asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on his policy directed towards abolishing the gap between the Irish and the United Kingdom green pounds in view of the effect this gap has on the United Kingdom agricultural industry.

The Commission is currently proposing devaluations of 5·94 per cent. in the United Kingdom green pound and 2·71 per cent. in the Irish green pound. These proposals will have to be judged in the context of the price package as a whole.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the recent fall in the price of cattle obtained by United Kingdom farmers to be arrested.

In the last seven weeks the average market price for certified cattle in the United Kingdom has fluctuated by little more than 1p per live kg and has remained above the seasonal target price. Producers' returns are effectively underpinned by the combination of premiums and intervention; and the support level for beef is due to increase at the beginning of the 1977–78 marketing year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision is expected in regard to the consideration by the Community of the present arrangements for the support of beef production in the United Kingdom.

In its proposals on agricultural prices for 1977–78, the Commission has recommended that the Community's internal support mechanisms for beef should be reviewed by the Council in the light of a report that the Commission aims to present by 1st June 1977. They envisage that the Council would take decisions on the future application of intervention and premiums by 31st July. Meanwhile they have proposed that the current internal mechanisms should remain in force and, in particular, that the present variable premium arrangements should continue to 31st July. These proposals, along with the Commission's proposals on beef prices for 1977–78, are currently being considered by the Council.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be in a position to reply to the Manchester City Council in respect of its submissions for financial assistance in respect of the debt charges on the Manchester Abattoir.

My right hon. Friend has been considering this matter in consultation with other Departments and hopes to be able to reply to the City Council very shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy towards the production of potatoes in the United Kingdom, in the light of continued high potato prices resulting from inadequate domestic supplies.

Our policy continues to be aimed at achieving a planted area which, given normal yields, will produce sufficient potatoes to meet our requirements. The shortfalls in home production this season and last were caused by the weather. The 1975 plantings would have produced adequate supplies if yields had been normal and the increased plantings in 1976 would have given ample supplies this season.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he will now make to the EEC Commission in connection with the proposal for the exclusive use of dairy fats only in the making of ice cream in the United Kingdom.

The present proposal of the EEC Commission with regard to the use of dairy fats in the making of ice cream in the United Kingdom is not acceptable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is able to estimate the number of poultry travelling by road in the course of the last full year for which records are available.

In the absence of official statistics on this subject, I regret that it is not possible to estimate the number with any degree of accuracy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total number of staff employed by his Department in Wales in 1976; and what were the corresponding figures for the last five years.

The number of staff employed by my Department in Wales on 1st July 1976 was 1,310. The corresponding figures for the previous five years were:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give reasons for the delay in announcing the price levels for those commodities unaffected by the common agricultural policy, namely, potatoes, sheepmeat and wool.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report 14th March 1977; Vol. 928, c. 18], gave the following information:Following the Annual Review of Agriculture 1977 it has been decided that the guaranteed prices for fat sheep and wool for their marketing years 1977–78 beginning 28th March and 1st May respectively should be increased to 115p per kg (52·2p/lb) and 110p per kg (49·9p/lb) The guaranteed price for fat sheep will, as in previous years, be converted into a scale of weekly standard prices which will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is the Government's policy to perpetuate parental means tests for the student grants system indefinitely.

The economic situation makes complete abolition of parental contributions impossible at the present time. Over the next three years the parental contribution scale will, however, be adjusted to take account of the phased reduction in child tax allowances. As a result, the total parental contribution will be substantially reduced in value. If child tax allowances were wholly withdrawn now, the cost of abolishing the parental contribution would be reduced from £120 million to £55 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new medical schools have been opened in the United Kingdom since 1945.

Three medical schools have been established since 1945, at the universities of Leicester, Nottingham and Southampton.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many doctors have qualified in each year since 1970; and how this compares with the numbers in 1960.

The information is as follows.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive proposals from the Boundary Commission for the revision of parliamentary constituency boundaries in the counties of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.

It seems likely that the provisional recommendations of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England for constituencies in Northumberland will be published later this year. It is not at present possible to estimate when the provisional recommendations for constituencies in Tyne and Wear will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, as part of his policy against football hooliganism, he will discuss with the Football Association the persistent violence perpetrated by supporters of Manchester United Football Club at Football Association Cup matches.

The police already make appropriate plans in consultation with the clubs for particular matches. I intend soon, with my ministerial colleagues, to hold a further meeting with representatives of the police and football organisations in order to review the measures to control crowds which we discussed last December, but we shall not confine our discussions to one club or one competition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Hampshire about the extra duties involved for his men and the costs incurred by the ratepayers, following the rowdyism, drunkenness and law breaking that occurred before, during and after the Football Association Cup game between Southampton and Manchester United at Southampton on 26th February.

I understand from the Chief Constable of Hampshire that 316 officers were deployed in connection with the match on 26th February. 47 of the officers were employed inside the football ground and I understand that a charge of £857, excluding VAT, had been made to the Southampton Football Club in respect of these officers. The Chief Constable estimates that the additional costs falling on police funds were about £7,000. Under the normal arrangements this expenditure will attract a specific grant of 50 per cent. from central Government and will also be regarded as relevant expenditure for rate support grant purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons resident in the Irish Republic have been detected attempting to claim social security benefits in Northern Ireland in the last year or nearest convenient period.

I regret that information relating to fraudulent attempts to claim benefit is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons normally resident in Northern Ireland go to the Irish Republic for their regular employment.

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 22nd February by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Armagh (Mr. McCusker).—[Vol. 926, c. 551.]

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many citizens of the Irish Republic are now permanently resident in Northern Ireland.

This information is not available, as neither the 1971 census nor other records offer a reliable means of establishing the numbers of citizens of the Republic of Ireland at present living in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern 'Ireland how many persons from the Irish Republic and Great Britain, respectively, applied for work permits in Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years; and how many were granted work permits.

The figures are:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the civil servants in his Department he estimates will retire within the next 12 months.

I estimate that just over 2 per cent. of the United Kingdom civil servants in my Department will retire within the next 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost to the National Health Service of male and female sterilisations, giving separate figures for each region.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will publish details of the number of sterilisations carried out (a) on a one-off basis and (b) with other procedures, for each region;(2) how many sterilisations have been carried out within each region for each year since 1972, giving separate figures for either sex;(3) what is the average time spent in hospital by women having sterilisation operations, giving separate figures for each region.

This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining fees received by surgeons, etc., for carrying out sterilisations.

The scale of fees for sterilisation and associated procedures undertaken in hospitals by consultants and other hospital doctors under the arrangements agreed with health and social services boards is as follows:

It is not possible without disproportionate cost to distinguish between male and female sterilisations or to segregate payments made for sterilisations from those made for other family planning procedures. The expenditure by each health and social services board for sterilisations and other family planning procedures in hospitals from 1st April 1976 to date is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give details of the EEC regulations or directives which affected his decision to phase out invalid three-wheelers, showing the documentary references including titles and dates where appropriate.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 9th February—[Vol. 925, c. 704.] Details of the relevant EEC directives are as follows:Interior fittings

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he is considering establishing regulations for codes of safe practice in British medical laboratories rather than relying on recommendations as at present;(2) what action he proposes to take to improve standards of safety and health care in British medical laboratories, in view of the wide variation in standards.

The Working Party on the Laboratory Use of Dangerous Pathogens, which reported in 1975, recommended among other things that general guidance on safety in laboratories should be drawn up. As a result, in August 1975 my Department set up a working party under the chairmanship of Sir James Howie, a former Director of the Public Health Laboratory Service Board, to draw up a code of practice for the prevention of infection in clinical laboratories. The working party is expected to report shortly and its recommendations will then be considered with a view to publication as a code of guidance.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether local offices of his Department, and regional offices of his Department, keep records of the numbers of sickness benefit claims handled by them on a weekly or monthly basis.

Local offices record the total number of new claims received each week for "incapacity benefits", that is, sickness and invalidity benefits and noncontributory invalidity pension.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons immediately prior to their employment in his Department were themselves registered as unemployed in 1976.

1,889 of the staff who joined my Department in 1976 indicated that they were unemployed for three months or more before joining. It is not known how many were registered as unemployed, or if others had been unemployed for shorter periods.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local offices and caller offices of his Department have closed over the past 10 years; and whether all claimants can still visit the remaining offices using public transport.

Since August 1966, 1,067 local offices dealing solely with either national insurance or supplementary benefits have been closed and replaced by 368 integrated local offices providing a comprehensive service over the full range of benefits. The number of manned caller offices increased during this period by 25 to the present total of 340. Accessibility by the public, particularly by public transport, is a prime consideration in the location of offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of prosecutions for illegally drawing unemployment benefit in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976, respectively.

The figures available are for offences involving unemployment benefit and include, for example, illegal claims for increases in respect of dependants. They are:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the figures for the number of self-employed persons in each of the 36 Welsh parliamentary constituencies.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his Question on 7th May 1975—[Vol. 891, c. 465–6.] No more up-to-date information is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he and his Department have received in the form of objections to the 714 tax exemption self-employed certificates.

I would not expect objections to an income tax procedure to be sent to my Department and I am not aware of any such objections.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish details of the number of sterilisations carried out (a) on a one-off basis and (b) with other procedures, for each region;

I shall let my hon. Friend have replies as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total cost to date to the National Health Service of supplies of whooping-cough vaccine since the start of the immunisation programme; and if he will break down the total cost into the value of the contracts for each of the manufacturers supplying the health service.

From its inception 20 years ago the whooping-cough immunisation programme has been operated by local health authorities, and the costs of their vaccine purchases are not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which of the manufacturers supplying the National Health Service with whooping-cough vaccine supplied the batch to the Dorset Area Health Authority from which Tanya Price was vaccinated at Dr. Brown's surgery, 20 St. Leonard's Road, Charminster, Dorset, on the 13th August 1975; what was the number of the batch concerned; and if it is the usual policy for areas to receive supplies from the same manufacturer on a continuing basis.

The manufacturer was Lister Institute, and the batch number 908P/59. It is the responsibility of each area health authority to make arrangements for supplies through the usual commercial channels. I regret that no information is available centrally regarding the practice of individual area health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he requested the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination to follow up the reported adverse reactions to the whooping-cough vaccine; whether it did so at his request or independently; what action was taken in this follow up; and if he will make a statement on the results of such further investigations;(2) if the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination took into account the study in the

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 25th February; Vol. 926, c. 727–8], gave the following information:As I stated in my reply to the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Wirral (Mr. Hunt) on 8th March—Vol. 927, c. 1218–21]—in view of the interest shown in the House and the country I have asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to prepare for publication a review of the evidence about whooping-cough vaccine and to set out in full the basis of its advice to me. I would prefer to await the report of the committee before going further into matters that would come within the ambit of its review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the civil servants in his Department he estimates will retire within the next 12 months.

It is estimated that between 3 per cent. and 4 per cent. of staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will retire between 1st April 1977 and 1st April 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs further to his reply to the hon. Member for Louth on 24th February concerning staff at the British Embassies of East European capitals, what is the function of the one Hungarian citizen in the British Embassy at Prague.

The employee in question is a driver. He is a member of the Hungarian ethnic minority in Czechoslovakia, but is in fact a Czechoslovak citizen. I regret that my earlier answer was misleading on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the 40 Russian vessels to be allowed in the EEC's 200-mile exclusive economic zone will be research vessels, in view of the fact that 23 large Russian research vessels will be operating in the Norwegian fisheries zone.

Licences have been issued to 42 Soviet fishing vessels to fish until 31st March in the combined fishery limits of the EEC countries. These arrangements do not cover research vessels.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects are at present in Uganda; and whether he is satisfied that all possible steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to ensure their safety.

There are about 500 United Kingdom nationals resident in Uganda. As elsewhere, the safety of United Kingdom nationals overseas is the formal responsibility of the country in which they reside. This remains true of Uganda. It is important that those of our nationals who remain in Uganda understand the risks they run and our limited ability to assist them, particularly in view of the absence of diplomatic relations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what factors other than cost were taken into account in deciding to reduce the trained strength committed to training by 10 per cent. by 1st April 1977; when the decision was taken; and when the first resulting cuts were made.

The reduction of 10 per cent. in the trained naval strength committed to short training was designed both as an exercise in good housekeeping and as a contribution towards the overall reduction in the strength of the Royal Navy. None of these reductions will affect basic training or training associated with fighting efficiency or with safety at sea. The decision was taken, after full consultation with the training authorities concerned, at the beginning of this year and a start has already been made on the first reductions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what undertakings were given to officers entering the Fleet Air Arm on short-service commissions in 1966 concerning the payment of tax-free gratuities after 12 years.

Aircrew officers recruited into the Fleet Air Arm in 1966 were offered two types of direct entry commission. For details of the terms of these commissions I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 9th March [Vol. 927, c. 596–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that the terms of an advertisement placed in national newspapers in 1966 by Captain J. H. F. Eberle, R.N., of the Officer Entry Section of the Admiralty inviting officers to join the Fleet Air Arm on short-service commissions of 12 years to receive in 1978 tax-free gratuities of £5,000 have been honoured.

Aircrew officers leaving at their 8- or 12-year break point before April 1978 receive gratuities. The position of those with the option to leave after April 1978 is being reviewed by Ministers in the light of pensions legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether on joining the Royal Navy on short-service commissions in 1966 officers were informed that the advertised undertaking that they would be entitled to a tax-free gratuity of £5,000 would not necessarily be honoured.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he has decided not to honour the undertaking given in 1966 by the Admiralty that after 12 years' service they would pay to officers of the Fleet Air Arm on short-service commissions a tax-free gratuity of £5,000.

No such decision has been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to verify the amounts of claims for damage to property in the Irish Republic which are satisfied by the Claims Commission.

Before a payment of compensation is considered for damage to any property caused by the Armed Forces the claimant is asked to produce an estimate or technical report showing the cost of repairs. Where appropriate the Claims Commission also has the damage inspected by a surveyor or other qualified examiner.The Claims Commission can, however, trace no payment for damage to property in the Irish Republic.If the right hon. Member has any particular problem in mind and will write to me, the matter will be investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations he has received from civilian organisations for the use of the runways and hangars at RAF Andover; and whether he will make a statement;(2) what future plans he envisages for the use of the runways and hangars at RAF Andover.

There have been several requests for casual use of the airfield, which we have allowed where-ever possible. There have also been inquiries about purchasing the airfield and hangars, and a request to use them for gliding, which we have had to refuse while our own future use of the facilities was under review.I can now confirm that there is no long-term defence requirement for the major part of the airfield, including the runways, which will therefore shortly be passed to the Property Services Agency for disposal. There is, however, a continuing defence requirement for the hangars and they will be transferred to the Army with the rest of the buildings when the RAF vacates the site in the middle of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value and the age of the furniture and fittings recently sold at RAF Leconfield; and how much replacement will cost.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report; Vol. 927, c. 682], gave the following information:The recent sale of furniture and fittings at RAF Leconfield included miscellaneous used items no longer required by the Services, together with obsolescent furniture from 17 officers' and two airmen's married quarters. Detailed records for individual items are not kept, but none of the furniture was less than 12 years old and most was very much older. The sale realised £12,500. The miscellaneous items will not be replaced. The cost of replacing the furniture in the 19 married quarters will be £25,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the official forecasts, including the latest one, made for the publication date of his Department's housing finance review, subsequently renamed the housing policy review, since that review was first announced.

I would refer the hon. Member to the official proceedings of this House for past statements about the review. The original intention was to publish in the first half of 1976. When the review's terms of reference were widened this was amended to the autumn then the end of 1976. Last December I said that I intended to publish a Green Paper as soon as possible this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his Green Paper on housing policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the findings of his housing policy review.

I propose to issue a Green Paper as quickly as possible after the Government have concluded their consideration of the results of the housing policy review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many studies of housing policy are currently in progress; and when he expects to bring forward further proposals for action.

I propose to issue a Green Paper as quickly as possible after the Government have concluded their consideration of the results of the housing policy review. This is the only comprehensive Government housing study taking place; the Rent Acts review began within it and follows on from it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how far consultation on the report of the Working Party on Dogs has now gone.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Boscawen) on 7th March.—[Vol. 927, c. 391–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that local authorities have yet provided sufficient authorised sites for gipsies and other travellers to obviate the need for parking caravans in unauthorised locations.

No. It was for this reason that Mr. John Cripps was asked to carry out a study of the effectiveness of the arrangements to secure adequate accommodation for gipsies in England and Wales. Mr. Cripps' report is expected to be published before Easter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will review the basis on which the distribution of rate support grant is calculated.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) on 19th January.—[Vol. 924, c. 315–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage increase in rate support grant payable to the London borough of Camden over the past three years.

Camden's entitlement to needs element under the main RSG orders for 1975–76 and 1976–77 showed increases of 46 per cent. and 51 per cent. respectively over the corresponding payments for the preceding years. Because the 1977–78 distribution includes most of the effects of the London equalisation scheme, no direct comparison with the figures for earlier years is possible. Camden does not receive resources element grant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the percentage increase in rate support grant payable to Surrey in each of the last three years.

Surrey's entitlement to needs element under the main RSG orders for 1975–76 and 1976–77 showed increases of 26 per cent. and 13 per cent. respectively over the corresponding payments for the preceding year. The initial entitlement for 1977–78 shows a reduction of 12 per cent. from the 1976–77 total.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage increase in rate support grant payable to Wiltshire over the past three years.

Wiltshire's entitlement to needs element under the main RSG orders for 1975–76 and 1976–77 showed increases of 38 per cent. and 21 per cent. respectively over the corresponding payments for the preceding year. The initial entitlement for 1977–78 shows a reduction of 7 per cent. from the 1976–77 total.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage increase in rate support grant payable to Oxfordshire over the past three years.

Oxfordshire's entitlement to needs element under the main RSG orders for 1975–76 and 1976–77 showed increases of 34 per cent. and 20 per cent. respectively over the corresponding payments for the preceding year. The initial entitlement for 1977–78 shows a reduction of 12 per cent. from the 1976–77 total.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further legislation he proposes to introduce in the current Session on matters within his responsibility.

I propose to introduce legislation to provide for the continued control of office development and on local authority direct labour organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities use bread and breakfast accommodation for homeless families.

In the first half of 1976, it is estimated that just over half the London boroughs and about one-third of districts outside London made use of bed and breakfast accommodation in at least one instance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration his Department is giving to the National Economic Development Office Report on housing; and whether he will put forward proposals to implement its recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the report on housing from the National Economic Development Office; and whether he will make a statement about the representations which his Department has received about the report from trade unions.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 7th March in answer to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, West (Mr. Sedgemore).—[Vol. 927, c. 393.] I have received no trade union representations about the matter. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will take into account in the housing policy review all evidence submited to him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest housing returns, public and private.

The Housing Report for January was published on 9th March. In January 15,700 houses and flats were started in Great Britain. Completions numbered 20,300.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he takes into account in deciding what house building projects to approve in non-stress areas.

The criteria considered are those set out in departmental Circular 80/76, namely, outside the listed stress areas we give priority to areas with pockets of housing stress, and to areas where there are instances of special requirements, such as industrial or town development, and particular social needs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what encouragement is given to the purchase of furniture for Government Departments from British, rather than overseas, manufacturers.

British manufacturers are encouraged by the fact that more than 98 per cent. by value of all such contracts is placed with them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend the housing cost yardstick to include full house heating in order to encourage the provision of a more realistic heating load and so remove one of the obstacles limiting the extension of district heating schemes.

My Department has no evidence that the yardstick system inhibits local authorities who wish to install district heating schemes. It would, therefore, seem unnecessary to amend it for the reason suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had concerning the construction industry; what measures he proposes to take to bring about an improvement in that industry's present depressed state; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend and I have full and frequent discussions with the construction industry and there was a discussion on the industry at the meeting of the National Economic Development Council on 2nd March. There is no prospect of additional public expenditure on construction at this time, but the formal link which has been established between the industry and the industrial strategy, and other action being considered, will help. The main emphasis of future discussions with the industry will be on means of ensuring that, while adapting itself to the current situation, it also develops to the maximum its efficiency and readiness for the eventual recovery of demand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the shortage of privately owned accommodation available for rent.

The consultation paper on the review of the Rent Acts asked for evidence and comments to be submitted by 30th April 1977. A number of representations have already been received, about 10 per cent. of which appear to be prompted by a shortage of private rented accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will issue his new circular to local authorities on the full and effective use of empty property.

The preparation of a draft circular, on which I intend to consult the local authority associations, is now at an advanced stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received up to date concerning the release of chlorine gas from aerosols.

My Department has received a number of inquiries about the possible risk to the stratospheric ozone layer from chlorofluorocarbons, the uses of which include serving as propellants in aerosol sprays. The present scientific evidence would not justify any immediate action to restrict their use, but we shall continue to keep a close watch on the situation and support relevant research.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the operation to date of the Community Land Act 1975.

No. A statement will not be worth while until we have a full picture of the first year of the Act's operation; this will be when local authorities have submitted their land accounts later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many notices of changes of intention under paragraph 6 of Schedule 7 to the Community Land Act have been served.

This information is not available to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any local authorities have been added to the list of stress areas published in Circular 80/76.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 18th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Fletcher).—[Vol. 924, c. 97.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his current policy in relation to Greater London overspill problems.

My right hon. Friend's policies on decentralisation from London and other major conurbations are under review, and he expects to make a statement about his conclusions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he remains satisfied with the regulations involving insulation and the resultant rate assessment increases.

The thermal insulation requirements for dwellings were roughly doubled in 1975. We are now considering extending them to most other types of buildings. Any improvement to the insulation of dwellings would not by itself be assessed for rating purposes until the next general revaluation. I am not aware of any rate assessment problems arising from the insulation of other buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of present Government restrictions on the amount which local authorities may spend on repair and improvement, he will take action to increase the amounts local authorities are permitted to spend on the thousands of older properties which they have purchased for letting and which at present remain empty and subject to vandalism for lack of repair.

Allocations to local authorities for 1977–78 in respect of the repair and improvement of dwellings they own take account so far as is possible of the need for works to older properties which they have purchased. New and more flexible arrangements are being introduced which will permit authorities wider discretion in their programmes of acquisition, repair and improvement. These arrangements should help authorities to bring acquired properties into use, especially if they give priority to essential initial works.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the report of the committee of inquiry into the remuneration of councillors.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 25th January to my hon. Friend for Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will institute a comprehensive scheme of temporary secondment between civil servants in his Department and local government officers in order to widen the experience and mutual comprehension of civil servants and local government officers.

I have sympathy with the hon. Member's objective, but I doubt whether a scheme on the lines suggested is the way to achieve it. The cost would be considerable and not something I could accept at the present time. My Department will continue to seek staff exchanges with individual local authorities where these would be beneficial to both.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many draft schemes for first-time buyer home purchase assistance in both public and private sector housing have been submitted by local authorities to his Department since 1st January 1976; and how many of these have been accepted (a) for further evaluation, and (b) for final approval.

A wide range of schemes is covered by this Question. Whether a particular proposal needs to be approved by my right hon. Friend depends on the nature of the scheme. I regret that the detailed information requested by the hon. Member could be provided only at disproportionate cost. As the hon. Member knows, we strongly support action by local authorities to assist first-time buyers wherever possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the proportion of houses renovated to houses demolished in local authority housing improvement schemes in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976, respectively.

The information is not available in relation to local authority improvement schemes, but if my hon. Friend would care to write to me explaining in a little more detail what he wishes to know I will do my best to help him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that the development plan for Gatwick Airport fulfils sound planning criteria.

The Master Plan Report for Gatwick Airport published in 1974 described the present phase of developments which will bring its capacity to 16 million passengers a year. It was prepared by the British Airports Authority and, although the subject of consultations with the local planning authorities, was a non-statutory publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider legislation to give rebates on domestic water rates.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 9th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Price).—[Vol. 922, c. 301–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the proposal of water authorities to undertake the direct billing for water and sewerage charges; and if he will make a statement.

I have received representations from the local authority associations and a number of individual local authorities. Following similar representations last year I advised water authorities to pay close attention, when contemplating the extension of direct billing, to the need to avoid an increase in the combined expenditure of water authorities and rating authorities. Nothing has happened since then to make me change that advice, and I have reminded the water authorities accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of overspending by the Thames Water Authority, he will impose on all water authorities an obligation to make a return to him indicating the cost to ratepayers of cheap mortgages, motor cars etc. enjoyed by staff.

Some payments by Thames Water Authority are being scrutinised by district audit: it would not be proper for me to comment on these. More generally, such matters are primarily for the regional water authorities to decide and to justify. I have drawn to their attention the need to exercise restraint.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when a decision can be expected from the appeal by St. Ouen Diamond and Fine Art Co. Limited and Sir William Burnett & Co. (Timber) Limited against four enforcement notices served by the borough of Broxbourne under the provisions of Section 87 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971; and whether, having regard to the fact that the inquiry was held in April 1976 to the fact that the site is in the green belt and to the natural anxiety of residents in the vicinity, he will expedite the decision.

My right hon. Friend has just announced his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the recent increase in unemployment in the Greater London area, he will now reconsider the decision to disperse the Property Services Agency of his Department to Teesside; and if he will make a statement.

No. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department, said on 4th February in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Arnold), the Government remain fully committed to the dispersal pogramme announced in July 1974, of which the Property Services Agency's dispersal to Teesside is part.—Vol. 925, c. 441.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is considering any amendments to the General Development Order 1973.

Yes. I am considering the comments on the list of proposed amendments circulated by the Department last July. I am sending a copy of the July letter to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to enunciate his new policy for the financing of public sector housing.

This subject will be dealt with in the housing policy review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to make charges for dealing with planning applications.

My right hon. Friend is considering the matter and is seeking the views of the local authority associations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to review with counties and metropolitan counties, existing proposals submitted in draft for green belts round built up areas, with a view to ensuring speedy designation by him, and the necessary approval of Parliament.

Proposals for green belt areas, and such areas previously approved, have been or are being reviewed by local planning authorities during the preparation of their structure plans. It the hon. Member will let me Know the particular areas in which he is interested I shall let him have details of the present position in those areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now list those areas, namely counties or districts, where green belts have been designated and approved by him, where draft proposals have been submitted, or agreed, but where designaion has still to be given, and those built-up areas where the appropriate action has not been taken; and whether he is satisfied with progress in this regard.

There is no central record of the details of areas of green belt in development plans. If the hon. Member will let me know of any particular area in which he is interested I shall let him have details of the position in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his decision to permit demolition of the medieval building at 28–32 Queen Street, King's Lynn, was taken in full knowledge of its historical and architectural importance.

No, it was not. My decision on 20th October 1976 was taken in the light of the information then available to me. Only subsequently, during the course of demolition, was it discovered that there were Norman arches concealed behind the rendering of the front facade. Demolition was completed before the Department was able to issue an interim preservation notice under Section 10 of the Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings Act 1953. I am investigating further the particular circumstances in which the demolition was carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what, in the light of the replies, Official Report, 17th February, columns 319–20 and 1st March, column 127, is now likely to be the progress toward cleaning the windows of the river frontage of the Principal Floor of the Palace of Westminster.

These windows have been cleaned as thoroughly as possible. For safety reasons the higher panes could not be cleaned on the outside. This will be possible when the Department's long-term programme of window renovation is carried out. My officials are considering whether alternative interim cleaning arrangements can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the report of the Mobile Homes Review Committee.

The report is nearing completion and we intend to publish it as soon as is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what safeguards are recommended by his Department, in the event of industrial action by local government employees, to ensure that decisions taken by elected representatives during such a dispute are within the vires of the authority.

None. It is the responsibility of each local authority to satisfy itself that its decisions are lawful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to introduce legislation which will improve arrangements for water supply and for the present situation in regard to properties not connected to sewerage mains.

These matters will be covered in the White Paper on the Review of the Water Industry which will, I hope, be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made with the regional planning strategy for the South-East of England.

The 1976 Review of the Strategic Plan for the South-East was submitted to my right hon. Friend and made publicly available last October. It has since been the subject of continuous inter-departmental discussions which will take account of views put to us by outside bodies and individual members of the public. I hope the Government's response to the review will be issued this summer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to increase the powers of local councils; what representations he has received in this respect; and what replies he has sent.

The Department has received a number of outline proposals for powers for local councils from the Secretary of the National Association of Local Councils. A reply giving the Department's reactions and inviting discussion with the association will be sent very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what expenditure has been incurred since 22nd February 1977 on converting The Exchange building in Cardiff for use by a Welsh Assembly; and whether it is intended that this work should continue.

Preliminary renovation and repair work in progress at 22nd February 1977 has continued, to meet an earlier contractual commitment. In total this work will cost about £50,000. No new commitment has been incurred since 22nd February 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the proposed development in the Roughs at High Storrs in the Hallam constituency has now been referred to him by the Sheffield District Council as a departure from the original development plan; what consultations he has had with the South Yorkshire County Council; and if he will hold a public inquiry.

The proposed departure from the Sheffield Development Plan at High Storrs and the Roughs has not yet been referred to my Department; my right hon Friend has had no consultations with the South Yorkshire County Council; and he will decide whether to hold a public local inquiry into the application when it is referred to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the United Kingdom and Great Britain in each year since 1964 (a) the number of persons employed in the Civil Service, (b) the number of persons employed in local government, (c) the number employed in the nationalised industries, including the Post Office, (d) the total working population and the corresponding figures for each EEC country for the same period.

The information is being collected, and I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the total resources that have been allocated to Wales to date under the job creation scheme; how much of this sum has been allocated, and how much spent to date; and what is the total number of job weeks that have (a) already been secured under the scheme and (b) which are associated with finance already allocated but not yet spent.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, to date, £12·5 million has been allocated to Wales under the Job Creation Programme, of which £10·6 million has been allocated to approved projects. To date, £3·4 million has been claimed by sponsors. The approved projects provide employment for approximately 227,000 man-weeks, of which just over 27,000 are on projects not yet started.The commission will shortly be announcing a further allocation of funds to Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will extend the job creation scheme to permit local authorities to use such funds for repairing council houses.

No. The Job Creation Programme is not intended to fund labour costs for work, which is the normal responsibility of the sponsor.