asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are currently in receipt of the mobility allowance.

61,030 on 19th December 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the state of relations between staff and employers in the National Health Service.

There is always scope for improving industrial relations in an organisation as complex and diverse as the National Health Service. I and my colleagues take every opportunity to encourage health authorities to follow good practice in this field, and in particular we stress the need to consult staff representatives on all important matters before decisions are taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the Insurance Fund in the current financial year, expected surplus or deficit in the National.

The surplus of income over outgo of the National Insurance Fund in 1977–78 is expected to be about £650 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with his Department's future programme for the disabled.

The Government have already introduced measures which have led to major improvements in help for disabled people. There remains much to be done, and my colleagues and I intend to do all we can to ensure that the quality of life for disabled people continues to improve.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with his Department's future programme for the disabled.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. Eyre) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now issue guidelines for the qualifying criteria by which people may claim compensation for vaccine-damage on their dependants' behalf, in advance of the Pearson Report.

No. We cannot reach conclusions about qualifying criteria for, or about other detailed aspects of, a compensation scheme until we have considered the report of the Royal Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further action is proposed to ensure that those entitled to various social benefits are aware of their entitlement.

Simplification of the system is probably the most helpful step in this direction and this is being considered as part of the review of supplementary benefits. Meanwhile we have simplified leaflets and run publicity campaigns on family income supplement, mobility allowance and housewives' non-contributory invalidity pension. A new issue of the booklet "Family Benefits and Pensions" has been widely distributed to those who come into contact with those who may be entitled. We shall be taking special steps in the coming weeks to ensure that the public are fully informed about the new pension scheme which starts in April.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received about mobility for the disabled.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has recently met representatives of disabled drivers.

There has been a favourable response to my statement to the House on 6th December—[Vol. 940, c. 1124–391]—about the doubling of the rate of mobility allowance in less than a year and the setting up of a new voluntary organisation, Motability, which will seek to assist disabled people who would like to have the personal use of a vehicle. These developments have been warmly welcomed by the representatives of disabled people's organisations, including drivers' representatives, whom my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for the disabled met on 6th December to acquaint them with the details.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the statements which he requested have yet been sent to him or to the Berkshire Area Health Authority in relation to allegations of fraud and violence at Church Hill House Hospital, Bracknell.

On 22nd December the Wokingham Constituency Labour Party submitted to the Berkshire Area Health Authority a report and a statement by a nursing assistant at Church Hill House Hospital. These documents, of which my right hon. Friend has had copies, referred to incidents at the hospital making specific allegations and they also identified witnesses to some alleged incidents about which information was not given in any detail. The documents cover allegations of violence to patients, misuse and bad security of drugs, misappropriation of patients' holiday money, inducements to give preferential treatment to certain patients, irregularities in completion of nursing staff time sheets, and victimisation of staff.The allegations of violence to patients had already been reported to the police, who, I understand, have the statement made by the nursing assistant. The police are conducting inquiries into these allegations of violence to patients. I have been assured by the chairman of the area health authority that there will be an immediate and thorough investigation into the other allegations. It is vitally important that all relevant information should be made available to the area health authority without delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the progress made to date towards industrial democracy in the National Health Service.

Proposals on industrial democracy, included in the consultative document "Democracy in the National Health Service", have been discussed with representatives of appropriate staff and management. Although no conclusions have been reached to date, I am satisfied that continuing consultations with the interests concerned is the way to progress to the most suitable arrangements for industrial democracy in the National Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many consultants work in the National Health Service.

At 30th September 1976 there were 12,328 consultants in the Hospital Service in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received about income limits for national insurance contributions.

I have received one letter on this subject; to the effect that the lower earnings limit for liability for Class 1 contributions should be altered.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the number of firms contracting out of the second pension scheme.

The decision whether or not to contract out ultimately rests with the employer, after the necessary consultations. Neither I nor my officials would seek to influence such a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many employees are expected to be contracted out of the new second pension scheme.

At this stage the best estimate we have been able to make is that around 9 million employees may be contracted out of part of the new State pension scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress he has made in his consideration of the proposal to value land ancillary to hospitals to ensure that surplus land is released to increase resources available to the National Health Service.

My right hon. Friend has concluded that an attempt at a comprehensive valuation of land ancillary to hospitals would not be justified, since it is not practicable to put a realistic value on surplus land until the range of permissible future uses is known and constant revision would be needed. The National Health Service planning and resource allocation systems both recognise the value of land held by the National Health Service as an asset and encourage the early release of surplus land to increase the financial resources available to the service. Land identified as potentially surplus can readily be valued.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with regional health authorities about increasing the number of kidney machines.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with regional health authorities about increasing the number of kidney machines.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will initiate discussions with regional health authorities to increase the number of kidney machines.

The recent consultative document on priorities for health and personal social services "The Way Forward" urged that there should be more paediatric dialysis provision. My Department had recently written to all regional health authorities informing them that limited central funds are available to enable this part of the service to be developed more quickly than might otherwise be possible, and is now discussing with health authorities the uptake of these funds in the context of the development of the renal transplantation and dialysis services generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the speed with which individual chemists shops are closing, what is his estimate of the number which have closed in the last 12 months; whether he is concerned at the effect of this, particularly on elderly people; and whether he will make a statement.

According to the records of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, there were 266 pharmacy closures and 135 openings in England in the 12 months ended 30th November 1977. However, the November 1977 figures showed, for the first time for several years, a surplus of openings to closures.I am concerned about the effect on patients, particularly the elderly, if this annual rate of closures continues. I have therefore decided, with the agreement of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, to introduce from 1st January 1978 a new system of payment for National Health Service dispensing specifically designed to help the smaller pharmacies, which are most at risk of closure. As a result, whilst a lower percentage on cost will be paid to large pharmacies, many smaller and thus more vulnerable pharmacies will receive additional sums, in some cases exceeding £ 1,700 a year. This will reduce their vulnerability and help to maintain an adequate network of pharmaceutical services. The Government are making available £5 million to help the introduction of the new scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the working of the housewives non-contributory invalidity pension for disabled housewives.

Any major change to our social security system may inevitably bring some problems and the non-contributory invalidity pension for married women is no exception in this respect. However, in general I am satisfied with the working of this particular benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many disabled housewives are in receipt of the housewives' non-contributory invalidity pension.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Price) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received on his recent statement on cars for the disabled.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for New Forest (Mr. McNair-Wilson) and Cardiff, North (Mr. Grist) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to ensure that the Royal Victoria Hospital at Folkestone maintains a fully operative casualty unit after the opening of the William Harvey Hospital at Ashford.

I have nothing yet to add to the reply that I gave the hon. Member on 19th July 1977.—[Vol. 935, c. 429.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received during the last six months regarding the prescription of pills for birth control by the National Health Service.

Very few, but we have received a number of letters expressing the view that oral contraceptives should be available only on medical prescription.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children at present in care come from one-parent families.

I regret that this information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what additional annual cost is likely to be incurred as a result of the insistence by nurses or their trade union on a nurse accompanying a consultant required to assess the suitability of an inmate for admission to a public hospital from a prison or elsewhere; and how many consultants object to this practice and decline to be so accompanied.

The information requested is not available. I am aware of the concern of the psychiatric profession about the terms of the appendix to Health Notice (77)97. This was not intended to imply that a consultant psychiatrist visiting a prison must invariably be accompanied by a nurse. There will clearly be occasions on which this would be quite unnecessary. On the other hand, where a prisoner is being examined with a view to the offer, on behalf of the health authority, of a place in a particular hospital, joint medical and nursing assessment will frequently avoid subsequent difficulty. It is for the consultant to decide in the light of the particular circumstances of each case how he should make his assessment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the real value of the basic retirement pension for a married couple, taking the figure for June 1970 as 100.

On the basis of the movement in the general index of retail prices between June 1970 and November 1977, the latest date for which a figure is available, the present equivalent of the married couple's standard pension rate is £8·10, payable in June 1970, is £2081. The current rate is £28, which represents an increase in real value of 34·5 per cent., over that payable in June 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally handicapped patients detained under (a) Section 26, (b) Section 60 and (c) Sections 60 to 65 of the Mental Health Act applied for mental health review tribunals in the latest year for which figures are available.

The information for patients classified under the Mental Health Act 1959 as suffering from subnormality or severe subnormality in respect of tribunals in England is as follows for the year 1977:

a. Section 26. 55 applications.

b. Section 60. 38 applications.

c. Section 60 with restrictions under Section 65. 84 references were made by my right Honourable Friend the Home Secretary under Section 66 of the Mental Health Act.

In addition, 28 patients classified under the Act as suffering from subnormality or severe subnormality and detained under other provisions of the Mental Health Act or under other legislation applied or had their cases referred to a mental health review tribunal.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to meet the target of 12,000 residential places for the mentally ill, as suggested in the White Paper, "Better Services for the Mentally Ill."

Progress will depend on the resources available and the priority given by authorities to these services. The rate of development proposed in the consultative document "Priorities for Health and Social Services in England" and confirmed in the follow-up paper "The Way Forward" should, if maintained, enable this and the other guidelines set out in the White Paper to be achieved within the next 25–30 years.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether the assumption in "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped", that a significant number of mentally handicapped children need the specialist medical and nursing care which only a hospital can provide, represents Government policy;(2) if he proposes to announce a new policy which ensures that every child can in future be cared for in his own or her own home area, in a substitute home if necessary;(3) if he will take steps to ensure concerted action by health authorities and local authorities to ensure that no child under 16 years of age will be living in a mental handicap hospital;(4) in view of his statement to the Local Authorities Association's social services conference in November, that mentally handicapped children are still being admitted to hospitals because of inadequate local authority services for them and their families, what steps he is taking to ensure that these admissions cease.

It is already Government policy that services for all mentally handicapped people should be provided as near to their homes as possible as part of the major 20-year programme of improvements laid down in the White Paper "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped". While the Government still believe that some mentally handicapped children will always continue to need hospital care, we now think that the White Paper overestimated the number of hospital places that would be needed for these children. I have already asked local authorities to give high priority to providing facilities which could prevent the inappropriate admission of mentally handicapped children to hospital. A copy of my speech to the Local Authority Associations' social services conference last November has been placed in the Library. In that speech I said that I should like to see health and local authorities jointly reviewing the needs of those mentally handicapped children now in hospital and fixing target dates after which no child would be admitted to a mental handicap hospital for long-term care unless it needed the specialist services which only that particular hospital could provide. I shall be consulting field authorities on the measures necessary to achieve these aims.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many young people between the ages of 16 and 21 years are long-term patients in mental subnormality hospitals.

At 31st December 1975 in England there were 4,100 persons between the ages of 16 and 21 years who had been in hospitals for the mentally handicapped for two years or more.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children who have lived for two years or more in mental handicap hospitals have been discharged to suitable community facilities in each year since 1971; and what ages these children have been.

The information requested is not available centrally. The following tables indicate the levels of discharges, since 1971, of children age 0–14 years who have been in mental handicap hospitals for 2 years or more; but it is not known centrally how many returned to their own homes or to other community facilities:

1971	207
1972	251
1973	191
1974	149
1975	132

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide a list of local authorities which have not yet made provision for the residential care of mentally handicapped children or adults within their authority boundaries.

At 31st March 1977 the City of London and the Isles of Scilly were the only local authorities which on their statistical returns recorded no provision of residential accommodation for mentally handicapped adults or children.Records held centrally do not show whether residential facilities available to local authorities are always situated within their own boundaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the disquiet about the treatment and care of children in mental handicap hospitals, what steps he is taking to make public the reports on their condition by the National Development Team.

The development team for the mentally handicapped reports direct to authorities which seek its advice, with copies to my Department. It is for the authorities which receive team reports to determine their distribution. However, I expect shortly to receive a report from the director about the activities of the team over the past year and this report will be published as soon as possible. I understand it will include a section on services for mentally handicapped children.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give consideration to holding an independent public inquiry into the death of Mrs. Joan Lee, a constituent of the hon. Member for Bradford, South at Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, during 1976, particularly in the light of recent information about this case.

No. I do not think that such an inquiry would serve any useful purpose, in view of the extensive inquiries into the surrounding circumstances already held and the possibility of legal proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many juveniles have been placed by local authorities in the St. Andrew's Psychiatric Hospital, Northampton; and how many are now there.

Information about admissions in the past is not readily available. I understand that eight juveniles, all clients of social services departments of local authorities, are undergoing treatment in the hospital at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy on the placement of juveniles in locked mixed, adult wards of private psychiatric hospitals.

Such hospitals come within the scope of the Nursing Homes Act 1975. I would expect inspections under Section 9 to have regard to the policies generally applicable in the National Health Service, where it is recognised that although separate psychiatric facilities are normally appropriate for the treatment of children and adolescents, some adolescents can suitably be treated with adults.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what inspections, if any, his Department carries out of private psychiatric hospitals; if a recent inspection has been conducted at St. Andrew's Psychiatric Hospital, Northampton; and what was the result.

Inspections are carried out under Section 9 of the Nursing Homes Act 1975, and are now the responsibility of the relevant area health authorities, though an officer from my Department also attends. St. Andrew's Psychiatric Hospital, Northampton was last inspected in November 1977. No reason was found to question the registration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the facilities available and the treatment provided in private psychiatric hospitals.

Such hospitals come within the scope of the Nursing Homes Act 1975, and registration is subject to inspection under Section 9. Area health authorities have the power to ensure that the standards meet those required for registration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the men currently residing in the Camberwell Reception Centre, London, S.E.15, are, in the opinion of the Supplementary Benefits Commission, eligible for (a) residential accommodation under Section 21(1)(a) of the National Assistance Act 1948, or (b) housing accommodation under Sections 1 to 4 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16th December 1977; Vol. 941, c. 599], gave the following information:The situation varies from night to night, but on 29th November 1977, the latest date for which information is available, there were 318 men resident in the Camberwell Reception Centre of whom 117 were, in the opinion of the Supplementary Benefits Commission, eligible for residential accommodation under Section 21(1)(a) of the National Assistance Act 1948. A further 195 men who sought admission on that night were also accommodated, but their posible eligibility for local authority residential accommodation was not established. All of the 513 men accommodated on that night had been homeless prior to their admission; subject to any arrangements made for their accommodation before they left the centre they would again be homeless on discharge and thus, in the opinion of the Supplementary Benefits Commission, would be justified in applying to a housing authority for housing accommodation, or assistance in obtaining housing accommodation, under Sections 1 to 4 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements the Supplementary Benefits Commission has established with relevant local authorities to enable those so eligible to secure such accommodation from the reception centre.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16th December 1977; Vol. 941, c. 599], gave the following information:No formal arrangements exist. The Supplementary Benefits Commission's policy is to seek the co-operation of the appropriate local housing and social services authorities in providing suitable long-term accommodation for men and women using reception centres.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide a specific allocation through joint financing for the provision of short or long-term residential services for children.

Deployment of resources available for joint financing is a matter for local decision between the health authority and the local authority. Joint financing is intended to assist with the implementation of locally agreed priorities within national guidance for the deployment of health and personal social services, where support of a personal social services project can be expected to make a better contribution in terms of total care than would deployment of equivalent resources directly on health services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table showing for each region of the United Kingdom the numbers and percentage of the working population in receipt of family income supplement.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th December 1977; Vol. 940, c. 650], gave the following information:

FAMILIES RECEIVING FAMILY INCOME SUPPLEMENT (FIS) AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE WORKING POPULATION*—JUNE 1976
Region†	Number of families receiving FIS‡	As a percentage of working population
North	3,100	0·21
Yorkshire and Humberside	6,000	0·26
East Midlands	5,900	0·23
East Anglia
South East	13,000	0·16
South West	5,500	0·30
West Midlands	4,900	0·20
North West	9,500	0·31
England	47,800	0·22
Scotland	7,500	0·32
Wales	3,400	0·29
Great Britain	58,700	0·23
Northern Ireland	7,000	1·12
United Kingdom	65,700	0·25
*The working population is made up of employees in employment, the self-employed and employers, Her Majesty's Forces stationed in the United Kingdom, and the registered unemployed. The latest available figures are for June 1976—see also note ‡ Source: Department of Employment.
†The regions shown are the standard statistical regions. FIS figures are for the corresponding social security administrative regions. The differences between the two sets of regions are not significant for the purposes of this analysis.
‡ FIS is payable only to low-income families with at least one dependent child and only if the head of the family is in full-time work. The figures are given for June 1976 to correspond with those used for the working population. Each figure is rounded to the nearest 100 and, therefore, the sum of the components does not always equal the total.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will list the reports made by the Select Committees currently in existence, other than those debated in the House, which were referred to in the Official Report, 5th December, columns 477–80.

The table has been prepared and a copy placed in the Library. It lists all the Reports made by a number of Select Committees since Session 1970–71. For completeness of the record, those which have been debated and so were listed in the answer given to the right hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann) on the 5th December have also been included. The list does not include the Reports of the Joint Committee on Consolidation &c. Bills, of the Joint Committee and Select Committee on Statutory Instruments, of the European Legislation &c. Committee—which are numerous and of a different nature; nor does it include the Reports of the Public Accounts Committee, all of which have been debated and so were included in the answer given on 5th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases there have been in each of the last five years of assaults on Metropolitan taxi-cab drivers; whether he is satisfied that they have sufficient protection within the law against the special risks of their trade; and if will introduce specific penalties for passengers refusing to pay their fare.

Statistics of assaults on taxi drivers are not kept separately, but we have no reason to believe that they need further legislative protection. The law on offences against the person is, however, currently under review by the Criminal Law Revision Committee.Under the London Hackney Carriage Act 1831 and the London Cab Act 1896 it is an offence to refuse or avoid payment of a London taxi fare. Further protection for taxi drivers and others is proposed in the Theft Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not have consultations to initiate a system of cleaning, pressing and repairing allowances for uniformed officers in the police, fire and ambulance services.

I have no evidence to suggest that present arrangements within the police and fire services for the cleaning and repair of uniforms are unsatisfactory. Uniforms in the ambulance service are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about the inquiry into the workings of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act.

I announced on 12th December the appointment of Lord Shackleton to conduct a review of the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts 1974 and 1976. The conduct of the review is a matter for Lord Shackleton and I have nothing to add to my statement on 12th December. — [Vol. 941, c. 15–16]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for the latest convenient date the number of casualties, fatal and otherwise, which have occurred in fires and accidents since the firemen's strike, the number of such fires, and the actual or estimated costs of these fires or as much information as may be readily available.

Up to 0800 hours on 4th January there had been 161 fatalities, 786 casualties and 42,174 incidents reported since the firemen's strike began on 14th November. Estimates of fire losses since that date are not available, but the British Insurance Association has published an estimate of the cost of fire damage in the month of November—£42·7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now estimate the additional fire and water damage arising from the use of retained firemen and troops rather than members of the Fire Brigades Union during the current industrial dispute.

Estimates of additional fire losses since the firemen's strike began on 14th November are not available. The British Insurance Association has published an estimate of the cost of fire damage in the month of November— £42·7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce amending legislation to the Immigration Acts to stop immigrants entering the United Kingdom by arranged marriages.

New rules were laid before Parliament on 22nd March 1977 to prevent men gaining settlement here on the basis of marriages of convenience contracted primarily to gain entry to or avoid removal from the United Kingdom, with no intention that the parties should live together permanently as man and wife. They were not, however, designed to affect the many genuine and lasting marriages which are arranged in accordance with Asian culture, and we have no plans for any change in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce amending legislation to the Immigration Acts to stop second wives being allowed to enter the United Kingdom.

We have no plans to do so at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce amending legislation to the Immigration Acts so as to allow only the wives and children of immigrants already in the United Kingdom to enter.

Entry for settlement is already confined to a limited range of narrowly defined categories, and the Government have no plans to restrict these further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been convicted of crimes of violence in each of the most recent available four years.

Numbers of persons found guilty of offences of violence against the person are given in Tables IV(a) of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" 1973, 1974 and 1975 and in Table 10(a) of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1976". Figures for 1977 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost of BBC local radio as a proportion of the licence fee.

The BBC's accounts for 1976–77 show that about 3 per cent. of the net licence income was spent on local radio.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people prosecuted for nonpayment of broadcasting licences in the latest available year were in receipt of supplementary benefit;(2) how many prosecutions were instituted over the last available year for nonpayment of broadcasting licences.

The Post Office, which undertakes prosecution for non-payment of television licence fees on behalf of the Home Office, instituted 57,503 prosecutions during the 1976–77 financial year. No record is maintained of those people prosecuted who were in receipt of supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in areas such as the London borough of Newham where there are large immigrant populations there are stresses and strains because of the lack of housing, schools, teachers, communal halls, parks and open spaces and social amenities in general and that this is causing difficulties to the depleted police forces in enforcing the law, particularly regarding offences referred to as muggings; and whether he will take action to increase police patrols in such areas by increasing the manpower allocations.

The deployment of his officers is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who assures me that within the resources he has available he is doing everything possible to provide adequate police coverage, especially in areas in which street crime is a particular problem. I am doing what I can to assist him in the vigorous recruitment campaign he is conducting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what moneys remain unspent for the financial year 1977–78 in the voluntary service units.

The general budget available to the Voluntary Services Unit in 1977–78 is £2,418,000, of which £1,940,159 has been allocated and paid and £62,149 has been allocated and not yet paid. Of the unallocated balance of £415,692 applications for new grants already under consideration and supplementary payments on existing grants are likely to absorb about £140,000. In addition to the general budget a total of £2,770,000 is available for specific grants in aid and £2,390,000 has been actually paid.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the arguments which Her Majesty's Government are putting to the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg in support of their opposition to the Report of the European Commission on Human Rights in the matter of birching in the Isle of Man; and why a decision was taken to adopt this position before the Court.

No. It would be improper for me to comment on the case while it is sub judice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what basis Mr. Ying Wah Liu entered the United Kingdom and when; what purpose was given for his visit, and when he undertook to leave; what entry was made in his passport relative to his permission to remain; and whether Mr. Liu left at the time specified in his undertaking;(2) when Mr. Ying Wah Liu first applied to change his status as a visitor to the United Kingdom, and on what basis this was granted; and when his new permission to remain expired;

Mr. Liu was admitted on 10th May 1973 for two months after telling the immigration officer that he wished to visit his brother for six weeks. An application was made on 21st June 1973 for him to remain up to two years to study for 0-levels. His stay was extended first to 31st July 1975 and later to 31st July 1976 for this purpose.Before the expiry of this period a further application was received for Mr. Liu to remain permanently as a dependant of his brother. He did not so qualify under the Immigration Rules and the application was refused on 2nd June 1976. Mr. Liu's appeal against the decision was received on 29th June 1976 and was referred to the appellate authorities, who ruled on 21st September 1976 that the notice had been lodged out of time and that there were no special circumstances making it just and right to allow it to proceed to a hearing. After farther representations in March 1977 for an extension of Mr. Liu's stay as a student were refused on 19th April 1977, he was instructed to make arrangements to leave. He did not do so.Before the decision to allow Mr. Liu to complete his studies was taken, acceptable evidence of the arrangements for his maintenance were seen. The decision was taken in view of the fact that his studies were by then well advanced and in the light of assurances that Mr. Liu would return 10 Hong Kong on their completion. This decision (lid not reverse one taken by an adjudicator.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will list the major projects started during the six months ending on 31st December 1977 by (a) the Medical Research Council, (b) the Natural Environment Research Council, (c) the Science Research Council and (d) the Social Science Research Council;(2) if she will list the major projects terminated during the six months ending on 31st December 1977 by (a) the Medical Research Council, (b) the Natural Environment Research Council, (c) the Science Research Council and (d) the Social Science Research Council.

I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether a student from Hong Kong who becomes eligible for a mandatory student's grant, and receives a grant for the first year of a three-year degree, and is then ordered to return to Hong Kong, can apply for second and third year instalment if he is then permitted to remain, notwithstanding a break in his period of study.

I have written to the hon. Member about this student.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the reduction in the number of self-financing students at universities in the financial year 1977–78 because of the increases in tuition fees announced in November 1976.

The number of self-supporting students in universities in the academic year 1977–78 will not be available until about December 1978. It is not expected that the effect of the tuition fee increases on demand will be separately identifiable.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the CBI.

asked the Prime Minister when last he met the TUC and and CBI.

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 10th November.

asked the Prime Minister what meetings he had with the TUC and the CBI during the parliamentary recess.

asked the Prime Minister whether he met leaders of the TUC during the Christmas Recess.

I have been asked to reply.It is not my right hon. Friend's usual practice to list his previous engagements.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Members and my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Arnold) on 8th November.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 10th January.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 10th January.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Tuesday 10th January.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 10th January.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 10th January 1977.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 10th January.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Tuesday 10th January.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Tuesday 10th January.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 10th January.

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

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any plans to make an official visit to Havering atte Bower.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to attend a meeting with other Heads of Government in the European Council of the EEC.

I have been asked to reply.On 7th and 8th April in Copenhagen.

asked the Prime Minister whether, at the next meeting of EEC Heads of Government, he will raise the need to stimulate economic growth and to reduce unemployment in the Community.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has strongly emphasised these matters at the last three European Council meetings and has every intention of continuing to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Immingham.

I haves been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official vist to Hampstead.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he intends to take to reduce ministerial patronage.

I have been asked to reply.Ministers keep under review the number of appointments to be made, to ensure that there are no more than are needed for the work to be done.

asked the Prime Minister what discussions he had during his visit to Northern Ireland, and with whom, about the conditions under which troops are living while on emergency duty.

I have been asked to reply.I understand that in the course of my right hon. Friend's visit he met and spoke with a number of soldiers about service and conditions in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to reach a decision on further Government financial support for British Leyland.

On present estimates British Leyland will not require further Government funds before March, when I expect to receive a report from the National Enterprise Board on the company's revised corporate plan. The NEB has informed me that British Leyland has recently negotiated temporary additional short-term facilities from commercial lenders to assist in meeting its current cash requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will make a statement about the implementation of the Consumer Credit Act.

I have made an order under which the licensing provisions of the Act will apply to credit brokerage businesses from 1st July 1978. The order will not, however, apply to non-corporate credit brokers who only make introductions resulting in the making of certain regulated agreements for credit not exceeding £30. I have considered it desirable to defer licensing in respect of such brokers.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when the investigations by the Price Commission into price and charge increase applications by Barclays Bank Ltd., Tate and Lyle Refineries Ltd. and Ever-Ready (Great Britain) Ltd. are likely to be published.

The Barclays Bank report was published on 9th January. The Tate and Lyle and Ever-Ready reports are due by 2nd February and 28th February, respectively, and will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will list in the Official Report the interim price increases which have been approved by the Price Commission in respect of Metal Box Ltd. Fisons Ltd., U.G. Glass Containers Ltd., British Railways and 1.C.1. Ltd. after investigation by the Commission and those approved in respect of the area electricity boards where investigation is not completed; and to what extent he estimates these will increase the cost of living.

Interim price increases are a matter for the Price Commission and I am asking the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what information is available on the respective percentage sales of stockings and tights in 1950 and 1977.

It is estimated that the percentage shares of stockings and tights, including pantihose, of the total number of pairs sold, including exports, by United Kingdom manufacturers employing 25 or more people were:

	1968	1976	1977 (1st half)
Stockings	75	9	8
Tights and pantihose	25	91	92

Figures for tights and pantihose before 1968 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what checks exist on the sale of military equipment overseas by British companies; and how they affect the sale of arms to the Philippines.

The Export of Goods (Control) Order 1970 requires that licences be obtained for the export from the United Kingdom of the military equipment listed in the order. Licence applications for arms, whatever the proposed destination, are subject to particularly close scrutiny, which invariably involves consultation with other relevant Government Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what percentage of small business men sit on the statutory Census of Distribution Advisory Committee; and what percentage of retail trade is carried out by small businesses.

The 15 non-official members of the Distribution Statistics Advisory Committee, the successor to the Census of Distribution Advisory Committee, represent retailers, wholesalers and users of distribution statistics. Five members have been sponsored by organisations with substantial numbers of small retailers. Taking a small business in retailing as one with an annual turnover of £ 50,000 or less, as in the report of the Bolton Committee, such businesses accounted for just over 30 per cent. of retail trade in 1971, the latest year for which figures are currently available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what legislation will be necessary before experimental storage sites for high-level radioactive waste could be prepared and the corresponding installations constructed.

I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 9th January 1978. —[Vol. 941, c. 632–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the renegotiation of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement.

The EEC Council of Ministers agreed on 20th December that the Community should renew the GATT Multi-fibre Arrangement (MFA). It also approved the terms of the bilateral agreements negotiated with 31 supplying countries which are now being finalised. The Community's application of the MFA to these countries is dependent on the signature of these agreements. Details of quota coverage in the new agreements were published in a Notice to Importers on 6th January.The new agreements will provide the British textile industry with a far greater measure of protection than has been possible in the past. Overall limits have been set for the most sensitive products, and the agreements include much more comprehensive quota coverage for other products. Growth rates are in general lower than the 6 per cent. minimum which applied in the past, and vary inversely with market penetration. We have also obtained effective safeguards which will operate automatically to prevent new products now unrestricted from disrupting the United Kingdom market. Virtually all our low-cost imports of textiles and clothing are now covered by quotas or automatic safeguards. I believe the new agreements will provide our industries with the more stable long-term environment which they need to plan for the future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made by the working group set up early last year by the local authority associations to consider the management of local authority house building programmes, referred to in the Written Answer on 10th March 1977.

The working group published its first report "The Management of Local Authority Housebuilding Programmes" on 30th November 1977. A copy has been placed in the Library. The report deals with the organisation and management structure most likely to secure efficiency in the management of local authority house building programmes. It recommends that councils should define clearly what house building they want and then let a single committee or sub-committee get on with the job. It also recommends that a committee with overall responsibility for the whole house building programme should be set up, that one officer should be given the power to manage the house building programme and that there should be an adequate system for programming and controlling developments in the light of their true costs.The group is now working on the second part of its terms of reference and intends to issue a further report, which will consider efficiency and value for money.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the outcome of the Council of Ministers (Environment) meeting in Brussels on 12th December.

The United Kingdom was represented by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State—the Member for Birmingham, Small Heath (Mr. Howell). Agreement was reached on the directive on waste from the titanium dioxide industry; the directive is now in terms consistent with United Kingdom policy that the need for control measures should be considered in the light of local environmental circumstances. Agreement was also reached on the directive on toxic and dangerous wastes. Most of the outstanding points of difficulty concerning the proposed directive on bird conservation, which was debated in the House on 17th November, were settled and this proposal should be ready for adoption soon. There was a short and inconclusive discussion on air quality standards, with particular reference to pollution by sulphur compounds; on which several proposals are under consideration by the Council. Early decisions on these are unlikely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements are to be made to give effect to the proposed programme for insulating public sector dwellings; and if he will make a statement.

In England the programme is planned to bring about 200,000 dwellings a year up to a basic minimum standard of thermal insulation at an estimated annual cost of £23 million—1977 survey prices. £22 million of this will be allocated to local authorities for insulation of their housing stock; the balance will be for the insulation of new town and housing association dwellings. Resources for the local authority programme for 1978–79 will be included with the main regional cash allocations for local authority housing investment and will be distributed on the basis of a formula reflecting the size of the local authority housing stock and the incidence of construction industry unemployment within each region. Local allocations will be made by the Department's regional offices having regard to these factors and to their judgment of the local situation. Consultations will be held with the local authority associations on the administration and control of the programme for subsequent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the various criteria for the issue of bus passes by local authorities, and enter into discussions with them with a view to ensuring a conformity of treatment for the aged and infirm throughout the country.

It is the responsibility of local authorities to decide on the kind of concessionary fare scheme for their areas. My right hon. Friend strongly favours such schemes, and will shortly be advising local authorities with modest schemes or no schemes at all how they can work towards fairer arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about his intentions with regard to the proposed M54 link between Telford and the M6.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16th December to my hon. Friend, the Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Fowler).—[Vol. 941, c. 570.]

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now publish the inspector's report of the public inquiry on the M54, side roads and compulsory purchase orders, held in February 1976.

The inspector's report will be published when my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Transport and the Environment, announce their decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much money has been spent on side road strengthening and other work in connection with the M54 since February 1976.

Approximately 530,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the administrative cost of the road construction units for the last financial year and the total cost of work committed to their charge; and whether he has any plans to alter their powers, composition or terms of reference.

The total cost of the road construction units in the financial year 1976–77 was £212 million. At that time they were responsible for the design, supervision of construction and associated statutory and financial processes for new trunk roads and motorways to a value of over £2,500 million. The road construction units are an integral part of my Department. I have no immediate plans for changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the report of the Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment; and if he will make a statement.

The report is being published today and copies are available in the Library.I appointed the Committee to make an independent study of the ways in which my Department assesses the need for individual road schemes, and I welcome the report, which represents a very considerable volume of work in a difficult and technically complex field. I am grateful to Sir George Leitch and to the members of his committee for the hard work and enthusiasm which they have devoted to their formidable task.The committee has made important recommendations about my Department's methods of forecasting future traffic and the ways in which the economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of road building are evaluated. It suggests how the benefits of investment in roads and in other modes of transport might be compared. Above all it recommends that greater efforts should be made to achieve better public understanding of the methods of trunk road assessment by giving clearer explanations of the methods and procedures.I shall immediately begin to judge schemes which come to me for decision at the various stages of their preparation in the light of the views expressed by the committee. My Department has today issued new interim traffic forecasts which take account of the committees views.I am urgently considering all the recommendations in the report. Meanwhile, I accept the view of the committee that in a field as complex as trunk road assessment there is much to be gained from subjecting my Department's methods of continuing scrutiny by independent expert opinion. I intend, therefore, to follow the committees recommendation to appoint a Standing Advisory Committee to assist me in this way. I am glad to say that Sir George Leitch has agreed to accept the chairmanship of this committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

			Number of journeys by FCO officials based in London visiting EEC capitals	Cost of journeys in Column 1	Number of journeys by officials based in EEC capitals visiting London	Cost of journeys in Column 3	Number of journeys by officials based in EEC capitals visitingother EEC capitals	Cost of journeys in Column 5
				£		£		£
1976
1st quarter		…	26	3,016	55	5,688	—	—
2nd quarter		…	15	1,740	52	5,479	—	—
3rd quarter		…	16	1,856	50	5,030	—	—
4th quarter		…	24	2,880	80	8,902	1	60
1977
1st quarter		…	42	5,040	136	15,035	—	—
2nd quarter		…	28	3,360	99	11,463	1	69
3rd quarter		…	25	3,000	41	4,456	—	—
TOTALS:
1976	…	…		9,492		25,099		60
1977 (first three quarters)		…		11,400		30,954		69

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, following his statement in the

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 15th December 1977; Vol. 941, c. 362–3], gave the following answer:The information requested is set out in detail in the table below. The total cost of the journeys recorded in the table during the four quarters of 1976 was £34,651 and of the journeys during the first three quarters of 1977 was £42,423. The EEC has refunded approximately £49,000 of the cost of journeys made between the beginning of 1976 and the end of the second quarter of 1977.The journeys in column 3 of the table—which were almost all made from Brussels—include journeys by Home civil servants on temporary loan to the Diplomatic Service, usually made at the request of their parent Departments in London.Transfer journeys by officers taking up or leaving appointments in British missions in EEC capitals are not included.House on 12th December, what specific proposals he has for assisting private households to pursue conservation of energy; and if he will compare the approach adopted by each European Community State in this sector.

I cannot go beyond my right hon. Friends statement of 12th December, which announced a major programme aid for those private house holders who live in public authority housing. Owner occupiers obtain both capital and running cost benefits from energy conservation measures, and a major part of the "Save It" campaign, including, for example, the booklet "Compare your home heating costs", is directed at helping them to do so cost-effectively. Consideration is being given to further measures. Other aid is available in the circumstances set out in paragraph 19 of the White Paper "Energy Conservation" (Cmnd. 6575) of July 1976. A table setting out financial arrangements in EEC countries is in the Official Report for 22nd November 1977.—[Vol. 939, c. 563–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consult with the Manpower Services Commission over establishing an additional skillcentre located in the north-west Glasgow area, preferably in Maryhill.

The Manpower Services Commission accepts the need to provide an additional skillcentre in Glasgow to cater for the changing industrial pattern in the Greater Glasgow conurbation in the 1980s and beyond. Consultations about location and the range of classes to be provided at the new centre have already taken place with a number of interested bodies including the STUC, CBI (Scotland), Scottish Engineering Employers Association, Scottish Development Agency and Strathclyde Regional Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many additional teachers have now been recruited into areas of deprivation in the Strathclyde Region under urban-aid projects.

Under the urban programme 79 additional teachers have so far been appointed by Strathclyde Regional Council to schools in Maryhill and the East End of Glasgow and five more will be appointed shortly. Under the separate scheme which my right hon. Friend announced last July for the employment of additional teachers in schools serving urban areas of deprivation, the regional council has made 351 appointments and expect to make a further 29 shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will instruct officials and advise parliamentary representatives to European and other international bodies not to apply the terms Britain and Ireland to the two sovereign States in the British Isles when the full and correct description of them is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; and whether he will, as necessary to achieve the purpose, inform and make representations to overseas Governments and international organisations.

No. Formally and in international bodies, including European ones, "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" is used; for less formal purposes "United Kingdom" and "Britain" are regarded as equivalent. "Republic of Ireland" and "Irish Republic" are the terms for official British use, but "Ireland" is used by international bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give a detailed list of the monthly allowance of tax-free wines, spirits and cigarettes allowed to be purchased by British diplomats; and whether this applies whether they are serving at home or abroad.

British diplomats serving at home are not permitted to purchase duty-free wines, spirit or cigarette in this country.Those serving abroad are normally allowed by the host country to buy such items locally, or to import them, duty-free. It is the responsibility of the host country to limit quantities if they consider this necessary, though the Diplomatic Service makes it own checks to prevent abuses.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement reporting on progress at the US-USSR-United Kingdom talks on a comprehensive nuclear test ban.