asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how often the use of the herbicide 2, 4, 5-T by commercial users and householders has been reviewed over the last 20 years; and if its use has been reviewed since 1973 when the Norwegian authorities banned the product altogether.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) on 16th November 1976. The expert Committee concerned cleared this herbicide, subject to labelling conditions, in 1965. It has since been referred to the Committee on at least six occasions during 1970 to 1976. I understand that, as in the United Kingdom, approved conditions govern the use of this herbicide in Norway; and that they were renewed earlier this month.—[Vol. 919, c. 514.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from food manufacturers during the last three months; and if he will make a statement.

My Department maintains regular liaison with food manufacturers and receives numerous communications each week on a wide range of issues. If the hon. Member wishes to put down a more specific question I should be glad to reply to it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that there is fair competition under EEC rules as between growers in Holland and in the United Kingdom; and, in particular, whether any interest-free loans or other financial assistance available to Dutch growers amount to a concealed subsidy.

I have no evidence of unfair competition or of any assistance to Dutch growers contrary to EEC rules. In some circumstances help, including interest-free loans for a limited period, may be available under Netherland's social insurance arrangements for self-employed farmers and growers who have been badly hit by natural disasters. Interest rate subsidies are also provided under Community rules for purposes for which capital grants are made available in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will ensure that the greatest possible publicity is given to his campaign to eradicate chrysanthemum white rust disease;(2) if he will publish a list of holdings on which outbreaks of chrysanthemum white rust disease have occurred and add to it any holdings on which outbreaks occur in future;(3) if he will investigate the possibility of introducing a scheme to compensate growers whose holdings are affected by an outbreak of chrysanthemum white rust disease as part of his Department's eradication campaign;(4) what research is currently being conducted into chrysanthemum white rust disease; and if he will initiate a programme to intensify this with a view to assisting the control and eradication of the disease.

The information about chrysanthemum white rust disease given in my Department's Current Topics on 6th December—to which I referred in my reply on 15th December to my hon. Friend—has already attracted interest in the Press, radio and television, and my advisers will continue to give it all necessary publicity. However, the publication of the names of affected holdings would be a departure from normal practice, and would carry disadvantages as well as advantages. We are seeking the views of representatives of growers about this before coming to a decision.—[Vol. 922, c. 706.]While naturally I regret the loss caused to growers whose plants have to be destroyed because of the disease, the risk of infection by pests and diseases is one of the natural hazards facing any grower, and in the long term eradication campaigns benefit growers both individually and collectively. Particularly at a time of severe restraint on public expenditure, the advantages of a general compensation scheme relating to white rust disease would need to be much clearer before we could support the new area of public expenditure which it would involve.Intensive scientific investigations into and trials of various aspects of the biology and control of the disease are being carried out by the services concerned in my Department, particularly the Plant Pathology Laboratory and other parts of the Agricultural Development Aid Advisory Service. Those concerned maintain close contact with scientists in those countries where the disease is endemic, and where a great deal of research has been undertaken. It is by no means clear that an independent research programme here would add significantly to our knowledge, and to initiate such a programme would mean the diversion of resources, both of scientific manpower and of money, from other research projects. I do not think that the case has yet been made out for doing so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total area of land formerly used for agricultural purposes that has ceased to be so used during the course of the current year; and what was the total area so lost to agriculture for the years 1960, 1970, 1974 and 1975.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to England and Wales,

				1974	1975	1976*
				tons	tons	tons
To Great Britain and the Isle of Man	…	…	…	18,969	18,783	24,500
To other EEC member State	…	…	…	—	½	1,150
To third countries	…	…	…	10	—	1,100
* 1976 exports are partly estimated

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has anything to add to the written reply on Short Bros. and Harland Ltd. which he gave on 22nd November 1976.

Yes. I refer to the capital structure of the company as revised in August 1976. Provision was then made for an increase in the authorised share capital to £19·31 million, of which £15·31 million represented issued share but I regret that the information is not available in these precise terms. The following are estimates of land transferred out of agricultural use, including land to be used for afforestation. The information is taken from the agricultural census and is in the form of annual averages for five year periods:—

		Thousand Acres
1955–56 to 1959–60	…	…	55·0
1965–66 to 1969–70	…	…	60·8
1969–70 to 1973–74*	…	…	75·6
*the most recent period available

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to make the corresponding Northern Ireland regulations to the Poultry Meat (Hygiene) Regulations 1976.

As soon as possible following the detailed consultations which are currently taking place with appropriate organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the extent of exports of poultry from Northern Ireland to(a) the rest of the EEC and (b) elsewhere, in each of the last three years.

Exports of poultry, excluding live poultry, from Northern Ireland in the years 1974, 1975 and 1976 were as follows:capital. Scope was thus left for further investment by the Government at an appropriate time. Arrangement are now in hand for a subscription by the Northern Ireland Department of Commerce for a further four million new £1 shares at par.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many RUC officers above the rank of sergeant have resigned during each of the last four years.

Thirteen in 1975 and 24 in 1976—up to 30th November. The figures include retirements on pension before reaching the age limit and other voluntary resignations, but exclude compulsory retirements on age or medical grounds. Such statistics have only been maintained since 1st January 1975, and comparable figures for 1973 and 1974 could not be provided without incurring unreasonable expense and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from Ceredigion about the Job Creation Programme; and if he will make a statement.

None. Responsibility for individual projects under the Job Creation Programme rests with the Manpower Services Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present ratio of nursing to non-nursing staff in each of the hospitals in Wales.

The information is not readily available. For the whole of Wales the ratio of nursing to non-nursing staff in the National Health Service is 1 to 1·3. I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will announce his decisions on the hospital capital development programme in Wales.

I wrote to the eight area health authority chairmen on 20th December and my hon. Friend has been sent a copy of that letter.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the answer to the Question of the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury to which the Minister replied on 2nd December if the word "limit" in the Question were taken in its normal meaning of an upper restriction but not a lower minimum; and why he chose to adopt a different meaning for the purposes of his earlier reply.

I regret that exact figures for all the public services are not available. However, for the Civil Service, if the pensions increase of 13·8 per cent. had been subject only to a maximum of £4 a week, the gross saving would have been about £5½ million. The tax lost would have been at least £1,925,000.In his previous Question my hon. Friend referred to the limit equivalent to the rise in income permitted by the current pay policy. I am afraid I do not agree with him that the word "limit" in this context includes a maximum increase but precludes a minimum increase. My Answer on 2nd December therefore showed the effect on public expenditure if both limits were applied.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the number of strikes or other disruptions at Her Majesty's Stationery Office that have affected the Houses of Parliament during the past five years.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) on 17th December.—[Vol. 922, c. 864.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the Arab trade boycott of Israel as it affects British firms.

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 14th April 1976 by the Under-Secretary of State responsible for companies, aviation and shipping to a similar question by the hon. Member for Brent, North (Dr. Boyson). I am arranging for a copy of the Department of Trade's note on the subject to be sent to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is yet able to announce the terms of reference and membership of the joint Department of Trade/Bank of England review body.

Yes. The terms of reference will be as follows:

To keep under review the functioning of the securities market and the arrangements for its supervision; to identify any gaps or any deficiencies in the combination of statutory and self-regulatory control; and to make recommendations as appropriate to the Secretary of State and the Governor of the Bank of England.

The Joint Committee will be responsible jointly to the Secretary of State and to the Governor of the Bank of England; it will have no executive powers. The new arrangements will not alter the existing powers and responsibilities of my Department and the Bank; but equally they will not pre-empt the work of the Committee on Financial Institutions. The appropriate Deputy Secretary of the Department for the time being and the Deputy Governor will be joint Chairmen, and the membership will consist of two officials from each side, to be nominated from time to time by the joint Chairmen. The Joint Committee may delegate work from time to time, co-opting as necessary representatives from other bodies such as the Stock Exchange and the Panel on Take-overs and Mergers; co-option will not however be extended to the Joint Committee itself.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the agreements with the USSR and other members of the Warsaw pact since 1959 entered into by Her Majesty's Government on shipping, construction and carriage of goods, aircraft, design components, &c., oil including imports with grades, and supply of oil technology, &c.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list all items of technology that have been received from the USSR or any other member of the Warsaw Pact under the treaties, exchanges of information and other agreements signed since 1967.

Transfer of technology is a matter for private negotiation and the information requested is not available. But I understand that a number of United Kingdom firms have been able to arrange useful exchanges or purchases of technology with East European countries in some industrial sectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what items of advanced technology have been transferred to the USSR or any other Warsaw Pact member which might directly or indirectly assist them to make or improve any of the items which were listed in the schedule of goods subject to security export control as published in Trade and Industry of 12th October 1972 and any amendment since the publication of that list.

Approval has not been given for the transfer of items of advanced technology in the consolidated list of goods subject to security export control which would enable the USSR or other members of the Warsaw Pact countries to gain a technological advantage over the West.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the number and grades of civil servants occupied with the implementation of treaties, trade and other agreements with the USSR and members of the Warsaw Pact, the Commonwealth, the EEC and the USA, respectively, together with an estimate of the volume of trade with each of these four groups during the past 10 years.

The information is not available in the form requested. Staff in the Commercial Relations and Export Divisions of my Department responsible for commercial relations with overseas countries are as follows:—

		CRE 1	CRE 2	CRE 3	CRE 4	CRE 5
		Multilateral agreements	The Americas Africa and Australasia	Western Europe	Eastern Europe and Asia	Middle East
US	…	1	1	1	1	1
AS	…	3	3	2	2	3
Principal	…	8	8	5	8	4
SEO	…	1	—	—	—	—
HEO	…	7	10	5	10	4
Supporting staff	…	29	43	26	35	14
Total	…	49	65	39	56*	26
* Another 10 staff are employed in the International Technological Collaboration Unit.

Following is the information on the value of trade with the four groups of countries concerned:—
£ million
IMPORTS (c.i.f.)
					USSR and Warsaw Pact	Commonwealth	EEC	USA
1966	…	…	…	…	241	1,560	1,497	723
1967	…	…	…	…	254	1,543	1,707	812
1968	…	…	…	…	303	1,752	2,062	1,066
1969	…	…	…	…	331	1,835	2,151	1,133
1970	…	…	…	…	354	2,056	2,440	1,174
1971	…	…	…	…	344	2,065	2,915	1,095
1972	…	…	…	…	387	2,114	3,520	1,180
1973	…	…	…	…	545	2,701	5,206	1,622
1974	…	…	…	…	673	3,319	7,713	2,258
1975	…	…	…	…	673	3,274	8,786	2,352
EXPORTS (f.o.b.)
1966	…	…	…	…	151	1,249	1,378	654
1967	…	…	…	…	175	1,172	1,394	642
1968	…	…	…	…	230	1,357	1,741	915
1969	…	…	…	…	230	1,500	2,067	912
1970	…	…	…	…	259	1,589	2,359	944
1971	…	…	…	…	253	1,891	2,660	1,096
1972	…	…	…	…	276	1,802	2,940	1,220
1973	…	…	…	…	323	2,065	4,034	1,525
1974	…	…	…	…	429	2,715	5,516	1,777
1975	…	…	…	…	584	3,246	6,417	1,788

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many companies should have filed annual returns for 1974 and 1975; how many have not done so and what estimate his Department has made of the percentage of the latter which can be attributed to (a) companies not yet commenced to trade or not trading, (b) companies whose tax liabilities have been settled, (c) errors by the Registrar's staff, (d) mistakes, and (e) frauds.

We estimate that about 514,000 companies were required to lodge annual returns with the Registrar for 1974, of which 93,000 are still outstanding. The comparable figures for 1975 are 522,000 and 82,000. These ex-clue in each year companies recently in-

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement about the placing of German marine insurance in the London Market.

Recent German legislation appears to go beyond the requirements of the EEC First Co-ordination Directive on non-life insurance business by stopping German brokers from placing marine insurance outside Germany as they have been able to do for many years. One British company has made a formal complaint to the EEC Commission that the German action is in breach of the Treaty of Rome. The German Government have assured us that for the time being they will not take action against German brokers who continue to place business in London.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of the number of cases of alleged unfair dismissal that have been heard this year by industrial tribunals pursuant to the Employment Protection Act 1975; how many cases are known to him to have been dealt with and settled by ACAS in advance of such hearings; how many persons are in post full-time or part-time as conciliation officers; and what is the approximate total of members and supporting officials of the industrial tribunals engaged in hearings under the Act.

12,094 complaints of unfair dismissal were heard by industrial tribunals in the 12 months up to 30th June 1976, which is the latest 12-month period for which figures are available. In the same period, 12,175 such complaints were settled following references to ACAS, either through a conciliated settlement or a withdrawal.At 1st December 1976, 212 persons were in post as conciliation officers. All of them are full-time. There are about 2,500 persons on the panels of chairmen and lay members of the industrial tribunals; and 520 supporting officials. It is not possible to give a reliable estimate of how much of their time is spent on dealings with hearings of alleged unfair dismissal.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the approximate cost to public funds of industrial tribunals; and what approximate proportion of this sum he estimates to arise from hearings and adjudications in respect of cases of unfair dismissal arising under the Employment Protection Act 1975.

It is estimated that the total cost of industrial tribunals in the current financial year will be £5¼ million. It is not possible to give a reliable estimate of the proportion of this sum which is attributable to hearings relating to complaints of alleged unfair dismissal.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much is contributed through the Construction Industry Training Board levy by (a) the private sector, and (b) the public sector.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the levy income of the Construction Industry Training Board for the 1976–77 training year is £15,350,000, all of which is contributed by the private sector of industry. Public sector bodies are outside the scope of the Construction ITB.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently being trained by the Construction Industry Training Board; and what proportion come from the public sector.

I understand from the Manpower Services Commission that, on 31st March 1976, 100,954 people were receiving training approved by the Construction Industry Training Board. Of these, 86,991 were training in-company with day or block release, and a further 8,460 were receiving first year off-the-job training in colleges or companies. All these trainees were employees of private sector firms which received grant aid from the Board. There were, in addition, 5,448 trainees at the CITB's own training centres. 35 per cent. of the adult trainees at these centres were employed by organisations not in scope to the Board and include some public sector employees. All out of scope organisations have to pay an economic training fee.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the meeting held by EEC Social Affairs Ministers on 9th December 1976 and on the meeting of the EEC Standing Committee on Employment on 13th December 1976, at both of which Her Majesty's Government were represented.

I represented the United Kingdom Government at both these meetings in Brussels, and was accompanied at the former by the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security and the Under-Secretary of State for Education.At the Council of Social Affairs Ministers agreement was reached on a directive safeguarding the rights of workers affected by mergers—the Acquired Rights Directive. The Council took note of the fourth report on the New European Social Fund of two Commission communications: on the humanisation of living and working conditions, and on vocational preparation for young people who are unemployed or threatened with unemployment. Views were exchanged on a paper on the future of social policy by former Commissioner Hillery. Views were also exchanged on a proposal for a regulation on a common system of paying family benefits and on a revised draft directive on the education of migrant workers' children, but decisions on both items were deferred to allow for further consultations in member States.At the Standing Committee on Employment the agenda covered three important items in the social affairs field: the employment of young people, the co-ordination of Community financial instruments, and the follow up to the Tripartite Economic and Social Conference last June. The first and third items were discussed on the basis of Commission papers. The second item was based on a paper submitted by the European Trade Union Confederation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when British diplomatic representatives will go to Cambodia.

We have proposed to the Cambodian Government the accreditation to Phnom Penh, on a non-resident basis, of the British Ambassador in Peking. Once Cambodian agrément has been received, it is hoped that the ambassador will be enabled to present his credentials.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will pay a visit to the Falkland Islands.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit the Falkland Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the Geneva Conference on Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest position at the Geneva Conference on Rhodesia.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier this afternoon to the hon. Member for Haltem-price (Mr. Wall).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to visit Gibraltar.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Government's attitude to the pooling of sovereignty in the fields of general and complete disarmament and the supervision necessary to make this acceptable.

Her Majesty's Government believe that general and complete disarmament would require an international control organisation with rights, powers and functions adequate to guarantee the effective observance of agreed prohibitions and reductions. It is premature to consider the exact nature of the organisation or the extent to which it would involve a pooling of sovereignty.

asked the Secreatry of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to meet the Foreign Minister of Turkey.

My right hon. Friend had a useful and wide-ranging discussion with the Turkish Foreign Minister in Brussels on 9th December in the margin of the NATO Ministerial Council.

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

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement on Rhodesia my right hon. Friend made to the House on 14th December—[Vol. 922, c. 1186–1188.] We shall continue our efforts to seek just and peaceful solutions to this and the other problems of the region where the issues at stake are of the greatest importance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to visit Washington, DC.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier this afternoon to the hon. Member for Carshalton (Mr. Forman).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which foreign countries Extradition Acts currently apply; which Commonwealth countries have been designated under the Fugitive Offenders Act 1967; which other territories have been so designated; and with which other countries negotiations are currently in existence with a view to extradition agreements being concluded.

There are 44 extradition treaties with foreign countries which are still regarded as being in force and I will, with permission circulate a list in the Official Report.All independent Commonwealth countries have been designated for the purposes of Section 1 of the Fugitive Offenders Act 1967. No action to designate United Kingdom dependencies, as

defined in Section 2, is called for by the Act. I will also circulate in the

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will revise the criteria for the sale of arms by the United Kingdom; and if, in particular, he will prohibit sales to countries involved in conflict or likely to become so involved, as is done by certain other Governments.

The criteria for the sale of arms are constantly being updated in the light of changing circumstances. We certainly do not wish arms sales to contribute to conflict between other countries, but instead to deter any such conflict.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will pay an official visit to Moscow.

I have no present plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he currently has any proposals to strengthen the links between the United Kingdom and Turkey.

We are satisfied that the existing links between our two Governments, deriving from our common membership of NATO and CENTO and Turkey's Associate Membership of the EEC, are soundly based. However, Her Majesty's Government are always looking for ways of expanding and strengthening these links.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the authorities of the German Democratic Republic about their repeated refusal to grant an exit visa to the wife and child of Mr. Anthony Morrison, a British subject.

Her Majesty's Embassy in East Berlin have sent two Notes—on 11th August and 3rd November 1976—to the authorities of the German Democratic Republic asking for exit visas to be granted to the Morrison family. Her Majesty's Ambassador in East Berlin raised the matter orally on 11th November, and it has also been mentioned to the Embassy of the German Democratic Republic in London.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will put before the International Atomic Energy Agency a paper setting out the British view in regard to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the need for effective security arrangements at all stages of nuclear fuel processing.

No. Our support for the Non-Proliferation Treaty is well known.Furthermore, as my right hon. Friend stated on 6th April, a resolution was recently introduced by the United Kingdom in the International Atomic Energy Agency to allow States which are not parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to accept International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards on all their civil nuclear facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to pay an official visit to India.

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to visit Jamaica in the near future.

My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present. However, I shall be having talks in Kingston with Jamaican leaders on 7th and 8th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will pay an official visit to Jamaica.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the representative of Her Majesty's Government in the Security Council voted on the admission of Angola to the United Nations.

Her Majesty's Government's representative voted in the Security Council in favour of Angola's application for United Nations membership.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support is being given by Her Majesty's Government to the present régime in Thailand.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave earlier this afternoon to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Brussels on 20th December.

I made an oral statement on 21st January on the fisheries questions which were discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 20th December.In addition, meeting as a Conference of member States, the Foreign Ministers formally confirmed the appointment of Mr. Jenkins as President of the new Commission which takes office on 1st January. They also appointed five Vice-Presidents of the Commission as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he will be making to the 1977 Belgrade Conference.

Her Majesty's Government's principal objective at the 1977 Belgrade meetings will be to ensure that a thorough and realistic evaluation is carried out of the implementation of the provisions of the Final Act by all signatory States. This task was clearly laid down in the Helsinki Final Act. We also look to the Belgrade Review Con- ference to consider ways in which the process of improvement of relations between the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe participating States can be carried forward in the future. We are carefully considering both these aspects in the preparatory work on which we are now engaged with our European partners and members of the Alliance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the talks concerning the research ship "Oil Hunter".

Inter-departmental discussions have taken place which will, it is hoped, enable the M.V. "Oil Hunter" to undertake further research work of the type recently proposed early in 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Latin American refugees have been admitted to Great Britain this year; and if he will make a statement.

Between 1st January and 30th November 1976, the latest date for which figures are available, 552 refugees from Latin America were admitted to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present shortfall in the establishment of prison officers within the United Kingdom; and what steps are being taken to rectify the situation.

In England and Wales the number of prison officers on 1st December was 324 below the level approved for the current financial year. Recruitment continues, and there has been a net increase of 337 officers in the eight months from 1st April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has in mind to improve security and morale in category A prisons.

Measures to improve the security at Parkhurst Prison are already in hand, and security measures throughout the dispersal system are the subject of continuous review and improvement. Because of the nature of dispersal prisons and the particular pressures on staff who work in them special attention is paid to the problems arising from the containment of their difficult populations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has in mind to relieve the overcrowded conditions within Her Majesty's Prisons; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdare (Mr. Evans) on 18th November.—[Vol. 919, c. 652–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportations have taken place as a result of criminal conviction during each of the past five years for which figures are available; and to which countries the largest numbers of offenders have been deported.

The following are the numbers of people who have been deported, following a criminal conviction, on the recommendation of a court:

1972	…	498
1973	…	401
1974	…	249
1975	…	334
1976 (to 30th November)	…	376

The information requested in the second part of the Question could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those convicted on charges of (a) violence against the person, (b) burglary, (c) robbery, (d) theft and handling stolen goods and (e) criminal damage in Inner London during 1975 were in the 10 to 16 years age group; and how this compares with similar figures for 1970 and 1965.

The information requested could only be obtained at dis- proportionate cost. The following table gives information for 1975 covering the whole of the Metropolitan Police District:

PERSONS FOUND GUILTY OF CERTAIN INDICTABLE OFFENCES IN THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DISTRICT—1975
Offence group	Persons aged 10–16 as a proportion of all found guilty
Violence against the person	7·8
Burglary	33·3
Robbery	25·1
Theft and handling stolen goods	13·7
Criminal damage	12·2

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the Police Council following the withdrawal from it of the Police Federation of England and Wales and Northern Ireland; and how negotiations on pay and allowances will be conducted in these circumstances.

I have accepted that there should be a review of the negotiating machinery, but it would be premature to speculate upon the effect of this review on the future of the Police Council for the United Kingdom which is still the statutory body for the negotiation of police pay and allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that adequate protection is afforded to horses under the Riding Establishments Act 1964 where they are drawing caravans for hire; and whether he has received representations to extend the law to cover such activities.

The Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970 apply only to the keeping of horses for riding. Horses which draw caravans are protected against ill-treatment by the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912. We have received some representations, but I am not aware of any inadequacy in the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Mr. Earl Spencer, released from detention in Jamaica on 26th November has entered the United Kingdom; and what is the nature of any entry permit held by him.

My Department does have a record of a person of this name. I am making inquiries, and I shall be writing to the right hon. Member in reply to his request.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the full title of the EEC Treaty signed on 22nd July 1975 relating to EEC Audit Boards, the names of member States which have already ratified this Treaty and the stage which ratification has reached in the United Kingdom.

The Treaty is entitled "Treaty amending certain Financial Provisions of the Treaties establishing the European Communities and of the Treaty establishing a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities". The text was published in the European Communities Series No. 138/1975 (Cmnd 6252). The United Kingdom's instrument of ratification was deposited on 29th March 1976 after the approval of both Houses of Parliament of a draft Order in Council under Section 1(3) of the European Communities Act. My latest information is that Denmark, Luxembourg and Germany have also ratified.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Government have made a decision on the future of grant aid for the Tyne and Wear Metro; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. The Government have decided to continue financial support for the Tyne and Wear Metro project. In taking this decision, we took account both of the Tyne and Wear County Council's acceptance of the strict financial régime I had required as regards capital expenditure and revenue support for the metro, and of the assurances of support the County Council has received from the unions involved at local and national level. I am confident that the County Council will take every action necessary to fulfil their undertaking to me. Arrangements are being made to keep my Department closely in touch with the progress and financing of the project.I also believe that the Joint Working Party that has been set up under the auspices of the TUC will make progress towards agreement on manning and related issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is aware of the potential effect of proposals for improving the A69 trunk road at Bardon Mill upon the village playing field; whether he has consulted the official Custodian for Charities; and whether he will, in any event, give an assurance that if the playing field should be appropriated for road purposes a replacement field and pavilion of comparable size and status would be provided.

Consultation with the public, including an exhibition in October, about a by-pass at Bardon Mill, has just ended. It will be some time before an assessment of the public reaction can be completed and a preferred route announced. Two of the three alternative routes suggested would affect the playing field. The normal rules for compensation would apply in respect of any land or buildings acquired for a road scheme.I understand that the local charitable trust is concerned rather than the Custodian for Charities.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the fog code with a view to determining which items in it could with advantage be made mandatory; if he considers that the present advisory speed limits in fog should be enforceable at law and if so what additional powers would be required by the police to enable them to bring prosecutions; and what steps he is taking to provide flashing speed limit signs on all motorways and dual carriageways in fog-prone areas which at present do not have them.

The use of headlights in poor daytime visibility is already mandatory. The other points in the code are reminders or exhortations which could not easily be enforced, but drivers who behave recklessly or dangerously are open to prosecution. To make advisory speed limits enforceable would necessarily mean that the system would be less flexible. At present 580 miles of motorway are equipped to display advisory speed limits and plans are in train for 380 more miles, but my right hon. Friend has no plans to extend the motorway signalling system to dual carriageway roads.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the TGWU regarding the requirement to install tachographs in commercial vehicles from 1st January 1977; and if he will make a statement.

The TGWU has made clear on a number of occasions its long-standing opposition to compulsory use of tachographs on journeys within the United Kingdom. Discussions with the union and other interested parties are continuing. Meanwhile I have said that I would prefer not to see the tachograph in domestic use and I am not planning to move in that direction.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for the improvement of road communications between Gosport and Fareham and between Gosport and Southampton.

None. Apart from the A27 trunk road and the M27 motorway, road communications are the responsibility of Hampshire County Council as highway authority. Subject to satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures, it is intended that the A27 from Fareham to Windhover shall cease to be a trunk road on 1st April 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is currently involved in proposals to improve the A32 between Gosport and Fareham.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is currently concerned in a proposal to build a new road from Cams Alders at Fareham through Peel Common and joining Military Road, Gosport, at Browndown; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the Chairman of British Railways.

On Monday evening.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to amend Regulation 56 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1973 so as to make compulsory the fitting of valanced wings of rigid construction and adequate strength to all motor vehicles and trailers.

We are investigating the possible use of valanced wings on heavy vehicles so as to reduce spray, but I doubt whether such a requirement would be feasible for all types of motor vehicle. In the light of this study I shall consider whether the Regulations should be amended.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish details of the cost of salting and gritting roads in the United Kingdom per annum; and if he will make a staetment.

About £4 million—November 75 prices—is spent on salting motorways and trunk roads in the United Kingdom per annum. On local authority roads about £17 million per annum is spent on winter maintenance, which includes salting and gritting.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost due to damage to roads and vehicles due to salting and gritting of roads per annum; and if he will make a statement.

Salting causes no significant damage to roads. Gritting does add marginally to the cost of subsequent road cleansing, but no precise figures are available. In 1972 the total cost of vehicle corrosion was estimated by the Department at about £260 million, of which about half was probably attributable to salt.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, in view of the need for ice-free roads, if he will co-ordinate local authorities' schemes in regard to amounts of salt and grit used; and if he will issue guidance on the best practice to be followed in costs and materials.

No.The Department of Transport advises all highway authorities about the type, storage and use of materials used for the winter maintenance of roads, and about the kind of plant available.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what total sum has been paid to Mozambique during the last 12 months.

Since December 1975, payments under British bilateral technical co-operation for Mozambique total £18,739. No payments have yet been made in respect of bilateral capital assistance. Special payments of £90,000 to the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation, and of £50,000 to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, were made last month for the operations of these organisations in Mozambique.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development if he has received through the International Red Cross any requests for help in dealing with the thousands of Angolan refugees fleeing into South-West Africa.

No. We have, however, made two grants of £25,000 each to the International Committee for its relief work in Angola itself and, as I said in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gower (Mr. Davies) on 22nd November, we responded to an appeal by the United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees with a contribution of £250,000 to assist with a programme of humanitarian assistance for refugees and displaced persons in Angola.—[Vol. 919, c. 907–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to equip the Royal Air Force with laser guided bombs.

It is our intention to procure from the United States a laser guidance system for use by the Royal Air Force with existing bombs. At a comparatively low cost, this will considerably enhance the accuracy of delivery of these weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to stimulate European co-operation in defence equipment procurement: and if he will make a statement.

The Government are playing an active part in the work of the independent European Programme Group established in February this year to increase European co-operation in defence procurement in the interests of the North Atlantic Alliance and to this end to promote collaboration among European defence industries; and to strengthen the European factor in relations with North America in defence procurement. The group, in which all the European members of the Alliance except Iceland participate, is acknowledged by all its members to be the main European forum for collaboration in defence equipment. After analysing national equipment programmes the European Programme Group has, in the course of the year, established 10 specialist groups to examine the collaborative prospects for specific items of equipment, including important requirements for future tactical combat aircraft and military helicopters. The group has also taken note of recent decisions by the United States Congress to relax the requirements of the Buy American Act and the prospects that they offer for a more equitable balance between Europe and North America in this field; and it is to study ways to develop a fruitful trans-Atlantic dialogue on defence procurement issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the historic aircraft currently held by his Department, indicating the location of all those on public display.

A list of the historic aircraft currently held in the United Kingdom by the Ministry of Defence is reproduced below. The majority of these aircraft are the property of the Ministry of Defence, but the list also includes aircraft owned by Service museums, or privately owned and on loan to the Department or its museums. Historic aircraft are liable to be moved to different locations as a consequence of organisational changes within the Services or in order to meet display requirements of museums or collections. From time to time aircraft which are duplicated become surplus and are sold.HISTORIC AIRCRAFT IN FLYING CONDITION:These aircraft participate in flying displays and undertake other occasional commitments.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the total cost required both to bring discovered North Sea fields into production and to explore for and exploit new resources of oil and natural gas assuming a 10 to 15 year programme and an average inflation rate of 10 per cent.

No estimate is available based on the assumptions mentioned by the hon. Member of the total expenditure upon exploration and development of the United Kingdom oil and natural gas resources in the North Sea. However, on the working assumption of a long term United Kingdom and world rate of inflation of about 8 per cent per annum employed in the calculation of the balance of payments effects of North Sea oil and gas published in the Treasury's Economic Progress Report for July 1976, the total expenditure associated with the programme between 1972 and 1985 will be about £23 billion at current prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from the Right to Fuel Campaign about disconnection of domestic fuel consumers; and what replies he has sent.

I have maintained close contact with this campaign and recently spoke at one of their public meetings. This organisation considers that the power of the electricity and gas industries to disconnect consumers for debt should be removed as was recommended in the Oakes Report. I have explained that this raises large issues and would require legislation. The Government have decided to keep the matter under review in the light of experience of the operation of the code of practice for payment of domestic electricity and gas bills which the industries have recently published following consultation with Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will make a statement on the proposed increases in the price of gas and how it will affect long-term contracts between the British Gas Corporation and its customers; and what is the expected net increase in revenue;(2) what is the current capital indebtedness of British Gas Corporation; how this will be reduced by the proposed increase in tariffs as part of the economic package to reduce the public sector borrowing requirement; and how the increased tariffs will affect the corporation's proportion of self-financing its capital expenditure programmes.

As at 15th December 1976, the statutory borrowing powers of the British Gas Corporation had been exercised to the extent of £2,236·6 million. The precise size and application of the increase have still to be worked out, but it was requested because of the crucial importance of reducing public sector borrowing quickly, and will certainly make a valuable contribution to this.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what will be the reduction in capital expenditure by the electricity supply industry; and how it will be distributed over projected programmes which will result from the economic package to reduce the public sector borrowing requirement;(2) what will be the reduction in capital expenditure by the British National Oil Corporation; and how it will be distributed over projected programmes which will result from the economic package to reduce the public sector borrowing requirement;(3) what the reduction in capital expenditure by the National Coal Board will be; and how it will be distributed over projected programmes, which will result from the economic package to reduce the public sector borrowing requirement.

There will be no reductions in the capital investment pro- grammes of the coal industry, the electricity supply industry in England and Wales or of the British National Oil Corporation as a result of the economic measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether there are still statutory restrictions on the maximum heating level in buildings; and, if so, what these restrictions are and to what buildings they apply.

The maximum temperature to which any premises, other than living accommodation, may be heated is 68°F—20°C. This limit is set by the Fuel and Electricity (Heating) (Control) Order 1974—SI, 1974, No. 2160—which is preserved by the Energy Act 1976. Certain exemptions are set out in the Order. The limit can, for instance, be exceeded if necessary for the health or wellbeing of any person on those premises who is disabled, infirm, pregnant,under the age of 5 years, or over the age of 60 years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the fact that maintenance payments received by a family are regarded as income for the purpose of computing rent rebates, he will amend the model scheme in order that such expenditure may be deducted from the income of those making such payments when their entitlement to rebate is computed.

No. The Advisory Committee on Rent Rebates and Rent Allowances has recently reconsidered this matter and, taking into account the administrative burden involved and local authorities' discretionary powers to make extra payments in appropriate cases, has advised against making a change. My right hon. Friend accepts this view.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the guidance which is being provided to the building and construction industry, including local authority direct-labour departments, for the installation of solar heating arrangements.

We are in close touch with development work on solar heating and the Building Research Advisory Service is ready to give technical advice to individual inquirers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make an announcement on the subject of the membership of the independent committee which is to inquire into the remuneration of members of local authorities; and if he will report on progress to date.

I announced last month that Derek Robinson had been invited to chair this Committee. I am now pleased to be able to announce that the other members of the Committee are the Honourable Mrs. Charles Morrison, Mr.

FAILING TO PRODUCE A VEHICLE TEST CERTIFICATE
Number of offences
		1971	1972	1973	1974	1975
Prosecutions	…	11,151	14,880	18,168	18,084	18,830
Findings of guilt	…	7,235	9,518	11,494	11,187	11,818
Penalties imposed:
Absolute discharge	…	349	463	595	620	672
Conditional discharge	…	75	92	105	114	123
Fine	…	6,453	8,413	10,054	9,861	10,404
Otherwise dealt with	…	358	550	740	592	619

FAILING TO EXHIBIT A MOTOR VEHICLE LICENCE
Number of offences
		1971	1972	1973	1974	1975
Prosecutions	…	8,583	20,068	26,269	26,594	32,445
Findings of guilt	…	8,037	18,434	23,779	23,895	29,583
Penalties imposed:
Absolute discharge	…	1,053	3,200	2,661	2,535	3,597
Conditional discharge	…	70	108	161	127	177
Fine	…	6,903	15,074	20,797	21,164	25,761
Otherwise dealt with	…	11	52	160	69	48

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect of his policies on unemployment in the construction and related industries.

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, West (Mr. Sedgemore).