asked the Minister for the Civil Service for what reasons he refuses to take steps to reduce the payments made to members of Government Committees and Royal Commissions, as stated in his reply to the hon. Members for Newham, North-West on 14th April.

I do not consider that the rate of £21 per working day is excessive remuneration for experts and other eminent people who are asked to serve on high level Government Committees and Royal Commissions.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the outturn for expenditure on Civil Service pensions for 1975–76; and what he estimates will be the amount required for 1976–77.

Expenditure on Civil Service pensions is met from the Vote for Civil Superannuation etc. (Class XIV, Vote 6). The final outturn of the Vote for 1975–76 is not yet available, but provision has been made in the main and supplementary Estimates—H.C. Papers Nos. 210 of 11th February 1975, 28 of 8th December 1975 and 174 of 19th February 1976—for net expenditure of £256·17 million. The Estimate for 1976–77—H.C. Paper No. 276 of 17th March 1976—is £276·16 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about exports of North Sea oil.

In his statement of 6th December 1974 my predecessor made it clear that, as well as being used for domestic consumption, some quantities of North Sea oil would be exported and that there were technical reasons which made it sensible for the United Kingdom to continue to import oil even when North Sea production exceeded United Kingdom demands.The first United Kingdom offshore oil was produced last year, and since then over 2 million tons have been produced, mainly from BP's Forties field. So far all of this production has been absorbed within the United Kingdom. BP recently informed the Government that it had in mind the beginning of exports of some North Sea oil, and I should tell the House that the first shipment is to be made tomorrow to Germany. BP has told us that it expects the volume of such exports in the second quarter of this year to amount to roughly 400,000 tons or rather less than one-third of expected Forties production in the period.The remainder of Forties production will be refined in the United Kingdom. At present prices these exports should benefit the balance of payments by about £20 million.The Government have a strong continuing and legitimate interest in this matter and the company recognises this, not only because the export of oil represents a milestone in the exploitation of a key national resource, but also on a practical level, because of its possible implications for Government revenues and for the balance of payments.I have discussed BP's plans with the chairman of the company, Mr. David Steel. He informed me that it is his company's policy to process, within operational and commercial constraints, as much of its North Sea production as possible in its United Kingdom refineries; to explore on a continuing basis the feasibility of disposing of North Sea crude which is surplus to the company's own United Kingdom requirements to other companies seeking oil for refining in the United Kingdom who are prepared to offer terms competitive with those obtainable for exports; and to charge such prices for overseas sales of North Sea crude as fully reflect its value in relation to other similar crudes.I, for my part, have told him that in the light of this Her Majesty's Government see no reason to express any concern about his company's present proposals as described to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what research and development has already been put in hand and what new technology developed, so that indigenous resources of primary and secondary raw materials and alternative source of energy could, if economic, be rapidly exploited.

Considerable research and development is in hand on indigenous raw materials which are or might be sources of energy. Much of this work is carried out by the nationalised energy industries, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the nuclear industry and the oil companies. In the field of new non-nuclear energy sources, my Energy Technology Support Unit has carried out assessment studies. Research and development programmes are being drawn up for those areas which show most promise of making a significant contribution to the country's energy needs. The United Kingdom agencies also participate in international energy research programmes, such as those of the European Communities and the International Energy Agency.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total capacity of each nuclear plant in the United Kingdom for the storage of radioactive waste.

Radioactive waste which arises from the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel is stored at Windscale and Dounreay. The capacity available at these sites for waste which requires highly specialised storage arrangements totals about 13,000 cubic metres including the tanks used for the storage of high-activity liquid waste. Some 17,000 cubic metres of storage facilities are also available at nuclear power stations for the storage pending disposal of waste associated with station operations. In addition, variable quantities of low-activity waste are stored under appropriate conditions at a number of sites. All storage arrangements on licensed nuclear sites are approved by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of radioactive waste at present being stored in plants throughout the United Kingdom contains plutonium.

Almost all the radioactive waste arising from the handling of plutonium or from the handling and reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel contains traces of plutonium. The bulk of this waste is stored at British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.'s licensed nuclear sites at Windscale and Drigg. Although it is not practicable to give a precise figure I am advised that about 30 per cent. of the total radioactive waste at present in store in the United Kingdom contains traces of plutonium.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether radioactive waste has been found to have leaked at the Drigg storage plant in Cumbria; and if he will make a statement on action subsequently taken.

A few of the steel drums containing low-activity solid radioactive waste in storage facilities at British Nuclear Fuels Ltd's (BNFL) licensed nuclear site at Drigg have leaked due to corrosion, but I am advised that there has been no release of radioactivity outside the concrete storage building and no hazard to the public. The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive has approved a refurbishment programme proposed by BNFL to overcome the problem and the inspectorate will maintain strict surveillance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is taken to check whether persons for whom diplomatic immunity is claimed are entitled to it.

There are arrangements with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by which the police may verify claims of immunity as necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the increase from £2 to £6 in the fixed parking penalty came into force; and how many of the 53,477 fixed penalty notices unpaid in 1975 on grounds of diplomatic immunity were issued before and after that date.

1st September 1975. Of the total number of fixed penality notices recorded as cancelled on grounds of diplomatic immunity during 1975, 32,687 were issued before that date and 20,790 after.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now able to make a further statement on providing additional facilities for prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons to communicate with their Members of Parliament.

The new arrangements which I described on 1st December 1975—[Vol. 901, c. 378–9.]—in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield and Tamworth (Mr. Grocott) appear to be working satisfactorily, but if there are any points of continuing concern I will readily consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what will be the cost for the forth-coming year of the Immigrants' Advisory Service;(2) how many Immigrants' Advisory Service offices have been established in the United Kingdom; and where they arc located;(3) how long the Immigrants' Advisory Service has been operating;(4) how many people are employed in the Immigrants' Advisory Service;(5) what qualifications are looked for in employees working for the Immigrants' Advisory Service;(6) what are the functions and duties of the Immigrants' Advisory Service.

The United Kingdom Immigrants' Advisory Service is an independent organisation established early in 1970 by a number of voluntary bodies to give advice and assistance to persons who find themselves in difficulties with immigration control. One of the main functions of the service is to assist persons to prepare and present their appeals to the immigration appellate authorities. For this purpose the grant for 1976–77 payable under Section 23 of the Immigration Act 1971 is assessed at £253,000.The service has a complement of 58 staff serving in 11 offices; two offices are located in London and the other nine are in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Folkestone, Southampton, Heathrow, Harmondsworth and Gatwick.I understand that the service regards an ability to work in a multi-racial organisation as essential for its staff, and social work experience and/or a legal qualification together with a knowledge of foreign languages, as an advantage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will list the number of electors in each of the 635 parliamentary constituencies in the United Kingdom;(2) what is the average number of electors on the register currently in force in parliamentary constituencies in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and in the United Kingdom as a whole; and how many additional parliamentary constituencies would be required in Northern Ireland in order to reduce the average number of electors per constituency there to the average number in England, Wales, Scotland and Great Britain.

I regret that this information is not yet available.

asked the Lord President of the Council what alternative uses he has planned for the Scottish and Welsh Assembly buildings if Parliament declines to establish such bodies.

We have made no plans for any such alternative use.

asked the Lord President of the Council on what date he now expects to publish the Govment's suggestions for devolution in England.

I am unable to forecast the date on which the Government's consultative document will be published.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the Government now have plans to hold a referendum on devolution.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 24th March—[Vol. 908, c. 178.]

asked the Attorney-General what was the cost to the taxpayers of the Ampthill peerage case.

The Members of the Committee, the Treasury Solicitor, the Solicitor-General and their respective staffs, carried out part of the normal duties of their respective offices, and received no fee or additional payment. Payments to junior counsel for the Crown borne by the taxpayers totalled £800 plus VAT. In addition, the cost of noting, transcribing and printing the proceedings was approximately £1,000.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will refer to the Director of

Organisation				Number charged with membership	Number awaiting trial	Number tried	Number convicted	Number where membership the sole charge
IRA	…	…	…	134	78	56	49	18
UVF	…	…	…	6	4	2	1	—
Red Hand Commandos		…	…	2	1	1	1	—
Fianna na H'Eirean		…	…	28	11	17	15	1
TOTAL	…	…	…	170	94	76	66	19

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what he expects to be the annual running cost of the projected Central Pilotage Board to shipping and to public funds, respectively.

Something of the order of £200,000 a year, which is about 1 per cent. of the estimated current Public Prosecutions, with a view to prosecution, the evidence of fraulent collecting and selling of articles by members of the Unification Church, submitted to him by individuals and by the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley.

Information as to collecting and sales on behalf of the Unification Church has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions from time to time. If further evidence emerges that such collections and sales have been conducted improperly he will consider it. A prosecution of certain members for illegal street trading has already taken place.

asked the Attorney-General how many persons have been (a) charged with and (b) convicted of membership of each illegal organisation in Northern Ireland during the 12 months ended 31st March 1976; and of those so charged and those so convicted in how many cases the charge of membership of such an organisation the sole charge was brought against the persons concerned.

This information is set out in the following table:income from pilotage dues from which it would be financed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to receive the accountant's report into Slater Walker Securities Ltd.

I have recently received the final parts of the report by independent accountants, appointed by the company. These are in draft, and the information at present available is being studied by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied with the ratio between car imports and car exports in the United Kingdom.

No. The industry is, however, aware of the urgent need to improve its performance and is making a determined attempt to overcome its problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the report of the Working Party on the Film Industry was taken into account in the preparation of the White Paper on Public Expenditure.

As the White Paper was published on 20th February it was not possible to take into account the report by the Working Party on the Film Industry which had been received on 24th December 1975 and which then required careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he proposes to seek to make further amendments to company law in advance of the report from the Bullock Committee.

A Bill to deal with certain urgent company law problems was introduced in another place on 2nd March. I have no plans to introduce further amendments to company law in the present Session.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he now proposes to take following the European Court of Justice decision that export credits fall within the competence of the EEC Commission.

The European Court of Justice's Opinion No. 1/75 was given in the context of a very narrow area of export credit activity, namely, the extent to which the Community, not the Commission, has competence to enter into an OECD Understanding limiting official support for local costs associated with export projects. Action following the Opinion is proceeding through normal Community channels.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will consider reopening discussions with the Czechoslovakia, Polish and Romanian Governments in order to obtain inclusion of sandals for men, women and children in the arrangements for voluntary restraint on footwear exports to the United Kingdom.

Until very recently I was not aware that the industry was concerned about imports of leather sandals from Eastern Europe. I will be investigating the position further, but on present evidence can see no grounds for extending the existing voluntary restraint arrangements with Czechoslovakia, Poland and Romania to include leather sandals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many light bulbs intended for use as replacements in motor vehicles have been imported over each of the past three years; what was the cost in each case in £ sterling; and if he will publish the names of the countries involved.

Figures for bulbs intended as replacements are not available. Total imports of bulbs under 28 volts for motor vehicles in 1973, 1974 and 1975 were 22, 28 and 34 million respectively, valued at £1·7, £2·5 and £2·5 million cif. Principal suppliers were Hungary, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the level of steel sheet imports during the last year for which figures are available.

Nearly 1 million metric tons were imported in 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects metrication to be implemented in those areas of weights and measures for which he is legally responsible; and if he will make a statement.

Metrication in the merchant shipping area is expected to be completed by the end of 1979 and of import duties by the middle of 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the repayments to Court Line creditors.

The realisation and distribution of the assets of the Court Line companies in compulsory liquidation is a matter for the respective liquidators, appointed by and answerable to the court. I understand that the liquidators have paid the preferential claims in full in some cases, including Court Line Ltd., Clarksons Holidays Ltd. and Halcyon Holidays Ltd. I understand further, however, that the liquidators are not at present able to indicate what dividends may be paid to ordinary unsecured creditors. They hope, however, to make an announcement about a first distribution on Clarksons Holidays Ltd. during the course of the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will make a statement on the recent report on the price of fish.

The Price Commission Report on Prices and Margins in the Distribution of Fish was published on 13th April. As I said on 12th April in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, Central (Mr. McNamara)—[Vol. 909, c. 394]—I shall be discussing the report with the trade

year		Total Central Government subsidies	Average*per dwelling per week	Total Rate Fund contributions	Average*per dwelling per week	Total of of columns (2) and (4)	Average*per dwelling per week
(1)		(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)
		£m.	£	£m.	£	£m.	£
1975–76	…	606·0	2·56	122–0	0·52	728·0	3·08
1976–77	…	708·1	2·92	78·0	0·32	786·1	3·24
1977–78	…	675·9	2·72	60·0	0·24	735·9	2·96
1978–79	…	605·8	2·38	60·0	0·24	665·8	2·62
1979–80	…	606·7	2·33	60·0	0·23	666–7	2·56
*Based on the estimated mid-year stock of dwellings.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what study she has made of the evidence of the 400 per cent. addition to potato prices in one year submitted to her by the hon. Member for Cannock; and if she will now reconsider her decision not to fix maximum prices for potatoes.

I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated average weekly council house rent in each year from 1975–76 to 1979–80, together with the estimated total and average council weekly house building subsidies for each of those years.

Following is the information:The average weekly unrebated council house rent for 1975–76 was about £4·30 in England. For 1976–77 it should be about £4·90 if rent increases are kept to an average increase of 60 p a dwelling in accordance with Cmnd. 6151. For subsequent years I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Jones) on 7th April.—[Vol. 909, c. 415–17.]The estimated housing subsidies for English local authorities included in the White Paper on Public Expenditure to 1979–80 (Cmnd. 6393), excluding new towns and housing associations, for each of the years 1975–76 to 1979–80 at 1975 survey prices, excluding rent rebates, are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many questionnaires by postal areas were returned to the Eastern Road Construction Unit in the consultation on the proposed routes for the Hunton Bridge to South Mimms section of the London outer orbital route.

The information is as follows:

Sarratt	81
Kings Langley	864
Abbots Langley	687
North Watford	160
Bricket Wood	279
Park Street	122
London Colney	214
South Mimms	29
Shenley	91
Radlett	590
Borehamwood	46
Other	333
Total	3,496

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many people taking part in the consultation on the proposed routes from Hunton Bridge to South Mimms of the London outer orbital route expressed a first choice and second choice preference for (a)route 2 and (b) route 3;(2) how many taking part in the consultation on the proposed routes from Hunton Bridge to South Mimms of the London outer orbital route considered (

Public consultation is not a process of referendum, and the results of the recent consultation do not lend themselves readily to expression in the terms of my hon. Friend's Questions. However, the results, expressed as nearly as may be in those terms, are as follows: Number selecting route 2 as first choice, 803; number selecting route 2 as second choice, 641; number selecting route 3 as first choice, 836; number selecting route 3 as second choice, 162; number selecting route 3 as most undesirable, 1,084; number selecting route 2 as most undesirable, 1,280; number favouring postponement, 2,034; number opposing postponement, 795.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated capital cost at the most recent prices of routes 2 and 3 and 6(b) of the Hunton Bridge to South Mimms section of the London outer orbital lorry route.

Route 2–6(b) would cost about £28 million and route 3–6(b) about £39 million at January 1976 prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total length of route of the London outer orbital road set out in page 3 of the consultation document of the Micklefield Green to South Mimms section issued on 12th November 1974; what is the total mileage built; what is the total mileage under construction; what is the mileage of routes already fixed; what is the total mileage of routes already published; and what is the total mileage of routes under investigation.

The answers are:

	Miles
Total length	116·0
Built	14·5
Under construction	5·5
Fixed	39·0
Published	21·0
Under investigation	36·0

These figures do not include the A282 (Dartford Tunnel and approach roads). This is a principal road and is approximately four miles in length.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what estimated timetable his Department is working for the anticipated completion of the whole of the London outer orbital lorry route; and what is the estimated total cost of sections not yet constructed at current prices.

Subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and to the availability of funds at the appropriate time it is hoped to complete the M25 London orbital route in 1983. The estimated cost of the sections not yet constructed but including those at present under construction is £355 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the hourly and daily forecast of traffic taken into account when drawing up the proposals for alternative routes published in the consultative document on the Mickle-field Green-South Mimms section of the London outer orbital lorry route issued on 12th November 1974, and when these forecasts were made; and how this compares with the flow on the section now open between Maple Cross and Hunter Bridge.

Approximately 70,000 and 100,000 vehicles per day in 1993 east and west of the M1 respectively. These forecasts were made shortly before public consultation took place and assumed that the whole of the M25 would be in use. Figures of the existing daily traffic flow on the section between Maple Cross and Hunton Bridge are not yet available but a figure of 1,700 vehicles was recorded during a morning peak hour about three weeks ago.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now able to name the date on which he will announce a decision on the structure plans for Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Burton-on-Trent.

Before reaching his decision my right hon. Friend must first advertise his proposed modifications, which are being prepared in the light of the report of the panel which conducted the examination in public, and secondly, consider any objections to his proposals. My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to send his proposals for modifications shortly to Staffordshire and West Midlands County Council which are the successor county planning authorities for the areas covered by the structure plans following local government reorganisation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take after receiving the memorandum from the National Association of Water Power Users on the extraction of water for power; and if he will make a statement.

I have referred the association's memorandum to the National Water Council and I am awaiting its advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are still employed in vehicle licensing at offices other than at the Swansea centre.

5,850.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how long he expects the transfer of vehicle licensing to the centralised system to take.

Until early 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for licences are received by the Swansea Vehicle Licensing Centre, on average, each day.

6,500 vehicle licences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for vehicle licences are still received by offices other than at the Swansea centre.

About 95 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time it takes to process an application for a vehicle licence at offices other than the Swansea centre.

About two days for a postal application, and immediately over the counter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many computers have been installed at the Swansea Vehicle Licensing Centre; and what is their cost.

Three—at a cost of £2·3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people have been made redundant from local vehicle licensing offices as a result of the transfer of licensing to the Swansea centre.

None. The issue of licences is not being transferred to the Swansea centre.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the total employment at the vehicle licensing centre at Swansea when the transfer of licensing from local offices to the centre has finally been completed.

About 5,500 when centralisation of licensing and registration records is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of building the vehicle licensing centre at Swansea.

Around £10 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present average time taken to process an application for a licence at the Swansea centre.

Three and a half days for a vehicle licence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are at present employed at the vehicle licensing centre at Swansea.

5,150—on both driver licensing and vehicle registration and licensing work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that redundancy terms pertaining to new towns staff are not less favourable than those applied to local authority staff as a result of regional reorganisation.

If my hon. Friend is referring to the New Towns (Amendment) Bill, which relates to England and Wales only, the answer is that the regulations provided for in Clause 12(4) will authorise the usual form of compensation made available to those who suffer loss of employment or loss or diminution of emoluments because of statutory reorganisation. It is proposed to base the terms on those which were provided for local government reorganisation under Section 259 of the Local Government Act 1972, for England and Wales, and under Section 219 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for Newham, North-West giving further evidence that reports and information are being deliberately kept from Members of Parliament whilst these are officially given to the media; and whether he will take steps to present this and cause an investigation to be made into the official prior distribution of the Blennerhassett Report on Drink and Driving before circulation to Members of Parliament.

The Blennerhassett Report will be published on 28th April 1976. No distribution before this date has been authorised, other than to members of the Committee. The report is being issued to give an opportunity for a full public discussion before the Government reach any conclusion on this urgent problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to reduce the age limit for heavy goods vehicle licences.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what instructions or advice his Department has given to district auditors concerning the review of insurance arrangements effected by local authorities.

None. In carrying out their duties district auditors are not subject to direction from the Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated cost to date to the British fishing industry of losses sustained during the fisheries dispute with Iceland, including damage to fish gear and fishing vessels; and what compensation has been paid.

Compensation amounting to about £74,000 was paid by the Government to crews and officers for lost earnings in the period from 24th January to 4th February when naval protection was temporarily withdrawn. The cost of lost fishing gear is estimated at about £50,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the annual rate of catch of cod and other species, respectively, by the British fishing fleet off Iceland since the introduction of voluntary catch restraint in February.

The catch figures since 9th February would indicate an annual catch rate of the order of 85,000 tons of all species of which about 75,000 tons would be cod.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost to British agriculture of depredation by the following agricultural pests: (a)rabbits, (b)moles, (c)rats, (d)coypu and (e)pigeons.

There is no provision for the notification of these details to my Department, and I cannot offer realistic estimates of the cost either of actual losses or of potential losses avoided by current control measures.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the movement of reported rabies cases in a westerly direction across Germany and France towards the Channel coasts, he will take steps in the summer to mount a poster advertising campaign at the ports so that holidaymakers going to and returning from abroad are made aware of the dangers to human and animal health that can arise from the illegal entry in to the United Kingdom of pets or any other animals that have not been quarantined.

A new, more intensive and more widespread anti-rabies campaign is planned to commence very shortly. This will include posters and leaflets at ports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will draw to the attention of his partners in the Council of Ministers the uncertainty which was aroused among farmers as a result of the protracted nature of the recent EEC price negotiations; and if he will impress upon them the need to ensure that future EEC price reviews are held to a strict timetable.

I am aware of producers' concern that decisions on prices should be taken as early as possible and I am sure my fellow Ministers also understand this. I will continue to do what I can to ensure that there are no undue delays, but these decisions are a matter of complex negotiation, and my primary concern must be to secure results which take proper account of the United Kingdom interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he proposes to bring Section 111 of the Employment Protection Act 1975 into operation.

My right hon. Friend proposes to bring Section 111 into operation by early 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days were lost as a result of industrial disputes in the 12 companies or public bodies which suffered the highest per capita loss of working days in 1975.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the activation of Schedule 11 to the Employment Protection Act 1975 is tied to the operation of pay policy.

The activation of this schedule is related to a number of factors, including the general economic situation and pay policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the recommended payment of £10,000 to a non-executive director of the Halifax Building Society on retirement is within current incomes policy.

Inquiries are being made into this matter and I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action has been taken to notify local authorities, local education authorities, nationalised industries and other public bodies of the risks to health from blue and white asbestos.

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the risks to health from blue and white asbestos are well known and widely publicised, and that the Health and Safety Executive does not consider that there is a need for formal notification of these risks to these bodies. Nevertheless, the Health and Safety Executive has had, and is continuing to have, many consultations, both at headquarters and local level, with such bodies to help solve their individual problems.The Health and Safety Executive has also published a good deal of advisory material on asbestos which is available to these bodies on the same basis as other employers. It is, of course, the duty of the employer to comply with the relevant statutory requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the frequency of inspection by factory inspec- tors to assess the hazards connected with the use of asbestos at installations of British Gas.

The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the Asbestos Regulations 1969 apply only during the time in which the operations they cover are being carried out.It is likely that at British Gas Corporation premises this will be in the main operations involving the removal and replacement of asbestos-based lagging materials. This work is intermittent, and while work involving crocidolite has to be notified to Her Majesty's district inspector of factories, that involving other types of asbestos does not. At visits to British Gas Corporation premises inspectors will, where appropriate, discuss with management the hazards connected with the use of asbestos, even if no such work is being carried out, but this discussion may not be recorded.When an inspector sees work, to which the regulations apply, in progress, he will check compliance, but if there is compliance this, too, will not necessarily be recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the frequency of inspection by factory inspectors to assess the hazards connected with the use of asbestos at installations of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the Asbestos Regulations 1969 apply only during the time in which the operations they cover are being carried out.It is likely that at North of Scotland Hydro Board this will mean in the main operations involving the removal and replacement of asbestos-based lagging materials. This work is intermittent, and while work involving crocidolite has to be notified to Her Majesty's district inspector of factories, that involving other types of asbestos does not. At visits to North of Scotland Hydro Board inspectors will, where appropriate, discuss with management the hazards connected with the use of asbestos, even if no such work is being carried out, but this discussion may not be recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what training facilities exist, what the relevant training period is, and what on-site instruction is given, to factory inspectors to enable them to detect and assess the hazards of using asbestos.

Since 1973 the basic training of factory inspectors has included a six-month residential course at the University of Aston in Birmingham to obtain a Diploma in Occupational Safety and Hygiene. Part of the course embraces a study of the effects of adverse environments on the human body, including the specific effects of carcinogens and fibrogenic dusts. Measurement of adverse environments, exposure sampling techniques, practical training in the use of monitoring equipment are covered on the course as well as ventilation engineering, dust control, extraction systems, and the theoretical and practical considerations in the use of protective clothing. This training is intended to enable factory inspectors to detect and assess the hazards of using asbestos and on-site instruction is subsequently given by experienced staff.Hygiene testing instruments have been provided for the Inspectorate since 1970 so that sampling of the atmosphere for asbestos dust can be carried out. Training in the use of these instruments was given to all field staff at the time the equipment was issued.A comprehensive guide in the form of a manual to provide information on the functions and uses of the instruments available has been prepared and is a personal issue to inspectors. Asbestos is covered in the manual which deals specifically with air sampling instruments, contaminants, properties and methods of detection, control monitoring instruments and control standards.Procedures are laid down for submission of samples to the Health and Safety Executive laboratories for evaluation. Specialist inspectors who concentrate on dust and dust control are available to give on-site advice to field staff and to undertake more extensive sampling procedures should these prove necessary.Two standing courses are held each year on "Occupational Hygiene". Each course lasts approximately two-and-a-half days and is attended by 20 inspectors. The courses are intended as refresher and development training for inspectors of four to ten years' experience, and the hazards from asbestos are again emphasised.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment in Fareham.

At 8th April 1976, 1,293 people were registered as unemployed in the area covered by Fareham employment office. This figure is provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how long before the coming into force of the provisions of the Employment Protection Act 1975 extending entitlement to redundancy pay and the period of notice the work force at the State-owned Greenwell's ship repair yard were dismissed; why the dismissals were not made after the entitlement was extended; and if he will estimate the total loss in their financial entitlement which they suffered in consequence.

There is no ministerial responsibility for these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry why North East Coast Ship Repairers do not propose to reduce its headquarters administrative staff following the reduction in its work force due to the dismissal of the whole of the labour force at the Greenwell's yard.

This is a matter for the management of North East Coast Ship Repairers Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to make an announcement on the location of the headquarters of the shipbuilding industry.

Before vesting day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of persons economically active, the number of persons employed, and the number of persons paying income tax in each financial year since 1950.

The available information is as follows:

Estimates of Numbers Economically Active (thousands)
1951	22,610
1961	23,810
1966	24,857
1971	25,021

Figures are available only for census years: the 1971 figure is taken from the 10 per cent. sample.

Estimates of Numbers Employed (thousands)
1959	23,229
1960	23,643
1961	23,935
1962	24,108
1963	24,134
1964	24,421
1965	24,665
1966	24,818
1967	24,467
1968	24,309
1969	24,334
1970	24,190
1971	23,859
1972	23,856
1973	24,427
1974	24,506
1975 (provisional)	24,338

Figures are of total employed labour force, given as at June of each year, from the New Continuous Employment series. The assumptions are explained in Department of Employment Gazette for March 1975. Figures for 1972 onwards have been revised since that publication.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that any scheme which he may introduce to implement his policy of taxing benefits of company directors' cars, etc., will be applied on the same basis to Ministers, Junior Ministers and civil servants.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with his statement that the limit on self-employed retirement pension will be increased from £1,500 to £2,250 per annum, he proposes to increase the restriction of 15 per cent. of net relevant earnings; and, if so, to what percentage.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on how many occasions the same valid premium bond number purchased in the first month of issue has won a prize more than (a)once, (b)twice and (c)three times;(2) in how many cases valid premium bonds purchased in the first month of issue are still without a win;(3) on how many occasions valid premium bond numbers in the EZ-LB series purchased in the first month of issue have won prizes of £1,000 or over;(4) how many valid premium bonds in the EZ and LB series purchased in the first month of issue are still without a win.

I regret the information cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions valid premium bonds purchased in the first month of issue have been available for selection.

All bonds purchased in the first month of issue—November 1956—were included in the first draw in June 1957 and, unless they have been repaid, have participated in all 226 monthly and 399 weekly draws held since.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the checks and counterchecks applied at various stages of the premium bond process to prevent error or statistical imbalance by Ernie.

A number of technical tests by the manufacturers and statistical tests approved by the Government Actuary's Department are carried out before, during and after the generation of a prize draw to ensure the randomness of selection. The results of each generation are forwarded for further independent tests to the Government actuary, who then certifies that the tests give no reason to doubt that Ernie generated a random sample and that each eligible bond unit had an equal chance of being drawn for a prize.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether analyses are carried out for a longer period than one month on results of premium bond draws; and, if so, how frequently.

No. Each month's results are checked in detail and nothing would appear to be gained by rechecking or by examining the results for a combination of months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how frequently the numerical register of premium bonds is checked per year.

Bonds are checked twice within 12 months of filing. Thereafter all bonds are checked in a continuous cycle every two years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how frequently the administrators of premium bonds check the accuracy of repaid numbers recorded on a magnetic tape file; and what method they use for these checks.

When the records of repaid bonds were first set up on a magnetic tape, a print out of the tape was verified against individual manual records. Any bond number, subsequently added to the tape, which is matched by a random number generated in a prize draw is checked against the individual manual record. Only after the bond has been thus cerified as repaid is the random number, drawn for a prize, rejected.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of average manual earnings is represented by the income tax threshold for 1976–77 for a married man with two children not over 11 years of age, assuming (a)the conditional allowances are introduced and (b)the conditional allowances are not introduced.

I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of invisible exports earned by the London gold exchange for the financial year 1975–76.

Information for the financial year 1975–76 is not available. However, estimates of the overseas earnings of the United Kingdom from brokerage and related activities, including commissions of gold and silver bullion dealers, by calendar years 1970 to 1974 are given in Annex 5 of the United Kingdom Balance of Payments 1964–74, a copy of which is available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report details showing the estimated total school population in each of the next five years.

The estimated numbers of pupils in all types of education authority, grant-aided, independent and List D schools are as follows:

Year	Estimated No. of Pupils (000)
1976–77	1,120
1977–78	1,107
1978–79	1,090
1979–80	1,067
1980–81	1,040

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of hospital beds available in Scotland for geriatric cases on 31st March 1975; how many patients were then on waiting lists; and what effects on availability of places Government expenditure cuts are expected to have.

The average number of staffed geriatric hospital beds in Scotland was 9,367 during the quarter ending 31st March 1975. On that date 2,289 patients were on waiting lists. As indicated in "The Health Service in Scotland—The Way Ahead", the additional resources which are being provided for the health service in the next four years will make it possible to improve hospital and community services for the elderly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional sources of finance will be made available to local authorities in 1976–77 for improvements in energy saving insulation to be installed in houses in the public and private sectors.

None specifically, but Exchequer contributions will continue to be available for thermal insulation up to Building Regulations Standards where it forms part of a comprehensive improvement scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of total housing costs is met by annual rent in Scotland.

I estimate that public sector rents will meet about 46 per cent. of housing costs in 1976–77.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many empty council houses there are in Scotland in whatever condition, and including those classified as empty and unavailable for reletting; and, if these figures are not available, if he will undertake a survey similar to that of the Minister of Housing in England in order that this situation can be gauged.

Individual local authorities keep the numbers of their empty houses under close review, but the information requested is not collated centrally. Having regard to my advice to local authorities to assess housing needs comprehensively and to develop housing plans accordingly I am not convinced that there is justification at present for initiating a special survey.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision for capital expenditure on education in 1976–77 is made by way of grant and borrowing consent by him in respect of each region; and if he will express the figures both in percentage terms and in relation to expenditure per head of population.

Of the total of £606 million for expenditure on education and libraries, science and arts in Scotland in 1976–77 shown in table 3·1 of Cmnd. 6393, the figure for capital expenditure is £79 million. At this stage of the year it is not possible to say how much of this will be spent in each region.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what the average increase in council house rents caused by the cuts in housing subsidies announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Command Paper No. 6393 for 1976–77, 1977–78 and 1978–79 will be, assuming no corresponding increase in rate fund contribution; and whether or not these increases are additional to any already planned rent increases.

Reductions in Exchequer subsidies are not envisaged. In 1976–77 an additional special subsidy is to be paid to local authorities, to enable them to limit rent increases, on average, to 70p over the two years 1975–77 taken together, despite rising housing costs. Authorities have freedom to decide how housing expenditure after Exchequer subsidies should be met, as between rent payers and ratepayers. Assuming no increase in rate fund contributions in real terms, it is presumed that in 1977–78 and 1978–79 authorities will increase rents at least in line with the general rise in prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a general direction to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and the Electricity Consultative Council for the North of Scotland to transfer their offices to a location or locations within the areas served by the board and council.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the travelling costs of members of the Electricity Consultative Council for the North of Scotland in each of the five years to 1975.

Prior to August 1975 financial responsibility for the consultative councils rested with the Scottish Electricity Boards and I am, therefore, asking the Chairman of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board to provide the hon. Member with information about payments made in the period from 1972. Under the provisions of the Statutory Corporations (Financial Provisions) Act 1975 the financing of consultative councils has, since August 1975, been undertaken by the Government. Payments made in respect of the travelling expenses of members of the Consultative Council for the North of Scotland district have so far amounted to £768·62p.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to have information on the number of local authority councillors convicted of corrupt practices for the years 1975 and 1976.

Information for 1976 will not be available before early 1977. Collection of information for 1975 has just been completed; there were no convictions in that year of councillors in Scotland under the Prevention of Corruption Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will name the local councils in which the two councillors were convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Acts in 1968.

Both were councillors of Glasgow Town Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of those farms and crofts in Scotland which formerly qualified for hill farm subsidies or grants are now ineligible for allowances under the EEC "less favoured areas" directive.

As stated in the reply given to a similar Question from the hon. Member on 19th December last—[Vol. 902, c. 802.]—about 230 Scottish farmers and crofters who were previously eligible for hill livestock subsidies may not qualify for assistance under the regulations implementing the compensatory allowances provisions of the EEC less-favoured areas directive because they occupy less than three hectares of eligible land. The persons concerned are, however, eligible to apply for special payments of £40 for each of the years 1976 and 1977, and if they continue to maintain breeding cows they may claim beef cow subsidy at the rate of £11 per eligible animal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the current situation whereby hill sheep farmers continue to be deprived of the maximum subsidy permitted under EEC regulations, if he will revise his decision not to increase hill ewe subsidy.

The 1976 payments of hill livestock compensatory allowances include an increase of 60p per eligible ewe as agreed at the 1975 annual review. With that addition, the hill sheep subsidy has been increased by more than 100 per cent. since the 1974 review. In addition, hill sheep farmers will benefit substantially from the higher guaranteed prices for sheep and wool which were announced last month.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will take steps to bring about a system of reciprocal arrangements between local authorities for the transfer or reallocation of public authority tenancies;(2) what is the statutory basis for arranging transfers or reallocations between different local government housing authorities; and what changes he plans in this matter.

Under Section 149(1) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1966, housing authorities have discretion to determine their own housing management policies and procedures, including arrangements for transfers and reallocations. Within this general provision local authorities may arrange transfers between different districts, and Renfrew District Council operates an exchange register, established in 1965, for all Scottish authorities. I have no plans for any changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will advise local authorities on the need for reciprocal arrangements for the housing of women involved in violent marriages and who are forced to move from their existing local authority area.

Following the report of the Select Committee on Violence in Marriage, I am considering the issue of guidance to local authorities, covering the allocation of houses to women who move because of marital violence. Copies of the Select Committee's report were sent to all Scottish local authorities in December 1975.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list the special advisers to Ministers to whom he has given approval since his appointment as Prime Minister.

As all the appointments have not yet been finalised any list would at present be incomplete. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as a complete list can be prepared.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many members of ethnic minority groups have been appointed justices of the peace in the County Palatine of Lancaster since the present Administration took office; what proportion of such appointments this number represents; and whether he is concerned to increase this number.

My Advisory Committees are directed to pay particular attention to the achievement of balanced Benches. In doing so they look for suitable candidates from all ethnic groups within the local community. The detailed information asked for is not readily available.