asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what was the weekly amount spent on food by the average family in February 1974; and what it is now.

According to the National Food Survey, a family of two adults and one or two children spent, on average, £2·78 per person per week on food during the first quarter of 1974; in the second quarter of 1976, the latest period for which information is available, it was £4·06 per person per week. In both periods, these families spent about a quarter of their money on food in the home.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he has any evidence of possible infringements of the Trade Descriptions Act in promotional material and other publicity for no-surcharge guarantee schemes produced by United Kingdom tour operators.

I have received no evidence of any infringement of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 in relation to no-surcharge guarantees by United Kingdom tour operators. The Act prohibits false statements made knowingly or recklessly about the provision of services or facilities. The duty of enforcing the Act is, of course, a matter for local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, following his answer to the hon. Member for Dorset, West on Tuesday 26th October 1976, he intends to introduce legislation concerning squatting in his proposed legislation amending the law of conspiracy.

Provisions on offences of entering and remaining on property are included in Part II of the draft Bill annexed to the Law Commission's report on conspiracy, published in March this year (Law Com. No. 76). As regards the enactment of legislation, the hon. Member will appreciate that at this stage my right hon. Friend cannot anticipate the contents of the Queen's Speech.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes were recommended by his Department's inspectorate after its visit to Hull Prison in 1971; and if they were all implemented.

The reports of the Prison Service Inspectorate to the Prisons Board on the operational management and administration of individual establishments are prepared on a confidential basis in order to produce frank discussion and recommendations. It follows that publishing the recommendations would be contrary to the basis on which the reports are produced and I regret, therefore, that I do not consider it would be right for me to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the square footage per man in the lumber workshops in Hull Prison.

The woodwork shop allows 300 sq. ft. per prisoner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which recommendations of the Radzinowicz Report have been implemented and which have not; and if he will make a statement.

Thirty-nine recommendations of the report of the Advisory Council on the Penal System on the regime for long-term prisoners in conditions of maximum security—the Radzinowicz Report—were accepted either as broad policy objectives or for implementation through changes in practice or in the provision of facilities. Six recommendations

All staff of prison establishments	1973–74	1974–75	1975–76
Total expenditure on overtime	£11·9 million	£14·9 million	£22·6 million
Expenditure on overtime as percentage of total expenditure on pay	22·8	21·3	22·3

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's policy and action on the recommendations of the Report of the Working Party on Adjudication Procedures in Prisons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many research projects have been commissioned since the Radzinowicz Report; and how many are concerned with the problem of long-term prisoners.

Since the publication of the Radzinowicz Report in April 1968, 211 research projects have been commissioned by the Prison Department. Of these, 28 have been concerned with long-term prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total cost of overtime payments to prison staff; and what proportion it is of the total wage bill for the last three years.

The following information has been extracted from available records of outturn expenditure:

My right hon. Friend intends to make a statement about the recommendations soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he made available to the governors of dispersal prisons the Gale Report.

No, but in so far as there were general points arising from the investigation they were communicated to prison governors in the normal way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his arrangements are for carrying out his responsibility for administering the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 at Porton.

The Chemical Defence and Microbiological Research Establishments at Porton are regularly inspected by the Cruelty to Animals Inspectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he is making on the future of his standing advisory conference on home defence; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a preliminary statement on reports of proposed changes to the

					Firearm certificates		Shot-gun certificates
					Issue	Renewal	Issue	Renewal
					£	£	£	£
Metropolitan Police	…	…	…	…	50·96	33·68	12·04	7·08
Avon and Somerset	…	…	…	…	4·69	5·12	1·67	1·63
Greater Manchester	…	…	…	…	7·62	7·60	4·67	2·33
Lancashire	…	…	…	…	5·43	3·67	2·90	2·26
Lincolnshire	…	…	…	…	10·14	9·39	2·33	4·31
North Wales	…	…	…	…	8·00	60·0	3·50	2·85
North Yorkshire	…	…	…	…	8·34	5·79	2·70	2·21
Surrey	…	…	…	…	8·92	7·69	4·48	4·48

I regret that information on the average costs in the remaining police forces in England and Wales is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of representations he has received on the subject of the proposed byelaws submitted by the London borough of Bromley in respect of model aircraft flying; how many were for and how many against the byelaws; and, in the case of those against, how many came from objectors living outside the boundaries of the London borough of Bromley.

We have received a total of 1,117 representations of which administrative structure of Civil Defence in time of war.

Modifications to the existing administrative machinery of the standing advisory conference on scientific matters have been proposed, but no decisions have been taken, nor will be taken until consultations are complete. In any future arrangements, we should certainly want and hope to retain a body of eminent scientists with honorary appointments; their advice is of great value to our home defence planning.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the average costs incurred in the administration involved in firearm and shotgun licensing per individual licensee in the area of each constabulary in England and Wales.

The average costs of issuing and renewing firearm and shotgun certificates in the areas of the eight police forces in England and Wales which took part in the 1975 survey were as follows:63 supported and 1,054 opposed the bye-laws. Of the latter, 432 came from addresses within the borough.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet fixed a date for the public local inquiry which is to be held in respect of the byelaws submitted by the London borough of Bromley to deal with the problem of model aircraft flying.

The timing of the inquiry will be a matter for the barrister appointed to hold it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost to public funds of the public local inquiry which he has ordered to be held in respect of the byelaws submitted by the London borough of Bromley to prohibit the flying of model aircraft in the borough's parks.

It is not possible to estimate the cost of the inquiry at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following the recent traffic congestion in central London, he will request the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis to review the practice of employing police officers for point duty at busy junctions in view of the resultant increase in the build-up of traffic in areas such as Park Lane.

The Commissioner of Police tells me that recent traffic congestion during the evening rush hours in the West End of London has been caused partly by wet weather and partly by an increased volume of traffic. Traffic lights in central London are governed by computer, which ensures maximum flexibility in controlling traffic movement over the whole area. Police officers are not now employed on point duty at busy junctions but are deployed to known congested areas to ensure compliance with traffic regulations. The Comissioner is satisfied that this system works well. No system can obviate congestion at peak periods when extra traffic uses roads already operating to capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many plants exist in the United Kingdom for the recycling of waste oil; and what is his estimate of (a) the foreign exchange saving involved and (b) the quantity of oil currently dumped.

I understand that 16 firms re-refine or launder waste oils but I do not have details of their plant; another 25 collect and treat waste oils for use as fuel. The total saving to the balance of payments in 1975–76 was estimated at £12 million. About 130,000 tonnes of waste oils is disposed of annually. Of this about half may be suitable for recovery and we are working to ensure that it is put to use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the present levels of spending by local authorities.

Present indications are that local authority current expenditure excluding housing will exceed the planned level by £150 million—£200 million in 1976–77. This is a reduction from earlier estimates on current expenditure for 1976–77 and reflects the efforts made by local authorities to reduce their expenditure in accordance with the Government's expenditure plans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes in United Kingdom procedures for dealing with safety measures for the disposal of radioactive waste, heating pollution, the transport of radioactive material and the decommissioning of nuclear power stations are proposed as a result of recent Euratom directives.

The directive adopted on 1st June 1976 will require us to make certain changes in our procedures for controlling the use, transport and disposal of radioactive materials. The changes are still being worked out in detail but they are not likely to be extensive.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to announce his decision on the appeal of Nothard Limited into the refusal of Boothferry District Council to grant planning permission for further development of intensive pig-breeding units at Old Lane, Reedness, near Goole.

Shortly I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much land in area and value has been purchased so far under the Community Land Act.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. Freud) on 3rd November.—[Vol. 918, c. 601.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the present accounting system for expenditure on infrastructure in respect of transport by inland waterway; and whether it includes amortisation of, and interest on, loans contracted for the purpose of financing infrastructure expenditure.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the British Waterways Board. The Board's accounting system is of long standing and I am not aware of any reason for changing it. Commercial investment in infrastructure is charged to capital account and appropriate charges for depreciation and interest on loans appear in the Board's published accounts. Other expenditure on infrastructure is charged to revenue account and is thus eligible for grant-in-aid.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is in a position to put the findings of the inquiry being conducted by Mr. John Cripps into the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

When my right hon. Friend has considered Mr. Cripps' report—expected before the end of the year—it will be published and a copy placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many domestic ratepayers there are in England and Wales; how many there were in 1974 and 1975; and what percentage of

CASUALTIES IN ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES
			Fatal		Seriously injured		Slightly injured
			Number	Percentage of all casualties	Number	Percentage of all casualties	Number	Percentage of all casualties
1971	…	…	1,492	19	8,415	9	20,650	8
1972	…	…	1,417	18	7,844	9	19,790	8
1973	…	…	1,376	19	7,859	9	19,406	8
1974	…	…	1,168	17	6,827	8	16,329	7
1975	…	…	1,044	16	6,136	8	15,870	7

The number of domestic hereditaments in each rating areas in England and Wales—which approximates to the number of domestic ratepayers—is shown in Her Majesty's Stationery Office publication "Rates and Rateable Values in England and Wales". Details of householders receiving supplementary benefit is given in Her Majesty's Stationery Office publication Social Security Statistics ". This information is not available by rating area.Estimated numbers of rate rebates granted are as follows:

1973–74	0·9 million
1974–75	2·2 million
1975–76	not yet available

Details of rate rebates by rating area granted during the period April-September 1974 were included in DoE Press notice No. 264 dated 25th March 1975 which is available in the Library. Later figures will be published in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in the Official Report the number of: (a) fatal, (b) serious and (c) slight injuries which have been caused in each of the last five years by accidents involving heavy goods vehicles; and if he will express these as a percentage of all vehicle accidents.

The information given is not in the precise form requested:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway stations have been closed down since the publication of the Beeching Report; and if he will list those that have been (a) wholly or partly demolished, (b) sold, (c) coverted to other uses by British Rail and (d) abandoned.

Since publication in 1963 of the report "The Reshaping of British Railways", 3,539 railway stations have been closed to traffic, of which 1,570 have been sold. None has been abandoned by British Railways. The further statistics are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many listed buildings are in the care of British Railways; and if he will publish a list of these in the Official Report.

I do not have such a list, but I understand from British Railways that on 30th September 1976 there were 482 listed buildings on their land. The Department of the Environment's lists of such buildings are maintained on the basis of location, not ownership.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state for the most recent convenient three years the total passenger and freight volumes carried on the Ayr-Stranraer line.

I understand from the British Railways Board that this information is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the sums spent annually on research calculated to eliminate or mitigate the debilitating effects of asthma.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he plans to implement the proposals set out in the First Report from the Select Committee on Abortion.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Lomas) on 18th October.—[Vol. 917, c. 290–1.]

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

There are at present a principal information officer and eight senior information officers employed in the Department's Press office. A second principal information officer is responsible for liaison with the broadcasting organisations and the preparation of Press notices. In addition, the Department provides a principal information officer to each of the following bodies; the Supplementary Benefits Commission, the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and, on a shared basis between the Occupational Pensions Board and the Medicines Commission. The number of posts listed above is the same as a year ago.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the progress of his Department's experiment in Shropshire with a single and simple national and local benefit claim form.

The experimental 12-month period in Shropshire ended on 31st July and the participating authorities agreed to continue the scheme for a second year. The take-up of benefits and the public reaction are being analysed and evaluated and meanwhile as a result of experience during the first year several changes are being made to the claim form originally used. A revised form will shortly be printed. Because of the amount of information needed to determine entitlement to the various benefits the claim form has had to be lengthy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent the welfare departments of local councils co-operate with the police to ensure the return of young girls now operating as prostitutes in the West End of London who have absconded from council care.

It is very difficult to generalise but if my hon. Friend has a specific case in mind, I will undertake to have inquiries made. The normal procedure is that where children in care abscond, the police are notified. When such children are found, the police should be able to get in touch with the local authority concerned at any time of day or night to make appropriate arrangements for their return.Sections 67 and 68 of the Children Act 1975, which come into effect on 26th November 1976, will give greater powers in relation to the recovery of children in care of local authorities including powers of search where there are reasonable grounds for believing that a child is being harboured and powers for the detention of absentees.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if every case in which it is alleged that a Giro cheque in respect of social security benefits is missing, is fully investigated before a further cheque in respect of the same benefit is issued; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the right hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Jenkin) on 27th October.Replacement of Giro cheques reported as not received, lost or stolen is not normally considered until seven weeks have elapsed from the date of issue, the time normally required for actual encashment to come to light through the accounting system. Exceptions are made only to meet need where hardship would otherwise arise. Every case where the original lost Giro cheque is found cashed after it has been fully or partly replaced is fully investigated.—[Vol. 918, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many district offices of his Department do not have full-time fraud officers; and what percentage this is of all district offices in his Department.

The investigation and detection of fraud are undertaken by officials who have special responsibility for it but the way in which their work is organised varies according to circumstances in each local office. This information is therefore not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total of the annual salary bill of his Department in respect of full-time fraud officers at all levels; and what is the average annual salary of a full-time fraud officer in a district office of his Department.

For the reasons given in my other reply to the hon. Member today, information on the number of full-time fraud officers in the Department and, therefore, their total salary bill is not available. The current average annual salary of an individual full-time fraud officer in a local office is £3,889.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what circumstances his Department pays for holidays for persons or their families drawing social security benefits; how many persons went on holiday at the taxpayers' expense in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the total cost to public funds.

The Supplementary Benefits Commission does not pay for holidays as such although claimants are free to take holidays and to draw benefit providing they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme such as availability for employment. In certain cases where a holiday is arranged for a blind person living in accommodation provided by a local authority under Part III of the National Assistance Act 1948, supplementary benefit can be paid to cover his fares, a fee to retain his room, and a reasonable amount for the holiday accommodation. Such cases are rare, and the numbers and cost involved are not recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the annual saving to the Health Service of hospital medication costs arising out of personal injury road accidents to be borne by motor insurers instead of being borne by the Health Service itself.

In the announcement last July of the Government's proposals for recouping the full cost of treatment by the National Health Service of road accident casualties, including non-hospital treatment, the total was given as £40 million. That estimate was in terms of November 1975 prices. The estimate is being reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of cases of persons admitted to hospital suffering from the adverse effects and suspected adverse effects of analgesics and antipyretics who on discharge from in-patient treatment are subsequently treated to some form of out-patient treatment; and what is the average cost per patient so treated for the last year for which figures are available.

I regret that statistics on out-patient referrals following in-patient treatment are not collected.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the age distribution 0 to 5 years, 5 to 10 years, 10 to 15 years, etc., of the cases of poisoning due to the adverse effects of analgesics and antipyretics admitted to hospital for treatment for the last year for which figures are available.

The estimated numbers of persons admitted as in-patients to (non-psychiatric) hospitals in England and Wales suffering from the adverse effects and suspected adverse effects of analgesics and antipyretics in 1973, the latest year for which figures are available, were as follows:

Age-band	Number
0–4	6,840
5–9	340
10–14	560
15–24	7,230
25–34	3,770
35–44	1,700
45–54	1,000
55–64	460
65–74	520
75 and over	250
All ages	22,670

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will announce the results of the study being carried out by his Department on the introduction of a system of administrative orders for one-parent families to be operated by the Supplementary Benefits Commission.

I understand that the interdepartmental study group has completed its work, and I will announce the Government's conclusions on its findings as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the report on the first stage of the survey of the day-care needs of the under-fives which is being carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

A report on the survey as a whole will be published by the middle of 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the organisations he is consulting with regard to his proposal to disallow certain advertising expenses for the purposes of the Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme.

I announced on 22nd July a reduction in the pharmaceutical sales promotion expenditure, including advertising, accepted as a cost under the Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme. I am consulting interested organisations about the proposal to accept without reduction the cost of advertising in learned and professional journals which derive or will derive a significant part of their income from subscriptions. The organisations being consulted are listed below.Royal College of:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he plans to implement the recommendations made by the Supplementary Benefits Commission in its report on the cohabitaton rule.

Yes, we intend to do so as soon as the necessary staffing and training arrangements can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present position regarding the proposals for the reorganisation of the water industry in Wales.

The Government will be making a statement soon, in the light of comments received on the consultative document "Review of the Water Industry in England and Wales."

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what his estimate is of the cost of setting up a multifunctional organisation for the Welsh National Water Authority.

The Welsh National Water Development Authority is responsible for determining the costs of its managerial arrangements.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the value and nature of economic and/or technical aid given by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of Paraguay during each of the three latest complete years for which this information is available.

There is no United Kingdom bilateral capital aid to Paraguay, although in October 1971 a loan of £2 million for a hydroelectric scheme was made available from United Kingdom trust funds administered by the Inter American Development Bank. By the end of 1975–76, £1,385,000 of this had been disbursed.A technical co-operation agreement was signed with the Government of Paraguay in February 1972. During the last three completed financial years expenditure has been as follows:

1973–74	£35,000
1974–75	£58,000
1975–76	£121,000

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current estimate of annual growth in electricity demand in England and Wales in the light of energy trends.

Current estimates suggest that the average annual growth of electricity demand could be in the range of 2 per cent. to 3 per cent. up to 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of total estimated NCB capital expenditure has been earmarked for Scotland in 1976–77.

Four per cent. of total estimated National Coal Board capital expenditure will be undertaken for Scotland in 1976–77. This amounts to some £11 million out of a total of some £270 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the coal mines which are not profitable at the present time.

Assessments of profit or loss for individual mines are prepared for internal management purposes only. No one colliery's results can be considered in isolation.The Board does, however publish results by area in its annual report and accounts, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what shortages and surpluses in the United Kingdom supplies of petrochemical feedstock, analysed according to principal ranges of product, are envisaged by his Department for the period 1976 to 1985.

There will certainly continue to be trade between the United Kingdom and other countries in petrochemical feedstocks. Taking into account North Sea oil and gas production, I do not foresee any shortage of supplies for the United Kingdom petrochemical industry.

ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on current stocks of household coal for the coming winter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 9th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunbartonshire, West (Mr. Campbell).—[Vol. 919, c. 115–17.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the work carried out to date at the experimental wave tower controlled by the National Physical Laboratory in Christchurch Bay.

The experimental tower in Christchurch Bay is operated by the National Maritime Institute. Useful results from Christchurch Bay were acquired from 1st September 1976 until 14th October 1976 with only minor discontinuities due to technical problems. On 14th October 1976, however, the tower suffered storm damage to the extent that no further useful results could be obtained without major overhaul which could not be completed before the spring of 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what advice he receives from the Central Electricity Generating Board on matters concerning the acquisition of new nuclear power station sites.

The Central Electricity Generating Board is responsible for the selection of sites for all types of generating station. Whilst it does not normally consult me on the acquisition of sites, it needs my consent before it can construct a station and I would therefore expect to be consulted before a firm decision is taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to encourage greater public involvement in decisions concerning sites for nuclear installations; and if he will make a statement.

The provisions for the public to express their views on installations of this kind are the same as those for other sorts of development. In addition, for nuclear installations the safeguards of the Nuclear Installations and Radioactive Substances Acts apply.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will ensure that on the terms of reference of future public inquiries into nuclear power station sites there is power to consider and challenge the need for the installation;(2) if he will ensure that in the terms of reference of future public inquiries into nuclear power station sites there is power to consider effluent standards and nuclear waste disposal methods.

At public inquiries into proposals for generating stations the Central Electricity Generating Board is free to state, and objectors to challenge, the need for the proposed development, and to consider the environmental effects.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the projects currently in progress for the production of synthetic natural gas from coal; and what are the estimates of expenditure for the current financial year on these projects.

The Westfield Development Centre of the British Gas Corporation is developing a fixed-bed slagging gasifier for the production of SNG, and the BCURA Ltd. Laboratory of the National Coal Board is developing the gasification stage of a process for the manufacture of oil and SNG from coal. Both projects are under contract to American sponsors and the current annual expenditure totals about £3½ million.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the contribution of synthetic natural gas to the total amount of natural gas supplies by British Gas in five, 10 and 15 years' time.

At present synthetic natural gas—SNG—is used only to meet peaks in seasonal demand. The quantities to be used over the next few years will therefore depend on the winter weather. The longer term contribution of SNG will depend on the availability of natural gas at the time as well as on the cost and availability of alternative supplies of energy.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish the detailed figures submitted to him on which the Gas Corporation and the Electricity Council base their view that the removal of disconnection powers would result in substantial price increases.

I am asking the Chairmen of the British Gas Corporation and the Electricity Council for their agreement that the figures sent to me should be published.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list in the Official Report the names of all the political advisers currently employed and the Ministers they work for.

There are 23 special advisers to Ministers currently employed by the Government. They work for the Ministers who appointed them in the following Departments:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the level of fees charged to Scottish students at halls of residence at polytechnics and universities in England compared with the fees charged to English students.

The boarding fees charged to Scottish students and others from outside England and Wales in halls of residence at polytechnics are at the discretion of local education authorities, which have been advised to charge the full economic cost. English students are charged a standard boarding fee, and additional costs are pooled or recouped among the authorities concerned. In the case of universities, the charges to all students are determined by the individual institutions, which generally seek to recover full cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what staff economies she is proposing to make throughout her Department; and where such economies are to be made.

Following the Government's decision to cut the size of the Civil Service, there are to be reductions over a wide range of the Department's activities, including its museums. My right hon. Friend is considering proposals to cut forecast complements for April 1978 by an average of about 10 per cent. in the main Department and 11 per cent. at the departmental museums.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she proposes to answer the letters sent to her by the Portland Parents Action Group relating to the future location of comprehensive schools in Weymouth and Portland; and if, in answering the letters, she will take into account recently increased transport costs, the wishes of Portland people and the strength of their community feeling.

My officials have asked the Dorset authority for its comments on the points made and a reply to the letters will be sent as soon as possible.Plans for comprehensive education in Weymouth and Portland were approved by the then Secretary of State in 1973 and the Secretary of State has no power to revoke such approval once given.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many places are at present available in teacher-training colleges; and what is the percentage reduction planned by 1981;(2) what is the number of places available in Manchester teacher-training colleges and the percentage of places she is planning by 1981.

In 1975–76 there were some 100,300 students following courses of teacher training in colleges and polytechnic departments of education in England and Wales. Of these, 3,589 were in Manchester Polytechnic and colleges in the borough. As regards the proposals for 1981, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Price) on 9th November.—[Vol. 919, c. 133.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the deficit or vacancies for qualified teachers in secondary schools in England and Wales in each of the following subjects for each of the years 1965 to 1975; metalwork, engineering and workshop practice and technical drawing.

I regret that the information is not available in the

TEACHER SHORTAGES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND AND WALES
	1969	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975
Teacher Shortage
Engineering	431	43	121	90	122	117
Handicraft, including woodwork, metalwork and technical drawing	293	595	593	961	1,420	1,418
Teacher Surplus
Engineering	644	65	29	8	43	77
Handicraft, including woodwork, metalwork and technical drawing	539	310	326	604	534	652
Net Surplus/Shortage
Engineering	+213	+22	-92	-82	-79	-40
Handicraft, including woodwork, metalwork and technical drawing	+246	-285	-267	-357	-886	-766

Teacher shortage in any subject is defined as the sum of the vacant posts for teachers of any particular subject plus the number of teachers the schools would like to have of teachers of that subject.Teacher surplus is defined as the number of teachers of any particular subject whom the schools would like to exchange for teachers described above.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many jobs were lost to British slaughterhouses by the export of live cattle in the period 1st January to 31st October 1976.

Exports of live cattle, other than calves and breeding and dairy animals, in the first nine months of 1976 represented less than 1 per cent. of total cattle slaughterings during that period and were less than exports in the corresponding period in 1975. I have no evidence that any slaughterhouse jobs have been lost as a direct consequence of exports of live cattle.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the threat to freshwater fisheries in the Colne Valley, Home Counties, from elodea canadensis, what advice he has given to the water authorities and fishing

I am advised that no threat to fisheries stocks arises from this weed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total revenue raised to date by the Thames Water Authority under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act; and what duties the authority has carried out in respect of maintaining improving and developing fisheries in the Colne Valley.

I understand from the Authority, which is an autonomous body, that the revenue from its rod licensing system introduced on 1st April was £180,000 at the end of October. The Authority is establishing a fisheries service throughout their area. With its present staff it has already given advice and assistance to angling organisations in the Colne Valley, including the carrying out of fish rescues during the summer drought conditions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the fact that the law relating to the extraction of water from rivers makes it impossible for fish farmers to rely upon a steady and sufficient supply of water unless they are classed as agricultural undertakings rather than industrial, what steps he will take to reform the law; and whether he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.Most fish farmers should have a sufficient supply of water, since they are afforded rights to abstract it under the Water Resources Act 1963. They are exempt from licensing where fish is produced for food, and they can apply for licences where fish is bred for restocking purposes.I therefore see no reason for amending the law.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the CBI.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the CBI.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the TUC.

I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Conway (Mr. Roberts) on 12th October.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his visit to the French President.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Conway (Mr. Roberts) on 28th October.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about his current visit to Paris.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Conway (Mr. Roberts) on 28th October.

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

I have no present plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a transcript of his broadcast on economic affairs on the television programme "Panorama" on 25th October.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a transcript of his broadcast on economic affairs on "Panorama" on 25th October.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a transcript of his television broadcast on "Panorama" on economic affairs on 25th October.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the transcript of his " Panorama " television broadcast on sterling and other matters on 25th October.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a transcript of his " Panorama " broadcast on economic policy on 25th October.

I refer the hon. Members and my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Conway (Mr. Roberts) on 9th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he plans to make an official visit to Luxembourg.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Secretary of State for Trade and the Foreign Office on the control of arms export licensing.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister how many foreign Heads of Government he has met since assuming office.

asked the Prime Minister how many Heads of foreign Governments he has met since assuming office.

asked the Prime Minister how many foreign Heads of Governments he has met since assuming office.

asked the Prime Minister how many foreign Heads of Government he has met since assuming office.

Twenty-two.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to visit Harwich.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans next to meet the Governor of the Bank of England.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on 14th October.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Geneva.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) on the 9th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 11th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engage-engagements for 11th November.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagments for 11th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 11th November.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his public engagements for Thursday 11th November.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes).

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay a visit to St. Austell.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a specialist in housing to the CPRS.

It is not the practice to appoint to the CPRS members with designated responsibilities for particular subjects.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Lord Mayor's Dinner at the Mansion House on 21st October on the economy represents Government policy.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) on 9th November.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to meet the President of the United States of America.

I have no immediate plans to meet President Ford. I look forward to meeting President-elect Carter after his inauguration next January.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Washington DC.

I have at present no plans to do so, but I look forward to meeting President-elect Carter after his inauguration next January.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if, in the light of the alleged responsibility of the Sunday Times for the decline in the value of the £ sterling, he will now seek powers to control the Press.

No.

asked the Prime Minister what reply has been sent to the letter of 28th October with enclosed petition from the Chairman of the British Airways Joint Closed Shop Action Committee; and what consideration has been given to the suggestion therein that the enforcement of a closed shop agreement is in breach of the European Declaration of Human Rights.

asked the Prime Minister if he will issue instructions to his departmental Ministers to limit the extent and cost of paid public appointments made by them; and if he will make a statement of his policy in this matter.

Ministers, as a matter of continuing policy, keep under review the numbers and costs of the appointments they make: there is no need to issue special instructions.