asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the Foreign Minister of Canada.

I expect to meet Mr. MacEachen at the United Nations General Assembly in September; when he comes to Britain to inaugurate the Chair of Canadian Studies at Edinburgh University in October; and at the December meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to meet the Foreign Minister of Portugal.

The composition of the new Portuguese Government has not yet been announced. Major Antunes came here for talks on 27th June. My right hon. Friend and I had the opportunity to talk with President Costa Gomes at Helsinki.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the Foreign Minister of Turkey.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I met the Prime Minister of Turkey and Mr. Caglayangil for bilateral discussions in Helsinki last week. I have no current plans to see him again.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give statistics to illustrate the impact of the operations department of the Independent Commission against Corruption in Hong Kong.

Over 7,000 reports were made during the 12 months ended June 1975; 3,408 concerned corruption, an increase of 133 per cent. over the 12-month period preceding the establishment of the ICAC. 191 arrests were made during the same period, resulting in 121 convictions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of staff grade C posts and above in the Hong Kong Government Service is held by local recruits; and whether he will make a statement on the recruitment of expatriate civil servants.

Twenty per cent. in the Administrative Service and 25 per cent. in the Government service as a whole. For the administrative class as a whole the percentage is 45 per cent. Recruitment policy is based on the appointment, where possible, of suitably qualified local candidates. Recruitment of expatriates is undertaken only when such local candidates are not available in sufficient numbers, and in certain categories, to maintain the special relationship with Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will encourage the Government of Hong Kong to consider legalising the less harmful types of gambling in order to contribute towards the removal of corruption.

Corruption opportunities are only one factor to be considered. Before changes are made in Hong Kong's gambling legislation account must also be taken of local social attitudes. Off-course betting was legalised in 1973; and a Bill to widen the scope of lottery operations is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to secure the co-operation of the public in the work of the Independent Commission against Corruption in Hong Kong; and with what result.

The commission has established a community relations department to win public support against corruption. Publicity and educational programmes are promoted through the mass-media and personal contacts. Eight liaison offices are planned, three of which will be opened soon. There has been an encouraging degree of public cooperation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Hong Kong Government have taken to set up comprehensive training schemes to provide skilled workers for the clothing and construction industries.

The Legislative Council has now passed the Industrial Training (Construction Industry) and (Clothing Industry) Bills. These provide for comprehensive training schemes financed by levies from the respective industries. The Government are to make capital loans available for the purpose and the training centres will be in operation by early 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Hong Kong police officers, each by ranks, inspector, NCO and constable, have been dealt with under Regulation 31A of the Police Force Ordinance variously for (a) maintaining a standard of living not commensurate with their official emoluments and (b) controlling unexplained pecuniary resources in excess of their official emoluments, for each of the years after and including 1961 when this regulation was introduced.

There is no record of any police officer having been dealt with under Section 36(1) of the Police Force Ordinance to which I assume my hon. Friend is referring.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many expatriate probationary Hong Kong police inspectors have resigned from the police force (a) within three months of taking up their appointment, (b) within three to six months, (c) within six months to one year, (d) within one year to two years, (e) within two years up to and at or soon after the end of their first tour of duty in each of the years since 1960.

The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many expatriate and locally-recruited gazetted officers, inspectors, NCOs and constables of the Hong Kong police have been compulsorily retired or required to resign in accordance with colonial regulations or other regulations in connection with corruption offences, in each of the years since 1960.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many expatriate Hong Kong police inspectors have been recruited on probation; and how many have left during or at the end of their first tour of duty, for each of the years since 1960.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why gazetted officers were not included in the definition given in Regulation 31A of the Hong Kong Police Force Ordinance.

Gazetted officers were, and still are, bound by colonial regulations and establishment regulations. Section 10 (1) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201) is now relevant.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had any assurances from the Government of China that those attempting to seek political refuge in Hong Kong and are then forcedly repatriated, will not be proceeded against by that Government.

I have no reason to believe that illegal immigrants refused permission to enter Hong Kong receive unduly harsh punishment from the Chinese authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the results achieved to date by the Independent Commission against Corruption in Hong Kong.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs what is the total annual contribution by Her Majesty's Government to the United Nations and its various agencies.

It is estimated that the total contribution by Her Majesty's Government to the United Nations and its various Agencies for 1975 will amount to £48,172,168. This figure does not include United Kingdom contributions to financial institutions. The International Development Association and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development are not technically within the UN system, although they, like the other specialised agencies, have formal agreements with the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Foreign Minister of Brazil to come to London.

The Brazilian Foreign Minister has accepted an invitation to visit Britain as the guest of Her Majesty's Government on 21st and 22nd October.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of British Consulate staff relating to the issue of visas to visitors wishing to holiday in the United Kingdom.

Visas are issued to foreign visitors wishing to come on holiday to Britain who can satisfy consular officers that they qualify for admission as visitors under the immigration rules. Any who are refused visas are notified of their right of appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about follow-up procedures to the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.

It has been agreed that there should be a review meeting in Belgrade in 1977, preceded by a short technical meeting, at which participating Governments will assess how far the conference decisions have been respected and consider the state of their mutual relations and the course of detente. On this basis they will consider the form and agenda of future meetings including the possibility of another conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Rhodesia.

Since my visit to Southern Africa in June, we have continued to keep in touch with other interested parties with a view to finding means of getting constitutional talks started. As the House will know, Bishop Muzorewa, leader of the African National Council, arrived in London this morning to follow up the discussions which I held with him and other ANC leaders in Salisbury. I think that all agree about the urgency of finding a way to begin talks and to prevent a slide into violence. The differences which have arisen on such matters as the venue of talks have not yet been resolved, but various proposals are now under consideration. Meanwhile, it is our hope that all concerned will refrain from statements or actions which suggest that a peaceful solution is no longer possible. In that connection the recent announcement that all South African police are to be withdrawn from Rhodesia is particularly welcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he can now make a statement as to what arrangements have been concluded to represent Great Britain's interests in Angola.

It has been agreed that the United States Government will protect our interests in Angola through its consul in Luanda. It will remain open to Her Majesty's Government to make direct representations to the Portuguese authorities, through our ambassador in Lisbon, about the welfare of British citizens and property in Angola.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British Embassy was established in Tananarive; and why it is now to close.

The British Embassy at Tananarive was established in 1960 upon Malagasy independence. Before that, a British consulate had been established since 1862.The decision to close the British Embassy in Tananarive is a direct result of reductions in public expenditure for 1967–77 announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget earlier this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the régime in Chile about British subjects detained without trial in that country.

Her Majesty's Ambassador in Santiago has made representations to the Chilean authorities about all cases which have come to our attention of British subjects detained or believed to be detained in Chile following the coup in 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agreement reached within the European Economic Community on a common policy concerning the new international economic order for the forthcoming special session of the United Nations General Assembly, indicating the content of the agreed policy.

The Council of Ministers has reached agreement on a common position to be adopted at forthcoming international meetings. The common position covers agreement on an overall approach to the question of commodities, proposals on the limiting of price fluctuations and on improved arrangements for the stabilisation of export earnings, proposals for commercial and industrial co-operation and a range of other economic questions of interest to developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what Her Majesty's Government's participation in new licences in the North Sea will be.

Our intention to provide for majority State participation in new licences was announced in the White Paper on Offshore Oil and Gas Policy in July 1974. I have nothing to add to that.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the names and qualifications of the members of the Offshore Energy Technology Board, the board's terms of reference and its budget for 1975–76, showing the main areas of activity and expenditure.

With regard to the membership of the Offshore Energy Technology Board, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mr. Craigen), on 6th May 1975—[Vol. 891, c. 427–8]. The members of the board, under the chairmanship of Dr. Marshall, Chief Scientist in my Department, were chosen for the individual contribution that they will be able to make and are qualified by their background experience and position. The OETB's terms of reference are as follows:

"To advise and assist the Secretary of State for Energy on how best to evaluate, promote and secure technological developments leading to improvements in:

(i) the efficient and economic exploitation of the oil and gas resources on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf;

(ii) the standards laid down by the Department in pursuance of its statutory responsibilities for safety; and

(iii) the competitiveness of British industry in the field of offshore oil and gas.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he authorised the statements on television on 31st July by Field Marshal Sir Michael Carver, Chief of Defence Staff.

I agreed to his appearing on television, and am satisfied with the result.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what fees will be paid to the British military bands engaged to perform in the 1975 Edinburgh Festival.

Fees are not charged for performances by Army bands at tattoos, pageants and events such as the Edinburgh Tattoo where the profits are devoted to Service charities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the cost of maintaining the military music training establishments in the latest year for which figures are available.

The cost in 1974–75 was £0·9 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report an anlysis of the constituent elements of the £15·2 million cost of maintaining the 95 bands of Her Majesty's Forces during the last complete year for which figures are available.

The total cost of £15·2 million of maintaining Her Majesty's Forces bands is broken down as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give full details of the present defence facilities on Diego Garcia and of the expansion proposed by the United States Government.

The present facilities at Diego Garcia consist of a United States navy radio station, an 8,000-ft. runway which is not capable of taking the larger transport and tanker aircraft fully laden; a natural anchorage restricted in draught and turning room; accommodation for some 450 personnel; and limited aircraft parking space and oil storage facilities.The previous administration agreed to a limited expansion of the radio station in 1973. The further expansion now proposed will consist of an extension of the runway to 12,000-ft., and the dredging of the lagoon to provide sufficient anchorage for up to about a dozen ships and 550 feet of berthing space. Aircraft parking space and oil storage facilities will be increased to match this expansion, together with accommodation for up to 300 more men. These extended facilities are not intended for permanent accommodation of ships or aircraft, or for major repairs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list such arrangements as exist in other EEC countries for providing short-term loans or working capital to farmers at below commercial rates of interest, and also the arrangements for the provision of longer-term loans and mortgages, equivalent to the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, together with the rates of interest being charged.

In the time available it is not possible to obtain the information requested except at disproportionate cost and without guarantee of accuracy. Information on interest rates available to farmers elsewhere in the European Community may be found, however, in evidence recently submitted by the Ministry to the Public Accounts Committee (Third Report, 1975, Appendix XI) and I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that a limit of £100,000 for the size of project for FEOGA grants does not act to the disadvantage of small businesses; and if he will take steps to alter the system so as to benefit other dairy areas.

I recognise that this limit does rule out small projects. A reduction in the limit would not necessarily be beneficial, as there would be increased competition for the limited funds available and more applicants would be unsuccessful or rates of grant would be reduced. I am considering, however, whether any change can be made for the 1976 scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the general principles he will apply when considering amalgamation schemes of internal drainage districts assembled by regional water authorities; what hearing he will give to opponents of such amalgamations; and what are the merits he is seeking when encouraging amalgamations; and if he will make a statement.

In considering proposals for the amalgamation of internal drainage districts my right hon. Friend will have in mind that the primary objective should be to create units of a size and character conducive to a more effective and efficient exercise of the powers conferred on drainage boards by the Land Drainage Acts. If a scheme put forward by a regional water authority is opposed by local interests, it will be for the authority to demonstrate the merits of its proposal—for example, by reference to the performance of the existing boards and the improvements which might be expected following amalgamation. If necessary a public inquiry will be held.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on future policy regarding the sale of untreated milk.

My right hon. Friends and I have consulted the interests concerned about restricting the sale of untreated milk in order to reduce the risks to public health of milk-borne diseases. We have now decided, as a first steps, that sales of untreated milk shall be confined to produce of brucellosis accredited herds from 1st August 1977. This will minimise the risk of brucellosis infection being transmitted through milk. However, the risks to public health of other milk-borne diseases can be minimised only by effective heat treatment. It is therefore the Government's intention, from a date five years from now, to prohibit the sale of untreated milk for liquid consumption except in areas where an alternative supply of heat treated milk is not readily available.Consultations will take place with the interests concerned on the administrative procedures for implementing these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report figures to show the ratio of prisoners to population for each of the nine EEC countries for each of the last three years.

In 1974 the average number of prisoners in England and Wales was 96 per 100,000 of the population aged 14 and over. Figures for 1973 and 1972 were 96 and 100, respectively. Penal systems and definitions in other EEC countries differ markedly from those in England and Wales, and no strictly comparable figures can be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many times he was present at meetings between the Home Office and representatives of Radical Alternatives to Prison since 1st October 1970;(2) how many times he has been present at meetings between the Home Office and the Howard League for Penal Reform since 1st October 1970;(3) how many times his Department has met the organisation Radical Alternatives to Prison since 1st October 1970;(4) how many meetings have been held between the Howard League for Penal Reform and his Department since 1st October 1970.

Since taking office in March 1974, I have been present at two meetings with the Howard League for Penal Reform. I have not personally attended meetings with Radical Alternatives to Prison, but both my hon. Friends, the Minister of State and the Undersecretary of State, have done so. There are frequent contacts between the Howard League and my Department. Home Office officials have also met representatives of Radical Alternatives to Prison from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ballot papers were spoilt at the General Election of October 1974 in each constituency, respectively; and what was the break-down into different categories of invalidity.

I am sending my hon. Friend the information, and a copy has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions have been obtained in the police area of Devon and Cornwall in the five years to 1st January 1975, where the evidence was based solely or substantially on identification; and if any persons have been pardoned with regard to such convictions.

Information about convictions when the evidence for the prosecution was based solely or substantially on identification is not available. None of the persons granted free pardons during the period in question had been convicted in the police area of Devon and Cornwall in these circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in Her Majesty's Prison, Nottingham, were denied use of lavatory facilities during daylight hours in the two-weeks' period ended 31st July 1975; and what explanation was given for this action by the prison authorities.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the number of prison staff now manning Her Majesty's Prison at Nottingham falls short of the officially approved establishment for that prison.

On 1st August, by seven out of a complement of 157.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the plans for building a police station at Orpington.

Revised plans to meet the difficulty of providing adequate car parking space on this restricted site have now been agreed informally with the local planning authority. Subject to the availability of resources, it is still hoped that building can start in 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his official visit to the Forensic Science Laboratory.

As my hon. Friend the Minister of State indicated in reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 17th July, I hope to visit the Metropolitan Police Laboratory on a suitable occasion. I have nothing to add at present.—[Vol. 895, c. 1700.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will order an inquiry into the way in which informers are recommended for rewards by the police, with particular reference to rewards recommended in connection with convictions arising out of a robbery at Barclays Bank, Wembley, on 10th August 1972 and paid by the bank.

No. Recommendations for rewards are matters within the discretion of the chief officer of police concerned. I understand that a complaint was made about the actions of the Metropolitan Police in not recommending for reward a person who claimed that she had given information to them in connection with the robbery at Barclays Bank, Wembley on 10th August 1972, and that a full investigation was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act 1964. I understand that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis reconsidered the matter in the light of this investigation, but could not find sufficient grounds for recommending the person concerned for a reward.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total expenditure on recruitment advertising on behalf of the police authorities during the last complete year for which figures are available and the average recruitment advertising cost per recruit during the same period;(2) what were the total costs of the recruitment operations of the police authorities and the approximate average recruitment cost per recruit during the last year for which figures are available.

Much of the information requested is not available, since we do not receive details of expenditure by individual police authorities on recruitment activities. During the financial year 1974–75, expenditure on the central recruitment campaign amounted to £635,000, and we estimate the total expenditure, excluding staff costs, amounted to something like £1,000,000. There were 7.893 recruits appointed during the financial year, giving an average estimated cost per recruit of £127.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the possibility of the registering or licensing of minicab companies.

Yes. This is one of the matters which will be raised in the proposals I am preparing for legislation to amend the cab laws.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places for young women offenders Her Majesty's Borstal, Bullwood Hall, Rayleigh, Essex, was designed to house for treatment, training and education; how many it houses at present; and whether it is proposed to enlarge facilities either at Bullwood Hall or elsewhere.

Though originally designed to accommodate 92 trainees, Her Majesty's Borstal, Bullwood Hall, has since been enlarged to provide 120 places, and plans exist to begin work next year on the provision of a further 30 places. On 5th August, 121 young women were held at Bullwood Hall.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now studied the report of the Siberry working party on a fourth television service in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

I have now been able to give preliminary consideration to the report submitted to me by Mr. Siberry. The report will be published as soon as it can be printed in English and Welsh. The Government are sensitive to the importance of a Welsh language television service to Wales, and this is an issue which will be considered as part of the review of public expenditure which takes place in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's decisions on the Report of the Brodrick Committee on Death Certification and Coroners.

The Government accept in principle the Committee's recommendations that there should be a new system for the medical certification of the cause of death in England and Wales; that the appropriate authority to whom certain deaths should be reported should be the coroner; and that the law governing coroners' districts and procedures needs modernising.We are not disposed to accept the recommendations that the coroners' service should become a central Government service with coroners appointed by the Lord Chancellor; that appointment should be restricted to persons with legal qualifications; or that pathology services for coroners and for the police should be part of the National Health Service.We accept the recommendation that the existing cremation forms and certificates and the office of medical referee should be abolished when the new system for the medical certification of the cause of death is introduced. But we consider that a safeguard should be retained by requiring a confirmatory certificate before cremation in the case of deaths other than in hospital to be given by a doctor drawn from a panel appointed by the cremation authority, with the approval of the Home Secretary. We recognise, however, that these decisions leave a number of detailed issues. We propose to open discussions with the various bodies concerned and to consider what procedural reforms might be achieved, in advance of legislation, through the use of existing statutory powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the part-time education available there, if he will not take any action in his proposed economy measures in any way adversely to affect the educational services in the London borough of Newham.

I understand that the educational problems in Newham derive largely from a shortage of teachers which the local education authority hopes to alleviate by September. I do not think that its efforts would be hindered by such advice as I may offer in order to promote the necessary degree of restraint in local authority expenditure on education. Any advice of this kind would reflect the high priority I attach to safeguarding the education of children of school age, and would be couched in general terms, which I would expect individual authorities to apply to their own situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the results of the inquiry into the arrangements for financial assistance for 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time education in England and Wales can now be made available to the House.

Copies of the relevant document, which has been agreed with the Association of County Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the Welsh Joint Education Committee, will be placed in the Library. A final revision of the figures for educational maintenance allowances shows that they differ slightly from those given in the debate on 10th July. The average payment was £125, showing an increase of 74 per cent. compared with 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the means test for free school meals has been reviewed to keep in line with inflation.

Yes, the income scale for determining entitlement to free school meals is based on supplementary benefit rates and is revised wherever these rates are changed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the income

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an estimate of the incidence of adult literacy in the county of Cleveland.

The Bullock Committee acknowledged in its report "A Language for Life" that it was impossible to say with certainty how many adult illiterates or semi-literates there were in the country. The Department does not collect statistics in this field, either nationally or locally.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the total estimated expenditure on education by each metropolitan district council and non-metropolitan county council in England and Wales in 1975–76, the proportion of this amount raised (a) from local rates and (b) from central Government; the amount of expenditure on education per head of population undergoing compulsory schooling and the percentage increase or decrease that each amount represents on the comparable figure for 1974–75.

The figures are as follows:

I have no information on the estimated expenditure on education by individual authorities in 1975–76. Out-turn figures for expenditure in 1974–75 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the new school building projects either under construction or expected to start in the present financial year in the Leek parliamentary constituency.

The Department does not maintain records of school building projects by reference to parliamentary constituencies. No doubt the Staffordshire Education Authority would be able to assist the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he plans to take action on the report of the Working Party on Genetic Manipulation of Micro-organisms.

The working party was set up by the Advisory Board for the Research Councils to make an authoritative assessment of the potential benefits and potential hazards of techniques which allow the experimental manipulation of the genetic composition of micro-organisms. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing the Government's thanks to the chairman, Lord Ashby of Brandon, and the members for the work in producing it.The working party concluded that, subject to rigorous safeguards, these techniques should continue to be used because of the great benefits to which they might lead. It took the view that an agreed code of practice and a central advisory service were necessary for laboratories in this field, together with appropriate training facilities, but that it would be unreasonably difficult to introduce a statutory system of control.The report was published in January as Cmnd. 5880 in order to allow an opportunity for wide public consideration. The comments received, mainly from scientific bodies, have generally endorsed the working party's views although varying opinions have been expressed as to the desirability or feasibility of statutory measures of control. The report was also taken into account by the Working Party on the Laboratory Use of Dangerous Pathogens, publication of whose report, Cmnd. 6054, was announced on 20th May by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.The Government for their part agree that the potential benefits identified in the Ashby Report are such that relevant work should continue in appropriate places provided that adequately stringent precautions for containment are taken. The Government also accept that they have a responsibility to ensure that authoritative advice and guidance are available. At the same time we believe that the potential hazards associated with certain types of experiment are such that it would be appropriate further to examine the possibility of applying to them controls of the kind recommended in the Report of the Working Party on the Laboratory Use of Dangerous Pathogens.These are matters calling for expert advice and, in consultation with the appropriate Ministers, I am therefore setting up a new working party with the following terms of reference:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to take about the problems that have arisen at Fircroft Residential College.

I am arranging for an inquiry to be held into the circumstances which have led to the present situation and to make recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when local education authorities may expect to be told what their share is of the £25 million he has set aside in the 1976–77 school building programme for special projects to assist secondary school reorganisation; how this compares with provision in previous year; and if he will make a statement.

This is the first time any Government have set aside resources specifically for the development of comprehensive education, and the circular I issued today jointly with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales invites authorities to submit by 15th October special bids for projects for consideration against the £25 million allocation. My Department hopes to tell individual authorities by the end of November which of their projects capable of quick completion are eligible to start under this part of the programme. I hope these special arrangements will enable authorities which have been hindered by shortage of building resources to get on more quickly with the full and effective development of reorganisation on comprehensive lines.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage of income taken in income tax, higher rates of tax and national insurance contributions for workers with (a) no dependants, (b) wife and two children (under 11 years of age) and (c) wife and four children (two under 11 and two over 11 years of age), earning (1) three-quarters of average earnings, (2) average earnings, (3) twice average earnings and (4) five times average earnings, in the United Kingdom and each member country of the EEC.

The following information, which is taken from Revenue Statistics of OECD Member Countries 1965–72, Annexe I Table 3, shows the average combined rate of personal income tax and socal security contributions paid by a taxpayer with average earnings of production workers in manufacturing in each country for 1972:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loss of revenue would be incurred if all taxpayers receiving £25 or less per week gross were exempt from tax, allowing the disproportionate step to remain which would then occur for those with incomes just above £25 per week.

The amount of income tax to be paid in 1975–76 by taxpayers with gross incomes of less than £1,300 a year—£25 a week—is estimated at £230 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loss of revenue would be incurred if married allowances were increased by a further £100 and single allowances by a further £70 but set against a further basic and higher rates increase of 2p for the next full year; what would be the redistributive effects; and if he will set out the information in the most convenient form related to each quartile between £1,000 and £10,000 income per year.

Assuming that the wife's earned income allowance was increased by the same amount as the single allowance and that the increase in tax rates did not apply to the highest rates, the estimated effect of the proposal on revenue for 1975–76 would be an additional yield of about £60 million. The distribution by range of income would be as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of institutional funds was invested in manufacturing industry in each of the last 10 years.

The available information is set out in the table below. It relates to the investments of insurance companies and pension funds in company securities, including the securities of non-manufacturing companies. Since the securities of manufacturing companies form a considerable majority of all United Kingdom company securities, it is reasonable to assume that institutional investment in company securities is predominately in those of manufacturing companies. It should be noted that the net acquisition of company securities by institutions includes both subscriptions to new issues of capital and transactions in existing securities; these two components cannot be separately distinguished. Also, the figures include a small element of investment in overseas company securities by insurance companies; such investments by pension funds have, however, been excluded.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what figure he anticipates to be the total income from wages and salaries for the year 1975–76 upon which he has based his taxes on income estimates 1975–76, Table 13, Financial Statement and Budget Report.

It is not customary to publish details of the forecasts in the Financial Statement and Budget Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much total income from wages and salaries would have to rise to equate the amount necessary to maintain living standards over the year August to August 1975–76 assuming a reduction of the rise in the retail price index from 26 per cent. per annum in August 1975 to 10 per cent. by August 1976.

On the assumption in the Question that the retail price index rises by 10 per cent. between August 1975 and August 1976, it would be necessary for pay to increase by 10 per cent. over the same period to maintain living standards on the assumption that the ratio of net to gross pay remains the same.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the most convenient table form total public expenditure as a percentage of GDP, showing in index form the wage and salary content relative to the numbers of people employed within such expenditure during each of the last 10 years.

For figures of total expenditure as a percentage of GDP, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Edge) on 28th July 1975.—[Vol. 896, c. 344.] The wage and salary content of current expenditure on goods and services by public authorities, excluding trading services, is shown below. Fully comparable employment figures are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to amend the law relating to the taxation of dividends on fixed rate preference shares issued before 6th April 1973, in view of the situation created by the judgment in Sime Darby London Ltd, v. Sime Darby Holdings Ltd. and Others; and if he will clarify the Inland Revenue's statement of 18th July 1975.

I confirm that it is the Government's intention to include legislation in the next Finance Bill which will amend paragraph 18 of Schedule 23 to the Finance Act 1972 and give to it the meaning which was generally accepted before the recent High Court judgment in the case of Sime Darby London Ltd. v. Sime Darby Holdings Ltd. and Others. The legislation will be expressed to have effect from 5th April 1973. Until the legislation is enacted, each company and its directors will have to decide in the light of its own legal advice on what basis to pay any relevant dividends following the judgment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the loss to the Treasury in revenue of abolishing the earnings rule for all retirement pensioners.

I have been asked to reply.The cost to the National Insurance Fund of abolishing the earnings rule for retirement pensioners and the similar rule applicable to the dependent wives of retirement and invalidity pensioners would be about £165 million a year at present pension rates. It is estimated that the additional income tax payable by those affected by the abolition of the rule would be about £40 million a year.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development whether he has yet reached a decision concerning the British contribution towards the cost of the three medical teams which the International Red Cross are sending to Angola.

I have decided that we should contribute £25,000. This, together with the contributions of other Governments

asked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will report on the position regarding the maintenance of value payments due in respect of the United Kingdom contribution to the first three replenishments of the resources of the International Development Association.

The maintenance of value obligations accepted by the United Kingdom in the arrangements for the replenishments, under the authority of the Overseas Aid Act 1968 and statutory orders made under it, are being met by the deposit of non-negotiable non-interest-bearing notes, additional to those originally deposited for our contributions. A deposit of a note is being made for £2,379,517·30. This sum is based on the disbursements actually made by the association from our contributions during the period 1st January 1975 to 30th June 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will publish the variation in the index of food prices in the past five years in relation to variations in the cost of living index as a whole.

During the past five years the general index of retail prices and the food index have risen as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what discussions she has had with the Office of Fair Trading about establishing a code of practice for the footwear industry following the complaints received by the Department about shoe faults.

I have made it clear to the Director General of Fair Trading that I fully support his efforts to introduce a code of practice for the footwear industry. I understand that there is shortly to be a meeting with the trade associations concerned to discuss the provisions of such a code.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what change she plans in the provisions of the Price Code dealing with allowable costs for the wine and spirit trade; and if she will make full allowance for the extra cost in wage increases of up to 24 per cent. in these industries.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of my right hon. Friend yesterday to a Question from the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. Ovenden).

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether she has any immediate plans for helping the shopper through price display or by other means.

The Government have just embarked upon a rolling programme of orders for price display, including unit pricing and for other measures designed to facilitate price comparison.As a first step in this accelerated action programme an order has been made which will require the price to be shown for all fresh fruits and vegetables from 1st November. In practice this will widely extend unit price marking—i.e. price per pound—in greengrocers' shops. I am also setting up a working party to study the unit pricing of prepacks.We have also made significant progress in our discussions on meat with representatives of the trade and of enforcement authorities. As a result, a pilot scheme for unit price marking for all normal retail cuts of meat will start on 1st October. In order that the scheme can be properly supervised and monitored, participation will be limited, both as to the localities in which the scheme should operate and the number of shops involved in each area. We expect that a few multiple and independent butchers as well as retail co-operative societies will take part in each of the following areas:

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she has any plans to introduce tighter control for the safety specifications to which toys imported from abroad have to conform.

All toys, whether imported or of United Kingdom manufacture, have to comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1974. In general, I am satisfied that these regulations cover the major hazards which have in the past been associated with toys, but I am always ready to consider additional measures for which a need arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether she has any immediate plans to require dual marking on prepackaged goods.

The Weights and Measures (Marking of Goods and Abbreviations of Units) Regulations 1975 have been made today. The main feature of these regulations is that from 1st January 1978 both Imperial and metric quantity marking will be required on most prepackaged goods. They will also require with immediate effect that those items which are sold in prescribed metric quantities must be marked "metric pack". The purpose of these regulations is to enable consumers easily to identify metric packs and to make value for money comparisons. Other parts of the regulations deal with the size of markings and specify the symbols and abbreviations which may be used. In conjunction with the regulations a code of practice will be issued to ensure a consistent approach to the dual marking requirement.

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish as a White Paper the text of the documents signed by the Heads of Government at Helsinki.

A White Paper with the full text of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe is being laid before the House today and will be published tomorrow.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has advised Her Majesty the Queen that some recognition should be given to the service of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the Dhofar Province of Oman.

Her Majesty The Queen has graciously approved proposals for the grant of the General Service Medal, 1962, with Clasp "Dhofar" for specified services by Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the Dhofar Province of Oman since October 1969. Details of these proposals are set out in a Command Paper which I am presenting to Parliament today. Copies are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Prime Minister whether, following the setting up of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, he proposes to make any change in Ministerial responsibility for the transport of dangerous goods by road.

As from 4th August, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will assume responsibility for this. On other matters concerned with dangerous substances generally, ministerial responsibility will remain with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

asked the Prime Minister what change has been made in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.

I have appointed my noble Friend the Lord Wallace of Coslany as a substitute member of the United Kingdom delegation to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe in place of my noble Friend the Lord Walston.

asked the Prime Minister what action he took to prevent the supply of minutes of the Cabinet and the relevant Cabinet Committees to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in connection with Court Line.

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales in what ways his Department currently financially assists youth exchanges with the countries of the Community; and what plans he has further to encourage such exchanges.

My Department has no funds for this purpose. Young people in Wales, as elsewhere in the United Kingdom, may take advantage of youth exchange funds administered by the British Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when it is intended to introduce the speed limit of 40 mph on the trunk road passing through Carno in the District of Montgomery and the County of Powys.

I have no proposal to introduce a 40 mph speed limit through Carno at present, but I am keeping the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total number and percentage of all dwellings in Wales at the end of 1974 in the following categories: (a) pre-1891, (b) 1891 to 1918, (c) 1919 to 1944, (d) 1944 to 1960, (e) 1960 to 1970 and (f) post-1970.

In December 1974 the distribution by age of the stock of dwellings in Wales was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will state, in relation to the districts of Banbridge, Down and Newry and Mourne, (a) the total rate arrears outstanding on 31st March last and the number of relevant debtors; (b) the arrears and debtors discharged since 31st March 1974; and (c) what proportion of the figures at (a) relates (i) to property destroyed or damaged, and (ii) to arrears in respect of which instalment arrangements are in force.

Following is the information:(

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many industries have closed in West Belfast during the years 1972, 1973, 1974 and to date; and what number of people were rendered unemployed.

The information is not available in the form requested. Between June 1972 and June 1973, 55 employers with addresses in Belfast postal districts 9A, 9B, 11, 12 and 13 ceased trading, causing a direct loss of 218 jobs. The corresponding figures for 1973–74 were 52 employers and 305 jobs. Statistics for 1974–75 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Belfast, West have claimed and been granted rent rebates; and how many have been refused.

This matter is the direct responsibility of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The response to the rent rebate scheme in Northern Ireland as a whole is disappointing. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Thornaby (Mr. Wrigglesworth) on 26th June. The figures quoted in that reply are the latest available.—[Vol. 894, c. 216–17.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will publish further statistical information on the security situation in Northern Ireland.

Yes; consistent with my undertaking in December last year to issue quarterly reports, I have published today statistics for the period ending 30th June. Copies are available in the Library. The figures reflect a change in the nature of violence in the Province over the period of the Provisional IRA cease-fire. There has been a marked drop in the number of shootings and explosions, particularly those involving the security forces. But the number of civilian casualties remains at an unacceptably high level. This is largely as a result of a spate of sectarian and inter-factional attacks.The security forces have responded to the changed nature and level of violence, as is shown in Part II. Nevertheless, the figures for finds of arms, explosives and ammunition illustrate the continuing success of the security forces. Furthermore, the figures for persons charged are another indicator of the security forces' continued vigilance: Charges for murder and attempted murder show a particularly marked rise, and 201 travelling gunmen have been intercepted since the beginning of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what revision of British Leyland future market prospects has been made in the light of the latest published figures on car imports and exports.

British Leyland's future market prospects must be treated as commercially confidential information.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will specify ways in which he believes the Government's industrial policies will improve the efficiency of British industry.

The Government's industrial policies, as set out in the White Paper "The Regeneration of British Industry", will improve the efficiency of British industry by a constructive extension of the Government's rôle in industry in terms of investment and public ownership, and by building a creative dialogue between Government and industry through the medium of planning agreements. These will help to raise the quality of management and improve decision taking by enabling all those who work in industry to play an active part.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish in the Official Report the regional variations in the per capita productivity rate of people employed in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.