asked the Secretary of State for Energy what support, financial or otherwise, his Department is giving to research and development of the possibilities asociated with wind energy from offshore installations.

My Department has sought and is now considering a proposal for a study to assess the cost and potential of installations exploiting wind energy in shallow coastal waters.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what support, financial or otherwise, his Department is giving to research and development of the possibilities associated with wave energy from onshore installations.

My Department is at present giving no support to the development of onshore wave energy installations. The high tidal ranges experienced around the coast of the United Kingdom makes onshore wave generators very much less attractive than the offshore devices already under investigation and development.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent progress has been made in participation negotiations with companies involved in North Sea oil development.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9th March 1978], gave the following further information:I have today signed an agreement in final form with BNOC and the companies of the Hamilton Consortium, giving effect to the Government's policy of securing majority state participation in commercial petroleum fields discovered prior to the fifth round.The Hamilton Consortium comprises:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he can yet state what is the outcome of the examination of the functions, structure and financing of the Eggs Authority.

During the last year my Department in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland and the Welsh Department has been engaged in a review of the role and functions of the Eggs Authority which was established in 1971 under the authority of the Agriculture Act, 1970. This has involved the examination of written submissions by, and discussions with, representatives of the whole range of interests concerned with the work which the Authority undertakes on behalf of the egg industry.This review has established that there is a general acceptance that the Authority can play a continuing role in improving the marketing of eggs by seeking to promote sales, undertaking research and providing statistics and that it should derive its main income from a levy on egg producers. The agriculture Ministers endorse this view.In the course of discussions a number of points were raised concerning the detail of the Authority's work and these will be passed to the Authority for its consideration. We are sure that it will consider these ideas carefully and where appropriate implement them.Two main issues emerged from the review. First, we received strong representations from organisations representing producers that the Authority's membership structure should be altered to provide a simple majority of producer representatives below an independent chairman and vice-chairman. Having regard to developments in the industry since the Authority was founded, and in particular the fact that the Authority can no longer, in practice, intervene in the market to support producer prices in the way the 1970 Agriculture Act envisaged, we have concluded that this would be appropriate. In its current phase the Authority must, in our view, have as its chief preoccupation the promotion of egg consumption. To pursue this aim effectively it needs the full support of the producers. We are persuaded that this support will be more readily forthcoming if producers are more fully represented in the Authority.It is therefore our intention to bring forward the legislation needed to make this change possible at the earliest appropriate time bearing in mind the pressures on the parliamentary timetable and the need to take account of the possible emergence of a European interprofessional body for the poultry industry which the EEC Commission is currently discussing with interested organisations and which could itself have implications for the functions and structure of the Eggs Authority. Meanwhile we have asked the Authority to consider ways in which it might develop even further its procedures for ensuring that its decisions take full account of the advice it receives from producer organisations.At the same time we recognise that the aim of improving the marketing of eggs can only be achieved if the Authority is fully responsive to consumers' needs and attitudes and with full co-operation between the Authority and those concerned at all stages in the distribution chain. To this end we have asked the Authority to consider ways in which it might establish an even closer liaison with retailer and consumer organisations. These interests are, of course, represented on the Authority itself.The second main point of discussion was how best to use the money which the Authority spends on promotion. This was of particular concern to the British Poultry Federation. We have noted that the organisations representing producers have been discussing this question amongst themselves. In particular they have been looking at the possibility of introducing a new form of scheme which would be operated under the Authority's auspices and designed to encourage promotional activity by individual companies or producers to complement the Authority's generic campaigns. The Authority is, we understand, considering in the light of these discussions whether such a scheme can be accommodated within its programme. In doing so the Authority will no doubt give full weight to the support the scheme would attract from producers. Should a new scheme be endorsed by the Authority the Government would not wish to stand in the way of its implementation.In conclusion we would wish to thank the Authority for the efforts it has made over the last seven years to meet the challenge which Parliament set it. We thank all those who participated in the review for their advice and co-operation and hope that the Authority can look forward to many more years of useful life with the support and co-operation of all concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officials in the Department have been the dinner party guests of private companies with which his Department has an official link in each of the last three years; and if he will indicate, in each case, the name of the company, the rank of the official and the purpose of the dinner party.

Detailed records of this kind are not maintained but any offers of hospitality are required to be considered in accordance with departmental rules on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of personal disposable income was spent on food, excluding meals out, in each of the years since 1968 to the latest available date, in each of the EEC countries and Australia, Canada and the United States of America.

The information is not readily available in the form requested

HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON FOOD* AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE 1970–75†
	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975
EEC
Germany	19·7	19·0	18·7	18·3	17·9	17·3
France	22·0	21·2	21·0	20·5	20·1	20·1
Italy	33·2	32·3	31·8	31·5	31·4	31·4
Netherlands	22·2	21·5	21·0	20·5	20·1	19·9
Belgium	23·8	22·6	22·2	21·4	21·0	20·5
Luxembourg	23·8	23·0	22·7	22·3	21·2	N.A.
United Kingdom	19·7	19·4	18·3	18·4	18·5	18·4
Ireland	27·0	26·3	26·0	26·3	26·0	N.A.
Denmark	19·1	19·4	19·3	19·6	20·8	20·6
Australia	19·1	18·7	18·4	18·4	17·6	17·1
Canada	15·9	15·4	15·5	16·0	16·3	16·5
United States	14·8	14·0	13·6	13·9	14·4	14·4
* Food excludes soft drinks except for Australia and Canada. Taxes on expenditure are included.
†Data for the EEC for 1968 and 1969 are not available on a comparative basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the projects for which United Kingdom aid has been made available to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in each year from 1970 to the latest convenient date; and when each of these projects was started.

I enclose a list of 382 aid projects approved from 1970 to March 1978. Because the list is so long, I am arranging for further copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons of American descent who are naturalised British subjects living in Cyprus have right of abode in the United Kingdom; and what applications for entry he has received.

The records of the British High Commission at Nicosia do not show how many British subjects registered with it are naturalised of American descent. A person who is naturalised in the United Kingdom has the right of abode in the United Kingdom and would not need to make application to enter this country. If my hon. Friend has a specific case in mind she may wish to write to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will clarify the meaning of the expression "the international transfer of conventional weapons" in Section IV (ii) of the Draft Programme of Action on Disarmament for the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament annexed to his reply of 22nd February, Official Report, columns 1416 to 1422.

The international transfer of conventional weapons refers both to the sale of such weapons by one country to another and their donation under military aid schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made at the Belgrade conference on the issue of human rights.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 22nd February 1978; Vol. 944, c. 1413], gave the following information:The Government later today are publishing a White Paper on the Belgrade CSCE follow-up meeting which ended yesterday. Copies are being placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will now issue passes to enable hon. Members with legitimate business at Norman Shaw North to park in the designated area there.

As decided by the House, there are 20 car parking spaces at Norman Shaw North reserved for Members on a first-come-first served basis.

asked the Lord President of the Council by whose authority secretaries and research assistants are permitted to take up the parking spaces in the area marked "MPs Only" at Norman Shaw North.

This area is reserved for use by Members or, as in the case of the underground car park, by anyone parking a car there for use by a Member provided that the appropriate sticker is displayed. I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 6 of the Fifth Report of the Services Committee of Session 1975–76.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will make parking provisions available to assist registered secretaries of hon. Members, in view of the apparent shortage of such accommodation.

Car parking for all categories of persons working in the House of Commons, including Members' private secretaries, has been allocated in accordance with the recommendations of the Services Committee. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Spicer) on 5th December 1977.—[Vol. 940, cc. 479–80.]

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will seek to ensure that the House sits neither on Easter Monday nor on Whit Monday.

As to Easter, I refer the hon. Member to my announcement of Thursday 9th March. I am not yet ready to make a statement about Whitsun.

asked the Lord President of the Council, in view of the fact that a "No" vote in the forthcoming referenda on devolution would reverse a decision already taken by the House on Scottish and Welsh Assemblies, whether he considers that a minimum threshold proportion of "No" votes should be required before the House recognises such a vote as being a valid indicator that it should reconsider legislation that has already been approved.

In the context of referendum advisory to Parliament the Government do not favour statutory provisions about special majorities of either "Yes" votes or "No" votes.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether postal votes be allowed for residents of Scotland and Wales who are away from home on holiday at the time of the forthcoming referenda on devolution.

No. The Orders in Council making provision for the conduct of the referendums may apply any provision of the Representation of the People Acts. The 1949 Act makes provision for postal voting, but this does not include postal votes for voters who are away on holiday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the first six months' operation of the Police Complaints Board.

The estimated cost is a little over £100,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the police forces in England and Wales giving the number of complaints received by them and referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for the period 1st June to 30th November 1977; and what was the outcome of such complaints;(2) if he will list the police forces in England and Wales giving the following

information for each force for the period 1st June to 30th November 1977 (

I regret that the information is not available for the period requested. Statistics relating to complaints including reference to the Director of Public Prosecutions, are published on an annual basis in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the police forces in England and Wales giving the following information for each force for the period 1st June to 30th November 1977 (a) the total number of complaints referred to the Police Complaints Board, (b) the number of complaints which gave rise to disciplinary charges, (c) the number of complaints where the Police Complaints Board directed that a disciplinary tribunal be held, (d) the number of complaints where the Police Complaints Board ordered that charges be preferred, and (e) the total number of complaints where interim reports have been submitted to the Police Complaints Board;(2) if he will list the police forces in England and Wales giving the following information for each for the period 1st June to 30th November 1977 (

I understand from the Chairman of the Police Complaints Board that the information is not available in the form requested; the available information for the period 1st June to 31st December 1977 will be published in the annual report of the Police Complaints Board, which will appear shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the working party on judicial training was established; when it is expected to report; and if he will make a statement.

The Working Party on Judicial Training and Information, chaired by Lord Justice Bridge, was set up jointly by my predecessor, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and the noble and learned Lord, the Lord Chief Justice in July 1975. We expect to receive its report within the next few weeks; and it will be published. It is probable that we shall need to consult widely before taking decisions on it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a statement on the Boundary Commission recommendations for local government within the borough of Gosport.

Pending the outcome of the appeal by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England against a judgment delivered in the High Court on 25th January, I have deferred further consideration of a number of reports submitted to me by the Commission. The report on new electoral arrangements for the borough of Gosport is affected by this deferment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reduction in the broadcasting licence fee is available to the registered blind; if he will give consideration to providing a similar concession to those registered as partially sighted and who may be able to distinguish objects no better than some who are registered as blind; and what would be the cost of such a concession.

The reduction in the television licence fee for the registered blind is £1·25p. The provision of the same concession to those people currently registered as partially sighted would cost about £60,000 in lost licence revenue. The Government are at present considering the report of the Annan Committee which included a recommendation that no new concessions on television licence fees should be introduced but that the existing fee reduction for the blind should remain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he is giving to the representations which he has received against the decision of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis not to supply to insurance companies and loss adjusters information in connection with loss, theft or burglaries.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to Questions by the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) on 6th March—[Vol. 945, c. 454–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to designate old people's homes to be subject to the provisions of the Fire Precautions Act 1971.

We are awaiting the report of a committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council which is considering the need for the designation under the Act of additional classes of occupancy, including old people's homes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions on which he or his predecessors have consented to bans on public processions under Section 3(2) of the Public Order Act 1936 by (a) class of public processions banned, (b) local authority area, (c) geographical area covered by the ban, and (d) length of ban.

Orders were under Section 3(2) of the Public Order Act 1936: in September 1964 prohibiting for two weeks all public processions, other than religious processions, in the city of Salford; in November 1974 prohibiting for one month in the cities of Birmingham and Coventry and the Borough of Solihull any public procession in connection with the death of James McDade; and in September 1977 prohibiting for almost six weeks all public processions in the Borough of Tameside.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions on which he or his predecessors have consented to bans on public processions under Section 3(3) of the Public Order Act 1936 by (a) class of public processions banned, (b) geographical area covered by the ban, and (c) length of ban.

Between June 1937 and the outbreak of the Second World War, 10 successive orders were made under Section 3(3) of the Public Order Act 1936 prohibiting all public processions of a political character in the East End of London. The first two orders were of six weeks' duration, the remainder were for three months.An order was made in April 1948 prohibiting all public processions of a political character for three months in the East End and areas of Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill and Hackney. Between May 1948 and February 1949 three successive orders, each of three months' duration, were made prohibiting political processions throughout the Metropolitan Police District. Seven orders, in the same terms and for the same duration, were made in March 1949, October 1949 and between February 1950 and February 1951.Orders were made in September 1960 prohibiting all public processions other than of a solely religious character for three months in St. Pancras; in September 1961 prohibiting any public procession organised by the "Committee of 100" for 24 hours in central London; in August 1962 prohibiting all political processions for 48 hours in the Metropolitan Police District; and in July 1963 prohibiting all political processions for 48 hours in the East End of London and neighbouring boroughs.Orders of two months' duration are currently in force prohibiting all public processions, other than those of a religious, educational, festive or ceremonial character customarily held, within the Metropolitan Police District and the City of London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from the Salop County Council concerning the present establishment of the West Mercia Police Authority.

The Chairman of the Salop County Council wrote to me on 1st March in support of the case which the West Mercia Police Authority has put forward for an increase in the establishment of the West Mercia police force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that members of boards of visitors of penal establishments are not inhibited by the Official Secrets Act from taking part in public discussion about their work.

A letter is being sent to the chairmen of all boards of visitors drawing attention to the freedom individual members have to discuss prison matters, and listing the limited circumstances in which the Official Secrets Acts restrict what they may disclose—principally matters bearing on the security of a prison; information supplied on a basis of strict confidence; and personal details relating to inmates or staff. In addition, in view of the misunderstandings which it can create, I am ending the practice of asking members of boards of visitors and local review committees to sign declarations that their attention has been drawn to the Official Secrets Acts. Instead, the letter of appointment sent to new members of boards and committees will include an explanation of the position, in the same terms as the letter now being sent to the chairmen.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make early arrangements for hon. Members to see the American copy of the Allied Forces Headquarters file 383.7–14.1, Forcible Repatriation of Displaced Soviet Citizens—Operation Keelhaul, which has now been made available by the United States authorities in replacement of the original British copy destroyed in 1968 or 1969.

In accordance with the provisions of the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967, arrangements are being made to release these records to the Public Record Office where they can be made available for examination by the public at large. A copy of Volume 1 of the file is expected to be available at the Public Record Office by 14th March. Copies of the remaining Volumes—2 and 3—are being obtained from the United States archives authorities and should be available for public viewing in a few week's time.I am also arranging for a copy of Volume 1 to be available in the Library next week, and Volumes 2 and 3 when they are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the reduction in war stocks by use, wastage or other reasons in 1975–76, 1976–77 and 1977–78 to date, for each Service, computed on the same basis as used for the figures of expenditure on war stocks given in his answer of 24th February 1978 to the Member for Tynemouth.

There has been no reduction in the general level of war and contingency stocks. Variations from year to year in expenditure on such stocks are attributable to such factors as the level of existing stocks and the introduction of new equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, having regard to his decisions to take HMS "Ark Royal" out of service at the end of 1978, whether the ship's Sea King anti-submarine helicopter squadron is to be disbanded; whether the Gannet AEW force is to be disbanded; and how long a delay there will be before the Buccaneer and Phantom squadrons are replaced by new RAF squadrons.

The Sea King squadron will not be disbanded but the Gannet AEW force will be. The RAF's Buccaneer and Phantom forces are expected to reach full strength about nine months and a year respectively, after HMS "Ark Royal" is taken out of service.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the cost of the Nimrod aircraft used on offshore fishery protection work is borne by civil funds but the cost of the inshore protection squadron of warships is not, when in both cases there is a primary war role and in his answer of 28th February to the hon. Member for Tynemouth he gave the primary war role of these warships as a reason for their costs being borne by the defence budget.

Although both the Nimrod fleet and the coastal fishery protection fleet have a primary war role, it was necessary to add four extra Nimrods to the front line to enable the Nimrod fleet as a whole to meet the offshore protection task. The running costs of these four aircraft, which would not otherwise arise, are therefore being met by the Civil Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are (a) the existing and (b) the planned systems which will provide the capability of undertaking anti-ship operations at ranges beyond that of Exocet to which he referred in his answer of 28th February 1978 to the hon. Member for Tynemouth.

Aircraft, helicopters and submarines.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average age of the unarmed (a) Sea Herons, (b) Sea Devons and (c) Sea Princes which have now been earmarked for a general wartime support role; and how many of each type are in service.

There are four Sea Herons, six Sea Devons and 10 Sea Princes in operational service with the Royal Navy. The first of each type entered RN service in 1961, 1955 and 1952 respectively. Their average age is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) recruits under training and (b) juniors are currently serving in the Army.

At 31st January 1978 the respective strengths were as follows:

	Male	Female
Recruits under training	8,719	621
Junior soldiers	8,486	0

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the other projects apart from the P/PO Artillery Fuze cancelled in 1977 at a total cost of £6·5 million.

This information is classified.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what type of helicopters at present held in reserve are now earmarked to NATO for anti-submarine warfare.

Wessex Mk.3s

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many armoured regiments in the United Kingdom are currently equipped with Chieftain tanks.

Two.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is to be the strength (a) in peacetime and (b) on mobilisation of the 5th Field Force.

It is not normal practice to give these details.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what reduction in percentage terms the proposed defence spending for 1979–80 now represents compared with (a) the pre-1975 defence review plan, and (b) the 1975 defence review proposals, taking the figures in pounds of constant purchasing power.

The defence budget for 1979–80 announced in Cmnd. 7049 is (a) 17½ per cent. less than the pre-Defence Review plan for 1979–80 and (b) 4 per cent. less than the figure projected in the Defence Review for that year, at constant prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made towards implementation of the Dock Work Regulation Act 1976.

						Number on the Disabled Persons	Breakdown by:
Year						Register	Physical disability	Mental disability
1946	…	…	…	…	…	482,221	458,086	24,135
1947	…	…	…	…	…	784,796	740,382	44,414
1948	…	…	…	…	…	877,780	827,754	50,026
1949	…	…	…	…	…	914,693	864,055	50,638
1950	…	…	…	…	…	936,196	887,012	49,184
1951	…	…	…	…	…	906,008	860,024	45,984
1952	…	…	…	…	…	883,352	839,375	43,977
1953	…	…	…	…	…	856,612	815,646	40,966
1954	…	…	…	…	…	839,210	800,617	38,593
1955	…	…	…	…	…	827,102	790,311	36,791
1956	…	…	…	…	…	798,279	763,652	34,627
1957	…	…	…	…	…	764,446	731,966	32,480
1958	…	…	…	…	…	737,043	706,290	30,753
1959	…	…	…	…	…	715,825	685,983	29,842
1960	…	…	…	…	…	691,724	661,996	29,728
1961	…	…	…	…	…	666,454	636,246	30,206
1962	…	…	…	…	…	656,402	626,598	29,804
1963	…	…	…	…	…	653,362	622,553	30,809
1964	…	…	…	…	…	655,878	*	*
1965	…	…	…	…	…	658,925	625,469	33,456
1966	…	…	…	…	…	654,483	620,508	33,975
1967	…	…	…	…	…	655,379	620,720	34,659
1968	…	…	…	…	…	654,788	619,048	35,740
1969	…	…	…	…	…	645,545	609,096	36,449
1970	…	…	…	…	…	634,336	597,769	36,567
1971	…	…	…	…	…	620,691	583,369	37,322
1972	…	…	…	…	…	610,107	572,537	37,570
1973	…	…	…	…	…	597,305	559,737	37,568
1974	…	…	…	…	…	574,640	537,961	36,679
1975	…	…	…	…	…	557,217	521,073	36,144
1976	…	…	…	…	…	543,064	507,441	35,623
1977	…	…	…	…	…	532,402	497,598	34,804
* Not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether it is his intention to make recommendations following the first report from the Advisory Committee on Major Hazards.

The National Dock Labour Board is required to complete its review of dock work at ports covered by the 1967 Dock Labour Scheme by 31st May. My right hon. Friend proposes to lay a draft new scheme, which takes account of representations made on the draft published on 30th August 1977, before both Houses shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the numbers of registered disabled for each year since 1944; and if he will break down these totals into the mentally and physically disabled.

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that figures are not available prior to 1946. Information from then onwards is as follows:

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Commission has already announced its intention of submitting proposals for regulations requiring the notification of potentially hazardous installations along the lines recommended by the Advisory Committe on Major Hazards in its first report. I understand that the regulations are now in course of preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what changes are proposed in the operation of the employment transfer scheme.

Following recommendations from the Manpower Services Commission I have approved the following changes:Applications for financial assistance under the employment transfer scheme—ETS—in future must be made before the date of starting work in the new area.People aged 19 and over taking up employment within six months of successfully completing a full-time course of higher education will not be eligible for ETS assistance. This exclusion will not apply to mature students.Entiltlement to the enhanced payments for rehousing for those moving from an assisted area and for those successfully completing a TOPS course will be established in two stages, six months and a year after beginning work.The abolition of the little used nucleus labour force scheme.The change relating to students will come into affect on 1st January 1979. All the other changes are planned to come into effect by early July. Revised rules will be placed in the Library. The changes are the outcome of the first stage of a review of mobility assistance. Any modifications stemming from the second stage will be notified later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make a further statement on his Department's discussions with Distillers Company and others with regard to the Y list children;(2) what arrangements he has made for the review of the 'Y' list of suspected thalidomide victims; and who are to whom representations can be made.

In my repy to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 15th December 1977—[Vol. 941, c. 583]—I made it clear that I would give whatever help I could to resolve outstanding problems. I have now appointed Sir Alan Marre, the former Ombudsman, to undertake an independent review of the remaining cases on the Y list. His terms of reference are:

"To consider what further steps it may be equitable and reasonable for the Distillers Company Limited to take in relation to any of the outstanding Y list cases, and to make recommendations."

My appointment has been made with the full agreement of the Chairman of the Distillers Company Limited and of the hon. Member for Reading, South (Dr. Vaughan) who is the Chairman of the Medical Assessment Panel. I am most grateful to Sir Alan for undertaking this complex task and am sure that everyone will share my concern that all of the young people concerned should have their claims assessed fully and independently as quickly as possible. The address to which representations to Sir Alan should be made is as follows: The Personal Assistant to Sir Alan Marre, c/o Department of Health and Social Security, Room 835, Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, London N.W.I.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average list size of general medical practitioners providing a full range of general medical services in (a) England and Wales and (b) Greater London.

At 1st October 1976, the average list sizes were as follows: England and Wales, 2,342; Greater London Council area, 2,260.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many locums were used in hospitals in the Brent-Harrow area in the last year and if he will list in the Official Report the number, duration of service and cost for each hospital.

I regret that this information is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with Dr. Sorby about the prosthesis he has developed for assisting children born without fully formed arms; and if he will arrange for clinical trials of the prosthesis developed in Sweden by Dr. Sorby to help children without fully formed arms.

New developments of artificial limbs and, in particular, of powered artificial limbs, are of very considerable interest to my Department.I understand that the hand in question has been developed for and fitted to children between the ages of 2 and 5 who have congenital deficiency below the elbow, and that the team concerned are hoping to extend its range of use. This artificial hand has recently been demonstrated to officers of my Department, who are now assessing its capabilities in relation to other devices which are either already available or known to be in course of development. A decision on the desirability of conducting clinical trials

TABLE 1
LOCAL AUTHORITY DAY NURSERY PLACES
Thousands
				1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976
England‡	…	…	…	21·6	N.A.	22·6	23·7	24·6	26·0	26·9
Wales‡	…	…	…	N.A.	N.A.	—	—	0·1	0·1	0·1
Scotland†	…	…	…	N.A.	3·1	3·2	3·4	3·5	N.A.	3·5
Northern Ireland§	…	…	…	N.A.	N.A.	—	—	—	—	0·1

TABLE 2
MAXIMUM PERMITTED NUMBERS OF CHILDREN RECEIVING ALL-DAY CARE IN REGISTERED PREMISES
Thousands
				1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976
England‡	…	…	…	19·8	N.A.	23·0	24·6	24·3*	25·9	26·0
Walest‡	…	…	…	N.A.	—	0·6	0·7	1·9	1·2	0·9
Scotland†	…	…	…	N.A.	0·6	0·8	0·9	1·1	N.A.	0·4║
Northern Ireland§	…	…	…	N.A.	N.A.	0·1	0·2	—	0·1	0·1
* Excludes one local authority.
║ Incomplete data.

TABLE 3
MAXIMUM PERMITTED NUMBERS OF CHILDREN RECEIVING ALL-DAY CARE IN REGISTERED PERSONS
Thousands
				1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976
England‡	…	…	…	47·4	N.A.	55·3	56·7	56·7*	60·7	64·2
Wales‡	…	…	…	N.A.	N.A.	0·4	0·3	0·5	0·7	0·8
Scotland†	…	…	…	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	1·0
Northern Ireland§	…	…	…	N.A.	N.A.	0·3	N.A.	0·4	0·8	0·8
* Excludes one local authority.
† Due date of collection 31st December prior to 1975, 31st March from 1976 (hence no figures for 1975).
‡ Due date of collection 31st December for 1970 and 31st March from 1972 (hence no figures for 1971).
§ Due to reorganisation the figures for Northern Ireland should be treated with caution. Date of collection 31st March prior to 1974, 31st December thereafter.
Symbols denote:
—=Nil or negligible.
N.A.=Not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for increasing the number of full-time day care places.

The Government are committed to a continuing expansion of day will, of course, depend upon the results of the assessments made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children in the 0–5 age group are in full time day care in the United Kingdom; what was the equivalent figure for each year since 1970; and if he will give the comparable figures for the other countries of the European Economic Community.

The available figures relating to all-day care facilities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are given in the tables below. Most of the children concerned will be under the age of five. Comparable figures for other countries of the EEC are not readily available.care services for the under-fives but recognise that for local authorities, with whom responsibility for providing these services rests, the rate of expansion possible depends largely on resolving current economic problems. We have, however, suggested to local authorities in recent guidance that the resources being made available should now enable them to make some progress in remedying deficiences in services for under-fives, amongst others, and have urged them, through the co-ordination of the various services for this group of children, to ensure that maximum use is made of all existing resources, whether provided by statutory or voluntary bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, following the discussions between his officials and those of the Northern Regional Health Authority which were announced in reply to the hon. Member for Berwick-on-Tweed in an Adjournment debate on 16th December 1977, he is now satisfied that the allocations planned for the Northumberland area are as equitable as possible; and what improvements have been made in the region's original proposals.

It is for the regional health authority, in consultation with its area health authorities, to determine the deployment of funds in the region, but I am satisfied that this is being done within the spirit of the guidance issued by my Department. Northumberland Area Health Authority has recently been notified that it will receive additional revenue, in 1978–79, of £419,000, an increase of £280,000 over the planning assumptions issued in September 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many days in the month of February a go-slow or other form of industrial action was in being at the Southampton General Hospital in respect of catering staff.

Ten days.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the extent of the nursing shortage at the Southampton General Hospital.

There are five vacancies for trained theatre nurses and six vacancies for trained operating department assistants out of establishments of 47·67 and 12—whole-time equivalents—respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many days in February the X-day apparatus was out of action whether on account of technical or other breakdown at the Southampton General Hospital.

No full days were lost, and there were no significant breakdowns. The minor breakdowns which occurred did not lead to a reduction in the service to patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many days in the last two months was there a go-slow by telephone or switchboard employees at the Southampton General Hospital; what assessment he has made of the risk to life and anxieties caused to relatives by such measures; what remedial action he proposes; and if he will make a statement.

Unofficial industrial action started on 14th February and is continuing. Hampshire Area Health Authority (Teaching) does not consider that there is risk to life, since there are adequate arrangements to deal with emergency calls. The authority is in daily contact with the local Press, radio and television, who are keeping the public informed to allay anxiety.The action is in protest about pay and conditions of service. These are matters for the Ancillary Staffs Whitley Council. The Whitley Council has had a report on the grading of these staff and this will be the subject of further meetings between the two sides. The telephonists, however, have already benefited, with other ancillaries, from the recent pay settlement within the pay policy guidelines.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many days in the last two months there was a go-slow or industrial action by the ambulance services at the Southampton General Hospital; what assessment he has made of the risk to life and anxieties caused to relatives by such measures; what remedial action he proposes; and if he will make a statement.

The industrial action banning overtime lasted for seven days. Hampshire Area Health Authority (Teaching) does not consider that there was risk to life since emergency services were maintained, and this fact was made known in the local Press to allay any public anxiety.The dispute arose over the introduction of controls on the amount of overtime worked with a view to ensuring that the hours worked by ambulancemen/women did not exceed those laid down in legislation. Following negotiation the staff accepted the controls.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the fact that administrative officials in some parts of England, but noticeably in Dulwich where approaches were made to the Health Service correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, have sought to prevent the reporting of hospital breakdowns; if he will discourage any attempts to silence the Press.

Advice was given to health authorities in May 1974 in Health Service Circular HSC(IS)194 on handling inquiries from the Press. Staff in the National Health Service are well aware of the importance that my right hon. Friend and I attach to good relations with the Press, radio and television, and we certainly would discourage any attempt to silence the media.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of decaying morale and staff breakdowns in big hospitals where the value of their expensive equipment can be negatived, he will now encourage the retention of smaller hospitals more easily able to cope with such problems.

My Department's strategy for hospital services comprises a mixture of district general hospitals, providing a full range of specialist treatment for the population of the districts they serve, and smaller hospitals functioning as community hospitals, for patients not requiring the full specialist facilities of a district general hospital. I do not accept that staff morale in district general hospitals is poor. In an organisation as diverse and as labour-intensive as the National Health Service, there will be instances where industrial relations could he improved, but I do not believe these difficulties to be directly related to the size of hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many days of industrial action and go-slows were there during the last three months; and how many hospitals were affected in the Wessex area and Great Britain respectively.

This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, failing the introduction of a national concessionary bus fares scheme for retirement pensioners, he will increase pensions to allow for this.

No. In this connection, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemp-town (Mr. Bowden), on 7th March.—[Vol. 945, c. 585.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what site has been designated for a health centre in Somers Town, Camden; and when building will start.

The siting of the proposed health centre in Somers Town, Camden is the subject of discussion between the Camden and Islington Area Health Authority and the London Borough of Camden. The scheme is not at present included in the North East Thames Regional Health Authority's building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many people are currently members of the panel of the National Development Team for the Mentally Handicapped;

The panel of the Development Team for the Mentally Handicapped consists at present of 49 members. Thirty-three have been involved in team studies and exercises undertaken to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for improving rehabilitation services for hearing-impaired people; and if he will make a statement.

The report of a sub-committee of our Advisory Committee on Services for Hearing Impaired People, which was appointed to consider the rehabilitation of adult deaf people, has recommended that a new class of worker—the "hearing therapist"—should be created within the National Health Service. The recommended functions of the post are primarily to assist adult deaf people to improve their communication skills and to act as a co-ordinator of other means of help. The report has been widely circulated and comments on it have been generally favourable. We have now decided, therefore, that health authorities should be given the opportunity to create two or three posts for hearing therapists in each region during the next four years. We are making special funds available to enable health authorities to recruit and train staff for this work.A health circular is being sent to English health authorities giving details of the arrangements and inviting them to submit proposals for the creation of posts. It is our aim during the development period to attract candidates who have had previous experience of working with hearing-impaired people. The Inner London Education Authority proposes to mount a one-year training course for hearing therapists at the City Literary Institute to commence in September 1978.The introduction of hearing therapists into the National. Health Service represents a further step forward in achieving, as soon as possible, the Government's goal of a comprehensive service for the deaf and hard of hearing.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provisions are made for the training of staff in first aid in primary and secondary schools.

Attention is given to first aid in many teacher training courses, particularly in those for intending teachers of physical education, home economics and practical subjects. It is, however, for local education authorities to see that first aid arrangements in their schools are adequate and, if necessary, to arrange supplementary courses in first aid either directly or through voluntary organisations. My Department offers guidance to local education authorities and the schools on safety matters through a series of safety publications which recommend that all teachers should have a simple working knowledge of first aid so that they can readily recognise when medical attention is necessary; that there should be teachers on the staff of every school who have a first aid qualification; and that fully equipped first aid kits should be provided in accessible places and overhauled periodically.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, coincidentally with the publication of the Supply Estimates for 1978–79, whether the plans for the employment of the additional £1 million to be set aside to assist with the preservation of the national heritage which she announced on 26th October 1977 have now been finalised; and whether she will specify the details of the breakdown of the £1 million in question.

An announcement about the employment of the £1 million will be made after the Supply Estimates for 1978–79 have been laid before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much additional expenditure would be involved, over and above that predicted in the recent public expenditure White Paper, if the target of nursery places set in the 1972 White Paper, "A Framework for Expansion", were to be met in full by 1981–82.

It is estimated that to achieve the targets set out in the 1972 White Paper additional capital expenditure of at least £120 million would be required by 1981–82, and there would be additional current expenditure rising to about £20 million per annum by the same date.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many full-time equivalent places in nursery education she estimates will be available in 1981–82; and how far that figure will meet the demand estimated in the Plowden Report.

For the purposes of forward planning it has been estimated that in 1981–82 there will be 175,600 full-time equivalent places in nursery schools and classes in England and Wales. This will provide nursery education for 26 per cent. of the estimated population of three- and four-year-olds. In addition it is estimated that a further 22 per cent. of the combined three- and four-year-olds age group will he receiving education in other class in primary schools. The Plowden targets were for nursery education for 50 per cent. of three-year-olds and 90 per cent. of four-year-olds.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take action to simplify the processes whereby local authorities can introduce bans on the overnight parking of goods vehicles and to reduce the costs currently involved.

I consider that the processes are as simple as they can be, bearing in mind the desirability of proper opportunities for consultation and objection. It follows that any reduction in costs can only be achieved by local authorties within the present statutory framework.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will announce a start date for improve- ments on the A47 King's Lynn and Norwich trunk road between King's Lynn and Narborough.

All schemes in the trunk road programme are currently subject to review in the light of the principles and priorities set out in the transport policy White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he considers it necessary that his approval should be given for improvement grant applications in respect of owner-occupied conversions of two or more properties into a lesser number where the rateable value exceeds £225 and is below £350.

The rateable value limits for applications for improvement grants by owner-occupiers are designed to direct resources to those most in need.The increase in the rateable value limits for conversions, which came into effect in April 1976, was designed to facilitate conversions which result in housing gain. Only in very limited circumstances would it be appropriate to apply the increased limits where a proposed conversion results in a decrease in the number of dwellings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a list of the names of the local authorities which are already meeting the EEC directive on bathing water quality on the beaches of the United Kingdom.

Implementation of this directive is only just starting, and my Department will shortly be issuing guidance to water and local authorities about the designation of bathing waters and preliminary measurement of water quality. The responsibility for seeing that designated waters meet the required standards will rest with the water authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish as much detailed information as may be available giving the amount of financial assistance given directly and indirectly to the parliamentary constituency area of Lambeth, Central.

Information is not available in precisely the form requested since records of Exchequer grants are not kept by parliamentary constituency.However, for 1974 to 1977, the total amounts of general rate support grant and Exchequer grants and subsidies for specific services to the London Borough of Lambeth, which includes the parliamentary constituency of Lambeth, Central, were of the order of:

				£ million
1974–75	…	…	…	41·0
1975–76	…	…	…	47·3
1976–77	…	…	…	60·1

These figures do not include specific grants payable towards expenditure on particular services of the precepting authorities—the Greater London Council including the Inner London Educational Authority and the Metropolitan Police Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expected to receive the official communication from the EEC Commission about the aid that it intends to make available to meet costs arising out of the recent storm and flood damage in Eastern England; and if he will make a statement.

The Commission has provided £629,926 for disaster relief in England and Wales and £314,963 in Scotland. The Government are urgently considering how this assistance should be distributed and a statement will be made on this as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many officials in his Department have been the dinner party guests of private companies with which his Department has an official link in each of the last three years; and if he will indicate, in each case, the name of the company, the rank of the official, and the purpose of the dinner party.

This information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average annual increase in retail prices, wholesale prices and the implied gross domestic product deflator in each of the principal industrial countries from 1960 to the latest available date; and what is the reason for the differences within and between countries in the three series.

The information is given in the following tables:in the impact of indirect taxes and subsidies and in the impact of changes in import prices. Since the implied gross domestic product deflator is an index of home costs per unit of output it is not directly affected by import prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will specify the tax provisions and allowances that apply only to agriculture and horticulture.

The following is a list of the statutory provisions which relate specifically to the taxation of agriculture and horticulture:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the furtherance of the Government's declared policy of more open government, he will extend his practice of sanctioning public speeches by his Permanent Secretary to all senior civil servants within his Department.

I shall do so whenever circumstances make it appropriate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in setting up the system of community loans to finance industry and infrastructure agreed by the European Council in December 1977.

The Council of Finance Ministers meeting on 20th February considered a draft decision submit- ted by the Commission. After a brief discussion this was remitted to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further consideration. The draft decision is also to be considered by the European Assembly at its March session.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the payment made by the United Kingdom Government towards the work of the Council of Europe in the last financial year.

Total United Kingdom payments to the Council of Europe—including the European Youth Foundation—were £3,084,221 in 1976–77, and are expected to total £3,266,475 in 1977–78.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in the Department have been the dinner party guests of private companies with which his Department has an official link in each of the last three years; and if he will indicate, in each case, the name of the company, the rank of the official, and the purpose of the dinner party.

This information cannot be provided without a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the daily limit of luncheon voucher expenditure which can be claimed against company tax was raised to 15 pence; and what would be the equivalent figure currently.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 8th March 1978; Vol. 945, c. 682–3], gave the following information:In its existing form the concession under which the first 15p of the value of a meal voucher is not subject to tax dates from 1959. On the basis of the change in the retail price index, the present equivalent in real terms of 15p in 1959 is about 57p.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the trading deficit in manufactures with the Federal German Republic has been during the past three months at an annual rate; and what representations he has made to the EEC Commission to request West Germany to correct this imbalance.

I have been asked to reply.The United Kingdom's crude trade deficit in manufactures with the Federal German Republic in the three months ended January 1978 was £1,636 million, at an annual rate—based on non-seasonally adjusted data. No representations have been made to the EEC Commission regarding this deficit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax relief would

1. MAN EARNING AVERAGE MANUAL WAGE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
							Value of income tax relief
Year of commencement of mortgage						Cost of House	(a) First year	(b) Average per annum	(c) Total
						£	£	£	£
1972–73	…	…	…	…	…	5,000	98·70	82·00	1,640
						10,000	98·70	82·00	1,640
1977–78	…	…	…	…	…	10,000	272·50	154·00	3,079
						20,000	286·10	161·00	3,232

2. MAN EARNING AVERAGE MANUAL WAGE FOR GREAT BRITAIN
							Value of income tax relief
Year of commencement of mortgage						Cost of House	(a) First year	(b) Average per annum	(c) Total
						£	£	£	£
1972–73	…	...	…	…	…	5,000	100·00	83·00	1,660
						10,000	115·10	95·60	1,912
1977–78	…	…	…	…	…	10,000	272·50	154·00	3,079
						20,000	316·70	178·90	3,578

The maximum allowable mortgage depends upon the status of the purchaser and the building society's valuation of the property, but these calculations have been based on the assumption of a maximum mortgage of 80 per cent. of the cost of the property, repayable over 20 years and subject to the advance not exceeding two and a half times the mortgagor's annual earnings.The figures assume that the present mortgage interest rate and basic rate of income tax remain unchanged for the remainder of the duration of each mortgage.Average earnings for 1972–73 are taken to be the average of the New Earnings Survey estimates for April 1972 and April 1973 relating to full-time male manual accrue per annum and in total to a person with a maximum mortgage allowable at the present date and five years ago over the normal life of the mortgage on a dwelling costing £5,000 and £10,000, five years ago and now costing £10,000 and £20,000, if the owner were earning the average industrial wage for Great Britain, and for Northern Ireland, at the appropriate time and had a wife and two children and a wife and four children, respectively.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 7th March 1978; Vol. 945, c. 616], gave the following information:The figures for both sizes of family are as follows:workers in Northern Ireland and Great Britain respectively. For 1977–78 the April 1977 New Earnings Survey estimates have been used.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales in what circumstances the homeless in Gwynedd or Clwyd are told that the only hostel provision available for them is in Liverpool; and if he is satisfied with existing hostel accommodation for homeless persons in these two counties.

I am not aware of cases of homeless persons from Gwynedd or Clwyd being accommodated in hostels in Liverpool. District councils have a duty to provide accommodation for the priority categories of homeless persons, but it is a matter for their judgment whether the immediate need is met by the use of hostels or in some other way.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will send a circular to each of the 37 local housing authorities in Wales drawing to their attention the fact that it is not necessary for a person threatened with homelessness, within the definition of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977, to provide a court order to prove his impending homelessness.

This point is already covered by paragraph A1.3 in the annex to the code of guidance which was issued to all local housing authorities in Wales under cover of Welsh Office Circular 178/77.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the estimated expenditure, and what has been the actual expenditure to date, for the current financial year, by local authorities in Wales upon the compulsory acquisition of land in housing action areas and priority neighbourhoods.

I regret that such expenditure is not separately identifiable.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now reimburse the Aberfan disaster fund with £150,000 which was taken by the Welsh Office, from the fund, as a local contribution towards the cost of removing the coat tips at Aberfan.

The Aberfan Disaster Fund agreed with the Government of the day to make the contribution so that local wishes for the tips to be completely removed could be met. As a consequence, additional work on the tips was carried out. There are no powers available which would permit a retrospective refund of the contribution to the disaster fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how, in view of his recent statement that it is not practical or desirable for requirements boards to conduct market surveys of individual proposals submitted to them, these boards make assessments of the market value of proposals put before them for funding.