Written Answers

Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday 15th June 1976.

British Politicians (Alleged Smear Campaign)

Q4.

asked the Prime Minister if he has yet considered the evidence left in the Prime Minister's office by his predecessor concerning the involvement of South African interests in smearing British politicians.

Q19.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet studied the evidence related to the involvement of South African interests in smearing British politicans and left in the Prime Minister's office by his predecessor.

That information, together with other information made available to Her Majesty's Government, is being considered by the appropriate authorities.

Q7.

asked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the setting up of a Royal Commission to inquire into the possible involvement of South African interests in campaigns against British politicians.

Q30.

asked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate allegations of involvement of South African interests in campaigns against certain British politicians.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Conway (Mr. Roberts) on 10th June.

Tuc And Cbi

Q5.

asked the Prime Minister what consultations he has had in regard to the agenda for his next meeting with the TUC.

None. But I have regular meetings with the TUC on a wide range of economic and other matters.

Q11.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

Q12.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

Q24.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met leaders of the CBI and TUC.

Q25.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

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

Q16.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC Economic Committee; and what was the outcome.

I have not met the TUC Economic Committee.

Q18.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list the subjects raised with him by the CBI since 5th May 1976.

In my recent contacts with the CBI a wide variety of economic and industrial matters has been discussed.

United States Of America

Q6.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to pay an official visit to the United States of America.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Carshalton (Mr. Forman) on 8th June.

Prime Minister (Engagements)

Q8.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 15th June.

Q13.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Tuesday 15th June.

Q20.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for Tuesday 15th June.

I shall be holding meetings with my ministerial colleagues and others throughout the day.

European Community

Q9.

asked the Prime Minister what matters he proposes to raise at the Luxembourg meeting of EEC Heads of Government.

It is too early to say. I will consider this in the light of developments in the coming weeks.

Trade Union Meetings

Q10.

asked the Prime Minister how many invitations to address trade union gatherings he has received since taking office.

I have received a number of invitations to address trade union gatherings since taking office and so far I have addressed seven. I shall also be addressing the Durham miners on 17th July.

National Economic Development Council

Q14.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to take the chair at the NEDC.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Radice) on 13th May.

Economic Policy (Lord President's Speech)

Q15.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech by the Lord President of the Council on economic policy made on the 21st May 1976 in Blackpool to the SOGAT conference represents Government policy.

Q26.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech by the Lord President of the Council on economic policy on 21st May 1976 in Blackpool to the SOGAT conference represents Government policy.

Yes.

Prime Minister (Speech)

Q17.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on the economy in Bournemouth on 23rd May 1976.

Q29.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on economic policy at Bournemouth on 23rd May 1976.

Q31.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on economic policy to the Union of Post Office Workers at Bournemouth on 23rd May 1976.

Q32.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on economic policy made to the Union of Post Office Workers at Bournemouth on 23rd May 1976.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on economic policy to the Union of Post Office Workers at Bournemouth on 23rd May.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Thomas).

Cyprus

Q21.

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

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

Oil Production

Q22.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a Prime Ministerial broadcast on Great Britain's role as an oil-producing nation.

I have no present intention of doing so.

Government Policies

Q23.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied with the Government's progress in implementing the policies outlined in the Gracious Speech.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, South (Mr. Marshall) on 10th June.

Small Businesses And The Self-Employed

Q27.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with ministerial coordination with regard to small businesses and the self-employed.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 10th June.

Carshalton

Q28.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

Immigration Policy

Q33.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on matters relating to immigration policy.

Immigration policy is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary but there is and always has been close co-ordination between the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the administration of the immigration control.

Prime Minister (Appointments)

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish in the Offical Report a detailed list giving the full-and part-time appointments made by his Department which are held by peers of the realm, the names of the holders, the salaries and expenses paid to the holders of these appointments and when such appointments were made.

The following is the information requested by my hon. Friend. None of the appointments is paid or full-time.

Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries

Member:—The Earl of Plymouth.

National Gallery

Trustee:—Lord Poole.

National Portrait Gallery

Chairman:—Lord Kenyon.
Trustees:—The Duke of Grafton, The Viscount Cobham.

Tate Gallery

Chairman:—Lord Bullock.
Trustee:—Lord Harlech.

Wallace Collection

Trustee:—The Marquess of Dufferin and Ava.

British Museum

Chairman:—Lord Trevelyan.
Trustees:—Lord Boyd of Merton, Lord Annan, Lord Fletcher, Lord Boyle of Hands-worth, Lord Trend.

British Museum (Natural History)

Trustee:—Lord Zuckerman.

Museum of London

Chairman:—The Viscount Harcourt.
Governor:—The Viscount Esher.

City Parochial Foundation

Trustees:—Lord Cottesloe, The Earl of Limerick.

Kennedy Memorial Trust

Trustee:—Lord Harlech.

Police Council for Arbitration

Arbitrator:—Lord Cooper of Stockton Heath.

Security Commission

Chairman:—Lord Diplock.
Members:—The Lord Simon of Glaisdale, Lord Sinclair of Cleeve, Lord Greenhill of Harrow.

Review Bodies.

Top Salaries:

Chairman:—Lord Boyle of Handsworth.
Members:—Baroness Seears, Lord Pritchard, Lord Hirschfield.

Offshore Oil And Gas (Ancillary Industry)

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the allocation of departmental responsibility for the development of the service and supply industrial activity which is ancillary to the development of offshore oil and gas fields.

The Offshore Supplies Office of the Department of Energy is chiefly responsible for the development of industrial activity to provide goods and services to the United Kingdom offshore market but liaises closely with the other Government Departments concerned, particularly the regional offices of the Department of Industry and their counterparts in the Scottish and Welsh Offices.

Industrial Strategy (Managerial Requirements)

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Departments of Industry and Employment in relating managerial requirements to industrial strategy.

Yes.

Forecasting Data (Co-Ordination)

asked the Prime Minister which Department is responsible for the overall co-ordination of forecasting data over a five-and 10-year time scale; and if he will make a statement.

The Treasury undertakes medium-term assessments annually. These cover a period of approximately five years. It produces longer-term assessments in general every year, in conjunction with other Departments.

Law Officers (Division Of Responsibilities)

asked the Attorney-General whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in the Law Officers' Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities as at 1st June 1976, copies of which are in the Library.

Privy Council Office (Ministerial Responsibilities)

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in his Department.

I refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities as at 1st June 1976, copies of which are now in the Library.

Home Department

Electoral Reform

49.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give serious consideration to the report of the Hansard Society Commission on Electoral Reform.

Yes. The report makes a useful contribution to public debate on this issue.

Urban Aid

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money allocated to projects in Manchester during the various phases of the Urban Aid Programme was taken up by voluntary bodies; and how much was taken up by the statutory bodies.

The information is as follows:

VALUE OF PROJECTS IN MANCHESTER APPROVED UNDER THE URBAN PROGRAMME
(1) To be run by Voluntary Organisations
Expenditure Approved (£)
Circular Number			Capital	Recurrent Non-capital	Non-Recurrent Non -Capital
1	…	…	—	—	—
2	…	…	—	—	2,000
3	…	…	—	12,850	4,850
4	…	…	—	6,085	—
5^*	…	…	—	—	—
6†	…	…	—	—	946
7	…	…	14,300	24,582	19,442
8†	…	…	—	—	2,527
9	…	…	12,000	3,694	650
10†	…	…	—	—	1,812
11	…	…	29,970	4,500	—
12	…	…	90,467	16,230	—
13†	…	…	—	—	3,160
14	…	…	42,600	48,590	350
15†	…	…	—	—	1,715

(2) To be run by the Local Authority
Expenditure Approved (£)
Circular Number			Capital	Recurrent Non-capital	Non-Recurrent Non-capital
1	…	…	195,910	—	—
2	…	…	142,375	13,580	17,920
3	…	…	65,000	10,210	—
4	…	…	—	10,200	1,500
5^*	…	…	—	—	—
6†	…	…	—	—	630
7	…	…	33,315	2,800	—
8†	…	…	—	—	1,095
9	…	…	15,600	4,900	—
10†	…	…	—	—	2,284
11	…	…	3,200	3,400	—
12	…	…	—	6,930	500
13†	…	…	—	—	3,170
14	…	…	—	—	—
15†	…	…	—	—	2,722
^* This circular invited applications only from intermediate and development areas.
† These circulars invited applications only for non-recurrent holiday projects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money was allocated to projects undertaken in Manchester during each phase of the Urban Aid Programme.

The information is as follows:

MONEY ALLOCATED FOR URBAN PROGRAMME PROJECTS IN MANCHESTER UNDER CIRCULARS 1–15
Amounts (£)
Circular Number			Capital	Recurrent Non-capital	Non-Recurrent Non-capital
1	…	…	195,910	—	—
2	…	…	142,375	13,580	19,920
3	…	…	65,000	23,060	4,850
4	…	…	—	16,285	1,500
5^*	…	…	—	—.	—
6†	…	…	—	—	1,576
7	…	…	47,615	27,382	19,442
8†	…	…	—	—	3,622
9	…	…	27,600	8,594	650
10†	…	…	—	—	4,096
11	…	…	33,170	7,900	—
12	…	…	90,467	23,160	500
13†	…	…	—	—	6,330
14	…	…	42,600	48,590	350
15	…	…	—	—	4,437
^* This circular invited applications only from intermediate and development areas.
† These circulars invited applications only for non-recurrent holiday projects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many projects were approved in Manchester under each phase of the Urban Aid Programme; and what was the nature of these projects.

123 projects, intended to help meet special social need 4in Manchester, have been approved under the Urban Programme. They cover a wide range, including nursery classes, playgroups, a family advice centre, a housing advisory service, language projects, provision for the elderly, a law centre, a women's aid project and short-term special projects in the school holidays. The numbers of projects approved under successive circulars have been as follows:

Circular Number			Number of Projects Approved
1	…	…	…	15
2	…	…	…	17
3	…	…	…	17
4	…	…	…	7
5^*	…	…	…	0
6	…	…	…	2
7	…	…	…	12
8	…	…	…	4
9	…	…	…	9
10	…	…	…	5
11	…	…	…	8
12	…	…	…	8
13	…	…	…	5
14	…	…	…	7
15	…	…	…	7
^*This circular invited applications only from development and intermediate areas.

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities as at 1st June 1976, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

Traffic Wardens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of traffic wardens in Great Britain in 1975.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) on 22nd March.—[Vol. 908, c. 31.]

Environment

Severn-Trent Water Authority

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet received the report from the Chairman of the Severn-Trent Water Authority concerning the purchase by the authority of land from the chairman; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a full account of this matter and am satisfied that there was no form of impropriety involved.

"Site And Service" Schemes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what presentations or reports were made by the United Kingdom delegation to the Habitat Conference at Vancouver on "site and service" schemes in Third World towns that have been funded by the United Nations aid programme.

No formal presentations or reports on Site and Service Schemes "in Third World towns were made to the Habitat Conference by the United Kingdom delegation. Representatives of the Ministry for Overseas Development familiar with British effort in relation to such schemes were part of the United Kingdom delegation.

Local Authority Mortgages

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to allow councils to use the limited funds available for granting council mortgages on houses for the purpose of topping-up the limited mortgages which older properties might attract from building societies, without the requirement of the council element needing to be considered as a first mortgage.

Local authorities already have the power to grant second mortgages on older property.

Trees (Preservation Contravention)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in 1973, 1974 and 1975 prosecutions have been instituted for breach of tree preservation orders.

In 1973 there were 44 prosecutions for contraventions to tree preservation orders. There are no figures for 1974–75 available. The figures for 1975–76 are being obtained from local planning authorities. I will write again to the hon. Member when the returns are complete.

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities within Departments which is available in the Whips' Offices. The latest revision was published today.

Roads (Police Posts)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average length of time in a 24-hour period that he calculated a police observation position will be manned for observation purposes; and what advantages police observation positions provide which could not be obtained from road bridges already crossing main roads and motorways.

I have made no such calculation. Observation platforms provide a more effective means of traffic surveillance than from bridge crossings, give direct police access on to the motorway, and lead to substantially increased awareness of police presence by motorway users.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the initial cost of the construction of a motorway police observation position on completion, including the cost of surfacing and the provision of a safety barrier; and what is estimated to be its annual cost of maintenance.

The average initial cost of a motorway police observation platform is £1,500 at November 1975 prices; annual maintenance costs should be minimal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, before agreeing to the establishment of police observation positions on motorways, what consultations he had with the RAC, the AA and, in particular, with accident prevention officials in relation to the siting of each police observation position and its potential when in use as a possible accident hazard.

No such consultations were deemed necessary except with the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has laid down a density of police observations positions on motorways and trunk roads; and, if so, what is the distance he recommends between such positions on (a) motorways and (b) other roads.

Police observation positions are being provided on motorways only, at recommended intervals of between eight and 16 kilometres on both carriageways.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what facilities he intends that a standard police observation position on motorways and other roads will possess in due course; and if each one will be equipped with rest rooms, telephones, and toilet and canteen facilities.

No facilities are intended to be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he entered into with either local planning authorities or the Countryside Commission before establishing police observation positions in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

None—all police observation positions are located within motorway boundaries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he ascertains the views of a local planning authority before establishing a police observation position in an area scheduled as a conservation area.

No—all police observation positions are located within motorway boundaries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is intended to equip police observation positions on motorways with TV surveillance cameras to monitor traffic flow and driver behaviour.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to equip police observation positions with first aid and radio facilities.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent he studied road traffic handling provisions in other left-hand drive countries before authorising the establishment of police observation positions on motorways and other main roads.

No such studies were considered necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if breakdown, road rescue, RAC, AA and ambulance services may make use of a police observation position beside a motorway or other main road.

Only under police instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to establish a police observation position on any road with a B classification.

No, but this would be a matter for local highway authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has established or intends to establish police observation positions on single carriageway roads, including, when constructed, the A1–M1 link road.

No police observation positions have been established on single carriageway roads. The layout of the A1–M1 link has not yet been decided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent police establishment will have to be increased to permit the worthwhile use by police surveillance teams from police observation positions on motorways and other main roads; and what will be the annual extra expenditure involved.

The use of observation positions on motorways should improve the effectiveness of existing police forces and should not entail any increase in establishments or annual expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the provision of police observation positions and the expenditure involved therein has been approved by Parliament.

The estimated expenditure involved in providing police observation platforms is contained in the Department's Roads Etc., England, Vote which is approved annually by Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of police observation positions constructed so far on roads other than motorways; and what further number of completions he is considering before 1980 on these roads and motorways.

None; police observation posts are being provided on motorways only. About 180 more should be completed before 1980.

Building Contracts (Pay Limits)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet informed local authorities of the names of any contractors alleged to have breached the pay limits, under the terms of paragraph 15 of Circular 123/75, so that they may be excluded from tender lists; if so, which were the firms; and how the information was communicated to local authorities.

No. Formal action to debar contractors from tendering for Government contracts has not so far proved necessary. Should a contractor be so barred, local authorities will be notified by means of a circular.

Hull-York Trunk Road

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the improvement of the main Hull to York trunk road, stating those improvements which are at present under way and the other improvements programmed for the next five years.

The second stage of the three-stage Hayton-Shiptonthorpe improvement is almost completed. Subject to the completion of statutory procedures and the availability of funds, it is hoped in the next five years to undertake the construction of the Beverley south-western bypass, improvement of the bend at the post office at Kexby, and possibly the final stage of the Hayton-Shiptonthorpe improvement.

Employment

School Leavers

45.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what specific steps are taken by his Department to ensure that a range of jobs is offered to all those school leavers who sign a declaration at their unemployment benefit office that they are able and willing to take any suitable job; and what is the precise liaison procedure between his Department and the Supplementary Benefits Commission to ensure that benefit is only paid to those genuinely unable to find any work.

The main responsibility for finding jobs for school leavers rests with the local authority careers service, which does all it reasonably can to offer them suitable jobs. Local authorities are required under the Employment and Training Act 1973 to supply my Department with any information necessary for the administration of benefit for unemployed persons. When a supplementary benefit claimant refuses to accept, or fails to apply for, or neglects to avail himself of, suitable employment, and the independent adjudicating authorities decide that he would incur disqualification if unemployment benefit were in payment, the facts are reported to the Supplementary Benefits Commission.

Manpower Services Commission

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in the Manpower Services Commission; at what total annual cost; and how this compares with the position 12 months ago.

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that on 1st May 1976 the number of people employed in the office of the Manpower Services Commission was 207, the number employed by the Employment Service Agency was 14,593 and the number employed by the Training Services Agency was 7,717.

The annual costs of salaries, etc., of the staff of the OMSC, ESA and TSA in the estimates for the period 1st April 1976 to 31st March 1977 were:

				£'000
OMSC	…	…	…	1,102
ESA	…	…	…	54,031
TSA	…	…	…	31,581
Total	…	…	…	86,714

On 1st May 1975 the number of people employed in the office of the Manpower Services Commission was 51, the number employed by the Employment Service Agency was 13,688 and the number employed by the Training Services Agency was 6,014.

The annual costs of salaries, etc. of the staff of the OMSC, ESA and TSA in the estimates for the period 1st April 1975 to 31st March 1976 were:

				£'000
OMSC	…	…	…	0,470
ESA	…	…	…	45,499
TSA	…	…	…	22,733
Total	…	…	…	68,702

Employment Forms (Vat Registration Numbers)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether there is statutory authority for including a demand for the VAT registration numbers in the annual census of employment forms; what is the purpose of this demand; and whether he will review this practice.

The censuses of employment in Great Britain are conducted under the provisions of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947. The schedule to that Act lists the matters about which persons may be required to provide information. One of these matters is taxes, other than taxes on profits. VAT is such a tax, and it is, therefore, admissible to ask for information about VAT registrations.My Department requires the VAT registration numbers to help obtain the highest degree of comparability possible between the census of employment and other related Government inquiries. The VAT registration numbers are a great help in checking the coverage of the aggregates produced by the various inquiries. I am thus satisfied that a useful purpose is served by obtaining them on the census forms and propose to continue this practice.

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities as at 1st June 1976, copies of which are available in the Library.

Miners (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average gross income of underground miners at the latest date available.

I assume the hon. Member is asking for information relating to earnings of underground coal miners. The latest available published information is contained in the 1975 New Earnings Survey and relates to April 1975. I am asking the Chairman of the National Coal Board to write direct to the hon. Member to provide more up-to-date information.

Building Contracts (Pay Limits)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will set out in tabular form the number of cases in which building contractors have been questioned, whether orally or by correspondence, by his Department about possible breaches of the £6 pay limits under the procedure set out in DOE Circular 123/75, indicating (a) how many involved variations of existing contracts under paragraphs 11–13, (b) how many involved alleged breaches of the limit itself under paragraph 14, (c) in how many cases a breach has in fact occurred and (d) in how many cases the contractor refused to modify the settlement found to be in breach.

There have been no such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many cases contractors have been asked to attend his Department, or one of its regional offices, to explain why they breached the £6 pay limit, following the indication in the reply by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Melton on 8th June that this procedure has in fact occurred; whether they were permitted to be represented by counsel, solicitor or officials of their trade association; whether any independent observers other than civil servants were present to ensure that natural justice was done during these hearings; and whether in all cases the contractors were present to hear an oral, reasoned statement of his Department's decision on the matter, followed by a written letter confirming the decision in sufficient detail to allow a contractor, if necessary, to challenge the decision in the court.

The reply by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member on 8th June covered all contractors with Government Departments or public authorities. None of the cases mentioned involved construction contractors.

Social Services

Unification Church

46.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has now studied the numerous letters concerning the Unification Church forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley; and whether he will make a statement.

As regards the papers which my hon. Friend forwarded last year, the position is, as was pointed out in the debate on the Adjournment on 22nd October—[Vol. 898, c. 678–88]—that no evidence has yet been brought to the Department's attention of any health hazards involved in the techniques employed by the church which would justify action under the present law. My Department has not yet had time to study the further papers received on 14th June, but I will write to my hon. Friend if they indicate any change in the situation.

Departmental Costs

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to reduce administration costs in the Department under his control.

We are constantly seeking economies in administration costs by better methods, through staff inspectors, O and M investigations and, in consultation with my departmental Staff Side, through simplification of work procedures. How to implement in my Department the Government's decision to reduce the forecast cost of Civil Service administration in 1978–79 is still under consideration.

Observation And Assessment Centres

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the authorities that have replied to his circular of 18th May 1976 inviting them to apply for grant under Section 71 of the Children Act 1975.

The table below lists the local authorities from whom an application for a grant, under Section 71 of the Children Act 1975, had been received in my Department by 9th June 1976 in relation to secure accommodation projects given final approval after 12th November 1975. Some of the applications were made in anticipation of the issue of the circular.

County Councils

Avon.
Buckinghamshire.
Berkshire.
Devon.
Durham.
Lancashire.
Oxfordshire.

Metropolitan District Councils

Bolton.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Rotherham.

London Borough Councils

Hackney.
Hammersmith.
Hillingdon.
Lambeth.
Southwark.

Coventry (Geriatric Hospital)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the building of the new geriatric hospital in Coventry was completed; why it is standing empty; and when it will be brought into use.

The new geriatric hospital was completed in January. It has not yet been brought into use because discussions over the allocation of beds between geriatrics and psycho-geriatrics have not been completed. Two wards will be brought into use within the next few weeks; the remaining five as soon as discussions over their allocation have been completed.

Rabies

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to develop adequate supplies of hyper-immune human anti-rabies serum; and if he will make a statement.

Stocks of human rabies immunoglobulin have been imported and will be maintained at the level recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. It is our intention to develop production of the immunoglobulin in the United Kingdom; we are at present considering the best way of achieving this.

Infant Mortality

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the incidence of infant mortality among the various socio-economic groups; and what action is being taken to reduce infant mortality among the poorest families.

The number of infant deaths and estimated mortality rates—deaths of infants under 1 year of age per 1,000 estimated live births—in England and Wales by social class for the three-year period, 1970–72, are as follows:

	Social Class	Deaths	Rate
I	Professional	1,622	11·6
II	Intermediate occupations	4,529	13·6
III	Skilled occupations	19,250	16·5
IV	Partly skilled occupations	7,627	19·7
V	Unskilled occupations	4,001	30·0

One of my Department's research priorities is the reviewing and planning of research into all aspects of infant mortality. On 10th May—[Vol. 911, c.

74–5]—I gave the House details of research sponsored by my Department to identify groups of children aged from one week to 2 years at risk of death and the avoidable medical and social factors. These projects include study of the social and environmental circumstances of all child deaths in the study areas.

Research findings suggest that sudden infant deaths are less frequent in infants who are breast fed, and every encouragement is given to mothers to breast feed their babies for a minimum of two weeks and preferably for the first six months of life. However, the welfare food scheme provides modified baby milk free of charge for mothers in the lowest income families who do not breast feed their babies.

The preventive child health services are not readily used by the most vulnerable groups in the community; my Department is exploring ways of encouraging better use of these services and has proposed an expansion of the health visiting service to allow more support to be given to mothers and improved monitoring of the health of children, particularly those in the lower socio-economic groups.

Mentally Handicapped Persons (Liskeard)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when it is intended that work should commence to provide an adult training centre for 60 persons in Liskeard for the mentally handicapped.

This scheme has been selected for inclusion in my right hon. Friend's provisional list of schemes for the 1976–77 personal social services capital programme. It is now for the Cornwall County Council to decide when work should commence.

Arthritis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is spent on research to find a cure for arthritis; and what are the costs of treating this disease.

Government funded research in the treatment of arthritis is carried out mainly by the Medical Research Council, from its own resources and under commission from the Health Departments. Major research programmes are in progress at the council's Rheumatism Unit and its Clinical Research Centre, as well as under grants. There is also a substantial amount of basic, biological research by the council and universities which may contribute to the advance of knowledge of the nature and cure of the disease.Unfortunately, separate costs for research relevant to arthritis are not readily produced, and I regret that I am unable to give a comprehensive figure.I regret also that information on costs of treatment is not available since it is impossible to isolate those relating solely to this disease.

Hospitals (Complaints)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet decided what action to take on the report of the committee on hospital complaints procedure; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 9th February.—[Vol. 905, c. 85–6.] The proposed code of practice for handling complaints mentioned in that reply has now been issued for consultation. I am placing copies in the Library of the House.

Speech Therapists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes have been made in the training of speech therapists since responsibility for the education of mentally handicapped children was transferred from health departments to education committees on 1st April 1971; and whether experience with mentally handicapped children is now included in the training of speech therapists.

The syllabus of training for speech therapists was revised in 1972 and again this year. So far as mentally handicapped children are concerned, the main change is that the latest syllabus includes a section on "Paediatric Neurology" with specific reference to mental handicap. In addition to this the "Psychology" section now makes special mention of

"Psychological and psychiatric aspects of childhood disorders involving speech and language" and "the individual characteristics and psycho-social contexts of infancy, childhood, adolescence".

The old and new syllabuses require students to observe and train a similar number of children and adults. I understand that all schools make arrangements for students to obtain experience with mentally handicapped children.

Defence

Hydrographer Of The Royal Navy

4.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a state- ment on the progress by the end of May of discussions on the future of the Hydrographer's services.

I thank my hon. Friend for his continued interest in the Hydrographic Service. The 10 vessels which form the bulk of the existing fleet are required for defence surveys and will contrinue to be funded from the defence budget. Interdepartmental discussion contrinues on the future of the remaining three ships, and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

Baor

16.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the Federal Republic has agreed to contribute to the costs of maintaining the British Army in Germany.

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Price) on 12th May.—[Vol. 911, c. 176.]

36.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the effect on the balance of forces—Warsaw Pact to NATO—in the central front of any further cut in BAOR.

Any sizeable reduction in BAOR carried out unilaterally would have a seriously damaging effect on the defensive capability of the Alliance and increase the present imbalance between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in the central region. That is why we have made it clear that we do not envisage any reductions in advance of an MBFR agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total annual cost in terms of foreign exchange, at constant prices, of keeping British forces in the Federal Republic of Germany both before and after allowing for the FDR offset for each year since 1957.

Because of changing rates of exchange and differing rates of inflation it is not possible to produce a meaningful constant price series over the period. However, the foreign exchange costs and the approximate sterling value of the various offset agreements, concluded for differing periods, are as follows:

			Foreign Exchange Costs	Approximate Sterling value of each offset agreement
			£m.	£m.
1958–59	…	…	55	12
1959–60	…	…	52	24
1960–61	…	…	58	12
1961–62	…	…	61	—
1962–63	…	…	68	107
1963–64	…	…	72	107
1964–65	…	…	82	175
1965–66	…	…	84
1966–67	…	…	84
1967–68	…	…	89	50
1968–69	…	…	94	77
1969–70	…	…	110	172^*
1970–71	…	…	132	172^*
1971–72	…	…	172	220†
1972–73	…	…	206
1973–74	…	…	283
1974–75	…	…	340
1975–76	…	…	403
^* The £172 million includes a Government to Government loan of US $125 million. The loan is at an annual rate of interest of 3½ per cent, and is repayable at the end of 10 years.
† Includes military equipment purchases of DM926 million up to December 1975.

National Finance

Subsidies

47.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will establish an inquiry within the CPRS into the extent to which England provides subsidies to the other parts of the United Kingdom.

No. National public expenditure policies are designed to meet the needs of the United ingdom as a whole; the distribution of this expenditure between different areas of the country is based on local needs.

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the list placed today in the House of Commons Library.

Building Contracts

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, pursuant to the Chief Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 8th June (Official Report, column 664), he will explain why it would be disproportionately expensive to give the number of cases where contractors had refused to vary existing contracts under paragraph 11 of DOE Circular 123/75, in view of the Chief Secretary's statement that the proportion involved of such cases was small.

It was clear from the broad information we had that the incidence of refusals was small. But since numbers were not recorded centrally, examination of papers relating to all existing contracts, estimated at over 10,000 in number, would have been necessary to give a precise figure.

Loans (Government Guarantees)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of loans, deposits and other transactions concerning which Her Majesty's Government have given undertakings, assurances or guarantees of the value of sterling against other currencies; what is the nature of such guarantees, assurances or undertakings and to whom they have been given; and what is the Government's present liability based upon the current exchange value of sterling.

The only such guarantees that Her Majesty's Government have given are those for foreign currency borrowing by United Kingdom public sector bodies under the exchange cover scheme. Under this scheme, the proceeds of any foreign currency borrowing by the United Kingdom public sector are sold to the Exchange Equalisation Account in exchange for sterling at the exchange rates then prevailing. The EEA undertakes to provide foreign currency for the service and repayment of such borrowing at the same rate of exchange,

					Borrower				Amount (million)
March 1976		…	…	…	British Steel Corporation	…	…	…	U.S. $92·39
					British Steel Corporation	…	…	…	Dutch florin 30·00
					Post Office	…	…	…	U.S. $18·955
									D.Mk29·9
									Yen 785·0
					Electricity Council	…	…	…	U.S. $49·0
					National Water Council	…	…	…	U.S. $10·3
									D.Mk 13·2
									Dutch florin 3·8
									Yen 125·0
					National Water Council	…	…	…	U.S. $4·4
									D.Mk 5·9
									Yen 55·0
									£0·3
April 1976	…	…	…	…	Electricity Council	…	…	…	Dutch florin 98·7
					Post Office	…	…	…	D.Mk 300·0
					British Steel Corporation	…	…	…	Dutch florin 6·93
					British Steel Corporation	…	…	…	Dutch florin 30·0
					Electricity Council	…	…	…	U.S. $295·0
May 1976	…	…	…	…	Electricity Council	…	…	…	U.S. $20·0
					British Gas Corporation	…	…	…	U.S. $14·3
									Swiss francs 7·1
									Dutch florin 21·2
									D.Mk 16·4
					British Steel Corporation	…	…	…	U.S. $107·4
					National Coal Board	…	…	…	U.S. $9·2
					Post Office	…	…	…	D.Mk 50·0
					National Coal Board	…	…	…	U.S. $49·8

£Sterling

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he has any evidence that recent fluctuations in sterling have any connection with political and diplomatic factors;(2) whether he has any evidence that the decline in the value of sterling has been exacerbated by withdrawals on the part of the Nigerian Government.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 14th June 1976;

rather than the market rate at the time of the payments, and in return receives part of the interest rate benefit.

At the end of May 1976 borrowing under this scheme was equivalent to some $7·9 billion, or £4·4 billion at the exchange rates then prevailing.

Lists of all outstanding foreign currency public sector loans, including those covered by the exchange cover scheme, until the end of September 1975, and between October 1974 and the end of February 1976, were placed in the Library of the House of Commons on 14th October 1975 and 19th March 1976 respectively. I will now arrange for a further list, covering the period from March 1976 to end-May 1976, to be deposited there.

Vol. 913, c. 26], gave the following information:

As my right hon. Friend told the House on 7th June, about a quarter of the fall in reserves since early March is attributable to reductions in the sterling balances held by overseas residents. These include private as well as a large number of official holders. It is not the practice to comment on the balances of individual holders, but I can assure the House that none of the major official holders played a predominant part in the pressure, and that there is no evidence to support the rumours of widespread market sales by Nigeria. Nor do I have any evidence that political or diplomatic factors affected the movement of official or other sterling balances.

Manufacturing Industry (Trading Indices)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish

			Pre-tax trading profits of companies in manufacturing industry after deducting stock appreciation and capital consumption at replacement cost			1960 = 100
				Net fixed capital formation by companies in manufacturing industry		Private sector employment in manufacturing industry
				Current prices	Constant prices	Private sector employment in manufacturing industry
1960	…	…	100	100	100	100
1961	…	…	90	134	130	102
1962	…	…	87	121	115	101
1963	…	…	97	97	89	100
1964	…	…	109	125	113	101
1965	…	…	112	151	131	103
1966	…	…	103	160	134	103
1967	…	…	106	141	117	100
1968	…	…	111	155	124	96
1969	…	…	100	198	152	98
1970	…	…	97	220	156	97
1971	…	…	99	184	119	94
1972	…	…	113	125	75	91
1973	…	…	108	179	96	92
1974	…	…	50	275	125	92

Sources—

National accounts estimates of profits, stock appreciation, capital consumption and capital formation.

"Employment in the public and private sectors 1959–74 "—Economic Trends February 1976.

Notes—

Estimates of the value of output in private sector manufacturing industry are not readily available; estimates of the volume of output in manufacturing industry public and private are published on page 26 of Economic Trends for the years 1965 onwards and page 65 of the annual supplement to Economic Trends for earlier years.

Private sector employment in manufacturing industry covers employees in employment only—i.e. excludes employers and self-employed—in private sector enterprises as defined in the national accounts.

Trading profits and net fixed capital formation of companies covers companies in the private sector only and excludes unincorporated businesses.

Companies (Trading Profits)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing pre-tax company sector trading profits as a percentage of net capital stock valued at replacement prices in 1950, 1960, 1970 and for each year since 1970.

Estimates for industrial and commercial companies are as follows:

				Per cent.
1950	…	…	…	16^*
1960	…	…	…	18
1970	…	…	…	9
1971	…	…	…	9
1972	…	…	…	9

a table showing for private sector manufacturing industry and for each year since 1960 the indices of ( a) pre-tax trading profits—net of stock appreciation and capital consumption—( b) net fixed capital formation, ( c) output value and ( d) employment.

Following are the available estimates. Except for the figures of private sector employment in manufacturing industry the estimates are subject to wide margins of error.

1973	…	…	…	8
1974	…	…	…	4½
1975	…	…	…	3½

Trading profits have been measured after the deduction of stock appreciation and capital consumption at replacement cost. Net capital stock covers only reproducible fixed assets and excludes land. Estimates for net trading income including rental income expressed as a percentage of net capital stock plus the book value of stocks and work-in-progress were published on page 244 of

Trade and Industry for 24th October 1975.

^* The estimate for 1950 is subject to a wide margin of error since the estimates of

Stock appreciation and net capital stock for that year are of particularly poor quality.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing pre-tax company sector trading profits, net of stock appreciation and capital consumption, as a percentage of national income in 1950, 1960, 1970 and for each year since 1970.

Following are the estimates:

	Per cent.
1950	12½
1960	13½
1970	7
1971	7
1972	7
1973	6
1974	2½
1975 (preliminary estimate)	1½

Civil Service

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in the Civil Service Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities at 1st June 1976 published by my Department, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

Government Buildings (Cleaning)

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when the Government decided to require private contractors engaged in cleaning Government buildings to pay wages comparable to those paid for similar work done by local authorities why it so decided; and what has been the total increase in public expenditure incurred as a result of this decision since the date on which the decision was first implemented.

As I indicated on 31st January 1975—[Vol. 885, c. 331]—new clauses to this effect were introduced into all tenders invited on or after 1st April 1975. They were introduced, after discussions with representatives of both employers and employees in the contract cleaning industry, to reinforce the Fair Wages Resolution passed by this House on 14th October 1946. Details of the consequential increase in public expenditure are not available centrally.

Energy

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in his Department.

I refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities as at 1st June 1976, copies of which are available in the Library.

Electricity Prices

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are prices of electricity per kilowatt in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and France, respectively.

I refer my hon. Friend to the electricity prices given in the answer to the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) on 23rd March—[Vol. 908, cc. 168–170.] I regret that more recent figures are not yet available. However, the indications are that prices in the United Kingdom still compare favourably with those in the rest of the EEC.

Fuel Bills

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will publish updated versions of the tables in "Energy Tariffs and the Poor", which draw on the 1972 Electricity Council Sample Survey of Domestic Consumers, adjusted to take account of the increase in energy prices since then and the particularly mild winter of 1972.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 18th May 1976; Vol. 911, c. 475.], gave the following information:Those tables in "Energy Tariffs and the Poor" which were derived from the 1972 Electricity Council Survey showed likely effects related to electricity prices current during October-December 1975. No later council survey is available. However, the analysis in those tables is broadly confirmed by the similar analysis which my Department has made of the smaller sample data in the latest 1974 Family Expenditure Survey, which, after recalculation to reflect the level of electricity prices expected in July 1976, is set out in the following tables:

APPENDIX A
TABLE 1
ALL CONSUMERS IN ENGLAND AND WALES (Corresponding 1974 FES analysis)
Annual consumption of unrestricted electricity kWh						Effect on weekly bills of
			Consumers^*		Halving standing charge	Flat-rate tariff	Two-tier-inverted tariff	Three-tier-inverted tariff
			Number (000)	Per cent.	p/week	p/week	p/week	p/week
All consumption	…	…	7,880	100·0
1–200	…	…	70	0·9	0·0 to -5·8	-0·1 to -11·5	-0·1 to -14·8	-0·1 to -13·4
200–294	…	…	980	12·4	-5·8 to -8·5	-11·5 to -16·9	-14·8 to -21·7	-13·4 to -19·7
294–1,000	…	…	980	12·4	-8·5 to -6·6	-16·9 to -13·3	-21·7 to -29·6	-19·7 to -22·8
1,000–1,800	…	…	1,630	20·7	-6·6 to -4·6	-13·3 to -9·2	-29·6 to -38·5	-22·8 to -26·3
1,800–2,000	…	…	1,630	20·7	-4·6 to -4·1	-9·2 to -8·2	-38·5 to -35·0	-26·3 to -26·3
2,000–3,000	…	…	1,560	19·8	-4·1 to -1·5	-8·2 to -3·1	-35·0 to -17·5	-26·3 to -26·3
3,000–3,600	…	…	780	9·9	-1·5 to 0	-3·1 to 0	-17·5 to -6·6	-26·3 to -26·3
3,600–4,000	…	…	450	5·7	0 to +1·0	0 to +2·0	-6·6 to +0·5	-26·3 to -16·9
4,000–5,000	…	…	800	10·1	+1·0 to +3·6	+2·0 to +7·1	+0·5 to +18·2	-16·9 to +6·6
5,000–7,500	…	…	950	12·1	+3·6 to +10·0	+7·1 to +19·9	+18·2 to +62·5	+6·6 to +65·1
7,500–10,000	…	…	370	4·8	+10·0 to +16·4	+19·9 to +32·6	+62·5 to +106·8	+65·1 to +123·7
10,000–12,500	…	…	150	1·9	+16·4 to +22·8	+32·6 to +45·4	+106·8 to +151·1	+123·7 to +182·3
12,500–15,000	…	…	60	0·7	+22·8 to +29·2	+45·4 to +58·1	+151·1 to +195·5	+182·3 to +240·9
15,000 and over	…	…	80	1·0	+29·2 and over	+58·1 and over	+195·5 and over	+240·9 and over

						Number (000)	Per cent.	Number (000)	Per cent.	Number (000)	Per cent	Number (000)	Per cent.
Total number: helped	…	…	…	…	…	5,010	64	5,030	64	5,440	69	6,050	77
Total number: harmed	…	…	…	…	…	2,870	36	2,850	36	2,440	31	1,830	23
^* Only 53 per cent. of households are covered because the figures, which are estimated from the Family Expenditure Survey, relate only to households with credit meters who are likely to have consumed only unrestricted electricity, not all of whom could provide data on their electricity consumption. Consumption data are not recorded for consumers with prepayment meters.

APPENDIX A
TABLE 4
COUNCIL TENANTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES (Corresponding 1974 FES analysis)
Annual consumption of unrestricted electricity kWh						Effect on weekly bills of
			Consumers^*		Halving standing charge	Flat-rate tariff	Two-tier-inverted tariff	Three-tier-inverted tariff
			Number (000)	Per cent.	p/week	p/week	p/week	p/week
All consumption	…	…	2,100	100.0
1–200	…	…	30†	1·2	0·0 to -5·8	-0·1 to -11·5	-0·1 to -14·8	-0·1 to -13·4
200–294	…	…	350	16·7	-5·8 to -8·5	-11·5 to -16·9	-14·8 to -21·7	-13·4 to -19·7
294–1,000	…	…	350	16·7	-8·5 to -6·5	-16·9 to -13·3	-21·7 to -29·6	-19·7 to -22·8
1,000–1,800	…	…	500	23·7	-6·6 to -4·6	-13·3 to -9·2	-29·6 to -38·5	-22·8 to -26·3
1,800–2,000	…	…	500	23·7	-4·6 to -4·1	-9·2 to -8·2	-38·5 to -35·0	-26·3 to -23·3
2,000–3,000	…	…	450	21·4	-4·1 to -1·5	-8·2 to -3·1	-35·0 to -17·5	-26·3 to -26·3
3,000–3,600	…	…	270	12·6	-1·5 to 0	-3·1 to 0	-17·5 to -6·6	-26·3 to -26·3
3,600–4,000	…	…	270	12·6	0 to +1·0	0 to +2· 0	-6·6 to +0·5	-26·3 to -16·9
4,000–5,000	…	…	210	9·9	+1·0 to +3·6	+2·0 to +7·1	+0·5 to +18·2	-16·9 to +6·6
5,000–7,500	…	…	160	7·8	+3·6 to +10·0	+7·1 to +19·9	+18·2 to +62·5	+6·6 to +65·1
7,500–10,000	…	…	100	5·0	+10·0 to +16·4	+19·9 to +32·6	+62·5 to +106·8	+65·1 to +123·7
10,000–12,500	…	…	10†	0·7	+16·4 to +22·8	+32·6 to +45·4	+106·8 to +151·1	+123·7 to +182·3
12,500–15,000	…	…	10†	0·3	+22·8 to +29·2	+45·4 to +58·1	+151·1 to +195·5	+182·3 to +240·9
15,000 and over	…	…	10†	0·6	+29·2 and over	+58·1 and over	+195·5 and over	+240·9 and over

						Number (000)	Per cent	Number (000)	per cent	Number (000)	Per cent	Number (000)	Per cent
Total number: helped	…	…	…	…	…	1,480	70	1,480	70	1,580	75	1,750	83
Total number: harmed	…	…	…	…	…	620	30	620	30	520	25	360	17
^* Only 43 per cent, of council tenants are covered because the figures, which are estimated from the Family Expenditure Survey, relate only to households with credit meters who are likely to have consumed only unrestricted electricity, not all of whom could provide data on their electricity consumption. Consumption data are not recorded for consumers with prepayment meters.
†Estimates based on fewer than 10 consumers.

Electricity Generation (Oil Imports)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the cost in foreign exchange over the last 12-month period for which statistics are available of imported oil for use in electricity generation; and how this compares with the previous 12-month period.

Oil fuel—almost entirely heavy fuel oil—used by the public electricity generating system amount to 11·1 million tons in the 12 months ending April 1976 and 15·7 million tons in the 12 months ending April 1975. This oil was derived mainly from crude oil refined in this country and it is not possible to calculate the foreign exchange cost separately of each refined petroleum product. Some fuel oil, not necessarily for electricity generation, was imported directly during the two periods —3·6 million tons in the year ending April 1976 and 6·2 million tons in the year ending April 1975, at average values, cif, of £33·8 a ton and £30·0 a ton, respectively.

Education And Science

School Milk

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will amend regulations so as to allow a local education authority to allow its staff to co-operate in the distribution of milk for children aged 7 to 10 years provided by another local authority under the Local Government Act 1972, Section 137.

My right hon. Friend cannot make such an amendment to regulations since his powers in this respect can only be exercised where milk is provided by local education authorities.

Pupil Costs

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the cost per pupil in State boarding schools or boarding sections of State schools for each education authority in England.

This information is not available within the Depart- ment, because local education authorities which maintain secondary boarding schools or hostels are not required to inform the Department of their boarding fees or costs and normally do not do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average cost of keeping a pupil of school leaving age on for an extra 12 months in school.

The information is not available in precisely the form requested. The average recurrent institutional cost of educating a pupil over compulsory school age is £626 per annum, at 1975 survey prices.

Schools (Building Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average cost or latest available information for the construction of (a) a primary school for 250 children on a green field site and (b) a secondary school for 1,000 children on a green field site; and what is the cost element under these figures represented by the cost of primary labour engaged in the construction and what proportion by the cost of land acquisition.

About £220,000 and £1·7 million respectively on the basis of the average cost of school building in England at the end of the financial year 1975–76 and excluding the cost of furniture and equipment. Of these total costs, site labour is estimated to account on average for about a fifth, and land, the cost of which can vary considerably between particular cases, about a tenth.

Ministerial Appointments

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list giving the full- and part-time appointments made by his Department which are held by peers of the realm, the names of the holders, the salaries and expenses paid to the holders of these appointments and when such appointments were made.

I regret that this information cannot be provided, except at disproportionate cost.

School Transport

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the recent and impending increases in bus fares, and of the withdrawal of concessionary fares for schoolchildren during peak hours, he will review the policy regarding the extension of the limit for free school travel.

In view of the many and conflicting reactions to my consultative document I am not able to forecast any date for the introduction of the necessary legislation to change the existing statutory limits.

Teacher-Pupil Ratios

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the pupil-teacher ratios in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in Inner London for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

PUPIL/TEACHER RATIOS IN ENGLAND AND WALES
		1971	1972	At January 1973	1974	1975
Maintained schools^*
Primary	…	26·9	26·1	25·5	24·9	24·2
Secondary	…	17·9	17·6	17·1	17·5	17·2
Direct Grant Schools†	…	16·4	16·3	16·3	16·2	16·0
Independent Schools†
Recognised as efficient	…	12·8	12·8	12·8	12·8	12·9
Others	…	13·9	13·7	13·4	13·7	13·2
^* Qualified teachers only, and including middle schools deemed primary or secondary.
† All teachers.

Dyslexia

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will now list in the Official Report the number of new remedial centres built in each of the last 10 years for children who suffer from dyslexia; and if he will name the location of each centre;(2) if he will list in the

Official Report the number of new reading clinics built in each of the last 10 years for children who suffer from dyslexia; and if he will name the location of each centre;

(3) how many dyslexic children have been given places in the new remedial centres and reading clinics in each of the last 10 years;

(4) if he will list in the Official Report the number of additional remedial teachers in ordinary schools, for children

The following is the information:

At January			Primary	Secondary
1966	…	…	28·0:1	16·6:1
1967	…	…	27·5:1	16·4:1
1968	…	…	27·2:1	16·3:1
1969	…	…	26·2:1	15·9:1
1970	…	…	24·9:1	15·3:1
1971	…	…	23·9:1	15·9:1
1972	…	…	22·8:1	15·6:1
1973	…	…	22·1:1	15·4:1
1974	…	…	21·7:1	15·9:1
1975	…	…	20·4:1	15·8:1
^*All teachers in the years 1966–67; qualified teachers only from 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish figures of last five years for which figures are available for (a) primary, (b) secondary, (c) fee-paying school in England and Wales.

The information is as follows:suffering from dyslexia, provided in each of the last 10 years.

Two recent reports have cast doubt on the usefulness of isolating the treatment of the specific condition described as "dyslexia" and prefer to deal with the range of "specific reading difficulties" or "retardation". Since reading abilities form a continuum from the most fluent readers to those with the most severe difficulties, there would be considerable problems in identifying and collecting returns about children with particular kinds of reading difficulty. I am, however, considering asking LEAs for information about provision in remedial centres and reading clinics set up for all purposes.

Teachers

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the total number of teachers in further education colleges in England and Wales in each of the years 1968 to 1975, inclusive, and an estimate of the figure for 1976.

The number of full-time teachers in maintained establishments of further education, including colleges of education, in England and Wales in each of the years 1968 to 1976^*was as follows:

1968	…	…	…	51,013
1969	…	…	…	54,543
1970	…	…	…	56,996
1971	…	…	…	60,781
1972	…	…	…	63,396
1973	…	…	…	67,201
1974	…	…	…	70,065
1975	…	…	…	72,604
1976	…	…	…	74,586
^*As at February for 1968 to 1971 and January for 1972 to 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the total number of teachers employed in State schools in England and Wales in each of the years 1968 to 1975, inclusive, and an estimate of the figure for 1976.

The number of teachers, full-time and full-time equivalent of part-time, in maintained schools in England and Wales in January of each year were as follows:

1968	…	335,000
1969	…	347,000
1970	…	360,000
1971	…	372,000
1972	…	395,000
1973	…	414,000
1974	…	436,000
1975	…	451,000
1976 (Estimated)	…	462,000

Figures for 1974 to 1976 are of qualified teachers, those for 1971 to 1973 include unqualified teachers in nursery and special schools and those for 1968 to 1970 are of all teaching staff.

Sir William Tyndale School, Islington

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will use his powers under the Education Act 1944 with regard to the refusal of the Inner London Education Authority to call a meeting of the management body of Sir William Tyndale School, Islington, or to treat the meeting called in accordance with Schedule 4 to that Act as a valid meeting of that body.

No. On the information available to the Department, the action of the authority does not appear to have involved the exercise of any of its statutory functions; it is not, therefore, within the potential scope of my right hon. Friend's powers. Without detailed enquiry my right hon. Friend could not judge whether any particular meeting had been convened and conducted in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements. The proceedings of the meeting recently convened by the managers do not appear to raise any question touching the possible exercise of my right hon. Friend's statutory functions; he has, therefore, no basis for further enquiry into the matter.

Speech Therapy

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what facilities are available for speech therapy for children in ESN(S) schools.

I will write to my hon. Friend.

Rabies

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what work he is sponsoring in the development of improved rabies vaccines with higher immunogenicity than exists in current vaccines; and if he will make a statement.

Work on developing improved vaccines for rabies has been done in the United States and in France, and since 1973 the Medical Research Council has been testing the newly developed French vaccine, prepared by the Merieux Laboratories, for its protective effect against rabies in man. The council's trials, involving about 400 people, have shown the vaccine to be superior to those currently in use. It produces an increased antibody response after fewer doses, it is effective in more people, its administration is painless and side effects are minimal. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services that the vaccine has recently been licensed for use in this country as a preventive measure in people at special risk.

Promising research is in progress at the Animal Virus Research Institute (AVRI), grant aided by the Agricultural Research Council, on an anti-rabies vaccine for use on animals.

Industry

Kierney And Trecker Marwin

asked the Secretary of State for Industry why the reconstruction of Kierney and Trecker Marwin, involving a write-off of £5 million of Government investment and a further injection of £1·9 million in loans and non-voting shares, was made without reference to the National Enterprise Board.

Under the proposed reconstruction, subject to the agreement of the shareholders, the authority of the House by affirmative resolution and the approval of the court, Vickers Limited, which has been managing the company under an agreement of August 1974, is to take a controlling interest. The Department will have redeemable preference shares in the company's reconstructed business and will accordingly keep a close watch on the company's progress.

Post Office (Review)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report those organisations, if any, which have been invited to submit evidence to the Post Office Review Committee.

No. It is for the committee to decide whom it wishes to invite to submit evidence.

Regional Development Grants (Wales)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the amount of money spent on regional development grants in Wales for the last financial year.

During the financial year 1975–76 regional development grants totalling £47,052,000 were paid in respect of assisted areas in Wales. Of this total, £36,152,000 was for plant and machinery and £10,900,000 for buildings and works. Further details will be published shortly in the annual report for the year ended 31st March 1976.

Clothing

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the names of all applications approved, and the total of financial assistance agreed, under the Textile Clothing Scheme; and if he will announce arrangements for making such information available at regular intervals to the Clothing EDC.

We are considering extending to the clothing scheme the publication arrangements for selective assistance announced by the previous Secretary of State for Industry on 31st July 1974, namely, that payments and recipient companies would be announced at the end of the quarter in which they were made. There appear to be no grounds for treating the clothing scheme differently.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many applications for assistance under the recently-announced Textile Clothing Scheme have been received to date; how many have been approved; what is the total of assistance involved how many applications are being considered; and how many have been refused.

Up to and including 11th June, the figures for the clothing scheme are:

Formal Application received	…	111
Under consideration	…	59
Rejected or Withdrawn	…	25
Approved	…	27
Assistance approved	…	£254,000

Power Stations (Equipment Supplies)

asked the Secretary of State for Industy if he will make a statement about the problems now facing the major suppliers of plant for power stations.

The Central Policy Review Staff has been asked to carry out urgently a study covering both the short-and longer-term problems facing the turbo-generator and boiler-making industries supplying electrical plant for power stations and to report in the autumn. The CPRS will be making an interim report before the Summer Recess on such of the preliminary conclusions as are relevant to the shorter-term problems of the industries.

Paper And Board

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will now make a statement on financial assistance for the paper and board industry.

I propose to make £23 million available under Section 8 of the Industry Act 1972 for a scheme to assist the paper and board industry and the paper-making machinery manufacturing industry.The paper and board industry occupies an important position in the United Kingdom economy but is heavily dependent on imported wood pulp and faces strong competition from imports of paper products. Increasing the industry's use of indigenous fibre, especially waste paper, will improve its competitiveness and, by reducing imports, help to bring substantial benefits to the balance of payments. The scheme will provide grants of 25 per cent.—the highest level currently available for this type of scheme —towards the cost of plant, equipment and innovatory processing systems, together with grants of 15 per cent. for associated building work. Grants of 25 per cent. will also be available towards the approved cost of additional storage facilities for waste paper.The scheme will be operated on a selective basis and only for projects approved in advance by my Department. Stress will be placed on the prospective savings on the balance of payments. The scheme operates from today, and a Press notice is being issued giving further details of the scheme. A Supplementary Estimate will be presented at the first opportunity.The scheme will help to increase the recycling of one of the most useful of our waste materials, namely, waste paper. It shows the Government's determination to play a full part in reducing waste and conserving valuable resources in our economy and society. This has been an important part of our programme since the publication of the Green Paper "War on Waste" in 1974 and the subsequent setting up of the Waste Management Advisory Council.In preparing this scheme the Government have taken into account the objective, stressed by the Advisory Group on Waste Paper Recycling and by the Waste Management Advisory Council, of providing those organisations responsible for the collection of waste paper with greater assurance of continuity in demand. Rather than give assistance towards stock-building, the Government have concluded that their most effective contribution towards achieving this objective can be made by encouraging the paper and board industry to invest in capital plant and to expand recycling technology, to increase the potential use and capacity for processing indigenous fibres, especially waste paper, and by assisting the expansion of storage facilities for waste paper. The high levels of grants available under the scheme reflect the importance attached by the Government to these measures.My Department will continue to play its part in further consideration of the industry's requirements for raw materials, including by the Sector Working Party for Paper and Board and the Waste Management Advisory Council.

Trade

Canning Town Glass Works Ltd

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in view of the evidence in his possession of irregularities carried on by some of the former directors of the Canning Town Glass Works, he will take legal action.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 11th June 1976—[Vol. 912, c. 792]—and to the answer that my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General gave to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Lawson) on 8th April. Having regard to all the circumstances that I have described it would not be appropriate for the Department to take legal action.

Shareholdings (Employees)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what proportion of the trusts which have been involved in the purchase of shares held by or for the benefit of employees under Section 54(1)(b) of the Companies Act 1948 are trusts concerned with the whole of the employees of the companies concerned;(2) how many companies have taken advantage of the provisions of Section

54(1)(

b) of the Companies Act 1948 to provide money for the purchase of their own shares by trustees, such shares to be held by or for the benefit of employees of the company.

I regret that this information is not available.

Textiles

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the textile import surveillance scheme; and if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the information flowing from it.

The arrangements provide us with a considerable amount of data about textile imports which was not previously available. Unfortunately, it has not so far been possible to produce detailed summaries of licences issued in respect of clothing and made-ups similar to those already produced for yarns and fabrics. I am therefore not yet satisfied. Nevertheless, the data can be and has been used to examine the position on imports of particularly sensitive items which is one of the main purposes of the arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many import licences for the import of all categories of textiles have been issued to the latest available date; and to how many applicants.

From 1st January to 11th June 1976, 83,176 licences were issued. The number of applicants is not recorded; this information is not readily available and the cost of producing it would be disproportionate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what delays have been experienced in the processing of import licences for textiles in all categories since the establishment of the import surveillance scheme by his Department; what is the average backlog in processing such data; and what is the present blacklog.

The average time from receipt of a properly completed application to the dispatch of a licence is three days and, except in the few weeks immediately following the introduction of the arrangements, this has been main- tained. Serious problems have been encountered in producing aggregated figures of some of the imports covered by these licences, but it is expected that these problems will be overcome in the near future.

British Agricultural Export Council (Grant)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the grant paid by the Government to the British Agricultural Export Council is used in any way to encourage the export of live animals.

My Department, on the advice of the British Overseas Trade Board, currently provides a grant to the British Agricultural Export Council for export promotion activities. The council's remit is to promote all agricultural exports, including live animals for breeding purposes and, following the debate in the House on the O'Brien Report on 16th January 1975, for slaughter.

Export Credit

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether any new steps have been taken to control international export credit competition.

The authorities in a number of major trading nations have indicated their intention to change the terms on which they are prepared to provide official support for export credit for two years or more.I am therefore instructing the Export Credits Guarantee Department to apply new guidelines as from 1st July. Prior commitments will be unaffected.ECGD will be publishing the details. The new guidelines affect the arrangements which will normally apply to minimum pre-delivery payments, minimum rates of interest and maximum lengths of credit. The new guidelines are not binding: departures from them may be made, for example, to match competition, and the intention is to review experience in mid-1977.The main effects will be to set minimum pre-delivery payments of 15 per cent. of the contract value for sales to all markets; to raise the minimum interest rate for credits of from two to five years to 7¼per cent. per annum, except sales to the wealthier markets, for which the minimum will be 7¾ per cent.; and to set maximum lengths of credit varying between five and 10 years according to the relative financial strength of markets, whilst maintaining minimum interest rates on credits exceeding five years at, or above, the existing internationally-agreed levels. I would emphasise that these guidelines represent minimum and maximum positions: they are not to be regarded as norms. ECGD will continue to consider cases individually. Certain classes of goods which are the subject of existing arrangements are excluded.

China Clay

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in view of the economic dependence of parts of Cornwall on the china clay industry, he will initiate a departmental study into the possible impact on the British china clay industry of imports into Europe of Amazon 88 china clay from Brazil.

I have been asked to reply.The china clay industry is fully aware of foreign competition and is confident that it can deal with it. I do not therefore consider a departmental study to be necessary.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Fishing Industry

48.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the decasualisation of the fishing section of the trawler industry will be a fundamental part of the immediate Government assistance to the fishing industry following the Icelandic settlement and of the future restructuring of the industry.

The part to be played by this proposal in restructuring of the industry can only be clarified in the course of the consultations which we shall be having with the interests concerned.

Poultry Meat Inspection

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he is satisfied with the training facilities available in Norfolk for environmental health officers and authorized meat inspectors if the EEC Directive on Poultry Meat Inspection is implemented as at present planned by Her Majesty's Government; if local authorities are to provide an inspection service on 1st January 1977; and what are these facilities;(2) whether he is satisfied with the training facilities available in Norfolk for poultry meat inspectors if the EEC Directive on poultry meat inspection is implemented as at present planned by Her Majesty's Government and if local authorities are to provide an inspection service on 1st January 1977; and what these facilities are;(3) whether he is satisfied that there will be sufficient properly qualified inspectors of the various grades required to carry on the EEC Directive on Poultry Meat Inspection throughout the country by 1st January 1977.

There will be difficulties in Norfolk as elsewhere, but we believe that these difficulties can be overcome. We are in continuing consultation with representative bodies and I believe that it will be possible to adopt a sufficiently flexible approach progressively to introduce an inspection service beginning in January next. In relation to Norfolk, I understand that the authorities of the Norwich City College are in touch with the Royal Society of Heath which will deal as expeditiously as possible with applications for course approvals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is his intention that supervision under the draft regulations on the EEC Directive on Poultry Meat Inspection will mean complete and full-time supervision in poultry processing plants by poultry meat inspectors during all slaughtering hours, or whether it will be sufficient that inspectors are satisfied that the procedures are being properly applied in general and are only asked to make random checks and inspections.

Poultry meat inspectors acting under the responsibility of an official veterinary surgeon will require to be in attendance whenever poultry meat production is in progress when the regulations are fully in operation. As to the attendance of the supervising veterinarian, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Devon, West (Mr. Mills) on 17th February.—[Vol. 905, c. 603.] We shall, however, be asking local authorities to take a flexible attitude to manning levels while the inspection service is being phased-in.

Rabies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that rats are known to be a possible source of carrying rabies, what action he has taken or intends taking to protect the British ports from rats leaving boats coming in from overseas.

Although rats are susceptible to rabies and consequently are subject to our import and quarantine controls, there has never been any evidence of rats as a significant link in the infection chain. As a general health measure, however, if the master of any vessel from overseas cannot produce a de-ratting certificate or a de-ratting exemption certificate the vessel is inspected and, if rats are found, the ship is de-ratted in accordance with the Public Health (Ships) Regulations 1970, as amended. Every endeavour is made to kill any rats seen leaving ships.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the recent evidence of further danger of rabies coming into Great Britain, he will for a trial period ban the entry into the United Kingdom of all live animals known to be carriers of this disease.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms. Colquhoun) on 14th May 1976.—[Vol. 911, c. 310.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what emergency Regulations, if any, his Department has made, or will make, concerning the carriage of animals on board private vessels docking in British harbours.

The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974, in addition to prohibiting the landing of rabies-susceptible animals other than under licence, requires each animal on board any vessel in any harbour in Great Britain to be at all times securely confined within an enclosed part of the vessel from which it cannot escape, and prohibits its contact with any other animal. Certain suggestions for tightening our controls still further, particularly in relation to private vessels, are now under consideration; they would involve amending the 1974 order.

Research

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total cost of agricultural research which is under his control.

The total expenditure by my Department on research and development on agriculture, fisheries and food in 1976–77 is estimated at £37,315,000.

Iceland (Fisheries Agreement)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his estimate of (a) the maximum and (b) the minimum number of trawlers that should be laid up as a direct result of the Icelandic fisheries agreement.(2) what is his Department's estimate of the number of sea-going and the number of shore jobs that will be lost as a result of the Icelandic fisheries agreement; what are the optimistic and pessimistic figures based on the number of vessels laid up; which are the fishing ports concerned; and what will be the percentage and absolute increase in unemployment in the areas involved.

In the short term much will depend on the management decisions of the industry, the extent to which there are alternative opportunities for redeployment of vessels and the decisions of fish buyers following the change in pattern of supplies. It would be premature for me to publish estimates, but my hon. Friend can be assured that I am keeping in close touch with the situation.

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities as at 1st June 1976, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Scotland

A9

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money he estimates will be spent annually over the next three years on the A9 between Perth and Inverness.

It is not possible to give accurate estimates as the start of new schemes on the A9, as on other roads, is dependent upon such factors as the progress made with the statutory and other procedures.

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will list the division of responsibilities between Ministers in his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities as at 1st June 1976, copies of which are in the Library.

Housing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses need to be constructed in Scotland in total, including both public and private sector, to meet the housing demand in Scotland given the known condition of existing housing stock.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour) on 14th April.—[Vol. 909, c. 537–8.]

Environment (Monitoring)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the Scottish representation on each management group engaged in the monitoring of the environment; on how many occasions each group has met; and what reports have been published or action taken as a consequence of such meetings.

I am arranging for a letter to be sent to the hon. Member about this.

Temporary Accommodation

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the figures on 31st December 1974 and 1975 for availability of temporary accommodation in Scotland in number and in ratio to population.

Local authority returns for 31st December 1974 show temporary accommodation totalling 481 places, representing just under one place per 10,000 of population. Later figures are not yet available.

Rent Rebates

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of rent rebates awarded in Scotland to (a) private sector tenants, (b) local authority tenants, and (c) new town tenants during the most recent period for which figures are available; and what was the estimated cost of administration of those rebates in each of these three categories.

"Rents of Public Authority Houses and Rent Rebates and Allowances in Scotland 1975" (Cmnd. 6471) gives information about rent rebates and allowances granted by public authorities as at 30th September 1975. Total expenditure by local authorities and new towns in administering the rent rebate and allowance schemes in 1975–76 is estimated at £0·8 million.

Electricity Costs (Invergordon Smelter)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the accumulated losses incurred by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in supplying electricity to the aluminium smelter at Invergordon in Ross and Cromarty.

The accumulated deficits at 31st March 1976 were estimated in the Memorandum on the Electricity (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill 1976 (Cmnd. 6434) at about £39·5 million. The board's report and accounts for 1975–76 showing the final figure at the end of the financial year will be published on 24th June.

Wales

Secondary Schools

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many secondary schools there are in each of the counties of Wales, in each of the following categories: (a) State-maintained comprehen-

		Number of schools
		Maintained				Non-maintained
Name of Authority		Comprehensive	Grammar	Modern	Other	Direct Grant	Independent recognised as efficient	Other Independent
Clwyd	…	33	—	—	1	—	14	5
Dyfed	…	14	10	15	—	—	4	1
Gwent	…	28	4	9	—	2	2	2
Gwynedd	…	23	—	—	1	—	4	5
Mid Glamorgan	…	35	4	8	—	—	4	—
Powys	…	12	—	—	—	—	4	1
South Glamorgan	…	29	—	—	—	1	9	6
West Glamorgan	…	28	—	—	—	—	6	2
WALES TOTAL	…	202	18	32	2	3	47	22

There are no maintained technical schools in Wales.

Secondary School Children

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the children entering secondary schools in Wales last September were monoglot English speakers.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many children entered secondary education in each of the eight counties of Wales in September 1975.

The numbers of children entering maintained secondary schools at age 11 or under in Wales in September 1975 were as follows:

Clwyd	…	…	6,106
Dyfed	…	…	4,904
Gwent	…	…	7,512
Gwynedd	…	…	3,357
Mid Glamorgan	…	…	9,170
Powys	…	…	1,645
South Glamorgan	…	…	6,431
West Glamorgan	…	…	6,006
Total	…	…	45,131

Note: These figures exclude children attending one middle school deemed secondary.

Ministerial Responsibilities

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list

sive schools, ( b) State-maintained grammar schools, ( c) State-maintained secondary modern schools, ( d) State-maintained technical schools, ( e) direct grant schools, ( f) recognised privately financed schools and ( g) other secondary schools.

For January 1976, the information is as follows:the division of responsibilities between Ministers in his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the list of ministerial responsibilities as at 1st June 1976, copies of which are in the Library. During the illness of my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda (Mr. Alec Jones), responsibility for town and country planning and community ownership of development land is being assumed by my hon. Friend the Member for Flint, East (Mr. Barry Jones). I am covering the hon. Member for Rhondda's other responsibilities.

Industry (Government Aid)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions financial assistance has been given under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 in Wales; what is the total amount of assistance that has been given; and how many jobs have been created as a consequence.

Between 1972 and 31st May 1976, 389 offers of assistance have been made under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 in respect of projects in Wales. The amount of assistance offered totals £42·5 million. Additional employment of about 32,000 jobs is expected to arise in Wales as a result of the assistance offered. In addition, some 3,300 jobs have been safeguarded.

Ministerial Appointments

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list giving the full and part time appointments made by his Department which are held by peers of the realm, the names of the holders, the salaries and expenses paid

Name	Appointment	Salary	Date of Appointment
The Marquess of Anglesey	Member, Historic Buildings Council for Wales.	Part-time unpaid	29th October 1953
Lord Brecon	Chairman, Welsh National Water Development Authority.	Part-time £6,175	6th August 1973
Lord Davies of Llandinan	Member, Council for the Welsh Language.	Part-time unpaid	14th November 1973
Lord Heycock	Member, Celtic Sea Advisory Committee.	Part-time unpaid	12th August 1974
Lord Kenyon	Chairman, Clwyd Area Health Authority.	Part-time £2,000	26th July 1973
The Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor.	Member, Historic Buildings Council for Wales.	Part-time unpaid	21st September 1971
Lord Parry of Neyland	Member, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Committee.	Part-time unpaid	7th May 1975
	Member, Welsh Development Agency.	Part-time £1,000	1st January 1976
Lord Raglan	Chairman, Cwmbran Development Corporation.	Part-time £4,432	1st May 1970
Lady White	Chairman, The Land Authority for Wales.	Part-time £6,500	26th November 1975

Welsh Language

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what translation assistance service is provided by his Department to the public bodies wishing to feature the Welsh language more prominently on signs, and notices and in publications.

The Translation Unit in my Department is always prepared to advise public bodies in Wales on translation problems. It cannot undertake regular translation work for public bodies owing to its heavy commitments, but so far as is practicable it does some translation work for bodies such as the Post Office and telecommunications boards, and occasionally for those local authorities whose needs cannot otherwise be met.

Building Contracts (Pay Limits)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has yet informed local authorities of the names of any contractors alleged to have breached the pay limits, under the terms of paragraph 15 of Circular 215/75, so that they may be excluded from tender

to the holders of these appointments and when such appointments were made.

The following list gives the names, salaries, where paid and date of first appointment of peers who hold appointments for which I am responsible. I regret that information on the amounts paid towards expenses is not available.lists; if so, which were the firms; and how the information was communicated to local authorities.

No.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

India (Coal Industry Nationalisation)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many claims are outstanding from British citizens in respect of pensions due from the nationalised Indian coal industry; what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to secure the long overdue payment of these pensions; and what further steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take.

I am aware of 24 British citizens who have outstanding claims to pensions due from the nationalised Indian coal industry. Repeated representations have been made on behalf of these pensioners both in London and in India. Both of the Indian nationalised companies have agreed to make ex gratia payments to the pensioners pending a full settlement of their claims, but no payments have yet been received. We are continuing to press the Indian Government to implement the undertakings which have been given to these pensioners.

Cyprus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total amount of corm pensation paid to date by the Turkish authorities for losses to British property in Cyprus sustained as a result of the Turkish invasion of the island; and what is the estimated total value of such claims still outstanding.

The Turkish Government have as yet paid no compensation. The Turkish Cypriot Administration have paid small amounts in cash and in kind to a few claimants. They have also indicated a willingness to consider tertian compassionate cases in advance of the establishment of their Claims Commission.It is still impossible to give a realistic estimate of total losses because restrictions of access to certain areas continue to prevent many potential claimants from quantifying their losses.

Ministerial Appointments

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list giving the full and part time appointments made by his Department which are held by peers of the realm, the names of the holders, the salaries and expenses paid to the holders of these appointments and when such appointments were made.

The following appointments have been made other than those to permanent positions in the Diplomatic Service filled by Civil Service Commission Open Competitions. They are all honorary and no expenses have been claimed by the holders: Lord Tweedsmuir as a Governor of the Commonwealth Institute since 1958; Lord Lloyd as a Trustee of the Commonwealth Institute since 1957; Lord Kennet as a member of the Advisory Panel on Arms Control and Disarmament since 1965; Lady Gaitskell as a member of the Advisory Group on UN Affairs since 1966.

United Kingdom Citizens (Resident Abroad)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are his estimates of the numbers of citizens of the United King-don and Colonies settled abroad who have dual nationality; and if he will give an analysis of where these citizens are resident.

No estimates are available of how many citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies settled in overseas countries possess a second nationality. There is no practicable way of making such estimates, because entitlement to the citizenship of any other country depends on the operation of the laws of that country in each individual case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the number of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who are settled in the Colonies and former colonies; and if he will give an analysis of where they are resident.

Numbers of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies resident in former colonies are, where available included in the answer to my hon. Friend's Question about United Kingdom citizens abroad.The total population figures for the present Colonies are as follows:

Burmuda	60,000
Belize	130,000
British Virgin Islands	10,000
Cayman Islands	13,500
Falkland Islands and Dependencies	2,000
Gibraltar	30,000
Gilbert Islands	53,000
Hong Kong	4,345,000
Montserrat	13,000
Pitcairn Islands Group	61
St. Helena and Dependencies	6,500
Turks and Caicos	6,000
Tuvalu	7,000
Seychelles	47,000

With the exception of Hong Kong, where there are approximately 2½ million aliens, mostly Chinese, the great proportion of people living in the colonies are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are his estimates of the number of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who are settled abroad and hold only British citizenship; and if he will give an analysis of where these British citizens are resident.

Latest estimates of the number of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies resident abroad are given in the table below. The estimates are derived from information provided by overseas diplomatic posts. Precise figures are not available since United Kingdom nationals resident overseas are not bound to register with our diplomatic posts. No figures are available for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States of America. It is not possible to estimate how many citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies abroad hold no other citizenship, nor is it possible to differentiate between those who are resident, perhaps temporarily, and those who may be permanently settled in the country concerned.

Afghanistan	…	217
Algeria	…	1,346
Angola	…	7
Argentina	…	17,500
Austria	…	3,457
Bahamas	…	4,395
Bahrain	…	5,650
Bangladesh	…	545
Barbados	…	2,600
Belgium	…	25,000
Benin	…	35
Bolivia	…	248
Botswana	…	1,449
Brazil	…	9,918
Brunei	…	2,050
Bulgaria	…	156
Burma	…	329
Burundi	…	50
Cameroon	…	358
Central African Republic	…	17
Chad	…	42
Chile	…	3,088
China	…	97
Colombia	…	831
Congo (Brazzaville)	…	25
Costa Rica	…	275
Cuba	…	252
Cyprus	…	18,334
Czechoslovakia	…	161
Denmark	…	4,680
Dominican Republic	…	1,184
Ecuador	…	260
Egypt	…	804
El Salvador	…	220
Ethiopia	…	888
Fiji	…	800
Finland	…	554
France	…	30,000

Gabon	60
Gambia	252
Germany (Federal Republic) excluding Service Personnel	60,300
Germany (Democratic Republic)	121
Ghana	3,650
Greece	8,224
Guatemala	959
Guinea	40
Guyana	575
Haiti	75
Honduras	188
Hungary	176
Iceland	135
India	6,482
Indonesia	1,439
Iran	2,990
Iraq	1,021
Irish Republic	110,000
Israel	4,587
Italy	22,500
Ivory Coast	251
Jamaica	4,181
Japan	1,817
Jordon	559
Kenya	39,000
Korea	478
Kuwait	2,814
Laos	166
Lebanon	1,000
Lesotho	523
Liberia	472
Libya	1,571
Luxembourg	815
Madagascar	92
Malawi	11,000
Malaysia	114,053
Mali	23
Malta	3,901
Mauritania	42
Mauritius	854
Mexico	1,617
Mongolia	2
Morocco	1,548
Mozambique	377
Nepal	485
Netherlands	15,000
Nicaragua	224
Niger	15
Nigeria	10,744
Norway	2,553
Oman	3,541
Pakistan	2,073
Panama	304
Papua New Guinea	4,276
Paraguay	156
Peru	3,000
Philippines	840
Poland	581
Portugal	5,343
Qatar	1,360
Rhodesia	80,000
Romania	174
Ruanda	206
Saudi Arabia	8,000
Senegal	183
Sierra Leone	1,832
Singapore	6,900
Somali Democratic Republic	131
Soviet Union	343
Spain	21,534
Sri Lanka	3,631
Sudan	541

Swaziland	…	2,049
Sweden	…	6,645
Switzerland	…	16,282
Syria	…	212
Tanzania	…	11,950
Thailand	…	1,204
Togo	…	79
Tongo	…	140
Trinidad and Tobago	…	2,540
Tunisia	…	495
Turkey	…	1,725
Uganda	…	590
United Arab Emirates	…	3,576
Upper Volta	…	45
Uruguay	…	1,343
Venezuela	…	1,533
West Indies Associated States	…	968
Yemen (North)	…	224
Yemen (South)	…	262
Yugoslavia	…	194
Zaire	…	580
Zambia	…	34,400

International Communication

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose in the United Nations the appointment of a special commission to study the possibility of adopting a single language for international communication, with a view to encouraging member States to teach this language in their schools as the first language after the mother tongue.

I sympathise with the aim underlying this proposal but I regret that I have no reason to believe that the international support necessary for the success of such a proposal would be forthcoming, since most Governments would prefer to avoid a decision which would accord one language a pre-eminent standing in the world with all the political and commercial advantages which that would involve.

South Africa (Mental Patients)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will request the International Labour Organisation to seek to initiate an investigation of the use of African mental patients as forced labour in certain mental institutions in South Africa run for private profit;(2) if he will propose to the Director-General of the World Health Organisation that WHO seek to initiate an investigation into the treatment of African mental patients in mental institutions in South Africa run for profit by private companies;

(3) what discussions have taken place within the United Nations Commission on Human Rights concerning the treatment of African mental patients in so-called mental institutions or camps in South Africa managed by private companies and using the patients as forced labour;

(4) what response was made by the United Kingdom delegate in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Social Committee) to the Report by the Special Committee against Apartheid concerning the inhuman treatment of African mental patients in South Africa, especially in the Rand West Sanatorium, managed for private profit by the Smith Mitchell network.

Reports of the inhuman treatment of patients in South African mental institutions which appeared in a Swedish newspaper were alluded to by the Rapporteur of the Special Committee against Apartheid in a speech to the UN Economic and Social Council on 29th April. There has been no opportunity for discussion of these allegations elsewhere in the UN, but the Rapporteur announced that he had formally requested the Director-General of the World Health Organisation to look into the matter, and suggested that it would be most appropriate for the ad hoc Working Group on Southern Africa of the Commission on Human Rights to make a thorough investigation in co-operation with the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation. There has been no discussion in the Special Committee of these proposals but it is probable that the subject will now be pursued as suggested.

Overseas Development

"Site And Service" Schemes

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the policy of his Department in respect of "site and service" schemes in urban areas; and what conclusions have been drawn from those schemes that have been longest established.

As the White Paper "The Changing Emphasis in British Aid Policies—More Help for the Poorest" (Cmnd. 6270, Chapter V, paragraphs 14 to 20) indicates, the housing needs of the poorest sections of the community, particularly in urban areas, are immense. My Ministry does not consider that conventional low-cost housing schemes are the answer. We believe that our aid in this sector should be focused on "site and service" schemes which encourage the maximum amount of self-help from the participants.From the experience gained so far from existing schemes it is clear that this concept is one of great potential which, as does the World Bank, we believe is the proper approach for meeting the problems of lowest-cost housing. Care has, however, to be taken to avoid costly infrastructure and inflexible building specifications if the poorest sections of the urban community are to benefit.At the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements just concluded at Vancouver—Habitat '76—the United Kingdom supported proposals made regarding the site and service approach to low cost housing intended to meet the needs mainly of rural /urban migrants, and providing planned, legal settlement instead of that which has so often in the past been both unplanned and unlawful.

Ministerial Appointments

asked the Minister for Overseas Development whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list giving the full- and part-time appointments made by his Department which are held by peers of the realm, the names of the holders, the salaries and expenses paid to the holders of these appointments and when such appointments were made.

I am arranging for the information to be collected and will publish it in the Official Report as soon as possible.

Northern Ireland

Gas And Electricity Industries

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further assistance will be available to the electricity and gas industries, respectively, from 1st April 1976 in regard to compensation for losses incurred in compliance with national policies in limiting prices.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 14th June 1976; Vol. 913, c. 58], gave the following information:There are no proposals for assistance from 1st April 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the inquiry into the gas industry in Northern Ireland was announced; when it will begin; and when it will end its work.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 14th June 1976; Vol. 913, c. 58], gave the following information:It was announced on 14th May 1975 that the British Gas Corporation was to be invited to carry out a study of the Northern Ireland gas industry. The start of the study was announced on 12th May 1976 and the report is expected to be available by the end of the year.

Gas Prices

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average price of manufactured and of natural gas, respectively, in Northern Ireland.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 14th June 1976; Vol. 913, c. 62], gave the following information:No natural gas is available in Northern Ireland. 13 separate gas undertakings supply piped gas, of which approximately 94 per cent. is manufactured from naphtha, an oil refinery product. The balance is produced by mixing liquified petroleum gas with air.In 1975–76, on the evidence of preliminary information about total sales and total revenue for these 13 undertakings, the average price of all gas sold was approximately 36·5p a therm. The average price in the current year will be considerably higher and will reflect tariff increases already averaging about 25 per cent.

Volume 913: debated on Tuesday 15 June 1976

Written Answers To Questions

British Politicians (Alleged Smear Campaign)

Tuc And Cbi

United States Of America

Prime Minister (Engagements)

European Community

Trade Union Meetings

National Economic Development Council

Economic Policy (Lord President's Speech)

Prime Minister (Speech)

Cyprus

Oil Production

Government Policies

Small Businesses And The Self-Employed

Carshalton

Immigration Policy

Prime Minister (Appointments)

Offshore Oil And Gas (Ancillary Industry)

Industrial Strategy (Managerial Requirements)

Forecasting Data (Co-Ordination)

Law Officers (Division Of Responsibilities)

Privy Council Office (Ministerial Responsibilities)

Home Department

Electoral Reform

Urban Aid

Ministerial Responsibilities

Traffic Wardens

Environment

Severn-Trent Water Authority

"Site And Service" Schemes

Local Authority Mortgages

Trees (Preservation Contravention)

Ministerial Responsibilities

Roads (Police Posts)

Building Contracts (Pay Limits)

Hull-York Trunk Road

Employment

School Leavers

Manpower Services Commission

Employment Forms (Vat Registration Numbers)

Ministerial Responsibilities

Miners (Pay)

Building Contracts (Pay Limits)

Social Services

Unification Church

Departmental Costs

Observation And Assessment Centres

Coventry (Geriatric Hospital)

Rabies

Infant Mortality

Mentally Handicapped Persons (Liskeard)

Arthritis

Hospitals (Complaints)

Speech Therapists

Defence

Hydrographer Of The Royal Navy

Baor

National Finance

Subsidies

Ministerial Responsibilities

Building Contracts

Loans (Government Guarantees)

£Sterling

Manufacturing Industry (Trading Indices)

Companies (Trading Profits)

Civil Service

Ministerial Responsibilities

Government Buildings (Cleaning)

Energy

Ministerial Responsibilities

Electricity Prices

Fuel Bills

Electricity Generation (Oil Imports)

Education And Science

School Milk

Pupil Costs

Schools (Building Costs)

Ministerial Appointments