asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will arrange with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to be consulted in future if they propose to remove religious symbols from the graves of Jewish Service men, killed on active service.

I am satisfied with the existing extent of consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether religious symbols have been removed from the graves of Jewish Service men killed on active service in graveyards in Iraq other than the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery; and, if so, then where, when and in what circumstances.

Yes. Four each have been removed from Mosul and Basra cemeteries and one from Kut. They were removed at the same time and for the same reasons as those in Baghdad.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether religious symbols have been removed from the graves of Jewish Service men killed on active service in graveyards in countries other than Iraq; and if so, then where, when and in what circumstances.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the names and who were the next of kin of the Jewish ex-Service men killed on active service, whose bodies were buried in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq, and whose headstones marked with the Star of David were removed and whose graves are no longer to be marked with the Jewish religious symbol.

I will write to my hon. and learned Friend and give details of the graves concerned. I cannot, however, give particulars of the next-of-kin as this would be contrary to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's practice. It is the commission's intention to replace the headstones bearing the Jewish religious symbol when practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in cases where it is intended to remove the Jewish religious symbol from the graves of Jewish Service men killed on active service, he will consult with the Chief Rabbi, the Senior Jewish Chaplain to the Forces and the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen.

No. I cannot see any practical point in such consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations have been made formally to the Iraqi authorities during the past five years concerning vandalism at Baghdad North Gate War Cemetery through diplomatic channels; with what results; and whether such representations included specific protests at the vandalising of graves of Jewish ex-Service men killed on active service.

Representations were made in 1970 and 1973 and, as a result, the police increased their surveillance of the cemetery. No distinction was made between Jewish and other graves.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations have been made informally to the Iraqi authorities during the past five years concerning vandalism at Baghdad North Gate War Cemetery through diplomatic channels; with what result; and whether such representations included specific protests at the vandalising of graves of Jewish ex-Service men killed on active service.

Representations were made in 1972 which resulted in increased police surveillance of the cemetery. No distinction was made between Jewish and other graves.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations have been made formally to the Iraqi authorities during the past years concerning vandalism at Baghdad North Gate War Cemetery through other than diplomatic channels; with what results; and whether such representations included specific protests at the vandalising of graves of Jewish ex-Service men killed on active service;

(2) what representations have been made informally to the Iraqi authorities during the past five years concerning vandalism at Baghdad North Gate War Cemetery through other than diplomatic channels; with what results; and whether such representations included specific protests at the vandalising of graves of Jewish ex-Service men killed on active service.

All incidents of vandalism were reported to the police, which resulted in increased surveillance of the cemetery. The representations to the Iraqi authorities did not differentiate between Jewish and other graves.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the temporary markers replacing the headstones with the Jewish religious symbol on the graves of Jewish ex-Service men in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery were marked with the Jewish religious symbol.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what quarterly dates the War Graves Commission kept the question of the failure to mark the graves of Jewish ex-Service men with a Jewish religious symbol under quarterly review.

The question was kept under review on the following dates1971, 1st April, 4th November; 1972, 11th May. 9th November, 1st December; 1973, 7th June, 4th July, 12th October; 1974, 2nd January, 6th March, 29th June, 25th September; 1975, 1st February, 1st April.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he was informed of the decisions of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission referred to in his letter dated 15th July 1975 and addressed to the hon. Member for Leicester, West.

May 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Commonwealth War Graves Commission decided that it would be impracticable for the permanent headstones marking the graves of Jewish ex-Service men killed on active service to bear the Jewish religious emblem.

No such general decision has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many UDR uniforms have been stolen from UDR barracks; and how many have been recovered.

It would not be practicable to maintain records of uniforms lost or stolen. These uniforms can in any case be purchased commercially.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total sum from Government funds expended over the last 20 years to keep works of art by United Kingdom artists and by foreign artists, respectively in the United Kingdom.

This information is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the school building programmes for 1976–77.

I am about to issue a circular, jointly with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, informing local education authorities that the total value of starts to, he authorised in 1976–77 for projects at primary and secondary schools and for special schools and nursery education will be£186 million for England and Wales.

1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 Number of cases considered … … 8,862 6,774 7,813 9,653 8,934 9,846 9,877 Number granted … … 1,157 1,835 2,201 2,956 2,915 3,328 3,502

The figures for 1968 include the backlog of prisoners who were immediately eligible on 1st April, the date on which the scheme commenced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to the police advising them to render assistance to a householder seeking to obtain the re-possession of his home when this has been occupied by squatters.

In each individual case, the police have to take account of the particular circumstances as well as of the law governing recovery of possession. I recognise the importance of the

The main allocations to individual authorities will be announced shortly thereafter.

Within the total,£25 million will be set aside specifically for assisting the development of a fully comprehensive system of secondary education, and the circular will invite authorities, in cases where reorganisation could not otherwise take place or could not be fully effective, to submit specific projects capable of quick completion for consideration against this sum.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied that current stocks of domestic coal are sufficient to last through the winter.

I am advised that stocks of domestic coal are adequate to meet normal winter demand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners applied for and how many were granted appeals in each of the years since the parole system commenced.

The information is as follows:

problem, but I do not think it would be appropriate for me to offer blanket guidance along the lines suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the proposal announced by the Horserace Betting Levy Board on 24th July to increase prize money allocation to horse-racing subject to the establishment by 30th November 1975 of appropriate negotiating machinery which would enable a minimum wage scale for stable staff to be negotiated by 1st June 1976 has been approved by him in accordance with Section 25 of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act; and on what date the application for his approval was received by his department.

A comprehensive scheme for payments by the board, including the payment of contributions towards prize money, was approved by our predecessors in May 1970 under Section 25(2) ( d ) of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, authority being given in the Instrument of Approval for the payments to be made subject to such terms and conditions as the board in its discretion thought fit. No further approval was, therefore, required, or sought, for the schemes announced by the board on 24th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of letters to Members of Parliament from prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons which have been stopped by the prison authorities in each of the past five years.

I regret that the information is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-metropolitan district councils have a a council with more than 60 members; and if he will list these councils and the size of the electorate.

Fifteen. Details are as follows: Non-metropolitan district and the size of the Provisional 1975 electorate Bristol … 312,924 Chester … 84,776 Dacorum … 87,165 Durham … 63,164 Elmbridge … 84,911 Kingston upon Hull … 204,278 Langbaurgh … 106,312 Macclesfield … 105,821 Newcastle-under-Lyme … 89,996 Plymouth … 171,542 South Oxfordshire … 95,999 Stoke-on-Trent … 194,266 Thanet … 93,160 Waverley … 79,680 Woodspring … 107,924

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the total numbers for England and Wales of members of ( a ) county councils, ( b ) metropolitan district councils and ( c ) non-metropolitan district councils, and the estimated number of members of each council which is expected following the review of local government electoral arrangements.

In England, there are 3,729 county councillors, 2,514 metropolitan district councillors, and 13,583 non-metropolitan district councillors, and in Wales, 578 county councillors and 1,521 district councillors. At this stage of the initial review of electoral arrangements by the Local Government Boundary Commissions, it is not possible to estimate the numbers of councillors in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many metropolitan district councils currently have a council membership of more than 80 members; and if he will list these councils and the size of the electorate.

Seven. Details are as follows: Metropolitan district and the size of the Provisional 1975 electorate Birmingham … … … 771,636 Bradford … … … 327,257 Leeds … … … 539,882 Liverpool … … … 416,138 Manchester … … … 361,031 Sandwell … … … 238,230 Sheffield … … … 421,692

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following the increase of fees for the licensing of gaming clubs, bingo halls and public house slot machines, he will consider a review of the licensing fees which are payable under the Licensing Act 1964, in particular the fees paid for the grant of a justice licence, the transfer of such licence, a protection order, the extension of public house hours and an occasional liquor licence.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the current procedures for investigating complaints about the conduct of prison officers; and how long such an investigation takes from the receipt of a complaint to its conclusions.

In general, yes. The speed with which inquiries can be completed varies according to the circumstances of the particular case, some of which may be outside the Department's control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest figure for the number of people in prison; what is the number of people for which the prison accommodation available is designed; and what proposals he has to redress the present imbalance between the figures contained in the answers to the first and second parts of the Question by means other than those indicated in his answer of 3rd July, column 537.

In mid-July, the certified normal accommodation of prison service establishments in England and Wales was 35,782 and the population was 40,804. Some 1,000 additional places are expected to become available during the current financial year and a total of 5,400 extra places would be provided by the expenditure forecast in the White Paper on Public Expenditure to 1978–79 (Cmnd. 5879). In the shorter term, and consistently with essential requirements for local court services, treatment and security, vigorous measures are being taken to bring all available accommodation and other resources into fullest possible use so as to maintain tolerable conditions in spite of inevitable overcrowding. My right hon. Friend is also pursuing a variety of measures designed to reduce the prison population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps were or will be taken to bring to the attention of licence holders, in the area affected by the destruction of the television transmitter serving the southern part of County Down, their right to receive a refund of their licence fee if the licence was issued on or after 1st January 1975.

None. Each individual application is considered on its merits. As I said in the answer which I gave to a Question by the right hon. Member on 26th June, the circumstances in which refunds of a licence fee are given are strictly limited. Any application made for a refund would, of course, be looked at most carefully.—[Vol. 894, cols. 229–230.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the latest available estimate of the cost of the proposed M16 motorway.

The cost of each of the three sections of the M16 motorway, which will in due course be renumbered as, and form part of, M25, is currently estimated as follows: A10-M11 section£32,307,000 At March 1974 prices. M11-A12 section£10,818,000 At March 1974 prices. A12-A13 Section£23,700,000 At November 1974 prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to permit local authorities to engage in any commercial activities they desire.

I sympathise with the general objectives which have prompted my hon. Friend's Question, and will keep in mind the possibility of giving local authorities wider powers when a legislative opportunity offers itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up an inquiry to examine ways in which council tenants can be given greater opportunities to manage their own housing estates.

Tenant participation is already the subject of various research projects which my Department has promoted or is associated with. The subject is also being considered by the Working Party on Housing Co-operatives I appointed last autumn. More positive steps to involve council tenants in the management of their housing estates will be considered as part of the Department's work on housing management generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which are the top 10 councils paying rate rebates; how

Council Average Rebate Total cost of Rebates Number of Recipients £ £ Haringey London Borough Council … … 31.68 260,222 8,214 Bromley London Borough Council … … 30.04 258,406 8,602 Stratford-on-Avon District Council … … 29.29 145,000 4,950 Tower Hamlets London Borough Council … … 28.81 64,739 2,247 East Hertfordshire District Council … … 28.76 81,446 2,832 Camden Borough Council … … 28.66 153,901 5,369 Bury Metropolitan District Council … … 28.38 240,779 8,483 Thamesdown Borough Council … … 28.17 206,903 7,344 South Bedfordshire District Council … … 27.79 108,423 3,902 Manchester City Council … … 27.44 653,796 23,826

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ratepayers in the Tendring District Council of North East Essex are drawing rate rebates; and what is the cost of these rate rebates to the council and to the Government.

In 1974–5, 10,448 ratepayers in Tendring received rebates totalling£425,277. 90 per cent. of the cost£382,749—will be reimbursed by the Government and the remaining£42,528 will be borne by the district and county councils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ratepayers are now drawing rate rebates; how many officials are employed in the administration of these rate rebates; and what is the total cost of rate rebates in England and Wales.

In 1974–5, about 2½million ratepayers in England and Wales received rebates totalling over£85 million. The scheme is administered by local authorities and I do not know how many of their officials are involved. In my Department, the civil service input amounts annually to no more than a quarter of a man year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many councils in England and Wales operate concessionary fares for the elderly; what is the total cost of these concessionary fares; what is the average cost per coun-

much they are paying, respectively, in rate rebate; and how many rate rebates they are paying.

If the hon. Member has in mind those councils which have granted the highest average rate rebate, the information in respect of the period April to September 1974 is as follows:

cil; and how much of the cost to each council is paid by the Government.

Local authorities' powers to offer concessionary bus fares for elderly, blind and disabled people are entirely discretionary, and comprehensive information on such schemes is not available. However, it is estimated that between 260 and 300 councils in England and Wales operate schemes, at a total cost in 1974–5 of some£35 million. The cost is relevant expenditure for the purposes of rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will propose requiring public toilet facilities to be made available in museums and art galleries.

Public toilet facilities are available in all national museums and art galleries. Their provision in local museums and galleries is a matter for local decision in the light of the circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the compulsory wearing of seat belts in coaches; and if he will make a statement.

I have received several representations suggesting that there should be a requirement to fit seat belts in coaches. I am considering this and other possible methods of protecting passengers from injury.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what account he took in drawing up his consultative document of 6th January of the views of the Automobile Association on the proposal to include in the revised Traffic Signs Regulations signs for with-flow bus lanes which will allow only 12 hour or 24 hour operation;

(2) what account he took in drawing up his consultative document of 6th January of the views of the Greater London Council on the proposal to include in the revised Traffic Signs Regulations signs for with-flow bus lanes which will allow only 12 hour or 24 hour operation;

(3) what account he took in drawing up his consultative document on 6th January of the views of the Metropolitan Police on the proposal to include in the revised Traffic Signs Regulations signs for with-flow bus lanes which will allow only 12 hour or 24 hour operation;

(4) what account he took in drawing up his consultative document of 6th January of the views of the Association of Municipal Authorities on the proposal to include in the revised Traffic Signs Regulations signs for with-flow bus lanes which will allow only 12 hour or 24 hour operation.

The decision to prescribe in the forthcoming regulations signs for 24 and 12 hour working was taken after weighing the many conflicting views expressed by a wide range of bodies. My right hon. Friend is aware that some favour peak-period operation and local authorities wishing to operate with-flow bus lanes for periods of less than 12 hours are free to apply for authorisation of an appropriate sign. In the meantime, thought will be given to the desirability of prescribing a peak-hour sign in amending regulations in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Departmental investigation into the number of lanes required for the proposed M20 Mid-Kent motorway was started; when it was completed; and when he will make a further announcement about the next stage of this road.

As I said in an Adjournment Debate on 30th April, review of standards to which the M20 should be built was put in hand following decision to defer the Channel Tunnel. Review has not yet been concluded, but my right hon. Friend will make announcements on this and other outstanding matters relating to this motorway as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of local enactments making it an offence for horse riders to make use of grass verges alongside highways if regularly mown, and his decision that grass verges are no longer to be mown, he intends to introduce any proposals for clarifying the rights of horse riders in the new situation.

No. The provisions of such local enactments are intended to protect amenity areas on highway verges. It is for the highway authorities concerned to decide whether or not specific lengths of verge need continued protection. So far as trunk roads are concerned, although cutting as a general practice has been abandoned, it will continue to be carried out in special circumstances which may include the preservation of amenity in urban areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the team of officials which produced the long-term strategy report for East Anglia did not consult the East Anglian Regional Health Authority about the region's future needs for health services.

The long-term strategy report for East Anglia, entitled "Stategic Choice for East Anglia", was prepared by an independent team drawn from central and local government. Its work was supervised by a joint committee set up by the East Anglia Economic Planning Council and the East Anglia Consultative Committee, representing the local planning authorities. Decisions as to consultation were a matter for the director of the team, who was entirely independent, and my right hon. Friend cannot answer for the director's decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give an assurance that any proposals that he may be intending to make during the next few weeks on economy cuts affecting matters which fall within the responsibility of his Department will be made before the House of Commons adjourns for the Summer Recess and that this will be done if only on the basis of advising the House of Commons of his intentions if full and complete details of same are not available by the commencement of the recess.

I would always inform the House at the earliest opportunity of any new proposals of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of all the motorway and major road improvement schemes (1) under construction, (2) with consent given and (3) planned for completion by 1980, in the county of Cheshire.

Following is the information:

Trunk road and motorway schemes now under construction are the Chester southern by-pass and the M6 Sandbach service area.

Planning permission is not required for motorway and trunk road schemes, since the enforcement provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 are not binding on the Crown. Subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures under the Highways Acts 1959–1971 and the continuing availability of funds, the following schemes are planned for completion by the end of 1980: M56 Hapsford to Lea by Backford; A51 Chester to Tarvin; A54 Kelsall by-pass; A483 Chester Southern by-pass to the Welsh Border; A523 Macclesfield inner relief road; A5117 Dualling Lea by Backford to A550.

All schemes on non-trunk roads are the responsibility of the appropriate local highway authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the recent payments to W. & C. French Ltd. under the Highways Act 1959 are the first such payments made to a firm in the private sector under the provisions of the Act; and if not, whether he will give details of preceding payments.

No. The Department has made loans and grants to 25 other contractors, amounting to some£3.7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a ministerial reply to the Report of the Select Committee on Dockland Redevelopment.

My right hon. Friend intends to present his reply to the House in the form of a White Paper very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the motorway building programme over the next five years.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bath (Sir E. Brown) on Wednesday 2nd July.—[Vol. 894, c. 472. ]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered making mandatory the use of high-intensity rear-lights on cars for use in fog.

We are currently discussing with the other member States of the European Community whether the fitting of high intensity rear fog lights should be left optional, made obligatory or prohibited.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what specific factors he attributes the increase of 1,000 in the staff of the Building Research Establishment between 1st July 1974 and 1st July 1975, in view of the fact that it had remained constant between 1st July 1971 and 1st July 1974.

The difference was 101, not 1,000. Total Building Research Establishment strength rose from 1,203 on 1st July 1974 to 1,304 a year later. Industrial staff increased in that period by 44 from 275 to 319, and non-industrial staff by 57 from 928 to 985. Industrial staff have fluctuated between 275 and 319 since 1971, according to varying practical needs arising from the research programme. Non-industrial strength in 1973 and 1974 was considerably lower than planned because of recruitment difficulties. As these diminished, staff strength was increased to the extent needed to meet a growing load of necessary work.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the importance of a future Ipswich bypass in furthering trade with Europe, through the Haven Ports, he will apply for an EEC grant to aid construction, with money provided under current or future regional arrangements.

Grants under the EEC Regional Development Fund are available only to assisted areas. The Ipswich Bypass would not therefore be eligible.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development what assistance has been given to the Government of the Malagasy Republic for the purpose of developing that country's chrome ore resources.

None.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will consider

£ million 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 United Kingdom private investment overseas … … 780 848 1,393 1,623 1,244 of which; unremitted profits … … 321 329 467 847 903 Foreign currency borrowing to finance private investment overseas … … 306 484 986 860 420* *Provisional.

immediate aid to relieve the suffering and starvation among refugees in Angola.

I am urgently and carefully considering the appeal made by the International Committee of the Red Cross for a contribution towards the cost of sending three Red Cross medical teams to Angola.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much capital was invested abroad for the last five years, respectively, to the latest convenient date.

The table below gives figures for United Kingdom private investment overseas in the years 1970 to 1974; information by category of investment is given on page 87 of the June issue of Economic Trends. Included in these figures, and shown in the second line of the table, is that part of the profits of United Kingdom companies' overseas branches and subsidiaries which is retained overseas for use in the business; the balance of private investment overseas is very largely financed by overseas borrowing which appears as an inflow elsewhere in the account. The third line of the table gives figures for such borrowing.

Timing and other discrepancies mean that the investment and borrowing figures are not precisely comparable; fuller, though less up-to-date, details are given in table 25 of the "Pink Book" (United Kingdom Balance of payments 1963–73); the issue covering the years 1964 to 1974 will be published early in September. But it is clear from the table that the charge on the balance of payments represented by private capital invested abroad is relatively small.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish details of the terms of reference, the research methods to be employed, the estimated cost and expected duration of the project financed by the Department into the effects of aircraft noise upon health to be carried out by the Medical Research Council.

The study is being carried out by the Institute of Psychiatry, London, on the effects of aircraft noise on the health of communities near airports. It was commenced in October 1973 and may take up to five years to complete at a total cost of£200,000 at 1973 prices. The institute is responsible for the design of the research and the methods to be used in carrying it out, and I am not in a position to provide details on these matters in advance of its report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will advise the Medical Research Council to receive evidence from interested members of the public in the course of its research into the effects of aircraft noise upon health.

The Medical Research Council considered the problem of this research in considerable depth before it decided to ask the Institute of Psychiatry to undertake it. That body must now be left free to carry it out in the manner which it considers most likely to enable valid conclusions to be drawn, and it would he improper for me to give it advice on this.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many refuge centres for battered wives there are in Wales; and how many places have been provided at each centre in each year since 1970.

There are at present no refuge centres in Wales providing specifically for wives who have been the victims of violence in marriage. I understand that the Cardiff Women's Aid Group intends shortly to open a refuge in Cardiff and that the North Wales Women's Aid Group is planning the establishment of one in Colwyn Bay. Each of these is planned to accommodate some five or six women with their children.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans she has for hospital closures and health service cuts.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Pardoe) on 29th April. [Vol. 891 c. 74–6. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will give an assurance that any proposals that she may be intending to make during the next few weeks on economy cuts affecting matters which fall within the responsibility of her Department will be made before the House of Commons adjourns for the Summer Recess and that this will be done if only on the basis of advising the House of Commons of her intentions if full and complete details of same are not available by the commencement date of the recess.

I have nothing to say in advance of Government decisions on this year's Public Expenditure Survey.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made towards the development of King George Hospital as the district general hospital in the Ilford area; and if she will make a statement.

Improvements to King George Hospital, Ilford, have included a new accident and emergency department which opened late in 1974; upgrading of operating theatres will start this year. Further consideration of the long-term plan for a district general hospital will have to be undertaken in the light of the resources available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her latest estimate of the proportion of people over the age of 65 years living in Eastbourne; and what were the comparable figures in each of the last five years.

The estimates are as follows: per cent. 1971 … … … … 27.8 1972 … … … … 28.5 1973 … … … … 29.0 1974 … … … … 29.1 (provisional)

Comparable figures for earlier years are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her latest estimate of the the proportion of people living in Eastbourne parliamentary constituency over the age of 65 years; and whether there are any other constituencies with a higher proportion of such people.

30.4 per cent. on April 26th 1971, according to the Census of Population. The only constituency with a higher proportion was Worthing, with 33.9 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of unemployment benefit in the case of 750 adult workers married with three children of school age, where the average earnings were£40 a week, so far as earnings related benefit is concerned and social security payments thereafter.

The cost would depend on the circumstances of the families, including, for example, the level of rent and whether the wives were working. However, if the men were all unemployed continuously for a year, the cost of unemployment benefit and supplementary allowances in the year might be about£1 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that there is no danger that the£6 restriction on wage or salary increases may be evaded by means of changes in the description of a person's employment.

I am sure that the vast majority of people will accept the voluntary policy set out in the White Paper "The Attack on Inflation" (Cmnd. 6151).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures for the Hull area; what is the total number of unfilled vacancies notified at the latest available date; and if he will give the corresponding figures for 12 months ago.

The following table shows information for the Hull Employment Office area. The vacancy statistics relate only to vacancies notified to employment offices and careers offices and are not a measure of total vacancies: HULL Number of notified unfilled vacancies Number unemployed Employment office Careers office July 1975 … 10,625 525 448 July 1974 … 5,998 1,320 1,340

Because of possible duplication, the vacancy figures for employment offices and careers offices should not be added together.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why there has been a delay in the setting up of a Hertfordshire District Manpower Committee; and when it is now proposed to establish this.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that delay has arisen because the commission was anxious to consult the various organisations with an interest in employment and training questions on the nomination of chairmen and members. It is hoped that the committees will become operational in September/October.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present rate of unemployment in the city of Chester.

On 14th July 1975, the rate of unemployment for the Chester Employment Office area was 6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many school leavers are at present unemployed in the city of Chester.

On 14th July 1975, 143 school leavers, aged under 18, were unemployed in the Chester Employment Office area.

UNEMPLOYED BY AGE GROUPS ON 14TH JULY 1975 Males Females Under 18 18 to 54 55 and over Total Under 18 18 to 54 55 and over Total Bexhill Employment Office 3 138 211 352 1 34 6 41 Hailsham Employment Office 7 100 85 192 3 17 2 22 Rye Employment Office — 36 54 90 2 17 1 20 Bexhill Careers Office 6 — — 6 6 — — 6

The figures include two boys and two girls, aged under 18, who are school-leavers registered at the Bexhill Careers Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many youths under the age of 18 years are at present unemployed in the Hull area; and what was the figure for the month of October in each of the years since 1970.

pursuant to his reply [ Official Report, 9th July 1975, Vol. 895, c. 184] gave the following information:

NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED YOUNG PEOPLE, AGED UNDER 18, IN THE HULL EMPLOYMENT OFFICE AREA. Boys Girls July 1975 … 372 278 July 1974 … 111 60 July 1973 … 124 75 July 1972 … 277 143 July 1971 … 269 82 July 1970 … 138 49

UNEMPLOYED IN THE AREA COVERED BY THE ASTON, BIRMINGHAM, HANDSWORTH, SELLY OAK, SMALL HEATH, SUTTON COLDFIELD AND WASHWOOD HEATH EMPLOYMENT OFFICES Males Females Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over July 1970 … … … 317 10,652 126 1,796 July 1971 … … … 622 17,902 196 2,459 July 1972 … … … 837 20,036 394 2,981 July 1973 … … … 326 13,066 162 2,043 July 1974 … … … 358 12,801 183 2,001 July 1975 … … … 1,402 25,051 846 5,726

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males and females were registered as unemployed at the Bexhill, Hailsham and Rye employment exchanges on 15th July 1975; and how many of these were over 55 years of age, under 18 years of age and school leavers, respectively.

pursuant to his reply [ Official Report, 18th July 1975; Vol. 895, c. 621 ], gave the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many adult men and women are now registered as unemployed in the city of Birmingham; and how many were unemployed during the corresponding month in 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971 and 1970;

(2) how many adolescent boys and girls are now registered as unemployed in the city of Birmingham, during the most recent month for which figures are available, and the corresponding month in 1974.

pursuant to his reply [ Official Report, 9th July 1975, Vol. 895, c. 181–2] gave the following information:

steps the Government is taking, or proposing to take, to encourage the productive use of animal by-products.

Following the Green Paper "War on Waste", published in September 1974, the Government have established the Waste Management Advisory Council, whose terms of reference enable it to consider whether there are possibilities for improved utilisation of animal by-products.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would be the cost to the agriculture industry of an overall rise in pay of£6 for all working in the industry.

About£125 million in the United Kingdom. This estimate excludes farmers and their wives, and it assumes an extra£6 per week on earnings, with a pro rata increase for part-time workers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will commission an analysis of the alcoholic content of all the beers and lagers produced by the six major breweries in the United Kingdom over the past 10 years; and if he will publish the result in the Official Report.

The necessary information to enable such an analysis to be undertaken is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the minimum standard of gravity laid down by his Department for the production of beer and lager in the United Kingdom or imported into the United Kingdom.

There are no specific regulations controlling the original gravity of beer and lager. However, beer and lager, like all foods, are subject to the control of the Food and Drugs Act 1955 and the general regulations made under it, which, among other things, make it an offence to sell home-produced or imported food which is not of the nature, substance or quality demanded.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations have been made to his Department about the United Nations 10 year ban on whaling; what action he has taken to implement the United Nations efforts towards conserving the whale; and if he will make a statement.

A number of letters from conservation societies and others have been received by my Department. The United Kingdom is continuing, through the International Whaling Commission, to support international conservation measures based on the latest available scientific advice. Only four species of whale may now be hunted commercially. At its recent annual meeting, the commission adopted new procedures for the rational management of whale stocks which are designed to ensure that the stocks of all species are properly maintained. The United Kingdom itself ceased whaling in 1963.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to enforce minimum standards of alcoholic content of alcoholic beverages produced and sold in the United Kingdom.

The Labelling of Food Regulations 1970 require a declaration on the label of the bottle of the minimum alcohol content of intoxicating liquors other than beer, cider, perry and most wines. The Food Standards Committee is reviewing the regulations. The need for legislative action will be considered in the light of the committee's report and representations about its recommendations.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the number of people employed in the Civil Service each month since January 1975; and what he envisages will be the number of people employed in the Civil Service in December 1975.

Statistics of the number of civil servants in post are collected on a quarterly basis. On 1st January 1975, the total was 693,921 and on 1st April 1975, it was 701,370. The figure for 1st July 1975 is not yet available.

No forecast of numbers for 1st December 1975 is available, but numbers are expected to increase during the remainder of the year as staff are recruited to administer improved social security benefits and changes in taxation already announced, and to deal with the increased demand for unemployment benefits.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the number of civil servants in each Department whose salary is greater than the Secretary of State or Minister who heads that Department.

The details are as follows: Prime Minister's Department Civil Service Department -0 Lord Chancellor's Office -0 Cabinet Minister's Departments Treasury and Revenue Departments -6 Foreign and Commonwealth Office -17 Home Office -1 Department of the Environment -4 Department of Employment -1 Department of Energy -1 Department of Prices and Consumer Protection -1 Department of Health and Social Security -3 Department of Industry -2 Department of Trade -1 Ministry of Defence -4 Department of Education and Science -1 Scottish Office -1 Welsh Office -1 Northern Ireland Office -1 Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food -2 Law Officers' Departments Law Officers' Departments -0 Lord Advocate's Department -0

The Prime Minister, who is also Minister for the Civil Service, and the Lord Chancellor are each paid£20,000, other Cabinet Ministers£13,000, the Attorney-General£14,500 and the Lord Advocate£11,000. Ministers who are Members of the House of Commons are also paid a parliamentary salary of£3,000.

The civil servants concerned are Permanent Secretaries, who are paid£20,175,£18,675 or£17,175.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether inquirers for out-of-date publications are told by HMSO that photo-copies are available.

Inquirers for out of print Acts of Parliament and statutory instruments are told that photocopies can be supplied: quotations for other out of print publications are supplied on request.

Information to this effect is given on all HMSO catalogues. The attention of mail-order customers is drawn to it by a notice on the reverse of invoices—for customers being supplied with other publications—or by a postcard sent to customers ordering a single out of print Act or statutory instrument.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for copies of the proposals prepared by Signor Spinelli of the EEC Commission on the future of the European aerospace industry, which are now circulating in the industry in Great Britain, to be made available to interested Members of Parliament.

I have been asked to reply.

The Commission is preparing a report on the aircraft industry in response to the Council of Ministers resolution of 4th March 1975. The report has not yet been finalised or put to the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are currently imprisoned without trial in India.

According to our records, four British subjects, citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, are currently imprisoned without trial in India.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the recent discussions in New York between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Guatemala about Belize.

At a meeting between officials of Her Majesty's Government and the Guatemalan Government on 15th July in New York, certain proposals for settlement of the dispute over Belize were discussed but no agreement was reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the reaction of Her Maesty's Government to the Algerian initiative that fertiliser plans should be set up in OPEC countries to supply under-developed nations, with OPEC bearing the transport costs.

While we welcome any initiatives by the members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries to assist the developing countries, and in particular those most seriously affected, such initiatives are essentially matters for the organisation itself.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication he has had from the Icelandic Government regarding their intention to extend their fishing limits to 200 miles; what steps he is taking regarding this: and if he will make a statement.

The Icelandic Foreign Minister informed Her Maesty's Ambassador in Reykjavik about the Icelandic Government's intention to extend their fishing limits to 200 miles. I told the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 21st July that Her Majesty's Ambassador has made clear to the Icelandic Government that we regret this claim. We are continuing to press for the opening of talks as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the value of British interests in Mozambique and of the number of British citizens resident there.

The book value of direct British investment in Mozambique was estimated in 1973 to be in the region of£20 million-1974 figures are not yet available. Fewer than 100 United Kingdom citizens are now resident in Mozambique.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the American Polaris bases in Great Britain and if he will take steps to initiate the future cessation of the manufacture and use of nuclear weapons by all countries.

On the Polaris basis I have nothing to add to the reply given to the honourable Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) by my right honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 13th May. Her Majesty's Government are fully committed to the search, in the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament and elsewhere, for multilateral nuclear disarmament as part of general disarmament, but, as was made clear on 12th March, we are not in favour of taking unilateral action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has sent to education authorities about the implementation of the anti-inflation measures in respect of teachers' salaries and remuneration.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he now expects to introduce legislation to implement some of the recommendations of the Clayson Report on Scottish Licensing Laws.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total sum from Government funds which has been expended on help to keep the Gaelic language alive over the past 20 years.

Since 1965, grants totalling£69,850 have been made to An Comunn Gaidhealach towards its administrative expenditure in promoting Gaelic informal further education, and since 1968 grants totalling£43,750 have been made to the Gaelic Books Council to assist the publication of literature in Gaelic. Assistance for particular projects has also been given by the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the Scottish Arts Council.

The figures above do not, of course, take account of expenditure in support of Gaelic by education authorities, which are primarily responsible for the management and content of the schools curriculum, but I recently announced a grant of£34,000 over the next three years towards the development of a Gaelic/English

Total Domestic Poundage New Authority Region/District Old Area 1974–75* 1975–76 Percentage increase P P % Highland: Caithness … Caithness C.C. … 90–94 123 31–37 Part Sutherland C.C. … 99–103 109 6–10 Sutherland … Part Sutherland C.C. … 99–103 111 8–12 Part Ross & Cromarty C.C. … 99–120 135 13–36 Ross & Cromarty … Part Ross & Cromarty C.C. … 99–120 137 14–38 Skye & Lochalsh … Part Inverness C.C. … 86–101 107 6–24 Part Ross & Cromarty C.C. … 99–120 131 9–32 Lochaber … Part Argyll C.C. … 58–65 106 63–83 Part Inverness C.C. … 86–101 123 22–43 Inverness … Part Inverness C.C. … 86–101 105 4–22 Badenoch & Strathspey … Part Inverness C.C. … 86–101 107 6–24 Part Moray C.C. … 61–82 95 53–56 Nairn … Nairn C.C. … 77–83 88 6–14 Grampian: Moray … Part Moray C.C. … 61–62 107 73–75 Part Banff C.C. … 80–86 129 50–61 Banff & Buchan … Part Banff C.C. … 80–86 132 54–65 Part Aberdeen C.C. … 87–90 125 39–44 Gordon … Part Aberdeen C.C. … 87–90 127 41–46 City of Aberdeen … Part Aberdeen C.C. … 87–90 121 34–39 Part Kincardine C.C. … 43–54 106 96–147 Kincardine & Deeside … Part Aberdeen C.C. … 87–90 110 22–26 Part Kincardine C.C. … 43–54 95 76–121 Tayside: Angus Part Angus C.C. … 81–91 112 23–38 City of Dundee … Part Angus C.C. … 81–91 128 41–58 Part Perth C.C. … 73–76 129 70–77 Perth & Kinross … Kinross C.C. … 38 98 158 Part Angus C.C. … 81–91 103 13–27 Part Perth C.C. … 73–76 104 37–43 Fife: Kirkcaldy … Part Fife C.C. … 90–97.5 110 13–22 North—East Fife … Part Fife C.C. … 90–97.5 101 4–12 Dunfermline … Part Fife C.C. … 90–97.5 102 5–13 Lothian: West Lothian … Part West Lothian C.C. … 103–112 140 25–36 Part Midlothian C.C. … 49–59 130 120–165 City of Edinburgh … Part West Lothian C.C. … 103–112 139 24–35 Part Midlothian C.C. … 49–59 129 119–163 Midlothian … Part Midlothian C.C. … 49–59 166 97–137 East Lothian … East Lothian C.C. … 61–72 117 63–92 Part Midlothian C.C. … 49–59 121 105–147 Central: Clackmannan … Clackmannan C.C. … 106 126 19 Part Perth C.C. … 73–76 113 49–55 Stirling … Part Perth C.C. … 73–76 106 40–45 Part Stirling C.C. … 87–5.98 116 18–33 Falkirk … Part Stirling C.C. … 87–5.98 133 36–52 Part West Lothian C.C. … 103–112 135 21–31

bilingual curriculum in primary schools in the Western Isles.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the percentage of rate rises in all the rural areas of Scotland.

The percentage increases in total domestic rate poundage for 1975–76 over 1974–75 in the former county landward areas of Scotland are shown in the following table:

Total Domestic Poundage New Authority Region/District Old Area 1974–75* 1975–76 Percentage increase P P % Borders: Tweeddale … Peebles C.C. … 67–68 109 60–63 Ettrick & Lauderdale … Selkirk C.C. … 74 112 51 Part Berwick C.C. … 26–27 90 233–246 Part Midlothian C.C. … 49–59 113 92–131 Part Roxburgh C.C. … 57–67 110 64–93 Roxburgh … Part Berwick C.C. … 26–27 89 230–242 Part Roxburgh C.C. … 57–67 109 63–91 Berwickshire … Part Berwick C.C. … 26–27 85 215–227 Strathclyde: Argyll & Bute … Part Argyll C.C. … 58–65 111 71–91 Part Bute C.C. … 62–67 117 75–89 Dunbarton … Part Dunbarton C.C. … 105–116 136 17–30 City of Glasgow … Part Lanark C.C. … 92–96 136 42–18 Clydebank … Part Dunbarton C.C. … 105–116 129 11–23 Bearsden & Milngavie … Part Dunbarton C.C. … 105–116 109 -6-+4 Strathkelvin … Part Dunbarton C.C. … 105–116 114 -2-+9 Part Lanark C.C. … 92–96 114 19–24 Part Stirling C.C. … 87.5–98 114 16–30 Cumbernauld & Kilsyth … Part Dunbarton C.C. … 105–116 113 -3-+8 Part Stirling C.C. … 87.5–98 113 15–29 Monklands … Part Lanark C.C. … 92–96 136 42–48 Motherwell … Part Lanark C.C. … 92–96 134 40–46 Hamilton … Part Lanark C.C. … 92–96 123 28–34 East Kilbride … Part Lanark C.C. … 92–96 113 18–23 Eastwood … Part Renfrew C.C. … 101–114 121 6–20 Lanark … Part Lanark C.C. … 92–96 129 34–40 Renfrew … Part Renfrew C.C. … 101–114 139 22–38 Inverclyde … Part Renfrew C.C. … 101–114 144 26–43 Cunninghame … Part Ayr C.C. … 81–100 124 24–53 Part Bute C.C. … 62–67 114 70–84 Kilmarnock & Loudoun … Part Ayr C.C. … 81–100 129 29–59 Kyle & Carrick … Part Ayr C.C. … 81–100 123 23–52 Cumnock & Doon Valley … Part Ayr C.C. … 81–100 128 28–58 Dumfries & Galloway: Wigtown … Wigtown C.C. … 51–52 103 98–102 Part Kirkcudbright C.C. … 39 92 136 Stewartry … Part Kirkcudbright C.C. … 39 92 136 Nithsdale … Part Dumfries C.C. … 55–61 109 79–98 Part Kirkcudbright C.C. … 39 92 136 Annandale & Eskdale … Part Dumfries C.C. … 55–61 109 79–98 Islands Areas: Orkney … Orkney C.C. … 103–105 107 2–4 Western Isles … Part Inverness C.C. … 86–101 110 9–28 Part Ross & Cromarty C.C. … 99–120 110 -8-+11 *Only a range of poundages can be given for 1974–75 when special district rates were levied for certain services in addition to the basic county rate. The poundages quoted are the highest and lowest levied in landward areas of the former counties where all services were provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average basic weekly rate of pay received by workers working under contract for the Forestry Commission in Scotland and in the rest of the United Kingdom.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report, for each of the five

Year Caithness Sutherland Ross and Cromarty Inverness Argyll 1965–66 … … 12 95 299 407 818 1973–74 … … 6 65 163 281 469

crofting counties—Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, Inverness-shire, Argyll—the number of people directly employed by the Forestry Commission in 1965–66 and in 1973–74 and the number of people directly and indirectly employed by the commission in those counties in 1965–66 and 1973–74.

The numbers of workers in industrial grades directly employed by the Forestry Commission in each of the crofting counties in 1965–66 and 1973–74 were as follows:

In addition, 194 workers were mobile (i.e., employed in more than one county) in 1965–66) and 113 in 1973–74.

Caithness Sutherland Ross and Cromarty Inverness Argyll 6 65 207 343 588

and additionally, 113 direct employees of the Commission were mobile. Comparative figures for 1965–66 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average basic weekly rate of pay received by Forestry Commission workers in 1965–66, in 1973–74 and in 1974–75 in Scotland and in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Basic weekly rates of pay received by Forestry Commission workers are the same in England, Scotland and Wales and during the periods in question were as follows:—

Effective Date of Pay Rise and Basic Weekly Rate £ 20th December 1965 ? ? 11.33 18th April 1966 ? ? 11.44 1st April 1973 ? ? 19.28 7th November 1973 ? ? 20.65 28th January 1974 ? ? 23.28 18th November 1974 ? ? 27.68 27th January 1975 ? ? 31.90 28th July 1975 ? ? 34.10

Land Use Caithness Sutherland Ross and Cromarty Inverness Argyll Plantations 1–20 years old … 7,400 16,800 61,200 77,500 148,900 Plantations 20–40 years plus … 4,000 9,000 33,000 41,700 66,500 To be planted … 3,300 8,200 13,900 17,000 53,900 Under agriculture … 2,900 11,300 41,200 71,500 73,900 Unplantable … 3,400 13,100 48,100 83,400 76,400

The numbers of industrial workers both directly and indirectly employed by the Commission in the crofting counties in 1973–74 were:—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the following statistics concerning the use of Forestry Commission land in each of the five crofting counties—Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, Inverness-shire, Argyll—the the total acreage of growing trees in the age classes 1 to 20, 20 to 40 plus; the total acreage of Forestry Commission land reserved for future planting in the above five counties; the total acreage of Forestry Commission land under agriculture in the above five counties; and the total acreage of Forestry Commission land deemed unplantable in the above five counties.

The information asked for is as follows (all figures in acres):—