asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that there is adequate television reception in the Kingswood area.

The BBC assures me that television reception in the Kingswood area is generally good from the Mendip 625-line UHF main and the Ilchester Crescent relay stations. We are, however, aware that, as in many transmitter coverage areas, there are some houses in Kings-wood in which the quality of reception is impaired because of local screening by buildings of terrain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners have had a request to use a personal typewriter turned down in the last year;(2) how many prisoners currently have a personal typewriter;(3) how many prisoners have been allowed to have a personal typewriter in the last year;(4) which of the criteria constituting an exceptional case were not met by the prisoner at Wormwood Scrubs Prison who was refused a personal typewriter;(5) if he will explain what criteria are used in allowing prisoners a personal typewriter in an "exceptional case";(6) if he will list the criteria that are employed in determining whether an exceptional case exists for a prisoner to have a personal typewriter.

Prisoners are allowed to use typewriters for the purposes described in my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 5th May.—[Vol. 910, c. 984–5.] Exceptional cases are considered on their merits in the light of individual circumstances. The application by the prisoner at Wormwood Scrubs was refused because it did not appear to comply with the stated purposes or to justify exceptional treatment; the case is being reviewed. I regret that the information asked for in the remaining Questions is not readily available, but inquiries indicate that few prisoners have personal typewriters or have applied to have one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total numbers of prisoners held on remand in custody in England and Wales in each of the past 10 years.

The following table shows the number of receptions into custody on remand. Data for 1975 are not yet available.

RECEPTION INTO CUSTODY OF PERSONS ON REMAND
Number of receptions
Year	Untried	Convicted awaiting sentence
1965	29,996	21,444
1966	35,591	24,459
1967	36,640	24,818
1968	37,177	22,453
1969	40,258	25,865
1970	43,042	27,671
1971	47,731	27,729
1972	44,501	23,917
1973	46,144	23,770
1974	51,422	23,683
Note: Some persons received as untried are subsequently received as convicted awaiting sentence, and will thus appear in both columns in the above.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in England and Wales in each of the past 10 years have spent more than one week: (a) three in a cell and (b) two in a cell.

Central records show that the highest total numbers of inmates sleeping two or three to a cell in each of tilt last 10 years were as follows:

	Three to a cell	Two to a cell
1975	5,298	10,342
1974	4,122	10,024
1973	4,221	8,388
1972	6,609	7,128
1971	8,238	6,212
1970	9,288	4,886
1969	7,653	2,886
1968	6,084	1,506
1967	7,419	1,584
1966	7,206	1,494

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average weekly cost of maintaining the following categories of prisoner in penal institutions in England and Wales in each of the past 10 years: (a) men

Year			Prisons	Borstals	Detention Centres	Remand Centres
			£	£	£	£
1965–66	…	…	16	17	18	17
1966–67	…	…	15	17	18	17
1967–68	…	…	17	19	20	20
1968–69	…	…	22	21	25	25
1969–70	…	…	23	23	27	24
1970–71	…	…	24	29	29	Included with prisons
1971–72	…	…	30	37	35

			Males		Females
			Prisons and remand centers	Borstals and YP centers	Detention centers	All establishments
1972–73	…	…	34	41	38	47
1973–74	…	…	41	51	45	53
1974–75	…	…	58	69	59	74

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total prison population in each of the past 10 years in England and Wales, setting out the numbers of males, females, children and young persons.

From figures immediately available, it is not possible to answer this Question precisely in the form requested. The table below gives the readily available information:

AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION IN PRISON ESTABLISHMENTS1965–1974
Year	Total	Males	Females
1965	30,421	29,580	841
1966	33,086	32,127	959
1967	35,009	34,056	953
1968	32,461	31,656	805
1969	34,667	33,814	853
1970	39,028	38,040	988
1971	39,708	38,673	1,035
1972	38,328	37,348	980
1973	36,774	35,747	1,027
1974	36,867	35,823	1,044

It is not possible readily to subdivide the totals given in the table above in such a way as to distinguish between young persons aged 14–16 years and those aged 17–20 years. However, the daily average populations of all young persons aged 14–20 years who were held in Prison Department establishments for the years in question were:

Information is not available in the form requested, but the following table gives the average weekly cost of maintaining a prisoner in the types of establishment specified:

Year	Total males and females
1965	8,574
1966	9,414
1967	9,958
1968	9,576
1969	10,078
1970	11,335
1971	10,908
1972	10,385
1973	9,040
1974	10,633

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of information supplied to him by the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley, he will grant entry to the United Kingdom without threat of legal proceedings to Kamil Fuad in order to receive evidence concerning the activities of the Anglo-American Corporation and the South African Bureau of State Security in Great Britain.

If Mr. Fuad applies for entry clearance to the United Kingdom, it will be considered in the normal way. I have no power to grant anyone immunity from legal proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will set up an inquiry into the commercial and political connection of the South African Bureau of State Security and its recent activities in the United Kingdom;(2) whether, in the light of further information supplied to him by the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley, he will set up an inquiry into the part played by South African security and businesses in the attempts to smear the right hon. Member for Devon, North (Mr. Thorpe), Mr. Peter Hain, two other Liberal Members of Parliament and other political figures in the United Kingdom.

The information available to Her Majesty's Government, including the further information supplied by my hon. Friend, is being carefully studied by the appropriate authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take action to protect persons physically threatened or whose property is the subject of possible threats by the South African Bureau of State Security.

Any evidence of threats would be a matter for the chief office of police concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what were the numbers of women remanded by the courts in each year from 1967 to the current year;(2) what were the numbers of women remanded from courts in the West Midlands in each year from 1967 to the current year.

I regret that information is not readily available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been in each of the past five years for failure to declare livestock at points of entry into the United Kingdom; how many of those convicted were imprisoned; and, if not, what was the average fine for this offence.

I regret that this information is not available, because the Criminal Statistics do not identify these offences separately.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were convicted of causing damage to property during each of the last three years; and what is his estimate of the number of such offences which were actually committed.

The number of persons convicted of offences of criminal damage in the years 1973 –75 is as follows:

Persons found guilty of offences of criminal damage—England and Wales
	Number of persons
1973	33,223
1974	36,251
1975 (provisional)	38,470

The total number of such offences committed is not known, but the table below gives the number of offences of criminal damage of £20 or over recorded as known to the police during the years in question:

Offences of cirminal damage of £20 or over recorded as known to the police—England and Wales
	Number of offences
1973	52,815
1974	67,086
1975 (provisional)	78,550

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum fine which can be awarded for a first offender convicted of causing damage to property; and what was the average fine actually awarded for such offences during 1975.

The maximum fine which may be imposed on an offender—whether or not he is a first offender—aged 17 and above on summary conviction of an offence of criminal damage is £400; on conviction on indictment there is no limit on the amount which may be imposed. The maximum fine for an offender aged 14 and under 17 is £50; and for one under 14 £10. Information about the average fines awarded to first offenders convicted of offences of criminal damage is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community service orders were made in 1975 in respect of offenders who were convicted of causing damage to property.

Community service schemes were available in only a limited number of areas in 1975. Provisional figures show that about 150 community service orders were made following convictions of offences of criminal damage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officers there were in England and Wales in each of the past 10 years.

The numbers were as follows:

Year (as at 31st December)	Established Officers	Temporary Officers	Total Whole-time Staff ((b) and (c))	Part-time Officers
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)
1966	2,557	37	2,594	45
1967	2,745	45	2,790	46
1968	2,960	52	3,012	57
1969	3,172	61	3,233	69
1970	3,352	74	3,426	77
1971	3,608	81	3,689	80
1972	3,939	89	4,028	93
1973	4,327	122	4,449	109
1974	4,543	129	4,672	104
1975	4,735	134	4,869	129

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted persons in England and Wales received suspended prison sentences in each of the last eight years.

The information is as follows:

Persons given a suspended prison sentence: all courts: England and Wales
Year	Number of persons
1968	32,002
1969	32,169
1970	33,909
1971	31,720
1972	32,404
1973	26,200
1974	29,499
1975 (provisional)	32,900

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted persons in England and Wales have been convicted again follow- ing a suspended prison sentence in each of the past eight years.

I regret that this information is not available. However, a study of offenders awarded suspended sentences in January 1971 showed that 31 per cent. were reconvicted within one year of being sentenced, a further 10 per cent. within two years, and a further 6 per cent. within three years; 53 per cent. were not reconvicted within three years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total of fines in England and Wales in each of the past 10 years (a) imposed by the courts and (b) actually collected.

The fines and fees collected by magistrates' courts in England and Wales in 1974 –75 and previous years were as follows:

	£
1965–66	9,523,946
1966–67	10,905,181
1967–68	12,675,866
1968–69	13,650,366
1969–70	15,312,469
1970–71	18,095,966
1971–72	21,338,865
1972–73	25,529,658
1973–74	32,045,242
1974–75	35,570,348

Totals of fines imposed are not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what allowance is paid to police officers when they are obliged by their duties to handle human corpses in an advanced state of decomposition; when this allowance was last revised; and if he will publish in the Official Report the official definition of "an advanced state of decomposition."

The recommended rates of gratuity since 1st January 1972 have been:£3·75 where the body is searched and the fingerprints taken by the same officer on the same occasion.£2·50 for searching and £2·50 for fingerprinting where these tasks are necessarily performed by different officers, or by the same officer on separate occasions.

asked the Secretary of for the Home Department if he has received the report of the Hall of Constabulary on the working of the juvenile liasion scheme in Lancashire; if so, what conclusion he has drawn from it; and what guidance he intends to give to other police forces on the interviewing of children in police cells.

I have received, and am now studying, the report by one of Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary on the operation of the juvenile liaison scheme in Lancashire. As regards the last part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend's earlier Question on 25th March. —[Vol. 908, c. 242.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if advice was given at any stage to the six young persons in local prisons on 29th February 1976 on applying for bail;(2) if any advice was given at any stage to the 92 boys and two girls awaiting trial in remand centres on 29th February 1976 on applying for bail.

Yes: it is standard procedure for all persons remanded in custody to be given such advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the six young persons in local prisons awaiting trial on 29th February 1976 are still there; and how many of these have been convicted.

One, on 13th May, who was still awaiting trial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the four young persons convicted and awaiting sentence in local prisons on 29th February 1976 are still there.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sentence, if any, has been passed on: (a) the six young persons awaiting trial in local prisons on 29th February 1976 and (b) four young persons convicted and awaiting sentence in local prisons on the same day.

Of the six juveniles in local prisons awaiting trial on 29th February 1976, two have not yet been tried; one was given a non-custodial sentence; one a sentence of borstal training; one was sentenced to detention in a detention centre; and one was detained under Section 53(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Of the four juveniles in local prisons who on 29th February 1976 had been convicted and were awaiting sentence, one was subsequently released on bail; one was given a noncustodial sentence; one was sentenced to detention in a detention centre; and one was sentenced to borstal training.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the 97 boys and two girls awaiting trial in remand centres on 29th February 1976 are still in remand centres; and how many of these are now convicted and awaiting sentence;(2) what sentence, if any, was passed on the 97 boys and two girls awaiting trial in remand centres on 29th February 1976.

On 13th May 1976, the latest date for which information is readily available, 13 of the juveniles who were in remand centres awaiting trial on 29th February were still there, five awaiting trial and eight awaiting sentence. The sentences passed on the remaining 84 were as follows:

Borstal training	37
Detention in a Detention right	27
Detained under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933	3
To custody to await transfer to a psychiatric hospital under section 60 of the Mental Health Act 1959	1
Care order	6
Conditional discharge	6
Supervision order	2
Deferred sentence	1
Attendance Centre	1
The results of the other two cases have not yet been notified to our central records, but neither person was in custody on 13th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 14 to 16-year-olds were in remand centres at the latest available date; how many were boys and how many girls; how many were: (a) awaiting trial (b) convicted and awaiting sentence and (c) Borstal trainees awaiting transfer.

On 30th April there were 334 juveniles aged between 14 and 16 years in remand centres in England and Wales. Of these 102 were awaiting trial; 193 had been convicted and were awaiting sentence; 29 had been sentenced to borstal training and were awaiting transfer to a borstal; and 10 had received other sentences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any of the six young persons in local prisons awaiting trial on 29th February 1976 have been found not guilty; if so, how long each had been in prison; if any of the four young persons convicted but awaiting sentence on the same day were given a non-custodial sentence; and, if so, how long they had served in prison.

Four of the six juveniles —i.e. young persons between the ages of 14 and 16—who were on remand in local prisons on 29th February to await trial were subsequently found guilty: two were still awaiting trial on 13th May —the latest date for which information is readily available. Of the four juveniles in local prisons who were convicted but awaiting sentence, one is known to have received a non-custodial sentence: she had spent 19 days on remand in custody.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the 14 Borstal trainees located in local prisons on 29th February 1976 have yet been transferred to a Borstal.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the six young persons in local prisons awaiting trial on 29th February had applied for bail; what were the reasons for its refusal in those cases where it was refused; and if he will seek to ascertain the grounds on which the remainder did not apply for bail;(2) how many of the 97 boys and two girls awaiting trial in remand centres on 29th February 1976 had applied for bail; what were the reasons for it being refused; and if he will seek to ascertain the grounds on which the remainder did not make an application.

I regret that it is not possible to obtain this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 14 to 16-year-olds were in local prisons at the latest available date; how many were boys and how many girls; and where they are located.

On 30th April there were 29 persons aged between 14 and 16 years in local prisons. Seventeen were boys and 12 girls. They were located as follows:

Holloway	12
Liverpool	3
Birmingham	3
Swansea	3
Lincoln	2
Leicester	1
Leeds	1
Durham	1
Norwich	1
Oxford	1
Shrewsbury	1

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the local Chief Constable in the case of Pamela Jackson of Basildon arising out of an incident involving the police on 1st May in Southend, details of which have been sent to him.

I understand from the Chief Constable of Essex that this case is currently the subject of an investigation under Section 49 of the Police Act, 1964. I am asking the Chief Constable to send me a report when this investigation is completed, and after any necessary reference to the Director of Public Prosections, and I will then write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make an early statement regarding police procedures for dealing with children suspected of crimes following his letter on the case of the child of a constituent of the hon. Member for Preston South named Cartmel.

In the case to which my hon. Friend refers the Chief Constable of Lancashire has had a full investigation carried out in accordance with Section 49 of the Police Act 1964 into complaints against police officers made by Mrs. Cartmel. My noble Friend wrote to my hon. Friend on 4th May to let him know the outcome of this investigation. In addition, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary has discussed the case with the Chief Constable.No general statement is called for, since chief officers of police are well aware of the guidance on the interrogation of children and young persons—whether suspected of crime or not— contained in the administrative directions to the Judges' Rules.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he hopes to make a decision on whether the Government will support "Total Play" which is engaged in experimental work on Merseyside in multi-racial communities; and if he will make a statement.

Application for Government support has been made to the Voluntary Services Unit, which makes grants to local projects only if they are innovatory and of national significance. On present information it seems unlikely that the "Total Play" project fulfils these criteria, but the matter is currently under discussion with the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total fund available through the Voluntary Services Unit for voluntary work which does not fall exclusively within the responsibility of any one Government Department.

The sum available to the VSU for this purpose in 1976–77 is £2–159 million.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will take immediate steps to ensure that sums disbursed by the Civil Service in respect of travel costs, and subsistence costs related thereto, are separable for accounting purposes.

That part of Departments' Supply Estimates for general administrative expenditure relating to travel and subsistence has been separately identifiable for control purposes for some years now. Since last financial year, 1975–76, this information has been recorded in such a manner as to ensure that the information can be reviewed centrally. What cannot be done, however, is to identify separately expenditure on travel, particularly distinguishing between different modes of travel. Arrangements to enable analyses to be carried out in such detail would be a substantial administrative task the cost of which I consider would not be justified.

asked the Lord President of the Council what has been the annual mortality of Members of the House of Commons for each year from 1965 to 1975; and how this compares in each such year with the national rate of mortality for adults of working age.

The information is as follows:

Annual mortality rate of honourable Members
1965	4
1966	6
1967	7
1968	6
1969	11
1970	2
1971	6
1972	4
1973	7
1974	2
1975	2

Annual United Kingdom death rate per million of population (men aged 15–64, women aged 15–59)
1965	4,513
1966	4,512
1967	4,319
1968	4,388
1969	4,506
1970	4,397
1971	4,271
1972	4,336
1973	4,240
1974	4,146
1975	not available

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will take steps to provide catering facilities for the public in the Palace of Westminster; and if he has considered utilising the Royal Gallery for this purpose.

I have been asked to reply.Successive Catering Sub-Committees have given much thought to the question of opening the facilities of the Refreshment Department to a wider public, particularly during recesses, but mainly for security reasons this has not been proceeded with. However, the proposal is currently under consideration again, as it could make a valuable contribution to the income of the Refreshment Department.Control of the Royal Gallery is vested in the Lord Great Chamberlain.

asked the Lord President of the Council what was the loss in the year ended 31st March 1976 on the operation of: (a) the Harcourt Room and (b) private dining rooms.

I have been asked to reply.The losses for the period in question were: (

asked the Lord President of the Council what is the longest interval, since February 1974, between the Second Reading of a Government Bill and its commencement in Committee.

The longest interval since February 1974 between the Second Reading of a Government Bill and its commencement in Committee was 75 days.

asked the Lord President of the Council what is the average length of time between the Second Reading of a Bill and the commencement of its Committee stage.

The average length of time between Second Reading and Committee stage of Bills in Session 1974–75 was 20 days.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 18th May.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 18th May.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 18th May.

There was a meeting of the Cabinet this morning and I shall be holding further meetings with my ministerial colleagues and others during the course of the day, including a meeting with Mr. Joshua Nkomo. This evening I shall be speaking at the annual dinner of the CBI.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made at Nottingham on 2nd May 1976, on economic policy represents Government policy.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Nottingham, on the economy, on 2nd May 1976, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech on the economy by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Nottingham on 2nd May represents Government policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer made at Nottingham on 2nd May 1976 on economic matters represents Government policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Nottingham on Sunday 2nd May on economic matters represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Nottingham on 2nd May on economic policy represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of the interview he gave on Government policy in the Sunday Mirror on 2nd May 1976.

Copies of the Sunday Mirror for 2nd May are already available in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister when he intends making his first visit to Northern Ireland.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 29th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Peterborough.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the CBI.

This evening, when I shall be speaking at the annual dinner of the CBI.

asked the Prime Minister when next he proposes to consult the leaders of the TUC.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett) on 7th May.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to meet the TUC and the CBI.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright).

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to consult the leaders of industry.

I have met representatives of the TUC and the CBI on a number of occasions recently and this evening I shall be speaking at the annual dinner of the CBI. Further meetings will be arranged as necessary.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Gwent.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Departments of Defence, Environment, Energy, Trade, Agriculture, Scottish and Welsh Offices, concerning the work of the Hydrographer to the Royal Navy.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to pay an official visit to the West Midlands.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to make an official visit to Merseyside.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the Turkish Prime Minister.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Nigeria.

I have at present no plans to do so. However, my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has just returned from Lagos, where he had two meetings with the Nigerian Commissioner for External Affairs. My hon. Friend delivered my reply to the Nigerian Head of State's letter of 22nd March requesting Her Majesty's Government's co-operation in securing the return of Yakubu Gowon to Nigeria to answer allegations of complicity in the abortive coup of 13th February. My letter explained that for reasons fundamental to the rule of law in Britain Her Majesty's Government were unable to meet the Nigerian request. I naturally hope that this issue will not be allowed to affect adversely the traditionally friendly relations between Britain and Nigeria.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the Northern Region.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the security surrounding the Soviet nuclear mission currently in the United Kingdom.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now announce the name of the Chairman of the Royal Commission on legal services.

I am glad to be able to tell the House that the Queen has approved the appointment of Sir Henry Benson, GBE, FCA, as Chairman of this Royal Commission.

asked the Prime Minister what change has been made in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.

I have appointed my noble Friend the Lord Hughes as a substitute member in place of my noble Friend the Baroness Phillips.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will states the overall complement of personnel employed in local government; what increase this represents over the past two years; and what percentage of the total manpower strength of England and Wales is now employed by local government.

At 13th December 1975, the latest date for which information is available, the number employed by local authorities and police authorities in England and Wales, excluding police cadets, civilians and traffic wardens and agency, magistrates' courts and probation staff, was 2,575,000. Between June 1973 and June 1975, the latest date for which annual figures are available, the estimated net increase in local authority staff was 118,000. In June 1975 about 11 per cent. of the working population was employed by local government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the atmospheric pollution caused by lead additives to petrol; and what steps are being taken to persuade the petrol companies to cease using these additives.

Yes, Sir, I and my right hon. Friend published draft regulations on 23rd April 1976 which would bring about a progressive reduction in the level of lead in petrol.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been made by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, or any other organisation known to him, of methods whereby owners of private cars and others are able or could be enabled to travel by public transport at costs lower than the marginal cost of similar journeys by private motor cars.

No studies in exactly these terms have been made for the Department, nor, to my knowledge, elsewhere. The main relevant issues, which are discussed in Paper 3 of Volume 2 of the Government's Consultative Document on Transport Policy, are the subject of numerous studies undertaken at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies are known to him, or commissioned by him, on methods whereby branch rail services in receipt of grant until 1973 might, without risk of increased loss, provide better services to their areas by commercial and publicity principles tailored to the unique circumstances of each service; and, if no such studies have been made, if he will initiate work in this field as part of his current transport review.

The Railways Board is continually making such studies as part of its responsibility for the management of the railways.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many private sidings have closed in the last five years.

679 out of a total of 2,367 in operation at the beginning of 1971. The net reduction is, however, only 456 since 223 have been opened during the period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has had presented to him in the course of the transport review that lower income groups prefer to travel by bus or coach rather than by rail, where the cost of rail and coach/bus travel is the same.

None; as the cost of rail travel is rarely the same as the cost of coach/bus travel for comparable journeys, I am advised that information on people's preferences in such circumstances as my hon. Friend postulates could not readily be ascertained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to ensure that coach builders install suitable mountings for the fitting of seat belts for: (a) all coach seats (b) drivers' seats and (c) front and centre rear seats.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Cannock (Mr. Roberts) and Thornaby (Mr. Wrigglesworth) on 4th February 1976.I am preparing a standard for safer coach seats which would reduce the effects of the impact when passengers were thrown forward against them in an accident. Seat belts may be needed for passengers in unprotected positions, and for the driver. I shall consult interested organisations as soon as my proposals are ready, which may not be for some time yet.—[Vol. 904, c. 642–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he estimates are: (i) the road provision and maintenance costs, and (ii) the environment costs, which can at present be attributed to goods vehicles, especially those over 3·5 tons gross vehicle weight.

Road provision and maintenance costs estimated to be attributable to goods vehicles for the financial year 1975–76 are £650 million. Of these £53·5 million can be attributed to goods vehicles over 3·5 tons gross vehicle weight.Environmental costs cannot be precisely valued. An independent analysis quoted in Volume 2 of the Consultation Document on Transport Policy however suggests a minimum figure of about £70 million for goods vehicles over 3·5 tons gross weight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the normal age of retirement for persons employed by his Department as inspectors; and how many have retired in each of the last five years.

The minimum age of retirement for salaried inspectors is 60 years, but inspectors can continue beyond that age subject to annual reviews of health and efficiency. The numbers of retirements in each of the past five years were:

1971	7
1972	10
1973	10
1974	9
1975	5
1976 to date	1
The average age at retirement was 64 years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment under what circumstances he can remove persons from his Department's list of inspectors; and how many persons have been removed from the list in these circumstances during the last five years.

Salaried inspectors are subject to the normal Civil Service rules concerning health and efficiency. In the past five years six inspectors have been retired on medical grounds, and one because of limited efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average age of the 213 salaried inspectors and the 47 fee-paid inspectors employed by his Department.

The average age of the salaried inspectors is 56 years, and of the fee-paid inspectors 64 years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what distinctions he makes between authorising or designating capital expenditure on new roads and that on new waterways, stating specifically the basis for any such distinction.

New waterway construction for commercial purposes is appraised on the normal financial criteria applicable to nationalised industries generally, though social costs and benefits may in appropriate cases be taken into account.Road schemes, for which a commercial test is inappropriate, are judged against cost-benefit criteria.The comparison of these two methods is dealt with in the Consultation Document on Transport Policy: Paper 5 in Volume 2, in particular, is relevant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the structure of public inquiries on motorways and trunk roads; and if he will make a statement.

Representations have been received from eight organisations, including the Council for the Protection of Rural England, the Conservation Society, and the Civic Trust. Their suggestions about inquiry procedures are being considered in consultation with the Council on Tribunals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that the public inquiry into the proposed Airedale Trunk Road is held in a town along or adjacent to the route in order to provide maximum access to those affected; and if he will ensure that some evening sessions are held to enable working people to attend without loss of earnings.

The public inquiry will be a local inquiry, as required by the First Schedule to the Highways Act 1959 as amended. Its location has not yet been decided. The holding of evening sessions will be a matter for the inspector but I shall certainly draw my hon. Friend's suggestions to his attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet in a position to announce the date of the public inquiry into the proposed Airedale Trunk Road; what alterations in procedure he proposes; and if his proposals will ensure full access for all objectors.

The arrangements for this inquiry have not yet been settled and will be announced as soon as possible. It is expected that by the opening date statutory rules of procedure for these inquiries will be in operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his latest estimate of the level of industrial investment in 1976 –77, and if he will show how this compares, in real terms, with actual in vestment in 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1974.

Investment in real terms by United Kingdom manufacturing industry has been:

	£ million
	1970 prices
1964	1,561
1968	1,851
1972	1,738
1974	2,087

The last survey of investment intentions by my Department in November/ December 1975 indicated that investment in 1976 would be about £1,700 million, at 1970 prices, and that in 1977 there would be a large increase compared with the previous year.The results of the latest CBI industrial trends survey, published on 4th May, were of the same order for 1976; and although no forecast was given for the whole of 1977, the indications were that investment would start increasing during 1976 and that total manufacturing investment in the 12 months to June 1977 would be about 10 per cent. above that in the previous 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if, taking 1964 as a base year, he will express the yearly level of industrial investment between 1964 and 1975; and how this compares with Great Britain's major competitors.

The index of annual investment in real terms by United Kingdom manufacturing industry, taking 1964 as base year, is shown in the table.The available data for our major competitors are not strictly comparable, and the main differences are indicated in the footnotes. No data in real terms are readily available for Germany, Japan or the United States.Meaningful comparisons could not be made from data at current prices (which are more generally available) because of different rates of inflation, especially in recent years.

FIXED INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY (1964=100)
	United Kingdom	France	Italy
	(1)	(2)	(3)
1965	111	103	79
1966	114	112	87
1967	111	116	99
1968	119	118	110
1969	127	*	122
1970	136	[157]	138
1971	128	[167]	140
1972	111	*	140
1973	119	*	164
1974	134	*	*
1975	116	*	*
* Not available.
(1) Based on data at 1970 prices.
(2) Based on data at 1963 prices; [ figure, are based on an estimate for 1964, and include construction; other figures include fishing and quarrying of building materials, and exclude construction.
(3) Based on data at 1970 prices; includes ruining and quarrying, construction, gas, electricity and water.
Sources:
United Kingdom—Department of Industry.
Other countries—National Accounts of OECD Countries.
Except []—UN Yearbook of National Accounts Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps have been taken at Council of Ministers or Commission level in the EEC to consider Community legislation for control of multinational organisations.

The Commission's Communication to the Council on "Multinational Undertakings and Community Regulations" (R/2746/73 of 7th November 1973) proposed a number of actions which, though not specifically directed at multinational companies, aimed at providing an effective framework for their operations in the EEC. The proposals, which deal with matters such as the protection of employees, rules to control mergers, law relating to groups of companies and provision of information, are being followed up as appropriate by the Commission in consultation with member Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action is being taken to increase job opportunities in West Yorkshire.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the volume of paper production in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom during the years 1950, 1960, 1965 and in each year since 1970, inclusive.

The volume of paper and board production—excluding building board in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom is shown below:

Scotland
	thousand tonnes
1950	340
1960	482
1965	529
1970	583
1971	544
1972	546
1973	584
1974	604
1975	451

United Kingdom
	thousand tonnes
1950	2,578
1960	4,063
1965	4,537
1970	4,903
1971	4,336
1972	4,338
1973	4,672
1974	4,597
1975	3,634

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if lay representatives of workers and employers have been involved in the discussions relating to the 30 industrial sectors identified for selective assistance in January 1976; and, if not, why not.

Yes. The 30 sectors—now increased to 32—were chosen for study as part of the industrial strategy work, not for selective assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (I) whether he has received any representations from the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions regarding industrial democracy in respect of the proposed British Aerospace Corporation; and whether he will make a statement thereon;(2) whether he will outline his plans for consultation between his department and the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions regarding the establishment of the British Aerospace Corporation.

I have had close consultations with the CSEU on the industrial democracy provisions of the Bill, on which I have tabled Report stage amendments; and on the liaison arrangements between the CSEU and the Organising Committee for British Aerospace. The Committee is anxious to enter full consultations as soon as the CSEU are ready.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will place in the Library the terms and conditions of the appointment of Sir George Leitch as chairman of Short Brothers and Harland.

Sir George Leitch's appointment as Chairman of Short Brothers and Harland will be for a period of three years in the first instance. His salary will be £6,250 per annum on the assumption that he will need to devote an average of two and half days per week to the job. This salary may be subject to review in the light of decisions reached on the recommendations of the Top Salaries Review Body.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what recent communications he has had from the Iranian Government on the purchase of Concorde; what contractual agreements had been agreed between BAC and the Iranian Government about such a purchase; and what effect a cancellation of the order would have upon the production of the aircraft.

I have had no recent communciation from the Iranian Government on the purchase of Concorde, which is being negotiated between British Aircraft Corporation and Iranair. In the absence of a firm order the aircraft are being manufactured to a standard which, with relatively small modifications, would meet the requirements either of Iranair or another purchaser.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied that the payment of £115,000 to two former directors of Alfred Herbert Limited is:' (a) in accordance with the guidelines to the NEB and (b) the result of a contractual liability absorbed by the NEB.

The Scheme of Arrangement for Alfred Herbert Ltd., issued in November last, envisaged that some compensation would be needed in consequence of certain senior management changes. It was a matter for the company to decide the appropriate sums in the light of its obligations. Under the terms of the NEB guidelines decisions of this sort are matters left to the NEB and its subsidiaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Open University concerning the hardships suffered by Open University students in England and Wales as a result of the Post Office's decision to discontinue the collection of mail on Sundays.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students qualified as schoolteachers in Welsh colleges in 1974 and 1975, respectively: how many appoint- ments were made to schools in Wales in those years; how many such students he estimates will qualify as teachers in 1976; and how many jobs there will be for them.

In 1974 and 1975 it is estimated that 2,600 and 2,500 students respectively successfuly completed courses of initial training in Wales. The Department's figures do not separately distinguish appointments to Welsh and to English schools. I expect that an estimated 2,300 will successfully complete courses of initial training in Wales this summer. A high proportion of these who seek employment in teaching are likely to find it; but uncertainty about trends in wastage rates from and to the profession makes it impossible to give a reliable estimate of their number.

asked the Attorney-General whether it is the practice of the Director of Public Prosecutions to take over private prosecutions for illegal importation of birds, animals or animal skins, in order to enter a nolle prosequi

No. The Director has no specific practice governing the take-over of private prosecutions other than to treat each case on its merits.

asked the Attorney-General if he will refer to the DPP with a view to prosecution the reception by the National Coal Board of consignments of timber from Rhodesia, in breach of sanctions.

If the hon. Member has evidence of the commission of a criminal offence and will provide me with it, I shall be willing to consider whether to refer it to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give a full list of the members of the board of the BNOC, indicating in each case their industrial qualifications and special expertise connected with the oil and gas industries.

The corporation's members are drawn from a wide range of industrial experience and in particular a majority of the members have been involved with the oil and gas industries, particularly in the development of the Continental Shelf.Full details of their previous appointments were given in the Department of Energy Press Notices, 296, 301 and 302, of 23rd December 1975, 8th January 1976 and 12th January 1976 respectively, copies of which were placed in the Library at the time of the announcements.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the percentage rate of inflation currently being incurred for the provision of major items of plant and equipment in the North Sea.

It is impossible to devise a statistically sound basis for an index of the prices of major items of North Sea equipment. In so far as such rates can be meaningfully calculated for a wide range of equipment, there is evidence suggesting that prices are rising more slowly than during the last two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what he estimates would be the fall in petrol consumption if motor fuel taxation were increased by 10p, 15p and 20p per gallon.

On the basis of past experience, petrol consumption might fall by about 3 per cent. for a price increase of 10p per gallon, by about 4 per cent. for an increase of 15p and by about 5 per cent. for an increase of 20p.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make available in the Library copies of all papers submitted to his 22nd June Energy Conference; and whether hon. Members interested will be invited to observe the proceedings or participate.

I shall certainly arrange for copies of all the conference papers to be placed in the Library, and I also intend that the conference proceedings and papers should be published. I regret that considerations of space preclude a general invitation to interested hon. Members to attend the conference, but I have invited the Chairmen of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries and the Select Committee on Science and Technology to participate in the conference with some of their members, and I have also invited two hon. Members from the Conservative Party, and one from each of the following parties: Liberal, Scottish Nationalist, Plaid Cymru and United Ulster Unionist Coalition.