Written Answers

Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 10th June 1976

Home Department

London Boroughs

48.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish figures for each of the years 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970

ALL INDICTABLE CRIMES KNOWN TO THE POLICE(1)
		1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975
Barking	…	4,971	4,938	5,109	5,161	5,967	6,374
Barnet	…	8,913	9,310	9,613	9,625	11,269	12,726
Bexley	…	4,079	4,396	4,856	4,899	5,685	6,588
Brent	…	8,940	10,123	10,543	10,811	12,917	14,410
Bromley	…	6,964	7,872	8,287	9,300	10,301	11,438
Camden	…	17,539	18,690	19,056	18,713	20,354	20,907
Croydon	…	10,477	11,439	11,183	11,230	13,220	14,581
Ealing	…	9,111	10,563	11,764	11,569	13,816	15,269
Enfield	…	5,690	6,520	6,402	6,094	7,715	9,303
Greenwich	…	7,554	8,410	8,489	8,644	10,143	10,693
Hackney	…	11,081	11,625	11,858	12,097	13,922	14,604
Hammersmith	…	10,058	10,408	11,219	11,304	12,406	13,071
Haringey	…	8,326	9,477	9,823	9,911	11,711	13,740
Harrow	…	4,208	4,388	4,714	4,587	5,737	6,501
Havering	…	5,704	6,428	6,721	6,751	8,838	9,873
Hillingdon(2)	…	5,986	5,867	6,707	7,049	8,396	8,864
Hounslow(3)	…	6,399	7,211	7,662	7,624	10,117	10,085
Islington	…	12,002	13,402	13,152	12,563	13,718	14,876
Kensington and Chelsea		20,318	21,625	21,743	21,757	23,131	23,248
Kingston	…	4,282	4,832	4,363	3,975	4,920	5,409
Lambeth	…	15,898	16,410	18,421	18,310	21,509	23,847
Lewisham	…	10,126	10,765	11,270	12,364	14,721	16,426
Merton	…	4,514	4,873	4,839	4,736	5,271	6,175
Newham	…	9,705	10,124	10,141	9,726	11,653	12,128
Redbridge	…	5,794	6,557	6,581	6,282	7,590	8,189
Richmond	…	4,975	5,388	5,372	5,587	6,146	6,984
Southward	…	12,670	13,306	14,437	15,179	17,632	19,804
Sutton	…	3,377	3,851	3,656	3,511	4,575	5,077
Tower Hamlets	…	10,776	12,253	11,861	12,073	13,507	15,069
Waltham Forest	…	5,996	7,077	7,027	6,201	8,247	8,341
Wandsworth	…	11,207	12,773	13,245	13,459	14,423	15,881
Westminster	…	43,856	44,953	49,063	48,687	51,630	55,416

Notes:

(1) Excluding criminal damage where property to the value of less than £20 was damaged. The figures exclude crimes reported by Thames Division which cannot be attributed to any particular London borough.

The figures for 1970 and 1971 are not comparable with those for later years because of changes in the law on criminal damage as a result of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

(2) Excluding that part of Heathrow airport which is in the borough of Hillingdon.

(3) Excluding that part of Heathrow airport which is in the borough of Hounslow.

Television Licence Fees

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list in the Official Report details of any deductions made by the Home Office from BBC licence fees collected on the BBC's behalf by the Post Office or of any such deductions made by the Post Office;

and for 1965 of crimes known to the police in London boroughs.

The available information, which concerns indictable offences known to the police, is set out in the following table. I regret that the information requested for 1965 is not available.(2) if he will give details in the

Official Report of the expenditure by the Home Office of any part of the fees paid by BBC licence holders and retained and spent by his Department or under instructions from his Department.

The Post Office pays the Home Office the gross television licence fees it collects. These are paid to the BBC after the deduction of management costs which for 1975–76 are estimated as:

	£ million
Licence issue	4·4
Enforcement	13·5
Interference investigation	2·1
Miscellaneous	0·8
	20·8

After adjustments of about £0·5 million relating to previous financial years, it is estimated that the total deductions for 1975–76 will be about £21¼ million.

Dogs (Ownership Identification)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of domestic dogs required by law to wear collars bearing the owners' identification; what percentage of owners he estimates to be in breach of the law on this point; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to see that the law is either enforced or changed.

All domestic dogs are required by law to wear a collar with the owner's identification while they are in a highway or place of public resort. I regret that figures of the number of persons proceeded against for failing to have the owner's identification inscribed on the dog's collar are not separately collected.As regards the last part of the question, consideration is currently being

A.20 ENGLISH CONSTITUENCIES WITH LARGEST ELECTORATES
Constituency						Provisional 1976 parliamentary electorate	Difference from provisional 1976 electoral quota (65,753)	Percentage difference from provisional electoral quota (+%)
Newton	…	…	…	…	…	99,615	33,862	51
Ormskirk	…	…	…	…	…	99,132	33,379	51
Meriden	…	…	…	…	…	98,538	32,785	50
Basildon	…	…	…	…	…	96,469	30,716	47
Horsham and Crawley		…	…	…	…	95,535	29,782	45
Norfolk, South	…	…	…	…	…	95,287	29,534	45
Wirral	…	…	…	…	…	94,926	29,173	44
Rother Valley	…	…	…	…	…	94,719	28,966	44
Lichfield and Tamworth	…	…	…	…	…	94,517	28,764	44
Norfolk, North	…	…	…	…	…	94,128	28,375	43
Abingdon	…	…	…	…	…	93,245	27,492	42
Bromsgrove and Redditch	…	…	…	…	…	93,114	27,361	42
South Fylde	…	…	…	…	…	92,883	27,130	41
Somerset, North	…	…	…	…	…	92,836	27,083	41
Don Valley	…	…	…	…	…	92,578	26,825	41
Basingstoke	…	…	…	…	…	92,197	26,444	40
Brigg and Scunthorpe	…	…	…	…	…	92,084	26,331	40
Hertfordshire, East	…	…	…	…	…	92,075	26,322	40
Thurrock	…	…	…	…	…	91,514	25,761	39
Bury St. Edmunds	…	…	…	…	…	91,164	25,411	39

given to relevant recommendations of the Working Party on Dogs whose report was recently submitted to my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Sport and Recreation.

Lincoln Prison (Workshop)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the standard of building at the workshop extension completed last year at Lincoln prison.

Yes.

Parliamentary Constituencies

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now publish in the Official Report the figures, by reference to the electoral register which came into operation in February, of the 20 constituencies in England with, respectively, the highest and lowest electorates, specifying the same, and the number and per cent. by which each exceeds, or falls short of, as the case may be, the prescribed electoral quota, which information was asked for in the parliamentary Question of 1st April by the right hon. and learned Member for Hertfordshire, East and communicated to him by letter of 24th May 1976.

The information, which is provisional at this stage, is as follows:

B.20 ENGLISH CONSTITUENCIES WITH SMALLEST ELECTORATES
Constituency					Provisional 1976 parliamentary electorate	Difference from provisional 1976 electoral quota (65,753)	Percentage difference from provisional electoral quota (-%)
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Central	…	…	…	…	24,114	41,639	63
Gateshead, West	…	…	…	…	30,484	35,269	54
Liverpool, Scotland Exchange	…	…	…	…	35,100	30,653	47
Birmingham, Ladywood	…	…	…	…	37,847	27,906	42
Manchester, Central	…	…	…	…	37,971	27,782	42
Salford, East	…	…	…	…	38,007	27,746	42
Liverpool, Edge Hill	…	…	…	…	38,179	27,574	42
Holborn and St. Pancras, South		…	…	…	38,887	26,866	41
Manchester, Openshaw	…	…	…	…	39,415	26,338	40
Islington, North	…	…	…	…	39,482	26,271	40
St. Pancras, North	…	…	…	…	40,662	25,091	38
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North	…	…	…	…	40,716	25,037	38
Islington, South and Finsbury	…	…	…	…	40,847	24,906	38
St. Marylebone	…	…	…	…	42,334	23,419	36
Berwick-upon-Tweed	…	…	…	…	42,520	23,233	35
Islington, Central	…	…	…	…	43,575	22,178	34
Battersea, North	…	…	…	…	44,250	21,503	33
Liverpool, Kirkdale	…	…	…	…	44,326	21,427	33
Vauxhall	…	…	…	…	44,564	21,189	32
Liverpool, Toxteth	…	…	…	…	44,759	20,994	32

"The Children Of God"

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any up to date information about the activities of the sect "The Children of God" in the United Kingdom.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to the debate on the motion for the Adjournment about the activities of this sect on 11th February.Our Department was informed earlier this year by the sect that all its foreign members in this country were being moved abroad; most have since left.—[Vol. 905, c. 582–8.]

Dennis Warren

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what punishment has been imposed on Dennis Warren as a result of his failure to wear prison shoes;(2) whether Dennis Warren now wears prison shoes.

Mr. Warren does not wear prison shoes because they are considered unsuitable on medical grounds. He wears prison boots for work.He was punished in July 1975 for refusing to wear prison shoes by the loss of seven days' remission and three days' earnings, together with three days' cellular confinement. In the light of later medical advice, the remission and earnings were restored in September 1975. A suspended award of 14 days' loss of remission, which had been activated when he was punished, was also set aside.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to investigate allegations of criminal behaviour made against Home Office employees by Dennis Warren; and with what result.

The allegations made by Dennis Warren in late 1974 of trafficking by a prison officer at Sudbury prison were fully investigated at the time by the Governor. The officer concerned admitted distributing to inmates a small amount of tobacco given by an outside firm for whom they were working; there was no evidence of corrupt intent and the offence was dealt with as a disciplinary matter under the Code of Discipline for Prison Officers.

Nuclear Power Stations And Material

Q4.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination of the Secretary of State for Energy, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Home Secretary in forming satisfactory security arrangements for nuclear power stations and nuclear waste.

Yes.

Cheltenham

Q5.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Cheltenham in the near future.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Foreign Governments

Q6.

asked the Prime Minister if he will establish a Royal Commission to inquire into possible South African Government involvement in British political life.

Q13.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will recommend the setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate the possibility that attempts have been made by foreign countries to discredit British politicians.

Q15.

asked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to consider the possibility that South African interests or the South African Government are involved in a plot or plots to smear and discredit British politicians.

The information made available to Her Majesty's Government concerning these alleged activities is being studied by the appropriate authorities. I do not see any need for a Royal Commission.

Government Policies

Q7.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied with the progress of the Government in implementing the policies contained in the Queen's Speech.

Progress so far has been generally satisfactory, and it remains the Government's firm resolve to surmount all obstacles in the way of the fulfilment of our policies.

£Sterling

Q8.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will seek to have inscribed on the agenda for the next EEC Prime Ministers' meeting the question of the strength of the £ sterling.

The next meeting of the European Council will discuss a wide range of topics, including no doubt, the world economic situation.

Price Code (Prime Minister's Speech)

Q9.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the public speech he made to the CBI on 18th May regarding the Price Code.

Q30.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech made on 8th May in London to the CBI about the economy.

I did so on 19th May.

Trades Union Congress

Q10.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list the main items raised with him by the TUC since 5th May 1976.

There have been discussions between the Government and the TUC on a wide range of matters, including, in particular, the proposals for the next pay round and preliminary consideration of a new social contract.

Ministerial Broadcasts

Q11.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to broadcast to the nation.

Q28.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a ministerial broadcast on the Government's economic strategy.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Lawson) on 27th April.

Castor

Q12.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Castor.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Saudi Arabia

Q14.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

During Crown Prince Fahd's official visit to this country last October, my predecessor accepted Prince Fahd's invitation to visit Saudi Arabia. My right hon. Friend was not able to fulfil the engagement before leaving office. I look forward to taking up the invitation at a mutually convenient date.

Prime Minister (Engagements)

Q16.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for Thursday 10th June.

Q20.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 10th June.

Q25.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 10th June 1976.

Q27.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements, for 10th June.

I chaired a meeting of the Cabinet this morning. I shall be holding further meetings with my ministerial colleagues and others throughout the day.

Cathcart

Q17.

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

I have at present no plans to do so. But I hope to visit Scotland again soon.

Cyprus

Q18.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to the Republic of Cyprus.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) on 9th June.

Trade Union Conferences

Q19.

asked the Prime Minister which trades union conferences he intends to attend this year.

I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Mr. Ward) on 8th June.

Economic Affairs (Prime Minister's Speech)

Q21.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on economic policies on 19th May to the AUEW in Scarborough.

I did so on the 20th May.

Cbi

Q22.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the CBI.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) on 27th May.

Tuc Conference

Q23.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received an invitation to address the special TUC Conference on 16th June.

No.

Opec States

Q24.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will invite the leaders of other oil producing countries to meet him in London.

I have no immediate plans for meetings here with the Heads of Government of OPEC States. However, it remains the Government's policy to conduct bilateral exchanges of view with the Governments of oil-producing countries at all suitable opportunities. President Perez of Venezuela has accepted an invitation to visit the United Kingdom, and I look forward to taking up outstanding invitations, which have been accepted, for me to visit Iran, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Coventry

Q26.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Coventry.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Small Businesses And Self- Employed Persons

Q29.

asked the Prime Minister whether, he is satisfied with the departmental co-ordination between those Ministers who bear some responsibility for small businesses and the self-employed.

Yes.

Salisbury

Q31.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Salisbury.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Secretary Of State For Energy (Speech)

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech of the Secretary of State for Energy on 3rd June represents the views of the Government on the European Economic Community.

My right hon. Friend made it clear that he accepts the decision of the British people in the referendum on EEC membership and that the member States of the Community should seek constructive ways of working together for the common good. This is the policy of the Government.

Prime Minister (Speeches And Broadcasts)

asked the Prime Minister whether as a matter of policy he will place in the Library copies of all his speeches on official occasions and of his Prime Ministerial broadcasts.

This is already my practice.

Defence

Hospitals

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name those hospitals in the United Kingdom which are operated by a visiting force.

Two hospitals in the United Kingdom are operated by a visiting force. They are at RAF Laken-heath and RAF Upper Heyford and both are operated by the United States Air Force.

Employment

Industrial Stoppages

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many man-days were lost due to industrial stoppages during 1975; and how many man-days lost per 1,000 working man days, for Wales, Scotland and England, respectively.

It is estimated that 6,012,000 working days were lost as a result of industrial stoppages in the United Kingdom during 1975.In the official statistics incidence rates are expressed as numbers of working days lost per 1,000 employees in employment. On this basis, in 1975, 258 working days were lost per 1,000 employees in Wales, 366 in Scotland and 249 in England.

NOTE. The estimate of employees in employment used in these calculations are provisional and may have to be revised when the results of the 1975 census of employment becomes available.

Travel Industry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the current average earnings in the travel industry as compared with average earnings for industry as a whole.

It is regretted that this information is not available. Travel businesses do not form a separate industry for which separate statistics are compiled by my Department.

WORK PERMITS (INCLUDING PERMISSIONS^*) ISSUED FOR CITIZENS OF ARGENTINE 1971–75 TO WORK IN GREAT BRITAIN
Industrial Group		1971	1972	1973	1974	1975
Industry and Commerce	…	68	42	47	NA	NA
Hotel and Catering	…	26	29	11	NA	NA
Entertainment	…	29	37	52	NA	NA
Nursing	…	2	3	2	NA	NA
Resident Domestics	…	23	22	23	NA	NA
TOTAL	…	148	133	135	115	92
^* Issued for workers already in Great Britain.
NA = Not available (analysis no longer carried out).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many work permits were issued during 1975 to Commonwealth and foreign workers for employment in wholesale and retail selling occupation.

The number of work permits—including permissions given to overseas nationals in this country—issued during 1975 to Commonwealth and foreign workers for employment in wholesale and retail occupations was 200 including 62 for Commonwealth workers.

Wales

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees were in employment in Wales in December of each of the last three years.

The provisional numbers of employees in employment in Wales at December 1974 and December 1975 were 1,000,000 and 977,000, respectively. Comparable information for December 1973 is not available. At June 1973, June 1974 and June 1975 the estimates were 1,000,000, 992,000 and 988,000 respectively. The estimate for June 1975 is provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many unfilled vacancies there were in Wales in April

Work Permits

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many work permits were granted to citizens of Argentina to work in the United Kingdom for each of the last five years together; and in what industrial group these persons worked.

The available information is as follows:1976; and what were the corresponding figures for April 1973, April 1974 and April 1975.

Following is the information:

NOTIFIED UNFILLED VACANCIES IN WALES
	Employment offices	Careers offices
April 1973	8,066	2,587
April 1974	8,911	3,182
April 1975	6,516	1,381
April 1976	5,355	739

The figures relate only to vacancies notified to employment offices and careers offices and are not a measure of total vacancies. Because of possible duplication, the two series should not be added together.

Unemployment Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the number and percentage of unemployed persons under 20 years in Wales, Scotland and England, respectively, in January 1976, or at a more recent date.

Following is the latest information available which is for January 1976:

	Numbers unemployed under 20 years of age	Percentage of total unemployed
Wales	14,535	18·8
Scotland	32,333	21·5
England	177,677	17·3

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Colonial Postage Stamps

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Crown colonies have issued postage stamps not bearing a representation of the Queen.

Two Crown colonies have issued postage stamps not carrying the Queen's insignia:

(i) Montserrat—the definitive issue which was released on 2nd July 1970; and

(ii) Belize—A "Bridges of the World" issue released on 23rd September 1971.

British North America Acts

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has received from the Canadian Government about their plans to request the patriation to Canada of the British North America Acts of 1867 to 1946.

I have received no proposals from the Canadian Government on this matter. The British North America Acts, which contain the constitution of Canada, can be amended in certain important respects only by Act of the United Kingdom Parliament. The Canadian Prime Minister has expressed publicly the desire of the Canadian Government that this power of amendment should be a matter of Canadian competence and should no longer be exercisable by the United Kingdom Parliament. If a request to effect such a change were to be received from the Parliament of Canada it would be in accordance with precedent for the United Kingdom Government to introduce in Parliament, and for Parliament to enact, appropriate legislation in compliance with the request.

Algeria (British Subjects)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied with the treatment of British subjects working in Algeria; and if he will make a statement.

There have been disturbing reports of British subjects employed in Algeria, for example, in teaching posts in universities and schools, who have experienced great difficulties and delay in obtaining the payments and other benefits specified in their contracts. British subjects have also been caused distress by the requirement of the Algerian Government that expatriates from most countries employed there should obtain an exit visa before being allowed to leave the country. It is obviously a cause for concern that there may be a critical delay in obtaining an exit visa, even where there are health or compassionate reasons for a British subject to wish to leave the country quickly. We have repeatedly drawn the attention of the Algerian authorities to this matter.

Scotland

Teachers

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many extra teachers would be required to reduce the average class size in Glasgow primary schools to 30, 25 and 20.

This information is not available centrally without special analysis of the school census data.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many teachers in the secondary and primary sectors are over the age of 65 years;(2) how many teachers are between the ages of 60 years and 65 years.

At September 1974 the latest date for which information has been analysed there were 390 full-time teachers in education authority primary and secondary schools who by 31st December 1974 would have reached their 65th birthday; and 2,101 full-time teachers who by that date would have reached their 60th but not their 65th birthdays.

River Tay (Pollution)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what prosecutions took place under the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Acts in relation to the River Tay in 1975.

I have been asked to reply, since prosecutions in Scotland are my responsibility.The answer is "None".

Part-Time Schooling

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the month-by-month return by each education authority

PRIMARY
Authority			Jan.	Feb.	Mar.	Apr.	May	June	Sept.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
Ayrshire	…	…	3,505	3,200	3,315	3,443	3,313
Argyll	…	…	50	50	50	50	50
Edinburgh	…	…	364	729	943	23	—
Glasgow	…	…	1,239	2,657	2,808	3,345	2,300
Lanark	…	…	153	52	242	214	283
Stirlingshire	…	…	—	—	529	23	—
Strathclyde	…	…						5,893	2,689	1,378	4,225	3,640
TOTAL	…	…	5,311	6,688	7,887	7,098	5,946	5,893	2,689	1,378	4,225	3,640

SECONDARY
Authority		Jan.	Feb.	Mar.	Apr.	May	June	Sept.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
Argyll	…	787	787	759	762	754
Ayrshire	…	455	838	837	744	38
Caithness	…	239	237	237	257	388
Dumfries	…	1,528	1,852	1,752	1,884	1,885
Dumbartonshire	…	3,800	3,571	3,459	3,463	3,460
Edinburgh	…	40	618	493	341	406
Fife	…	—	—	1,201	951	1,294
Glasgow	…	12,071	8,212	9,324	10,492	5,848
Lanarkshire	…	16,060	15,919	18,051	18,184	15,833
Renfrewshire	…	3,677	3,330	3,229	3,469	3,413
Stirlingshire	…	157	157	157	—	—
Dumfries/Galloway	…						1,892	231	233	232	231
Fife	…						467	—	—	—	—
Highland	…						66	239	239	354	—
Lothian	…						611	300	895	347	582
Strathclyde	…						26,220	12,769	18,865	20,718	21,977
TOTAL	…	38,814	35,521	39,499	40,547	33,319	29,256	13,539	20,232	21,651	22,790

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the last return from each education authority in respect of the number of pupils subject to part-time education in the primary sector; to which date these returns applied in each region; and how many pupils were shown to be affected in each region.

On 3rd May, the date to which the latest returns related, no part-time education was reported.

Social Services

Chest Clinics

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of the population served by the Wanstead and Woodford Chest Clinic has come from the New Commonwealth in the last 10 years.

The latest figures yet available are for 1971 when less than 1 per

of pupils on part-time education in the primary and secondary sectors during 1975.

The information is set out in the tables below:cent. of the catchment population were born in the New Commonwealth. The dates of their arrival in the United Kingdom are not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of recorded cases of tuberculosis covered by the Ealing Chest Clinic in each of the last five years.

The number of new cases recorded are:

1971	170
1972	175
1973	189
1974	168
1975	176

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of recorded cases of tuberculosis covered by the Wanstead and Woodford Chest Clinic in each of the last five years.

The number of new cases recorded are:

1971	48
1972	29
1973	21
1974	10
1975	11

Tuberculosis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many tuberculosis visitors there were in Great Britain in each of the last five years.

The numbers in whole time equivalents for England and Wales were:

30th September 1971	178
30th September 1972	164
30th September 1973	147
30th September 1974	152

The figures for September 1975 are not yet available, but at 31st March 1975 there were 140. Figures for Scotland do not separate tuberculosis visitors from other health visitors.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will set up a statistical analysis of all cases of tuberculosis, including the country of origin of each case;(2) what proportion of the total number of recorded cases of tuberculosis in 1975 was from the immigrant population of those who have come to Great Britain in the last five years;(3) what proportion of the total number of recorded cases of tuberculosis in 1975 was from the immigrant population of those who have come to Great Britain in the last 10 years.

An analysis of cases of tuberculosis, including country of origin, is undertaken in the studies carried out from time to time by the British Thoracic and Tuberculosis Association.As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Harrow, Central (Mr. Grant) on 25th February—[Vol. 906, c.

273]—notifications do not require the country of birth to be recorded.

Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool (Casualty Department)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will expand the casualty department at the Broadgreen Hospital.

Officers of the Mersey Regional Health Authority are currently conducting a feasibility study on a scheme submitted by the Liverpool Area Health Authority (Teaching) to upgrade the accident and emergency department of Broadgreen Hospital. When a suitable plan has been agreed, the regional health authority will consider the priority of the scheme for inclusion in the region's capital building programme.

Mobility Allowance

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the estimated extra annual cost of paying the mobility allowance for one year after retirement age and alternatively, for two years after retirement age to those awarded the allowance before reaching retirement age.

The best estimate we can make at the moment is that the cost would ultimately rise to around £1 million and £2 million, respectively.

Doctors (Migration)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many British or British-trained doctors left for posts abroad in the last 12-month period for which figures are available;(2) how many British or British-trained doctors came from abroad to take up posts in Great Britain in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Information is not available in the form requested. Details of the migration of doctors according to their country of birth were given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gower (Mr. Davies) on 18th March.—[Vol. 907, c. 629.]

Private Nursing Homes And Hospitals

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many non-profit-making nursing homes and hospitals exist outside the National Health Service; and how many beds these provide.

I regret that information is not available in this form. In the year ending 31st December 1974, the latest year for which figures are available however, 1,091 private nursing homes and hospitals containing 26,965 beds were registered with area health authorities in England under the Nursing Homes Act 1975. Non-profit-making nursing homes and hospitals are not separately identified among these. In addition, there may be some non-profit-making hospitals among the hospitals and nursing homes which are exempt from registration, namely those maintained or controlled by a Government Department, a local authority or any other authority or body constituted by special Act of Parliament or incorporated by Royal Charter.

Pensions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the estimated annual cost of providing wives aged 70 years or over who were not entitled to a pension in their own right and whose husbands were below retirement age, with a pension of £7·90 per week.

On the assumptions stated, £11 million, rising to £15 million if payment were extended to cases where the husband was 65 or over and deferring retirement or where the wife had a pension of less than £7·90 in her own right.

Child Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many child benefit books have already been printed and at what cost; whether they are going to be used for the payment of the £1 benefit for the first child; and, if not, how the £1 is going to be paid.

Only a few completed books have actually been produced. The final stage—the printing of the foils—began only after my statement to the House on 25th May. I regret that costs so far incurred cannot be isolated from total printing costs. These books will be used for child benefit payments for only children and will also be issued to families now getting family allowances as their existing books fall due for replacement from the late summer onwards. For families whose family allowance books have not been replaced by April 1977, arrangements will be made to give them the £1 for the first child by overstamping their family allowance books in Department of Health and Social Security local offices.

Prescriptions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prescriptions were issued by general practitioners for mental-emotional disorders in 1974 and 1975.

The latest available figures for preparations acting on the nervous system are shown below. However, these drugs are used for a variety of purposes apart from the treatment of mental and emotional disorders: a prescription does not indicate the condition in connection with which it was issued.

Preparations acting on the nervous system
Prescriptions dispensed in England during 1974^*
Number of prescriptions	Total net ingredient cost
73,837,000	£39,724,000
^* Figures shown are obtained from a sample of approximately one in 200 prescriptions dispensed.

Mentally Handicapped Children

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage of mentally handicapped children under the age of 15 years who lived at home in 1974 and 1975.

Reliable estimates of the total number of mentally handicapped children are not available; and it is thus not possible to quote the percentage who live at home. Some 15,000 are in hospitals, residential schools or local authority homes in England.

Mental Patients

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest annual estimate of the number of new patients attending for treatment for mental illness or mental handicap at: (a) day hospitals and (b) out-patient clinics.

The number of individual new patients attending for treatment at psychiatric day hospitals is not known. However the number of new spells of treatment at mental illness and mental handicap day hospitals in England in 1974 —the latest year for which information is available—for day patients and in-patients using day hospital facilities was 38,151. In addition, there were 12,556 new spells of day treatment provided in other departments of psychiatric hospitals. The number of new out-patients attending for treatment in England in 1974 was for mental illness—including child and adolescent psychiatry—201,531 and mental handicap 3,280.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the proportion of all hospital patients in National Health Service hospitals who are mentally disordered; and what is the percentage of all nursing staff in National Health Service hospitals who work in hospitals or units for the mentally disordered, including mentally ill and mentally handicapped.

Provisional figures indicate that on average at any one time the proportion of in-patients in National Health Service hospitals in England in 1975 under psychiatric care was 44 per cent. The proportion of nurses in all National Health Service hospitals in England in 1975 who work in hospitals and units for the mentally disordered was 22·6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally ill people attended workshops, day

				First Admissions	Readmissions	Total
Mental Illness Hospitals and units	…	…	…	56,140	114,687	170,827
Mental Handicap Hospitals and units	…	…	…	1,540	10,592	12,132
Total	…	…	…	57,680	125,279	182,959

Deaf Persons (Communication Equipment)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to Finidon communication telephone equipment for the deaf to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I am glad to say that arrangements have already been made.

Energy

Fuel Bills (Payment)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will place

centres or training centres in 1974 and 1975 and how many days were lost through mental disorder in Great Britain in 1974 and 1975.

It is estimated that at 31st March 1974 there were some 4,000 mentally ill persons over 16 in England attending local authority workshops and day centres. Training centres are normally for the mentally handicapped. Information for 1975 has not been collected in this form, on the grounds that it may be misleading to classify those attending in terms of diagnostic categories. The number of days of certified incapacity for sickness and invalidity for mental disorders^* in Great Britain for the year ending 1st June 1974 was some 30 million and in the year ending 31st May 1975 some 29·6 million: the corresponding figures for England were 23·9 million and 23·3 million.

^* DLN 290–315 according to International Classification of Diseases, 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the latest estimate of the annual number of first admissions to psychiatric hospitals and the latest estimate of the number of redamissions per year.

The numbers of first admissions and readmissions to psychiatric hospitals and units in England in 1974—the latest year for which statistics are available—were:in the Library a copy of the report of the committee chaired by the hon. Member for Widnes on payment of fuel bills; and when he intends to publish the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he hopes to complete his review of payment and collection methods for fuel bills.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to publish the report of the committee on methods of payment of fuel bills; and if he will make a statement.

I have now received the report of the informal review body which, as I informed the House on 16th February, was set up to undertake an informal review of the payment and collection arrangements of the gas and electricity industries.Following the resignation of Lord Lovell-Davis from the Government the chairmanship was assumed in April by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State—the hon. Member for Widnes (Mr. Oakes). I am placing a copy of the report in the Library of the House of Commons and it will be published as soon as possible. The report concentrates much of its attention on the need for new and improved methods of payment and collection for domestic fuel bills and recommends that the practice of disconnection under which the fuel industries concerned have statutory power to disconnect consumers who do not pay their bills should be replaced by alternative sanctions including court orders where these are appropriate.The committee also urges the need for the provision of more prepayment meters for the convenience of consumers who may wish to have them installed.The fuel industries, which have enjoyed the existing powers of disconnection since 1882, have expressed their gravest doubts about these recommendations and I have therefore asked them to send their considered comments to the Government so that they can be taken into account when the Government reach their own decisions on the matter.The issues raised by any proposal to change the present practice of discon-

BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTMENTS
			Age	First Appointed			Expiry of Current Appointment
NATIONAL COAL BOARD
Chairman:
Sir Derek Ezra	…	…	57	3rd July 1971	…	…	2nd July 1979
Deputy Chairman.
Mr. N. Siddall	…	…	58	1st October 1973	…	…	30th September 1978
Full-time Members
Mr. L. Grainger	…	…	58	1st June 1966	…	…	31st May 1977
Mr. G. C. Shephard	…	…	60	1st January 1969	…	…	31st December 1976
Mr. W. L. Miron	…	…	63	5th July 1971	…	…	4th July 1976
Mr. D. Davies	…	…	52	1st October 1973	…	…	30th September 1978
Mr. L. J. Mills	…	…	55	1st January 1974	…	…	31st December 1978
Mr. F. B. Harrison	…	…	49	7th May 1976	…	…	6th May 1981
Part-time Members.
Sir Jack Wellings	…	…	58	5th July 1971	…	…	4th July 1977
Mr. P. H. Robinson	…	…	c. 50	1st October 1973	…	…	30th September 1976
Mr. R. F. Richardson	…	…	62	1st January 1975	…	…	31st December 1977
Mr. K. J. Griffin	…	…	47	1st March 1976	…	…	28th February 1979

nections are very large and would in any case require legislation. I must therefore make it absolutely clear that although the Government will give the most careful consideration to the recommendations they have received, the fact of the publication of the report must not be taken as implying a Government endorsement of the recommendations contained within it.

The report is, however, a very important contribution to the public discussion of an issue that concerns consumers of gas and electricity and their families throughout the country, and will, I hope, focus attention on some of the choices that will have to be made. I am grateful to those who took part in the review for the work they have done, and the Government will have the benefit of that report, the public reaction, and the views of the fuel industries before they reach their conclusions, which will be announced in due course.

Ministerial Appointments

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the names, ages, date of first appointment and the date of expiry of current appointment of all the members of the nationalised industry boards for which he is responsible; and if he is ready to consider nominations or applications for vacancies as and when they occur.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th May 1976; Vol. 912, c. 273], gave the following information:

	Age	First Appointed	Expiry of Current Appointment
BRITISH GAS CORPORATION
Chairman:
Sir Arthur Hetherington	64	1st January 1973	Retires 30th June 1976
Deputy Chairman and Chairman Designate:
Mr. D. E. Rooke	52	1st January 1973	Becomes Chairman 1st July 1976–30th June 1981
Full-time Members:
Mr. J. A. Buckley	59	1st January 1973	Retiring 2nd October 1976
Mr. C. E. Mills	59	1st January 1973	31st December 1977
Mr. G. F. I. Roberts	50	1st January 1973	31st December 1977
Mr. J. H. Smith	58	1st January 1973	31st December 1977
Mr. R. L. Worsfold	50	1st January 1973	31st December 1977
Part-time Members:
Mr. D. Beavis	62	1st January 1973	31st December 1978
Mr. G. E. Cooper	61	1st January 1973	31st December 1978
Mr. P. E. Gallaher	58	1st January 1973	31st December 1978
Lord Ryder	59	1st January 1973	31st December 1978
Sir Ernest Woodroofe	64	1st January 1973	31st December 1978
Mr. D. G. Badham	61	11th December 1974	10th December 1977
Mr. A. F. Matthews	c. 55	27th October 1975	26th October 1978
Mr. H. P. Scanlon	62	12th May 1976	11th May 1979
Mr. R. Greenbury	c. 40	5th May 1976	4th May 1979
BRITISH NATIONAL OIL CORPORATION
Chairman:
Lord Kearton	65	1st January 1976	31st December 1978
Deputy Chairman:
Lord Balogh	c. 70	1st January 1976	31st December 1977
Civil Service Members (Part-time):
Mr. J. G. Liverman	55
Mr. L. Airey	50
Part-time Members:
Mr. W. Camp	50	1st January 1976	31st December 1978
Mr. I. Clark	c. 37	1st January 1976	31st December 1978
Sir Robert Fairbairn	65	1st January 1976	31st December 1978
Mr. G. Hearne	c. 38	1st January 1976	31st December 1978
Mr. G. Laird	c. 42	1st January 1976	31st December 1978
Mr. D. Rooke	52	1st January 1976	31st December 1978
Mr. R. Utiger	c. 49	1st January 1976	31st December 1978
Lord Briginshaw	c.67	12th January 1976	11th January 1979
UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY
Chairman:
Sir John Hill	55	16th October 1967	15th October 1977
Part-time Deputy Chairman:
Dr. W. Marshall	44	16th December 1975	15th December 1980
Full-time Member:
Mr. A. M. Allen	51	1st July 1971	30th June 1976
Part-time Members:
Lord Kearton	65	17th October 1955	31st May 1977
Sir Leslie Williams	62	7th July 1970	30th June 1978
Professor Sir Brian Flowers	51	1st March 1971	28th February 1979
Dr. N. L. Franklin	51	1st April 1971	31st March 1979
Mr. R. A. Peddie	54	1st July 1972	30th June 1978
Mr. W. B. S. Walker	c. 54	1st September 1972	31st August 1978
Mr. C. Allday	c. 56	8th March 1976	7th March 1979
Mr. B. G. Tucker	54	8th March 1976	—
ELECTRICITY COUNCIL
Chairman:
Sir Peter Menzies	64	1st April 1972	31st March 1977
Part-time Deputy Chairman:
Mr. R. F. Richardson	62	1st January 1972 Full-time	30th June 1976
		1st April 1976 Part-time
Part-time Deputy Chairman:
Sir Alan Wilson	69	1st January 1966	2nd July 1976

		Age	First Appointed		Expiry of Current Appointment
Full-time Members:
Mr. H. C. Spear	…	66	1st July 1972	…	30th June 1976
Mr. R. W. Orson	…	49	24th January 1976	…	23rd January 1981
CENTRAL ELECTRICITY GENERATING BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. A. E. Hawkins	…	62	1st July 1972	…	30th June 1977
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. F. E. Bonner	…	52	16th April 1975	…	15th April 1980
Full-time Members
Mr. R. A. Peddie	…	54	1st January 1972	…	31st December 1976
Mr. D. R. R. Fair	…	59	1st January 1975	…	31st December 1979
Part-time Members:
Mr. G. England	…	55	1st July 1975	…	31st March 1977
Mr. A. G. Derbyshire	…	c. 50	3rd October 1973	…	2nd October 1976
Lord Kearton	…	65	1st June 1974	…	31st May 1977
Mr. A. G. Frame	…	c.47	7th April 1975	…	31st March 1977
LONDON ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. Owen Francis	…	63	15th May 1972	…	14th May 1977
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. A. Plumpton	…	c. 50	19th June 1972	…	18th June 1977
Part-time Members:
Mr. E. Sharp	…	c. 60	1st September 1968	…	31st August 1977
Mr. A. W. Fisher	…	53	1st July 1970	…	31st March 1977
Sir Peter Studd	…	59	1st January 1973	…	31st March 1977
Miss D. Whittingham	…	42	1st October 1974	…	30th September 1977
Mr. R. Martineau	…	38	17th March 1975	…	16th March 1978
YORKSHIRE ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. E. S. Booth	…	61	1st January 1972	…	31st December 1976
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. K. F. Whittle	…	c. 54	1st December 1975	…	30th November 1980
Part-time Members:
Mr. C. Hands	…	c. 50	13th May 1969	…	31st March 1977
Mr. J. B. Downs	…	c. 42	16th April 1973	…	31st December 1977
Mr. G. W. Heslett	…	63	11th June 1973	…	10th June 1976
Mrs. P. Horsley	…	52	18th June 1974	…	17th June 1977
Mr. J. G. Mills	…	c. 50	10th November 1975	…	31st March 1977
Rev. Canon R. G. G. Foley	…	53	21st May 1976	…	31st December 1977
NORTH EASTERN ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. A. H. Norris	…	62	20th February 1969	…	19th February 1979
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. G. H. Byrom	…	58	1st December 1975	…	30th November 1980
Executive Member:
Mr. J. A. Harmsworth	…	c.48	11th June 1974	…	10th June 1977
Part-time Members
Mrs. J. W. Harper	…	c. 62	1st April 1968	…	31st March 1977
Mr. P. J. Squire	…	c. 64	1st April 1970	…	31st March 1977
Mr. W. Hanlon	…	c. 64	1st November 1970	…	31st October 1976
Mr. W. Smart	…	47	1st June 1972	…	31st March 1977
Mrs. D. C. Eccles	…	42	1st May 1974	…	30th April 1977
SOUTH WALES ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. W. E. Richardson	…	61	10th November 196	…	9th November 1978
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. R. Cook	…	57	1st February 1969	…	31st January 1979
Executive Member:
Mr. R. G. Williams	…	62	23rd November 196	…	22nd November 1976

			Age	First Appointed		Expiry of Current Appointment
Part-time Members:
Mr. J. Aeron-Thomas	…	…	55	25th August 1967	…	24th August 1976
Mr. P. J. Perkins	…	…	48	1st August 1972	…	31st March 1977
Mr. G. H. Wright	…	…	c. 40	1st August 1974	…	31st July 1977
Lord Davies of Penrhys	…	…	62	25th August 1974	…	24th August 1977
Mr. C. Mort	…	…	42	1st January 1975	…	31st December 1977
MERSEYSIDE AND NORTH WALES ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. D. G. Dodds	…	…	63	8th February 196:	…	7th February 1977
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. B. R. Hastings	…	…	c.46	1st September 1974	…	31st August 1979
Executive Member
Mr. M. M. Parker	…	…	c. 61	1st January 1970	…	31st December 1976
Part-time Members
Mr. D. Morley-Smith	…	…	59	6th November 1972	…	31st March 1977
Councillor W. H. Sefton	…	…	c. 61	24th November 1975	…	31st March 1977
Mr. J. G. Parkes	…	…	c. 58	7th December 1975	…	31st March 1977
Mr. T. Jones	…	…	67	1st March 1976	…	31st March 1977
NORTH WESTERN ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. R. Mallet	…	…	63	1st March 1972	…	Retiring 30th June 1976
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. J. W. K. Evans	…	…	c. 61	1st June 1968	…	31st May 1978
Part-time Members:
Mr. J. D. Younie	…	…	c. 55	1st September 1968	…	31st August 1977
Mr. W. Thornley	…	…	51	21st June 1973	…	20th June 1976
Mr. E. Dunnett	…	…	55	17th August 1973	…	16th August 1976
Miss A. Vince	…	…	c. 53	21st January 1974	…	20th January 1977
Mr. A. Goldstone	…	…	c. 37	10th March 1975	…	31st March 1977
Mr. R. Garland	…	…	c. 56	10th May 1976	…	31st December 1977
EASTERN ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. H. D. B. Wood	…	…	64	1st April 1963	…	31st March 1977
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. G. W. Rufford	…	…	c. 47	26th February 1976	…	25th February 1981
Executive Member
Mr. F. Richardson	…	…	63	1st September 1968	…	31st August 1977
Part-time Members
Sir Nigel Strutt	…	…	60	1st September 1964	…	31st August 1976
Mr. M. J. Marshall	…	…	44	17th May 1971	…	16th May 1977
Mr. M. H. Baker-Munton		…	c. 54	13th October 1972	…	31st March 1977
Mrs. E. Coker	…	…	c. 60	15th December 1973	…	14th December 1976
EAST MIDLANDS ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. P. A. Lingard	…	…	60	1st July 1972	…	30th June 1977
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. R. A. York	…	…	61	1st March 1970	…	29th February 1980
Part-time Members
Mr. K. W. Bowder	…	…	59	1st April 1973	…	31st March 1977
Mr. H. Clarke	…	…	c. 61	1st March 1974	…	28th February 1977
Mrs. J. Platts	…	…	c. 61	1st April 1975	…	31st March 1977
Mrs. A. Gordon	…	…	c.37	26th January 1976	…	31st March 1977
Mr. H. L. Gibson	…	…	c. 59	26th January 1976	…	31st March 1977
MIDLANDS ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. G. T. Shepherd	…	…	c. 53	1st April 1972	…	31st March 1977
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. C. Wickstead	…	…	c. 54	1st June 1972	…	31st May 1977
Part-time Members
Sir St. John de Holt Elstub		…	60	1st July 1966	…	30th June 1976
Mr. J. R. Ottey	…	…	c. 51	1st February 1972	…	31st January 1978
Miss M. J. Welch	…	…	55	25th July 1973	…	24th July 1976
Mr. E. C. Sayers	…	…	59	25th July 1973	…	24th July 1976
Mr. P. J. Prior	…	…	c. 57	18th December 1973	…	17th December 1976
Dr. J. A. Pope	…	…	61	1st April 1975	…	31st March 1977

			Age	First Appointed		Expiry of Current Appointment
SOUTH EASTERN ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. T. Rutherford	…	…	51	1st July 1975	…	30th June 1980
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. J. A. Wedgewood	…	…	c. 56	20th May 1974	…	19th May 1979
Part-time Members:
Mrs. M. M. Jolliffe	…	…	c. 61	1st June 1966	…	31st May 1976
Mr. R. N. Bottini	…	…	59	20th February 1974	…	19th February 1977
Mr. G. A. Mickleburgh	…	…	c. 39	6th January 1975	…	5th January 1978
Dr. P. Lesley-Cooke	…	…	53	1st July 1975	…	31st March 1977
Major J. More-Molyneux		…	c. 54	1st July 1975	…	31st March 1977
SOUTHERN ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. A. W. Bunch	…	…	58	1st December 1974	…	30th November 1979
Deputy Chairman
Mr. D. H. Walker	…	…	58	1st December 1974	…	30th November 1979
Part-time Members:
Lord Greene	…	…	66	1st December 1964	…	31st March 1977
Lord Palmer of Reading	…	…	59	13th January 1965	…	12th January 1977
Mr. R. F. Stratton	…	…	c. 60	1st February 1966	…	31st March 1977
Mr. A. D. Hopkins	…	…	c. 63	14th October 1968	…	13th October 1977
Dr. C. J. Bell	…	…	38	1st May 1974	…	30th April 1977
SOUTH WESTERN ELECTRICITY BOARD
Chairman:
Mr. G. England	…	…	55	1st August 1973	…	31st July 1978
Deputy Chairman.
Mr. S. F. C. Whitmore	…	…	63	1st August 1959	…	31st July 1978
Executive Member:
Mr. B. H. Weston	…	…	46	9th June 1975	…	8th June 1978
Part-time Members:
Lt. Col. G. W. F. Luttrell	…	…	56	1st January 1969	…	31st December 1977
Mr. R. Hill	…	…	54	1st September 1972	…	31st March 1977
Mr. B. M. Grime	…	…	44	15th January 1973	…	31st March 1977
Professor D. Walker	…	…	50	4th January 1974	…	3rd January 1977
Mrs. P. M. Forrest	…	…	35	12th November 1975	…	31st March 1977

Peterhead (Shell-Expro Plant)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if his Department intends to give oral evidence at the public inquiry on the proposed Shell-Expro NCL plant at Peterhead.

My Department has submitted written evidence on the relevance of Shell's application for Government policy on the production and use of the gases concerned, and the Department's pipelines inspector has also given both written and oral evidence on general issues of pipeline safety and operation. The question of further oral evidence by the Department is a matter for the inquiry reporter.

Environment

Official Car Service

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants in his Department and at what ranks have (a) an official car allocated to them, (b) first call on official cars from a pool and (c) other than occasional access to an official car on any other basis.

The Permanent Secretary has an allocated car for official duties. One Second Permanent Secretary has first call on a pool car similarly. Senior staff can use pool cars for official journeys where suitable public transport is not available. There are about 375 self-drive cars and estate cars countrywide, mainly in works depots, for official use. The majority of these are allocated to units rather than to individual officers.

New Palace Yard

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost to public funds of the fountain in New Palace Yard.

The fountain was provided as an integral part of the landscaping of New Palace Yard, and there was no separate sub-contract. It is not possible to abstract the cost of the fountain from the total cost of that project except at disproportinate cost. I have written to the hon. Member.

A646, Halifax-Todmorden

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department expects to pass its conclusions on major improvements to the A646, between Halifax and Todmorden, to the West Yorkshire County Council; and what opportunity the county council will have to submit observations on such conclusions.

It is hoped to be able to consult West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council in late 1976 or early 1977. Full opportunity will be given to the county council and any other relevant local authorities and statutory bodies to make observations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish details of traffic flow surveys being carried out on the A646, between Halifax and Todmorden; who is responsible for undertaking such surveys; on what basis these surveys are being conducted; when these surveys were started; and when they will be completed.

Details of the traffic flow surveys will be published. An origin and destination survey was carried out by the then West Riding County Council in 1972. This survey is being updated by automatic traffic counts carried out by the Department's North Eastern Road Construction Unit. These counts are still continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the major improvements being considered to the A646, between Halifax and Todmorden, include the construction of dual carriageway; which parts of the road are being so considered; and what other types of major improvements are being considered.

Options being considered are the construction of single carriageway by-passes of Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge, and dual carriageways on the sections between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge and between Mytholmroyd and Luddenden Foot. Present indications are, however, that relatively small scale improvements only will be necessary.

Stansted Airport

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from organisations and individuals in Essex and elsewhere for and against, respectively, the extension of Stansted Airport; and whether he will make a statement.

The future rôle of Stansted Airport is one of the issues considered in the consultation document "Airport strategy for Great Britain Part 1: The London area" which was published by the Department of Trade in November 1975. Copies of replies to that document have been sent to my right hon. Friend by the Department of Trade as the consultations are being conducted jointly by the two Departments. However, as replies are still being received it would be premature, and perhaps misleading, to publish an analysis of their contents. In addition, the publication of the document has stimulated a small amount of correspondence direct to my right hon. Friend, which will also be taken into account.

Planning Appeals

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning appeals have been received by his Department in each of the last four years; how many planning appeals inspectors there have been in each of the last four years; how many appeals have waited longer than six months, 12 months and 18 months to be heard in each of the last four years; and what has been the cost of appeals in each of the last four years.

14,408 planning appeals were received by my department in 1972, 18,326 in 1973, 13,324 in 1974 and 11,690 in 1975.At the end of 1972 my Department had 173 inspectors, 216 in 1973, 222 in 1974 and 185 at the end of 1975. Not all of these inspectors were engaged exclusively on planning appeals.I regret that the other information is not available.

Traffic Growth (West Yorkshire)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information is available to his Department about discrepancies in predicted growth in traffic and assigned loadings discovered in a reappraisal of data by the West Yorkshire County Council, prior to the construction of the Elland Bypass, A629; and if the Fame data or the same method of data preparation is being used in traffic flow surveys on the A646 between Halifax and Todmorden.

The Department does not have any such information. In any case, the decision to proceed with the Elland Bypass—a principal road scheme—was a matter for the West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council, which is the responsible highway authority. So far as the A646 schemes are concerned the Department is using current traffic forecasting procedures which were introduced last year. Predicted traffic flows for Elland Bypass were based on procedures that have been superseded.

Habitat Conference (Official Visit)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost to public funds of the recent visit by himself and his official party to the United Nations Habitat Conference in Vancouver; and what proportion of this total was used up in outlays on food and beverages.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Grimsby (Mr. Crosland)—now Foreign Secretary—to the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Gardiner) on 7th April 1976.—[Vol. 909, c. 181.] As the Habitat Conference will not end until 11th June, the actual costs incurred cannot yet be assessed.

Telephone Exchange (Chester)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has ordered the demolition of the partially built telephone exchange in St. John's Street, Chester; and if he will make a statement.

Tests have shown that construction of the partially built extension of the telephone exchange at Chester has not been carried out in conformity with the drawings and specification. Acting on the advice of the Property Services Agency and its own professional advisers that the structure is not fit for its design purpose and that the safety of any occupants of the building could not be assured, the Post Office has therefore authorised the PSA to arrange for the demolition of at least the first and second floors. Work is due to start on 14th June.

Pedestrians (Safety)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has given advice to local authorities or police forces with regard to safety measures to safeguard pedestrians in urban areas which are subjected to use by heavy goods vehicles and which are unsuitable for such use.

In Circular Roads 19/74, which dealt with the criteria for the installation of pedestrian crossings, local authorities were advised that where more than 15 per cent. of vehicles were goods vehicles of over 15 cwt. unladen, crossings might be justified even if the criteria regarding the number of pedestrians and the volume of traffic were not met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has assessed the increased danger to life of pedestrians occurring in those ports used as entry points for heavy foreign goods vehicles where the urban roads are unsuited to such traffic, such as Poole Harbour, where the number of such vehicles coming in is increasing.

It is the responsibility of the local authority to consider the impact of heavy goods traffic on its roads, and to use its statutory powers to impose any necessary control.

Child Cyclists

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to introduce a compulsory proficiency test for children under 16 years of age in riding cycles before such children are authorised to use the public highways.

I do not believe that compulsory testing, which would impose a heavy administrative and financial burden, would be justified. Voluntary training under the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme is well developed and I am keen to encourage such training.

Local Authorities (Finance)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to identify individual local authorities that are currently overspending, meeting their budget and underspending.

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, new returns of expenditure

CHILD^* PEDAL CYCLIST CASUALTIES IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS 1971–75 GREAT BRITAIN
Number
					1971	1972	1973	1974	1975†
Urban	…	…	…	…	10,239	9,715	8,996	8,183	9,526
Rural	…	…	…	…	1,154	1,126	995	990	1,128
^* Children under 16 years of age.
† Provisional.

Mortgages

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, as a result of, or in the course of, meetings of the Joint Advisory Committee, he or his Department have at any stage indicated to the Building Societies Association that the Government believes that it would be desirable for the societies to limit their new mortgage advances this year to an average of £500 million a month; and whether he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Ross) on 9th June.

Departmental Staff

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the net increase or decrease of the non-industrial and industrial staff of his Department over the last financial year.

Between 1st April 1975 and 1st April 1976 the number of non-industrial staff in my Department increased from 44,098 to 46,187 and the number of industrial staff from 26,551 to 26,809, chiefly because of the transfer of work on driver and vehicle licensing from local authorities, to cope with the increased number of driving test applications and to replace agency staff.

are to be submitted by local authorities to my Department by 16th July.

Road Accidents (Child Cyclists)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many road accidents have occurred during the past five years, involving children under 16 years of age riding cycles in urban and rural areas.

I regret that the figures for the number of road accidents are not available but the following information is available:

M25 (A13–Al2 Section)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, following the decision on the Aire Valley inquiry, he will seek to have his public inquiry into the proposals for the A13–Al2 section of the M25 motorway adjourned until the review of procedures by his Department and the Council on Tribunals has been completed and the results published.

No.

Pop Festivals (Working Group's Report)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet received the report of the working group to review public policies on pop festivals; and whether he will make a statement.

The working group has submitted its first report, Free Festivals, which is being published today.I am grateful to my noble Friend, Lord Melchett and the members of the working group for giving their time to this work and for providing a balanced report on this difficult subject. I am sure that the group's conclusion will be of interest to many people, particularly those concerned with pop festivals.I have already made it clear that the Government are not prepared to incur any expenditure in providing a site for the Peoples' Free Festival this year, or to take any action that would lead to any local authority incurring additional expenditure.

Northern Ireland

Rates

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations have been made to him concerning the rating burden of the commercial distributive sector in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to deal with the problem.

I have received representations from several bodies that the distributive sector in Northern Ireland should be given a substantial measure of rate relief, including a proposal for a diminishing amount of help over four years. I have made it clear that I would not be justified in acceding to these requests as it would mean increasing the rate burden on other ratepayers in the Province or recouping the lost revenue by reducing other public expenditure since there is no question of providing extra public expenditure for this purpose.

Drinking Clubs

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is aware that the use of illegal drinking clubs in Northern Ireland is widespread; and what plans he has to end this practice.

Enforcement of the licensing laws is a matter for the Chief Constable. Good progress has been made by the police in recent years in substantially reducing the number of illegal drinking establishments and police action continues against those believed to remain.

Liquor Sales (Unlicensed Premises)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prosecutions there have been in Northern Ireland in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976 to date for the sale of liquor in unlicensed premises.

Following is the information:

1973: 83.
1974: 76.
1975: 16.
1976: to date—nil.

Overseas Development

Kenya (British Subjects)

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will pay out to Mr. Tomsett and other Britons, recruited by his Department on behalf of the Kenyan Government money due to them from but withheld by the Government of Kenya within Kenya, and recover the sums thus disbursed from Her Majesty's Government overseas aid earmarked for Kenya.

The British High Commission in Nairobi has made strong representations to the Kenya Government on behalf of those British staff whose gratuities on termination of service have been delayed as a result of the operation of the Kenya exchange control regulations and it is now expected that these payments will be made shortly.

International Conferences (Departmental Representation)

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will list in the Official Report the names of international conferences, together with their sponsoring organisations, objects and scope to be attended by representatives of his Department in an official or ministerial capacity.

I have arranged for this information to be collected and will publish it in the Official Report as soon as possible.

Education And Science

Medical Research Council

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the Secretary of the Medical Research Council; and if finance for cancer research was discussed at that meeting.

I met the Secretary of the Medical Research Council informally on 11th February 1976; no specific research topics were discussed.

Official Car Service

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many civil servants in his Department and at what ranks have: (a) an official car allocated to them, (b) first call on official cars from a pool and (c) other than occasional access to an official car on any other basis.

The information is as follows:

(a) 48 (self-drive): Her Majesty's inspectors of schools.

(b) 1: Permanent Secretary.

(c) nil.

Berwick-Upon-Tweed (Technical Education)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his latest assessment of the prospects for the provision of technical education facilities in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

It has not been possible so far to include a project at Berwick-upon-Tweed in the 1976–77 further education major building programme, but the Northumberland local education authority has been invited to submit a revised scheme for further consideration.

Local Education Authority

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his policy towards the situation in which the members of a local education authority conduct the affairs of that authority from an estate agent's office without the approval of the education committee for either its content or the venue.

I am afraid this is a matter for the authority.

School Leaving Age

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will reduce the school leaving age by one year; and what saving he estimates this would achieve on the basis that 30 per cent. of pupils volunteered to stay at school for another year.

No. The school leaving age was raised only in 1972, and considerable disruption would be caused by reducing it again so soon It would be difficult to quantify the savings that reducing the school leaving age by one year would achieve, although in the longer term it might be possible to make some notional estimate. However, against this would have to be set very considerable additional costs on social services, for example, unemployment and supplementary benefits, which might outweigh the educational savings. The voluntary staying-on rate in the last year before the raising of the school leaving date was in fact nearly 60 per cent. and not 30 per cent., which would indicate that there would he even smaller savings than the question implies.

Fircroft College

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will hold meetings with interested parties with a view to enabling Fircroft College to reopen.

As my right hon. Friend stated when the report of the independent committee of inquiry into the problems at Fircroft College was published, action on the recommendations is a matter for the trustees and governors of this voluntary college in the first instance. The college authorities have already announced their initial reaction to some of these recommendations and we have sought clarification of their intentions with regard to all the others. We shall be hearing from them shortly and will then be able to determine our own action.

Industry

Machine Tools

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many of the 180 manufacturing establishments in the machine tool industry have applied to the National Enterprise Board for stockbuilding loans; how many grants have been made; and whether he will make a statement.

This is a matter for the National Enterprise Board.

National Finance

Income Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing a penny in the pound breakdown of the way income tax is spent by the Government along with each tax assessment form.

A table of this kind has not been included with tax assessment forms sent out this year. Leaflets showing a penny in the pound breakdown of public expenditure were distributed with tax return forms in 1975. As the broad pattern of public expenditure does not vary very much from one year to another, such leaflets were not

Year						Weekly earnings^ £*	Weekly Rate of rebate £	Maximum number of weeks for which rebate will run
(a) Average earnings—
1970–71	…	…	…	…	…	26·7	2·60	36
1971–72	…	…	…	…	…	29·5	2·45	37
1972–73	…	…	…	…	…	32·8	3·45	33
1973–74	…	…	…	…	…	38·1	3·45	36
1974–75	…	…	…	…	…	43·6	4·00	37
1975–76	…	…	…	…	…	55·7	4·60	39
1976–77†	…	…	…	…	…	65·7	4·95	40
(b) Three quarters average earnings—
1970–71	…	…	…	…	…	20·0	2·60	31
1971–72	…	…	…	…	…	22·1	2·45	32
1972–73	…	…	…	…	…	24·6	3·45	27
1973–74	…	…	…	…	…	28·6	3·45	31
1974–75	…	…	…	…	…	32·7	4·00	32
1975–76	…	…	…	…	…	41·8	4·60	35
1976–77†	…	…	…	…	…	49·3	4·95	37
(c) Half average earnings—
1970–71	…	…	…	…	…	13·4	2·60	20
1971–72	…	…	…	…	…	14·8	2·45	23
1972–73	…	…	…	…	…	16·4	3·45	15
1973–74	…	…	…	…	…	19·1	3·45	20
1974–75	…	…	…	…	…	21·8	4·00	23
1975–76	…	…	…	…	…	27·9	4·60	27
1976–77†	…	…	…	…	…	32·9	4·95	29
^* Weekly earnings are the New Earnings Survey estimates of the average earnings of full-time male manual workers in April of each year, except for 1976–77, where the 1975 NES figures have been updated to March 1976 by means of the Index of Average Earnings.
† Assumes conditional and unconditional Budget proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing, for a single person, the weekly value of tax refunds during sickness and unemployment, and the number of weeks for which these refunds will continue, assuming eligibility to benefit commences in weeks 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 of the tax year, and that previous weekly earnings were £30 £40, £50, £60 and £70.

Assuming the tax rates and allowances proposed for

produced this year in order to save on printing costs and the additional staff time involved in the distribution of copies from tax offices.

Income Tax (Refunds)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing for each tax year since 1970–71, and including 1976–77, the weekly value of tax refunds and the maximum number of weeks for which they may be payable, for an unemployed single person who previously earned: (a) 100 per cent., (b) 75 per cent. and (c) 50 per cent. of average manual earnings.

The figures are approximately as shown in the table below:1976–77, the average weekly rate of tax rebate for a single person will be approximately £5·00. The maximum number of weeks for which refunds at this rate would continue is as follows:

Weekly earnings	Maximum number of weeks rebate, where employment ceased in week:
£	10	20	30	40	50
30	11	22	22	12	2
40	18	32	22	12	2
50	25	32	22	12	2
60	32	32	22	12	2
70	39	32	22	12	2

International Monetary Fund (Borrowings)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made provision for any further borrowing from the IMF on top of the special drawing rights which have already been arranged.

My right hon. Friend does not plan to make further drawing from the IMF immediately. As he made clear in his statement of 7th June—[Vol. 912, cols. 912–27], the Government would be prepared to seek a further drawing from the IMF should that become necessary in the future.

Government Debt

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total external indebtedness of the Government showing separately the current totals of short, medium and long-term loans.

The total identifiable short, medium and long-term external debts of Her Majesty's Government outstanding at the latest dates for which information is available are as follows:

	End-May 1976 £ million
Foreign currency:
Official Short and Medium-Term: Her Majesty's Government Loan	1,410
IMF oil facility	645
IMF first credit tranche	450
Official Long-Term	2,255

	End-December 1975 £ million
Sterling:
CMI holdings of British Government Stocks and Treasury Bills	2,383
Other holdings of British Government Stocks and Treasury Bills	1,116

The foreign currency figures are converted into sterling at the exchange rates operating at the close on 8th June.

Income Tax (Child Allowance)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated extra number of income tax payers in 1976–77 if child income tax allowances were abolished.

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

Customs Officers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the location and numbers of all Her Majesty's customs officers; and the hours they are on duty.

I regret that this Question could be answered only at the cost of disproportionate time and effort. If the hon. Member has a particular location in mind and will write to me, I shall endeavour to give him the relevant information.

Public Sector Borrowing

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the current public sector borrowing and credit arrangements that have been made since 5th March 1974 to the latest available date in terms of pounds sterling per head of the United Kingdom population.

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

£ Sterling

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will hold a public inquiry into the fall in the value of the £ sterling in international trading in recent weeks.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

Companies (Capital Funds)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of capital funds for commercial and industrial companies was financed, respectively, by: (a) undistributed income, (b) bank borrowing, (c) United Kingdom capital issues by listed companies and (d) other sources for the years 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Estimates of sources of funds for industrial and commercial companies, analysed in terms of the categories requested, are published in Financial Statistics; figures for the years 1973, 1974 and 1975 are shown in the upper half of Table 80 in the May 1976 issue.

Manufacturing Industry (Trading Indices)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will show the ratio of net trading income to net trading assets in manufacturing industry, at historic cost and at replacement cost, in 1950, 1960, 1965, 1970 and for each year since 1970.

The estimates available for these ratios relate to large listed companies and for the years 1955 to 1973 are given on page 244 of "Trade and Industry" for 24th October 1975. Estimates for 1950 are 20·9 per cent. at historic costs and 19·6 at replacement cost, before providing for stock appreciation. Estimates for years after 1973 are not yet available.

Lending Rates

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied with the present methods of calculating Government lending rates.

The methods are subject to a continuing process of review and improvement.As explained in the reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Farnworth (Mr. Roper) on 3rd May—[Vol. 910, c. 260.]—the Government are under a statutory obligation to ensure that the rates of interest on loans from the National Loans Fund (NLF) are related to the cost of Government borrowing. A yield curve for Government stocks is regularly calculated, and from this the NLF rates are derived. Recent research has led to changes both in the method of calculation of the yield curve and in the derivation of the NLF rates from the curve. Part of that research is described in an article to be published in the Bank of England Bulletin on 17th June. The results will be small changes, mainly increases, not exceeding 1½ per cent. and in some cases falling as low as ⅛ per cent., in the rates applicable to loans to local authorities from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) and to public corporations from the NLF and some other Government loans; and the introduction of two different rates for two different kinds of annuity loans—those repayable by equal instalments of principal and those repayable by equal instalments of principal and interest combined—in place of the single rate used at present.Further research has led to a revision in the PWLB's "non-quota" rates. These rates are intended to be related to the cost to local authorities of borrowing on the market, and the research suggests that the cost is higher than previously estimated. In future, a yield curve will be calculated for local authority stocks, where sufficient stocks exist, and this will be used to determine "non-quota A" rates. These apply to loans where the local authorities give evidence of their inability to raise the money on the market. "Non-quota B" rates, which apply to loans where no such evidence is required, will remain at 1 per cent. above "non-quota A" rates.The new methods of calculation will be applied for the first time to the rates effective from Saturday 12th June.

Trade

Imports And Exports

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish current value in £ million and indices of value and volume for (a) imports and exports of SITC classes 5, 6, (b) imports of SITC classes to 5 to 8 and (c) exports of SITC classes, 2, 4, 5 and 6 from 1949 to 1974 and the quarters of 1975 for which figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish current values in £ million and indices of unit value and volume for exports of SITC classes 7 and 8 from each year 1949 to 1974 and for the quarters of 1975 for which figures are available.

gave the following information, which was also pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 25th February 1976; Vol. 906, c. 210]:

			Exports										Imports
			Total manufactures value^ Sections 5 to 8*	Semi-manufactures			Industrial materials			Finished manufactures			Semi-manufactures			Total manufactures
				Value	Unit value index	Volume index	Value	Unit value index	Volume index	Value	Unit value index	Volume index	Value	Unit value index	Volume index	Value	Unit value index	Volume index
S.I.T.C.(R)				Sections 5 and 6			Sections 2, 4, 5 and 6			Sections 7 and 8			Sections 5 and 6			Sections 5 to 8
			£ million f.o.b.	£ million f.o.b.	1970 = 100		£ million f.o.b.	1970 = 100		£ million f.o.b.	1970 = 100		£ million c.i.f.	1970 = 100		£ million c.i.f.	1970 = 100
1949	…	…	1,541	782	—	—	869	—	—	759	—	—	332	—	—	432	—	—
1950	…	…	1,870	952	—	—	1,098	—	—	918	—	—	389	—	—	490	—	—
1951	…	…	2,258	1,186	—	—	1,386	—	—	1,072	—	—	692	—	—	811	—	—
1952	…	…	2,219	1,088	—	—	1,264	—	—	1,131	—	—	655	—	—	832	—	—
1953	…	…	2,164	1,064	—	—	1,216	—	—	1,100	—	—	509	—	—	703	—	—
1954	…	…	2,199	1,053	72	52	1,204	73	54	1,146	59	48	563	73	32	729	72	24
1955	…	…	2,421	1,158	73	57	1,330	74	59	1,263	60	52	764	80	41	970	77	30
1956	…	…	2,672	1,242	75	60	1,439	75	63	1,430	63	57	750	81	40	984	78	30
1957	…	…	2,814	1,294	76	62	1,481	77	63	1,520	65	58	744	73	41	1,012	73	31
1958	…	…	2,757	1,185	75	57	1,363	75	59	1,572	67	58	674	68	40	977	70	32
1959	…	…	2,922	1,264	73	62	1,446	74	64	1,658	68	60	750	69	44	1,127	71	36
1960	…	…	3,105	1,324	74	64	1,518	75	66	1,781	70	63	1,005	71	57	1,522	74	49
1961	…	…	3,258	1,363	74	65	1,570	74	68	1,894	71	64	975	71	55	1,531	73	47
1962	…	…	3,336	1,386	74	66	1,596	75	68	1,950	72	65	955	70	55	1,556	72	49
1963	…	…	3,568	1,438	75	68	1,656	76	70	2,130	74	69	1,050	71	61	1,702	73	52
1964	…	…	3,773	1,580	77	73	1,784	78	74	2,193	75	71	1,324	72	73	2,161	75	63
1965	…	…	4,095	1,696	80	76	1,894	81	77	2,399	78	76	1,370	76	72	2,253	77	64
1966	…	…	4,390	1,768	83	77	1,974	83	78	2,623	81	79	1,479	79	74	2,471	79	67
1967	…	…	4,386	1,790	83	78	1,982	83	79	2,595	84	76	1,599	79	79	2,844	80	76
1968	…	…	5,413	2,218	90	89	2,450	90	90	3,195	91	87	2,119	91	92	3,772	92	89
1969	…	…	6,256	2,564	93	99	2,814	93	99	3,692	93	99	2,302	96	94	4,137	95	94
1970	…	…	6,806	2,774	100	100	3,047	100	100	4,032	100	100	2,500	100	100	4,572	100	100
1971	…	…	7,825	3,116	102	111	3,395	102	110	4,708	108	110	2,572	98	106	5,003	101	110
1972	…	…	8,257	3,316	104	116	3,638	105	115	4,941	116	110	2,963	100	119	6,093	105	131
1973	…	…	10,455	4,531	120	137	4,965	122	135	5,924	126	122	4,276	126	137	8,908	127	159
1974	…	…	13,685	6,146	163	141	6,722	165	139	7,538	150	130	6,373	180	148	11,928	167	166

			Exports									Imports
		Total manufactures value^ Sections 5 to 8*	Semi-manufactures			Industrial materials			Finished manufactures			Semi-manufactures			Total manufactures
			Value	Unit value index	Volume index	Value	Unit value index	Volume index	Value	Unit value index	Volume index	Value	Unit value index	Volume index	Value	Unit value index	Volume index
S.I.T.C.(R)			Sections 5 and 6			Sections 2, 4, 5 and 6			Sections 7 and 8			Sections 5 and 6			Sections 5 to 8
		£ million f.o.b.	£ million f.o.b.	1970 = 100		£ million f.o.b.	1970 = 100		£ million f.o.b.	1970 = 100		£ million c.i.f.	1970 = 100		£ million c.i.f.	1970 = 100
Seasonally adjusted†
1975—
1st quarter	…	3,905	1,591	186	128	1,727	186	126	2,333	174	138	1,547	191	134	3,085	183	157
2nd quarter	…	3,963	1,538	192	120	1,673	192	119	2,442	184	135	1,446	190	128	2,970	188	149
3rd quarter	…	4,079	1,517	196	115	1,651	196	114	2,555	197	134	1,522	192	131	3,358	194	158
4th quarter	…	4,518	1,802	202	131	1,958	202	130	2,686	207	133	1,635	197	137	3,392	201	157

Note: Value figures prior to 1949, and index numbers prior to 1954, are not available on a complete basis.

^* Revised.

† Value and volume indices only are adjusted.

South Africa (British Assets)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the total value of fixed British assets situated in South Africa, at the latest valuation; what are the six most important companies or firms owning assets in those countries; whether any steps are being taken to persuade the owners to liquidate their assets; and if he will make a statement.

The most comprehensive information available relates to the total book value of British investment in South Africa which was estimated by the Reserve Bank of South Africa to have been £1,750 million at the end of 1971, the latest available date. The figure relates to British investment in tangible fixed and intangible assets, current assets, trade and other investments. Separate information is not available specifically on British investment in tangible fixed assets. United Kingdom statistics are obtained from the census of overseas assets, which covers only the book value of direct investment, excluding oil, banking and insurance. The recent census in respect of 1974 is being worked on at present, but the results will not be available for publication in aggregate form until the autumn of 1976. It is not possible to disclose the names of the largest contributors to statistical inquiries, and no published source exists from which the six companies with the largest investment in South Africa could be compiled. The Government's general policy on investment in South Africa remains as stated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on 4th December 1974. We have encouraged British firms to adopt enlightened employment practices in South Africa, and are considering further measures to this end.

Wales

Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the public spending per head in Wales from 1969–70 to 1974–75, taking 100 as the index for all Great Britain, on: (a) agriculture, fisheries and forestry, (b) trade, industry and employment, (c) nationalised industries (capital expenditure), (d) road transport, (e) housing, (f) other environmental services, (g) law and order, (h) education, libraries, science and arts, (i) health and personal social services, and (j) social security.

Geographical comparisons of public expenditure can be misleading because of the difficulties of definition involved. The figures below are derived from material previously published in the Official Report, and relate only to those expenditure clearly identified from official records as made in Wales. The analyses exclude a number of important elements of direct benefit to Wales (for example, most subsidies to the nationalised industries, agricultural price guarantees and capital spending by the British Steel Corporation). These omissions, and the variant patterns of need and structure as between Wales and Great Britain imply that the figures must be interpreted with due regard to their deficiences. Comparable figures for Great Britain are only available for the years 1973–74 and 1974–75; consequently indices for earlier years cannot be calculated.

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PER HEAD IN WALES
(Great Britain average = 100)
	1973–74	1974–75
Agriculture, fisheries and forestry	155	130
Trade, industry and employment	136	152
Nationalised industries' capital expenditure (excluding steel)	75	63
Roads and transport	113	102
Housing	73	86
Other environmental services	124	109
Law and order	82	79
Education, libraries, science and arts	103	101
Health and personal social services	100	100
Social security	114	119

School Leavers

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what were the numbers of school leavers in Wales for each year from 1970–71 to the present, together with projected numbers for 1975–76 and 1976–77;(2) if he will publish a table showing the projected number of school leavers by age at Jauuary, for Wales, for each year to 1980–81.

The information for past years is as follows:—

Academic Year	Number of leavers
1970–71	36,230
1971–72	37,990
1972–73	22,940
1973–74	39,520
1974–75	40,110

I cannot foresee what the figures for 1975–76 and subsequent years will be.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Bacon (Prices)

5.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the retail price difference between United Kingdom and Danish bacon can be attributed to the difference between £ sterling and the green pound.

Danish bacon usually sells at a premium over British bacon. The premium varies with market conditions but there is no obvious relationship between differences in the first-hand prices of Danish and British bacon and differences between the green pound and the market exchange rates for sterling or the resulting monetary compensatory amounts.

Tree Planting

8.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total acreage of trees planted last year compared with 1974.

The total of the acreage planted by the Forestry Commission together with the area planted by private woodland owners for which grants were paid during the year was 110,000 acres in each of the years ended 31st March 1974 and 31st March 1975.

Green Pound

9.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present discrepancy between £ sterling and the green pound.

The gap between the two rates is 22·4 per cent. giving a calculated MCA percentage of 20·9 for the current week.

20.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about revaluing the green pound.

I shall continue to keep the representative rate for the pound under review, taking account of the interests of both producers and consumers.

Purse Seine Nets

10.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with present controls on the use of purse seine nets.

There are no national regulations controlling purse seining. In the Government's view, it is the quantity of fish taken rather than its method of capture which matters. The United Kingdom has consistently pressed for international quota schemes to protect fish stocks within bodies such as the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission.

Common Agricultural Policy

17.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on further changes in the CAP.

24.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the economic direction of the common agricultural policy.

28.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken to redirect the economic resources of those sectors of the agricultural industry in the EEC which are in surplus production to sectors which are in deficit.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) on 29th April 1976.—[Vol. 910, c. 141.]

43.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what emergency plans his Department has ready in the event of the collapse of the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.

The common agricultural policy does face problems, and I have made clear that I see the need for further improvements in its operation. I do not, however, foresee the need for the sort of planning suggested.

Intervention Stocks

18.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current size of the beef mountain and other food stocks in the United Kingdom subject to official and artificial support; and what is his policy with regard to the future of these reserves.

The latest estimates of United Kingdom intervention stocks of beef, skimmed milk powder and butter are 12,725, 34,384 and 1,068 metric tons, respectively. In addition, about 6,000 metric tons of beef and 13,000 metric tons of butter are in FEOGA-assisted private storage but are due to be withdrawn from store in the next two or three months. My right hon. Friend has said on many occasions that he wants to see Community consumers given priority in the disposal of surpluses but our objective remains to prevent their emergence in the first place.

Agricultural Land

19.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy not to introduce measures which would add to the costs of agricultural land.

I see no reason to believe that this Government's measures will raise agricultural land prices significantly. The hon. Member will be aware that these are now considerably below the peak of two years ago.

25.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has considered plans for the nationalisation of farmland.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Morrison) on 26th February.—[Vol. 906, c. 294.] I have no proposals for the nationalisation of farmland.

Trawlers

21.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of British trawlers operating from United Kingdom ports compared to the figure for last year.

The latest complete information about the number of trawlers operating from United Kingdom ports shows 2,382 at 31st December 1975 compared to 2,461 on 31st December 1974.

Import Savings

22.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department has to encourage those forms of agriculture which can make the greatest contribution to import savings.

34.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the achievement to date of the Government's policy objectives for agriculture, as set out in the White Paper "Food from Our Own Resources".

45.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with progress towards the objectives of "Food from Our Own Resources" and whether he will make a statement.

The White Paper "Food from Our Own Resources" set out a strategy for agriculture into the 1980s and included an assessment of where expansion could bring most benefit. The decisions which my right hon. Friend announced on 8th March, together with the improvements in agricultural support introduced last year, were designed to make resources available in accordance with this strategy.

Poultry Producers

23.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made to protect the livelihood of producers of New York dressed poultry.

The Proposals for Regulations that we issued in December included the accommodation that we won in Brussels last year for this trade. These accommodations already give significant protection, but I have had strong representations for further modification. I am considering with my colleagues whether or not there is any positive way in which we can respond to these representations.

Animals (Quarantine Control)

27.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement following the recent meeting of officials of his Department with representatives of the National Yacht Harbour Association, concerning control of entry into Great Britain of animals in contravention of the quarantine laws.

As I explained in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Price) on 24th May—[Vol. 912, c. 54–5.]—the association's proposals are now being considered. Their adoption would involve legislation.

Potatoes (Acreage Quotas)

29.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the percentage uptake of potato acreage quotas.

The area of potatoes planted in Great Britain this year by registered producers is estimated to be about 186,000 hectares. This is 88 per cent. of the overall quota area issued by the Potato Marketing Board and 95 per cent. of the target area, and represents a higher percentage of the target than in 1974 or 1975.

Wheat (Subsidy)

30.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what level of EEC subsidy on a ton of wheat is paid by compensatory amounts now and cumulatively since 1st January 1976.

The monetary compensatory amount payable on common wheat imported into the United Kingdom during this week is £15·38 per ton. Information about all the rates which have applied since 1st January 1976 has been published in the Official Journal of the EEC, and is as follows:

	Per ton
3rd November 1975 to 14th March 1976	£7·0930
15th March 1976	£7·9048
22nd March 1976	£9·7459
29th March 1976	£10·5039
12th April 1976	£12·2363
19th April 1976	£13·3732
3rd May 1976	£14·4015
7th June 1976	£15·3758

Poultry Meat (Hygiene Regulations)

31.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the Environmental Health Officers' Association concerning proposed changes in the poultry meat hygiene regulations; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has received written representations from the association, including letters from its local branches and individual members. On 13th May my officials met representatives of the association and on 25th May my right hon. Friend met my hon. Friends the Members for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop) and Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) and the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths), who are vice-presidents of the Association. My right hon. Friend has since written to them confirming assurances he gave at the meeting.

Beef And Skimmed Milk Powder (Stocks)

33.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present size of total EEC stocks of beef and skimmed milk powder, respectively.

According to the latest information, there are about 221,000 tonnes of beef and 1,291,000 tonnes of skimmed milk powder held in EEC intervention stores.

Potato Marketing Board

35.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the functioning of the Potato Marketing Board.

If my hon. Friend has in mind the board's efforts to alleviate the results of the shortfall in the 1975 crop I would refer him to the reply I gave to him on 19th January—[Vol. 903, c. 340]—when I said that I was satisfied that the board had taken the action open to it. More generally, the board carries out its functions under the Potato Marketing Scheme, and its work is described in the board's published annual reports and accounts.

Pigeons (Carriage By Rail)

36.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will amend the Transit of Animals (General) Order 1975, particularly in regard to the carriage of pigeons by rail.

The provisions of the Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973 are necessary to ensure the humane transport of living creatures, including pigeons. The provisions of this Order do not prevent British Rail from carrying pigeons, or other livestock, but it is required to ensure that no unnecessary suffering is caused.

Butter (Imports)

37.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further consultations have taken place with the New Zealand Government on the level of butter imports into the United Kingdom.

As I indicated to the House on 19th May, I have maintained the closest contact with the New Zealand Government and their envoys in Brussels and London throughout discussion of this question with our European partners.

Horticulture Industry

38.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next expects to meet the National Farmers' Union to discuss the problems of the horticulture industry.

I frequently meet representatives of the National Farmers' Union to discuss horticulture. Indeed, only two days ago I received a delegation from the Joint Consultative Council of the Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Flower Industry in which the NFU was represented.

Sperm Whales

39.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what statistical evidence he bases his conclusion that the sperm whale is not in danger of over-exploitation.

My conclusion that the sperm whale is not in danger of over- exploitation is based on population estimates produced by the International Whaling Commission's Scientific Committee at which are represented virtually all the world's whaling experts.

European Community Farm Fund

40.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the extra budgetary cost to the EEC Farm Fund resulting from the decline of the value of £ sterling from $2 to $1·80.

The level of United Kingdom monetary compensatory amounts depends on the relationship between sterling and the Community currencies in the joint float and not on the relationship between the dollar and sterling. When the entry for MCAs in the Communities' budget was drawn up in September 1975 the £ sterling stood in the region of £1=$2·08. The Commission estimated MCA expenditure in respect of United Kingdom trade at £110·3 million. The Commission's most recent estimate is based on the situation in mid-April, when £ sterling stood at £1=$1·86, and forecasts £192 million expenditure on MCAs in 1976 in respect of United Kingdom trade, an increase of £81·7 million.

Pigs

42.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the level of the national pig herd; and how this compares with the equivalent time last year.

The latest available data was obtained from the sample census taken in England and Wales in March 1976. This showed that the total number of pigs was 6,393,000 head compared with 6,438,000 head in March 1975. Within these totals, the breeding herd had increased by 3 per cent. from 689,000 in March 1975 to 710,000 this year.

Foxes

41.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of his declared intention, in the event of a rabies outbreak in wild life anywhere in Great Britain, to destroy foxes in the infected area, what steps he has taken to ensure that he has a full population count of all foxes in Great Britain and the locations of their earths.

To attempt a full population count of all foxes and the locations of their earths would be an impracticable exercise. Ministry experts are carrying out ecological studies of fox populations, their habits and movements for application in our contingency plans to deal with any rabies outbreak in wildlife. Our plans also include co-operation with local authorities and local wildlife experts in order to make use of their specialist knowledge in any rabies infected area should fox destruction become necessary.

Dairy Herd

44.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the size of the national dairy herd Lt the latest available date; and what it was one year earlier.

The dairy herd in England and Wales in March totalled 2,685,000, compared with 2,740,000 a year earlier.

Common Fisheries Policy

46.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement concerning his progress in negotiating fishing limits, with particular reference to the common fisheries policy of the EEC.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made to date in the renegotiation of the common fisheries policy.

I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Members for Shoreham (Mr. Luce), Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) and Bodmin (Mr. Hicks).

Rabies

47.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if imported horses are subject to any regulations concerned with rabies; and, if not, if he will take action to prevent such animals acting as carriers of the disease.

Horses imported from countries outside the British Isles are sub- ject to certification by a veterinary inspector that they are free of any clinical sign of disease, that they come from premises which have been free of certain specified diseases, including rabies, for at least three months, and that they are conveyed direct from those premises without contact with uncertified animals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to raise with Great Britain's EEC partners the need for co-ordination of anti-rabies measures within the nine EEC countries, particularly with a view to informing travellers from the other EEC countries to Great Britain of the current British regulations.

On the co-ordination of anti-rabies measures I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. David Price) on 19th May.—[Vol. 911, c. 523.]On co-operation with the other EEC member States in publicising our import controls, we are in direct touch with each of them through our embassies and have their active support in disseminating information. Our embassies are now in the process of distributing new publicity material in six languages for display at ports, marinas, yacht clubs and other suitable locations.A TV film describing our import controls and requirements has also been widely shown on the Continent. Through the EEC's Standing Veterinary Committee we have been assured of the co-operation of the veterinary services of all member States.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make available to all veterinary surgeons leaflets explaining why it is the policy of his Department not to allow domestic pets to be vaccinated against rabies unless or until an outbreak of the disease occurs in Great Britain, or if the animal is being taken abroad.

The British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animals Veterinary Association have already been sent copies of the Ministry's explanatory memorandum dated 19th May 1976. This memorandum, which has been made available to hon. Members, includes an explanation of the Government's policy on vaccination against rabies. In addition, it is shortly intended to have a veterinary article on rabies, including the use of vaccine, published in the "Veterinary Record" which is the normal channel of information to the veterinary profession.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state from international sources available to him for the other eight EEC countries, the availability or otherwise of antirabies vaccination on demand.

As far as I am aware, anti-rabies vaccination for animals is available on demand in all continental EEC countries where rabies is either endemic in wildlife or poses a threat across a land border. The policy on the use of rabies vaccine in the Irish Republic, which is free of rabies, is the same as our own.

Fishing Limits

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm that it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to press for an exclusive national fishing zone wider than the 12 miles proposed in the consultative document published by the EEC Commission concerned with the outcome of the Law of the Sea Conference.

Yes.

Bovine Tuberculosis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many herds during 1974 and 1975, except those in the South-West, were found not to be infected with tuberculosis and how many of those had received Irish animals during the previous two years.

In 1974, 46,081 herds were tested in Great Britain and found to be free of bovine tuberculosis: the figure for 1975 was 44,642. It is not known how many of these herds had received Irish animals in the previous two years, since inquiries about origins of animals comprising a herd are not normally made unless reactors are found.

Forestry

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take further steps to encourage private forestry.

The final conclusions of the last forestry review announced on 5th July 1974—[Vol. 876, c. 288–90]—represent the Government's current views but my right hon. Friend will be studying in some depth with his colleagues the Forestry Liaison Committee's recent statement following their meeting with the Committee on 16th June.

Fishing Industry

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the changed circumstances which now affect the fishing industry.

As indicated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 7th June—[Vol. 912, c. 939.]—I propose to make a complete statement shortly.

Artificial Insemination

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the proposals for legislating to permit "Do-It-Yourself Artificial Insemination" of cattle and the storage of semen on farms; and whether these representations have caused him to revise his proposals.

Since last February, when I announced the decision in principle to permit "Do-It-Yourself Artificial Insemination" of cattle and on-farm storage of purchased semen within the existing AI network—[Vol. 906, c. 359–60]—detailed legislative proposals to implement it have been widely circulated within the industry. A considerable number of constructive and helpful comments have been received from the organisations consulted, and these will be taken into account in finalising the new Regulations. Representations have also been made by the the Advisory Committees of three of the Milk Marketing Board's AI centres in Wales, requesting that the principle of permitted "Do-It-Yourself AI" be reconsidered. However, in view of the continued consensus of support for the proposals from within the industry, I see no reason why the decision taken last February, based as it was on a balanced judgment of both sides of the argument, should now be varied.

Forestry Commission

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total working force employed in each of the last 10 years by the Forestry Commission; and if he is in a position to give comparable figures for private forestry.

Figures for the Forestry Commission are as follows:

Date	No. employed
30th September 1966	13,089
30th September1967	12,523
31st March 1969	11,034
31st March 1970	10,104
31st March 1971	9,515
31st March 1972	9,056
31st March 1973	8,527
31st March 1974	8,298
31st March 1975	8,304
31st March 1976	8,221

There are no reliable figures for the private sector.

Common Agricultural Policy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the present state of the common agricultural policy.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Central Fife (Mr. Hamilton) on 29th April 1976.—[Vol. 910, c. 141.]

Animal Quarantine Regulations

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the alleged offences against the animal quarantine regulations, for which charges were brought in 1975, related to offences concerning failure to complete import forms correctly; and what were the nationalities of those against whom such charges were brought.

In no case in 1975, in which a charge was brought under the anti-rabies quarantine legislation, was any application for an import licence received by the Ministry.The nationalities of those against whom charges were brought were:Under the Import of Dogs and Cats Order 1928–1970:

2 British
2 French
I Italian

Under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974:

18 British
9 German
5 French
4 Italian
2 Dutch
2 Greek
1 Bulgarian
1 Danish
I Finnish
1 Portuguese
I Rumanian
1 Spanish
1 Swiss

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he is taking to prevent people importing animals via Ireland as a means of avoiding the British animal quarantine regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Anti-rabies regulations in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are similar to our own. Officials of my Department liaise constantly with their Irish counterparts to ensure co-ordination of procedures. We and the Irish are equally determined to prevent rabies entering any part of the British Isles.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the cases of alleged contravention of the animal quarantine regulations have been heard before courts empowered to imprison offenders; how many have been heard before magistrates' courts in each of the last five years; and how many of those found guilty have been imprisoned.

Following the coming into operation of the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 on 5th February 1975, there has been one case—in 1976—heard on indictment at a Crown court empowered to impose imprisonment. The court awarded six months' imprisonment, suspended for one year, and a fine of £200 plus £200 costs or three months' imprisonment for failure to pay within six months.In respect of cases heard before magistrates' courts, where the maximum penalty is a £400 fine, there were 52 convictions in 1975, of which five carried the alternative of imprisonment for failure to pay the fine. So far in 1976 there have been 30 cases, four of which carried the alternative of imprisonment for failure to pay.No offenders have yet been imprisoned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take immediate steps, with the appropriate authorities, to put up large, easily visible signs at the entrances to all ports, harbours, rivers, inlets and marinas, informing incoming boats and their crews and passengers of the animal quarantine regulations currently in force in Great Britain, together with the penalties for their contravention.

I think that it is more important to make this information available to visitors before they leave their departure points abroad, and we continue to make major efforts to do this. Nevertheless, leaflets for distribution to incoming boats, and posters for display at arrival points are available to the appropriate authorities in coastal areas.

European Community (Forestry Directive)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether he has supported the forestry directive proposed by the EEC.

This measure is one of a number of proposals relating to agricultural structure which is currently before the Council and on which my right hon. Friend has expressed reservations.

Volume 912: debated on Thursday 10 June 1976

Written Answers To Questions

Home Department

London Boroughs

Television Licence Fees

Dogs (Ownership Identification)

Lincoln Prison (Workshop)

Parliamentary Constituencies

"The Children Of God"

Dennis Warren

Nuclear Power Stations And Material

Cheltenham

Foreign Governments

Government Policies

£Sterling

Price Code (Prime Minister's Speech)

Trades Union Congress

Ministerial Broadcasts

Castor

Saudi Arabia

Prime Minister (Engagements)

Cathcart

Cyprus

Trade Union Conferences

Economic Affairs (Prime Minister's Speech)

Cbi

Tuc Conference

Opec States

Coventry

Small Businesses And Self- Employed Persons

Salisbury

Secretary Of State For Energy (Speech)

Prime Minister (Speeches And Broadcasts)

Defence

Hospitals

Employment

Industrial Stoppages

Travel Industry

Wales

Work Permits

Unemployment Statistics

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Colonial Postage Stamps

British North America Acts

Algeria (British Subjects)

Scotland

Teachers

River Tay (Pollution)

Part-Time Schooling

Social Services

Chest Clinics

Tuberculosis

Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool (Casualty Department)

Mobility Allowance

Doctors (Migration)

Private Nursing Homes And Hospitals

Pensions

Child Benefit

Prescriptions

Mentally Handicapped Children

Mental Patients

Deaf Persons (Communication Equipment)

Energy

Fuel Bills (Payment)

Ministerial Appointments

Peterhead (Shell-Expro Plant)

Environment

Official Car Service

New Palace Yard

A646, Halifax-Todmorden

Stansted Airport

Planning Appeals

Traffic Growth (West Yorkshire)

Habitat Conference (Official Visit)

Telephone Exchange (Chester)

Pedestrians (Safety)

Child Cyclists

Local Authorities (Finance)

Mortgages