs to be paid but were refused.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many defendants at the Crown court who were acquitted during the 12 months from 1st July 1973 to the latest available date; what was the average amount ordered to be paid; and, in the case of those dealt with by way of fine, in how many cases the amount ordered the amount of the fine imposed.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many defendants were imprisoned for non-payment of prosecution costs during the year 1974 by the Crown court and by magistrates' courts, respectively.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much in public funds, in Home Office grants and otherwise, has gone to NACRO in each of the past five years.

The information is as follows:

Financial years	£
1970–71	26,256
1971–72	45,860
1972–73	77,732
1973–74	158,132
1974–75	247,000

The figure for 1974–75 represents the estimated total liability for the whole financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in addition to the urban aid programme, he has yet decided on applications for aid to community industry schemes in Brixton.

We have agreed in principle to make grants through the Voluntary Services Unit towards the costs of two schemes in the Brixton area which have some similarities to community industry schemes. An application from a third scheme is still being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure the provision of compensation for magistrates and court staff who are injured, or have their property damaged, as a result of their judicial duties.

There have recently been discussions between the Central Council of Magistrates' Courts Committees and the Home Office on the question of additional provision in matters of this kind. Magistrates are, of course, already covered to a large extent by existing arrangements, under, for example, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish details of the individual and total sums so far paid in compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to the victims of the IRA bomb attack at the Old Bailey in 1973.

As a result of the Old Bailey bomb explosion in 1973 the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board has received 105 applications for compensation. 91 cases have been resolved, interim awards have been made in 10 cases, awards have been offered in two cases but not yet accepted, and there are a further two cases under inquiry. In one case there was no award. The amount of compensation paid so far is as follows:

• £50–£100 27 awards (including two interim awards).
• £101–£200 36 awards (including one interim awards).
• £201–£300 12 awards (including two interim awards).
• £301–£400 6 awards.
• £401–£500 7 awards (including one interim award).
• £501–£1,000 7 awards (including two interim awards).
• £1,001–£2,000 3 awards (including one interim award).
• £3.500 1 award (interim award).
• £8,000 I award (interim award).

The total sum paid as at 7th March 1975 is £37,543, including £8,357 in interim awards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has of the percentage of parents who fail to pay the full parental contributions to the grants of their student children.

I have at present no firm data on which to base such an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of students in courses of initial teacher training at the latest date for which figures are available; and what he expects the numbers to be in each of the next five years.

The provisional figure for October 1974 is about 112,600 recognised students in colleges and departments of education, including colleges of education—technical—and art teacher training centres. The estimated number for 1975 is about 105,000. Policy for future years is still under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will attempt to merge the salary scales paid to WEA tutors and lecturers in university extra-mural departments.

No. The Department makes a grant to the WEA but does not prescribe salary scales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what his policy will be towards colleges of education with a notional student population of 600 or less which fail to attract their quota of in-service training students.

In-service training is expected to build up over a period of years as the teaching force expands, and planning will need to be adjusted as the situation develops.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the fact that some local education authorities, having paid the fees for the CSE examinations, stipulate that parents may pay the fees for any O level subjects taken, although it is a recommendation of the teacher that it is in the pupils' interest to take both examinations, if he will advise local education authorities to pay for all examination fees, particularly for children of widows whose only income is supplementary benefit.

This is a matter for decision by local education authorities, who would normally be expected to take account of all the relevant circumstances including their general policy on the entry of candidates for two examinations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the expenditure per capita on nursery education in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire for the latest period for which figures are available.

In the financial year 1973–74 the recurrent institutional cost per pupil in the one nursery school maintained by the former Hampshire Local Education Authority was approximately £200. There were no nursery classes in primary schools. A comparable costing is not available for the one nursery class in the area of the former Wiltshire Local Education Authority, where there were no nursery schools. There were no nursery schools or nursery classes in the former Dorset Local Education Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in regard to the future of Mary Ward College, Nottingham; and if he will make a statement.

The Governors of the Mary Ward College and the Catholic Education Council agreed to my proposal that the Mary Ward College should cease to admit students to initial teacher training and the last were admitted in September 1974. I have had representations about this matter from hon. Members, from the National Union of Students and from individual students at the college. A particular matter of concern has been whether the remaining students should complete their course at Mary Ward or elsewhere. This and other matters related to the run down of teacher training in the college are shortly to be discussed by my Department with the interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many post-graduate students there are currently studying in British universities; what percentage of these is foreign students; and what are their countries of origin.

There are about 47,000 full-time post-graduate students, of whom 33 per cent. are from overseas. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible, listing the country of origin of overseas full-time post-graduates in 1973–74, the latest year for which this information is available.

asked the Prime Minister if he will set out in the Official Report the terms of his recent initiative concerning world raw materials and commodity supplies.

I did so in a speech to the Leeds Branch of the Labour Friends of Israel at Leeds on 9th February, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the membership of the Independent Advisory Committee on Government Advertising; by whom they are appointed; and by what method.

Appointments to the Independent Advisory Committee on Government Advertising are made by Civil Service Department Ministers. The committee is chaired by Sir David Barran, Director of Shell Transport and Trading Company. Other members of the Committee are Mr. W. B. Morrell, Managing Director of Westminster Press Limited; Sir George Pope, Director of Times Newspapers; Mr. Howard Thomas, Chairman of Thames Television, and Mr. Frank Rogers, Chairman, East Midland and Allied Press Limited.Members of the committee are chosen to ensure that the advice of widely experienced commercial users of advertising agencies and of media operators is available to the Government.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the number of non-industrial civil servants in the United Kingdom on 1st March 1975 and 1st March 1974.

The number of staff in post on 1st March 1974 was 697,059, of whom 514,659 were non-industrial civil servants.On 1st January 1975, the latest date for which figures are available, the total was 693,921, of whom 517,030 were non-industrials.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the total annual amount paid in salaries to non-industrial civil servants at 1st March 1975 and at 1st March 1974.

Information for these particular dates is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The provision made in Supply Estimate for salaries to be paid to civil servants during the years ended 31st March 1975 and 31st March 1974 amounted to £1,354 million and £1.287 million respectively, of which £1,066 million and £1,006 million was to be paid to non-industrial civil servants.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps are currently being taken to reduce the numbers in the industrial Civil Service.

The Civil Service must be staffed to carry out the work which the Government give it to do. Departments exercise stringent control over the numbers of civil servants they employ and regularly have to justify their manpower requirements to the Civil Service Department.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total cost of Government hospitality for all Departments since 1st March 1974.

The expenditure from the Government Hospitality Fund for all Departments for the period 1st March 1974 to 28th February 1975 is £192,354.27. Expenditure by the Government Hospitality Fund on behalf of Departments for "on repayment" services is £56,954.10 for the same period.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the annual cost to the Exchequer of each of the boards, committees and organisations to which Government Ministers have the power to appoint to the latest available date, and for each of the previous five years.

The information is not readily available and could be compiled only at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Lord President of the Council what figures are available of the number of accidents and cases of onset of illness occurring in the Palace of Westminster; if he will recommend to the Services Committee that a manned first-aid room be opened; and if he will make a statement.

During the last year 25 accidents and 14 cases of sickness have been reported to the police.As my hon. Friend may know, there is a first-aid room next to the Members' Families' Waiting Room at the northwest corner of the Lower Waiting Hall just off the Central Lobby. All police constables are qualified in first-aid. Certain Members of Parliament who are qualified medical practitioners are, when in the precincts, normally available to help with emergencies. If an ambulance is required an emergency call should be made through the Security Control Centre, Extension 3333, which will also inform the Police Room, giving the location of the casualty. Police will direct the ambulance to the appropriate gate. First-aid boxes are positioned in 18 different locations in the precincts and outbuildings, together with instructions regarding first-aid arrangements.

asked the Lord President of the Council what is his estimate of the cost to public funds of the forthcoming referendum on the EEC.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 6th March to the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet.—[Vol. 887, c. 462.]

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will list in the Official Report the annual budgets of all the boards, committees and organisations to which Government Ministers have the power to appoint in the North-West Region of England for each of the past five years;

(2) if he will list in theOfficial Report the names of the people serving on the boards, committees and organisations to which Government Ministers have the power to appoint in the North-West Region of England;

(3) if he will list in the Official Report all the boards, committees and organisations to which Government Ministers have the power to appoint in the North-West Region of England;

(4) if he will list in the Official Report what emoluments are paid to members of each of the boards, committees and organisations to which Government Ministers have the power to appoint.

I have been asked to reply.The information is not readily available and could be compiled only at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Lord President of the Council what would be the present salary scale of an MP on the basis of the percentage increases since 1974 which have been received by permanent secretaries and deputy secretaries in the Civil Service.

I have been asked to reply.If Members received the same percentage salary increase as Permanent Secretaries since 1st January 1974 their present salary would be £5,140. On the same basis of comparison with Deputy Secretaries their salary would be £5,676.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the new code of practice for PVC manufacturing is adequate to protect workers and people living in the vicinity of factories; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that this code has been issued by the Health and Safety Executive to give early advice on interim hygiene standards which should be applied in the manufacture and polymerisation of vinyl chloride. Representatives of industry, including employees, and of Her Majesty's Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate were included in the working group which prepared the code. It will be amended as necessary in the light of experience and then be submitted to the commission which, if it approves it, will seek the consent of my right hon. Friend under Section 16 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the numbers and percentage of former Essex schoolchildren still without employment six months after leaving school.

On 10th February 1975, 46 school leavers, about 025 per cent. of those who left in July 1974, were registered as unemployed in Essex.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy that, in calculating the increase in pay needed to cover the past increases in the cost of living, negotiations should take into account threshold payments to comply with the social contract.

The TUC guidelines on pay, which have been welcomed by the Government, include a recommendation to unions to claim compensation for the rise in the cost of living since the last settlement, taking into account that those people covered by threshold arrangements will already have received some compensation for current price increases.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will discuss with the TUC General Council and leading branch and district union officials the degree of support being given to the social contract.

			Average gross weekly earnings (£)			Percentage increase in average gross weekly earnings
			1972	1973	1974	1972–73	1973–74
			£	£	£	Per cent.	Per cent.
Full-time men (aged 21 and over)
Central South West England			33·50	38·80	Not available	15·9	Not available
Dorset	…	…	Not available		44·50	Not available
Somerset	…	…			45·70
Wiltshire	…	…			45·10
England and Wales	…	…	36·90	42·00	47·90	13·9	13·9
Great Britain	…	…	36·70	41·90	47·70	14·1	13·9
Full-time women (aged 18 and over)
Central South West England			19·20	21·80	Not available	13·6	Not available
Dorset	…	…	Not available		25·90	Not available
Somerset	…	…			26·30
Wiltshire	…	…			25·60
England and Wales	…	…	20·60	23·20	27·10	12·3	16·9
Great Britain	…	…	20·50	23·10	26·90	12·4	16·8
The estimates are given to the nearest l0p and are subject to sampling errors.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the percentage increases in total household income in the central South-Western region of England in 1973 and 1974; and what were the corresponding figures for (i) England and Wales (ii) the United Kingdom as a whole.

From the Family Expenditure Survey it is estimated that total household income in the South-West Region was 17 per cent. higher in 1973 than in 1972. For both England and

My right hon. Friend has had frequent discussions with the TUC and trade union leaders about the operation of the social contract and will continue to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the percentage increases in wages and salaries in the central South-Western region of England in 1973 and 1974; and what were the corresponding figures for (i) England and Wales and (ii) the United Kingdom as a whole.

The following New Earnings Survey estimates relate to April of each year and to full-time adult employees whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. The new English counties were adopted as standard sub-regions for statistical purposes in 1974 and use of the former central sub-division of the South-West region was discontinued.Wales and the United Kingdom the corresponding increase was 15 per cent. However, this observed difference is within the margin of error to which these estimates are subject and is not necessarily significant.The information for the South-West region is for the area defined before reorganisation in 1974. Estimates of total household income are not available for an area smaller than the South-West region as a whole, nor are they yet available for 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the total number of textile workers who have lost their jobs since 4th March 1974, expressed as a percentage of the total work force at that date.

The precise information is not available. However, provisional estimates for Great Britain indicate that the numbers of employees in employment in the textile industries—Order XIII of the Standard Industrial Classification—decreased by 16,600, or 3·1 per cent., between March 1974 and December 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications have been made for work permits by persons from the Philippines in the last six months; and how many have been granted.

The latest figures available are for the six-month period ended 31st December 1974 in which 95 applications for work permits were received in respect of Filipinos and 35 permits were issued. For the same period 20 applications for permission to take employment were received from Filipinos already admitted to this country for purposes other than to work, and permission was given in 19 cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he proposes to meet the general secretary or the executive of any of the railway unions.

I am always glad to meet the general secretaries and executives of unions, as the occasion arises, but I have no specific proposal for the meeting suggested in this Question at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he proposes to meet the general secretary or executive of the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunication and Plumbing Union.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of registered unemployed in Pembrokeshire in February and March in each year since 1935, together with the percentage rate of unemployment.

The information is readily available only from 1955 and the following table shows figures at five-yearly intervals from that date:

NUMBERS UNEMPLOYED AND PERCENTAGE RATES
	Unemployed	Per cent.
February 1955	593	2·6
March 1955	609	2·7
February 1960	818	3·3
March 1960	655	2·6
February 1965	1,925	7·8
March 1965	1,736	7·0
February 1970	2,232	8·1
March 1970	2,166	7·9
February 1975	2,844	8·9
March 1975	Not yet available

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men are on short-time working in the Southampton area at the latest available date.

In week commencing 3rd March, 2,715 male workers were known to my Department to be working short-time in the Southampton travel-to-work area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated number of unemployed persons registered at the Tottenham, London, offices; what percentage this figure represents; and what are the job classifications of those so registered.

At 10th February, 1,357 unemployed people were recorded at the Tottenham employment office and the Tottenham and Edmonton careers offices. Rates of unemployment can be calculated only for the whole of Greater London, which is regarded as a single travel-to-work area, and at 10th February the rate was 1·9 per cent. Detailed occupational analyses of the unemployed are normally made in March, June, September and December, but the information for December 1974 is not available owing to industrial action at local offices of the Employment Service Agency.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now intervene in the industrial dispute which has resulted in no refuse being collected for over five weeks in Liverpool.

I understand that the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has arranged a joint meeting for tomorrow—Tuesday 11th March—of the parties to the national agreement which establishes the terms and conditions of all local authority manual workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many boys under 18 years and how many men between 18 and 25 years are now unemployed on Merseyside; and how this compares with figures month by month since October 1974.

I regret that the information is not available. Detailed age analyses are normally made in January and July but, owing to industrial action at local offices of the Employment Service Agency, the analysis due in January 1975 was not made.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are employed in concerns employing under 500, under 400, under 300, under 200 and under 100 employees, respectively, at the latest date for which figures are available.

I regret that the information is not available. However, some indication can be derived from the Census of Employment. The reporting units to which the census forms relate do not correspond precisely with firms, owing to the registers on which the census is based. The census units are either complete addresses or, less often, parts of addresses. They are, therefore, more numerous, and on average smaller, than firms which, although frequently consisting of single addresses, can comprise more than one address.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the value of the lowest decile of male earnings in Wales as a percentage of median earnings for each year since 1970.

The following estimates are based on the New Earnings Survey. They relate to the gross weekly earnings of full-time male workers aged 21 and over in Wales whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. They are subject to sampling errors.

Lowest decile earnings as percentages of median earnings
April 1970	65·2
April 1971	66·6
April 1972	65·6
April 1973	65·5
April 1974	66·6

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the value of the lowest decile of male earnings in Scotland as a percentage of median earnings for each year since 1970.

The following estimates are based on the New Earnings Survey. They relate to the gross weekly earnings of full-time male workers aged 21 and over in Scotland whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. They are subject to sampling erors.

Lowest decile earnings as percentage of median earnings
April 1970	63·8
April 1971	65·9
April 1972	65·1
April 1973	64·5
April 1974	65·4

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the national average of wages of male manual workers in 1970 and at the latest stated date; and what has been the percentage increase before tax.

The average gross weekly earnings of full-time manual men, aged 21 and over, covered by my Department's regular annual inquiry into the earnings and hours of manual workers in manufacturing and certain other industries^* in the United Kingdom, were £28·05 in October 1970 and £48.63 in October 1974. an increase of 73·4 per cent.

asked the Attorney-General if the Law Commission has completed its inquiries into rent charges and ground rents; and what plans the Government have for legislation on these matters.

The Law Commission has completed its inquiries into the subject of rent charges and a draft Bill is now being prepared to accompany the report which it expects to submit to my noble Friend before long. The Government can take no decision about legislation until it has considered this report.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take action to extend the Manchester Arbitration Scheme for Small Claims to other areas and encourage the financial provision from local authorities for such extensions.

The Manchester Arbitration Scheme is a voluntary scheme for which the Government have no responsibility. There is a nationwide scheme for dealing with small claims by arbitration in the county court and this scheme has been running very successfully since its introduction in October 1973. In these circumstances my noble Friend could not advise any local authority to provide money for something which could at best simply duplicate the county court system.

asked the Attorney-General when the result of police inquiries into the collapse of the Vehicle and General Insurance Company will be published.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has received the report of the police inquiries into this matter and is considering, in consultation with counsel, what action should be taken with regard to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has now had the opportunity to consult with the Come-con countries on cheap shoe importing; and if he will make a statement about the arrangements he is making, or has made, to protect the British shoe industry.

Consultations with the three countries concerned have not yet been completed, but my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will investigate the financial affairs and commercial activities of the religious cults whose names have been supplied to him.

No. These concerns are not registered under the Companies Acts and I am not empowered to investigate their affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what approaches have been made to him for the nuclear-powered ship the "Matsu" to be received in British ports.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is now satisfied with the arrangements for security in respect of passengers bound for or returning from airports within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Close and continuous attention must be paid to the extent and implementation of all aviation security measures. Particular attention is paid to flights to and from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many companies in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset have gone into liquidation in each of the last three months; and to what he attributes these liquidations.

Such information as is available relates only to compulsory liquidations. Winding up orders made either in the High Court or the appropriate county court where the company has its registered office or place of business in Hampshire, Wiltshire or Dorset, for each of the three months to 28th February 1975 are as follows:

	Hampshire	Wiltshire	Dorset
December 1974	6	2	0
January 1975	5	0	0
February 1975	5	1	0
	16	3	0

The areas covered by county courts having jurisdiction in bankruptcy and companies winding up do not necessarily coincide with county boundaries. In due course the Official Receivers concerned will report to the appropriate court, and to the creditors and contributories, their views as to the reasons for the failures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will show in the Official Report the exchange rates general prior to, and after, the floating of the pound, with each of the member States of the EEC and in each case compare that change with the adjustments toward the Common External Tariff and its final adjustment in 1977.

Exchange rates with other EEC member States, excluding Ireland, whose rate is maintained level with the £ sterling, are published monthly in Financial Statistics ", which is available in the House of Commons Library. Tariffs on industrial goods between the United Kingdom and the Six original member States were reduced by 20 per cent. on 1st April 1973, 1st January 1974 and 1st January 1975, and following a further 20 per cent. reduction on 1st January 1976, are due to be removed on 1st July 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will amend the law of insolvency so as to give employee's preferential claims priority over those of the Inland Revenue and other Government Departments.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment is considering proposals for expediting and paying in full some part of an employee's claims for remuneration, holiday pay etc. in connection with a proposed Employment Protection Bill. Proposals for other measures concerning employees' preferential rights will be considered when an opportunity for legislation arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he proposes to introduce legislation to revise the laws relating to bankruptcy in line with the recommendations of the Blagden Report.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) on 24th February 1975.—[Vol. 887, c. 35.]—So far as the Blagden Report is concerned, the hon. Member will be aware that the committee expressed the view that, with the exception of the provisions concerning discharge, the basic structure of the bankruptcy law was generally sound and well suited to its purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average figure, in pounds per council house, of all subsidies and other benefits granted to council house tenants.