asked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in investigating the Severn barrage scheme following the Chief Scientist's comments during a lecture he gave the British Nuclear Energy Society on 28th September 1976.

The Department has commissioned two specific studies related to a Severn barrage, the first being an assessment of the effect of a barrage on the tidal regime and the second being a study of the problems of making a closure. These studies are now complete and it is my intention to publish the results in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has had any recent consultations with President Carter or his administration about the effects of united States nuclear policy on the British nuclear industry; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend discussed this matter with the United States Secretary for Energy, Mr. Schlesinger, and other members of the United States administration in Washington on 4th-5th April. Talks were wide ranging and included non-proliferation, reprocessing, uranium supplies and future collaboration and consultation between the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has for Anglo American talks on nuclear energy matters; and if he will make a statement.

British and United States Ministers and officials have been in close touch on these matters for some time and this will continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what regard he has to international policies on nuclear energy when determining policy for Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

This is one of the factors which my right hon. Friend takes into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he will publish his next report on oil and gas in the United Kingdom.

I have today arranged for the publication of the annual report on the development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom, the Brown Book. It covers offshore oil and gas activity last year, together with new estimates of reserves and prospects for the future. I have placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses and the Vote Office stores.The report describes a year of significant achievement when the flow of oil from the North Sea started to build up rapidly from seven fields. It forecasts a speedy build-up in production over the next two years, leading to self-sufficiency for the United Kingdom in oil in 1980. Oil production in 1977 is expected to be 40 to 45 million tons; that is the equivalent of nearly half United Kingdom demand for oil this year.The report points out the economic and industrial benefits which are already accruing to the country and says that we must use the vast reserves wisely to get long-term advantages. The Brown Book envisages a continued high level of exploration and appraisal drilling in the coming year. It also notes the successful first year in the life of the British National Oil Corporation. It records the promulgation last year of additional safety regulations and sets out the statistics on the accident rate in offshore oil and gas operations. It remains my concern to do everything possible to reduce the number of accidents. The report looks forward to continued successful exploration and development on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list any schemes of grants, loans, low interest loans and tax credits now being operated by his Department to encourage energy conservation, including the use of solar energy and heat pump systems, as well as improved insulation, and the better use of waste heat, indicating the funds used so far in the current year for each scheme by individuals, small businesses and large industrial organisations, respectively, and in total; and if he will compare this with total amounts used for each of the last five years.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 25th April 1977;Vol. 930, c. 243], gave the following information:Responsibility for the implementation of the various energy conservation schemes introduced by Her Majesty's Government falls to several Departments in addition to the Department of Energy. The Department of Energy is responsible for the energy saving loan scheme introduced in December 1974 and for the energy survey scheme introduced in December 1976.Under the loan scheme, loans are available, currently at 12 per cent. for industrial energy conservation schemes expected to produce annual fuel savings worth at least one-quarter of the capital cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to review the operations of the European Communities Act 1972.

My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

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

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

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett) on 3rd February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when negotiations with Argentina about the Falkland Islands are likely to begin.

The British and Argentine Governments have now reached agreement on the terms of reference for negotiations about the Falkland Islands dispute, as follows:

The Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have agreed to hold negotiations from June or July 1977 which will concern future political relations, including sovereignty, with regard to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, and economic co-operation with regard to the said territories, in particular, and the South West Atlantic, in general. In these negotiations the issues affecting the future of the Islands will be discussed, and negotiations will be directed to the working out of a peaceful solution to the existing dispute on sovereignty between the two states, and the establishment of a framework for Anglo Argentine economic co-operation which will contribute substantially to the development of the Islands, and the region as a whole

A major objective of the negotiations will be to achieve a stable, prosperous and politically durable future for the Islands, whose people the Government of the United Kingdom will consult during the course of the negotiations.

The agreement to hold these negotiations, and the negotiations themselves, are without prejudice to the position of either Government with regard to sovereignty over the Islands.

The level at which the negotiations will be conducted, and the times and places at which they will be held, will be determined by agreement between the two Governments If necessary, special Working Groups will be established.

asked the Prime Minister what categories of publication, other than official documents, are purchased out of public funds for the library at No. 10 Downing Street.

asked the Prime Minister what categories of publication, other than official documents, are purchased out of public funds for the library at No. 10 Downing Street.

I have been asked to reply.The library at No. 10 consists of books presented by members of successive Cabinets since 1931. In addition, reference and other books which are needed for the work of the office are purchased out of public funds whenever necessary.

asked the Prime Minister what is the estimated cost for the alterations at No. 10 Downing Street in order to accommodate the Summit Conference in May of this year; and what alterations would have been necessary if the Summit Conference had been staged at Lancaster House.

About £43,000. In the light of experience of the previous conferences at Rambouillet and Puerto Rico, Downing Street is more appropriate than Lancaster House for this meeting.

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

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to take the Chair at the European Council of Ministers.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to take the Chair at the EEC Council of Ministers.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend will chair the next meeting of the European Council on 29th and 30th June in London.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 26th April 1977.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 26th April.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner).

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the CBI.

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thornaby (Mr. Wrigglesworth) on 17th February.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to discuss with President Carter the need for increases in defence expenditure, in real terms.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the expansion and operations of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Further to my reply to the hon. Member on 19th April—[Vol. 930, c. 8]—three of the five full-time platoons of the UDR. are now fully operational and the other two platoons have started to perform limited operational duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the reductions that have been made in the military and civilian staff of the Ministry of Defence Headquarters since 1st March 1974.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in his inquiry into the pay and conditions of Service men and Service women in Northern Ireland.

As I informed the House during the Army debate last week—[Vol. 930, c. 70]—I have called for an urgent report on this subject, work on which is proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current purchasing power of the 50p daily allowance for British forces in Northern Ireland compared to 1974.

Since April 1974 the purchasing power of 50p has decreased by approximately 40 per cent. and the payment, therefore, represents a purchasing power of 30p when compared with 1974, based on the United Kingdom retail price index.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to increase the strength of the Special Air Service Regiment.

It is not our practice to give details of the strength, organisation or deployments of the Special Air Service Regiment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now publish the results of his review of policy on fire precautions on his Department's ranges and training areas.

I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what action he is taking to increase the number of registered disabled persons employed in Her Majesty's Stationery Office; and when he expects to achieve the 3 percent target.

The number of registered disabled persons employed in Her Majesty's Stationery Office is already at least 3 percent of the total staff of the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, in view of the progressive alteration of the school leaving age, if he will undertake discussions with the appropriate authorities about concessionary fares so that they are applicable to children attending school until they attain the present compulsory school leaving age.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) on 6th April 1977.—[Vol. 929, c. 523.]

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to encourage British Railways export potential for securing export contracts in countries of the East African community other than Kenya.

The Railways Board has assured me that it intends to pursue export opportunities with vigour, and, as 1 told my hon. Friends the Members for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Cook) and for Glasgow, Springburn (Mr. Buchanan) on 6th April—[Vol. 929, c. 1209]—I shall do whatever I can to support its initiatives.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will restore the financial help to the rabbit clearance societies which was phased out only five years ago, in view of the increase in the rabbit population and their growing immunity to myxomatosis.

No. Our latest surveys have indicated a wider distribution of rabbits in some areas, notably to the East and in some part of the North, although elsewhere the situation remained substantially unchanged. Looking to the future, it would be realistic to allow for the possibility that myxomatosis may have a diminishing effect on rabbit populations. The Department's available resources are, therefore, increasingly being applied to research into new or improved control techniques. Although there is no intention of reviving the grants to which the hon. Member refers, the Ministry will continue to provide occupiers concerned with free advisory service on methods of control. I would urge them, in their own interests, to maintain the vigilance and effort needed to fulfil their statutory responsibility to control rabbits on their land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what British representation there is at the latest talks between the EEC and the USSR on working out an agreement for vessels to fish within the 200-mile limit; and if he will make a statement.

Representatives of the Fisheries Departments and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are present during negotiations with the USSR and, together with representatives of other member States, advise the Commission on the conduct of those negotiations. Progress has been made towards the conclusion of a framework fisheries agreement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to announce the guaranteed price for potatoes.

This is still under consideration, but an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the light of the very restricted use of the herbicide 2,4,5-T permitted by the Norwegian Government and the fact that even this limited authorisation is likely to be withdrawn at the end of the current annual review and the herbicide banned altogether, his Department will again review its position on the unrestricted use of this product.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to her on 22nd December 1976 and to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) on 16th November 1976. We shall continue to be guided by the advice of the expert committee, and are satisfied that there is no cause for anxiety provided that this product is used in the recommended way for the recommended purposes.—[Vol. 923, c. 177; Vol. 919, c. 514.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the increased costs to food distributors arising from the changes in (a) vehicle excise duty and (b) duties on road fuels.

There are no official statistics of the numbers and types of vehicles used in food distribution, nor of the quantity of road fuels they require. The best estimate I can make is that the increased costs in aggregate are likely to be between £15 and £30 million per annum, about half of which would be due to the changes in road fuel duty. However, there could be some offsetting savings arising from greater efficiency in vehicle usage. Total household expenditure on food was some £14 billion in 1976.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider banning beam trawling in all United Kingdom waters.

We are at present studying the possible effects of the use of this type of gear in relation to stock conservation, as part of the Government's continuing examination of conservation measures which may be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the numbers and percentage of staff in each of the following nationalised industries and public corporations who are registered disabled: British Broadcasting Corporation, British Steel Corporation, National Freight Corporation, British Airways, British Transport Docks Board, Electricity Council, Independent Broadcasting Authority, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, British Airports Authority, British Gas, North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, British Waterways Board, Post Office, British Railways Board, National Bus Company, National Water Council, South of Scotland Electricity Board, Scottish Transport Group and the National Coal Board.

Comprehensive information about a wide cross-section of the public sector, including most of these employers, has already been published in the November 1976 issue of the Department of Employment Gazette, together with an explanation of the factors which should be borne in mind in considering these statistics. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 18th January—[Vol. 924, c. 135]—little purpose would be served by extending publication to include all public bodies. I will, however, bear in mind the possibility of enlarging the information given when I next consider the publication of quota figures for public sector employers, and would expect to include some of the bodies mentioned by the hon. Lady.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the fact that a number of employers have telephoned his Department to ascertain the procedure for claiming a rebate from the Maternity Pay Fund and have been told nothing is known about it, whether he will outline the procedure and list any forms which have to be completed and from where they should be obtained in the Official Report, publicise the information through appropriate channels and brief his Department on how to deal with inquiries.

Claims for rebate from the Maternity Pay Fund are dealt with through redundancy payments offices, which will provide employers with the necessary forms MP1 and MP1(R). The address of the appropriate redundancy payments office can be obtained from any local office of my Department. There has been considerable local, regional and national Press advertising about the fund. The local offices of my Department have been briefed to supply explanatory literature and, if necessary, refer inquiries to the specialist officers dealing with the subject at redundancy payments offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the fact that many employers are uninformed about the procedure for granting maternity pay and claiming a rebate and consequently are telling women employees they cannot afford to pay because they will be out of pocket, how he proposes to publicise the procedure.

An explanatory leaflet dealing with the new rights for the expectant mother, and mentioning the Maternity Pay Fund and rebates, has been available since May 1976. It was supplemented in March this year by a further leaflet dealing with maternity pay and telling employers how to obtain rebates. Press notices about the leaflets were issued on both occasions, and advertisements have appeared in the Press over the last month. Copies of the Press notices and leaflets have been sent to employers' associations so that they may advise their members through their own channels.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his intention to use his power under Section 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to transfer cannabis and cannabis resin from the list of Class B drugs to the Class C list.

Before exercising that power my right hon. Friend is required by the Act to consult the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. The Council is at present urgently considering a number of related matters connected with cannabis and cannabis resin, but the issues are complex, and we do not expect the Council to be in a position to formulate its advice for some time yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children she estimates move schools each year at a stage which gives rise to serious difficulty in adapting to a different curriculum.

Difficulty in adapting to a different curriculum is more likely to be experienced by children who move during the years of secondary school than those who move during the primary stage. On the basis of information derived from the National Child Development Study it has been estimated that between 300,000 and 400,000 secondary-school children aged between 11 and 16 move schools each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what statistical inquiries she undertook additional to those published in the Annual Education Statistics in connection with her review of sixth-form provisions in schools; when the investigations will be completed; and if she will publish the results.

None. The review was based on the further analysis of information from existing statistical inquiries, together with some other information obtained from inquiries carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate as part of its monitoring of sixth-form provision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average controlled rent in the Greater London area, in the rest of England and Wales, and in Scotland.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction gave him on 19th April 1977.—[Vol. 930, c. 17–18.]—I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that no up-to-date estimate is available for Scotland, where the number of controlled tenancies is very small.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of regulated rents which are currently registered.

About 700,000. This estimate excludes registrations for dwellings which have since ceased to be let on regulated tenancies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in each of the years since 1965 how many regulated rents have been registered; and what proportion of regulated tenancies had registered rents in each of these years.

The number of rents registered for the first time in England and Wales since 1965 are as follows:

1966	21,860
1967	35,130
1968	45,220
1969	46,460†
1970	46,240†
1971	58,220†
1972	115,350†
1973	146,920†

1974	130,500†
1975	87,040†
1976	61,240†
† Estimates.

Estimates for the number of regulated tenancies and the proportion which had registered rents are available for the following years:

Total number of regulated tenancies
	million
1966	1·2
1971	1·0
1976	1·4

Number with registered rents
	million
1966	0·02
1971	0·24
1976	0·70

Proportion of regulated tenancies with registered rents
	per cent.
1966	2
1971	24
1976	50

Allowance has been made in these estimates for dwellings with registered rents which have ceased to be let on regulated tenancies. Since 1969 more than 550,000 formerly controlled tenancies have been converted to regulation. From 14th August 1974 rent regulation was extended to furnished tenancies with non-resident landlords.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to introduce amending legislation to Section 118 of the Housing Act 1974.

My right hon. Friend hopes to do so when a suitable opportunity arises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that accommodation for the elderly is provided in each of the new towns in which the Commission for the New Towns now operates and which are scheduled for the transfer of housing and related assets from 1st April 1978; whether any special financial assistance will be made available to enable receiving local authorities to complete old people's dwellings schemes already started or planned; and whether he will make a statement.

The provision of housing to meet the needs of the districts after transfer of housing under the New Towns Amendment Act 1976, including the needs of the elderly, will be the responsibility of the relevant district councils. The normal housing subsidy and loan sanction arrangements will apply. Where appropriate, I understand that the parties to transfer schemes in the Commission towns have agreed to make suitable arrangements for the completion, and subsequent ownership by the district council, of accommodation for the elderly which is still under construction at the time of housing transfer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current building programme for the financial year 1977–78 for old people's dwellings by the category of (a) warden-supervised, (b) fully-supervised with central facilities and (c) independent units

Housing Programmes
						Crawley	Hemel Hempstead	Hatfield	Welwyn Garden City
1962–63	…	…	…	…	…	—	8	—	—
1963–64	…	…	…	…	…	16	29	—	—
1964–65	…	…	…	…	…	—	80	—	—
1965–66	…	…	…	…	…	—	5	—	—
1966–67	…	…	…	…	…	18	6	—	—
1967–68	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	—
1968–69	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	—
1969–70	…	…	…	…	…	—	120	—	—
1970–71	…	…	…	…	…	—	36	—	—
1971–72	…	…	…	…	…	—	52	63	—
1972–73	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	25
1973–74	…	…	…	…	…	28	56	—	8
1974–75	…	…	…	…	…	84	—	—	30
1975–76	…	…	…	…	…	—	28	—	28
1976–77	…	…	…	…	…	76	43	—	—
						222	463	63	91
Under construction			…	…	…	64	97	36	86
Number of:
(a) Warden supervised				…	…	170	505	62	38
(b) Fully supervised with central facilities						—	183	—	93
(c) Independent units				…	…	52	254	16	—

These figures reflect the fact that the previous Hemel Hempstead Development Corporation provided dwellings specifically for elderly persons. Independent units suitable for the elderly were provided in the other Commission towns by the respective previous development corporations but these were not limited to occupation by elderly persons. This is

The housing programme for the calendar year 1977 for the Commission for the New Towns provides for the acceptance of tenders for the following schemes for elderly persons dwellings:

Crawley: Barrington House, 18 warden-supervised dwellings.

Welwyn Garden City: Glebeland, 36 warden-supervised dwellings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what, in each year since it started operating has been the programme for building old people's dwellings in each of the new towns in which the Commission for the New Town operates; and how many of the current places by town are (a) warden-supervised, (b) fully-supervised with central facilities and (c) independent units in each of the new towns in which the Commission for the New Towns operates.

The information, which relates to dwellings provided by the Commission for the New Towns is as follows:also true of independent units suitable for the elderly which have been provided subsequently by the Commission for the New Towns. In addition, elderly persons dwellings have been built by district councils and by housing associations on Commission land. The Report of the Commission for the New Towns for the period ended 31st March 1976 contains a summary of the position at that date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the annual cost of providing old people's dwellings to the Commission for the New Towns in those towns in which it operates; what amount of each annual spending came from Government grants; and what amount came from which local authorities.

The information is being assembled and I will write to my hon. Friend later this week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a decision on his inquiry into proposed development at Hoburne Lane, Christchurch, Dorset.

I am sorry that it has taken so long to reach a decision on this case, but lengthy consideration was necessary because of the complex issues involved. The decision will be issued within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is yet able to make a further statement about the Exmoor Study.

At the request of the Exmoor National Park Committee, and in consultation with the Countryside Commission, the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I have appointed Lord Porchester to undertake a study with the following terms of reference:

1. To assess:

a. the nature and extent of changes since 1954 in the moorland within the "Critical Amenity Area" of the Exmoor National Park (as defined by the former National Park Committee in 1968);

b. the amount of land in that Area now remaining unchanged;

c. the amount of land in that Area which, by virtue of its ownership, characteristics, or for any other reasons, is unlikely to undergo change in the foreseeable future.

2. To assess the nature and extent of changes in similar land elsewhere in the National Park.

3. To assess to what extent farmers are likely to be able, and to wish, to take action which would result in a change of character in such land within the Park and in particular within the CAA (with or without grant-aid): to identify where such changes might take place having regard to the agricultural and economic potential and over what period of time.

4. To assess the effects of any such changes on:

i. the needs of agriculture and food production;

ii. the economic and social interests of the area;

iii. the "natural beauty and amenity"^* of the National Park;

iv. facilities for the enjoyment of, and open-air recreation in, the National Park.

To consider what courses of action (in accordance with the statutory objectives of the National Park and with the requirements of Section 11 and 37 of the Countryside Act 1968) are open to relevant public authorities in order to ensure that a proper balance is struck between the various national and local interests involved; and the financial consequences of each.

ANDTo advise the Ministers, the Countryside Commission and the National Park Committee in the exercise of their functions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the projected public expenditure consequences of his statements on inner cities and new towns, respectively, over the next five years.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 7th April 1977; Vol. 929, c. 645–6], gave the following information:As I said in my statement to the House on 6th April, we intend to increase the recast urban programme from the present level of under £30 million to £125 million a year in 1979–80. I hope it will be possible to increase it further in later years. As launching aid, the Chancellor has announced an extra sum for construction works in certain inner cities of which over £80 million will be available in England to be spent over the next two years. Furthermore, we shall give a new priority in the main policies and programmes of Government so that they contribute to a better life in the inner cities. This expenditure will be contained within the existing totals for public expenditure.In the proposals which I presented to the House on 5th April I indicated that there would be savings in the new towns programmes from about 1979–80 onwards. It will not be possible to quantify the full extent of the savings until the consultations I referred to in my statement have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will authorise the construction of additional underpasses to the A74 where it can be shown that livestock and stockmen have their lives in danger whilst crossing over the A74 from farmsteading to grazing land.

Dumfries and Galloway and Strathclyde Regional Councils are examining this matter as part of a comprehensive appraisal of the A74 on which my right hon. Friend hopes to receive their reports fairly soon. Any proposals for providing underpasses will be considered along with other recommendations in relation to such factors as their likely contribution to road safety and their cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he or the Scottish Development Agency has yet taken a decision to build new advance factories in Girvan as a result of the Dalquharran colliery closure.

This is a matter for the Scottish Development Agency, which is fully aware of the situation in Ayrshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing in respect of each district in Scotland the combined regional, district and water rate poundage payable by householders taking domestic derating into account in 1977–78 and 1976–77, respectively; and if he will indicate in each case and in respect of Scotland as a whole the percentage by which the total rate poundage in 1977–78 exceeds the poundage levied in 1976–77.

I will let the hon. Member have a reply shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an up-to-date progress report on the planning of the new District General Hospital for the Borders.

The Borders Health Board expects to submit the development control plan and pre-design cost limit for approval towards the end of this year; the target date for the start of building remains 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the present value of the death grant, introduced at £20 in 1949 and increased in 1967 to £30, had it kept pace with inflation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) on 7th April.—[Vol. 929, c. 657.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the constraints due to financial restrictions are preventing the opening of the new Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield; and if he will make a statement.

The hospital is unlikely to open during the current financial year. This is not due to financial constraints but because the buildings are not yet completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of time in getting an appointment with a consultant in the Huddersfield Community Health Council area, compared with the average time in the rest of the country.

Normally patients are seen within five weeks of being referred except in the specialties of ophthalmology and ENT for which the waiting times respectively are five to 52 weeks—for adults—and five to 20 weeks. Urgent cases in all specialties are seen within one week. Comparisons cannot be made with the rest of the country as these figures are not collected nationally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of time spent in out-patients departments in the Huddersfield Community Health Council area, compared with the rest of the country.

60 per cent. of outpatients are seen within 30 minutes of their time of appointment; 35 per cent. within 30 minutes to one hour; and five per cent. after more than one hour's waiting. Comparisons cannot be made with the rest of the country as comparable figures are not collected nationally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of repairing a broken leg in the National Health Service.

The cost of treating specified injuries or diseases cannot be identified from the cost accounts of NHS authorities. The average length of stay for hospital in-patients with fractures of the lower limb varies between 7·6 and 48·9 days depending upon the site and nature of the injury. At the average costs in large acute hospitals in England in 1975–76 this would suggest a cost per case ranging between £200 and £1,500 for in-patient treatment only. Costs of other forms of treatment cannot be estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total revenue expenditure on services for the mentally ill for 1975–76 for the South-West Thames Regional Health Authority and for each area health authority within that region;(2) what was the total revenue expenditure for 1975–76 on services for the mentally ill for the South-East Thames Regional Health Authority and for each area health authority within that region.

It is not possible from the accounts of NHS authorities to identify expenditure on the treatment of patients suffering from specified diseases or con- ditions, except where treatment is given in hospitals in which the beds are provided exclusively or predominantly for the use of a single specialty. Services for the mentally ill are provided not only in such special purpose hospitals but frequently in acute and other hospitals, and also as part of the community health services; I regret, therefore, that the information is not available in the form requested.Expenditure in 1975–76 of area health authorities within the South-West Thames and South-East Thames Regional Health Authorities on hospitals specifically designated as psychiatric (mental illness) was as follows:

SOUTH-WEST THAMES REGION
	£
Area Health Authority
Surrey	12,732,313
West Sussex	5,746,322
Croydon	2,647,072
Kingston and Richmond	3,522,169
Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth (Teaching)	4,845,186
Total for Region	29,493,062

SOUTH-EAST THAMES REGION
	£
Area Health Authority
East Sussex	3,329,486
Kent	9,917,569
Greenwich and Bexley	4,754,894
Bromley	3,792,912
Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham (Teaching)	4,646,560
Total for Region	26,441,421

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total revenue expenditure on services for the mentally ill for the Trent Regional Health Authority for 1975–76 and for each area health authority within that region.

It is not possible from the accounts of NHS authorities to identify expenditure on the treatment of patients suffering from specified diseases or conditions, except where treatment is given in hospitals in which the beds are provided exclusively or predominantly for the use of a single specialty. Services for the mentally ill are provided not only in such special purpose hospitals but frequently in acute and other hospitals, and also as part of the community health services; I regret, therefore, that the information is not available in the form requested.Expenditure in 1975–76 of area health authorities within the Trent Regional Health Authority on hospitals specifically designated as Psychiatric (Mental Illness) was as follows:

Area Health Authority	£
Derbyshire	5,140,005
Leicestershire (Teaching)	4,469,437
Lincolnshire	4,786,015
Nottinghamshire (Teaching)	5,992,829
Barnsley	Nil
Doncaster	581,225
Rotherham	Nil
Sheffield (Teaching)	4,732,101
Total for Region	25,701,612

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total revenue expenditure in services for the mentally ill in 1975–76 for the Yorkshire Regional Health Authority and for each area health authority within that region.

It is not possible from the accounts of NHS authorities to identify expenditure on the treatment of patients suffering from specified diseases or conditions, except where treatment is given in hospitals in which the beds are provided exclusively or predominantly for the use of a single specialty. Services for the mentally ill are provided not only in such special purpose hospitals but frequently in acute and other hospitals, and also as part of the community health services. I regret, therefore, that the information is not available in the form requested.Expenditure in 1975–76 of area health authorities within the Yorkshire Regional Health Authority on hospitals specifically designated as Psychiatric (Mental Illness) was as follows:

Area Health Authority	£
Humberside	4,170,762
North Yorkshire	4,307,493
Bradford	2,430,350
Calderdale	Nil
Kirklees	3,531,603
Leeds (Teaching)	4,362,035
Wakefield	4,142,937
Total for Region	22,945,180

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total expenditure in services for the mentally ill in 1975–76 for each local authority within the Yorkshire Regional Planning Area No. 2 of the Social Work Service.

Some local authority services—e.g., field social work services—are of a general nature, and it is not practicable to separate out expenditure on these into expenditure on specific client groups. Thus, total expenditure by individual local authorities on services for the mentally ill cannot be identified.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the average length of time a patient spends on the waiting list in order to gain admission to a geriatric bed in Stockport hospitals;(2) what is the length of the waiting list for geriatric patients in Stockport hospitals.

On 21st April 1977 there were 102 patients on the waiting list for admission as in-patients, of whom 17 had been waiting for less than one week, 56 for between one and six weeks, 23 for between six and 12 months and six for over one year. The number of persons on the waiting list for non-urgent outpatient appointments was 22.Information from which the average waiting time could be calculated is not readily available. Averages are in any case misleading because waiting times vary according to the circumstances of each case. Urgent cases are admitted without delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds will be available in the new Stockport geriatric unit scheduled to open in 1979.

The unit planned to open at Stepping Hill Hospital in 1979 will provide 56 beds and 50 day places for elderly patients suffering from severe mental infirmity.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds are reserved for geriatric patients in Stockport hospitals.

305, excluding 32 pre-convalescent beds at Cherry Tree Hospital also currently being used for geriatric purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the staff-patient ratio in geriatric wards in Stockport hospitals.

for nursing staff the ratio is one nurse to 1.34 patients. Information for other categories of staff is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the 17-yearold school pupil, Verrell Holness, who was receiving £25 a week social security, is still receiving the same sum although he is no longer living in the hotel room in respect of which he was receiving an element of benefit; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that Verrell Holness has left school but he has not so far renewed his claim for supplementary benefit. If he should make another claim his entitlement to benefit will be assessed on the basis of his circumstances at that time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the numbers of in-patient discharges and deaths and new out-patient attendances at NHS hospitals in England in the year to June 1970, the year to June 1974, the year to June 1975 and the year to June 1976, respectively.

The following figures show the totals of in-patient discharges and deaths and new out-patient attendances for the years in question:

For the year ending	Number of in-patient discharges and Deaths	New out-patient Attendances (excluding accident and emergency cases)
June 1970	4,977,117	7,553,042
June 1974	5,227,295	7,880,217
June 1975	5,060,445	7,270,688
June 1976	5,112,631	7,240,761

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the new rules for administering the cohabitation rule are expected to come into effect.

I hope that the improvements in the administration of supplementary benefit recommended in the Supplementary Benefits Commission's report "Living Together as Husband and Wife" will be implemented towards the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many widows, accused of cohabitation during the years 1974, 1975 and 1976, had dependent children for whom they were receiving supplementary benefit during the period they were without their pension;(2) if he will list for the years 1974, 1975 and 1976 the number of widows accused of cohabitation who had dependent children for whom they were receiving supplementary benefit.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many disabled persons are employed, respectively, in the districts of Cumbria within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

On 30th November 1976 the numbers of registered disabled people employed by the Cumbria Area Health Authority were: South-West Cumbria District, 15; West Cumbria District, 23; and East Cumbria District. 19. These figures do not, of course, include those disabled employees who have chosen not to register.At my instigation my Department has recently issued a circular reminding health authorities of their duty to employ disabled people. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what changes he intends to make in the system of joint consultation within the National Health Service, so that more decisions affecting the running of individual hospitals can be taken in the hospital concerned;(2) if he will give details of what subjects can be discussed in a hospital joint consultation committee between the hospital management and representatives of the staff and work force; and what authority is given to the individual hospital management to decide staff matters, including such particulars as overtime, bonuses, holidays, promotion, manning levels, consequential upon such consultation.

The General Whitley Council agreement on Staff Consultative Machinery provides for hospital staff consultative committees based on individual hospitals to deal within the framework of any national agreements with such matters as the distribution of working hours, holiday arrangements, questions of physical welfare and consideration of local hospital rules affecting staff. Discussion of other subjects can and does take place by agreement between management and staff.Management at hospital level usually has authority to deal with these matters, but if there are wider implications it may be necessary to refer to the district management team or area health authority.Our aims are to encourage the maximum devolution of decision making and to improve the arrangements for joint consultation on which we are awaiting the views of NHS management and staff following Lord McCarthy's recent report.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the increasing representation which he has received in favour of introducing a national scheme for compensation to vaccine-damaged children, if he will review his policy thereon.

I cannot yet add to what I said in replies to supplementary questions from the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) and my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 5th April.—[Vol. 929, c. 1095; c. 1096.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish a list of the names of hospitals with a bad record for unhygienic kitchens, showing the methods by which such unhygienic kitchens can be rectified and those responsible punished; and if he will make a statement;

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths) and Shipley (Mr. Fox) on 29th March.—[Vol. 929, c. 122–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what research projects he has sponsored or instituted specifically on small businesses; and at which establishments.

Details of research projects specifically on small businesses which the Department of Industry is either supporting or has had undertaken on its behalf are described in the table below. I also hope to make an annuncement shortly about the commissioning by the Department of a research study into the management and business education needs of small firms.

A collaborative study of the problems and prospects of small business in France, Germany and the United Kingdom (continuing).

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the shareholdings held by the National Enterprise Board at 25th April 1977, showing the number and description of the shares, the percentage of total equity held by the National Enterprise Board, the cost of the shareholding and where appropriate, the market value of the shareholding at close of business on 25th April

The information, as at 22 nd April 1977, set out in the following table:

Company

Type of Share

Number held by NEB

Percentage held of nominal value of total ordinary share capital

Cost

Stock Exchange closing price per share on 22nd April 1977

£

Agemaspark Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

3,700

30%

100,000

Not traded

£1 redeemable preference

50,000

100% of preference capital

50,000

Not traded

Anglo-Venezuelan Railway Corp. Ltd.

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

3,500

35%

3,500

Not traded

Aqualisa Products Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

4,000

40%

4,000

Not traded

£1 preference

65,000

100% of preference capital

65,000

Not traded

British Leyland Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

50p ordinary

246,490,683

95·1%

246,490,683

21p

Brown Boveri Kent Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

25p ordinary

7,658,938

17·6%

1,880,160

29·5p

Cambridge Instrument Co. Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

10p ordinary voting

4,261,757

44·5%

1,770,339

Not traded

1p ordinary voting

87,684,255

Not traded

1p ordinary non-voting

50,000,000

500,000

Not traded

Computer Analysis & Programmers Holdings Ltd.

…

…

£1 ordinary

34,319

29·9%

549,000

Not traded

Data Recording Instrument Co. Ltd.

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

2,400,000

53·9%

2,400,000

Not traded

Ferranti Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

50p ordinary voting

4,000,000

62·5%

6,000,000

Not traded

50p ordinary non-voting

2,666,666

2,666,666

Not traded

Herbert Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

25p ordinary

43,632,948

100%

26,196,114

Not traded

ICL

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

8,148,750

24·4%

12,082,588

184p

INSAC Data Services Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

100,000

100%

100,000

Not traded

Irpor Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

40

40%

40

Not traded

Keland Electrics Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

100,000

100%

100,000

Not traded

Mollart Engineering Co. Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

46,822

70·6%

382,000

Not traded

Packaging Methods Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

23,230

34·4%

47,000

Not traded

…

…

…

…

…

£1 preference

100,000

100% of preference capital

100,000

Not traded

Reed & Smith Holdings Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

50p ordinary

2,400,000

29·8%

792,000

28p

Rolls Royce Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

189,000,000

100%

189,000,000

Not traded

RR Chapman (Sub-Sea Surveys) Ltd.

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

500,000

47·2%

50,000

Not traded

Sinclair Radionics Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

75,000

42·9%

450,000

Not traded

£1 redeemable preference

200,000

100% of preference capital

200,000

Not traded

Thwaites & Reed Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

75,000

76·1%

75,000

Not traded

Twinlock Ltd.

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

10p ordinary

7,123,000

23·3%

997,000

Not traded

United Medical Co. International Ltd.

…

…

…

…

£1 ordinary

137,500

55%

250,000

Not traded

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much public dividend capital has been issued to the National Enterprise Board since it started to the present date.

£70,409,427.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how much was paid in fees to the writers of the officially commissioned "History of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation";(2) who wrote the officially commissioned "History of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation", and how long it took them;(3) who were the Chairman and members of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation Publication Committee mentioned in paragraph 7 of the Ombudsman's Third Report for the present parliamentary Session;(4) why the official "History of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation" is not to be published; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the organisations or individuals who made representations to him about designating Cumnock employment office area as a special development area.

The Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council raised the question of special development area status with the Scottish Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has received an application for financial assistance from the Kirkby Manufacturing and Engineering Company Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

The Workers' Co-operative at Kirkby, formally known as the Kirkby Manufacturing and Engineering Co., recently sought assistance of £860,000 from my Department under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 to help finance its future activity. This would be in addition to the existing grant of £3,900,000 made available to the co-operative in January 1975. The members of the co-operative believe that with this assistance they can succeed, and their representatives have assured me that they will not have to apply for any further Government assistance in future. I have consulted the Industrial Development Advisory Board, which did not recommend support since the proposal does not comply with the criteria for selective financial assistance laid before the House in January 1976. However, in view of the present severe and increasing unemployment in Kirkby, I have decided to offer financial support of £860,000 by way of a grant. The Government's financial commitment to this project is limited to this grant. This assistance will give the co-operative the maximum opportunity to make a success of the venture and thus to secure 775 jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will increase the maximum fines permitted for offences under the Companies Acts.

As already announced, it is intended to bring Section 4 of the Companies Act 1976, which increases the maximum fines for late delivery of company accounts, into operation on 1st October 1977. In addition, the Criminal Law Bill, which is currently before Parliament, would have the effect of increasing many of the maximum fines under the Companies Acts. Consideration is also being given, in the preparation of future legislation relating to companies, to increasing further the penalties for certain offences under the Companies Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in view of the growing practice of company directors borrowing large sums of money from their companies either interest free or at low interest rates, and since this gives them an advantage over other taxpayers and is contrary to the spirit of the Government's social contract, he will seek to make such practices illegal or to make these company directors pay the normal bank rate for all such moneys borrowed from their companies.

The Government agree that the provisions of Section 190 of the Companies Act 1948, governing loans to directors, need strengthening, and expect to put forward proposals later this year. The treatment for tax purposes of beneficial loan arrangements of the kind referred to in the Question will be substantially changed as a result of Section 66 of the Finance Act 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade why progress made in negotiations relating to the proposed EEC directive on the activities of commercial agents has not advanced further.

The Commission sent this proposal for a directive to the Council on 17th December 1976. Consultation of the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee is mandatory and is in progress. The Council is expected to remit the proposal for consideration by a working group.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report as much detailed information as may be readily available giving the names, dates and details of where action has been requested or initiated against public and private companies for alleged malpractices; what action was taken in each instance; on what dates; and with what results.

It is not possible to provide the information asked for without undue expense. Summary details of company investigations are set out in the Department's annual reports on companies, copies of which are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his policy towards the proposals made by British Airways at the International Civil Aviation Organisation conference on fares and rates; and what steps he will take to improve the conference system.

I am not at present aware of any proposals made by British Airways at the Special Air Transport Conference of the ICAO at Montreal. When the United Kingdom delegation returns to London I shall consider the conference recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the machinery for enforcement of airline tariffs and with the punishment for violation thereof; and if he will make a statement.

I consider that the machinery for the enforcement of airline tariffs works reasonably well and that the penalties and sanctions available are effective in dealing with violations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will initiate discussions with other interested Governments to achieve some agreement on the operation of non-scheduled airline operations.

The rules to apply to these flights are already discussed with a number of Governments, most frequently with other member States of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and with the United States. Flights within Europe are mostly covered by the Multilateral Agreement between European States of 1956 or by ECAC recommendations, and on the North Atlantic by understandings with the United States and Canada.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how long he has been holding up publication of the report of the Noise Advisory Council on Concorde due to be published before Easter.

I have been asked to reply.The Report of the Working Group of the Noise Advisory Council on Concorde Noise Levels was published on 19th April. A copy is available in the Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) Official Report, 4th April, column 354, if he will publish a table showing for 1973–74, 1976–77 and 1977–78 the tax rates and allowances proposed for 1977–78 the effective rate of tax plus social security

					Percentage of total income* taken in income tax and National Insurance Contributions
					1973–74	1976–77	1977–78(a)	1977–78(b)
Single person—
Average earnings†	…	…	…	…	27·6	33·7	33·7	32·1
2 × Average earnings		…	…	…	29·4	37·5	36·4	35·0
3 × Average earnings		…	…	…	31·0	44·1	42·3	41·3
Married couple—
Average earnings†	…	…	…	…	25·1	30·5	30·1	28·7
2 × Average earnings		…	…	…	28·1	35·2	34·2	32·7
3 × Average earnings		…	…	…	29·9	42·0	40·2	39·3
Married couple with wife earning—
Average earnings†	…	…	…	…	16·9	23·6	23·2	22·2
2 × Average earnings		…	…	…	24·0	30·8	30·2	28·8
3 × Average earnings		…	…	…	26·3	38·1	36·3	35·3
Married couple with 4 children (2 not over 11, 2 over 11 but not over 16)—
Average earnings†	…	…	…	…	15·6	20·0	21·0	20·1
2 × Average earnings		…	…	…	23·4	28·7	29·0	27·6
3 × Average earnings		…	…	…	25·7	36·0	35·0	34·1
The 1977–78 figures assume a basic rate of tax of (a) 35 per cent. and (b) 33 per cent. Respectively.
* Total income for 1973–74 and 1976–77 includes family allowance where appropriate; for 1977–78 child benefit is included.
† Average earnings are those used for the reply to the hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton).