asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he intends to change the basis for valuing shares for compensation purposes set out in the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill.

No. But the Bill will contain a new provision to deal with the specific case of companies which are saved from receivership or liquidation by Government financial assistance in the period before vesting. Clearly it would be inequitable to spend public money in rescuing companies from collapse and then to pay more public money to shareholders on the basis of a valuation made during a past period when the companies were viable. The new provision will operate only where the Government provide selective financial assistance to rescue a company after 6th November 1975 and before giving the assistance I am of the opinion that in the particular circumstances of the case and had the assistance not been given the company probably would have become insolvent within the foreseeable future. Where the provision operates compensation will be reduced either to 5 per cent. of the amount which otherwise would have been payable under the Bill or the amount the shareholders would have received had the aid not been given and the company wound up. The choice will be for the stockholders' representative of an affected company to exercise within three months after the relevant vesting date.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the outcome of discussions with BSC, his Department and the Department of Energy in relation to the United Kingdom share of special and tubular steels for the North Sea offshore oil market.

The Department keeps in regular contact with the Department of Energy and the British Steel Corporation about the corporation's ability to meet North Sea oil requirements. BSC currently supplies the great bulk of requirements for well-casing and recently started a £35 million programme to develop further its capacity for producing this. In addition, two electric are furnaces have recently been installed at BSC's Clydesdale Works in Scotland at a cost of £13 million, for the production of high quality steel suitable for the North Sea market.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his interim shipbuilding policy to cover the position prior to and immediately after the implementation of the Government's policy on nationalisation.

The problems facing the shipbuilding industry are receiving urgent consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what recent discussions he has held with the European Commission on the future of the British shipbuilding industry.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he can give an estimate of the output of British shipyards over each of the next five years, bearing in mind the views of the Shipbuilders' and Repairers' National Association that British yards are being priced out of world markets at a time when available world production capacity exceeds demand.

The present level of ordering is such that after 1977 our output of merchant ships is likely to decline rapidly from the present level of about 1¼ million tons a year. The situation in the shipbuilding industry is under urgent consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) on what dates tripartite meetings between his Department, management of Hawker Siddeley Aircraft and the unions are being held to consider the progress of further funding of the HS146 project; and if he will make a statement about progress following these meetings;(2) what has been the total amount of money advanced by the Government to date for the continuation of studies on the HS146 project; and how much money remains to be allocated to the continuation of these studies.

Tripartite meetings on the HS146 project were held in February, April and May of this year and resulted in a report to the Government in June. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State has subsequently discussed the report with the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions. It does not justify any change in the Government's present policy, which is to retain the option to restart the project. To this end an amount of up to £1 million has been provided for the current financial year to continue design and development work and market studies, of which £305,000 has so far been paid to the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his estimate of the total number of workers who will be employed in the British airframe manufacturing industry over each of the next five years.

The future size of the British airframe manufacturing industry will depend on the state of the world economy, the market for new aircraft both civil and military, and the success of the British Industry in competing for these markets. Reliable forecasts of the industry's future labour requirements are, therefore, not possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will indicate what financial assistance has been provided from central Government sources to each of the English regions, Scotland and Wales, respectively, for all purposes during the last five years for which details are readily available and for which the Government are directly responsible; and how financial assistance compares with the number of insured people in each of the above sections of Great Britain, respectively.

Records of Government expenditure are not kept in the form requested, and I regret, therefore, that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are in existence for vehicle and body searches of travellers from Northern Ireland by ferry from Larne to Stranraer.

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the detailed arrangements. However, there is selective searching of vehicles and passengers at Larne. Security measures at Stranraer are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many water schemes, sewage schemes and road works, respectively, have been cancelled in County Armagh as a result of the expenditure cuts.

No such schemes have been cancelled, although one sewerage scheme and two water schemes have been deferred from the 1975–76 programme. My right hon. Friend is reviewing future programmes in the light of the financial situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the work of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights.

I have today laid before Parliament the first report of the Standing Advisory Commission, which covers a period up to June 1975. The commission is to be congratulated on the extensive and wide-ranging work which it has undertaken during this period.In its report the Commission has made recommendations to me about the Prevention of Incitement to Hatred Act and the Flags and Emblems Act. I am now studying these recommendations. I look forward to receiving advice about the Electoral Law Act.I welcome the serious consideration which the Commission has given to problems of fair employment and sex discrimination in Northern Ireland. Time did not permit the passage of the Fair Employment Bill during the last Session of Parliament, but I appreciate the Commission's concern that it should become law as soon as possible. Legislation is being prepared in the field of sex discrimination, similar to that already drafted for Great Britain.The Commission has given considerable thought to the report of the Gardiner Committee, and in particular to the problem of detention. On detention, I would refer to the statement I made during the debate in this House on Tuesday 4th November.—[Vol. 899, c. 233–241.]I have welcomed the Commission's decision to initiate a study of the desirability of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, and am glad to note that since the period of its report the Commission has made useful progress with this study. I look forward to its findings.I note the Commission's support for an independent means of investigating complaints against the police. I am awaiting the report of the working party on this subject, but it is my intention to introduce an independent element into the procedure not less than that envisaged for England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what number of arrests have been made in the South Armagh area during the past three months; and what charges have been preferred.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 30th October 1975, Vol. 898, c. 616–17], gave the following information:During this period some 540 people have been arrested. All have been questioned, and so far 14 people have been charged with offences of a terrorist nature. Inquiries into terrorist crime in the area are continuing.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Mansion House on 16th October about the economy represents Her Majesty's Government's policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Lord Mayor's Banquet in the City of London on 16th October on the economic situation represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer's public speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet on 16th October on economic policy represented Her Majesty's Government's policy.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech on the economy by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Mansion House, London, on 16th October, represents Government policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the economy on 16th October at the Mansion House represents Government policy.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gow) on 4th November.

asked the Prime Minister what progress is being made towards open government.

The trend towards wider and more open consultation in the Government's administrative processes has continued steadily since the 1969 White Paper (Cmnd. 4089). It is our policy to carry these developments further.

asked the Prime Minister what action he has taken to implement the proposal of the Group of Six voluntary agencies for an integrated policy towards poverty both at home and abroad which was submitted to him in a memorandum in December 1974.

Following a meeting which I held with the group earlier this year, its proposals have been widely considered within the Government, with a view to deciding on practical steps to implement their approach.

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

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit Tamworth.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the meeting of NEDC held at Chequers on 5th November to discuss the new industrial strategy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the NEDC meeting at Chequers on 5th November to discuss new industrial strategy.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the meeting of NEDC on 5th November at Chequers to discuss the new industrial strategy.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting on industrial strategy held at Chequers on 5th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the meeting of NEDC held on 5th November at Chequers to discuss industrial strategy.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the meeting on industrial strategy held at Chequers on 5th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the NEDC meeting at Chequers on the new industrial strategy.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Thornaby (Mr. Wrigglesworth).

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek an early meeting with President Ford.

The hon. Member will be aware that I shall be seeing President Ford, among other Heads of State and Government, at Rambouillet from 15th November to 17th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 6th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 6th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his enagements for 6th November.

This morning I greeted President Sadat on his arrival in London for an official visit to this country and I later chaired a meeting of the Cabinet. I shall be holding further meetings with my Ministerial colleagues and others.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to meet the EEC Prime Ministers.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy) on 4th November.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to take the chair at a meeting of the National Economic Development Council.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to take the chair at the NEDC.

I hope to be able to take the chair, as I did yesterday, about once a quarter, but I have no specific date in mind at present.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech delivered by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to a dinner of the London Metal Exchange on 21st October on economic matters represents Her Majesty's Government's policy.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps designed to improve the public relations of Government Departments generally, and of his own office in particular, following the publication of the Aims of Industry Report, "The Image of Britain Abroad".

No. The facts in the article were inaccurate and so, consequently, were the conclusions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now invite the National Consumer Council to be involved in all his discussions on economic and social matters with the TUC and the CBI.

No, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection is in frequent touch with the National Consumer Council. As my hon. Friend knows, the Chairman of the National Consumer Council is a member of NEDC and was present at the council's meeting at Chequers yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to meet the Scottish Council (Development and Industry).

I have no immediate plans for such a meeting, but I am kept fully informed of the council's thinking by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, who maintains regular contacts with the council.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his discussions with the leaders of the Greater London Council on local government finance on 3rd September.

Our discussions on 3rd September covered major current issues concerning the Greater London Council, including the re-development of docklands, the location of industry and the future rôle of public transport.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to meet the TUC.

I have frequent contacts with the leaders of the TUC, whom I last met at the meeting of NEDC at Chequers yesterday. Meetings are arranged as necessary.

asked the Prime Minister if he will transfer to a single Minister responsibility for the civil police and the railway and docks police forces.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if he will transfer responsibility for the control of aircraft noise from the Department of Trade to the Department of the Environment.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to the Mersey Dock and Harbour Company.

On 17th October at the invitation of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, I visited the Royal Seaforth Dock, which has been built and is being further developed with financial assistance from the Government amounting to some £37 million. I also took the opportunity to hear the views of both management and shop stewards on the future for the new dock and indeed for the Port of Liverpool as a whole.

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to announce the name of the chairman of the Royal Commission on the NHS.

As soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister if he will use the occasion of the consideration of the constitutional changes involved in devolution for Scotland and Wales to carry out a general constitutional review including the constitutional implication of joining the EEC and the examination of the arguments for a Bill of Rights, as well as the measures which will be necessary to regulate the relationship of the Scottish and Welsh Assemblies to the United Kingdom Parliament.

The Government have at present no plans for a general review of this kind, but we are studying a number of individual matters of the sort that the right hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list in the Official Report the names of all Royal Commissions, committees of inquiry, departmental committees of inquiry etc., for which he is responsible for appointing or recommending the chairman and which have not as yet published a report, together with the dates on which such committees are expected to report.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the cost of cost-of-living increases for the Civil Service for the financial years April 1972 to 1973, April 1973 to 1974, and April 1974 to 1975.

Civil Service pay is not normally adjusted by reference to the cost of living but by comparison with outside pay rates for similar work. However, between April 1974 and April 1975 cost-of-living supplements were paid as provided for in the Counter-Inflation (Price and Pay Code) No. 2 Order 1973. These amounted to approximately £68 million.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the reason for the nine-month delay between the receipt of tenders and the placing of the order for the new ECGD computer.

An order was placed by the Central Computer Agency on behalf of the Export Credits Guarantee Department two months after the receipt of tenders. I am satisfied that this was a reasonable time for full and objective evaluation of competing bids.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the total number and cost of Press, publicity and information officers employed in each Government Department on 1st October 1975.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Speed) on 18th July—[Vol. 895, c. 638–40]—which contains the latest information available centrally.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how much of the net revenue from sales of £1,250 achieved by selling the Central Computer Agency Guide No. 7 "Evaluation of Programming and Systems Techniques" came from sales of the document to his own and other Government Departments.

None.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total estimated cost of current Government advertising in the Morning Star newspaper.

The total cost of advertising space in the Morning Star is approximately £860.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the last occasion before 1975 in which a Government Department placed advertisements either in the Morning Star or its predecessor, the Daily Worker.

The last occasion before this year on which Government advertising appeared in the Morning Star was in July 1974 when the Home Office placed two classified advertisements designed to contact witnesses at the Red Lion Square demonstration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons reach the age of 100 years every year in the United Kingdom; and what is the present cost of the telegram sent by the Secretary of State on the occasion of their birthdays.

Approximately 1,000. My right hon. Friend sends telegrams to those in Great Britain who are retirement pensioners. The average cost of the telegram is between £2·50 and £3.

Test			Date of Test	Report Number
Roll-Over Protection—
Roof Strength Test	…	…	29th July 1975	K 4430
Roof Strength Test	…	…	19th August 1975	K 4436/1
Roof Strength Test (Pendulum Impact Test)	…	…	12th September 1975	K 4436/2
Steering Mechanism Protection—
Steering Assembly Test (Steering Wheel)	…	…	26th September 1974	KN 502–1
Steering Assembly Tests:
Steering Wheel	…	…	14th August 1975	4435/1
Bicycle Steering	…	…	14th August 1975	4435/2
Tiller Steering LH	…	…	14th August 1975	4435/3
Tiller Steering with pad	…	…	15th August 1975	4435/4
Bicycle Steering with pad	…	…	15th August 1975	4435/5

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her policy towards the practice of acupuncture; whether she is satisfied with the arrangements for checking the professional qualifications of practitioners; and whether she can assure the House that innocent members of the public are not being exploited.

Treatment provided under the National Health Service must be given or supervised by qualified medical practitioners registered with the General Medical Council who can use any form of treatment that they consider to be in the interests of their patients. It is for the doctor to ensure that any person to whom he delegates treatment is adequately trained and supervised. The checking of qualification of practitioners in acupuncture is not a matter for the Department.The Department has no evidence that members of the public are being exploited, but is considering the issue of a joint statement with the Medical Research Council on the uses of acupuncture.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will list the tests carried out by the Motor Industry Research Association or any other body in relation to the fitment of rollover structural bars, collapsible steering columns or crashpads on the Model 70 invalid tricycle; on what dates the tests were carried out; and if she will place the relevant reports of all such tests in the Library.

Following is the information requested: All these tests were carried out at MIRA. Copies of the relevant reports are being obtained from MIRA and will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will compare, for a single householder, a married couple and a married man with a wife and one, two, three and four children, the supplementary benefit entitlement, including appropriate allowances for rent, rates, and free school meals, with the appropriate income tax threshold in the years 1960, 1965, 1970, 1974 and 1975.

The information is as follows:

ANNUAL AMOUNTS IN £ AS AT NOVEMBER OF EACH YEAR
	1960	1965	1970	1974
Single householder
Supplementary benefit	182	278	384	604
Tax threshold	193	283	418	625
Married couple
Supplementary benefit	284	424	580	907
Tax threshold	322	437	598	865
Married couple 1 child
Supplementary benefit	328	485	662	1,070
Tax threshold	450	585	746	1,105
Married couple 2 children
Supplementary benefit	369	544	740	1,213
Tax threshold	579	733	840	1,293
Married couple 3 children
Supplementary benefit	429	624	852	1,381
Tax threshold	707	881	934	1,481
Married couple 4 children
Supplementary benefit	488	704	964	1,534
Tax threshold	836	1,029	1,027	1,669

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the contribution to the National Health Service by the private sector of medicine over the past three years for which figures are available.

The main direct contribution has been through contractual arrangements between health authorities and independent hospitals, most of which are non profit making. The numbers of patients receiving treatment in this way have been as follows:

	In-patients treated	Out-patients attendances	Beds occupied on 31st December
1972	25,539	209,355	3,566
1973	21,285	200,118	3,401
1974	24,356	203,201	2,980

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what she estimates would be the extra annual cost to the National Health Service if all the patients who currently receive their treatment outside the National Health Service were to be treated under the National Health Service.

The number of patients who seek treatment outside the NHS is not known, and as private treatment outside the NHS will continue to be available no estimate of the cost of treating all these patients under the NHS has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many vacancies for district nurses have been unfilled for six months or more at the latest date for which figures are available.

This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much anti-rabies vaccine for human beings is currently held by the National Health Service.

The present stock of rabies vaccine for use by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom amounts to some 1,800 doses. This is sufficient for three to four months' usage for vaccination of people at risk, e.g., workers in quarantine kennels, plus an emergency reserve. Further supplies can be obtained in the event of increased need.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish in the Official Report figures showing the average weekly hours currently being worked by each grade of the qualified medical staff, excluding nurses, of Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, respectively.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will study the procedure for registration of deaths and applications for grants, pensions and

Year (ending 30th September)		Total	Outflow British and Irish Doctors	Other Doctors	Total	Inflow British and Irish Doctors	Other Doctors
1967–68	…	2,410	1,060	1,350	2,690	590	2,100
1968–69	…	1,710	830	880	2,620	520	2,100
1969–70	…	2,120	920	1,200	2,280	650	1,630
1970–71	…	2,300	820	1,480	1,980	530	1,450
1971–72	…	1,900	710	1,190	2,430	700	1,730
1972–73 (provisional estimates)	…	—	800	—	—	500	—
1973–74 (provisional estimates)	…	—	800	—	—	500	—

When a death is registered, or a notification of death is received, the registrar issues leaflets which describe the conditions for the payment of the death grant and of widows' benefits. If it appears that a grant or weekly benefit may be payable the registrar will also issue a free certificate of registration or notification of death hich incorporates a claim form that can be sent or taken to the social security local office. Thus there is usually no need for a visit other than that made to register the death, and this does mean that the procedures are kept down to the minimum necessary. If however, my hon. Friend has a particular case of difficulty in mind I should naturally be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish in the Official Report figures showing the numbers of qualified doctors immigrating to and emigrating from the United Kingdom during each of the last five years for which figures are available.

The table gives available information about the migration of fully or provisionally registered doctors to and from Great Britain.Britain rose from 1,670 in September 1970 to 3,620 in September 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish in the Official Report figures showing the numbers of doctors graduating from British medical schools in each of the last 20 years for which figures are available.

asked to reply.Information is not available for years before 1960–61.

Academic year	Number of students obtaining a first registrable medical qualification from a medical school in Great Britain
1960–61	1,844
1961–62	1,776
1962–63	1,844
1963–64	1,731
1964–65	1,805
1965–66	1,939
1966–67	1,933
1967–68	2,105
1968–69	2,126
1969–70	2,114
1970–71	2,190
1971–72	2,343
1972–73	2,289
1973–74	2,543

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied with the standards of theatre maintenance and equipment at St. Andrew's Hospital, Bow, and the Memorial Hospital, East Ham.

There are three theatres at St. Andrew's Hospital of which two are new. The standards are regarded as satisfactory.The theatres at East Ham Memorial Hospital are not satisfactory, but they will be replaced by the new district general hospital at Newham. In the meanwhile a temporary upgrading scheme is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pay beds remain in the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board.

336 in the North-Western Regional Health Authority's area.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what in-patient psychiatric units for adolescents are now available within the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board.

An in-patient psychiatric unit at the Parkside Hospital, Macclesfield, in the area of the former Manchester Regional Hospital Board, is available to adolescent patients from the North-Western Region.A 32-place unit for adolescents has been completed at Prestwich Hospital, Bury, but its use for the intended purpose has been delayed by the lack of suitable applicants for appointment as consultant child psychiatrist. A 20–place secure adolescent unit at Prestwich is being planned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients have been removed from doctors' lists in Walsall for each year since 1970; how many have been removed as a result of disagreements with the doctor; and if the figures for 1975, if available, can be expressed as (a) those patients under 86 years of age and (b) those patients over 86 years of age.

From 1973, the earliest year for which figures are available, the numbers removed from doctors' lists at the doctor's request have been as follows:

1973	355
1974	709
1975 (to date)	962,	including 288 removed from the list of one practice when a partner resigned without replacement.

On 1st April 1974, when the boundaries of Walsall were extended, the number of patients on doctors' lists increased from over 190,000 to over 280,000.Information is not available as to the numbers removed as a result of disagreement with the doctor, since neither patients nor doctors are required to give reasons for requesting transfer.Six patients of the 1975 total were over the age of 86. All found other doctors.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make arrangements for an exhibition organised by the Dental Health Foundation to be held in the Palace of Westminster during the week commencing 24th November.

I understand that arrangements are being made with the authorities of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps she is taking to raise the expenditure per head of the population of the Yorkshire Regional Health Authority to the average of the rest of the country.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 20th October.—[Vol. 898, c. 43–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much in supplementary benefit was paid to students from the beginning of 1974 by quarter, including rents.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she expects to make a decision about the proposed Polygon health centre in Camden.

I understand that the Camden and Islington Area Health Authority may now have interested some general practitioners in practising from the proposed Polygon health centre, but the North-East Thames Regional Health Authority has not yet requested substitution in the current programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give an estimate of the additional number of retirement pensioners and the additional cost in the payment of retirement pensions in the event of the reduction of the qualifying age for retirement pensions to 60 years.

Assuming that the pattern of retirement of men between the ages of 60 and 65 were to be the same as it is at present between the ages of 65 and 70, the number of retirement pensioners would be increased by about 2·4 million, including women qualifying on their husband's insurance. The additional cost to the National Insurance Fund would be approximately £1,560 million a year at the pension rates to be introduced this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of family planning clinics in Great Britain and in each regional health authority in England per 1,000 female population aged 14 to 44 years.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23rd July 1975; Vol. 896, c. 241], gave the following information:The following are the figures for the five regions in England for which information was not then available:

Regional Health Authority	Sessions per 1,000 female population aged 15–44 years during the period 1st April 1974 to 3ht December 1974
Northern	10·4
Yorkshire	11·8
North East Thames	18·1
South West Thames	23·1
Wessex	13·6

The figure for the North-West Thames Regional Health Authority in the reply on 23rd July 1975 was in error and should read "13·9".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the taxation of maintenance for divorced and separated wives.

I have no plans for a general review of this kind, but I am at present reviewing the limit by which maintenance payments made under a court order and not exceeding £12 per week must be paid in full without deduction of tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will allow pro rata the child allowanace in respect of a child at school for the period of the tax year at which a child is at school, regardless of the fact that the child, after leaving school, earns during the rest of the year a sum which presently has the effect of retrospectively nullifying the allowance

No. To do as the hon. Member asks would run counter to the principle that the child allowance depends upon the circumstances of the year as a whole.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now reduce the 25 per cent. VAT on tanned cowhide skins in view of the fact that only 8 per cent. VAT is levied on tanned goat skins and sheep skins.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why 8 per cent. VAT is imposed on suasage seasonings when the finished product is exempt from VAT.

Most sausage seasonings are regarded as belonging to a class of substances which may be added to food in the course of manufacture, but in themselves are not food. The VAT credit mechanism ensures that such tax paid by food manufacturers can be reclaimed and will not enter into the ultimate price of zero-rated food.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the rate of VAT on bathroom fittings.

When bought on their own most bathroom fittings are liable to VAT of 8 per cent. They would, however, be zero-rated if supplied in connection with zero-rated building construction or alteration services and if they were of a kind ordinarily installed by builders as fixtures.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the recent evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Dorset, South showing the adverse effects of the 25 per cent. rate of value added tax on the boatbuilding industry, if he will consider in his present review of the situation a reduction of the rate.

I have no record of any evidence from the hon. Member, but any evidence will be taken into account along with other relevant information in our review of the effects of the 25 per cent. rate of value added tax which was imposed in the last Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to change the law to allow relief from value added tax payable on bad debts.

I have no present proposals but I am keeping the matter under review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it would cost the Exchequer if the levy of 8 per cent. value added tax on insulation materials were to be dropped when the work is carried out by the occupier him self.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of his economic policies on employment trends.

I recently announced measures that will reduce unemployment among those who are particularly vulnerable, such as school leavers. But I have never disguised that we, like other countries, are suffering the effects of a world recession that will make this a harder winter in terms of unemployment than we have seen since the war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to providing a household tax allowance for single persons running a house.

I am not persuaded that it would be fair to other taxpayers to single out this group for special treatment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenues from oil in the North Sea by 1980.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 12th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he authorised the requirement for two photographs to be attached to a re-application for a subcontractor's certificate; and whether it is his intention to extend this practice further in its application to this or any other group of taxpayers.

Yes, to the first part; and No to the second.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual representations, and how many on behalf of organisations, he has received about the new conditions requiring applicants to provide two passport-sized photographs as a condition of obtaining a subcontractors' tax certificate.

Up to last week, 54 from individuals, four from organisations and nine from hon. Members where the source of the original representation is not revealed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that foreign films imported for showing or distribution in the United Kingdom are not cleared by customs without detailed inspection.

Customs attempt to examine imported films likely to infringe the import prohibition on indecent or obscene articles, but the detailed examination of all films imported for showing or distribution in this country would impose serious delay and inconvenience on legitimate trade and make excessive demands on Customs' resources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most recent estimate of the rate of inflation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) on 27th October.—[Vol. 898, c. 1005.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the contents of the report "Problems of Inflation" emanating from within the European Commission; and whether he will make a statement on his policies towards its recommendations.

The report is only an interim one submitted to the Commission by an independent group of experts and has yet to be discussed by Member States. It would be inappropriate to reach conclusions about its recommendations until the final version is available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what method and over what period he proposes to calculate the annual rate of inflation which will have been achieved by the end of 1976.

As we stated in the White Paper "The Attack on Inflation", we are determined that by the end of 1976 the year-on-year increase in prices will be down to single figures. This refers to the increase in the Retail Price Index over a 12-month period, expressed as a percentage of the index at the beginning of that period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the document prepared by COI on inflation, for distribution to British industry and indicate when it will be distributed.

180,000 copies of Treasury Broadsheet No. 10 "The Attack on Inflation" were distributed between 9th and 12th September to schools, colleges, universities, industry, trade associations and private individuals. In addition, the Government publication "The Fight Against Inflation" has been widely distributed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to implement recommendations of the inflation accounting committee.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Motherwell and Wishaw (Dr. Bray) on 13th October, I hope that the Government will be able to make a Statement early in the next Session of Parliament on the main recommendations for a form of current cost accounting for published company accounts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present estimate of surplus funds held by Middle East countries in the United Kingdom.

The available information on sterling holdings is published only for the oil exporting countries as a group. These totalled £3·6 billion on 30th June. The foreign currency deposits of this group with United Kingdom banks and other institutions were £ 8·3 billion, on the same date. Further details can be found in the September edition of the Bank of Engand Quarterly Bulletin.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the problems of the poverty trap, he is still satisfied that the £6 a week wage policy will satisfactorily benefit the low paid.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the greater attractiveness to savers in the private sector of building society deposits as against bank deposits in recent months, he will now include in the M3 definition of money supply all out standing building society deposits less the amounts redeposited by the building societies with the United Kingdom banks.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to his Question on 30th October by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General.—[Vol. 898, c. 590.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the context of the current review of public expenditure, if he will bring forward the date of publication of this year's White Paper on public expenditure.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) on 16th October.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that any public expenditure cuts do not conflict with the Government's policy of reducing unemployment.

I refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to monitor the effects of tax and inflation on the lower income groups.

I keep under constant review the effects of taxation policy on the power income groups having regard, among other factors, to the impact of inflation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the loss to the Inland Revenue resulting from the transfer of funds to Jersey.

I regret that the information on which to base an estimate is not available, but I would remind my hon. Friend of the provisions introduced in the Finance Act 1975 to counter avoidance of capital transfer tax by becoming domiciled in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been Her Majesty's Government's overall borrowing requirement for the current year to the latest available date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been Her Majesty's Government's total borrowing requirement to the latest date for which figures are available.

I refer the hon. Members to the Answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his recent meetings with Crown Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Muhammed Abu Al-Khail, the Minister of Finance of Saudi Arabia.

I had the honour to entertain His Royal Highness Crown Prince Fahd and Shaikh Muhammed Aba Al-Khail to dinner on 21st October; I also had a separate meeting with Shaikh Muhammed Aba Al-Khail. Our discussions on these occasions covered a wide range of matters including economic cooperation and financial issues. The visit provided a most valuable opportunity to renew and strengthen the close relations established during my visit to Riyadh last year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for the publication of a more comprehensive and detailed inventory of United Kingdom assets abroad than that which is published annually in the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin.

No. All the available information which can usefully be published is already published in the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, the annual balance of payments "Pink Book" of the Central Statistical Office and the Department of Industry's "Business Monitor" series.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many fringe banks have collapsed during the last two years; what were their total losses and what amount has been contributed by the Bank of England to their rescue.