asked the Lord President of the Council upon what grounds the recent letter sent by the Parliamentary Draftsman to the Department of the Clerk of the House about House of Commons procedure on motions relating to the salaries and pensions of Members of Parliament was marked confidential; and if he will draw to the attention of civil servants in the Parliamentary Draftsman's Department rules relating to security classification.

My hon. Friend is referring to a letter which he has not seen and I have not seen. There is therefore no basis for discussing the way it was marked. The answer to the second part of his Question is "No".

asked the Lord President of the Council why he describes hon. Members as not employed since they are so classified for national insurance and unemployment benefits; and since the Government's policy is to support free collective bargaining, why the Government will not negotiate hours,

DEBATES ON REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES
1970–71
Committee					Report			Date		Occasion
Public Accounts		…	…	…	1st, 2nd and 3rd (1969–70)			10th November 1970		Supply (5th day)
House of Commons (Services)				…	1st (1970–71)		…	23rd November 1970		Government motion
Estimates	…	…	…	…	5th (1968–69)		…	7th December 1970		Supply (7th day)
Scottish Affairs		…	…	…	1st (1969–70)		…	3rd February 1971		Government motion
Standing Orders (Revision)			…	…	1970–71	…	…	8th March 1971	…	Government motion
House of Commons (Services)				…	5th (1970–71) (no debate)			7th April 1971	…	Government motion
Procedure	…	…	…	…	2nd (1969–70)			7th April 1971	…	Government motion
Science and Technology			…	…	2nd (1968–69)		…	27th May 1971	…	Government motion
Privileges	…	…	…	…	1st (1967–68)			16th July 1971	…	Government motion
House of Commons (Services)				…	6th (1970–71) (no debate)			30th July 1971	…	Government motion

1971–72
Public Accounts		…	…	…	1st, 2nd and 3rd (1970–71)			2nd December 1971		Supply (4th day)
Expenditure	…	…	…	…	1st (1970–71) and 1st (1971–72)			9th February 1972		Government motion
House of Commons (Services)				…	4th (1971–72)		…	9th June 1972 continued 13th June 1972		Government motion
Procedure	…	…	…	…	4th (1971–72)		…	28th June 1972	…	Government motion
Expenditure	…	…	…	…	2ndand 5th Special (1971–72)			7th August 1972	…	Government motion (postponed from Supply day)

Under the Social Security Act 1973 Members of Parliament, along with other office holders with emoluments chargeable to income tax under Schedule E, become liable to pay Class I "employed earner" contributions from 6th April 1975. It does not follow that hon. Members are employees for the purposes of collective bargaining between employer and employed. As I have already explained to my hon. Friend—[Vol. 935, c. 257]—the conditions of hon. Members are in any event a matter for this House and not one for collective bargaining between the Government and a trade union.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will give a table showing, for each Session since 1970–71 inclusive, the reports of Select Committees which have been debated in the House, the date of the debate, and the nature of the parliamentary occasion, namely, Supply Day, Government motion, Opposition motion or Private Member's motion.

The information is as follows:

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in view of the fact that the House of Commons underground car park is consistently under-used, he will take steps to enable Members' secretaries to park there, especially in view of the fact that the facilities in Broad Sanctuary are to be withdrawn from their use in January.

Car parking for the House of Commons was dealt with in the Second Report from the Services Committee of Session 1974 (HC 151), in the Fifth Report of Session 1975–76 (HC 577) and in the Second Report of Session 1976–77 (HC 54).There are 496 places in the underground car park. Although there are days when it is under-used, this is not consistently the case. For example, on one day in November, 435 places were filled.Photo-identity pass holders—of whom there are over 1,200, including the staff of the House and Members' secretaries—may use the underground car park at weekends, including Fridays and during recesses. They may park on 4th and 5th floors. On one day in November the 4th Floor was completely filled and there were only 25 spaces left on the 5th Floor. 580 Members' private secretaries have secretaries' passes. It would, therefore, be impractical to allow them or other non-entitled pass holders to park in the underground car park except on the days shown above.

asked the Lord President of the Council what was the total cost to public funds of travel and subsistence for the United Kingdom delegations to the Council of Europe, Western European Union and North Atlantic Assemblies in 1976–77; and what is his estimate of the cost in the current financial year.

The total expenditure incurred by the House of Commons Vote in 1976–77 in respect of the United Kingdom Delegations to the Council of Europe, Western European Union and North Atlantic Assemblies was £119,134.83.The estimate of likely costs for the current financial year is £146,000.

asked the Secretary of State fog the Home Department whetner he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list of the visits he has personally made to fire stations and the Service fire fighting emergency forces since the industrial dispute affecting firemen began.

I have made no visits to fire stations during the firemen's strike. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and his Ministers have made a number of visits to bases used cy the servicemen engaged on fire-fighting duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as he will not publish the list of trade unions who informed him that any settlement of the firemen's dispute over the 10 per cent. guideline would be used by them as a precedent as it would not assist in resolving the dispute he will publish these details immediately the dispute is resolved.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases were referred to the criminal department of the Home Office in 1976 to consider whether he should grant a pardon or refer a case back to the Court of Appeal; and how many staff serve in that department.

I regret that the information requested in the first part of the Question could not be provided without disproportionate effort. Representations are received from, or on behalf of, prisoners and others about a wide variety of subjects related to convictions, and many of them do not ask for a specific remedy. Thirty staff are engaged wholly or partly in dealing with representations about alleged wrongful convictions, only a small proportion of which lead eventually to the grant of a free pardon or reference of the case to the Court of Appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is a formal procedure requiring Home Office approval before private telephones can be tapped; and for what reasons and on whose authority private telephones would be tapped.

The principles and procedures involved are set out in the 1957 report of the Birkett Committee (Cmnd. 283) and continue to be strictly adhered to. This means that applications for interception are considered only in connection with serious crime or threats to the security of the State and require my personal authorisation or, in Scotland, that of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the promised circular on the construction of nuclear fall-out shelters.

The development of a design for a concrete shelter suitable for private construction is in hand but is taking longer than expected and I cannot yet say when it will be possible to publish information about it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to relieve local authorities of their statutory obligations to provide effective fire protection, as laid down through the Fire Services Act 1947.

None. I refer my hon. Friend to the statement that I made to the House on 9th November [Vol. 938, c. 672–3]—about the arrangements which the Government have made to assist fire authorities to provide the best fire cover possible in the circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the cost of carrying out statutory duties relating to fire prevention and precautions if these were not undertaken by the fire brigades.

I regret that such a calculation cannot be made on the information currently available, although a sample survey of expenditure in seven fire authority areas conducted in 1976, giving a breakdown of expenditure on all aspects of fire brigade activity, including fire prevention, is at present being analysed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra payment has been made to firemen in recognition of the additional duties undertaken by them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

No additional duties have been undertaken by firemen under the Health and Safety At Work, Etc. Act 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fulltime firemen were employed in (a) 1957 and (b) 1967; and how many are currently employed.

The full-time strength—including control room staff—of fire brigades in England and Wales for 1957, 1967 and 1976—the last year for which figures are available—was 19,870, 24,916 and 32,593, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Stretford on 28th November 1977, he will list in the Official Report the total number of retained fire stations, together with the number of those that are working normally.

There are 856 retained fire stations in England and Wales, of which about 70 per cent. are answering emergency calls.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints there have been against the police in England and Wales in 1976 and to date in 1977 and how many of these led to disciplinary action or criminal charges.

These figures are collected from forces on an annual basis and those for 1977 are therefore not yet available. In 1976 22,738 complaints by members of the public were received against members of police forces in England and Wales. Of these, 124 led to criminal proceedings, including proceedings for traffic offences; this figure does not include cases where proceedings were brought after the end of the year. In the same year disciplinary proceedings were brought in 182 cases as a result of a complaint; in some of these the relevant complaint may have been made in an earlier year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is now dealing with emergency calls to help people trapped in lifts, which would normally be dealt with by firemen, during the firemen's strike.

Where there is a hazard, an attendance is made by the emergency services now providing fire cover.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has made to ensure that road hazards and accidents involving dangerous substances being transported by road can be dealt with during the firemen's strike.

In present circumstances, where necessary, arrangements have been made with the other emergency services to provide assistance.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development to what other United Kingdom-based bodies her Department has given funds out of the funds for overseas aid to be spent wholly, or for the most part, in the United Kingdom, other than the £75,000 given by her Department to the Trades Union Congress.

My Department channels aid through a considerable number of United Kingdom-based bodies. Details analysis will be needed to verify which of these spend the funds wholly, or for the most part, in the United Kingdom; I will write to the hon. Member with the information as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development for what purpose her Department is making available a grant of £6,000 to the Appropriate Health Resources and Technologies Action Group; what sum was made available in 1976–77; and what steps are taken to monitor its expenditure.

A fully accountable grant totalling £11,800 has been approved in support of a pilot project for the study of current activities in appropriate tech nology for health in developing countries. The objective is to make recommendations on priorities for the establishment of action groups overseas. Expenditure from the grant must be certified as according with the terms or conditions agreed with the Ministry, and will be subject to independent audit.No grant was made in 1976–77. £6,000 is available for expenditure in 1977–78, and the balance will be provided subsequently. The question of further assistance for later phases of the project will depend on an evaluation of the pilot study.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many civil servants were working for her Department at the latest available date, at home and abroad, respectively.

On 1st November 1977 the numbers were as follows:

Home	Abroad
2,307	57

asked the Minister of Overseas Development on how many occasions officials of her Department have visited Mozambique to check on the spending of the £5 million aid to that country.

None. Orders for goods have still to be placed under the 1977 programme loan, to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what plans she has to aid the use of solar power in developing countries.

My Department is supporting from aid funds the development of a simple, cheap, solar water heater, and I have also agreed to support work on the development of a small solar-powered refrigerator. I would welcome more requests. I am also looking into ways in which we can increase our capacity to help developing countries in the field of new and renewable sources of energy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on segregated tanks for tankers and generally on tanker safety and pollution.

The Government favour internaional action on such matters. Segregated ballast tanks on new large oil tankers are already provided for in the 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, and an international conference in February will be considering further requirements. However, conversion of existing tankers would be costly, and alternative solutions are also being discussed with other countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action has been taken in the last six months to promote tourism in England by (a) the English Tourist Board and (b) the British Tourist Authority.

In addition to their other statutory duties, the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourist Board have conducted vigorous marketing and publicity campaigns to encourage visitors to Britain and within England. In the six months ending 30th September the ETB approved applications for tourist project assistance totalling over £1¾ million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in view of the fact that Wales and Scotland together receive more money for selective tourist project assistance than England, he will increase England's allocation.

There is no centrally allocated tourism budget which is shared out between the three countries, so the sums provided for tourism project assistance in England are not related to those provided in Scotland and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what losses have been incurred to date on operating the Concorde aircraft.

British Airways made an operating loss of £2·3 million on their Concorde operations in the financial year 1975–76 and £8·5 million in 1976–77.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has had discussions with the British National Oil Corporation about the use of British ships to supply a service for oil rigs.

No. Decisions whether to use British or other supply vessels are a matter for the commercial judgment of the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his estimate of the number of helicopters regularly used in supplying North Sea oil and gas installations; of the number thereof, which are made in the United Kingdom; and what is the reason for the use of foreign made machines.

The United Kingdom companies which are licensed to operate air services to supply North Sea oil and gas installations own or operate approximately 75 helicopters. Of these, five were built in the United Kingdom and a further nine have engines which were manufactured in this country. The choice of equipment is a matter for the companies concerned. In the case of British Airways helicopters no United Kingdom-manufactured aircraft are of the type required, but two of its helicopters have United Kingdom engines.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) when he expects the annual report and accounts of the Air Travel Reserve Fund Agency for the year ended 31st March 1977 to be laid before the House;(2) how the £13 million Air Travel Reserve Fund is invested; and what is the average annual rate of return on the investment.(3) what is the maximum contingent liability of the Air Travel Reserve Fund.

I expect to receive the Agency's annual report and accounts shortly. Investment details of the Air Travel Reserve Fund will be found in the accounts. As the fund has been built up over a period it is not meaningful to give an average annual rate of return on the investment. I cannot give any estimate of maximum contingent liability.

asked the secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the names of the members of (a) the British Tourist Authority and (b) the English Tourist Board, stating in each case the salary or fee paid.

The information is as follows

(a) British Tourist Authority
Member	Salary
	£
Mr H. E. Marking CBE, MC (Chairman)	10,090
Lord Garnock	1,000
Mr I. Harrington	1,000
Mr. D. C. Macdonald	1,000
Mrs. A. Munro, CBE	1,000

Sir Mark Henig, Chairman of the English Tourist Board, Mr. E. H. Davies, Chairman of the Wales Tourist Board, and Mr. R. P. MacLellan, CBE, Chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board, are members

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what suggestions as to a distinctive designation for public companies he has received in response to his Department's request for comments contained in paragraph 18 of its explanatory and consultative note "Implementation of the Second EEC Directive on Company Law".

The proposal which has received most support has been that in place of "Limited" or "Ltd". public companies should use the designation "Public Limited Company" or "PLC". There has been significant support for "Incorporated" or "Inc". although there has also been some, express opposition to this. Other suggestions made include "Public Company Limited", "Corporation", "Limited Corporation", "Limited (P)", "Corporate Body" and "Public Limited".

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many comments he has received on his Department's explanatory and consultative note "Implementation of the Second EEC Directive on Company Law"; which of the proposals the comments related to; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has received 55 written representations commenting on the whole range of proposals set out in the note "Imeplementation of the Second EEC Directive on Company Law". The comments that we have received are of considerable assistance in preparing the Bill to implement the directive, which I intend to introduce in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government in response to the consensus resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on 3rd November 1977 on safety of international civil aviation.

We are already implementing this resolution. Her Majesty's Government has been a prime mover in international circles to condemn acts of violence against civil aviation and to press for the necessary security arrangements to be taken. We have ratified the Tokio, Hague and Montreal conventions and have consistently pressed other Governments to do so. We are in close touch with overseas Governments within the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the European Civil Aviation Conference and the European Economic Community. British Missions abroad have instructions to concert with British airlines and, where necessary, to seek specific improvements in security. Our own security measures are kept under continuous review and any lessons to be learned from particular incidents of violence against civil aviation are discussed within the National Aviation Security Committee, which recommends to my Department what steps are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many tons of bananas

IMPORTS OF FRESH BANANAS (INCLUDING PLANTAINS)—SITC(R) 051.3
Thousand tons January-October
						1972	1973	1974	1975	7976	1977
TOTAL	…	…	…	…	…	305	302	300	302	308	254
of which, consigned from Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada					…	113	94	107	90	115	92

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what advice is given by his Department to British companies considering investment in Transkei; and, in particular, whether they are encouraged or discouraged from doing so.

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy by what proportion electricity consumption has been reduced in the last 12 months, and what equivalent tonnage of coal this represents.

Total electricity available from the public supply system for the 12 months ended September 1977 was 4·6 per cent. higher than in the preceding 12 months. This represents about 4·7 million tons of coal or coal equivalent.A direct comparison is, however, misleading because of significant differences in temperature during the two periods. After adjustment for these differences it is estimated that consumption increased by about 2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current cost of coal and oil fuels, respectively, as a proportion of the cost to industrial and domestic consumers of electric power at the main

Following is the available information:tariff rates, quoting figures in both percentages and actual cost per kilowatt.

The costs of coal and oil fuels to the public electricity supply industry in Great Britain are estimated to represent about 32 per cent. and 9 per cent. respectively of the total revenue from electricity sold to all consumers in the year ending March 1977. That is, on average, about 0·64p and 0·17p per kilowatt-hour sold. These proportions reflect the total values of fuels used, that is, quantities and prices. It is rot meaningful to use average fuel costs in relation to the revenue from electricity sold to particular groups of consumers.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the present annual increase in the United Kingdom consumption of energy expressed as millions of tons of coal-equivalent, and what proportion is met by coal, petroleum fuels, nuclear power and other sources of energy.

Inland energy consumption, on a primary fuel input basis, during the 12 months ended September 1977, was nearly 12 million tons of coal or coal equivalent higher than in the previous 12-month period. This increase was met as follows:

	Percentage
Proportion by Coal	37
Proportion by Petroleum	8
Proportion by Nuclear	17
Proportion by Other	38
	100

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest subsidy per

				1976		1977
				Aid/Tonne	Total	Aid/Tonne	Total
				(£)	(£m.)	(£)	(£m.)
United Kingdom		…	…	0·3	39	0·5	67
Germany	…	…	…	1·7	160	2·6	247
France	…	…	…	8·9	196	13·3	278
Belgium	…	…	…	16·4	123	19·8	138

Coal production in the Netherlands ceased in 1974.These figures, calculated at the exchange rates on 23rd November 1977, are for aids to current production only, and do not include social aids which cannot be considered on an equivalent basis. I regret that figures I gave in an answer to a supplementary question on 14th November—[Vol. 939, c. 2–6]—had been erroneously converted from European units of account.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what reassessment of the coal industry's future he considers to be needed to meet demand for British-produced coal in the European Economic Community, and in the development of world energy markets; and if he will make a statement.

These factors have constantly been in my mind in consideration of the coal industry's future and the projections of future production in the report of the tripartite group, "Coal for the Future" take potential export markets into account. Thus, no reassessment is neccessary. But it must be recognised that most of the projected United Kingdom coal output will be needed to meet home demands.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he plans to hold discussions with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Miners on the negotiations currently taking place on local productivity schemes.

No. The introduction of a productivity scheme is entirely a matter

State aids to the coal industries of the Community are estimated by the Commission in documents COM(77)127 for 1976 and COM(77)570 for 1977 as follows:for negotiation between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy under what statutory authority he prohibits the use of electricity for such purposes as illuminated advertisements and the lighting of shop windows during periods when supplies to industrial and domestic consumers are cut off as a result of industrial action; and how such powers can be exercised.

The Energy Act 1976 contains powers for such purposes. These can be exercised when there is in force an Order in Council under Section 3 of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many tons were consumed by coal-fired power stations over each of the past four years; of these fuels is not expected to change two years; and if he will give the comparable amounts for oil-fired power stations over the same period.

Statistics on coal and oil consumption at public supply power stations in the United Kingdom are published by my Department monthly in Energy Trends and annually in Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics. Figures for 1974 to 1976, together with estimates of the outturn for 1977, are given in the table below. For 1978 and 1979, on present estimates, consumption of these fuels is not expected to change significantly from current levels.

COAL AND OIL CONSUMPTION AT PUBLIC SUPPLY POWER STATIONS, UNITED KINGDOM
				Million tons
	1974	1975	1976	1977 (partly estimated)
Coal	66·0	73·4	76·6	79
Oil*	16·8	12·4	9·9	10
*Including light oil burnt mainly at coal fired power stations.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy who is now responsible for dealing with emergencies and accidents involving gas escapes, which would normally be dealt with by firemen, during the firemen's strike.

Reported gas leaks are dealt with by British Gas and are nit affected by the firemen's strike. Assistance at other incidents involving fire and explosions, whether due to gas or any other cause, is being provided by the fire authorities under the emergency arrangements which were referred to by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department in his statement to the House on 9th November.—[Vol. 938, c. 672–3.]

asked the Secretary of Stale for Energy who is now responsible for attending emergency calls at establishments concerned with nuclear energy, to deal with fire hazards and radioactive materials.

Each nuclear establishment is required to have standing arrangements to deal with emergencies which might involve radioactivity, including provision for fire hazards. Establishments concerned with nuclear energy have their own fire-fighting services. During the present firemen's dispute, in cases where outside assistance may be required, establishments will either call on retained firemen under normal arrangements or on the emergency services available locally.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has made to the European Commission to make regulations for the compulsory thermal insulation of houses, which it is estimated will cost the average householder £1,200; and if he will make a statement.

None; I am, however aware that the Commission has made proposals to the Council regarding energy savings by means of a programme for the modernisation of existing buildings in the Community. The programme would include improved insulation of walls and roofs, double-glazing, improvements of inefficient heating systems and the fitting of thermostats.In initial discussion of the proposal there was unanimous agreement that the data underlying it was inadequate. Further consideration of the proposal awaits its revision by the Commission in the light of additional information which it has been collecting.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what response he intends to make to the recommendation of the Select Committee on Science and Technology that grants and assistance up to 50 per cent. of the total cost should be made from public funds to encourage the installation of domestic and commercial solar heating panels.

The recommendation of limited financial assistance towards the cost of installing approved domestic solar water heating apparatus, conditional inter alia on prior insulation by the consumer, is one of 22 in the Third Report from the Select Committee on Science and Technology, covering many aspects of the development of alternative energy sources. The Government are at present considering the report and will be replying when this work is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to issue a revised version of guidance to local authorities to replace Development Control Note No. 13.

It is intended to issue revised planning guidance on large new stores in a new version of Development Control Policy Note 13 within the next two weeks. A covering circular to local authorities will summarise research findings on the effect which these stores have had on food retailing and prices and on consumers. I will send copies of these documents to my hon. Friend and will place copies in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what savings are expected to be achieved by running down the Archaeological Division of the Ordnance Survey.

In addition to its main objective, which is more efficient management and better use of resources, the reorganisation of the Archaeological Division will result in gradual savings on salaries, travel and subsistence and associated expenditure, amounting eventually to between £100,000 and £200,000 per annum, depending on the organisation ultimately settled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the cost of cleaning the exterior of Westminster Hall.

I refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer I gave him on 26th October 1977.—[Vol. 936, c. 867–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the value of rate support grant per head of population in England.

About £125.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage reduction in the Surrey rate support grant in 1978–79 as compared with 1977–78; and what is the equivalent figure for the metropolitan districts and the Greater London Council, and for the shire counties generally.

Final calculations of grant entitlements for 1978–79 have not yet been made; but on the basis of estimates prepared for the recent meeting of the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance the overall change in entitlements to needs element payments would be as follows:

ESTIMATED PERCENTAGE INCREASE 1978–79 1977–78
	Percentage
Surrey	0·8
Shire Counties	3·5
Metropolitan Districts	5·5
London Boroughs	20·4

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the amount of money Bedfordshire County Council has received by way of rate support grant in each successive year from 1974–75. including the planned amount for 1978–79.

The resources and domestic elements of the rate support grant are not paid to county councils. Payments of the needs element to Bedfordshire County Council have been as follows:

	£ million
1974–75	25·7
1975–76	32·1
1976–77	34·1
1977–78	31·9

The figures for 1974–75 and 1975–76 represent the final calculations; the figures for 1976–77 and 1977–78 are the payments made under the first increase order and main order, respectively. The grant calculations for 1978–79 have still to be made; on the basis of estimates prepared for the recent meeting of the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance, Bedfordshire's grant entitlement for the full year would be £ 36·4 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to seek to oblige local authorities to conform to decisions of the Local Government Commissioner.

Under Section 31(1) of the Local Government Act 1974 it is already the duty of a local authority to consider a local commissioner's report which finds that injustice has been caused as a result of maladministration, and to notify the local commissioner of the action it proposes to take. I have no evidence that the great majority of authorities are not fulfilling this obligation. If in the course of their annual review of the operation of the provisions of Part III of the 1974 Act the commissioners wish to draw attention to any difficulty they experience in getting action on their reports I will of course consider whether further powers may be required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is considering and what additional financial resources he will make available to assist local authorities in seeking to lower mortgage interest rates.

The Green Paper on Housing Policy (Cmnd. 6851) proposed that local authorities should be enabled to change the rate recommended by the Building Societies Association, any surplus or deficit being credited or charged to an authority's general rate fund. We are now receiving observations on this proposal from the local authorities and other interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he has made for dealing with accidents and incidents in or involving sewers, which would normally be dealt with by firemen, during the firemen's strike.

Water authorities and local authorities, in association with fire authorities and chief constables, have been advised to review their emergency procedures and to provide additional advice and assistance for dealing with incidents involving sewers that could put water services at risk. It is not practicable to give detailed advice to authorities on how they should deal with accidents in sewers, they are all expected to have and use safety and rescue apparatus in accordance with the recommended Code of Practice for Safety in Sewers. In the present circumstances, it is expected that they will make the best use of the experience and resources at their disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that ratepayers who cannot afford their own washing machines and who must therefore use launderettes will not have to pay a charge for effluent from the launderettes in addition to that portion of their rates attributable to sewerage charges.

No. Water authorities are required by the Water Act 1973 to relate charges to the cost of providing the services concerned and to work towards eliminating discrimination in favour of any class of persons. Exemption of launderettes from trade effluent charges levied in accordance with these principles would not therefore be justified. The National Water Council is arranging discussions on the general question of trade effluent charges with the launderette industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the allocations of public expenditure to housing construction and improvement in 1976–1977 was under-spent; and to what extent he expects an underspending of these allocation in 1977–78.

For 1976–77 there was an overall overspend, at outturn prices, on the provision for public sector expenditure on housing construction and improvement in England as included in the expenditure White Paper, Cmnd. 6393. published in February 1976. This was made up of a substantial overspend on new construction work by local authorities, to which the cash limit system did not apply, and an underspend on improvement work.For the current year we have already acted, for example by reallocating some new housebuilding approvals, to ensure the maximum take-up possible of resources available, and we will continue to do so during the rest of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to be renovate the Customs clearance station at Dublin Road, Newry, Co. Down, and to provide parking facilities for vehicles using this station.

There are no plans to renovate the existing Customs clearance station at Dublin Road, Newry. The site is not large enough to provide adequate parking facilities and negotiations to acquire land adjacent to the Station have failed. Consideration is currently being given to the possibility of the development of a new station on another site.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in which parts of England sodium fluoride, in the form used for the fluoridation of water supplies for human consumption occurs naturally, in the same or greater strengths as that in which it is added to water supplies on the recommendation of his Department.

Fluoride concentrations in water are measured in terms of the fluoride ion, not of sodium fluoride. Fluoride occurs naturally in ground waters in parts of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cleveland, Derbyshire, Dorset and Essex at concentrations at or somewhat greater than one part per million, which is the level recommended by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services where fluoride is added.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount raised by local authorities and the proportion of the latter that is raised by rates on domestic hereditaments.

The total sum to be paid by ratepayers in England and Wales in 1977–78 is expected to be about £4,800 million. Of this total, domestic ratepayers will provide about £2,000 million, or 42 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to complete his consultations with all parties interested in the mobile homes review and bring forward legislation.

I have asked interested parties for their written observations on the report of the Mobile Homes Review and expect to receive these shortly. The review was concerned solely with residential mobile homes, but some of its findings may be relevant to con siderations of the problems of holiday homes and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection accordingly hopes to be involved in the discussions that will follow.I cannot yet say when it will be possible to bring forward proposals for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the salting and gritting of main trunk roads as carried out by the local authorities on his behalf.

Practices vary, but generally I am satisfied with the winter maintenance of motorways and trunk roads by agent authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many hazardous substances, involving special safety information and precautions, are transported by road; and what is the average number of journeys per year or per month.

About 400 hazardous chemicals are subject to legislation requiring special safety information and precautions when transported by road.I am not in a position to provide up-to-date information on the average number of journeys involving the carriage of hazardous chemicals, but on the basis of a survey undertaken a few years ago it is estimated that there are approximately 3 million tanker journeys per year on the roads in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what effect the EEC regulations on drivers' hours will have on road haulage costs in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

I will answer this Question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will specify those statutory procedures which have delayed the commencement date for the Clenchwarton/Terrington St. Clement/Walpole Cross Keys bypass on the A17.

Objectors to the side road orders, published in draft in July 1976. suggested alternative solutions which have considerable merit. As a result, discussions have been held with local authorities and revised proposals will be published by the middle of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department will organise the distribution with driving licences of donor cards for giving cadaver kidneys for the treatment of chronic renal failure.

I regret that for technical reasons it is not possible to extend the present arrangements under which donor cards for cadaver kidneys are sent out with all first provisional driving licences.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will report the progress into the line of the preferred route for the M1-A1 link announced in August 1975; and what plans he has with regard to the publication of a draft order.

Detailed investigations are continuing within the preferred corridor for the M1-A1 link in order to establish the most suitable route but it will be some time before my right hon. Friend will be in a position to publish draft orders under the Highways Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will take steps to encourage the expansion of consumer protection councils by local authorities.

My Department supports any initiative which results in consumer needs being better identified and met. My hon. Friend may wish to write to me if he has a particular proposal in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether, in the course of the Government's review of the legislation and institutions governing competition policy, he will consider taking further measures to transfer the functions of the Price Commission to the Office of Fair Trading.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what proposals he has to merge the Price Commission with the Monopolies Commission.

The scope of the review was announced on 28th November. Initially, the review will concentrate on policy rather than on institutions. But I am in principle sympathetic to some form of eventual merger between the institutions responsible for implementing prices policy and competition policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will list the current members of the Price Commission, stating in each case the salary or fee paid and what information he has on the principal occupation of each member.

The current members of the Price Commission are:

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is his policy on recent increases in hire charges.

It is for the Price Commission to decide whether or not to investigate increases in particular prices and charges. My hon. Friend may like to pass to the Chairman of the Price Commission details of any individual cases he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the year-on-year increase in the food price index.

In the 12 months to October 1977 the retail food index increased by 13·6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why reduced farm gate prices for crops after the 1977 harvest are not being passed on to the consumers by retailers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the benefits of the current year's excellent agricultural crops and the consequently reduced ex-farm prices are not being passed on by the retailers.

I have been asked to reply to the latter Question also.The improved crops this summer have been most marked for vegetables. In October 1977 the average retail prices of fresh, dried and frozen vegetables were 25 per cent. below the level of October 1976. It therefore appears that the benefits of the better crops this year are being passed on to consumers.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what has been the average rate of inflation for all OECD countries since February 1974 to the latest available date.

10.3 per cent. per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will give the cumulative rate of inflation between February 1974 and the latest available date for all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries; and whether he will give the average Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development figure over this period.

The cumulative increases in the consumer price indices for each of the OECD countries between February 1974 and the latest available date—mostly to September 1977—are as follows:

Country	Per cent. change
Canada	37·0
USA	30·0
Japan	42·1
Australia	58·1*
New Zealand	63·6*
Austria	27·6
Belgium	42·0
Denmark	43·3
Finland	63·8
France	44·6
Germany (FDR)	17·5
Greece	54·9
Iceland	215·6*
Ireland (Republic of)	75·9*
Italy	78·3*
Luxembourg	34·8
Netherlands	35·0
Norway	40·3
Portugal	88·1
Spain	95·2
Sweden	41·2
Switzerland	13·6
Turkey	83·7*
United Kingdom	82·6
OECD average	42·0 (estimate)
*Increase between February 1974 and August 1977.

Source: Main Economic Indicators (OECD)

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will seek to introduce a price freeze.

No. A price freeze would attack symptoms rather than cause. Firms in both public and private sectors would be unable to recover unavoidable cost increases, and both investment and jobs would be put at risk.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what further consideration he has given to the use of the term manufacturer's recommended price in selling electrical appliances and other consumer durables; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is still considering whether to direct the Commission to examine sectors where this practice appears to be prevalent. The Price Commission Act 1977 permits the Secretary of State to regulate or prohibit the use of recommended resale prices in particular sectors following an examination and in consequence of the Commission's advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what percentage of the retail price of a standard loaf is accounted for by (a) labour costs, (b) cost of wheat, (c) agricultural levies on imported wheat and (d) distribution and retailers' costs and profit.

I regret that the information is not available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what representations he has received about the level of coffee prices; and if he will refer the profit margins on coffee sales to the Price Commission.

My Department has received a number of representations, partly about the level of prices and partly about the variations in prices between shops. Following a reference from my right hon. Friend, the Price Commission. examined prices and margins on coffee. Its report was published in July 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he is satisfied with the current rate of price inflation.

No. The annual rate at 14·1 per cent. in October is still too high, but it is falling fast.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what were the total numbers of price increases recorded by his Department during the last month for which figures are available and during the same month in 1975 and 1976.

The Government measure the rate on inflation through the monthly retail price index rather than through the numbers of price increases. The retail price index increased by 1·8 per cent. in October 1976 and 0·4 per cent. in October 1977. Larger manufacturing and service firms are required to prenotify price increases to the Price Commission, and I understand that recent notifications have been substantially fewer in number than in the same period last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether, in the light of the concern of the Price Commission at the present arrangement whereby companies are able to claim an interim increase in their prices pending the Commission's inquiry which pre-empts its eventual reports, he will take action to alter the present situation.

No. We need to have more experience of the present policy before considering whether any changes need to be made to the safeguard arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why prices have risen by 13 per cent. to-14 per cent. over the past 12 months when wages have risen by only 8·8 per cent. in the same period.