asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the average price received for the main species of white fish and herring during the first four months of 1975; and how this compares with prices received in the similar months of 1974.

The average Scottish prices in the first four months of 1975 were £7·6 per cwt. for all white fish and £4·3 per cwt. for herring. These compare with £8·2 for white fish and £5·5 for herring in the same period of 1974 when prices touched record levels, compared with annual averages of £7 in 1974 and £6·8 in 1973 for white fish and £4·7 in 1974 and £3 in 1973 for herring.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many abortions were notified as being carried out in Scotland in the first quarters of 1973, 1974 and 1975, respectively.

The figures for the first quarters of these years were as follows:

1973	…	…	1,938
1974	…	…	1,977
1975 (provisional)	…	…	1,850

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with farmworkers' representatives on the issue of tied agricultural houses; and if he will make a statement on this subject.

The Scottish Agricultural and Forestry Section of the Transport and General Workers' Union,

AVERAGE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE PER HOUSE
			Loan Charges*	Repairs and Maintenance	Other	Total
			£	£	£	£
1965–66	…	…	85·20	12·00	8·00	105·20 (2·00 per week)
1966–67	…	…	93·10	14·00	8·80	115·90 (2·23 per week)
1967–68	…	…	100·40	15·20	10·10	125·70 (2·40 per week)
1968–69	…	…	112·20	17·60	11·40	141·20 (2·72 per week)
1969–70	…	…	130·10	18·80	12·60	161·50 (3·10 per week)
1970–71	…	…	137·50	22·30	15·40	175·20 (3·37 per week)
1971–72	…	…	137·30	24·70	17·10	179·10 (3·44 per week)
1972–73	…	…	146·30	32·40	14·10	192·80 (3·70 per week)
1973–74	…	…	181·90	41·40	17·20	240·50 (4·63 per week)
* Expenditure in respect of loan charges includes both interest and repayment of capital.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about statutory functions to be allocated to regional authorities in Scotland about water safety; and whether he proposes to take any action.

I have received representations to this effect from the Scottish Accident Prevention Council and the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mrs. Ewing). The Working Party on Water Safety, appointed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, is still considering, among other things, the powers of local authorities in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish figures showing the weekly economic rent of a local authority four-apartment house in each of the years in the period 1965 to the present date; and if he will show that portion due to interest charges.

Information is not available centrally in the form requested. Over the period 1965–74 actual average expenditure incurred per house by authorities which provided returns for the annual "Rating Review" of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the salmon grilse and sea trout recorded in the catches of such fish in each of the last two years was caught by splash netting.

Official records do not identify the numbers of fish caught by splash netting as opposed to other forms of fishing for salmon, grilse and sea trout.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much Government expenditure was involved in giving Government support to promote the sale of Nimrod aircraft to Australia.

We do not record expenditure of this kind, but substantial support was given to the firm in the attempt to secure this sale.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of the Beira patrol in money and fuel; and what proportion thereof was borne by other member States of the United Nations.

As has been explained to the House on previous occasions, it is not possible to isolate a sensible cost figure. No financial contribution was made by other member States of the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to order the five new Royal Navy offshore protection vessels; and at what cost.

An order for five offshore patrol vessels has now been placed with Messrs. Hall Russell of Aberdeen. The unit cost of each of these ships is about £2¾ million.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many oil production platforms are under construction in the United Kingdom; and in which yards they are being built.

Seven oil production platforms are currently under construction in the United Kingdom as follows:

Constructor and Site	Number being built
STEEL PLATFORMS
Highland Fabricators, Nigg Bay	1
McDermott Scotland Ltd., Ardersier	1
RDL (North Sea) Ltd., Methil	1
Laing Offshore, Graythorp	1
CONCRETE PLATFORMS
McAlpine, Ardyne Point	2
Howard Doris, Kishorn	1

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total number of oil production platforms destined to be used in the British sector of the North Sea.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement on demand for platforms as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the foreign atomic energy agencies with which the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority co-operates.

The UKAEA co-operate with its counterparts in countries overseas both bilaterally and through its association with international organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Energy Agency, the Nuclear Energy Agency and EURATOM. In addition to numerous contracts and agreements relating to consultancy work and other services which the authority has signed with overseas agencies, the authority has concluded agreements providing for general collaboration or for information exchanges on specified topics with organisations concerned with atomic energy in Australia. Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, South Africa, Sweden, the USA and the USSR.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy in which areas pay-as-you-go schemes are available to consumers of electricity and gas, respectively; what variations there are in the schemes offered; and what is his policy towards such schemes.

The area electricity boards and the British Gas Corporation operate a number of such schemes, for example, regular payments by bank standing order or Giro, prepayment meters and purchase of easy payment stamps. The detailed practices of the area electricity boards and the regions of the British Gas Corporation vary but are drawn up in consultation with their consultative/consumer councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy which currently known reserves of uranium are owned, or partially owned, by companies wholly or partially owned by United Kingdom interests.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the present and planned sources of uranium for the use of the civil nuclear energy programme in the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom's uranium requirements up till the early 1980s are covered by existing stocks and contracts placed in Canada and Southern Africa. Opportunities for placing further contracts are being sought on a worldwide basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects work to commence, on site, on the building of the SGHWRs at Torness and Sizewell.

The start of building work for the SGHWR at Sizewell depends essentially on the granting of capital in- vestment approval, on progress with design work and on the issue of a nuclear site licence. These matters are all being progressed as rapidly as possible, but it is too soon to give a firm date for start of work on site.Questions about Torness are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated time it will take for the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to issue a safety certificate for the SGHWR once it has received the necessary information from the National Nuclear Corporation.

After the safety case has been made and a contract design for construction has been submitted to the Inspectorate by the generating board concerned, several months' work by the Inspectorate will be required with a view to recommending the Health and Safety Executive to grant a nuclear site licence.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are his best available estimates of industry's standby generating capacity at the end of 1972, 1973, 1974 and now.

I regret that reliable estimates of stand-by generation capacity within industry—that is, capacity available for use only during interruption or restriction of the public electricity supply—are not at present available. However, the Business Statistical Office is currently conducting an inquiry which will provide this information. Preliminary results are expected by the autumn and I shall write to the hon. Member giving details as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Energy if he can make an approximate estimate of when the public inquiry on the Selby area coal development will finish its work; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The public inquiry into the application by the National Coal Board for planning permission to establish a drift mine in the Selby area finished on 6th June. The inspector who held the inquiry has since been making an inspection of the area involved and will now prepare his report.

asked the Secretary of of State for the Home Department how many of the serving chief constables of England and Wales are former officers of the Regular armed services.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the cruelty caused to living fish by being hooked or otherwise baited and subsequently being thrown back alive in the water, if the Government will introduce legislation to ban or control angling.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time young people are held in Risley Remand Centre, Warrington, before being transferred to borstal institutions.

Young men who are received at Risley after being sentenced to borstal training are sent to the Borstal Allocation Centre at Mancheser as soon as possible after sentence, usually the next day. Girls who are similarly received are assessed at Risley before allocation and remain there for about a week before going to a training borstal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received an agreed application for an increase in fares and other charges for the London taxi trade; and when he expects to make a statement on its implementation.

An application on behalf of all sections of the London taxi trade was received on 26th March. This was followed by further discussions with the trade on the conversion of their claim into detailed charges on the meter scale, in the light of which the application is now being considered. I cannot at present say when a decision will be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the percentage change in the number of offices of profit outside the appointments system of the Civil Service Commission within his gift between 1st January 1963 and 1st January 1975, and in their total value.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his Question on 20th February,—[Vol. 886, c. 458–9.] Information in respect of 1st January 1963 is not readily available and cannot be obtained without a disproportionate cost to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what services are currently provided, and against which criteria, for the removal on request of tattoos from prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons.

Facilities for male prisoners are provided in surgical units at three prisons and in National Health Service hospitals. Female prisoners are treated either in their establishments or in NHS hospitals. Prison medical officers may also undertake to remove tattoos in certain uncomplicated cases which require minimal surgical interference. The tattoo must be operable; a prisoner's request for removal must be considered to be genuine and earnest; and the tattoo must be disfiguring, obscene or embarrassing and, if not removed, likely to affect the prisoner's resettlement on release. When demand for treatment exceeds available resources priority is given to those prisoners who have embarrassing or obscene tattoos on normally-exposed parts of their bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what priority is given in current arrangements for the removal of tattoos from the backs of hands and forearms on request by prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons.

Prison service surgical units are currently accepting only patients who bear obscene or embarrassing tattoos situated in normally-exposed parts of their body. The average waiting time is from six to 18 months. From time to time, medical officers who can fit the work in with their other duties and who are prepared to operate will treat prisoners with easily removed tattoos whether or not they are obscene or on normally-exposed parts of their bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated range of minimum and maximum costs of removing tattoos from prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) full-time (b) part-time and (c) contract staff are engaged by prison medical authorities in giving treatment for the removal of tattoos from prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons.

Following is the information:

(a) One full-time medical officer performs tattoo-removal operations on a regular, once-weekly sessional basis and several full-time medical officers operate occasionally;

(b) One part-time medical officer performs tattoo-removal operations on a regular, once-weekly sessional basis and several part-time medical officers operate occasionally;

(c) Two contract staff provide one session each, per week, most weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons are currently awaiting treatment for the removal of tattoos; and what was the number at the nearest equivalent date in 1973 and 1974.

Sixty-eight male prisoners are on lists held by prison service surgical units as awaiting tattoo removal. I regret that comparable information for 1973 and 1974 is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons had treatment for the removal of tattoos in the latest 12-month period; and how many were carried out in the comparable 12-month periods of 1973 and 1974.

I regret that information in the form requested is not available. The information we have is as follows:

1st January 1975 to 27th June 1975	187
1st January 1974 to 31st December 1974	302
1st January 1973 to 31st December 1973	300

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Her Majesty's Prison, Wandsworth, have had treatment for the removal of tattoos in the most recent 12-month period and in similar periods in 1973 and 1974.

Following is the information:

(a) 12 months ended 27th June	…	11
(b) Equivalent 12 months 1973–74	…	6
(c) Equivalent 12 months 1972–73	…	2

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the principal provisions of the United Nations' standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners; and to what extent the arrangements in the special control unit at Wakefield depart from these rules.

I have had a copy of the Standard Minimum Rules placed in the Library. The arrangements in the control unit at Wakefield prison do not depart from the rules.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the progress of talks both between Her Majesty's Government and the Guatemalan Government and between Her Majesty's Government and the delegation from Belize's Government which recently visited London.

We have had two meetings this year with the Guatemalans. Various proposals for settlement of the dispute with Guatemala have been examined but no conclusions have yet been reached. Further meetings are proposed. The Belizean delegation which visited London in June had discussions with Her Majesty's Government about the dispute, and aid and administrative matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance the British Government have given to the Hong Kong Government to help finance relief for refugees from Vietnam now in Hong Kong; whether such assistance takes the form of a once-and-for-all payment; or whether further assistance will be forthcoming if numbers of refugees remain there for a prolonged period.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Howden (Sir P. Bryan) yesterday.—[Vol. 894, c. 371–2]. I am confident that the contributions we are making are appropriate to the circumstances and Her Majesty's Government remains conscious of the need to find the refugees permanent homes elsewhere as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent the United Kingdom at the United Nations Conference on the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders in Toronto in September 1975; and what documents or proposals will be presented to the conference by the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom will be represented by a delegation led by Sir Arthur Peterson, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Home Office. The delegation will consist of senior officials drawn from a number of Departments on the basis of their expert knowledge of the questions on the Congress agenda and will also include judges of the High Courts of England and Wales and of Scotland.The proposals which the delegation will make or support will be determined in the light of the Congress working papers, which have not yet been received from the United Nations Secretariat. The dele- gation expects to play a full part in the proceedings of the Congress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, now the decision has been taken to leave Anguilla in the Associatel State of St. Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla, what measure of autonomy in domestic affairs is proposed for the island.

A new and separate constitution will give Anguillans, through their elected representatives, responsibility for managing the main aspects of their internal affairs—for example, education, health, tourism, works and communications, agriculture, fisheries. Her Majesty's Government will retain responsibility for internal security, the public service, finance, external affairs and defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made in protest at the treatment of the late Lord Moyne's murderers by Israeli authorities; and whether he will make a statement.

On 27th June Her Majesty's Ambassador at Tel Aviv conveyed to the Isaeli authorities on instructions regret at the honouring of two convicted terrorists at a time when we are all anxious to see an end to acts of terrorism.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what documents has been received from the EEC Commission concerning a proposal for a bicameral European Parliament; and if any such EEC document has been sent to the Scrutiny Committee.

At their December 1974 meeting the EEC Heads of Government requested the Commission, the Assembly and the Court of Justice to bring forward to June 1975 the submission of their reports on European Union, so that Mr. Tindemans, the Belgian Prime Minister, could take account of them in the comprehensive report he is now preparing. The Commission report was transmitted to the President of the Council of Ministers on 26th June. It contains a suggestion for a bicameral European Parliament. Copies of the report will be made available to Parliament as soon as an English text is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants are employed in his Department; what is the total cost of running that Department in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will itemise the main constituent costs.

The Northern Ireland Office is financially responsible for about 14,500 personnel of whom some 250 are United Kingdom civil servants; the remainder are seconded Northern Ireland civil servants and personnel employed in dependent law and order services including police, prisons services, courts administration, etc. Under direct rule the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is also constitutionally responsible for some 32,000 members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.The total cost of running the Northern Ireland Office in 1974–75 was £102·7 million, which includes the costs of the law and order and protective services. The main constituent costs of this were:

Compensation for criminal injuries	£46·3 million
Police	£36·3 million
Treatment of offenders, including prisons administration	£10·6 million

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he made Government finance available to Harland and Wolff, Ltd., Belfast, to offset the losses created by the cancellation of the three VLCC's on order for Maritime Fruit Carriers Ltd.; and, if so, how much.

It is not correct to suppose that net losses will result from the cancellation of the three VLCCs. The redeployment of facilities and manpower to other contracts which are subject to time stipulations will substantially benefit Harland and Wolff Ltd. This is an advantage in the context of the Government's undertaking to guarantee the company's liabilities in so far as it is unable to meet them from its own resources.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what was the net amount of resource flows from the United Kingdom to developing countries in 1974; and what proportion of gross national product this represented.

Estimates based on provisional figures for private flows indicate that the total net flow of resources in 1974 was £641 million; this is estimated to represent 0·79 per cent. of gross national product for that year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food how many chicken manure dehydration plants have been ordered to close within the past 18 months; and in which local authority areas.

This information is not recorded centrally. My Department has no powers to order the closure of such plants and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has no information about the extent to which such closures may have resulted from proceedings instituted by local authorities under the Public Health Act 1936. The responsibility for instituting such proceedings rests entirely with local authorities themselves.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will be able to make a statement regarding future financial aid to the fishing industry, bearing in mind that the current operational subsidy expires on 30th June.

I am unable to add anything to the reply given on 26th June to the hon. Members for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) and Kinross and West Perthshire (Mr. Fairbairn).—[Vol. 894, c. 223.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent information he has concerning the export of fodder from the United Kingdom; and what estimate he has made of any trends in such trade.

Information is available from the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom compiled by Her Majesty's Customs. Exports of fodder from the United Kingdom are minimal and the pattern of trade does not vary very much. Figures for the twelve month period June 1974-May 1975 are given below:

Tariff/Trade Code	Description	Quantity (tons)
1209	Cereal straw and husks unprepared or chopped	79
1210	Mangolds, swedes, fodder roots, lucerne meal, clover kale, etc.	658
	Hay	426

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement detailing what initiatives he took in respect of United Kingdom imports of French eggs at the latest meeting of EEC Agricultural Ministers, indicating the reactions of his fellow EEC Ministers and the EEC Commission.

The Council of Ministers agreed at their meeting in Luxembourg on 23rd-24th June that egg producers were facing serious problems and that the Commission should press ahead with its consideration of ways in which the marketing of eggs within the Community could be improved. Since then prices in our own market have fallen by a further 3p-4p a dozen and my right hon. Friend has approached the Commission with a request for urgent action under Article 135 of the Treaty of Accession.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for assistance for farm buildings under the Farm Capital Grants Scheme were made in the two most recent quotas for which figures are available; how this compares with the position in the same periods of 1973 and 1974; and whether he will make a statement.

No separate record is kept of the number of grant applications for farm buildings. The figures for the total number of applications in England and Wales under the Farm Capital Grant Schemes are:

Quarter ended		Applications received
December 1972	…	11,108
March 1973	…	21,327
December 1973	…	43,879
March 1974	…	8,463
December 1974	…	6,509
March 1975	…	10,875

The figures for the quarter ending in December 1973 were inflated by an abnormal volume of applications in anticipation of changes in the coverage of the scheme made on 1st January 1974.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the rate of withdrawals of authorisations under the Farm Capital Grants Scheme in the two latest quarters for which figures are available; how this compares with the position a year earlier; and whether he will make a statement.

The figures for England and Wales are as follows:

Quarter ended		Applications withdrawn after approval
December 1973	…	1,520
December 1974	…	2,006
March 1974	…	2,060
March 1975	…	2,136

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has tendered any advice to regional water authorities concerning their policy towards planning applications for development on flood plains; and if he will publish the current policy for each regional water authority.

Regional water authorities are acting on advice given by my Department to their predecessors. This was to the effect that they should tell planning authorities about areas where development is likely to give rise to drainage problems or to prejudice plans for drainage improvement. Each Regional Authority is responsible for its own policy on this matter but I understand that in general their comments to planning authorities regarding planning applications give full weight to land drainage considerations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an estimate of the cost of producing a 40-lb. deadweight lamb, in each of the EEC countries, amounts to be shown in sterling.

I regret this information is not available.

Pence per lb. deadweight
		Week beginning 9th June	Week beginning 16th June	Week beginning 23rd June
		1975	1975	1975
France—Monday Price	…	73·3	76·9	76·9
West Germany	…	61·4	62·7	62·2
Italy—Prices on 6th, 13th and 20th June	…	58·7	57·2	60·5
Irish Republic—Meat Factory quotation	…	N.A.*	N.A.*	34·0
United Kingdom	…	34·9	34·6	35·6†
For conversion to pence per pound spot exchange rates have been used.
* Because of industrial action by veterinarian staff, no prices quoted in these weeks.
† Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what power he has to nullify the results of the local education authority's 11-plus examination; and what powers he has to order an inquiry into the organisation of such examinations.

In general, none. But if my right hon. Friend is satisfied that an authority's arrangements for its 11-plus examination are unreasonable in themselves, or were applied unreasonably in a particular case, he may under Section 68 of the Education Act 1944 give such a direction as he considers expedient in the circumstances.

asked the Secretary ct State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress that

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the prime paid to farmers for lamb in each of the Common Market countries in each of the last three weeks; and what were the variable duties on imports into each country from other member States of the EEC, amounts to be shown in sterling.

Information is available only for lamb prices in France, West Germany, Italy, the Irish Republic and the United Kingdom, and these are listed below. France alone charges variable duties on sheepmeat imports from the new member States. For the last three weeks no import licences have been issued by the French authorities and therefore there have been no variable duties.is being made towards comprehensive reorganisation in Ormskirk.

Notices under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944, as amended, proposing the comprehensive reorganisation of Ormskirk Grammar School, Ormskirk County Secondary School and Ormskirk Burscough County Secondary School from September 1976 were published on 19th June 1975. The Secretary of State will consider these proposals after the statutory two-month period during which objections may be made has elapsed. I cannot at present give any indication of what the Secretary of State's decision will be.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is now able to announce the membership of the governing body of the Centre Information and Advice on Educational Disadvantage; and if he will make a statement.

I am pleased to announce that, following consultations with the interested parties, the Governing Body of the Centre for Information and Advice on Educational Disadvantage has now been constituted and will hold its first meeting on 7th July 1975.The centre will have an important role in furthering the policies set out in the White Paper "Educational Disadvantage and the Educational Needs of Immigrants" (Cmnd. 5720). I shall expect it to seek to promote good practice in the education of the disadvantaged at all stages of the system, taking into account the distinct needs of the ethnic minorities; to concern itself with the interaction of educational establishments and the communities they serve; and with aspects of teacher education relevant to educational disadvantage.The Governing Body will be as follows. One place remains to be filled.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the recent finding of the Low Pay Unit that female labour in Wales has lower earnings and less chance of employment than elsewhere in Great Britain, what proposals he has to increase the activity rates and to tackle the problem of low pay of women in Wales.

It is the policy of the Government to improve employment opportunities and increase the level of prosperity of all parts of the country and through an active regional policy, to improve the relative position of those who live and work in areas which are currently less prosperous.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to the Liverpool Docks.

I visited Liverpool docks on 27th June and saw the determination of workers and management to improve still further upon the good record of the port over the past few months. Part of this determination is due to the knowledge that the Government are committed to tackle the long-standing employment problems of dockland, and I had useful discussions about the application of the proposals in the Consultative Document "Dockwork" to the Merseyside area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that sufficient concern is being shown by Government Departments and nationalised industries in the Manchester travel-to-work area to employ their quota of disabled people.

Although the quota scheme is not legally binding on the Civil Service, the Civil Service Department tries to ensure that the service, in the Manchester travel-to-work area as elsewhere, employs as many registered disabled people as possible. The quota scheme applies to the nationalised industries in the same way as it does to private employers. Records are not kept in a way which would readily provide information about the quota position of the nationalised industries in the Manchester travel-to-work area.

asked the Secretary of Sate for Employment how many firms in the Manchester travel-to-work area do not fulfil their quota obligations in respect of the employment of disabled persons.

This year's annual review shows that 893 employers are not employing their 3 per cent. quota of registered disabled people.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people are at present unemployed in the Manchester travel-to-work area.

2,800 registered disabled people are currently unemployed in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what was the total number of unemployed registered disabled persons in Wales for each year 1948 to 1974;(2) what percentage of registered disabled persons in Wales was unemployed during each year from 1948 to 1974.

For information about the years from 1953 onwards I would like to refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him on 10th March. —[Vol. 888, c. 93.] I regret that information about earlier years is not readily available

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish details of sheltered employment facilities for disabled persons in Wales, including location of premises and number employed.

The following table lists the sheltered factories or workshops and gives an estimate, based on the latest information available, of the numbers of severely disabled people currently employed in them.

A Remploy Factories
Aberdare	…	75
Abertillery	…	76
Black wood	…	81
Bridgend	…	150
Brynamman	…	61
Merthyr Tydfil (Orthopaedic)	…	37
Merthyr Tydfil (Furniture)	…	80
Neath	…	87
Pentre	…	59
Porth	…	98
Swansea	…	115
Tonyrefail	…	71
Treforest	…	143
Wrexham	…	110
Ystradgynlais	…	83
		1326

B Other Sheltered Workshops for Sighted People
Llanelli	…	…	…	26
Llangefni	…	…	…	10
Llanwrtyd Wells	…	…	…	38
Newport	…	…	…	41
Pontypool	…	…	…	85
Tredegar	…	…	…	48
				248

C Workshops for Blind People
Cardiff	…	…	…	59
Llanelli	…	…	…	5
Rhondda	…	…	…	26
Merthyr Tydfil	…	…	…	31
Pontypridd	…	…	…	21
Swansea	…	…	…	53
				195

D Workshops shortly to become operational
Rhyl	…	…	40 (capacity)
Haverfordwest	…	…	40 (capacity)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which were the 35 trade unions whose accounts for the year to 31st December 1974, filed with the registrar, were not audited by auditors qualified under Schedule 2 to the Trades Union Act 1974; and which were the 12 unions whose filed accounts contained auditors' reports which were not unqualified.

I understand from the Registrar of Friendly Societies that the accounts contained in the annual returns of the following trade unions submitted by 1st June 1975 were not audited by auditors qualified in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974, although further detailed inquiry is required to establish whether they were qualified under paragraphs 7, 8 or 9.Amalgamated Tape Sizers Friendly Protection Society.Associated Metalworkers' Society.Chief Fire Officers' Association (England, Scotland and Wales).Clerical and Secretarial Staffs Association of the University of Liverpool.Colne District of the Amalgamated Association of Twisters and Drawers.Group 1 Staff Association.Laurence Scott and Electromotors Foremen's Association.London Society of Tie Cutters.Manchester, Salford and District Society of Brewers and General Coopers.National Association of Youth Hostel Wardens.National Tile Faience and Mosaic Fixers' Society.National Union of Co-operative Insurance Agents.Nelson, Colne and District Tape Sizers' Pro tective Society.Pride of Golborne Miners Lodge Trade Union and Checkweight Fund.Screw, Nut, Bolt and Rivet Trade Society. Section Managers' Association J. S. Fry and Son (Cadbury Limited).Sheffield Wool Shear Workers' Trade Union. Society of Shoe Rivet and Wire Nail Makers.Stalybridge and District Loom Overlookers' Association.Star Aluminium Managerial Staff Association. Teston Independent Society of Cricket Ball Makers.National Union of Textile and Allied Wokers Staff Section.The Card Dressers' Society.The CBA (London) Staff Association.The County City and Borough Architects Association.The Cumberland Colliery Officials Association.Guild of Water Engineers.The Laminated and Coil Spring Workers Union.The London Jewel Case and Jewellery Display Makers Union.The Salaried Pharmacists Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate upon employment in south Hampshire, he estimates the non-operation of the ferry "Mary Poppins" will have.

I understand that the non-operation of this service is unlikely to have any significant effects on employment in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what consultation his Department has held concerning the dispute at Southampton involving the "Mary Poppins"; and if he will now arrange a meeting between the ship owners, the unions and the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service to see whether a satisfactory solution to this dispute can be found, in the interests of the consumer.

My Department has not been directly involved in the dispute. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service is, of course, an independent body and it would be for the parties concerned to make a direct approach to the service on whether it could offer any advice or assistance in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are employed in the manufacture of (a) butter and cream and (b) cheese in each of the following areas: (1) United Kingdom (2) England (3) Devon and (4) the Tiverton parliamentary division.

I regret that the information is not available. My Department's employment statistics are analysed according to the Minimum List Headings of the Standard Industrial Classification and the manufacture of butter, cream and cheese forms only a part of the heading for milk and milk products.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether an inquiry is to be held into the explosion at Houghton Main Colliery on 12th June.

The Health and Safety Commission, with my consent, has directed that an inquiry be held in public by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries, Mr. James Carver. The commission has set up the inquiry under powers contained in Section 14(2)(b) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the security of State loans granted to Norton Villiers Triumph; and whether any further aid to the company is being contemplated.

The Government have made no loans directly to Norton Villiers Triumph Ltd. Assistance given in 1973 took the form of an investment of £4·872 million in preference shares in the company. In the event of a winding-up those shares have priority over all other shares in the company.My Department has guaranteed up to £8 million of loans by banks to this company for the purpose of financing exports of motor cycles. The security to be given for the guaranteed loans is currently under discussion with the company. ECGD has also offered guarantees of up to £6 million to Norton Villiers Triumph Ltd. for the purpose of financing exports of motor cycles produced by the Meriden Co-operative. My predecessor commissioned consultants to examine the situation in the British motor cycle industry and its prospects. When their report has been received I will consider what the Government's policy towards the industry should be.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what EEC projects are under discussion by the Commission for fresh funds for scientific research; what proportion of this proposed research it is proposed to spend in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, and what sums have been spent on scientific research in each of the last five years and where.

The only current Commission proposals not yet approved by the Council and which could entail fresh funds for scientific research are:

• R/60/75: Review of Joint Research Centre programmes.
• R/162/75:Energy research.
• R/1113/75: Agricultural research.

Once a programme has been adopted by the Council, implementation is again a matter for the Commission, which places research contracts wherever it considers the work can best be done for the benefit of the Community as a whole. It is not usually possible to say in advance what proportion will be spent in different parts of the Community, nor is such information available for past years. Since the United Kingdom joined the European Communities in 1973 the sums budgeted for research have been as follows:

	1973	1974	1975
Euratom plus EEC—
*mua	74·7	84·1	96·0
£m.	31·1	35·0	40·0
ECSC—
mua	18·5	23·5	36·9
£m.	7·7	12·3	19·8
* Million units of account.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in the light of his answer to the hon. Member for Ripon on 26th June, if he will publish in the Official Report the argument against taking action to safeguard the United Kingdom woollen suit market from the cheap imports from State-trading countries whose wool-predominant suits are not subject to quotas.

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 26th June.—[Vol. 894, c. 232.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far advanced his preparations are for the introduction of a wealth tax.

The preparatory work is well in hand pending publication of the report of the Select Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will take steps to improve the quality of statistical analysis of British overseas invisible earnings to ensure the speedy production of figures on an area-by-area basis, to separate private and public sector earnings and/or deficits and to indicate the separate earnings of different commercial activities;(2) if he will publish details of approximate overseas invisible earnings for 1974 or for the latest period for which figures are available, showing the following information: (

For a number of reasons it is not usually possible to analyse invisible transactions by area. But attempts are

						Current prices	1970 prices	1970 prices seasonally adjusted
1970 first quarter	…	…	…	…	…	877	915	882
1975 first quarter	…	…	…	…	…	1,730	1,037	1,002

Total fixed capital formation in plant and machinery in the year 1970 was £3,605 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what capital gains tax liability would be incurred by a shareholder of a company whose shares are compulsorily acquired under provisions of the Industry Bill or the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill.

Where the compensation is paid in cash any gain on dis-

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of investment in plant and machinery for the first quarter of 1975; and what was the comparable figure for 1970.

Gross domestic fixed capital formation in plant and machinery in the first quarters of 1970 and 1975 is estimated as follows in £ million:posal is chargeable to capital gains tax, and any loss qualifies for relief, at the time of the disposal. Where compensation is paid by the issue of Government stock, paragraph 5, Schedule 7, Finance Act 1965, provides that shareholders shall not be liable to tax on capital gains nor entitled to relief in respect of any losses arising on the occasion when they exchange their existing holdings for Government stock; instead, they are deemed to have acquired the stock at the same time and at the same cost as their existing holdings. Gains and losses accruing on the disposal of Government stock are outside the scope of capital gains tax unless a disposal takes place within 12 months of acquisition. Under the existing rules, therefore, where a shareholder is compensated by the issue of Government stock and subsequently sells the stock, any net gain or net loss on the shares and stock would be left out of account for capital gains tax unless the combined period of ownership of the shares and the Government stock was less than 12 months.My right hon. Friend intends to introduce amending legislation in the 1976 Finance Bill to provide that where the compensation is paid by the issue of Government stock, any gains which have accrued on an existing holding of shares will be assessed when the Government stock is disposed of and any losses will similarly be available for relief. It is also my right hon. Friend's intention to provide that any gain or loss on the Government stock itself will be within the scope of capital gains tax until that stock has itself been held for more than 12 months. Further, my right hon. Friend will propose that the legislation should apply to a vesting following the enactment of the Industry Bill or of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill, notwithstanding that the date of such a vesting preceded the 1976 Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the operation of the tax system with regard to lower-paid families.

I am conscious that the impact of the tax system on lower-paid families must be kept under review; many other factors, however, affect their position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will make a statement about the £1 piece.

The balance between notes and coin is reviewed from time to time, but there is no present intention of replacing the £1 note with a £1 coin.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, what plans she has to introduce legislation to control estate agents.

I have asked my officials to prepare a consultative document which will include consideration of a licensing system and a bonding scheme for estate agents.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what discussions she has had concerning the dispute involving the "Mary Poppins", the result of which is that competitive ferry services are being withheld from the consumers.

None. A wide range of alternative ferry services is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what has been the response to the letter from her Department, published in the Motor Trader of 21st August 1974, inviting the submission of evidence to back up the claim that stamp trading at petrol service stations is against the general interest.

Neither this nor subsequent correspondence with the editor of the magazine has yet produced any factual evidence that stamp trading operates to the detriment of the consumer. If any exists I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she can now list the names of members of the disabled advisory committees and their terms of reference.

Advice on general matters relating to the disabled is given by the Personal Social Services Council, which was set up in 1973 under the Chairmanship of Lord James of Rusholme to advise Ministers and all concerned with the provision and development of the personal social services in England and Wales, on all aspects of these services. The present membership of the council is:Nominated by the Association of County Councils

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many complaints she has now received concerning widows who needlessly paid the full national insurance contribution.

Widows may ask about their contribution position at any office of the Department at any time, but it is known that several thousands have queried their position following recent newspaper publicity. Examination of the first 1,200 cases has revealed only two where contributions have been paid needlessly. I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr. Lambie) on 12th June.—[Vol. 893, c. 242–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will undertake a review of the developments in other countries of the EEC as regards mobility allowances, the provision of vehicles for the disabled, the relevant research activities and the costs involved.

We are already aware of the arrangements in the other EEC countries for assisting disabled people with their mobility problems. None of them has a mobility allowance as such. Further exchanges of information will be valuable to us for the purpose of comparative study of provision.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will now announce when the next up-rating of pensions and benefits will take place after the one which is to come into effect in November 1975.

It is too early to say when the uprating to follow that in November will take place, but we will continue to adhere to our policy of up-rating benefits as frequently as is necessary in present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she can now make a statement on the date when non-contributory invalidity pensions will become payable to disabled housewives.

Not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she expects the new centre in Surrey recently purchased by Project Vietnam Orphans to be inspected and approved; and if she will give an assurance that the 25 children will be released to the centre once it is approved.

Though we have not yet received a formal application for the registration of the proposed centre as a children's home the premises were inspected on 27th June, and we hope to receive a report on the inspection very shortly. We understand that the British Council for Aid to Refugees is considering whether a move to another children's home would be in the best interests of the children and that by agreement with Project Vietnam Orphans it is taking independent professional advice on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the establishment in Sunderland for the school health service; and how many of the staff at present serving are employed without health visitors' certificates.

There are 18 whole-time and 12 part-time school nurses in Sunderland—26·75 whole-time equivalent. All of these are State Registered Nurses and one—whole time—has a Health Visitors Certificate. There are also seven whole-time doctors and about 10 clerical staff employed on school health work.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made about the reference of the matter of school nurses to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

I am considering representations from the Staff Side of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council following the rejection by the Management Side of the use of the services of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. I hope to reply shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated number of persons in Wales with incomes below supplementary benefit level, excluding recipients of supplementary benefit.

Estimates of the number of persons in Great Britain with incomes below supplementary benefit level—except recipients of this benefit—are based on Family Expenditure Survey data. Because of the way in which this has been grouped it is not possible to give any separate estimate for Wales

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will now seek to amend regulations to allow benefit to be payable to those whose absences from work exceed three days in any three months where these absences from work are incurred singly or separately, but not consecutively, as a result of diseases with recurring, intermittent effects, such as haemophilia.

Present legislation provides for treating any two days of incapacity, from whatever cause, and whether consecutive or not, which occur within a period of six consecutive days as a period of interruption of employment for benefit purposes; and for linking periods not separated by more than 13 weeks to form a single period of interruption of employment. Benefit is not paid for the first three days in any such period. I do not think that legislation to go further than this, and allow payment for isolated days, either generally or in particular cases, would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is able to give an up-to-date broad estimate of the cost to public expenditure of sustaining benefits for 1 million unemployed for one year; and what is her estimate of the tax and insurance contribution loss to national funds from an unemployment rate of this scale and duration.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what approaches he has made to the West Midlands County Council Airports Committee regarding the implementation of a noise insulation grants scheme.

The question of a noise insulation grants scheme at Birmingham Airport is primarily a matter for the airport owners, the West Midlands County Council. However, because of my general interest in aircraft noise abatement matters, I recently wrote to the Chairman of the Airport Sub-Committee of the Council about the progress towards instituting such a scheme and he has replied that the county council intends promoting local legislation this year which will include provision for the making of noise insulation grants to householders in the vicinity of Birmingham Airport.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he took, as the co-administrator of salvage laws, to ensure that a full record was kept of the artefacts and coins from the wreck of the "Association" before such pieces went to auction, proceeds from which his Department received.

Part IX of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 which deals with the disposal of unclaimed wreck and the payment of salvage does not require that a permanent record of such wreck is kept. However, lists of the items referred to appear in the auctioneer's catalogues, copies of which are available in my Department for study, on request.