asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of Government expenditure was attributable to spending on defence in the financial year 1974–75; and what information he has as to the comparable figures for each of the other members of the NATO alliance, and the members of the Warsaw Pact.

In 1974–75 estimated defence expenditure accounted for some 17 per cent. of central Government expenditure. Comparable figures for other members of NATO and members of the Warsaw Pact are not available because of differences in the definition and scope of Government expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of Government capital expenditure was attributable to spending on defence in the financial year 1974–75; and how this compared with the situation in other NATO countries.

For 1974–75 defence capital expenditure is estimated to be about 3 per cent. of central Government capital expenditure. Comparable figures for other members of NATO are not available, because of differences in the definition and scope of Government expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total of overseas sales of defence equipment in the financial year 1974–75; and how this compared with the total of domestic expenditure on equipment for Her Majesty's Forces.

The provisional estimated value of overseas sales of defence equipment in the financial year 1974–75 is £475 million. The provisional estimate of the value of domestic expenditure on equipment for Her Majesty's Forces in the financial year 1974–75 is £1,185 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to prevent condensation and rain penetration in council houses and flats, following the report in its April Digest of the Building Research Establishment, showing a high incidence of these defects in dwellings inspected.

The study reported in the Digest analysed 510 failures in buildings, not a cross-section of the building stock. Of the failures analysed 24 per cent. concerned local authority housing. The analysis revealed condensation and rain penetration as the most common defects in this sector. 90 per cent. of all defects were due partly or wholly to readily identifiable defects in design and construction. A great deal of advice is available on condensation and rain penetration, as on the other defects commonly found, and publication of the study should lead those concerned with the design and construction of buildings to make proper use of this advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which research establishments are responsible for investigations into the fire behaviour of plastics in furniture.

Within the Department of the Environment this work is handled entirely by the Fire Research Station, which places some contracts for specific aspects of the work with a number of external research agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigatory work is being carried out by research establishments into fire hazard of plastics in furniture and fittings; and whether he is satisfied that this is being given sufficiently high priority in the interests of fire provision and public safety.

The Fire Research Station is engaged on a continuous programme of studies into the behaviour in fire of plastics in furniture and fittings. This work includes examination in the laboratory of the heating and burning of specific plastics such as flexible and rigid polyurethanes and polyvinylchlorides and phenol formaldehyde. The burning properties of these are compared with those of traditional materials such as wood or foam rubber. Full-scale fire tests under conditions reproducing those of a burning room are carried out on polyurethane cushions, mattresses and made-up beds; on decorative pvc wall linings and papers; and on decorative phenol formaldehyde laminates. The Fire Research Station is also currently managing external research contracts on smoke production from selected polymers, and its toxic effects, on chemical products from the thermal decomposition of polyurethanes, and on the final combustion of products from polyurethanes. Certain work on the topics to which the station itself devotes attention is also conducted externally.The above work, which is given the high priority necessary in the interests of fire protection and public safety, is soon to be extended to cover other commonly used plastics. The need for additional research within this field is under review in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ensure that grants under the Land Compensation Act can be paid to those qualifying as a result of the noise map prepared under the Noise Insulation Regulations 1973 in respect of traffic noise nuisance on the Dartford diversion.

Offers will be made to carry out insulation work or make a grant in respect of it. Either alternative can be taken up by those who qualify.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans for the United Kingdom to change to driving on the right.

No. My right hon. Friend sees no advantage in such a change to justify the heavy cost that would be incurred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he anticipates that monthly local authority housing returns will once again become firm and not subject to correction at a later date because of delayed statistical returns from some areas;(2) how many local authorities are still delaying their monthly statistical returns to the Department of the Environment of housing progress.

The aim is to publish final national figures for each month by the end of the following month. At present, about 100 English and Welsh authorities do not make housebuilding returns quickly enough to meet this, but it is encouraging that final April house-building figures were published on 9th June. However, I cannot anticipate when provisional estimates will no longer be necessary, particularly in view of the reorganisation of Scottish local government last month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what percentage the number of private houses started in Great Britain in the first quarter of 1975 fell below the first quarter of (a) 1971, (b) 1972 and (c) 1973.

Private sector dwelling starts during the first quarter of 1975 were, after seasonal adjustment which includes allowance for the number of working days, 27, 34 and 46 per cent. fewer than in the corresponding quarters of 1971, 1972 and 1973, respectively. They were, however, 1 per cent. more than in the corresponding quarter of 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will convene a meeting between his Department and representatives of local authorities in the Greater London area to discuss the problem of accumulated rent and rate arrears owing to such authorities by their tenants.

The problem of accumulated rent and rate arrears of local authority tenants is a matter for the local authorities concerned. The Department has, however, included it as one aspect of housing management on which it will be doing further work following a meeting held recently with the local authority associations and others.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish his specific proposals designed to democratise the Central Lancashire New Town Development Corporation, with particular reference to local community representation.

My right hon. Friend's proposals for board membership of the Central Lancashire New Town Development Corporation will shortly be the subject of consultation with the relevant local authorities in accordance with the terms of Section 2 of and Schedule 2 to the New Towns Act 1965. It is customary to carry out these consultations in confidence until the identity of those to be appointed has been established.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received from the Central Lancashire New Town Development Corporation any budgeting figures related to specific proposals within its plan for early development; and, if so, whether he will publish them.

Central Lancashire New Town Development Corporation, like other new town corporations, operates within an approved annual budget. Within this overall budget, development corporations are free to decide their own development priorities based on planning approvals given by my right hon. Friend under Section 6(1) of the New Towns Act 1965. Details of each corporation's expenditure are published in the form of audited accounts as part of its annual report to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he is aware of the property blight which is becoming an increasingly difficult problem in the Preston areas affected by the published plans of the Central Lancashire New Town Development Corporation; and whether he will take action designed to reduce the uncertainties;(2) whether he is yet able to comment on the inspector's report on the Central Lancashire New Town inquiry with particular reference to the Ashton Road plans and Ingol housing;(3) whether he has received the final inspector's report following the public inquiry held at Preston regarding the Central Lancashire New Town; and whether he will make a statement.

The inspector's report has not yet been received; it is expected later this month. Given the size and complexity of the outline plan proposals and the length of the public inquiry into these proposals it is likely to be some time before my right hon. Friend will be able to issue his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to establish a water consumers' consultative council.

A majority of the members of water authorities are already nominated by local authorities and they provide a strong link with consumers. In addition, the water authorities already have power to establish local advisory committees, although most are preferring to rely on regular meetings with local authorities and other representative bodies. The case for such a national body will, however, be taken into account when we review the working of the water industry next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what publicity was given to the introduction of the new rateable value limits for improvement grants before 2nd December.

In DOE Circular 99/73 issued by the former administration on 3rd August 1973 local authorities were advised, when considering applications for improvement grants, to have regard to the gross rateable value limits which that Government intended to introduce and which were proposed in their White Paper "Better Homes—The Next Priorities". Those proposed limits were more restrictive than the limits introduced by the Government on 2nd December 1974, advance notice of which was given in DOE Circular 160/74 issued to local authorities on 26th November 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision has been made for those people who applied for improvement grants for houses above the new rateable value limits before 2nd December but whose applications had not been received by the Department by 2nd December.

Applications for house renovation grants are made to local authorities, not to the Department. Any doubt about whether or not an application had been made by 2nd December would ultimately be a matter for the courts to resolve.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish an estimate of the cost of preparing the report by the Social Survey Division of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, "Shopping Habits and Attitudes to Shop Hours"; explain the delay of four and a half years in publishing its findings; and indicate the value of the surveys to planning authorities and others.

The survey on shopping habits and attitudes to shop hours in Great Britain formed part of a larger study, costing £35,000, designed to provide information also on public attitudes to liquor licensing laws. The results of the liquor licensing survey were made available to the Erroll Committee and the Clayson Committee on Liquor Licensing in 1971–72.It was subsequently considered that there would be sufficient public interest in the surveys to justify publication. Accordingly, the report on Public Attitudes to Liquor Licensing Laws in Great Britain appeared in 1974 and that on Shopping Habits has just been published. I understand that the delay in publication was caused by pressures of work in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and by industrial disputes affecting the printing industry. We would hope that the factual information contained in both reports would be of value to planning authorities and to others concerned with these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if criminal jurisdiction extends to British North Sea oil rigs.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has received relating to the Law Lords' recent ruling concerning rape.

About 180.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to investigate further the circumstances of the fire at Longlents House, Brent, on 4th February, and, in the light of the points of general application which arise, to promote improved standards of fire precautions in high-rise blocks of flats.

A full report on the fire is being laid before the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council for England and Wales which advises me on fire matters. The council is being invited to consider all matters of general application arising out of the fire that fall within its field of responsibility, and in particular:

(a) the means of advising tenants in high-rise blocks of flats about what they should do to prevent fires and if fire breaks out;

(b) fire warning arrangements in such flats; and

(c) fire fighting and rescue procedures in these circumstances.

Similarly my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is submitting the report to the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, which advises him on matters relating to building regulations covering, among other things, structural fire precautions and the design and layout of buildings so as to provide means of escape from fire. This committee is being asked to advise whether the relevant building regulations require amending under the wider powers that will be available under Part III of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act and, in particular:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now take steps to consider the feasibility of holding a further referendum on capital punishment.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it is compulsory for citizens of Northern Ireland to complete an immigration form before entering or leaving Gatwick Airport when no such stipulation exists in relation to Heathrow Airport.

Although there is power under the Prevention of Terrorism (Supplemental Temporary Provisions) Order 1974 to require landing and embarkation cards to be produced by all travellers between Great Britain and Ireland, completion of such cards is at present on a voluntary basis. It is for the chief officer of police concerned to decide whether travellers should be asked to complete cards, having regard to the particular circumstances of each port.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the certificate of the Chief Counting Officer giving the result of the referendum on United Kingdom membership of the European Community.

Yes. It is being laid before the House and published today.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement clarifying what contacts have been made with and commitments given to the Provisional Irish Republican Army and Provisional Sinn Fein at and since the Feakle talks.

I have nothing to add to what I have already said to the House on 14th January, 5th February, 11th February, 12th March and 15th May. The Feakle talks were not the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the expenditure on advertising for recruitment to the RUC and the UDR in the last three years.

The expenditure on advertising for recruitment in the last three years has been:

			1972–73	1973–74	1974–75
			£	£	£
RUC	…	…	18,000	34,000	132,000
UDR	…	…	30,000	53,300	63,700

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the production of shipping in tonnage from Harland and Wolff in 1974, 1973 and 1972; and what is the size of the order book for 1975 and 1976.

The following ships were completed by Harland and Wolff Limited in the years specified:

• 1972 3 ships totalling 485,290 Dwt tones
• 1973 2 ships totalling 388,500 Dwt tones
• 1974 2 ships totalling 388,200 Dwt tonnes

The company's present order book comprises 14 ships totalling 3,123,000 Dwt tonnes for delivery through to 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many border roads are still closed in the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

Sixty-two on the latest information available.

asked the Secretary of State of Northern Ireland (1) what is the total amount of money involved relating to statutory payments in Northern Ireland made by girocheques sent through the Post Office which have not been received by claimants, during the past 12 months;(2) how many statutory payments in Northern Ireland made by girocheques sent through the Post Office have not been received by claimants, during the past 12 months and the past six months, respectively.

The value of such girocheques which were reported as not received by payees during the 12 months ending 31st May 1975 was £133,763. Over the same period the number of such girocheques which were reported as not received was 9,552, of which 4,826 were in the last six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the decasualisation scheme at Belfast deep sea docks, which was introduced in 1972, is still functioning effectively.

The decasualisation scheme at Belfast Deep Sea Docks is based on an agreement between the Belfast and North of Ireland Federation of Employers and the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union. On the whole the scheme has been working satisfactorily but in recent weeks financial problems have arisen in relation to the company which operates the scheme on behalf of the federation. I have made arrangements for a small grant to be made available on an extra-statutory basis to deal with the short-term position and allow time for an urgent review of the overall situation by the Government in consultation with employers' representatives and the trade union; discussions are already under way on this matter.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether there are any proposals in mind for further softening the terms of United Kingdom aid to the poorest developing countries.

Consistent with our policy of giving the highest priority to the needs of the poorest countries, we have decided that future aid commitments to those developing countries which have a gross national product per capital below US $200 should normally be on grant and not loan terms.In addition, any development loans committed after 1st October 1975 will, if the recipient developing country agrees, be untied to the extent that goods can be purchased not just from Britain but also from the poorest developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will initiate amending legislation to permit the Welsh National Water Development Authority to borrow from other, and cheaper, sources than the National Loans Fund and foreign lenders.

The question of water authorities' borrowing powers will be considered when the review of the workings of the Water Act 1973 and the reorganised water industry takes place next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales why wider borrowing powers are permitted in the case of local water undertakings acting as agents of the Welsh National Water Development Authority than in that of the authority itself.

Water companies are private concerns and the legislation controlling their borrowing powers is different from that relating to water authorities which are public bodies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received advocating a wages and prices freeze; and what answers hand what answers have been given.

I have received a number of letters from members of the public advocating a freeze on wages and prices and in reply have explained the problems raised by rigid controls of this kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to meet officials of the International Monetary Fund.

I have just returned from the meeting in Paris of the IMF Interim Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he proposes to differentiate in the application of VAT between articles used in connection with sports or activities to which the higher rate applies and similar articles used in cases where the lower rate operates.

The goods and services chargeable at the 25 per cent. rate of VAT are defined in Schedule 7 to the Finance (No. 2) Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about multi-rate VAT following his Budget Statement on 15th April 1975; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received detailed representations about most of the goods and services to which the higher rate of VAT applies. I have nothing to add to the ministerial statements that have been made in the debates on the Budget and on the Finance (No. 2) Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his estimate of the proposed effect of the 25 per cent. VAT on touring caravans.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers) on 25th April and to my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 28th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has yet been able to make an estimate of the effect which the imposition of VAT at 25 per cent. has had on the sales of small boats.

It is too early yet for the longer term effects of a measure which came into force on 1st May to become apparent. Questions about sales of boats are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the taxation of rented television sets at 25 per cent. is the general practice in Common Market countries; and, if not, if he will list the rates prevailing in each of the EEC member States.

Rates of value added tax vary between member States. Following are the rates which I believe to be currently applied to rented television sets in each country.

Rate of VAT applied to rented television sets
				Per cent.
Belgium	…	…	…	18
Denmark	…	…	…	15
France	…	…	…	20
Germany	…	…	…	11
Ireland	…	…	…	6·75
Italy	…	…	…	12
Luxembourg		…	…	10
Netherlands	…	…	…	16

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to introduce further economic measures in the immediate future; and whether he will make a statement.

I have at present no plans to introduce further measures in the immediate future, though I shall of course be ready to act if the situation requires it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received with regard to his plans for future levels of public expenditure.

We are constantly receiving representations about all aspects of the economy. On public expenditure, we are often asked to spend more on particular items and less in total.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the publication of the next White Paper on Public Expenditure.

A White Paper will be published when the Government have completed the 1975 public expenditure review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the results of the measures taken in the Budget.

It is far too soon to expect me to evaluate the economic results of the Budget measures taken only two months ago.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further consideration has been given to the problem of rescheduling the Chilean international debt; and if he will make a statement on the present situation.

There have been no developments in Chile's policy on human rights to lead us to reconsider the decision announced in February that the United Kingdom would not be discussing the rescheduling of Chile's debts due for payment in 1975. We therefore did not attend a meeting of Chile's creditors held in Paris last month. The outcome of that meeting was, I understand, that most major creditors represented expressed their intention to negotiate rescheduling although a number of others said they would not do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now propose exempting from taxation payments made by the German Government to those who were inmates of Nazi concentration camps.

Under Section 22 of the Finance Act 1961—now Section 377 of the Taxes Act—exemption from United Kingdom income tax has been provided since 1961 for those payments which are made by the Government of the Federal German Republic as compensation to victims of National Socialist persecution and which under German law are specifically exempt from German tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Inland Revenue to allow claims for tax allowances by Members of Parliament in respect of the purchase of newspapers and periodicals.

No. I do not think it would be possible to justify a departure from the normal rules for this type of expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the current arrangements governing the granting of tax allowances for the purchase of newspapers and periodicals.

I do not think it would be right to single out this particular expense for special tax treatment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps, if any, the authorities are taking to prevent non-resident sterling deposits with United Kingdom banks from being employed in lending to domestic borrowers.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange to meet members of the Court of the Bank of England.

I maintain close contacts with the Governor of the Bank of England, who is, of course, able to convey to me the views of the other members of the court.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the figure for invisible exports to Canada for each of the last two convenient periods of 12 months.

I regret that estimates of total invisible transactions with individual overseas countries are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will propose exempting from excise duty vehicles used by charities for the general transport of disabled people.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to making the cost of season tickets for essential travel to work allowable against tax.

I do not think it would be justifiable to single out this particular form of personal expenditure for tax relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the revenue to date received from he development gains tax;(2) what is his latest estimate of the administrative costs of the development gains tax; and how many civil servants in (

I would refer the hon. Member to my answers on 9th December last—[Vol. 883, c. 42–3.] The annual salary cost, which relates solely to the Inland Revenue, is now estimated at about £215,000 with the inclusion of administrative overheads.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the nationalisation of the four main British banks.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he now expects the Sandilands Committee on Inflation Accounting, to report; when it was originally hoped that it would report; and what is the reason for the delay.

I understand the committee hopes to submit its report quite shortly. Following a discussion with the chairman of the committee last February the Government announced that they hoped to receive the committee's report at about the end of April. The detailed work of preparation has taken a little longer than expected although the time taken is considerably less than the original estimate of two years from January 1974.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now able to announce the result of the review of the £500 limit, set by the Administration of Estates (Small Payments) Act 1965, on sums which may be paid or distributed on death without probate or other proof of title.

The Government propose, subject to parliamentary approval, to increase the limit to £1,500. The necessary statutory instrument is being laid before Parliament today.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what number of teachers there are who fought on the Allied side in World War II but because they do not fall within the provisions of the Superannuation Act 1946 are not credited with their Service years for pension purposes.

This information could not be obtained without disproportionate time and cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Eduction and Science what plans he has to cut back on the number of initial school teacher training places in polytechnics; and if he will make a statement.

As a result of the reorganisation initiated by my Department's Circular 7/73, the number of such training places in polytechnics will increase very substantially by 1981. In 1971 only seven of the 30 polytechnics contained education departments, but by 1981 I expect over 20 polytechnics to be engaged in initial teacher training. Discussions are continuing between my Department and individual local education authorities about the numbers of teacher training places to be provided at each of the polytechnics concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the proposals by Her Majesty's Government to give aid to Mozambique, he will name the Britishbased companies and the number of British citizens who own land or other assets in Mozambique and take steps designed to protect and safeguard these interests.

I regret that the figures of British-based companies and United Kingdom citizens owning land or other assets in Mozambique are not at present available. I shall write to the hon. Member on this point.If the need arose, we would be prepared to take up with the Government of Mozambique any case where it seemed appropriate to remind them of the importance which we attach to the equitable treatment of British investment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what means she employs to assess the grants made to voluntary organisations in recognition of the services they are providing for the disabled.

It is not possible to lay down specific criteria. As in other fields of the Department's responsibility, however, the determinants are broadly the merits of each case and availability of resources, with encouragement being given to organisations seeking to promote training, the development of professionalism and co-operation between statutory and voluntary agencies.

asked the Secretary State for Social Services what specific matters relating to disablement she has referred to the Institute of Consumer Ergonomics at Loughborough University for investigation.

The Institute of Consumer Ergonomics is currently undertaking a large scale evaluation of aids to eating and personal hygiene and also an evaluation of a new type of bath aid. Projects have recently been completed on the evalution of a new type of wheelchair, on the development of a dummy for wheelchair research purposes, and on day and play activities in hospitals for mentally handicapped people.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many complaints she has received regarding the loss of medical records in transferrring information about patients between one family practitioner committee and another in each of the last five years.

Two only, one in 1972 and one in 1975. There have also been a small number of cases brought to the notice of the Department where records have been temporarily mislaid, resulting in serious delays in the transfer of patients' medical records from one doctor to another, as follows:

1970, 3; 1971, 3; 1972, 0; 1973, 2; 1974, 3; 1975, 4.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will set out in the Official Report that part of the national agreement operated by her Department relating to architects' fees for buildings designed but not proceeded with in the building programme.

The scale of fees payable to architects in the various circumstances of particular commissions is contained in the conditions of engagement published in 1971 by the Royal Institute of British Architects and which, it was then agreed, should be applied to commissions placed by Government Departments and National Health Service authorities. Part 7 of the conditions deals with abandoned works, where fees for partial services are due commensurate with the amount of work done.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women are in receipt of a widow's pension; and what percentage are working and paying the full national insurance contribution.

There are about 565,000 women receiving national insurance widow's benefits, which include widow's pension. Figures showing how many of these are working and paying full national insurance contributions are not available but there are only about 95,000 widows who are paying full contributions as employed or self-employed persons and this number includes those who are required to pay full contributions because they are not receiving widow's benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what benefits, including retirement pension, the widow who is paying the full national insurance contributions receives compared to those widows paying the minimum national insurance contributions.

Widows paying full Class 1 contributions can qualify for the full range of national insurance benefits, including retirement pension. Widows paying Class 2 contributions can qualify for all national insurance benefits except unemployment benefit. However, widows who qualify for another national insurance benefit while they are drawing widow's benefit cannot receive more than the amount of the higher benefit and generally, therefore, only those widows who are getting widow's benefit at a reduced rate can gain any substantial advantage from paying full contributions. Widows who do not pay full Class 1 or Class 2 contributions are not generally entitled to benefits in addition to their widow's benefit, but on reaching retirement age may qualify for a retirement pension in place of, and at a rate not less than that of, their widow's pension.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if she will take steps to inform widows who are in employment that those who have been paying, and still are paying, the full national insurance contributions in order to obtain a retirement pension are paying it needlessly;(2) what advice she is prepared to give widows who have been paying the full national insurance contributions on wrong advice as to their rights of repayment; and if she will make a statement.

Many widows in employment are not entitled to widow's benefit and have no option but to pay full contributions. By the issue of special leaflets to all those awarded widow's benefit and, where appropriate, by personal interviews, my Department already takes all possible steps to ensure that those widows with a choice understand the implications fully. In general, therefore, widows should not be paying full contributions unless they themselves are satisfied that it is in their best interests to do so. If, nevertheless, a widow has grounds for claiming that her choice to pay full contributions resulted from wrong advice by my Department, she should give a full account of the circumstances to her local social security office.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the progress of discussions with the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association; and to what extent the dispute between members of the association and her Department is affecting the availability of operating facilities at Hillingdon Hospital.

Since the exchange of letters with the association referred to in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) on 25th April—[Vol. 890, c. 416–7]—there has been further correspondence, copies of which I am arranging to have placed in the Library. I regret that the association has not so far recommended that its members withdraw sanctions which can serve no useful purpose and can only be detrimental to the interests of patients.I understand that at Hillingdon Hospital the dispute has resulted in an estimated reduction in the number of patients undergoing operations of 8 per cent. in the first three months of this year compared with the same period in 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services for the latest available date, and for each year since 1965, how many persons under pensionable age had been drawing supplementary benefit for six months or more, or less than six months, and were sick or disabled; and how many, respectively, were receiving exceptional circumstances additions

NUMBER OF SICK AND DISABLED UNDER PENSION AGE IN RECEIPT OF SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT
{Thousands)
				For less than 6 months	For 6 months or more	Receiving ECA	Received ENP in previous 12 months or since date of claim if later
1966	…	…	…			Not available
1967	…	…	…	51	258	82	Not available
1968	…	…	…	58	265	73	Not available
1969	…	…	…	67	258	68	Not available
1970	…	…	…	68	254	65	Not available
1971	…	…	…	57	248	59	Not available
							In receipt of supplementary benefit
							For less than 6 months	6 months or more
1972	…	…	…	54	244	60	6	47
1973	…	…	…	50	229	71	6	51
1974	…	…	…	49	211	70	51*
* Breakdown not yet available.
Notes:
1. Information based on sample inquiries held in November each year.
2. No inquiry held in 1966.
3. In 1967 and 1968 the sample was 1 in 80.
4. From 1969–74 the sample was 1 in 40.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many disabled, how many non-disabled retirement pensioners and how many other old people drawing supplementary allowances were drawing exceptional circumstances additions, and had received exceptional needs payments in the previous 12 months.

	Total	With ECA*	Received ENP in previous 12 months
Retirement Pensioners (including widows over 60 with NI Widows Pension)	1,712,000	738,000	90,000
Others (over pensionable age)	96,000	31,000	5,000
* These figures do not include those cases where a special need had been identified but which was covered by the available scale margin for special expenses in the long-term and higher long-term scale rates (50p and 75p respectively).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, for 1950, 1955, 1960 and each year from 1965 to 1974, what were the figures for personal income per head per week as derived from National Income Blue Books, including taxes and national insurance contributions, and gross average industrial earnings for men aged 21 years and over, and, in amount and as a percentage of each of these two figures, what were the weekly

Following is the available information:

I regret that information is not available as between disabled and non-disabled pensioners. Following is the available information based on a sample of one in 160 pensioners in receipt of supplementary benefit as at November 1974:rates of (i) 100 per cent. war pension (ii) 40 per cent. war pension and industrial injury disablement pension, (iii) long-term sickness benefit or invalidity pension for a single person and (iv) retirement pension for a single person.

I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many deaths were notified following abortions carried out in England and Wales on women whose normal place of residence was given as Northern Ireland, during the calendar years 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the cases of abortions notified as being carried out in England and Wales during 1973 and 1974, respectively, on women whose normal place of residence was given as Northern Ireland, what was their marital status, age, social class, and the grounds upon which the operations were performed.

For 1973 the numbers were as follows:

Age						Number
All ages	…	…	…	…	…	1,007
Under 16	…	…	…	…	…	10
16 to 19	…	…	…	…	…	191
20 to 24	…	…	…	…	…	345
25 to 29	…	…	…	…	…	183
30 to 34	…	…	…	…	…	121
35 to 39	…	…	…	…	…	89
40 to 44	…	…	…	…	…	46
45 and over	…	…	…	…	…	5
Not stated	…	…	…	…	…	17

The other information asked for could not be obtained without undue cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what use will be made of information about medicinal products currently being requested under the Medicines Act; and what steps will be taken to protect the confidentiality of this information.

As the first step in the comprehensive review of the safety, quality and efficacy of all medicines on the market, my Department has written to the holders of product licences to request certain particulars of the composition and manufacture of their products. This information will be used in assessing the products, and as background to the consideration of any requests for variations to the licences.The Health Ministers recognise that some of this information is of great commercial value, and I can give an unqualified undertaking that the information will be used only for purposes connected with the Medicines Act. The Act itself gives statutory force to this. Administratively all necessary steps will be taken to preserve the confidentiality of this material. Only those officials engaged in administering the Act will have access to it, and it will not be available to officials in other parts of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will seek an assurance from Mr. Hugh Scanlon that in the event of an industrial dispute in the Norton Villiers Triumph company involving members of the trade union of which he is president, Mr. Scanlon will absent himself from board discussions on the subject, in view of the conflict of interests involved.

No. This would be a matter for Mr. Scanlon's personal decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the total volume of production achieved by the British Steel Corporation in 1974; and what estimate he has of the volume which will be produced in 1975.