asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify and give details of the present method of paying British forces in Berlin; and if he will make a statement.

The pay and allowances of Service men stationed in Berlin are either credited to a United Kingdom bank account or credited to them in the books of the Ministry of Defence. Funds they require for local needs are provided in the way already described to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report and/or place in the Library a copy of the letter he wrote to the hon. Member for Torbay in relation to his Question on 21st July about the payment of British forces in Berlin.

A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the cartographic standard of the new 1:50,000 map series of the Ordnance Survey.

The Ordnance Survey is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, but the Services make use of OS maps and are entirely satisfied with with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what role his Department will play in implementing the Government's counter inflationary policy.

My Department will do whatever is necessary to ensure that the Government's counter-inflationary policy is fully implemented in the energy sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is yet able to estimate the cost of acquiring 51 per cent. control of North Sea exploration interests.

I have nothing to add to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) on 30th June.—[Vol. 894, c. 304–5. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what quantities of nuclear waste, in volume, he expects to be produced in the United Kingdom by nuclear power stations over each of the next 15 years; what type and size of containers he contemplates will be required to store such waste; and for how long it will be necessary to store such containers before the dangerous properties of the waste are exhausted.

The volume arising year by year depends on the rate at which new nuclear power stations are brought into service and their load factors. A broad estimate, however, is that highly active liquid fission product waste for storage will not exceed 150 cubic metres a year in the period, stored initially in high integrity, double walled, stainless steel tanks of 150 cubic metre capacity.

By about 1990 conversion of liquid waste into blocks of inert, insoluble glass should be in progress, and over a few years all the accumulated stock should be so converted. These, enclosed in stainless steel, would be stored under water in special ponds until they could safely be disposed of by one or other of the methods now being studied. How long that would be remains uncertain, but while a few of the isotopes in the waste remain radioactive for a very long time others decay quickly and the combined activity will have fallen by about 90 per cent. in 20 years.

The control and management of storage facilities are closely monitored by the Health and Safety Executive to ensure that the high standards of safety are maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the border price of natural gas in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and the Federal Republic of Germany, expressed in ( a ) pence per therm and ( b ) as a multiple of the costs of production.

The current border prices for natural gas have not been disclosed. The information requested cannot, therefore, be provided.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the full-year cost of extending the age allowance for income tax to widows between the ages of 60 and 65 years; and if he will consider introducing such an extension at the earliest opportunity.

On the substance of my hon. Friend's proposal I would refer him to the Committee stage debates on the Finance Bill where an amendment which would have given the age allowance to all women between 60 and 65 was negatived—[ Standing Committee H, 26th June 1975; c. 533–542]. As regards the cost information on which to base a precise estimate is not available, but the cost for 1975–76 would be of the order of £10 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the present yield of corporation tax derives from close companies.

For profits arising in company accounting periods ending in 1971–72, the latest year for which reasonably full information is available, it is estimated that approximately one-third of the tax due derived from close companies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give an estimate of the tax contributions of the public and private sectors of industry and commerce in Wales in any recent year of his choice.

While separate figures for the public and private sectors are unobtainable it is estimated that Customs and Excise duties, including protective duties, falling on industry and commerce in Wales in 1973–74 amounted to £70 million. Information on a similar basis of other tax contributions is not available at present, although it was estimated in 1971 that receipts from corporation tax levied in Wales totalled £31 million net of transitional relief in 1968–69.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the application of paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 2 to the Finance Act 1974 to long-term foreign residents working in the British film industry, and on the anticipated effect of this measure, both on them as individuals and the industry at large.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement given in my predecessor's answer to the right hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) on 7th April 1975.—[Vol. 889, c. 362. ]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the amount of Government expenditure for the period of the last 16 months.

Government expenditure, as measured by issues from the Consolidated Fund, amounted to £37,518 million in the 16th months from 1st March 1974 to 30th June 1975.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report the percentage of total national expenditure acounted for by public expenditure during each of the last 10 years.

Following is the information: PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AS A PERCENTAGE OF GDP AT FACTOR COST 1965 … … … … 45.3 1966 … … … … 46.2 1967 … … … … 50.2 1968 … … … … 51.1 1969 … … … … 50.4 1970 … … … … 50.7 1971 … … … … 50.2 1972 … … … … 50.3 1973 … … … … 51.2 1974 … … … … 57.7

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applicants are now being dealt with as recruits for the RUC; and what time elapses from the applicant's first interview until he enters the training depot.

On 30th June 1975, 468 applicants were being considered for the RUC. I understand from the Chief Constable that an application takes about 10–13 weeks to process and that the training centre has an intake every seven weeks. The period from first interview until the applicant enters the training centre varies, therefore, according to the dates of intake at the centre.

asked the Lord President of the Council what arrangements he has made for a Select Committee to visit Cyprus.

I shall move to set up a Select Committee.

asked the Lord President of the Council when the temporary wooden structure, erected in the Chamber solely for the broadcasting experiment now ended will be removed.

Arrangements are being made for this to be done during the recess.

asked the Lord President of the Council when he will be making a statement about converting No. 1 Bridge Street and the Norman Shaw Building to Members' offices.

As I informed the House on 16th July—[Vol. 895, c. 1518.]—the Government will submit its proposals to the Services Committee regarding further accommodation for hon. Members as soon as possible. The Norman Shaw (South) Building and No. 1 Bridge Street are two of the buildings to be considered.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, when he is examining the possibilities of converting No. 1 Bridge Street and the Norman Shaw Building for Members' accommodation, he will also study the possibility of installing, when public expenditure permits, a travelator or escalator, possibly of the type in the United States Senate, to provide Members with speedy and easy access between the Chamber and their offices.

I shall bring the hon. Member's suggestion to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. In considering such matters, however, it will be necessary to have regard to the overriding need to limit expenditure at the present time.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether it is the Government's intention ultimately to provide office accommodation for each Member plus accessible and nearby accommodation for a secretary.

Yes, as the financial situation permits.

asked the Lord President of the Council when he will next be making an announcement about linking Members' pay to that of Assistant Secretaries.

I have no plans to make an announcement on this subject, since the resolution passed on 22nd July does not call for any early action by the Government.

asked the Lord President of the Council when he expects to make a statement on the findings of the Select Committee on Members' facilities.

As I said in the debate on Members' remuneration on 22nd July—[Vol. 896, c. 445]—I think it will be best to consider the Select Committee's findings in conjunction with Part 2 of the Top Salaries Review Body's Report. That Report is expected to make further recommendations about superannuation costs relevant to secretarial and research assistance and also the treatment of office expenses.

The implementation of the recommendations on the secretarial allowance made in the first part of the review body's report will enable Members to employ a full-time secretary, and this goes a long way towards meeting the Select Committee's main recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the extra number of mobile classrooms which will be required in the Strathclyde Region in session 1975–76 if all schoolchidren in the region are to be accommodated.

The information available from Strathclyde Regional Council about its school building programme for 1975–76 does not at present enable me to make such an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many school buildings currently used for teaching purposes in the Strathclyde Region are more than 100 and more than 65 year old, respectively; and what is the estimate of the effect which school expenditure cuts will have on the replacement of these buildings.

There is no central record of the age of school building. Priority in school building has to be given to the provision of additional primary and secondary school places, and there is only limited scope at present for the improvement or replacement of existing accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the percentage of National Health Service revenue expenditure which went to mental ilness hospitals in Scotland in 1964–65 and the latest available year.

About 14½ per cent. of hospital revenue expenditure went to mental illness hospitals in 1964–65 and slightly less in 1973–74, the latest year for which actual figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those buildings currently in use as mental hospitals in Scotland which were built prior to 1945, 1925 and 1905, respectively, giving the bed capacity in each case.

The information is as follows: Board and Hospital Bed complement at 30th September 1974 Built Argyll and Clyde Health Board Argyll and Bute Hospital 452 Prior to 1905 Ravenscraig 340 Prior to 1905 Dykebar 770 1905–1925 Broadfield 93 Prior to 1905 Caldwell House 111 Prior to 1905 Elderslie 20 Prior to 1905 Merchiston 114 Prior to 1905 Ayrshire and Arran Health Board Ravenspark 92 Prior to 1905 Ailsa 650 Prior to 1905 Dunlop House 71 Prior to 1905 Borders Health Board Dingleton 418 Prior to 1905 Dumfries and Galloway Health Board Crichton Royal 1,004 Prior to 1905 Fife Health Board Stratheden 884 Prior to 1905 Glenlomond 132 1905–1925 Forth Valley Health Board Bellsdyke 1,072 Prior to 1905 Royal Scottish National 1,321 Prior to 1905 Board and Hospital Bed complement at 30th September 1974 Built Grampian Health Board House of Daviot 153 Prior to 1905 Kingseat Hospital 752 Prior to 1905 Royal Cornhill Hospital 893 Prior to 1905 Bilbohall Hospital 165 Prior to 1905 Ladysbridge 532 Prior to 1905 Woodlands 137 Prior to 1905 Greater Glasgow Health Board Gartnavel Royal 690 Prior to 1905 Gartloch 911 Prior to 1905 Stoneyetts 320 1905–1925 Woodilee 1,132 Prior to 1905 Leverndale 1,042 Prior to 1905 Lennox Castle 1,520 Prior to 1905 Waverley Park 114 Prior to 1905 Highland Health Board Craig Dunain Hospital 950 Prior to 1905 Lanarkshire Health Board Hartwood Hospital 1,810 Prior to 1905 Bellefield 104 Prior to 1905 Birkwood 316 Prior to 1905 Kirklands 220 Prior to 1905 Lothian Health Board Herdmanflat 212 Prior to 1905 Rosslynlee 345 Prior to 1905 Royal Edinburgh Hospital 1,062 Prior to 1905 Bangour Village 872 Prior to 1905 East Fortune 125 1905–1925 Gogarburn 781 1925–1945 Tayside Health Board Royal Liff 604 Prior to 1905 Sunnyside Royal 759 Prior to 1905 Murray Royal 275 Prior to 1905 Murthly Hospital 358 Prior to 1905 Strathmartine 627 Prior to 1905 Western Isles Health Board Long Island Hospital (part chronic sick) 23 Prior to 1905

Note: The dates quoted relate to the original buildings in which patient accommodation was provided. In most cases the accommodation has been substantially adapted and upgraded and, in many instances, extended by new building.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the mileage allowance granted to civil servants in his Department and those institutions, offices and research establishments for which he is responsible, respectively, indicating variations for the different grades of seniority and type of car permitted.

The standard rate of motor mileage allowance payable to an officer who uses his private car on official business depends on the engine capacity of the car and is not affected by the seniority of the officer. The current standard rates applicable in the civil service are shown in the table below: Engine capacity Rate of allowance per mile More than 500 c.c. but less than 1001 c.c. 7.9p 1001 c.c. to 1750 c.c. 9.4p Over 1750 c.c. 10.2p A public transport rate of 3.7p per mile may apply where conditions for payment of the standard rate are not met.

Civil Service rates normally apply in the other bodies covered by the Question but I will arrange for the hon. Member to be informed of any exceptions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider the advisability of establishing an interim relief scheme for ratepayers facing increases of more than 20 per cent. in view of recent announcements of rate poundages by Scottish local authorities.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 4th July.—[Vol. 894, c. 449–450. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what impact the growth of gas for heating purposes is having on electricity consumption; and what monitoring processes in Scotland exist to survey fluctuations in alternative uses of energy and the likely impact which these might have on electricity generation.

Growth in the use of gas for heating purposes has contributed to a small decline in electricity's share of the central heating market. Trends in fuel usage are continuously monitored by the Scottish electricity boards and are taken into account in forecasting future electricity demand and requirements of generating capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review estimates of increase in demand for electricity as a result of the economic situation and the reduced ability of domestic consumers to pay for electricity as a result of the policy to restrict wage increases.

The estimate for 1981–82 which I gave in reply to the hon. Member on 16th June 1975—[Vol. 893, c. 356 ]—took account of expected changes in the relationship between prices and incomes among other relevant factors. The boards' estimates are reviewed annually.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has come to a decision over the SSEB proposal to build a 2,500-MW oil-fired power station at Carriden, Bo'ness, which was the subject of a public inquiry in the spring of 1974.

Not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates have been supplied by the SSEB to his Department of likely generating costs, per unit, for the Inverkip station.

The generating cost per unit at Inverkip power station is expected to be 0.9p at current prices. To this must be added capital and other fixed charges, the unit cost of which will vary with the load factor of operation of the station. At a notional load factory of 50 per cent. this added unit cost would be about 0.3p per unit.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the estimated dates of completion of Hunterston B, Inverkip, and Peterhead power stations; and when they will commence commercial production of electricity.

The boards' latest forecasts are as follows: Commissioning of first generating unit Completion of station Hunterston 'B' … 1975 1976 Inverkip … 1976 1978 Peterhead … 1978 1979

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce the locations for nuclear power stations planned by the SSEB in its expansion programme to 1985–86; what locations are under consideration; and what will be the expected generation capacity of each such station.

I gave statutory consent to the South of Scotland Electricity Board on 5th February 1975 to the use of a site at Torness, East Lothian, for the construction of a steam generating heavy water reactor (SGHWR) power station with an ultimate installed capacity of 5,280 MW. The construction programme for the station has not yet been settled. The board has also applied for consent, under Section 2 of the Electric Lighting Act 1909, to construct a SGHWR power station with an installed capacity of 2,640 MW at

DEATHS BY DROWNING IN SCOTLAND 1973 Accident Suicide Homicide Not specified SCOTLAND … … 120 52 1 67 — — — — Cities: Aberdeen … … 6 2 — 1 Dundee … … 2 1 — 1 Edinburgh … … 5 3 — 1 Glasgow … … 11 8 — 21 Counties (ex cities): Aberdeen … … 4 2 — 1 Angus … … 1 1 — — Argyll … … 10 — — 2 Ayr … … 9 4 — 3 Banff … … 1 1 — 1 Berwick … … 1 — — — Bute … … — — — — Caithness … … 2 2 — — Clackmannan … … — — — — Dumfries … … 1 1 — 1 Dunbarton … … 5 4 — 4 East Lothian … … 1 — — 2 Fife … … 6 6 — 4 Inverness … … 7 — — 2 Kincardine … … — 1 — — Kinross … … 2 — — — Kirkcudbright … … — — — 1 Lanark … … 11 — — 5 Midlothian … … 4 1 — — Moray … … 1 — — — Nairn … … 1 — — — Orkney … … — — — 1 Peebles … … 1 2 — — Perth … … 2 5 — 3 Renfrew … … 5 3 — 3 Ross & Cromarty … … 5 — — 1 Roxburgh … … — 1 — — Selkirk … … 1 — — — Stirling … … 12 1 — 3 Sutherland … … 1 — — — West Lothian … … — 2 1 2 Wigtown … … 1 1 — 3 Zetland … … 1 — — 1

Hunterston. The board necessarily considers many alternatives in looking for sites, but it would be misleading and damaging to both public and private interests to attempt to give a comprehensive list of possible sites under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths by drowning theer were in Scotland i nthe year for which the most up to date statistics are available; and if he will break down the figures by constituencies.

The information is not available by constituencies and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost. The following table shows the number of deaths in Scotland by drowning in 1973, broken down by cities and counties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies have been carried out by his Department and the SSEB to gauge the competiveness of sources of energy for generation of electricity as a preliminary to authorisation of the SSEB's programme for nuclear power and provision of Government finance.

The planning of new generating capacity is undertaken jointly by the two Scottish electricity boards which consider the technical and financial merits of all available alternative methods of meeting the requirements ofg the Scottish system. The detailed report of their joint planning committee is submitted to me with the recommendation of the boards. In reaching a decision I take into account, in consultation with my colleagues, energy policy, any relevant social question and the economic and financial costs and benefits of the project.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the provision of a jetty at Harbour, Isle of Eriskay.

The construction of the proposed new fish landing stage at Acairseid Mhor is a matter for the Islands Council. Seventy-five per cent. grant assistance has been offered for this work, and the council's acceptance is awaited.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of disabled drivers in Scotland who were in receipt of allowance for private cars at the last convenient date; and what was the number at the same date in the previous year.

1,055 and 1,275 at 31st March 1974 and 31st March 1975 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what publications he is making available free to justices of the peace; and if he will make a statement.

I have arranged for coies of a handbook for magistrates to be widely distributed amongst justices undertaking duties in the district courts. New justices receive a short booklet of guidance on their duties, with particular reference to the administration of oaths and the signature of documents. I am keeping under review what further training material might be provided to supplement that developed by the justices' committees which are responsible for the administration of training in their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him for financial assistance for the training schooner "Captain Scott"; and what reply he has sent.

None. The Loch Eil Trustees have advised us of the serious financial difficulties they face in maintaining the adventure training schooner "Captain Scott" in service but they have not asked for an increase in the financial assistance we already give them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the estimated costs of the central Scotland link motorways, the M9 and M876, in midsummer 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975, respectively; and if he can now say when these schemes will start.

£8.2 million, £13.6 million and £17 million. In view of the general need to restrain public spending it is not possible to give a firm date for start of work.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of children in Great Britain and in each English region attended ( a ) full-time and ( b ) part-time nursery education in each year from 1970 to 1974

On the assumption that the relevant population in any given region may be taken to be about one-half of the 1-4 age group, the proportions for the English regions were as given below. These relate to full-time and

FULL-TIME PUPILS Region January 1970 January 1971 January 1972 January 1973 January 1974 North … 3.6 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.3 Yorkshire and Humberside … 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.4 3.3 East Midlands … 2.3 2.9 2.7 2.7 2.6 East Anglia … 1.9 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.7 South East: Greater London … 2.9 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.6 Other South East … 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.0 SouthWest … 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.7 West Midlands … 3.3 3.4 3.6 3.6 3.6 NorthWest … 4.1 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.2

PART-TIME PUPILS Region January 1970 (1) January 1971 January 1972 January 1973 January 1974 North … 0.7 1.8 2.8 3.9 6.0 Yorkshire and Humberside … 0.9 3.6 5.0 5.9 7.5 East Midlands … 0.4 4.1 5.1 5.8 6.9 East Anglia … 0.8 1.8 2.0 2.5 4.9 South East: Greater London … 1.5 6.8 9.1 10.2 10.8 Other South East … 1.2 2.3 2.8 3.1 4.0 SouthWest … 0.4 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.3 West Midlands … 1.1 2.5 3.3 4.0 4.8 North West … 1.4 4.0 5.0 5.7 6.7

Notes:

(1) Nursery schools only.

The percentages are based on the estimated population (half of the 1–4 age group) as at 30th June in each of the preceding years (Source: Registrar-General's estimates).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funds will be made available for continuing work on the building of Bristol Polytechnic in 1976–77.

I cannot yet say, as the programme of polytechnic and other fur-

part-time pupils in maintained nursery schools and in nursery classes in maintained primary schools. Nursery education in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales respectively.

Percentage of the estimated population in full-time and part-time nursery education in schools maintained by local education authorities: full-time and part-time pupils in maintained nursery schools and in nursery classes in maintained primary schools:

ther education building projects to start in 1976–77 is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will send a circular to local authorities, advising them as to how they may best assist school leavers who remain unemployed to make constructive use of their leisure time.

Local education authorities are aware of the problems in their areas and are themselves in the best position to decide how local youth service and other educational facilities can be used for the benefit of unemployed school leavers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the numbers and percentage of children claiming free school meals for each year from 1950.

The following table shows the number of pupils at maintained schools in England and Wales who received free school dinners on a day in the autumn term each year since 1956 and the percentage which these pupils represented of the number of pupils in attendance. Figures for the years before 1956 are not available.

Year Number of pupils receiving free dinners (000s) Percentage of pupils in attendance receiving free dinners 1956 … 216 3.4 1957 … 218 3.5 1958 … 238 3.7 1959 … 254 3.9 1960 … 247 3.8 1961 … 238 3.6 1962 … 260 4.0 1963 … 289 4.5 1964 … 281 4.3 1965 … 308 4.6 1966 … 330 4.8 1967 … 404 5.8 1968* … 841 11.7 1969 … 594 8.0 1970 … 627 8.3 1971 … 805 10.3 1972 … 850 10.7 1973 … 795 9.7 1974 … 750 9.1 * The high figures for 1968 reflect the concession, withdrawn after a year, under which all fourth and subsequent children in a family had entitlement to free school dinners.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many qualified teachers left the service each month in the year up to the date of the implementation of the Houghton pay award; and how many have left the service each month since that date.

The information is not available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effect he estimates the recently announced pay increase of 22.3 per cent. for teachers will have on plans for a 2 per cent. growth in education in the coming year.

I do not expect any consequential change on this account in the planned growth of the education service in real terms between 1975–76 and 1976 77.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to phase out non-denominational voluntary aided schools.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will now introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Scott Committee's Report on Pilotage.

I cannot yet say when it will be possible to introduce legislation to give effect to the main recommendations in the Report of the Steering Committee on Pilotage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the latest available figures for the import and export of waste paper.

During the first half of 1975 imports were 12,000 metric tons and exports 32,000 metric tons.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if there has been any improvement in the prospects for exports of British cars to Japan.

The Japanese market, like those of many other industrialised countries, has been in recession during the last 18 months. Nevertheless, despite a drop in Japan's global imports, British exporters of manufactured goods, in important sectors, have been holding their own with their competitors. As regards motor cars, in the longer term, there is no reason why British exporters should not seize a larger share of the Japanese import market.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade at what annual rate Great Britain's non-oil trade deficit with EEC is now running, on a balance of payments basis.

In the first quarter of 1975, the latest period for which information on a balance of payments basis is available, our non-oil trade deficit with the EEC was at an annual rate of £1,928 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give the number of motor vehicles manufactured within the European Economic Community which were imported into the United Kingdom during the past 10 years, and the value of such imports in sterling; and if he will also give comparable figures for British vehicles exported to those countries over the same period.

The information required is given below. However, I should say that between 1965 and 1974 we have moved from a sizeable surplus to a substantial deficit with the EEC in our car trade.

The information is as follows: Imports Exports Number £'000 cif Number £000 fob 1965 … 51,987 2,5741 221,932 75,092 1966 … 61,799 25,252 173,752 69,502 1967 … 83,387 34,577 167,472 67,597 1968 … 89,310 42,552 235,602 86,712 1969 … 92,815 47,356 251,044 99,760 1970 … 143,449 74,832 236,010 102,066 1971 … 251,442 149,696 247,943 114 445 1972 … 361,208 260,336 233,255 109,492 1973 … 374,321 337,436 267,136 154,555 1974 … 280,555 298,693 193,344 140,862

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority concerning the possibility of its moving staff out of London.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 7th July.—[Vol. 894, c. 13. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will give a general direction to British Airways not to overbook their aircraft deliberately.

This would not be an appropriate matter for a general direction to the board under Section 40(1)( a ) of the Civil Aviation Act 1971, which relates to matters affecting the national interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is aware of the hardship and inconvenience being experienced by British holidaymakers at certain Spanish holiday resorts where accommodation has been double booked; if he will send officials of his Department to Spain to investigate the situation; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend and I are aware of the difficulties which have occurred at certain resorts, and we have arranged to obtain reports from the consulates in the areas affected. I have had a meeting with the Association of British Travel Agents to discuss the position, and the association is also keeping in touch with the Office of Fair Trading. I understand that the Spanish authorities are already taking steps to deal with the situation. Consequently, I do not consider that it would be either helpful or appropriate to take the action the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will appoint, in pursuance of his powers under Section 165 of the Companies Act 1948, inspectors to investigate the affairs of a firm of merchant bankers whose name has been supplied to him, and to report thereon.

No. On the information at present available, there are no grounds on which my right hon. Friend would be justified in exercising his investigatory powers under Section 165 of the Companies Act 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the average annual earnings in exports of the Scottish wool textile industry over the last five years.

1970 1971 Tons 1972 1973 1974 Sperm Oil: Unrefined … 14,114 11,309 7,118 6,402 8,612 Other … N/A (1) N/A (1) N/A (1) 1,997 (2) 2,664

Notes:

(1) Not available.

(2) This heading was introduced on 1st February 1973 and covers 11 months only.

(3) The above figures are classified under SITC (R) 411.1; figures for any processed sperm oil within SITC (R) 431.1 and 431.2 are not separately distinguished.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what share of the domestic market for television sets is currently held by British manufacturers.

The following table shows that the share, for colour and monochrome TV sets combined, in the first five months of 1975 was 85 per cent. by value, or 79 per cent. based on the number of sets sold.

PERCENTAGE SHARE OF UNITED KINGDOM MARKET* FOR TELEVISION SETS HELD BY BRITISH MANUFACTURERS (JANUARY-MAY 1975) … Monochrome Colour Combined By number … 58 87 79 By value … 63 87 85 * The United Kingdom market is defined as British production less exports, plus imports, and ignoring stock changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, what evidence of penetration by Japanese manufacturers into the British television component market he has; and if there is any proof of dumping.

The information is not available as the overseas trade statistics are compiled only for the United Kingdom as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what quantities of sperm whale oil were imported in each year from 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the volume of sperm whale oil imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Following is the information:

Statistics relating to television components generally are not separately recorded, and no information is therefore available about the level of penetration of imports from Japan. However, in the particular case of television tubes, statistics for 1974 show that imports from Japan of monochrome tubes comprised 9.4 per cent. of the home market—United Kingdom production less exports plus imports—while imports from Japan of colour tubes comprised 35.3 per cent. of the home market. Both figures are by quantity.

On the question of dumping, my Department hopes to make an announcement in due course about the outcome of the recent application for anti-dumping action against imports from Japan of colour television tubes. No evidence has been received of dumping of other television components.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the levels of imports from and exports to the EEC of television and electronic equipment this year as compared with last.

Following is the information: £ million January-May 1974 January-May 1975 Imports cif … 140.2 146.2 Exports fob … 114.8 145.5 Television and electronic equipment is defined as Group 724, sub-groups 726.2, 729.3, 729.52, 729.7, 729.93, 729.95, part of sub-group 714.3 and part of sub-group 714.92 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revised).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the approximate number of hotels which have been obliged to close down in the United Kingdom during the past three years; and what steps he has in mind to prevent further closures.

I regret that information about the number of hotels which have been obliged to close down is not available. Government policies for tourism take into account the need to maintain the future prosperity of the hotel industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in connection with his new proposals to endeavour to divert tourists into non-traditional and less wealthy districts, he will ensure that no damage is done to those localities in which a substantial number of hotels are already established and finding it difficult to survive.

The Government's tourism policy has the twin objectives of sustaining and improving the existing flows of visitors to the traditional tourism areas while at the same time bringing the profits of tourism to new and non-traditional areas, many of which have much to offer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement on his discussions with the Ceylon Association.

These discussions are continuing, and will now need to take account of the Sri Lanka Government's plans to nationalise all foreign-owned estates, of which details are not yet available. My right hon. Friend will inform the House of the outcome when his dis- cussions with the association have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what safety regulations have been implemented since the loss of the trawler "Gaul"; and if he will make a statement.

The Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules, which came into force on 1st May 1975, were strengthened at the drafting stage in respect of arrangements to enable water to clear from the deck. The Merchant Shipping (Radio) (Fishing Vessels) Rules, which came into force on 1st January 1975, represent a significant increase in safety communications in fishing vessels.

Consultations have also taken place with the fishing industry on the coverage and effectiveness of position reporting schemes for deep sea and inshore fishing vessels.

I should also like to take this opportunity to report on the progress of the long-range alerting and locating systems for maritime emergencies which I announced in January. The evaluation phase has now been completed and a contractor has been selected to proceed with a project definition study. I hope to be able to report on the outcome early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value of rabbits imported for food from Australia and China, respectively, during each of the last three years.

Following is the information:* £000 cif 1972 1973 1974 Australia … 527 661 401 China … 2,194 3,061 3,774 * Excluding live imports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the visit of the Minister of State to Dublin to discuss the Irish Republic's Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill 1975.

My noble Friend visited Dublin on 2nd July at the invitation of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, not to discuss the Irish Republic's Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill, but to review possibilities as regards the rebroadcasting of a BBC channel in the Irish Republic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances members of boards of visitors may be invited to adjudicate in matters relating to prison discipline.

The circumstances in which a board of visitors may be called upon to adjudicate are set out in Rules 51 and 52 of the Prison Rules 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now consider reviewing the rôle and responsibilities of boards of visitors to prison establishments.

We have at present nothing to add to the reply given to a similar Question from my hon. Friend on 10th June.—[Vol. 893, c. 114. ]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what length of time a member of a board of visitors may remain on that board.

There is no statutory limit on the length of time an individual member may remain on a board, but it is our general policy not to reappoint a member who has reached the age of 70.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how members of boards of visitors to prison establishments are selected.

Members of boards of visitors are Secretary of State's appointments. Nominations are already received from a variety of sources, but my right hon. Friend is anxious to broaden the range from which they come.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the mileage allowance granted to civil servants in his Department and those institutions, offices and research establishments for which he is responsible, respectively, indicating variations for the different grades of seniority and type of car permitted.

The standard rates of mileage allowance, payable to all officers, other than part-time medical officers, who necessarily use their private motor cars on official business, are: (1) (2) Engine cubic capacity Pence a mile 500–1000 c.c. 7.9 1001–1750 c.c. 9.4 over 1750 c.c. 10.2

A public transport rate of 3.7p a mile, based on the average cost of travel by public transport, may be payable where a car is used instead of public transport for journeys which do not attract the standard rate.

These rates apply irrespective of grade or seniority.

A flat-rate of 9.4p a mile is paid to part-time medical officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will inquire into the incidence of political violence in Great Britain during the past two years.

We are not convinced that a general inquiry is needed; but any specific incident which my hon. Friend raises with me will be investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give an estimate for the United Kingdom of the cost in a full financial year of reducing hours in the fire service to 40 per week; and what is his estimate of the additional firemen required.

I understand that the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades has under consideration the resumption of discussions on the feasibility of a 40-hour week for the fire service in the light of the Government's White Paper "The Attack on Inflation". Pending the outcome of the council's deliberations it would he premature to attempt to estimate the cost or manpower implications of a 40-hour week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place in each of the past five years against people failing to pay television licences; and how many of those prosecuted were over 65 years of age.

Following are the figures for the last five years of prosecutions for the offence of unlicensed use of television: 1969–70 … … … 50,717 1970–71 … … … 47,569 1971–72 … … … 48,198 1972–73 … … … 63,231 1973–74 … … … 54,359

Separate figures relating to people over 65 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, by how many the Cheshire Police Force is under authorised establishment.

On 30th June 1975, 105 below an authorised establishment of 1,770.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the penalties referred to by him in his answer to Oral Question No. 54 in relation to civil servants, dated 14th July 1975, to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West cover the disclosure of information concerning office routine.

Yes, provided the disclosure is unauthorised. The maximum penalties are prescribed in the Act but, within those limits, the penalty to be imposed in an individual case is a matter for the courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have been repatriated annually under Section 90 of the Mental Health Act 1959 for the years 1959 to 1975.

I have been asked to reply.

The section came into force on 1st November 1960. The figures for that and subsequent years are: 1960 … … … … 9 1961 … … … … 14 1962 … … … … 15 1963 … … … … 17 1964 … … … … 9 1965 … … … … 6 1966 … … … … 8 1967 … … … … 8 1968 … … … … 9 1969 … … … … 3 1970 … … … … 8 1971 … … … … 7 1972 … … … … 6 1973 … … … … 13 1974 … … … … 9 1975 … … … … 4

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, under the new complaints procedure, he will allow the Police Federation to use its funds to assist constables bringing prosecutions under the Criminal Law Act 1967 in respect of malicious complaints.

I am considering sympathetically a Police Federation proposal for a relaxation of the restrictions on the use of its funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South may expect a reply to her letter of 3rd June about complaints made by Mr. H. M. Jones.

My noble Friend the Minister of State replied on 24th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now issue an up to date and revised edition of Home Office Note No. 2 dealing with fire precautions in old persons' homes, as suggested by the committee of inqury into the fire at Fairfield Home, Edwalton, Nottinghamshire (Command Paper No. 6149).

Revised guidance is being prepared and will be issued as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to introduce legislation to require a car owner to be responsible for the payment of fixed penalty tickets for parking and other motoring offences, regardless of whether he was driving his car at the time the offence occurred; and in particular, whether he proposes that the owner be responsible for paying for a ticket issued while the car was in the hands of a thief.

I would refer the hon. Member to Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1974, which will come into force on 1st September 1975, and provides for vehicle owners to be liable, in addition to the drivers, for certain minor stationary road traffic offences where a fixed penalty notice has been issued but the fixed penalty not paid. Section 1(5) provides that the owner shall not be liable if it is proved that at the time the offence is alleged to have been committed the vehicle was in the possession of some other person without his consent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the future use of Bela River Prison in Westmorland.

We are in course of disposing of our interest in the property in accordance with the normal procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the entry to this country of children joining a lone parent who is resident here.

If both parents are living, a child is ordinarily allowed to join one parent here only when that parent has had the sole responsibility for the child's upbringing, or when family or other considerations make exclusion undesirable and suitable arrangements have been made for the child's care. Cases in the latter category are considered on their individual merits, but children under 11 are allowed to join a single-parent fairly readily provided that there is suitable accommodation and, if the parent is the father, there is a female relative resident in the household who is willing to look after the child and is capable of doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what information he has received from the boat-building industry on the effects that have followed from the imposition of the 25 per cent. rate of value added tax on boats.

My right hon. Friend has so far received no information from the industry clearly indicating the effects of the imposition of the 25 per cent. VAT rate.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will introduce legislation to separate into two public corporations the telecommunications and the postal divisions of the Post Office Corporation.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will summarise the main differences between the proposals contained in the EEC Commission draft Directive on Aids to Shipbuilding dated 7th May 1975 and the decision taken by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 10th July 1975.

The main differences are as follows: (i) Article 2.3, which sets out the information on State aids to shipbuilding to be given to the Commission, has been amended to make it more precise and to make clear that the Commission will not 371 disclose the information but will use it as a basis for overall reports to be discussed with the member States. (ii) Articles 4 and 5, which provide for the Commission to be informed of State aids to investment and rescue operations for firms in difficulty, have been amended to make clear that they apply to companies engaged in the building, repair and conversion of ships.

The text agreed by the Council of Ministers will be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. I am placing copies in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the level of output of television sets in Great Britain during the latest available three-monthly period as compared with the same months of the last three years.

The following table shows the information.

PRODUCTION OF TELEVISION SETS '000 Period/Year Monochrome Colour Total March-May 1972 430 358 788 March-May 1973 296 526 822 March-May 1974 205 529 734 March-May 1975 123 458 581

Source: British Radio Equipment Manufacturer's Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give a general direction to the Post Office not to end the practice of delivering mail to the door of all houses in view of the inconvenience and hardship this proposal would cause, particularly to the elderly and infirm.

No. The Post Office would need to consult the Post Office Users' National Council about any such proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total of steel imported, as a percentage of total United Kingdom annual consumption.

, pursuant to his reply [ Official Report, 21st July 1975; Vol. 896, c. 30 ], gave the following additional information:

Listed below are the import percentages of finished steel firstly to estimated United Kingdom consumption of steel annually from 1970 to 1974, and for the first quarter 1975, secondly to deliveries of steel to United Kingdom consumers and merchants intended for United Kingdom consumption and thirdly to such deliveries irrespective of the final destination of the steel. The percentages for these last two measures are given also for April 1975. These percentages, which relate to finished steel only, exclude all steel for finishing, and are, therefore, lower than those given in my answer of 21st July which related to imports of both finished steel and steel for finishing.

IMPORTS OF FINISHED STEEL AS A PERCENTAGE OF Total deliveries to United Kingdom consumers and merchants United Kingdom consumption Net of exports by consumers and merchants All deliveries 1970 … 5.80 5.61 5.45 1971 … 8.44 8.88 8.78 1972 … 12.79 12.81 12.71 1973 … 13.59 12.98 12.66 1974 … 18.71 17.87 17.45 1975: Quarter 1 … 20.38 19.45 18.92 April … Not available 17.12 16.94

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she is satisfied that arrangements are adequate to prevent the use of harmful and poisonous substances in the manufacture of children's soft toys offered for sale in the United Kingdom.

My Department is urgently considering, with the Laboratory of the Government Chemist and the British Standards Institution, whether any action can be taken to prevent a recurrence of the recent tragic accident in which a child died from cyanide fumes given off when the acrylic fibres in her teddy bear smouldered. I am advised that there are considerable technical problems to overcome before a substance suitable for use in soft toys can be found which has the same good flame-resistant qualities as acrylics, and at the same time is less likely to give off toxic fumes.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will take steps to ensure that potentially dangerous toys are not imported into the United Kingdom; and if she will outline the present procedures for checking such imports.

It would be impracticable to control the safety of imported consumer products, including toys, at the point of importation. But importers, like other traders, are liable to prosecution if they sell toys which do not comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she is now able to announce a date when the relevant portions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 will be brought into operation so as to enable an individual as of right to obtain from a credit reference agency a copy of any file held by it on him, and to require the correction of any wrong information.

Preparatory work—including detailed consultations with representative bodies of consumers and the credit industry—on the necessary regulations is nearing completion; my right hon. Friend expects to make the regulations to come into operation at the turn of the year. In the meantime, and in advance of the regulations, I hope and have every reason to believe that the main credit reference agencies are willing to help consumers who think their files may contain incorrect information.