asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many oil rigs have been engaged in operations in the North Sea for each of the past five years; and what is the likely trend for the ensuing 12 months.

The average number of mobile drilling rigs operating in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea is given in the annual Brown Book. The figures for the last five years are: 1971, 5·2; 1972, 8·8; 1973, 13·3; 1974, 24·5; 1975, 27·7. A forecast for 1976 will be given in this year's Brown Book which will be published in the spring.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will bring forward legislation to enable local housing authorities which are dissatisfied with the rising costs of heating residential properties by electricity to provide their own service by making use of power stations which are due for closure or partial shut-down; and what representations he has received in this regard.

My right hon. Friend has received no representations in this regard. He will, however, be considering the powers of local authorities to generate electricity in the context of the review of the electricity supply acts which is now under way.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to encourage the use of privately generated electricity as part of the "Save It" campaign.

The combined generation of heat and electricity may result in energy savings, and the development of such schemes, whether private or public, is under study in a group under the chairmanship of my Chief Scientist, Dr. Walter Marshall. The group's final report is expected later this year, and the rele- vance of such schemes to the "Save It" campaign will be considered in the light of the group's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the state of this winter's fuel stocks.

Figures on fuel stocks are published monthly in "Energy Trends", available in the Library of the House. At the end of December coal stocks amounted to 30·8 million tons and oil stocks were 21·6 million tons. Each is considered adequate to meet normal contingencies in the remainder of the winter.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the budget projected by the EEC on the collaborative thermonuclear fusion research and development project is now expected to be spent in the United Kingdom, compared with what was anticipated before his recent decision to withdraw United Kingdom support for the collaborative Dragon project.

Agreement has not yet been reached on the budget for the Euratom thermonuclear fusion programme for 1976–80. It is, therefore, not possible to say what proportion of the budget will be spent in this country. The OECD Dragon project is not a fusion project and has no bearing on the decisions to be made on the Euratom fusion programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) when he expects to discuss with the Council of Ministers the future of the collaborative thermonuclear fusion research and development project; and what representations he proposes to make to ensure that the project is based in the United Kingdom;(2) if a decision has yet been taken on where the EEC collaborative nuclear fusion research project is to be based;(3) what plans he has for the future of the nuclear fusion research work at Culham if the EEC collaborative fusion research project is based in Italy.

The Joint European Torus (JET) project is expected to be discussed at the next Council of Research minutes. No decision has yet been taken on the project or its site. The Government will continue to urge the merits of Culham as the best site for the project.The fusion work at Culham forms part of the Euratom co-operative fusion programme. Its continuation is not dependent on JET being sited there.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any evidence that his decision to withdraw United Kingdom support for the collaborative EEC Dragon project will influence the decision as to whether or not the collaborative EEC thermonuclear fusion research and development project will be based in the United Kingdom.

No. Dragon is not an EEC project but an OECD high temperature fission reactor experiment. It has no connection with the Joint European Torus (JET), which forms part of the Commission's proposals—not as yet approved—for the Euratom five-year thermonuclear fusion research programme for 1976–80.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has made to the Council of Ministers in support of siting the Community nuclear fusion research programme at Culham.

The Commission's proposal on the site for the JET project has not yet been discussed formally by the Council of Ministers, but we have made it clear that we regard Culham as the best site.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated United Kingdom share of the cost of the JET nuclear fusion research programme over the next five years; and if United Kingdom participation will continue on the same projected scale if the project is not sited in the United Kingdom.

On the basis of the Commission's proposals—not yet approved—the United Kingdom share of the cost of JET would be nearly £12 million over the five calendar years 1976–80, where-ever the project were sited.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what was the total actuarial value of the pensions of all employees and board members of the National Coal Board appointed by him or his predecessors at the latest available date; what were the numbers of persons involved; and what were the comparable figures a year earlier;(2) what was the total actuarial value of the pensions of all employees and board members of the Electricity Council, area boards and CEGB appointed by him or his predecessors at the latest available involved; and what were the comparable date; what were the numbers of persons figures a year earlier;(3) what was the total actuarial value of the pensions of all employees and board members of the British Gas Corporation appointed by him or his predecessors at the latest available date; what were the numbers of persons involved; and what were the comparable figures a year earlier.

The actuarial value of pensions of employees of the energy industries is a matter for the boards of the industries concerned. The calculation of actuarial values in respect of board members could only be undertaken at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he has had discussions with the Electricity Council regarding the Government's price restraint scheme;(2) whether he has had discussions with the British Gas Corporation regarding the Government's price restraint scheme;(3) whether he has had discussions with the National Coal Board regarding the Government's price restraint scheme.

Yes. My Department consulted all three industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whom he intends to represent him at the forthcoming meeting of the EEC Energy Research Committee; and whether the agenda will include discussion of United Kingdom withdrawal from the Dragon nuclear research project, financing of the collaborative nuclear fusion research programme, and the decision on where the fusion research will be based.

The date and agenda for the next Council have not yet been confirmed. When they have, I will decide on appropriate representation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he proposes to reply to the letter sent to him on 24th December by the Right to Fuel Campaign regarding disconnections of electricity supply to the old, infirm and poor consumer; and whether he will now agree to the meeting on this subject requested therein;

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has yet replied to the letter dated 24th December 1975 from the British Association of Settlements regarding the Right to Fuel Campaign; and, if so, what was the substance of his reply.

I have now replied to this letter. I met the representatives of this campaign with other voluntary organisations on 16th January, when all aspects of the problem of fuel debts were raised. It was proposed then that we should meet again when those present had completed further studies. I am ready to consider further proposals.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the estimated cost and the estimated extra manpower involved in each of the following: the Consumer Protection Act, the Community Land Act and the Sex Discrimination Act.

The details of the estimated cost and extra public service manpower involved in Government legislation are set out in the Explanatory Memoranda to the relevant Bills, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he is aware that the high level of salaries being offered to young graduates and others entering the Civil Service and the nationalised industries is causing considerable alarm to private industry and commerce; and if he will take steps to ensure that salaries offered to those entering the public service are not higher than those paid for comparable posts in the private sectors.

I am aware of recent suggestions that public sector starting salaries for graduates are out of line with those paid by industry. There seems, however, to be some misunderstanding of the position. So far as the Civil Service is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to the figure quoted in the Annual Report of the University of Manchester Appointments Board of £2,350 as the average figure for the private sector—significantly excepting banking and chartered accountancy—and the range of £2,500–£2,600 quoted by the Director of the Central Services Unit for University and Polytechnic Careers and Appointments Services in the The Times newspaper of 11th December 1975. The figure for the average starting salary of a 1975 graduate entry is not available, but the national starting salary for a graduate entering the Civil Service at age 22 as an executive officer is £2,255 or £2,395 if he enters as an administration trainee after an intensely competitive examination.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what saving in manpower and staffing costs could be achieved if the working week for civil servants were increased to 40 hours, with 28 days annual leave and standard public holidays.

The conditioned hours for most civil servants are 41 in London or 42 elsewhere. A substantial majority of civil servants are entitled to less than 28 days annual leave a year. Information is, however, not available centrally which would enable reliable calculations to be made of the effect on manpower or staffing costs of variations in the number of working hours or amount of annual leave.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the cost in the current year of the National Health and Social Service Commissioner's Office; and what is the number of staff.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total cost in the current year of the Parliamentary Commissioner's Office; and what is the number of staff.

There is one integrated office for the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and the Health Service Commissioners for England, Scotland and Wales. The total Estimate for this integrated office for the year 1975–76 is £563,000 based on a staff of 96.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service, in view of the burden of taxation on the average wage earner and family, if the Government will transfer the cost of the remuneration and expenses of their special advisers from the taxpayer to the funds of the Labour Party.

No.

asked the Attorney-General if he will list in the Official Report the names, ages, dates of appointment and salaries of the present officials in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

The names and salaries of the officials of the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions are published annually in the Civil Service Year Book. It is not the practice to make available personal information relating to civil servants.

asked the Attorney-General if the speech of the Director of Public Prosecutions at Durham University, advocating that accused persons should be made to speak to police officers without their solicitors being present, was made with his approval.

No. I would not normally require the Director to submit for my approval the contents of a speech expressing his personal views in the course of a university debate. I am informed, however, that he did not express the view attributed to him in the Question.

asked the Attorney-General on what basis charges by magistrates' courts are reinstituted for hearing at the Central Criminal Court.

A decision to reinstitute charges in accordance with the proviso to Section 2(2) of the Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933 for hearing at any Crown court may be based on a number of factors. Careful consideration is given in every case to the available evidence, the relevant law and any public interest factor which may be involved.

asked the Attorney-General in how many cases, concluded at the Central Criminal Court in December 1975, charges had been reinstituted although thrown out in magistrates' courts at committal proceedings.

This information is not available and could not be ascertained without a disproportionate expenditure of the time of the staff of the Central Criminal Court.

asked the Attorney-General if he approves in each individual case when charges in magistrates' courts are reinstituted for hearing at the Central Criminal Court.

My responsibility for individual cases is limited to those in which the Director of Public Prosecutions is concerned. My approval is not normally required for the reinstatement of charges, but it is open to the Director to consult me about any individual case.

asked the Attorney-General if he will list the names of the cases which were concluded at the Central Criminal Court in October and November 1975 in which one or more of the defendants were acquitted.

This information is not readily available but I will provide it by letter as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Attorney-General how many persons appearing before tribunals in the last year for which figures are available have received legal advice and assistance by means of the Green Form Scheme.

Exact figures are not available. A 10 per cent. sample carried out by the Law Society in 1974–75 showed that 1·3 per cent. of the claims for payment under the scheme related to tribunal work, suggesting an overall total of about 2,500 persons. These figures do not, however, include all tribunal cases, because some were listed under separate subject headings in the sample claims.

asked the Attorney-General if he will take steps to publicise widely the availability of legal advice and assistance in preparing a case before a tribunal by means of the Green Form Scheme.

The fact that advice and assistance are available for tribunal cases is already widely publicised as one of the benefits of the Green Form Scheme. But my noble Friend is considering whether further steps would be desirable.

asked the Attorney-General what is the Green Form Scheme; and what are the financial limits of eligibility.

This is the legal advice and assistance scheme which is provided under Sections 1 to 5 of the Legal Aid Act 1974. Under it a person of limited means may obtain from a solicitor and, if necessary, from counsel, advice and assistance on matters involving English law, at little or no cost to himself. It is available for criminal and civil matters, including tribunal problems. If more than £25 worth of advice and assistance is to be given, authority must be obtained from the Law Society. Advice and assistance under the scheme are available to any person whose disposable income does not exceed £30 a week. A contribution is payable, on a sliding scale, by any person whose disposable income exceeds £16 a week.

asked the Attorney-General if the Lord Chancellor will use his powers under Section 11 of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1971 to make rules regulating the procedure to be followed in connection with the Aire Valley trunk road, and similar public inquiries.

Rules of procedure for local inquiries under the Highways Acts are in preparation and my noble Friend will make them, after consultation with the Council on Tribunals, when they are ready.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development how many staff, in his Department and in the Central Office of Information, were involved in the preparation of the developing countries leaflets on Nepal, St. Lusia, the Solomon Islands and Swaziland; what has been the total cost to public funds of these leaflets; and why such expenditure is thought necessary in current conditions.

Two staff members of my Department who deal with our general publication work have been involved in the preparation of developing country leaflets; two COI staff were responsible for design and editing. 8,000 copies of each of the four leaflets have been produced at a total cost of £4,183. they have been prepared in response to requests from teachers and educationists, and suggestions made in Parliament, that in addition to general literature on the aid programme there should be publications describing why and how Britain's aid is deployed in individual countries.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development what steps he is taking to assist Bangladesh to prevent the deterioration of food stocks and to ensure price stability for future harvests.

I have made an immediate offer to provide and air freight to Bangladesh grain fumigant and gas-proof sheeting, which World Food Programme officials report to be urgently needed. I have also offered to the Government of Bangladesh two teams of experts to make recommendations on the rehabilitation of existing warehouses there and the means of bulk transportation of grain away from congested ports. These offers, if accepted, should help to safeguard existing and future grain stocks and so should contribute to greater price stability in the future.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will make a statement on his plans to provide further financial aid to Jordan.

I have informed the Government of Jordan that Britain is prepared to make available from the

Period Of Claim			Amount	Payee
Conservative Party
>March quarter 1975	…	…	£37,500·00	Conservative and Unionist Central Office
June quarter 1975	…	…	£37,500·00	Conservative and Unionist Central Office
September quarter 1975	…	…	£37,500·00	Conservative and Unionist Central Office
December quarter 1975	…	…	£37,500·00	Conservative and Unionist Central Office
			£150,000·00
Liberal Party
March quarter 1975	…	…	£3,006·61	Liberal Central Association
June quarter 1975	…	…	£10,822·95	Liberal Central Association
September quarter 1975	…	…	£9,513·46	Liberal Central Association
December quarter 1975	…	…	£9,890·98	Liberal Central Association
			£33,234·00
Scottish Nationalist Party
March quarter 1975	…	…	£2,424·50	The h M for Banff (Mr. Watt)
June quarter 1975	…	…	£2,424·50	SNP Parliamentary Group
September quarter 1975	…	…	£2,424·50	SNP House of Commons Staff fund
December quarter 1975	…	…	£2,424·50	SNP House of Commons Staff fund
			£9,698·00

asked the Lord President of the Council to what accounts the sums reported by him as paid to Opposition parties in Parliament were, respectively, credited; in what form the expenditure of those sums will be accounted for; whether he will lay such accounts before the House; and how he intends to satisfy himself that these sums have been or will be expended wholly and exclusively for the purposes specified in the relevant resolution of the House.

Details of the sums paid to Opposition parties in Parliament for 1975 in accordance with the terms of the resolution of the House of Commons of 20th March 1975 are as follows:

asked the Prime Minister what sum has been allotted to Sir Kenneth Berrill to carry out a review of all aspects of United Kingdom overseas representation; and how many staff are employed, and at what rates of salary.

Sir Kenneth Berrill is being assisted by five members of his own staff, three at Assistant Secretary level and two at Principal level. The question of special financial provision does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has so far been spent from public funds on support for the Community Development Project Information Intelligence Unit.

£25,260 in respect of the financial years 1973–74 and 1974–75. A grant claim for a further £27,637 in respect of 1975–76 is under discussion between the Home Office and the Centre for Environmental Studies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to bring service houses of members of the police and fire service into line with Her Majesty's Government's proposals for agricultural Service house tenancies.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons pleaded not guilty before a jury and were acquitted in England and Wales in each 12-month period since 1973.

Of the 18,223 persons who pleaded not guilty at the Crown Court in 1973, 51 per cent. were acquitted. In 1974, 17,608 persons pleaded not guilty and 52 per cent. were acquitted. Figures for 1975 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what, to the latest available date, for appropriate regions of England and Wales, are the total amounts of unpaid fines.

The amount of unpaid fines outstanding on 30th September 1975 in England and Wales, excluding Inner London, was £15,237,493. This figure includes fines in respect of which the time allowed for payment had not expired. Regional figures are not readily available and could not be compiled without disproportionate expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects that the final report of the Law Commission on Trespass will be published.

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the report on conspiracy, which deals with offences of entering and remaining on property. It is likely to be published early in March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual cost to public funds of his two special advisers.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his Question by the Minister for the Civil Service on 20th October 1975.—[Vol. 898, c. 5.]—It is not the practice to specify, either individually or in total, the salaries of special advisers appointed to serve in a particular Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total sum unpaid by diplomats for parking fines during each of the past five years for which records are available.

The following table, compiled from police records, gives the total numbers of fixed penalty notices cancelled on grounds of diplomatic immunity. The figures for December 1975 have not yet been received.

Number of Notices Cancelled
1971	20,661
1972	31,892
1973	48,798
1974	52,839
1975 (January to November inclusive)	48,288

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take powers to deprive of British nationality British citizens living in other countries who decline to pay to Her Majesty's Government taxes at United Kingdom rates when given the opportunity to do so.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why verbal statements composed by the police after interviewing suspects of criminal offences are not shown to those suspects to be signed by those suspects before being produced as alleged evidence in courts of law.

There is no requirement in the Judges' Rules for this to be done. If the accused disputes a police officer's statement recording what took place at an interview it is of course open to him to say so in court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a public inquiry into the use of verbal statements by the police in evidence at court hearings.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions took place under the London Cab Acts 1968 and 1973 during the calendar years 1974 and 1975.

Ninety-six and 19 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions have been obtained under the London Cab Act 1973 since it came into force.

Forty-eight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the workings of the London Cab Act 1973; and, if not, what evasions are of concern to him.

We have no reason to think that the London Cab Act 1973 is not working satisfactorily.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were detained in custody overnight in police stations in the Metropolitan Police area and released without charge the following day during the month of January.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now remove the restriction on the Post Office's ability to make refunds on the unexpired portion of television licences where the holder dies.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 5th February to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, Central (Mr. McNamara).—[Vol. 904, c. 688.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in any rules or circulars issued by his Department an applicant for (a) a firearms certificate and (b) a shotgun certificate can find a definition of what does and what does not constitute a "minor traffic offence"; and if he will take action to amend the law to include a definition of a minor traffic offence.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "No". The matter is left to the common sense of the applicant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated total cost of the community development projects up to the end of the programme.

On present plans, the estimated total cost of the community development projects in England and Wales, excluding the cost of social action project and central support activity, is about £2·1 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the expenditure so far on the community development projects.

Expenditure up to 31st December 1975 on the community development projects in England and Wales, excluding expenditure on social action projects and central support activity, is estimated at about £1·55 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why he is closing the Information and Intelligence Unit of the Community Development Project;(2) what saving is expected to result from the closure of the Information and Intelligence Unit of the Community Development Project.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations were held with the staff prior to his decision to close the Information and Intelligence Unit of the Community Development project.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what savings in Government expenditure he expects to make by discontinuing the grant to the Centre for Environmental Studies for the running of the central National Community Development Project Information and Intelligence Unit, four months before the grant was due to cease; whether he will direct the CES to compensate members of the Unit's staff whose contracts will be broken; and at what level compensation will be made:(2) why, in the light of assurances given to the Community Development Project Information and Intelligence Unit's Director and other members of staff that the unit would continue until the end of the CDP Programme in late 1977, no consultation was undertaken with members of the Unit, the CES or the Unit's Steering Group before discontinuing the grant to the CES.

I have now decided to continue the grant to the Centre for Environmental Studies for the purposes of this Unit until the present contract expires.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost of Civil Defence in each of the last five years and in 1960, respectively.

Gross Home Office expenditure in Civil Defence in 1960–61 was about £10 million, in 1970–71 £4·8, 1971–72 £4·8, 1972–73 £5·4, 1973–74 £4·3 and 1974–75 £6·4 million. These figures do not include expenditure accounted for by other Departments. In 1974–75 the net United Kingdom public expenditure on home defence was of the order of £10·7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time workers were engaged in Civil Defence in each of the last five years and in 1960, respectively.

Records are not kept of all people currently employed solely on Civil Defence work. It is estimated that about 1,000 in England and Wales are currently engaged mainly in this field in central and local government. Figures for earlier years are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many shelters against nuclear attack have been built in the last five years.

None has been built at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to interest the population in Civil Defence.

In so far as the general public are concerned, it has been the policy of successive Governments to mount an intensive mass-information campaign only when the international situation merits it. It is also the policy to encourage local authorites to make, for Civil Defence purposes and in peace-time emergencies, the maximum use of local voluntary organisations to help the community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate of the number of assaults on bus crews in the London area during 1975.

The latest figures show that the total number of assaults on London Transport bus crews in 1975 was 888, an increase of about 4½ per cent. on the 849 assaults in 1974.I much regret that in my Answer to the hon. Member's Question on 10th November—[Vol. 899 c.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average period of imprisonment and the longest sentence imposed upon those men imprisoned in 1974 for nonpayment of affiliation orders or maintenance payments;(2) what is the longest period served in prison by the 215 men imprisoned on 5th January 1976 for non-payment of affiliation orders or maintenance payments.

It has not been possible to obtain this information within the time available. However, I will write to my hon. Friend when the information has been obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the number of children of the 215 men imprisoned on 5th January 1976 for nonpayment of affiliation orders or maintenance payments, and if he will distinguish between those children belonging to the family not receiving payment and those belonging to the imprisoned man's present family;(2) how many of the 215 men imprisoned on 5th January 1976 for nonpayment of affiliation orders or maintenance payments have another family to support.

I regret that this information is not available and could be collected only at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department it he will seek to find more efficient means of dealing with men defaulting on affiliation orders or maintenance payments than that of imprisonment.

The threat of imprisonment is used against such defaulters only as a last resort, when other methods of enforcement have failed or cannot be used. Imprisonment may not be ordered if the court is of opinion that the default is not due to wilful refusal or culpable neglect. We are not persuaded that there is scope for introducing further means of enforcement.

Functions	Main Acts conferring functions
Certain functions concerned with the prevention of animal diseases and with the maintenance of animal welfare (Great Britain for most functions but for some England and Wales only).	Diseases of Animals Act 1950.
	Slaughter of Poultry Act 1967.
	Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968.
	Medicines Act 1968.
	Rabies Act 1974.
	Slaughterhouses Act 1974.
Execution and enforcement of certain aspects of legislation concerning food safety, composition and labelling (England and Wales).	Food and Drugs Act 1955.
Execution and enforcement of certain aspects of legislation concerning hygiene, composition and labelling of milk (England and Wales).	Food and Drugs Act 1955.
Execution and enforcement of certain aspects of legislation concerning slaughterhouse hygiene and meat inspection (England and Wales).	Food and Drugs Act 1955.
	Slaughterhouses Act 1974.
Provision of public slaughterhouses and cold stores and refrigerators for public slaughterhouses (England and Wales).	Slaughterhouses Act 1974.
Execution and enforcement of certain aspects of legislation concerning marketing standards for eggs (England and Wales).	Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act 1928.
	European Communities Act 1972.
Enforcement of Community wine regulations at retail level (England and Wales).	European Communities Act 1972.
Enforcement of certain aspects of fertilisers and feedingstuffs legislation (England and Wales).	Agriculture Act 1970.
Enforcement of requirement on occupier of agricultural land to provide, maintain and keep clean sanitary conveniences for use of agricultural workers (England and Wales).	Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act 1956.
Rodent control (England and Wales)	Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.
	Pests Act 1954.
Dog licensing (England and Wales)	Dog Licensing Act 1959.
	Local Government Act 1966.
Control of dogs (Great Britain)	Diseases of Animals Act 1950.
Provision of civic restaurants (England and Wales)	Civic Restaurants Act 1947 as amended by the Local Government Act 1974.
Land drainage and flood protection (England and Wales)	Land Drainage Acts 1930 and 1961.
	London Government Act 1963.
	Agriculture Act 1970.
	Water Act 1973.
Certain functions relating to statutory smallholdings (England and Wales).	Agriculture Act 1970
Appointments to Sea Fisheries Committees (England and Wales).	Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966.

I also have powers, currently unused, to require local authorities in England and Wales to execute certain provisions of the Plant Health Act 1967.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what functions, regulated by his Ministry, are carried out by United Kingdom local authorities; and if he will list the Acts under which these functions are performed.

The functions of local authorities derived from legislation for which I am responsible are:This list does not include functions of local authorities derived from Local Acts which may concern matters within my Department's responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what functions, regulated by his Department, are carried out by United Kingdom local authorities; and if he will list the Acts under which these functions are performed.

My Department does not regulate functions carried out by local authorities as such; the functions regulated are those carried out by local authorities in their capacity as local education authorities or museum or library authorities. Nor does it regulate the functions of such authorities in Scotland or Northern Ireland. The enactments under which local education authorities in England, and in England and Wales, respectively, carry out functions regulated by the Department are listed below. If the hon. Member requires more detail I shall be glad to write to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the terms under which the Taylor Committee inquiring into the management of schools was set up; what is the composition of the Committee; what is the number of members and to what extent the members are lay people or professional educators; whether the members of the Committee are compensated for their services; and when the Committee is expected to report.

The terms of reference of the Committee are:

"To review the arrangements for the management and government of maintained primary and secondary schools in England and Wales, including the composition and functions of bodies of managers and governors, and their relationship with local education authorities, with head teachers and staffs of schools, with parents of pupils and with the local community at large; and to make recommendations."

The Chairman of the Committee is Councillor Tom Taylor, Leader of Blackburn Council; there are 22 other members, as follows:

Professor G. Baron, Professor of Educational Administration, University of London Institute of Education.

Miss J. Barrow, Lecturer and former member of the Community Relations Commission.

Mrs. M. B. Broadley, Headmistress, Dick Sheppard School, Tulse Hill.

Mr. D. P. J. Browning, Chief Education Officer, Bedfordshire.

Councillor E. Currie-Jones, Chairman, South Glamorgan County Council.

Mrs. A. E. Edwards, Parent.

Mr. F. D. Flower, Principal, Kingsway-Princeton College, London.

Councillor P. O. Fulton, Chairman of Education Committee, Cleveland County Council.

Mr. J. A. Hale, Headmaster, Shears Green County Primary School, Kent.

Mr. G. M. A. Harrison, Chief Education Officer. Sheffield.

Mr. R. N. Heaton, formerly Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Education.

Councillor E. G. Hett, Member of Clwyd County Council.

Councillor J. R. Horrell, Chairman, Cambridgeshire County Council.

Miss B. Lynn, Teacher, Beech Hill Primary School, Halifax.

Mr. J. Macgougan, General Secretary, National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers.

Miss A. C. Millett, Deputy Head, Tile Hill Wood Comprehensive School, Coventry.

Mr. M. J. Moore, Deputy Chairman, Electricity Consultative Council for Merseyside and North Wales.

The Reverend Peter J. Reilly, Diocesan Schools Commission. Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Mrs. J. Sallis, Parent.

Mrs. J. Stone, Parent.

Mr. K. J. Turner, Headmaster, Foxhaycs Combined County Primary School, Devon.

The Reverend Canon R. Waddington, Bishop's Adviser for Education, Diocese of Carlisle.

Members may claim the usual allowances for travelling, subsistence and loss of earnings. It is hoped that the committee will report within the next year or so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the total numbers of maintained and voluntary-aided schools in England, Wales and Scotland; and whether they each have individual managing governing bodies.

In January 1975 there were 26,079 maintained primary middle and secondary schools in England and 2,212 in Wales, of which 4,894 and 175, respectively, were voluntary aided schools. Every maintained school in England and Wales is required to have a body of governors—secondary schools—or managers—primary schools. Local education authorities are, however, empowered to make arrangements for the grouping of any two or more schools under a single managing or governing body, and some have done this. Schools in Scotland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the estimates submitted by each local education authority as a result of the Government proposals to require only comprehensive schools in secondary education.

My right hon. Friend has received no such recent estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is considering plans to introduce a loan element into maintenance grants for undergraduate students at universities and polytechnics in England and Wales.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy is being followed in Hong Kong with a view gradually to reduce pollution, including air and noise pollution.

As part of their comprehensive approach to environmental protection, the Hong Kong Government are preparing legislation to control all forms of pollution and examining proposals for the establishment of a central unit for environmental protection. Meanwhile, industrial pollution is controlled under the conditions of grants for industrial sites; and air pollution by means of the Clean Air Ordinance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the expansion in new public housing in Hong Kong over the last five years and details of plans for the next two years.

About 1·95 million people—44·6 per cent. of the population—were accommodated in public housing at the end of September 1975. Accommodation for some 481,000 people was built in the period 1971–72 to 1975–76. Production plans for the next two years are designed to accommodate about 220,000 people in public housing, mainly in new towns.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the prices paid by the population of Hong Kong for consumer goods and foodstuffs from China compare with world prices.

It is not possible to make a direct comparison between the prices paid for Chinese goods and foodstuffs imported into Hong Kong and world prices for the same items, since statistics are not compiled on a uniform basis. The indications are that the prices of Chinese goods and foodstuffs in Hong Kong tend to follow world prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and to the International Atomic Energy Agency about the impact on the atmosphere of Soviet plans to explode large numbers of nuclear devices in Central Asia in connection with canal building schemes;(2) what steps are being taken to monitor the effects on the atmosphere of Soviet nuclear bombs exploded in connection with earth moving projects north of the Caspian Sea; what information he has received from British or international agencies about the number of such explosions already recorded and the number planned to take place over the next three years; and what consequent change, if any, he expects in the levels of atmospheric radioactivity.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has published a report by Soviet experts on the results of the first row-charge cratering nuclear explosion experiment conducted in the River Pechora area. A translation is available from HMSO (AWRE Trans 69 of May 1975).We are not aware of any increase in atmospheric radioactivity outside the Soviet Union as a result of these explosions. The Soviet Union has made no official announcement of plans for further explosions of this type. We would, however, expect such explosions to continue to be designed in compliance with Article I(i)(

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion the sum of £1,900,000 paid by the United Arab Republic Government under the terms of the agreement dated 13th September 1971 represents when related to the total value of the nationalised assets belonging to British nationals; and how satisfactory is this agreement.

The sum of £1·9 million represents approximately 50 per cent. of the total value of assessed claims for British nationalised property, after the deduction of £200,000 to cover taxes, and so on, claimed as due by the Egyptians.I regard this as a satisfactory settlement, comparing very favourably with settlements achieved with Egypt by other countries at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will propose to the European Community that the proposed European passport should be optional following the precedent of the proposal to have an optional European driving licence; and if he will make a statement.

The proposal is not for a European passport but for a national passport in a uniform style. The passport will indicate that the holder is a national of a member State and has certain rights in the Community. To make it optional would result in confusion and a proliferation of styles of passport.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he received the 8th Report of the Expenditure Committee for Session 1974–75; and when his reply to it will be received.

The Report was received on 29th September 1975. It is hoped that the reply will be submitted within the next six weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the mental and physical health of Paul Glover, a British citizen held by the Israeli authorities in Ramallah gaol; when the British Consul last visited Mr. Glover; and what progress is being made with his request for a free pardon.

On medical examination last November Mr. Glover was reported in good health. He was visited by a clergyman in January and by the consul on 5th February. Their reports do not suggest that there has been any deterioration in his general physical or mental condition.Mr. Glover recently petitioned for a Presidential pardon. This petition has been refused.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials from the Foreign Office have been seconded to the Northern Ireland Office over the last year.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that the Northern Ireland Office, as a newly created Department, has naturally drawn staff from many United Kingdom Government Departments and from the Northern Ireland Civil Service. My Department has been happy to contribute to this process since its inception. In the past year seven officials have been seconded to the Northern Ireland Office from the FCO. Most of these were normal replacements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Articles in the Treaty of Rome set out the powers of the European Assembly.

The main provisions of the Treaty relating to the Assembly are contained in Articles 137 to 144. The Council is required to consult the Assembly on proposals made by the Commission under numerous articles of the treaty. The Assembly has specific powers in relation to infringements of the treaty under Article 175 and in relation to the Community budget under Articles 203 and 206.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if the organisers of the civil rights march in Londonderry on Saturday 31st January 1976 and the organisers of the IRA protest meeting and march in Londonderry on Sunday 1st February 1976 gave the statutory notice to the police; and, if not, what action is being taken by the RUC;(2) if he will publish photographs of the riots in the Fountain and in Bishop Street in Londonderry on Sunday 1st February, with a view to getting the involvement and co-operation of the public in the identification of the rioters;(3) how many persons have been identified by the police as having taken part in Republican or civil rights acts of disruption in Londonderry in 1974 and in 1975; how many such persons have been charged and how many convicted; how many such acts of disruption—that is, illegal marches, sit-downs on the roadway, riot and stone-throwing, etc.—are known to have taken place; and what is the maximum number of persons in any single act or demonstration and what is the minimum in any single demonstration or act;(4) if he has any plans for introducing into the judicial system in Northern Ireland small claims courts along the lines now operating in England in order to speed and cheapen the costs of litigation;(5) if he will take steps to extend the jurisdiction of the petty sessions courts to accommodate small claims; and if he will make a statement;(6) in what way the procedures of identification of persons who stage sit-downs on the public highway have been improved since November 1974.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what effect he expects the collapse of Maritime Fruit Carriers to have on employment prospects in the shipbuilding industry in Ulster.

It is not yet possible to estimate whether, or to what extent, the current situation of Maritime Fruit Carriers will have a bearing upon employment prospects in the Northern Ireland shipbuilding industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will forward to the Department of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland a transcript of the speeches made by Mrs. Mairi Drumm and Mr. Kevin Agnew in Londonderry on Sunday 1st February 1976 with a view to having prosecutions brought under the Incitement to Disaffection Act.

I have been asked to answer.This matter is already the subject of investigation by the Chief Constable who, when his investigations are complete, will report the evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland for his consideration with a view to criminal proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to authorise building in areas 36, Roden Street, F3, Grosvenor Road—Falls Road and F2, Durham Street, before a final decision is taken about the proposed Poleglass-Lagmore housing development.

,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th February 1976; Vol. 904, c. 781], gave the following information:The redevelopment of Areas 36 and F3 has already been approved in principle and building in parts of the areas is under way. The overall redevelopment plans for Area F2 remain uncertain pending the outcome of the Belfast Transportation Review but four systems-built houses have been erected and another 45 should be erected this year.I believe that both redevolpment in and provision for overspill from these areas are necessary to help the acute housing problems in West Belfast. A final decision about the Poleglass-Lagmore scheme will be taken in the light of the report of the public inquiry, which I hope will be held later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total amount of money involved in statu- tory payments in Northern Ireland made by Giro cheques sent through the Post Office which have not been received by claimants during the period 13th June to 13th December 1975.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th February 1976; Vol. 904, c. 781], gave the following information:The value of such Giro cheques which were reported as not received during the period 13th June to Friday 12th December 1975 was £37,673.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many prosecutions have been launched during each of the past five years against merchant seamen for homosexual conduct with other seamen in a British ship; and what was the number of convictions in such cases.

The information is not available. Criminal statistics of this sort maintained by the Home Office do not distinguish between merchant seamen and other occupations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when the Government propose to implement the recommendations in the report of the Steering Committee on pilotage dated June 1974.

As my right hon. Friend said in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Ovenden) on 12th December 1975, the Government accept in general the recommendations of the Committee but it is unlikely that a Bill can be introduced this Session. I hope that legislative time can be found as soon as possible thereafter in order to implement fully much needed reforms in marine pilotage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he proposes to take either to purchase Westlands Farm, Russ Hill, Surrey, the property of Mr. W. A. Greenfield, which the Joint Committee on the Civil Aviation (Control of Land by Direction) (Gatwick) Order 1975 considered to have been made virtually uninhabitable by the noise caused by jet aircraft using Gatwick Airport or to pay compensation to Mr. Greenfield.

The recommendations of the Joint Committee raised difficult questions involving both the Government's policy and my right hon. Friend's statutory powers to compensate people affected by aircraft noise. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as we have reached a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what proportion of take-offs from Heathrow during the latest

			Number of Infringements	Percentage of Total Infringements
INFRINGEMENTS BY OPERATOR
Airline
British Airways (European Division)	…	…	433	46
British Airways (Overseas Division)	…	…	147	16
Trans World Airlines	…	…	126	13
Pan American World Airlines	…	…	50	5
All other airlines	…	…	189	20
INFRINGEMENTS BY AIRCRAFT TYPE
Type of Aircraft
Trident	…	…	440	47
Boeing 707	…	…	267	28
Super VC10	…	…	78	8
Boeing 747	…	…	66	7
All other aircraft	…	…	94	10

As might be expected, the airlines and aircraft which use Heathrow most created the greater number of infringments. The rate of infringement was, however, higher than the average over the past few years, and I have already set in hand a study to examine the reasons for this and to consider how the rate might be reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether his Department's inquiry into the M notice procedure has yet been completed; and whether he will take wider statutory powers to make such advisory notices mandatory on United Kingdom merchant shipping.

My Department completed its internal investigation into M notice procedures last summer and consultation with both sides of industry began in September. It is intended to make more of those matters covered by

In the last three months of 1975 there were 28,662 jet take-offs from Heathrow of which 945, 3·29 per cent., exceeded the permitted noise levels. The airlines and types of aircraft which infringed on the greatest number of occasions are shown in the following table:our M notices mandatory once the necessary legislative powers are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he can now say when the Government intend to ratify the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea 1974; and if he will make a statement.

As soon as a Merchant Shipping Act provides me with the necessary legislative powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the surplus or deficit on the balance of trade between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong in 1973, 1974 and 1975.

The crude trade deficit with Hong Kong was £136 million in 1973, £134 million in 1974 and £150 million in 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he is making to the Japanese Government about administrative practices impeding the export of British cars to Japan.

Both domestically produced and imported cars are required to undergo tests in Japan to see if they meet the stringent Japanese emission and safety standards. During my visit to Tokyo last year I discussed testing arrangements for British cars with Japanese Ministers. Detailed technical talks on testing and safety and emission standards between United Kingdom and Japanese officials are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give a list of those bodies other than committees but including statutory corporations to which he appoints members other than civil servants; and if he will state the number of members serving on each body.

Excluding various advisory committees and similar bodies the list is as follows:

	No of members
Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency	7
British Airports Authority	9
British Airways Board	11
British Film Fund Agency	3
British Overseas Trade Board	14
British Trade Authority	6
Cinematograph Films Council	22
Civil Aviation Authority	12
English Tourist Board	7
National Film Finance Corporation	5
Performing Right Tribunal	5
Policyholders Protection Board	5
Simplification of International Trade Procedures Board	14

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the total value of the imports of leather goods into the United Kingdom during the past three successive years; and what is the total value of exports of British leather goods during the same period.

Imports of saddlery, travel and fancy goods in 1973, 1974 and 1975 were valued at £16 million, £20 million and £26 million cif respectively and exports £9 million, £l1 million and £13 million fob.

asked the Secretary of Stae for Trade if he is satisfied with the measures he has taken to protect British footwear manufacturers from foreign competition.

We have asked Poland, Czechoslovakia and Romania to continue throughout 1976 the restrictions which they imposed on their 1975 exports to us of men's leather footwear, excluding sandals, and to extend a similar voluntary restraint to women's and children's leather footwear also. Discussions with the countries concerned are continuing and, I hope, will shortly be concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has had any recent discussions with representatives of the footwear industry following the Government's recent statement on imports from Come-con countries; and, if so, what was the result.

We have not met representatives of the footwear industry since the statement by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will indicate the most recent trade figures between the United Kingdom and Israel.

In 1975 imports were valued at £91 million cif and exports £237 million fob.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will recommend a change in the criteria for the presentation of the Queen's Award for innovation to include the development or application of improved energy efficiency.

Technological developments which improve energy efficiency can be eligible under present criteria for the Technological Award. There is, therefore, no need to change the criteria to encourage developments of a kind which Her Majesty's Government would warmly welcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what further proposals Her Majesty's Government will now make to the Government of the United States of America following the decision of Mr. Secretary Coleman on Concorde landing rights; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my statement on 5th February.