asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many young people under the age of 16 years have received fatal injuries in the agriculture industry over each of the past six years.

For the years 1969–1974 inclusive there were respectively 19, 25, 26, 21, 25 and 25 such fatalities in agriculture in England and Wales; and so far nine have been reported this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider reviewing the penalties for the smuggling of animals into the United Kingdom, in view of the possible consequences to health such offences can bring about.

The smuggling of animals which might be a health risk is a significant problem only in relation to the possible introduction of rabies. As I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Moonman) on 15th July—[Vol. 895, c. 455 .]—the penalties for offences against rabies importation controls have recently been substantially increased under the powers provided by the Rabies Act 1974.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest evidence about the extent of the Dutch elm disease; and what action he is taking to help alleviate this problem.

The results of the Forestry Commission's 1975 survey will not be available until later in the year but it is already clear that the disease has continued to increase in the south of England, the Midlands and parts of Wales, where last autumn it was estimated that 4½million elm trees had died. There is no known cure for the disease and no realistic means of containing it in the badly affected areas. The Dutch Elm Disease (Restriction on Movement of Diseased Elms) Order 1974 (S.I. 1974/767) and the Dutch Elm Disease (Local Authority) Order 1974 (S.I. 1974/830) have been introduced to help reduce the further spread of the disease to and within lightly affected parts of the country. The Forestry Commission is concentrating its research on protective measures for trees of high amenity value and on the selection of resistant cultivars of elm.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether offshore oil rigs come within the scope of the existing range of precautionary measures designed to ensure that rabies-carrying animals do not enter this country from abroad.

The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 controls the landing of rabies-susceptible animals from oil rigs, as from all other places outside Great Britain. The full penalties in the 1974 Order—unlimited fine and up to one year's imprisonment—apply to the deliberate smuggling of these animals into Great Britain from any outside source. I am assured that the authorities in the areas that have traffic with oil rigs are fully alert to their responsibilities under the rabies legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to re-establish confidence among beef producers; and if he will make a statement about the future of the beef régime.

In my statement to the House today I outlined the impact on the beef sector of the changes in the representative rate of sterling. I also said that I intended to announce the scale of the monthly target prices for the beef premium scheme for the five months to the end of the current marketing year at the end of February 1976. The scale will be as follows: £ per live cwt . 1975: 29th September to 2nd November … 21.90 3rd November to 30th November … 22.40 1st December to 4th January … 23.50 1976: 5th January to 1st February … 24.60 2nd February to 29th February … 25.75

These prices take account of the decisions concerning a change in the representative rate for the pound sterling taken by the Council of Ministers at their meeting on 21st-22nd July. The seasonal scale of target prices will continue to increase next year until the normal peak in May. In addition, assuming that the present beef arrangements continue, there will be a further increase in our intervention price of at least£1 per live hundredweight when we take the next transitional step towards the common guide price at the beginning of the 1976–77 marketing year.

These increases in support levels will considerably benefit those producers who are able to delay marketing their cattle until the spring. It is important that this fact should be reflected in the autumn sales of calves and store cattle.

Beef producers now have the full protection of the premiums and I have made clear my intention that the Community shall continue to provide satisfactory arrangements for beef. Producers can therefore look to the future with confidence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes any change in the level of expenditure previously announced for the eradication of brucellosis.

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if less money will be available for brucellosis eradication; and if he will make a statement on the situation.

I have no proposals at present to alter the level of this expenditure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that heavy losses of bees are still occurring in the South of England due to the indiscriminate spraying of crops from the air and ground; and if he will introduce legislation to control such acts and to provide for compensation to be paid for bee keepers and others adversely affected.

My officials are investigating a number of reported incidents where loss of bees in this area has been attributed to spraying. They are working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for regulating aerial spraying operations. My Department introduced new Regulations, which took effect on 1st April, to strengthen the health and safety provisions concerned with ground operations and we do not envisage separate statutory measures covering hazards to bees. Instead, we have acted upon helpful suggestions put forward by the national bee keeping organisations when they met my hon. Friend the Minister of State last September—and for further details I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 11th June 1975—[Vol. 893, c. 189 ]. Claims for compensation are normally resolved by negotiation between the parties concerned, but can be subject to Common Law proceedings if this proves necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has now taken in answer to the protests he has received from farmers regarding the hardship they are suffering due to the artificial value of the green pound.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in the House today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would be the effect on food prices in the United Kingdom of a devaluation of the green pound by 5 per cent., 10 per cent. and 20 per cent., respectively.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement my right hon. Friend made earlier today and the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection gave to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 21st July.— [Vol. 896, c. 15.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the current levels of intervention stocks within the EEC of beef, ( b ) butter and ( c ) skimmed milk powder.

As I told the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) on 16th July, the following are the quantities, based on Commission figures, of food commodities currently held in Community intervention stores: Commodity Tonnes Beef(1) 271,285 Wheat(2) 2,480,000 Butter 74,000 Skimmed milk powder 790,000 Cheese 18,000(3) NOTES (1) At at end June. (2) Includes wheat for animal feed. (3) Intervention arrangements for cheese are available only in Italy (for the Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano varieties).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the result of the two-day meeting of agricultural Ministers in Brussels which ended on 22nd July 1975; what was discussed; what decisions were taken; and whether steps were proposed to deal with the growing beef mountain.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which my right hon. Friend made to the House today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will propose to the EEC Commission schemes for beef tokens for retirement pensioners, butter tokens for families with more than three children and the free issue of skim milk powder to pregnant women and children under 5 years of age.

No. I do not consider that the present market situation for beef warrants the reintroduction of the previous token scheme. The situation in the dairy sector was considered at this week's meeting of the Agricultural Council. It was agreed that the council should discuss the issues here more fully after the summer break when the prevention of excessive surpluses and arrangements for their disposal will no doubt he examined.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Meriden.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Lancashire.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to Greece.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to visit the General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation in the current year.

I have been asked to reply.

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

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the capital of Wales.

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend has visited Cardiff on a number of occasions in the past year, but he has no immediate plans for a further visit.

asked the Prime Minister if he intends to visit Glasgow during the Summer Recess.

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. Steel) on 10th July.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for Thursday 24th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 24th July.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 24th July.

I have been asked to reply.

As my right hon. Friend has already informed the House, he is visiting the Federal Republic of Germany today for informal talks with the Federal Chancellor.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to meet the General Council of the TUC.

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton), on 22nd July.

asked the Prime Minister when he will next take the chair at a meeting of the NEDC.

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to take the chair at a meeting of the NEDC.

asked the Prime Minister when he will next take the chair at a meeting of the NEDC.

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Newbury on 24th June (Mr. McNair-Wilson).

asked the Prime Minister what is the cost of the unit of publicity experts now being set up within his own Office to publicise the Government's counter-inflation policies; and if this unit is additional to the existing Press Officer and his assistants.

I have been asked to reply.

As to the costs of the Counter-Inflation Publicity Unit which has been established to serve the Government as a whole, I refer the hon. Member to the replies which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Thanet, East (Mr. Aitken) on 17th July. There has been no proposal to extend the staff of the Press Office at No. 10 Downing Street.

asked the Prime Minister if he will raise with the other Heads of Government of the Nine the desirability of transferring the site of the European Parliament from Strasbourg to Brussels.

I am aware that the arrangements under which the European Assembly works are considered unsatisfactory by a number of its members. Her Majesty's Government will play their part in any consideration by the member states of ways in which the arrangements could be improved, although I have no plans to make a specific proposal on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister what approaches he has received from any chairman or members of nationalised boards for adustment in their salaries; whether any approach has been made to the Government by the Chairman of British Rail; what has been the nature of his reply; and if he will make a statement.

Several chairmen of nationalised industry boards, including the Chairman of British Rail, have written to me to express their concern about the Government's decision to defer consideration of the recommendations for increasing the salaries of nationalised industry board members, contained in the Top Salaries Review Body report published last December.

I have replied that while the Government fully appreciate the difficulties of the boards in the matter of salaries, we intend to await the report of the Royal Commission on the Distribution of Income and Wealth before reaching a decision on the Boyle recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the total cost to date of the advanced gas reactor power programme; over what period the money has been spent and what is the estimated production of electricity likely to result in each of the next 15 years.

I understand from the Central Electricity Generating Board that capital expenditure to 31st March 1975, on its AGR stations was about£630 million, and that the programme began in the financial year ended 31st March 1965. As the first of these stations is not expected to be commissioned until next year, it is difficult to make precise year-by-year forecasts of electricity production. However, by the time they are fully commissioned the CEGB expect the AGRs to produce about 26 TWh per annum. For comparison, the CEGB produced 213 TWh in 1974–75. The present forecast commissioning dates are as followsHinkley Point "B" (1976), Dungeness "B" (1977). Heysham (1978), Hartlepool (1978).

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland would no doubt be glad to give information in respect of the AGR station at Hunterston.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he can estimate the planned reductions in staff which the electricity supply industry intends to carry out in 1975, 1976 and 1977 respectively.

I am asking the Chairman of the Electricity Council to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish in the Official Report details of the persons who were employed in his office or Department in January 1972 at salaries

Number Present Salary Range Administration Group … … … … … 101 £5,680–£7,450 per annum. Technology Group … … … … … 26 Between £6,280-£8,195 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish in the Official Report details of the five top paid civil servants in his Department; what salaries they now receive; what they were receiving in January 1972; and what increases they have re

Present Salary Salary on 8th January 1974 Increase 1 Permanent Under Secretary … … £18,675 £16,350 £2,325* with effect from 1st January 1975 4 Deputy Secretaries … … £14,000 £11,100 £2,900* with effect from 1st January 1975 1 Chief Economic Adviser … … £14,000 New appointment *Includes threshold additions payable from 1st June 1974 to 1st January 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the policy which the Government propose should be adopted by the European Economic Community as far as energy research is concerned; and whether it is intended to proceed by indirect action in accordance with the views expressed by the European Parliament on this matter.

The Government accept the policy which the Council of the European Communities has adopted for science and technology, including energy research, set out in Council resolutions of 14th January 1974 (OJ No. C7, 29th January 1974).

In one of these, the Council emphasised that the approach adopted should be whatever is most effective in the circumstances. The specific projects discussed at the Council on 15th-16th July will be carried out by indirect action.

around£4,500 per annum and what increases they have received to date.

My Department was not created until 8th January 1974. Details of officials at present employment in the Department who were on salaries around£4,500 in 1972 are as follow:

My Department was created only on 8th January 1974. The details of its top paid civil servants are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates would be the yield in a full year of capital transfer tax levied on the net value of transfers compared with the yield on the grossed up basis.

At current levels this proposal would lead to a loss of about 30 per cent. of the tax or about£50 million out of the£160 million estimated yield of capital transfer tax in 1975–76.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the various net income levels in May 1975 to provide the equivalent in real terms, taking into account the changes in the value of money, to the net income after tax of a single man and a married man with two children under 11 years of age with gross incomes, assuming all earned, of£2,000,£4,000,£6,000,£8,000, £10,000,£12,000 and£15,000 in 1961–62, 1965–66 and 1970–71; and what gross incomes in May 1975 all earned, would be required to produce these 1975 net income levels.

The figures are given in the table below: Year Gross income Net income Equivalent net income 1975–76 Gross income required to produce 1975–76 net income A. SINGLE MAN 1961–62 … … … 2,000 1,514 3,993 5,844 4,000 2,911 7,677 15,265 6,000 4,126 10,882 31,451 8,000 5,100 13,451 46,563 10,000 5,914 15,598 59,193 12,000 6,468 17,057 67,775 15,000 7,109 18,748 77,722 1965–66 … … … 2,000 1,493 3,438 4,926 4,000 2,851 6,566 11,721 6,000 4,010 9,235 21,763 8,000 4,904 11,293 33,869 10,000 5,622 12,947 43,599 12,000 6,057 13,949 49,493 15,000 6,502 14,975 55,528 1970–71 … … … 2,000 1,492 2,746 3,851 4,000 2,851 5,245 8,331 6,000 4,019 7,395 14,325 8,000 4,947 9,102 20,981 10,000 5,715 10,515 29,293 12,000 6,217 11,439 34,728 15,000 6,782 12,479 40,846 B. MARRIED MAN WITH 2 CHILDREN UNDER 11 1961–62 … … … 2,000 1,645 4,338 5,855 4,000 3,041 8,021 14,638 6,000 4,291 11,317 30,300 8,000 5,293 13,960 45,847 10,000 6,134 16,177 58,888 12,000 6,701 17,674 67,694 15,000 7,356 19,401 77,853 1965–66 … … … 2,000 1,651 3,803 5,028 4,000 3,009 6,930 11,360 6,000 4,213 9,702 21,003 8,000 5,143 11,845 33,406 10,000 5,896 13,579 43,606 12,000 6,349 14,623 49,747 15,000 6,813 15,690 56,023 1970–71 … … … 2,000 1,659 3,053 3,874 4,000 3,016 5,549 8,087 6,000 4,225 7,774 13,815 8,000 5,186 9,541 20,359 10,000 5,988 11,018 28,541 12,000 6,509 11,975 34,170 15,000 7,092 13,049 40,488

The gross incomes shown do not include family allowances, but tax on the family allowance, and clawback for 1970–71, have been taken into account where appropriate in the calculations. It has been assumed that family allowance is claimed only where it is to the taxpayer's advantage.

Except for 1975–76 the price indices used are those given in Table 2 of "The Internal Purchasing Power of the Pound" published by the Press and Information Service of the Central Statistical Office in July 1975: the appropriate calendar year index has been used for each fiscal year. For 1975–76 the retail price index for May 1975 has been used.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in detail the Government's proposals for achieving the Government's long-term economic objective of a fair distribution of income and wealth.

In successive Budgets great emphasis has been placed on the need for a fairer distribution of income and wealth. In particular, major redistributive policies have been introduced in the field of direct and indirect taxation, capital taxation, and pensions. Moreover, in policies to deal with inflation great weight has been given to the need to protect the less well off and disadvantaged. In these and other ways the Government have pursued effective redistributional policies, and they propose to maintain and develop these policies in the years ahead. As a basis for this ongoing commitment the Royal Commission under Lord Diamond has been asked to undertake an analysis of the current distribution of personal income and wealth and of the available information on past trends.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the growth of productive potential; and how this compares with the major economies represented on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON TRANSFER PAYMENTS AND LOANS AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT FACTOR COST Current grants to personal sector Subsidies National insurance benefits other Capital grants to private sector Current and capital grants abroad Net lending etc. to private sector and overseas Debt interest Total transfer payments and loans 1949 … 4.8 3.5 2.7 1.4 0.4 0 5.7 18.5 1950 … 4.2 3.4 2.7 1.2 0.4 0.1 5.6 17.6 1951 … 3.7 3.2 2.5 0.8 0.5 0.4 5.5 16.6 1952 … 3.1 3.4 2.6 0.7 0.5 0.2 5.5 16.0 1953 … 2.5 3.5 2.7 0.6 0.5 0.1 5.4 15.3 1954 … 2.7 3.4 2.6 0.4 0.5 0 5.2 14.8 1955 … 2.1 3.6 2.5 0.6 0.4 0.4 5.4 15.0 1956 … 2.0 3.7 2.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 5.0 14.2 1957 … 2.1 3.6 2.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 4.9 14.1 1958 … 1.9 4.5 2.4 0.4 0.4 0.1 5.2 14.9 1959 … 1.7 4.6 2.7 0.3 0.4 0.2 5.0 14.9 1960 … 2.2 4.4 2.5 0.4 0.4 0.6 5.1 15.6 1961 … 2.5 4.6 2.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 5.2 16.1 1962 … 2.4 4.8 2.6 0.4 0.5 0.6 50 16.3 1963 … 2.1 5.2 2.7 0.4 0.5 0.5 4.8 16.2 1964 … 1.8 5.1 2.6 0.5 0.6 0.7 4.6 15.9 1965 … 1.8 5.7 2.6 0.6 0.6 1.0 4.7 17.0 1966 … 1.7 5.7 2.8 0.6 0.5 0.7 4.7 16.7 1967 … 2.3 6.0 3.2 1.2 0.5 0.6 4.9 18.7 1968 … 2.4 6.3 3.5 1.8 0.5 0.6 5.1 20.2 1969 … 2.2 6.2 3.8 2.0 0.5 0.4 5.2 20.3 1970 … 2.1 6.3 3.8 1.7 0.4 0.6 5.0 19.9 1971 … 1.9 6.0 3.8 1.8 0.4 0.8 4.6 19.3 1972 … 2.1 6.4 4.3 1.3 0.4 0.9 4.5 19.9 1973 … 2.4 6.3 4.0 1.3 0.6 1.5 4.6 20.7 1974 … 4.1 6.9 41 1.2 0.5 2.6 5.2 24.6

The total of the above items is equal to the difference between the figures in the first and second columns of Table 1

The estimated rate of growth of productive potential in the United Kingdom is about 3 per cent. per annum. No up-to-date comparable estimates for major OECD countries are available from international sources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Price) [ Official Report , 14th July 1975, columns 344–5 ], if he will publish a table showing Government expenditure on transfer incomes as a percentage of GDP for each year since 1949; and if he will show the main categories of transfer income comprised within this total.

The figures in the following table show the main categories of public expenditure other than on goods and services. A further analysis, by service, of public expenditure is given in Table 51 of "National Income and Expenditure, 1963–1973" (the Blue Book), which will be updated in September of this year.

in the previous answer to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Price). It is regretted that there were some errors in that answer. The heading in Table 1 should have related to gross domestic product at factor cost, and the estimates of public expenditure on goods and services as a percentage of gross domestic product should have read: 1964 … … … … 27.7 1965 … … … … 28.3 1966 … … … … 29.5 1967 … … … … 31.5 1968 … … … … 30.9 1969 … … … … 30.1 1970 … … … … 30.8 1971 … … … … 30.9 1972 … … … … 30.4 1973 … … … … 30.5 1974 … … … … 33.1

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average rate of increase of the money supply between June 1970 and February 1974 and between February 1974 and today.

Monthly series for the money supply going back to June 1970 are not available for either the narrower MI definition or the broader M3 definition. On the basis of the seasonally adjusted quarterly series, the average annual rates of growth over the nearest comparable periods were: M1 M3 Per cent . Per cent . End of 2nd quarter 1970 to end of 1st quarter 1974 8.8 20.2 End of 1st quarter 1974 to end of 1st quarter 1975 15.6 10.0

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take measures to end the loss of VAT incurred by estimating the amounts due from retail businesses, and to ensure that remittances are calculated on actual sales by requiring that the tax records should be reconciled with the business accounts.

It is already part of the duty of a Customs and Excise officer visiting a trader for VAT purposes to verify that the VAT records and the other accounts of the business are consistent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the maximum percentage difference which is allowed for between the VAT returned by a retailer and that estimated to be receivable from him before the accuracy of his return is queried by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

Checks are imposed on all traders' VAT returns, but there is no single percentage of the kind postulated in the Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of widows over the age of 60 years who are currently paying income tax despite being in receipt of a supplementary pension.

I regret that the information on which to base an estimate is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the monthly rate of inflation in the United Kingdom for May and June, respectively.

The retail price index rose by 4.2 per cent. between April and May and by 1.9 per cent. between May and June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the amount of US$14,140,000,000 calculated by the Bank for International Settlements in its Annual Report for the year ended 31st March 1975, as the total of the net external liabilities in sterling and foreign currencies of United Kingdom banks, is being employed in the domestic economy; and what proportion of this amount represents claims by United Kingdom banks on the central Government, the local authorities and the nationalisd industries.

It is not possible to match the change in the banks' external liabilities to any particular elements of the change in their advances to the domestic economy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the calculation by the Bank of International Settlements in its Annual Report for the year ended 31st March 1975, that the net external liabilities of United Kingdom banks in sterling and foreign currencies had increased from the equivalent of US$11,080,000,000 in December 1973, to US$14,140,000,000 in December 1974, the reported money supply figures on either the M1 or M3 definitions understate the liquidity in the United Kingdom banking system to any significant degree.

Ml and M3 are measures of different categories of liquidity held by United Kingdom residents in the banking system and in notes and coin. If one is concerned with such liquidity because it may be used to finance transactions in the United Kingdom economy, and so represents a potential claim on resources, it may be justifiable also to take into account overseas residents' gross deposits, but only in so far as they are held for the purpose of trading with the United Kingdom. It is not possible to distinguish deposits held for this purpose, but the foreign currency element is probably negligible, and the sterling element will represent only part of overseas residents' sterling deposits with the United Kingdom banks. The total change in such sterling deposits in 1974 was£727 million, so the change in the element held to finance United Kingdom transactions was almost certainly not significant in relation to the change in the money stock (M3) of£4,204 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the hardship being caused to many elderly people due to the substantial fall in value of 3½per cent. War Stock; if he will now set a date for the repayment of this stock; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that I can see no prospect of the Government's setting a date for the redemption of War Loan. We are very much aware of the circumstances of those elderly people who have held War Loan for a long time and now find its market value very much lower than what they or their relatives paid for it. But, like our predecessors, we have concluded that where the problem is hardship it is better to attack it directly, through the social services, than take discriminatory measures to meet market losses suffered by a particular group of holders.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service why an increase of 1,700 civil servants was made in 1973; and what additional work required such an increase to be made.

On 1st January 1974 there were 694,384 civil servants in post, compared with 692,656 on 1st January 1973, an increase of 1,728 or 0.2 per cent. This figure represents the sum of an increase of 4,063 in civil Departments and a reduction of 2,335 in the Ministry of Defence. The increase in civil Departments was due to requirements for additional staff in Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to deal with Value Added Tax and the Department of Health and Social Security to deal with increased and more complex work on social security benefits. The reduction in the Ministry of Defence was due to rationalisation and reduction of task, offset by the transfer of staff from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future use of Driffield Airfield.

We are currently examining the possibility of an alternative defence requirement for Driffield. I am unable to forecast when a decision will be reached, although I hope that the outcome will not be unduly delayed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) taking the Standard Industrial Classification, broken down under subheads, for the last 12-month period for which figures are available, for Great Britain, what were the average number of hours worked in each category;

(2) taking the Standard Industrial Classification, broken down under subheads, for the last 12-month period for which figures are available, for Great Britain, what were the average weekly wages in each category;

(3) taking the Standard Industrial Classification, broken down under subheads, for the last 12-month period for which figures are available, for Great Britain, what were the percentage rises in wages over the previous 12 months in each category.

I refer my hon. Friend to tables 4 to 7 of the New Earnings Survey results for full-time manual and non-manual men and women for a pay-period in April 1974 published in my Department's Gazette November 1974, pages 995–9.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number of firms in South Ayrshire and Galloway employing more than 100 people.

I regret that estimates relating to firms of a particular size are available only for Great Britain as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will invite all trade union branches to submit evidence in the manner of the report recently submited to him from the 1561 Transport and General Workers' Union branch of Ford Tractor, Basildon, on the planned disruption of production and other operational practices by unofficial groups both from within and outside the plant.

No. The branch report was submitted to the union. Reports from branches are a matter for the unions concerned, which, if they see fit, will call on branches to send them.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the fact that a man currently earning£8,500 a year will be able to receive no increase in income, whereas a man currently earning£8,499 a year will be able to receive an increase to£8,811, whether he will introduce a marginal relief so that the first man may be no worse off than the second.

I do not think any relief is needed. A difficulty of this kind may arise at the cut-off point, but for the most part negotiators should be able to arrange settlements which avoid it.

asked the Attorney-General if he will list the cases brought under the incitement to Disaffection Act 1934 since its enactment and state in which of those cases the prosecution was successful and in which cases a charge of conspiracy to contravene the Act was brought.

During the last 10 years there have been three prosecutions for offences under the Act. In one case, in 1972, the defendant was acquitted. In another case, in the same year, the defendant was convicted and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. In the third case, in 1974, the defendant was convicted and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, but, in appeal, the sentence was reduced to permit immediate discharge. In none of these cases was there any charge of conspiracy to contravene the Act. Three other cases are now pending. The records for the period prior to 1965 are not readily available.

asked the Lord President of the Council how many times since 1st July the sewers in the police mess at St. Stephen's entrance have overflowed into the accommodation occupied by the police officers concerned; and when was the last such occasion.

I have been asked to reply.

The sewers under the police mess at St. Stephen's entrance have been blocked three times since 1st January. There was no spillage of sewage on any of these occasions, but there was slight seepage of water into the mess. The last blockage was on 15th July. I have since visited the area and have ascertained that after this blockage the drains were thoroughly examined and cleaned out, and the cause of the blockage removed. All the drains will now be thoroughly cleaned annually.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in respect of the proposed summit meeting on European security in Helsinki on 30th July, if he will indicate (1) the proposed items the Government wish to place on the agenda and (2) the agenda items known to him at present.

The agenda for Stage III of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, which opens in Helsinki on 30th July, was agreed to by all the Governments concerned at Stage II in Geneva and cannot now be altered or added to. It consists of opening speeches by the President of Finland and the Secretary-General of the United Nations; speeches by the 35 Heads or other representatives of States and Governments; and the signature of the Final Act of the conference. In view of the widespread interest in its work, I have already placed the latest form of the documents, which were drawn up at Stage II and will be incorporated in the Final Act, in the Library of the House. Some further editorial changes in them will be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to minimise cases of silicosis in Hong Kong; and what compensation is available for those who contract the disease.

Regulations prohibit abrasive blasting by sand or silica and quarry operators are advised to spray water, enclose machinery, supply masks and hold annual X-ray examinations. The Government are discussing with the Accident Insurance Corporation the establishment of an insurance pool. Meanwhile, affected workers receive ex-gratia payments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the success or otherwise of the steps taken to combat the drug traffic in Hong Kong.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens) on 30th June.—[Vol. 894, c. 312.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the work of the Council for Recreation and Sport in Hong Kong.

The council was established in 1973 to advise on the provision, expansion and maximum use of recreational and sports facilities, particularly for young people. The Recreation and Sports Scheme, introduced last year, has organised activities for over 80,000 people. Long-term planning of recreational facilities is being undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have approved the statutes of the World Tourism Organisation, and, if so, when they envisage presenting these statutes to Parliament for ratification.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 23rd July to a similar question from the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. Steel). As we are still considering the question of formal adoption of the statutes of the World Tourism Organisation, I am unable to give a date by which they may be presented to Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the margin of error of the breathalyser is in detecting whether a driver has more than the legally permitted limit of alcohol in his blood.

The overall margin of error for the device, which of course serves only as a preliminary check, varies in value over the blood alcohol concentration range. Where the concentration is above the prescribed limit, the device invariably gives a positive indication. Below but near the prescribed limit, false positive readings may be obtained. Apparent discrepancies between the indications of the device and the laboratory analysis of a specimen of blood or urine may be due to factors other than variation in the performance of the device. If my hon. Friend would like further information my noble Friend the Minister of State will be glad to supply it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of sentence served by prisoners released on parole since the inception of the Parole Board; and, in the case of a fixed term sentence, what is the average proportion of the total sentence served by such prisoners.

I regret that the information is not immediately available. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will supply figures showing, in grades, deficiencies in the establishment of the Metropolitan Police and measures being undertaken to improve recruitment.

On 30th June 1975 there was a deficiency of 421 sergeants and 5,291 constables. There was no deficiency in approved posts above the rank of sergeant. A wide range of measures continues to be taken to promote recruitment to the Metropolitan Police, and£200,000 has been allocated during the current financial year for that purpose. The force also benefits from the national police recruitment campaign, for which£765,000 has been allocated during the same period. The strength of the Metropolitan Police increased by 91 during the first six months of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will give figures indicating what proportion of maintenance defaulters against whom suspended committal warrants are issued pay up before they go to prison;

(2) on what evidence the Minister of State, Home Office stated (Official Report, 8th May, column 1589) that 90 per cent. of maintenance defaulters against whom suspended committal warrants are issued pay up before they go to prison.

Statistics relating to the effectiveness of the suspended committal warrant procedure are not kept on a regular basis, but an informal survey of six magistrates' courts carried out by the Home Office showed that nearly 90 per cent. of the persons who were made subject to a suspended committal warrant in 1973 avoided imprisonment by payment of the sum due.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the existing law relating to squatters; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 17th July to Questions from the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Rossi).—[Vol. 895, c. 581–2 .]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has approved any increase in the total number of entry vouchers to be issued to heads of families who are United Kingdom passport holders seeking admission to the United Kingdom since his last announcement; and if he will make a statement.

I have approved no further increase since the increase to 5,000 vouchers annually which I announced on 6th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether a prisoner on remand is allowed to refuse to meet a person seeking to meet him;

(2) whether prisoners on remand are required to accept the service of civil writs; whether prison officers will if necessary force them to do so; and, if so, whether he is satisfied with the present arrangements.

As a general rule all visits to a prisoner are made with his consent, but there is an exception in the case of a visit for the sole purpose of the service of legal process. The rule is a long-standing one and seems to have operated without undue difficulty in the past, but I am examining the relevant standing instructions to see whether they need to be modified in any way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were arrested for drunkenness in the last year for which figures are available.

Information on the number of persons arrested is not available but the numbers of persons cautioned or proceeded against for offences of drunkenness in England and Wales in 1973 are as follows: Persons cautioned, 529; Persons proceeded against, 98,990.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will list in the Official Report the student hostels which are to become redundant as a result of the closure of colleges of education;

(2) if he will list in the Official Report the date of closure of those colleges of education which are to cease providing courses for the training of teachers, together with the dates of the first intake of students, the cost of providing the buildings and the cost of the furnishings.

It has so far been decided that the 11 colleges of education listed below should cease to admit students to initial teacher training with effect from the dates shown. The latest information about the number of student residence places at each college is given in brackets.

September 1975 Alnwick, Northumberland (122 residential places). Mary Ward, Nottinghamshire (225 residential places). 296 Radbrook, Salop (86 residential places). Saffron Walden, Essex (184 residential places).

September 1976 Coloma, Bromley (268 residential places). Darlington, Co. Durham (164 residential places). Kesteven (Stoke Rochford site), Lincolnshire (270 residential places). Maria Assumpta, Inner London (141 residential places). St. Paul's Newbold Revel, Warwickshire (220 residential places). Sittingbourne, Kent (no Student residence). Wentworth Castle, Barnsley (136 residential places).

The Government hope that wherever possible the premises of these colleges, including their residential accommodation, will continue in use for educational purposes.

I regret that the other information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give an assurance that his recent statements concerning restrictions on school development will not apply to stress areas such as the London borough of Newham; and if he will now state when he will give the date for the replacement of the Elmhurst Road School, Forest Gate, London, E.7.

Local education authorities were told in January that when school improvement resources were distributed account would be taken of the extent to which projects in authorities' lists would mitigate unsatisfactory conditions in areas of severe educational difficulty. I hope to announce shortly lump sum authorisations for school building starts in 1976–77. Under current arrangements it is for authorities to determine which projects they wish to start within their total allocation.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will list the sugar cane producing countries, supplying 1.4 million tons of cane sugar, which are in receipt of overseas aid from Her Majesty's Government, giving details of tonnages supplied and aid received in each case.

The information is as follows: Country Annual quotas (commencing July 1975) agreed between the EEC and the cane sugar producers (metric tons of white sugar equivalent) Net official development assistance Calendar year 1974 (£000) Barbados 49,300 539 Fiji 163,600 2,823 Guyana 157,700 536 Jamaica 118,300 2,383 Kenya 5,000 10,111 Madagascar 10,000 117 Malawi 20,000 7,098 Mauritius 487,200 1,920 People's Republic of the Congo 10,000 25 Swaziland 116,400 3,106 Tanzania 10,000 864 Trinidad and Tobago 69,000 413 Uganda 5,000 Credit 591 St. Kitts/Nevis/Anguilla 14,800 2,054 Surinam 4,000 — Belize 39,400 1,861 India 25,000 60,585 1,304,700* 93,843† *This is approximately equivalent to 1.4 million long tons of raw sugar. †Total differs from the sum of the items owing to the effect of rounding to the nearest £1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will now take action to expedite the production of the HS146 notwithstanding the delay in the programme of public ownership of the aviation industry.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry has now considered the report prepared by the Tripartite Working Group which was set up following his predecessor's statement of 9th December on the HS146 project. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State has since issued an invitation to the Aerospace Committee of the CSEU to discuss the report. The small-scale programme of work at HSA which we have authorised is continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if consultations with the National Council for the Protection of Birds took place at an early stage when his Department was planning experiments involving oil slicks in the North Sea; and what view the council took.

In accordance with normal practice, when requirements for a meaningful trial had been determined by my Department's Warren Spring Laboratory, consultations were held with the Nature Conservancy Council. The NCC in turn informed the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The society communicated with the laboratory regretting that it had not been consulted earlier but recognising the importance of this work in the North Sea. It recommended reconsideration of the timing or location of part of the trials because of a possible risk to early migrating auks.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he is taking to secure alternative employment for people in the Christchurch and Lymington areas, who will be made redundant upon the closure of Ministry of Defence establishments in the area; and if he will make a statement.

I understand moves from the Signals Research and Development Establishment are unlikely to start before 1977 and will not be completed till 1979. The numbers made redundant by then are expected to be limited, but when the time comes the services of the Employment Service Agency will be available to help those affected find other jobs. The provisions of the new Industry Bill will enable us to stimulate industrial development in all parts of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in view of the lack of demand in the United Kingdom paper and board industry and the degree of short-time working being experienced, he will take steps to ensure that no further upward reviews of duty free quotas take place in relation to imports from the United Kingdom's previous EFTA partners who did not join the EEC.

I am aware of the difficulties currently facing the United Kingdom paper and board industry and my right hon. Friend the Lord Beswick has agreed to meet representatives of the British Paper and Board Industry Federation before any changes are made to the present duty free quota levels. Their views will be taken fully into account. However, in setting quota levels the Government must take into account not only the interests of the producers but also of the intermediate and ultimate consumers who no less have their difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what consultations have taken place between his Department and British Leyland with regard to pension rights for the company's employees; and whether any improvement or extension of pensions has been arranged or is planned to be implemented during 1975.

Pension arrangements are matters for negotiation between the company and its employees and my Department has not been involved in the consultations. British Leyland is introducing a new and improved pension scheme for hourly paid employees with effect from 1st September 1975. I understand that this scheme has been under discussion since September 1974 and that negotiations were concluded in May of this year. Over 75 per cent. of those eligible have applied for membership of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to receive the copy of the Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration with regard to the statement by his predecessor as to the future prospects of the Court Line companies.

The Parliamentary Commissioner is an officer of Parliament and it is not appropriate for me to report on the progress of any inquiry he has in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has received the final report of the consultants on the future of the motor cycle industry; and if he will make a statement of the Government's intentions with regard to Norton Villiers Triumph.

My right hon. Friend has just received this report and hopes to discuss it today with representatives of management and workers in Norton Villiers Triumph Ltd and of the Meriden Co-operative. Their views will be taken into account in his consideration of the policy to be followed towards the motor cycle industry. My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement on this subject before the Summer Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what representations he has received from the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions on the subject of the assurances given to the confederation by his predecessor about continuing levels of production, employment and pay in the Small Heath works of Norton Villiers Triumph after the start of production at the Meriden Co-operative; and what action he is taking to implement those assurances;

(2) if he will give details of the action he is taking in furtherance of the assurances given by his predecessor to the delegation of shop stewards from the Small Heath works in November 1974 about the Government's commitment to the motor cycle industry in the United Kingdom and the success of Norton Villiers Triumph;

(3) if he will make a statement further to his meeting on 11th June with the management and work force of Norton Villiers Triumph on the action he is now proposing to take to implement the assurances given by his predecessor in January 1975 in advance of the start of the Meriden Co-operative about the levels of investment, employment and pay in Norton Villiers Triumph following production at Meriden.

I must ask the hon. Member to await the statement on the Government's policy towards the motor cycle industry which my right hon. Friend hopes to make in the near future. My right hon. Friend has discussed the future of the motor cycle industry with representatives of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish a breakdown of the figures he has supplied of sequestration orders made in Scotland against individuals, in the last five years for which figures are available, into categories of business.

The information is not available. Particulars of a trade or business are not necessarily included in petitions for sequestrations.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection by what percentage food prices have risen in the most recent annual period for which figures are available.

Over the 12 months to June 1975 the food index rose by 28.3 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will publish figures showing the effect on food prices of the Common Market Harmonisation Agreements.

There is no evidence that the adoption by the Council of directives harmonising the law of member States relating to food standards has any significant effect on food prices. In so far as such directives enable the products in question to be produced in quantity and traded freely throughout the Community they are likely to increase competition and consumer choice and may be expected to exert a downward pressure on retail food prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will introduce legislation to make VAT inclusive in marked prices on merchandise.

The Director General of Fair Trading is examining this subject with a view to making proposals to the Consumer Protection Advisory Committee. I will consider what action to take when the committee has reported to me. If the hon. Member has any evidence of individual consumers being misled by VAT exclusive prices I am sure that the Office of Fair Trading would be grateful to receive details.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of fully lighting the A74.

I have no plans for fully lighting this road, and therefore no firm estimate is available. But the cost would probably be at least£3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the establishment and actual manpower of each Scottish fire brigade.

The establishment schemes submitted by fire authorities for approval under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 are under consideration. The current whole-time strengths of brigades are: Brigade Men Women Central … 150 1 Dumfries and Galloway … 58 — Fife … 296 11 Grampian … 176 14 Lothian and Borders … 554 8 Northern … 74 8 Strathclyde … 1,989 78 Tayside … 377 16 3,674 136

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total acreage of land on which Scottish mental illness hospitals are sited.

The information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authority mortgages ( a ) for home purchase, and ( b ) for home improvement were granted by Scottish local authorities in each year from 1970 to 1974, listing the total sum involved in each year.

The records available to me do not specify the numbers of advances made. The following table gives details of loans made by local authorities to private persons and to housing associations. Figures for the years before 1974 do not distinguish between loans for house purchase and loans for improvement.

Year Loans for house purchase £ million Loans improvement or conversion £ million Loans for house purchase or improvement (un-specified) £ million Total £ million 1970 … — — 3.86 3.86 1971 … — — 5.65 5.65 1972 … — — 7.27 7.27 1973 … — — 9.92 9.92 1974 … 12.20 3.10 1.50 16.80

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the number of disabled persons in Banffshire.

This information is not available centrally. At 31st December 1974, however, 175 disabled persons were in receipt of care or assistance from the Social Work Department of the former Banff County Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with local authorities in Scotland regarding the housing requirements of one-parent families; and if he will make a statement.

Authorities have been asked to base their future housing activities on a comprehensive assess- ment of housing needs in their areas. Detailed guidance on assessing these needs, including those of one-parent families, will be issued to authorities shortly. Consideration at present being given to the relevant recommendations of the Finer and Morris Committees will indicate whether further guidance should be offered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total cost of local government wages and salaries within west central Scotland prior to local government reorganisation; and what is the current total cost;

(2) how many employees of local government there are in west central Scotland at the latest available date; how many there were prior to local government reorganisation; and what is the anticipated number by January 1976.

This information is not available at present. As explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North (Mr. Fletcher) on 16th July—[Vol. 895, c. 514 .]—information about staff numbers and costs before and after reorganisation is being collected by the Scottish Councils of the National Joint Councils for Local Authorities Services, for the whole of Scotland. Because of changes in boundaries following reorganisation, comparison will be difficult, but the figures collected will be examined, to see whether any breakdown can usefully be attempted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average time, in the most recent annual period for which information is available, between the application by a hotel for a fire certificate and the inspection of the hotel by the fire authorities; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that this information is not available and could not be produced without disproportionate effort and cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses fall below the tolerable standards in each of the following islands, respectively: Lismore, Mull, Iona, Coll, Tiree, Luing, Colonsay, Jura, Islay and Gigha.

This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the tenders received for the Kessock Bridge on the A9.

Four tenders for Kessock Bridge have been received. The lowest—for over£30 million—was submitted by a consortium of three steel erection firms, and the other three by firms who would employ the consortium as subcontractor for the steel work which represents about one-half of the tender price. The lowest tender was subject to very considerable qualifications and, as it stands, is unacceptable.

The decision to provide a new route for A9 across the Black Isle was announced in April 1971 and the preliminary design study by the consulting engineers estimated the cost of the bridge in August 1972 at about£6 million. While, as the design was developed and as economic conditions changed, it became clear that the cost would be much higher, a figure as high as£30 million was never contemplated. Nor was it foreseen, in April 1971, that the bridge would have to be built in competition for skilled labour with the oil production platform yards at Nigg and Ardersier. The consortium has pointed out that it was this factor, as well as the uncertainties of the current economic climate, which made it very difficult to price a contract extending over so long a period as three years.

In these circumstances, I have to consider whether the commitment of as large a sum as£30 million on this one project can be justified—especially at a time when public expenditure must be restrained—or whether the project should be deferred for the time being. Before a decision can be reached on this, it will be necessary to examine a suggestion made by the consortium that, owing to the scale of the contract and current uncertainties arising from the economic climate, an alternative form of contract should be considered for appropriate parts of the work. It will also be necessary to con- sider the possibility of adopting a more economic design and/or an alternative form of construction.

My Department has commenced discussions about these points and about other questions which the tender raises. I shall make a further statement as soon as it is practicable to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assistance Her Majesty's Government are giving to the Temperance Union in its preventive case work.

The Temperance Council of Christian Churches has not sought assistance for its work. I am writing to the hon. Member about a request from the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire Temperance Union for a grant towards the cost of travelling expenses for talks in schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated expenditure in 1975 of the Health Education Council; what proportion of its expenditure is devoted to information concerning the effect of smoking on health; and what is the estimated Government annual expenditure relating to the dangers of tobacco.

The expenditure of the Health Education Council in the current year, including the amount to be spent on the effects of smoking on health, is at present being discussed with the council. Expenditure in previous financial years was set out in my hon. Friend's reply to him on 14th March.—[Vol. 888 c 263–4 .] The proportion of its total campaign expenditure between 1960–70 to 1974–75 which was devoted to information on the effects of smoking was, on average, about 63 per cent. In 1974–75 this proportion was about 42 per cent. Expenditure by the Department of Health and Social Security, excluding money made available to the Health Education Council, is estimated at about£250,000 during the present year. Estimated expenditure in this field in the present year by the medical and social science research councils amounts to about£34,000 and by the Scottish Health Education Unit to£174,000. The relatively small levels of expenditure incurred by other Government Departments, mainly in staff costs, are not readily ascertainable.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of regular weekly payments of supplementary benefit per head of population for Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and each of the English regions for the latest date for which this information is available.

As at May 1975 the numbers per head of the estimated population were as follows: Great Britain … … … .049 Scotland … … … .051 Wales … … … .060 England … … … .048

Population estimates for the separate English regions since 1972 are not available, and in any case they do not always coincide with the social security regional boundaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the annual expenditure on widow's benefit in Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and the eight English regions in 1973 and 1974 in£million and per head of population.

Estimates for 1972–73, the latest year for which information is available, are as follows: EXPENDITURE ON WIDOW'S BENEFIT Country or Region Total amount £ million Amount per head of population £ Great Britain 217.6 4.01 England 186.8 4.03 North 14.8 4.50 Yorkshire and Humberside 20.1 4.17 East Midlands 11.7 3.42 East Anglia 5.7 3.34 South East 67.5 3.90 South West 14.0 3.65 West Midlands 21.0 4.08 North West 31.9 4.72 Wales 11.1 4.05 Scotland 19.7 3.78