asked the Secretary of State for Transport what budgetary provision has been made or is planned to ensure comprehensive signposting on roads for which he is responsible so as to enable long distance freight drivers to avoid centres of population wherever possible.

None. Primary routes, most of which are trunk roads, and motorways are distinctively signposted.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the preferred route for the M40 extension; and what is his latest estimate of the cost of this proposed work.

Shortly; about £100 million at current prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the practice of reminding motorists that their road licences are due for renewal; and what is the estimated cost of this procedure.

Reminders are despatched to reach people two or three weeks before licences are due to expire, and they serve as simplified renewal application forms. Sufficient information is pre-printed on to the forms for the keepers of vehicles whose particulars have not changed simply to sign a form, date it, and indicate the period of the new licence which they require. The form can either be taken to a licensing post office or be taken or sent to a local vehicle licensing office and used to obtain a licence over the counter or through the post, and the form can subsequently be machine-read and the computer licensing record updated from it without clerical intervention.The overall cost of sending out and processing renewal/reminder forms is probably less than the alternative. The forms are a useful reminder for the forgetful and thus enhance the amount of revenue which is received on time. They avoid mistakes typically made by people who fill in ordinary licence application forms and the need to correct them. All in all, I regard the introduction of renewal reminders as one of the significant benefits of the new vehicle licensing system; they make life easier both for the public and for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is prepared to make any further funds available to local authorities, to defray the cost involved in implementing Circular Roads 8/76, from his Department.

No. The circular made it clear that any expenditure would need to be accommodated within existing budgets.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the shortest distance between the new preferred route of the proposed M25 motorway and the boundary of the London borough of Hillingdon in the Cowley and West Drayton areas, respectively.

Approximately 500 metres at Cowley and 400 metres at West Drayton.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he is making for public consultation about the future of 50 and 60 m.p.h. speed limits.

I have today laid an order extending the temporary speed limits for a period of six months from 1st December. A consultation letter is being sent to representative organisations, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy and I will welcome the views of hon. Members on it. Copies of the letter are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when he expects to publish the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the supply in the United Kingdom of frozen foodstuffs for human consumption.

The report is being published today. The Commission found that a monopoly situation existed in the supply of frozen foodstuffs, in that Unilever Limited supplied at least one quarter of all the reference goods, mainly through its Birds Eye subsidiary. The Commission reported that apart from Birds Eye, the market leader, there were two other major processors of frozen foods, Ross Foods (Imperial Group) and Findus (Nestle), each of which had approximately 11 per cent. of the market for reference goods. There were also some 150 other processors of frozen foods. The Commission found Birds Eye's efficiency and innovative record to be above average and they made no adverse comment on the company's general level of prices. Profits were not found to be excessive, and the Commission concluded that Birds Eye's price leadership in the retail trade had not been exploited in a manner calling for any adverse comment.The Commission criticised Birds Eye's practice of giving discounts to retailers for reserving space in freezer cabinets as steps taken for exploiting or maintaining its monopoly position. They held that the practice was against the public interest and recommended that Birds Eye should be debarred from giving such discounts in future—but only if other important processors of reference frozen foods giving these discounts also undertook to discontinue this practice. The Commission expressed some reservations about other aspects of Birds Eye's discount procedure—which the company was proposing to revise—but reached no adverse conclusions on them.The Commission regarded the loan of freezer cabinets for the exclusive stocking of Birds Eye's products as restrictive of competition, but found it unnecessary to make any recommendation as the com- pany had said that its policy was not to make further loans of cabinets.The Commission was concerned that Birds Eye should not attempt to run County Fair—a subsidiary set up by Birds Eye primarily to compete in the home freezer trade—at a significant loss over an extended period and noted Birds Eye's statement that the County Fair operation was expected to break even in the near future.The Commission did not consider that Birds Eye's methods of procurement of raw materials, or its exclusive wholesaling arrangements, were against the public interest.In the light of this report, my right hon. Friend is asking the Director General of Fair Trading to discuss with Birds Eye and other important suppliers the implementation of the Commission's recommendation on discounts for reserving freezer cabinet space. He is also asking the Director General to discuss Birds Eye's own plans for changes in its retrospective and other discount arrangements, with a view to securing a new discount structure of a sort likely to encourage competition and efficiency in distribution. Finally, he is asking the Director General to confirm that Birds Eye has stopped making loans of refrigerated cabinets to retailers, and to discuss with the company its plans to break even on its sales of County Fair products in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he plans any changes in the level of food subsidies.

I have been reviewing the level of food subsidy expenditure in the current financial year. I have decided that in order to contain spending within the provision laid down in the White Paper on Public Expenditure (Cmnd. 6393) reductions should now be made in the present rates of subsidy on butter and cheese.With effect from Sunday 14th November 1976 the butter subsidy will be reduced from £151·20 per ton to £89·60 per ton and the subsidy on cheese from £157 per ton to £109 per ton, equivalent in retail price terms to about 3p per pound on both butter and cheese. The retail price of both butter and cheese will rise in due course as a result of these changes, but the combined effect is equivalent to less than 0·3 per cent. on the food index and well under 0·1 per cent. on the retail price index.In addition, the milk subsidy as represented by the special liquid milk allowance paid through the Milk Marketing Boards will be reduced on 1st December 1976 from 2p per pint to 1p per pint. In step with the reduction in the allowance, the rate of subsidy paid on milk produced in certain Scottish islands and in the Isles of Scilly—which is not sold through the Milk Marketing Board—will also be reduced to 1p per pint from 1st December. These changes will not, however, cause any immediate change in the retail price of milk, as the current price, together with the price increase already scheduled to take place in January, already takes account of the need to reduce the special liquid milk allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement giving as much detailed information as may be available showing when repairs, renovations and alterations commenced at No. 1 Carlton House Terrace; how much has been spent to date; how much of this amount is for the conversion for the flat; who chose the colour schemes and wall fabrics and at what cost; why the kitchen was completely refitted and at what cost; what was the cost of refitting the bathroom; who is using the flat, or who is due to take up residence; and what rent will be paid.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to No. 1 Carlton Gardens.It became clear in 1973 that substantial work was needed on this listed building. When my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister became Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in March 1974 he was told that this work was necessary and indicated that he did not intend to occupy the flat. The Property Services Agency then decided to put renovation in hand, and work started in January 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of new wall coverings for the flat at No. 1 Carlton Gardens; who chose the designs; what was the cost of the new fitted kitchen and of the re-equipment of the bathroom; and what was the total cost of re-equipping the flat apart from renovations to the structure of the building.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state, as a percentage, the approximate time the Minister of State in his Department spends on the following: sports and active recreation, water and sewerage, countryside affairs, environmental pollution—including wastes—minerals, the Property Services Agency and the British Waterways Board.

It is not possible to quantify my timetable in this way, as the attention needed for my various responsibilities continually varies. The hon. Member can be assured that all the questions requiring attention receive the amount of time needed to deal adequately with them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will institute a review of the situation in which planning authorities can blight an area, subsequently remove the cause of that blight and yet not be required to compensate the residents involved who can prove financial loss through such action, with a view to providing some form of statutory compensation in such situations.

All aspects of planning blight and compensation were reviewed prior to the changes introduced in the and Compensation Act 1973. I am not aware of new evidence that would justify a fresh review at this stage, but if the hon. Member has a particular problem in mind perhaps he will write to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which working parties are currently being sponsored by his Department with regard to housing in England and Wales; and if he will list the subject areas with which they are dealing.

I append a list of working parties and advisory groups considering aspects of housing policy:—

The Housing Policy Review Advisory Group, which advises on the general review of housing policy.

The Joint Advisory Committee on Building Society Mortgage Finance, which considers issues relating to the rôle of building societies in the housing market.

The Housing Services Advisory Group, which is considering the form and rôle of the Housing Services Advisory Unit, and the field which the housing service should embrace, and is providing guidance on the handling of specific issues.

The Study Group on Programmes of Social Ownership and Renovation of Council Dwellings, which is examining programmes proposed by English local authorities for municipalisation and the renovation of council dwellings, and assessing priorities within these programmes. The Study Group is assisted by a working party.

The Working Party on the Housing Cost Yardstick, which is examining future arrangements for cost control of local authority housebuilding.

The Action Group on London Housing.

The Advisory Committee on Rent Rebates and Rent Allowances.

The Mobile Homes Review, which is looking into the problems of mobile homes' residents and the contribution mobile homes can make towards meeting the nation's housing needs.

The Construction and Housing Research Advisory Council, which advises on the requirements for, and possible applications of, research and development in the fields of construction and housing.

The Advisory Group of Chief Officers on Local Authority Housebuilding, which is advising on a code of procedures for local authority housebuilding in the light of the NEDO Report "The Public Client and the Construction Industries".

Where the work of these groups affects housing policy in Wales and Scotland, there is liaison with, and in some cases participation by, the Welsh and Scottish Offices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received from members of the public in respect of compulsory purchase orders by the London borough of Hillingdon in respect of land and property in Sweetcroft Lane, Hillingdon.

Forty-nine representations have been received against a compulsory purchase order that the writers understand is to be made by Hillingdon London Borough Council on land in Sweetcroft Lane.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he proposes in the arrangements in his Department for exercising sponsorship responsibilities for the construction industry in the regions in England; and if he will make a statement.

From 1st February 1977 these responsibilities, which up to now have been handled by the regional offices of the Property Services Agency, will be transferred to the regional offices of the Departments of the Environment and Transport. Each regional director of those Departments, who is also the chairman of the Regional Economic Planning Board, will take over the chairmanship of the Regional Joint Committee of the Building and Civil Engineering Industries from the PSA Director, who will, however, continue to be a member of the committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are employed by the county and district councils at the latest convenient date in the following counties: Avon, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Cornwall; and what this figure represents expressed in the ratio of county ratepayers per employee.

The information requested is not available to my Department, but the county and district councils concerned may be able to provide it on request by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what undertakings expressed or implied were given to the relevant EEC fund authorities with regard to the construction of the Malton bypass at the time EEC grants United Kingdom 59/73, United Kingdom 161/75 and United Kingdom 84/76 were negotiated by Yorkshire Farmers Bacon Factory Ltd. of Malton; and if he will make a statement.

No undertakings of any nature concerning the proposed Malton bypass were given either when these three applications were transmitted to the EEC or subsequently. None of the applications referred to the bypass, and in each case the applicants indicated that their plant had direct access to main arterial roads.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what undertaking, and when, he received from the Government of the Irish Republic that the subsidy payable on bread in the Irish Republic would be payable on bread imported from the firms in the United Kingdom duly registered for the purpose.

My right hon. Friend has received no such undertaking as yet.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will publish estimates of the share of public sector pensions in GNP or GDP since 1948; and what are his estimates for the share in the years 1976 to 1980.

I can only answer for those public service schemes for which I have responsibility. The total cost of the benefits paid by these schemes after taking into account direct or indirect contributions from salary, for each of the years requested, could only be calculated at disproportionate cost.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the total public sector payroll increase in the financial years 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75 and 1975–76; and what is the current estimate for 1976–77.

I can answer only for the Civil Service, but much of the information sought by the hon. Member is available in Table 5 (Table 11 for 1972–73 and 1973–74) of the Memoranda on the Estimates for the years in question. The provision made in the Supply Estimates for the wages and salaries of United Kingdom-based civil servants, and included in the figures in these Memoranda was:

1972–73	£1,419 million
1973–74	£1,509 million
1974–75	£1,840 million
1975–76	£2,543 million

The current estimated provision for 1976–77, including Summer Supplementary Estimates only, is £2,697 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on developments in Rhodesia.

I would refer the lion. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement in the debate of 20th of October—[Vol. 917, c. 1474–1478]. Negotiations about Rhodesia's future are continuing in Geneva.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Geneva talks on a constitutional settlement for Zimbabwe.

No. I think it would be inappropriate to do so at the present stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will enter into discussion with EEC colleagues about future developments in Transkei.

The Nine member States announced on 28th September their intention not to recognise the Transkei. We have regular discussions amongst the Nine about problems concerning South Africa through the machinery for political co-operation. Any future developments in the Transkei will be discussed in this way as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will specify the reasons why Her Majesty's Government decided that Transkei did not meet the criteria for independence.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) on 28th October.—[Vol. 918, c. 379.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to make an official visit to Washington.

No. My right hon. Friend has no such plans at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many passports or other travel documents have been issued so far this year to Rhodesian Africans by Her Majesty's High Commission in Botswana; and how many were issued in each of the five previous years.

No records are kept of the race of persons to whom passports are issued.Passports are issued to Rhodesian citizens who have no other citizenship and who are ordinarily resident outside Rhodesia. They are also issued to some categories of persons normally resident in Rhodesia who have a claim only to Rhodesian citizenship. These categories, as described in a statement made by the then Attorney-General on 17th June

	Residents of of Rhodesia	Rhodesians resident elsewhere	Total
July 1972-December 1973	159	40	199
1974	174	165	339
1975	128	166	294
1st January-30th September 1976	161	96	257
Figures for the period January 1970-June 1972 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request his Community colleagues to agree that the new uniform style of European passports should incorporate a similar hard cover to the current British passport.

No. I see no need to press for the adoption of a hard cover by all member States. Although each State will conform to a standard cover format, the materials used will not necessarily be identical. We are not the only member State which has hard-covered passports.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the effect of the reorganisation of local government on the number of civil servants at Government level in Edinburgh deal- ing with local government affairs; and if he will make a statement.

It is not possible to distinguish among members of the Scottish Office staff according to their involvement with local government affairs; yet it is relevant to note that, within the Scottish Development Department, the Scottish Education Department and the Scottish Office Finance Division—whose staff are concerned primarily with local government matters—the number of staff in post fell by about 60 between 1st June 1975 and 1st October this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the Chairman of the Scottish Development Agency.

As I told the hon. Member for Perth and East Perthshire (Mr. Crawford) on 21st July—[Vol. 915–148 c. 493]—my right hon. Friend and I frequently meet the Chairman and the Chief Executive. I have a meeting arranged for 19th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the progress of the Scottish economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the state and prospects of the Scottish economy; and if he will make a statement.

I am far from satisfied with the present level of unemployment, but I am satisfied that the Government's economic policies will bring about the stable economy and secure employment prospects we seek.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the precise number of unemployed in Scotland and on what measures the Government intend to take to reduce unemployment.

Total unemployment in Scotland fell by 3,400 between September and October to 158,000. We have already taken a number of measures to limit the impact of unemployment which so far have helped over 33,000 people in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has made a revised estimate of the additional number of civil servants which will be required consequent upon the setting up of a Scottish Assembly.

Work is continuing on the staffing implications of the Government's devolution proposals; and up-to-date estimates will be contained in the explanatory and financial memorandum to the devolution Bill. They are not likely to be greater than the White Paper figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the safety levels of asbestos in SSHA Weir houses in Scotland.

In the course of modernisation work, the Association has found that roof insulation material in some Weir steel houses contains blue asbestos, the fibres of which can present a serious health risk if inhaled. Tenants are rehoused while the improvement work is being carried out, and I am advised that there is no risk to them or to those living in other similar houses where the insulation material remains undisturbed. Rigorous measures are being taken to protect employees engaged in the remedial work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the criteria for approval of controlled pedestrian crossings.

The criteria are kept under review. Some aspects have been the subject of a study by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory but it is too early to say whether these will lead to any modification of the criteria.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will pay an official visit to Arbroath Infirmary.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has completed his review regarding the future intake into colleges of education; and if he will make a statement.

I intend to have consultations on this question with interested bodies in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will have an early meeting with the Scottish Council (Development and Industry).

I met the Council on 24th September and will be doing so again on 19th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy towards the level of use of probation orders as a means of dealing with offenders.

The power to put offenders on probation is a valuable power of the criminal courts and I welcome the courts' use of it in any appropriate case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will recommend the Joint Forth Road Bridge Board to introduce books of toll vouchers at concessionary rates for use on the Forth Road Bridge.

Concessionary tolls are available to operators of heavy vehicles who use the bridge regularly. It would be for the joint board to take the initiative on a more general concession scheme, in the light of its financial situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has visited the Shetland Islands during the last six months or proposes to visit them during the remainder of this year.

My right hon. Friend visited the Shetland Islands in April, but he has, at present, no plans for a further visit.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to introduce legislation which will hand over control of the organisation of parliamentary elections to local authorities.

I cannot at this stage anticipate the forthcoming legislative programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he considers local authorities in Scotland are taking enough steps to control expenditure.

Local authority budgets for 1976–77 are still in excess of the provision in the February 1976 White Paper on Public Expenditure (Cmnd 6393). I met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 5th November and they are aware of the need to achieve reductions in current and capital expenditure during the remainder of 1976–77.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to decide on the recommendations of Glasgow District Council for community council areas and boundaries and the possible date for elections; and if he will make a statement.

There are many disputed points in the scheme for community councils in Glasgow which have required very full investigation. My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to convey his views to the district council in the near future, but at this stage I cannot forecast how soon elections could be held.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up a committee to investigate the place of Gaelic in Scottish education.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on extending the issue of kidney donor cards.

There is clearly scope for an intensified effort to publicise the need for kidney donors and my right hon. Friend is considering plans for a new campaign in 1977. It is also proposed to seek the views of health boards on ways of improving the arrangements for local distribution of kidney donor cards.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representation he has received from members of the meat trade in Scotland in recent weeks.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has approved additional expenditure on the new headquarters of COSLA; and, if so, at what extra cost.

My right hon. Friend's approval is not required for expenditure by the Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has had from Strathclyde Regional Council about industrial development in and around Larkhall.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the present state of the Scottish raspberry industry and with the protection given to the industry by the Common Market monitoring system for soft fruit.

Unlike previous years, raspberry growers did not experience difficulty this year in securing outlets for their crop and a carry-over of stocks was not necessary. This was largely due to a significant reduction in the planted acreage and a level of production more in line with the requirements of the home market. The monitoring of imports of processed raspberries has not so far indicated a need to consider the possible use of the associated protective measures which are available under the Community system should imports threaten serious market disturbance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims, and for what amounts, have been received against the compensation fund for fishermen's nets and gear damaged by oil-related debris; and how many have settled.

The Management Committee for the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association compensation fund has to date received 61 claims amounting in total to £29,060. Settlements amounting to £17,516 have been made in respect of 52 claims, four were rejected on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence that damage was due to oil-related debris, two were considered ineligible, and the remaining three claims are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received to include gas-related expenditure in the category for special assistance to local authorities.

The only authority to have made representations in this sense is Banff and Buchan District Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he has taken to increase the cull of red deer.

The Red Deer Commission has the general function of furthering the conservation and control of red deer and of advising my right hon. Friend on any matter relating to red deer. The Commission, by writing to estate owners and by Press and radio publicity, has drawn attention to the need for increased culling. It is also in close touch with the Forestry Commission which takes active steps to control the numbers of deer on Forestry Commission land. Killing of deer is also undertaken by the Red Deer Commission on receipt of reports of damage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the likelihood of serious damage by red deer to agriculture and forestry if there is severe weather this winter.

My right hon. Friend is advised by the Red Deer Commission on matters relating to red deer. The Commission has given its view that, in the event of severe weather this winter, the natural mortality of deer would be high and that the statutory rights of occupiers of agricultural land and enclosed woodlands to take or kill deer on their land, together with the Commission's own powers, would be adequate to prevent serious damage in the face of increased marauding.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many student grant applications remain undecided for the current academic year.

It is estimated that about 1,100 student grant applications have still to be settled. In the main, late settlement is caused by late submission of the application, or delay in supplying essential information—e.g., about academic progress or parental income.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on assistance to local authorities which incur expenditure to remedy major constructional defects in local authority housing.

For subsidy purposes each scheme is considered on its merits. In general, subsidy is available for modifications which extend the life of a house and for which the need could not have been foreseen at the time the house was built.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if expenditure by local authorities to remedy major constructional defects in local authority housing qualifies for rate support grant.

Contributions from rates to housing revenue accounts are not included in the definition of the "relevant expenditure" on which the aggregate of rate support grant is based, but all expenditure, including contributions to the housing revenue account covered by rates, is taken into account in the calculation of the resources element of rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the amount of money per head of the population spent on defence for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what are the comparable figures for the other member countries of the EEC and the USSR.

Information on the per capita defence spending of the United Kingdom and the other member countries of the EEC for the years 1971–75 was given to the hon. Member for Brent-ford and Isleworth (Mr. Hayhoe) on 8th July 1976. Reliable estimates of Soviet defence expenditure per capita are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians are employed at (a) CAD Longton and (b) CAD Kineton and whether additional employment there will result from the closure of CAD Bramley.

There are 405 civilians employed at CAD Longtown and 185 at CAD Kineton. Some additional civilian labour will be required at these two depots following the closure of CAD Bramley, but the exact requirement has yet to be determined.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, as a result of the proposed reorganisation of the Army's logistic structure in the United Kingdom, there will be some lowering in the stan- dard of service provided to units; and if so, if he will give examples.

I cannot entirely rule out the possibility that the economy measures which are an inherent part of the logistic restructuring of the Army will lead to some lowering of the standard of routine service provided to units. Operational efficiency will, however, be maintained, and the aim of restructuring has been to maintain present standards overall.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is to be the future of the REME Fording Trials Branch at Instow; and whether it is now proposed to close the Command Engineer parks at Livingstone and East Harling.

Studies are being made of possible future joint Service requirements for the use of the REME Fording Trials Branch at Instow. Consultations with the Staff and Trades Union Sides will take place as soon as a firm proposal emerges from these studies. The Engineer parks at Livingstone and East Harling are to be closed as part of the reorganisation of the Command Engineer parks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many social surveys have been commissioned by the Equal Opportunities Commission; what the surveys were about; who conducted them; and what has been their cost.

I understand that the EOC has commissioned two surveys, both through the Central Office of Information. The first was a quantitative survey to test the effectiveness of its initial publicity campaign in increasing awareness of the Sex Discrimination Act and of the Commission. Field work was conducted by NOP (Market Research) Ltd. and the cost was £2,636. The second was a qualitative survey of opinions and understanding of the Act and the rôle of the Commission among those in the employment and education fields particularly affected by the Act. Field work was conducted by Public Attitude Surveys Ltd. and the cost was £12,217.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-discrimination notices have been issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission under the Sex Discrimination Act; and if he will publish details in the Official Report.

None.

asked he Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed statement giving for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the number of robbings of the person with violence, known as "muggings", in the London borough of Newham how many of these victims were admitted to hospital and died; and to what extent those concerned have been apprehended and charged with these offences and with what results.

"Mugging" is a term with no legal definition. The legally defined offences of robbery and assault with intent to rob recorded as known to the police as having occurred in the London borough of Newham are shown in the following table:

OFFENCES OF ROBBERY AND ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO ROB, RECORDED AS KNOWN TO THE POLICE
LONDON BOROUGH OF NEWHAM
Year	No. of Offences
1968	69
1969	78
1970	100
1971	118
1972	132
1973	108
1974	100
1975	158

Comparable statistics are not available before 1968. The figures given include robberies of personal property following sudden attack in the open; they also include other types of robbery. Some offences classified in the Criminal Statistics as "theft from the person of another" may involve some degree of violence; such offences are not included in the table.I regret that information about the number of victims admitted to hospital and the numbers, if any, who died is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a circular to chief constables of police on methods of crowd control based on a study of the successful methods practised by Chief Inspector Carter at Smethwick on the occasion of the Manchester United match at the Albion ground when 8,000 supporters were led to and from transport without incident.

No. Adequate arrangements already exist for the exchange of information between police forces about their experience of policing football matches, including methods of crowd control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many electors are now registered for the Newcastle, Central parliamentary constituency; what proposals have been made by the Boundary Commission concerning the redistribution of this constituency; and if he will make a statement.

The electorate for the Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency is 24,114. The Boundary Commission for England has begun its general review of constituencies in England, but has not yet published its provisional recommendations for the constituencies in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The Commission is statutorily required to report on all constituencies between 1979 and 1984.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount was granted in house mortgage interest tax relief to owner-occupiers in Wales during the latest available financial year; and if he will express this in terms of (a) average relief per recipient and (b) average relief per owner-occupier in Wales.

The estimates for 1975–76 are as follows:

	£ million
Total value of tax relief on mortgage interest in Wales	27
Average relief per recipient	132
Average relief per owner-occupier	46

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, further to his written reply of 1st November (Official Report, column 476), he will confirm that there will be two rates of child tax allowance as from April 1977, one applicable to heads of households with children in this country and the other applicable to heads of households with children outside the country.

Yes, except that there will be different levels of child tax allowance for children living in and outside this country at each of the three age-related rates of the allowance, and that it is not a condition of the allowance that the claimant should be a head of household.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will give details of the public funds which have been spent to date preparing for the introduction of a wealth tax; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he has now completed his consideration of the wealth tax in the light of the report of the Select Committee; and if he will make a statement.

The cost so far of staff engaged on planning for a wealth tax is about £1 million. As regards accommodation costs, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave on 5th August in reply to the hon. Member for Dover and Deal (Mr. Rees)—[Vol. 916, c. 990].The consideration of the work of the Select Committee, referred to in my right hon. Friend's reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay)—[Vol. 902, c. 705–6] is continuing and I have nothing at present to add to that statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage of income absorbed by income tax for a married man with two children under 11 years of age earning (a) average weekly earnings, (b) £8,500 a year and (c) £15,000 a year and equivalents, based on current exchange rates in the EEC countries, USA and Japan.

The figures are as shown in the table below:

MARRIED COUPLE PLUS TWO CHILDREN UNDER 11
	Percentage of Income absorbed by Income Tax
	United Kingdom Average Earnings	£8,500	£15,000
Belgium	7·8	18·2	28·6
	(8·3)	(19·3)	(30·3)
Denmark	5·4	13·8	230
	(14·4)	(30·7)	(42·8)
France	0·7	6·6	12·5
Germany	7·9	13·9	21·9
Ireland	18·5	33·4	50·1
Italy	8·4	15·8	21·5
Luxembourg	Nil	9·5	20·7
Netherlands	2·9	14·0	27·2
United Kingdom	20·0	30·1	43·8
U.S.A.	Nil	9·6	15·4
	(Nil)	(11·0)	(18·7)
Japan	0·4	4·8	9·6
	(1·2)	(8·3)	(15·9)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Mr. N. R. Mason of 103 Grove Road, Wallasey, has still not received a tax code from North West 3 District of Bootle.

A code was issued to Mr. Mason on 9th November 1976.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many £1 notes are currently in circulation; and what is their average life.

Approximately 820 million Bank of England £1 notes and 47 million £1 notes issued by the three Scottish note-issuing banks are currently in circulation. The average life of a Bank of England £1 note is nine months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the amount of Government borrowing in 1974, 1975 and to date in the current year with the amounts of interest that will fall to be paid as a consequence in each of the next 10 years.

The amount borrowed by the Government and paid into the National Loans Fund in 1974–75 was £162,832,906,718—see Consolidated Fund and National Loans Fund Accounts 1974–75, HC 49 of 1975–76. pp. 13 to 15. The comparable figure for 1975–76 was £186,319,811,452 and for the six months from 1st April to 30th September 1976, £87,732,758,598. A large part of the borrowing is for short periods—Treasury Bills, for example, have a maximum life of 91 days—and it is not therefore possible to state the amounts of interest that will fall to be paid as a consequence in each of the next 10 years

asked the Minister for Overseas Development how many Chilean students are receiving support from the British Council; and how many of these were nominated for awards by the present Chilean regime.

67; of whom 50 were nominated for awards by the present Chilean regime.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the expenditure per capita on education in the following counties: Avon, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Cornwall.

This information is available in the annual digests of education statistics published jointly by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and the Society of County Treasurers, copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the pupil-teacher ratio in schools in the following counties: Avon, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Cornwall.

In January 1976 pupil-teacher ratios in maintained primary and secondary schools in the areas specified were as follows:

County	Primary	Secondary	Primary and Secondary
Avon	24·6	16·8	20·5
Cornwall	25·4	17·3	21·2
Devon	25·2	17·8	21·4
Dorset	24·1	17·4	20·5
Gloucestershire	23·8	17·6	20·6
Hampshire	25·1	16·7	20·8
Somerset	25·1	18·5	21·7
Wiltshire	24·9	17·9	21·3

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment in the Manchester, Moss Side, employment exchange area, based on the resident population in Moss Side; and how these compare with those for the previous six months.

The unemployment statistics relate to the numbers registered at employment and careers offices. Separate unemployment statistics for the Moss Side employment office area are available only from May 1976. Until the Moss Side jobcentre opened on 12th April the area was covered by the Manchester employment office. Following is the information available:

NUMBERS UNEMPLOYED IN THE MOSS SIDE EMPLOYMENT OFFICE AREA
May 1976	2,816
June 1976	2,625
July 1976	2,581
August 1976	2,679
September 1976	3,159
October 1976	3,078

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the overall annual capacity of Government training facilities in Scotland in skillcentres, colleges of further education and approved employers' establishments, respectively.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that on 30th September 1976 there were 1,793 places available for skillcentre training in Scotland. Outside skillcentres, the Training Opportunities Scheme makes use of facilities in colleges of further education and employers' establishments as necessary. On 30th September 1976 there were 3.722 trainees in training at colleges of further education in Scotland and 179 at employers' establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make representations to the EEC Social Fund Advisory Committee that future funding should be extended to the training of handicapped persons for work in sheltered employment.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if applications can still be made under the special environmental scheme, authorised by Section 20 of the Industrial Development Act 1966, as amended.

I have been asked to reply.This scheme came to an end in September 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry why it is not the practice of his Department to keep a record of the number of sales of publications in the "Business Monitor" series; and what steps he takes, in these circumstances, to establish the extent of demand for this service.

"Business Monitors" are published and sold by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, which has no need to keep detailed sales records for each individual title. To provide such records would create a disproportionate amount of work. The "Business Monitor" series is a cheap and efficient way of making available to the business community and to the public statistics which are collected primarily for Government use. As to measuring the demand, it is known that some 450,000 monthly and quarterly "Production Monitors" are sold each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what share of the special and tubular steels for the North Sea offshore oil market is now met by BSC.

In 1976 BSC will have supplied 75 per cent. of the tonnage of tubular steels—other than submarine pipelines—used in the United Kingdom area of the North Sea and the corporation hopes to meet virtually all the requirement for well casing tubes. The casings for this special purpose are made at BSC's Clydesdale works in Lanarkshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards promoting the expansion of the petrochemical industry.

After careful study the Industrial Strategy Sector Working Party has reached conclusions on the possible growth for the United Kingdom petrochemical industry and especially a realistic and attainable expansion in exports. The Government endorse the report of the sector working party, which foresees the construction by 1985 of four new ethylene crackers in the United Kingdom in addition to the cracker at present under construction. This would meet the expected United Kingdom growth of consumption and make a major contribution to our balance of payments through exports. We would like to see substantial further developments thereafter.This is a great opportunity for our industry and the Government intend to encourage this increased investment and the related downstream developments to provide greater added value in exports and more jobs. It will be in the national interest that the right industrial projects take place at the right sites, on time and on a commercially viable basis. My Department is already discussing a number of projects with companies and I invite the industry to come forward with further specific proposals as soon as possible.A key factor will be the availability of ethane and other associated heavy natural gases from the North Sea oil fields. We see ethane as a premium feedstock for ethylene manufacture which could lead to further petrochemical expansion. Much will depend on the systems that are installed in the North Sea. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy intends to make a further statement shortly about the next stage of work on a possible gas gathering line.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) whether his Department has seen the documents demanded by the United States Department of Justice from British shipping companies on North Atlantic shipping routes; and whether he is satisfied that such companies do not operate to the disadvantage of the consumer interest;(2) whether he is satisfied with the way that freight rates are determined on the North Atlantic shipping routes; and whether his Department is consulted on these freight rates which could affect the British exports trade and relations with the United States of America.

Documents located in the United Kingdom, and recently demanded in pursuit of the US Department of Justice's investigation of ocean transportation, relate to a wide range of commercial matters. These matters, which include the determination of freight rates on the North Atlantic shipping routes, are settled by normal commercial negotiation, in the conduct of which it is not Her Majesty's Government's practice to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what advice his Department has given to British shipping companies about releasing documents to the United States Department of Justice concerning their activities on the North Atlantic shipping routes.

None of the documents demanded in the Department of Justice investigation and which are situated in the United Kingdom is within the proper jurisdiction of the United States authorities; disclosure of such documents would constitute an infringement of the jurisdiction which under international law belongs to the United Kingdom. The Shipping Contracts and Commercial Documents Act 1964 was enacted to protect the United Kingdom's legitimate interests in this area. My right hon. Friend has accordingly given directions under Section 2 of the 1964 Act to those persons in the United Kingdom who are recipients of subpoenas in this case, prohibiting the disclosure of documents located in the United Kingdom, or any information compiled from such documents.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what effect he anticipates devolution will have upon the present integrated promotion of Great Britain overseas by the British Tourist Authority; and if he will make a statement.

As the Command Papers on Devolution to Scotland and Wales (Command 6348 and 6585) indicate, it is proposed that although tourism should be devolved to the Welsh and Scottish administrations the British Tourist Authority should continue to be financed by the Government in recognition of the fact that in the face of international competition there are clear advantages in a combined marketing programme overseas for the United Kingdom's tourism trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he is taking over discussions with EFTA countries over the duty free quotas of paper and the operation of the ratchet clause, in the light of the recommendation of the NEDC Sector Working Party on Paper and Board; and if he will make a statement.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 8th November 1976; Vol. 919, c. 35–6], gave the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many woven cotton shirts were imported from India in 1975 and in the first nine months of 1976, respectively.

2·8 million were imported in 1975 and 7·1 million during the period January to September 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions he proposes to have with the United States Government on general reduction of trade tariffs and on non-tariff barriers to trade; and if he will make a statement.

Both the British and United States Governments are taking a full part in the discussion of tariff and non-tariff barriers in the current MTN. I shall also continue to take every opportunity to raise with the United States barriers to trade which cause us concern.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how soon after documents were lodged at the former Companies House in London they were filed on the record of the companies concerned; whether it was intended that documents shall be filed as speedily after submission to the new Companies House; and in how many cases documents have in fact taken more than: (a) two weeks, (b) four weeks, (c) six weeks and (d) over six weeks to be filed under the new system; and what has been the longest delay before documents have been filed after lodgement.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9th November 1976], gave the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now announce the amount by which the mobility allowance will be increased under the Government's new policy on mobility for disabled persons.

The rate of the allowance falls to be reviewed each year. Next year we shall aim not only to maintain but, if possible, to improve its value. We shall announce the revised rate of the allowance as soon as the necessary review has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how often he has notified an insurance officer that a decision of a medical board regarding the mobility allowance ought to be considered by a medical appeal tribunal.

The medical aspects of mobility allowance entitlement are considered in the first place, by an "examining medical practitioner" who advises the insurance officer. The insurance officer may decide the case on the basis of this advice, or he may refer it to a medical board for a decision on the medical issues. If he decides the case on the advice of the examining medical practitioner, a claimant whose claim has been rejected can appeal to a medical board. Where a decision has been taken by a medical board the claimant can appeal to a medical appeal tribunal or the Secretary of State can notify the insurance officer that in his opinion the medical issues should be referred to a medical appeal tribunal. There have so far been 50 such references as compared with 454 appeals by claimants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will change the regulations relating to family income supplement to provide that, in the case of a couple, either the man or the woman should be in full-time work, instead of necessarily the man; and if he will make a statement.

We have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the expenditure per capita on health service facilities in each of the area health authorities in the Wessex and the South-West Regional Health Authority areas.

The information is as follows:

Area Health Authority	1975–76 revenue expenditure per head of population £
WESSEX REGION
Dorset	74
Hampshire (Teaching)	77
Wiltshire	71
Isle of Wight	80
SOUTH-WESTERN REGION
Avon (Teaching)	99
Cornwall	71
Devon	82
Gloucestershire	68
Somerset	87

Expenditure figures are expressed in terms of the 1975 provisional mid-year estimates of resident population; they are influenced by the incidence of additional expenditure on the provision of facilities for the clinical teaching of medical and dental students.The population figures used take no account of people who are provided with treatment outside their area of residence, nor are they adjusted for differences in the morbidity and age /sex structure of area populations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report details of the report by consultant engineers on the condition of the structure of the Manchester Royal Infirmary; and whether during any further examination of the buildings it will be necessary to make alternative arrangements to ensure the continuation of facilities for medical care.

The technical report recommended that, whilst no immediate dangerous condition had been found several features of the construction of buildings at Manchester Royal Infirmary erected in 1908 were potentially problem areas and that if the buildings were to continue in use for a number of years remedial measures, including the replacement of the roof, should be undertaken.A programme of detailed examination of buildings, and the re-roofing and upgrading of units on the site, is proposed by the North-Western Regional Health Authority. This work will necessitate vacation of units and reaccommodation of patients within the hospital. I am arranging for a copy of the report to be sent to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to increase the number of trained orthotists.

My Department supports the work of the Training Council for Orthotists in promoting training. Courses were introduced at Paddington College in 1973 and similar courses are due to start early in 1977 at the Salford College of Technology. Courses are also held at the National Centre for Training and Education in Prosthetics and Orthotics administered by the University of Strathclyde.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the Supplementary Benefits Commission is now able to take responsibility for pocket money payments to long-stay psychiatric patients between the ages of 60 to 65 years and 80 years; and if he will make a statement.

As my hon. Friend knows, since November 1975 newly admitted patients have been able to claim supplementary benefit. I am afraid it is still not possible, for cost and manpower reasons, to say when responsibility for payment to other patients will be transferred to the Commission. Those patients who get non-contributory invalidity pension while under pension age can, of course, keep it beyond pension age.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many long-stay psychiatric patients are now receiving non-contributory invalidity pensions; what is the estimate of take-up rate; and if he will make a statement.

Many patients in psychiatric hospitals receive contributory invalidity pension. Our estimate of the number of those who did not, and who would have been eligible for non-contributory invalidity pension when it was first paid, was finally about 60,000. Hospitals were asked to identify all potential beneficiaries, and to claim on their behalf when necessary. The number of people so identified by 18th November 1975 was 56,000. We estimate that by now 60,000 claims have been made in respect of this category of patients. Consequently, it is unlikely that any significant number of people has been missed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to improve the present contracting system for the supply of appliances.