asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the cash limits which are to be operated in respect of Northern Ireland Executive Departments in the financial year 1976–77.

Cash limits will be operated on a wide variety of services in Northern Ireland. The total for cash-limited services within which spending Departments will have to keep has now been settled at £708·3 million. This will be split between the Departments sponsoring cash-limited services as follows:

Agriculture	31·8
Commerce	29·7
Education (including area boards)	239·1
Environment	126·0
Finance	26·5
Health and Social Services (including area boards)	226·0
Manpower Services	29·2
	708·3

The main services which are not cash-limited are:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, in the assessment of compensation for criminal injuries in Northern Ireland, any account is taken of provocative or negligent behaviour by an applicant; and if he has any further statement to make on his current review of the schemes for compensation in respect of both persons and property.

Compensation for injuries to persons is governed by the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (NI) 1968. Section 1(2) of the Act states:

"The Court shall … have regard to all such circumstances as it considers relevant and, in particular, to any provocative or negligent behaviour of the victim which it is satisfied contributed, directly or indirectly, to his injury or death."

Compensation for damage to property is governed by the Criminal Injuries to Property (Compensation) Act (NI) 1971. This contains an analogous provision that the amount of compensation may be reduced in the light of the general conduct in the circumstances of the person suffering loss, including, in particular, his conduct as respects any precautions which might reasonably have been taken by him to avoid that loss.It is clearly very important that these, and all others aspects of the working of the two Northern Ireland Compensation Acts, in the light of experience, should be thoroughly reviewed as soon as possible. And it is for this reason that I have asked the two committees which I have set up to let me have recommendations by the end of June, for personal injuries, and of July, for property.I understand that both committees have already formed the view that changes would be appropriate in the operation of the existing schemes, and that they will be taking fully into consideration before they report not only such questions as provocation and negligence, but other fundamental questions, including the financing of the scheme, and the application of the present legislation to different categories of applicants. I welcome and approve the studies on these matters which these two committees are making.I shall aim, in the light of the recommendations of each of the two committees on compensation in Northern Ireland, to be ready to initiate legislation separately in each area in the autumn. I shall of course take account as appropriate of the deliberations of the committee set up by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to examine the operation of the non-statutory scheme which applies in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will arrange for the printing of the County Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1959, and the County Courts Appeals Act (Northern Ireland), as is provided for under Article 9 of the Administration of Justice Order 1975; and what is the cause of the delay.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report,26th April 1976; Vol. 910, c. 37], gave the following information:The reprinting of these Acts is a matter for the Clerk to the Northern Ireland Assembly. I understand that it is hoped that the reprints of both Acts will be published simultaneously in the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the office of Agent for Northern Ireland in Great Britain.

It is my intention that the office should concentrate on an industrial and commercial rôle under the direct control of the Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland. The office will assist the Department and its agencies to foster business confidence in Northern Ireland industry on the part of investors, customers and suppliers in Great Britain. It will similarly assist the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland and its agencies to promote the sale in Great Britain of Northern Ireland's agricultural produce and manufactured foodstuffs. It will assist other Northern Ireland Departments as appropriate and will have a small information staff to provide support for all these activities. The office will be ready to co-operate with Northern Ireland manufacturers in providing them with facilities in London for displays and other promotional activities. It will provide a London base for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for tourist information and promotion.The present Agent for Northern Ireland, Sir Harry Jones, CBE, has expressed his wish to retire on 31st July 1976. The name of a new head of the office will be announced in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residential places exist for children and young persons in each of the area boards; and how many are provided by voluntary organisations, stating the name and address of each children's home.

Following is the information:

NORTHERN BOARD
Board Places
Name and Address and	No. of places
Knockfergus Children's Home Ellis Street, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim	30
Conway Children's Home, Islandmagee, Co. Antrim	16
Bawnmore Children's Home, White-well Road, Belfast, BTI5	6
Dhu Varren Children's Home, Port-rush, Co. Antrim	24
Firmount Hostel, 410 Firmount Drive (Greystone), Antrim	11
Family Group Home Mournebeg Drive, Rathcoole, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim	3
TOTAL	90

SOUTHERN BOARD
Gleneyre Children's Home, Portadown Co. Armagh	28
Burnside Boys' Hostel, Craigavon, Co. Armagh	16
Family Group Home, 17–21 Dalton Road, Co. Armagh	12
Family Group Home, Mountnorris, Co. Armagh	12
TOTAL	68

NORTHERN BOARD
Voluntary Places Name and Address and	No. of places
Dr. Barnardo's Home, Manor House, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim	18
Dr. Barnardo's Home, Macedon, Whitehouse, Newtownabbey	32
TOTAL	50

SOUTHERN BOARD
Nazareth House, Nursery Home, Charles Street, Craigavon, Portadown	35
Our Mother of Mercy, Kilmorey Street, Newry, Co. Down	26
Good Shepherd Home, 132 Armagh Road, Newry (also includes Marianvale Home for Mothers and Babies)	15
St. Joseph's Convent of Mercy, Bess-brook, Newry, Co. Down	15
TOTAL	91

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the amount of compensation paid to individuals who have suffered no physical injury as a result of the bombing in Northern Ireland but claim to be suffering from nervous debility, anxiety, etc.

The records of criminal injuries to persons are not compiled on a basis on which the information requested can be provided without disproportionate effort. However, a sample survey, carried out recently by the Northern Ireland Office, of awards made or approved by the courts under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 showed that about 30 per cent. of awards in the sample were exclusively for mental or nervous shock resulting from bombing or other causes, such as gunfire. Awards ranged from £50 to £4,000, the average being about £400.

asked the Secretary of .State for Northern Ireland further to his

Length of Service				Service					Mileage
15 months	…	…	…	Patient-staff	…	…	…	…	19,779
14 months	…	…	…	Patient-staff	…	…	…	…	19,933
13 months	…	…	…	Ambulance	…	…	…	…	29,001
10 months	…	…	…	Works and engineering	…	…	…	…	4,260
7 months	…	…	…	Works and engineering	…	…	…	…	4,092
6 months	…	…	…	Catering	…	…	…	…	2,583
6 months	…	…	…	Social services	…	…	…	…	5,557
6 months	…	…	…	Social services	…	…	…	…	6,847
6 months	…	…	…	Supply	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
6 months	…	…	…	Supply	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
6 months	…	…	…	Supply	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Supply	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Social services	…	…	…	…	9,103
5 months	…	…	…	Social services	…	…	…	…	4,487
5 months	…	…	…	Social services	…	…	…	…	73
5 months	…	…	…	Social services	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Social services	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Social services	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Social services	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Works and engineering	…	…	…	…	1,513
5 months	…	…	…	Works and engineering	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Works and engineering	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Prevention/Diagnostic	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Prevention/Diagnostic	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	District HQ	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Patient-staff	…	…	…	…	Delivery Mileage
5 months	…	…	…	Supply	…	…	…	…	4,331
5 months	…	…	…	Ambulance	…	…	…	…	73

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what percentage the sums paid for overtime to Written reply to the hon. Member for Londonderry of 12th March 1976, No. 144, how many vehicles in total were bought by the Western Health and Social Services Authority during 1974–75; to which services they were allocated; what was the mileage on each vehicle at 1st August 1975; and how long each vehicle had been in the possession of the board at that date.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report,26th April 1976; Vol. 910, c. 38], gave the following information:In the financial year 1974–75 28 vehicles were purchased and allocated to the following services:

Ambulance	2
Patient-staff transport	3
Works and engineering	5
Social services	9
Supply	5
Diagnostic and preventive	2
Catering	1
District HQ	1

The mileage and length of service of each vehicle at 1st August 1975 was as follows:local government employees since local government reorganisation in Northern Ireland have increased; and how the percentage increase compares with local government overtime payments in Great Britain.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report,26th April 1976; Vol. 910, c. 37–8], gave the following information:Even if it were possible to obtain the information it could not be extracted without a disproportionate use of resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons under 18 and between 18 and 21 years of age, respectively, who are unemployed and in receipt of unemployment or other benefits have been offered and refused employment for the last convenient period for which the information is available.

The information is not available in the form requested. There is no breakdown for age groups. The number of claimants to unemployment benefit who are known to have refused employment in 1975 was 6,144. No figures are available concerning claimants for supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of males and females registered as unemployed at the latest April date for which figures are available in (a) Wallasey, (b) Birkenhead, (c) Bebington, and (d) Hoylake; and what were the comparable figures for April 1974 and April 1975.

Following is the Information:

Employment Office Area	April 1974	April 1975	April 1976*
Wallasey	2,105	2,593	3,653
Birkenhead	4,118	5,383	6,921
Bebington	942	1,185	1,652
Hoylake	378	485	729
*Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking following the joint application by local authorities in Gwynedd for the establishment of a community indus- try scheme based on the Anglesey-Arfon areas; and if he will make a statement.

I am happy to inform my right hon. Friend that a new community industry unit, providing employment for up to 50 young people, is to be established covering the Anglesey and Arfon districts of Gwynedd.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of persons under the age of 20 years registered in Birmingham as unemployed at the latest count; what are the comparable figures for the end of March 1970. 1973 and 1975, respectively.

The numbers registered as unemployed are analysed by age in January and July each year. The monthly figures which began in November have proved to be insufficiently accurate and publication has been suspended. In the area covered by the Birmingham, Aston, Handsworth, Selly Oak, Small Heath, Sutton Coldfield and Washwood Heath employment offices the numbers unemployed aged under 20 were 1,221 in January 1970, 3,106 in January 1973 and 7,412 in January 1976. Information for January 1975 was not collected because of industrial action at local offices of the Employment Service Agency. Adult students are excluded from the figure for January 1976 but were included at earlier dates.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons living within the Stockport metropolitan area are at present engaged in retraining activities.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, on 23rd April 1976, 70 men and 153 women living in the Stockport metropolitan area were receiving training in training establishments under the training opportunities scheme in the area covered by the TSA's Manchester district office. It is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to give figures of people living in the Stockport area who are being trained in other parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that the Monday after the second Saturday in April will be a bank holiday, designated Easter Monday, in 1977 and succeeding years.

No. The Government do not think it right to vary the arrangements for Easter until the full concurrence of the Churches has been obtained. The alteration of the date of the Easter Monday bank holiday by itself could have the unwelcome effect of depriving people of four continuous days of holiday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of United Kingdom citizens entitled to dual citizenship; and how many of these are New Commonwealth. citizens, United Kingdom passport holders and Pakistan citizens admitted for settlement over the past 10 years.

I regret that the information on which such an estimate could be based is not available. The possession of dual nationality depends on the operation of the law of the other country concerned in each individual case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will investigate the restraint of persons, some of unsound mind, behind locked doors with guards at 43 Lancaster Gate by leading members of the Unification Church.

I will certainly pass on to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for investigation any evidence of alleged criminal activities at this address which my hon. Friend sends me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reinstate the Fisher inquiry into the Confait case.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to say when the inquiry will be resumed. This will depend on the completion of police inquiries which are currently being made into matters concerned with the death of Maxwell Confait and on the decision of my right. hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General as to what further action, if any, may then be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to conclude his consultations with chief constables about new administrative directions to Judges Rules to cover the mentally retarded.

In the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many repayments of the £6 refund have been made in error to television licence holders; and in how many cases demands have been made for the return of these payments to the Post Office at the latest date for which figures are available.

Some 26,000 repayments of £6 have been made to television licence holders; of these four cases have come to light as having ben made in error. Three of the recipients returned the money unasked and the fourth repaid it after being requested to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to up-date Home Office Fire Prevention Note No. 2/1964.

There are no immediate plans to produce a revised version of this Note, but guidance will shortly be issued to local authorities and fire brigades about the phased improvement of fire precautions in old persons' homes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the current estimates of housing which is fit for letting in the Stockport local authority area.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now publish the report of the Departmental Committee on Drinking and Driving; and if he will make a statement.

The Report of the Committee on Drinking and Driving, which is published today, makes forthright and carefully thought out proposals for dealing with the continuing and serious numbers of deaths and injuries which result from irresponsible drinking by drivers.With driving accidents the biggest single cause of death up to the age of 30, and with one-third of all drivers killed in accidents being over the permitted alcohol level, no one can plead ignorance as to the implications of driving a vehicle on the roads after consuming even the most modest amount of alcohol.There can be no doubt at all that drinking and driving is one of the greatest social evils of contemporary life, and that measures to halt and reverse this rising trend of wantonly created violent death, injury, physical suffering and emotional pain must be one of the most urgent objectives for us all.I am glad to say that the committee found a wide measure of agreement among those who gave evidence to it, about the changes which are needed in order to restore the effectiveness of the Road Safety Act 1967. I am seeking immediately the views of those bodies which made representations to the committee; and I take this opportunity of inviting anyone else who wishes to comment on the report to write to me as soon as possible. Full consideration will, of course, be given to all these expressions of view. I hope to make a further statement before the Summer Recess.Following on one of the committee's proposals, the Home Office is inviting manufacturers of breath-analysis devices to submit samples of their equipment for testing and evaluation. This should show when, and at what cost, improved devices suitable for use by the police could be made available, and the reseources in manpower and money that would be needed to maintain those devices at an acceptable standard. This investigation may take some time.It remains for me to express my deep gratitude to the Chairman, Mr. Frank Blennerhassett, QC, and all the members of the committee, for the hard and concentrated work that has led to the production of this valuable report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he now plans to amalgamate the class III category with the class II category of heavy goods vehicles licences; and what effect this will have on existing class III licence holders.

No; but I am reviewing the classification of vehicle for the purposes of the heavy goods vehicle driver licensing scheme, and will consult interested organisations about any changes that may be needed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue a warning to all motorists of the dangers involved in taking a vehicle on the road after they have been served with a written warning by the tester, stating that in his view the vehicle is dangerously unroadworthy.

When the new procedure is introduced it will receive the usual publicity and the notice itself will include a warning of the risks involved in taking an unroadworthy vehicle on to the road.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue advice to motorists as to the procedure which any motorist should follow who is issued with a notice of dangerous unroadworthiness with which he disagrees.

No. The notice is advisory only. Motorists should, in their own interests, have the allegedly defective items checked.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what sanctions there will be against testers of motor vehicles who issue certificates of dangerous unroadworthiness when these are not justified.

The warning notice will not impose any further sanction on the motorist than that imposed by the test failure which will accompany it, but abuse of the MOT test procedures by authorised examiners can lead to the withdrawal of their authorisation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to issue a written warning notice to testers, in which the tester concerned will state that in his view the vehicle is dangerously unroadworthy.

These notices will form a part of the check list which will be completed by the MOT test examiner showing the result of each item of the test. I propose to introduce the system towards the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the average council house rent increase of 82p decided upon by Alnwick District Council will affect the national or regional average to such an extent as to jeopardise the achievement of the 60p figure proposed in the White Paper, "The Attack on Inflation"?

No. The achievement of any given average implies that increases imposed by some local authorities will be above while others will be below the average.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the special subsidies referred to in his reply to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed on 7th April have been made available so as to assist the Alnwick District Coun- cil to maintain the 60p guideline for rent increases.

The subsidies are those payable under the Housing Rents and Subsidies Act 1975, which include the special and high costs elements of housing subsidy. Payment of the special element, which was orginally confined to 1975–76. was extended to 1976–77 by the Remuneration, Charges and Grants Act 1975. Detailed advice about these subsidies for 1976–77 was given to local authorities in DOE Circular 38/76.However the entitlement to subsidy of any individual local authority will depend upon their financial circumstances. I cannot say at this stage whether Alnwick District Council will have an entitlement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will increase the recommended time of the full green pedestrian phase of pelican crossings to some 13 seconds for the average urban street in Greater London;(2) whether he is satisfied that the existing recommended timing of the green pedestrian phase of pelican crossings provides adequate safety for aged or disabled pedestrians.

The timings recommended vary with the width of the street, and will allow a pedestrian walking at half the average walking speed to cross safely. We are, however, reviewing them in the light of work being done by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory in collaboration with the Greater London Council, and if changes are needed we shall introduce them as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how long his Department has been studying the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in its Fifth Report; and when he expects those studies to be completed.

My Department has been studying the recommendations which the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution made in its Fifth Report since its publication in January 1976. I hope shortly to issue consultation papers on the wide range of issues involved, and shall consider the recommendations further in the light of comments from the many interests concerned. I intend to do this as speedily as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the detailed provision for Operation Bridgeguard up to 1980 contained in the White Paper on Public Expenditure, Cmnd Paper No. 6393.

The line for subsidy to the British Waterways Board in Table 2·6 of Cmnd 6393 includes the following provision for Operation Bridgeguard:

£m at 1975 Survey prices
1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80
1·4	1·4	1·7	1·7	1·7

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the original forecasts of expenditure and completion time of Operation Bridgeguard made by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for any variations from these forecasts.

The first firm estimates of the cost and time of the Bridgeguard programme relating to inland waterways could not he made until the survey of bridges carrying public roads was completed in 1970. It was then estimated that the programme would cost about £11 million and last five to eight years. In practice the rate of implementation of the programme is influenced by the need to co-ordinate bridge strengthening with the plans of local highway authorities for related road improvements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on EEC proposals on the harmonisation of family benefits.

The only particular proposal currently being considered would amend the EEC social security regulations to require all member States to follow the procedure which the regulations lay down for the majority, including the United Kingdom, and under which a member State pays its family benefits when a worker is subject to its legisla- tion but his family are living in another member State. For the United Kingdom, only family allowances are involved. The Social Affairs Council was, however, unable at its meeting on 18th December last to agree on this proposal, which the United Kingdom supports.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the consultation paper drawing together the discussion on both child and adolescent psychiatric services will be issued; and when the Court Report will be published.

The consultation paper on child and adolescent psychiatric services will not be issued until the Report of the Court Committee has been received and its recommendations can be taken into account. I understand that Professor Court hopes to be able to submit his report by the end of the summer, and I hope that it will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the present levels of stocks of blood available to the National Blood Transfusion Service; if there is a shortage; and if blood is being imported.

Provided that sufficient donors remain willing to give blood, the National Blood Transfusion Service can generally satisfy the demands made on it. These fluctuate, and local shortages of blood, or of blood of a particular blood group, do occur, but the position is continuously under review by those responsible and corrective action is taken as necessary.Blood is not imported into this country other than in the exceptional situation when a patient with a very rare blood group requires a transfusion for which compatible blood can be obtained only from a donor in another country, through the International Panel of Rare Blood Types.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the adequacy of facilities, fixed or mobile, available to the National Blood Transfusion Service for blood donors; and what complaints he has received about a backlog of donors willing to give blood.

Local difficulties have occurred, some of which might have been avoided given additional facilities. The allocation of resources to finance such additions is a matter for regional health authorities to determine in the light of their overall spending priorities. My Department receives very few complaints indeed about any respect of the National Blood Transfusion Service. I replied on 17th March and 6th April to a complaint about a backlog of potential doners forwarded to me by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will investigate the psychological damage to young persons caused by the Unification Church in the light of the number of persons suffering severe psychiatric symptoms after their association with this organisation.

If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the cases he has in mind I will certainly consider whether there is any action it would be appropriate for me to take.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many babies were born to a parent or parents receiving supplementary benefit; and in how many cases was the parent a lone parent during the last 12-month period for which figures are available.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about his recent visit to Czechoslovakia.

I visited Czechoslovakia between 22nd and 24th April in order to sign a health co-operation agreement and to discuss health matters of mutual interest. That part of the agreement which makes provision for health care for temporary visitors to each country will come into force on 24th May. I shall be publishing the detailed arrange- ments before that date. The agreement also provides for two-year programmes of co-operation on such matters as exchanges of information and medical specialists. A Czechoslovak delegation will be visiting this country shortly to discuss the first two-year programme. My visit provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas on health matters, and to further relations in this field between our two countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to issue the code of guidance for fire precautions in residential homes, as delay in its publication is affecting proposals for the up-dating of fire precautions in old persons' homes in the London borough of Havering due to the lack of positive guidance on the broad outlines of fire precautions deemed necessary and for which funds will be allocated.

We shall issue further guidance to authorities as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the action he has now taken to deal with the problem of homeless young people in London.

The Government intend to make public the outcome of the deliberations of a working group on the problems of homeless young people and in particular those who come to London from the provinces, on which Government Departments, local authorities and voluntary bodies are represented. Its work is now nearly complete.In the meantime, the Government have provided funds enabling a voluntary organisation to prepare and distribute widely over 50,000 copies of a leaflet warning young people of the problems facing them if they come to London without proper preparation in time for it to be available for boys and girls who left school at Easter. Proposals for information services at Euston and Victoria Coach Station have been drafted by a group of voluntary organisations and they have been invited to apply to the Voluntary Services Unit of the Home Office for a grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the reason for the delay in providing the people of the Falkland Islands with a more democratic constitution in line with those enjoyed in comparable communities in the Commonwealth and as recommended by the Select Committee on the Constitution in 1975.

Her Majesty's Government wish to implement the proposed constitutional changes soon. But they believe that they should be considered after the General Elections in the Islands in May, together with any recommendations which Lord Shackleton may make in his economic and fiscal survey.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects in Rhodesia are to be charged with high treason or other crimes against the Queen.

As my right hon. Friend then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, told the right hon. Member in answer to his Question on 8th April, if individuals against whom there is evidence of a criminal offence in Rhodesia came within the jurisdicton of the courts of this country, it would be for my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to consider whether criminal proceedings should be instituted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what study he has made of CIA involvement in recruiting mercenary soldiers to support the rebel Government in Rhodesia; and if he will now take steps to reduce this flow of mercenaries.

I have no evidence of any CIA involvement in the recruitment of mercenaries on behalf of the illegal regime in Rhodesia. As my right hon. Friend informed my hon. Friend on 18th March, a report is awaited from Lord Diplock's committee on the general question of the recruitment of mercenaries from this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Mozambique.

Her Majesty's Government have a satisfactory relationship with the Government of the People's Republic of Mozambique. We maintain an Embassy in Maputo, and there have also been exchanges of views at ministerial level. As the House knows, we have offered substantial aid, as all member States were requested to do in a recent Security Council Resolution, and we hope soon to send out a team of officials to discuss the aid programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the total cost of the former Minister of State's visit to Maputo recently was borne by the Government of Mozambique; and, if not, what was the cost to the United Kingdom.

The visit to Maputo followed a visit to Dar-es-Salaam. The costs for the entire journey were met by Her Majesty's Government and amounted to approximately £5,053.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Chilean Government about the torture of political prisoners following the release of Dr. Sheila Cassidy and in the light of her evidence to the Helsinki Conference on Arbitrary Arrests and Detentions in Chile.

Following Dr. Cassidy's release Her Majesty's Government protested in the strongest terms to the Chilean Government, as well as publicly deploring her mistreatment. We arranged for Dr. Cassidy to give evidence to the UN Human Rights Commission's Working Group on Chile, and co-sponsored a resolution passed by the Commission condemning the Junta's policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the effect of Command Paper No. 6440 "Cash limits on Public Expenditure" upon the scale and quality of British commercial representation abroad over the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Cash limits have been fixed for 1976–77 only and, at this stage, we do not expect them to have any significant effect on our commercial representation overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the latest situation in the Icelandic fisheries dispute with particular reference to the talks with the Norwegian Government in Oslo.

Yes. We continue to seek a fair and honourable solution to this dispute, and meanwhile to protect our trawlers obtaining their livelihood. There has been no direct means of contact with the Icelanders since they broke off diplomatic relations on 19th February, but, during my visit to Oslo last week, this dispute was naturally among the topics I discussed with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Mr. Frydenlund.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will follow the policy of previous Ministers of his Department visiting China by flying in a Royal Air Force VC10 for his forthcoming official arrival in Peking; and if he will also ensure that he visits Hong Kong during the same Far East tour in order to underline Her Majesty's Government's determination to safeguard the inhabitants and interests of the Crown Colony.

My right hon. Friend will be flying to Peking by Royal Air Force VC10. Unfortunately his new responsibilities make it difficult for him to be absent from London for as long as had been planned, and he will not be able to visit Hong Kong on this occasion. But Her Majesty's Government have every confidence in the future development of Hong Kong and will continue to administer it in the best interests of those who live there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many duplicate British passports have been issued annually since 1965 to British citizens from the New Commonwealth, United Kingdom passport holders and citizens of Pakistan, on the ground that the original has been lost; and how many of these were issued by British embassies and High Commission offices abroad.

I regret that this information is not available; the records of the numbers of passports issued are not kept in a way which makes it possible to provide this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list the Commonwealth countries in which locally resident United Kingdom citizens possessing no other citizenship are entitled to voting rights equivalent to those possessed by Commonwealth citizens in the United Kingdom, showing the terms on which voting rights are granted where appropriate.

This information is not readily available but enquiries are being made in Commonwealth countries and the information obtained will be published in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any restriction is imposed on citizens of the United Kingdom of Indian descent who desire to settle in India.

United Kingdom legislation and regulations impose no such restrictions. Indian regulations governing this subject are, of course, a matter solely for the Indian authorities. So far as I am aware there have been no serious problems for citizens of the United Kingdom of Indian descent who wish to settle in India.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why visas were refused for the Taiwan team at the All-England Badminton Championships.

Her Majesty's Government do not welcome visits to Britain by Taiwan sporting and cultural teams claiming to represent China. In the present case the original applications were not pursued and we assumed that they had lapsed. New applications, made in March, were still under consideration when the All-England Championships took place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are living in Lebanon; and what advice has been given to them recently concerning their personal safety.

There are about 1,000 United Kingdom nationals remaining in the Lebanon. The Ambassador has advised them, by radio and in writing, that if they have no compelling reason to stay they should leave the country. Similar advice is given by the consular staff of the embassy whenever they have contact with British subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have advocated at any time, in discussions with other members of the EEC on direct elections to the European Parliament, that representation for all countries should be directly proportional to their populations.

No. But the Government have made clear in the Community their view that, apart from a minimum number of seats for the smaller member States, representation should be as nearly as possible proportional to the size of population of member States.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the EEC Council of Ministers next to discuss direct elections with the EEC Assembly.

I cannot yet say. The Council of Ministers itself will next discuss direct elections at its meeting on 3rd and 4th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently received on the method of electing representatives to the European Parliament.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister received representations from a number of sources, including the hon. Member's party, in response to his invitation to the political parties to comment on direct elections. This and other aspects of direct elections will, no doubt, be considered in the Select Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to portraits of Members sitting in the European Parliament to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 3rd to 14th of May.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider making available substantive documents that are to be considered at future Heads of Government meetings of the EEC.

I can assure my hon. Friend of the Government's intention to keep Parliament informed of important matters of substance arising in the European Council, but it would not be appropriate to publish documents which are still subject to confidential discussion and negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations of the common fisheries policy.

My right hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross) attended the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday 6th April at which this matter was discussed. The discussions will be continued early in May at the next meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take to ensure that any redundancy terms pertaining to new towns staff are not less favourable than those applied to local authority staff during local government reorganisation; and what representations he has received on this matter.

I have received one letter on this subject. The provision to be made for redundancy in respect of new towns staff in Scotland will be a matter for consideration when Scottish legislation is being prepared, but I have no reason to suppose that this would not follow existing precedent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the terms of reference of the Programme Planning Group, set up jointly by the Scottish Health Service Planning Council and the Advisory Council on Social Work to review current policies in relation to the mentally disordered; and when it is expected to report.

The programme planning group was set up last year by the Scottish Health Service Planning Council and the Advisory Council on Social Work to advise these bodies on

"policies relating to the provision of health, social work and related services for the mentally disordered."

The group is expected to report to the parent bodies from time to time on matters on which it wishes to make recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many ECT treatments were given in Scottish hospitals in the last year for which figures are available.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many leucotomy, lobotomy, and tractotomy operations were carried out in Scottish hospitals in the last year for which figures are available.

This information is not available, but in 1973, 12 operations involving division of brain tissue—which includes leucotomy, lobotomy, tractotomy and others—were performed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has of an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis in Scotland; and what steps are being taken to ascertain the cause.

There has been no increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis notified annually in Scotland. The rapid decline in notifications which began in 1950 has slowed down and notifications have now levelled out; in the years 1972–75 the incidence has remained at 24 cases per 100,000 of population. The incidence of tuberculosis is already watched very carefully by an expert committee, and I am considering whether any further monitoring is necessary to establish why the decline in notifications has halted.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many official forms, requiring completion, are issued by each Government Department in one year.

Information is available centrally about statistical forms only. I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) on Wednesday 14th April 1976 about statistical forms for completion by businesses. I would also refer him to the replies given by my right hon. and hon. Friends to similar Questions from the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Price) on 8th March 1976 and between 5th and 8th April 1976 to the hon. Member for Harrow, Central (Mr. Grant).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek to amend the 1970 Customs and Excise Export of Goods (Control) Order in order no longer to permit the export to South Africa without licence of such equipment as airborne and missile computers, military grade batteries and boron used for control rods in nuclear reactors.

Responsibility for any amendment to the 1970 Customs and Excise of Goods (Control) Order does not lie with my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why, following his decision to suspend dealings with Aviation Jersey Ltd. from 14th January 1976, an offer to the firm was made on 9th March 1976 to continue dealing with it; and how much money owing the firm his Department is currently holding on an order not yet fulfilled.

Careful inquiries have failed to confirm that any offer was made on 9th March 1976. If my hon. Friend will let me have further details of the communication to which he has referred, I shall be glad to pursue the matter. No money belonging to the firm is being withheld by my Department in respect of an order not yet fulfilled.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make an statement as to how he is encouraging research into the harvesting of power from natural sources such as sun and wind.

Studies have been made for my Department by the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU) into alternative energy resources including solar and wind power. The report on solar energy has been considered by the Advisory Council on Research and Development, which has recommended the setting up of a national research and development programme, and this is now in hand. The appropriate actions regarding wind energy will be determined when the final results of the ETSU wind energy study are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what sum was spent by the Coal Industry Housing Association on maintenance of estates in 1974–75 and 1975–76.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board, and I am asking the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total sum spent by the NCB on land reclamation in 1974–75 and 1975–76, differentiating between deep-mined and opencast sites.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board and I am asking the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the annual tonnage of coal imported into Scotland from Northern Ireland over the past three years for which figures are available.

No coal has been shipped into Scotland from Northern Ireland during the past three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects a Soviet nuclear mission to make a return visit to the United Kingdom as a step towards the development of co-operation in this field.

The return mission is currently in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the cost for each of the past five years of evasive action taken due to corrosion or leakage of radioactive waste at each nuclear plant in the United Kingdom.

This information is not readily available. I do not consider that the cost of a survey to attempt to obtain it would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of radioactive waste at present being stored in the United Kingdom is classified as being of low activity.

Although it is not practicable to give a precise figure, it is estimated that some 50 per cent. of the total radioactive waste stored in the United Kingdom is of low activity.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if the amount of radioactive waste stored at plants in the United Kingdom is expected to increase or decrease over the next five years and if he will give the basis on which he makes projections of this kind.

The amount of radioactive waste stored at nuclear plants in the United Kingdom will generally increase over the next five years. This waste will arise principally from those nuclear power stations presently in operation and those coming into operation over the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the principal cause of corrosion in steel drums of radioactive waste stored in the United Kingdom; and what steps are being taken to eliminate this danger.

The principal cause of corrosion of steel drums containing radioactive waste in the United Kingdom is the damp atmosphere. Drums will be replaced as inspection demonstrates the need.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the amount of radioactive waste at present stored in each nuclear plant in the United Kingdom.

The storage capacity currently available for radioactive wastes in the United Kingdom was given in my reply to the hon. Member on 26th April 1976. Knowledge of the exact quantity of radioactive waste stored at each nuclear site is not readily available but it is estimated that approximately 50 per cent. of the total capacity is now being utilised. Additional storage facilities will be made available in accordance with programmed requirements.

asked the Lord President of the Council on what dates the visits to Paris, the Hague and Bonn by Members of the House of Commons Refreshment Department Committee of Inquiry were made and which hon. Members took part in each visit.

The visits to Paris, the Hague and Bonn took place on 30th March, 31st March and 1st April respectively. The only hon. Member to take part in these visits was the Chairman of the Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Mr. Mikardo).

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is considering further help to the washing machine industry in addition to the reduction in the VAT rate announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The needs of the washing machine industry are being closely examined by representatives of management, unions, Government and NEDO under the Government's industrial strategy, in the working group on domestice electrical appliances. The Government have already relaxed credit controls and significantly reduced the level of VAT. Requests for further assistance will be listened to sympathetically.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if his Department has any statistics showing how many new industries have been established in the Leeds-Bradford area between 1960 and 1970 and since 1970;(2) how many new jobs have been created in industries which have been established in the Leeds-Bradford area between 1960 and 1970 and since 1970.

MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS OPENED IN WEST YORKSHIRE
					New manufacturing establishments with an origin outside the area		All new manufacturing establishments
					Number	Total Employees (000s)	Number	Total Employees (000s)
1960–65	…	…	…	…	7	0·5	7*	0·5*
1966–71	…	…	…	…	6	0·5	107	11·0
1972–75	…	…	…	…	9	0·5	57	3·0
*In the period 1960–65 data were only collected on establishments opening in an area with an origin outside that area.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if his Department has any statistics showing how many new factories have been established in the Leeds-Bradford area since the Ml was completed to Leeds and since the M62 was opened between Leeds and Manchester.

From 1st January 1969 to 31st December 1973, 107 new factories, and extensions, requiring industrial development certificates were completed in the Leeds and Bradford employment exchange areas. Between 1st January 1974 and 31st December 1975, 24 new factories, and extensions, requiring industrial development certificates were completed in the same areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many advance

Almost all manufacturing industries—minimum list headings of the Standard Industrial Classification—recorded some employment in the Leeds-Bradford area, in 1960 and in subsequent years. The following table gives details of new manufacturing establishments which have opened since 1960 in West Yorkshire, the smallest appropriate area for which such data is readily available. The geographical definition of the area to which the statistics refer changed slightly in 1966, and in 1972. The record from which the material is compiled includes establishments opened in both new and secondhand premises, except where movement to secondhand premises from other premises in the same travel-to-work area is involved. The record is not comprehensive for establishments with very small employment, and is also subject to revision for the most recent years.The employment figures quoted in the table as associated with the new establishments are the latest available, and are rounded to the nearest 500.factories were established by the Government in the Leeds-Bradford area during the years between 1960 and 1970 and since 1970; and how many of these advance factories were occupied by firms and organisations that were previously situated beyond a 30-mile radius of the Leeds-Bradford area.

None, but five factories were announced by the Government for the area in November 1975, and building is expected to start in the autumn

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Reportdetails of Great Britain's debts to the Central Bankers and the International Monetary Fund in respect of each of the years from 1960 to 1975 inclusive.

A detailed list of the United Kingdom's short- and medium-term borrowing from abroad has

						$million (net borrowing (+), repayments(-))
						IMF	Foreign currency deposits by monetary authorities	Other borrowing with a sterling counterpart*
1960	…	…	…	…	…	-325	—	—
1961	…	…	…	…	…	+1,040	—	—
1962	…	…	…	…	…	-1,040	—	—
1963	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—
1964	…	…	…	…	…	+1,000	+202	+403
1965	…	…	…	…	…	+1,370	-202	+510
1966	…	…	…	…	…	+40	+40	+785
1967	…	…	…	…	…	-902	+423	+1,292
1968	…	…	…	…	…	+1,215	+43	+1,852
1969	…	…	…	…	…	-73	-146	-1,458
1970	…	…	…	…	…	-322	-360	-2,426
1971	…	…	…	…	…	-1,247	—	-958
1972	…	…	…	…	…	-1,081	—	—
1973	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—
1974	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—
1975	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—
*Borrowing from monetary authorities, a consortium of Swiss banks in 1967 and Switzerland in 1964–65 as a sterling counterpart to foreign currency deposits.
Non-dollar currencies have been converted to dollars at the parity or central rates obtaining at the end of the appropriate years.

In addition, British Government stocks and Treasury bills are held by overseas monetary authorities. It is possible to give only net changes for these holdings, and during the period in question the movements were as follows:

£ million
	British Government Stocks	Treasury Bills
1963*	-33	+119
1964	+52	-84
1965	-46	-260
1966	-51	-57
1967	-40	-136
1968	-22	-47
1969	+237	-95
1970	+63	+9
1971	+55	+363
1972	+65	+180
1973	+74	-324
1974	-124	+1,072
1975	-15	-484
*Figures for the holdings of British Government Stocks and Treasury Bills were only recorded from end-1962 onwards.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the percentage paid in (a)income tax and surtax and (b)national insurance and graduated pension in 1950, 1960 and each year since 1964 by the following groups of income recipients: (i) the top 1 per cent., (ii) the top 10 per cent., (iii) the top 40 per cent., (iv) the bottom 30 per cent., (v) the bottom 10 per cent and (vi) all incomes;(2) what was the percentage of income tax and surtax raised in 1950, 1960 and each year since 1964 from the following groups of income recipients: (i) the top 1 per cent., (ii) the top 10 per cent., (iii) the top 40 per cent., (iv) the bottom 30 per cent., (v) the bottom 10 per cent

I regret that this information cannot be provided without a disproportionate expenditure of resources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, further to his remarks reported in column 1037 of the Official Report for 12th April, he will provide a breakdown of the components of the item headed "Miscellaneous Capital Trans-

ANALYSIS OF MISCELLANEOUS CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS*
				1975–76		1976–77
				Budget Forecast	Estimated Outturn	Budget Forecast
Central Government:
National Insurance contributions accruals adjustment	…	…	…	-297	-265	-171
Other (mainly changes in balances)	…	…	…	+397	+175	+267
Central Government: total	…	…	…	+100	-90	+96
Local authorities	…	…	…	+98	-526	-100
Public corporations	…	…	…	-153	-3	-254
Miscellaneous capital transactions: total	…	…	…	+45	-619	-258
*As shown in Financial Statement and Budget Report, 1976–77.

The estimated outturn for 1975–76 is tentative. The introductory note on page 13 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1976–77 points out that the figures in Table 5 are based on partial information. The row "miscellaneous capital transactions (net)" includes the balancing items between the known and estimated borrowing requirements and known and estimated receipts and expenditure. Miscellaneous capital transactions (net) in 1974–75 are estimated to have been positive.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loss of revenue is anticipated in 1975–76 from the reduction in VAT on petrol from 25 per cent. to 12½ per cent.

About £125 million in 1976–77.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue the

The breakdown is shown below.additional fuel excise duty will raise in the financial year 1976–77.

About £425 million in road fuel duty together with about £10 million in additional VAT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide adjusted versions of Tables 2·5 and 2·6 in the White Paper on Public Expenditure to 1979–80 (Command Paper No. 6393) to show expenditure on a Scotland-only basis.

The following tables show the expenditure included in Tables 2·5 and 2·6 of Command No. 6393 which falls within the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Figures for total identifiable public expenditure in Scotland, including expenditure by other Departments, are published for past years at current prices in the Scottish Abstract of Statistics. Forward estimates of expenditure on this basis are not available.