asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the fact that a citizen of another country obtains employment in his country's embassy in Great Britain, and remains in the country for a long time, although he originally entered as a student, is sufficient reason to grant him and his family the right to stay in the United Kingdom.

Under Section 8(5) of the Immigration Act 1971, a person who has been given leave to enter the United Kingdom for a limited period, and who by reason of his subsequent employment as a member of a diplomatic mission becomes exempt from immigration control, ceases to enjoy that exemption when his employment ceases and is not by reason of his employment regarded as having been settled here. Members of his family are similarly provided for in the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to harmonise time changes, such as British summer time, between Great Britain, France and other EEC countries.

The European Economic Community is considering a proposal that all member States should apply summer time for a common period running from about the beginning of April to mid-October. This would shorten our present period of summer time by four weeks, and Parliament would need to be consulted before any change could be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the number of students and others as classified who have entered the United Kingdom for stated purposes and periods of time, who have stayed on and been allowed to remain permanently or for indefinite periods; from which countries they originated; how many persons have appealed against being sent back to their home country and been successful and unsuccessful in such appeals; in how many cases he has granted settlement against the Appeal Board's recommendation; and in respect of how many persons recommended by the courts for deportation he has declined to operate the court's recommendation.

Detailed figures, by country of citizenship or nationality, of the number of students and others admitted and the number of people accepted for settlement in various categories are published in the annual Command Papers, the latest of which is "Control of Immigration, Statstics, 1977" (Cmnd. 7160). The number of people accepted for settlement on removal of time limit is recorded by the reason for acceptance and not by the individual's entry category.During the period 1st January 1973 to 31st December 1977, 17,361 appeals made under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 against a refusal to vary leave to enter were referred to the appellate authorities; and during the period 595 such appeals were allowed and 8,385 dismissed. During the period, it was decided in 592 cases not to act on a court's recommendation for deportation.I regret that information about the number of cases in which settlement was granted contrary to the recommendation of the appellate authorities is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now completed his consideration of the request for an independent inquiry into matters raised in the Osmond Report and other related matters in Lancashire which have been drawn to his attention.

In December 1976 the Lancashire Police Authority received the report which it had commissioned from Sir Douglas Osmond on his investigation of allegations against the conduct of their chief constable. The Director of Public Prosecutions, to whom Sir Douglas had also reported, concluded that in all the circumstances it would be proper in the public interest for the whole matter to be disposed of by the police authority. The police authority, acting under the relevant regulations, instituted disciplinary proceedings against the chief constable which were heard by a disciplinary tribunal in October 1977. The tribunal found Mr. Parr guilty on 26 out of 37 charges and he was subsequently dismissed. Because of my appellate responsibility, I was not able to read the Osmond Report until the chief constable had withdrawn his appeal against dismissal; but I have now studied the report, an account of the relevant proceedings of the police authority and the report of the tribunal.Over recent months there has also been a quite separate investigation conducted at the request of the acting chief constable of Lancashire by officers of the Nottinghamshire Police into allegations of corruption in public life in Black-pool. As a result of this investigation, a report has recently been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and I am informed that he has decided that further and wider police inquiries are necessary. He has so advised the acting chief constable, who has now ordered that such inquiries should be carried out and arranged for them to be conducted by a team of police officers from other forces, led by Mr. Imbert, the deputy chief constable of Surrey, and including a senior officer of the Metropolitan and City Police company fraud department. The inquiries are intended to be wide-ranging; I understand that on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions they will embrace not only the matters dealt with in the report of the investigation by officers of the Nottinghamshire police but, in the light of that report, will also review some aspects of the Osmond Report. If these inquiries produce evidence of the possible commission of criminal offences, the question of prosecution will be considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions in the usual way.These new police inquiries will provide the fairest and most effective way of dealing with matters that have become the subject of rumour and allegation. I have, therefore, decided not to appoint a public inquiry under Section 32 of the Police Act 1964 or to ask the House to agree to a tribunal under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act 1921. In reaching this decision, I had very much in mind that any such inquiries would be likely to depend for their effectiveness on promises to potential witnesses of immunity from prosecution.As regards the police authority, my examination of the papers has satisfied me that the authority has at all times acted, and where appropriate has exercised its discretion, in accordance with the relevant regulations. It is, however, apparent that the present procedures for dealing with allegations against the conduct of chief officers of police are themselves in some respects unsatisfactory, and I have already told the House that we intend to review them.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what complaints he has received from tourists or tourist organisations about the high commissions charged by money-changing offices.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consume: Protection (1) if he will list in the Official Report the prices of the following goods in February 1974 and in April 1978: portion of fish and chips; car insurance for average family car; pre-recorded popular cassette tape, average price; dry cleaning charges, average price; hairdressing, average price; men's shoes, average price: and laundry charges, average price;(2) if he will list in the

Average retail price in February 1974 for those items for which price information is normally published are available in the Department of Employment Gazette Volume LXXXII, No. 4. The corresponding information for April 1978 is not yet available. Prices or changes for other items for

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will visit Blantyre.

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to visit Blantyre.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the Western Isles.

A major objective of the Government's economic policies is to reduce unemployment throughout the United Kingdom, including the Western Isles. In recent years the Western Isles has benefited considerably from the Government's special measures for the unemployed, especially the young people. The new youth opportunities programme and special temporary employment programme schemes now started will, I believe, be of considerable benefit to the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what he expects to be the total cost of holding the referendum regarding the Scottish Assembly.

£880,000 is the best available estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to extend facilities for geriatric and psycho-geriatric patients in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area.

The major capital building programme, which my right hon. Friend announced on 2nd May 1977, includes six schemes to provide new facilities for geriatric and psycho-geriatric patients—at Gartloch, Gartnavel General, Leverndale, Belvidere and Woodilee Hospitals and in a new unit at Rutherglen.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many council houses were sold during the last year and in the current year to date in each region in Scotland; what is his present policy on the sale of council houses, after representations made to him at the recent Labour Party conference in Scotland and if he will make a statement.

During 1977, 61 sales of council houses were completed according to returns made to my Department: 21 in Highland, 26 in Grampian and 14 in Borders Regions. So far this year eight sales have been reported in Highland, three in Grampian and one in Borders Regions. I am considering the many reactions to the Green Paper (Cmnd. 6852) before reviewing present policy on sale of council houses which is set out in SDD Circular No. 36/1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the employment projections for Scotland emerging from the most recent economic indicators.

Recent economic indicators show some strengthening of the economy together with a modest fall in unemployment. The Budget measures are expected further to improve growth prospects in the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to publish his next review of the Scottish economy and employment prospects.

The Scottish Economic Bulletin, which is now published three times a year, contains a review of developments in the Scottish economy as well as a general assessment of prospects. The last bulletin was published on 1st March and the next is scheduled for the middle of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representation he has had on behalf of tenants of housing associations concerning the operation of the fair rents scheme which creates problems for them because the registered rents are in excess of those for comparable local authority accommodation.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now announce whether he intends so to vary the planning permission for the Torness power station that a public inquiry into the proposal for an advanced gas-cooled reactor will not take place.

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to make a statement on the reconstitution of the salaries negotiating machinery for Scottish teachers recommended by the Committee of Inquiry into the Pay of Non-University Teachers (Command Paper No. 5848) published December 1974.

It remains the Government's firm intention to introduce legislation to establish new negotiating machinery on the general lines recommended by the Houghton Committee, but it will not be practicable to enact this legislation in the current Session.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with present educational provision in the Kirkton and Cairnie district of Arbroath.

My right hon. Friend is aware that there is some pressure on the accommodation available in the primary school serving this district, but there is no evidence that the education of the children attending this school has been adversely affected by this.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he is making to establish an independent Arts Council for Scotland after devolution.

The Government have invited the Arts Council of Great Britain to consider in consultation with the Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils what changes would be desirable in the administration of the arts following devolution. Decisions on the arrangements for supporting the arts in Scotland will, of course, rest ultimately with the devolved administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet representatives of the Central Regional Council.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will order an investigation into the financial control exercised by the Scottish Development Agency.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to make a statement on compensation for damage caused by the snowstorm in the Highlands of Scotland at the end of January and beginning of February.

I have asked Scottish local authorities to let me have reports on exceptional expenditure following snow and flood damage by 28th April. Discussions are proceeding with the National Farmers' Unions about the arrangements for submitting claims on the fund which the unions are setting up. Until information from local authorities and farmers has been received and considered I am unable to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Renfrewshire, West (Mr. Buchan) on 22nd March.—[Vol. 946, c. 554–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the prospects for the Scottish timber industry in 1978.

Prospects in the wood-using industries in Scotland, as throughout Western Europe, are not significantly better than in 1976 and 1977, although the trade hopes for a slight upturn later this year as a result of the fall in mortgage interest rates and the Government's measures to aid the construction industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Greater Glasgow Area Health Board has taken up its full financial allocation for 1977–78; and what plans it has in the immediate future to improve accommodation and facilities for the elderly.

Glasgow did not take up its full allocation for 1977–78 but will be able to draw the balance later under carry-forward arrangements and will not lose the money.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet the Scottish CBI and the STUC.

I have no immediate arrangements for a meeting with the Scottish section of the CBI. I shall be with the STUC on 21st April to address its annual congress in Aberdeen.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will place details in the Official Report of the number of letters of support he has had relating to the devolution Bill as it affects Scotland since 1st December 1977 to the latest available date.

Recent correspondence is mostly about particular aspects of the devolution proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he hopes to produce a scheme for assistance to Orkney and Shetland over freight charges.

I am still considering the various representations that I have received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the latest situation in the fishing industry.

I have indicated on a previous occasion the industry has had two relatively good years in 1976 and 1977 despite the continuing state of uncertainty as regards fishing opportunities. Its future economic prospects must, of course, depend largely on the outcome of the negotiations for the revision of the common fisheries policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many warrant sales were granted to the electricity boards in each of the last five years for the recovery of debt for domestic accounts due from consumers.

I am asking the chairmen of the Scottish electricity boards to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects Gartnavel Royal Hospital to be able to provide for the needs of the local community.

No change in the present position can occur until additional facilities are available for the patients from Dumbarton district who currently look to Gartnavel Royal Hospital for psychiatric care. The Greater Glasgow and Argyll and Clyde health boards are considering how to resolve the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the chargé d'affaires in Angola to make his representations in regard to the imprisonment of British citizens there; what information he has as to the treatment being accorded to these citizens and as to the conditions in their prison; and what further action he intends to take whether by way of direct representations to the Angolan Government or through the United Nations or the European Economic Community.

The chargé d'affaires in Luanda has made continuous representations for access to the British mercenaries since his arrival in January. The Italian Ambassador, when he visited them on 31st December on our behalf, assured us that they were in good health. We are, however, concerned that our chargé d'affaires has not yet been able to see the men and will continue to press the Angolan Government to agree to this as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are currently resident in Zambia.

The latest estimate of the number of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies currently resident in Zambia is 29,300.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further discussions he has had with the Government of Botswana concerning the shooting of Mr. Nicholas Love by Botswana border guards.

I raised the case with the Botswana Foreign Minister in Dar-es-Salaam on 15th April. The Prime Minister had already sent a personal message to President Khama on 13th April. Our High Commissioner is also keeping in close touch with the Botswana Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his American counterpart regarding the implications of the neutron bomb upon detente; and if he will convey to him the widespread opposition within Great Britain to this weapon.

In discussions with the United States Administration and our other allies in NATO on the introduction of enhanced radiation warheads, all the implications and the different points at issue have been taken into account. As my hon. Friend will have recognised, the Government have supported President Carter's decision to defer production of enhanced radiation warheads.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Governments of the United States of America and Panama about the effect of the Panama Canal treaties on British shipping using the canal; what arrangements, if any, he expects to be made to enable countries, including Great Britain, to appeal against excessive increases in canal tolls; and what arbitrational machinery, if any, is to be created.

Representations have been made to the Governments of the United States and Panama on numerous occasions in recent years, both before and after signature of the new treaties. We have made clear our concern that the existing transit rights of British merchant and naval ships should be maintained. Britain wholeheartedly supports the treaties and we believe that those rights will continue to be protected. We have also made known the British shipping industry's concern about the possible effect of the treaties on the level of tolls. I am advised that there is no provision in the treaties for appeals against toll increases or arbitration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds and for what reason joint passports held by spouses can be used by the husband if he travels abroad alone, but not by the wife; and if he will give consideration to removing this anomaly.

There is no anomaly in this matter. A family passport may be issued in the name of either a husband or a wife, the other spouse being included on it. It is generally internationally acceptable only when used by the holder.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has now taken to circulate the amendments to the Treaty of Rome contained in Command Paper No. 6252, approved by the House of Commons on 8th-9th December 1975; and if he will state the form and number of amendment letter or notices sent out and their principal addresses.

Following ratification by the United Kingdom and the entry into force of the treaty amending certain financial provisions of the treaties establishing the European Communities and of the treaty establishing a single council and a single commission of the European Communities, the text was published again in November 1977 in the Treaty Series (Cmnd 7007). The main Foreign and Commonwealth Office distribution of copies of the Command Paper included both Houses of Parliament, foreign missions in London and the appropriate British posts abroad and departments in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what document or notice he has received for the Council or Commissioners of the European Economic Community concerning the amendments to the Treaty of Rome contained in Command Paper No. 6252, approved by the House of Commons on 8th-9th December 1975; and if any such document is convenient for insertion into the standard volume containing the foundation European Economic Community Treaties.

My right hon. Friend's Department received from the secretariat of the Council of Ministers the certified copy of the text of the treaty amending certain financial provisions of the treaties establishing the European Communities and of the treaty establishing a single council and a single commission of the European Communities. This is retained in the treaty archives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In addition, copies were received of the booklet referred to in the reply which I gave my hon. Friend on 10th November and of the Official Journal of the European Communities of 31st December 1977 (Vol. 20, No. L359), containing the text of the treaty and a notification of entry into force. These are not in the form of amendments for insertion into existing publications of the earlier treaties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the approximate tonnage of wheat of bread-making quality imported into the United Kingdom in 1977 from outside the European Economic Community; what was its approximate cost in £ sterling at the European Economic Comunity levy paid; and what are his estimates of the corresponding quantities at costs for 1978.

During 1977, 1·5 million tonnes of common wheat, mainly of bread-making quality, were imported into the United Kingdom from outside the EEC. The value of these imports, before payment of levies, was £117·6 million. The net revenue derived from import levies on common wheat during the same period was £45·1 million.I am unable to make a reliable estimate on imports for 1978.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will raise at the Council of Ministers the question of preferential access to EEC markets for South African goods via Israel, with a view to preventing such a development.

The trade preferences enjoyed by Israel apply only to products originating there. South African products exported via Israel to the EEC would not be eligible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list his statutory responsibilities with reference to the restoration of opencast coal mining sites.

My right hon. Friend the Minister has no statutory responsibility for the restoration of opencast coal mining sites. The Ministry's role was set out in 1958 during the passage of the Opencast Coal Bill through Parliament.This role is to advise the Department of Energy on the agricultural implications of formal applications by the National Coal Board to extract coal by opencast methods and on the planning conditions which would be attached to any subsequent authorisations. The Ministry subsequently advises on and supervises those working operations which could affect the subsequent restoration of the land, undertakes for five years the agri- cultural after-treatment and management of the restored land, and carries out any further remedial work which may be required after the land has been released back to farming.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service which former Prime Ministers are drawing their pensions of £7,500 per annum; how long such pensions have been drawn; and how many ex-Prime Ministers are also drawing their parliamentary salaries.

It would be contrary to normal practice to publish details of the pensions in payment to named individuals. Both the pensions of former Prime Ministers and, where applicable, their parliamentary salaries are, of course, entitlements laid down in legislation.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what has been the cost to public funds of visits to foreign countries undertaken by each of Her Majesty's Ministers between February 1977 and February 1978.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23rd March 1978; Vol. 946, c. 681], gave the following reply:From records held centrally, it is estimated that the cost to public funds of overseas visits for the Minister leading each visit during the period February 1977 and February 1978 inclusive is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange for HMS "Ark Royal" to visit Birkenhead, where she was built, on her farewell trip in view of the considerable public demand for such a visit in the area.

I am sorry to disappoint the hon. Member and his constituents, but planned operational commitments will preclude a visit by HMS "Ark Royal" to Birkenhead before she pays off at the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what approaches he has received from the Central Electricity Generating Board concerning the possibility of constructing further pumped storage hydro-electric schemes; and whether any of these approaches contain proposals for a further scheme in Gwynedd.

I have received no such approaches, and I am advised by the Cen-

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out in tabular form the percentage of energy self-sufficiency attained by the United Kingdom in each of the years from 1970

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the energy in the United Kingdom that will

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give his assessment on a six-monthly basis to date of the percentage of North Sea oil refined in the United Kingdom and the amount exported since crude oil was first recovered from the North Sea.

Details of disposals of North Sea crude oil on the basis required are:to the latest available date and show how this compares in each case with the position in each of the other eight member States of the EEC.

The following is the information:be saved in terms of a percentage of total annual energy consumption if all domestic and office premises were double-glazed and had heat retention lining in all roof work.

Estimates indicate that the installation of 80mm of insulation in houses with accessible lofts could result in a saving of up to perhaps 1 per cent. of national primary energy consumption. Much would, however, depend on people's heating habits. A roughly similar saving might be achieved by double glazing all windows, although it would be judged cost-effective from an energy conservation viewpoint only in rooms where high temperatures are maintained for most of the day. There are, however, other advantages from double glazing, principally noise and draught reduction. The saving which would accrue from similar measures in office buildings cannot be quantified on available information, but it can be assumed that similar conditions

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Finance Bill will be published.

The Finance Bill will be published on Thursday, 20th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of the £ sterling in internal purchasing power compared with February 1974.

As measured by the General Index of Retail Prices, the value of the £, if put at 100p in February 1974, is estimated at 53p in March

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out in tabular form and in terms of the ratio of primary energy use per unit of gross domestic product the energy efficiency attained by the United Kingdom in each of the years from 1970 to the latest available date, and show how this compares in each case with the position in each of the other eight member States of the EEC.

The following is the available information:1978. But for every constant value £, as measured by real personal disposable income, consumers had in their pockets in the first quarter of 1974, they had £1·04 in the fourth quarter of 1977, and it is likely that the current figure for this quarter will prove slightly higher.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of reducing the basic rate of income tax from 34 per cent. to 30 per cent.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 14th April 1978] gave the following information:About £1,475 million at 1978–79 income levels and on the basis of the allowances and tax rates proposed in the Budget Statement, including the lower rate band. If the lower rate band had not been introduced the cost would be very much greater: about £2,175 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any use has yet been made of the powers conferred on the European Investment Bank of its additional powers to alter the method of converting units of account into national currencies under Article 7(4) of its protocol, as amended by a treaty, Cmnd. 6253, approved by the House on 8th-9th December 1975.

The treaty (Cmnd. 6253) amending certain provisions of the protocol on the statute of the European Investment Bank, which entered into force on 1st October 1977, empowers the Board of Governors, acting unanimously on a proposal by the Board of Directors, to amend the definition of the bank's unit of account and the method of converting sums expressed in units of account into national currencies and vice versa.On 30th December 1977 the Board of Governors, acting on a proposal by the Board of Directors, decided that the value of the unit of account shall be equal to the sum of the following amounts of the national currencies of the member States:

The Board of Governors also decided that the parity of the currency of a member State in relation to the unit of account defined above shall be taken as the rate for converting the unit of account into this currency and vice versa based on market prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what latest estimate he has made of the numbers of families with, respectively, two, three, four and more children, under 16 years, where the income in wages is below the average.

I have been asked to reply.I regret that this Question would be disproportionately costly to answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the initial cost of installing net curtains in all Government offices in Greater London; and what is the estimated cost of maintaining these window dressings in terms of laundry, replacement, &c., in a financial year.

Special net curtains designed to stop flying glass and debris have been installed in Government offices as a protection against bomb blasts. The cost to date of installing these curtains in offices in Greater London is about £1·350 million.The cost of maintenance will be approximately £0·1 million per year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list in the Official Report all those local authorities still charging rates of interest above 10 per cent. for house purchase.

This information is not collected centrally at present. It will be reported to my Department quarterly from June 1978 onwards under new housing monitoring arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with the Building Societies Association to persuade it to make block loans to local authorities so that local authorities can relend the money to their own mortgagees at reasonable rates of interest.

This question has been raised during a number of wider discussions I have had with the BSA. Some building societies are prepared to refinance individual existing local authority mortgages. Block loans direct to authorities for on-lending would count as public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that the practice known as "gazumping" is again prevalent in the London housing market and is spreading to the provinces; and whether in order to avoid the abuses of 1971 to 1972, he will introduce protective legislation despite the Law Commission Report No. 65.

The Law Commission report advised that there was no legislative solution which could both prevent gazumping and maintain the protection to purchasers and vendors which present procedures afford. Gazumping occurs when prices are rising too fast: the best remedy is the maintenance of a stable housing market.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why Knowsley Council, which has the most serious social and housing problems in the country, received less than the national average for local authorities in terms of financial assistance from the Government.

The extent of Knowsley's social and economic problems is reflected in the fact that, in 1978–79, the local authority will receive an estimated £118·83 of rate support grant needs element per head of population, as compared with an average for England and Wales of £86·30.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average assessed market price of local authority and new town dwellings sold in 1977.

In 1977, the average consideration paid on the sale or lease of council houses—including those built for disposal—other than under equity sharing arrangements was £7,300. This figure reflects an average discount of 16 per cent. The equivalent figures for disposals by development corporations in new towns are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the aver- age weekly rebated rent of a council house, expressed as a percentage of the average household income of local authority tenants from 1974 to 1977–78.

The available information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the average rebated council rent would need to be increased to equal its real value in 1973–74.

Rebated local authority rents in England and Wales averaged £3·31 per week in October 1973 and £4·95 per week in October 1977, equivalent to a 50 per cent. increase. During the same period the United Kingdom retail price index has risen about 93 per cent. If rents had risen at the same rate as the RPI since October 1973, the average rebated rent at October 1977 would have been £6·39 per week—£1·44 per week above the actual level.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce a statutory instalments scheme for the payment of water charges, as already provided for in the case of the payment of general rates.

No. Water authorities are already able to accept payment of charges by instalments. I am confident that they will treat sympathetically requests for such facilities from people who might otherwise suffer hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions have objections to compulsory purchase orders under the Community Land Act been disregarded to the extent that they related to the ground that the proposed acquisition was unnecessary or inexpedient; on how many occasions he has dispensed with a public local inquiry when confirming a compulsory purchase order under the Act; and for what reason.

There have been no occasions on which such objections have been disregarded. On one occasion a public inquiry was dispensed with because, apart from a small parcel eventually excluded from the order, there was sufficient planning backing established after public local inquiries to satisfy paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 to the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many compulsory purchase orders have thus far been submitted to him for approval under the Community Land Act; what is the total area of land included in the orders; how many orders have now been approved; and what is the total area of land included in the orders.

Sixty orders have been submitted, covering a total area of 178 hectares. Twenty orders have been confirmed to date, covering a total area of 33 hectares.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many directions he has issued under paragraph 3 of Schedule 4 to the Community Land Act.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the chemical formula of the substance put into the water supply in order to bring about fluoridation of drinking water; and what is the chemical formula of the form of fluoride found naturally in ground water in those parts of the United Kingdom where the level of fluoride is such that his Department does not consider it necessary to recommend the addition of fluoride to drinking water.

To bring the fluoride concentration in water up to the level of 1 part per million—as recommended by my right hon. Friend the Sec- retary of State for Social Services—either sodium silicofluoride (Na₂SiF₆) or fluorosilicic acid (H₂SiF₆) is usually added as a source of fluoride ions. Naturally occurring fluoride in groundwater and surface water is an equilibrium mixture of fluoride ions—usually associated with sodium ions (NaF) or with calcium ions (CaF₂)—and sodium or calcium aluminofluorides (Na₃A1F₆, Ca₃ (A1F₆)₂) and sodium or calcium ferrofluorides (Na₃FeF₆, Ca₃(FeF₆)₂).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the annual growth rate for the output of the British brick and cement industry for each year from 1973 to 1977 inclusive, measured at 1973 prices; and what annual changes he expects for 1978 and 1979.

Annual changes ill the quantity of bricks and cement produced are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply by the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection to the hon. Member for Romford on 7th April 1978, Official Report, c. 2500, what are the comparative annual costs of the present accommodation of the Department of Prices at the Millbank Tower, SW1, compared to the previous annual costs of the Department of Prices at 1 Victoria Street.

The respective figures are £107,000 at 1 Victoria Street and £280,000 at Millbank Tower. The accommodation at Millbank Tower was already held on the estate, and the difference in the costs largely reflects the fact that the leases were negotiated at different times.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will publish in the Official Report a table showing the names of the persons who were Crown Agents in 1950 and all those subsequently appointed together with their respective date of appointment, resignations, retirement or decease; what was their previous principal employment indicating those agents who became chairmen for the periods indicated together with the number of agents in office at the commencement of each year from 1950 to 1978.

The information is as follows:CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES /CROWN AGENTS FOR OVERSEAS GOVERNMENTS AND ADMINISTRATIONS /CROWN AGENTS BOARD 1950—DATE (APRIL 1978)Sir John A. Calder, KCMG (Senior Crown Agent) Appointed 1st August 1942—Retired 30th April 1953.Sir Harold F. Downie, KBE, CMG, Appointed 1st August 1942—Retired 30th April 1953.Sir George F. Seel, KCMG (Senior Crown Agent) Appointed 1st May 1953—Retired 1st April 1959.Sir George Beresford-Stooke, KCMG, Appointed 1st May 1953—Retired 1955.Sir Alfred W. L. Savage, KCMG, Appointed 21st October 1955—Retired 31st May 1963.Sir Stephen E. V. Luke, KCMG (Senior Crown Agent), Appointed 1st April 1959—Retired as Senior Crown Agent on 1st October 1968 (but remained on Board until 28th September 1971).Sir James Farquharson, KBE, Appointed 1st June 1963—Retired as Crown Agent in 1965 (But remained on Board until 1968).W. G. Bawden CBE Appointed 1st June 1963—Retired 17th October 1964.E. A. Morris, CMG, CBE, Appointed 17th October 1964—Retired from pensionable service on 9th September 1970 (but remained as Crown Agent in a temporary capacity until 31st December 1971).J. H. P. Hawtrey, OBE, Appointed 2nd October 1965—Retired 1st August 1969.Sir Claude Hayes, KCMG, (Chairman and Senior Crown Agent) Appointed 1st October 1968—Retired as Chairman with effect from 1st October 1974 (remained in a consultative capacity until January 1975).J. G. Cuckney, (Chairman and Senior Crown Agent). Appointed 1st October 1974—Due to finish term on 30th September 1978.J. F. Goble, (Part-time). Appointed 1st November 1974—Still in post.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what are the proposed total amounts of aid to be given by her Department to (a) Commonwealth countries and (b) other countries over the next five years.

On present expectations about the final outturn of the aid programme in 1977 about £260 million of our bilateral aid will have gone to Commonwealth countries and about £86·5 million to other countries. A further £37 million was not allocated to specific countries but went mainly to functional technical co-operation organisations which operate regionally for the benefit of both Commonwealth and other countries. It is not the practice to publish forward forecasts, but I have no reason to expect that the 1977 proportions will change significantly, though the amounts will increase from year to year with a growing programme.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how much and what proportion in percentage terms of the total official aid budget was taken up in administrative costs (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the recipient countries in the latest full year for which figures are available.

For the financial year 1976–77 the figures under (a) were £8,640,000 and 1·7 per cent. and under (b) £1,265,000 and 0·25 per cent. These represent costs met by my Department. In addition, the Diplomatic Service and

asked the Minister for Overseas Development, by how much the official aid budget underspent in the latest full year for which figures are available; and what were the principal causes of the underspending.

1977–78 figures are not yet complete. In 1976–77 the aid programme was underspent by £20·3 million on a total of £519 million. The main causes were a shortfall in drawings by the International Development Association; some slippages in implementing capital aid projects, due in part to delivery delays; and slower progress than expected in completing pension take-over arrangements.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will list the countries which receive official bilateral aid from the United Kingdom in rank order according to the following different

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) how much and what proportions in percentage terms of the total official bilateral aid budget went to developing countries with per capita incomes of more than $280 per year in the latest full year for which figures are available;(2) how much and what proportions in percentage terms of the total official bilateral aid budget went to developing countries with per capita incomes of less than $280 per year in the latest full year for which figures are available.

Details for 1976 were:criteria: (

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

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many countries now receive official bilateral aid from the United Kingdom; and how this number compares with the figures in each year from 1970 to the present.

128 countries received aid in 1977. Details for earlier years are:

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how much and what proportions in percentage terms of the total official bilateral aid budget was allocated to (a) the joint voluntary funding scheme and (b) the British volunteer programme, respectively, in the latest full year for which figures are available.

In 1977–78 allocations were £709,000 to the joint funding scheme and £1,420,000 to the British volunteer programme. I estimate these as being 0·18 per cent. and 0·36 per cent. respectively of the total provision for official bilateral aid in that year.

asked the Lord President of the Council what consultations he proposes to have about the electoral system for the Scottish Assembly in view of recent developments.

This House will be considering this matter in due course together with any other amendments made to the Scotland Bill in another place.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange for consideration to be given to extending to April and May the present rules limiting the number of parties permitted to tour the House on Mondays to Thursdays.

I intend to put the right hon. Member's suggestion to the Services Committee.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is now able to give an actual or estimated costs of the broadcasting of Parliament; and to what extent such costs will be met by the general taxpayer.

The broadcasting authorities estimate that their expenditure on capital equipment will be about £365,000 and their annual running costs