asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the prevalence of otters in England and Wales; and whether his Department considers that any particular conservation steps are necessary.

I have no evidence at present that conservation measures are necessary. Two fairly recent surveys have shown that the otter is abundant in some areas and declining in others. However, another survey is in progress and I shall look to the Nature Conservancy Council to advise me if action is required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present level of house building; and what steps are being taken to ensure that both local authority and private house building is stepped up.

I would refer to the answer given on 23rd June to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner)—[Vol. 913, c. 1577]. The much improved level of new house building in the public sector will continue to be sustained by the strong financial support given under our Housing Rents and Subsidies Act 1975; as regards the private sector, our mortgage finance stabilisation arrangements, together with other measures, enable builders to meet the needs of prospective homeowners. It is also important to maintain and modernise existing houses and to widen the range of tenures. We have taken a number of measures for these purposes. Further action will be taken in the light of our housing finance review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applicants are on the development corporation or commission waiting lists for housing in each of the new towns; and what is the estimated average length of time of waiting in each case.

Waiting periods and waiting lists for rented housing in the new towns vary widely according to both the priority category of applicant and the nature of the accommodation required, and the detailed information is not, therefore, available in the form requested. I am however, intending to discuss this issue when I meet new town chairmen on 12th July, with a view to arriving at a common method of measuring and monitoring demand for rented housing in each new town, and I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated cost of changing all existing motor vehicle speedometers and trip indicators to metric units; and what will be the cost per vehicle, including testing;(2) what annual savings, if any, will accrue to British motor manufacturers and their suppliers by no longer making speedometers and other devices in imperial units as well as metric.

Neither costs nor savings are likely to be incurred. Many vehicles are now fitted with speedometers with readings in both metric and imperial units. I do not propose to seek to require instruments in existing vehicles to be changed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of passenger railway track have been authorised to be closed, since the nationalisation of the railway industry, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, respectively.

This information is available only from 1964. It is as follows:

England	…	2,486 route miles
Scotland	…	857 route miles
Northern Ireland	…	94 route miles
Wales	…	271 route miles

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to which local authorities he has given approval for half-and-half schemes stating in each case the total number of houses to be constructed and the number sold on a half-and-half basis to date.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is not required to approve half-and-half mortgage schemes as such, but his determination is needed to enable subsidy to be paid on the "rented half" and his consent is necessary for the disposal of the dwellings; though existing general consents mean that special applications for this consent are rarely required. A number of local authorities are known to be interested in operating such schemes, and two at any rate have embarked on them.There is one development for 139 dwellings by Birmingham City Council and 103 of these are reported as having been disposed of under their half-and-half scheme. A second development for 152 dwellings is under construction by the GLC at Cheshunt and I understand that 21 dwellings in this development have so far been disposed of under the half-and-half scheme. A third scheme has been proposed by the London Borough of Brent, involving an unspecified number of municipalised and modernised existing dwellings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of the construction of bypasses around towns and major urban areas when major improvements to existing trunk roads are involved.

Our policy is to provide bypasses or relief roads taking trunk road traffic out of town centres wherever this is practicable and worth while in economic and environmental terms.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the Article IV directions he has confirmed in connection with leisure plots during the past two years.

Such directions have been confirmed on land in the following places:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what studies are being carried out by his Department into the pollution of the environment by traffic-induced smog in London during the current heatwave; what discussions he is having with the motor industry concerning the desirability of compulsory exhaust emission controls; and if he will make a statement;(2) what studies are being carried out to determine the effect on human health of traffic-induced smog in London during the current heatwave; and if he will make a statement.

The atmospheric constituents that can give rise to a photochemical smog are monitored on a continuous basis at two sites in London by the Warren Spring Laboratory on behalf of the Department of the Environment. Similar measurements are made by the Medical Research Council's environmental hazards unit at St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College.Some controls on vehicle emissions already exist. Limits on hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions were introduced for vehicles first used on or after 10th November 1973. These levels are being reduced for vehicles first used on or after April 1977. An EEC directive limiting the emission of oxides of nitrogen has been agreed, and this is scheduled for introduction in 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to encourage the adaptation of existing sport and recreational premises so that they may be enjoyed by disabled people; what grants are available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement.

A circular was issued to all local authorities in August 1970 drawing attention to the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, and in the Government's White Paper on Sport and Recreation (Cmnd. 6200) published last year, special mention was made of the needs of the disabled. All concerned with the provision of facilities were urged to seek out ways of facilitating attendance at sports meetings by the disabled. The Sports Council is empowered to make grants for the adaptation of existing buildings for sport and recreational purposes including appropriate provision for the disabled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what extra resources are being made available to local authorities having substantial immigrant populations; and upon what criteria they are calculated.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he has received a paper from the staff side of the Civil Service College, Edinburgh Centre proposing a feasibility study on the proposal that the centre be developed as a public sector staff college; and if he will institute such a study.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 29th June to the hon. Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Reid).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a further statement regarding the alleged implication of an adult instructor of the Army Cadet Force with Column 88.

I am satisfied that the continued service of the instructor concerned would not be in the interests of the Army Cadet Force, and accordingly his appointment has been terminated. Selection procedures for applicants wishing to serve as adult instructors in the ACF have been tightened up, and similar measures have been or are being considered for the other cadet forces. Investigations have been carried out into allegations naming other individuals as members of both Column 88 and the ACF or the TAVR. These have produced no evidence of any further case involving the ACF, but action is in hand with a view to discharging a serving private soldier of the TAVR, who is one of the individuals named.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects work to commence on new mess facilities and accommodation for single airmen at RAF Boulmer.

A complete redevelopment of the facilities at RAF Boulmer is expected to begin in about three years' time. In the meantime, an urgent study is in hand to see whether some improvements can be made to the existing accommodation for single airmen.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing the number of MOD scholarships currently being given at British universities and colleges, together with the numbers of MOD students attending each educational institution;(2) if he will publish in the

Ministry of Defence does not award university scholarships as such. The following table shows the numbers of Service and civilian students currently attending courses at British universities and colleges under the university cadetship and other similar schemes:

Aberdeen, University of	23
Aberystwyth, University College of Wales	4
Aston, University of	8
Bangor, University College of North Wales	3

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing the cost to the Exchequer of MOD scholarships to British universities and colleges during each of the last complete financial or academic years for which this information is available.

In the financial year 1975–76 the cost to the Exchequer of the Ministry of Defence's university cadetship and other similar schemes involving courses at British universities and colleges amounted to some £2·5 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the current cost of implementing parity for all Armed Forces pensioners.

The answer depends on the definition of parity. The additional cost of paying to ex-Service pensioners under the Armed Forces pension scheme pensions equivalent to those earned by personnel of similar rank retiring today, would, on certain assumptions, be of the order of £130-£150 million a year. If the change were extended to widows, families and the disabled the cost would be considerably greater.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence wheher he will reconsider his decision not to raise a full-time battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will be speaking tomorrow on security and the findings of the Ministerial Committee on Law and Order. Its work has been concerned with, among other matters, the size and rôle of locally recruited forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the establishment of the Ulster Defence Regiment; by how many the present number of members falls short of that establishment; and what steps he is taking to increase recruitment and diminish wastage.

Provision is currently made for an establishment of 10,000: the total strength at 31st May 1976 was 7,726. In a volunteer force such as the Ulster Defence Regiment a constant turnover of personnel is both natural and healthy. Steps to increase recruitment include those outlined in my reply on 10th May to the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Biggs-Davison).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present strength of each battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment on the latest available date; what is the total strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and what were the equivalent figures on the same date for each year since the Regiment was formed.

The total strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment at 31st May 1976 was 7,726. Details of the total strengths as at 1st April for each year since the regiment was formed are contained in the Statement on the Defence Estimates published annually. It is not our practice to disclose the strength of individual battalions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average length of the term of duty in Northern Ireland of each unit of the armed forces during the past five years.

It would require disproportionate effort to provide this information in respect of every unit that has served in Northern Ireland. As a general rule, however, resident units serve 18-month tours and other units serve emergency tours of four months. On occasions temporary reinforcement units have been deployed to the Province for shorter periods varying from a few days to two months.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the armed services of the Crown serving at present in Ulster are on four-month emergency tour; and how many are on a two-year tour.

Currently about one-half of the total Armed Forces personnel serving in Northern Ireland are on four-month tours and the other half are on 18-month tours.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total strength of members of the armed forces—excluding the UDR—serving in Ulster on the latest available date; and what was the equivalent figure in each of the last six years.

The present strength of the Armed Forces—excluding the Ulster Defence Regiment—in Northern Ireland is just under 16,000. Strengths at 31st December from 1970 onwards were:

					Thousands
1970	…	…	…	…	9·4
1971	…	…	…	…	15·3
1972	…	…	…	…	18·2
1973	…	…	…	…	16·1
1974	…	…	…	…	15·7
1975	…	…	…	…	15·6

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) how many (a) new and (b) reconditioned prepayment meters were installed in 1973, 1974 and 1975 for electricity consumers and gas consumers, respectively;(2) what was the average waiting time experienced: (a) by electricity consumers and (b) by gas consumers between their request for prepayment meters and the installation of the same in 1973, 1974 and 1975;(3) how many requests for fitting prepayment meters were received by electricity boards and gas boards in 1973, 1974 and 1975.

This information is not readily available and I am asking the Chairmen of British Gas and the Electricity Council to see whether they can provide it.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the life of: (a) a new prepayment meter and (b) a reconditioned meter;(2) what information he has on the relative efficiency of reconditioned and new prepayment meters for gas and electricity consumers; and what is the relative life of each.

In the case of gas, every prepayment meter is examined and stamped by appointed examiners before it is put into service, whether as new or reconditioned, and there is no difference in the efficiency required. No certified period of use is stipulated, because the actual life of an individual prepayment meter depends upon the conditions under which it is used.In the case of electricity, all prepayment meters, whether new or reconditioned, have to fulfil the same requirements of accuracy of registration and operation and have to be certified by a meter examiner before being put into service; there is no difference in their efficiency. The maximum period after which prepayment meters must be reconditioned, tested and recertified is either 15 years or 10 years, depending upon the type, and this applies to both new and reconditioned meters, but the actual interval before recertification depends upon the conditions under which the meters are used.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what further representations he has made to the chairmen of the Gas Board, the Electricity Council and the Scottish electricity boards to the effect that when an uneconomic showroom closes, service should be maintained by the showroom of the gas or electricity industry which has not closed down.

I have been assured by British Gas and the Electricity Council that serious consideration will be given to the possibility of maintaining some service through each other's showrooms whenever the occasion arises. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible for the Scottish electricity boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what action he is taking to make payment of gas or electricity accounts payable through the showrooms of either industry.

The Fuel Payments Review considered this suggestion in accordance with the request mentioned in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunbartonshire, West (Mr. Campbell) on 27th May—(Vol. 912, c. 302). In paragraph 157 of my report, I recommended that the industries should endeavour to make arrangements for more places at which consumers could pay their bills, and that each other's showrooms were an obvious possibility. The Government are now considering the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the progress of participation talks with BP.

I am glad to be able to announce that agreement has been reached today on the principles of upstream participation by the British National Oil Corporation in BP interests in commercial oilfields on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf discovered under existing licences and on co-operative arrangements between BP and BNOC downstream. Her Majesty's Government and BP have affirmed their intention to maintain effective consultation in the context of these arrangements. These understandings are set out in a Memorandum of Principles, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House.Under the upstream arrangements, BNOC will have an option to take from the 1st January 1977 up to 51 per cent. of BP's oil from the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, net of royalty oil taken in kind. In recognition of BP's planning requirements, in 1977 and 1978 BNOC will sell back to BP's affiliates 100 per cent. of option oil taken. Thereafter, if the option is exercised, BNOC will sell to BP affiliates in 1979, 1980 and 1981 a proportion of the North Sea oil taken, subject to the supply by BP to BNOC of oil to the same value from other sources and subject to a force majeure clause providing for protection of the national interest. Further arrangements beyond that date will be a commercial matter between BP and BNOC.Satisfactory arrangements have also been agreed whereby BNOC will hold 51 per cent. of BP's interests in those fields and will have an effective voice in their operation.Downstream, BNOC and BP will seek to establish a long-term basis for collaboration. BP Oil will provide training facilities for BNOC staff and a non-voting presence for BNOC in its refining and marketing counsels, so long as BNOC does not operate downstream in the United Kingdom independently or in joint ventures with other companies.These understandings make a significant contribution to the establishment of BNOC as a major force in United Kingdom oil operations, and afford a basis for co-operation between BNOC and BP to their mutual advantage. Within this same spirit, Her Majesty's Government and BP will maintain full consultation on matters of mutual concern.I hope that similar arrangements for consultation will be included in participation agreements with other companies with major interests on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many copies of the British Government periodical, Anglia, are made available to members of the Soviet public.

The Chief Administration for the Distribution of the Press of the Ministry of Communications of the USSR distribute quarterly 100,000 copies of Anglia to the Soviet public.The British Embassy also receives directly 2,000 additional copies of the magazine for complimentary distribution to Soviet institutions and individuals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has given further consideration to the request by the Welsh Centre for International Affairs for a grant of £5,000 per annum; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has recently received a formal application from the Welsh Centre for International Affairs for a grant and this is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will review the consultation procedures concerned with the fixing of the precept for the Metropolitan Police, with a view to securing any improvements which may be possible and, in particular, ensuring that the principle of confidentiality is not allowed to deny information to the local authorities which have to meet any precept which is fixed.

The Receiver discusses his proposals for the precept with representative members and officials of the local authorities in the Metropolitan Police district. Full information is provided for these discussions, in confidence, and my right hon. Friend considers that this arrangement is adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to take any action to alleviate industrial action in Her Majesty's Prison at Liverpool.

The governor at this, as at other establishments, is available to discuss with staff how the reduction in overtime working applicable at Liverpool can most appropriately be implemented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the arrangements for exercise and recreation among young prisoners, consequent upon the reduction of overtime worked by staff in: (a) Her Majesty's Prison, Liverpool, (b) Risley Remand Centre and (c) Her Majesty's Prison Styal.

Arrangements for exercise at all three establishments have not been affected by the restrictions on overtime working introduced on 1st April 1976. At Styal, opportunities for association have been unaffected, but regrettably there has been some curtailment of time spent in association by young men at both Risley and Liverpool. The effects of overtime restrictions at all establishments are being kept under review, but it is too early yet to say what changes may be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for dealing with the problem of the non-patrial citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies resident elsewhere other than in Africa, who may wish to settle in Great Britain.

In general, non-patrial citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies overseas may be admitted here only if they qualify under the imigration rules. The special voucher scheme provides for the admission of heads of household with United Kingdom passports, the bulk of them from East Africa, who are in difficulty in their country of residence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he is doing to provide psychiatric treatment for Mr. Roy Carne, in Dartmoor Prison, and about his transfer to proper hospital conditions.

A vacancy in an appropriate National Health Service psychiatric hospital is still being sought. Meanwhile, Mr. Carne remains under medical and psychiatric supervision within the prison hospital at Dartmoor Prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are accommodated four or five to a cell and in which prisons this occurs.

The only accommodation defined as cells in which up to four prisoners may be located is at Her Majesty's Prison. Birmingham. On 30th June 1976 there were four prisoners accommodated in each of the three large cells at that prison which has been certified under Section 14(2) of the Prison Act, 1952 and Rule 23 of the Prison Rules, 1964, as suitable to hold a maximum of four prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the powers available to the police under existing law to move on gipsies and other itinerant caravan dwellers when they have settled on land owned by local authorities.

We have no authority to interpret the law or to define in detail the powers of the police, but our understanding is that the police have no such power.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the net gains on the recruitment of men and women prison officers, respectively, in 1975.

914 men and 44 women in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many graduates joined the prison service in 1975; and in what capacity.

Complete information is not readily available but in 1975, 43 persons with university degrees are known to have joined the prison service in England and Wales as assistant governors, prison officers, chaplains, medical officers and psychologists.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sums are now payable to men and women prisoners, respectively, on discharge; and what is the estimated total to be spent on discharge grants during the current financial year.

The standard discharge grant paid to men and women prisoners, and also to young offenders, is £9·70 and that for homeless prisoners is £20·50. Those who are not eligible for a discharge grant are given a subsistence payment instead.At current rates the total expenditure on discharge grants and subsistence is estimated at £498,000 and £9,000 respectively during the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women prisoners have received family planning advice in 1975.

Family planning advice is available to all women prisoners but it is not known how many have chosen to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have farms and gardens; and how many prisoners are employed on them.

All penal establishments in England and Wales have gardens; 36 of them have farms. The number of inmates employed on farms and gardens varies with the season and their availability, but the average is about 2,100.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men and women prison and borstal welfare officers, respectively, are employed; how many vacancies are unfilled; and what proposals he has for increasing the number of such officers by 1980.

The number of posts for probation officers seconded to prison service establishments on 31st May 1976 was: prisons and remand centres, 375; borstals, 8; detention centres, 34. Of these posts, 42 were vacant on that date as follows: prisons and remand centres, 37; borstals, 1; detention centres, 4.Men and women officers are equally eligible for secondment and information is not readily available as to the numbers of each actually in post at any time. On present estimates the number of seconded officers will be increased to 470 by 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many technical officers are now employed in the prison department; and how many industrial managers are now employed in the regions.

300 and 45, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the prison, borstal and other building projects carried out by prisoners each year since 1968.

The names of the establishments at which major projects, with an estimated commercial value varying between £1 million and £10 million, are being undertaken with the use of inmate labour supervised by prison service works staff, together with the year in which the project started, are as follows:

Prisons: The Verne (1969), Ranby (1971), Norwich (1973), Channings Wood (1974), and Acklington (1975).

Young (Vender Establishments: Hollesley Bay (1968), Glen Parva (1971), Deerbolt (1972), and Rochester (1972).

Since 1968, minor projects with a varying estimated commercial value of up to £100,000 have also been completed by direct labour at 57 establishments.If my hon. Friend wants more detailed information about any of these major or minor projects I shall be glad to see if this can be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the total annual value of products made by adult prisoners;(2) what are the annual production costs of products made by adult prisoners.

In the last financial year the value of the output of workshops in penal establishments in England and Wales catering wholly or mainly for adult prisoners was £15,900,000. The corresponding production costs, including all overheads and notional charges for rent, rates and a proportion of central administration costs was £16,300,000. It is not possible without a dispropor- tionate amount of work to distinguish products made from other forms of industrial output or to differentiate between adult prisoners and other age groups at prisons catering for both adult and young offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for expanding prison production, region by region, and with women's prisons listed separately.

The main objective of prison industries is to provide useful work for those inmates who are not engaged on other activities. The volume of production accordingly depends on the number of inmates requiring employment as well as on the efficient use of resources. Over the next few years the following additional workshop places are planned to be provided at new and existing penal establishments for males in England and Wales:

Midland region	…	…	820
Northern	…	…	585
South east	…	…	805
South west	…	…	390

There are no plans for additional work places at female establishments other than as part of the redevelopment of Holloway.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours per day are now being spent in industrial work in Manchester, Pentonville and Albany prisons.

Hours of work are liable to vary from day to day and for different inmates at the same establishment, but in recent weeks the daily average hours for all workshops at Manchester, Pentonville and Albany has been about four, four and six, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officer instructors are now employed in prison industries, including civilian instructors.

In England and Wales, 554 civilian instructional officers and 565 officer instructors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men and women prisoners, respectively, are employed on industrial work.

On 30th June 1975, the latest date for which comprehensive information is immediately available, about 12,700 male inmates and 230 female inmates were employed in industrial workshops at penal establishments in England and Wales catering wholly or mainly for adults. Of the remaining inmates at these establishments, about 10,200 males and 300 females were engaged on other forms of work. It is not possible to distinguish between age groups at establishments catering for both adult and young offenders. I shall let my hon. Friend have the corresponding figures for 30th June 1976 as soon as these are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the main groups of industrial work now being done in prisons in England and Wales.

The main groups of work in industrial workshops are: tailoring; textile products; weaving; laundrywork; engineering and woodwork. Substantial numbers of inmates are also employed on building work and maintenance, farms and gardens, and domestic work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the occupations listed in Annex C, submitted to the Select Committee on Estimates (Sub-Committee on Social Affairs) in December 1966, have now ceased to be available in British prisons.

For prisons in England and Wales, the information is as follows:

Basketmakers; blacksmiths; fitters; making of mattresses (coir and hair); moulders (iron foundry); manufacture of ships' fenders; twine and rope makers; woodchoppers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the average weekly earnings of adult prisoners and boys in borstal institutions.

In England and Wales, approximately 95p and 75p, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the meeting of Community Ministers of the Interior at Luxembourg on 29th June.

At its meeting in Rome at the beginning of December 1975, the European Council adopted a proposal by my right hon. Friend the Member for Huyton (Sir H. Wilson) that Community Ministers of the Interior, or Ministers with similar responsibilities, should meet to discuss the possibilities of co-operation between the nine member States of the Community on matters arising in the field of their responsibilities.The first of these meetings was held in Luxembourg on 29th June, where I represented Her Majesty's Government. We had a useful meeting, in which we established a clear political determination to improve co-operation in the fight against international crime and in particular against terrorism, and also agreed upon the advantages of closer co-operation and more exchange of information among the nine member States on such matters as technical support for the police and police training. We approved a programme of work to be undertaken in the coming months.Following is the English translation of the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what charge is likely to fall on public funds in connection with the referendum being conducted by the Electoral Reform Society on behalf of Trinity House in order to obtain the views of pilots on the future administration of pilotage.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. Ovenden) on 25th June—[Vol. 913, cols. 687–8]—and I confirm that no charge will fall on public funds in connection with this referendum.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress has been made in respect of the anti-dumping application by the Clothing Manufacturers Federation, submitted to the Department on 11th March 1976 relating to men's and boys' suits wholly or mainly of wool, man-made fibres, cotton or other materials originating in Romania, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany and Bulgaria.

The preliminary application from the Clothing Manufacturers' Federation did not provide the Department with all the information that was necessary. The federation was asked for further details, the latest of which were provided on 21st June. All the evidence is being examined urgently to determine whether there should be a formal investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what percentage of British imports is currently transported by British ships;(2) what percentage of British exports is currently transported by British ships.

The proportion of the United Kingdom's seaborne imports transported in British ships in 1975 was 40 per cent. by value. The corresponding figure for exports was 52 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will ensure that his Department's report into the affairs of Lonrho is published before any advance of public funds is made under the Industry Act 1972, to David Whitehead, the Lonrho subsidiary, to assist in its purchase of Brentford Nylon's plants.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) on 24th June 1976—[Vol. 913, col. 601].

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what arrangements he proposes to make in the context of the recent consultative document to consult with interested bodies about the future development of Birmingham Airport;(2) if, in the context of the recent consultative document, he will make arrangements to discuss the future of Birmingham Airport with those bodies who are opposed to its development.

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Thornaby, (Mr. Wrigglesworth) on 24th June—[Vol. 193, cols. 602 and 603]—it is the Government's intention that all those concerned with airports development should have adequate opportunity to express their views on matters raised in the consultation document on regional airports. Nearly 1,000 local authorities, economic planning councils, airport authorities, airport consultative committees, airport employees organisations, amenity groups and other bodies throughout Great Britain, including the Birmingham area, have been informed of the publication of the document and invited to participate in the consultations. My Department will welcome views from these and other organisations concerned. No decisions will be taken in advance of the consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how much money is proposed to be allocated by his Department for research into noise levels and general environmental problems associated with Birmingham Airport.

No allocation of money by my Department is made specifically for this purpose, as aircraft noise abatement problems at Birmingham Airport are primarily a matter for the West Midlands County Council. General aircraft noise research financed by my Department will be of assistance, and in

			1973–74	1974–75	1975–76
Terminal passengers	…	…	179,500	207,800 (+ 16 per cent)	241,000 (+ 16 per cent)
Total aircraft movements	…	…	30,423	31,969 (+ 5 per cent)	32,717 (+ 2 per cent)
of which
Air transport movements	…	…	3,228	3,474 (+ 8 per cent)	3,484 (—)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can identify where oil revenues are now being directed to improve employment conditions in Scotland, especially in areas which have been damaged by years of neglect and a plethora of dying industries.

The Government have pledged that all parts of the United Kingdom most in need will receive their full and fair share of the benefits from the energy resources of the continental shelf, which belong to the United

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will ensure that any agreement about the future development of Birmingham Airport will include a noise insulation grants scheme for residents affected.

This is a matter appropriate for discussion in the consultation process following issue of the document "Airport Strategy for Great Britain—Part 2 Regional Airports."

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what extensions are being planned for Stansted Airport, Essex; and what has been the percentage growth in the number of flights and passengers during the last three years up to the latest available date.

Apart from minor additions to the cargo facilities which are now in progress, the British Airports Authority has taken no decision on future extensions at Stansted. The growth in traffic over the last three years has been as follows:Kingdom as a whole. Particular sources of revenue are not allocated to particular spending programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy with regard to the provision of day-room facilities in sheltered housing projects; and, in view of the fact that in the rural situation, due to lack of alternative equivalent facilities, such day-room provisions are the only place of recreation for the elderly, if he will take steps to ensure that rural sheltered housing projects include such amenities.

Common rooms are regarded as an optional additional provision which housing authorities may decide to make in sheltered housing developments. It is for the housing authorities concerned to decide whether or not such facilities should be included in sheltered housing schemes in rural areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now exercise the powers that enable him to allow local authorities to extend their refuse collection system to areas covered by the former district councils and in which ratepayers now pay for a refuse collection service which they cannot by law receive.

Until Section 12 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974—which relates to the general powers of local authorities to collect refuse—is brought into force, my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider an application by a district council which does not have powers throughout its district for an order under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 extending to the whole of the district the powers available to it under the Burgh Police (Scotland) Acts, provided that it could be shown that the present arrangements are unworkable and if the extended service could be provided without increase in the overall allocation of resources to the authority concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average price of electricity per kWh in respect of current bills to domestic consumers in the areas served by the SSEB and the NSHEB, respectively; and what will be the average price in each of these areas after the recent basic tariff increases have come into effect.

The average price per unit sold in 1975–76 is quoted in the recently published annual reports of the Scottish electricity boards, copies of which are in the Library. The average increase for domestic consumers from the first meter reading after 1st April 1976 is calculated by the boards to be about 21 per cent. in the area of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and 18 per cent. in that of the South of Scotland Electricity Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider initiating an investigation into the potential of probation as an alternative to prison sentences, similar to the Home Office IMPACT Study (Intensive Matched Probation and After-Care Treatment).

An interim evaluation of the IMPACT Study was published in 1974, and further material is to be published shortly. This will be carefully studied by my right hon. Friend's research staff, who have been in close touch with their Home Office colleagues as the research has developed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those schools in Scotland where secondary education to the age of 18 years is available for partially and profoundly deaf children.

All the special schools for the deaf can provide secondary education up to age 16. The more able partially deaf children are encouraged to continue up to age 18. Special tuition is provided either at the special school or at ordinary schools where individual tuition if necessary can be organised. These facilities are provided in response to the individual needs and circumstances of the pupils from time to time and it is not possible therefore to list the schools that are involved. The number of profoundly deaf children able to benefit from a full secondary course is so small that it is not practicable to make the provision necessary for them in Scotland. Arrangements are therefore made for them to attend one of two specialised schools in England.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements have been made by the Scottish Development Agency for environmental schemes in Doon Valley, South Ayrshire; and if he will list the projects showing starting dates and costs.

These are matters for the agency.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which board members of the SDA and HIDB discharge executive functions within the respective boards.

The members of the boards of the Scottish Development Agency (SDA) and the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) who discharge executive functions are as follows:

• SDA Mr Lewis Robertson CBE (Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive).
• HIDB Professor Kenneth Alexander (Chairman)
• Rear Admiral D. A. Dunbar-Nasmith, CB, DSC (Deputy Chairman).
• Mr. Prophet Smith, OBE.
• Mr. R. A. Fasken, CBE.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the job prospects in GEC factories in Central Fife.

My officials are discussing with the company an investment proposal which should initially stabilise current employment levels in these factories and contribute towards an increase in employment over the next few years.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the co-operation of the activities of the security forces and the police in the Province.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the workings of the rent rebate scheme.

The rent rebate scheme in Northern Ireland, which applies to the Housing Executive's tenants, came into operation on 7th April 1975. The basis of the scheme, as in the rest of the United Kingdom, is the comparison of a family's gross income with its "needs allowance".At 31st March 1976, £880,000 had been paid to the executive in respect of the scheme. At that date 18,985 tenants had applied for rent rebates; 11,815 were receiving rebates, of whom over 4,500 were getting their full rent rebated. A further 1,128 applications were being processed at that time. The current weekly cost to public funds of the rent rebate scheme is about £26,000. The average rent rebate at 31st March was £1·86. At 31st May 1976, average rent in Northern Ireland was £3·06 as against £4·91 in England and Wales.Every opportunity has been taken to publicise the scheme, and I have repeatedly encouraged tenants to apply. I am happy to say that some 70 per cent. of the tenants who are estimated to be eligible for some assistance towards their rent are now receiving it, either through supplementary benefits or rent rebates. Tenants who have not made arrangements to pay off rent arrears are not eligible for rebates but some 18,000 of the 33,000 tenants who are in arreas of over £20 have now made arrangements to start paying off their arrears.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on current developments in the services for the mentally handicapped in Northern Ireland.

A consultative document has recently been issued on services for the mentally handicapped in Northern Ireland; copies are available in the Library. It is based on the general principles of the White Paper "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped" (Cmnd. 4683) issued for England and Wales, though it deals also with some local matters. Views have been requested by 30th July. When consultations are complete a statement of policy will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the RUC and the RUCR have been murdered; and how many attempted murders of such members have taken place since 1st January 1976 till 19th June 1976.

During the period in question eight members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and seven members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve were murdered; a total of 123 shooting incidents and 24 bomb attacks involving police personnel and establishments were reported.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the total strength of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and of the RUC Reserve at the latest available date; and what were the equivalent figures on the same date in each of the last five years;(2) what is the establishment of the Royal Ulster Constabulary; by how many the RUC falls short of that establishment at present; and what steps he is taking to increase recruitment and diminish wastage.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to receive the report of the ministerial sub-committee on long-term security problems.

I have received it.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in Northern Ireland with the development of amenities and recreational facilities in State-owned forests.

Every effort is made in Northern Ireland to exploit the recreational potential of all State-owned forest lands. To date five forest parks have been developed, and in addition there are 50 other smaller forest recreational centres which are open to the public. Four more parks are under construction. Facilities provided compare well with the rest of the United Kingdom and include walking, driving, caravanning, camping, nature study, canoeing, fishing and shooting.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in Northern Ireland in the development and improvement of angling facilities in the Province.

Since 1966, 56 lakes covering 4,000 acres and 11 stretches of rivers totalling 42 miles have been acquired and developed as game and coarse fisheries. These are made available to the general public under permit. In addition, the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland owns the fishing rights on Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, which extends to 37,800 acres on which development works are being carried out on a large scale.In order to provide adequate supplies of rainbow trout and brown trout for stocking and restocking these waters and also to supply the requirements of some private fisheries, the Department operates a fish farm on the Lower Bann.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish particulars of the number of civilians and members of the security forces murdered by terrorists in each year since 1969; and in respect of how many of such murders a person or persons have been charged with and convicted of each such crime.

Information on deaths connected with the security situation, and murder charges is given in my quarterly bulletin of security statistics, which is placed in the Library of the House and which in future will also appear in the Official Report. Further information is contained in the Chief Constable's annual report. Information on convictions is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applicants for the RUC Reserve were rejected during 1975.

1,892 applicants to the RUC Reserve were rejected and 2,072 accepted in the year ending 31st December 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied with the amount of prison accommodation in the Province; and how many persons are obliged to share cells.

I am not yet satisfied with the availability of prison accommodation in the Province and an urgent building programme has been put in hand. At present some 550 prisoners are sharing cells.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, from 1st January 1975 to 1st June 1976, how many retirement pensioners' books have been lost or through clerical errors have been delayed in being returned to the Post Office.

I shall reply to the hon. Members as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is his estimate of the cost of introducing identity cards for all residents of Northern Ireland; and how many representations he has received that that step would be helpful in combating terrorism;(2) what further measures he is proposing to take to combat terrorism in Northern Ireland, in view of the continuing high level of terrorist activity;(3) how many unmanned road crossing points there are between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; and what was the number on the same date in each of the past five years;(4) what was the total number of terrorist incidents, in each category, including bomb attacks, murders and woundings, and damage to property in the period 1st January 1976 down to the latest available date; and what were the similar figures for each of the last five years.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of people serving prison sentences for offences connected with terrorism in Northern Ireland; and what were the equivalent figures in each of the past five years.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further steps he proposes to take in order to prevent arms, ammunition and explosives reaching terrorists in Northern Ireland.

The security forces will continue to exercise the utmost vigilance in preventing the illegal possession and movement of arms, ammunition and explosives in and into Northern Ireland. Already this year 432 weapons, and more than 35,000 rounds of ammunition and 17,800 lb. of explosive have been recovered. Other large finds have been made in the Republic of Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the reorganisation of the Northern Ireland Police Authority.

I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to Questions by the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull Central (Mr. McNamara) on 9th June 1976—[Vol. 912, c. 676]—and the hon. Member for Antrim, South (Mr. Molyneaux) on 28th June 1976.—[Vol. 914, c. 25.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in how many cases prosecutions have been dropped because witnesses have refused to appear or to give evidence in 1975 and 1976 to the nearest available date, respectively; and how many witnesses in other cases refused to appear in court or make statements for the same periods.

I have been asked to reply.Between 1st January 1975 and 28th June 1976, 16 cases involving 26 accused intended to be tried on indictment were discontinued because of the refusal of 28 witnesses to appear in court or to give evidence.During the same period findings of "not guilty" were entered in five cases involving 14 accused because of the refusal of 15 witnesses to appear or to give evidence.No record is available of the number of witnesses who refused to appear in court where such refusals did not materially affect the result of the prosecution.The number of witnesses who refused to make statements to the police could not be ascertained without disproportionate expenditure of time and money.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current value of the £ sterling compared with that of November 1961.

At the close on 30th June the sterling-dollar rate was 1·7847, compared with a parity rate of 2·80 in November 1961.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will up-date to 1975 the figures given in his answer to the hon. Member for St. Ives on 5th December 1975 (Official Report, columns 757–8); and whether he will publish figures for income from employment per head for 1968 to 1975 for: (a) the whole economy. (b) central and local govern-

					Whole economy	Public authorities*	Public sector†	Private sector
					£	£	£	£
1968	…	…	…	…	1,100	1,112	1,161	1,077
1969	…	…	…	…	1,178	1,175	1,231	1,157
1970	…	…	…	…	1,325	1,309	1,375	1,305
1971	…	…	…	…	1,490	1,493	1,558	1,461
1972	…	…	…	…	1,667	1,678	1,779	1,620
1973	…	…	…	…	1,876	1,852	1,980	1,832
1974	…	…	…	…	2,265	2,286	2,440	2,192
1975	…	…	…	…	2,950	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.
					(provisional)
* Central Government and local authorities, as defined in the national accounts.
† Public authorities and public corporations.