Hansard

Written Answers

Volume 942: debated on Thursday 26 January 1978

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Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 26th January 1978

Small Businesses

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what investigations have been made by his small firms inquiry into the need for, and potential value of, a Government loan guarantee scheme for small companies; and what are its preliminary conclusions.

Mr. Lever

I have received a number of representations on this subject. It is one of the matters being examined by the Committee on Finance for Investment chaired by Lord Roll, and I will wait for its findings before considering whether such a scheme might be relevant to the needs of small companies in this country.

Home Department

Police (Establishments)

Mr. David Howell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what international comparisons he has made of the size of national police forces in deciding current establishment figures for the United Kingdom; and whether he will provide a list, in order of numbers of people per civil law enforcement officer, covering the following countries: (a) France, (b) West Germany, (c) Italy, (d) Japan, (e) the United Kingdom, (j) Belgium, (g) Holland, (h) Canada, (i) Australia, and (j) the United States of America.

Dr. Summerskill

In considering applications from police authorities in England and Wales for changes in the authorised establishment of their police forces we have made no comparisons with the police forces in other countries. Differences in organisation, methods, duties and the conditions under which the police operate would render such comparisons of little value. For similar reasons, ratios of police to population are not strictly comparable.Available information on Western European countries is as follows:

CountryPolice-Population RatioNotes
England and Wales.1:420Based on establishment.
France1:500National Police only.
West Germany1:435
Italy1:370
Belgium1:526National Police only.
Holland1:424Based on establishment.

Television (Tanat Valley)

Mr. Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has in mind for the improvement of both BBC and ITV television reception in the Tanat Valley area of the county of Clwyd.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The provision of television services is primarily the responsibility of the broadcasting authorities. The BBC tells me there are no prospects in the foreseeable future of supplementing the existing television coverage of the Tanat Valley area.

Scientologists

Mr. Montgomery

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what regulation of the Immigration Act the ban on foreign scientologists is applied; how many scientologists have been prevented from entering the United Kingdom; and how much it has cost since 1968 to enforce this ban.

Dr. Summerskill

Refusal of entry to this country of a person coming here for purposes connected with scientology will usually be under the Immigration Rules providing for exclusion conducive to the public good. There have been 191 such refusals. It would involve a disproportionate effort to estimate what additional expense has been involved.

Police (Computers)

Mr. Warren

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department it he will study a report prepared by Chief Inspector Gordon Fraser of the Police College in Basingstoke on the value of computer networks to improve police service to the community; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The Police National Computer and computers used locally by police forces are proving their value. Discussions which take place regularly between the Home Office and chief officers of police about future developments take account of the opinions expressed in the report as well as of other views held in the police service.

Deportation

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department of the 10 longest held prisoners waiting deportation in Pentonville Prison, what are the stages and statutory rights through which each prisoner must pass; and what is the length of time for each stage.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The statutory appeal rights of six of the people concerned have already been exercised. Of these six cases, removal has been suspended in two to enable representations made by hon. Members to be considered; two are awaiting the conclusion of inquiries on their behalf about property; one has documentation difficulties; and one is awaiting removal by the police. In the remaining four cases appeals have yet to be heard against the country of destination specified in the removal directions. It is not possible to say how long the remaining stages will take.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of the 30 longest held prisoners awaiting deportation in Pentonville Prison, against how many he has signed deportation orders.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

22. Of the remainder, six are detained following court recommendations for deportation which are still under consideration and two are held under detention orders made under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 3 to the Immigration Act 1971 pending the making of deportation orders.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names and ages of all the Nigerian people at present held in Pentonville Prison awaiting deportation and the length of time each one has been in prison.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

It is not my normal practice to identify prisoners by name. The information requested is summarised in the table below.

NIGERIANS AWAITING DEPORTATION IN PENTOVILLE PRISON BY AGE AND TIME IN CUSTODY AWATTING DEPORTATION—AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 1977
AgeUp to 1 monthOver 1 month up to 2 monthsOver 2 months up to 3 monthsOver 3 months up to 6 months
21–240001
25–290230
30–341010

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it sometimes takes four months to deport a person who has agreed to go from the day of his or her last court appearance.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Examples of reasons for delays in deportation are: a decision to exercise certain rights of appeal despite an initial agreement to leave, delays in obtaining a valid travel document or difficulties in disposing of property in the United Kingdom. But a delay of as long as four months after a person has agreed to go would be very unusual, and perhaps my hon. Friend would write to me if he has a particular case in mind.

Swift (Chemicals), Chatteris

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will set up an expert inquiry into the cases of the two recent fires at Swift (Chemicals) of Chatteris.

Voting Rights

Mr. David Young

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government propose to make any changes in the exercise of voting rights and other civil privileges in the light of the recent discussion document on nationality.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

No. As stated in paragraph 66 of the Green Paper "British Nationality Law" (Cmnd. 6795) it is not considered that such privileges stem directly from nationality law.

Mr. David Young

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is proposed to remove voting rights and other civil privileges from citizens of the Republic of Ireland resident in the United Kingdom.

Public Records

Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any public documents or records or categories of public documents and records have been deliberately destroyed in the last five years rather than preserved for public inspection and study in due course; and on whose responsibility any such decision to destroy was made.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

I have been asked to reply.Since 1959 numerous public records have been destroyed, as required by the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967, as not being worthy of permanent preservation. The responsibility is that of the Department concerned acting under the guidance of the Keeper of Public Records.

Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in general terms, what categories and types of public documents and records are preserved and made available in due course for public inspection and study.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

I have been asked to reply.The public records which are preserved and made available for public inspection are all those which, in the view of the Department concerned acting under the guidance of the Keeper of Public Records, may be required for administrative purposes or are likely to be of sufficient value for academic or other research to justify the cost of preservation.

Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds public documents and records which would otherwise be preserved and ultimately made available for public inspection and study may be destroyed.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I have given to his two immediately preceding Questions.

Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria by which the categories of public documents and records not to be opened for public inspection for a period in excess of 30 years are determined; and whether any public servant or official is empowered to change, amend or vary these criteria.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

I have been asked to reply.I referred, in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 18th January 1978—[Vol. 942, c.

229–30]—to the categories of records for which periods of closure in excess of 30 years have been prescribed. The determination of criteria to be applied in deciding which records fall within those categories is a matter for the Department or other body responsible for them, as is any alteration in such criteria.

Privy Council Office (Banking)

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Lord President of the Council when his office's banking business was last put out to competitive tender.

Mr. Foot

My Department's banker is in effect the Paymaster General, but cash is drawn from a local bank for the payment of staff wages and minor administrative expenses. In view of the modest cost of this facility no purpose would be served by opening it to competitive tender.

Optical Council

Mr. Grist

asked the Lord President of the Council what are the names of the members of the Optical Council, their dates of appointment and the interest represented by each member.

Members appointed by the Privy CouncilCurrently appointed
Sir Eric Richardson, C.B.E., Ph.D., B.Eng., F.I.E.E., A.M.I., Mech.E., F.P.S., Chairman (Adviser on educational matters)1st January 1974
Professor J. P. Quilliam, MB., B.S., M.Sc, D.Sc, F.R.C.P., Deputy Chairman (Medical practitioner engaged in pre-clinical training)1st January 1974
W. Scott Charles, C.A., Honorary Treasurer1st January 1977
Dr. E. Colin-Russ, O.B.E., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., General medical practitioner1st January 1974
Councillor Mrs. D. Bellerby, J.P., Lay member6th April 1976
Dame Mary Green, D.B.E., B.A., Lay member1st January 1977
Franklyn Williams, C.M.G., Lay member1st January 1974
Members appointed by Examining Bodies
P. A. Smith, F.B.O.A., A.M.C.T., British Optical Association1st January 1974
C. J. Eldridge, LL.B., Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers1st January 1974
G. McGrath, F.S.A.O., F.B.O.A., Scottish Association of Opticians1st January 1974
G. D. Miller, F.S.A.O., D.C.L.P., Jointly by three bodies mentioned above1st January 1974
E. S. P. Ford, F.A.D.O. (Hons.), Association of Dispensing Opticians1st January 1974
Member appointed by Ophthalmic Training Institutions
Professor G. V. Ball, M.Sc, F.B.O.A., H.D1st January 1974
Members elected by registered ophthalmic opticians
N. Archbold, F.B.O.A., F.S.M.C, D.C.L.P.1st January 1977
A. S. Sowden, F.B.O.A., D.C.L.P., D.Orth.1st January 1977
R. F. Banks, F.S.M.C, D.Orth.1st January 1977
N. W. Gunn, F.B.O.A., F.S.M.C, C.L. Cert. (B.O.A.)1st January 1977
E. G. Woodward, F.B.O.A., F.S.M.C, D.C.L.P.1st January 1977
Members elected by registered dispensing opticians
M. G. Aird, F.C.I.S.1st January 1977
N. H. Wingate, F.S.M.C, F.B.O.A., F.A.D.O.1st January 1977
Members appointed by the Faculty of Ophthalmologists
A. G. Cross, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.1st January 1977
R. B. Harcourt, J.P., M.A., M.B., B.Chir., F.R.C.S., D.O.1st January 1977
M. J. Gilkes, M.B., B.S., F.R.C.S.1st January 1977
W. M. Haining, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S.Ed.1st January 1977
Member appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
C. Vance, M.B.E.1st January 1974

Scotland

Departmental Banking

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department's banking business was last put out to competitive tender.

Mr. Millan

My Department's banker for the main volume of its business is the Paymaster General. Where it has been necessary to make use of local banking services the choice has depended largely upon considerations of proximity and security and satisfactory terms have been negotiated.

Houses (Building Costs)

Mr. Foot

The information requested is as follows:cost of construction of local authority dwellings in Scotland during each of the last six years.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

Details are given in "Housing and Construction Statistics," published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

Housing Expenditure

Mr. Newton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a table showing public expenditure on housing in Scotland for each year from 1972–73 to 1981–82, in the same form as Table 2.7 in Command Paper No. 7409.

£ million at 1977 Survey Prices

1972–73

1973–74

1974–75

1975–76

1976–77

1977–78

1978–79

1979–80

1980–81

1981–82

Current expenditure:
Central Government subsidies to local authority housing100120155151163135130171169171
Rate fund contributions to local authority housing58466247394438
Subsidies to new towns and Scottish Special Housing Association24572734414955586163
Housing association revenue deficit grants———1111111
Total general subsidies182223244232245228223230231235
Rent rebates:
Central Government19323228293133444649
Rate fund contributions25788910
Rent allowances:
Central Government—111122334
Rate fund contributions—————11
Total income related subsidies21394038394345474952
Option mortgage xcheme—111111222
Administration:
Central Government1111111111
Local authorities2332222222
Total current expenditure206266290275288275273281285292
Capital expenditure:
Local authority investment:
Land101462254198211210
New dwellings2001591641621329193
Acquisitions———————
Improvements35877064677472
Other5591281010
Total local authority investment249265249239210180180198211210

£ million at 1977 survey prices

1972–73

1973–74

1974–75

1975–76

1976–77

1977–78

1978–79

1979–80

1980–81

1981–82

New towns and Scottish Special Housing Association Investment:
Land2123212778030
New dwellings44445580757459
Acquisitions——————1
improvements32222313
Total new towns and Scottish Special Housing Association Investment49485985797875778080
Sales (land and dwellings):
Local authorities-11-6-6-4-4-4-5-8-8-8
New towns and Scottish Special Housing Association-12-11-3-3-3-5-5
Associated lending (gross)14952233
Repayments-2-2-3-2-2-2-2
Total sales-11-11-7-7-7-8-9-8-8-8
Improvements grants by local authorities243024771314141414
Local authority lending to private persons for house purchase and improvements:
Gross9152117122114141414
Repayments-87-6-8-8-9-10-10-10-10
Loans and grants to housing associations:
Capital grants by central Government———1102022495155
Loans by Housing Corporation (net)35511131022
Loans by local authorities (net)-21331-1
Total housing associations46616263243495155
Savings bonus and loans scheme for first-time purchasers (net)
purchasers (net)————————34
Other lending (net)——————————
Total capital expenditure (net)316347346349319306307336355360
Total522613636624607581579617640652
Changes from Cmnd. 6721 revalued-72-46-30-53-31
Cmnd. 6721 revalued679627610670671
Because of rounding, the figures do not necessarily sum to the totals.

Rent Acts

Mr. Corrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the amount of accommodation which is being withheld by private landlords from letting because of the provisions of the present Rent Acts.

Government (Information)

Mr. Rooker

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish in the Official Report the letter which he sent to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr dated 14th December 1977, and the letter issued by Sir Douglas Allen which he enclosed with his reply.

The Prime Minister

Yes. My letter of 14th December 1977 to my hon. Friend read as follows:

"Thank you for your letter of 28th November. As requested, I enclose a copy of Sir Douglas Allen's letter dated 6th July 1977 to Heads of Departments in which he advised them of changes we have approved for making available more official information."
Following is the text of the letter from Sir Douglas Allen:
"During the Debate on the Address on 24th November last, the Prime Minister announced that it would be the Government's policy in future to publish as much as possible of the factual and analytical material used as the background to major policy studies. A copy of the relevant part of the Prime Minister's speech is attached. I am writing in terms which the Prime Minister has specifically approved to let you know how his statement affects present practice and to ask you to ensure that your Department gives effect to it. You may wish to let your Minister see this guidance drawing particular attention to paragraph 10.
2. The change may seem simply to be one of degree and of timing. But it is intended to mark a real change of policy, even if the initial step is modest. In the past it has normally been assumed that background material relating to policy studies and reports would

not be published unless the responsible Minister or Ministers decided otherwise. Henceforth the working assumption should be that such material will be published unless they decide that should not be. There is of course no intention to publish material which correctly bears a current security classification or privacy marking; at the same time, care should be taken to ensure that the publication of unclassified material is not frustrated by including it in documents that also contain classified material.

3. In effect, what is proposed is an increase in the already considerable amount of material put out by Departments. The additional material will mainly consist of deliberate presentations in the later stages of discussion and development of new policy. Some of these will probably, as now, take the form of Green Papers. Some may have kindred form, like the recent Orange Paper on Transport. While most material will be released on the initiative of the Department, probably through HMSO, some of lesser importance, or of interest to a limited audience, may well be put out through other means such as publication in magazines or in response to specific requests in the same way that a good deal of unpublished material is already made available to bona fide researchers. In some cases it may be preferable simply to publicise the existence of certain material which would be made available to anyone who asked. Consideration should also be given to the issue of bibliographies or digests so that interested parties are advised what material is available.

4. In adopting the working assumption described in paragraph 2 above for policy studies, including PARs, the normal aim will be to publicise as much as possible of the background material subject to Ministerial decision once they have seen the study and reached their conclusions on it. When Ministers decide what announcement they wish to make, therefore, they will also wish to consider whether and in what form the factual and analytical material may be published, since there may, as the Prime Minister made clear in his statement, be circumstances in which Ministers will not wish to disclose such material.

5. It is not the intention to depart from the present practice of not disclosing PARs nor identifying them publicly; any question of releasing PAR material in circumstances not covered by a Ministerial decision should be referred to the Treasury.

6. In his November statement the Prime Minister said that it was the Government's wish to keep to a minimum the cost to public funds of the new initiative on disclosure. One inhibition to the publication of background material in the past has been that it has often been incorporated in submissions to Ministers which could not be published in their entirety. Re-writing material specially for publication is wasteful and expensive in staff time. Therefore when policy studies are being undertaken in future, the background material should as far as possible be written in a form which would permit it to be published separately, with the minimum of alteration, once a Ministerial decision to do so has been taken. It will generally assist Ministers to reach their decisions on publications if they can see an identifiable separate part of the report appropriately written for this purpose.

7. The form and way in which material is released will have to be considered on each occasion. The cost of any extra printing, or publishing, falls under present arrangements on the HMSO Vote, and HMSO is of course affected by the current restrictions on public expenditure in the same way as other Departments. HMSO is also responsible for deciding

what prices should be charged for published material. You should ensure that discussions with HMSO are initiated at the earliest possible opportunity on any proposal which will add to expenditure. The following particular considerations should also be borne in mind:

  • i. Great care should be taken to keep costs to a minimum. If copies are to be run off in advance of demand, the quantity should be carefully and prudently assessed, to avoid waste rather than to offer instant response. (But of course, there is a countervailing need to aim where appropriate for the economics of longer reproduction runs. The right balance here may be difficult and decisions should not be left to too low a level).
  • ii. In general, double printing should be avoided, eg the published form of the material should be the same as that used internally (and the same print).
  • iii. There should be a charge for all material, at a price set by HMSO for each item, to include all aspects of reproduction and handling, but not of course any of the costs of the primary study itself.
  • iv. As regards Crown Copyright, attention is drawn to CSD General Notice GEN 75/76 dated 12th August 1975 (and corrigendum of 8th October 1976).

    • 8. The Government's decision on this question is in a form which should not involve substantial additional work but which could all to easily be lost to view. There are many who would have wanted the Government to go much further (on the lines of the formidably burdensome Freedom of Information Act in the USA). Our prospects of being able to avoid such an expensive development plan could well depend on whether we can show that the Prime Minister's statement had reality and results. So I ask all of you to keep this question of publicising material well on your check-list of action in any significant areas of policy formulation, even at Divisional level; and to encourage your Ministers to take an interest in the question.

    9. Since the Prime Minister may well be asked what effect his announcement has had on the amount of information made available, I should be grateful if you could arrange to have some kind of record kept of the relevant items made available by your Department. Where the material is of an unusual kind, or of a variety not usually made available in the past, it would be useful if a copy could be sent to CSD. In cases where it has been decided not to publish material which might be expected to be of considerable public interest, I suggest that the reasons should be briefly recorded.

    10. The greater publicising of material can hardly fail to add to one cost—that of responding to the additional direct correspondence to which it may well give rise. In a Service operating under tight resource constraint, it may not always be possible to afford to give to such additional correspondence the kind of full and studied replies to which we have long been accustomed within the sort of Nevertheless, Departments must do their best Nevertheless, Department must do their best in these matters, and should inform a correspondent if the timescale for a reply is likely to be longer than normal.

    11. I am copying this to Heads of Departments as on the attached list."

    Engagements

    Q.5

    Mr. Forman

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 26th January.

    Q.8

    Mr. Ioan Evans

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 26th January.

    Q10.

    Mr. Skinner

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 26th January.

    Q11.

    Mr. Dykes

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 26th January.

    Q13.

    Mr. Pattie

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 26th January.

    Q14.

    Mr. Gow

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

    Q15.

    Mr. Kilroy-Silk

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 26th January.

    Q16.

    Mrs. Bain

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 26th January.

    Q17.

    Mr. Greville Janner

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 26th January.

    Q23.

    Mr. Rost

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 26th January.

    Q28.

    Mr. Silvester

    asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 26th January.

    The Prime Minister

    I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett).

    Cyprus

    Q6.

    Mr. Norman Atkinson

    asked the Prime Minister if he will personally seek to convene a meeting between the Turkish Prime Minister and the President of Cyprus with a view to securing the implementation of the United Nations resolutions on Cyprus.

    The Prime Minister

    It would not be appropriate to undertake an initiative such as this while the United Nations Secretary-General is currently engaged in efforts, which I welcome, to re-start the intercommunal talks. The Government remain ready to help the parties in any practical way to negotiate a settlement.

    Scotland

    Q7.

    Lancashire

    Q9.

    Incomes Policy (Prime Minister's Broadcast)

    Q12.

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a transcript of his broadcast on "The World This Weekend" on 1st January on BBC Radio 4 regarding a Government blacklist of firms held to have breached the pay guidelines.

    Q19.

    Mr. Blaker

    asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a transcript of the text of his interview on the "World This Weekend" programme on Radio 4 on Sunday 1st January about incomes policy.

    Q.21.

    Mr. Neubert

    asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a transcript of his interview on "The World This Weekend" on Radio 4 on 1st January 1978, on the subject of incomes policy.

    Q25.

    Mr. Wyn Roberts

    asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a transcript of his interview on Radio Four on 1st January on incomes policy.

    Cbi

    Q18.

    The Prime Minister

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

    South-East Asia

    Q20.

    Mr. Ridley

    asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay a visit to South-East Asia.

    Rhodesia

    Q22.

    Mr. Molloy

    asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to call a meeting of all Heads of Government involved in negotiations for a settlement of the Rhodesia problem.

    Tuc

    Q24.

    The Prime Minister

    I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Arnold) on 8th November.

    Acklam

    Q26.

    Mr. Wrigglesworth

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

    Sittingbourne

    Q27.

    Refugees

    Mr. Faulds

    asked the Prime Minister if he will set up a joint committee under a Home Office Minister to co-ordinate the policies of the various Government Departments and of the voluntary agencies towards the problems of refugees.

    The Prime Minister

    The Government have carefully considered this proposal but have concluded that such a committee would not be an improvement on the present arrangements for consultation between Departments and with the voluntary agencies on the problems of refugees.

    Transport

    Road Haulage Licences

    Mr. Grist

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many international road haulage licences were issued to Welsh-based companies in each of the last six years.

    Mr. Horam

    I regret that this information could only be provided at disproportionate expense. I am writing to the hon. Member.

    Thornaby (Tees Bridge)

    Mr. Wrigglesworth

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what he anticipates will be the total cost of building the new bridge over the River Tees at Thornaby for the new A66 trunk road.

    A66 (Thornaby)

    Mr. Wrigglesworth

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what he anticipates will be the total cost of building the section of the new A66 trunk road where it passes through Thornaby from the Middlesbrough boundary to the south bank of the Tees.

    Lorry Drivers

    Mr. Arthur Lewis

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent the EEC regulation operative from 26th January 1978 imposing a 300-mile journey limit on road haulage drivers have been discussed and agreed with the Transport and General Workers' Union; and what steps he is taking to see that this regulation is enforced on the owners of one or two lorries and those referred to in the industry as cowboys.

    Mr. William Rodgers

    The provision in EEC Regulation 543/69 restricts the daily distance for single-manned non-rigid goods vehicles of over 20 tonnes maximum permissible weight to 450 km (281 miles) unless they are using a tachograph. I have explained to the Transport and General Workers' Union that the whole regulation was accepted on the United Kingdom's accession to the Community and formally applied in this country from 1st January this year.The statutory instrument for the enforcement of the regulations will apply equally to all operators regardless of the size of their undertaking. I have, however, made it clear that the Government recognise that changes cannot in practice be achieved immediately and that an extensive "running in" period is desirable.

    Pay Settlements (Guideline Breaches)

    Mr. Warren

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many firms are barred at present from tendering to his Department for Her Majesty's Government contracts because they have not complied with Government pay guidelines.

    Mr. William Rodgers

    I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 12th January 1978.—[Vol. 941, c. 790.]

    Parking Meters (Purchase)

    Mr. Arthur Latham

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has concerning the purchase by local authorities of parking meters from manufacturers in the United States of America; and whether he will publish it in the Official Report.

    Mr. Horam

    Since the selection of parking meters suitable for local use is primarily a matter for the responsible local authority, we do not in general have detailed information on this subject. However, we are aware of the reports that the Westminster City Council intends to purchase a substantial number of meters manufactured in the United States. I am informed that these conform to the general approval issued by the Secretary of State for the Environment in 1974 and that their design is acceptable to the Council of Industrial Design.The only special approval I have given for the purchase of meters manufactured in the United States is in respect of a small number of Duncan meters not approved by the Council of Industrial Design, where the vandal-proof qualities of the meters was a major consideration.

    Motoring Insurance

    Mr. Dodsworth

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the amount of discretionary awards made to injured parties involved in road accidents with uninsured drivers; how many have been made during each of the past five years; and how the awards compare in size with those made arising out of insurance-met claims.

    Mr. Horam

    Under the terms of an agreement with my right hon. Friend, the Motor Insurers' Bureau is required to meet any unsatisfied judgment against an uninsured driver for personal injury to a third party. Many such claims, however, are settled by negotiation. The bureau deals centrally with cases where no policy of insurance exists or where an insurer is insolvent, and have made the following payments:

    YearNumber of paymentsTotal sum paid
    £
    1972411521,370
    1973481671,285
    1974541878,166
    19756421,301,328
    19767852,074,752
    Where a policy covering the use of a vehicle exists, but the negligent driver is uninsured because the policy is ineffective, claims are dealt with on behalf of the bureau by the insurer who issued the policy. There is no central record of such cases.It follows from the terms of the agreement that settlements are made on the same basis as those where insurance policies are effective.

    Mr. McCrindle

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has had any recent discussions with the Transport Ministers of the EEC on the co-ordination of the minimum level of motor vehicle insurance cover; whether the United Kingdom is prepared to alter its present requirements in this regard; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. William Rodgers

    Discussions between officials of member States, including the United Kingdom, and of the Commission have taken place, but have so far led to the conclusion that there is no evidence of significant benefit to be obtained from, or need for, harmonisation of minimum levels of compulsory motor insurance. There are no changes planned so far as United Kingdom law is concerned.

    Accidents (Leitch Report)

    Mr. Spriggs

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to implement Recommendation 23 of the Leitch Report as it relates to the proposed increase in accident values used in COBA by his Department.

    Departmental Correspondence

    Mr. McCrindle

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar can expect a reply to his letters of 22nd December and 16th January on the subject of the M25 motorway.

    Mr. Horam

    I wrote yesterday in reply to the hon. Member's letter of 22nd December and I will reply to his letter of 16th January as soon as possible.

    Roads (Cheshire)

    Mrs. Dunwoody

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now list those major road schemes which, in the next five years, will affect the Crewe, Sandbach and Alsager areas, particularly those which relate to the bypassing of existing town centres.

    Mr. Horam

    The only major trunk road scheme planned for the next five years which will affect the areas mentioned is the A52 Barthomley link to M6 which will run south of Crewe.

    Regional Highway Traffic Model

    Mr. Ron Lewis

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of the Regional Highway Traffic Model is estimated to be.

    Mr. William Rodgers

    The estimated cost of the Regional Highway Traffic Model is £5·4 million. The project additionally covers associated development work which is estimated to cost £0·7 million.

    Road Signs

    Mr. Gwynfor Evans

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current cost of the large new road signs used on English motorways.

    Mr. William Rodgers

    No new type of motorway sign is currently being erected. 'The cost of erecting a typical advance direction sign measuring 20 ft by 20 ft, including posts, foundations and lighting, is £4,000.

    Mr. Gwynfor Evans

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is his estimate of the amount which will be spent in England by the Government and local authorities on road signs during the next 10 years;(2) how much has been spent by the Government on road signs during the last five years.

    Environment

    Housing Finance

    Mr. Frank Allaun

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why subsidies for council housing are planned to remain frozen at virtually the same total for the next four years, during which there will be an annual addition to the number of such houses; approximately what reduction in average subsidy per house will be involved; what will be the average increase in rent, apart from increases in building and land costs; and if he will consider maintaining the existing subsidy per house out of North Sea oil revenue and other Government resources.

    Mr. Shore

    My hon. Friend is no doubt referring to the White Paper on the Government's Expenditure Plans, 1978–79 to 1981–82—Cmnd. 7049.The figures quoted therein for subsidies to local authority housing are the net result of a combination of factors: on the one hand, increased annual expenditure arising from new capital investment, and higher management and maintenance costs; and, on the other hand, a reduction in loan charges on existing debt due to lower interest rates, and increases in rents.On this basis, the average changes, year by year, in subsidy per house would be:

    £'s per dwelling at 1977 survey prices
    1978–79+1·6
    1979–80-6·5
    1980–81-1·42
    1981–82-4·78
    The projected rent increase for the year 1978–79 assumes that the guideline average rent increase of 60p a week per dwelling will be applied by those authorities in a position to do so. For later years the projections are based on the assumption that rents will keep broadly in line with changes in money incomes.Subsidy is allocated to comply with current legislation and to enable Government housing policies to be carried out. Decisions on the ways in which revenue from North Sea oil can be used to support Government policies have not yet been taken.

    Mr. Frank Allaun

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why capital expenditure on council house building, improvement, acquisition and land is planned to increase by only £97 million, from £1,947 million to £2,044 million, between 1978–79 and 1981–82; and if he will devote a part of North Sea oil revenue and other Government resources to increasing the programme.

    Mr. Shore

    The Government have provided for a substantial and increasing level of housing capital investment by local authorities. However, as was stated in the White Paper on Public Expenditure—Cmnd. 7049—the detailed figures for the later years are more than ever tentative. The housing investment programme will be reviewed in the light of the housing strategies of local authorities and the assessment of housing needs. These will be taken into account in determining any future adjustments in the size of the programme and priorities within it. Decisions on the ways in which revenue from North Sea oil can be used to support Government policies have not yet been taken.

    Dangerous Substances

    Mr. Stephen Ross

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider the extension of the principle contained in the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and other measures in order to ensure that individuals who carelessly discard or mislay dangerous chemicals or poisonous substances become liable to be surcharged for the costs involved in their recovery.

    Mr. Marks

    Under existing legislation there are powers to recover, through the courts, the cost of remedying statutory nuisances, oil pollution of beaches and pollution of most inland waters. When Part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 is implemented, it will extend the powers available to deal with the removal of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter present in or likely to enter inland waters.

    Mr. Stephen Ross

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make additional funds available to those local authorities who are obliged to acquire sophisticated and expensive appliances to deal adequately with poisonous substances which may be inadvertently lost through flood or theft.

    Mr. Marks

    No. Local authority expenditure on treatment and disposal of toxic substances is already taken into account in calculating rate support grant.

    Council House Sales

    Mr. Tim Smith

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many properties have been sold by local authorities and new town corporations in the United Kingdom to their tenants in each of the last 10 years.

    Mr. Armstrong

    Relevant figures for England and Wales are available for the calendar years 1967 to 1976 in successive issues of Housing and Construction Statistics (Table 41, issues 1–16, table 42 thereafter), published by HMSO. The latest estimate for the number of existing council dwellings sold in England and Wales during the first three-quarters of 1977 is 8,120.Inquiries about sale of local authority and new town corporation properties in Scotland and Northern Ireland should be addressed to the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

    Houses (Building Costs)

    Mr. Tim Smith

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost of a council house, including the land, at the latest available date.

    Mr. Armstrong

    The current average cost of a newly built local authority dwelling, including land, in England is £13,500.

    Oil Refineries

    Mr. Skeet

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment for how many oil refineries, or for what capacity, permission has been granted to date under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

    Mr. Guy Barnett

    We are aware of planning permissions having been granted for three refineries in England since 1971.

    Rate Support Grant

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount of money required for the recent rate support grant.

    Mr. Guy Barnett

    The aggregate amount available for grant for 1978–79 was determined at £7,644 million on relevant expenditure of £12,531 million. Of this, £6,521 million will be paid by way of rate support grants.

    Rates (Arrears)

    Mr. Steen

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will institute an inquiry into the practice of local authorities in following up cases of non-payment of rates and, in particular, where resort is had to legal action, in the light of evidence of maladministration sent to him by the hon. Member for Liverpool. Wavertree.

    Mr. Guy Barnett

    No. The collection of rates is a matter for rating authorities. I have no evidence of any general problems about their practice in following up cases of non-payment. I am writing to the hon. Member about the particular case he has referred to me.

    Flood Damage

    Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has ascertained the nature and extent of aid which is forthcoming from the EEC in respect of flood damage in Eastern England; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Shore

    Her Majesty's Government have been informed that the Commission has decided in principle to offer assistance to Britain, France and Belgium, the member States affected by the recent bad weather. The Government are actively considering this offer.

    Clarendon Palace

    Mr. Michael Hamilton

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will review the standard of his Department's care for the remains of Clarendon Palace in view of the historic and constitutional importance of this site.

    Windscale Inquiry

    Mr. Blenkinsop

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet received the report of the inspector on the Windscale inquiry.

    National Parks

    Mr. Blenkinsop

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken to ensure that public bodies manage land which they hold in national parks in such a way as to make a positive contribution to national park purposes.

    Mr. Denis Howell

    In association with the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, I have written to the chairmen of public land-holding bodies sponsored by our two Departments, and to my right hon. and hon. Friends in other Departments which have significant land-holdings or which sponsor other public land-holding bodies. I have drawn attention to the desirability of co-operation with the national park authorities so that public land can be managed in the light of the national park plans. In particular, I have suggested a review of the extent to which management of such land can make a positive contribution to the purposes of the park, including access; that without prejudice to the body's primary statutory function it should consciously seek to protect wild life, safeguard the natural beauty of the landscape, and wherever possible open up areas for public informal recreation; and that when any substantial new management action or physical development is contemplated the national park authority should be consulted at an early stage. A list of the bodies and Departments approached is below. I have already had a number of very encouraging replies.Forestry Commission.

    • The Regional Water Authorities (with copy to Chairmen of Water Space Amenity Commission).
    • British Waterways Board (with copy to Secretary of Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council).
    • Nature Conservancy Council.
    • The Treasury (in respect of the Crown Estate and Duchy of Cornwall).
    • The Duchy of Lancaster.
    • Ministry of Defence.
    • Department of Transport.
    • Ministry of Agriculture.

    The correspondence has also been drawn to the attention of the Chairman of the National Trust.

    Flood Warning System (East Anglia)

    Mr. Freud

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the flood warning system as it was operated in East Anglia on the evening of 11th January; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Strang

    I have been asked to reply.The effectiveness of the East Coast flood warning system depends upon the accuracy of the forecasts which can be made of expected high water levels. The actual levels reached on parts of the East Anglian coast on the night of 11th January were above those which had been forecast. Subject to this limitation, I am satisfied that the warning service in general worked well, but I am inquiring into those instances where it has been alleged that a public warning was not given in good time.

    River Nene (Flood Prevention)

    Mr. Freud

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take in respect of the banks of the River Nene to prevent further flooding in Wisbech.

    Mr. Strang

    I have been asked to reply.The statutory responsibility for sea defence and flood protection rests with the drainage authorities. I understand that the Anglian Water Authority is considering urgently in consultation with the local authority the need for providing improved defences to protect Wisbech.

    Education And Science

    National Heritage

    35.

    Mr. Bulmer

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further steps she intends to take to protect the national heritage of historic buildings and works of art.

    Mr. Oakes

    Planned expenditure on purchase grants for the national museums and galleries includes the provision of an extra £1 million in 1978–79 and onwards to enable these institutions, and the local museums and galleries assisted by them, to acquire additional objects and works of art. As announced in the recent White Paper on the Government's expenditure plans, a further £1 million will be made available for this purpose in 1979–80 and onwards. Both these sums will be subject to revaluation to take account of rises in prices.The protection of historic buildings in England is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

    Open University

    Mr. Grist

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals she has to make financial resources available to the Educational Information and Resources Centre of the Open University in Wales when funding from the job creation programme finishes.

    Mr. Oakes

    It will be for the Open University to explore possible sources of finance for this scheme after funding from the job creation scheme ceases on 31st March, but I can hold out no hope that any central Government education money will be available for this purpose.

    Expenditure (West Yorkshire)

    Mr. Joseph Dean

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the per capita spending on education per head of population of the metropolitan districts in West Yorkshire;(2) what is the per capita spending on education per pupil population of the metropolitan districts in West Yorkshire.

    Mr. Oakes

    As my hon. Friend knows, my Department does not prepare figures of per capita expenditure on education for individual local education authorities. I have, however, had extracted the following information derived from analyses contained in the Education Estimates Statistics 1976–77 published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, copies of which are in the Library.

    Financial year 1976–77 (November 1975 prices)
    (1)(2)(3)
    Total estimated expenditure on educationCol. (1) per head of populationCol. (1) per head of school population
    £000££
    Calderdale20,574109·0540·1
    Wakefield34,707113·7540·2
    Kirklees39,456105·1532·0
    Bradford53,381115·9591·1
    Leeds77,540103·4550·9

    Note:Column (1) comprises all estimated recurrent expenditure, including polytechnics and other colleges of Further Education. Column (3) has been calculated by reference to total pupils in nursery, primary, middle, secondary and special schools. Estimated recurrent expenditure per pupil in each category of school are given in the publication.

    University Teachers (Pay)

    Mr. Gordon Wilson

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations she has received from the Association of University Teachers regarding the anomaly in the scale of remuneration; and whether she can give a date by which the pay recommendations referred by the pay policy will be restored.

    Mr. Oakes

    I refer the hon. Member to the second paragraph of the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Members for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) and Aberdeen, South (Mr. Sproat) on 16th January; and her reply to the hon. Members for Armagh (Mr. McCusker), Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. Eyre). Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) and Canterbury (Mr. Crouch) on 25th January.—[Official Report, Vol. 942. c. 61 Vol. 942, c. 610–11.]

    Miss Fookes

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will set dates so that the increases of salaries to university teachers can be implemented in stages in accordance with the request made by the Association of University Teachers.

    Mr. Oakes

    I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Members for Armagh (Mr. McCusker), Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. Eyre), Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) and Canterbury (Mr. Crouch) on 25th January.—[Official Report; Vol. 942, c. 610–11.]

    Student Grants

    Mr. Dodsworth

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has for a new means test on student grants which would take into consideration net income of the parents in place of the pesent method based on gross income.

    Mr. Oakes

    The present system is based on the parents' residual income, that is, the income after deducting certain allowances similar to those given for income tax purposes. My right hon. Friend has no plans for changing this system, which ensures broad equality of treatment between students with awards.

    School Meals

    Mr. Gwilym Roberts

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will set up a study aimed at ensuring that there is no reduction in the nourishment value of school meals arising from the recommended economies.

    Miss Margaret Jackson

    No. My Department's Circular 3 /78 "The School Meals Service" made clear the Govern ment's intention that savings should not be made at the expense of the nationally recommended nutritional standards. Economy measures mentioned in the circular do not affect the nutritional standard of the school dinner.

    Mr. Gwilym Roberts

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the new economies recommended for school meals, she can now give an assurance that there will be no further price increases during 1978; and if she will make a statement.

    Miss Margaret Jackson

    I cannot add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. Stoddart) on 20th January.—[Official Report; Vol. 942. c. 391.]

    Miss Joan Lestor

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to take a decision on any increase in the price of school meals as a result of the subsidy reductions between now and 1982.

    "Bulldog Newsheet"

    36.

    Mr. Parker

    asked the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a view to prosecution, the publication the "Bulldog Newsheet" for incitement to racial hatred.

    Mr. Arthur Davidson

    Two issues of the "Bulldog Newsheet" have already been referred to him.

    Mr William Stern

    Mr. Skinner

    asked the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a view to prosecution for fraud, the activities of Mr. William Stern.

    The Attorney-General

    Certain matters are being investigated by the Metropolitan and City of London Police Company Fraud Department. A report will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions if the investigation reveals evidence which requires his consideration.

    Tribunals And Inquiriesact 1971

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Attorney-General whether, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 8th June 1976, he is satisfied that companies blacklisted by the Treasury have had ample opportunity to make representations on their own behalf; and whether, in the light of experience since that reply, he intends to introduce legislation to amend Section 19 of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1971, as envisaged in the hon. Member's original Question.

    The Solicitor-General

    Whether companies have had the opportunity to make representations is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General said in his reply of 8th June 1976—[Vol. 912, c. 614–5]—my noble Friend does not consider that the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1971 could properly be extended as envisaged by the hon. Member.

    Social Services

    War Widows' Pension Books

    34.

    Mr. Litterick

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will explain why the word "war" has been deleted from the cover title of war widows' current pension books.

    Mr. Orme

    I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Staffordshire, South-West (Mr. Cormack) on 16th January.—[Vol. 942, c. 99–100.]

    Rehabilitation (Tunbridge Report)

    Mr. Carter-Jones

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which of the recommendations of the Tunbridge Report on Rehabilitation have been rejected; which have been accepted; and which of the latter have been implemented or are currently being implemented; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Moyle

    The report of the Tunbridge Committee on Rehabilitation was published in 1972 and distributed to health authorities not as a blueprint but as a discussion document and information source for all those concerned with NHS rehabilitation services. The recommenda tions were never formally rejected or accepted. During the subsequent years there have been changes both on rehabilitation service and in thinking on rehabilitation, some of which are in line with the report's views, whilst others have followed different lines. Although there remains much of value in the report, I do not think it would be profitable after this passage of time to take its recommendations as a possible starting point for developing the service.

    Unemployed Persons

    Mrs. Chalker

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the information on unemployed persons given to the hon. Member for Wallasey, Official Report, 1st December 1975, c. 447.

    Mr. Orme

    Following is the information:

    CLAIMANTS WHO LEAVE OR REFUSE EMPOLYMENT WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE
    Supplementary Allowance Reduced
    YearNumber of claimants affected
    (from Sample Enquiry)
    197526,000
    Due to industrial action in some unemployment benefit officers the information is not available for 1976.
    Supplementary Allowance Refused or Withdrawn
    YearNumber of claimants affected
    19754,262
    19762,352
    19771,168 (up to 30 June 1977)
    Note. These figures include a small number of cases where supplementary allowances were withdrawn for other reasons.

    Mrs. Chalker

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the information on unemployed persons given to the hon. Member for Wallasey, Official Report, 1st December 1975. c. 447–8

    Mr. Orme

    The information is as follows:

    UNEMPOLYMENT BENEFIT
    YearLeft voluntarily without just causeRefused suitable employment without good cause
    1975390,0005,000
    1976398,0003,000
    NOTE: Some of the disqualifications were removed, or the period of disallowance reduced, on appeal or revision. The figures for 1977 are not yet available.

    Information about the number of claimants who have suffered a 40 per cent. reduction in supplementary benefit because of disqualification from unemployment benefit is contained in my other reply to the hon. Member today.

    Re-Establishment Centres

    Mrs. Chalker

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the information on reception and reestablishment centres given to the hon. Member for Wallasey, Official Report, 5th July 1977, c. 471–4.

    Mr. Orme

    At the end of 1977 the Supplementary Benefits Commission was administering seven reception centres, three re-establishment centres and 14

    RECEPTION CENTRES AND RE-ESTABLISHMENT CENTRES—NUMBERS OF PLACES
    ReceptionRe-establishment Centre
    Region and CentreCentre Number of bedsResidential Number of bedsDaily Number of places
    Scotland
    Bishopbriggs, Glasgow……64618
    Wales
    Stormy Down, Bridgend, Mid-Glamorgan……64—18
    Northern
    Plawsworth, Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham……1121430
    Yorkshire and Humberside
    Leeds……96—30
    Woodhouse, Sheffield……96—40
    East Midlands and East Anglia
    Alvaston, Derby……104—15
    London North
    Brady House, Stepney, E.1……——35
    London South
    Crown Quay Lodge, Sittingbourne, Kent……76—15
    Camberwell, Peckham, S.E.15……938——
    Lancelot Andrewes House, Southwark, S.E.1……60——
    Cedars Lodge, Clapham, S.W.4……100——
    *Brighton……38——
    London West
    Camden, Kings Cross, W.C.1……35——
    Bridge House, Notting Hill, W.10……120—20
    Pound Lodge, Willesden, N.W.10……80——
    West End, Dean Street, W.1……80——
    Southampton……80—25
    Newbury, Berkshire……68—12
    South Western
    Winterbourne, Bristol……112—18
    West Midlands
    West Midlands, Lye, Stourbridge, Worcestershire……140—40
    Henley-in-Arden, Solihull, Warwickshire……—3020
    North Western Manchester
    Walkden, Worsley, Manchester……84—45
    Manchester (Mill Street)……——30
    Merseyside……—
    Fazakerley, Liverpool……6130
    TOTALS……2,60850441
    *Local authority administered.

    combined reception and re-establishment centres; their total cost in 1976–77 was £4,561,000, including £496,000 on new works. Information about their location and numbers of places is given in the table below.

    The average length of stay in re-establishment centres remains at about six to eight weeks. Similar information is not available for reception centres, but the following was the length of stay of the persons resident in directly-administered centres on 27th December 1977:

    Less than 1 week336
    1 week but less than 13 weeks780
    13 weeks but less than 26 weeks229
    26 weeks but less than 52 weeks113
    52 weeks but less than 2 years55
    over 2 years43

    Departmental Correspondence

    Mr. Arthur Lewis

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why it took him until 17th January 1978 to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Newham, North-West dated 19th November; what was contained in this reply which could not have been sent within days of receipt; and what action he has taken or proposes to take to expedite replies to letters which he receives from taxpayers and their Members of Parliament.

    Mr. Moyle

    I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made to reply to letters as quickly as possible. The letter he refers to, which was received in my office on 23rd November 1977, touched on complex issues on which I wished to consult with health authorities serving Newham.

    Memorial Hospital, Shooters Hill

    Mr. Peter Bottomley

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has replied to the telegram, letters and invitation to visit the Memorial Hospital, Shooters Hill, from Mr. Peter McCartney and the Hospital Action Committee.

    Mr. Ennals

    I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the letter which was sent to Mr. McCartney on 25th January.

    Family Allowances

    Miss Richardson

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the information on family allowances given to the hon. Member for Barking, Official Report, 25th February 1976, column 270.

    Mr. Orme

    On the basis of the movement in the General Index of Retail

    Places available to Local Authorities forAt 31st March 1977Increase since Number31st March 1976 per cent.
    Mentally Handicapped
    Adult Training Centres………37,5562,0265·7
    Residential………13,3549827·9
    Mentally Ill
    Day Centres………5,55167713·9
    Residential………5,0333487·4
    NOTES:1. Figures quoted include places made available to local authorities by other organisations.2. All figures are provisional

    Prices, the equivalent in December 1977, the latest month for which figures are available, of the £0·90 and £1 family allowances introduced in October 1968 was £2·57 and £2·86 respectively.

    Mentally Handicapped Persons

    Mr. Moonman

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) on 31st March 1977, how many places were available in local authority training centres for the mentally handicapped;(2) on 31st March 1977, how many places were available in residential facilities for mentally handicapped people, provided by the local authority;(3) on 31st March 1977, how many places were available in day centres for the mentally ill provided by local authorities and other bodies;(4) what was the net increase of residential places provided by local authorities for mentally handicapped people between 31st March 1976 and 31st March 1977;(5) what was the net increase of places in adult training centres for the mentally handicapped between 31st March 1976 and 31st March 1977;(6) what was the net increase in residential places for the mentally ill in local authorities between 31st March 1976 and 31st March 1977;(7) what was the net increase in day centre places for the mentally ill provided by or available to local authorities between 31st March 1976 and 31st March 1977;(8) on 31st March 1977, how many places were available in residential facilities for the mentally ill provided by local authorities or available to them.

    Child Health (Court Report)

    Mr. Christopher Price

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what action he intends to take about the Court Committee's recommendation for a joint committee for children;(2) if he intends to recommend to area health authorities the Court Committee's proposal for a district handicapped team;(3) if, in the light of recent pronouncements about the re-expansion of public expenditure, he will now take action to strengthen the preventive health services for children.

    Mr. Ennals

    I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop) on 19th January.—[Vol. 942, c. 324–5.]

    Statutory Instruments

    Mr. Colin Jackson

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many statutory instruments have been made by him in each of the last four years.

    Mr. Deakins

    The numbers are as follows:

    YearNumber of Statutory Instruments
    1974142
    1975126
    197682
    1977121

    Harefield (Dental Treatment)

    Mr. Shersby

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many dentists provide dental treatment under the National Health Service in Harefied Middlesex; and if he is satisfied that the service provided is adequate for the area.

    Mr. Moyle

    Three dentists provide National Health Service general dental services in Harefield. I am not aware of any special difficulty in obtaining dental treatment there.

    Kidney Machines

    Mr. Hayhoe

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent changes have been made in the arrangements for paying attendance allowance to home dialysis patients; and for what reasons.

    Mr. Alfred Morris

    The Attendance Allowance Board, as an independent statutory authority, has to decide whether the disabled person satisfies the medical requirements laid down in the Social Security Act 1975 which, broadly speaking, relates to the amount of attention and supervision the person requires, Last year the Board, noting the ever shortening periods of dialysis, considered that the amount of attention and supervision required by many dialysis patients did not measure up to the requirements in the Act, and have given decisions in individual cases which reflect their interpretation of the statute.

    Industry

    Research Grants

    Mr. Wigley

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the value of the eight research grants recently announced by the Commission of the EEC for work on ergonomics and rehabilitation in industry; and how much of this fund will be spent in England, Scotland and Wales. respectively.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    I understand that the Commission has awarded grants totalling £245,635. The British Steel Corporation and the National Coal Board are to receive totals of £165,815 and £57,720 respectively, and it is for them to decide where to spend these sums. The remaining grants comprise allocations of £12,025 to Scottish and £10,075 to English recipients.

    Sir Matthew Stevenson

    Mr. Arthur Lewis

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the fact that Sir Matthew Stevenson who chaired the Committee of Inquiry into the Crown Agents was also concurrently a part-time member of the British Steel Corporation, how many meetings of the board during the period of this inquiry he attended out of the possible maximum; and what salary and expenses were drawn by him during this period.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    During the period in question, Sir Matthew Stevenson's salary as a part-time member of the Board was £1,000 a year and he was entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in that capacity. Actual sums drawn are a matter for the Corporation as is the number of Board meetings attended.

    British Steel Corporation(Pension Fund)

    Mr. Kenneth Clarke

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the level of deficiency contributions to the British Steel Corporation's pension fund in each of the last five years; and what percentage they have constituted of the Government's subsidies to the industry.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    No deficiency contributions have been paid into the BSC's pension funds in the last five years.

    Liverpool (Office Employment)

    Mr. Kilroy-Silk

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has been made in finding methods of implementing the proposal of the National Enterprise Board that arrangements be made between Liverpool Corporation, his Department and a developer, to build a speculative office block in Liverpool so as to attract office employment from outside the assisted area.

    Mr. Cryer

    There are a number of practical difficulties in implementing the proposals, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry are considering further what might be done.

    Investment (National Enterprise Board)

    Mr. Kilroy-Silk

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total value of investment made by the National Enterprise Board in: (a) the Merseyside Special Development Area since the Board's office was established in Liverpool, and (b) the North-East Special Development Area since the Board's office was established in Newcastle upon Tyne.

    Mr. Kaufman

    The regional offices of the National Enterprise Board were established in Liverpool and Newcastle upon Tyne to benefit the North and North-West regions as a whole. In both, the National Enterprise Board has set up regional boards which will have executive powers of their own and bring local knowledge to the National Enterprise Board's major investment decisions. Through these and other measures, the National Enterprise Board is playing its part by bringing its resources to bear on the industrial problems of the regions. Its work is vital to jobs and industry. It is the controlling shareholder in British Leyland. At Leyland the Government have given the go-ahead for a new vehicle assembly hall at a cost of £30 million. It is the majority shareholder in Ferranti, which has four plants in the Manchester area and one at Barrow. The National Enterprise Boards owns and controls Fairey Engineering, employing 1,800 at Stockport, as well as other companies in the North formerly in the Fairey group.The National Enterprise Board controls the Data Recording Instrument Company at Crewe and has a substantial stake in Twinlock, also at Crewe, and an investment in Francis Shaw Ltd. in Manchester. The NEB also assists these regions through its support for Rolls-Royce which has plants at Barnoldswick and Sunderland. Among the Board's other investments in the North and North-West regions, £100,000 has been invested in a company operating exclusively in the Merseyside SDA and about £680,000 in companies operating exclusively in the North-East SDA.

    Small Companies (Loan Guarantees)

    Mr. Kilroy-Silk

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry what powers there are to establish a loan guarantee scheme for small companies on an experimental basis in the United Kingdom.

    Mr. Cryer

    There are no statutory powers to give guarantees under a general scheme open to all small firms in the United Kingdom. Under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972, though only in the assisted areas, it is possible to give loan guarantees in connection with projects that satisfy the employment creation and maintenance provisions of that section. We have recently introduced a scheme of guarantees for European Investment Bank loans on these lines.

    Business Statistics Office

    Mr. Cormack

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what was the cost of running the Business Statistics Office in 1976–77;

    (2) how many people were employed in the Business Statistics Office on 1st January 1978;

    (3) how many circulars were issued by the Business Statistics Office during 1976 and 1977; how many were returned; and if he is satisfied that the replies conveyed accurate and necessary information.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    The cost of running the Business Statistics Office in the financial year 1976–77 was £6·8 million. The number of people employed in the office on 1st January 1978 was 1,044. Forms are issued by the Business Statistics Office in respect of a number of statistical inquiries ranging in frequency from monthly to once every four or five years. 546,000 forms were issued in 1976 and 472,000 in 1977. Response rates vary for different inquiries, some of which are voluntary, but overall 451,000 of the forms issued in 1976 and 390,000 of those issued in 1977 were returned.All new inquiries conducted by the Business Statistics Office have to be approved by the Survey Control Unit of the Central Statistical Office and finally by Ministers. These controls are designed to ensure that all inquiries are necessary and that they provide sufficiently accurate information, but if the hon. Gentleman has any contrary evidence I hope he will contact me.

    Furniture And Upholstery Industry

    Mr. Cormack

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the point of sending out quarterly inquiries to those engaged in the furniture and upholstery industry; how many such inquiries were sent out during 1976–77; and how many returns were made.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    The information collected in these inquiries is needed for the purpose of compiling the United Kingdom Index of Industrial Production, as well as to enable both the Government and the industry to monitor the trend of sales of different types of furniture. The inquiry is conducted in consultation with the trade associations and individual firms in the industries concerned, which value the information they receive in this way. On average, some 600 of these inquiry forms were sent out, quarterly, in the period 1976–77, with approximately 91 per cent. returned. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular case in mind, I hope he will contact me.

    Mr. Cormack

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) why it is necessary to ascertain the number of reclining chairs with frames or shells of plastic sold each quarter in order to enable his Department to carry out its functions;(2) why it is necessary to have an accurate quarterly differentiation of sink units sold in the United Kingdom in order to enable his Department to carry out its functions; why it is essential to record separately the sale of sink units which comprise a sink and cabinet of metal and all other sink units; and, if accuracy in the recorded sale of sink units is of importance, why complete sink units which comprise a sink and cabinet of metal are included under the heading "Other" in question 43 of the Quarterly Inquiry into Manufacturers Sales in Furniture and Upholstery;(3) what is the purpose of recording separately all quarterly sales of filing cabinets and office bookcases;(4) why it is not considered necessary to separate the statistics gathered on the sales of divan head-boards, bedstead ends and bunk beds.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    The quarterly inquiry form for the furniture and upholstery industry requires sales of sink units made of metal to be included in heading 43, but not separately identified; and sales of all other sink units to be included in heading 73. This is necessary in order that sales of these items can be allocated to the industries of which they are major products.The quarterly inquiry into the furniture and upholstery industry which was introduced in 1970 provides information for both Government and industry, one of the stated objectives of the inquiry being to provide a statistical service for the industry. Trade associations and individual undertakings in this industry were consulted and assisted my Department in drafting the questions in a way which will be useful to them as well as Government. The need to keep the number of questions to the minimum is continually under review.Progress is being made in reducing the form-filling burden and I am writing to the hon. Gentleman, giving him further details on this.

    Mr. Cormack

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will comment on the accuracy of the information collected by the Business Statistics Office on quarterly sales of furniture and upholstery, bearing in mind that manufacturers are allowed to give estimates where they cannot give exact figures; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    The inquiry is conducted in consultation and co-operation with the trade associations and individual firms in the industry, which need the information provided. The information provided by contributors to the furniture and upholstery inquiry is considered to provide a valuable and reasonably accurate guide to the trend of sales in the industry. In order to avoid delays in response to this inquiry while final figures are extracted from the accounts, respondents are encouraged to make informed and timely estimates. Where, owing to late or non-response, the estimates for particular sales categories include a high degree of estimation this is clearly indicated in the business monitor concerned. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular case in mind, I shall be pleased to hear from him.

    Mr. Cormack

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will abandon the practice of requiring all those engaged in furniture and upholstery manufacturing to make quarterly returns to the Business Statistics Office.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    This survey is prepared and conducted following consultations with the trade associations and individual firms in the industries concerned. Only those manufacturing establishments employing 25 or more persons are required to make returns in the quarterly inquiry into the furniture and upholstery industry. My right hon. Friend does not propose to alter this requirement and we have received no representations from these industries asking that he should do so. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular case in mind, I hope he will contact me.

    Mr. Cormack

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many upholstered bases for mattresses, exclud ing mattresses 120 cm. in width and over, were sold in Staffordshire during the second quarter of 1977; and what conclusions he draws from this information;(2) how many cushions of sponge and foam rubber and plastic foam were sold in the United Kingdom during the first half of 1976; how these sales compared with the sales of cushions of other materials; and if he will make a statement;(3) how many loose covers, pelmets, curtains, etc. were made by manufacturers from customers' own materials during the first quarter of 1976; and if he will list some of the items he would expect those filling in their quarterly returns for the Business Statistics Office to include under the term "Etc.".

    British Leyland

    Mr. Hooley

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has discussed with British Leyland the consequences for their operations in South Africa of the decision of the South African Government to take powers of direction over manufacturing enterprises if that Government consider such direction expedient for their national security; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    I understand that these powers were declared operative in November 1977 and have not yet been used in a specific case. It is too early therefore to assess any implications for British Leyland, but I intend to keep a close watch on developments.

    Mr. Hooley

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received from the Transport and General Workers Union and the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers about the recognition by British Leyland of African trade unions in their plants in South Africa.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    My right hon. Friend has received no recent representations on this subject from the TGWU or the AUEW.

    Mr. Hooley

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will discuss with the management of British Leyland arrangements for ceasing to rely on South Africa for the import of spare parts for Leyland cars in the United Kingdom.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    I understand that there has been only one recent occasion on which it was necessary to import parts from South Africa to meet a specific stock shortage and I have been assured that the company has no intention of making this a regular practice.

    Mr. Hooley

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will ensure that any revised plans for the organisation of British Leyland involve the closure of unprofitable plants in South Africa, and will not involve the expansion of output in that country;(2) if he will ensure that any revised plan for British Leyland will not result in a transfer of operations to South Africa, with the consequence of increased redundancies in the United Kingdom.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    My right hon. Friend will not receive until March the NEB's report on the revised corporate plan which British Leyland will be submitting to it. I cannot therefore anticipate at this stage the conclusions which will be reached by the Government on that report.

    Mr. Hooley

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make it a condition of the supply of public funds to British Leyland that African trade unions within their factories in South Africa are given full recognition and bargaining rights.

    Mr. Hooley

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry if, in the light of the United Nations mandatory arms embargo against South Africa, he will give a direction to the National Enterprise Board to instruct British Leyland to cease the supply of Land Rovers to the military and the police in South Africa.

    Mr. Les Huckfield

    I understand that all Land Rovers sold by British Leyland in South Africa are to standard civilian specifications and the Government do not regard such sales as conflicting with the United Nations arms embargo.

    Departmental Staff

    Mr. Tebbit

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry by how many persons he has reduced the staff of his Department consequent upon the nationalisation of the aerospace and shipbuilding industries.

    Employment

    New Year Bank Holiday

    32.

    Mr. Higgins

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment why he decided Monday 2nd January 1978, rather than Friday 30th December 1977, should be taken as a Bank Holiday in lieu of Sunday 1st January 1978.

    Mr. Harold Walker

    The decision was taken after consultation with the TUC, the CBI, the British Bankers' Association, the Retail Consortium and the British Tourist Authority and following representations from a number of other organisations and individuals. These showed, on balance, a preference for the designation of Monday 2nd January as the New Year Bank Holiday.

    Earnings

    33.

    Mr. Dykes

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage rise in earnings per man-hour in the calendar year 1978 he would expect from a maximum 10 per cent. rate of average wage rate increases in the first half of the current year.

    Mr. Harold Walker

    Any forecast of the movement of earnings would have to have regard to other factors in addition to the change of average rates.

    Women (Earnings)

    Mr. George

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those industries where the earnings of full-time female manual workers, excluding overtime, have fallen relative to their male counterparts.

    Mr. Golding

    The new earnings survey indicates that between April 1976 and April 1977, after excluding the effects of overtime and considering only those employees for whom information was obtained in both surveys, who were classified to the same industry group in each survey and whose pay for both survey periods was not affected by absence, the earnings of full-time manual women aged 18 and over rose less than those of men aged 21 and over in the following industries for which relevant separate survey results have been published. The differences were generally small. Such differences between general averages for all manual jobs will reflect the effects of differences between occupational distribution.

    SIC Minimum List Heading
    Motor vehicle manufacture381
    Miscellaneous metal industries399
    Hosiery and other knitted goods417
    Medical and Dental services874
    Catering884–888
    Miscellaneous services899

    Teachers

    Mr. Jim Callaghan

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many qualified teachers in the United Kingdom are currently unemployed.

    Mr. Golding

    At 8th December 1977, 12,117 unemployed people were registered at employment offices in the United Kingdom for employment as school teachers.

    Mr. Jim Callaghan

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many lecturers in colleges of further education are currently unemployed in the United Kingdom;(2) how many lecturers in colleges of higher education are currently unemployed in the United Kingdom.

    Mr. Golding

    At 8th December 1977, 761 unemployed people were registered at employment offices in the United Kingdom for employment as teachers in establishments for further and higher education. It is not possible to distinguish figures for the two. University academic staff are not included.

    Mental Patients

    Mr. George Rodgers

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many (a) mentally ill, and (b) mentally handicapped people registered as being disabled, are currently unemployed.

    Mr. John Grant

    I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that on 14th April 1977 the latest date on which information is available 6,144 unemployed people were registered as disabled on account of mental illness and 3,314 on account of mental handicap.

    Bedford

    Mr. Skeet

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a breakdown according to the minimum industrial classification list of all those at present unemployed in the Bedford constituency.

    Mr. Golding

    I am sending the hon. Member a table showing the numbers registered as unemployed at 10th November 1977 in the area covered by the Bedford employment office, which corresponds with the Bedford constituency. The figures are analysed according to the industry in which the unemployed last worked. I am also placing a copy of the table in the Library.

    Factories (Inspection)

    Mr. Freud

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) when the premises of Swift (Chemicals) of Chatteris were last visited by the Health and Safety Inspectorate; and how often they have been visited by inspectors since 1975;(2) whether he will seek powers to ensure that inspection of industrial premises is effected before production recommences after a major fire;(3) whether it is the practice of the Health and Safety Inspectorate to re-examine industrial premises after a major conflagration such as occurred at Swift (Chemicals) of Chatteris, in October 1977;(4) whether he is satisfied that the two fires within three months at Swift (Chemicals) Chatteris were not occasioned by industrial negligence;(5) if he is satisfied with the monitoring carried out by the Health and Safety Inspectorate, in view of the two fires at Swift (Chemicals) Limited, Chatteris; and if he will seek to amend the Health and Safety at Work Act so as to provide for more frequent inspections at plants using highly inflammable raw materials.

    Electricians (Pay Settlement)

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment why his Department registered an objection to the settlement reached by the Joint Industry Board for Electrical Contracting; what are the specific features to which it objects; when this agreement was promulgated; when the Department intervened; and what is the latest position.

    Mr. Harold Walker

    My officials advised the Joint Industry Board on 22nd December 1977 that the overall level of the settlement promulgated on 16th December 1977 did not conform to the

    £m.
    1976–771977–78
    Temporary employment subsidy92·4200·0
    Job creation programme34·767·5
    Job release scheme1·616·5
    Youth employment subsidy (including its predecessor the recruitment subsidy for school leavers)2·75·4
    Small firms employment subsidy—2·0
    Job introduction scheme for disbaled people—0·1
    Community industry5·99·1
    Work experience programme0·614·4
    Special training courses for young people run by the Training Services Agency11·917·6
    Special measures to maintain training opportunities with employers for young people22·037·7
    171·8370·3

    Plumbing

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, pursuant to the reply by the Minister of State, Official Report, 12th January, column 820, to the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Knox), he will make a statement on his meeting with representatives of the Joint Industry Board for Plumbing on 15th January; what were the specific features of the Joint Industry Board settlement to which he took exception; when they were promulgated; and why his Department took no earlier action on this matter.

    Mr. Harold Walker

    Following this meeting the JIB has renegotiated a new pay agreement, promulgated on 24th January, which conforms with the pay guidelines. The JIB negotiated an agreement in September 1976 giving 32·6 per cent. It was asked to renegotiate. Revised proposals were promulgated in two stages, the last on 15th November. These also exceeded the guidelines and

    Government's pay guidelines. Discussion with representatives of the industry are continuing.

    Unemployed Persons

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a list of all measures taken by the Government towards reducing unemployment, and show the amount of Government finance allocated.

    Mr. Golding

    The measures for which my Department is responsible, the expenditure on them in 1976–77 and the estimated expenditure for 1977–78 are as follows:—I informed the JIB accordingly on 1st December.

    School Leavers

    Mr. Forrester

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the number of school leavers still seeking employment in the Stoke-on-Trent area at the latest convenient date.

    Mr. Golding

    On 24th January there were the following numbers of school leavers registered as unemployed in the Stoke travel-to-work area:

    Newcastle38
    Burslem and Kidsgrove20
    Hanley and Stoke29
    Longton6
    Biddulph1
    Cheadle0
    TOTAL94
    NOTE: Some young people from Biddulph and Cheadle register at Leek.

    Norfolk

    Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now publish in the Official Report a table showing unemployment figures for King's Lynn, Hunstanton and Fakenham for the periods ending December 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977.

    Mr. Golding

    The numbers registered as unemployed in the appropriate employment office areas are given in the following table:

    Kings LynnHunstantonFakenham
    December 1973441153159
    December 19751,262401580
    December 19771,745430669
    Because of industrial action by some staff in the Department of Employment Group figures are not available for December 1974 and December 1976.
    Public CorporationsCentral GovernmentLocal AuthoritiesTotal
    (000s)(000s)(000s)(000s)
    1974…1,9622,1062,8446,912
    1975…2,0122,2622,9937,267
    1976…1,9512,3423,0217,314

    Notes:

    (1) The estimates are taken from an article published in the December 1977 issue of "Economic Trends" which presents mid-year estimates of employment in the United Kingdom analysed by sector and broad industry groups for the years 1971 to 1976, together with definitions and sources.

    (2) Estimates for 1977 are not yet available.

    (3) Part-time workers are counted as whole units.

    Pay Settlements

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list by name the wage settlements reached by wages councils since August 1977 which have been in excess of the 10 per cent. guidelines, giving the settlement figures in each case and the date on which they took effect; and whether

    WAGES COUNCILS SETTLEMENTS FROM 1ST AUGUST 1977
    CouncilIncrease awardedNew minimum weekly ratePercentage inc.Effective date
    Button Manufacturing3·6030·0013·63rd October 1977
    Licensed Residential Establishment etc.4·0034·0013·36th October 1977
    Retail Bookselling & Stationery Trades4·0035·0012·923rd September 1977
    Ostrich and Fancy Feather and Artificial Flower5·5032·4020·424th October 1977
    Hairdressing Undertakings (operative hairdresser)4·5032·5016121st November 1977
    Licensed Non-Residential Establishment (bar)3·8532·3013·522nd December 1977
    Retail Food (England and Wales)4·0034·6013·15th December 1977
    Retail Furnishing and Allied Trades4·0035·5012·77th November 1977
    Retail Bread etc. (England and Wales)4·0033·1013·755th December 1977
    Coffin Furniture and Cerement Making3·3031·2011·2–12·11st December 1977
    Licensed Non-Residential Establishment (Stewards)3·8035·8011·923rd February 1978
    Made-up Textiles3·3033·0011·129th January 1978
    Retail Food (Scotland)4·0034·6013·15th December 1977
    Laundry3·6034·0011·8420th February 1977

    Public Services

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the total number of people employed in public service including all local authority personnel, water authority personnel, and Civil Service personnel, for each of the years 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977.

    Mr. Golding

    The following are estimates for the total numbers employed in public corporations, central Government, including Her Majesty's Forces, and local authorities of the United Kingdom at June of each of the years 1974, 1975 and 1976:he will list the discretionary sanctions which have been imposed.

    Mr. John Grant

    The following wages councils have proposed increases in the basic minimum rates of typical grades of worker by more than 10 per cent.An employer who does no more than is necessary to comply with a wages order is fulfilling a statutory obligation and is therefore not in breach of the pay guidelines.

    Heating And Ventilating

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment why his Department registered an objection to the settlement reached by the heating and ventilating contractors; what are the specific features to which it objects; when his agreement was promulgated; when the Department intervened; and what is the latest position.

    Mr. Harold Walker

    The parties negotiated an agreement in September 1977 providing for an increase of 20 per cent. They were immediately asked to renegotiate and on 26th November promulgated a revised agreement which was also in excess of the guidelines. I informed the negotiators on 1st December. The parties have now negotiated a further agreement promulgated on 16th January which provides for increases which are within the pay guidelines.

    Prices And Consumerprotection

    Beer

    Mr. Arthur Lewis

    asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, in the light of the fact that, by evoking the safeguarding of clauses of the Price Code, Allied Breweries have been able to increase the price of their beer by 2p a pint, and that under these safeguard clauses these increases cannot be later rescinded, whether he will seek to change these rules.

    Mr. Maclennan

    The interim price increase made by Allied Breweries was permitted under the Prices and Charges (Safeguards for basic profits) Regulations. My right hon. Friend is keeping the operation of these safeguards under careful review.

    Price Increases

    Mr. Arthur Lewis

    asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, for the longest and most convenient period of time, how many firms in addition to Fisons, Barclays Bank, Metal Box, U.G. Glass Containers, Tate and Lyle, Cadbury-Schweppes, British Rail, ICI (Mond Division), Weetabix and the electricity boards have invoked the safeguard clause under the Price Code; what were the price increases made by each of these firms; and by how much he estimates these price increases will increase the cost of living.

    Mr. Maclennan

    These are matters for the Price Commission, and I have asked the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

    Hearing Aid Council

    Mr. Grist

    asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what are the names of the members of the Hearing Aid Council, their dates of appointment and the interests represented by each member.

    Chairman:

    • Mr. K. G. Addison—16th December 1971.

    Trade Members:

    • Mrs. M. Lundy—291h December 1974.
    • Mr. J. A. Durning—29th December 1975.
    • Mr. M. C. Bruce—29th December 1975.
    • Mr. A. A. Campbell—29th December 1976.
    • Mr. R. Epps—29th December 1976.
    • Mr. R. W. T. Wescombe—29th December 1977.

    Interests of persons with impaired hearing

    • Miss J. Wilmot—29th December 1973.
    • Mrs. F. Bloom—17th July 1974
    • Mrs. J. Whiteheart—29th December 1974.

    Audiological technical knowledge:

    • Dr. J. J. Knight—29th December 1974.

    Specialised medical knowledge of deafness:

    • Dr. S. D. G. Stephens—29th December 1977.

    The spread of interests represented by members of the Council is as laid down in paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968.

    Energy

    Norway

    Mr. Macfarlane

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the dates of his visits to Norway on official business since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on his talks with Norwegian Government Ministers.

    Mr. Benn

    I visited Norway on 14th to 16th April 1977 for talks with the Norwegian Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, and on 24th April 1977 to offer assistance during the Ekofisk blowout. I have nothing to add to the statements I made on 25th and 27th April following those visits—[Official Report, Vol. 930, c. 719–731 and 324–6 respectively.]

    Disabled Persons

    Mr. Faulds

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give a general direction to those nationalised industries for which he is sponsoring Minister that they should meet the quota of 3 per cent. employment of disabled people since, as revealed by the Department of Employment Gazette, they do not currently do so.

    Mr. Eadie

    No. In his 15th December statement—[Official Report, c. 308–310]—my rt. hon. Friend explained present action and future proposals for encouraging the employment of disabled people in the public sector, including the nationalised energy industries. I would add that unregistered disabled people—for example, many disabled coal miners—employed in the energy industries are not included in the returns published in the Department of Employment Gazette.

    Electricity Bills

    Mr. Sproat

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration is given when giving out the extra £5 for electricity to persons regularly in receipt of supplementary benefits, that such persons may not be householders and may not be liable for any electricity bills.

    Dr. John Cunningham

    It was not practicable to distinguish this minority among those to whom payment was made, who total in excess of 3 million people.

    Electricity Industry Workers

    Mr. Arthur Lewis

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in view of the industrial unrest in the power supply industry, what action he has taken or intends taking to prevent a strike or work-to-rule in this industry.

    Mr. Eadie

    The Electricity Council and the unions concerned are fully aware of the pay guidelines and of the importance which Government attach to them. I hope that an early and satisfactory con clusion of the current pay negotiations can be achieved and that this will help to remove industrial unrest in the industry.

    Divers

    Mr. Brotherton

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many divers have left employment in the United Kingdom since 1st April 1977.

    Nuclear Power Stations

    Mr. Wigley

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the provisions for approving the construction of atomic power stations by the Central Electricity Generating Board.

    Mr. Benn

    When the Central Electricity Generating Board proposes to construct a nuclear power station on a site in England or Wales it applies to me for consent under Section 2 of the Electric Lighting Act 1909 and also for a direction under Section 40 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 that planning permission for the development be deemed to be granted. The proposal is publicly advertised and the comments of local planning authorities are invited. Section 34 of the Electricity Act 1957 provides for a public inquiry to be held in case of objection by a local planning authority or, if appropriate, in the case of other objections. The public inquiry is also advertised and before determining whether to give consent I consider the objections and the report of the persons who held the inquiry.In the case of a nuclear power station, a nuclear site licence issued under Section 1 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 is also necessary.

    Insworke Point Power Station

    Miss Fookes

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give the major elements in the cost of preparatory work on the Insworke Point power station and the total cost to date.

    Offshore Oil Exploration

    Mr. Benn,

    pursuant to his reply to the supplementary question by the hon. Member for Chorley (Mr. Rodgers), [Official Report, 9th January 1977; Vol. 941, c. 1254], supplied the following further information:In addition to seismic survey work, one exploration well and one appraisal well were drilled in the Irish Sea off the coast of Lancashire in 1977 and a further appraisal well is currently being drilled in the area; the appraisal wells are associated with the gas discovery in block 110/2, reported by Hydrocarbons Great Britain Ltd. in 1974. No exploration is at present being conducted in the mouth of the Mersey. As I announced on 23rd November last, the conditional award of a licence to Hydrocarbons, covering block 110/9 in the Irish Sea and two blocks in Cardigan Bay, has now been confirmed.

    Agriculture, Fisheries Andfood

    Flood Damage (Wisbech)

    Mr. Freud

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the Official Report an estimate of damage to agriculture and horticulture industries in and around Wisbech caused by last week's floods; and what compensation will be available to those who suffered loss.

    Mr. Strang

    It is estimated that about 30 hectares of mixed horticultural crops were affected by floodwater in the Wisbech area, but it is impossible to say at this stage how much damage these crops may have suffered. In addition it has been reported that nursery stock valued at about £15,000 has been lost from one holding. My right hon. Friend the Minister has no powers to pay compensation for losses due to flooding but is giving further thought to the possibility of helping affected farmers and growers.

    Agricultural Wages

    Mr. Ralph Howell

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that the 17 per cent. increase in farm workers' average earnings between 1975 and 1976, as reported in the Annual Review of Agriculture 1978, Command Paper No. 7058, represented an increase of 0·5 per cent. in real terms, what the rise of 7·5 in money terms forecast by the review for 1977 represented in real terms.

    Food Manufacturing Industry

    Mr. Kenneth Lewis

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the food processing industry is adequately represented in EEC policy discussions.

    Mr. Strang

    I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) on 19th January.—[ Vol. 942, c. 334.]

    Green Pound

    Mr. Goodlad

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from dairy farmers on the subject of the green pound.

    Mr. Bishop

    My right hon. Friend has received representations on the green pound from many sectors, including some from dairy farmers seeking a devaluation.

    Goats

    Mr. Body

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any estimate of the number of goats being killed annually in accordance with Moslem ritual; and whether he is satisfied with the arrangements made for their slaughter.

    Mr. Strang

    My Department does not collect information on the number of goats slaughtered. The relevant legislation, in particular the Slaughterhouses Act 1974, gives local authorities adequate powers to ensure that, whatever the method used, unnecessary suffering is not inflicted on slaughter animals.

    Dwelling-House Advisory Committees

    Miss Maynard

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many agricultural dwelling-house advisory committees completed their business in the year 1977; and how many found in favour of the farmers.

    Mr. Strang

    Agricultural dwelling-house advisory committees gave advice to local housing authorities in 718 cases during 1977. They advised that agricultural need had been established in 658 cases and had not been established in 60. A further 171 requests for ADHAC advice were subsequently withdrawn.

    Calves

    Mr. Marten

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many calves have been produced in each

    Thousand head
    1974197519761977
    Dairy and beef cows…5,2815,1404,9914,958*
    Calves exported other than for breeding…13129250347†
    Calf slaughterings…418531289261
    * Provisional.
    † January-November.

    Aujeszky's Disease

    Mr. Stainton

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of concern in Suffolk regarding the incidence of Aujeszky's disease amongst pigs, what programme of research and ultimate elimination is in hand; and if he will make this a notifiable disease.

    Mr. Strang

    The Ministry's Central Veterinary Laboratory has for some time been conducting applied research into the nature of the disease and the improvement of test for diagnosing the disease. In the field, some 250 herds in the pig health scheme were surveyed in 1976 and over 1,100 herds outside the scheme were examined in 1977.Recorded outbreaks in the last five years varied between 12 and 17 annually, most of them in Yorkshire, East Anglia and the West Midlands. The owners' veterinary surgeons have been advised on control measures and data collected on the epidemiology of the disease.A close watch will continue to be kept on the incidence of the disease, and the consideration given to improving control measures will include the possibility of making the disease notifiable. There are, however, doubts at the present time about the economic feasibility of a compulsory slaughter and compensation scheme.

    Pesticides

    of the last four years; and how many have been exported.

    Mr. Bishop

    No official statistics are collected of the numbers of calves born. In the last four years the numbers of dairy and beef cows recorded at the June census was as shown below. These give an approximate indication of the numbers of calves born each year. The level of calf exports should be seen in the context of total disposals, and the numbers of calf slaughterings are shown below as well as exports:whether he is satisfied that the use of Cymag and similar products for pest control purposes should continue to be allowed, in view of the evident dangers to the environment when misused or mislaid.

    Mr. Strang

    The Advisory Committee on Pesticides has not recommended any such change, nor would I expect it to do so without convincing reasons. As with all dangerous substances, it is obviously important that products of this kind should not be handled carelessly or misused; and observance of prescribed precautions should preclude any risk to human and animal health, or to the environment generally. However, it is also important to preclude any serious and avoidable losses in our national food supplies; and such losses would certainly occur, if because of some individual instances of neglect or abuse, we withdrew clearance of approved products that are essential for effective control of the many pests and diseases to which growing and harvested crops are exposed.

    Mr. Stephen Ross

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make more stringent regulations controlling the use and general availability of dangerous chemicals such as "Cymag" and review the method of marking the containers of such products so that they can be readily identified when lost.

    Mr. Strang

    Cyanide gassing powders are among the agrochemicals which are subject not only to the clearance, labelling and other safeguards of the pesticides safety precautions scheme, but also to close control of sales under the poisons legislation administered by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. Thus "Cymag" can be sold only by authorised persons and must be in containers labelled with the word "poison" either in red lettering or set against a red background; and the active substance involved and the prescribed safety precautions for use of the product must appear on the label. Additionally, the manufacturers have anticipated EEC proposals, now under consideration, by marking containers with the "skull and cross-hone" warning symbol. We would certainly give urgent consideration to any further safeguards which the Advisory Committee on Pesticides might recommend for this or any similar product.

    Mr. Stephen Ross

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study his Department has undertaken in recent years to determine the long-term effects of the continued use of poisonous substances on land for weed control and general cultivation.

    Mr. Strang

    In general, the vast majority of agrochemicals used for husbandry operations on the farm—including those to which the hon. Member refers—do not persist in the land or elsewhere. Those which persist or do not rapidly degrade have long been the subject of special scrutiny by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides; and clearance of these products is progressively being withdrawn save for the limited uses where effective substitutes are not yet available. The Advisory Committee has regularly reviewed the long-term effects of agrochemicals; and many of the related studies have been undertaken by the Agricultural Research Council and my Department.

    Departmental Banking

    Mr. Wrigglesworth

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department's banking business was last put out to competitive tender.

    Mr. Bishop

    In January 1976 quotations were invited for the provision of certain banking services to my Department's main accounting centre at Guild ford. The bulk of my Department's banking business is, however, arranged through the Paymaster-General's Office. Standard charges agreed between the Government and the clearing banks are paid for the direct transfer of salaries and wages into the accounts of staff and for cashing open payable orders were wages are paid in that form. My Department also has a number of local bank accounts for which no charge is made. Our methods of transmitting and receiving money are kept under review.

    Animals (Export)

    Mr. Stainton

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he anticipates that the departmental study of the export of live animals will be completed; and, if this is not intended for general publication, if a copy will be placed in the Library.

    Mr. Strang

    I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 19th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. Johnston).—[Vol. 942, c. 338.]

    European Community Ministers (Meeting)

    Mr. Spearing

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the outcome of the Council of Ministers (Agriculture) meeting in Brussels on 23rd and 24th January.

    Mr. John Silkin

    I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made to the House earlier today.

    Marginal Lands

    Mr. John H. Osborn

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is discussing with the EEC the support of agriculture and horticulture in marginal and less favoured areas by means of a rural development grant as part of a regional policy, or other less favoured area grant scheme, to be financed by a levy on production from the richer agricultural areas.

    Production (Self-Sufficiency)

    Mr. Body

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is, in percentage terms, the level of self-sufficiency in the EEC of the following kinds of food: beef, pork, bacon, poultry-meat, wheat, barley, potatoes, eggs, sugar, milk. butter and cheese.

    Mr. Bishop

    The latest available information is as follows:

    Commodity% Self Sufficiency (a)(b)
    Beef and veal99
    Pigmeat (c)99
    Poultrymeat104
    Common Wheat101
    Barley103
    Potatoes (d)101
    Eggs100
    Sugar102
    Whole milk (e)100
    Butter107
    Cheese101
    (

    a) This information is based on statistics produced by the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

    ( b) The figures given represent the percentage that home production forms of total domestic utilisation. They relate to the crop year 1975–76, or the calendar year 1976, as appropriate, except where specified, and are the latest available.

    ( c) Separate figures for pork and bacon are not available.

    ( d) This figure refers to early and maincrop potatoes, and relates to the crop year 1974–75 which is the norm; the crop years 1975–76 having been unduly affected by weather conditions.

    ( e) This figure relates to the year 1975

    Coast Defence

    Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, now that the major breaches in the sea defences are nearly repaired, he will make available manpower and resources to ensure that other storm damage to the sea walls in the Norfolk North-West constituency is completely repaired before the high spring tides forecast for 7th to 11th February.

    Mr. Strang

    The repair of these sea defences is a matter for the Anglian Water Authority. I understand that the repair work already in hand should enable the defences to withstand predicted tide levels in early February provided that there are no exceptionally adverse conditions. I have been assured that if the Authority needs additional help it can be made available.

    Thames Barrier

    Mr. Hayhoe

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any action can be taken in association with the Greater London Council to speed up work on the Thames Barrier.

    Mr. Strang

    The Greater London Council's programme for the barrier is already designed to achieve completion as quickly as possible. My Department and the Council regularly review progress to ensure that the work is completed at the earliest possible date.

    Overseas Development

    Directorate Of Overseas Surveys

    Dr. M. S. Miller

    asked the Minister of Overseas Development if a decision has yet been taken on the dispersal of the cartographic section of the Ministry to East Kilbride; and if she will make a statement.

    Mr. Tomlinson

    The decision that the Directorate of Overseas Surveys should be dispersed to the Glasgow area was announced in reply to my hon. Friend on 18th November 1977.—[Vol. 939, c. 375.] The question of the exact location is under consideration.

    Civil Service

    Administration Group

    Mr. Gwynfor Evans

    asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many members of the Civil Service are in the Administrative Class; and how these are distributed between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

    Mr. Charles R. Morris

    It is currently estimated that of the 253,300 civil servants who are members of the Administration Group, 214,000 are serving in England, 21,800 in Scotland, 15,200 in Wales, 1,600 in Northern Ireland and 700 outside the United Kingdom.

    Dispersal

    Dr. M. S. Miller

    asked the Minister for the Civil Service if dates have yet been set for the introduction of liaison, recruitment and training programmes to facilitate the early completion of the dispersal programme; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Charles R. Morris

    I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. McGuire) on 16th December, which drew attention to the statement made by my hon. and noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 29th July 1977 concerning the revised timetable and costs and savings of dispersal. The programme is proceeding in accordance with that timetable, and Departments have well in hand the matters to which my hon. Friend refers. Departments are already in liaison with local authorities. Recruitment locally will take place in advance of dispersal moves and suitable training will be given.

    Foreign And Commonwealthaffairs

    Bribery And Corruption

    Mr. Lee

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases of corruption in connection with obtaining contracts, involving alleged bribery by British companies of foreign Governments or of foreign companies abroad have come to his notice in the course of the last five years; in how many cases such allegations were connected with contracts for the sale or purchase of arms; in how many cases such allegations were brought to his notice by the diplomatic representatives of foreign Governments; in how many cases they were discovered as a result of the initiative of his diplomatic staff; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Judd

    In the case of allegations of bribery by British companies overseas the Government concerned would undertake their own investigations; the enforcement of legislation and general standards relating to business activities is a matter for the appropriate authorities acting within their own jurisdiction.

    Unification Church

    Mr. Rose

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Comonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to safeguard young British citizens from being drawn into virtual slave labour by the Unification Church in the United States of America and Canada; and whether he will make representations concerning the use of such persons in unpaid work for the Unification Church in spite of the fact that they have tourist visas only.

    Mr. Judd

    It is always a matter of concern to Her Majesty's Government when British citizens get into difficulties abroad, but my understanding is that those who work for the Unification Church do so voluntarily. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of any cases of genuine distress or of non-observance of visa conditions I will look into them.

    Mr. Rose

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the number of British citizens visiting the United States of America on tourist visas who are recruited for unpaid work by the Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon.

    Mr. Judd

    I have no information on the number of British citizens who are recruited for unpaid work by the Unification Church while visiting the United States on tourist visas.

    Iran

    Mr. Arthur Lewis

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what approach he has received from the Shah of Iran protesting against a corruption fund; and whether he will make a statement.

    British Patrial Passport Holders

    Mr. Wall

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what is the estimated number of British patrial passport holders in Rhodesia, South-West Africa and South Africa, respectively.

    Mr. Luard

    We do not maintain statistics of patrial United Kingdom passport holders in Rhodesia. We estimate that there are 80,000 citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies resident there.We have no figures for British passport holders or citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies in Nambia or South Africa.

    European Community

    Parliamentary Salaries

    Mrs. Castle

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has yet had an opportunity of raising with the Heads of Government of the EEC the desirability of national parliaments being able to decide the salaries of their nationals elected to the European Parliament; and with what result.

    Mr. Judd

    As my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House told my right hon. Friend on 12th January, the salaries issue has already been raised at Heads of Government level by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. At the request of the European Council the question is being pursued by the Council of Ministers. Discussions are still continuing, and I cannot yet say whether the matter will need to be considered again by the European Council.

    Trade

    Dangerous Substances

    Mr. Stephen Ross

    asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he intends taking to ensure that dangerous chemicals carried by sea are adequately marked, so that ownership can be traced.

    Mr. Clinton Davis

    The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) (Rules 1965 (As Amended), which reflect international requirements, require dangerous goods to be clearly marked with the correct technical name and bearing a distinctive label indicating the nature of their potential danger. The case for such requirements to extend to the marking of owners' names has not been established.

    Mr. Stephen Ross

    asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will introduce legislation to seek to ensure that those companies involved in the carriage of dangerous chemicals by sea are made responsible for damage caused thereby.

    Mr. Clinton Davis

    Urgent attention is currently being given in the Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO) to a possible new

    ZambiaZaireTanzaniaKenyaMozambiqueSouth Africa
    1975……1,6651,7091,0952,71883422,049
    1976……5492546811,42256812,483
    1977*……4522221,0602,5243224,227
    *January to November.
    These figures include small numbers of dumpers, crane lorries, agricultural international agreement dealing specifically with liability and compensation for damage caused by particularly hazardous substances during their carriage by sea. I propose to await the outcome of this work, in which the United Kingdom is participating, before considering the introduction of legislation.

    Export Competitiveness

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Secretary of State for Trade what estimate he has made of the effect of the movement of major currencies on the relative competitiveness of British exports.

    Mr. Meacher

    It is not readily possible to estimate the effect of exchange rate movements on the competitiveness of United Kingdom exports, however defined. Nevertheless, our competitive position is likely to be reduced as a result of an appreciation of the pound.

    British Leyland

    Mr. Hooley

    asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that British Leyland is observing the guidelines laid down by the Government in its treatment of all workers in its factories in South Africa.

    Mr. Meacher

    In information published by the company and assurances given to Ministers and British trade unions, British Leyland has made it clear that it accepts Her Majesty's Government's guidelines on the wages and conditions of African workers published in 1974 and has taken steps to implement them.

    Vehicles

    Mr. Hooley

    asked the Secretary of State for Trade what information he has of the number of commercial vehicles exported to Zambia, Zaire, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa in 1975, 1976 and 1977.

    Mr. Meacher

    Following is the information:vehicles, air cushion vehicles, and chassis (with engines mounted) for these vehicles.

    Dumping

    Mr. Kenneth Clarke

    asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will list all the inquiries commenced by the European Commission into allegations of dumping since the protection of trade became a Community responsibility, giving the result or present position in each of those inquiries.

    ProductExporting CountryDate of Official Opening of anti-dumping investigation
    Housings for ball, roller or needle roller bearings……Japan26th October 1977
    Mounted piezo-electric quartz crystals……Japan12th November 1977
    Heavy steel sections……Spain17th December 1977
    Kraft liner……United States of America.17th December 1977
    Unalloyed wrought titanium……Japan17th December 1977
    Hole punching machines……Japan28th December 1977
    Heavy steel drop forgings……Japan31st December 1977
    The following cases have been opened and provisional duties imposed in accordance with the provisions of the recent
    ProductExporting CountryDate of Official Opening of of anti-dumping investigationDate of provisional anti-dumping duty
    Iron or steel coils for re-rollingCzechoslovakia…23rd January 197723rd January 1977
    Republic of Korea…
    Galvanised sheets and platesPoland…24th January 197724th January 1977
    Spain…
    Certain sheets and plates (other than electrical).Bulgaria…24th January 197724th January 1977
    Czechoslovakia…
    Japan…
    Haematite pig iron and cast ironCanada…24th January 197724th January 1977
    Certain sheets and plates (other than electrical).Czechoslovakia…24th January 197724th January 1977
    Iron or steel coils for re-rollingCzechoslovakia 24th January 1977…24th January 197724th January 1977
    Republic of Korea…
    A number of other investigations have recently been opened by the Commission in this field and details are awaited.

    Defence

    Recruitment (Expenditure)

    Mr. Frank Allaun

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the expenditure for 12 months to the latest convenient date on television, Press and cinema advertising on recruiting (a) of officers and (b) of other ranks; and what was the total recruiting expenditure for each category.

    Mr. Wellbeloved

    In the financial year 1976–77 expenditure on television and Press advertising associated with recruitment to the Armed Forces totalled

    Mr. Meacher

    A case against haematite pig iron from Brazil was opened on 5th August 1977. This was closed on 31st December 1977 after undertakings had been received from the Brazilian exporters.The cases listed below were announced recently and investigations are proceeding:basic price scheme for imports of certain steel products;£3·25 million; there was no expenditure on cinema advertising during the period. Of this, some £1·22 million was spent on advertising for officers and £2·03 million on advertising for Service men and women. During the same period, total expenditure on recruitment was approximately £26 million. It is not possible to identify separately expenditure associated with the recruitment of officers and others.

    Travel Expenses

    Mr. Banks

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the approximate dates when excess baggage charges for Service men in the Army were increased during the last 10 years with the percentage increase and the reasons given.

    Mr. Robert C. Brown

    Excess baggage charges for Army personnel have been increased twice during the last 10 years. On 1st May 1968 the rates, which vary according to destination, were increased by an average of 2 per cent. for excess volume and 1·76 per cent. for excess weight. In 1977 the rates were increased by an average of 189 per cent. for excess volume and 174 per cent. for excess weight, and the increase was implemented in two stages on 1st June 1977 and 1st October 1977. These increases were necessary to reflect the actual commercial freight costs incurred by the Department in moving baggage in excess of personal entitlements.

    Mr. Banks

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the numbers of free travel warrants available to Service men and their families.

    Dr. Gilbert

    Service men stationed in the United Kingdom are entitled to four free leave travel warrants during each leave year for return journeys from their duty station to any destination in the United Kingdom. In addition, married Service men stationed in the United Kingdom are entitled to up to eight free travel warrants annually when they are separated from their families. Families of Service men are not entitled to free leave travel warrants, but a married Service man may transfer up to two of his four annual leave warrants, and any

    Previous rates
    Current rate from 1st January 19771st September 1975 to 31st December 19761st October 1973 to 31st August 1975
    £££
    Basic Rate
    Service officers…15312684
    Servicemen…1149563
    Higher Supplement rate
    Service officers…766342
    Servicemen…574731·50
    Lower Supplement rate
    Service officers…383221
    Servicemen…292415·75
    Children's Allowance (all ranks)
    One child…574935
    Two children…1069065
    Three children…12210475

    Bands

    Mr. Wigley

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the expenditure on military bands in the last available year; and what is the estimate of such expendi of the eight separation warrants, to his wife or children. Special leave travel arrangements, which vary according to the area concerned, apply to Service men stationed overseas and to those on emergency tours in Northern Ireland. Free travel warrants may also be issued to Service personnel for duty journeys and for compassionate leave.

    Disturbance Allowance

    Mr. Banks

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the amounts of disturbance allowance currently payable to Service men and the dates of the last two increases together with the previous rates paid.

    Dr. Gilbert

    Disturbance allowance is a non-taxable allowance designed to help to meet the incidental expenses which arise when the requirements of the Service make it necessary for married Service personnel to move their families from one place of residence to another. The current and previous rates are shown below. The basic rate is paid for each family move which satisfies certain conditions. In addition, the higher supplement rate is paid when residence is taken up for the first time in the Service men's own house or in certain private rented accommodation and the lower supplement rate applies when a Service man reoccupies his own house, or makes a second or subsequent move. A children's allowance may also be payable.ture during the current and the next financial years.

    Mr. Robert C. Brown

    In the financial year 1976–77 the expenditure on Service bands was about £20·5 million. The present estimate of such expenditure for 1977–78 and 1978–79 is about 21 and £20·6 million respectively.

    Contractors' Pay Settlements(Guideline Breaches)

    Mr. Warren

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many firms are barred at present from tendering to his Department for Her Majesty's Government contracts because they have not complied with Government pay guidelines.

    Dr. Gilbert

    I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to my hon. Friend for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 12th January 1978.—[Vol. 941, c. 790.]

    Departmental Staff (Dispersal)

    Dr. M. S. Miller

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if a final decision has yet been taken on the dispersal of the Ministry of Defence; and if he will make a statement.

    Dr. Gilbert

    The revised programme for the dispersal of Civil Service jobs was announced by the Lord Privy Seal in a statement on 29th July 1977. Planning is going ahead for dispersal of the Ministry of Defence posts included in the programme.

    Dr. M. S. Miller

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the revised dispersal programme, it is intended to run down the Ministry of Defence computer-based establishments throughout the provinces.

    Dr. M. S. Miller

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if a decision has yet been taken on the areas from which civil servants from his Department will be dispersed, and the areas to which they will be dispersed.

    Dr. Gilbert

    The posts to be dispersed to St. Mellons, Cardiff, will come mainly from the departments of the Master General of the Ordnance and Controller, Aircraft. No final decisions have yet been taken about the blocks of work to be dispersed to Glasgow, but planning is proceeding on the basis that accommodation will be provided on the Anderston and St. Enoch city centre sites.

    Floods (Eastern England)

    Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider releasing surplus Ministry of Defence furniture, carpets and household equipment for the relief of those who have suffered loss in the recent floods in the east of England.

    Dr. Gilbert

    The Armed Forces have responded to a number of calls for assistance during the recent floods. There have been no requests for items of the kind to which the hon. Member refers, but, if any such requests were received, we would naturally see what could be done to help, subject in the normal way to appropriate arrangements being agreed with the local authorities concerned.

    Northern Ireland

    Royal Victoria Hospital

    Rev. Ian Paisley

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the Northern Ireland Ministry of Health and Social Services has refused a grant of £10,000 to provide a phako-emulsificator machine in the Royal Victoria Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Carter

    The Department of Health and Social Services has not been asked for funds to purchase a phako-emulsificator for the Royal Victoria Hospital.

    Musgrave Park Hospital

    Rev. Ian Paisley

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in the light of the state of the wards for rheumatology and heart patients in the Musgrave Park Hospital, if he will make a statement upon the future rebuilding of those wards; and what grant of money is available for this purpose.

    Mr. Carter

    The Eastern Health and Social Services Board has established a joint working party with Department of Health and Social Services (NI) to review the provision of hospital services in the Board's area. Meanwhile, the rheumatology unit at Musgrave Park Hospital is being upgraded and refurbished. I understand that the Board does not at present have any plans for the medical unit, which accommodates heart patients.

    Aldergrove Airport

    Rev. Ian Paisley

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in view of the dangerous surface of the approach road to Aldergrove Airport as it crosses the Seven Mile Straight, if he will take steps to have immediate repairs undertaken to prevent accidents.

    Mr. Carter

    The road surface at this junction is not considered to be dangerous. During present construction work it is being maintained in the best condition possible in the circumstances.

    Forkhill Police Station (Attack)

    Rev. Ian Paisley

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the IRA attack on Fork-hill RUC station on Monday 23rd January; how many were injured; what was the nature of their injuries; what damage was done; what weapons were used by the terrorists; and what arrests were made.

    Mr. Mason

    At 12.21 hours on Monday 23rd January two mortar bombs landed in the compound at Forkhill RUC Station, County Armagh, causing extensive damage to a washroom and accommodation block. Nine soldiers were hurt in the attack, but none seriously. The mortars had been fired from two mortar tables placed on the back of a flat-bed lorry, which had been parked on a housing estate out of sight of the RUC station.At 15.02 hours the lorry was being moved when an explosive device detonated, injuring three police officers. One received neck and facial injuries and a broken jaw, and the second officer received injuries to the head and chest. Both have been detained in hospital. The third officer was treated at the scene for cuts and shock, and was later admitted to hospital. Houses in the area suffered minor blast damage.No arrests have yet been made, but police inquiries into the incident are being vigorously pursued.

    European Community Aid

    Rev. Ian Paisley

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of projects grant aided by EEC funds to be commenced in Northern Ireland in 1978; and what is the estimated total amount of these grants and the estimated percentage they represent of the total cost.

    Mr. Concannon

    The European Commission is being asked to consider the following applications for grant aid for projects commencing in 1978: (a) £7·5 million in respect of six infrastructure projects under the regulations of the European Regional Development Fund—this represents approximately 30 per cent. of the total cost; (b) £15·4 million in respect of 61 projects under the regulations of the European Social Fund—this represents approximately 51 per cent. of the total costs.£838,000 has already been approved for grant, under the individual grant scheme of the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund, in respect of four private sector projects; this represents 15 per cent. of the total estimated cost.

    Rev. Ian Paisley

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, of all the grants made by the EEC to Northern Ireland, what percentage of the total went to agriculture, environment, commerce, health, and social services, education, manpower and finance, respectively.

    a) Commitments under the European Regional Development Fund (for 1975, 1976 and 1977) were allocated as follows:

    Department of Commerce76·6 per cent.
    Department of Environment21·5 per cent.
    Department of Education for
    Northern Ireland1·0 per cent.
    Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland0·9 per cent.

    Commitments in respect of public bodies have been allocated to their respective sponsoring Departments.

    ( b) Grants made under the European Social Fund were allocated as follows:

    Department of Manpower Services82·2 per cent.
    Department of Health and Social Services1·27 per cent.
    Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland0·77 per cent.
    Department of Education for Northern Ireland2·85 per cent.

    In addition public authorities have received 2·79 per cent and private firms 10·10 per cent of total grants from the European Social Fund.

    ( c) All grants made under the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund have been allocated to agriculture; the agent for such payments is the Ministry of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food.

    Rev. Ian Paisley

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the total amount of money received from the EEC since the United Kingdom's entrance for projects in Northern Ireland.

    Mr. Concannon

    The total amounts of money received from the EEC funds up to 31st December 1977 is as follows:

    (a) European Regional Development Fund£15·8 million
    (b) European Social Fund£16·9 million
    Number of projectsGrant paid to date (£ million)Percentage of total cost
    (a) 1976—
    European Regional Development Fund…20·0425
    European Social Fund…242·9818
    European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund…121·1017
    (b) 1977—
    European Regional Development Fund…20·2624
    European Social Fund…290·125
    European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund…182·0023
    1. The costs listed for projects grant-aided under the ERDF include expenditure incurred before 1st January 1975, which is thus ineligible for aid.
    2. The figures for grant paid under the ERDF exclude grant withheld in respect of retention money.
    3. The figures for grant paid under the ESF form part of the allocations for 1976 and 1977 of £7·58 million and £11·87 million respectively; this represents 45·05 per cent. and 45·22 per cent. of the respective total costs.

    Rev. Ian Paisley

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of projects grant aided by EEC funds commenced in Northern Ireland in 1976 and 1977, respectively, and not yet completed; what was the

    Number of protectsGrants allocated/ committed (£ million)Percentage of total cost
    (a) 1976—
    European Regional Development Fund…806·89See note
    European Social Fund…52·0527·3
    European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund…40·7024·0
    (b) 1977—
    European Regional Development Fund…398·76See note
    European Social Fund…524·2635·8
    European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund…60·9022·0
    In accordance with the ERDF Regulations, the commitment cannot exceed 20 per cent. of investment cost in the case of industrial projects and 30 per cent. in the case of infrastructure.

    Wales

    Farmers' Unions

    Mr. Wigley

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what official response he has received to his appeal at Llandudno

    (c) European Agricultural Guarantee
    and Guidance Fund£4·2 million

    Rev. Ian Paisley

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of projects grant aided by EEC funds which were completed in Northern Ireland during 1976 and 1977, respectively; what was the total amount of these grants; and what percentage they represented of the total cost.

    Mr. Concannon

    The information requested is as follows:total amount of these grants; and what percentage they represented of the total cost.

    Mr. Concannon

    The information requested is as follows:for the unification of the two farming unions in Wales;(2) if he will give an assurance that if no progress has been made with the unification of the farming unions in Wales by the time he takes over full responsibility for agriculture in Wales, that both the Farmers' Union of Wales and the National Farmers' Union will be accorded full and equal status by him in relation to all matters concerning agriculture in Wales.

    Mr. John Morris

    At the NFU's Llandudno conference last December I expressed the hope that the two farming unions would take steps to establish a working relationship with each other. I made it clear that I did not seek to define the relationship and, therefore, did not call for unification. I have not had an official response from either union nor did I necessarily expect one; it is for them to deal directly with each other.

    Government Cars

    Mr. Wigley

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many chauffeurs and Government cars are employed to transport Ministers and senior officials of the Welsh Office; and what is the annual transport cost incurred by his Department.

    Mr. John Morris

    The Property Services Agency provides official transport for Welsh Office Ministers and officials where required for essential public duties, as an allied service; no costs are incurred by my Department.

    Road Signs

    Mr. Wigley

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many road traffic signs would have to be (a) entirely replaced and (b) partially modified if all such signs were to be bilingual in accordance with the Bowen Committee recommendations.

    Mr. Barry Jones

    There are more than 150,000 signs which in theory could be involved, but it is not possible to say, without disproportionate cost, precisely how many would need to be totally replaced or modified.

    Mr. Gwynfor Evans

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number and the cost of essential road signs in Wales which will have to be erected and lit separately in Welsh and English versions in accord with the Government's bilingual policy.

    Mr. Barry Jones

    It is not feasible to make a precise estimate, but in most instances information in both Welsh and English will be shown on the same sign mounting.

    National Finance

    Governor Of The Bank Of England

    12.

    Mr. Crawford

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next proposes to meet the Governor of the Bank of England.

    Mr. Healey

    I maintain close contact with the Governor of the Bank of England, meeting him on a regular basis and also as and when circumstances require.

    Income Tax

    13.

    Mr. Rooker

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the increase in revenue if tax relief granted against personal income were limited to the basic rate in all cases.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    About £250 million for personal allowances and £100 million for mortgage interest. I regret that information is not available on superannuation contributions, which are the other major allowable deduction.

    Sir J. Langford-Holt

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the last convenient date what sum is estimated to have been overpaid and not reclaimed in respect of income tax; and what sum was due to be refunded in respect of income tax and had not yet been refunded.

    Taxation And National Insurance(Yields)

    14.

    Mr. Pardoe

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the proportion of total tax revenue in the United Kingdom and the EEC, respectively, which is raised by taxes on personal income and by employer paid payroll taxes and national insurance contributions, respectively.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    In 1975, the latest year for which information is available. the proportion of total tax revenue raised by taxes on personal income was 39 per cent. in the United Kingdom compared with 26 per cent. in the EEC as a whole. The proportions contributed by employer paid payroll taxes and national insurance contributions were 10 per cent. in the United Kingdom and 22 per cent. in the EEC.

    Pay Policy

    15.

    Mr. Norman Atkinson

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now desist from further calls for an incomes policy of any kind which seeks to make the allocation of public funds conditional upon wage conditions being acceptable to the Government.

    Mr. Healey

    As I have previously made clear, I welcome recent signs of sensible public discussion about future pay policy; it is far too early to make any firm predictions about the period after 31st July.

    26.

    Mr. David Price

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of his statement made in paragraph 11 of Cmnd. Paper No. 6882, "The Attack on Inflation" after 31st July 1977, that the Government agree with the TUC that it is not possible to stipulate a specific figure at which individual negotiations should invariably settle, why he is insisting upon a strict adherence to a 10 per cent. limit for pay increases under Phase Three of the Government's voluntary incomes policy irrespective of the merits of any particular pay claim.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Surrey, East (Sir G. Howe) on 8th December 1977.—[Vol. 940, c. 1630.]

    30.

    Mr. Kenneth Lewis

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further discussions he intends to have with the TUC and the CBI on a further phase of incomes policy; and when he proposes to hold such talks.

    Mr. Healey

    I intend to continue to have discussions with representatives of the TUC and the CBI on all aspects of economic policy from time to time.

    Exchange Controls

    17.

    Mr. Budgen

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the further relaxation of exchange controls.

    18.

    Mr. Robert Hughes

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards exchange controls.

    28.

    Mr. Hooley

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further steps he proposes to take to liberalise the out ward flow of capital from the United Kingdom.

    Mr. Healey

    We keep exchange controls under continuous review, and our policy is to adjust them as and when appropriate to serve the United Kingdom's economic needs.

    Farmers

    20.

    Mr. Wigley

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for allowing farmers' income to be averaged over three years for income tax purposes.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    My right hon. Friend is considering various proposals relating to the tax treatment of farmers, but I cannot anticipate the outcome. It has been recognised in the past that an averaging system for the taxation of farming profits raises considerable difficulties.

    Pay Settlements (Guideline Breaches)

    21.

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the latest figure for the number of firms on which discretionary sanctions have been imposed for alleged breaches of the pay guidelines.

    Mr. Healey

    I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 12th January.—[Vol. 941, c. 790.]

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, pursuant to the Chief Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 26th January 1976, it remains his policy that firms threatened with blacklisting should be heard in their own defence; if so, whether he will now give details of the method by which (a) S. Redfern of Manchester, (b) Reynolds Tanker Services of Lydney, Gloucester, (c) J. W. Spencer Engineering of Redhill, Surrey, and (d) James Mackie and Sons of Belfast were heard; and upon what date or dates this took place.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 9th December.—[Vol. 940, c. 923–4.]

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether any recent pay settlement involving Vauxhall Motors Ltd. was in excess of the 10 per cent. pay guidelines; if so, by how much; and whether he will list the discretionary sanctions which he has imposed upon the company;(2) whether he will list the discretionary sanctions which he has required to be imposed upon road hauliers in the West Midlands, following the agreement in excess of the 10 per cent. guidelines between the West Midlands area of the Road Haulage Association and the Transport and General Workers Union; and, in view of the fact that this is a collective agreement, whether he intends that these sanctions should be imposed upon all firms which are members of the association, or only on those which actually implement it;(3) whether any members of the West Midlands area of the Road Haulage Association are included in the 19 firms on the black list on 12th January; if so, how many; and, if not, what is the number of members who have ben blacklisted, but not included in the published figure;(4) what discretionary sanctions, if any, he imposed between his discovering that the wage settlements in the plumbing, electrical, and heating and ventilating industries were in excess of stage 3 and the decision of the wages negotiating bodies in thise industries to renegotiate the settlements; and whether he will make a statement.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon

    I do not think it appropriate to give details of particular cases.

    Mr. Michael Latham

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many of the 19 firms on the black list on 12th January have broken the pay guidelines under (a) stage 1, (b) stage 2 and (c) the present voluntary arrangements;(2) what is the current figure of firms on the black list for breach of stage 3; and whether all 11 of the firms which were on it on 28th November were also included (a) in the 19 on it on 12th January and (b) in those on it now.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    The number of firms blacklisted is as follows: five firms in breach of both rounds 1 and 2; five in breach of round 2 only; and nine in breach of this round only. No firms have been removed from the black list since 28th November.

    Meat Porters (Smithfield)

    22.

    Mr. Ridley

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the loss of revenue from tax evasion by self-employed meat porters at Smithfield.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement about any particular tax investigation which the Inland Revenue has undertaken.

    Personal Tax Allowances

    23.

    Mr. Corbett

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the change in real terms and in percentage terms of personal tax allowances between the tax years 1973–74 and 1977–78.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    The increase in the allowances has been 59 per cent. for the single allowance and 88 per cent. for the married allowance. In real terms this represents a fall of about 17 per cent for the single allowance and about 2 per cent. for the married allowance.

    Sex Discrimination

    24.

    Mr. Newton

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is giving to the Equal Opportunities Commission's report "Income Tax and Sex Discrimination."

    31.

    Mrs. Joyce Butler

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what study he is making of the recent document published by the Equal Opportunities Commission, about married women's income tax; if he will now review the difficulties experienced by married women in regard to their income tax anomalies; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    The document is a consultative paper, and the Equal Opportunities Commission has asked for comment on it from a variety of organisations and individuals. My right hon. Friend looks forward to hearing from the Commission in due course how people have reacted to it. In the meantime he has asked the Inland Revenue to consider the points which are made in the paper and the implications of the options which are set out in it.

    Domestic Credit

    25.

    Mr. Wrigglesworth

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the present methods of controlling the quantity and quality of domestic credit

    Whisky

    27.

    Mrs. Bain

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from the Scotch whisky industry about its tax position.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    The Scotch Whisky Association normally makes representations on taxation matters affecting the industry before the spring Budget each year.

    Low-Wage Earners

    29.

    Mr. Ralph Howell

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of wage earners whose incomes are below the poverty line; and what percentage of them is income tax payers.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    The Government do not accept that a simple poverty line can be drawn. If information about working families at different percentages of the supplementary benefit level is required, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security gave my hon. Friend

    (£m.)
    Loans in thePercentage of loansUnited Kingdom payments to the Bank's:
    United Kingdomin the Community(a) Capital(b) Reserves
    1973…32·99½158
    1974…79·918158
    1975…186·536½7·54
    1976…258·938½5·34—
    1977…320·7355·65—

    Banks (Government Accounts)

    Mr. Wrigglesworth

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the list of banks approved for use by Government Departments.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    Departments are authorised to open banking accounts with branches of any bank, subject to the approval of the Treasury. Prior reference to the Treasury is not, however, needed for the opening of departmental accounts with the Bank of England or one of its the Member for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor) on 26th October 1977—[Vol. 936, c. 755–760]. Information on tax paid by these families is not available.

    Value Added Tax

    Sir T. Kitson

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further consideration he is giving to the charge of 8 per cent. VAT on foreign racehorse owners, in view of the fact that 25 leading racehorses will be transferred by Mr. Windlestein to be trained in Lambourn if there is no VAT to be charged on these animals.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon

    The question is under active discussion with representatives of the industry and of Mr. Windlestein. It is envisaged that these animals may be imported temporarily, free of VAT, for a limited period.

    European Investment Bank (Loans)

    Mr. Skeet

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate the British share in EEC projects financed by the European Investment Bank in each of the past five years and the United Kingdom's annual or periodic contribution to the Bank's funds.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    The British share of loans in the Community financed by the European Investment Bank in each of the past five years and the United Kingdom's annual payments to the Bank's capital and reserves are as follows:branches or at any branch of the banks listed in N.15 of "Government Accounting", which is on sale at Her Majesty's Stationery Office bookshops. That list is as follows:

    • National Giro
    • London Clearing Banks:
      • Barclays Bank Ltd
      • Coutts and Company
      • Lloyds Bank
      • Ltd Midland Bank Ltd
      • National Westminster Bank Ltd
      • Williams and Glyn's Bank Ltd
    • Other English Banks:
      • Yorkshire Bank Ltd
      • Co-operative Bank Ltd
    • Scottish Banks:
      • Bank of Scotland
      • Clydesdale Bank Ltd
      • Royal Bank of Scotland Ltd
    • Irish Banks:
      • Allied Irish Banks Ltd
      • Bank of Ireland
      • Northern Bank Ltd
      • Ulster Bank Ltd.

    Bbc (External Services)

    Mr. Wigley

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the cost during the present financial year of financial support given by the Government to the BBC to undertake its external services.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon

    The latest forecast of outturn for 1977–78 is:

    £
    Foreign and Commonwealth office:
    Grant in aid of External Broadcasting30,445,000
    Grant in aid of External Monitoring2,203,000
    Ministry of Defence contribution to External Monitoring551,000
    Total cash grant to the BBC33,199,000
    In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth meet the following costs of operating relay stations for External Broadcasting:
    Staff costs2,014,000
    Operating costs2,511,000
    Total cost to the Exchequer37,724,000
    CHANGES IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON ROADS AND TRANSPORT
    £ million at 1977 survey prices
    1976–771977–781978–791979–801980–81
    Changes between Cmnd. 6721 and Cmnd. 7049
    Motorways and trunk roads……-39-46-9-64-63
    Local transport……-138-58+33+62+81
    Central government subsidies……-74+7+54+42+32
    Other……-22+1-12-5-12
    Total……-273-96+66+35+38
    £ million at 1976 survey prices
    1976–771977–781978–79
    Changes between Cmnd. 6393 and Cmnd. 6721*
    Motorways and trunk roads……-5-34-66
    Local transport……-28-40-9
    Central government subsidies……—-9-4
    Other……-6-14-14
    Total……-39-97-93
    * Changes since Cmnd. 6393 excluding those announced before December 1976.

    Budget 1978

    Mr. Wrigglesworth

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to present his spring Budget to Parliament.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Sudbury and Woodbridge (Mr. Stainton) on 23rd January.—[Vol. 942, c. 420.]

    Inflation

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual rate of inflation over the last six months for which figures are available.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    The retail price index rose by 2·6 per cent. in the six months up to December. Expressed as an annual rate, this would be 5·3 per cent.

    Public Expenditure

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table breaking down in detail the reduction in public expenditure for roads, transport, housing and other environmental services since November 1976

    CHANGES IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON HOUSING

    £million at 1977 survey prices

    1976–77

    1977–78

    1978–79

    1979–80

    1980–81

    Changes between Cmnd. 6721 and Cnmd. 7049
    Subsidies-88-283-282-267-216
    Investment-135-114+144+14+31
    Lending and grants-70+131+129+12+77
    Other+9+2-14-38-38
    Total-284-264-23-279-146

    £ million at 1976 survey prices

    1976–77

    1977–78

    1978–79

    Changes between Cmnd. 6393 and Cmnd. 6721*
    Subsidies+153+231+421
    Investment-36-95-196
    Lending and grants-31-142-344
    Other+5-7-9
    Total+91-13-128

    * Changes since Cmnd. 6393 excluding those announced before December 1976.

    CHANGES IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

    £ million at 1977 survey prices

    1976–77

    1977–78

    1978–79

    1979–80

    1980–81

    Changes between Cmnd. 6721 and Cmnd. 7049
    Water supply and conservation and sewerage-116-36+7-107-119
    Local environmental services-39+20+30-9+22
    Urban programme+1+13+92+21+28
    Other-12-10+15-11-4
    Total-166-13+144-106-73

    £ million at 1976 survey prices

    1976–77

    1977–78

    1978–79

    Changes between Cmnd. 6393 and Cmnd. 7621*
    Water supply and conservation and sewerage-41-75-123
    Local environmental services+92-54-68
    Other—-39-33
    Total+51-168-234

    * Changes since Cmnd. 6393 excluding these announced before December 1976.

    Public Sector Borrowing Requirement

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the Budget surplus or deficit on a per capita basis for each year since 1971.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    The information is as follows:

    Public Sector Borrowing Requirement Per Head
    £ million
    1971–7218
    1972–7345
    1973–7480
    1974–75142
    1975–76189
    1976–77157

    Trade Balance

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the size of the non-oil deficit on the balance of payments for the last quarter of 1977.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon

    Far from being in deficit, the balance of non-oil visible trade in the last quarter of 1977 is estimated to have been in surplus by £703 million.

    Money Supply

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the aggregate money supply, taking M3 together with private sector deposits with United Kingdom banks, in each of the years 1974, 1975, 1976, and to the latest available date.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    The standard definition of sterling M3 includes all sterling deposits, including certificates of deposit, held by United Kingdom residents in both the public and private sectors, together with notes and coin in

    (£m.)
    End of year
    1974*19751976† 1977‡
    1. Private sector deposits with he United Kingdom banking sector
    (a) sterling29,55930,76833,52534,57535,373
    (b) foreign currency2,3982,9393,8914,2264,057
    2. Public sector deposits with he United Kingdom banking sector
    (a) sterling6569249211,0421,167
    (b) foreign currency39738998
    3. Notes and Coin held by the general public5,0855,9036,7147,2877,525
    4. Sterling M3
    (a) unadjusted (equals l(a) + 2(a) + 3)35,30037,59541,16042,90444,065
    (b) seasonally adjusted34,97037,27040,58042,89043,600
    5. M3
    (a) unadjusted (equals 4(a)+ 1(b) + 2(b))37,69840,57345,12447,21948,220
    (b) seasonally adjusted37,37040,24044,55047,21047,260
    * There were some slight changes in definition in May 1975 as a result of which the 1974 figures are not precisely comparable with the rest.
    † These figures relate to the end of the third calendar quarter of 1977.
    ‡ These figures relate to 14th December 1977, the latest available date; but because of within-month patterns of financial flows, mid-monthly series cannot strictly be compared with those relating to end-calendar quarters.

    Spirits

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue obtained from customs and excise duties on spirits for the years 1974, 1975, 1976, and the value added tax revenue.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon

    Receipts of Customs and Excise duty and estimated receipts from VAT on spirits were:

    £ million
    Customs and Excise Duty*VATTotal
    1974555·895650·8
    1975661·9100761·9
    1976864·1115979·1
    * From January 1976 the small protective element of the former customs revenue duty on imported spirits has been collected separately under the Import Duties Act 1958. This sum is excluded from the 1976 duty receipts figure.
    Net receipts of value added tax are published in Table 3.11 of Financial Statistics, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

    circulation with the public. In turn, M3 comprises sterling M3 plus all deposits held by United Kingdom residents in foreign currency. The following table shows private and public sector deposits with the United Kingdom banking sector, sterling M3 and M3 in the years to which my hon. Friend refers:

    Food Imports (Levies)

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum which has been charged on levies on food imports from 1st February 1973; and for what purpose the levies have been used by Her Majesty's Government.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    The amounts collected in agricultural levies have been:

    £ million
    1st February 1973 to 31st December 197324·0
    197425·5
    197542·5
    197646·3
    1st January 1977 to 30th September 197793·1
    Total231·4
    These amounts have been paid into the Consolidated Fund together with other revenue collected by Her Majesty's Government. United Kingdom contributions to the Community budget are paid from the Consolidated Fund.

    European Community Budget

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is giving to EEC budgeting, expenditure and revenue for 1978.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    The Community budget for 1978, which covers both revenue and expenditure, was adopted by the European Parliament in December 1977. The Budget Council last considered the 1978 budget on 22nd November 1977. I represented the United Kingdom and I gave details of the outcome of the Council in answer to a Written Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Mitchell) on 28th November.—[Vol. 940, c. 41–42.]

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the United Kingdom's estimated financial contribution to the European Economic Community budget in the current financial year; and what are the United Kingdom's receipts from the Communities from the latest figures available.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    Following the decisions reached at the European Council on 5th and 6th December 1977, it is estimated the United Kingdom contribution to, and receipts from, the Community budget in 1978 will be:

    £ million
    Amount ReceivedAmount Committed
    European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund—Guarantee Section (1st January 1973 to 30th September 1977)819·1819·1
    European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund—Guidance Section33·979·7
    (1st January 1973 to 30th September 1977)(1st January 1973 to 31st December 1976)
    Social Fund (1st January 1973 to 30th September 1977)73·1189·4
    Regional Development Fund64·8150·4
    (1st January 1973 to 30th September 1977)(1st January 1973 to 31st December 1977)
    Other Receipts (1st January 1973 to 30th September 1977)178·9178·9

    Government Borrowing(Foreign Currency)

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much foreign currency has been loaned to the Government; and if he will give an estimate of the amount of foreign currency loaned to banks and

    £ million

    Gross contribution1,120
    Receipts460
    Net contribution660

    These estimates supersede those given in "The Government's Expenditure Plans, 1978–79 to 1981–82" (Cmnd. 7049).

    The total receipts from the Community budget to the United Kingdom from 1973 to 30th September 1977 amount to £1,170 million.

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the amount of money which the EEC has a commitment to pay to the United Kingdom, and the amount of money which the United Kingdom has a commitment to pay to the EEC, in each case at the latest convenient date, together with an indication of the amount already paid.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    The latest estimates of the United Kingdom's contribution to, and receipts from, the Community budget were given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 12th January.—[Vol. 941, c. 792–3.] Contributions by the United Kingdom to the Community budget between 1st January 1973 and 31st December 1977 totalled £1,903 million. The United Kingdom's actual receipts from the Community budget, together with the amounts committed to the latest available date, are as follows:other financial institutions in the United Kingdom, to the latest available date.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon

    Foreign currency borrowing from abroad by Her Majesty's Government which was outstanding at the end of December 1977 amounted to $12·8 billion. It is not possible to state the amount of foreign currency borrowed by financial institutions other than banks. The latest available figures relating to banks in the United Kingdom—British and foreign—are for 14th December 1977. These show that the total amount of bank deposits in foreign currency was £120,739 million, of which £80,720 million was accounted for by overseas residents' sight and time deposits.

    £ million
    197519761977 (January-September)
    Protective Duty and Agricultural Levies120·9160·0200·1
    VAT on confectionery, ice cream and soft drinks125·0*145·0*130·0*
    245·9305·0330·1*
    The figures for 1977 are not yet available.
    *Estimated figure, excluding VAT on food supplied in the course of catering and on alcoholic drink.

    Owner-Occupiers (Student Lettings)

    Mr. Dodsworth

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to remove the liability for capital gains tax of owner-occupiers of houses who let room to students; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    As I promised during the Report stage debates on the Finance Bill last July, we are currently considering the incidence of capital gains tax. The question of small liabilities, such as may arise when an owner-occupier who has let rooms sells his house, will be included in the review.

    European Community Aid

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures available for the financial benefits to the United Kingdom's assisted areas from the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund, European Social Fund, and European Investment Bank; and what percentage these financial amounts represent of the total benefits to the United Kingdom in each category.

    Mr. Joel Barnett

    Receipts from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (Guidance Section) by United Kingdom assisted areas, from 1st January 1973 to 20th January 1978 are as follows:

    Food (Tax Revenue)

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of revenue collected in tax on food in the years 1975, 1976, and 1977, respectively.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon

    The amounts of revenue collected in taxes on food in the years 1975, 1976 and the first nine months of 1977 were:

    Receipts (£ million)Receipts as percentage of total Scheme Receipts
    1. Individual Projects15·388
    2. Common and Special Measures:
    (a) Dairy Herd Conversion Scheme5·037
    (b) Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme0·450
    (c)Hill Livestock (Compensatory Allowances Scheme)17·590
    38·275

  • 1. Assisted areas have been taken to be those areas attracting regional development grants or treated as special assistance areas, i.e. Wales Scotland, Northern Ireland, Cornwall, Cumbria, Northumberland, Durham—including Tyne and Wear M.C.—Cleveland and part of North Yorkshire.
  • 2. The assisted area covering North Devon—about one-third of the area in Devon—has been discounted as it is not possible to separate the data required.
  • 3. Receipts from other common and special measures have been discounted largely because of the small amounts involved.
  • 4. Receipts from the EAGGF (Guarantee Section) cannot be broken down by individual areas.

    • Receipts from the European Social Fund from 1st January 1973 to 19th January 1978 in respect of assisted areas total £79·8 million which is 80 per cent. of all receipts by the United Kingdom. The amount excludes applications which are made on a national basis and are not broken down to assisted areas.

    In general, the policy of the European Investment Bank is to make loans which benefit the less developed regions of the Community. The main exception to this is in the case of projects which benefit more than one member State of the Community. Between 1st January 1973 to 31st December 1977 the Bank made loans in the United Kingdom totalling £879 million. £695 million of this total (79 per cent.) related to projects wholly in the assisted areas. The only projects in the United Kingdom entirely situated in a non-assisted area where the Bank has given a loan on the grounds of benefit to more than one member State are the construction of the second Dartford Tunnel, for which a loan of £7 million was made to the Kent and Essex Councils in 1974, and the development of cross-Channel Hovercraft at Dover, for which a loan of £5 million was made to the British Railways Board in 1976. The

    Year

    Borrower

    Amount (£m)

    Project

    1974Electricity Council……15·6Nuclear power station, Hartlepool.
    1975Electricity Council……7·8Nuclear power station, Hartlepool.
    British Railways Board……6·3Special coal wagon construction at Shildon, Co. Durham.
    National Water Council……7·5Kidder water supply scheme.
    ICFC……0·372Factory making forged bolts, screws and rivets, Co. Durham.
    ICFC……0·080Machine tool manufacturing and general engineering, Newcastle.
    ICFC……0·160Aluminium extension, Birtley, Co. Durham.
    ICFC……0·125Manufacture of food colouring, Northumberland.
    1976British Steel Corporation……6·75Expansion of Consett works.
    National Water Council……10·0Kielder water scheme.
    Post Office……17·6Modernisation of telephone system in Northumbria.
    1976National Water Council……19·8Kielder water supply scheme
    National Water Council……15·0Water supply project and sewerage scheme on Teesside.
    British Steel Corporation……3·9Brickworks modernisation at Consett.
    British Steel Corporation……6·9Benzole refinery at Port Clarence on Teesside.
    British Steel Corporation……8·0Iron ore unloader at Redcar.

    In addition to the loans listed above the North-East has also benefited from European Investment Bank loans for a number of projects which either straddle the regional boundaries or benefit all or most regions of the United Kingdom.

    Secondary Banks (Lifeboat Scheme)

    Mr. Skinner

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will move to appoint a tribunal under the Tribunals total of £879 million includes a number of loans totalling £172 million—20 per cent. of the overall total—which in part benefit the non-assisted regions, either because the projects straddle the boundaries between the assisted and the non-assisted areas—e.g., gas pipelines—or because by their nature they benefit all or most regions of the United Kingdom—e.g., development and exploitation of North Sea oil and gas.

    North-East Development Area

    Mr. Woof

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loans and guarantees have been approved by the European Investment bank for projects in the North-East development area since 1st January 1974.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon

    Since 1st January 1974 the European Investment Bank has approved loans totalling £125,887,000 for projects in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Cleveland. Details are as follows:and Inquiries Act to investigate the conduct at the Bank of England and other major banks regarding the lifeboat scheme.

    Mr. Skinner

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now announce the names of all those institutions covered by the lifeboat scheme since its launching in 1973.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    No. The lifeboat scheme devised by the Bank of England was essentially a means of recycling deposits within the banking system. The English and Scottish clearing banks provided the majority of the recycled deposits and it would be contrary to normal banking confidentiality to reveal the names of those institutions which have received assistance through the scheme.

    Income Tax (Yield)

    Mr. MacGregor

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the yield of income tax for each of the years 1973–74 to 1977–78; if he will give figures in parallel, showing what that

    Income TaxTotal CG Taxation
    Actual/ estimated receiptsYield if tax had risen in line with RPIAnnual/ estimated receiptsYield it tax had risen in line with RP
    1973–74…7,44217,274
    1974–75…10,4258,77422,12820,366
    1975–76…15,16310,93128,11725,374
    1976–77…17,07512,60132,45629,251
    1977–78…17,30035,537

    Source:

    Annual Abstract of Statistics.

    FSBR (amended to take account of the October measures).

    Development Land Tax

    Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smith

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been made to him about the development land tax.

    Investment Income Surcharge

    Mr. Dodsworth

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the 1976–77 tax year were over 65 years old and paid both income tax at not more than basic rate and investment income surcharge; and if he will indicate the annual cost of relieving these people of the surcharge.

    Blind Persons

    Mr. Dempsey

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to increase the special tax allowance given to blind yield would have been if it had risen with the retail price index from the first year onwards; and if he will give similar figures relating to the total proceeds of taxation.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon,

    pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 25th January 1978; Vol. 942, c. 598], gave the following information:The table below shows the actual and estimated receipts into the consolidated fund from income tax and total central Government taxation together with what would have been raised if receipts had risen in line with the retail prices index. No figure is yet available for the growth in RPI in 1977–78 compared with 1976–77.persons in 1962, with a view to restoring its purchasing power to the original value at the time it was fixed; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    My right hon. Friend will be reviewing tax allowances generally prior to his spring Budget. I doubt whether increasing this allowance is necessarily the best way to help blind people generally, since many blind people are not taxpayers, or do not pay enough tax to benefit from a larger allowance.

    Personal Incomes

    Mr. William Hamilton

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what taxable unearned income would be required to produce a net annual income of £100,000, £200,000 and £500,000, assuming the taxpayer is single with no dependants.

    Mr. Robert Sheldon,

    pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 25th January 1978; Vol. 942, c. 597], gave the following information:Assuming that the taxpayer is under 65 years of age the figures are £4,656,000, £9,656,000 and £24,656,000 respectively.