asked the Lord President of the Council how much has been spent in the House of Commons Library on Welsh and English books, respectively, in each of the years from 1950 to 1975.

The total expenditure on books in all languages was:

Financial year beginning 1 April	£
1950	1,998
1951	1,612
1952	1,905
1953	1,741
1954	2,379
1955	3,199
1956	3,239
1957	2,953
1958	2,859
1959	2,807
1960	2,710
1961	3,395
1962	5,485
1963	5,500
1964	5,500
1965	6,000
1966	7,000
1967	11,000
1968	12,095
1969	10,000
1970	10,005
1971	14,326
1972	16,600
1973	17,770
1974	20,237

Library expenditure on Welsh books has been minimal. However, a Suggestions Book is kept in the Library, and it would be open to any Member to suggest additions to the small collection of Welsh texts already held.

asked the Lord President of the Council what is the number of the staff in the Catering Department compared with three years ago; and what proportion of pastry, cakes and other food served he estimates is made on the premises compared with approximately three years ago.

I have been asked to reply. The number of staff employed in the Catering Department was:

April 1975	219 permanent
April 1972	165 permanent
	60 casual and agency staff

As in 1972, 75 per cent. of the pastry and cakes are made in the Department, 25 per cent. are bought from outside caterers, and 100 per cent. of other food served is made in the Refreshment Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pregnant women were imprisoned in the last year for which figures are available.

I regret that information in this precise form is not available, but in 1974, 57 women and girls were temporarily removed to outside hospitals for confinement, returning to prison or borstal afterwards, and one baby was born prematurely in prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weekly cost of keeping a woman and her baby in prison.

I regret that it is not possible to isolate the cost of keeping mothers with babies in prison from the figures which I gave for women and girls generally in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 24th February 1975.—[Vol. 887. c.4–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the age and offence of those women who are imprisoned with their babies: at what age the baby is separated from its mother; what then happens to the baby; how many other children each of the women have; and who is looking after them.

Of the 26 women and girls who have their babies with them in custody, eight are aged under 21, 13 are aged between 21 and 30, and five are aged over 30.Their principal offences were theft, 12; burglary, three; illegal importation of drugs, three; soliciting, three; manslaughter, one; malicious wounding, one; perjury, one; and unlawful possession of drugs, one; and one woman is charged with murder.There are no facilities for children over the age of 4, but most mothers complete their sentences before the child reaches that age. No children were sent out of prison without their mothers in 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women have their babies with them in prison; and what were the total figures for the last year for which figures are available.

On 16th April, 26 women and girls in custody had their babies with them. I regret that annual totals are not available, but the average number over the whole of 1974 was 27.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the four prisoners given an exgratia payment of £1,457 for excessive detention were juveniles.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Torbay can expect a reply to a letter addressed to him on 21st March regarding his refusal to make representations to the TUC in regard to its invitation to Mr. Shelepin to visit Great Britain.

I wrote to the hon. Member today.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many retired Regular officers of the former Indian Army who were domiciled in either India or Pakistan at the date of independence have subsequently acquired British nationality and now reside in the United Kingdom and receive Service pensions which have remained unchanged since 1966.

I regret that this information is not available. If the hon. Member has a particular case or cases in mind perhaps he would write to me.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development why the United Kingdom decided to abstain on the vote on UNIDO's Plan of Action on Industrial Development and Co-operation which was carried by 82 votes to 1 on 27th March 1975.

We abstained in the vote on the Declaration and Plan of Action on Industrial Development and Co-operation because it was not possible to reach agreement in discussion and negotiation on the wording of a number of paragraphs dealing with matters of importance to British interests.

asked the Prime Minister (1) if the public speech by the Secretary for Trade, to the National Referendum Campaign, in the Conway Hall, London, on 12th April, on the prospects for Great Britain's trade in the EEC, represents Government policy;(2) if the public speech by the Secretary of State for Industry in Glasgow on 13th April, on the prospects for British industry in the EEC, represents Government policy.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemsworth (Mr. Woodall) on 17th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses per head of the population have been completed by local authorities and the private sector in areas of the Highlands and north-east Scotland affected by oil-related development, and in Scotland as a whole, as at the most recent available date.

In the Highland and north-east counties substantially affected by oil-related developments, 4·5 local authority and 3·8 private houses per 1,000 of population were completed in 1974. The corresponding figures for the whole of Scotland were 2·5 and 2·2 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will pay an official visit to west Strathclyde.

I have no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will increase the housing improvement grant.

The maximum limit of approved expense for house improvement in Scotland was increased in January from £2,400 to £3,700. I have no proposal to increase the rates of grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the work of the Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group.

The Fisheries and Offshore Oil Consultative Group, which was set up in July last year, has provided a valuable forum for discussion between the fishing and oil industries. It has covered questions of safety of operations, control of debris, compensation for loss or damage of gear, and the effect of oil operations on fishing grounds. I have asked the group to prepare a report on its work, and I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his assessment of the consequences for the Scottish economy of possible withdrawal by the United Kingdom from the EEC.

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 7th April.—[Vol. 889, c. 349.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what communication he has had from the Scottish NFU about its views on the effects on Scottish agriculture of leaving the EEC; and if he will make a statement.

I have been informed that the union has advised its members that, in its view, it is in the interests of Scottish agriculture as a whole that the United Kingdom should remain within the EEC.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the new rates of car allowances for members of local authorities and of health boards; and to which date they will be retrospective.

The new rates of car allowances for members of local authorities and health boards are set out below. The rates for members of health boards came into operation on 24th March 1975, and those for local authority members operate from 24th April 1975. The increased allowances apply from these dates and are not retrospective.

Members of Health Boards Mileage Rates
	Flat Rates
Motor car exceeding 1,750cc	8·5p
Motor car exceeding 1,000cc but not exceeding 1,750cc	7·8p
Motor car exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 1,000cc but including the Fiat 500 motor car	6·5p
Motor vehicles not exceeding 150cc	1·8p
Motor vehicles exceeding 150cc but not exceeding 244cc	2·3p
Motor vehicles exceeding 244cc but not exceeding 500cc	3·1p

Members of Local Authorities Mileage Rates
	Maximum Rates
Motor car exceeding 1,199cc	9·0p
Motor car exceeding 999cc but not exceeding 1,199cc	7·9p
Motor car exceeding 500cc but not exceeding 999cc	7·1p
Motor car not exceeding 500cc	3·5p

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement concerning Government policy towards the financing and taxation of community councils.

In terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 community councils will have no statutory source of revenue. They may raise their own funds, and regional, islands and district councils have the power to make contributions towards their expenses. As they are not local authorities, community councils will not be able to claim exemption from income, corporation or capital gains tax as provided by Section 353 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many secondary schoolchildren were receiving part-time education at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures during the same quarter of 1974, 1973 and 1972, respectively.

Returns from education authorities show that 40,545 secondary pupils were receiving part-time education earlier this month at the beginning of the school term. The comparable figure in April 1974 was 10,651. No information is available for the quarter ended 30th June 1973. No secondary pupils were on part-time education in May 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will pay an official visit to Cumbernauld New Town.

I hope to do so soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many rural dwellings in Scotland are without a mains water supply; what is the cost yardstick per dwelling to supply water in rural areas; and whether there are any special remoteness grants available

Exact figures are not available, but I estimate the number of people concerned at about 90,000, most of whom have a private piped water supply. It is for the responsible water authority to decide if a public water supply can be provided at reasonable cost, but the normal maximum cost per dwelling on which rural grant is paid is at present £1,200. Schemes to serve rural areas are eligible for grant under Rural Water and Sewerage Acts, but there is no special supplement for remoteness.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many purchases have been made by local authorities in Scotland of privately built houses which are unsold; and what guidance he has given regarding the position of owner-occupiers in such housing estates.

In the past year I have authorised seven local authorities to purchase a total of 129 unsold houses from private developers. I consider individual applications to purchase on their merits, including the position of owner-occupiers in the same development.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the percentage of self-employed persons in Moray and Nairn according to the 1971 Census.

The percentage of persons in employment, enumerated in Moray and Nairn at the 1971 Census, who were self-employed was 9·2–11·8 if Armed Forces are excluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of foreign investments in Scotland in the four-year period 1967 to 1971, and in the following period 1971–1975.

Separate figures for foreign investment in Scotland are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether, after the establishment of the Scottish Assembly, the present Scottish Office will be maintained in Dover House, Whitehall; if so, whether it will be staffed by United Kingdom civil servants; and what their relationship will be to the Civil Service working to the devolved Scottish administration in Edinburgh;

These are matters which fall to be determined in the light of Government's decisions yet to be taken on the functions to be devolved to the Scottish Assembly and the respective rôles of the Assembly and the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what savings in staff and expenditure have been made in other health boards consequent upon Orkney and Zetland having their own boards.

The Orkney and Shetland Health Boards have taken over responsibility not only for the hospital service but also for the Executive Council and local health authority services—as have other boards. Moreover, both the island boards rely for some of their specialist services on the Grampian Health Board. It is, therefore, not possible to say in detail what savings of staff or expenditure in other boards have resulted from Orkney and Shetland being constituted as separate health boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to convene the next meeting of the Scottish Economic Council; and if he will make a statement.

I am pleased to announce that the membership of the council, which will meet under my chairmanship, will be as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tons of topsoil were required for surfacing New Palace Yard; and what was the cost, including transport.

4,050 tons were required. The cost, including transport, of carrying out the recommendation of the Services Committee, approved by the House, is slightly over £10,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to improve grants to local authorities for the improvement of substandard housing in view of the present housing shortage.

My right hon. Friend has invited representatives from the Assoication of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of District Councils, the London Boroughs Association and the Greater London Council to discuss this and related issues with the object of ensuring, within the public expenditure constraints announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement, how the best possible use can be made of the resources available to further the Government's housing objectives, including future programmes of social ownership, rehabilitation and conversion of older houses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish those estimates of traffic movements and prospective costs benefits in the speed of passage of vehicles and of road safety that led him to approve the request by the Suffolk County Council of a sum of money to build the proposed Parkway inner relief road for Bury St. Edmunds in the period 1975–76;(2) whether, in the light of the diversion of heavy east-west traffic from its previous routes through Bury St. Edmunds to the recently opened bypass, he will re-examine the cost benefits expected to be gained from constructing the Parkway inner relief road in the year 1975–76 and publish the relevant estimates of traffic flows and costs in the

Two-way traffic flow for the morning peak hour in 1976 is estimated to be in the region of 2,600 vehicles. The justification for the Parkway scheme depends more on its relationship to the town's expansion and redevelopment proposals than any cost benefit evaluation. Any re-examination of the cost benefits would be a matter for Suffolk County Council as highway authority. The council must, however, be prepared to justify the parkway proposals at a public inquiry into the compulsory purchase order which will probably be held within the next two or three months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what relative priority he Places on the following proposals for trunk road improvements in the Bury St. Edmunds area; Parkway inner relief scheme, Ixworth bypass and improvements to the highway running through the High Point prison at Stradis-hall.

As these three schemes are principal road improvements the relative priority is in the first instance a matter for the Suffolk County Council as highway and traffic authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the benefits to Bury St. Edmunds in terms of reduced flows of traffic, especially heavy vehicles, through the town centre, and the reduction of congestion and road safety hazards as a result of the diversion of A45 traffic to the Bury St. Edmunds bypass.

This is a matter for the local highway and traffic authority. It is understood that the natural increase in town traffic flows has overtaken the reduction which followed the opening of the bypass and congestion still occurs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance is being provided by his Department to housing associations in Coventry.

Housing association projects in Coventry, as elsewhere, approved under the Housing Act 1974 are eligible for the new deficit grants provided for in the Act. Subsidies approved under earlier legislation remain in payment but certain schemes may benefit from transitional arrangements under the 1974 Act. The Department is always ready to give advice on particular projects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications have been received for grants under the special environmental assistance scheme since 1st January 1973 in the Northern Region; how many have been approved; and what is the estimated cost.

I regret that this information is not readily available. Between the time of commencement of the scheme in February 1972 and its termination in May 1973 the number of schemes approved in the Northern Region was 3.541, costing £8.489,400.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what grants have been made available during the latest convenient period for the purpose of improving the environment in Blaydon, Ryton and Whickham areas.

Since 1st January 1972 grants for the improvement of the environment in the Blaydon, Ryton and Whickham areas have been made available as follows:

SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME
	Number of Schemes	Gross Cost
		£
Blaydon	25	48,553
Ryton	12	41,575
Whickham	25	34,123
	62	£124,251

DERELICT LAND RECLAMATION SCHEMES
	Number of Schemes	Gross Cost
		£
Blaydon	4	206,391
Ryton	1	16,358
Whickham	Nil	Nil
	5	£222,749

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average price of building land in the North-East. for the years 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively.

Average prices paid for private sector housing land in the Northern Economic Planning Region are estimated to have been:

WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRICE AT CONSTANT AVERAGE DENSITY
	Per Plot	Per Hectare
	£	£
1970	360	7,730
1971	495	10,610
1972	739	15,840
1973	1,247	26,750
1974	1,163	24,930

Previously published estimates were for the region as defined before April 1974. Separate figures are not available for the North-East.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average price of building land in Essex, and in the Basildon District Council area, respectively, in 1970, 1971, 1972. 1973 and 1974.

Average prices paid for private sector housing land in the South-East Region, excluding Greater London, are estimated to have been:

WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRICE AT CONSTANT AVERAGE DENSITY
	Per Plot	Per Hectare
	£	£
1970	1,461	32,300
1971	1,630	36,060
1972	2,899	64,110
1973	4,258	94,160
1974	4,175	92,340

Previously published estimates were for the region as defined before April 1974. Separate figures are not available for Essex or the Basildon District Council area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the codes of practice or guidance for safe disposal of toxic industrial wastes.

Codes of practice will give waste disposal authorities guidance about methods of handling and disposing of different types of hazardous waste. They are being prepared in co-operation with representatives of the waste disposal authorities themselves, regional water authorities and industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities concerning the desirability of using old buildings following reorganisation.

My right hon. Friend pointed out on 26th February 1975—[Vol. 887, c. 481.1—that extravagance on new buildings was undesirable. I am sure this will be in the minds of local authorities without the need for further advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many private houses were found to be unoccupied in the Isle of Wight when the last census was taken.

In the 1971 Census 2,765 dwellings were recorded vacant in the Isle of Wight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total value of trunk and principal roads, respectively, firmly programmed on 31st March 1975.

The total value of major road schemes in the firm programme as at 31st March 1975 is as follows, at November 1974 prices:

	£million
Trunk roads (including motorways)	1,025
Principal roads	576

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, giving the estimated cost of each, those trunk and principal road schemes which were added to the forward programme during the six months ended 31st March 1975.

The following schemes were added to the firm roads programme in England during the six months ended 31st March 1975:

Motorways and Other	Estimated Cost
Trunk Roads	£ million
A45 Bury St. Edmunds to Wool-pit and Haughley to Stow-market	5·790
A45 Haughley New Street	1·304
A590 Haverthwaite diversion	0·795
A64 Improvement Leeds to Bramham Crossroads (A1)—Stage I Kiddal Hall to Bram-ham Crossroads	0·880

A central principal road programme is no longer maintained by my Department in view of introduction of transport supplementary grant and termination of specific grant. In consequence, no principal road schemes were added to the firm roads programme in England over this period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the results of his consultations with the five local valuation panels in Greater London about the need to speed up the hearing of accumulated appeals against rating assessments made in the 1973 revaluations.

These consultations are still in progress, and it is too soon to judge the results in terms of the quicker disposal of appeals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals against rating assessments were disposed of during 1974 by each of the five local valuation panels in Greater London.

The following table shows the total number of rating appeals disposed of in each of the Greater London local valuation panel areas in 1974 and the number of those appeals which were determined by local valuation courts.

	Total appeals disposed of	Number determined by courts
Greater London—
Central	7,913	991
North-West	4,344	952
South-West	4,521	919
North-East	4,779	1,164
South-East	4,152	1,002

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authorities about the need to amend Section 8 of the General Rate Act 1967; and what replies he has given.

Representations have been received from the Borough of Knowsley, the City of London and from the Association of Metropolitan Authorities asking that Section 8 be amended. They have been told that this would require primary legislation and that the Government does not intend to introduce any rating legislation until after the Layfield Committee has reported.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will assist those London local authorities who are having to borrow at high interest rates in order to make good the loss of income caused by commercial ratepayers withholding a proportion of their rates under Section 8 of the General Rate Act 1967.

I do not think Government financial aid of the sort my hon. Friend has in mind would be appropriate in these circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many road accidents were caused by or attributed to punctures or burst tyres during each of the last five years for which records are available.

This information is not available in the form requested, but it is estimated that about l–1½ per cent. of all injury accidents result from tyre deflations or failures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of houses which have been demolished for the purpose of building the western bypass motorway through Dunston-on-Tyne and the amount of compulsory purchase compensation paid.

The Gateshead western bypass is a road for which Tyne and Wear Metropolitan County Council is the highway authority. I understand that 59 houses were demolished and compensation is in the region of £200,000, but that it is not possible to ascertain the actual cost of compulsory purchase compensation in the time available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many land reclamation schemes in the Northern Region were approved, and at what cost since 1970.

During the 5 years from 1st April 1970 to 31st March 1975, 320 land reclamation schemes, covering 6,750 acres, were approved in the Northern Region at a gross cost of about £15 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what risk to the health of the Merseyside population is created by the fact that the Mersey has recently become substantially more polluted; and if he will make a statement.

In March the North-West Water Authority received a report from its officers which indicated some worsening in the condition of part of the non-tidal section of the River Mersey. There is no reason to suppose that this has created any risk to public health. The report covered only a relatively short period and should be viewed in the context of considerable overall improvements during the past few years in the Mersey catchment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new council or housing association houses have been completed in the Stockport

STOCKPORT METROPOLITAN BOROUGH
				Dwellings completed		Dwellings in tenders approved
				Local authority	Housing Associations	Local authority	Housing Associations
1974—
April-June	…	…	…	12	105	44	41
July-September	…	…	…	11	124	207	87
October-December		…	…	41	124	—	81

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the local authorities which do not have a direct labour organisation.

According to statistical returns collected in October 1974 by the Department, in England all county, district and London borough councils and the Greater London Council employ some direct labour either for repair and maintenance or for new construction work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much is the average cost of processing planning applications to local authorities.

About £120.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the distribution of local education authority advisory posts compared with that given in the Bullock Report.

The Department does not collect this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the Metropolitan Borough; and how many local authority housing starts have been approved in each of the last 12 months.

Figures for the 12 months since local government reorganisation will not be available until next month. In the first three quarters the following numbers were recorded:local education authorities which are setting up, or have already set up, special units dealing with children with behavioural difficulties, indicating the different type of special unit in each case and an estimate of the annual running costs of each unit.

No: statistical information in the form requested is not available. Her Majesty's inspectors are taking a close interest in local education authority provision for children with behavioural difficulties, much of which is still in an experimental stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a White Paper on the effects of the EEC on Scotland.

No. The White Paper "Membership of the European Community: Report on Renegotiation" (Cmnd. 6003), which discusses the effect of membership of the European Community on the United Kingdom, applies to the United Kingdom as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he anticipates would be the effects on Scottish exporting industries if the United Kingdom were to come out of the EEC.

The Scottish industries exporting to the EEC would, like other United Kingdom industries, be subject to the handicaps described in the Government White Paper "Membership of the European Community: Report on Renegotiation" (Cmnd. 6003). If it were not possible to secure special trading arrangements with the Community, British exports would face high tariffs on a number of important products.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what machinery exists within the various institutions of the EEC to ensure the participation of regional and provincial governments in the process of decision-making within the Community.

The treaties contain no provision for the participation of regional or provincial governments in the process of decision-making in the Community. This is a matter for each member State concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers the EEC Commission will have over the investment programme of the new nationalised shipbuilding industry.

Except for the specific question of State aids to industry which

			1972	1973	1974	1975
Soviet Union
Soviet Trade Delegation	…	…	57	64	59	58
Industrial and trading concerns		…	126	166	134	159
German Democratic Republic
Commercial Office	…	…	—	—	4	16
Industrial and trading concerns		…	25	25	22	9
Czechoslovakia
Commercial Office	…	…	26	26	12	18
Industrial and trading concerns		…	30	30	42	49
Hungary
Commercial Office	…	…	9	14	16	18
Industrial and trading concerns		…	13	17	21	20

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the numbers of persons of school age attached to the Cuban Embassy and delegation in the United Kingdom who have the benefit of diplomatic protection.

The Cuban Embassy has notified the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the presence in this country of 17 children between the ages of 5 and is covered in Articles 92–94 of the EEC Treaty, the Commission has no powers over the investment programmes of either private or publicly-owned shipbuilding companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the present total numbers in the United Kingdom of the Italian and French trade delegations.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been notified of the appointment of eight commercial officers on the staff of the French Embassy and five on the staff of the Italian Embassy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the total numbers attached to the Russian, East German, Czechoslovakian and Hungarian trade delegations and other representatives, servants or agents of nationally controlled industrial and trading concerns of each of those countries presently in the United Kingdom and for each of the most recently available past three years.

The figures are as follows:16 years who are dependants of members of the staff of the embassy.The Cuban Trade Delegation in the United Kingdom does not form part of the embassy and its members are not entitled to diplomatic immunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many different types of aircraft including helicopters are currently in service in (a) the defence forces of the United Kingdom and (b) the defence forces of NATO; and if he will list the types.

The types of aircraft currently in service with the United Kingdom's defence forces, including those aircraft allocated to NATO, are:

Alouette*	Hunter*
Andover	Jaguar
Argosy	Jet Provost
Auster	Lightning
Belfast	Nimrod
Britannia	Pembroke
Beaver	Phantom
Buccaneer	Puma*
Bulldog	Scout*
Canberra	Sea Heron
Chipmunk	Sea King*
Comet	Sioux*
Devon	Shackleton
Dominie	Varsity
Gannet	VC10
Gazelle*	Victor
Gnat	Vulcan
Harrier	Wasp*
Hastings	Wessex*
Hercules	Whirlwind*
HS 125
*Helicopters

An authortative list of all aircraft operated by our NATO allies is not available but in round terms there are about 100 aircraft types, excluding those used exclusively for training.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what has been the percentage annual increase under the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 for each year since that Act came into force (a) in the rate of Civil Service pensions and (b) in the capital value of such pensions; and what are the best estimates for the comparable figures for the current year, in the light of the increase in Civil Service pay announced this month.

There have been three cost-of-living reviews of Civil Service pensions since the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 came into force. From 1st December 1972 pensions were increased by 9·9 per cent. to cover the 15-month period from September 1971. From 1st December 1973 and 1st December 1974 increases of 9·3 per cent. and 16·5 per cent. were made to cover 12-month periods. It is estimated that these three reviews resulted in increased annual costs of some £10 million, £10 million and £20 million respectively.The increase to be given from 1st December this year depends on the movement in the retail prices index for the period June 1974 to June 1975 and will not therefore be known until the end of July. The latest available figures show an increase of 14·4 per cent. to March 1975.The effect of the recently announced pay awards on the costs of pensions increase in the 1975 review will be very small. Only those pensioners retiring between 1st January and 30th June 1975 will receive both some addition to their pensionable pay and an increase in their pensions from 1st December. Such pensioners represent a small proportion of the total and the cost of the 1975 review is unlikely on this account to be increased by more than ½ per cent.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the locations of the 40 per cent. of staff engaged on headquarters work, on 18th October 1974, who were located outside London.

Figures for 1st October 1974 are as follows:

Location	Non-industrial headquarters staff in post (000)
Northern Region	14·2
Yorkshire & Humberside Region	1·6
East Midlands Region	0·4
East Anglia Region	1·3
South East Region (excluding London)	10·9
South West Region	6·6
West Midlands Region	0·8
North West Region	10·2
Scotland	12·5
Wales	3·3
Northern Ireland and other	0·8
TOTAL	62·6

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to review the stamp duty on sale and lease documents relating to smaller family homes; and how long it is since these duties were last reviewed.

The stamp duties on the sale and lease of houses were revised in my right hon. Friend's spring 1974 Budget, when the rate of duty was doubled. Substantial increases were made in the relief available on conveyances of smaller properties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet the Finance Ministers of the European Community.

The next meeting of the Council of Ministers (Finance) will be on 20th May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the increased yield in a full year from VAT following his proposed increase from 8 per cent. to 25 per cent. of VAT as it affects transactions in antique gold, silver, jade, and antique works of art mounted in gold and silver.

It is estimated that raising to 25 per cent. the rate of VAT on jewellery and goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares will yield about £20 million in a full year. Estimates for a narrower range of goods have not been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made on the likely yield from his proposed 25 per cent. VAT rate on boats; and what yield is likely to accrue from sales of boats classified as dinghies, racing boats propelled by oars, and canoes, respectively.

It is estimated that the increase to 25 per cent. in the rate of VAT on boats, aircraft and caravans will yield about £10 million in a full year. Estimates for the narrower range of goods have not been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from affected interests about VAT on bloodstock; and what replies he has sent.

The main representations about VAT on bloodstock have been channelled through the Bloodstock VAT Committee and, more recently, the Joint Racing Board. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer met representatives from these bodies on 18th March and undertook to give further consideration to their arguments for full or partial relief from VAT. However, he announced in his Budget Statement that he had reluctantly concluded that he could not propose any further reliefs from VAT at a time when he was looking for sacrifices in many other fields.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the provisions of the Finance Act 1974 which require an employee to serve a continuous period of 365 days overseas to gain exemption from United Kingdom income tax are proving to be a disincentive to those who work away from home often in inhospitable and inclement surroundings; and if he will now consider proposing reducing the period to 100 days in order to recognise the efforts of those who serve their country overseas.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion. I would, however, point out that a 25 per cent. deduction will normally be due in respect of foreign earnings, where an employee's period of absence from the United Kingdom is not long enough for exemption from United Kingdom tax to be given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the provisions of Section 46 of the Finance Act 1975 apply to a testamentary provision on death.

No. The exemption afforded by Section 46 applies only to dispositions in the donor's lifetime. In this respect my comment in the discussions on the Finance Bill at Report stage—[Official Report, 5th March 1975; c. 1597]—was misleading and I regret this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Finance Bill will be published.

The Bill will be published on 29th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans she has to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Lane Committee on abortion.

Most of the committee's recommendations which require legislation are likely to be considered by the Select Committee examining the Abortion (Amendment) Bill. We intend to await the report of the latter before considering whether we should ourselves make legislative proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will extend the provision of specialist teaching clinics, at present largely restricted to London teaching hospitals, to provincial areas without such facilities; and. in particular, if she will ask the South West Regional Hospital Board to establish such a clinic.

I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement concerning the Medicine Commission's report "Presentation of Medicines in Relation to Child Safety."

As I told my hon. and learned Friend during the Adjournment debate in the House on 18th March 1974—[Vol. 870, c. 815–22.]—the Government were concerned about the number of children admitted to hospital from suspected poisoning from medicines—averaging for children under five 16,000 a year over the previous four years, though the number of deaths from this cause fortunately was no more than six per million of children under five—and I said that I was prepared to examine anything that could reduce the risk of accidental poisoning.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the ratio of places in day nurseries to children under the age of four years in each of the local authorities in the northwest of England;(2) what steps she is taking to improve the ratio of day nursery places to children under the age of four years in the five areas of the North-west of England with the worst ratios.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th April 1975; Vol. 890, c. 166–7], circulated the following information:At 31st March 1974, the most recent date for which figures are available, the ratios relating to the under-five age group for whom day nurseries are provided were as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what benefits have accrued to the United Kingdom from participation in the Special Agricultural Committee of the EEC.

The main function of the committee is to ensure that questions going before the Council of Ministers have been thoroughly prepared beforehand, and as such it is an essential part of the Community's decision-making machinery in the agricultural sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the United Kingdom will be allowed to discriminate in favour of home-based industries by permitting them access to North Sea oil and gas at more favourable prices than are charged for exporting it.

It is the Government's intention that North Sea oil should be disposed of at market prices. Differential pricing would involve a significant departure from Government policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Commission of the Common Market will assume control of the rate of depletion of North Sea oil and gas.

No. The Commission accepts that the British Government has absolute discretion over production rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether there will be a Common Market energy policy; and what it will mean for North Sea oil and gas.

A Community energy policy is in process of formulation. It is the Government's intention, while contributing to the formulation of that policy, to ensure that it is consistent with the aims of United Kingdom national energy policies, including North Sea policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Treaty of Rome will be applied to the Continental Shelf; and what legal powers this will give the Commission.

The question of the application of the Treaty of Rome to the Continental Shelf is unresolved. If the treaty were applied to the shelf this would not mean the creation of powers which are not applicable on land. The British Government would retain full national sovereignty over mineral deposits.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans there are for building more nuclear reactors.

The White Paper of July 1974 (Cmnd. 5695) set out the Government's policy for the next nuclear programme, which is based on the steam generating heavy water reactor.

asked the Secretary of State for. Wales if he will set up an inquiry into the educational needs of physically handicapped people in Wales.

In conjunction with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and Scotland, I have set up a committee under the chairmanship of Mrs. Mary Warnock to enquire into the educational provision made for physically handicapped children and young people in England, Scotland and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the special facilities available in Wales for the post-school education of handicapped students;(2) what proposals he has for improving the opportunities for further education for physically handicapped children in Wales.

A list of special facilities for the post-school education of the handicapped is not available. Colleges of further education in Wales offer a range of courses appropriate to the varying needs of the handicapped. I am working closely with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science in encouraging local education authorities to provide appropriate facilities for the continuing education of the handicapped school leaver.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of local government expenditure on staff wages and salaries in Wales in 1973–74 and 1974–75, respectively.