asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the complaints of inshore fishermen following his discussions with the EEC.

Following his statement of 26th March—[Vol. 889, c. 489.]—my right hon. Friend took the opportunity of raising with his colleagues at the meeting of the EEC Council of Agriculture Ministers the whole range of problems at present affecting our fishing industry. It was agreed that a reappraisal of the common fisheries policy would be necessary, particularly in the light of the expected outcome of the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference, and studies on this are to be put in hand by the Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to publish his White Paper on Agriculture.

A White Paper "Food from our own Resources" setting out the Government's conclusions is being laid before Parliament today. My agricultural colleagues and I are grateful to the representatives of farmers, landowners, agricultural workers and the food and drink industries who participated in these discussions. The outcome has been also discussed with representatives of consumers.The main conclusions of the Government are as follows. First, the likely levels of world and Community prices for major foodstuffs between now and the early 1980s, and the risks of possible shortage and sharp price fluctuations, justify a policy of expansion of food production in the United Kingdom. Secondly, the net product of the agricultural industry should be capable of a continuing expansion of about 2½ per cent. a year on average, and this is the objective at which the Government and industry should aim. There is a wide measure of agreement between the Government and the industry on the scale of higher output projected to 1980. Thirdly, within this overall objective most benefit is likely to come from higher output of milk—with its by-product, beef from the dairy herd—and sugar beet. Cereals and sheepmeat should also make a significant contribution.The White Paper contains a projection of the possible pattern of higher output in 1980, which shows on certain price assumptions a gross import saving of £630 million and a net import saving of £530 million at the price of replaceable imports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that there are adequate special precautions, and sufficient legal penalties, to meet the danger of rabies from smuggled dogs.

Yes. The new import order which came into operation on 5th February 1975 provides a sound basis for preventing the entry into Great Britain of rabies by means of smuggled animals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest evidence of any adverse consequences of consuming eggs from poultry whose feed includes therapeutic antibiotics; and what proposals he has to see that such eggs are not offered for human consumption.

The incorporation of therapeutic antibiotics in feed for laying poultry is banned in the United Kingdom, except on veterinary prescription in a disease outbreak. Our main overseas supplier, France, operates a similar ban. There is, therefore, no recent evidence of adverse consequences in the United Kingdom. The hon. Member will be interested to know that tests recently completed by the laboratory of the Government Chemist have found no evidence of residues of antibiotics in home-produced eggs or in imported French eggs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from glasshouse producers during the last 30 days.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind representations about fuel costs. During the period from 17th March to 14th April we received 39 letters from growers of glasshouse produce.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the date of 30th June 1950 by five years, in regard to the recent agreement to allow part of war service in the Armed Forces to count towards police pensions.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the figure for unpaid fines in inner London; how much of this and the £11,752,263 outstanding elsewhere in England and Wales can be attributed to the non-expiration of time allowed for payment; and how much to actual failure to pay.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the practice of his Department to demand a supplementary payment in respect of a television licence which has been issued and to revoke that licence if the supplementary payment is not made; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that no additional charges will be imposed upon colour television licence holders who have already renewed expiring licences or taken out new licences prior to the intended increase in price.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority the National Television Licence Records Office is demanding an additional fee of £6 from those persons who took out a colour television licence in March 1975 from an address where there was already a licence in force not due for renewal until May 1975.

The new licence tees were assessed on the footing that all licences issued in renewal of licences expiring after 31st March would be charged at the new rate; and the regulations so provide. People whose licences expired before 31st March were reminded of the importance of prompt renewal.If a new licence is issued at the old rate to a person who already has a licence due to expire after 31st March, the saving to the licence holder results in a corresponding loss of revenue by the BBC, and if the practice had been universal that loss could have reached some £6½ million.The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 imposes no obligation to grant a licence to a person to cover a period for which he already holds a licence, and it is not easy to see a basis which is both fair and sensible for a person who already has a permission to use a set to he given it a second time. The Post Office, which issues licences on behalf of the Secretary of State, was accordingly instructed not to issue a licence where the applicant already held a licence which was not due to expire before 31st March. In the instances in which overlapping licences were nevertheless issued the Post Office is asking the licence holders to pay the additional amount which would have been due had the new licence not been issued until the expiry of their old one; and informing them that if the additional amount is not paid the new licence is liable to revocation under the powers of Section 1(4) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.When licence fees are increased it is inevitable that some licence holders should pay the higher rate sooner than others; the action that has been taken is that which is judged to be in the best interests of licence holders generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many males and females were remanded in custody for psychiatric reports in 1974.

Provisional figures for 1974 indicate that, in that year, 11,040 males and 1,490 females were remanded in custody for psychiatric reports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that it has been considered necessary for a girl aged 16 years to be imprisoned in Holloway Prison while awaiting trial on a charge of stealing goods to the value of approximately £6, if, as a matter of urgency, he will seek alternative ways of dealing with such cases.

It is the Government's policy to end such remands. We cannot do so until alternative secure accommodation is available under the regional plans which local authorities have made for the purposes of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales give this need the highest priority they can in considering local authorities' building proposals. The girl whom I think my hon. Friend has in mind is now on bail.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the TUC.

On Monday next.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech by the Secretary of State for the Environment to delegates from Yorkshire Labour Party organisations in Sheffield on 14th March 1975 on land nationalisation represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public statement by the Secretary of State for Trade in London on 23rd March on the EEC represents Government policy.

No, it does not. In accordance with the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Walker) on 7th April, my right hon. Friend was exercising his authorised freedom to advocate a different view during the referendum campaign in the country.

asked the Prime Minister if he is planning a ministerial broadcast before the referendum.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. Steel) on 20th March.

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has received from Heads of Government of Commonwealth countries concerning British membership of the European Economic Community since the Dublin summit meeting.

I have received no formal representations from the Head of any Commonwealth Government since 11th March about the question of British membership of the European Community which the Commonwealth Governments recognise is one for the British people to decide. Informally Commonwealth Governments continue to make clear their hope that our people will support the Government's recommendation.

asked the Prime Minister how many public meetings he plans to address in Scotland in the course of the campaign leading up to the referendum on the EEC.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) on 8th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on public speeches made outside Parliament by those members of the Cabinet who have availed themselves of the agreement to differ from the Government's recommendation in favour of continued membership of the European Community.

As I have already made clear in the House, those Ministers who do not agree with the Government's recommendation in favour of continued membership of the European Community are, in the unique circumstances of the referendum, now free to advocate a different view during the referendum campaign in the country. It follows that speeches in the country on British membership of the European Community by those members of the Cabinet who are availing themselves of the agreement to differ do not represent, nor are they required to represent, the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the unique context of the national debate over membership of the European Community.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Penkridge.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements during the Easter Recess.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Thomas) on 8th April.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to make a ministerial broadcast.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. Steel) on 20th March.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his official visit to Belfast.

I took the opportunity during my visit to Northern Ireland on 25th March to hold discussions with the Chief Constable and the General Officer Commanding; to visit police and Army establishments; and to meet Northern Ireland Church leaders and leaders of political parties and other public figures. A full statement was issued from Stormont Castle during my visit, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister what discussions he has had during 1975 with NATO countries about the United Kingdom's defence obligations to that organisation.

There have been no discussions about our defence obligations to NATO; these have never been in doubt. The Statement on the Defence Estimates 1975 (Cmnd. 5976) underlines our commitment to the North Atlantic Alliance which is the linchpin of British security and which will remain the first charge on our defence resources. The statement also gives a full account of the detailed consultations which we have held with our NATO allies since December last year about the effects of our defence review on our force contributions to NATO.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech about the EEC to the Scottish Labour Party Conference on 22nd March.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Thomas) on 15th April.

asked the Prime Minister what further discussions he has had with the TUC about the social contract.

I have regular meetings with representatives of the TUC at which discussions take place within the context of the social contract.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make arrangements to meet representatives of the National Federation of the Self-Employed.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will set up an interdepartmental inquiry to consider means of improving the situation of self-employed persons.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he received a copy of the report of the independent review body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration; and what conclusion he has reached on it.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Somerset, North (Mr. Dean) on 14th April.

asked the Prime Minister whether Questions concerning employment prospects in Great Britain are being transferred to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in consequence of the arrangements he has made in respect of dissenting Ministers.

Yes. Where appropriate, such Questions have been transferred to my right hon. Friend in accordance with the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Walker) on 7th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will as a matter of urgency reduce the level of taxation on petrol.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring the figures shown at the bottom of Table 13 in the 1974 Blue Book, National Income and Expenditure, up to June 1974, showing total employment in the public sector at that date, together with numbers employed by public corporations, central Government civilians and local authorities, respectively.

The information is not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total number of employees in all sections of Government service, excluding the Armed Forces, but including all local authority, water board, Post Office and area health authority employees, in 1960 and 1974; and what percentages of the total working population for the year in question this represents.

At June 1960 the total was 3,379,000, or 13·6 per cent. of the total working population in employment. Figures for 1974 are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would be lost per annum by reducing the maximum rate of income tax to 65 per cent., 60 per cent., 55 per cent., and 50 per cent., respectively.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loans and guarantees have been approved by the European Investment Bank for projects in the North Cheshire and Deeside area, since 1st January 1973.

The European Investment Bank has not so far granted any loans or given any guarantees for projects in the North Cheshire and Deeside area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of (a) exempting and (b) zero-rating all charitable business carried on by registered charities for the purpose of VAT.

It is not possible to give reliable estimates because the available statistics do not distinguish registered charities as such. The best estimate that can be made is that the cost of exempting charities from VAT would be of the order of £1 million a year. The cost of zero-rating could well be substantially higher.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will institute a public inquiry into the rent increases imposed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; if he will meanwhile reimpose the rents freeze for a further period; and if he will make a statement.

No. My right hon. Friend has already announced that a major examination of the financial relationship between the Government and the Housing Executive has commenced. Proposals will be published in draft form so that interested parties can comment before draft legislation is laid before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to publish the report of the Harland and Wolff project team on which recent Government decisions were based.

I told the House on 22nd July 1974—[Vol. 877, c. 1060–1063]—that there was to be a comprehensive review. A project team, consisting of career civil servants, was accordingly appointed to examine the affairs of the company and advise on all aspects of the acquisition of the Government's shareholding in Harland and Wolff Limited. Their advice, which has been given in successive reports and discussions is subject to the normal convention of confidentiality as between civil servants and Ministers and it is not intended to publish it.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Lord Chancellor will consider proposing increasing the jurisdiction of county courts in relation to actions for contract and tort.

County court jurisdiction in contract and tort was increased from £750 to £1,000 with effect from 1st October 1974. My noble Friend is not proposing to make any further increases in the immediate future, but will keep the position under review.

asked the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to reduce the time spent in prison establishments by the 174 boys and six girls in custody on remand on 31st March 1974.

The time spent in custody by defendants committed for trial in the Crown court was slightly reduced in 1974 as compared with 1973, despite a 10 per cent. increase in the number of committals. No separate figures are available for juveniles, but the courts are conscious of the need to dispose quickly of cases in which juveniles are concerned and, as far as is practicable, priority is given to the hearing of such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give, for each university in the country, the number of students in respect to whom local education authority has not been given an assurance of their satisfactory behaviour over the period of the last year for which figures are available.

I regret that this information could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional nursery school places are included in the current proposals of the Lancashire county councils; and what is statistical distribution of such places by district.

The Lancashire Local Education Authority has informed my Department that it intends to use none of its nursery education building allocation of £357,500 for 1974–75. but to use £357,000 of its allocation of £364,910 for 1975–76. It is for authorities to decide which individual projects should be started within their allocation, and the number of resultant places will vary with the cost of provision.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many nursery school places there are in the area of the Lancashire County Council; what is the statistical distribution of such places by district; and what is the estimated ratio of places to children of nursery school age by district, in the last available year.

In January 1974 the areas now comprising the new county of Lancashire contained 38 nursery schools and 36 nursery classes together providing a total of 2,810 full-time equivalent places. Taking the size of the 3–4 year age group as half of the 1–4 age group, approximately 10·5 per cent. of 3- and 4-year-olds in those areas were receiving education in nursery schools or classes. Figures to show the distribution of these places and pupils among the 14 districts of Lancashire have not been collected by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many nursery school places there are in the Lancashire County Council, specifically for Roman Catholic children; and of those how many are in Rossendale.

Any denominational places would be in nursery classes in voluntary aided primary schools. The detailed information requested is not available in my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further progress he has made towards introducing a public lending right for authors.

I published last month the report of investigations into the complexities of giving effect to a public lending right for authors. The report indicates the considerable progress that has been made in working out practicable methods for measuring the entitlement of authors to the right, but also shows the further studies and pracical tests which need to be carried out before conclusions can be reached on the precise methods to be adopted for the implementation of a right. In the light of these findings, and the desirability of presenting Parliament with clear and detailed proposals for legislation, the Government have decided that it is right to defer our plans to legislate until the further investigations have been completed. It is expected that these will give clear indications by the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will institute a comparative study into the cost effectiveness and efficiency of local travel by bus and train, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

No. Such studies need to be related to the particular circumstances of each case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the uncertainties that have arisen from previous delays, he will endeavour to publish the report of his inspector as soon as possible after the conclusion of the public inquiry into the planning application by Burmah-Total Refineries Trust to construct a refinery at Cliffe, Rochester, Kent.

The inspector's report will be published in the usual way when my right hon. Friend announces his decision on the planning application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what percentage the new local authorities are estimated to be below establishment on average.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to increase the number of road haulage permits for Italy; and if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the Italian Minister.

I have been constantly pressing for increases in our bilateral road haulage quota arrangement with Italy, and indeed all similar agreements. Last week after meetings with the Italian Minister it was agreed that the general quota should be increased from 4,100 permits to 4,450 permits for this year. In addition, a substantial increase from 600 to 1,100 in the road/rail quota was agreed. The Italian Minister and I have agreed to meet later this year to consider whether a further step towards relaxation of restriction on road movements between our two countries can be agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what new instructions he has issued to local authorities on the rating of residential caravan sites which now make it neces- sary for site owners to rate caravans individually.

My right hon. Friend has issued no such instructions, but I am writing to my hon. Friend about the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the three highest percentage increases in general rates, notified by rating authorities in England and Wales for the years 1973–74, 1974–75 and 1975–76.

The highest percentage increases are:

(a)	1974–75 over 1973–74:
	Ceredigion	138 per cent.
	South Pembroke	121 per cent.
	Holderness	121 per cent.
(b)	1975–76 over 1974–75:
	Ealing	63 per cent.
	City of London	60 per cent.
	Hillingdon	59 per cent.

Because of the 1973 rating revaluation it is not possible to make direct comparisons of general rates in 1973–74 and 1972–73. General rates in 1974–75 and 1975–76 do not include charges for water service; for purposes of comparison such charges have been excluded from the 1973–74 figures. In districts where differential rating applies average figures are shown.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what future policy he has with regard to rural bus services.

County councils have a responsibility to develop policies which will promote the provision of a co-ordinated and efficient system of public passage transport to meet the needs of the county. As explained in Circular 43/75, proposals in 1976–77 transport policies and programmes for revenue support in the less densely populated areas will be given relatively high priority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has of the extent of the import of toxic waste into Great Britain from Europe; whether he will propose safeguards to prevent such imports; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that some 250 tonnes of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) wastes from various foreign sources are being disposed of annually in this country. Disposal is, of course, subject to the same safeguards as for waste arising here, but I am making inquiries about the circumstances in which the material is being imported and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce new criteria for speed limits in villages.

Discussions with the local authorities have indicated that to relax the present criteria might only serve to proliferate unnecessary speed restrictions, but my right hon. Friend is ready to deal flexibly with local authorities' requests for advice in individual cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to send a reply to a letter dated 30th January 1975 from Messrs. Godwin, Bremridge & Clifton of 8 St. Thomas's Street, Winchester (reference APP/5241/A/75/1115/(4)), concerning planning permission.

The letter was acknowledged on 3rd February and further letters sent to Messrs. Godwin, Bremridge & Clifton on 28th February and 10th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence of the 325 exchange posts in operation between British forces and forces of other NATO countries, how many of those seconded were members of British forces serving in Scotland and in Morayshire, respectively.

Of the 325 exchange posts in operation between NATO countries, 16 are filled by members of the British forces who were serving in Scotland prior to taking up their exchange appointments; 11 of the 16 were serving in Morayshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether members of British forces are seconded to non-NATO countries; and in what numbers and to which countries such secondments have been made.

British Service personnel are currently serving abroad on loan, in exchange posts, or as members of British Service training teams with the armed forces of the following non-NATO countries, in the numbers given:

Australia	100
Bermuda	4
Brunei	71
Hong Kong	16
Iran	68
Kenya	30
Kuwait	106
Malaysia	36
Nepal	1
New Zealand	5
Nigeria	1
Oman	188
Pakistan	1
Peru	2
Qatar	2
Saudi Arabia	6
Singapore	32
South Africa	1
Sudan	8
Union of Arab Emirates	55

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) who is responsible for the inspection and preservation of the British Military Cemetery in Baghdad, Iraq; and when an investigation was last made into the state of that cemetery;(2) how many headstones in the British Military Cemetery in Baghdad are broken; and what were the religious faiths of the soldiers buried in the graves concerned;(3) whether he is satisfied with the present condition of the British Military Graveyard in Baghdad, Iraq.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for the maintenance of the Baghdad North Gate and other war cemeteries in Iraq. The Baghdad Cemetery was last inspected by a senior official from Head Office in January of this year and is shortly again to be visited by another touring official. I am making inquiries of the commission about the other matters raised and I will write to the hon. and learned Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the recommendations of the Nugent Committee in respect of defence property in the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed have been full implemented.

Yes, except that certain legal formalities have yet to be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will extend the buying in facility for Armed Forces pensions to all those who had retired before 31st March 1973 and for the payment of the short-term pensions to all those who may be bereaved in the future, irrespective of the date of retirement of their husbands.

The provision for buying in for half-rate widows' pensions and the payment of full rates of pay or pension to widows for 91 days after the husband's death will apply in all cases where the husband's death or retirement from the Service occurred after 31st March 1973. It is not the practice to apply improvements in public service pensions retrospectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will refer to the Health and Safety Commission the question of the making of medical examinations for new employees compulsory, in accordance with powers contained in paragraph 8 of the Second Schedule to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with interested bodies in the United Kingdom as regards EEC Draft Regulations R/1472/74, R/127/74, R/446/74, R/3333/74, R/2195/74, and R/162/75 concerning energy policy; and if he will place copies of their observations in the Library.

Consultations on these documents have taken place with the appropriate nationalised industries in the fuel sector and with certain private companies. Regular consultations of this kind are normal in the formulation of all aspects of energy policy and must remain confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether representations have been made to the Soviet authorities regarding incidents on 10th April in which five Soviet vessels approached British oil installations in the North Sea.

No. But we are studying a report of the incidents in question and will take whatever action is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British passport holders, currently living abroad, have the right of abode in the United Kingdom, as defined in the Immigration Act 1971, therefore qualifying for a Category III indorsement under the FO Passport Rules.

Excluding United Kingdom passport holders living in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America, for whom we have no figures, and those who have not registered with Her Majesty's consulates elsewhere, there are at least 366,000 British passport holders currently living abroad who have the right of abode in the United Kingdom as defined in the Immigration Act 1971. No statistics are kept to show on which basis, under the various ways specified in the Act, they hold this right.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proposals he has under the Industry Bill for ensuring that scientific and engineering professional staff are represented on boards of management for companies coming under public ownership.

The Industry Bill lays no duty on the Secretary of State in this matter. But the NEB would be free to consider it in the context of promoting industrial democracy in its subsidiaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether it is his intention that the National Enterprise Board shall take over the ownership of all shares that the Government now hold in British companies; and if he will list the shareholdings he has in mind for the board.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 29 of the White Paper on the Regeneration of British Industry (Cmnd. 5710).

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what grants and loans have been approved from the ECSC Fund for the Chester and North Wales area since 1st January 1973.

No loans have been made under Article 54 or reconversion loans under Article 56 of the Treaty of Paris for this area. Figures for other loans and grants from the European Coal and Steel Community are not available on a regional basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received from the Amalgamated Society of Boilermakers, Shipwrights, Blacksmiths and Structural Workers and from the AUEW about the closure of Powell Duffryn works at Barnham. Suffolk.

None as yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry which of his statutory powers to control mergers, investment and prices in the steel industry have been subject to veto by the EEC Commission.

Acquisitions by BSC require the consent of the Secretary of State, but are subject to authorisation by the Commission. In no instance has authorisation been withheld, but in one case the Commission imposed conditions on the proposed transaction. The Secretary of State has no statutory powers over mergers in the private sector, which are also subject to authorisation by the Commission.The Commission has no power to prevent steel investment. The Secretary of State has no statutory powers over steel prices. Because of the provisions of the Treaty of Paris ECSC steel products are excluded from the Price Code.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry which of his statutory powers to control mergers, investment and prices in the shipbuilding and aerospace industries have been subject to veto by the EEC Commission.

None. The control of mergers and prices is, of course, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry which of his statutory powers in regard to workers' co-operatives have been subject to veto by the EEC Commission.

The Government have not met with any difficulties from the EEC regarding its decisions to assist workers' co-operatives.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will by order enable Members of Parliament, the constituency associations of the political parties represented in Parliament, and accredited representatives of the Britain in Europe and the National Referendum Campaign to use schools for public meetings between the date of the Royal Assent to the Referendum Bill and the date of the referendum.

Yes. The referendum order will apply Section 82 of the Representation of the People Act 1949 to the referendum so as to permit rooms in schools to which that section applies and subject to the conditions specified in that section to be used by any person for the purpose of holding a meeting in connection with the referendum between publication of the notice of the poll and polling day.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many national insurance retirement male pensioners there are over 65 years of age.

2,800,000 in November 1974, the latest date for which figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are currently in receipt of attendance allowance.

At 31st March 1975 attendance allowance was payable at the higher rate to 117,500 people and at the lower rate to 71,500 people.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons of working age have been incapable of employment for more than six months without invalidity or Industrial Injuries Scheme benefit.

About 220,000—excluding housewives—of whom some 135,000 receive supplementary benefit. In addition, there are perhaps 40,000 married women housewives without any basic benefit who are incapacitated both for housework and for paid employment. I would refer my hon. Friend to House of Commons Paper 276 of September 1974 which contains a fuller discussion of the statistics. The first stage of non- contributory invalidity pension will be introduced later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are employed in the social and welfare services to the latest available date.

I assume that my hon. Friend in referring to the local authority personal social services. Provisional returns show that there were some 165,000 members of staff, in whole-time equivalents, employed by local authority social services departments in England at 30th September 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will conduct a special investigation into clinical trials promoted by companies which supply the National Health Service within the voluntary price regulation scheme in which general practitioners receive rewards for prescribing medicines to patients which are paid for by the taxpayers.

I understand that manufacturers offer general practitioners some items of personal medical equipment in recognition of the time and trouble spent in preparing reports on such trials, but I have no information to indicate that the rewards go any further than that. If my hon. Friend has any detailed information I shall be prepared to consider whether this requires a special investigation. All promotional practices are being considered as part of the comprehensive review of the whole question of prescribing which the Government have initiated and on which the Medicines Commission has been consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provisions are made for reimbursement of travel costs of patients sent to distant kidney machines.

Patients travelling to hospitals whether for haemodialysis or for any other specialist services may be reimbursed their travel expenses if they are already in receipt of supplementary benefit or family income supplement, or if they would otherwise suffer financial hardship as broadly assessed by supplementary benefit standards. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the leaflet "Help with Travelling Expenses to Hospital for Patients and Visitors".