asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish guidelines for the exercise of financial control by water authorities.

Guidelines for the exercise of financial control by water authorities are contained in the Water Act 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans for closing down the Location of Offices Bureau.

My right hon. Friend is still considering the suggestions made on the Location of Offices Bureau in the Office Location Review, published in April 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will arrange for a special independent investigation into the special payments being made to a selected few of the higher paid executives of the Thames Water Authority; and to what extent cuts in these payments would be in accord with the Government's declared policy of reducing expenditure in public authorities.

No. It would be wrong for me to comment on matters which are now being examined by the district auditor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the expenditure of £1 million by the Thames Water Authority to a selected few of its top paid executives to see to what extent these special payments are contrary to the Government's social contract.

I understand that the auditor is at present examining the accounts of the Thames Water Authority. In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the retirement dates of the members appointed by him to the Northumbrian Water Authority.

Members appointed to this water authority by the then Secretary of State complete their term of office on 31st December 1976. The chairman's period of appointment expires on 30th September 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Press officers there are in his Department; and how this compares with the position 12 months ago.

As at 1st November 1976 there were 16 members of staff employed exclusively on Press Officer duties in my Department. This compares with 27 in November 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment of the total number of Press officers in his Department 12 months ago, how many of those were solely responsible for transport affairs.

At 1st November 1975 there were 27 members of staff employed exclusively on Press officer duties in my Department. Of these, nine were solely responsible for transport affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he was consulted by the judo, bowls and karate teams who have recently been touring South Africa about the desirability of such visits; and, if so, what advice he gave.

I was not consulted about these tours. The governing bodies of all sports in this country are aware of the Government's policy on sporting contacts with South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given on the effect that tours of South Africa by various British sports teams could have on the proposed Commonwealth Games in Canada in 1978 to the various controlling bodies of sport in this country.

The Government's policy on sporting contacts with South Africa was set out in a statement to the House by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 4th December 1974, and was subsequently drawn to the attention of the governing bodies of sport. I expect these bodies, when taking decisions concerning contacts with South Africa, to bear in mind the wider implications of their actions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any contribution was made from public funds, and what was the overall cost to public funds, to the recent tours by judo, bowls and karate teams to South Africa; and what proportion of the total cost of the tours this represented.

No contribution was made from public funds towards the cost of these tours.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what annual contribution is made from public funds to the national bodies sponsoring judo, bowls and karate in the United Kingdom.

The total amount of Sports Council grants to the bodies concerned in 1975–76 was:

	£
British Judo Association	17,811
English Bowling Association	6,897
British Karate Control Commission	25,964

Details of grants, if any, given to these bodies by other sports councils would be a matter for the appropriate Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department consulted the Agrement Board before publishing his recent circular on the U-value testing of slotted concrete blocks; whether the Agrement Board indicated in that consultation that it disagreed with some of the technical advice given; and what action was taken to resolve the conflict of view in advance of the publication of the circular.

It is not customary to consult the Agrement Board before issuing advice of this sort but the Department's circular letter was issued after reference to the Building Regulations Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has now received from the Agrement Board details of its published criticisms on technical grounds of the Department of the Environment circular advising local authorities on the U-value testing of slotted concrete blocks; whether, in the light of those criticisms, he proposes to amend his circular; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. We have told the Board that we consider its preferred method of calculation could exclude products that in fact conform with the requirements of the building regulations. There is no accepted precise method of calculation and we do not propose to alter the basis of our advice, although we shall be issuing a corrigendum dealing with minor errors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend paragraph 19(3)(b) of the Rate Rebate Regulations 1974, to provide that a ratepayer need apply for a rebate once only in the course of a single financial year.

No. The need for ratepayers not of pensionable age to apply for rebates at more frequent intervals than a year enables the rebate to be more closely matched to their current circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the potential danger to the water supply, he will investigate the tipping of toxic wastes and the need to fluoridate the public water supply to the constituents of the hon. Member for St. Helens and the St. Helens Borough Council areas as a whole; whether clinical tests show a necessity to add fluoride to the public water supply in the said area, and what the cost will be to his Department.

I see no reason to investigate the tipping of toxic wastes in my hon. Friend's constituency. The licensing system for waste disposal sites recently introduced under the control of Pollution Act 1974 gives waste disposal authorities—in England, the county coun- cils—wide powers to ensure that waste is not disposed of in such a manner as to pose a threat to water supplies. Consultation with the relevant water authority is statutorily required before a licence can be granted. Questions on the need for fluoridation and its cost are for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage of owner-occupation in each first and second generation new town and for all first and second generation new towns to the latest available date.

The latest available information is that of the 1971 Census. In April 1971 the percentages were as follows:

Aycliffe	3·7
Basildon	11·0
Bracknell	18·0
Corby	9·7
Crawley	27·9
Harlow	11·1
Hatfield	16·7
Hemel Hempstead	26·8
Peterlee	3·8
Redditch	39·8
Runcorn	44·0
Skelmersdale	19·8
Stevenage	12·3
Telford (previously Dawley)	41·1
Washington	26·1
Welwyn Garden City	21·3
All first-and second-generation towns	22·0

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the financial deficit or surplus on housing revenue account for each new town and for all new towns to the latest available date.

The housing accounts of the English new towns are published annually in the reports of the development corporations and the report of the Commission for the New Towns. Copies are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage of owner-occupation in each of the third generation new towns in their respective expansion areas and excluding the original towns partnered with them.

The latest available information is that of the 1971 Census. In April 1971 the percentages of owner-occupation in each of the third-generation new towns were as follows:

Central Lancashire	63·6
Milton Keynes	49·8
Northampton	61·6
Peterborough	55·1
Warrington	57·2
All third-generation towns:	59·8

Figures excluding the original towns are not readily available, but I will send them to the hon. Member as soon as they are compiled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the total sums of money spent on the Palace of Westminster and its precincts during the last year, five years and 10 years, respectively.

In 1975–76 my Department spent £4·2 million on buildings used for parliamentary purposes. I regret that figures for earlier years are not readily available. I shall write o the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of hostel places or other residential places to cater for the needs of young homeless people in London.

It is not possible to say how many places are available specifically for homeless people under the age of 21. Some information is contained in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys" report "Hostels and Lodgings for Single People". I shall write to the hon. Member about this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of the number of homeless people under the age of 21 years in London; and what is the breakdown of that figure in terms of age and sex.

The figures from the new system of collecting information about homeless people published recently show that in the first six months of 1975 local authorities in London accepted re- sponsibility for 6,280 homeless households, of which 2 per cent, were households consisting of one person of working age. It is not at present possible to break this down further. No data are at present available on homeless single people who do not come to the attention of local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has an estimate of the amount of money spent by each local authority on support for the arts.

I have been asked to reply.Information about expenditure by each local authority is not available. A special survey mounted by the Arts Council of Great Britain in respect of 1972–73 concluded that local authority expenditure in England totalled between £14·7 million and £15·7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the present liabilities of the National Freight Corporation to him; and by how much, taking those liabilities into account, the liabilities of the NFC exceed its net assets.

As shown in the corporation's consolidated balance sheet as at 31st December 1975, capital liabilities to the Secretary of State amounted to £154 million. These liabilities together with debentures and loans of subsidiaries and minority interests totalled £164·6 million, which exceeded net assets—defined as fixed plus current assets less current liabilities and provisions—by £104·4 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many Press officers there are in his Department.

Eight.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of roads have been closed for economic reasons since 1950; what is the estimated programme of road closure for the ensuing 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

None, to the best of my knowledge.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to ensure that the increasing network of roads designated for lorry transport are adequately signposted so as to differentiate between inter-town advisory routes and major through routes.

Apart from one experimental scheme, there are no routes positively designated for use by lorries. The Government are currently considering the possibility of a national lorry routes network following consultations on the basis of a discussion paper issued in January. In the meantime, our advice continues to be that lorries should keep to the motorways and primary routes for which a uniform and distinctive signing system is already in use. Local authorities have wide powers under existing legislation to control the movement and parking of vehicles of all kinds, including lorries on roads for which they are the traffic authority. At present this is achieved by traffic regulation orders and the appropriate signs restricting entry to particular roads.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost of altering the computer at the Driving and Vehicle Licence Centre at Swansea to include a kidney donor authority on the licence.

No estimate of cost has been prepared, given that there are good and sufficient reasons why driving licences should not be used in this way. But my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for Health and Social Security are considering the implications of sending out donor cards with first provisional driving licences as an alternative.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in the Official Report the following information covering the Launceston bypass on the A30: the cost of construction, the cost of labour, the number of man/weeks worked, the number of man/weeks worked by local labour, the balance of payments cost of all imported machinery and energy, respectively, used directly in the construction work and the total capital cost of all machinery used; and what proportion of this was made in Great Britain.

The tender price accepted was £5·56 million. Final construction costs will not be available for some time. The remainder of the information requested is either unavailable or could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in the Official Report the following information concerning the St. Columb bypass, on the A39: the cost of construction, the cost of labour, the number of man/weeks worked in total and by local labour, the balance of payments cost of all imported machinery and energy, respectively, used directly in the construction work and the total capital cost of all machinery used; and what proportion of this was made in Great Britain.

The accepted tender for this scheme is £1·22 million. The final construction costs will not be known until after the work is complete. The remaining information requested is not available or could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when, having regard to the accident rate on that piece of road, he expects to give his decision on the imposition of a 50 mph speed limit on the A50, Markfield Road, Groby section, as applied for by the county council.

By 22nd November 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a substantial payment to West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council in respect of 50 balances outstanding on approved road schemes.

As soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, in view of pollution in the United Kingdom, if he will extend regulations covering requirements to prevent ozone pollution in motor manufacturing to cover cars for the home market in the way now applicable to cars for export.

Regulations applying to vehicles for export apply also to those for the home market, although some countries with severe pollution problems set more stringent standards than are necessary for the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has received for electriying the railway line between Bedford and St. Pancras.

The Railways Board has proposed a major investment scheme to electrify the Bedford-St. Pancras route. I have approved this today. The scheme includes electrification, new trains and improvements to track and signalling at a cost of over £80 million The main London terminal for the electrified services will be at Moorgate. The work is planned to be completed by 1982 and will result in faster, more frequent and more reliable services on this route to central London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for extradition have been made to Irish courts since 1968; of these how many were made in connection with terrorist offences; how many were refused in lower courts; how many granted; and of the latter how many were rejected on appeal to the High Court in Dublin.

I regret that this information is not available for England and Wales. Arrangements have, however, recently been made to obtain regular information from the police about current extradition traffic between England and Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's policy on length of prison sentences, in view of the remarks made to the Magistrates' Association by the Lord Chancellor on 15th October.

The choice of sentence, within the limits of the powers conferred by Parliament, is a matter for the discretion of the courts and not one of Government policy in the sense in which that term is usually understood. In addressing the annual meeting of the Magistrates' Association in his capacity as President of the Association, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, with my full support, put forward for consideration the view that prison sentences within the range of the powers of magistrates' courts must realistically be seen as primarily deterrent in purpose, and that the deterrent effect of such sentences may well be achieved within quite a short period.The full text of my noble and learned Friend's address has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will report on the law relating to charitable status.

Before coming to any conclusions about the law relating to charitable status we would prefer to study the report, expected in December of this year, of the committee set up by the National Council of Social Service. We shall consider this in the light of the recommendations already made in the Tenth Report from the Expenditure Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what inquiries into the use of animals in experiments have been conducted by or on behalf of his Department and completed during the last two years; what their terms of reference were; and what reports have been received from them;(2) what inquiries are currently being conducted by or on behalf of his Department into the use of animals in experiments; what are their terms of reference; and when he expects to receive reports from them.

No such inquiries have been or are being conducted, but every holder of a licence issued under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 is required to send to my right hon. Friend each year a report on the number and nature of the experiments he has performed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for ex gratia compensation to be made to Mr. Donald Sylvester Benjamin in respect of the time he has spent in prison after a conviction for rape which has been quashed and in respect of which he has now been acquitted; if proceedings for perjury are to be instituted against the witness who has now admitted she lied at Mr. Benjamin's first trial; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Benjamin was acquitted following a retrial ordered by the Court of Appeal, to whom my predecessor had referred the case under Section 17(1) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968. An application for an ex gratia payment was received on 3rd November and is being considered. It is for the chief officer of police concerned to decide whether or not to institute proceedings against any person who may have committed a criminal offence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether all fire authorities in England and Wales are subject to the 1963 directives on criteria for fire risk areas; and whether any modifications of these directives have been sought or approved under any economy measures;(2) what inquiries, if any, he has ordered into the decision of any fire authorities to withdraw any stations as economy measures in breach of the 1963 directives to fire authorities;(3) whether the Government have any plans for establishing new criteria for fire risk areas.

Statutory responsibility for providing fire cover rests with the fire authority concerned. In 1958 the Home Office recommended to fire authorities in England and Wales the standards of fire cover that should apply according to the category of risk of the area concerned; supplementary guidance to assist with assessing risk categories was issued in 1974. No modifications have been made to the 1958 standards, nor have we any plans to modify them or establish new criteria. A fire authority may not close a fire station without my approval. No proposals to close any fire stations as an economy measure have been made to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of sentences of imprisonment were imposed for indictable firearms offences with air weapons in 1974 and in 1975;

PERSONS SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT—PROPORTION CONVICTED OF INDICTABLE FIREARM OFFENCES UNDER THE FIREARMS ACT 1968
		Air Weapons Percentage	All Firearms Percentage
Wounding and other acts endangering life involving a firearm	…	—	0·09
Malicious wounding and other like offences involving a firearm	…	0·03	0·15
Total		0·03	0·24

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been collected by the courts in fines for the years 1974, 1975 and 1976, respectively.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) on 27th October.—[Vol. 917, c. 213.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much in fines has been imposed on young offenders under the age of 17 years for the years 1974, 1975 and 1976.

I regret that the information is not available. The number of persons under the age of 17 who were fined by the courts in England and Wales was 56,850 in 1974 and 56,566 in 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is outstanding in unpaid fines for the years 1974, 1975 and 1976; and what steps he proposes to take to see that these fines are paid.

Outside the inner London area—for which figures are not available—the amount of fines outstanding in England and Wales on 31st March 1976 was £17,818,896. This figure includes fines not yet due for payment because the time for payment had not expired. The corresponding figures at 31st March in the two previous years were £12,800,148 and £10,436,914.

Information for 1974 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The figures for 1975 relating to indictable offences follow:The enforcement of fines is a matter for the courts, which have several methods, including the threat of imprisonment and distress upon goods, available to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which immigration rule permits a visitor to the United Kingdom to commence work on a self-employment basis; and if this means he avoids the necessity of obtaining a work permit.

A self-employed person does not require a work permit.Paragraphs 19 and 20 of the Immigration Rules for Control after Entry: E.E.C. and Other non-Commonwealth Nationals (House of Commons Paper 1972–73, No. 82) and the equivalent paragraphs in the rules about Commonwealth citizens indicate the grounds upon which people admitted as visitors may apply for consent to remain as business men or self-employed persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been detained under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act at the latest date for which figures are available; how many have been subsequently charged with offences; and with what offences they have been charged.

2,101 people have been detained in Great Britain under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1976 up to 2nd November. An extension of detention under Section 7 of the 1974 Act or Section 12 of the 1976 Act has been approved in 241 cases; a further 483 people were detained for 48 hours on less. 1,377 people have been detained pending further examination at ports under the supplemental orders made under the Acts. 101 people detained under the Acts have been charged with offences in Great Britain. Ten of them have been charged with offences under the Acts. Eight of the remainder have been charged with murder, three with attempted murder, 12 with conspiracy to cause explosions, seven with unlawful possession of explosives, six with conspiracy to possess or procure explosives with intent to endanger life, six with contravention of Section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968, five with conspiracy to defraud the Inland Revenue, 16 with theft, one with robbery, eighth with burglary, one with assisting offenders, two with causing criminal damage, two with attempting criminal deception, one with handling a stolen vehicle, three with handling stolen property, one with unlawful wounding, one with possession of drugs, three with wasting police time, one with causing an explosion, one with harbouring a person known to have committed an arrestable offence, one with attempted theft, one with assault on the police, and one with being found on enclosed premises. In addition, three people have been returned to the Irish Republic and there charged, two with burglary and one with robbery. Seven people have been returned to Northern Ireland and there charged, one with conspiracy to cause an explosion, three with armed robbery, two with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and one with unlawful possession of explosives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been charged with offences under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act at the latest date for which figures are available; and under which sections of the Act the charges have been brought.

Seven people have been charged in Great Britain with offences under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976; two under Section 10(1)(a) and Section 10(2), two under Section 10(1)(a), one under Section 1(1)(b), one under Section 9(1) and one under Section 9(2)(a).Three people were charged in Great Britain under Section 1(1)(

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been served with exclusion orders under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act at the latest date for which figures are available; how many have been deported to: (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the Republic of Ireland; how many have appealed against exclusion orders; and how many appeals have been successful.

My predecessor and I have made 91 exclusion orders under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1976. Notice of the making of an exclusion order has been served on 83 people, 77 of whom were removed, 55 to Northern Ireland and 22 to the Irish Republic. Nineteen of the 83 made representations objecting to the order and my predecessor revoked the order in five of these 19 cases. One case is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases he has refused an extension of five days to the police for holding of a suspect under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list showing, in relation to charges brought against suspects initially held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act: (a) how many were dropped before the case was heard and which charges were involved; (b) how many charges have led to unsuccessful prosecution and which charges were involved, and (c) how many charges led to successful prosecution, what sentences were imposed and which charges were involved.

No, for the reason given in my reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 11th October.—[Vol. 375, c. 43–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of the Irish Republic previously deported from the United Kingdom were detected in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years.

The available information, which relates to the number of citizens of the Republic of Ireland deported from the United Kingdom under a deportation order made and enforced on a previous occasion, is as follows:

1973	39
1974	45
1975	79
1976*	22
* to 30th September

Deportees who return from the Republic of Ireland and are deported again on a new order are not separately identifiable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the functions and duties of the National Television Licence Records Office; and how long this office has been in existence;(2) how many people were sent forms BRL 05 1–76 by the National Television Licence Records Office in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many people failed to complete and return these forms; and what action was taken against those people who failed to return these forms;(3) if he has any plans to issue a direction to the National Television Licence Records Office instructing it to cease issuing forms requiring information from people who do not possess a television licence or a television set;(4) by what authority the National Television Licence Records Office issue forms for completion by individuals who do not possess a television licence;(5) what was the cost to public funds in the last financial year for which figures are available, of the National Television Licence Records Office;(6) how many people are employed at the National Television Records Office.

The National Television Licence Records Office, a part of the Post Office which acts as our agent in the administration of the television licensing system, was set up in Bristol in February 1972 and currently employs a total of 632 Post Office staff. It collects television licence fees and carries out licence record and inquiry work on our behalf under the powers in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. It maintains a list of households showing whether or not there is a television licence in force and inquiry letters are sent from time to time to apparently unlicensed addresses to help combat licence fee evasion.During the 12 months to August 1976 form BRL 05 1–76, which is a follow-up inquiry letter, was sent by the Records Office to about 1 million people, of whom just under half failed to respond. When no reply is received, a visit from a Post Office inquiry officer is likely to follow. That could lead to a prosecution, if it were established that a television set was being used without a licence. This routine check helps to keep down the cost of the licensing system and licence fees and maintains the fairness of the system for the great majority who pay their licence fees, by identifying unlicensed users. We have no plans to instruct the Records Office to cease issuing these forms.The total cost of the Records Office for 1975–76 was £6·7 million, which was met from the television licence revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will ensure that the Medical Research Council sets up a working part to review the problem of migraine in more detail.

The Medical Research Council is shortly to consider its policy on the support of research into migraine. It will have available the report of two representatives who recently attended an international symposium convened by the Migraine Trust.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children attended schools in the county of Northumberland during the school year ended August 1976; what percentage took school dinners and what percentage of pupils taking dinners received them free of charge; and how these figures compare with the corresponding figures for each of the last four years.

Year (October)					Pupils in attendance	Percentage of pupils in attendance taking school dinners	Percentage of pupils taking school dinners who receive them free of charge
1971	…	…	…	…	82,658	69·2	20·1
1972	…	…	…	…	82,398	74·3	19·1
1973	…	…	…	…	86,767	76·5	16·8
1974	…	…	…	…	48,554	85·9	12·8
1975	…	…	…	…	48,872	84·8	11·7

NOTES:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the funding of recent events such as the Amazing Professor Crump, Fork-beard Fantasy and the John Bull Puncture Repair Kit as being examples of "performance art", she will seek to amend the basis upon which the Arts Council is allowed to spend its grant so as to produce a greater degree of departmental control on the Council's spending; and if she will make a statement.

No. The Arts Council of Great Britain is an independent body operating under Royal Charter. It assesses regularly the artistic activities that it subsidises, including performance art—which receives in total 0·2 per cent, of the Council's grant-in-aid—in order to decide whether they should continue to be supported.The Chairman has recently emphasised that the Council must be satisfied that grant-aided activities contain an element of vision, imagination or insight which validates them as attempts to create works of art. My right hon. Friend and my noble Friend are convinced that the Arts Council is the right body to make such judgments, under the provisions of its charter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if her

Statistics relating to school attendance and the take-up of school meals in maintained schools in Northumberland are as follows:reply to the recommendations of the Expenditure Committee concerning policy making in her Department will explain why, since 1968, her Department has disregarded the mandatory provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of the Education Act 1944.

The Government will make a comprehensive reply to the recommendations of the Expenditure Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what documents she has received in respect of the forthcoming meeting of EEC Education Ministers; and what are the specific items on the agenda.

The Education Ministers will consider the Education Committee's report on the transition from school to working life and a draft resolution arising from it. The text of the draft resolution has been deposited in Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the reply to the hon. Member for Ripon on 12th July 1976, she intends to raise approximately an additional £50 million at 1976 survey prices by the end of the financial year 1978–79 from student tuition fees; and what she estimates this will represent in per capita fees at 1976 survey prices.

My right hon. Friend has not yet concluded her discussions about the fee levels proposed for the 1977–78 academic year, so it is too soon to say anything about those for 1978–79.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will

	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976‡
Professional staff*	179	187	199	207	204	213	215
Other staff†	439	455	479	494	486	495	494
Total	618	642	678	701	690	708	709
* Professional staff include curatorial and other museum grades.
† Other staff include administration, warding, ancillary and industrial grades.
† Forecast complement for 1977 is 720. Cuts to the Civil Service will reduce this to 639 by 1st April 1978

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what planning agreements have been concluded so far with the British vehicle industry; and if he will make a statement.

As the House knows, detailed discussions are in progress with British Leyland and Chrysler UK. A statement announcing conclusion of these planning agreements will be laid at the appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement about the recommendations contained in the Bolton Report.

50 of the Bolton Report's 56 recommendations to Government were accepted and have been acted on. The remainder have not been implemented because they were either unacceptable in principle or regarded as impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how he intends to ensure that the United Kingdom chemical industry doubles its exports over the next four years as proposed by Scenario 2 of the Treasury Paper entitled "Medium Term Prospects 1975–79".

One of the most important factors making for increased exports by

The information is as follows:the chemical industry will be increased investment designed to improve the overall capability of the industry. In discussions with companies the Department is encouraging investment to meet the recommendations of Industrial Strategy Sector Working Party reports agreed by management, unions and Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is satisfied with the progress made in increasing industrial output and productivity over the period since October 1974.

No. We have had to deal with the consequences of the inflationary spiral begun by the previous Government and the impact of the world recession, as well as the more deep-seated problems of recent decades. But our economic and industrial policies are the most likely to succeed in improving output and productivity.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what were the results of the Giro in terms of return on capital employed for 1975–76 (a) on the reconstructed capital and (b) on the capital before reconstruction, respectively.

Expressed as a rate of return on its average capital employed after reconstruction, that is public dividend capital, advances from the National Loans Fund and profit, Giro achieved a return of about 7 per cent, on its 1975–76 results. The comparable figure, before reconstruction, would have been about 4·5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a further statement about the future of the Shotton steelworks.

The British Steel Corporation is carrying out the thoroughgoing review announced in my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 19th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the financial assistance grants to the Meriden Co-operative.

The Co-operative received a grant of £750,000 under Section 8 of the Industry Act in March 1975 when it was set up. The Government also made £4·2 million available in the form of a loan.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proposals he is recommending to give additional resources to the National Enterprise Board and the development agencies.

Proposals are still under consideration. The provision for the agencies is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proportion of the estimated cost of his survey of share ownership has so far been incurred.

About 80 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his estimate of the number of new jobs created in the assisted areas as a result of IDC refusals in the past year: and if he will make a statement.

Information of this kind is not collected on a regular basis. Because firms may take several months, if not years, to consider and implement alternative development proposals, the effect of industrial development certificate refusals cannot be assessed until well after the event.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the activities of the National Committee on Computer Networks; what is its overall cost to public funds; what salary is paid to its director; and what fees are paid to the chairman and members of the committee.

The activities of the National Committee on Computer Networks are given in its terms of reference, as follows:

"To consider the development of computer networks in the light of national economic and social factors with particular reference to:

• —the joint interests of the users, and of hardware and software suppliers;
• —national and international standards;
• —the relationship between private and public networks;
• —collaboration with overseas countries.

"To provide a forum for discussion between the major parties concerned with computer networks, including Post Office and Government Departments, and to give advice to industry and Government on computer networks.

"To undertake studies into aspects of computer networks as required, either through the Industry Divisions of the Department of Industry, through the Computers, Systems and Electronics Requirements Board, or directly.

"To keep the Secretary of State for Industry informed of its activities, publish an annual report and issue public statements as it considers necessary."

The overall cost of the committee to public funds is estimated to be £46,000 per year; the director's salary is £8,650 per year; the chairman is paid a modest daily fee and the members are unpaid.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in deciding on Spillers-French's proposal to extend their factory at Wisbech, he put forward any suggestions which would have provided alternative employment in North Shields for those losing their jobs through the closure of Spiller's old factory there; and how many new jobs will be provided in Wisbech.

The possibility of financial assistance to retain production in North Shields was explored, unsuccessfully, with the company. It was clear from my discussions with Spillers Foods Limited that it was not possible for the company to provide alternative jobs at North Shields to help offset the effect of the proposed closure.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry on what date Cable and Wireless Limited became a company wholly owned by the Government; what has been the net profit, after tax of the company in each year since that date; how much has been paid out in each year by way of dividend since that date; and what is the market value of shares in the company.

The company became wholly Government owned on 1st January 1947. The figures for 1970–71

	Took up office	Retired	Age of appointment
Colonel Sir Arthur Stanley Angwin	January 1947	April 1951	56
Major-General Sir Leslie Nicholls	April 1951	February 1956	55
Sir Godfrey Ince	February 1956	December 1960*	64
Sir John McPherson	January 1962	November 1967	64
Colonel Donald McMillan.	November 1967	February 1972	60
Mr. H. G. Lillicrap.	1st March 1972	28th October 1976	58
Mr. Edward Short	29th October 1976	To Date	63
* Died in office.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry for what length of time Mr. Edward Short has been appointed chairman of Cable and Wireless Limited.

Under the company's articles of association, all the directors, including the chairman, are subject to annual re-election.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what consultations he had with the court of directors of Cable and Wireless Limited in regard to the appointment of a successor to Mr. Lillicrap, before he made the appointment of the present chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) whether he will list the chairmen of Cable and Wireless Limited since the date on which the Government acquired a majority of shares in the company, the dates on which each chairman took up and relinquished his appointment and the age of each chairman on taking up his appointment;(2) on what date Mr. H. G. Lillicrap was appointed part-time chairman of Cable and Wireless Limited; on what date he gave up that appointment; and with effect from what date his successor has been appointed.

The information is as follows:

It is not customary to disclose what consultations have been held.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry which of the directors of Cable and Wireless Limited has a service agreement with the company.

None of the directors has service agreements with the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the part-time chairman of Cable and Wireless Limited is under a duty to give so much time to the business of the company as the chairman thinks fit.

The present chairman, like his predecessors, is expected to give on average three and a half days a week to the work of the company, and his salary is calculated accordingly. I am sure that he, like them, will devote much more time than this to the company when circumstances so dictate.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement about the status and composition of the court of directors of Cable and Wireless Limited following the AGM of that company on 26th October 1976; and when he expects the adjourned AGM to be resumed.

Under article 82A(2) of the company articles of association the court of directors remains in being and fully empowered to act on behalf of the company. Its composition is only altered in that a new chairman is in post and Mr. Lillicrap has retired.The choice of a date for the resumed annual general meeting is for the company and I understand that it has not yet chosen one.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the 106 offers of assistance made by his Department to industry under the accelerated projects scheme, indicating the companies involved, the moneys advanced and the areas in which the projects were to be commenced prior to 30th November 1976.

As already indicated to the hon. Member, offers of assistance are published in Trade and Industry, in the quarter following the first payment, in accordance with arrangements announced to the House on 31st July 1974. Trade and Industry is available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to his answer in the Official Report, column 423 of 29th October, that funds have been advanced by Parliament as assistance to industry, why it is not possible to have the amount advanced to companies and the projects for which the amounts were advanced published in the Official Report, as well as in Trade and Industry.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 5th November 1976; Vol. 918, c. 743], gave the following information:About 1,000 offers of selective assistance under Sections 7 and 8 of the Industry Act 1972 are made each year. These are already published, in accordance with arrangements announced to the House on 31st July 1974, in

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, following discussions between the Commission and the EEC and his own initiatives, what is the extent by sector and in total to which there will be a reduction in imports from Japan and an increase in exports to that country next year; and when he expects the deficit in balance of trade to be at least substantially reduced if not eliminated.

We have made it clear that the recent level of our visible trade deficit with Japan is unacceptable and that we expect Japan to buy substantially more from us in the near future. Our views are being considered urgently in Japan and I hope for early action. The Japanese are continuing to co-operate over their own exports in a number of sensitive sectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade in view of the recent discussions with the Japanese, if restrictions on shoe imports into Japan from the United Kingdom will be lifted.

We have made representations to Japan on a number of occasions about her import restrictions on footwear, and this was one of the matters which the CBI raised with the Keidanren during their recent visit to this country. I hope the Japanese Government will give serious consideration to removing this among other barriers to our exports as part of a major drive by Japan to increase purchases of manufactured goods from this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade in view of the recent discussions with the Japanese, what action he is proposing to take over the dumping of Japanese tapered and other bearings.

An application for Community anti-dumping action against imports of rolling bearings, including ball and tapered roller bearings, from Japan has been made to the European Commission by the Committee of the European Bearing Manufacturers' Associations. This application will now be considered by the EEC Anti-Dumping Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many firms went into liquidation in the 12 months October 1973 to September 1974, October 1974 to September 1975 and October 1975 to September 1976.

The numbers of company liquidations in the United Kingdom during the relevant periods are as follows:

	Total	Of which, members' voluntary liquidations
1st October 1973 to 30th September 1974	7,367	4,084
1st October 1974 to 30th September 1975	9,294	4,053
1st October 1975 to 30th September 1976	10,752	4,613

Company liquidations comprise compulsory liquidations and creditors' voluntary liquidations, in which the company is insolvent, and members' voluntary liquidations, in which the company is not insolvent. The figures are for liquidations begun during the periods.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what consideration he has given to the section of the annual report of the British Tourist Authority submitted to him showing its ownership of freehold premises such as that in Buenos Aires; and if he will make a statement.

These premises are the only freehold property in this country or overseas owned by the British Tourist Authority. They are one of the BTA's two offices in South America and were purchased in 1974, when the lease was being terminated, in circumstances which made the acquisition of the freehold the most economic proposition.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was, in respect of Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Syria, the total volume of exports and imports with the United Kingdom for the calendar years ended 31st December 1970, 1974 and 1975.

Volume figures are not available, but value information is published in Tables I and III of Volume 1 of the Annual Statement of the Overseas Trade of the United Kingdom for 1970 and in Tables II and V of the December issues of the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom for 1974 and 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from pilots' organisations concerning the proposal in the document "Proposed Merchant Shipping Bill—Outline of Main Provisions on Pilotage" to permit the issue of pilotage certificates to foreign nationals; and what replies he has sent.

The marine pilotage branch of the Transport and General Workers Union has suggested that pilotage certificates should only be available to EEC nationals on the basis of similar non-discriminatory treatment in their own country. The United Kingdom Pilots' Association has opposed the issuing of pilotage certificates to foreign nationals. My officials are discussing these questions with representatives of the shipowners and the pilots' organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from pilots' organisations concerning the proposal in the document "Proposed Merchant Shipping Bill—Outline of Main Provisions on Pilotage" to fill the places on the Central Pilotage Board by ministerial appointment; and what replies he has sent.

The United Kingdom Pilots' Association has submitted that half the places on the board should be held by elected pilot representatives. The association has been advised that the Steering Committee on Pilotage recommended that the board should be appointed by the Secretary of State to ensure the correct balance of experience and geographical representation but that full consultations with interested parties would precede the establishment of the board. Talks with the UKPA are continuing.

Location			Direct from Complainant	Via Honourable Members	Via Other Agencies
1ST JULY 1975–31ST JULY 1976
Teddington	…	…	72	30	5
Twickenham (including Strawberry Hill)	…	…	10	21	2
Whitton	…	…	2	8	—
Hampton	…	…	2	—	—
Hampton Hill	…	…	—	—	—
Hampton Wick (including Hampton Court Park)		…	1	—	—
Outside Twickenham constituency	…	…	44	15	8
1ST AUGUST 1976–5TH NOVEMBER 1976
Teddington	…	…	96	65	3
Twickenham (including Strawberry Hill)	…	…	34	49	1
Whitton	…	…	5	13	1
Hampton	…	…	5	1	—
Hampton Hill	…	…	1	3	—
Hampton Wick (including Hampton Court Park)		…	3	—	—
Outside Twickenham constituency	…	…	21	2	2

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what evidence he has received from the Board of Airline Representatives in the United Kingdom on airlines engaged in cut-price ticket marketing;(2) what action he proposes to take against airlines engaged in cut-price marketing of airline tickets; and if he will make a statement.

The Board of Airline Representatives in the United Kingdom has put before the Department statements from purchasers of cut-price tickets, and copies of the tickets themselves, which

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish a table showing the numbers of letters he received by Friday 5th November complaining against the Mole Valley experimental route split, or complaining against increased aircraft noise in places adversely affected by the experiment, analysed (a) by address, dividing into letters received from Teddington, Twickenham including Strawberry Hill, Whitton, Hampton, Hampton Hill, Hampton Wick and addresses outside the Twickenham constituency, (b) showing how many he received direct, how many via hon. Members and how many via other agencies and (c) by date, showing how many were received in the 13 months to 31st July 1976 and how many since that date.

The information requested is as follows:prima facie point to a small number of airlines engaging in this trade. The evidence is being examined to establish whether there has been a breach of the Air Navigation Order which would warrant prosecution, or whether any other action would be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what was the percentage increase in price of the following commodities during the 12-months periods October 1973 to September 1974, October 1974 to September 1975 and October 1975 to September 1976, namely tea, butter, sugar, milk, potatoes, bread and coffee.

Percentage price changes for the commodities specified are given in the table below. These have been derived from information gathered by the Department of Employment for the Retail Price Index.(2) if his Department's proposals for a new Price Code will involve the abandonment of historic reference periods; and, if so, by what criteria it will be replaced;(3) what criteria are likely to be laid down in the new prices policy to differentiate between justified and unwarranted price increases.

My right hon. Friend is examining the form which prices policy might take after July 1977 but is not yet ready to propose changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what was the increase in retail prices for the 12-month periods October to September 1973–74, 1974–75 and 1975–76, respectively.

Between 18th September 1973 and 17th September 1974 the General Index of Retail Prices increased by 17·1 per cent. The rates of increase over the 12-month periods to 16th September 1975 and 14th September 1976 were 26·6 and 14·3 per cent, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what representations his Department has received concerning the lack of competition in the brewing industry in certain parts of the country.

I understand that the Director General of Fair Trading received representations in 1974 about the position in the Isle of Wight. More recently he has received representations from the Campaign for Real Ale about the position in certain licensing divisions in the area of the Chilterns and these are still under consideration. If the hon. Member has any specific cases in mind I should be interested to hear from him.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if the maximum retail price of paraffin is likely to be increased shortly.

Following the notification by oil companies in September and October to the Price Commission of an increase in the prices of oil products the Government have received proposals from the companies for an increase in the maximum retail price of yaraffin. After careful consideration the Government have decided that the increase should be limited to 3½ pence a gallon, and recommended that the wholesale price should rise by 3·25 pence a gallon with an additional 0·25 pence a gallon for the retailer. The rise in the wholesale price is less than the general increase in the wholesale price of other heating oils and much less than the amount requested by some companies. I regret this further increase in price but it is unavoidable to ensure continued availability of supplies.I am pleased to say that the increase will not apply to Lewis and Harris. The three major oil companies supplying there have now rationalised their delivery charges and the maximum retail price of paraffin in Lewis and Harris will in future be the same as in north-west Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he proposes to publish Her Majesty's Government's new energy plan for the next decade.

Published information about energy supply and use over the next 10 years is already widely available. Following this year's National Energy Conference we are continuing working towards the development of an integrated approach to energy policy and shall be considering publication of further papers as this work proceeds.