asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners currently in Her Majesty's prisons have served a continuous period of 18 years or more.

On 23rd February 1976 there were six.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has reviewed the arrangements made by the police for the return of recovered stolen property to the rightful owner; if he will list the circumstances in which property can be handed ever to duly appointed agents of the owner and the circumstances when the police can refuse; and whether the present arrangements can be varied to avoid undue hardship to the rightful owner.

The disposal of property which comes into the possession of the police in the course of criminal investigations is governed by the Police (Property) Act 1897 and Regulations made under the Act. New Regulations were made last year—the Police (Dis- posal of Property) Regulations 1975; S.I. 1474—to take account of changes in law and practice since 1898 when the previous Regulations were made. Except where an order has been made by a magistrates' court, the disposal of property to which the 1897 Act applies is at the discretion of chief officers of police. Where the owner is known, the police would not normally refuse to return property unless it could have some criminal application. It is open to any person to apply to a magistrates' court under the 1897 Act for an order in respect of property which is in the possession of the police and which he believes to be his.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants were admitted to the United Kingdom from Southern Rhodesia in each of the following years: 1970,1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.

The numbers of citizens of Rhodesia accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom on arrival and on removal of the time limit attached to their stay during the period 1970–75 are given in the table below:

ACCEPTANCES FOR SETTLEMENT—CITIZENS OF RHODESIA 1970–75
		On arrival	On removal of time limit	Totals
1970	…	17	34	51
1971	…	14	34	48
1972	…	9	40	49
1973	…	5	51	56
1974	…	2	157	159
1975*	…	20	210	230
* Estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the white population of Southern Rhodesia has entered the United Kingdom since UDI.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants were admitted to the United Kingdom from South Africa in each of the following years: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.

The following numbers of South African nationals have been accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom:

ACCEPTANCES FOR SETTLEMENT—CITIZENS OF RHODESIA 1970–75
		On arrival	On removal of time limit	Totals
1970	…	17	34	51
1971	…	14	34	48
1972	…	9	40	49
1973	…	5	51	56
1974	…	2	157	159
1975*	…	20	210	230
* Estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have committed suicide in the last five years whilst awaiting the hearing of charges against them of shoplifting from supermarkets.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what plans he has for increasing job vacancies in the central Lancashire area.

Central Lancashire is included in the North-West Intermediate Area and as a result regional incentives to industrial development are available there.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the life expectancy of firms with fewer than 10 employees, between 50 and 100 employees and over 100 employees.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what immediate and long-term measures Her Majesty's Government are taking to combat the balance of payments impact felt through increased imports of paper and board and its effect on the home-produced paper and board industry.

In addition to the measures to which I have referred in another reply to my hon. Friend, my Department, together with the Department of Trade, is reviewing the arrangements for the duty-free quotas for imports of paper and board from the EFTA countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish in the Official Report the number of manufacturing concerns with fewer than 100 employees and with fewer than 50 employees in the United Kingdom for each of the last 10 years.

The following table relates to manufacturing units—that is, a factory or plant at a single site or address:

Manufacturing units with 11–50 employees			Manufacturing units with 11–100 employees
1971	…	35,103	44,025
1972	…	36,631	45,942
1973	…	36,536	45,888

Units with 10 employees or less have been excluded from the table because the Business Statistics Office Register of Businesses, from which this material is drawn, is not reliable in the case of very small units: it is estimated, however, that there are about 50,000 such units.Prior to 1971, information relating to size was not collected on a comparable basis. Information subsequent to 1973 is not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the total loss of job opportunities in the public sector if the proposals to cut back public spending are implemented.

As stated in paragraph 17 of Part I of the White Paper, the Government intend to hold public service manpower broadly steady over the next few years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on unemployment of the proposals set out in the White Paper on Public Expenditure (Command Paper No. 6393).

So far as public service employment is concerned, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 4th March.—[Vol. 906, c. 721–2.] On unemployment in the economy as a whole I would refer him to my answer to the hon. Member for Guildford (Mr. Howell) on 2nd March.—[Vol. 906, c. 545.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce a general enabling Act to give nationalised industries powers to make takeover bids, thus placing them on an equal footing with firms in the private sector.

No. The statutes of the nationalised industries already provide for acquisitions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional annual revenue would accrue if the income tax concession on building society interest charges was restricted to mortgage debts of less than £15,000.

It is not possible to make a precise estimate but if the maximum amount on which tax relief is allowed against mortgage interest was reduced to £15,000, the additional annual revenue would be about £5 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sterling value of foreign loans raised in the two years from 1st March 1974 to 29th February 1976; how much of this is to be repaid in United States dollars; and what is the current commitment in that currency compared with the time at which the loans were negotiated.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the foreign currency borrowing of Her Majesty's Government and the public sector. Between 1st March 1974 and 29th February 1976 Her Majesty's Government and the public sector borrowed the equivalent of £1·6 billion and £1·7 billion respectively, of which 98 per cent. was denominated in US dollars. The sterling equivalent of the dollar borrowing, using exchange rates in force at the time of drawdown, is some £3·3 billion, compared with a figure of £4·0 billion if the exchange rate at the close on 12th March is used.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give further consideration to allowing the new mobility allowance for disabled persons to be free of tax.

For the reasons I gave in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Sir B. Braine) on 19th December 1975, I do not believe that further consideration would be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer if the new mobility were made tax free.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 25th November.—[Vol. 901, c. 144.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any loans have been negotiated and taken up by Her Majesty's Government which are indexed to the value of the £ sterling in the international markets or any other device.

No loans undertaken by Her Majesty's Government in international markets have been indexed, though foreign currency borrowing undertaken by Her Majesty's Government, including the drawing on the IMF oil facility, naturally involves a corresponding foreign currency liability.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in respect of what categories of local authority expenditure, besides that covered by Section 105 of the Housing Act 1974, the Government have statutory power to prohibit spending even when the funds involved are wholly rate-borne.

The following are examples of categories of local authority expenditure where a Minister has statutory power to prohibit spending: contributions to the National Trust, grants to universities, grants to co-operative societies running smallholdings and allotments, contributions by exporting authorities to receiving districts for town development schemes, expenditure in respect of emergencies and disasters.This list is not comprehensive and the information from which a comprehensive list could be drawn up is not readily available. Only cases where the requirement to obtain consent bites directly on expenditure have been included. Borrowing to finance capital expenditure requires the approval of the Secretary of State, which may either be given in respect of individual schemes or for approved programmes of work—in relation to the key sectors—or by way of a block allocation for locally determined schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which part of the £50 million for the improvement of public sector housing is to be allocated (a) to Knowsley Borough Council, (b) to West Lancashire District Council and (c) to Merseyside.

The allocations for the local authorities in question were advised on 11th March and were as follows:

	£
(a) Knowsley Borough Council	2,000,000
(b) West Lancashire District Council	200,000
(c) The Districts within the Merseyside Metropolitan County	5,400,000

In addition, £100,000 has also been allocated to Ellesmere Port Borough Council which, though net within the Merseyside Metropolitan County, like West Lancashire District Council is adjacent to it and has demonstrated that it can benefit from these measures to alleviate unemployment in the construction industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the maximum rent which a local authority may charge for a newly-built council house costing £12,000; and what would be the economic rent for such a house.

Council rents must be reasonable, but otherwise there is no specific legal maximum for an individual dwelling. A first-year rent to cover the loan charges and other expenses of such a house would be about £25 a week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make it compulsory for all vehicles to have wing mirrors on both sides in order to improve the awareness of cyclists.

We shall shortly be introducing a new regulation which will make it compulsory for all new cars, goods and passenger vehicles to have two rear-view mirrors. This requirement would normally be met by the provision of an interior mirror and an exterior mirror on the offside. We intend to allow motorists a choice between wing- and door-mounted exterior mirrors, as both kinds have their own particular merits.Although, for most vehicles, an exterior mirror on the nearside would not be required, any motorist who wished to fit such a mirror would be free to do so. In practice, of course, many cars are already fitted with an exterior mirror on each side.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the CPO for the proposed St. Gabriel's-Duncombe Primary School, Islington, N.19; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that part of the land included in the Greater London Council (Davenant Road, Islington) Compulsory Purchase Order 1973, made under Part III of the Housing Act 1957 is required to complete the site for the school. My right hon. Friend hopes to issue a decision during May or June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what particular and general advice he has given to local authorities with regard to expenditure on the construction of new headquarters in the light of the cuts in public expenditure called for in the White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in the light of the recent White Paper on public expenditure, what criteria he is suggesting for the use of local authorities in deciding whether or not to proceed with the building of new headquarters.

None. It is for authorities themselves to decide whether they need new offices and to arrange for their construction or purchase to be financed within the borrowing approvals they have been given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were in bed and breakfast accommodation on Merseyside at the latest available date; and what was the number of units available for use by temporarily homeless people.

I have no information subsequent to that which I gave the hon. Member on 11th December 1975. More up-to-date information can no doubt be provided by the authorities concerned.— [Vol. 902, c. 306–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what other help housing authorities in England provide for homeless people in addition to that of temporary accommodation;(2) what other help housing authorities (

The help offered to homeless people varies according to circumstances and the need of individual cases. The joint circular on homeless-ness—DOE 18/74; DHSS 4/74—describes eight possible ways of helping with accommodation as well as measures to prevent homelessness and make the fullest use of existing properties. But local authorities are not limited to these possibilities and it is for the local authority concerned to decide how best to deal with any particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what local authorities (a) in Lancashire and (b) on Merseyside do not provide for the priority groups as set out in the joint homelessness circular.

I understand that one local authority on Merseyside, and two in Lancashire, each provide for one of the priority groups designated in Circular 18/74. The remainder provide for all of them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment further to his answer to the hon. Member for Ormskirk of 11th December 1975, what specific measures of responsibility for the homeless have been accepted by local authorities in Lancashire and on Merseyside.

Social Services authorities have a duty under Section 21(1)(b) of the National Assistance Act 1948 to provide temporary accommodation for those in urgent need in certain circumstances. The housing authorities in Lancashire and on Merseyside, following the advice in the joint circular on homelessness—DOE 18/74—are now, in varying degrees, sharing the responsibility for providing accommodation for the homeless. Details of the ways in which responsibility is being shared are not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) which local authorities in England have now assumed responsibility for the homeless; which of these make provision for the priority groups designated in Circular 18/74; how many units of temporary accommodation are available in each local authority area for homeless people; and how many (a) homeless families and (b) homeless individuals are currently being accommodated in bed and breakfast hotels in each local authority area;(2) what is the number of units of accommodation provided by each local authority in England for single homeless persons.

Figures relating to local authorities' acceptance of responsibility, and their provision for the priority groups, are contained in the summary of replies to my Department's questionnaire on homelessness, which was placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 15th December 1975. Information on the numbers of units of accommodation available for use by the homeless, and numbers of homeless people in bed and breakfast hotels, in each local authority area is not available centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of homeless families and homeless persons, respectively, in England at the latest available date.

There were 6,866 families—28,866 persons—in social services temporary accommodation in England and a further 1,155 families—3,474 persons—in bed and breakfast accommodation in London on 31st March 1974—no bed and breakfast figures are available outside London. I hope to publish more up to date information shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations or assurances he has received from the Wakefield Metropolitan District Council following a recent decision concerning that council by the Local Government Commissioner;(2) what representations he has received from persons residing in the Hemsworth Constituency regarding the functions of the Local Government Commissioner.

None. The Commission for Local Administration is a body set up by statute within the local government system. The Local Government Act 1974 which established the Commission contains no provisions for the Secretary of State to receive representations from individual complainants or from authorities who have been the subject of a Local Commissioner's report. Nor is it desirable that there should be such provision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider strengthening the powers of the Local Government Commissioner in the near future.

The Commission for Local Administration has a responsibility under Section 23 of the Local Government Act 1974 annually to review the operation of the provisions under which it investigates complaints. If, in the course of its current review, it reaches any recommendations or conclusions about its powers which it chooses to convey to my right hon. Friend, I am sure he will consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will now reconsider the amendment of the Local Government Act 1972, so as to permit orders constituting parish councils to be made without there first being a recommendation from the Local Government Boundary Commission;(2) how many district councils are at present awaiting recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission in their proposals for constituting parish councils; and if he will list these in the

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is at present concentrating on the task to which the Local Government Act 1972 requires it to give priority: the review of district and county electoral areas. The pressure of its work on this priority task could be relieved only by abandoning or weakening the safeguards built into the procedure, and this would not be right.Nor would it be desirable to exclude the Commission from parish reviews: parish areas and boundaries are important in themselves and in relation to other local government boundaries and areas. It is right that in considering proposals the Secretary of State should have the benefit of the advice of the Local Government Boundary Commission, which is able to take a comprehensive view of local government areas and boundaries to complement the detailed local knowledge of the district councils.Although there have been inquiries about changes in parish boundaries and inquiries by persons interested in securing the establishment of parish councils, no district council has submitted a recommendation for a new parish to the Commission. Nineteen district councils have indicated an interest in doing so at the appropriate time, however—14 which have in mind the creation of parishes where none exists at present and five which are concerned with modifications of the existing parish pattern in ways which would create additional parishes.Guidelines to assist district councils in undertaking parish reviews will be formulated later this year, and it should be appropriate for district councils to consider initiating parish reviews in the course of next year in the light of those guidelines. It is, however, as yet too early to hazard an estimate of the date by which all new parish councils will be constituted in areas where proposals are finally agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated number of people who commute into the Greater London area: (a) by public transport and (b) by private transport now; and what were the numbers five years ago.

The only comprehensive sources for this kind of information are the Workplace and Travel-to-work tables of the Census of Population for 1966 and 1971. The estimated numbers of people having a job in Greater London but living outside the area and commuting were:

Transport Mode		1966	1971
Public	…	272,630	301,660
Private	…	186,360	237,080

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what amounts of subsidy have been paid to support commuter rail services in the South East over the last five years; and what is the estimated subsidy for the year 1976–77.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on Thursday 4th March 1976.—[Vol. 906, c. 680–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the total rate support grant payments in respect of the Greater London area in 1973–74 and 1974–75; and what is the estimated payments in 1975–76.

The total payments of rate support grant to London authorities are as follows:

				£ million
1973–74	…	…	…	389·0
1974–75	…	…	…	613·0
1975–76	…	…	…	760·7

The 1975–76 figure takes account of the RSG (Increase) (No. 2) Order 1975, but is not yet final.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the yield of commercial rates in the Greater London area in 1973–74 and 1974–75; and what is the estimated yield in 1975–76.

Actual yields of commercial rates are not known. Estimated yields from non-domestic premises in Greater London are as follows:

£million
1973–74	…	…	…	420
1974–75	…	…	…	520
1975–76	…	…	…	775

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how the pay of a private in the British Army compares with that of a private in the Russian army.

It is difficult to draw an exact comparison between the pay of British and Russian private soldiers, as conditions of service and the structures of the two armies are very different. The British Army consists entirely of volunteers who are all paid a full salary comparable with outside employments; the Russian comprises mainly conscripts with a small element of men who have volunteered to extend their service and who receive a much higher rate of pay for this commitment. It is understood that a regular Russian private receives approximately one-eleventh of the pay of his British counterpart, whereas a Russian conscript at the beginning of his service receives about one six-hundredth of the pay of a British regular recruit. The Russian soldier pays no income tax and receives free food and accommodation whereas the British soldier pays these charges. The quality of life and the purchasing power of equivalent sums of money in the two countries are, of course, considerably different.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the relevant political and military factors which would be relevant to a decision concerning the ordering by Spain of warships from British shipyards.

It is not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to disclose the detailed considerations against which particular requests for arms are judged.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States service personnel are currently stationed in Great Britain.

About 27,850.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of HMS "Wilton"; and what were the development costs associated with this class and type.

The construction of HMS "Wilton", which is the only vessel of this type, cost £2¾ million. It is not possible to identify the development costs specifically associated with this ship since they form part of a general programme of research into glass reinforced plastic technology.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people, having been granted Her Majesty's Royal Prerogative of Mercy, have been executed in Southern Rhodesia, since UDI.

Three Rhodesians were executed by the illegal régime in March 1968 depite the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy by Her Majesty the Queen.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Argentine military aircraft have flown over the Falkland Islands during the past six months; and what is being done to stop such flights.

Four. Her Majesty's Embassy in Buenos Aires has formally protested to the Argentine Government and left the Argentines in no doubt of Her Majesty's Government's concern about unscheduled overflights and the need to avoid their repetition.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make adequate arrangements for public broadcasting in the Falkland Islands and give facilities to the Falkland Islands Committee to participate in broadcasting.

The Falkland Islands radio broadcasts for approximately five and a half hours a day. The Falkland Islands Committee has opportunities to broadcast on the Falklands radio.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what current efforts he is making to institute air travel arrangements for the Falkland Islands other than through Argentina.

Her Majesty's Government are currently financing the construction of a permanent airfield on the Falkland Islands. This will be able to handle aircraft capable of flying to points on the South American mainland other than in Argentina.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will bring the aggression against the Falkland Islands by Argentina before the Security Council of the United Nations as a threat to peace.

Her Majesty's Government have drawn to the attention of the President of the Security Council, in a letter dated 6th February, the incident which took place on the high seas on 4th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when she expects the inquiry into fish prices to be completed.

I have now received the Price Commission's Report on prices and margins in the distribution of fish, and I have arranged for publication to be put in hand shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what steps are taken to publish the results of local price surveys so that shoppers can benefit from such surveys.

The steps taken to publish the results of local price surveys vary from centre to centre but may include display boards, distribution of leaflets and Press releases to local papers and radio stations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what percentage of British imports came from the countries now forming the EEC in the five years before the United Kingdom joined; and what percentage has come from there in the three years since the United Kingdom became a member;(2) what percentage of British exports went to the countries now forming the EEC in the five years before the United Kingdom joined; and what percentage has gone there in the three years since the United Kingdom became a member.

Following are the percentages:

		Imports	Exports
1968	…	26·1	27·0
1969	…	25·9	28·1
1970	…	27·0	29·2
1971	…	29·7	29·0
1972	…	31·6	30·2
1973	…	32·9	32·3
1974	…	33·4	33·3
1975	…	36·6	32·3

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in view of the contraction facing the home-produced paper and board industry, he will take steps to reduce the imports of paper and board from the Nordic countries, whose percentage shares have increased since 1963 from 49 per cent. to 73 per cent. for newsprint and from 5 per cent. to 33 per cent. for printing and writings.

The present arrangements for maintaining the bulk of the free trade in industrial products, including paper and board, built up in EFTA with the Nordic countries are the subject of free trade agreements which do not allow the introduction of import restrictions.However, there is provision for a general review of the arrangements for paper and board in order to relate dutyfree quotas to the state of the United Kingdom market. I am arranging to have this review carried out in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the total cost of the administration of Companies House in each of the last five years; and how much money was received in search fees in each of these years.

Costs of administration for years prior to 1972 are not available. With this exception the figures are as follows:

			Costs of administration	Search fees received
			£	£
1971	…	…	—	72,288
1972	…	…	1,933,500	81,957
1973	…	…	2,602,184	86,541
1974	…	…	4,575,000	83,735
1975	…	…	6,359,000	86,305

asked the Secretary of State for Trade why he refused the request of the Kirklees Metropolitan Council for a meeting with himself and the Secretary of State for Industry to discuss the dumping of low-cost textiles and clothing and the Wool Textile Reorganisation Scheme, both as it has operated in the past and as any successor scheme might operate in the future.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 3rd March 1976; Vol. 906, c. 651–2], gave the following information:My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Industry has suggested to Kirklees Metropolitan Borough that its representatives might most appropriately put their views to the Department of Industry's Regional Director in Leeds; and I am writing to it supporting this suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what amounts of coal are imported into the EEC countries from third countries; and if he will indicate the tonnages and countries in the Official Report.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 15th March 1976; Vol. 907, c. 401–2], gave the following information:The most recent aggregate figures cover the year 1974 and are available from page 111 in the December 1975 edition of the EEC publication "Monthly Statistics of Foreign Trade". More detailed statistics for 1973 may be found on page 503 of volume 1 of series C of the OECD publication "Statistics of Foreign Trade" for January-December 1973. Both publications are available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the financial difficulties facing Fairfax Jersey Ltd., the parent company of Anglesey Knitting Ltd., Holyhead; what steps are being taken to maintain employment in the Holyhead factory; and if he will make a statement.

The company submitted an application for rescue assistance in August which was subsequently withdrawn. A receiver has now been appointed. If a suitable purchaser comes forward, I shall be glad to consider what help I can give to maintain employment at Holyhead. I wrote on 10th March to my right hon. Friend explaining the situation in full.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the possibility of the proposed Welsh Assembly being given responsibility for university education in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Some 30 representations, out of a total of over 1,800 received, have commented on the possibility that some measure of responsibility for the university should be devolved to the Welsh Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many accidents took place in Wales in 1970 to 1975 involving adapted cars driven by disabled persons.

Separate records relating to accidents in Wales involving cars issued to disabled persons by the Department are not available for any period prior to 5th May 1971. Records which have been kept since then do not readily identify "adapted" cars and the information sought could not be provided without a disproportionate use of time and resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his latest estimate of the percentage unemployed: (a) in the private sector and (b) in the public sector.

I regret that this information is not available. My Department's unemployment statistics are analysed according to the Standard Industrial Classification and this does not distinguish precisely between the private and public sectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment by how many the number of unemployed rose or fell between: (a) 26th July 1945 and 26th October 1951, (b) 16th October 1964 and 19th June 1970 and (c) 4th March 1974 and the latest convenient date.

In the periods specified, unemployment in Great Britain increased by 122,000, 183,000 and 663,000, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the employment exchanges in Wales currently have an unemployment rate for men in excess of 15 per cent.

At 12th February there were nine employment offices or travel-to-work areas in Wales with male unemployment rates in excess of 15 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of unemployment in the United Kingdom expressed as a percentage of the total work force and in comparison with the relevant figures for Germany and Japan.

The number unemployed in February expressed as a percentage of the total civilian labour force was 5·2 per cent. in the United Kingdom and 5·1 per cent. in Germany. The latest available data for Japan relates to November 1975 when the unemployment rate was 1·8 per cent. These rates are not directly comparable owing to differences in coverage and in the method of collection of unemployment statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of dockers registered as unemployed on 31st January 1976.

At 12th February, 4,295 unemployed males in Great Britain last worked in the port and inland water transport industry. The number of dockers included in this figure is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that every possibility for reducing the number of persons unemployed is being explored.

Yes. We examine every possibility but if my hon. Friends have further fresh suggestions we will examine them too.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he proposes to take to protect employment in the Bristol area.

Bristol is already benefiting from the various measures which the Government have introduced to mitigate the worst effects of unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what level he now expects unemployment to reach during 1976.

I have already expressed our anxieties about the increase in unemployment, in seasonally-adjusted terms, over the next few months, but it is not the practice of this Administration nor has it been that of previous ones, to publish detailed forecasts for periods further ahead.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his latest estimate of unemployment in the United Kingdom.

At 12th February, the number was 1,304,416.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now make a further statement on the current level of unemployment.

I have nothing to add to the replies I gave to similar Questions earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the present levels of unemployment among school leavers in the Borders.

The figure of 57 school leavers registered as unemployed in February is unacceptably high, but young people in the area should benefit from the special Government measures to assist the employment and training of school leavers and young people generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what specific proposals he has for stimulating employment in the West Midlands, and especially in the Wolverhampton area.

Both Wolverhampton and the West Midlands as a whole are benefiting from the various measures which the Government has taken to alleviate the worst effects of unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what increase or decrease there has been in the level of unemployment in the United Kingdom since January 1976; and what steps he is taking to alleviate the situation.

Unemployment in the United Kingdom decreased from 1,430,369 in January to 1,304,416 in February, a decrease of 125,953. After seasonal adjustment, however, there was an increase from 1,210,500 in January to 1,232,500 in February, an increase of 22,000. The Government have introduced a number of measures to alleviate the situation, the latest of which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 12th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the estimated unemployment figures for June, July, August and September 1975 calculated on the new proposed method of excluding from such figures unemployed students; and if he will also provide a comparison of the revised figures and those calculated on the old basis.

Following is the information for Great Britain:

		Numbers unemployed excluding Adult Students	Numbers unemployed excluding Adult Students
June 1975	…	828,473	831,322
July 1975	…	944,382	1,036,345
August 1975	…	1,101,984	1,195,448
September 1975	…	1,096,902	1,194,301

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress he has now made towards the reduction of unemployment from the level existing when he took office in March 1974.

The level of unemployment is more than twice as high as in March 1974. This is a phenomenon which is affecting most of the industrialised nations of the world. Unemployment would undoubtedly have been worse but for the measures we have taken over the past two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with the CBI about the operation of the temporary employment subsidy.

The CBI was consulted about the operation of the temporary employment subsidy scheme before it was introduced last August.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs have been created by the job creation scheme; and what is the cost of the schemes to date.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that up to 27th February 922 projects had been approved, providing 11,722 jobs with a grant of £13–17 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the comparative successes to date of the job creation scheme in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that up to 27th February 249 projects had been approved in Scotland, providing 3,010 jobs; in Wales 160 projects had been approved, providing 1,539 jobs; and in England 583 projects had been approved, providing 7,173 jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made with the job creation scheme; and if he will make a statement.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that up to 27th February 2,055 applications had been received, proposing the creation of 23,421 jobs and requesting a total grant of over £29·5 million. Of these 992 had been approved, providing 11,722 jobs with a grant of £13·17 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to introduce legislation regarding the operation of the political levy.

No. Adequate legislation on this subject is contained in the Trade Union Act 1913.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the development of pension schemes in stage two of the pay policy.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) on 16th February.—[Vol. 905, c. 581–2]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has received a recommendation from the Chairman of the Health and Safety at Work Commission on its ultimate location; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Commission is conducting a thorough review of its communications pattern and location requirements. The Chairman of the Commission will let my right hon. Friend have his recommendation as soon as this work is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what further discussions he has had with the TUC about statutory and other safeguards for individuals in a closed shop situation and about trade union practice in this matter.

None specifically on such matters. No new issues have arisen which would warrant the holding of fresh discussions.