asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the num-

			Royal Navy	Army	Royal Air Force
1st April 1970	…	…	103,600	156,000	52,700
1st April 1973	…	…	79,100	102,200	42,400
1st December 1975		…	77,300	101,400	37,800

Because of reorganisation, rationalisation and integration measures, the figures are not directly comparable. They exclude those employed by the Procurement Executive, Central Staffs and the Royal Ordnance Factories who cannot be attributed to a particular Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been an official inquiry into the death of the three fusiliers in South Armagh last month; and, if so, whether the Secretary of State will publish the outcome of the inquiry.

A full inquiry was, as is the normal practice, carried out into the tragic incident near Crossmaglen on 22nd November last year in which three soldiers were murdered and a fourth very seriously wounded. The broad conclusion of the inquiry was that the present policy of operating both overtly and covertly in South Armagh is the right one, given the nature of the threat there. It would not, however, be in the interests of security to publish the detailed findings of the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the fusiliers who were ambushed last month in South Armagh were equipped with phosphorus smoke grenades.

The patrol ambushed near Crossmaglen on 22nd November last year was not carrying phosphorus smoke grenades.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the security forces in South Armagh are now equipped with phosphorus smoke grenades.

Yes.

The figures requested are as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantities of fish have been landed during the present Icelandic dispute; and what quantities were landed during the similar period for each of the past five years.

The latest month for which official statistics are available is November and since the present dispute did not begin until the 13th of that month it is not possible to produce the figures requested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give further details of the arrangements to compensate trawler officers and crews in Icelandic waters for loss of earnings over the period 24th January to 4th February inclusive.

The arrangements will apply to trawlers attempting to fish in the designated area off Iceland in the period from 24th January to 4th February inclusive. Trawler officers and crews will be able to claim special payments for each day—or pro rata for each part of a day—during the period in question when the operations of the Icelandic coastguard vessels prevent or have prevented them from fishing. The daily rates of payment will be £400 per day for trawlers from Grimsby, Hull, Fleetwood, Aberdeen and Granton, except for side trawlers from Fleetwood which will qualify for £350 per day. The payments will be apportioned between the various grades employed on fishing vessels under the terms contained in their contracts of employment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the current frozen stocks of fish; and what were the stock levels at a similar time for each of the past five years.

Total stocks of frozen white fish held in the United Kingdom at 30th November 1975, the most recent date for which figures are available, are estimated by the White Fish Authority at almost 39,000 tonnes. Equivalent figures for the previous five years are as follows:

	1,000 tonnes
1970	33·2
1971	33·3
1972	37·2
1973	47·6
1974	48·5

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of the standard lease used by his Department when letting agricultural land.

A copy of the standard tenancy agreement currently used by the Ministry when letting agricultural land has been placed in the Library.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many complaints he has received in the last three years from tenants who allege harassment by their landlords.

I know of 11 cases in England and Wales where tenant farmers have alleged harassment by their landlords through the misuse of the notice to do work procedure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will identify the cases of harassment mentioned during the Second Reading debate on the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry.

Information on harassment has come from complaints by tenants, from the Farmers' Union of Wales, from Members of Parliament and from arbitrators appointed by the Ministry. Apart from those complaints that have already appeared in the Press the information was given in confidence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that in the cases of harassment by landlords, which have been drawn to his attention, the tenant concerned has taken advantage of the statutory rights available to him under the existing law.

I understand that some tenants did not use all the statutory procedures available to them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many agricultural holdings are administered by his Department.

The Ministry is responsible for the management of 388 agricultural holdings.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many holdings under the control of his Department are let to tenants.

Excluding small areas let for non-agricultural purposes all the 388 agricultural holdings managed by the Ministry are let to tenants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many holdings under the control of his Department are let to sons of previous tenants.

The information required will take some time to obtain. I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with regard to holdings controlled or owned by his Department, what his policy has been to applications by tenants for joint tenancies or for the transfer of tenancies to tenant's sons.

The policy has been to avoid joint tenancies as far as possible but to give sympathetic consideration to applications for the transfer of a tenancy to the tenant's son provided he has the requisite agricultural experience and financial standing.The letting of statutory smallholdings on the Ministry's Farm Settlements Estate at Sutton Bridge and Holbeach is governed by the Agriculture Act 1970 and the Smallholdings (Selection of Tenants) Regulations 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many amalgamations have taken place in the last five years between farms owned by or under the control of his Department.

			1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75
			£	£	£	£	£
Undefended matrimonial cases	…	…	104	115	120	137	152
Defended matrimonial cases	…	…	254	312	317	360	400

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what are the methods of selection and the criteria used for including people in the central list from which appointments, both paid and unpaid, are made to public bodies.

There are no set selection methods or criteria for including people on the central list. The list contains people from all walks of life whose marked ability and experience suggest they might be suitable to undertake public work. It is the responsibility of Ministers to appoint to public bodies those they consider fitted for the job: their choice is not limited to those whose names have been previously included in lists.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many people currently serve unpaid on public bodies to which Her Majesty's Government make the appointments.

It will take some time to provide the information required. I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Attorney-General what were the average payments made for each case to barristers and solicitors, respectively, out of the legal aid funds in each of the last five years in respect of undefended divorces, defended divorces and actions for separation.

I regret that separate figures are not available for banisters and solicitors, nor for divorce and other matrimonial cases. The average payment from the Legal Aid Fund made to solicitors and barristers—including profit costs, disbursements, fees and, since 1st April 1973, VAT—in each of the following categories of case, excluding magistrates' courts was as follows:

This information is not readily available, and the cost of obtaining it would be disproportionate.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what salaries are being paid to individual political advisers appointed by Ministers.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave her on 14th January.—[Vol. 903, c. 171–172.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give details showing to what extent burglaries, robberies and offences of criminal damage during 1974–75 were committed by people under 21 years of age.

Information can only be given in respect of offences which result in a finding of guilt or a caution. The following table shows for 1974 the numbers of persons aged under 21 found guilty of or cautioned for these

PERSONS AGED UNDER 21 FOUND GUILTY OF AND CAUTIONED FOR OFFENCES OF BURGLARY, ROBBERY AND CRIMINAL DAMAGE: ENGLAND AND WALES 1974
Offence Group				Found guilty	Cautioned	Total	Number of persons As percentage all ages
Burglary	…	…	…	45,256	15,179	60,435	76·0
Robbery	…	…	…	1,918	135	2,053	70·7
Criminal Damage		…	…	21,163	6,838	28,001	64·5

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for the latest or more convenient stated date the annual recording of muggings; and how these compare with similar periods during the preceding five years.

The criminal statistics do not separately distinguish "muggings", a term which has no legal definition. The following table gives the numbers of offences of robbery and assault with intent to rob recorded as known to the police for the years 1969–74.

Year	Number of offences
1969	6,041
1970	6,273
1971	7,465
1972	8,926
1973	7,338
1974	8,666

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the final views and recommendations of the Working Party on Vagrancy and Street Offences; and when the report will be made public.

We hope to receive the final recommendations of the working party quite soon now and we will consider how best they can be made public when we have received and studied them.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the purposes of the mission of Mr. A. G. Prosser to Mauritius and its connection with the present plight of former inhabitants of Diego Garcia now living there.

Following the undertaking given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the Prime Minister of Mauritius on 24th September 1975, my Adviser on Social Development, Mr. A. G. Prosser, is now visiting Mauritius to assist the Mauritian Government in devising an acceptable scheme for the resettlement of the displaced former inhabitants of Diego Garcia now living in Mauritius.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development how many foreign students will be subsidised for places in United Kingdom universities by his Department.

In 1974, 14,310 students and trainees from developing countries were wholly or partially financed by my Department, including 7,200 students on courses of nine months or longer duration. No major variation is expected this year or in 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will ensure that there is no delay in the development of NSM substances for cigarettes in view of United States competition in this field.

I can assure the hon. Gentleman there will be no unnecessary delay. The substitute for tobacco known as NSM is being developed commercially. My concern is with the health aspects of the smoking of a tobacco substitute of any kind. As I said during the debate on smoking and health on 16th January, it cannot be automatically assumed that any substitute material is safer than the tobacco it is designed to replace. The Government intend, after consultation, to lay a draft order under Section 105(1)(b) of the Medicines Act for approval by Parliament to ensure that those tobacco products consisting of or containing a substitute for tobacco or an additive to the tobacco would need a product licence from the Government. Such a licence would be granted on advice received from a statutory committee on the safety of the product. The committee would be established under Section 4 of the Medicines Act and would be based on the existing Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health under the chairmanship of Dr. R. B. Hunter. The Section 4 Committee would advise the Government when, in its view, the criteria for the testing and marketing in the United Kingdom of a substitute in a tobacco product as set out in the guidelines in the Hunter Committee's First Report had been met. It would follow exactly the same procedures whether the substitute is manufactured here or abroad.Meanwhile, the Hunter Committee is continuing to consider the health aspect of tobacco substitutes. It has not yet advised the Government that in its view it has no objection to the marketing of any tobacco product containing substitutes. I am satisfied that the Committee is considering the matter as quickly as possible consistent with the need to have full regard to the toxicity, teratological and carcinogenic potential of these substances when smoked and the risks to the health of the public. In its report the Hunter Committee said that it would need to be satisfied that long term studies to monitor the health effects on humans had been arranged before such substances were marketed.—[Vol. 903, c. 808.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will comment on the paper produced by the Mersey Pensioners' Union on electricity costs to pensioners and other fixed income groups, a copy of which has been sent to her.

We are studying the paper, which my hon. Friend sent to me with his letter of 23rd January. Meanwhile, I would draw to my hon. Friend's attention the reply which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sowerby (Mr. Madden) on 30th January.—[Vol. 904, c. 376.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will increase the scale allowance for heating to those on supplementary allowance.

The supplementary benefit scale rates, which are intended to cover normal expenditure on fuel, were increased in November last. Extra heating additions, awarded where there are exceptional circumstances, were also increased at the same time by 37 per cent. These additions are kept under review by the Supplementary Benefits Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when Miss Edith Charles, 6, Valencia Road, Liverpool, 15, was issued with her present invalid three-wheeler;(2) for how many weeks during the last three years Miss Charles' three-wheeled vehicle has been off the road as a result of defects;(3) how much repair work has been done on Miss Charles' vehicle over the last four years;(4) what has been the cost to the Government of carrying out the repair work to Miss Charles' three-wheeled invalid vehicle;(5) if she will replace the three-wheeled invalid vehicle belonging to Miss Charles with a more reliable vehicle like the new model P70;(6) what is the cost of purchasing a new three-wheeled invalid vehicle;(7) what is the expected average life of a three-wheeled invalid vehicle.

Miss Charles was issued with her present three-wheeler in January 1970. It is not possible to determine from the Department's records how long it was actually off the road because of defects over the last three years.To reduce inconvenience to a minimum, there are standing arrangements for reserve vehicles to be issued on temporary loan to disabled drivers whose own vehicles have to be taken out of use for more than a day or two. According to the local repairer, Miss Charles has been provided with a reserve vehicle when this has been necessary. Most of the repair work on Miss Charles' vehicle over the last few years has been of a minor nature, except for a major overhaul in March 1974 and for clutch repairs in August 1975.The cost of repairs and maintenance over the six years she has used the vehicle has not been excessive. This overall cost was approximately £450, which included regular routine servicing, collection and delivery of the vehicle, where necessary, by the local approved repairer, and the cost of spare parts. The vehicle was inspected recently by one of the Department's technical officers who reported it to be in a fair condition with no faults apparent on the road test. However, Miss Charles has recently been medically reviewed. She is now experiencing difficulty in operating the gear lever because of a hand disability and, on medical grounds, she is to be provided with a Model 70.It is not customary to disclose Government contract prices. The useful life of an invalid three-wheeler depends on a number of factors including the extent and pattern of its use and the way it is driven and cared for. Some have remained in service for upwards of 10 years but the average is seven to eight years.The hon. Member will he pleased to learn that a liaison group has recently been formed including the major organisations representing the disabled, the trade interests and officials of the Department, this will provide a useful forum where all concerned can pool their ideas, share their worries and suggest possible improvements in the practicable running of the invalid vehicle maintenance services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the estimated amount of revenue which will be raised during the financial year 1975–76(2) what would be the estimated net by the 8 per cent. levy upon the earnings loss of revenue during the financial year of self-employed persons; 1975–76 if the amount of the 8 per cent. levy upon the earnings of self-employed persons were allowed as a deduction from their taxable income;(3) if she will abolish or substantially reduce the amount of the levy in respect of additional social security contributions on the earnings of self-employed persons for the financial year 1976–77; and if she will make a statement.

Earnings-related Class 4 national insurance contributions payable by the self-employed in respect of 1975–76 are estimated to be about £68 million. I understand that the loss of income tax which would result if this sum of £68 million were allowed as a deduction from taxable income would be about £25 million.The rates and levels of national insurance contributions for 1976–77, include those for Class 4 contributions, are set out in the Social Security (Contributions, Re-rating) Order 1975 (1975 No. 1829). I would refer the hon. Member to the explanation of these rates and levels which my right hon. Friend gave in her reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George)—on 23rd October. [Vol. 898 c.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what evidence exists that national dried milk is detrimental to the health of infants(2) what symptoms manifest themselves in infants to indicate that national dried milk causes ill health;(3) if she intends to prohibit the use of national dried milk altogether.

Three relevant recommendations of a report "Present day practice in infant feeding" by a working party of the chief medical officer's committee on medical aspects of food policy, which was published by the Department in October 1974 were:

"Because we are convinced that satisfactory growth and development after birth is more certain when an infant is fed an adequate volume of breast milk, we recommend that all mothers be encouraged to breast feed their babies for a minimum of two weeks and preferably for the first four to six months of life".

"We are aware that lactation will not always be successfully established and we therefore recommend that the provision of modified cows' milk feeds, at a reasonable cost, should be continued".

"We recommend that the reconstituted artificial milk feed, with the exception of the amounts of vitamins A, C and D and of the iron compound with which such feeds are at present fortified, should approximate to the composition of breast milk as nearly as is practicable. Such milk feeds should contain a concentration of phosphate, sodium and protein which is lower than that of cows' milk and nearer to that of breast milk".

Because of the implications of this report a working party was set up to advise on the composition of foods for infants and younger children. This is a complex matter but the new working party has recently made an interim statement on baby milks. They concluded that the use of unmodified cows' milk preparations such as National Dried Milk and similar proprietary brands can no longer be recommended as a substitute for human milk in the feeding of infants. It is associated with a number of risks to health which are not present with human milk and are greatly reduced when suitably modified cows' milk preparations are used. The risks, which have not been evaluated in statistical terms, are being increasingly recognised. They are:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what substances in national dried milk do not appear in proprietary brands of dried milk.

There are no substances in National Dried Milk which do not appear in all brands of proprietary dried milk on the market for healthy full-term infants. The proportions of certain substances in all unmodified cows-milk foods including National Dried Milk, are different from those in the modified cows milks where the mineral and protein content is lower.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many maternity hospitals in the United Kingdom have refused to use national dried milk.

It is for individual clinicians to prescribe the foods to be provided for babies in their charge. No information is collected centrally about the brands of milk foods which they prescribe.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many tons of national dried milk have been produced in the last year; and how many tons of it are still in stock due to lack of demand.

3,350 tons were packed during 1975. Stocks at storage depots on 31st December 1975 were less than the average monthly issues at that time and amounted to 215 tons.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the inspection she has commissioned for the treatment of retina pigmentosa at the Helmholdst Institute at Moscow has yet been completed; and if she will make a statement.

We have asked the USSR authorities to arrange a visit to the institute by a consultant ophthalmologist from this country under the terms of the United Kingdom-USSR agreement on co-operation in the field of medicine and public health signed last year. I hope that this visit will take place shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on what occasions he has used his powers under Section 30 of the Water Act 1973 to influence the charging policy being undertaken by the Welsh National Water Development Authority.

My right hon. and learned Friend has not used the powers given him under Section 30(6).

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will seek to amend the existing legislation in order to provide for an appeal procedure for individuals and companies who object to the charging policy of the Welsh National Water Development Authority.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the committee investigating the implications of the Daniel Report on water charges in Wales will be empowered to make recommendations relative to the charges made by the Welsh National Water Development Authority for water used to generate electricity.

The Government's preparatory studies on charging and the powers of a central authority will be the subject of a consultation paper which will be issued shortly. Representations on charges by the Welsh National Water Development Authority should be made to that authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what restrictions are currently in force preventing local authorities in Wales from building as many houses as are necessary to meet the housing waiting list requirements of their area.

Provided building costs are within the yardstick, councils are not restricted in their house building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will further advise local authorities on utilisation of short-life property in their possession for assisting homeless families.

Yes. The Department is considering the response of local authorities to a consultative document which was issued last summer, and further advice will be issued as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to meet representatives of the district councils of Wales.

I met representatives of the Council for the Principality as recently as 13th January in a joint meeting with representatives of the Welsh Counties Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate from international statistics available to him what percentage of central Government revenue is derived from direct taxes on income in each of the EEC member States and in Sweden, in the latest year for which the figures are available;(2) if he will estimate from international statistics available to him what percentage of combined central/federal and local/State revenues is derived from direct taxes on income in each of the EEC member States and in Sweden, the USA and Canada, in the latest year for which the figures are available.

The table below shows for the latest available year taxes on income as a percentage of the current receipts of central Government—which in the international sources excludes social security funds—and of general government—which comprises both central and local government together with social security funds.

TAXES ON INCOME AS A PERCENTAGE OF CURRENT REVENUE—1973
	Central government	General government
EEC member countries:
United Kingdom	50·5	37·4
Belgium	54·2	36·8
Denmark	Not	57·0
	available
France	27·7	16·7
Irish Republic	30·8	26·3
Italy	30·1	20·5
Luxembourg	52·3	32·5
Netherlands	50·8	31·2
West Germany	38·5	30·0
Sweden	31·5	39·2
USA	85·9	43·3
Canada	58·6	42·5

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, from the sources available to him, he will publish estimates of the percentage increases over the previous year in (a) total public expenditure at current and constant prices and (b) public expenditure on goods and services at current and constant prices in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the USA for the fiscal or calendar years 1974, 1975 and 1976.

The following estimates of changes in expenditure on goods and services at constant prices are taken from the OECD "Economic Outlook" of December 1975. In all cases, including the United Kingdom the figures for 1975 and 1976 represent OECD opinion, and not that of the Governments concerned. United Kingdom expenditure plans will, as usual, be published in the annual White Paper.

	Percent change constant prices on previous year
	1974	1975	1976
		estimate	forecast
Government consumption—
United Kingdom	3·2	3¼	3
France	3·5	2½	2½
Germany	4·7	2½	2½
Italy	1·9	½	2
Japan	3·1	4	3¼
United States*	1·1	2¼	2
Public investment†—
United Kingdom	0·7	3¾	1¼
France‡	0·5	7	10
Germany§	11·0	1	3
Italy	1·9	½	2
Japan	-12·3	15¼	5
* Including investment in equipment and stocks.
† Including investment in nationalised industries.
‡ Excluding housing.
§ Excluding investment in nationalised industries.

Estimates in current prices are not generally available for 1976.The following figures are derived from a variety of sources.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE*
	Percent increases at current prices on previous year
	1974	1975
United Kingdom	30	..
France	15	19½
Germany	15½	..
Italy	17	..
Japan†	21	16
United States	13	..
* Central, State and local Governments and social security funds.
† Years to 30th March 1975 and 1976

Comparable estimates of total expenditure at constant prices and expenditure on goods and services at current prices are not generally available for these years.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of energy used for all domestic and industrial purposes is currently derived from gravitational forces; what steps are being taken to increase such energy utilisation; what is the percentage envisaged as being operative in 10 years' time; and if he will make a statement.

The ocean tides provide the only means by which gravitational forces can be used as a source of energy, to hotel buildings for accounting periods ending in 1975–76 is estimated to be of the order of £15 million for the year 1976–77. This estimate is subject to a wide margin of error.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing what the personal tax allowances for a single person and a married man of £675 and £975, respectively, would be now if such allowances had been up-dated in line with the rise in the cost of living and the rise in average earnings, respectively, since 1946–47, 1950–51, 1960–61 and 1970–71.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 29th January 1976; Vol. 904, c. 268], gave the following information:although these forces are used in the conversion of energy from one form to another, for example, from solar energy to electrical energy via hydro-electricity.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of energy used for all domestic and industrial purposes is currently derived from hydroelectric sources; what steps are being taken to increase such energy utilisation; what is the percentage envisaged as being operative in 10 years' time; and if he will make a statement.

The present proportion is adequately represented by the information covering 1974 in my Department's "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1975", which is available in the Library. Hydro-electric power accounts on average for rather more than 0·5 per cent. of the United Kingdom's gross inland consumption of energy. Because most of it is fed into the public supply system for general distribution, it is not possible to give a figure for domestic and industrial consumers separately. Domestic and industrial consumers account for two-thirds of all final energy consumption.Because there is very little scope for expanding primary hydro-electric schemes in this country, the proportion will fall about as quickly as energy-use increases.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of energy used for all domestic and industrial purposes is currently derived from tidal sources; what steps are being taken to increase such energy utilisation; what is the percentage that is envisaged as being operative in 10 years' time; and if he will make a statement.

There is no commercial exploitation of tidal power in the United Kingdom at present and I do not expect this situation to change within the next 10 years, as the planning and construction of a major tidal power scheme could not be completed within that time. Recent studies—pages 8–19, Part IV of Appendices to the Evidence given to the Energy Resource Sub-Committee of the Select Committee on Science and Technology—have indicated that tidal power would not be economically competitive with nuclear power, but nevertheless my Department has initiated studies to throw light on two of the major areas of uncertainty associated with a possible tidal power scheme in the Severn Estuary.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what was the estimated value of coal stockpiled in the United Kingdom;(2) what is the total tonnage of coal stockpiled in the United Kingdom at the latest available date; and what were the figures for each quarter from January 1974.

Coal stock statistics are published monthly in the "Monthly Digest of Statistics"—Table 60—and in "Energy Trends"—Table 8. For convenience, the figures are given below.

Total recorded coal stocks in Great Britain at end of period
	million tons
December 1973	27·4
March 1974	18·8
June 1974	20·6
September 1974	21·5
December 1974	21·5
March 1975	21·3
June 1975	25·3
September 1975	28·4
December 1975	30·8

The estimated value of the stocks held at the end of December 1975 was approximately £500 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the average cost per ton of British coal sold to the CEGB for use in power stations.

According to information provided by the NCB, the curent average pithead realisation for coal sold to the CEGB is estimated to be £14·65 a ton.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy which countries export coal to the United Kingdom; and what is the price per ton of coal from each country.

Information on such prices is not available. The average value per ton cif for imports of coal during 1975 for each country of consignment was as follows:

Country	£/ton cif
Federal Republic of Germany	41·6
Netherlands	30·6
Poland	24·2
South Africa	33·7
Australia	17·7
USA	26·1
Other countries	17·4

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the grades of coal which were imported into the United Kingdom, giving the specific purpose for which they were imported, the price per ton of each grade and from which country each grade was imported.

Coal imported into the United Kingdom during the period January-November 1975 consisted of 100,000 tons of anthracite, 3,800,000 tons of steam coal and 600,000 tons of coking coal. Most of the imported anthracite was for the domestic use, steam coal for electricity generation and coking coal for the coke-ovens. The average cif value of anthracite was £36·57 per ton, of coking coal £30·62 per ton and of steam coal £18·65 per ton. Anthracite came mainly from the Federal Republic of Germany, South Africa and North Vietnam. About 90 per cent. of the total imported steam coal and coking coal were from the USA and Australia.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total cost of coal imported into the United Kingdom for the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the figure for each of the previous five years.

Statistics on the annual cost of coal imported into the United Kingdom are published in Table 98 of the "Digest of UK Energy Statistics". For convenience the figures for 1970–74 together with the corresponding total for 1975 are given below:

Year	£ million cif
1970	0·9
1971	39·3
1972	49·1
1973	21·4
1974	62·1
1975	105·6

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to report progress on the energy conservation campaign.

Police Division					Number of murders	Number of murders connected with the security situation	Number of murders regarded as solved
A(Central Belfast)		…	…	…	78	73	27
B(West Belfast)	…	…	…	…	173	171	30
C(West Belfast)	…	…	…	…	173	168	75
D (North Belfast)	…	…	…	…	144	134	26
E(East Belfast)	…	…	…	…	52	48	22
F(South Belfast)		…	…	…	47	44	22
G (North East Down)		…	…	…	18	12	11
H (South Armagh and South Down)				…	105	102	24
J(North Armagh and West Down)				…	52	49	22
K (West Armagh and South East Tyrone)					62	61	8
L (Fermanagh and South West Tyrone)					35	35	1
M (Tyrone and part of Fermanagh)				…	35	29	7
N (Part of Londonderry and part of Tyrone).					100	99	12
O (Part of Londonderry and part of Antrim).					24	24	13
P (North Antrim)		…	…	…	17	12	10
R (South Antrim and part of Down)				…	50	43	20

The Government's response to the recent recommendations of the Select Committee on Science and Technology will provide a suitable opportunity for reporting progress on the energy conservation campaign.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is proposing to set medium and longer term targets and more specific objectives for the energy conservation campaign.

Consultation with large industrial users on energy-saving targets was among the recommendations of the recent report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology. The recommendations are all being carefully considered but I cannot anticipate the Government's response.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many murders have been committed in each police division in Northern Ireland since 5th October 1968; how many are believed to be as a result of the present disturbances; how many are now regarded as being solved in each division: how many persons have been charged and found not guilty, or have had the charges withdrawn; and how many persons are still on remand.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 29th January 1976; Vol. 904, c. 287] gave the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will now consider imposing import controls on woollen textile goods from Eastern European countries into this country.

A wide range of woollen textiles and garments from Eastern European countries are already subject to quota and the quotas for 1976 will be no larger than in 1975. In addition, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17th December, we have requested the principal East European suppliers to restrain their exports to us of men's woollen suits. I have nothing further to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave my hon. Friend on 22nd October last.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in view of the scale of the cuts in Russian, Eastern bloc countries' and others' merchant shipping rates, he will set up an inquiry to examine methods of assisting the British merchant shipping industry to be in a competitive position, and if he will make a statement.

We are pursuing this matter with interested parties both in the United Kingdom and in international circles. I believe that this is the best way of approaching this problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning the proposal which will come before UNCTAD IV for an integrated programme for commodities.

The latest proposals put forward by the UNCTAD Secretariat for an integrated programme for commodities have a number of points in common with the proposals put forward by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister at Kingston last May. The forthcoming UNCTAD conference will provide an opportunity to build on the common ground which exists.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the proposal which will come before UNCTAD IV for setting up buffer stocks of 10 core commodities in order to ease fluctuations in price and supply.

International agreements incorporating buffer stocks already exist for cocoa and tin. There is also an International Coffee Agreement based on export quotas triggered by movements within an agreed price range. As for the remaining seven products on the list of "core" commodities selected by the UNCTAD Secretariat, we believe that each product needs to be examined to determine whether or not buffer stocks would be a suitable mechanism for achieving greater stability.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade by what means Her Majesty's Government proposed to pursue the Prime Minister's Jamaica initiative on commodity trading; and what place in any initiatives he envisages for UNCTAD and the Conference on International Cooperation, respectively.

We are in the process of agreeing with other member States in the European Community a common line for the discussions in both the UNCTAD conference and the CIEC. We believe that these conferences will provide good opportunities to further the objectives enunciated in May 1975 at the Jamaica meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning the proposal which will come before UNCTAD IV for a common fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the response of Her Majesty's Government to the UNCTAD proposal for a common fund.

Her Majesty's Government have not taken a final position on the concept of a common fund. Before they can do so further progress needs to be made in considering which commodities are suitable for buffer stock arrangements and to what extent consumers are prepared to participate directly in the financing of such stocks.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to proposals by developing countries for some form of indexation or link between the prices of their raw material exports and their imports and manufactures.

We agree that these proposals require careful study to determine how far they would work to the benefit of developing countries generally and what effects they would have in relation to our objective of promoting a better organisation of commodity trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will state his reasons for favouring a policy of case by case approach to commodity regulations with third world nations; and what is his view of proposals to index raw material prices to those of manufactured goods.

Each individual commodity has a different production cycle, a different elasticity of demand, different storage problems and specific characteristics which have to be taken into account in any attempt to deal with the problem of price fluctuations. None the less, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister indicated at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Jamaica in May 1975, it is possible to envisage a framework of internationally-agreed commitments within the context of a general agreement on commodities.As regards indexation, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley).

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what proportion of the investment in British Leyland is to be transferred to South Africa;(2) what representations he has received regarding the investment by British Leyland in South Africa.

British Leyland's overseas investment policy is a matter to be decided by its management within a framework of overall plans agreed with the National Enterprise Board. There have been no recent representations on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total number of inquiries per month received by each of the 10 small firms information service centres since their conception; how many staff are presently employed at each centre; and what has been the total cost to public funds of running this service.

From the opening of the first of the 10 centres in July 1973 until the commencement of a national advertising campaign in March 1975, the average number of inquiries received by each centre per month was 295. During the period March 1975 to December 1975 the average inquiry rate per centre per month has risen to 580.Three staff are employed at each centre except in London where four are employed.The total cost of the service to public funds to the end of 1975–76 financial year will have been £1,224,000 of which capital costs were £222,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives are proposed by Her Majesty's Government in connection with the proposals for a New International Economic Order arising from the deliberations of the Seventh Special General Assembly of the United Nations in September 1975.

Following on the final Resolution of the Seventh Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly, which set out agreed guidelines for progress towards a new and more equitable system of international economic relations, discussions will be taking place in a variety of fora. Her Majesty's Government will be playing an active and constructive part in all such discussions and are engaged in preparatory consultations with their Community partners. Until these consultations are completed I cannot provide details of the proposals that will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet the World Development Movement to discuss the New International Economic Order and the prospects for UNCTAD IV; and, if not, whether he would be prepared to meet representatives of WDM.

I am ready to receive a deputation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Professor Griffiths' survey on the hydrocarbon resources of the Falkland Islands has not been published.

Under the terms of his contract with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Professor Griffiths is free to publish scientific papers and I understand such papers are in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions, since Ribbentrop complained about speeches by Winston Churchill, Her Majesty's Government have made representations to foreign Governments in response to their complaints about the content of speeches by Opposition Members of Parliament.

A search has revealed no case of representations to a foreign Government in response to complaints about the content of speeches by Opposition Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list new appointments to the Scottish Sports Council during the last 12 months.

No new appointments to the Council have been made in the last 12 months, although five members were reappointed in December for a further period of service. I expect to announce the names of a number of new members within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the viaduct at Tomatin and other similar constructions in the neighbourhood were last surveyed; and whether he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The responsibility for the inspection and maintenance of railway structures lies with the British Railways Board, as part of its statutory responsibility for the safety of operation of the railways, to which it would be appropriate for the hon. Member to address his enquiries.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met leaders of the TUC and CBI.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the CBI and the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the leaders of the TUC.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 25th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 3rd February 1976.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 3rd February.

I shall be holding a number of meetings with my Ministerial colleagues and others during the day. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty The Queen.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to meet the President of the United States of America.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to meet the President of the United States of America.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens) on 22nd January.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech in Denmark on Monday 19th January on economic policy.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on economic policy of 19th January in Denmark.

I did so on 20th January.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 14th January in London on economic affairs represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in London on 14th January on economic policy represents Government policy.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Gardiner) on 29th January.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about his discussions with European Heads of Government in Elsinore on the situation in Spain.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 27th January.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech on devolution made by the Secretary of State for Scotland in Glasgow on 18th January represents official Government policy.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Saudi Arabia.

As I told my hon. Friend on 4th December, I have accepted Crown Prince Fahd's invitation to visit Saudi Arabia. The date of my visit has yet to be arranged.

asked the Prime Minister on what criteria Ministers are chosen to answer the summons of Select Committees.

I refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave in answer to supplementary questions on 15th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and women were registered as unemployed; and how many vacancies were listed at the employment offices in Haverhill, Bury St. Edmunds and New-market in November and December of the years 1963, 1968, 1973 and 1975, respectively.

Following is the information available:are applied to all insulation work within the CEGB South-Eastern Region and in particular to sub-contractors working for the Board.

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Asbestos Regulations 1969 apply to all factories including CEGB power stations and construction sites where they may be exposure to asbestos dust and the Health and Safety Executive is active in enforcing them. Many employers have produced practical guidance on the detailed application of the regulations in relation to their work activities and the Executive welcomes these initiatives. I understand that the CEGB requires contractors carrying out insulation work in power stations to conform to the code of practice which it has issued. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing the Asbestos Regulations but it has no powers to enforce the provisions of codes of practice prepared by individual industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that prohibition and improvement notices are issued by factory inspectors within the South-Eastern Region of the CEGB at power stations where insulation work is being carried out if the conditions so require.

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that improvement and prohibition notices are issued by Her Majesty's factory inspectors whenever working conditions are such that, in their opinion, it is appropriate to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to assure itself that it is satisfied that the insulation industry carries out its work according to the relevant legislation; what measures he is taking to encourage employees in that industry to seek the advice and guidance of the Factory Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement.

Section 18 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a duty on the Health and Safety Executive to make adequate arrangements for the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions, which include the Asbestos Regulations 1969. It is unnecessary, therefore, to issue instructions to the Executive about the insulation industry. The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that factory inspectors have spent much time discussing the health risks from asbestos with representatives of workers in the insulation industry, including taking part in local branch meetings with trade unions and workers' representatives particularly in East London and Glasgow. In these discussions it has been made clear that employees may at any time seek advice and guidance from Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many school leavers in the Manchester travel-to-work area were unemployed in each month since October 1975.

Following is the information:

October1975	1,332
November 1975	719
December 1975	489
January1976	522

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider the introduction of a system whereby all public sector employees receive their annual pay awards on the same date.

The dates on which employees, including public sector employees, receive their annual pay awards are a matter for the negotiators concerned, subject only to the normal practice of observing a 12-month interval between settlements, which is, of course, a condition of the current pay policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what research is being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive into the use of fibre glass.