Written Answers To Questions
Thursday 29th July 1976
Prices And Consumer Protection
Electricity Charges
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will list in the
| Electricity Consultative Council | Number of representations 1974–75 | Approximate percentage concerning charges | Number of representations 1975–76 | Approximate percentage concerning charges | |||
| North Western | … | … | … | 1,920 | 36 | 4,562 | 43 |
| North Eastern | … | … | … | 951 | 81 | 1,417 | 77 |
| Yorkshire | … | … | … | 1,058 | 52 | 1,362 | 59 |
| Merseyside and North Wales | … | 1,031 | 32 | 1,200 | 30 | ||
| South Wales | … | … | … | 1,042 | 42 | 1,308 | 55 |
| Midlands | … | … | … | 617 | 26 | 771 | 23 |
| East Midlands | … | … | … | 664 | 45 | 765 | 42 |
| Eastern | … | … | … | 1,396 | 31 | 1,516 | 58 |
| South Western | … | … | … | 1,019 | 52 | 1,097 | 63 |
| Southern | … | … | … | 1,153 | 40 | 2,019 | 49 |
| South Eastern | … | … | … | 900 | 42 | 1,415 | 50 |
| London | … | … | … | 1,016 | 45 | 2,596 | 72 |
Price Commission
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection to what extent her authorisation is required for expenditure on refurnishing of premises, meals, installation of wine cellars and other incidental expenses by the Price Commission.
The provision and furnishing of accommodation for the Price Commission is a matter for the Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment. Responsibility for authorising the Commission's day-to-day expenditure rests with the Commission itself subject to the usual arrangements for the control of public expenditure.
Gas (Complaints)
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will list in theOfficial Report the total number of
Official Report the total number of representations received by each regional electricity consultative council in each of the last two years; what proportion related to charges; and what action she proposes to take.
The information requested is as follows:individual complaints received by each regional gas consumer council in 1974–75 and 1975–76, respectively; and what action she proposes to take.
The figures available for representations to gas consumers' councils do not distinguish complaints from other inquiries. The figures for representations are as follows:
| Gas Consumers' Council | Number of representations | ||
| … | 1974–75 | 1975–76 | |
| Scotland | … | 2,587 | 5,017 |
| Northern | … | 7,475 | 5,589 |
| North Western | … | 5,979 | 10,471 |
| North Eastern | … | 2,017 | 2,400 |
| West Midlands | … | 3,039 | 5,049 |
| East Midlands | … | 836 | 1,207 |
| Wales | … | 1,842 | 2,728 |
| Eastern | … | 4,365 | 3,331 |
| South Western | … | 1,291 | 1,990 |
| Southern | … | 1,994 | 3,027 |
| South Eastern | … | 7,259 | 6,868 |
| North Thames | … | 4,704 | 4,640 |
Legal Professions (Advertising)
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when she expects to publish the reports of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on restrictions on advertising by the legal professions in England and Wales and in Scotland.
They are being published today.
The supply of services of solicitors in relation to restrictions on advertising
The Commission found that, both in England and Wales and in Scotland, the restrictions provided, and the profession accepted, that—with some minor and limited exceptions—all forms of personal advertisement and publicity and of touting are forbidden to solicitors.
The Commission accordingly concluded that a monopoly situation as defined in Section 7(1)( c) and (2) of the Fair Trading Act 1973 existed in favour of solicitors in England and Wales, and also in Scotland, in that in each case the total supply of services of such solicitors was by persons who so conducted their respective affairs as to restrict competition in that they accepted restrictions on advertising.
The Commission concluded that these restrictions in England and Wales and in Scotland operated against the public interest in three respects:
In addition, the Commission concluded that in the case of England and Wales the restrictions had on occasion impeded the operation of law centres contrary to the public interest.
The Commission recommended that the current rules of the relevant professional bodies which placed a general prohibition on advertising and soliciting business should be terminated and should be replaced by a rule which would allow any
solicitor in England and Wales and in Scotland to use such publicity as he might think fit, provided that:
The Commission considered that, provided that the basic changes which it regarded as necessary were made in the present codes, there would be no need for modification of the existing arrangements operated by solicitors for formulation and enforcement of the codes of the profession on advertising, except that in the case of Scotland the Commission supported the proposals which the profession has made for lay representation on the Council of the Law Society's Discipline Committee and for a lay observer to whom appeals could be made.
The Commission recommended that the new rule on advertising should be formulated in precise terms through consultation between the Director General of Fair Trading and the professional bodies concerned.
The supply of services of (1) barristers in England and Wales, and (ii) advocates in Scotland, in relation to restrictions on advertising
The Commission found that, both in England and Wales and in Scotland the restrictions provided, and the professions accepted, that—with some minor and limited exceptions—all forms of personal advertisement and publicity and of touting are forbidden to banisters and advocates.
The Commission accordingly concluded that a monopoly situation as defined in Section 7(1)(c) and (2) of the Fair Trading Act 1973 existed in favour of barristers in England and Wales and advocates in Scotland in that in each case the total supply of services of such barristers and advocates was by persons who so conducted their respective affairs as to restrict competition, in that they accepted restrictions on advertising.
However, the Commission concluded that these restrictions did not operate against the public interest in either case, for the following reasons:
For these reasons the Commission concluded that neither of these monopoly situations operated, or might be expected to operate, against the public interest.
The Commission, in the report on restrictions on advertising by barristers, noted that the Bar Council published information in the Law List, in legal journals, and in local newspapers where appropriate, when a new set of chambers was being opened, and it suggested that the Bar Council should consider taking similar action in respect of barristers who resumed practice.
Action on the Commission's reports
My right hon. Friend, in the light of the Commission's reports on restrictions on advertising by solicitors, agrees that the current rules forbidding advertising by solicitors in England and Wales and in Scotland should be replaced by new rules allowing advertising subject to certain safeguards; and she agrees that this matter should be discussed by the Director General of Fair Trading and the Law Society and the Law Society of Scotland. My right hon. Friend is accordingly asking the Director General to initiate appropriate discussions about how the current rules might be changed without prejudice to the high standards of the profession and the proper and adequate administration of justice.
My right hon. Friend, in the light of comments made in the Commission's report on restrictions on advertising by barristers, is asking the Director General to initiate discussions with the Bar council on possible means of improving the dissemination of information on barristers to solicitors. She is also asking him to initiate similar discussions with the Faculty of Advocates.
Price Code
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether she will estimate the effect on corporate profits and on the index of retail prices of the new modifications to the Price Code announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement on 22nd July.
The White Paper Command 6540, which my right hon. Friend laid before the House on 30th June, estimated that the effect of changes in the Price Code would be to increase the Retail Price Index by about 1 per cent. in the coming 12 months. Subsequently, in reply to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Drake (Miss Fookes) on 5th July, my right hon. Friend estimated that they could mean a difference of around and rather below £1 billion to profits. The further modifications announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 22nd July do not materially affect these broad estimates.
Bread
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will make a statement about the proposed increase in bread prices and the future of the bread subsidy.
Following notifications to the Price Commission, the major baking companies are proposing to make price increases in Great Britain of ½p on both large and small loaves with effect from 9th August, mainly because of increases in the cost of flour, which in turn are due to the rise in wheat prices. On certain premium loaves some companies will be able to charge an extra 1p instead of ½p.As action must be taken to contain total food subsidy expenditure within the provision for the current financial year, in line with the policy decisions announced last year, it is also necessary to reduce the bread subsidy throughout the United Kingdom. The rate will accordingly be reduced from £4·06 to £2·98 per sack of flour with effect from 8th August. This reduction is the equivalent of ·p on both large and small loaves. The total price increase on each size will therefore be in general ½p in Great Britain and ½p in Northern Ireland. The effect of the reduction in the subsidy is estimated to be a saving of £10 million to £11 million in the current financial year.Standard bread is included in the Price Check Scheme for Great Britain. The baking companies have carried out their undertaking to keep their price increases within 5 per cent. overall for the six months from 1st February to 31st July, and I am grateful for their co-operation. I realise that because of the nature of the product bread price changes pass through very rapidly to retailers' shelves, whereas for other products there is normally some delay. The increases I have described will therefore be reflected in shop prices a few days before the scheme ends in the shops on 15th August.My Department will be carrying out the normal consultations and an order will accordingly be laid before the House so that the statutory maximum prices can be raised by the necessary amounts from 9th August.
Retail Price Index
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the latest figure for the rise in the Retail Price Index year on year.
The year-on-year increase shown in the Retail Price Index for June is 13·8 per cent.
Raw Materials
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will make a statement on the effect of rising raw materials' prices on retail prices.
The report by the Price Commission, "The Effect of Movements in the Price of Raw Materials on the Retail Price of Goods", which has been published today, examines the effect on retail prices of changes in the price of raw materials during a period of pronounced fluctuations in world prices. It examines in detail the effect, on the prices of selected consumer products, of changes in the price of four individual raw materials. It finds that:In general, manufacturers' net profit margins were eroded during the period.Distributors for the most part maintained their gross profit margins on the products selected for study. The Price Commission points out that the gross profit margin has to meet the expenses of running the business as well as provide the net profit. Maintenance of the gross profit margin in the selected products studied in the report does not necessarily mean that the net profit margins were maintained either on these products or over the business as a whole.Lags between changes in commodity prices and their effect on retail prices varied from a negligible interval to 18 months.The proportion of manufacturers' costs attributable to raw material varied according to the length of the production chain.Where the commodity element of manufacturers' costs fell, the decrease with one exception was virtually counterbalanced by other costs. Where the commodity element was still rising, the rate of increase of other costs in the most recent year was even higher.The report also suggests that if, when the prices of raw materials increase sharply, distributors maintain standard percentage mark-ups on their goods, this can have the effect of magnifying the impact of such increases on the consumer. In present circumstances, I believe that this danger is much diminished in recent years costs have risen more rapidly in retailing than in most other sectors of industry and commerce, and the most recent quarterly report of the Price Commission shows that during the year ended 31st March this year net profit margins for the larger food and drink retailers averaged only about 50 per cent, of the net margins achieved in the period before price controls were introduced, and those of non-food retailers about 60 per cent.However, costs in retailing are likely to rise more slowly from now on, while it is unavoidable that the cost of imported raw materials will rise as a result of the fall in sterling and a recovery in world commodity markets. This and the upturn in our domestic economy may mean that distributors will in due course be trading in less unfavourable conditions. If in these circumstances some less competitive sectors of distribution maintain gross margins in percentage terms, this may result in an undue increase in retail prices: that is, an increase beyond what is necessary to cover increases in costs and to generate the overall level of profit required to maintain employment and stimulate investment.This risk is much reduced by the Price Code as it stands. Paragraph 88 of the code ensures that if a distributor's net profits rise above a certain level he must reduce the percentage mark-ups he applies to the goods he sells, in order to keep his overall gross margin within a lower ceiling.If buying prices in any one sector of distribution rose so fast that the reduced ceiling on gross margins proved excessive, a further reduction in the permitted level might be needed.I am concerned that increasing raw material costs do not in any sector lead to a situation where retail prices rise faster than is necessary to provide firms with an adequate level of profitability. Accordingly, T am asking the Price Commission to identify those classes of consumer products for which the risk of sharp increases in the retail price seems to be greatest and to keep under review the movements in the gross and net distribution margins of those classes of products so that appropriate action could be taken if the Price Code proved inadequate.
Home Department
Public Appointments
28.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what black list of persons deemed unacceptable for public appointments is maintained by his Department; and whether the list and the adverse notations are available for inspection and challenge by persons included on it.
None.
Suspected Persons (Ex Gratia Payments)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the procedure followed for assessing the amount of ex gratia payments to persons wrongfully convicted or charged.
When a decision is taken to make an ex gratia payment in these circumstances the practice is to submit the facts to an independent assessor for advice as to the amount to be paid. I have reviewed the procedure followed in the few such cases that arise —there were six in the financial year 1974–75 and four in 1975–76—and have decided that in future the claimant or his solicitor should be informed of the factors which will be taken into account by the assessor, that he should have the opportunity of making personal representations to the assessor and that he should subsequently be given an explanation in broad terms of the basis on which the assessment has been made. The purpose of these changes is to make as much information as possible available to the claimant, to give him the maximum opportunity of providing relevant information for the assessor and to make it clear that the general principles governing the assessment are analogous to those governing the assessment of damages for civil wrongs. The new procedure is explained in the note below, copies of which will be sent to successful claimants.EX GRATIA PAYMENTS TO PERSONS WRONGLY CONVICTED OR CHARGED: PROCEDURE FOR ASSESSING THE AMOUNT OF THE PAYMENT
A decision to make an ex gratia payment from public funds does not imply any admission of legal liability; it is not, indeed, based on considerations of liability for which there are appropriate remedies at civil law. The payment is offered in recognition of the hardship caused by a wrongful conviction or charge and notwithstanding that the circumstances may give no grounds for a claim for civil damages.
2. Subject to Treasury approval, the amount of the payment to be made is at the discretion of the Home Secretary, but it is his practice before deciding this to seek the advice of an independent assessor experienced in the assessment of damages. An interim payment may be made in the meantime.
3. The independent assessment is made on the basis of written submissions setting out the relevant facts. When the claimant or his solicitor is first informed that an ex gratia payment will be offered in due course, he is invited to submit any information or representations which he would like the assessor to take into account in advising on the amount to be paid. Meanwhile, a memorandum is prepared by the Home Office. This will include a full statement of the facts of the case, and any available information on the claimant's circumstances and antecedents, and may call attention to any special features in the case which might be considered relevant to the amount to be paid; any comments or representations received from, or on behalf of, the claimant will be incorporated in, or annexed to, this memorandum. A copy of the completed memorandum will then be sent to the claimant or his solicitor for any further comments he may wish to make. These will be submitted, with the memorandum, for the opinion of the assessor. The assessor may wish to interview the claimant or his solicitor to assist him in preparing his assessment and will be prepared to interview them if they wish. As stated in paragraph 2 above, the final decision as to the amount to be paid is a matter entirely for the Home Secretary.
4. In making his assessment, the assessor will apply principles analogous to those governing the assessment of damages for civil wrongs. The assessment will take account of both pecuniary and non-pecuniary loss arising from the conviction and/or loss of liberty, and any or all the following factors may thus be relevant according to the circumstances:
Pecuniary Loss
Loss of earnings as a result of the charge or conviction.
Loss of future earning capaicty.
Legal costs incurred.
Additional expense incurred in consequence of detention, including expenses incurred by the family.
Non-Pecuniary loss
Damage to character or reputation.
Hardship, including mental suffering, injury to feelings and inconvenience.
When making his assessment, the assessor will take into account any expenses, legal or otherwise, incurred by the claimant in establishing his innocence or pursuing the claim for compensation. In submitting his observations a solicitor should state, as well as any other expenses incurred by the claimant, what his own costs are, to enable them to be included in the assessment.
5. In considering the circumstances leading to the wrongful conviction or charge the assessor will also have regard, where appropriate, to the extent to which the situation might be attributable to any action, or failure to act, by the police or other public authority, or might have been contributed to by the accused person's own conduct. The amount offered will accordingly take account of this factor, but will not include any element analogous to exemplary or punitive damages.
6. Since the payment to be offered is entirelyex gratia, and at his discretion, the Home Secretary is not bound to accept the assessor's recommendation, but it is normal for him to do so.. The claimant is equally not bound to accept the offer finally made; it is open to him instead to pursue the matter by way of a legal claim for damages, if he considers he has grounds for doing so. But he may not do both. While the offer is made without any admission of liability, payment is subject to the claimant's signing a form of waiver undertaking not to make any other claim whatsoever arising out of the circumstance of his prosecution or conviction, or his detention in either or both of these connections.
Human Rights (Legislation)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many copies of the discussion document on Legislation on Human Rights have been distributed; how many groups and/ or organisations have been asked for their comments; and if he is satisfied that the wide public discussion he called for in his foreword is taking place.
About 1,300 copies of the discussion document have so far been distributed. The publication of the document was itself an invitation to interested organisations and individuals to put forward their views. I am satisfied that study and discussion of the issues raised in it is being actively carried on, notably at the symposium held last month under the auspices of the British Institute of Human Rights; in Sir Leslie Scarman's Goodman lecture to the Royal Institute of International Affairs on 13th July; and in the July issue of theGuardian Gazette, to be published this week, which is devoted entirely to the subject. I would welcome a still wider exchange of views.
Race Relations
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new initiatives he proposes in the interests of good race relations following the reported deterioration in those relations in recent months.
I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to Questions from the hon. Members for Cambridge (Mr. Lane) and for Carshalton (Mr. Forman) on 24th June—[Vol. 913, c. 582.]
Crime (Convictions)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing what percentage of people in the following age groups were convicted of a criminal offence in each year since 1945: (a) 16 to 21 year olds, (b) 21 to 25 year olds and (c) 25 to 30 year olds.
The readily available information, which relates to offenders aged respectively under 17, 17 and under 21, and 21 and over, is contained in the following table:
| PERSONS FOUND GUILTY OF INDICTABLE AND NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION IN THE AGE GROUP—ENGLAND AND WALES | ||||
| Percentages | ||||
| Year | Under 17 years | Age Group 17 years and under 21 | 21 years and over | |
| 1945 | … | 1·4 | 1·9 | 1·0 |
| 1946 | … | 1·2 | 2·0 | 1·4 |
| 1947 | … | 1·2 | 1·9 | 1·7 |
| 1948 | … | 1·4 | 2·1 | 1·7 |
| 1949 | … | 1·3 | 2·0 | 1·7 |
| 1950 | … | 1·4 | 2·3 | 1·8 |
| 1951 | … | 1·5 | 2·9 | 1·9 |
| 1952 | … | 1·4 | 2·9 | 2·0 |
| 1953 | … | 1·2 | 2·3 | 1·9 |
| 1954 | … | 1·1 | 2·4 | 2·2 |
| 1955 | … | 1·1 | 2·8 | 2·0 |
| 1956 | … | 1·1 | 3·2 | 2·1 |
| 1957 | … | 1·3 | 4·2 | 2·2 |
| 1958 | … | 1·5 | 5·3 | 2·5 |
| 1959 | … | 1·6 | 5·9 | 2·6 |
| 1960 | … | 1·7 | 6·3 | 2·5 |
| 1961 | … | 1·9 | 6·7 | 2·7 |
| 1962 | … | 1·9 | 6·8 | 3·0 |
| 1963 | … | 2·0 | 6·9 | 3·1 |
| 1964 | … | 2·0 | 7·0 | 3·1 |
| 1965 | … | 2·6 | 7·5 | 3·1 |
| 1966 | … | 2·6 | 7·8 | 3·3 |
| 1967 | … | 2·5 | 8·0 | 3·7 |
| 1968 | … | 2·5 | 8·3 | 3·7 |
| 1969 | … | 2·5 | 8·8 | 3·7 |
| 1970 | … | 2·6 | 9·2 | 3·9 |
| 1971 | … | 2·3 | 9·6 | 4·0 |
| 1972 | … | 2·2 | 9·7 | 4·4 |
| 1973 | … | 2·2 | 10·0 | 4·6 |
| 1974 | … | 2·4 | 9·5 | 4·5 |
| 1975 | … | 2·3 | 10·4 | 4·7 |
Immigrants
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate his Department has of the number of immigrants and their dependants now living in England who cannot speak the English language.
I regret that this information is not available.
Driving Offences (Motorways)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for driving offences on motorways there were per mile of motorway in 1960, 1965, 1970 and 1975.
Information is available only in relation to offences against the Motorway Regulations and not for other motoring offences committed by drivers while on motorways. It is as follows:
| Number of convictions per mile | |||
| Year | Excluding Speeding | Including Speeding | |
| 1960 | … | 12·0 | — |
| 1965 | … | 11·5 | — |
| 1970 | … | 8·9 | 12·2 |
| 1975 | … | 9·0 | 18·8 |
Larceny Charges (Young Persons)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has in mind to prevent the situation arising whereby mentally subnormal teenagers accused of larceny have to be committed to Holloway Prison due to the lack of other suitable facilities.
I understand that in the particular case the hon. Member has in mind the court decided to remand the defendant in custody only after satisfying itself that there was no place available in a hospital or a hostel for the mentally handicapped where she could stay as a condition of bail. It later proved possible to remand the girl on bail to the care of her mother.Questions relating to hospital facilities and local authority social services accommodation for the mentally handicapped are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.
Dangerous Escapees
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional protection he is able to offer prison and police officers faced with the task of dealing with dangerous criminals on the run who are serving very long terms of imprisonment.
We have no present proposals to this end, but are always willing to consider any suggestions deriving from the experience gained in particular incidents.
Life Imprisonment
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has in mind for dealing with the problems of those sentenced to life imprisonment in the true meaning of those words; and whether he will make a statement on prison sentencing generally.
Within available resources and in accordance with the degree of security necessary in each case, the treatment of individual prisoners attempts to take account of their situations and to maintain conditions of humane containment. In considering the release on licence of a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment full account is always taken of the nature of his offence and the possible risk to the public. It is inevitable that some such prisoners will be detained for very long periods or even the remainder of their natural lives.Determination of sentence within the limits set by law is a matter for the courts. The Advisory Council on the Penal System is currently examining the general structure of maximum sentences of imprisonment available to them.
| Males | Females | ||||
| Time in custody spent in Prison Department establishments | Found not guilty or not proceeded with | Given non-custodial sentences | Found not guilty or not proceeded with | Given non-custodial sentences | |
| Up to and including 2 weeks | … | 27 | 787 | 11 | 102 |
| Over 2 weeks up to and including 1 month | … | 15 | 209 | 2 | 27 |
| Over 1 month up to and including 2 months | … | — | 56 | — | 7 |
| Over 2 months up to and including 3 months | … | — | 8 | — | 1 |
| Over 3 months up to and including 4 months | … | 1 | 5 | — | — |
| Over 4 months up to and including 5 months | … | — | — | — | — |
| Over 5 months up to and including 6 months | … | — | 1 | — | — |
| Total | … | 43 | 1,066 | 13 | 137 |
Parkhurst Prison (Escape)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received the report of the Governor of Parkhurst Prison following the recent escape by three prisoners from the maximum security wing; and whether he will be making a satement.
The Chief Inspector of the Prison Service has been asked to conduct an inquiry into this incident. This is already in progress.
Schoolchildren (Remands In Custody)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how long each of the 13 schoolgirls remanded in 1975, who were eventually found not guilty or had the case against them dropped, had been in Prison Service establishments;(2) how long each of the 137 schoolgirls remanded in 1975 who were eventually given a non-custodial sentence have been in Prison Service establishments;(3) how long each of the 1,066 schoolboys remanded in 1975 and given a noncustodial sentence have been in Prison Service establishments;(4) how long each of the 43 schoolboys remanded in 1975, who were eventually found not guilty or had the case against them dropped, had been in Prison Service establishments.
These Questions appear to be based on information given in Table 2.1 of the Report on the Work of the Prison Department, 1975: Statistical Tables (Cmnd. 6542). This information relates to young persons aged 14–16 years inclusive, some of whom were beyond the school leaving age.The following table gives the information requested.
Prevention Of Terrorism
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances four citizens of the Irish Republic were detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act at Liverpool on their way back to Dublin from the night of Sunday 18th July until Tuesday 20th July; and why they were officially allowed to enter the United Kingdom without being questioned.
I understand that the four people to whom my hon. Friend is referring were detained as they were leaving Liverpool on 18th July because they refused to provide means of identification, when so required under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976. There are no detailed records of the circumstances of their arrival.
Community Development Projects (Documents)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the reports published by the community development projects during their existence; and what action, if any, has been taken on each.
The projects individually and collectively have produced a large number of documents aimed at a wide variety of audiences. Those readily available are listed below. All documents received by the Home Office are distributed to the appropriate central Government Department for consideration. It is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to say what further action has been taken in each case.
Documents produced by local CDP teams:
Batley:
- Report to the Minister (October 1973).
- Batley at Work (December 1974).
- A Social Atlas of Kirklees (January 1975).
- The Batley Welfare Rights Project (July 1976).
Birmingham:
- Divided Families (December 1974).
- Workers on the Scrap Heap (February 1975). Local Authority Mortgages in Saltley (June 1975).
- When is a Wife not a Wife? (August 1975).
Coventry:
- Report to the Home Secretary (March 1974). Final Report (March 1975).
- School Life and Work Life in the Inner City (June 1975).
Cumbria:
- Youth Study (July 1973).
- Report to the Minister (October 1973).
- Housing Study (May 1974).
- Industrial Co-operations Consultancy (June 1974).
- Community Information and Action Centre (September 1975).
- Information and Action Services for Rural Areas (1976).
- Housing in Copeland 1973–75 (February 1976).
Newham:
- Canning Town to North Woolwich: Aims of Industry? (January 1975).
Newcastle:
- Noble Street and Norwich Place (January 1974).
- Benwell Law Project Annual Report (June 1975).
Liverpool:
- Tate and Lyle—The Campaign to Save Jobs (March 1975).
- All their Future (September 1975).
North Tyneside:
- Report to the Home Secretary (October 1973). Annual Report (January 1974).
- Report on the Project's Work During 1974 (February 1975).
- Companies in North Tyneside (April 1975).
Oldham:
- A Study of Housing Allocation Policy and its Effects (July 1974).
- Local Government Decision Making—Influences on Elected Members' Role Playing (1975).
- Housing Improvement and the Racial Conundrum (1976).
- Deneside—A Council Estate (February 1976).
Paisley:
- Annual Report 1974
- Housing Allocation in Paisley and Ferguslie Park (June 1975)
- The Ferguslie Park Information and Action Centre (August 1975)
- Census Indicators of Deprivation in Ferguslie (1976)
Southwark:
- Housing for the Poor (July 1975)
- Alternative Forms of Tenure: Preferences and Costs (June 1976)
Upper Afan:
- Report to the Minister (September 1973) Migration Study Reports (February and March 1974)
- Rôle of Regional Policy in South Wales (September 1974)
- The Upper Afan CDP—a General Report (January 1975)
- Descriptive Study of the Special Development Areas of South Wales (February 1976)
Documents produced by ad-hoc inter-project groups:
- Inter-Project Report (February 1974)
- Rates of Decline (January 1975)
- The Forward Plan (May 1975)
- The Poverty of the Improvement Programme (July 1975)
- Local Government Becomes Big Business (September 1975)
- Cutting the Welfare State (Who Profits) (November 1975)
- Whatever Happened to Council Housing? (April 1976)
Criminal Injuries Compensation
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the working of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and if he will make a statement.
We have no reason to be dissatisfied with the general working of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. But if my hon. Friend knows of any particular case which might give grounds for disquiet and cares to supply me with the details I shall look into it.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to introduce legislation to put the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board on a statutory basis.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is at present under review to see what changes, if any, are necessary if the scheme is to be placed on a statutory footing. My right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will consider the need for legislation when the report of the working party which is conducting the review is received.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have received awards from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to date.
From 1st August 1964, when the scheme was started, to 31st March 1976, 70,402 applicants received awards of compensation.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the highest amount paid by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to the most recent available date.
£55,500.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will pub lish in theOfficial Report the total amount paid by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to the most recent available date.
From 1st August 1964 to 31st March 1976, £30,828,447 was paid in compensation.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board have arisen from the death of a person.
From 1st August 1964 to 31st March 1976, 1,409 applications arose from the death of the victim.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims have been disallowed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to date.
Between 1st August 1964 and 31st March 1976, 10,769 applications were refused by the board.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average waiting time for cases to be dealt with by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
The average figure is not available, but the time taken to investigate cases in the year ended 31st March 1976 was as follows:
| per cent. | |
| Not more than three months | 28 |
| More than three months, not more than six months | 46 |
| More than six months, not more than nine months | 16 |
| More than nine months, not more than 12 months | 6 |
| More than 12 months | 4 |
| 100 |
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost of the administration of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to the latest available date.
From 1st August 1964 to 31st March 1976 the total cost of administration of the scheme was £3,542,499.For the year ended 31st March 1976 the cost of administration was £911,165, which constituted 12·3 per cent. of the total expenditure.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claimants to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board have been represented at tribunals to date.
The information is not available in the form requested, but representation at hearings during the year ended 31st March 1976 was as follows:
| Appearance by | Number | Percentage |
| Counsel | 111 | 13 |
| Solicitors | 366 | 42 |
| Trades union representatives | 37 | 4 |
| Applicant in person | 353 | 41 |
| 867 | 100 |
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the payment to claimants to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board of their costs for legal representatives at tribunals.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme does not at present provide for the costs of legal representation at hearings to be met by the board; this is one of the matters under consideration by the working party which is reviewing the scheme.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for the annual report of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to be sent to hon. Members and other interested bodies.
The annual report and accounts of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board are presented to Parliament by command of Her Majesty by my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. The report for the year ended 31st March 1976 is expected to be presented in November, and will be available on publication from the Vote Office.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many cases have been dealt with by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board involving claimants from Liverpool;(2) what is the highest amount paid by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to a claimant from Liverpool;
(3) what is the total amount paid by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to claimants from Liverpool;
(4) how many claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board have been disallowed to claimants from Liverpool.
Information about applications for compensation from residents of particular areas is, I regret, not available, and could not be assembled without disproportionate cost.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases are pending with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to the latest available date.
The number of unresolved cases at 31st March 1976 was as follows:
| Cases where an interim award had been made but where a final assessment was not yet possible | 3,472 |
| Cases awaiting hearings or in which hearings had been adjourned | 566 |
| Cases awaiting the decision of the applicant | 889 |
| Cases under investigation | 9,013 |
| 13,940 |
Urban Deprivation Unit
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what practical implementation of the Urban Deprivation Unit proposals has been undertaken by the Government;(2) how many staff are employed by the Urban Deprivation Unit; and what are its objects.
The Urban Deprivation Unit, in which 25 staff are employed, is the part of our Department which assists us in carrying out our responsibility for the development of Government policy directed to combating urban deprivation. To this end, it administers the Urban Programme, grants under Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 and the community development projects and other studies aimed at improving our understanding of urban deprivation. It is responsible also for the development of comprehensive community programmes.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money the Urban Deprivation Unit has spent in the current year in pursuing its objects.
£7,212,726 in the current financial year.
Priority Area Development
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will come to an early decision about grant-aiding the voluntary organisation known as Priority Area Development.
The application for grant made by Priority Area Development has been refused because it does not fall within the terms of reference of the Voluntary Services Unit.
Acklington Prison
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions have been placed on the work programme and on prisoners' privileges at Her Majesty's Prison, Acklington, as a result of action by prison officers in dispute over reduced manning levels; whether any costs to public funds have arisen from the cessation of building work; and whether he will review the adequacy of the manning arrangements now proposed.
Work on the building project has been interrupted, but it is too early to state whether any extra costs to public funds will arise. There has been some reduction in prisoners' visits and correspondence. The governor is continuing his discussions with staff to resolve the matters at issue.
Prison Population
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the prison population of England and Wales on 30th June 1976.
41,704.
Death Certification And Coroners
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to state what steps he is taking towards the implementation in advance of legislation, of recommendations of the Committee on Death Certification and Coroners, the Brodrick Committee.
With the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor and the Law Officers, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has decided to set up a working party under Home Office chairmanship to consider what amendments to the Coroners Rules will be necessary to implement those procedural reforms indicated in the Brodrick Committee's recommendations that can be achieved by subordinate legislation. The working party will include representatives of the Lord Chancellor's Office, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Bar Council, the Law Society, the Coroners Society, the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and the British Medical Association, and invitations are being issued accordingly.In the first instance the working party will be invited to consider the changes needed in the Coroners Rules 1953 (as amended) and the Coroners (Indictable Offences) Rules 1956 (as amended) when the duty of a coroner's jury to name any person they find guilty of causing a death, and the duty of a coroner to commit that person for trial, are abolished; and to make recommendations. We envisage that the working party would next be invited to consider what other changes might be implemented in advance of substantive legislation on the Brodrick Report; and that it might, finally, be asked to advise on changes required in the rules in the light of eventual substantive legislation.This programme of work is likely to extend over a number of years, but the first stage should be completed fairly quickly.
Commission For Racial Equality (Chairman)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to announce the name of the chairman of the proposed Commission for Racial Equality.
Yes. I am happy to say that the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Lane) has accepted my invitation to undertake this appointment.
Essex Probation And After-Care Service
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will be in a position to give a fuller statement on the treatment in care of certain children, about which he wrote to the hon. Member for Basildon on 29th June and 13th May.
We have no reason to make any fuller statement about the supervision of this case by the Essex Probation and After-Care Service. I understand that the judge has communicated with my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General over certain aspects of it and also that there is an appeal pending.
Ministerial Advisers
Q4.
asked the Prime Minister if it is the policy of his Government to apply the recommendation of the Conference of Privy Councillors on Security set out in Command Paper No. 9713 of March 1956 to persons appointed as political advisers to Ministers.
Yes.
Local Government
Q.5.
asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a special local government adviser to his staff at No. 10.
Advisers in my Policy Unit cover a wide range of matters, including many which affect local government, but I do not intend to appoint a special local government adviser. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I will, of course, carefully consider any questions which my hon. Friend raises about local government.
Nato (Secretary-General)
Q6.
asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to meet the Secretary-General of NATO.
I have no plans at present to meet Dr. Luns.
Nationalised Industries
Q7.
asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the heads of nationalised industries.
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the chairmen of the nationalised industries.
I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett) on 8th July.
Ilford
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Ilford.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Standards Of Conduct In Public Life
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister what action he intends to take on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Standards of Conduct in Public Life.
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister what action he intends to take on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Standards of Conduct in Pub-lice Life.
I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 15th July.
Angola
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to Angola.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Tuc And Cbi
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the TUC and CBI.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to meet the TUC and the CBI.
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister when he proposes next to meet the TUC.
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to meet the TUC Economic Committee.
016.
asked the Prime Minister when he intends to meet the TUC Economic Committee.
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister when he plans to meet the CBI.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the TUC.
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister whether he plans to meet the TUC and the CBI.
I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council gave on my behalf to my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr. Atkinson) on 13th July.
Ministerial And Parliamentary Pay
asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the publication of the Review Body on Top Salaries Report No. 8 on Ministers of the Crown and Members of Parliament and the Peers Expense Allowance Part II.
The Eighth Report of the Top Salaries Review Body (TSRB) "Ministers of the Crown and Members of Parliament and the Peers Expenses Allowance Part II" was published today. The TSRB was asked by my predecessor, the right hon. Member for Huyton (Sir H. Wilson) to review the remunerations and pensions of Ministers of the Crown and Members of Parliament and the peers' expenses allowance.As my right hon. Friend the Lord President informed the House on 12th July, the report recommends substantial increases in ministerial salaries and improvements in the parliamentary pension scheme. These recommendations cannot be implemented under the current incomes policy and the Government do not propose to take any further action on the report until the incomes policy permits. The Lord President also made it clear that the Government are in no way committed to implementing the recommendations.
Healing
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Healing.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Fife
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to pay an official visit to Fife.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Government Legislation
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the parliamentary progress which has been made by his Administration in bringing forward the measures in Her Majesty's Gracious Speech.
Q35.
asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied with the progress made towards the implementation of the proposals in the Queen's Speech.
All these measures have been brought forward in good time and, after some recent delay, satisfactory progress has now been resumed.
The Hague
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to visit The Hague.
I next expect to visit The Hague for a meeting of the European Council which will be held there towards the end of November.
Reigate
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Reigate.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Central Policy Review Staff
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister if he will review the functions of the CPRS.
The main task of the CPRS is to offer advice to Ministers collectively on priorities and on the implications of possible courses of action. Its functions are kept under review as circumstances, and the range of policies open to the Government, change.
Secretary Of State For Education And Science
Q25.
asked the Prime Minister if he will define the responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Education and Science.
My right hon. Friend has overall responsibility for the work of the Department of Education and Science. This includes the formulation of general policy on education, science and the arts as it affects schools —including special schools—teachers, the universities, the polytechnics, other further and adult education, the youth service, student awards and other matters affecting students, the research councils, national museums, galleries and libraries, and grants to the arts.
Prime Minister (Engagements)
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 29th July.
Q31.
asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 29th July.
I presided at meeting of the Cabinet this morning. I shall be holding other meetings throughout the day, including one with the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
France
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to France.
I shall be going to France later this year at the invitation of President Giscard d'Estaing.
"Future World Trends"
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement about the Cabinet Office paper "Future World Trends" with particular reference to paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of the "Conclusions".
As paragraph 6 of the paper made clear it was published to stimuate informed discussion and does not define present or future Government policies. The Government will, of course, take such discussion into account in the further studies to which the report referred.
Yorkshire And Humberside
Q32.
asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to pay an official visit to the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Ministerial Broadcasts
Q33.
asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to make a ministerial broadcast on his Government's economic policy.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor) on 27th July.
Leicestershire
Q34.
asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Leicestershire.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Coppull
Q36.
asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Coppull.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Cabinet Meetings
Q37.
asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the repeated inspired leaks from the Cabinet room, he will now invite the Press, television and radio to all future Cabinet meetings.
No.
Workers (Representation)
Q38.
asked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking with regard to the talks with the CBI and the TUC to ensure that the views of the majority of workers, who do not belong to trade unions, are heard and heeded.
In addition to consultations with the CBI and TUC, Ministers meet and receive representations from many other organisations and individuals and carefully consider their views.
China
asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit the People's Republic of China.
During the recent visit to the People's Republic of China of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Chinese Prime Minister said he would welcome a visit by me to China. No date has been fixed, but I hope to be able to take up the invitation in due course.
Mr Andrew Cunningham
asked the Prime Minister why he will not state the purpose of his discussions with Mr. Andrew Cunningham on Friday 16th July.
Because there were no discussions.
Environment
Water Storage (Wash Barrages)
30.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the feasibility report on the storage of river water in barrages in the Wash; and whether he will make a statement.
I expect to receive the report during October.
Effluent
31.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ask each of the regional water authorities in England and Wales to let him have their estimate of the cost of bringing all substandard effluent up to the minimum standard recommended by the Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal.
Given the limited scope in present economic conditions for expenditure of this kind I see little point in updating the estimae of £610 million at 1970 prices which I gave the hon. Member earlier this year.
M25 (Hunton Bridge-Maple Cross)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of the hourly and the daily flow of (a) commercial and (b) private traffic both ways along the M25 from Hunton Bridge to Maple Cross; and how this compares with estimates made before the road was constructed.
A traffic count in May 1976 showed a daily 16-hour flow of just over 20,000 vehicles and a peak hour flow of approximately 2,000, the percentage of heavy vehicles being about 22. This compares with an estimate of 27,000 vehicles a day in 1981 given at the public inquiry in 1972. When the proposed London Orbital Road (M25) is complete, about 100,000 vehicles a day are predicted for this section by 1995.
Rents
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish figures showing details of rents registered in the Greater London area in the most recent convenient period with the numbers in appropriate bands of rents; and where rents for the premises had previously been registered, the numbers which had been increased by 0 per cent. to 25 per cent., 25 per cent. to 50 per cent., 50 per cent. to 75 per cent., 75 per cent. to 100 per cent., and over 100 per cent., respectively, and the number of any reductions.
The information is as follows:
| TABLE 1 | ||
| REGISTERED RENTS | ||
| Greater London: First quarter 1976 | ||
| Rent (£ per annum) | Number of Cases* | |
| Not under | Under | |
| — | 201 | 400 |
| 201 | 301 | 3,110 |
| 301 | 401 | 6,520 |
| 401 | 501 | 4,820 |
| 501 | 601 | 1,950 |
| 601 | 801 | 1,240 |
| 801 | 1,001 | 640 |
| 1,001 | — | 620 |
| 19,300 | ||
| *Provisional. | ||
| TABLE 2 | ||
| RE-REGISTERED RENTS | ||
| Greater London: First quarter 1976 | ||
| Percentage change on previous registered rent† | Number of Cases* | |
| Over | Not over | |
| 100 | — | 110 |
| 75 | 100 | 160 |
| 50 | 75 | 2,830 |
| 25 | 50 | 5,800 |
| 0 | 25 | 1,830 |
| No change Decrease | 20 | |
| 10,770 | ||
| * Provisional. | ||
| † Cases where the registered rent and previously registered rent are not comparable, because the terms of the tenancy or condition of the dwelling has changed, are excluded. | ||
Inland Waterways
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of applications for infrastructure grants submitted by the British Waterways Board or other organisations to him, for consideration by the Commissioner for Regional Development and Regional Planning in the EEC for the commercial expansion and development of inland waterways including Rotherport and South Yorkshire Canal.
No such applications have been submitted.
Water Conservation Valve
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evaluation he has made of the effectiveness as an aid to saving water of the water conservation valve, details of which have been supplied to him; and if he will make a statement.
I understand the fitting in question is being assessed by the National Water Council Approvals Board in relation to the requirements of the model water byelaws. I am not in a position to comment on the overall efficiency of this device as an aid to saving water.
Road Ramps
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet received, or otherwise when he expects to receive, the report from the Transport and Road Research Laboratory on the use of ramps in the road as a means of slowing traffic in suitable areas.
The only research results so far available from trials on public roads are the preliminary findings from an installation in Oxford. I am sending the hon. Member a relevant leaflet. Further field trials will be carried out at Norwich, where a site is in preparation, and in Haringey, Kensington and Glasgow. Other sites may be selected later. I cannot yet say when we shall be in a position to publish a general report.
Rate Rebates (Manchester)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in respect of how many claims rate rebates were paid in each of the Manchester metropolitan districts in the last three
| 1973–74 | 1974–75 | 1975–76 | |||||||
| Present Authority | April to September | October to March | April to September | October to March | April to March | ||||
| Bolton | … | … | … | … | Not Available | 10,301 | 14,083 | 18,342 | |
| Bury | … | … | … | … | 3,802 | 1,731 | 8,483 | 8,987 | 13,305 |
| Manchester | … | … | … | 11,426 | 10,711 | 23,826 | 23,913 | 25,132 | |
| Oldham | … | … | … | … | 5,098 | 5,381 | 10,481 | 11,051 | 12,513 |
| Rochdale | … | … | … | … | 4,312 | 4,286 | 5,781 | 5,897 | 12,696 |
| Salford | … | … | … | … | 6,389 | 6,061 | 14,974 | 12,823 | 15,758 |
| Stockport | … | … | … | … | Not Available | 14,030 | 14,460 | 14,870 | |
| Tameside | … | … | … | … | 5,015 | 4,946 | 9,702 | 10,110 | 11,327 |
| Trafford | … | … | … | … | 5,627 | 5,890 | 13,703 | 16,743 | 15,242 |
| Wigan | … | … | … | … | 6,571 | 6,673 | 15,338 | 15,849 | 21,873 |
Building Societies Association
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with the Building Societies Association.
Regular contacts continue to be maintained with the Building Societies Association over all matters affecting the housing market. Most recently I have consulted the Chairman of the Building Societies Association and certain Other leaders of the building societies' movement about the implications of the recently announced public expenditure saving to be made from local authority home loans, and they have responded by expressing their willingness to fill this mortgage lending gap, or a substantial part of it, and within the limits of what is open to them will do all they can for those who would have got mortgages from local authorities.
Local Government Staff (Pay)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what
years for which figures are available; and what steps are taken in each of these areas to ensure that everyone entitled to such rebates applies.
The number of rate rebates granted by local authorities in the Greater Manchester area in the period 1975–76 are listed below. In 1973–74 the old rebate scheme was administered by the pre-reorganisation authorities and consequently not all details are available.proportion of local authority—England and Wales—current revenue expenditure was represented by wages and salaries in each of the past five years.
The available figures are as follows:
| LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES | ||
| Wages and salaries as a percentage of total net expenditure on rate fund services | ||
| Per cent. | ||
| 1970–71 | … | 64·5 |
| 1971–72 | … | 66·0 |
| 1972–73 | … | 68·0 |
| 1973–74 | … | 66·0 |
| 1974–75 (provisional) | … | 68·5 |
Improvement Grants
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to increase by 50 per cent. the rateable value limit for eligibility for an improvement grant under the Housing Act 1974 where a member of the household is in receipt of mobility allowance.
No.
Building Trades Employers' Federation
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from the Building Trades Employers' Federation following the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House on 22nd July 1976.
Representatives of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers attending a meeting which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I had on 28th July with the National Joint Council for the Building Industry.
Railway Crossings
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what grants or assistance are available to the British Railways Board to replace manned rail crossings with automatic ones.
Under EEC Regulation 1192/69, the Government reimburse the Railways Board half the costs it incurs in constructing, maintaining and operating level crossings. This includes any costs incurred in replacing manned rail crossings with automatic ones.
House Mortgages (Leicester)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take in view of the fact that certain building societies have provided the Leicester City Council with a map indicating zones where they are not prepared to lend to mortgage applicants nominated by the council.
I understand that in the early days of working out arrangements in Leicester under the £100 million scheme an indication was given of areas in which societies were reluctant to lend; since then the Leicester City Council has published its renewal strategy, and the building societies are to re-examine their approach in the light of this. More generally, the discussions between the Building Societies Association and the local authority associations have led to greater recognition of the problems and of the need for greater flexibility in overcoming them. I hope, therefore, that the present co-operation will avoid the rigid approach to particular areas which my hon. Friend describes even though some properties will remain unacceptable as security. Moreover, following the societies' agreement to make up as far as possible the recently announced reductions in local authority home loans, discussions are being held urgently with building society leaders about the best ways of helping.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of nominations made by the Leicester City Council to the building societies for mortgages since the inception of the £100 million scheme: and how many have been accepted.
Out of a total of 180 nominations made by the council, 41 have not been followed up by the applicants, 45 have firm offers by the building societies of which one has been refused by the applicant, 37 have been rejected. The remaining 57 cases are still under consideration by the building societies.
Railway Subsidies (Yorkshire)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what subsidies have been paid towards the operation of the Hull-Scarborough line for each of the years since 1970.
For calendar years 1970 to 1973 grants under Section 39 of the Transport Act 1968 were made in respect of this line as follows:
| £ | ||||
| 1970 | … | … | … | 401,000 |
| 1971 | … | … | … | 467,000 |
| 1972 | … | … | … | 519,000 |
| 1973 | … | … | … | 658,000 |
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of subsidy given on the grounds of social need for each of the last three years on the Hull-Doncaster, Doncaster-Sheffield, Hull-Leeds, York-Leeds and Leeds-Goole lines; and what were the receipts and costs of each of these lines.
For the calendar year 1973, the information is as follows:
| Service | Net Costs | Receipts | Deficit | |||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Hull-Doncaster | … | … | … | 686,000 | 325,000 | 361,000 |
| Doncaster-Sheffield | … | … | … | 322,000 | 99,000 | 223,000 |
| Hull-Leeds | … | … | … | 1,092,000 | 471,000 | 621,000 |
| York-Leeds | … | … | … | 531,000 | 322,000 | 209,000 |
| Leeds-Goole | … | … | … | 212,000 | 38,000 | 174,000 |
| Net Costs | Receipts | Deficit |
| £ | £ | £ |
| 497 000 | 143 000 | 354 000 |
Council House Tenancies
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to make it mandatory for local authorities to observe the conditions regarding tenancy agreements which were laid down in the House of Lords judgment in the case of Irwin v. Liverpool City Council, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange.
I am aware that conditions of tenancy cause a great deal of dissatisfaction in many local authority areas. My Department's Housing Services Advisory Group is examining the subject, and when I have its advice I shall consider what new action is needed.
Local Government Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list showing the latest spending returns by local authorities compared with their budgets as recently submitted to him.
Local authorities spending plans for 1976–77 will be published in the normal way by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Sport And Recreation
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what grants
respect of the Doncaster-Sheffield service. These are as follows:
have been made under the Physical Training and Recreation Act 1937 during the past financial year; and to which organisations they were made.
Since April 1972 the grant-aiding powers in Section 3 of the Physical Training and Recreation Act 1937 have not been used, but the Sports Council, under powers in its charter, has been given responsibility for grant-aiding sport, and in the financial year 1975–76 made grant payments of nearly £2·1 million for sports facilities. Local authorities have discretionary powers to make grants to voluntary bodies under Section 4 of the Physical Training and Recreation Act 1937 but details of actual grants made are not available.
Rochester Way (Relief Road)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, in view of the steadily worsening traffic conditions along the Rochester Way section of the A2, he will agree to meet representatives of the Greater London Council and the London borough of Greenwich Council to discuss the prospects for the Rochester Way relief road;(2) what representations he has recently received from the Greater London Council and the London borough of Greenwich Council about the proposed Rochester Way relief road; and what has been his response.
The construction of the Rochester Way relief road is a matter for the GLC. The Chairman of the South Area Board of the Greater London Council asked my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport to meet members of her council and the Greenwich Borough Council to discuss the possibility of a relaxation of financial restrictions to enable the road to be constructed at the earliest possible date. I have told her that the purpose of the transport supplementary grant arrangements is to give local authorities like the GLC the freedom and responsibility to work out their own priorities for road and other transport expenditure which is eligible for grant. As I see it, and as I said, no particular purpose would be served by my meeting representatives of the councils.
Caravan Sites
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications he has received during the past two years from London boroughs seeking designation orders under Part II of the Caravan Sites Act 1968; how many such orders have been made, how many have been refused and how many are still pending; and if he will publish a table of the boroughs concerned in theOfficial Report.
Applications have been received from 11 London boroughs. A designation order was made in July 1975 in respect of Hammersmith, and applications from Brent, Camden, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Wandsworth are under consideration. However, designation orders were also made in this period for Bexley, Enfield, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, all of which had applied before July 1974.
Colne Park Caravan Site (West Drayton)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total amount of money approved by his Department for expenditure by the London borough of Hillingdon on the improvement of the Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton; and if he will make a designation order under Part II of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 in regard to this site.
Such expenditure does not require the approval of my Department. As to the second part of the Question, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him yesterday.
M40
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the inspector who over two years ago conducted the inquiry into the proposed construction of the M40 motorway as far as Warwick has recommended that the project should go ahead; what recommendations he received from his regional road planning officials regarding this decision; and why there is now a delay in making the information public.
My right hon. Friend expects to announce his decision next month. The inspector's report, including his recommendations, will be made available when the decision is announced. It has never been the practice under this, or any other Administration to publish the advice given to Ministers by their officials. In view of the complex issues involved, there has been no undue delay in reaching a decision on this major motorway scheme.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the results of measuring traffic noise on the relevant stretch of motorway M40 before and after the construction of noise barriers along the north side of the motorway by Dukes Wood and along the south side of Hedgerley Green.
Further measurements are being taken, and it will be some time before the effect of the barriers can be fully assessed. The noise barrier at Hedgerley Green is not yet complete.
Clayton Hall, Chorley
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can now give a date when the twice postponed local appeal, concerning the listed building Clayton Hall, Chorley, will be held.
An inquiry into an appeal against an enforcement notice was twice postponed with the agreement of the parties concerned. On 5th July, before renewed arrangements for an inquiry could be agreed, the building was demolished because it was considered unsafe. In these new circumstances an inquiry could no longer serve its original purpose of hearing the appeals against an enforcement notice and refusal of listed building consent.
Countryside Policy (Review)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the interdepartmental review of countryside policy.
A committee chaired by the Department of the Environment and including officers of the Department, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Welsh Office and the main public agencies concerned has been carrying out a wide—ranging review of countryside policy. The result of its work, which is continuing, will be published in the form of a series of papers for public discussion. Neither my colleagues nor I are committed to these papers and policy action in this field which may be desirable as a result of the committee's advice, and public discussion will need to be considered in the light of the present position on public expenditure.The first, introductory, paper from the committee is expected to be published on 3rd August and I shall be placing copies in the Library.
Haringey (Tenants' Co-Operatives)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the recently announced plans by the London borough of Haringey to introduce various kinds of tenants' co-operatives.
I very much welcome these plans, which have been discussed with the Department, and which will be submitted in due course for approval under the provisions for co-operative housing which I introduced into the Housing Rents and Subsidies Act 1975. I was particularly interested to see the extensive publicity being used by the London borough of Haringey in order to explain to existing council tenants, and to applicants on the waiting list and other local people in housing need, what would be involved in taking part in the various co-operative ventures now under consideration in the borough. These include, I understand, a rehabilitation scheme to provide family housing, and new construction projects both for families and for single young people. The borough is also giving strong support to the tenants of the Ladybur Co-operative Housing Association, which has acquired a block of flats from the private landlord and will carry out much needed renovations with the help of housing association grant.I am glad to say that similar initiatives to establish housing co-operatives are being taken by local authorities and housing associations elsewhere. This new development in housing is an essential part of the Government's housing and urban policy, and we are examining further developments in the field of tenants' rights and alternative forms of social ownership and tenure in our housing policy review.
Homeless Persons
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet able to give the first results from his new system for collecting statistics about homeless people.
I shall shortly be publishing the first results from the new system adopted in 1974 in London and in 1975 in the rest of the country. The figures show that at the end of June 1975 there were some 9,000 homeless households in temporary accommodation, including hostels, short-life property, and "bed and breakfast" accommodation. Just over 5,000 were in London. The figures also show that during the preceding six-month period local authorities provided permanent accommodation for nearly 14,000 homeless households from those who had approached them in this and earlier periods, including over 5,000 households in London; 80 per cent. of these households in London and 72 per cent. in the rest of England were housed in local authority dwellings. The remainder were housed in other accommodation, including housing association, new town or private tenancies.The figures further show that during this period an estimated 25,000 households approached authorities for help on the grounds that they were homeless or about to become so; and that authorities agreed to secure accommodation for 17,000, in addition to those already in some form of accommodation at the beginning of the period. Those not accepted were found by the authorities not to be homeless, or to have been able to make other arrangements, or in some cases to have been outside the priority groups noted in the joint circular on homelessness (DOE 18/74). Of the 17,000 households for whom authorities accepted responsibility, over 6,000 were in London and nearly 4,000 were in other metropolitan areas.The incidence of homelessness in this six-month period was greater in London—at 2·4 acceptances per 1,000 households—than in metropolitan districts—at one per 1,000—or non-metropolitan districts—0·8 per 1,000.I expect that further estimates for the periods July-December 1975 and January-June 1976 will be available before the end of the year. Meanwhile I will place copies of a report giving detailed information about the present estimates in the Libraries of both Houses.
Energy
Petroleum Products
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will now produce in theOfficial Report the list of petroleum products the Minister of State undertook to produce during the debate on the Energy Bill in relation to the control of and use of such products, CommitteeOfficial Report, 29th June 1976, column 159.
The definition of petroleum products in Clause 21 of the Energy Bill includes the following:
Miners' Concessionary Coal
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what restrictions are placed on miners and retired miners as regards the disposal of their concessionary coal allowance.
The provision of concessionary coal is governed by a number of district coal agreements between the National Coal Board and the unions, all of which contain restriction clauses which state that the fuel supplied is for the concessionaires' personal domestic consumption, and the board reserves the right in the event of any contravention of this clause to terminate the entitlement.
Windscale
asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in view of the public interest in the proposed expansion of the reprocessing facilities at Windscale, if he will make available to Parliament and the public the full report of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate on the incident at Windscale in the autumn of 1973.
The report on this incident by the Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations was published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in July 1974 (Cmnd. 5703).
Offshore Oil (Licensing)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the blocks he will offer for licensing in the fifth round.
I have now made the Petroleum (Production) Regulations, which will govern the fifth round of licensing, and I am arranging for these to be laid today. As indicated in the pursuant answer I gave on 20th July—[Vol. 915, c.449]—the arrangements for the fifth round will be as set out in the consultative document, published on 27th May, with the changes listed in that pursant answer. The formal invitation of applications will be made when the regulations come into force—that is to say, in mid-August. In the meantime, so that Parliament will know the full arrangements for the round before the recess, I am today lodging in the House Libraries a draft of theGazette notice which will be issued when applications are formally invited next month.
Northern Ireland
Young People (Holiday Pursuits)
19.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Department of Education has any plans which will encourage young people in Northern Ireland to engage in constructive leisure pursuits during the present summer.
Last month I announced the introduction of a special summer activity scheme for young people in the 14–19 age group. This programme is additional to the normal summer activities arranged by the Northern Ireland Education and Library Boards. A wide range of activities of a sporting recreational and cultural nature is being conducted by boards, district councils and the Northern Ireland Sports Council; and the necessary resources to finance the programme have been made available by the Department.
Inter-Governmental Talks (Dublin)
22.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what duties necessitated the presence of officials of the Northern Ireland Office at Her Majesty's Embassy in Dublin on 21st July; and if he will make a statement.
Normal official contacts which take place between two Governments in the ordinary course of public business.
Supplementary Benefit (Qualification)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce legislation to bring the regulations concerning residential qualifications for supplementary benefit claimants in Northern Ireland in line with the regulations in Great Britain.
No. Residential qualification for supplementary benefit claimants is necessary in Northern Ireland to prevent residents of the Republic, especially those living in border areas, from being able to claim benefit. To change the present arrangements would not be justified.
Crime
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what special arrangements the Royal Ulster Constabulary have made for the detection of fraud and the financial ramifications of terrorism.
These are operational matters for the Chief Constable, but as I explained in the debate on 2nd July—[Vol. 914, c. 882]—resources are being made available to enable further specialist teams, including fraud squads, to be set up to deal with particular types of crime.
Bugging
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the bugging of a private house in Newry by Army personnel.
I have nothing further to add to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to a similar Question from my hon. Friend.
Terrorism (Casualties)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what would be the equivalent in Great Britain, pro rata of population, of the number of people killed, wounded or maimed in Northern Ireland since 1969.
Including all those injured, some 668,500.
Ebrington Barracks, Londonderry
23.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation at Ebrington Barracks, Londonderry.
I have been asked to reply.I have nothing to add to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Ross).
Handicapped Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of physically handicapped children and adults respectively, living in long-stay hospitals and residential homes, respectively.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th July 1976; Vol. 914, c.512],gave the following information:16 children under age 16 and 208 adults aged between 16 and 64 who are physically handicapped are receiving long-term care in hospitals. At 31st December 1974, 85 adults aged between 16 and 64 who are physically handicapped were accommodated in statutory residential homes. Precise information is not available in relation to the number of physically handicapped children under age 16 in children's homes provided under childrens and young persons legislation, but the number is considered to be very small.
Education And Science
Youth Services
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services will reach a decision on those training organisations that are to receive support.
The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services does not provide financial support for training organisations.
Comprehensive Schools (Certificate Of Secondary Education)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many
| Non-graduate | Graduate | ATC/ATD courses | |||||
| Church of England Colleges | … | … | 2,000 | 900 | — | ||
| Inner London Education Authority College | … | … | 730 | 170 | — | ||
| Northern Region | |||||||
| Sunderland Polytechnic | … | … | 105 | — | — | ||
| Charlotte Mason | … | … | 65 | — | — | ||
| Neville's Cross | … | … | 100 | 20 | — | ||
| Teesside Polytechnic (Teesside College of Education) | … | 85 | — | — | |||
| Newcastle Polytechnic | … | … | 125 | 75 | — | ||
| Northumberland | … | … | 165 | — | — | ||
| St. Mary's Fenham | … | … | 120 | 50 | — | ||
| Yorkshire and Humberside Region | |||||||
| Leeds Polytechnic | … | … | 185 | 115 | 40 | ||
| Huddersfield Polytechnic | … | … | 65 | — | — | ||
| Sheffield City Polytechnic | … | … | 190 | 110 | — | ||
| Doncaster Metropolitan Institute of Higher Education | … | 100 | 20 | — | |||
| North Riding | … | … | 75 | — | — | ||
| Trinity and All Saints | … | … | 140 | 35 | — | ||
| Bradford College, Margaret McMillan School of Education | … | … | 65 | 200 | 25 | 50 | — |
| Bingley | … | … | 70 | 25 | — | ||
| Ilkley | … | … | 65 | — | — | ||
| Bretton Hall | … | … | 65 | 45 | — | ||
| Lady Mabel | … | … | 90 | — | — | ||
| Hull College of Higher Education | … | … | 110 | 80 | — | ||
| North-West Region | |||||||
| Crewe and Alsager College of Higher Education | … | … | 190 | 120 | — | ||
| Preston Polytechnic | … | … | 105 | 50 | — | ||
| Edge Hill | … | … | 160 | 55 | — | ||
| De La Salle | … | … | 150 | 40 | — | ||
| Christ's | … | … | 165 | 90 | — | ||
| Notre Dame | … | … | |||||
comprehensive schools are known to have entered the majority of their candidates for 16-plus public examinations for the Certificate of Secondary Education at the latest available date; and what percentage of the total number of such secondary schools this represents.
Of the 2,388 comprehensive schools in England and Wales that entered candidates for the GCE O-level or CSE examinations in the summer of 1975, 2,216—or 93 per cent. —entered more than half of them for the CSE. This high proportion includes many schools that entered pupils to take both examinations.
Teacher Education Institutions
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a summary of the cuts proposed for each teacher education institution in letters sent this month by his Department to education authorities, to the Catholic Education Council, the British and Foreign Schools Society and the Methodist Church.
The proposed admission targets for 1977 are as follows:
Non-graduate
| Graduate
| ATC/ATD courses
| |||||
| Manchester Polytechnic (Didsbury; Polytechnic Department of Education) | … | … | 145 | 200 | 50 | ||
| City of Manchester College of Higher Education (E. Gaskell, Mather and Manchester) | … | … | 180 | 80 | — | ||
| Liverpool Polytechnic (I. M. Marsh and F. L. Calder) | … | 130 | — | 50 | |||
| City of Liverpool College of Higher Education (C. F. Mott and E. Wormald) | … | … | 135 | 100 | — | ||
| Padgate College of Higher Education | … | … | 100 | 60 | — | ||
West Midlands Region
| |||||||
| Birmingham Polytechnic | … | … | 190 | 100 | 55 | ||
| Westhill | … | … | 90 | — | — | ||
| Newman | … | … | 155 | — | — | ||
| Wolverhampton | … | … | 40 | 140 | — | 35 | — |
| Dudley | … | … | 100 | 35 | — | ||
| Madeley | … | … | 160 | 90 | — | ||
| North Worcestershire College (Shenstone) | … | … | 90 | 30 | — | ||
| Worcester | … | … | 120 | 80 | — | ||
| Coventry | … | … | 120 | 110 | — | ||
| West Midlands | … | … | 100 | 75 | — | ||
East Midlands Region
| |||||||
| Nene | … | … | 110 | — | — | ||
| Loughborough (becoming part of the University of Loughborough during 1977) | … | … | 95 | 140 | — | ||
| Matlock | … | … | 100 | 30 | — | ||
| Trent Polytechnic | … | … | 175 | 100 | — | ||
| Eaton Hall | … | … | 110 | — | — | ||
| Leicester Polytechnic | … | … | 100 | 30 | 40 | ||
East Anglia Region
| |||||||
| Homerton | … | … | 120 | 75 | — | ||
| Peterboro' Annexe of Kesteven College of Education | … | 30 | — | — | |||
Greater London Region
| |||||||
| Goldsmiths' | … | … | 115 | 280 | 45 | ||
| Rachel McMillan | … | … | |||||
| Digby Stuart | … | … | 80 | 75 | — | — | |
| Froebel | … | … | 55 | ||||
| Southlands | … | … | 60 | 70 | — | ||
| St. Mary's | … | … | 170 | 85 | — | ||
| Thomas Huxley | … | … | 65 | — | — | ||
| Middlesex Polytechnic | … | … | 110 | — | 50 | ||
| Stockwell | … | … | 95 | 40 | — | ||
| North East London Polytechnic | … | … | 60 | 60 | — | ||
| West London Institute of Higher Education (Borough Road and Maria Grey) | … | … | 165 | 100 | — | ||
| Kingston Polytechnic | … | … | 90 | 60 | — | ||
Other South East Region
| |||||||
| Bucks College of Higher Education | … | … | 95 | — | — | ||
| East Sussex College of Higher Education (Eastbourne, Chelsea, Seaford) | … | … | 160 | 30 | — | ||
| Bulmershe College of Higher Education | … | … | 125 | 90 | — | ||
| St. Osyth's | … | … | 65 | — | — | ||
| Brentwood | … | … | 95 | — | — | ||
| Portsmouth Polytechnic | … | … | 90 | 45 | — | ||
| Nonington | … | … | 110 | — | — | ||
| Oxford Polytechnic | … | … | 75 | 30 | — | ||
| Lady Spencer Churchill | … | … | |||||
| Westminster | … | … | 80 | 70 | — | ||
| La Sainte Union | … | … | 120 | 30 | — | ||
| Milton Keynes | … | … | 85 | — | — | ||
| Bedford College of Higher Education | … | … | 130 | — | — | ||
| Hertfordshire College of Higher Education (Wall Hall and Balls Park) | … | … | 130 | 50 | — | ||
| Bcenteron Polytechnic (Bcenteron College of Education) | … | … | 110 | 70 | 55 | ||
| Bognor Regis | … | … | 60 | 30 | — | ||
Non-graduate
| Graduate
| ATC/ATD courses
| |||
South West Region
| |||||
| Bath College of Higher Education | … | … | 150 | 50 | — |
| Dorset Institute of Higher Education (Weymouth) | … | 100 | 20 | — | |
| Gloucestershire | … | … | 55 | 30 | — |
| Rolle | … | … | 120 | 40 | — |
| Bristol Polytechnic | … | … | 110 | 100 | — |
Wales
| |||||
| Gwent College of Higher Education | … | … | 110 | — | — |
| South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education (Cardiff) | … | … | 115 | 60 | 40 |
| Polytechnic of Wales | … | … | 85 | — | — |
| West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education (Swansea) | … | … | 100 | — | — |
| North East Wales Institute of Higher Education | … | … | 85 | — | — |
| Llandaff (becoming part of the University of Wales in 1977) | … | … | 55 | — | — |
| Bangor Normal | … | … | 80 | 20 | — |
| Reserve | … | … | 60 | 105 | — |
| Total | … | … | 12,000 | 5,000 | 425 |
Notes:
(1) The distribution of the proposed total intakes for Church of England Colleges will be discussed with the Church of England Board of Education.
(2) The total graduate intake assumes that 5,000 graduate places will be provided in University Departments of Education.
(3) The total for ATC/ATD courses assumes an intake of 75 to such courses in Universities.
Teachers
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the effects on teacher employment prospects of the latest additional cuts in expenditure.
On 22nd July my center hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced savings which should not worsen teachers' employment prospects.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate has been made of the number of women aged over 60 years and men aged over 65 years who are still employed in full-time teaching posts in primary and secondary schools in England and Wales; and what advice he has given to local authorities on this matter.
The latest figures are for 31st March 1974, when
| Academic year of entry | Universities | Teacher-Training | Other Advanced Further Education courses | |||||
| 21 to 24 | 25 or over | 21 to 24 | 25 or over | 21 to 24 | 25 or over | |||
| 1966–67 | … | … | 3,600 | 2,300 | 2,200 | 6,300 | 4,700 | 3,400 |
| 1967–68 | … | … | 4,500 | 2,600 | 2,800 | 7,800 | 5,500 | 4,300 |
| 1968–69 | … | … | 5,300 | 3,000 | 3,300 | 8,700 | 6,700 | 4,700 |
| 1969–70 | … | … | 5,700 | 3,100 | 3,100 | 7,800 | 6,600 | 4,500 |
| 1970–71 | … | … | 5,900 | 3,100 | 3,500 | 7,300 | 7,000 | 4,900 |
| 1971–72 | … | … | 6,400 | 3,200 | 3,900 | 7,600 | 7,700 | 5,500 |
| 1972–73 | … | … | 6,300 | 3,400 | 3,500 | 7,200 | 7,400 | 6,100 |
| 1973–74 | … | … | 6,800 | 3,800 | 3,400 | 7,200 | 8,600 | 7,200 |
| 1974–75 | … | … | 7,400 | 4,400 | 3,000 | 6,600 | 9,600 | 8,700 |
| 1975–76 | … | … | Not available | 2,900* | 6,000* | Not available | ||
| * Provisional figure. | ||||||||
the full-time teaching force of 403,951 included 312 men aged 65 and over and 5,889 women aged 60 and over. My right hon. Friend has given no advice to local authorities on this matter.
Mature Students (Further Education)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many mature students were admitted to universities, teacher training colleges and other colleges of further education during each of the years 1966 to 1975; what estimate has been made of the numbers who will be admitted in 1976; and how many failed to complete the course in each case.
Following are estimates of the number of mature students entering for the first time full-time and sandwich higher education courses in Great Britain who at 31st December each year were aged 21 to 24 and 25 or over:
Estimates are not available of the number of mature entrants in 1976 or of the numbers who failed to complete courses.
Postgraduate Students (Finance)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will review the system of financing postgraduate students.
The triennial review of student support, including the financing of postgraduate students, will be starting shortly, and I expect the results to be announced in the spring of 1977.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Common Fisheries Policy
32.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the latest position on the renegotiation of the common fisheries policy.
The Council of Ministers agreed on 27th July to a declaration by member States on the extension of fishing limits to 200 miles. This gives an appropriate framework for consideration of the necessary adaptation of the common fisheries policy which the Government expect to be pursued actively and urgently.
Montreaux Convention
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which are the nine States party to the Montreaux Convention.
Australia, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Romania, the Soviet Union, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Yugoslavia. Under Article 8(b) of the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951, Japan, which had been a party, renounced all rights and interests in the Convention.
Ussr Ship "Kiev"
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will inform all the parties to the Montreaux Convention of his views about the recent passage of the "Kiev" through the Bosphorus.
I am sure that all parties to the Convention will have noted my answer to my hon. Friend's Question on 26th July. In addition, several parties to the Convention have been separately informed of my right hon. Friend's views.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will initiate discussions with the Turkish Government and the Governments of Australia, France, Greece and Japan in order to ensure that a common approach is adopted to any further passage by the "Kiev" or a similar ship through the Bosphorus.
It is not necessarily for Her Majesty's Government to initiate such discussions. However we have already been in touch with these Governments except that of Japan, on this subject.
Ocean Island
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will give an undertaking that, in the Order in Council to be presented as a result of the present informal constitutional talks with the Government of the Gilbert Islands colony, the district of Ocean Island will be specifically excluded from the provisions of the Order pending a decision by Her Majesty's Government on the Banabans' petition for independence submitted over two years ago.
Ocean Island's constitutional status as part of the Gilbert Islands remains unaffected by the territory's advance to internal self-government, as do Banaban rights regarding Ocean Island.
United Nations Decade For Women
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use has been made of the grant of £200,000 per annum which was to be made available for projects for women in the poorer countries and in rural areas during the first three years of the UN International Decade for Women.
None as yet. Although the United Kingdom has long been ready to contribute the first instalment of its grant, we cannot do so until United Nations arrangements for the administration of the Voluntary Fund for the Decade for Women are satisfactorily endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly later this year.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made, in view of Her Majesty's Government's commitment to the UN International Decade for Women, to ensure improved representation of women in international conferences; and what proportion of the United Kingdom delegation to the UN Habitat Conference in Vancouver in June 1976 were women, and in what capacities they attended.
Our commitment of course remains. British delegations include women when they are suitably qualified, but it is not always possible to find as many such women as we would like. Two women attended the Habitat Conference as full members of the United Kingdom delegation of 21.
Gilbert Islands (Shipping And Air Services)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in the light of the Fiji trade union movement's decision to ban all ships and aircraft to the Gilbert Islands; and if he will make a statement on the situation.
Her Majesty's Government are still actively engaged in trying to resolve the Banaban problem which, we understand, is a factor in the present industrial action. Our task is to achieve an agreed solution and we regret any actions which might make that agreement more difficult.
Rhodesia
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the guidelines governing the visits by British passport holders to Rhodesia during the continued existence of the illegal régime; how many persons holding British passports have been refused the right to go to Rhodesia since 1965; how many people have been prosecuted for illegal entry since 1965; and if he will make a statement.
On the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the answer I gave him on 23rd July.—[Vol. 915, c. 652–655.]The answer to the second and third parts of my hon. Friend's Question is "None", in both cases.
8.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of British passport holders currently resident in Rhodesia.
It is estimated that approximately 80,000 residents of Rhodesia are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. A further 75,000, although not United Kingdom citizens, are thought to be entitled to claim the right of abode in Britain by reason of patriality.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates he has made of the number of dependants of British passport holders currently resident in Rhodesia who would have an automatic right of entry into the United Kingdom.
I regret that the information is not available in the form requested by the hon. Member.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to appoint a British Agent in Rhodesia so that Her Majesty's Government may be in direct communication with the present regime in Rhodesia.
No.
France (Mr Reginald Gee)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will inquire into the case of Mr. Reginald Gee of Huddersfield, at present held in a French prison, details of which have been sent to him; if he will intervene in this matter; and if he will make a statement.
An appeal by the French Public Prosecutor against Mr. Gee's suspended three months sentence and fines, or one years' imprisonment in lieu of their payment, imposed for smuggling will be heard on 18th August at Douai. Her Majesty's Government can- not intervene in cases which aresub judice.
Uganda (Mrs Bloch)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a further statement on the disappearance of Mrs. Bloch in Uganda.
Until the break in relations with Uganda, our High Commission in Kampala continued to demand from the Ugandan authorities, a satisfactory explanation for the disappearance of Mrs. Bloch. This has not been forthcoming. There can now be no doubt that Mrs. Bloch has been murdered. Our deepest sympathies go to Mrs. Bloch's family.
Kenyan Asians
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of Kenyan Asians who are entitled to British passports.
In Kenya the number of non-patrials eligible for British passports is estimated at 14,600, the great majority of whom are Asians. In addition there is a small number of Asian patrials. The number of Kenya Asians eligible for British passports and resident in other countries is not known and would be difficult and expensive to establish.
Malawi Asians
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of Malawi Asians who are entitled to British passports.
In Malawi the number of non patrials eligible for British passports is estimated at 5,000, the great majority of whom are Asians. In addition there is a small number of Asian patrials.The number of Malawi Asians eligible for British passports and resident in other countries is not known and would be difficult and expensive to establish.
Hong Kong
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has had recent discussions with the Governor of Hong Kong concerning land policy in the New Territories; and if he will make a statement.
There have been no recent discussions with the Governor on this subject.
Scotland
European Community Aid (Ayrshire)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is able to provide details of projects in Ayrshire which have benefited directly from EEC funds.
The information available to my office is as follows:
European Regional Development Fund Grants
- Garnock Valley Sewer.
- Highgate/Trearne Road Improvement.
- A77 Heathfield Road. Construction of link road.
- Improvements to harbour facilities at Ardrossan.
European Investment Bank
- Hunterston Power Station (2 loans).
- Loans for small firms at Kilwinning and Girvan (through Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation).
European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund: Individual Projects Scheme
- Grant for construction of Ayr based fishing vessel.
European Coal and Steel Community
- Readaptation Grants for Auchincruive, Maxwell and Littlemill Pits.
It is not possible to give a geographical breakdown of receipts for the European Social Fund in respect of training schemes etc.
Fire Prevention
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what has been the increase in prevention staff since the passing of the Fire Precautions Act 1971;(2) what additional assistance he intends giving to fire authorities to ensure that hotels conform to the fire prevention requirements of the Fire Precautions Act 1971;(3) if he is satisfied with the progress in covering hotels with the fire prevention measures of the Fire Precautions Act 1971.
Although my right hon. Friend would like to see faster progress, he is satisfied that fire authorities are dealing with this work as quickly as possible. In present circumstances there is no possibility of increased resources being made available to the fire service as a whole but it is open to brigades to allocate additional effort to fire prevention if it can be spared from other work.The number of qualified fire prevention officers in post in brigades has been as follows: 1971, 120; 1972, 138; 1973, 155; 1974, 151; 1975, 164.
Roads Development (Ayrshire)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the planned capital expenditure on road development in north, central and southern Ayrshire between now and 1980; and if he will list the major projects involved.
On trunk road capital works, about £1·4 million during the current financial year. Expenditure in future years cannot be forecast at present.Expenditure on non-trunk roads in the area is a matter for Strathclyde Regional Council.
Acknowledgment Payments
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much has been paid out under the acknowledgment payments scheme in Scotland in each of the past three years.
It is not clear to which scheme the hon. Gentleman is referring. Perhaps he will write to me giving more detail.
Disabled Persons (Housing Adaptations)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now revise the Valuation and Rating (Scotland) Act 1956, particularly Section 8(1) as amended by the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, Schedule 8, paragraph 36, in view of its importance to disabled people who have to alter their houses in accordance with their needs.
I am considering the case for amendment of Section 8(1) of the Valuation and Rating (Scotland) Act 1956 in the light of recent judgments.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases in Scotland in each of the last five years rating relief has been granted to disabled people who have altered their houses according to their needs.
This information is not available centrally.
New Towns
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's policy to the development of Scotland's new towns, in view of the uncertainty caused by the cancellation of the Stonehouse project; and whether regional authorities or the Scottish Development Department will be the relevant decision-making body in any decision affecting the expansion of new towns.
Government policy is to continue to support the development of Scotland's new towns to their target populations. The cancellation of the Stonehouse project was a particular decision taken for particular reasons. The pace of development within designated areas will be determined in consultation with regional authorities, but in the context that new towns serve a national, not just a local, purpose.
Edinburgh District Council (Land Purchase)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Scottish Development Department has refused to grant borrowing consent to the Edinburgh District Council to purchase the land amounting to one acre immediately to the west of Craigmount Grove in Edinburgh, which the Housing Corporation has willingly agreed to sell to Edinburgh District Council; and under what circumstances it has done so.
Only in exceptional circumstances can new planning projects, including land acquisitions for planning purposes, be authorised this year. The Edinburgh proposal does not have a sufficiently high priority in relation to other demands on limited capital resources.
Employment
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many jobs will be lost in Scotland as a result of the cuts announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and if he will give details of how the cuts will be applied in Scotland.
For the services for which I am responsible, I will be considering with the parties concerned how the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be applied. At this stage, it is not practicable to make a precise estimate of the overall effect of these measures upon employment in Scotland.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Oils And Fats
24.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions has he had with EEC Agricultural Ministers regarding the price of margarine.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what protests he has made against EEC proposals to tax vegetable oils.
I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Cambridgeshire (Mr. Pym) on 23rd July.—[Vol. 915, c.625.]
Fisheries Policy
25.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the fisheries policy of Her Majesty's Government.
I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 21st July.—[Vol. 915, c. 1793–9.]
Animals (Exports)
27.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many consignments of live food animals have been exported since the resumption of the trade in January 1975 to the latest convenient date; and how many of these consignments have been accompanied by his Department's veterinary officers throughout, that is, on board ship or plane on the Continent to their final destination.
While the numbers of animals exported are recorded, no record is kept of the number of separate consignments. Veterinary officers of my Department have, since the resumption of the export trade in January 1975, accompanied 39 consignments of exported live food animals to the port or airport at which they were disembarked; in addition they have accompanied 17 consignments of breeding animals to the port or airport of disembarkation. In three of these 56 cases the animals were accompanied to their destination.
European Community Ministers Of Agriculture
26.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next expects to meet other EEC Ministers of Agriculture.
My right hon. Friend plans to meet his colleagues at the next Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in September.
Horticulture (Fuel Costs)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the financial impact on the horticultural industry of the recent price rises in fuel oil.
It is estimated that the recent price rises amount on average to about 1·8p per gallon on heavy fuel oil and 1·5p per gallon on gas diesel oil. The prices paid by growers vary widely according to the volume purchased, location and other factors, and discounts can be obtained.
Plutonium (Irish Sea Organisms)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what organisms in the Irish Sea traces of plutonium have been detected by scientists working for the National Radio-biological Laboratory.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th July 1976; Vol. 916, c.23],gave the following information:Routine surveys of the Irish Sea are carried out by my Department's Fisheries Radiobiological Laboratory in connection with the control of the effluent discharges from the Windscale factory. These have shown that although traces of plutonium are detectable in most marine organisms from the area, the concentrations in all the species examined are very low and the radiation dose to any member of the public eating fish, shellfish or edible seaweed from this area is well within the safe limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Material taken from this area for human consumption, therefore, does not constitute a danger to health.
Civil Service
Expenditure (Savings)
asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on Civil Service manpower costs.
The Government have now identified savings of £95 million in Civil Service manpower and related expenditure in 1978–79. The effect of these savings will be a reduction of about 26,000 in the originally planned strength of the Civil Departments for 1978–79. In addition there will be about 20,000 United Kingdom based posts to be given up by April 1979 as a result of savings already announced in defence expenditure. Discussions are continuing between the managements of each Department and representatives of the Staff Side interests concerned over the detailed implementation of these savings. Consultations are also continuing with other interested bodies.Additional savings in Civil Service expenditure will be the subject of continuing studies. There will be consultations with the Staff Side before further decisions are taken.The reductions in Civil Departments' relevant expenditure are as follows:
| £m | |
| Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | 3·4 |
| HM Customs and Excise | 6·1 |
| Inland Revenue | 16 |
| Department for National Savings | 2·7 |
| Department of Education and Science | 1 |
| Department of Employment Group | 8·1 |
| Department of the Environment | 13·4 |
| Ordnance Survey | 1 |
| Foreign and Commonwealth Office | 7 |
| Home Office | 2·9 |
| Department of Industry | 3·8 |
| Civil Service Department | 1·7 |
| HM Stationery Office | 1·9 |
| Scottish Office | 2·4 |
| Department of Health and Social Security | 14·4 |
| Department of Trade | 1·7 |
| Other Departments (less than £1 million each) | 7·5 |
asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he will announce details of the manner in which he will implement the proposed reduction in Civil Service staff costs of £62 million in 1977–78.
I would refer the hon. Member to my answer earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Jones) in which I announced the Government's decision to make savings of £95 million in expenditure on Civil Service manpower and related administration in 1978–79. So far as 1977–78 is concerned, these savings will give rise to reductions of some £36 million out of the original £50 million target—equivalent to £46 million of the £62 million target at 1976 prices. The savings in expenditure, by Department, will be as follows:
| 1975prices £m. | |
| Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | 1·3 |
| HM Customs and Excise | 2·3 |
| Inland Revenue | 13·1 |
| Department for National Savings | 0·5 |
| Department of Education and Science | 0·4 |
| Department of Employment Group | 2·2 |
| Department of the Environment | 3·9 |
| Ordnance Survey | 0·4 |
| Home Office | 0·7 |
| Department of Industry | 1·4 |
| Civil Service Department | 0·6 |
| HM Stationery Office | 0·1 |
| Scottish Office | 0·9 |
| Department of Health and Social Security | 5·5 |
| Department of Trade | 0·6 |
| Other Departments | 2·4 |
House Of Commons
Government Statements
asked the Lord President of the Council if he will issue instructions to all Government Departments to make policy statements orally to the House whenever practicable rather than in written form in theOfficial Report. in order to allow Members the opportunity for questioning and to prevent the Executive from using theOfficial Report as a vehicle for publicity.
All Ministers are aware of the desirability of making oral statements to the House where the content of the announcement merits it, but they have also to bear in mind that too many oral statements take the time of the House away from important business.
Official Report
asked the Lord President of the Council on what date theOfficial Report for 2nd July was available to hon. Members; and if he will give an assurance that in future parliamentary government is not obstructed by failure to provide the necessary papers.
TheOfficial Report for 2nd July was available to Members on 19th July. Every effort is made and will continue to be made to ensure delivery of parliamentary papers to time. In the case of industrial disputes or occasions of exceptional demands which are temporarily beyond the capacity of the Parliamentary Press, copies of essential papers will be made available to Members in an alternative form.
Members Of Parliament (Health And Recreation)
asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in the light of reports of poor medical health of Members of Parliament, he will consider replacing the rifle range in the Palace of Westminster with a swimming pool and sauna bath, with the intention of paying for these facilities by a surcharge on fatty foods sold in the restaurants and cafeterias of the Palace.
No.
Industry
Steelworks (Port Talbot)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will discuss with the British Steel Corporation the timescale for the development of the hot strip mill at Port Talbot; what is the total expenditure now authorised for this project; and if he will make a statement.
As my right hon. Friend told the House in his statement on 19th July, the British Steel Corporation has agreed to undertake a further study of the capital cost and market prospects related to its proposal for developing Port Talbot. As part of that study it will be considering the Government's readiness to authorise the new hot strip mill which the corporation recently estimated would cost some £250 million at current prices. The Government have also authorised expenditure of some £100 million on the second phase of coke oven replacement and on the introduction of continuous casting equipment at Port Talbot. A first phase of coke oven replacement at Port Talbot, estimated to cost £64 million at 1975 prices, was authorised last year.
Parcels And Packets
asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many parcels and packets over the weight of 10 pounds have been posted in the years 1973–74, 1974–75 and 1975–76, respectively.
The Post Office does not have a monopoly for the carriage of parcels. It has informed me that detailed statistics of this kind would be of commercial value to its competitors and they are not, therefore, published.
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of first-class packets over 100 grammes is delivered the next day.
The Post Office's annual report for 1975–76 indicates that 92 per cent. of first-class mail was delivered on the next working day after collection. This figure covers letters and letter packets of all weights. The Post Office tells me that separate figures for letter packets over 100 grammes are not kept.
Post Office
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what improvements he proposes to make in his monitoring of the Post Office's performance, following the movement from substantial losses to profits by the corporation.
I welcome the great improvement in the Post Office's financial position which is recorded in the report and accounts published yesterday. Arrangements for consultations with the Post Office on its financial performance have already been examined following the comments of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries in its Report on the Post Office's letter post services. Our conclusions will be published in the Government's reply to the Report.
Letter Post Services
asked the Secretary of State for Industry when the Government will give their reply to the Second Report from the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries (Session 1975–76) on the Post Office's letter post services.
The Government hope to reply shortly to the Select Committee's Report.
British Leyland And Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd
asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he proposes to place a value on the Government's shareholdings in British Leyland Ltd. and Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. which have been transferred to the National Enterprise Board.
I have determined the valuation of the Government's shareholdings in British Leyland Ltd. and Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. on transfer to
| EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Allocations from the Fund to date | Average Fund Allocation per Project | Fund Aid per Capita | |||
| (£000) | (£) | (£) | |||
| England | … | … | 25,148 | 56,386 | 1·55 |
| Northern | … | … | 14,425 | 79,696 | 4·61 |
| North-West | … | … | 7,177 | 68,352 | 1·09 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | … | … | 2,292 | 26,345 | 0·47 |
| East Midlands Assisted Areas | … | 297 | 17,471 | 0·40* | |
| West Midlands Assisted Areas | … | 11 | 11,000 | 0·27* | |
| South-West Assisted Areas | … | … | 946 | 17,200 | 1·17* |
| Northern Ireland | … | … | 12,719 | 189,836 | 8·22 |
| Scotland | … | … | 16,007 | 78,852 | 3·06 |
| Wales | … | … | 12,368 | 58,340 | 4·48 |
| 66,242 | 71,381 | 2·57 | |||
| * As only part of the East Midlands, West Midlands and South-West Regions are assisted areas and are, therefore, eligible for contributions from the Regional Development Fund, the population figures used to calculate the figures in col. 3 relate only to the relevant part of those regions. | |||||
the National Enterprise Board. I have laid a statement before each House of Parliament today in accordance with Section 5 of the Industry Act 1975.
National Enterprise Board
asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he proposes to authorise the transfer to the National Enterprise Board of the Government's loans to Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. and other companies.
I have consented to the transfer to the National Enterprise Board of the Government's loans to Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd,. British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd., Ferranti Ltd., and the Cambridge Instrument Company Ltd., and holdings of loan stock in Dunford and Elliott Ltd. I have laid an appropriate statement before each House of Parliament today in accordance with Section 5 of the Industry Act 1975.
Regional Development Fund
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total amount so far allocated to each region and nation of the United Kingdom by the EEC Regional Development Fund; what amount, on average, this sum represents for each project approved in each respective region and nation; and what is the sum expressed as a per capita amount in each respective region and nation.
The information is as follows:
Industry
Postal Charges
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if in view of the return of the Post Office to profitability, he will give a general direction to the corporation not to increase charges for packet postal and overseas mail in the current year.
No. Proposals to increase postal charges are considered by the Post Office Users National Council and increases in charges for inland services are also subject to the provisions of the Price Code.
Regional Aid
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list, for each year since 1970, the total expenditure on regional policy support and regeneration in the United Kingdom and South-West assisted area, respectively; and if he will
| £ MILLION AT HISTORIC PRICES, NET OF REPAYMENTS AND EXCLUDING PUBLIC CORPORATIONS | ||||||
| 1970–71 | 1971–72 | 1972–73 | 1973–74 | 1974–75 | 1975–76* | |
| Regional Development Grants: | ||||||
| Total | — | — | 8 | 89 | 180 | 261 |
| South-West Assisted Area | — | — | † | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Regional Employment Premiums: | ||||||
| Total | 108 | 109 | 100 | 106 | 156 | 214 |
| South-West Assisted Area | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Selective Assistance to Industry in Assisted Areas: | ||||||
| Total | — | — | † | 25 | 36 | 49 |
| South-West Assisted Area | — | — | † | † | 1 | 1 |
| Provision of Land and Buildings: | ||||||
| Total | 15 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 21 | 17 |
| South-West Assisted Area | † | † | † | † | † | n.a. |
| * Provisional. | ||||||
| † Less than £1 million. | ||||||
| n.a. = Not Available. | ||||||
Lonrho Ltd
asked the Attorney-General when he expects the completion of the report from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the Lonrho Group of Companies.
Enquiries by the police on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions have only recently begun. It is too early to give any reliable estimate of the date of completion.
itemise the amount spent on the principal types of support, namely regional development grants, provision of land and buildings and selective assistance.
Total expenditure in the United Kingdom on regional support and regeneration was as follows:
| £ million at historic prices, net of repayments and excluding public corporations | |||
| 1970–71 | … | … | 283 |
| 1971–72 | … | … | 238 |
| 1972–73 | … | … | 235 |
| 1973–74 | … | … | 300 |
| 1974–75 | … | … | 450 |
| 1975–76 (Provisional) | … | … | 593 |
National Finance
Tax Yields
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing for each year since 1945 the percentage of the total amount of personal taxation levied by central Government paid by individuals under the age of 30 years.
I regret that this information is not available.
Wife Allowance
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the cost of the wife's element of the married man's tax allowance is attributable to families where the wife is working.
Excluding cases where the husband or wife is over 65, the estimated cost for 1976–77 of the excess of the married person's allowance over the single person's allowance is about £1,400 million. About one-half of the number of taxpayers receiving the married person's allowance also claim the wife's earned income allowance.
"Save As You Earn" Schemes
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have now introduced "Save As You Earn" linked share schemes as encouraged in the Finance Act 1973.
The statistics relate only to companies which submitted schemes for approval to the Inland Revenue prior to March 1974 when the special tax treatment was discontinued. Formal approval for tax purposes under the 1972 and 1973 Finance Acts was given to five savings-related—Own-As-You-Earn—Schemes. In addition, 10 were accepted as approvable if adopted by shareholders.
Luncheon Vouchers
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what adjustment would be required to the 15p luncheon voucher concession in order to restore its value in real terms to that obtaining at the time the concession was originally introduced.
A concession on luncheon vouchers has applied since 1948 but in its existing form it dates from 1959. The present equivalent in real terms of 15p at the date the concession was formally announced—20th January 1959—is 48p, as measured by the change in the Retail Price Index.
Public Sector
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the revised estimate of the public sector borrowing requirement for 1977–78, he will give a breakdown of this estimate as between the public sector financial deficit and public sector net lending to the private sector and abroad.
Taking account of the measures I announced last week, I would expect the public sector financial deficit in 1977–78 to be of the order of £8 billion, with public sector net lending around £1 billion.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the light of his statement about the public sector borrowing requirement in 1977–78, he will now publish table 5 in the Financial Statement, giving the revised figures.
It is not practicable to make estimates in the detail requested so far in advance. My right hon. Friend will give the House detailed estimates for 1977–78 with his next Budget Statement.
Regional Employment Premium
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, for each year since 1970, the total expenditure on regional employment premium in the United Kingdom and the South-West assisted area, respectively.
Total expenditure on regional employment premium in the United Kingdom and the South-West assisted area, respectively for each year since 1970 is given in the table below. The information is available only by financial year.
| £million | ||||
| Financial Year | Total | South-West assisted area | ||
| 1970–71 | … | … | 141 | 2 |
| 1971–72 | … | … | 135 | 2 |
| 1972–73 | … | … | 120 | 2 |
| 1973–74 | … | … | 119 | 2 |
| 1974–75 | … | … | 170 | 3 |
| 1975–76 | … | … | 234 | 4 |
Value Added Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest available figures for turnover in each of the main categories of goods and services currently exempted or zero rated for VAT; and if he will estimate the tax yield in each case if VAT were payable at the standard rate.
The turnover information asked for is not available but it is estimated that about 10 per cent. of consumers' expenditure is on goods and services exempt from VAT and 30 per cent. zero-rated. It is further estimated that the yield in a full year from taxing at the standard rate the main categories of zero-rated supplies would be approximately:
| Category | Yield (£ million) |
| Food | 900 |
| Fuel | 250 |
| Transport | 150 |
| Books, newspapers and magazines | 100 |
| Children's clothing and footwear | 50 |
Fraudulent Claims (Child Allowances)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were prosecuted in 1973, 1974 and 1975 for making fraudulent claims for an income tax allowance on behalf of a child resident abroad; and how many convictions were obtained.
Details of prosecutions by the Inland Revenue are set out in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Rodgers) on 10th May.—[Vol. 911, c. 54.] I am afraid, however, that the records do not enable any cases of the kind referred to in the Question to be easily identified.
Cash Limits
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there have been or will be any changes in the cash limits previously announced for 1976–77.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the coverage of cash limits described in Appendix 2 to the White Paper on Cash Limits, Command Paper No. 6440.
Appendix 2 to the White Paper on Cash Limits (Cmnd 6440) has been revised in the light of some errors in its description of the precise Estimates classification of components of central Government cash blocks, to reflect certain vote changes made in the Supplementary Estimates, and to improve the completeness of the specification of cash blocks by means of additional footnotes. The appendix generally understated the content of the cash blocks as decided when they were set up; the amendments, which remedy this deficiency and help to make it more comprehensive, do not affect the allocated totals for the cash blocks given elsewhere in Cmnd 6440. Copies of the revised appendix are available from the Vote Office and I have placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses.
Public Expenditure
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table breaking down the expenditure cuts announced on 22nd July into the following categories: current and capital expenditure, goods and services and transfer payments expenditure, expenditure by central Government, local government and the rest of the public sector and expenditure on wages and salaries and other public expenditure.
I shall let the hon Member have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the estimates in Command Paper No. 6393 of the relative price effect in 1976–77 and 1977–78 still stand.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish an estimate of the demand effect of the measures of 22nd July in 1977–78, in the second half of 1977 and the first half of 1978.
I estimate that the effect of the measures of 22nd July on real gross domestic product will be between ½ and ¾ per cent. in the second half of 1977, and also in the financial year 1977–78 as a whole. No estimate has been made of the effect in the first half of 1978 since the expenditure decisions refer to the financial year 1977–78 only.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing the public expenditure projected for each programme in 1977–78 in Command Paper No. 5519, revalued at 1976 survey prices.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish figures for the shortfall (a) in total public spending, and (b) in the capital expenditure of the nationalised industries, anticipated in successive public expenditure White Papers, for each financial year from 1969–70 to 1979–80 and, on the same price base, the amount of shortfall in each of those years to date.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to announce the changes in expenditure by the NEB and the Scottish and Welsh Development Agencies referred to in his statement of 22nd July; and whether the changes will be increases in expenditure or changes in the scale or character of the expenditure carried out by those bodies.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing the total of public expenditure and expenditure on each programme projected for 1977–78 in Command Paper No. 5519, revalued at 1976 survey prices.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will revalue the expenditure cuts announced on 22nd July to 1975 survey prices.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
National Insurance (Employers' Contributions)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will estimate the extent to which firms will be able to recoup the increase in employers' national insurance contributions in 1977–78; and what proportion of the amount recouped will be from exports.
Firms will be able to treat the additional national insurance contributions as an allowable cost under the Price Code. Most firms will probably seek to adjust their domestic prices to meet these extra costs, though no doubt some will be constrained by market conditions. The estimate my right hon. Friend gave in the House of the effect on the Retail Price Index—a little over 1 per cent. by early 1978—was based on the assumption that virtually all the increase would be passed on by then. The proportion of the amount recouped from exports, as opposed to domestic sales, is assumed to be about 20 per cent.
Personal Expenditure
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will estimate the effect of the measures announced on 22nd July on personal consumption expenditure; whether any estimates have been made of the effect on the savings ratio; and whether he will publish those estimates.
I estimate that by early 1978 the effect on personal consumption expenditure, measured at constant 1970 prices, of the measures announced on 22nd July will be about ½to ¾per cent. The effect on the savings ratio will be very small.
Survey Prices
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the prices of which month or months 1976 survey prices are equivalent; and by what factor one should multiply 1975 survey prices to revalue to 1976 survey prices.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Land (Wales)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any land in Wales has recently been accepted through the National Land Fund procedure.
Yes. I am glad to announce that some 1,990 acres of land in Pembroke, including part of the coastal path, have been accepted in lieu of estate duty and transferred to the National Trust. The cost to the National Land Fund was £475,000. Although some public access is already afforded, the trust is taking steps to extend and improve this, hoping to complete the work during the winter, so as to secure increased public enjoyment of the property.
Employment
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish estimates of the effects of the expenditure cuts announced on 22nd July on employment and unemployment, indicating what proportion will fall on the private sector.
I estimate that the effect on unemployment of the expenditure cuts announced on 22nd July will be about 50,000 by early 1978. The effect on employment will be nearly 70,000, virtually all of which will fall on the private sector.
Contingency Reserve
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list and quantify as far as possible the outstanding claims on the contingency reserve in the current year; and whether there are any claims on the contingency reserve in 1977–78.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Premium Savings Bonds
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to make any changes to the terms of premium savings bonds.
Yes. The underlying rate of interest which determines the premium savings bond prize fund will be increased from 5½ to 5⅝ per cent. per annum from November 1976 and will take effect from the November prize draw. From 1st November the minimum purchase of premium savings bonds will be increased from £2 to £5 and bonds will be sold in multiples of £5 only. The prize draw will continue to be based on £1 units each with its own number and each having its own separate and equal chance of success.The additional prize money which will be generated by the increase in the underlying interest rate will be distributed by increasing the top monthly prize from £75,000 to £100,000 and by making certain other changes in the monthly prize structure. Details of the changes in prize structure will be published in the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes.
Newham (Public Expenditure)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his statement on public expenditure cuts where the control of housing will not affect needy areas will include the London Borough of Newham as one of these needy areas.
I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has undertaken to consult the local authority associations and other bodies concerned before settling the full details of the new control system. I cannot anticipate the outcome at this stage, but my right hon. Friend has made it clear that available resources will be concentrated much more selectively than before on meeting the needs of stress areas.
Tax Revenue (North Sea Oil)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in theOfficial Report an estimate of the probable annual tax revenue being generated by current daily volume of North Sea crude oil being brought ashore.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th July 1976],gave the following answer:If not more than the June average daily volume of North Sea crude oil were produced, it would be some years before all the capital expenditure already incurred could be set against gross profits and leave any significant assessable profits to generate tax revenue.
Works Of Art
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce his recommendations in respect of taxing works of art as wealth, with special reference to: (a) the restriction or otherwise of a wealth tax to the realisation upon sale of the wealth potential of a work of art and (b) the restriction or otherwise of such a tax charged upon such realisation to genuinely disposable wealth, leaving out of the computation other tax liabilities arising from such an event.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 28th July 1976],circulated the following answer:The evidence received by the Select Committee on Wealth Tax on the application of a wealth tax to works of art and the conclusions it drew from it are under careful study. I cannot, however, anticipate the timing or content of a further announcement.
Trade
Footwear
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if reductions in footwear imports from Comecon countries have taken place in accordance with the agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the Governments of those countries.
Czechoslovakia, Poland and Romania have agreed to restrain their exports of leather footwear, excluding sandals, in 1976 to the levels of their exports in 1975. The information available about imports so far gives me no reason to believe that these undertakings will not be honoured.
Japan And Taiwan
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the value of investments held by British individuals, companies and institutions in manufacturning industries and othe commercial enterprises in (a) Japan and (b) Taiwan; and whether he will make a statement.
The information available relates to the book value of direct investment, excluding oil, banking and insurance in Japan at the end of 1971. An industry breakdown of this investment is given in Table 37 of Business Monitor M4 Part II, Overseas Transactions 1972, a copy of which is in the Library. Figures for subsequent net flows of investment in 1972, 1973 and 1974 were published in Table 19 of the corresponding Business Monitors for 1972, 1973 and 1974, copies of which are in the Library. No such information is available for Taiwan. Total investment includes also portfolio, oil and miscellaneous investment but no analysis by country is available for these forms of investment.
Transport Security (International Conventions)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he intends to regulate conditions of passengers and luggage, consistent with the Athens Convention of 1974;(2) if he will give effect to the Athens Convention on the Civil Liability in the field of maritime carriage of nuclear material.
The Government's intention is that legislation implementing the conventions dealing with these matters be introduced as soon as possible.
Pilotage
asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to give effect to the recommendations of the Steering Committee on Pilotage; and if he intends to set up a Pilotage Board.
I hope that legislative time can soon be found to implement the Steering Committee's recommendations, including the establishment of a Central Pilotage Board.
Industrial Democracy
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if the research reports about European experience of industrial democracy commissioned by the committee of inquiry into industrial democracy are to be published; and whether he will place copies in the Library.
The research reports were published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office today, and copies are being placed in the Library.
Gatwick Airport
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received, in connection with his review of airport strategy, from West Sussex County Council about the extent to which passenger traffic at Gatwick Airport should be allowed to expand.
West Sussex County Council's formal response to part 1 of the consultation document on airport strategy, which deals with the London area, was received in my Department on 20th July. The council expressed its views on a number of topics put forward in the document for discussion, including the options for expanding traffic at Gatwick Airport. The Government will take its comments into account before deciding on future airports policy.
Woollen Jacket Imports
asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he proposes to take action to restrain imports of woollen jackets from Czechoslovakia, since imports from that country in January to May this year are considerably greater than in the same period of 1975.
I am aware that imports of woollen jackets from Czechoslovakia have considerably increased in the first five months of this year as compared with the same period of 1975 and that requests for surveillance licences suggest that other significant quantities may be on their way. I consider it necessary to ensure that imports of woollen jackets from Czechoslovakia in 1976 do not rise significantly above the 1975 level, and we have, therefore, taken the appropriate steps through the Community to establish a quota for Czechoslovakia of 60,000 woollen jackets for the calendar year 1976. Details of licensing arrangements that will apply will be set out in a notice to importers to be published with a Press notice later today.
Aircraft Movements (Night Flying)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what restrictions are to be applied to night jet movements at Heathrow and at Gatwick in the winter period from 1st November 1976 to 31st March 1977.
I have decided that the number of night jet movements permitted in the coming winter should be 2,200 at Heathrow and 1,600 at Gatwick. This represents a cut of 400 on the quotas at both airports last winter. The hours of restriction will be unchanged. This decision in no way prejudges the outcome of the long-term study on night jet restrictions aimed at reducing night time disturbance which is now in progress.
Multi-Fibre Arrangement
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what proposals the Government are putting forward in relation to the major review of the GATT Multi-Fibre Arrangement.
I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Anti-Dumping Orders
asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many anti-dumping orders have been made by the EEC Commission; and what were the industries covered by these.
I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
European Community
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the visible trade deficit within the EEC on a balance of payments basis for the last 12 months.
I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Defence
University Air Squadrons (Training)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the new Scottish Aviation "Bulldogs" used for training the university air squadrons.
For commercial reasons it is not our practice to reveal contract costs of RAF aircraft.
University Training Squadrons And Officer Training Corps
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the amount of Government spending on the various university training sqaudrons and their Army equivalent, the officer training corps, in the 12 months to the latest available date.
Recurrent costs of these units in 1975–76 amounted to about £4,400,000.
Raf Accommodation (Stanton)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence from whom he purchased private homes at Stanton, Suffolk, for the use of Royal Air Force personnel.
The houses were purchased from Hepworth Road Developments Limited, of Ipswich.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the seller of the private homes he purchased at Stanton, Suffolk, has refused his or her consent to the disclosure to Parliament of the price paid out of public funds; and, if so, what reasons he or she gave.
As I explained in my reply of 22nd July 1976—[Vol. 915, c. 567.]—to the hon. Member, it is a well-established practice to regard the financial details of individual Government contracts as confidential, and I can confirm that neither the seller, nor I, wish to depart from this practice in this particular case.
Warships
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the ships in the Royal Navy refitted during the last 12 years, their original cost and date of launching, the costs of each refit, the period of their subsequent or expected operational service, and the then costs of an equivalent new ship at the time the ships listed were recommissioned.
I regret that this information is not readily available and could not be assembled without disproportionate effort.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what delays in new ship completions for the Royal Navy are anticipated as a result of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's recent statement on cuts;(2) what is the number of ships that were due to be taken out of service in the Royal Navy that will now continue in commission due to the effects of the recently-announced cuts in defence expenditure.
A study is in train to identify the precise measures which will be taken to implement the reduction. No major ship programme will, however, be affected.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the ships in the Royal Navy due for retirement before 1980 and new ships due to be commissioned in the same period.
It is not the normal practice to give advance information about ship disposals or, except for the current year, about the new construction programme. Ships expected to enter service in 1976 are set out in Chapter III, paragraph 7, of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1976 (Cmnd 6432).
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of ships in the Royal Navy expected to be still in service for longer than 15 years from their launching dates in 1980 on current estimates.
It is not the normal practise to release such information about the future composition of the Fleet.
Northern Ireland
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the bugging of a private house in Newry by a British Army unit.
I assume the hon. Member is referring to Press reports about a device alleged to have been found in the house of Mrs. Morley, the wife of a convicted PIRA terrorist at present serving a sentence of 10 years in HM Prison at the Maze, Northern Ireland, for arms and explosives offences. I have no comment to make on allegations of this kind.
Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in full detail where further cuts in defence expenditure amounting to £100 million will be met.
A study is in train to identify the precise items to be affected. This will be completed by the time the Defence Estimates for 1977–78 are finalised. We expect a major part of the cuts to fall on the works programme. There will also be some rephasing of the incidence of expenditure on equipment projects, concentrating on lower priority items. There will be no reduction in our front line forces committed to NATO.
Masirah And Salalah
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any application has been made by the United States of America for its forces to use Masirah and Salalah after the withdrawal of British forces; and if all installations and equipment not evacuated will be transferred to Oman.
The first part of my hon. Friend's Question is a matter for the Omani authorities. As to the second part, decisions have not yet been taken on the disposal of assets.
Nimrod Aircraft
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Nimrod aircraft are currently operational in the Mediterranean.
Eight.
Multi-Rôle Combat Aircraft
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made towards an agreement with Great Britain's partners in the MRCA project towards a decision on production arrangements; and if he will make a statement.
Agreement has now been reached between the Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom on the production arrangements for MRCA. Memoranda of Understanding on production and the continuation of development have been signed today, and the international management agency (NAMMA) has been authorised to place contracts for production of the first batch of aircraft.The total programme in the three countries will involve more than 500 firms and will provide employment, at peak, for some 70,000 people. The United Kingdom share will be about 35,000 jobs in all. The MRCA programme is, therefore, of great significance to the future of the aircraft industries in the three countries for the next 10 years.
Commonwealth War Cemeteries (Staff)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the salary scales for expatriate staff working in Commonwealth war cemeteries in France and Belgium, and how they compare with the remuneration paid to nationals of the country involved working in these cemeteries.
The rates of pay of United Kingdom based manual staff working in Commonwealth war cemeteries in France and Belgium range from £52·98 per week for a head gardener 1st class to £42·80 for an assistant gardener. In addition to pay, expatriate staff receive a local allowance to compensate them for the higher cost of living in France and Belgium. They also receive allowances for children and various other benefits. Rates of pay of locally engaged staff in France range from 1,980 francs per month for the top grade of skilled gardener to 1,840 francs per month for an unskilled gardener.I will write to the hon. Member giving fuller details.
Mercenaries
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether service as a mercenary or involvement in the recruitment of mercenaries to fight in Angola is taken into account in the case of applications to enlist in Her Majesty's Armed Forces.
Any such activities and their attendant circumstances which came to light during the recruit selection process would be taken into account in so far as they could affect each individual applicant's overall suitability for service in the Armed Forces.
Personnel
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage turnover of manpower each year among each of the Armed Services.
The numbers of United Kingdom Service personnel, men and women, entering and leaving each of the Services in each of the past five financial years and the percentage which they represent of the average
| Royal Navy and Royal Marines | Army | Royal Air Force | All Services | ||||||
| Number | Per cent. | Number | Per cent. | Number | Per cent. | Number | Per cent. | ||
| 1971–72 | |||||||||
| Recruitment | … | 10,846 | 13·2 | 34,303 | 19·5 | 10,305 | 9·2 | 55,454 | 15·0 |
| Outflow | … | 10,990 | 13·3 | 29,451 | 16·7 | 11,625 | 10·4 | 52,066 | 14·1 |
| Average Strength | … | 82,421 | 176,265 | 111,705 | 370,391 | ||||
| 1972–73 | |||||||||
| Recruitment | … | 11,034 | 13·4 | 28,862 | 16·0 | 6,428 | 5·9 | 46,324 | 12·5 |
| Outflow | … | 12,202 | 14·8 | 27,374 | 15·1 | 11,166 | 10·3 | 50,742 | 13·7 |
| Average Strength | … | 82,306 | 180,691 | 108,365 | 371,362 | ||||
| 1973–74 | |||||||||
| Recruitment | … | 8,065 | 10·0 | 17,554 | 10·0 | 6,814 | 6·7 | 32,433 | 9·1 |
| Outflow | … | 10,334 | 12·8 | 25,801 | 14·7 | 13,385 | 13·1 | 49,520 | 13·8 |
| Average Strength | … | 80,428 | 175,401 | 102,034 | 357,863 | ||||
| 1974–75 | |||||||||
| Recruitment | … | 9,802 | 12·7 | 24,264 | 14·3 | 8,170 | 8·4 | 42,236 | 12·3 |
| Outflow | … | 11,924 | 15·4 | 28,889 | 17·0 | 12,296 | 12·7 | 53,109 | 15·4 |
| Average Strength | … | 77,393 | 169,932 | 97,063 | 344,388 | ||||
| 1975–76 | |||||||||
| Recruitment | … | 10,064 | 13·3 | 29,591 | 17·5 | 7,251 | 7·8 | 46,906 | 13·9 |
| Outflow | … | 10,173 | 13·4 | 26,797 | 15·8 | 11,560 | 12·5 | 48,530 | 14·4 |
| Average Strength | … | 75,810 | 169,127 | 92,727 | 337,664 | ||||
Wales
Otters
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department will commission a survey of the otter population of Wales so that there can be a proper public estimate of the dangers to this species.
I have been asked to reply.As I informed the hon. Member on 1st July—[Vol. 914, c. 224–5.]—a survey of the otter populations of England, Scotland and Wales is already in progress. Moreover, the Nature Conservancy Council is currently assessing, with the appropriate voluntary bodies, all available evidence on the status of the otter.
Gipsies
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had or proposes to have with public bodies in West Glamorgan about the gipsy problem in the area and what guidance he has given.
Discussions about the gipsy problem were held in the spring of 1975 between Welsh Office officials and officers of the West Glamorgan County Council and the Swansea City
strength of the Service are as follows:
Council. A further meeting proposed by the Department has not been accepted by the county council because it feels it would not be beneficial at present while it is studying the possibility of providing a number of gipsy sites in its area. The guidance provided to the council has been consistent with the general advice issued to all local authorities in Ministry of Housing and Local Government Circular 6/62 and in Welsh Office Circulars 22/66, 42/68 and 37/70.
asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will grant additional resources to West Glamorgan to assist with the additional social costs made necessary by the presence of gipsies there.
As announced by the Minister for Planning and Local Government on 26th February 1976, a study is being carried out by the Chairman of the Countryside Commission for England and Wales into certain financial and other aspects of the operation of Part II of the Caravan Sites Act 1968. Consideration of what further arrangements should be made to deal with the gipsy problem must await the chairman's report.—[Vol. 906, c.314, 315.]
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of gipsies in Wales and in each of the counties of Wales at the nearest convenient date.
The most recent estimates of gipsies are those made by the National Gipsy Council in the spring of this year. These suggested that at that time there were approximately 795 gipsy families in Wales, distributed as follows:
| West Glamorgan | … | … | … | 65 |
| Mid Glamorgan | … | … | … | 60 |
| South Glamorgan | … | … | 100 | |
| Gwent | … | … | … | 120 |
| Clwyd | … | … | … | 120 |
| Gwynedd | … | … | … | 60 |
| Powys | … | … | … | 50 |
| Dyfed | … | … | … | 220 |
Social Services
Incest (Allegation)
29.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will investigate the case of a 15-year old girl returned by Hertfordshire Social Services to her father by whom she was sexually assaulted.
We are investigating this matter with our Social Work Service. Hertfordshire County Council has cooperated fully. The Department's Chief Social Work Officer is in contact with its Director of Social Services.
Health Services (Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many area health authorities spent less per head of population than Walsall Area Health Authority in each of the years 1972 to 1975; and how many areas spent less than Walsall in these years on community health services.
Of the 90 area health authorities in England seven authorities in 1974–75 spent less in total per head of resident population on health services and 33 authorities spent less on community health services than Walsall Area Health Authority. Prior to 1974–75 the services were not administered in the same areas and comparable figures for earlier years are not available. This comparison takes no account of people who are provided with treatment outside their area of residence, or of the effect on health service costs in some areas of such factors as the teaching of medical and dental students and London weighting payable to staff.
Invalidity And Child Allowances
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are better off financially as a result of having claimed (a) non-contributory invalidity pension, (b) invalid care allowance and (c) child interim benefit.
One of the main purposes of non-contributory invalidity pension and invalid care allowance is to reduce the extent of reliance on means-tested benefits. But even full contributory benefits may, according to the individual's circumstances, require supplementation; and it is not possible to guarantee that the noncontributory benefits will mean a net gain in cash terms. The information for which my hon. Friend has asked which is available is as follows:
Life Expectancy
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing for each year since 1945 (a) the average life expectency at birth and (b) the average life expectancy at 10 years of age, of the
| Expectation of Life* at | ||||||||
| Birth | Age 10 | |||||||
| Year | Males | Females | Males | Females | ||||
| 1945 | … | … | … | … | 62·6 | 68·8 | 57·1 | 62·6 |
| 1946 | … | … | … | … | 64·5 | 69·4 | 58·7 | 62·8 |
| 1947 | … | … | … | … | 64·5 | 69·3 | 58·5 | 62·7 |
| 1948 | … | … | … | … | 66·4 | 71·2 | 59·8 | 63·9 |
| 1949 | … | … | … | … | 66·0 | 70·6 | 59·2 | 63·2 |
| 1950 | … | … | … | … | 66·5 | 71·2 | 59·4 | 63·6 |
| 1951 | … | … | … | … | 65·8 | 70·9 | 58·7 | 63·2 |
| 1952 | … | … | … | … | 67·1 | 72·5 | 59·7 | 64·6 |
| 1953 | … | … | … | … | 67·3 | 72·5 | 59·9 | 64·6 |
| 1954 | … | … | … | … | 67·6 | 73·1 | 60·0 | 65·0 |
| 1955 | … | … | … | … | 67·5 | 73·0 | 59·9 | 65·0 |
| 1956 | … | … | … | … | 67·8 | 73·3 | 60·0 | 65·2 |
| 1957 | … | … | … | … | 67·9 | 73·6 | 60·1 | 65·5 |
| 1958 | … | … | … | … | 68·0 | 73·7 | 60·1 | 65·5 |
| 1959 | … | … | … | … | 68·1 | 73·8 | 60·2 | 65·6 |
| 1960 | … | … | … | … | 68·3 | 74·1 | 60·4 | 65·8 |
| 1961 | … | … | … | … | 68·0 | 73·8 | 601 | 65·6 |
| 1962 | … | … | … | … | 68·0 | 74·0 | 60·1 | 65·7 |
| 1963 | … | … | … | … | 67·9 | 73·8 | 59·9 | 65·6 |
| 1964 | … | … | … | … | 68·6 | 74·7 | 60·5 | 66·4 |
| 1965 | … | … | … | … | 68·5 | 74·8 | 60·4 | 66·3 |
| 1966 | … | … | … | … | 68·4 | 74·7 | 60·3 | 66·2 |
| 1967 | … | … | … | … | 69·0 | 75·2 | 60·8 | 66·8 |
| 1968 | … | … | … | … | 68·6 | 74·8 | 60·5 | 66·3 |
| 1969 | … | … | … | … | 68·5 | 74·8 | 60·3 | 66·3 |
| 1970 | … | … | … | … | 68·8 | 75·1 | 60·6 | 66·6 |
| 1971 | … | … | … | … | 69·3 | 75·4 | 61·0 | 66·9 |
| 1972 | … | … | … | … | 68·9 | 75·1 | 60·6 | 66·6 |
| 1973 | … | … | … | … | 69·1 | 75·3 | 60·8 | 66·7 |
| * From the abridged life tables for England and Wales. Figures are based on annual mortality rates and year to year changes may reflect erratic movements in annual deaths as well as longer term changes in mortality. | ||||||||
Cigarettes (Advertising)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied that the voluntary code of cigarette advertising practice is working effectively; and whether he will take any further action.
I am not satisfied that the code is at present working effectively but, as I explained on 16th January—[Vol 903, c. 813–4]—the Government have decided to await a full year's experience of its use; in the meantime apparent breaches of the code are brought to the notice of the Advertising Standards Authority.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what action he will take to prevent the association following: (c) males, (d) females and (e) males and females.
The figures are as follows. Because of the different mortality experience of males and females over the whole age range, life tables are not constructed for the two sexes combined.between sporting events and smoking certain cigarette brands, as exemplified in the advertisements appearing in the national Press during the period of Wimbledon and the Olympic Games;(2) whether he is satisfied that the advertisements on page 6 of the
Daily Express on 30th June and page 6 of the Evening News on 19th July comply with the voluntary code of cigarette advertising practice.
My Department has already approached the Advertising Standards Authority and has asked it to look again at the question of whether the type of advertising to which the hon. Member refers should be permitted under its new code. The Department is awaiting a reply and I will write to the hon. Member when it is received.
Fluoridation
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress of schemes to fluoridate water in the area covered by the Macclesfield constituency.
This is a matter for the Cheshire Area Health Authority as part of its responsibilities for preventive health. I understand, however, that the authority cannot at present forecast when it might be possible to fluoridate water supplies in the area covered by the Macclesfield constituency.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue instructions to all health authorities to take no further action to promote the addition of fluoride to the public water supply system pending a parliamentary debate and approval by the House.
| At out-turn prices (£ millions) | |||||||
| Retired | Unemployed | Sick | Others | Total | |||
| 1966–67 | … | … | 166 | 30 | 51 | 51 | 298 |
| 1967–68 | … | … | 193 | 62 | 63 | 68 | 386 |
| 1968–69 | … | … | 208 | 75 | 69 | 77 | 429 |
| 1969–70 | … | … | 226 | 74 | 74 | 97 | 471 |
| 1970–71 | … | … | 245 | 88 | 79 | 112 | 524 |
| 1971–72 | … | … | 275 | 147 | 83 | 136 | 641 |
| 1972–73 | … | … | 273 | 182 | 84 | 150 | 689 |
| 1973–74 | … | … | 274 | 159 | 92 | 161 | 686 |
| 1974–75 | … | … | 309 | 190 | 114 | 228 | 841 |
| 1975–76 (provisional) | … | … | 395 | 330 | 130 | 340 | 1,195 |
| At constant (1975–76) prices (£ millions) | |||||||
| Retired | Unemployed | Sick | Others | Total | |||
| 1966–67 | … | … | 383 | 69 | 118 | 118 | 688 |
| 1967–68 | … | … | 436 | 140 | 142 | 153 | 871 |
| 1968–69 | … | … | 445 | 161 | 148 | 165 | 919 |
| 1969–70 | … | … | 460 | 151 | 151 | 197 | 959 |
| 1970–71 | … | … | 465 | 167 | 150 | 212 | 994 |
| 1971–72 | … | … | 478 | 255 | 144 | 236 | 1,113 |
| 1972–73 | … | … | 443 | 295 | 136 | 244 | 1,118 |
| 1973–74 | … | … | 402 | 234 | 135 | 236 | 1,007 |
| 1974–75 | … | … | 385 | 236 | 142 | 284 | 1,047 |
| 1975–76 (provisional) | … | … | 395 | 330 | 130 | 340 | 1,195 |
Medicinal Products (Self-Service Sales)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the view of the Medicines Commission on the self-service sales of analgesics and related matters.
The Medicines Commission will, I understand, review at its next meeting the need for a ban on self-service sales of analgesics. It is an independent
I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on this matter in the debate on the Adjournment on 11th April 1975.—[Vol. 909, c. 1695–1706]—My Department has recently issued a circular inviting health authorities to give urgent consideration to introducing this safe and effective measure as part of their preventive health responsibilities. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.
Supplementary Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing expenditure on supplementary benefit, at current and at constant prices, in each year since 1966, and distinguishing between the main categories of recipient.
Following is the information requested:body and I attach great importance to the commission forming a judgment in its own time and in its own way. Therefore, I cannot say when I will receive its advice.
Rochdale Infirmary
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are waiting for first out-patient appointments and how many for treatment, by the plastic surgery department of the Rochdale Infirmary; and what is the waiting time for the last corners on to that waiting list.
On 30th June 1976 there were 102 patients awaiting first outpatient appointments and 280 awaiting treatment of whom 38 were awaiting day-patient treatment and 242 in-patient treatment. Of the 102, 30 had waited less than three months, 24 three to six months, and 48 six to 12 months. Of the 280, 22 had waited less than three months, 23 three to six months, 44 six to 12 months, 87 one to two years and 104 over two years.
Married Couples
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing (a) the number of married couples both of whom are in full-time employment and (b) the total number of married couples in each year since 1945.
The number of married couples in Great Britain, and the number of couples with both husband and wife economically active, as shown by the Censuses of Population of 1961, 1966 and 1971, are as follows:
| All married couples | Married couples with both husband and wife economically active | |
| million | million | |
| 1961 | 12·65 | 3·56 |
| 1966 | 12·66 | 4·63 |
| 1971 | 13·14 | 5·29 |
Mothers
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing the average age of mothers at birth of their first child for each year since 1945.
The average age of women married once only giving birth to a first liveborn child in each year since 1945 is as follows:
| ENGLAND AND WALES | ||||
| Year | Average age (years) | |||
| 1945 | … | … | … | 26·7 |
| 1946 | … | … | … | 26·9 |
| 1947 | … | … | … | 26·5 |
| 1948 | … | … | … | 25·9 |
| 1949 | … | … | … | 25·9 |
| 1950 | … | … | … | 25·8 |
| 1951 | … | … | … | 25·7 |
| 1952 | … | … | … | 25·5 |
| 1953 | … | … | … | 25·4 |
| 1954 | … | … | … | 25·3 |
| 1955 | … | … | … | 25·3 |
| 1956 | … | … | … | 25·1 |
| 1957 | … | … | … | 25·1 |
| 1958 | … | … | … | 25·0 |
| 1959 | … | … | … | 24·9 |
| 1960 | … | … | … | 24·8 |
| 1961 | … | … | … | 24·6 |
| 1962 | … | … | … | 24·5 |
| 1963 | … | … | … | 24·4 |
| 1964 | … | … | … | 24·3 |
| 1965 | … | … | … | 24·1 |
| 1966 | … | … | … | 24·0 |
| 1967 | … | … | … | 23·9 |
| 1968 | … | … | … | 23·8 |
| 1969 | … | … | … | 23·8 |
| 1970 | … | … | … | 23·8 |
| 1971 | … | … | … | 23·9 |
| 1972 | … | … | … | 24·1 |
| 1973 | … | … | … | 24·2 |
| 1974 | … | … | … | 24·4 |
Regional Health Authorities
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has had about restructuring the regional health authorities so that they become directly responsible to the elected representatives of the areas they cover.
None. Regional health authorities are responsible to my right hon. Friend for the discharge of the funcion he entrusts to them. But we are also concerned that the authorities should be responsive to the views of the people of their region. Accordingly from the end of this month the number of regional health authority members drawn from local government will be increased to approximately one-third of the total membership.
Australia Antigen
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the incidence rate of Australia Antigen positive patients within the Merseyside Regional Health Authority.
The incidence could only be determined if the whole population of the region had regular blood tests. The Regional Public Health Laboratory identifies an average of 50 carriers each year in the course of routine tests.
Health Centres
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated total expenditure on health centres in the current financial year; and how this compares with expenditure, at constant prices, in each of the previous five years.
Estimated capital expenditure on health centres in England in 1976–77 is £25·2 million, including site acquisition, fees and equipment. At the same current prices, the estimated expenditure for 1975–76 was £20·5 million, and actual expenditure for 1974–75, £18·5 million. Figures for previous years are not strictly comparable since they are based on the loan consents issued to local authorities, and exclude site acquisition and equipment. On this basis, at current prices, expenditure was £18·7 million in 1973–74, £13·4 million in 1972–73 and £10·2 million in 1971–72.
Invalidity Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will consider ending the automatic loss of invalidity benefit on reaching the age of 70 years; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many recipients of invalidty benefit lose it each year on reaching the age of 70 years.
Invalidity benefit—and sickness benefit—ceases when the beneficiary recovers or when he retires from regular employment or reaches the age when he is deemed to be retired for national insurance purposes—which is 70 for men and 65 for women. At retirement, or deemed retirement if this comes earlier, incapacity benefits are replaced by retirement pension at a rate which includes any invalidity allowance in payment. Precise figures as to the numbers of people receiving invalidity benefit when they reach 70(65) are not available, but it is estimated that the number might be of the order of 2,000.
"Deemed" retirement was provided for because otherwise some people who never retire, such as certain farmers and owners of small businesses, would be unable ever to qualify for the retirement pension for which they had contributed. My hon. Friend no doubt has in mind the fact that invalidity—and sickness—benefit is not taxed because of the very considerable practical problems in the way of taxing incapacity benefits, while retirement pension is taxed. However, to allow retirement pensioners who have been receiving incapacity benefits up to age 70(65) to draw retirement pension tax free, or to continue to receive instead tax-free incapacity benefits, would not be fair to other pensioners whose incomes are no larger. No tax, of course, is payable where an individual's total income, including the national insurance retirement pension, is less than the age allowance for tax purposes.
Dentistry (Schools)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average number of teeth filled per full-time dental officer in the School Dental Service in England and Wales in 1974; and what was the comparable figure for the Macclesfield parliamentary constituency.
An average of 1,901 teeth were filled per dental officer (whole-time equivalent) in the School Dental Service in England and Wales in 1974. No information is available in respect of parliamentary constituencies.
Motor Accident Casualties
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate his Department has made of the probable saving to the Exchequer of charging the full cost of treating vehicle accident victims in National Health Service hospitals to insurance companies.
I have nothing at present to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 22nd July—[Vol. 915, c. 2010–36]—that it is proposed to save a further £20 million in l977–78—£40 million in a full year—by legislation to recoup mainly from insurance companies the full cost to the National Health Service of treating road accident cases The Government will hold immediate consultations with the insurance companies and other interests concerned.
Employment
Unemployed Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the average monthly increase in unemployment in Great Britain since March 1974; and what were the dates of the last period of similar length during which unemployment rose as fast.
Based on seasonally adjusted figures, which exclude school leavers, the average monthly increase between March 1974 and July 1976 in the numbers unemployed in Great Britain was 24,600. Between July 1948, when the current series of unemployment statistics started, and March 1974, there was no period of similar length when this figure was exceeded.
| Sanquhar | … | … | 17·1 |
| Lesmahagow | … | … | 16·6 |
| Stornoway | … | … | 14·5 |
| Campbeltown | … | … | 11·8 |
| Stranraer | … | … | 11·4 |
| Cumbernauld | … | … | 10·9 |
| Kilbirnie | … | … | 10·5 |
| Newton Stewart | … | … | 10·4 |
| Wick | … | … | 10·4 |
| Kilsyth | … | … | 10·0 |
| Irvine | … | … | 9·6 |
| Arbroath | … | … | 9·2 |
| North Lanarkshire | … | … | 9·2 |
| Shotts | … | … | 9·1 |
| Dumbarton | … | … | 8·7 |
Small Businesses (Strikes)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if there is any evidence of an increase in the number of strikes affecting small businesses that affect his policy towards the conclusions reached by the Bolton Report.
I regret that information is not available on the number of industrial stoppages analysed by size of company. Policy on the achievement of a reduction in industrial stoppages does not differentiate between firms in terms of size.
Unemployed Persons (Working Days Lost)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days have been lost in Great Britain as a result of the rise in unemployment since March 1974; and how this figure compares with the number of working days lost as a result of industrial dispute during the same period.
No statistics are available of the number of days lost due to unemployment and not all those who register as unemployed will previously have been economically active. However, if it is assumed that all those who registered would otherwise have been at work during the whole period, then it is estimated that the increase in the number unemployed in Great Britain between s 11th March 1974 and 8th July 1976 would have resulted in the loss of about 170 million working days. Figures for Great Britain for days lost as a result of industrial disputes are not readily available, but for the United Kingdom between March 1974 and May 1976, the latest month for which data is available, the figure was 17,833,000.
Teachers
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make provision under the Job Creation Programme for pilot schemes using unemployed teachers for a day-care programme in surplus school accommodation.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that consideration will be given to any proposals along these lines if the application meets the existing guidelines of the Job Creation Programme.
Employment Office Areas
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employment exchange areas there are in Great Britain; and if he will list the 25 with the highest rate of unemployment and the 25 with the lowest rate of unemployment.
There are 430 employment office or travel-to-work areas in Great Britain for which separate rates of unemployment are calculated. The following table shows the areas with the highest, and lowest, rates of unemployment at 10th June:
| Highest | |||||
| Sanquhar | … | … | … | … | 17·1 |
| Lesmahagow | … | … | … | … | 16·6 |
| Stornoway | … | … | … | … | 14·5 |
| Helston | … | … | … | … | 14·1 |
| Cardigan | … | … | … | … | 13·1 |
| Ormskirk | … | … | … | … | 12·7 |
| Bargoed | … | … | … | … | 12·7 |
| Holyhead | … | … | … | … | 12·5 |
| Redruth | … | … | … | … | 12·2 |
| Lampeter | … | … | … | … | 12·0 |
| Penzance | … | … | … | … | 11·9 |
| Campbeltown | … | … | … | … | 11·8 |
| Sunderland | … | … | … | … | 11·7 |
| Blyth | … | … | … | … | 11·6 |
| Hemsworth | … | … | … | … | 11·5 |
| Stranraer | … | … | … | … | 11·4 |
| Dinnington | … | … | … | … | 11·2 |
| Monmouth | … | … | … | … | 11·2 |
| Rhyl | … | … | … | … | 11·2 |
| Peterlee | … | … | … | … | 11·2 |
| Blaenauffestiniog | … | … | … | … | 11·1 |
| Liverpool | … | … | … | … | 10·9 |
| St. Ives | … | … | … | … | 10·9 |
| Market Drayton | … | … | … | … | 10·9 |
| Cumbernauld | … | … | … | … | 10·9 |
| Lowest | ||||
| Hertford | … | … | … | 2·0 |
| Belper | … | … | … | 2·1 |
| Crawley | … | … | … | 2·3 |
| Coalville | … | … | … | 2·3 |
| Yeadon | … | … | … | 2·3 |
| Dorking | … | … | … | 2·3 |
| Winchester | … | … | … | 2·4 |
| St. Albans | … | … | … | 2·5 |
| Aberdeen | … | … | … | 2·5 |
| Clitheroe | … | … | … | 2·5 |
| Kendal | … | … | … | 2·5 |
| High Wycombe | … | … | … | 2·6 |
| Market Harborough | … | … | … | 2·6 |
| Saffron Walden | … | … | … | 2·7 |
| Rushden | … | … | … | 2·7 |
| Peebles | … | … | … | 2·7 |
| Cambridge | … | … | … | 2·8 |
| Driffield | … | … | … | 2·8 |
| Carmarthen | … | … | … | 2·8 |
| Aylesbury | … | … | … | 2·9 |
| Guildford | … | … | … | 2·9 |
| Slough | … | … | … | 2·9 |
| Skipton | … | … | … | 2·9 |
| Watford | … | … | … | 2·9 |
| Buckingham | … | … | … | 3·0 |
| Matlock | … | … | … | 3·0 |
Wigan
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he can estimate how many jobs have been saved through the introduction of the temporary employment subsidy in the Wigan travel-to-work area.
As at 27th July, 21 applications covering 1,591 jobs had been approved.
Pay Limits
asked the Secretary of State for Employment on how many occasions he has issued guidance in connection with the Remuneration Charges and Grants Act to the effect that the limit of £8,500 applies when earnings are derived from more than one source; and which section of the Act gives force to that guidance.
Section 1 of the Remuneration, Charges and Grants Act provides that any questions arising under that section as to whether remuneration exceeds the limits shall be determined by the Secretary of State. My predecessor made clear to the House on 23rd July 1975 that no one earning £8,500 a year or more should take an increase of any kind in the period of the current policy, and this guideline was published in my Department's "Employment News". Employers have been advised by my Department, on inquiry that the obligation to ensure compliance where earnings are derived from more than one source rests on the individual employee concerned. My Department receives over 2,000 pay policy inquiries by telephone or letter each week and it is not possible to identify the number of inquiries relating to any particular requirement of the policy.
Disabled Persons (Birmingham)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of registered disabled people unemployed in Birmingham at the latest date for which figures are available; and what percentage this figure is of the total registered disabled in the city.
In July 1976, 136 unemployed registered disabled people were registered at Birmingham City employment office.In April 1976, the total annual count of registered disabled people in Birmingham was 2,011. Thus, the percentage of unemployed registered disabled people is 6·7.
Wages
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the level of average industrial wages in each EEC country, at the relevant exchange rates for each year, at the latest date for which information is available, and in each previous year since 1960; and what was the percentage increase each year for each country.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th July 1976; Vol.
| AVERAGE GROSS HOURLY EARNINGS IN MANUFACTURING IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE EEC CONVERTED TO POUNDS STERLING | |||||||||||
| Average Gross hourly earnings in Pounds Sterling1 | |||||||||||
| United Kingdom | |||||||||||
| Males4 | Females5 | Belgium | Denmark | France6 | Germany | Ireland | Italy | Luxembourg | Netherlands | ||
| 1960 | … | 0·32 | 0·18 | n.a. | 0·30 | 0·15 | 0·22 | 0·17 | 0·13 | n.a. | 0·17 |
| 1961 | … | 0·34 | 0·20 | n.a. | 0·33 | 0·16 | 0·25 | 0·18 | 0·14 | n.a. | 0·20 |
| 1962 | … | 0·35 | 0·20 | n.a. | 0·36 | 0·18 | 0·29 | 0·20 | 0·16 | n.a. | 0·22 |
| 1963 | … | 0·37 | 0·21 | n.a. | 0·39 | 0·19 | 0·31 | 0·21 | 0·19 | n.a. | 0·24 |
| 1964 | … | 0·40 | 0·23 | 0·30 | 0·43 | 0·21 | 0·34 | 0·23 | 0·21 | n.a. | 0·27 |
| 1965 | … | 0·44 | 0·25 | 0·32 | 0·48 | 0·22 | 0·37 | 0·24 | 0·22 | 0·46 | 0·30 |
| 1966 | … | 0·46 | 0·27 | 0·35 | 0·54 | 0·23 | 0·40 | 0·27 | 0·23 | 0·48 | 0·33 |
| 1967 | … | 0·48 | 0·28 | 0·37 | 0·58 | 0·25 | 0·41 | 0·29 | 0·25 | 0·49 | 0·35 |
| 1968 | … | 0·52 | 0·30 | 0·45 | 0·72 | 0·32 | 0·50 | 0·32 | 0·30 | 0·61 | 0·44 |
| 1969 | … | 0·60 | 0·32 | 0·50 | 0·78 | 0·34 | 0·58 | 0·36 | 0·33 | 0·65 | 0·49 |
| 1970 | … | 0·64 | 0·37 | 0·56 | 0·88 | 0·35 | 0·68 | 0·42 | 0·40 | 0·75 | 0·56 |
| 1971 | … | 0·72 | 0·42 | 0·64 | 0·99 | 0·39 | 0·78 | 0·49 | 0·47 | 0·82 | 0·66 |
| 1972 | … | 0·82 | 0·49 | 0·83 | 1·17 | 0·46 | 0·91 | 0·56 | 0·54 | 1·03 | 0·79 |
| 1973 | … | 0·93 | 0·56 | 1·12 | 1·67 | 0·65 | 1·23 | 0·69 | 0·68 | 1·36 | 1·16 |
| 1974 | … | 1·12 | 0·73 | 1·39 | 1·98 | 0·75 | 1·48 | 0·83 | 0·807 | 1·69 | n.a. |
| 1975 | … | 1·40 | 0·93 | 1·80 | n.a. | n.a. | 1·78 | 1·10 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Annual Percentage Increase2 | |||||||||||
| United Kingdom | |||||||||||
| Males4 | Females5 | Belgium | Denmark | France | Germany | Ireland | Italy | Luxembourg | Netherlands | ||
| 1960 | … | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1961 | … | 6·3 | 6·6 | n.a | 12·2 | 7·9 | 13·4 | 7·9 | 7·5 | n.a. | 19·2 |
| 1962 | … | 4·1 | 4·6 | n.a. | 9·1 | 7·9 | 13·4 | 11·2 | 14·7 | n.a. | 10·0 |
| 1963 | … | 4·5 | 4·4 | n.a. | 8·3 | 9·0 | 7·6 | 5·6 | 17·1 | n.a. | 7·3 |
| 1964 | … | 7·6 | 7·0 | n.a. | 9·5 | 7·8 | 8·7 | 11·0 | 10·9 | n.a. | 15·3 |
| 1965 | … | 10·1 | 9·2 | 7·1 | 11·4 | 5·3 | — | 5·2 | 3·8 | n.a. | 8·9 |
| 1966 | … | 5·5 | 6·4 | 10·1 | 13·0 | 5·9 | 7·3 | 11·9 | 4·1 | 4·1 | 10·3 |
| 1967 | … | 4·5 | 4·5 | 6·9 | 8·3 | 5·6 | 4·5 | 5·5 | — | 2·5 | 8·6 |
| 1968 | … | 6·8 | 6·9 | 21·2 | 22·4 | 30·6 | 21·0 | 10·8 | 21·6 | 24·3 | 24·6 |
| 1969 | … | — | — | 10·6 | 9·5 | 4·7 | 15·6 | — | 9·4 | 7·1 | 11·8 |
| 1970 | … | 15·2 | 15·9 | 11·8 | 11·7 | 5·1 | 17·8 | 17·8 | 23·6 | 14·6 | 14·0 |
| 1971 | … | 11·8 | 13·5 | 15·4 | 12·9 | 9·4 | 14·7 | 15·8 | 15·4 | 9·2 | 17·8 |
| 1972 | … | 14·0 | 15·7 | 28·6 | 18·8 | 20·0 | 16·1 | 13·8 | 16·1 | 26·1 | 20·1 |
| 1973 | … | 13·2 | 15·8 | — | 42·2 | — | — | 22·9 | 25·4 | 32·6 | 46·3 |
| 1974 | … | 20·1 | 28·9 | 23·9 | 18·4 | 15·3 | 20·4 | 20·8 | 17·7 | 23·9 | n.a. |
| 1975 | … | 25·4 | 27·9 | 29·4 | n.a. | n.a. | 20·4 | 32·8 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
916, c. 79], gave the following information:
For each member country of the EEC, the attached table gives the average gross hourly earnings in manufacturing industries for each year since 1960, and the percentage annual increase. The earnings are expressed in pounds sterling, converted on the basis of foreign exchange rates prevailing in the periods to which the earnings data relate. The comparisons are considerably affected by fluctuating market exchange rates and to a lesser extend by differences in the way countries compile the data.
Currency Exchange Rates3
| ||||||||||
£1 equals
| ||||||||||
Belgium Francs
| Denmark Crowns
| France Francs
| Germany Marks
| Italy Lira
| Luxembourg Francs
| Netherlands Guilders
| ||||
| 1960 | … | … | … | — | 19·35 | 13·77 | 11·71 | 1,743 | — | 10·60 |
| 1961 | … | … | … | — | 19·34 | 13·75 | 11·43 | 1,740 | — | 10·15 |
| 1962 | … | … | … | — | 19·39 | 13·76 | 11·22 | 1,743 | — | 10·09 |
| 1963 | … | … | … | — | 19·33 | 13·72 | 11·16 | 1,740 | — | 10·08 |
| 1964 | … | … | … | 138·1 | 19·29 | 13·68 | 11·10 | 1,743 | — | 10·02 |
| 1965 | … | … | … | 139·2 | 19·35 | 13·70 | 11·17 | 1,747 | 139·2 | 10·09 |
| 1966 | … | … | … | 139·6 | 19·30 | 13·72 | 11·17 | 1,744 | 139·6 | 10·10 |
| 1967 | … | … | … | 138·1 | 19·33 | 13·73 | 11·12 | 1,741 | 138·1 | 10·01 |
| 1968 | … | … | … | 120·3 | 17·94 | 11·85 | 9·56 | 1,492 | 120·3 | 8·70 |
| 1969 | … | … | … | 119·4 | 17·96 | 12·58 | 9·11 | 1,499 | 119·4 | 8·60 |
| 1970 | … | … | … | 118·5 | 17·91 | 13·24 | 8·74 | 1,502 | 118·5 | 8·59 |
| 1971 | … | … | … | 116·6 | 18·10 | 13·47 | 8·52 | 1,511 | 116·6 | 8·36 |
| 1972 | … | … | … | 105·8 | 16·98 | 12·61 | 7·97 | 1,459 | 105·8 | 7·76 |
| 1973 | … | … | … | 88·84 | 13·99 | 10·90 | 6·54 | 1,426 | 88·84 | 6·07 |
| 1974 | … | … | … | 89·91 | 14·23 | 11·25 | 6·05 | 1,522 | 89·91 | — |
| 1975 | … | … | … | 80·06 | — | — | 5·45 | — | — | — |
Notes:
1. The earnings data for United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands relate to October of each year; the figures for Ireland relate to October of each year up to 1968 and September from 1969 onwards; the Denmark figures refer to the period July to September of each year; the data for France, Germany and Italy represent annual averages.
2. Where there has been a change in the basis of a series between successive years, denoted by a black bar between the figures, the percentage increase is not shown.
3. The exchange rate relates to the same period as the earnings data. For 1967 the exchange rate for France, Germany and Italy is based on the average of the period from January to November.
4. Aged 21 years and over.
5. Aged 18 years and over.
6. Wage rates.
7. Provisional figures.
n.a. equals Not available.
Source: Earnings data—ILO Year Books of Labour Statistics.
Exchange rates—Bank of England.
Employment Offices (Scotland)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish a list of the local employment exchange areas in Scotland, specifying which parliamentary constituency or constituencies each one serves.
pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th July 1976; Vol.
| ESA LOCAL OFFICES AREAS WITHIN PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES | |||
| Parliamentary Constituency | Local Offices within Constituency W(Wholly), M (Mainly), P (Partly) | ||
| 1. Aberdeenshire, East | … | … | Fraserburgh (W), Peterhead (W), Aberdeen (P) |
| 2. Aberdeenshire, West | … | … | Huntly (W), Inverurie (W), Aberdeen (M) |
| 3. Aberdeen, North | … | … | Aberdeen (P) |
| 4. Aberdeen, South | … | … | Aberdeen (P) |
| 5. Angus, North and Mearns | … | … | Aberdeen (P), Stonehaven (W), Brechin (W), Montrose (W), Arbroath (P) |
| 6. Angus, South | … | … | Forfar (W), Arbroath (M), Carnoustie (W), Dundee (M) |
| 7. Argyll | … | … | Oban (M), Lochgilphead (W), Donoon (W), Rothesay (P). Campbeltown (W), Fort William (P) |
| 8. Ayr | … | … | Ayr (P), Kilmarnock (P) |
| 9. Ayrshire, Central | … | … | Kilbirnie (P), Dairy (W), Kilwinning (W), Irvine (W) |
| 10. Ayrshire, South | … | … | Cunnock (W), Ayr (M), Girvan (W) |
| 11. Banff | … | … | Buckie (W), Banff (W) |
| 12. Berwick and East Lothian | … | … | Musselburgh (P), Tranent (W), Haddington (W), Fyemouth (W), Galashiels (P), Kelso (P) |
| 13. Bothwell | … | … | Bellshill (W), Uddingston (M), Airdrie (P), Coalbridge (P), Motherwell (P), Parkhead (P) |
916, c. 82], gave the following information:
The Manpower Services Commission the has provided me with the following list of the Employment Service Agency's local areas by Scottish parliamentary constituencies. Local office boundaries are not coincident with those for parliamentary constituencies, and the list indicates the extent to which each local office area falls within each constituency.
Parliamentary Constituency
| Local Offices within Constituency W (Wholly), M (Mainly), P (Partly)
|
| 14. Bute and North Ayrshire | Rothesay (P), Largs (W), Saltcoats (M) |
| 15. Caithness and Sutherland | Wick (W), Thurso (W) |
| 16. Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire | Alloa (M), Falkirk (M), Grangemouth (P), Linlithgow (P) |
| 17. Coatbridge and Airdrie | Coatbridge (P), Airdrie (P) |
| 18. Dumfries | Sanauhar (W), Dumfries (M), Annan (W), Lockerbie (W), Hawick (P) |
| 19. Dunbartonshire, East | Cumbernauld (W), Kilsyth (P), Kirkintilloch (P), Maryhill (P) |
| 20. Dunbartonshire, Central | Dunbarton (P), Clydebank (P), Maryhill (P) |
| 21. Dunbartonshire, West | Helensburgh (W), Alexandria (W), Dumbarton (P) |
| 22. Dundee, East | Dundee (P) |
| 23. Dundee, West | Dundee (P) |
| 24. Dunfermline | Alloa (P), Dunfermline (W), Burntisland (P), Cowdenbeath (P), Inverkeithing (W) |
| 25. East Kilbride | East Kilbride (P), Uddingston (P), Blantyre (W), Glasgow SS (P), Hamilton (P) |
| 26. Edinburgh, Central | Edinburgh (P) |
| 27. Edinburgh, East | Portobello (W), Musselburgh (P), Edinburgh (P), Leith (P) |
| 28. Edinburgh, Leith | Leith (P) |
| 29. Edinburgh, North | Edinburgh (P), Leith (P) |
| 30. Edinburgh, Pentlands | Edinburgh (P) |
| 31. Edinburgh, South | Edinburgh (P) |
| 32. Edinburgh, West | Edinburgh (P) |
| 33. Fife, Central | Cowdenbeath (P), Glenrothes (W), Leven (P), Kirkcaldy (P) |
| 34. Fife, East | Cupar (W), Leven (M), St. Andrews (W), Dundee (P) |
| 35. Galloway | Dumfries (P), Castle Douglas (W), Newton Stewart (W), Stranraer (W) |
| 36. Glasgow, Cathcart | Shawlands (P) |
| 37. Glasgow, Central | Glasgow Central (P) |
| 38. Glasgow, Craigton | Hillington (P), Govan (M), Shawlands (P) |
| 39. Glasgow, Carscadden | Clydebank (P), Partick (P) |
| 40. Glasgow, Govan | Hillington (P), Govan (P), Kinning Park (P) |
| 41. Glasgow, Hillhead | Partick (P), Maryhill (P) |
| 42. Glasgow, Kelvingrove | Maryhill (P), Partick (P), Glasgow Central (P) |
| 43. Glasgow, Maryhill | Maryhill (P), Springburn (P) |
| 44. Glasgow, Pollok | Shawlands (P), Barrhead (P) |
| 45. Glasgow, Provan | Parkhead (P), Springburn (P), Easterhouse (W) |
| 46. Glasgow, Queens Park | Shawlands (P) |
| 47. Glasgow, Shettleston | Glasgow Centre (P), Parkhead (P) |
| 48. Glasgow, Springburn | Springburn (P), Parkhead (P) |
| 49. Greenock and Port Glasgow | Greenock (P), Port Glasgow(P) |
| 50. Hamilton | Hamilton (P), Larkhall (P) |
| 51. Inverness | Portree (W), Fort William (P), Inverness (P) |
| 52. Kilmarnock | Kilmarnock (M) |
| 53. Kinross and West Perthshire | Perth (P), Crieff (W), Stirling (P), Cowdenbeath (M) |
| 54. Kirkcaldy | Kirkcaldy (P), Burntisland (P), Leven (P), Cowdenbeath (P) |
| 55. Lanark | Lanark (W), Carluke (W), Lesmahagow (W), Larkhall (P), Wishaw (P) |
| 56. Lanarkshire, North | Shotts (W), Wishaw (P), Airdrie (M), Motherwell (P), Coatbridge (P), Kirkintilloch (P), Parkhead (P), Springburn (P) |
| 57. Midlothian | Dalkeith (W), Livingston (M), West Calder (W), Musselburgh (P), Penicuik (P), Edinburgh (P), Broxburn (P), Loanhead (P), Galashiels (P) |
| 58. Moray and Nairn | Nairn (W), Forres (W), Grantown-on-Spey (W), Elgin (W) |
| 59. Motherwell and Wishaw | Motherwell (P), Wishaw (P) |
| 60. Orkney and Shetland | Kirkwall (W), Lerwick (W) |
| 61. Paisley | Barrhead (P), Paisley (P), Renfrew (P) |
| 62. Perth and East Perthshire | Blairgowrie (W), Perth (M), Dundee (P) |
| 63. Renfrewshire, East | Barrhead (M), Shawlands (M), Johnstone (P), Paisley (P) |
| 64. Renfrewshire, West | Greenock (M), Port Glasgow (W), Johnstone (M), Paisley (P), Renfrew (P), Kilbirnie (P) |
| 65. Ross and Cromarty | Inverness (P), Dingwall (W), Invergordon (W) |
| 66. Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles | Galashiels (M), Peebles (W), Hawick (M), Kelso (M) |
| 67. Rutherglen | Cambuslang (W), Rutherglen (W), Parkhead (P), Uddingston (P), East Kilbride (P), Shawlands (P) |
| 68. Stirlingshire, West | Stirling (P), Maryhill (P), Kirkintilloch (M), Kilsyth (P), Denny (W), Falkirk (P) |
| 69. Stirling, Falkirk and Grangemouth | Stirling (P), Falkirk (P), Grangemouth (P) |
| 70. Western Isles. | Stornoway (W) |
| 71. West Lothian | Bathgate (W), Bo'ness (W), Broxburn (M), Linlithgow (M), Livingston (P) |