asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the operation of the Public Service Vehicles (Arrest of Offenders) Act.

Yes, so far; it has been in force for less than three months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of the time and money expended by the police in investigating complaints against the police under the Police Act 1964; and if he will make a statement.

We are well aware of the time, money and effort expended on the investigation of complaints, and in general we regard it as well spent; but the police have our full support in refraining from over-investigation of intrinsically minor complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set a deadline for the completion of the inquiries currently being made by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis into the activities of the Children of God sect in the United Kingdom.

The inquiries which my right hon. Friend asked the Metropolitan Police to undertake have been completed. It is not, of course, for us to express a view on whether the activities of this group are or are not desirable. Their activities concern the police only in so far as it is necessary to consider whether criminal offences may have been committed by anyone in pursuance of those activities; and they concern my right hon. Friend in so far as it is necessary to consider whether they should affect the exercise of immigration control over people connected with the group. The inquiries disclose no present grounds for further action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grants have been allocated by the Voluntary Services Unit in the current financial year; and how much money is left in the fund.

In the current financial year the Voluntary Services Unit has allocated grants to over 40 voluntary organisations whose work falls within its terms of reference. The unit has nearly £800,000 left to cover the second half of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take legislative action to ensure that all persons who are away from their home on holiday at the time of future parliamentary elections shall have the right to apply for a postal vote; and if he will make a statement.

This proposal was considered by the Speaker's Conference in 1965–68, who recommended against it. If the matter is to be revived, the proper course would first be to refer it to a reconvened Speaker's Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a circular to magistrates suggesting new guidelines for dealing with applications for bail.

A circular on this matter was issued on 8th October.

asked the Secretary of state for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to immigration and repatriation.

We maintain a strict control over immigration. We recognise, as did our predecessors, that we have two commitments which must be fulfilled, to admit the wives and children of men settled here on 1st January 1973 when the Immigration Act 1971 came into force and to admit in a controlled and orderly manner those East African Asians who hold United Kingdom passports and have no other citizenship. In order to bring these two commitments to an end more quickly we have raised the rate of entry of United Kingdom passport holders and we are improving the procedure for entry of dependants from the Indian Sub-Continent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that considerable numbers of Commonwealth immigrants and their dependants are still entering Great Britain in spite of the increase in unemployment in the United Kingdom; and whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that the numbers of immigrants are reduced and that families who wish to be reunited are enabled to rejoin each other in their countries of origin.

Commonwealth citizens admitted for settlement in the first six months of this year numbered 14,455. These were almost all dependants of people already settled here and United Kingdom passport holders and their dependants and, therefore, add very little to the number of people seeking employment. We have no intenion of restricting the admission of these people which has been accepted by successive Governments. Section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971 already provides for assistance to those who wish to return to their own countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants have been admitted into Great Britain for permanent residence so far this year; and how many further applications for permanent residence have been approved in that period to include both East African Asians and dependants of United Kingdom residents.

From 1st January to 30th June 1975, 14,455 Commonwealth citizens, of whom 5,888 were United Kingdom passport holders and 4,128 foreign nationals were accepted for settlement on arrival. A further 9,956 Commonwealth citizens and 11,048 foreign nationals were accepted for settlement on removal of the time limit attached to their stay here. All figures are for the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long the working party on water safety has been at work; on how many occasions it has met: when its report may be expected; and if he will make a statement.

The working party held its first meeting on 23rd July 1974 and has to far met four times. It operates chiefly through study groups which examine particular problems and report back. We expect to receive the working party's final report early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now appoint an independent public inquiry into the administration of Winson Green Prison, Birmingham.

There is no action that I can take pending a report by the Director of Public Prosecutions into alleged assaults at the prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now sign the order confirming the new district wards in South Bedfordshire, as proposed by the Local Government Boundaries Commission; and, if not, when he expects to do so.

I hope that the order to provide new electoral arrangements for the District of South Bedfordshire can be made later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional measures he is taking to deal with the terrorist activity in England.

In close touch with the police, I keep under constant review all possible measures which might contribute to defeating terrorist activity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's latest policy with regard to implementing the recommendations of the Crawford Committee on a fourth television channel in Wales.

I have at present nothing further to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Mr. Ellis) on 6th August last.—[Vol. 897, c. 210–11.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current regulations concerning the insurance and safety regulations for minicabs and their drivers; if he is satisfied that they provide sufficient protection for the public; and if he will require minicabs to carry some external means of identification.

Private hire cars and their drivers are subject to the insurance and safety requirements of the Road Traffic Act 1972 relating to motor vehicles generally. Some local Acts contain provisions specifically requiring hire cars to be in a safe condition and to meet certain insurance requirements. A special insurance policy is often necessary for hire cars, since the normal private car policy does not usually cover the use of a vehicle for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward. We understand that these insurance arrangements are normally satisfactory. The possibility of requiring private hire cars to carry some external means of identification is being considered in the context of the general review of taxi and private hire car legislation now being undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what purpose is served by prison reception procedure which requires new arrivals to parade in the nude before a prison officer; and if he will take immediate steps to put an end to the practice.

Prisoners on reception are required to be searched, to have a hot bath and, in the case of most convicted prisoners, to be examined for scars and distinctive marks on the body. The search is an essential security precaution, and the noting of scars and distinctive marks is a necessary element in the full description of the prisoner required both by the Criminal Records Office and by the prison itself. It serves to rebut allegations that the marks or scars were inflicted after reception into prison and affords an additional protection against the possibility of one prisoner impersonating another in order to obtain release. Prison Rules and Standing Orders provide that these requirements shall be carried out, in as seemly a manner as possible and out of sight of other prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to make regulations extending the provisions of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 to places of employment.

My right hon. Friend proposes to make an order, coming into operation on 1st January 1977, which will designate under the 1971 Act premises at present covered by the Factories Act 1961 and the Offices Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now allocate separate amateur radio prefixes for Guernsey and Jersey.

No. Out of a total of 21,000 amateurs licensed by my Department, less than 100 are in the Channel Islands using their special prefix "GC"; we do not consider that it would be reasonable to subdivide by prefix such a small number.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional steps he is taking to control violence at football matches with a view to its elimination.

Responsibility for measures to deal with violence connected with football matches rests with chief officers of police, acting in consultation with the football clubs, transport operators and others concerned. Action has been taken on a number of fronts: by chief officers of police, in appointing a liaison officer in each force as a point of contact for the exchange of information with other forces; by British Rail, in discontinuing football specials; by the Traffic Commissioners, in imposing strict conditions on some football excursion motor coaches. My hon. Friend the Minister responsible for sport and recreation, who is in close contact with his Working Party on Crowd Behaviour, and my right hon. Friend will continue to keep these measures under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold discussions with the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the General Medical Council about the use of the special control unit at Wakefield Prison.

Officials were invited to attend a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists on 12th September when they participated in a full discussion. There has been no approach from the General Medical Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the delays and difficulties involved in making telephonic contact with his immigration department at Lunar House, Croydon; and if he will take steps to improve the switchboard facilities at this office.

We are well aware of the limitations of the telephone inquiry bureau of the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Department. The Post Office Telecommunications Consultancy Service was recently asked to recommend how the equipment and facilities of the bureau could be improved and so provide a better service to the public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report, or alternatively place in the House of Commons Library, a copy of instructions issued to police concerning the use of police dogs.

The use of police dogs is a matter within the operational discretion of chief officers of police, but guidance is contained in the Home Office Consolidated Circular to the Police on Crime and Kindred Matters, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place with Rapid Data International of Havant about contingency plans for the production of identity cards for all United Kingdom citizens; and if he will make a statement.

None; as far as any matter within the purview of my Department is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Rhodesian students of all races have been admitted to the United Kingdom for scholastic and other courses; which are those courses, and where pursued; how many possess United Kingdom, Rhodesian, and other passports or travel documents, respectively; what is the machinery for liaison with the Rhodesian authorities and in particular, for ensuring that the students can find useful employment in Rhodesia on completion of their courses; and whether he will make a statement of Government policy.

The number of Rhodesian citizens admitted to the United Kingdom as students during the six months ended 30th June, which is the latest period for which published figures are available, was 188; but that had increased to about 700 by the end of September.Detailed information about the passports carried by Rhodesian citizens on arrival is not available.It is not possible to say to which courses all Rhodesians have sought admission, or where they are being held. The courses for which the Ministry of Overseas Development has given awards are post O level ones having either academic or direct vocational purposes. Priority is given to students proposing to take courses which would equip them to contribute to the development of an independent Rhodesia. There is no machinery for liaison of the kind suggested with the illegal régime.The Government's policy on Rhodesian students was set out in an announcement made on Friday 10th October, of which I am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy.

asked the Attorney-General if he will take steps to ensure that legal aid covers representation before statutory tribunals.

My noble Friend has considerable sympathy with the advisory committee's recommendation, and he supports in principle the extension of legal aid to these tribunals. However, he regrets that he cannot give priority to the provision of legal aid for tribunals, in view of the urgent need for improving legal services generally. The study he has commissioned into the problems of the unmet need for legal services is reaching completion. My noble Friend will review the whole position when the report is available to him.

asked the Attorney-General if he will review the income limits within which legal aid assistance is provided.

The income limits for legal aid are reviewed, annually or biannually, in line with increases of supplementary benefit. My noble Friend has increased the limits twice since he took office, the latest increase being on 1st June 1975. The whole basis of the financial conditions of eligibility for legal aid are at present being studied by a working party which includes representatives of The Law Society, the Supplementary Benefits Commission and the Lord Chancellor's Office.

asked the Attorney-General what estimate he has made of the number of people requiring legal aid but unable to afford it.

It is difficult to make an accurate estimate, but there is general agreement that the number is considerable.

asked the Attorney-General what consideration he has given to any scheme for replacing the present system of legal aid by one which makes legal aid available when its cost is beyond a person's capacity to pay.

The financial bases of eligibility for legal aid are being studied by a working party reviewing the financial conditions of the legal aid schemes. They will be considering the possibility to which my hon. Friend's Question refers.

asked the Attorney-General what representations he has received for the setting up of an independent public corporaton to be responsible for all publicly financed legal services.

My noble Friend has received a number of representations of this nature, in particular from the Legal Action Group. He has considered these representations, and has decided that such a body is not at present required.

asked the Attorney-General if he will encourage the establishment of a national network of neighbourhood law centres with particular provision for deprived areas.

My noble Friend has, within the limits imposed by the present economic situation, encouraged the establishment of law centres in areas where they are needed. He is giving further consideration to the general question of how best to provide for the unmet need for legal services including the need in deprived areas.

asked the Attorney-General if he is satisfied that the provision of legal aid in geographical areas reffects the need for that aid.

Legal aid is available in all areas in England and Wales. Its effectiveness depends on the availability of solicitors in the locality willing and able to do this type of work. My noble Friend is investigating the extent of this problem in the context of the consideration referred to in my answer to my hon. Friend's previous Question on neighbourhood law centres.

asked the Attorney-General what steps are taken to ensure that legal aid is provided to cases of the highest priority.

Legal aid is available to all those who satisfy the statutory requirements of eligibility. In cases of urgency emergency legal aid may be granted, if necessary, by telephone.

asked the Attorney-General if he is satisfied with the operation of the Green Form scheme for legal aid.

My noble Friend is pleased to note that use of the scheme has expanded from 100,298 cases in 1973–74 to 180,284 cases in 1974–75. He believes, however, that it could be used even more widely, in particular to advise those who have problems in relation to tribunals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she intends to publish the promised White Paper on services for the mentally ill.

The White Paper "Better Services for the Mentally Ill", has been published today (Cmnd 6233).Its purpose is to bring together into coherent whole existing policies on aspects which are inter-related, but which have tended to be looked at separately—on hospital services, personal social services, security, children and adolescents, alcoholism, drug addiction, and on education, housing and employment for the mentally ill. The general theme is the provision of networks of services which are locally based, with treatment in general hospital psychiatric units and day hospitals, and more emphasis on local authority day care, residential and field-work services. Most health and local authorities have been moving in this direction for some time.The White Paper does not set out new policies but aims to provide a comprehensive restatement of existing policy and, among other matters, to put right various misunderstandings and misconceptions which have arisen in recent years. These relate particularly to the time scale within which it is practicable to achieve the necessary changes, and to the failure to appreciate the essential inter-dependence of health and local authority services. As a result, expectations have been aroused which can often not be fulfilled in the short term.The White Paper confirms that it remains the Government's long-term objective to replace the present system of care for the mentally ill, based on large and often isolated mental hospitals, by a local district-based service. The new pattern of service is expected to be more flexible, and better able to respond to individual needs. It involves the provision not only of psychiatric units at general hospitals but also local hospital facilities for elderly severely mentally infirm patients, and a range of residential facilities and day care services. Some specialised services would need to be provided at regional and sub-regional level. The objective of community-orientated care is described, however, not simply in terms of new or different facilities but in terms of the patterns of staffing and professional teamwork, and the arrangements for co-operation between health and local authorities which are capable of being applied within the context of existing facilities to provide a better standard of care.I wish to emphasise that the White Paper should be seen as a long-term strategic document presenting a comprehensive background picture of what should be our ultimate aim, enabling us to move more rationally towards this aim both within existing resources and as and when resources permit. It will also facilitate joint health and local authority planning for the time when development of services becomes possible.The sections on resources in particular have been drafted to make it clear that the document is not setting out a specific programme of development but is a statement of objectives against which short-term and medium-term decisions can be taken. It stresses that very little material progress in the shape of new physical development is to be expected in the next few years, and that the time scale for further significant progress will depend on the totality of the resources available and on the degree of priority which can be given to services for the mentally ill in relation to other needs.Since the new pattern of services is based on a reorganisation and build up of services within each district, it will not be possible to make equal progress in all parts of the country at the same time. In some cases the mental hospitals will have a continuing rôle for 20 years or more. Others will have a shorter life. It will be for local decision which replacement service should be provided first. The White Paper makes the point that more emphasis on day hospital treatment, day care, treatment and support in the home itself, and less on in-patient treatment, should mean that the increase in revenue requirement, taking health and social services together, need be only very modest, and, indeed, of much the same order as would be entailed if the present pattern of service were not to change. The White Paper also makes it clear, however, that the capital investment entailed means that even under relatively favourable economic circumstances a time scale of between 20 and 30 years would be required to introduce this pattern generally throughout the country. It is estimated that to provide all the new facilities required would require a capital programme of about £30 million per annum on health services and £8 million per annum on social services over a period of that order. In the current period of financial restraint, the scope for achieving progress in the next few years will inevitably be strictly limited, particularly as shifting the balance between hospital and community services presents particular problems, given the severe constraints on local authority spending. The possibility of achieving some modest growth in the resources available for the health and personal social services, and of increasing capital investment in the long term, must depend on the country's overall economic circumstances. I am investigating ways of joint financing schemes between health and local authorities.A strategy which draws together overall objectives against a realistic resource background is essential if the best use is to be made at local level of the limited resources likely to be available in the next few years. At a time of general severe economic restraint it is all the more important to take short-term decisions against a comprehensive long-term perspective, and for health and local authorities to be able to take a shared perspective and joint decisions. I also hope that the White Paper will prove a valuable document in its own right in leading to a better understanding—both among the general public and in the National Health Service, central and local government—of the problems of mentally ill people and what can be done to help them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement about the strike of hospital doctors in Plymouth.

Junior hospital doctors in Plymouth were on strike for 24 hours from 9 a.m. on Monday 13th October, and have now returned to normal working. All outpatient clinics and operating lists scheduled for Monday were cancelled on Friday 10th October, and the patients notified. All emergency and some routine work was undertaken by consultants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if she will set out a table in the Official Report showing the effects, on different grades of doctors, of the new scales of remuneration recently announced.(2) if there are any hospital doctors who would receive less remuneration for hours worked than previously under the recently announced new contracts;(3) if she will consider the introduction of a no-detriment clause in the proposed new hospital doctors' contracts.

I refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 15–23 of the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body Report published on 18th September (Cmnd. 6243). The recommendations in the report of the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body on the pricing of new contracts for junior hospital doctors and dentists are not yet accepted by the professions, in spite of a decision on 3rd October by the representatives of the Hospital Junior Staff Committee reluctantly to accept the report and to recommend junior doctors to enter into new contracts on the basis of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she has received a copy of the report, Single Homeless on Merseyside: A Night Survey January 1975; and if she will make a statement on her policy towards its recommendations.

We have received a copy of the report and noted that most of the recommendations are addressed to statutory bodies on Merseyside. As to the recommendations for action nationally, the Department will of course continue, within the limits of present financial constraints, to co-operate with local authorities and voluntary organisations who seek to put into effect the policies described in the Department's circulars about homeless rootless people, including alcoholics.Earlier this year the Department authorised a substantial grant to the Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire Council on Alcoholism towards purchasing a hostel for recovering alcoholics. Urban aid was also granted.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many times each joint consultative committee in

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current number of one-parent families in Great Britain; and what proportion of England has met since 1st April 1974; and if she is satisfied with the co-ordination of policy between health authorities and local authorities by these committees.

Detailed information about meetings of joint consultative committees is not available centrally. It is clear that more can and should be done in some parts of the country to use the potential of the joint consultative committees to the full. We have repeatedly stressed to area health authorities and local authorities the importance we attach to co-operation in planning and provision of services in order to achieve our common aims of providing care in the community whenever possible, and securing the most effective deployment of the available resources. We have also announced our intention to consult on the possible joint financing of community projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of the population were members of the Registrar General's classes I, II, III, IV and V, respectively, in 1901 and at each successive 10-year period.

According to the Census of Population the economically active and retired males—excluding those not classified—were distributed as follows:these families have (

The Finer Committee estimated the number of one-parent families in Great Britain in 1971 as 620,000 mainly on the basis of the 1971 Census of Population. The Census also showed that (a) 53 per cent. of one-parent families had only one dependent child—that is—under 15 or under 19 and in full time education—and (b) 27 per cent. of one-parent families were headed by a widow or widower. The Registrar General is exploring how to make estimates for years in which no Census information is available; if he is satisfied reliable estimates can be prepared these will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals she is making for the future of the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital.

No proposals have been made to me, but I hope to arrange to visit the hospital shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest annual figures of total National Health Service expenditure per head of population in each of the health regions of England, respectively.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to encourage the useful employment of wives who as a result of violence in marriage live separately with their children, if she will take steps to enable interested parties to apply for money to set up refuges and carry out other programmes of aid from the EEC Social Fund.

The European Social Fund is so constituted that help is not available to set up refuges for victims of violence in marriage, but it is open to interested parties to apply through the Department of Employment for aid in respect of schemes of training and retraining for employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether Form No. 9499F (Medical Certificate for Fitness for Air Travel) for disabled persons is a form for which NHS doctors can charge for completion.

This certificate is a clinical report and doctors are not obliged to give it under their terms of service in the NHS. If they do complete the certificate they are entitled to charge for it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of brucellosis were notified during the past 10 years.

Brucellosis in humans is not a notifiable disease and diagnosis is often uncertain. We do, however, obtain figures from the Public Health Laboratory Service of the number of cases confirmed. The number in England for the past eight years is:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she expects to receive the report of the Working Party on Fostering Practice; and when the report will be published.

The Working Party on Fostering Practice has completed its Guide to Fostering Practice and we expect to receive it at the end of this month. A publication date has not yet been decided upon. Because of printing arrangements this is likely to be early in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were issued with Form E111 setting out their entitlement to free medical treatment during visits to EEC member countries in the months of May, June,

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of tuberculosis were notified during the past 10 years, and, of these, how many were caused by infected animals.

Cases of tuberculosis notified over the past 10 years are given below. It is not known how many derived from animals but, on the evidence of the Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, the number of new cases caused directly by infected animals is a very small proportion of the total.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate her Department has made of the number of males over 65 years of age and females over 60 years of age who are in fulltime employment.

The latest available information for Great Britain is given by the 1971 Census of Population; according to a 10 per cent. sample there were 220,050 males aged 65 years or more and 231,430 females aged 60 years or more who usually worked for more than 30 July, August and September of this year; and how these figures compare with those for the corresponding months in 1973 and 1974.

Statistics of Forms E111 issued are not kept by calendar months but by four-weekly periods. The figures for 1975 are as follows:hours per week, excluding overtime and meal breaks.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the future of the Family Fund.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 15th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many lunches and dinners have been held so far during the month of October 1975 at the Eastbourne District General Hospital at present under construction; on which dates such functions were held and the names and appointments in the National Health Service of those attending on each occasion; what was the total cost of each meal; and from which source that cost has been or will be met.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the recent working conference of regional administrators held at the hospital. The meals provided were not paid for out of Exchequer Funds but from endowment funds administered by the South East Thames Regional Health Authority and the East Sussex Area Health Authority, which as trustees are entirely responsible for the use of the funds in accordance with the terms of the trust.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what decision has been made about the application for five additional registrar appointments at the new Eastbourne District General Hospital in ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology, general surgery, urology, and orthopaedics.

Registrar posts in traumatic and orthopaedic surgery and general surgery and a medical assistant post in ophthalmology have been agreed for Eastbourne District General Hospital. I am writing to the hon. Member about the two remaining posts.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish details of the deductions made from statutory retirement pensions when the recipient is undergoing in-patient National Health Service treatment in a National Health Service hospital, the annual total of such deductions and details of similar deductions where the patient is undergoing private treatment in a National Health Service or private hospital.

The provisions whereby national insurance and industrial injuries benefits are reduced when a beneficiary is in hospital for more than eight weeks are set out in the Social Security (Hospital In-Patients) Regualtions 1975 (Statutory Instrument 1975/555) and in leaflet NI9 issued by the Department. No reduction is made in cases in which a beneficiary is paying the entire cost of his hospital maintenance.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what rules exist relating to chairmen of area health authorities making statements which have

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total number of deaths attributed to abortion in England and Wales for each of the years 1969 to 1974 inclusive; and how many were classified as legal abortions, as spontaneous abortions and as illegal abortions, respectively.

The numbers of deaths in England and Wales attributed to abortion were as follows:a politically partisan nature concerning private medicine within the National Health Service; and if she is satisfied with the operation of these rules.

Health authorities act for the Secretary of State in carrying out the functions delegated to them. I rely on the discretion of their chairmen and members not to make public statements on health service matters contrary to stated Government policies. They are free to comment on matters which, like the future implementation by legislation of the Government's policy on private medicine, are the subject of public consultation, but I would expect them to avoid giving any impression of political partisanship.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the maternal mortality rate excluding abortion in England and Wales for each of the years 1969 to 1974 inclusive.

The rates per 100,000 total—live and still—births were as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, why the sample inquiry return for 1st September 1975 omits apples, pears and sheep.

Adequate information on the area under apple and pear trees is available from the June census and on sheep numbers from the June and December censuses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much surplus wine has been distilled into industrial alcohol in the EEC; at what cost; and what effect has this had on the price of domestically produced industrial alcohol.

In 1975 the Council of Ministers has approved programmes to aid the distillation of some 9·6 million hectolitres of surplus wine at an estimated cost to the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund of 925 million units of account. I understand that so far this has had no discernible effect on United Kingdom alcohol prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he has any proposals to increase the hill cow subsidy in 1976;(2) if he has any proposals to increase the hill sheep subsidy in 1976.

Parliamentary authority is being sought to increase the hill sheep subsidy this winter. In addition, a close watch is being kept on the situation of hill livestock farmers, particularly in the light of the autumn sales of their calves, store cattle, lambs and draft ewes. The need for any further increase in subsidies is also a matter for the annual review when we shall be looking at the whole industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact on sheep carcase exports of the EEC regulation requiring that all skin must be removed including that from the head; if he considers such regulations are necessary on health grounds; and if he will make a statement.

Many factors affect the volume of exports, but exports of lamb continue to provide a valuable market outlet. I am advised that the requirement is justifiable on health grounds. Minor modifications for the dressing of horned sheep are being operated while solutions to technical problems are evolved on a co-operative basis involving the Meat and Livestock Commission, the Trade and the Agricultural Departments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing the quantities of wine and powdered milk being held in store by EEC agencies at the latest date for which figures are available and at the corresponding dates in each of the last five years.

There is no direct buying and storage of wine by EEC agencies.As regards skimmed milk powder, at the beginning of October the stocks held by EEC intervention agencies totalled 1,038,000 tonnes. Total intervention stocks held at the corresponding date in the previous five years were:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officers employed by the State Veterinary Service are involved in research on the germ, brucella, and, of these, how many have contracted brucellosis during the past 10 years.

103 officers are employed in research on brucella at the Central Veterinary Laboratory and the Lasswade Laboratory, and a further six officers are working on research projects in veterinary investigation centres. During the past 10 years there have been six known cases of brucellosis amongst the staff. During the same period there has been a turnover in staff of about 200.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has completed the review announced in his answer to the hon. Member for Chertsey and Walton on 3rd July 1975; and if he will make a statement.

Some organisational changes have already been introduced, but the review of measures relating to the health and safety of staff in all Ministry establishments is a continuing process.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the state of the sheep sector of the agriculture industry; and if he will make a statement.

The slight decrease in the breeding flock recorded at the June census this year reflects a reaction to last winter's difficulties. This setback is almost certain to be temporary and the longer term prospects for the sheep industry are encouraging. There is scope for home producers to meet a large share of domestic demand, as recognised in the White Paper "Food From Our Own Resources", and there continues to be a valuable export trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the price per gallon received by British milk producers would have been on the following dates, had the green pound been valued at the actual prevailing exchange rate at the date concerned: 1st June 1974, 1st January 1975, 1st June 1975 and 13th October 1975; and what was the percentage by which this is less than the price actually paid to milk producers employing the green pound system.

I cannot give this information because the guaranteed price for British milk producers is set by the United Kingdom Government in pence per gallon within the transitional rules agreed with the European Community. Changes in the representative rate for sterling do not automatically alter the level of the guaranteed prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many service cottages are owned by the Forestry Commission.

At 31st March 1975 the Forestry Commission had 2,987 dwellings let on service tenancies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation restricting the duration of provisional licences for motor cyclists.

I am keenly aware of the disturbingly high numbers of motor cyclists involved in fatal and injury accidents and of the need for proper training of learner riders. Leaving aside consideration of the very considerable practical difficulties which would be involved, however, I do not consider that the situation would be improved significantly by restricting the duration of provisional licences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of tied houses as revealed by the 1966 census or according to any later information.

Estimates from the data provided by the 1966 census suggest that in Great Britain dwellings either rented together with a farm or business or held by virtue of employment amounted to some 940,000, or about 5 per cent. of all dwellings. No comparable later figures are available, though the general household survey for 1972 suggested that the percentage of dwellings in this category had not altered substantially.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to abolish all tied accommodation, including parsonages.

No. The Government's consultative document on the abolition of the tied cottage system in agriculture distinguished agricultural from other tied housing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the extent of payments made from public funds in respect of pop festivals; on which Vote or Votes they are carried; and what are the arrangements for insurance against damage from, and for claims against, the promoters and organisers of such festivals.

The only direct expenditure of Government money in respect of pop festivals—that is excluding the Exchequer grant element in policing costs and in any expenditure that may have been incurred by local authorities—has been in connection with the festival at Watchfield this year. Payments of about £3,500 have been made by the Property Services Agency to meet expenditure on the provision of certain essential services at the festival site against an underwriting by the Crown Estates Commissioners. There are contributions from the festival organisers and others to be set against expenditure incurred by public authorities in connection with the festival, but a final assessment both of costs and contributions has yet to be made.It is for promoters and organisers of festivals to make whatever arrangements seem appropriate to them to meet any claims which might lie against them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he is giving to representations from the City of Glasgow District Council regarding the Forth and Clyde Canal; and if he will now announce his intentions on the setting up of the proposed study team on Scottish lowlands waterways.

As I told my hon. Friend on 4th July, I regard continuing discussions at the local level as the right way to settle the various issues which arise in connection with this canal. I see no need for any further special study.—[Vol. 894, c. 568.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the recent cut-back in services of London buses in Upminster constituency and elsewhere, he will ask the Transport Road Research Laboratory to expedite the completion of its survey into all causes of unreliability in bus services and make immediate recommendations for their improvement.

These studies are expected to be complete early in 1976. To accelerate their completion would disrupt other equally important work of public transport.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of replacing old carpets in the Palace of Westminster in 1974 and 1975; and who recommended that replacement was necessary.

The cost in 1974 was £29,658; in 1975 it is expected to be about £29,000. Replacement was recommended by the Department's Controller of Supplies as part of the continuing maintenance programme for the Palace of Westminster, in consultation where necessary with the appropriate Works of Art Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the future of the Bloomsbury site previously designated for National Library use.

The Bloomsbury site will be disposed of under the usual procedures for redundant Government land, and careful consideration is now being given to this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the pelican crossing to be installed on the A18 trunk road at Dunsville is not yet in position.

There has been a delay in the delivery of the equipment, but this has now been received and the pelican will be installed as soon as the works necessary can be arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he received the inspector's report on the public inquiry into the Selby coalfield planning application; and when he expects to announce his decisions in respect of the application.

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the inspector's report on the public inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in connection with the Department's recent investigations into the safety of building in which high alumina cement has been used, how many buildings the findings disclosed to have been more than four storeys using this cement; and how many of these are in Scotland and Wales.

Detailed figures are not available, but a sample survey of buildings in England and Wales containing high alumina cement concrete suggests that the number with more than four storeys is small. The position in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the rent assessment panel was set up; what are its functions and the area of its jurisdiction; and if he will list the present members, stating in each case the length of service and the number of meetings it has had in 1975 and where.

Rent assesment panels were first established in England under the Rent Act 1965. There are 15 such panels, each with a geographical area, and their members are appointed to rent assessment committees and rent tribunals, both of which exercise functions in respect of private rented dwellings. Rent assessment committees deal with objections to fair rents as fixed by rent officers in cases where there is a non-resident landlord. Rent tribunals consider applications for security of tenure and the fixing of reasonable rents where the landlord is resident. Meetings are held as and when required in locations throughout the country.Members of the panels are appointed for three-year renewable terms. There are some 870 members, and the current list is placed annually in the Library of the House. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales have responsibility for similar panels in Scotland and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to announce measures to eliminate the separate rating assessment of caravans.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make his intentions known shortly.

asked the Secretary of Etate for the Environment (1) what is the starting date for the proposed bypass of the villages of West Lynn, Clenchwarton, Terrington St. Clements and Walpole Cross Keys, on the A17 in the county of Norfolk;(2) what is the planned completion date of the proposed bypass of the villages of West Lynn, Clenchwarton, Terrington St. Clements and Walpole Cross Keys on the A17 in the county of Norfolk.

Subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and availablility of funds, construction could begin in about two years' time and would take a further two years to complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action is being taken under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act, financed by the Football Grounds Improvement Trust, to provide access facilities for disabled people; and if he will make a statement;(2) what discussions have taken place between his Department, the Football Grounds Improvement Trust and organisations representing disabled people regarding access for disabled people to football grounds; what has been the result of such discussion; and if he will make a statement.

The Central Council for the Disabled wrote to me in June about the possibility of using some of the funds of the Football Grounds Improvement Trust to finance the provision of facilities for disabled people. I have put the council in touch with the trustees, and I very much hope that the improvemens financed by the trust, when it is formed, will make it possible for more disabled people to watch football both in comfort and security. Decisions on the allocation of funds of the trust will, of course, be for the trustees to make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the current standing committees or working parties of his National Consultative Committee; when each last met; who are their members; when the next meeting is due; and what is their current programme of work.

Details of the committees and working groups of the National Consultative Council of the Building and Civil Engineering Industries are given below. Where a member acts in a representative capacity, the name of the organisation represented is given. There are also members from my Department and other Departments as appropriate.These bodies provide a forum for consultations between the industry and the Government on issues as they arise and, in general, they do not have a prearranged programme of work. The Computer and Data Co-ordination Committee has a programme of work which is primarily concerned with the co-ordination of action within the industry on the development of the use of computers and on the flow of information.STANDING CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL ENGINEERING

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his intention that his National Consultative Council should continue to meet, following the establishment of the Construction Industry Liaison Group; and what is the scheduled date for the next meeting.

Yes. The National Consultative Council, which normally ments at six-monthly intervals, arranged at its meeting on 9th October to meet next on 7th April 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings of his Construction Industry Liaison Group have so far taken place; and what specific action has been taken by him as a result of the discussions at those meetings.

The group has met five times. Its discussions are a valuable aid to the development of policies and the direction of further studies in relation to the construction industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received his inspector's report on the public inquiry into the M67 (Denton relief road) proposals; and when he expects to be able to announce his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the results of the public inquiry into proposals for a Denton bypass on the M67.

The inspector's report has not been received. A decision will be announced as soon as possible after its receipt.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider proposing amending the Noise Abatement Act 1960 so that some restrictions can be placed upon the creation of noise by the flying of model aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider proposing amending the Noise Abatement Act 1960, to include control over noise caused by model aircraft.

The Noise Abatement Act 1960 is shortly to be superseded in England and Wales by Part III of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, which includes provision to deal with noise nuisance from model aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what payments due to contractors for work carried out on motorway construction are now outstanding.

Under the Department's normal contractual conditions, monthly payments are made in respect of work carried out. The conditions of contract allow for a period of four weeks during which the amount claimed may be examined. Bills for just under £7 million are being examined at present. This amount is not unusual.Contractors may also claim payment for work not reflected by the original terms of the contract. Claims at present under consideration by the Department amount to about £90 million, against which about £10 million have been paid on account. These claims take longer to settle because they need to be substantiated by the contractors before they can be examined in detail. The payments ultimately made do not ordinarily overall amount to more than a third of the amounts claimed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library an English language version of the annual report of the Central Commission for the Navigation of the River Rhine.

No. Central Rhine Commission documents are available in French and German only. It would be unduly expensive to produce an English version.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to ensure that large specimen trees which have been grown for planting in public places are not wasted through cuts in public expenditure.

No. As far as I am aware, no substantial wastage of advanced nursery stock or semi-mature trees is likely to occur in the immediate future. However, I recognise that the current restrictions on public expenditure may in some cases have unfortunate consequences.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which professions, trades or other occupations receive fees as a significant part of their total remuneration; what proportion, in each case, fees are estimated to form of total remuneration; and whether such fees will be subject to the £6 pay increase ceiling in accordance with Government policy.

Most professions, trades or occupations may contain people who receive a significant part of total remuneration in the form of fees; information is not available about the proportion of total remuneration in each case constituted by such fees; fees and charges are covered by the Price Code controls.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is ready to make a statement on the quota scheme for employment of disabled persons.