asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, by how much prices have risen since 1st August 1976.

In the 10 months between 17th August 1976 and 14th June 1977 the retail price index rose by 15·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will make a statement about the report of the Price Commission on the prices, costs and margins in the importation, processing and distribution of coffee.

The Price Commission has inquired into the reasons for the sharp increase in coffee prices since the beginning of 1976. Its report has been published today, and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.The report is devoted chiefly to soluble —"instant"—coffee, which accounts for over 85 per cent. of manufacturers' sales. It shows that most of the retail price increase is due to the rising cost of raw materials. This in turn is due primarily to a physical shortage of the commodity, but the Commission points out that the depreciation of sterling has added to the increase in the United Kingdom. The impact on the consumer is delayed because it takes six to eight months for raw coffee prices to be reflected in the retail price of instant coffee. The Commission found no conclusive evidence that speculation on the commodity market or the fiscal policies of the producer countries may have contributed to the rise.The Commission finds that the percentage margins of dealers and manufacturers were considerably lower in 1976 than in 1974. The gross percentage margins of wholesalers and retailers have on the whole remained constant. Although these margins are consistently below the average for the grocery business as a whole, the rise in prices has meant that cash margins have improved relative to other grocery products.This is a valuable report which sets out a good deal of factual material explaining why the increase in retail prices has taken place. It emerges fairly clearly that some firms have, at one time or another, faced considerable difficulty because of the rise in prices and that they have not been profiteering by increasing their normal markup. Nevertheless, the maintenance by distributors of their traditional gross percentage margins during a period of rapidly increasing prices has meant greatly increased cash margins.Consumer resistance may have some limiting effect; but in view of the further retail price increases which are still in the pipeline I do not think that the situation should be left as it is. I therefore propose to introduce a maximum cash margin on retail sales of instant coffee by order under Section 2 of the Prices Act 1974. I am today beginning urgent consultations with interested parties so that the control can be brought into force as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what plans he has for changes in food subsidies.

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced today, the Government have decided to increase substantially the sums available for food subsidies. At the same time we have reviewed our priorities.In view of the importance of milk to most family households we have decided that there should be no further increase in the retail price before the end of 1977. The cost of the milk subsidy paid in most of the United Kingdom through the guarantee arrangements will now be equivalent to about 1p per pint over the year as a whole. The subsidy paid separately in the Scilly Islands and certain Scottish islands will accordingly be increased from ½p to 1p per pint from 17th July.The bread and cheese subsidies have a lower priority. We have decided to end them with effect from Sunday 17th July, in accordance with our original timetable. The bread subsidy is equivalent to about 1 p per large loaf and the cheese subsidy is about 3p per lb. at the retail level. The maximum price orders for bread and cheese will be retained for the time being. That for cheese relates only to subsidised cheese, but is needed to cover stocks in the distributive chain. We are consulting interested parties about the operation of the Bread Prices Order and will keep it in its present form until those consultations are complete, subject only to the changes in the statutory maximum prices made necessary by the removal of subsidy and by price increases which the bakers have notified to the Price Commission.The original provision for subsidy expenditure in 1977–78 was £43·4 million. The increased expenditure on milk and the reintroduction of the butter subsidy in May now mean that provision must be made for £220·5 million, an increase of £177·1 million. This will make a signi-cant contribution to an early deceleration of the inflation rate, which has for some time been expected to take place in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether any changes are being made to the cash limits set for his Department in Command Paper No. 6567.

Yes. The provisions of the Price Commission Bill now before Parliament will call for additional expenditure and cash block DPCP3 is being increased from £13·4 million to £15·8 million.Following the introduction of the EEC butter subsidy announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 27th April, and the announcement today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer of continued expenditure on the milk subsidy, cash block DPCP2 is increased from £43·4 million to £220·5 million. The expenditure will be met from within the existing programme totals and Contingency Reserve set out in Cmnd. 6721; there is no addition to total planned expenditure.Provision for costs of the Price Commission and the butter subsidy has been made in the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection Vote and the Agricultural Support Vote respectively, presented to the House on 8th July. A further Supplementary Estimate for the milk subsidy will be presented in due course. Any necessary additional expenditure on milk, in advance of the Supplementary Estimate, will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many cadets from new Commonwealth countries are training at Dartmouth, Sandhurst and Cran-well.

There are currently 34 officer students from new Commonwealth countries at Dartmouth, 40 at Sandhurst and 34 at Cranwell.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many warp cutters are in the possession of his Department, or can be obtained at short notice.

There is no requirement for the deployment of warp cutters by vessels engaged in fishery protection duties. Should a requirement arise the stocks necessary to meet it could be obtained at short notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government remain firmly committed to their policy set out in the White Paper published earlier this year of making a substantial contribution by land, sea and air to the NATO alliance.

Yes.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total tonnage of paper purchased by HMSO per annum; and what percentage of that tonnage is comprised of recycled paper from domestic sources.

90,000, incorporating 5 per cent. recycled paper from domestic sources.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list in the Official Report all campaigns run for volunteers and recruits through public service broadcasting on (a) television and (b) radio in the last two years and give for each some measure of the response received related to the amount of air time utilised and cost involved.

I shall write to the hon. Lady with the information that is available as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if students who enrol for first degree courses approved by the Council for National Academic Awards at non-maintained educational establishments are eligible for mandatory grants.

Students on first degree courses at independent establishments are not eligible for mandatory awards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what increase in the ratio of senior to junior university teachers' posts she intends to make; and if she will make a statement.

The University Grants Committee introduced the present ratio in 1972. Recent proposals to relax it temporarily, on the grounds that it was unduly limiting promotions, had to be refused as contrary to pay policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is yet able to provide a report on the consultations with local authorities concerning the conveyance of children to school; and if she will make a statement.

The consultations are about the feasibility of introducing a new system. There is nothing yet to report.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the price index for domestic electricity on 19th June 1970, 1st March 1974 and today, taking the price on 19th June 1970 as 100.

The price index for domestic electricity derived from that published by the Department of Employment as a part of the General Index of Retail Prices for dates closest to those required and the latest available date is set out below:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the price index for domestic gas on 19th June 1970, 1st March 1974 and today, taking the price on 19th June 1970 as 100.

The price index for domestic gas derived from that published by the Department of Employment as a part of the General Index of Retail Prices, for dates closest to those required and the latest available date, is set out below:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will give a general direction to all area gas boards to arrange tariffs and prices so as not to penalise those who consume only small amounts of gas, in the interests of energy conservation and retirement pensioners.

No. Tariffs should reflect costs of supply, and I do not accept that those now in force are unfair to small consumers. The BGC is under a statutory obligation to avoid undue preference or discrimination in fixing tariffs.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the percentage increase in the price of electricity, gas and coal for domestic users since February 1974.

The increases in prices as indicated by the sub-groups of the General Index of Retail Prices from 19th February 1974 to 14th June 1977 are:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if any changes have been made to his Department's cash limits for 1977–78.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced on 12th March that the Government were prepared to make available up to £7 million per annum for five years at 1977 Survey prices to facilitate the use of Scottish coal at power stations. This expenditure, provision for which has been made in the Summer Supplementary Estimate for Class IV, Vote 9, is being brought within cash limit controls under Cash Block DEN 3, the limit on which will be increased by £7·7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals Her Majesty's Government have to support the leaders in Rhodesia who are not involved in the guerrilla movement and who are in favour of a peaceful internal settlement.

The Government have made clear their commitment to finding a negotiated settlement in Rhodesia. To this end we consult representatives of all shades of Rhodesian opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facilities exist to enable British citizens in the United Kingdom to pay the necessary fees or charges for documents or certificates only obtainable from or in Rhodesia and which are required to be produced by law or Government practice in the United Kingdom.

All payments from the United Kingdom to Rhodesia are subject to exchange control regulations which have been introduced in association with the Government's policy on sanctions. Any applications for permission to make such payments should be made to the Bank of England, which will consider each case on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in the light of the fact that citizens of the Republic of Ireland have the right to vote in United Kingdom elections, if he will seek to claim reciprocal rights for British citizens in the Republic of Ireland.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation for help in pursuing their compensation claims he has received from British subjects involved in the mid-air crash over France on 5th March 1973; and if he will make a statement.

None since 1975. The question of liability remains under consideration in the French law courts, and international law obliges us to allow French legal procedures to take their course. The Embassy in Paris has been asked to obtain information on what progress has been made in the French courts towards the settlement of claims.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights the potential violation of human rights in Chile represented by the 2,500 people missing without explanation in that country.

The Government have frequently raised this aspect of human rights violations in Chile in the Human Rights Commission. The United Kingdom co-sponsored resolutions at the 32nd and 33rd session of the Commission, which extended the mandate of the Ad Hoc Working Group and called upon the Chilean authorities to put an end to the inadmissible practice of secret arrests and subsequent disappearances of persons whose detention is systematically denied or never acknowledged. The Working Group is to submit a report to the General Assembly at its next session this autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that the Indian Government are now permitting Ugandan Asians of Indian origin to enter and settle in India, whether he will assist those Ugandan Asians who came to Great Britain to go to India, if they so wish, if need be with financial help.

The help given under existing arrangements to immigrants who have failed to settle here and wish to leave will continue to be available to those who are eligible for it. It is not the Government's policy to offer inducements to people of overseas origin lawfully resident here to leave the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a limit has been imposed on the level of paid overtime worked by the Metropolitan Police; and whether any consultations with the Police Federation took place before the limit was imposed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to Questions from the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Page) on 7th July.—[Vol. 934, c. 627–8.]—I understand from the Commissioner that officials of the Police Federation were told informally of his intention to introduce the new system for the control of overtime.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that certain divisional commanders of the Metropolitan Police have imposed limits on cash payments for overtime worked by the Criminal Investigation Department officers to a fixed proportion of that paid in 1976 to all officers in the same division, if he will take steps to insist on observance by divisional commanders of the letter and spirit of Police Regulations covering this subject.

Arrangements for the control of overtime in the Metropolitan Police, and their administration by divisional commanders, are matters for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the rate of entitlement of police officers to compensation in respect of overtime; and under what circumstances it is payable in cash and at whose option.

The rate of entitlement of police officers to compensation in respect of overtime and the circumstances in which an officer may elect to vary the form of compensation are set out in Regulations 25 and 26 of the Police Regulations 1971, as amended, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it has been the practice for police on duty at Messrs. Grunwick Ltd. to enter the works' premises for their tea break; and if the practice has now been stopped.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his Question on 5th July.—[Vol. 934, c. 498–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of television and radio time have been spent on (a) party political broadcasts for each political party and (b) public service broadcasting in the last financial year; and what was the cost of each.

The broadcasting authorities, which provide broadcasting time for party political broadcasts in accordance with arrangements made under the auspices of the Committee on Party Political Broadcasting chaired by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, have furnished the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the visits made to Myra Hindley at Holloway Prison over the past 12 months; and by whom they were made.

No. It is not our practice to invade the privacy of individual prisoners by disclosing the names or other details of visitors they receive. But if my hon. Friend will let us know of his particular point of concern we will gladly look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current prisoner to staff ratio in Bedford Prison; and how this compares with the norm in English prisons.

The ratio of prison officers to prisoners at Bedford prison is 1:2·18, as compared with an average, on 31st May 1977, of 1:3·05 for local prisons in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the result of his Department's consideration of representations from trade unions and staff associations regarding the appointment to education and library boards of additional members drawn from staff working in health and social services.

No representations have been received regarding the appointment to education and library boards of additional members drawn from staff working in the health and personal social services. The question of appointing to health and social services boards additional members drawn from staff working in those services was discussed at a recent meeting between my noble Friend the Minister of State and representatives of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The Northern Ireland Committee agreed to put forward proposals for further consideration, and these have not yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any arrangements can be made to protect pension rights of persons where insurance records are worsened by a period of imprisonment.

A person undergoing a period of imprisonment has the right to pay such number of class 3 (voluntary) contributions as is necessary to safeguard his pension position. These contributions may be paid at any time before the end of the sixth income tax year following that in which the imprisonment ends.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to increase the strength of the RUC.

I am satisfied that recruitment is proceeding satisfactorily and that all possible steps are being taken by the Chief Constable and by way of advertising by the Police Authority to recruit up to the present establishment of 6,500. We will have no inhibition about recruiting beyond that establishment should it be necessary.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what assistance she proposes to make available for Botswana and Lesotho in response to the recent appeal to the international community by the Secretary General of the United Nations.

I am pleased to say that we are offering immediately £3 million to Botswana on the same terms as the £10 million made available for the years 1976 to 1979, and also £2 million as a grant to Lesotho. As my hon. Friend and other hon. Members in the House will be aware, the aid programme is under some pressure, but we hope to be able to consider some further increase during either this or the next financial year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what evidence he has that food products imported from (a) the United

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to seek to make it necessary for food manufacturers to specify in detail what colour additives are used in their products.

No. The Food Standards Committee is at present carrying out a full review of our labelling law, including the provision which allows permitted colouring matters forming an ingredient of some other food to be designated as States of America, (b) the Republic of Ireland, (c) Norway, (d) Denmark and (e) France have to be relabelled for the British market;(2) what evidence he has that British food products sold to (

Food products must be labelled according to the laws of the country within which they are offered for sale. The extent to which such products imported from, or exported to, the countries mentioned have to be relabelled depends upon the extent to which the laws of the United Kingdom differ from those in the country from which or to which they are to be imported or exported.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additives are permitted for use in preserving pork products.

The use of preservatives in food is controlled by the Preservatives in Food Regulations 1975, as amended. These regulations prescribe the foods which may contain permitted preservatives and the nature and proportion of those preservatives. So far as pork products, or foods in which pork products may be present, are concerned, the regulations provide as follows:"colour" or by their appropriate designation. My right hon. Friend the Minister will decide whether any further action is necessary when we have the Committee's advice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are being taken to ensure that the craft of constructing dry stone walling is being maintained.

This is among the skills for which the Agricultural Training Board makes special provision, and 18 courses were staged in England and Wales last year. Associated proficiency tests are conducted under the auspices of the National Proficiency Test Council and are recognised for purposes of qualifying as a craftsman under the Agricultural Wages Board orders.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to consult the Nature Conservancy Council about the proposed order detailing control areas under Section 9 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for the South-West Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 areas in respect of the extermination of badgers.

Consultation is already taking place.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the net levy payable in the United Kingdom on 13th June last on each of the food items listed in his Written Answer, Official Report, 21st June, columns 461–2; what the monetary compensation amounts would have been if the accession compensatory amounts had already been phased out; and what will be the effect on the net levy and the monetary compensation amounts of the price and other agreed changes in the next 12 months, assuming market rates of exchange obtaining on 13th June.

I regret that this information is not readily available and a reply will be given to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to enable applicants in the United Kindom to become eligible for aid under EEC Regulation 355/77 on common measures to improve the conditions under which agricultural products are processed and marketed.

EEC Regulation 355/77 provides for aid to be paid from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (FEOGA) to supplement the required financial contribution by member States towards the cost of investment projects intended to develop or improve the processing or marketing of agricultural products with long-term benefits to agricultural producers. After a transitional period, projects will need to form part of programmes covering the regions or sectors involved. It is a condition of eligibility that a project must receive a national grant of at least 5 per cent. of the capital costs. The maximum rate of FEOGA aid under the Regulation will be 25 per cent.—exceptionally in certain areas, 30 per cent—which may be available to projects that have attracted national aid of 8 per cent.I am aware that under the present pattern of United Kingdom grants some worthwhile projects would be denied access to FEOGA aid solely by their ineligibility for the requisite national grant. I have, therefore, arranged for officials of the Agriculture Departments to draw up a scheme under which a qualifying national grant could be awarded to projects selected for aid under EEC Regulation 355/77 where there are no other national grant schemes available to enable them to receive FEOGA aid under this Regulation. The necessary instrument will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible so that this aid may be provided, where necessary, to United Kingdom applicants who wish to be considered under EEC Regulation 355/77 for FEOGA aid in 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to extend the scope of permitted development under the General Development Order.

My right hon. Friend intends to make and lay before the House an amending order giving effect to some, but not all, of the proposals circulated last year. When making the order he will have regard to the views expressed in the course of the consultations with the local authority associations and other interested bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy regarding the recommendation made by the Joint Port Trade Development Committee that an Industrial Development Board should be appointed for London's and docks.

I am discussing with the constituent members of the Docklands Joint Committee the setting up of an inner-city partnership for dockland mentioned in the recent White Paper on Policy for the Inner Cities (Cmnd. 6845). The Docklands Joint Committee has already set up a Docklands Industrial Group to co-ordinate and develop the promotion of industrial development in the area. Proposals to improve facilities available to industrialists will doubtless be high on the list of matters to be discussed within the new partnership arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes there have been in the statistical sources of information available to him regarding movements in the price of building land since the Minister for Housing and Construction's answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 29th April 1974.

There have been no changes since April 1974 in the sources of official statistics on the price of private sector land for house building. The Digest of Building Land Prices, which was published by the Estates Gazette up to 1974, has been discontinued.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is yet in a position to announce the Government's response to the 1976 Review of the Strategic Plan for the South-East; and whether he will make a statement.

We are not yet in a position to announce the Government's response to the 1976 Review of the Strategic Plan for the South-East. As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 20th April and to the hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) on 29th June, we hope to issue the response later this year.—[Vol. 930, c. 187; Vol. 934, c. 274.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the fountains in Trafalgar Square were turned off; for what reason; and when will they be operative again.

The fountains were extensively vandalised on 3rd June when they had to be switched off. They were operating again from 6th June, but they had to be shut down on 20th June for renewal of the electrical installation. I am pleased to be able to say that the fountains were switched on again at 10 a.m. yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will change the level of mandatory rate relief for voluntary youth organisations from 50 to 75 per cent.; and what is his estimate of the costs of such a proposal.

The present position is that organisations which are charities are entitled to 50 per cent. rate relief in respect of properties they occupy for charitable purposes, and may be afforded additional relief at the discretion of the rating authority. Other organisations which are not established or conducted for profit, and whose main objects are charitable or are concerned amongst other things with social welfare may also be given relief at the discretion of the rating authority. My right hon. Friend has no proposals at present for changing the law in this respect, and we do not have the data on which to make an estimate of the cost of increasing the mandatory relief to youth organisations which are charities from 50 per cent. to 75 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to be able to announce the establishment of the new Hitachi factory in Merseyside.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on Monday 4th July 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the projects approved under the scheme to give special aid to the foundry industry, giving the names of firms, the purpose of each project, the amounts involved and the dates on which approval was given.

Details of selective financial assistance are published quarterly, following the first payment, in Trade and Industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what recommendations have been made following the recent investigatory visit made by his Department to the North-West cotton and allied textile industry; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is studying the industry's position urgently in the light of this visit and of the subsequent representations by the industry. No conclusion has yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he requires the National Enterprise Board to make all its investments of loan capital at rates not less than the current commercial rates at the time of the investment.

I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 11 of the Schedule to the National Enterprise Board (Guidelines) Direction 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many tonnes of waste paper were imported for recycling by the paper industry last year; what was the cost per tonne in foreign currency in US dollar terms; and at what level in terms of tonnes per week such imports are running during the current year.

In 1976, 100,016 tonnes of waste paper were imported, valued at 115·52 US dollars per tonne. During January—May inclusive in 1977, imports were running at 3,115 tonnes per week. 54,930 tonnes valued at 145.01 US dollars per tonne were also exported in 1976.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an estimate of the gross tax worth of the untaxed benefits received by Ministers with houses supplied, with all upkeep payments paid, and their tax-free car allowances.

It is not possible to give such an estimate. The amount will vary with the individual Minister's marginal tax rate, which depends on his total income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue adopts a consistent policy regarding the code number applied immediately after a person is widowed; and what policies are adopted.

When a woman is widowed her tax office reviews her PAYE code to take account of her changed circumstances and in particular any national insurance widow's allowance or widow's pension she is receiving. Inevitably there is often some delay before the tax office learns of the husband's death and, having made the appropriate inquiries, before it gets the necessary information about' widow's allowances, etc., from the widow. An underpayment of tax may, therefore, build up before the widow's allowance, etc., can be taken into account in the widow's code, and since it is normal Inland Revenue practice to operate reduced codes on a non-cumulative basis the underpayment cannot be recovered in the same tax year. Instead it is usually recovered over the following year by an adjustment in the code for that year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of personal income tax paid has been taken up in collection costs in each of the years since 1970.

This information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report how much, in money terms, a single person and an average family with two children will benefit by the cuts in income tax announced in the Budget Statement.

I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to cut income tax further in the financial year 1977–78 than he announced in his Budget Statement.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement my right hon. Friend made earlier today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average amount of income tax paid by the average family in 1977–78; and what it was in 1973–74.

I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation, as defined by the percentage rise in the retail price index over the three months to June, expressed as an annual rate.

19 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what EEC regulations affect United Kingdom capital movements.

Our authorisation to maintain certain exchange control restrictions has been continued in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make available to hon. Members the 25-page document given in evidence by his Department to the Wilson Committee, in view of the fact that it has been quoted in detail in The Times of 8th July 1977.

I understand that it will be published by the Committee in due course. In the meantime, I have arranged for copies to be made available in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the current value of the personal allowances of single and married persons, respectively, if they were equated with the current levels of supplementary benefits requirements assuming no special additions and applying the national average for the rent and rates element; and what would be the cost to the revenue of raising personal allowances to these levels, as compared with the proposed rates in the Finance Bill 1977 (a) as presented, and (b) as amended in Standing Committee.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13th July 1977; Vol. 935, c. 168–9], gave the following information:Taking the total of supplementary benefits in 1977–78 at the ordinary scale rates as they will apply during the year, together with average additions for rent and rates, the single and married personal allowances would need to be raised to £1,040 and £1,475, respectively. The costs of raising personal allowances to these levels in 1977–78, are estimated to be £2,030 million under (

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the principle enunciated in October last, Official Report, 22nd October, column 567, that saving should be made by simplifying the system rather than by reducing the service, why he decided to save 500 staff by cutting visits made to supplementary benefit recipients; if he intends to review these proposals in the light of the results of the inquiry into the supplementary benefit scheme; and what arrangements are to be made for public participation and debate on these matters.

The system for investigating supplementary benefit claims comprises four methods of obtaining and giving information, namely, interviews at the local offices, interviews at claimants' homes, telephone discussions and correspondence. The most expensive and not necessarily the best of these methods is home visiting, and consideration is being given, in the light of the Government's decision to reduce administrative expenditure in the years ending in April 1978 and 1979, to changes in visiting arrangements and an increased use of the other three methods. The review of the supplementary benefit scheme is a separate and longer term issue, which has as a major aim the simplification of the scheme. It is hoped to publish next year ideas from that review for public debate, before firm proposals are made. We shall of course look again at the need for, and the extent of, home visiting in the light of decisions reached as a result of the review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent his Department is obliged to assist a man either by grant or loan with the purchase of tools if he is satisfied that the man's getting a job depends on his having the tools, for which he cannot pay out of his own resources.

The Supplementary Benefits Commission under its discretion-

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reply he has sent to the Great Yarmouth and Waveney Health Council concerning the existing ary powers can make a payment for essential tools to a man who is in receipt of supplementary benefit and who has prospects of a job. Inquiries are first made to establish whether tools are essential, whether the employer can be expected to provide them, and whether the man has successfully completed a Government training course where a kit of tools may be supplied as part of the course.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what powers he has to ensure an adequate establishment of retail dispensing outlets sufficient to meet the needs of the National Health Service and the general public.

To meet exceptional circumstances, where I am satisfied that the pharmaceutical services provide in an area are not adequate, I am empowered under Section 43 of the National Health Service Act 1946 to make, or authorise the appropriate family practitioner committee to make, whatever arrangements are necessary to enable an adequate service to be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the value now of the single and married person's pension, taking the £ sterling as being worth 100p in February 1974;(2) what was the single and married person's pension in February 1974; and what it is now.

The following is the information:rule in leaflet NHS4 (NHS Dental Treatment), which places the onus on the patient to ensure that he is receiving National Health Service treatment; and whether, in view of recent complaints, he expects to make alterations to the existing rule.

The Community Health Council is being informed that it is not a "rule" that patients should establish at the beginning of each course of treatment that they have been accepted for NHS treatment. Since dentists in the general dental services, as independent contractors, are free to accept or refuse any patient for NHS treatment, the leaflet NHS4 advices patients to take this precaution. The question of onus has been discussed again recently with the profession and is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it remains the policy of his Department to make lump sum payments to squatters in respect of furniture and bedding.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 18th March 1977.—[Vol. 928, c. 324–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on Leslie Westney, a patient at Calderstones Hospital, Whalley, who absconded from the hospital on 10th June 1977.

We are awaiting a report on this matter from the North-Western Regional Health Authority and I will write to the hon. Member when this is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what powers his Department has to prevent persons coming from, respectively, Commonwealth and other foreign countries, who find a job for a short time, leave the job and then spend the rest of the summer making no serious attempt to find another job, from living off British social security benefits.

My Department's powers are described in my reply to the hon. Member on 8th July.—[Vol. 934, c. 685–61 These arrangements apply equally to claims from those people from abroad who are able to qualify for unemployment and supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will announce his proposals for uprating family income supplement.

My right hon. Friend has today laid in draft before Parliament the Family Income Supplements (Computation) (No. 2) Regulations 1977 by which the prescribed amounts and maximum payments would be increased, with effect from 15th November 1977. Following are the proposed increases in relation to the prescribed amounts, and maximum payments which, as already announced, will become operative on 19th July:include a claim form and explain how to claim the supplement are available from post offices and local social security offices.Families who receive FIS are also entitled automatically to certain other benefits, including free school meals, free milk and vitamins for expectant mothers and children under school age and exemption from NHS charges for prescriptions, glasses and dental treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will produce information on the effect of noise levels arising from the proposed Heathrow to Gatwick inter-link; and if he will publish maps of noise footprints.

I have placed in the Library the information that the British Airports Authority has provided for the Heathrow and Gatwick Airport Consultative Committees about the environmental aspects of the proposed helicopter link. Further copies are available from the BAA.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the latest position on transferring scheduled air services from Heathrow to Gatwick; what discussions he has had with the British Airports Authority on the subject; and if he will make a statement.

The new Air Services Agreement with the United States provides for a number of new services to be operated by British and American carriers from Gatwick. In addition, the discussions with overseas Governments and airlines envisaged in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Feltham and Heston (Mr. Kerr) on 5th April—[Vol. 929, c. 392–4]—are continuing with the close involvement of the British Airports Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether J. Donne Holdings, or its subsidiaries, of 10 Golden Square, London, has filed accounts in accordance with the Companies Act since its formation.

J. Donne Holdings Limited, which was incorporated on 24th September 1971, was dissolved in November 1973, having failed to submit statutory documents including annual accounts. It was restored by order of the court in March 1974 and, since that date, has complied with its statutory obligations. The latest accounts, made up to 31st December 1975, were received with the annual return for 1976 on 26th January 1977. Its subsidiary companies, Donne Security Systems Limited, Donne Equipment Limited and Donne Security Appointments (International) Limited have also complied with the requirements of the Act with the exception of the latter company, which was incorporated in July 1975, and has been reminded of its obligations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what percentage of the equity of British industry is directly controlled by the banks and insurance companies.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his estimate of the net salary, assuming the post to be held by a married man with no dependent children, in real terms, of (a) the Chairman, (b) the deputy chairman and (c) other board members of British Airways in 1972 and 1977, taking 1972 as the base year; and how many places on the board are currently unfilled.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 7th July 1977; Vol. 934, c. 667], gave the following information:The net salaries, assuming each post to be held by a married man with no dependent children, of the deputy chairman and of a member of the board of British Airways in 1972 were £9,376·19 and £7,481·27 respectively, the latter figure being calculated from the average of the salaries of full-time members. The comparable figures for 1977 in real terms, using 1972 as the base year, are £4,630·59 and £4,157·63 respectively.A similar comparison cannot be made for the chairman because in 1972 the appointment was part-time, but his net salary in 1977 of £10,604·38 is equivalent to £4,961·58 in real terms, using 1972 as the base year.The British Airways Board Act 1977 lays down that the board shall consist of not less than eight nor more than 15 persons, of which 14 places are currently filled.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his estimate of the net salary, assuming the post to be held by a married man with no dependent children, in real terms, of (a) the chairman, (b) the deputy chairman and (c) other board members of the British Airports Authority in 1972 and 1977, taking 1972 as the base year; and how many places on the board are currently unfilled.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 8th July 1977; Vol. 934, c. 709–10], gave the following information:The average net salary, assuming the post to be held by a married man with no dependent children, of a full-time member of the board of the British Airports Authority in 1972 was £6,709·62. The comparable figure for 1977 in real terms, using 1972 as the base year, is £3,556·76.A similar comparison cannot be made for the chairman and deputy chairman because in 1972—and in 1977 for the deputy chairman—the appointments were part-time; but the not salary of the chairman in 1977 of £9,334·42 is equivalent to £4,367·39 in real terms, using 1972 as the base year.The Airports Authority Act 1965 lays down that the Authority shall consist of a chairman, a deputy chairman and not more than eight nor less than four other members. There are currently seven other members.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a public announcement about the precise route for the Attleborough by-pass; and why there has been such a long delay since the date of 31st January 1976, when all comments on the public consultation inquiry had to be submitted.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make an annoucement about the preferred route later this year. The Department has spent much time since the public consultation period on investigating and considering alternative proposals put forward by members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will take steps to prohibit the movement of heavy lorries on streets overlying gas mains;(2) if he will initiate an investigation into the effect of the transit of heavy lorries over roads in which gas mains are buried;(3) if he will hold discussions with the Gas Council about the effect of the transit of heavy lorries on buried gas mains under roads.

We are considering the report of the inquiry into serious gas explosions so far as it relates to transport, and officials of the Department are discussing the report with officials of the Department of Energy and the British Gas Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of construction operatives registered as unemployed in Wales currently and in each year since 1970.

The latest figures relating to construction operatives registered as unemployed in Wales are those for May 1977. These figures and those for the corresponding period in each of the last seven years are as follows:

asked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the reestablishment of the Royal Commission on the Press to enable it to examine evidence supplied too late for consideration.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees were (a) in employment and (b) unemployed in October 1973 and in the latest month for which figures are available in respect of each of the industries covered by Minimum List Headings 102, 103, 274, 461, 462, 463, 464 and 469; how many redundancies took place in each of these industries for the years from 1973 to 1976 respectively, and in 1977 to date; and how long those unemployed after work-

The following table gives the information available for employment and unemployment. Employment estimates for Minimum List Headings 102 and 103 are made annually and the latest are for June 1975. For the remaining industries monthly figures are available. They are not adjusted for seasonal variations. For unemployment, the most recent quarterly industrial analysis is for May 1977. Data on duration of unemployment are not available on an industry basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the employment office areas in the United Kingdom in which the number of employees working in the following industries forms a substantial part of the total number of people in employment in the area; textiles, shipbuilding and marine engineering; chemicals and allied industries; and aerospace equipment manufacturers and repairers.

Following are the employment office areas in the United Kingdom in which the number of employees working in the industries shown forms a substantial part of the total number of employees in employment in the area:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the unemployment figures for the months of May and June 1977.

The total numbers of people registered as unemployed in Great Britain in May and June 1977 were 1,285,716 and 1,390,401, respectively. Seasonally adjusted and excluding school-leavers the figures were 1,262,100 and 1,297,800.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average number of people unemployed in the Leek parliamentary constituency in each of the past 10 years.

The following table shows the numbers unemployed in the area covered by the Biddulph, Cheadle, Kidsgrove and Leek employment offices at June and December in the last 10 years. The numbers unemployed in local areas are not available on an annual average basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those drawing unemployment benefit in Torbay on 9th June 1977 and comparable dates in 1976 and 1975 were and were not habitually resident, respectively, in the area.

I regret the information is not available. Statistics of unemployment benefit claimants do not distinguish between those who are habitually resident in the area and those who are not.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report the number of employees in the public sector for each of the five most recent years for which figures are available.

Following is the information as published in the February 1977 issue of Economic Trends:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, according to month and total, the three highest figures of unemployment recorded since

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the reasons for the curtailment of his Under-Secretary's visit to Cornwall on 21st and 22nd July; and if he will confirm that the intention to meet trade unionists at Falmouth will be rearranged within the new schedule for the visit.

The visit was changed because of the pressure of parliamentary business. It is my intention to meet trade unionists in the Falmouth Labour Club on the afternoon of Saturday 23rd July together with the prospective parliamentary candidate, Peter M. Tebbutt, and other officers of the constituency Labour Party.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people and school leavers in Altrincham and Sale are unemployed.

At January 1977, the latest date for which the half-yearly age analysis is available, 331 young people under 20 years of age were registered as unemployed in the Altrincham employ- June 1970 and the current figures of unemployment at, respectively, Falmouth, Camborne, Redruth and Hayle.

Following is the information:ment office area, which includes Sale. Of these, 43 were school leavers. The number of unemployed school leavers in this area at 9th June was 281.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were unemployed in Altrincham and Sale in February 1974, and at the latest available date.

At 9th June the number of people registered as unemployed in the Altrincham employment office area, which includes Sale, was 2,256 compared with 1,098 in February 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage rise in average weekly wages since 1st August 1976.

Between July 1976 and April 1977 the seasonally adjusted monthly index of average earnings of all employees in all manufacturing industries and certain other industries increased by 7·5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will compile a list showing each of the youth and other employment schemes, including training schemes, now in operation; and if he will also show the date when each scheme commenced, the gross and net cost to date, the main purpose of the scheme, the number of young people who have benefited during each year of operation, and the weekly wage or allowance paid in each case.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th May 1977; Vol. 936, c. 706], gave the following information:The following special employment and training measures to alleviate unemployment are now in operation: the temporary employment subsidy, youth employment subsidy, job release scheme and small firms employment subsidy operated by my Department; the job creation programme, work experience programme, job introduction scheme for disabled persons and special training measures operated by the Manpower Services Commission. The community industry scheme funded by my Department has been expanded as part of the special measures programme.Details of the schemes are as follows: