Written Answers

                    The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.
                

Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 20th April 1978

Home Department

Legal Aid (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give a break-down of the figures for the Metropolitan area in Table 21 of the

APPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL AID FOR PROCEEDINGS IN MAGISTRATES' AND JUVENILE COURTS IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA, 1976
Number of applications
			Summary proceedings†			Committal proceedings
		Total number^*of applications	Total	Granted	Refused	Total	Granted	Refused
Barnet	…	169	119	85	34	37	37	—
Barking	…	1,102	784	676	108	309	309	—
Beacontree	…	1,105	1,059	828	231	31	31	—
Bexley	…	783	560	508	52	200	200	—
Bow Street	…	2,317	1,678	1,520	158	639	637	2
Brentford and Ealing		1,961	1,597	1,026	571	346	326	20
Bromley	…	1,414	1,399	1,387	12	10	10	—
Camberwell Green	…	3,091	2,159	1,938	221	932	930	2
Cheshunt	…	215	164	162	2	50	49	1
Clerkenwell	…	1,766	1,090	1,004	86	676	676	—
Croydon	…	2,007	1,954	1,634	320	28	28	—
Dartford	…	499	419	394	25	72	72	—
Dorking	…	263	196	172	24	62	61	1
Edmonton	…	2,645	1,739	1,116	623	863	801	62
Epping and Ongar	…	378	281	250	31	95	95	—
Epsom	…	317	213	185	28	101	101	—
Esher and Walton	…	270	157	146	11	113	113	—
Gore	…	996	754	655	99	236	236	—
Greenwich	…	1,439	1,183	1,070	113	256	256	—
Hampstead	…	571	408	383	25	163	163	—
Havering	…	1,041	739	682	57	265	265	—
Highbury Corner	…	1,898	1,181	612	569	717	537	180
Highgate	…	918	689	309	380	208	177	31
Inner London Juvenile	…	3,922	3,492	3,303	189	—	—	—
Horseferry Road	…	3,313	2,463	2,212	251	850	842	8
Kingston-upon-Thames	…	732	656	593	63	70	70	—
Marlborough Street	…	2,106	1,503	1,369	134	603	585	18
Marylebone	…	2,437	1,526	1,485	41	910	899	11
Newham	…	2,296	1,586	1,442	144	693	693	—
New Spelthorne	…	302	204	172	32	91	91	—
Old Street	…	1,362	961	766	195	401	397	4
Richmond-upon-Thames	…	768	570	449	121	189	186	3
South Mimms	…	175	133	106	27	35	35	—
South Western	…	3,075	2,410	1,958	452	663	662	1
Staines and Sunbury	…	266	199	151	48	65	65	—
Sutton	…	307	165	138	27	105	105	—
Thames	…	1,428	1,061	636	425	367	367	—
Tower Bridge	…	1,322	981	843	138	341	338	3
Uxbridge	…	1,295	672	555	117	613	507	106
Wallington	…	569	400	344	56	143	142	1
Waltham Forest	…	2,238	1,717	1,393	324	500	500	—
Watford	…	970	772	739	33	184	184	—
Wells Street	…	261	251	203	48	10	10	—
West London: Southcombe Street	…	1,793	1,093	985	108	700	700	—
Walton Street	…	21	19	10	9	2	2	—
Willesden	…	1,967	1,671	1,221	450	272	258	14
Wimbledon	…	450	303	274	29	136	136	—
Woolwich	…	687	394	286	108	242	236	6
Total	…	61,227	45,724	38,375	7,349	14,594	14,120	474
^* Includes also applications for legal aid for other proceedings in magistrates' or juvenile courts such as care proceedings and appearances with respect to variations in or breaches of court orders.
† Summary trials of indictable offences, trials of summary offences, and criminal proceedings in juvenile courts.

Criminal Statistics for England and Wales 1976, Command Paper No. 6909, distinguishing between summary proceedings and committal proceedings.

The information is set out in the following table:

"New Community"

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of publishing and producing New Community, the journal of the Commission for Racial Equality, in the last year for which figures are available; and how many copies have been distributed of each of the last four editions.

The Commission is responsible for the day-to-day management of its business, including the cost and distribution of publications.

Deportation Orders

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of deportation orders he has signed according to the country of origin for the latest period of 12 months for which the information is available.

During 1977 my right hon. Friend signed deportation orders against people from the following countries and overseas territories:

Algeria	17
Argentina	2
Australia	14
Austria	5
Bangladesh	27
Bahamas	1
Belgium	1
Benin	1
Brazil	2
Cameroon	2
Canada	4
Chile	9
Colombia	5
Cyprus	72
Dahomey	2
Ecuador	1
Egypt	42
Fiji	1
Finland	1
France	8
Gambia	3
Germany (Federal Republic)	12
Ghana	135
Greece	5
Guyana	15
Holland	6
Hong Kong	14
India	105
Indonesia	1
Iran	35
Iraq	2
Irish Republic	27
Israel	4
Ivory Coast	1
Italy	11
Jamaica	5
Japan	3

Jordan	4
Kenya	11
Lebanon	3
Liberia	5
Libya	1
Liechtenstein	1
Malawi	1
Malaysia	20
Malta	9
Mauritius	26
Morocco	11
New Zealand	6
Nigeria	134
Norway	1
Pakistan	113
Peru	1
Poland	2
Portugal	8
St. Helena	1
St. Vincent	1
Saudi Arabia	1
Sierra Leone	13
Somalia	2
South Africa	5
Spain	8
Sri Lanka	11
Sudan	1
Sweden	2
Switzerland	2
Syria	1
Tanzania	17
Thailand	3
Tibet	1
Trinidad and Tobago	7
Tunisia	5
Turkey	66
Uganda	1
United States of America	25
Venezuela	3
Yemen (Arab Republic of)	3
Yemen (Peoples Democratic Republic)	1
Yugoslavia	5
Zambia	5
Holders of non-national documents	5

Lotteries And Amusements Act 1976

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the working of the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976; and whether he will make a statement.

I am aware that there is concern about developments in this field, and I am keeping the situation under review in consultation with the Gaming Board for Great Britain. I understand that the Royal Commission on Gambling, whose report is expected later this year, is fully seized of the matter.

Taxis (London)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with the Greater London Council for the implementation of the Maxwell Stamp Report 1970.

Two of the Maxwell Stamp Committee's recommendations, on compellable hirings at Heathrow and more stringent control over signs carried on unlicensed vehicles, have been implemented. There have been lengthy consultations with the GLC about the Committee's main recommendation for the establishment of a statutory board to control both taxis and private hire cars in London. We are hopeful that these consultations can be brought to a conclusion shortly.

Prime Minister (Engagements)

Q4.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

Q5.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements on 20th April.

Q8.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Thursday 20th April.

Q10.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

Q14.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 20th April.

Q19.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 20th April.

Q20.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

Q22.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Thursday 20th April.

Q23.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

Q25.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

Q29.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

Q30.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

Q36.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 20th April.

Q38.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Thursday 20th April.

Q41.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 20th April.

Q42.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 20th April.

Q47.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

Q48.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 20th April.

Q51.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 20th April.

Q54.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Thursday 20th April.

I refer the hon. Members and my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner).

Trade Union Conferences

Q7.

asked the Prime Minister when he next will be addressing a trade union conference.

I hope to address the annual conference of the Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical and Computer Staff on 1st May.

Tuc And Cbi

Q9.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects next to meet the TUC and CBI.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on 11th April.

Q12.

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to meet TUC leaders.

Q24.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to meet the TUC.

Q43.

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to meet the TUC.

Q46.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the TUC.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Gould).

Q16.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the CBI.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on 7th February.

Q21.

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

Q28.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the TUC and CBI.

I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy) on 11th April.

Japanese Prime Minister

Q11.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has for meeting the Japanese Prime Minister.

I expect to meet Mr. Fukuda at the Economic Summit in Bonn in July.

Government Legislation

Q13.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied with his Government's progress in implementing the programme outlined in the Queen's Speech.

Q18.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with his Government's progress in implementing the programme outlined in the Queen's Speech.

Q33.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with his Government's progress in implementing the programme outlined in the Queen's Speech.

Q37.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with his Government's progress in implementing the programme outlined in the Queen's Speech.

Q52.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with Government's progress in implementing the programme outlined in the Queen's Speech.

Q53.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with Her Majesty's Government's progress in implementing the programme outlined in the Queen's Speech.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gow) on 18th April.

Nationalised Industries

Q15.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the chairmen of the nationalised industries.

Q27.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the heads of nationalised industries.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thornaby (Mr. Wrigglesworth) on 1st December.

Boulmer

Q17.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Boulmer, Northumberland.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Wiltshire

Q26.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

Dundee

Q31.

asked the Prime Minister when he will next pay a visit to Dundee.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Northern Ireland

Q32.

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

Such visits are not announced in advance.

Middle East

Q34.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

European Community

Q35.

asked the Prime Minister when he will next attend an EEC Summit meeting.

On 6th and 7th July.

United Nations And Organisation For African Unity

Q39.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to meet the secretaries-general of the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity.

I look forward to seeing Dr. Waldheim again when I attend the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament in June. I have no plans to meet the secretary-general of the Organisation for African Unity.

National Economic Development Council

Q40.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to chair the National Economic Development Council.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) on 7th February.

Argyll

Q44.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to visit Argyll.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Teesside

Q45.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit Teesside.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Merseyside

Q49.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has had any communication from the leader and others of the Liverpool City Council asking him to meet a delegation to discuss Merseyside's unemployment and other problems: and, if so, what answer he has given.

Yes. I hope to meet the delegation on 27th April.

Foreign Secretary (Speech)

Q50.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at the Mansion House Banquet, London, on 5th April on Soviet and Cuban military involvement in Africa represents Government policy.

Yes.

Armed Forces (Pay)

Q55.

asked the Prime Minister on what date he personally received the report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body; what consideration he has given to it; and when the Government's decision will be announced.

The Armed Forces Pay Review Body sent its 1978 report on 31st March 1978. The report is being given full and careful consideration and I hope the Government's decision will be announced shortly.

Building Proposals (Foreign Governments)

Q56.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of the Environment on the scrutiny of plans for the erection of large building complexes in London by foreign Governments.

Yes.

Council Of Europe And Western European Union (Delegations)

asked the Prime Minister if he will announce the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe will be meeting in Strasbourg from 24th to 28th April. I have appointed 18 delegates from the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The delegation this year will again consist of eight Members of the Labour Party, eight Members of the Conservative Party, one Member of the Liberal Party and one Member of the Ulster Unionist Party. I have also appointed a number of substitute delegates.The appointments of representatives and substitutes have been made on the basis of nominations by the leaders of those parties concerned.The same delegation will be representing the United Kingdom Parliament at the Assembly of the Western European Union.Representatives from the Government Benches will be:The hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. Urwin), who will act as leader.The hon. Members for:

Warley, East (Mr. Faulds)
Rother Valley (Mr. Hardy)
Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Watkinson)
Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis)
Farnworth (Mr. Roper)
Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead)

and the Lord Hughes

Representatives from the Conservative Party will be:

The hon. Members for:

Torbay (Sir F. Bennett)
Southend, West (Mr. Channon)
Aldershot (Mr. Critchley)
Harborough (Mr. Farr)
Solihull (Mr. Grieve)
Norfolk, South-West (Mr. Hawkins)
Harrow, West (Mr. Page)
Sevenoaks (Sir J. Rodgers)

The representative from the Liberal Party will be the Lord Beaumont.

The representative from the Ulster Unionist Party will be the right hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. Craig).

The following substitutes have been appointed to act as necessary on behalf of the delegates.

From the Government Benches:

The hon. Members for:

Sunderland, South (Mr. Bagier)
Edingburgh, Central (Mr. Cook)
Glasgow, Maryhill (Mr. Craigen)
Kingston upon Hull, Central (Mr. McNamara)
Dudley, West (Dr. Phipps)
Hammersmith, North (Mr. Tomney)
Ince (Mr. McGuire)

and the Lord Northfield.

From the Conservative Party:

The hon. Members for:

Harrogate (Mr. Banks)
Woking (Mr. Onslow)
Harrow, Central (Mr. Grant)
Twickenham (Mr. Jessel).
Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight)
Hastings (Mr. Warren)
The Lord Duncan-Sandys

and the Lord Morris.

From the Liberal Party: The hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith).

From the Scottish National Party: The hon. Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Reid).

Speeding Offences (Fines)

asked the Attorney-General if the Lord Chancellor will convene a sentencing conference with a view to achieving a more consistent practice, where possible, on the level of fines imposed for excessive speeding offences by magistrates' courts in different parts of the United Kingdom.

My noble Friend appreciates the value of conferences of magistrates in achieving a desirable level of consistency in sentencing policies in the fields of both traffic and other offences. Such conferences are already held regularly throughout the country, arranged generally in joint consultation between my noble Friend and his Department, the local magistrates' courts committees and benches, and the Magistrates' Association.

Energy

British National Oil Corporation

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will cease giving specially advantageous treatment to BNOC, granting to it sole licences not obtainable by the private sector.

Offshore petroleum licences, including sole licences for BNOC, are awarded where I am satisfied that this is in the national interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with the relationship of the British National Oil Company with other operators in the North Sea following the statement by Mr. G. M. Keller, vice-chairman of Standard Oil of California, that the corporation was a growing albatross around the neck of oil companies.

Yes.

North Sea Oil

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of total United Kingdom North Sea oil is likely to be under BNOC control by 1985; and how he proposes the corporation should dispose of it (a) on the international market, (b) on a Government-to-Government basis, (c) on the United Kingdom market, through the private sector refiners and (d) under sale-back arrangements.

I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 2nd December 1977 and 9th February 1978.—[Vol. 940, c. 429; Vol. 943, c. 629.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, under the 50 participation agreements so far negotiated, what percentage of the total oil to become available at peak development will be sold back to oil companies and what percentage will be retained by BNOC for disposal.

Definitive participation agreements have been concluded so far with 55 companies, seven of which have provisions in their agreements for BNOC to sell oil back. However, because of variations in the detailed terms of the sale-back arrangements, some of which are conditional or involve swapping with crude oil from other sources and because of differences in the timing of peak production for the fields involved, it is not possible to provide figures in the form requested.

Gas And Gas Condensate Discoveries

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in respect of the total gas and gas condensate discoveries set out in Appendix 7 of the 1977 Brown Book, how many of these fields are likely to be developed before 1985.

I cannot predict how many development proposals will be made before 1985 by the licensees of the discoveries referred to. Any such proposals will be considered on their individual merits and in the light of the depletion policy requirements of the time.

Drax Power Station

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many weeks or months earlier than planned by the Central Electricity Generating Board the construction of the second stage of Drax was begun; and on what energy policy considerations the decision was based.

Contracts were placed for the design phase in November 1977. Some orders for materials have already been placed, and the CEGB anticipates that manufacturing work could begin in the first half of this year. The CEGB estimates that major orders would not otherwise have been placed before 1980. The decision to ask the CEGB to advance the order was in recognition of the problems of the power plant manufacturers and is a mark of the Government's confidence in the United Kingdom coal industry.

International Atomic Energy Agency

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much public money was allocated in the last full year for which figures are available to pay the United Kingdom subscription to the International Atomic Energy Agency; how many British nationals are now seconded to the International Atomic Energy Agency, to its safeguards department and to its promotional department, respectively; and what plans the Government have to increase either the British subscription to the International Atomic Energy Agency or the number of British officials seconded to its safeguards department.

The United Kingdom's contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1978 is expected to be £1·625 million. The United Kingdom's quota for professional posts in the Agency is 30. United Kingdom nationals hold five posts in the safeguards department. We shall continue to nominate United Kingdom candidates for posts in this department. The Agency's budget for 1979 has yet to be agreed.

Light Viscosity Motor Oils

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what research his Department has undertaken into the use of light viscosity car engine oils with a view to reducing petrol consumption; and if he will make a statement.

None. However, both my Department and the Department of Industry are keeping a close watch on developments.

Civil Service

Health And Safety

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what action has been taken and financial provision made by his Department to implement fully in the public service those sections of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 concerning the establishment of safety committees; and if he will make a statement.

I can only answer for the Civil Service where Departments have been advised to implement fully and as soon as possible those sections of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 covering the establishment of safety committees. Departments make provision in their own budgets for maintaining the appropriate levels of health and safety for their staff. They have been notified that the cost of implementing the Act and its associated regulations and codes of practice should be met from within approved resources.

Education And Science

King Edward Vi School, Southampton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision from public funds she has made towards the acquisition of the site and buildings presently occupied by the King Edward VI School, Southampton; and how any public contribution was financed.

No such provision has been made.

University Students

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give the percentage of self-supporting students at university divided into home and overseas students during the years 1970–71, 1976–77, and 1977–78.

The latest information available is for 1975–76, when it is estimated that of all full-time and sandwich course students at universities in Great Britain about 5 per cent. of home students and about 50 per cent. of overseas students were self-supporting. Figures are not available for 1970–71.

Pupil-Teacher Ratios

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the pupil-teacher ratios for all classes of pupils in the non-metropolitan counties.

The latest available information is for January 1977. The pupil-teacher ratios for the non-metropolitan counties of England are given below:

Avon	20·1
Bedfordshire	18·5
Berkshire	20·3
Buckinghamshire	20·6
Cambridgeshire	19·6
Cheshire	20·7
Cleveland	20·9
Cornwall	20·8
Cumbria	19·6
Derbyshire	21·0
Devon	21·1
Dorset	20·1
Durham	19·2
East Sussex	20·2
Essex	21·5
Gloucestershire	20·4
Hampshire	20·6
Hereford and Worcester	20·4
Hertfordshire	19·1
Humberside	19·2
Isles of Scilly	14·0
Isle of Wight	20·5
Kent	21·2
Lancashire	20·6
Leicestershire	20·0
Lincolnshire	21·1
Norfolk	20·4
North Yorkshire	19·8
Northamptonshire	20·2
Northumberland	19·3
Nottinghamshire	20·4
Oxfordshire	19·6
Salop	20·5
Somerset	21·4
Staffordshire	20·4
Suffolk	20·3
Surrey	19·4
Warwickshire	21·0
West Sussex	21·2
Wiltshire	20·6

Note: An authority's pupil-teacher ratio is the ratio of all the pupils in its maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools to all

the teachers employed by it. Since some teachers divide their service between different types of school and some are out of schools for extended periods—for example, on in-service training courses—the pupil-teacher ratio does not measure effective staffing standards in schools.

Schools (Vandalism)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will list in order of repair costs incurred the names and areas of the 20 schools in Staffordshire most subjected to vandalism in each of the past four years;(2) what has been the cost of vandalism in Staffordshire schools in each of the last 10 years.

My Department has no record of the cost of work carried out by local education authorities to repair damage to school properties by vandals.

Teachers (Industrial Action)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many school children nationally were directly affected by the partial temporary closure of secondary schools during the recent teachers' industrial action;(2) how many teaching hours were lost nationally as a result of the recent teachers' industrial action.

I regret that this information is not available.

University Teachers (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further action she proposes taking to try to avoid a complete breakdown in relationships with the Association of University Teachers; and if she will now permit its claim to go to arbitration.

My Department does not negotiate directly with the Association of University Teachers; it negotiates with a committee representing the joint interests of the university authorities and the university teachers. This committee has not asked for a claim to be submitted to arbitration.

Further Education (Kingswood)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will have talks with the Avon Education Authority to inquire about the fact that a decision has still not been taken regarding the future of education for 16–19-year-olds' education in the Kingswood constituency.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. I understand that local consultations have been completed and that recommendations on 16–19 provision in the Kingswood area will be considered by the authority's education committee on 23rd May.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Green Pound

15.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current differential between the green pound and the market rate of the £ sterling.

The monetary compensatory amount percentage for the United Kingdom is now 32·9 in the beef and pigmeat sectors and 39·9 in the other sectors. These percentages are based on percentage differences of 34·4 and 41·4 respectively between the representative rate for the pound applying in the sectors concerned and the market rate for the pound used for MCA purposes.

Common Agricultural Policy

16.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals for the fundamental reform of the common agricultural policy he is currently pursuing with his European partners.

I explained my current objectives in detail to the House in my speech on 21st March.—[Vol. 946, c. 1345–53.]

37.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made towards getting changes in the common agricultural policy.

I refer the hon. Member to my speech to the House on 21st March and to those of my hon. Friend on that day and on 7th April.—[Vol. 946, c. 1345–53; Vol. 946, c. 144355; Vol. 947, c. 927–33.]

55.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now estimate the overall cost of the common agricultural policy and the likely cost of the alternative deficiency payments system.

As I made clear to the House on 21st March, I do not disent from the estimate recently made in the Cambridge Economic Policy Group Review that the direct cost of the CAP to the United Kingdom balance of payments is currently of the order of £1,000 million a year. As for alternative support systems, various arrangements could be be envisaged which would greatly affect cost estimates.—[Vol. 946, c. 1346–53.]

Milk (Sale)

17.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Government propose to ban the sale of raw milk after 1980.

Subject to any points arising from the consultations which my Department has recently initiated, the Government's policy on the sale of untreated milk remains that announced in a reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 6th August 1975.—[Vol. 897, c. 206.]

Food Prices

18.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he intends to take at the coming agricultural price negotiations in Brussels to ensure that food supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices, as required by the Treaty of Rome.

I shall do all I can to ensure that the interests of consumers are fully taken into account. In particular, I shall continue to press for the maximum restraint of common prices.

Food Manufacturers

19.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that on an inflation accounting basis the profitability of a representative sample of food manufacturers was reduced to 0·07 per cent. in the third quarter of 1977, he will take action to further the prosperity of this essential industry.

Under the industrial strategy we are looking at profitability, and one of our aims is to raise the real level of returns. I am glad to say that the food and drink manufacturing industries are playing a full part in this exercise.

Potatoes (Prices)

20.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning the price of potatoes.

Officials of my Department have received representations from a number of organisations in the potato trade requesting that potatoes contracted to the Potato Marketing Board under the joint support buying programme should be released in view of the firming of market prices. My right hon. Friend has now agreed that requests for releases in certain cases should be considered.

Beef

21.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the latest figure on the output of beef compares with the level forecast in "Food from Our Own Resources"?

United Kingdom home-fed production of beef and veal in 1977 was 1·03 million tonnes. Whilst "Food from Our Own Resources" suggested possible levels of production for various commodities in 1980, it did not make any statement about what the current level of beef production might be.

56.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the level of returns in the beef sector of the agricultural industry.

Yes. Average returns to producers of certified cattle have been at or above the levels of the target price scale, which was raised from 30th January following the green pound devaluation. The target price will reach 66·75p per live kilogramme by the end of this month, an increase of over 10p per live kilogramme since last autumn.

Common Fisheries Policy

22.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations towards a revised EEC fisheries policy.

27.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the negotiations on a revised common fisheries policy and the effect continued disagreement is having on the British fishing industry.

There will be further discussions when the Council of Fisheries Ministers meets on 24th April. The policy of the Government is to seek an early agreement with the rest of the Community which meets our requirements and thus removes the uncertainties felt in the industry about its future.

Agricultural Holdings

23.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase or decline in the number of agricultural holdings in the country has taken place during the last 10 years for which figures are available.

In the 10 years to 1977, the number of holdings recorded in the United Kingdom agricultural statistics fell by about 72,000, or 22 per cent., of which at least 10,000 was due to a change in the way the figures were collected.

Thames Flood Barrier

24.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many days' work on the Thames Barrier at Silvertown have been lost due to industrial action in each of the last three years.

This is a question arising from the day-to-day supervision of the contract for the construction of the barrier, which is the responsibility of the Greater London Council.

Sheepmeat

25.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current state of negotiations covering the formulation of the EEC sheep-meat regime.

The EEC Commission introduced its proposals at the Council of Agricultural Ministers on 4th-5th April. No substantive discussion took place, and the proposals were referred for preliminary technical examination. The proposals will also be considered by the European Assembly and the Economic and Social Committee.

Monetary Compensatory Amounts

26.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level of monetary compensatory amounts.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton).

Milk Marketing Boards

28.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest position in the negotiations on the future of the Milk Marketing Board.

The Council of Ministers will resume its consideration of the Commission's proposals on the future of the Milk Marketing Boards at its meeting next week. I remain determined to safeguard the essential functions of the boards.

52.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the chairman of the Milk Marketing Board.

I have no immediate plans to do so, but my Department keeps in constant touch with the board on all matters of mutual interest.

64.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the future of the Milk Marketing Boards.

My right hon. Friend has already made clear on a number of occasions our position on the future of the Milk Marketing Boards. Any definitive statement must, however, await a decision by the Council of Ministers on the Commission's proposals for safeguarding the essential functions of the boards.

Timber

29.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the level of production of timber and timber products contributed by the United Kingdom forestry industry.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour).

Potato Marketing Board

30.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and food when he will next meet the chairman of the Potato Marketing Board.

60.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the chairman of the Potato Marketing Board.

I have no immediate plans to do so, but my officials are in constant touch with the board on all matters of mutual interest.

"Food From Our Own Resources"

31.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish his updated version of the White Paper "Food from Our Own Resources".

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given earlier today to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Latham).

33.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will include fish resources in the present review of the White Paper "Food from Our Own Resources".

The White Paper did not extend to fisheries matters, because the Government recognised that the industry faced major uncertainties placing it in a fundamentally different position from that of agriculture and necessitating separate consideration. That remains the Government's view today.

Wheat Levies

32.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level of common market levies on imported wheat, expressed in £ sterling.

The EEC import levy on wheat may vary daily. On 20th April the levy applied to United Kingdom imports, after taking account of United Kingdom monetary adjustments, was £38·78 per tonne.

White Fish Authority

34.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the chairman of the White Fish Authority.

We meet as and when occasion requires, but have no present plans to do so. Close contact is maintained on a day-to-day basis between the chairman and officials of the White Fish Authority and officials of the Fisheries Departments.

Council Of Ministers

35.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next attend a meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers of the EEC.

45.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet Commissioner Gundelach of the European Commission.

51.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends to meet the Council of Agricultural Ministers.

I refer the hon. Members and my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) and my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts).

38.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had recently with EEC Ministers of Agriculture; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Edge) on 6th April.—[Vol. 947, c. 181–2.]

48.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next attend a meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers of the EEC.

58.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next attend a meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers of the EEC.

I shall be attending a meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers on 24th April 1978.

Agricultural Production Statistics

36.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, from international sources available to him, he will list the agricultural production per hectare in each country in Europe.

The information requested by the hon. Member is contained in the 1976 FAO Production Yearbook, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

European Community (Membership)

39.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the United Kingdom consumers of food are benefiting from membership of the EEC

Some aspects of the CAP, such as the Community-financed butter subsidy and the aid towards the cost of school milk, are helpful, but overall we need to secure substantial improvements in it, and especially to restrain the level of common prices. I am doing all I can to help achieve this.

Lime

40.

asked the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the current extent of the use of lime on marginal land and what effect the withdrawal of the lime subsidy has had on the situation.

Statistics have never been collected in a way which enables use of lime on particular types of land to be estimated. Arrangements have been made for monitoring the use of lime nationally, but it is too early to say what impact, if any, the removal of the subsidy has had. My Department's Agricultural Development and Advisory Service continues to remind farmers of the need for liming, and to help them plan appropriate programmes.

Agricultural Production

41.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the current level of agricultural production.

Agricultural production in 1977 made a dramatic recovery from the setbacks caused by the weather in the previous two years, and the December census results showed that British agriculture was beginning to expand again.

Countryside Commission

42.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the chairman of the Countryside Commission.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Skipton (Mr. Drayson) on 16th March.—[Vol. 942, c. 280.]

Environmental Protection

43.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy with regard to the relative demands of increased agricultural production and environmental protection.

When exercising my function relating to land under any enactment, I am required by Section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968 to have regard to the desirability of conserving the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside. In addition, I am required by Section 37 of the Countryside Act, when exercising my functions under that Act and the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, to have due regard to the needs of agriculture and forestry and to the economic and social interests of rural areas.

European Community (Non-Tariff Barriers)

46.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will press for more rapid removal of non-tariff barriers to the movement of foodstuffs between member States of the Community.

Yes. My right hon. Friend the Minister has consistently stated that we would welcome their speedy elimination.

Hard Wheats

44.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is his policy that there should be easier access to the Community for hard wheats.

It is the objective of my right hon. Friend that the Community should continue to reduce its level of support for commodities, such as wheat, in structural surplus and to improve access in this and in any other way which may prove to be feasible and negotiable.

Horticulture (Energy Sources)

47.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is prepared to take to find alternative sources of energy for the horticulture industry.

My Department continues to support research into the use of alternative sources of energy for the horticulture industry. Responsibility for research into alternative sources of energy in general lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.

Value Added Tax

49.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the Food and Drink Industries Council regarding the zero rating of all food for value added tax purposes.

The Council has kept us fully aware of its view that all food should be zero rated, and in February the chairman sent my right hon. Friend the Minister a copy of a letter he had written to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this question.

Irish Conservation

50.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to introduce further national conservation measures to control fishing within Great Britain's 200-mile limit.

62.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce further measures under the Fisheries Limits Act 1976 for conservation of fish stocks.

The Government's objective is to see agreed Community conservation measures applying throughout the waters of all member States. But my right hon. Friend will consider the need for further national measures in the light of progress in the discussions on a revised common fisheries policy.

Animals (Export)

59.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the report of the official working group on the export of live animals for food.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Bristol, North-

£'000
					1975	1976	1977
(1) EEC	…	…	…	…	1,778,171	1,843,622	2,082,520
(2)Rest of the World	…	…	…	…	1,923,973	2,395,034	2,991,885
(3)Total	…	…	…	…	3,702,144	4,238,656	5,074,405
Per cent.
(1) as a percentage of (3)	…	…	…	…	48·0	43·5	41·0
Note:
The figures are cif and exclude the cost of imports of live animals and animal feedingstuffs.

National Farmers' Union

53.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next plans to meet the president of the National Farmers' Union.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Sir T. Kitson).

Flooding (Brent)

57.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action he has now taken in conjunction with the Greater London Council regarding the recurrence of flooding in Brent.

Responsibility for action rests with the Greater London Council as the statutory land drainage authority. I understand that the council is considering a capital programme of flood alleviation works in the River Brent catchment area, including the borough of Brent. The failure of the flood warning arrangements in the Brent and Crane catchments last August is currently being investigated by a senior official of my Department and we are expecting a report shortly. In the meantime, the council is in consultation with the boroughs concerned and local residents about the installation of additional flood warning equipment.

West (Mr. Thomas) and Preston, North (Mr. Atkins).

Food Imports

54.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total cost of imported food from the EEC countries over each of the past three years; and what was the difference in each year between that and the amount of food purchased from the rest of the world.

The information requested is as follows:

Weather Damage

61.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he expects will be the final cost to his Department of aid towards storms, snow and flood damage experienced by the agricultural industry during the winter of 1977–78.

The cost to my Department of the measures which I have announced to help farmers and growers in England back into full production is expected to be around £3¼ million over three years. Of this sum about £½ million will be accounted for by the special land restoration grants for land affected by flooding, and £2¾ million for other capital grants at increased rates which I announced on 22nd March. I cannot at the present time give a figure for the share of the costs to be borne by my Department for the arrangements to drop fodder to livestock at risk. The Government are also prepared to make available some of the money offered by the EEC Commission to a fund which the National Farmers Union is intending to institute for contributions towards heavy losses of livestock.—[Vol. 946, c. 550–1.]

Food And Drink Industries Council

63.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the chairman of the Food and Drink Industries Council.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) on 16th March.—[Vol. 946, c. 620.]

Irish Store Cattle

65.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Irish store cattle arrived in Great Britain in each of the last six months.

According to statistics collected by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, the numbers of store cattle imported into Great Britain direct from the Irish Republic in each of the last six months for which figures are available were as follows:

Month	Thousand head
September 1977	24·2
October 1977	20·7
November 1977	18·5
December 1977	16·6
January 1978	18·7
February 1978	11·0

Gogerddan Plant Breeding Station

66.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to visit the plant breeding station, Gogerddan, Ceredigion, during the next three months.

I have no plans at present to visit the Welsh Plant Breeding Station at Gogerddan, Ceredigion.

Potato Marketing

67.

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now announce his arrangements for the marketing of potatoes for the current year.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to the right hon. and learned Member for Huntingdonshire (Sir D. Renton).

Rabies

68.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what response he has had from local authorities in making appropriate contingency plans to deal with any outbreak of rabies.

The response from local authorities throughout Great Britain continues to be most satisfactory. Contingency planning is kept under constant review, but I am satisfied that the Government and local authorities are in a position to deal quickly and effectively with a rabies outbreak anywhere in the country should one occur.

Food Output

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the annual growth rate for the output of the British food industry for each year from 1973 to 1977 inclusive, measured at 1973 prices; and what annual changes he expects for 1978 and 1979.

Figures showing the annual growth rate of the United Kingdom industry for each year from 1973 to 1977, measured at 1973 prices, are not available. Changes in the volume of output based on 1970 prices, as measured by the index of production for food manufacturinfi, are shown below.

	Per cent.
1973	+2·2
1974	-1·7
1975	-3·3
1976	+2·6
1977	+1·7

Forecasts for 1978 and 1979 are not available.

Food Prices

69.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what statistical evidence he bases his judgment—Official Report, 21st March—that the Cambridge Economic Review's estimate of 12p in the £ as the increase in British retail food prices resulting from membership of the EEC is somewhat on the high side.

The Cambridge Economic Policy Group estimate that the CAP currently adds some 12p in the pound to United Kingdom retail food prices depends in part on the assumption that food manufacturers' and distributors' margins, which cover such costs as wages and fuel, would increase to the same extent as prices at the farm gate or import stage. Since these costs are largely determined independently of agricultural support or market prices, I consider that the Cambridge Economic Policy Group has to some extent overstated the effects of the CAP on retail food prices.

Employment

Job Release

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the total numbers of men and women, showing both married and single, who have so far left industry through the job release systems; and if he will give the breakdown of the number by industry.

AN INDUSTRIAL ANALYSTS OF A SAMPLE OF JRS EMPLOYED APPLICANTS
Per cent.
Industry					Males	Females	Total
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	…	…	…	…	0·4	0·1	0·3
Mining and quarrying	…	…	…	…	0·3	0·1	0·2
Food, drink and tobacco	…	…	…	…	5·1	7·2	5·7
Coal and petroleum products	…	…	…	…	0·2	0·2	0·2
Chemicals and allied industries	…	…	…	…	3·4	2·2	3·0
Metal manufacture	…	…	…	…	2·7	0·7	2·0
Mechanical engineering	…	…	…	…	6·7	2·3	5·3
Instrument engineering	…	…	…	…	1·4	1·3	1·4
Electrical engineering	…	…	…	…	3·3	7·1	4·5
Ship-building and marine engineering	…	…	…	…	1·4	0·2	1·0
Vehicles	…	…	…	…	2·6	1·6	2·3
Metal goods not elsewhere specified	…	…	…	…	3·5	3·6	3·5
Textiles	…	…	…	…	0·9	13·3	10·4
Leather, leather goods and fur	…	…	…	…	0·3	0·4	0·4
Clothing and footwear	…	…	…	…	1·8	12·9	5·4
Bricks, pottery, glass, cement, etc.	…	…	…	…	0·9	0·2	0·7
Timber, furniture, etc.	…	…	…	…	1·6	0·9	1·4
Paper, printing and publishing	…	…	…	…	2·6	2·2	2·4
Other manufacturing industries	…	…	…	…	3·6	4·6	3·9
Total manufacturing	…	…	…	…	50·1	60·9	53·5
Construction	…	…	…	…	4·2	0·2	2·9
Gas, electricity and water	…	…	…	…	2·0	1·2	1·7
Transport and communication	…	…	…	…	3·9	1·4	3·1
Distributive trades	…	…	…	…	9·2	12·6	10·3
Insurance, banking, finance and business services	…	…	…	…	1·4	1·2	1·3
Professional and scientific services	…	…	…	…	5·4	8·3	6·3
Miscellaneous services	…	…	…	…	4·7	5·3	4·9
Public administration and defence	…	…	…	…	18·6	8·7	15·4
Total	…	…	…	…	100·0	100·0	100·0
Note: Based on the first 3,000 JRS applicants from employment.

Work Experience Schemes (Insurance)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment by whom he proposes those taking part in work experience schemes on industrial sites or premises should be insured, in the light of the fact that insurance companies appear reluctant to provide insurance cover in respect of industrial workers working in a voluntary capacity.

The numbers of men and women in employment whose applications for job release have been approved between 3rd January 1977 and 11th April 1978 are 13,669, consisting of 8,904 men and 4,765 women. In addition, before the scheme was limited to those in employment on 1st July 1977, some 11,053 unemployed people—9,732 men and 1,321 women—also joined the scheme. Detailed analyses by marital status and industry are not collected but a sample survey comprising the first 3,000 applicants has shown that 75 per cent. are married. The table below shows the break-down by the industries from which the employed applicants in the sample come.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that young people participating in work experience schemes have the status of trainees and are not the employees of the sponsor. If a young person participating in a work experience scheme suffers personal injury as a result of taking part in the scheme, the commission will make payments to that trainee equivalent to the sums the trainee would be entitled to under the industrial injury scheme of the social security Acts 1975. Thus, although young people are not in insured employment, the MSC guarantees that they will not suffer as a result of this.

Factory Inspectorate (Annual Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories for 1976 was not published until 5th April 1978 and when he anticipates publication of the report for 1977.

The staff of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories experienced a considerable increase in volumes of work in 1977 arising from the developing role of the Health and Safety Executive. This created considerable pressure of work for drafting staff which inevitably led to delays in compilation and clearance of copy for the executive's 1976 report on manufacturing and service industries. These delays were exacerbated by problems of collating statistics. Once these problems were resolved production of the report followed within normal time schedules.I am informed by the Health and Safety Commission that it expects the report for 1977 to be published before the end of this year.

Occupational Death Rate

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average occupational death rate in industry for each of the years since 1970; and what this is expressed as a proportion of the labour force.

I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Trade

Oil Tankers

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the maximum size of oil tankers permitted to enter the Thames Estuary partly laden.

The limiting factor is draught. Providing this does not exceed 45 ft. any tanker may enter the Estuary, whether partly or fully laden.

Aircraft Noise

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he intends to introduce regulations under Section 20 of the Land Compensation Act to provide compensation or acoustic insulation in respect of aircraft noise.

Section 20 of the Land Compensation Act 1973 does not empower my right hon. Friend to make regulations to provide compensation or acoustic insulation in respect of aircraft noise. Compensation for such noise is governed by other sections of that Act, which do not require regulations. Powers to make noise insulation schemes are contained in Section 29A which was inserted into the Civil Aviation Act 1971 by Schedule 5 of the Airports Authority Act 1975. These powers are confined to aerodromes designated under Section 29 of the 1971 Act. At other aerodromes, grants for noise insulation are a matter for the aerodrome authority.

Airports (Health Control)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he intends to approve any further schemes under Section 15 of the Airports Authority Act 1975.

I assume the reference is to Section 15 of the Airports Authority Act 1965. This was replaced by Section 29A of the Civil Aviation Act 1971. The noise insulation grants schemes made under these powers for dwellings near Heathrow and Gatwick closed to applications at the end of 1977 and I am considering what further measures may be necessary at those airports.

South Korea, Japan And Poland

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what is the total value of exports of motor vehicles, in the last period for which the figures are available, to: (a) South Korea, (b) Japan and (c) Poland;(2) what is the total value of exports of manufactured goods, excluding motor vehicles, in the last period for which the figures are available, from: (

a) South Korea, ( b) Japan and ( c) Poland;

(3) what is the total value of imports of manufactured goods, excluding motor

vehicles, in the last period for which the figures are available, from: ( a) South Korea, ( b) Japan and ( c) Poland;

(4) what is the total value of imports of motor vehicles, in the last period for

£'000 cif
IMPORTS
			South Korea	Japan	Poland
Manufactured goods, excluding motor vehicles	…	…	35,986	126,773	30,341
Motor vehicles	…	…	nil	59,723	27

£'000 fob
EXPORTS
			South Korea	Japan	Poland
Manufactured goods, excluding motor vehicles	…	…	9,617	67,772	31,557
Motor vehicles	…	…	1,098	1,552	176

Steel Prices (Eec Policy)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what assurance he received from the European Commission at the recent Council of Ministers that action would be taken against alleged breaches by Italian steel producers of the Commission's mandatory measures on steel pricing.

At the Council of Ministers on 4th April the commission said that it was resolved to use all the means at its disposal to ensure that mandatory prices were observed throughout the Community.

Lucas Aerospace (Exports)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what technical evaluation has been made by his Department of a range of products with overseas markets being pioneered by the Lucas Aerospace combined shop stewards' committee; and if he will make a statement.

I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Merchant Seamen (Fatal Accidents)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many seamen have died while in access to or from British merchant vessels for each of the years since 1970; and what this represents as a proportion of 10,000 seamen.

The numbers of deaths while in access from ship to shore are not separately recorded but the following are the latest available figures of seamen who have been killed or drowned coming aboard from ashore:

which the figures are available, from: ( a) South Korea, ( b) Japan and ( c) Poland.

Following is the information for the period January-February 1978:

	Total deaths^*	Deaths per 10,000 seamen (estimated)^*
1970	18	2·0
1971	7	0·8
1972	8	1·0
1973	21	2·7
1974	15	2·3
1975	13	2·0
1976†	3	0·5
^*Source: "Casualties to Vessels and Accidents to Men" published annually for the Department of Trade by HMSO.
† The 1976 figures await publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many British seamen died an accidental death on British merchant ships in each year since 1970; and what this represents as a proportion per 10,000 seamen.

The information can be derived from the Department of Trade's annual returns published by HMSO under the title "Casualties to Vessels and Accidents to Men" and is as follows:

	Total accidental deaths on board	Deaths per 10,000 seamen (estimated)
1970	45	5·0
1971	25	2·8
1972	20	2·5
1973	30	3·8
1974	34	5·3
1975	38	5·9
1976^*	32	5·1
^* 1976 figures await publication.

Coastguard Rescue Service

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many people were rescued by the coastguard service during each year since 1970; and how many deaths occurred in each of these years.

Separate figures for people rescued by Her Majesty's Coastguard are not available. The total number of persons rescued by the United Kingdom search and rescue services^* which are co-ordinated by Her Majesty's Coastguard and lives lost in such operations are given below:

Year	Persons rescued	Lives lost
1970–71	3,550	Not recorded
1971–72	4,324	Not recorded
1972–73	4,109	198
1973	5,060	237
1974	6,760	268
1975	7,365	210
1976	7,684	239
1977	7,433	208
^* Includes Royal National Life-boat Institution and Ministry of Defence helicopters.

British Aerospace (Employment)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what calculations as to employment in British Aerospace and in particular areas and factories he has made in consideration of the British Airways proposal to purchase the Boeing 737 rather than the BAC111.

The employment prospects of British Aerospace will be one of the factors to be taken into account in the Government's consideration of British Airways' proposal to acquire new aircraft.

British Airways (Purchasing Policy)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether his policy to buy

						Per 100,000 of total population
Country						Convicted prisoners	Unconvicted prisoners
United Kingdom	…	…	…	…	…	78·3	9·0	87·3
Belgium	…	…	…	…	…	63·8	15·2	79·0
Denmark	…	…	…	…	…	40·9	17·7	58·6
France	…	…	…	…	…	41·9	17·1	59·0
Federal Republic of Germany			…	…	…	69·0	23·4	92·4
Republic of Ireland		…	…	…	…	34·5	3·4	37·9
Italy	…	…	…	…	…	30·3	30·2^*	60·5
Luxembourg	…	…	…	…	…	62·7	11·5	74·2
Netherlands	…	…	…	…	…	9·4†	13·2	22·6
Total	…	…	…	…	…	47·9	15·6	63·5
^* Includes many who have been sentenced by a lower court and who are awaiting definitive sentence from a higher court.
† A further 29 per 100,000 people have been convicted to serve prison sentences but are at liberty awaiting prison space.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Military Aid

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the 10 countries which have received the largest amounts

British, as announced in the Prime Minister's speech to a Labour Party rally in Huddersfield on Thursday 13th April, will apply to consideration of British Airways' purchase of replacement aircraft for its Trident Is and Trident IIs.

In considering British Airways' proposal to acquire replacement aircraft, the Government will take into account the interests of the British aerospace industry, together with other factors such as the need for the airline to continue to be competitive and profitable.

European Community

Prison Population

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many convicted and unconvicted prisoners there are separately and as a whole per 100,000 population in each of the countries of the EEC and for the whole of the Community.

The numbers are set out below. These figures are based on the latest available data, but they should be treated with caution, as the basis for calculating them varies from country to country, as do the dates of each assessment, which are spread over 16 months.of aid under the United Kingdom Military Training Assistance Scheme in the period since the scheme began; and under what other category military aid is given by Great Britain to foreign Governments.

Since the inception of the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme in 1969 the following 10 countries in alphabetical order have received most assistance under the scheme:

Egypt
Ghana
India
Jordan
Kenya
Malaysia
^* Nigeria
Pakistan
Singapore
Sudan
^* Nigeria ceased to receive assistance in 1975.

In addition to the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme, some assistance is given to a lesser and diminishing extent towards the cost of the loan of British Service personnel to a few developing countries. Otherwise Her Majesty's Government do not normally provide military aid in the sense of assistance given free of charge.

Industry

Spillers-French

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many applications have been received from Spillers or any of its subsidiaries for assistance under any section of the Industry Act 1972; how many applications have been approved; and what is the total of such assistance.

Details of assistance given to individual companies are published quarterly in Trade and Industry in accordance with the arrangements announced by my predecessor in the House on 31st July 1974. Since then, regional development grants totalling £462,000 have been paid to members of the Spillers group of companies. Assistance prior to that date is confidential.

Abex Engineered Products

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is in a position to report on the discussions between his Department and the management of Abex Engineered Products, Newton Aycliffe, concerning a possible National Enterprise Board involvement.

Officials have been discussing the closure of Abex Engineered Products Limited, Newton Aycliffe, with all interested parties. These have included the American owners of Abex, to see whether they would rescind their decision to close the company. Unfortunately, it now seems unlikely that the closure of Abex Engineered Products Limited can be avoided. But in view of the loss of employment in the area and the importance of Abex to the United Kingdom tyre industry, I am anxious to ensure that all other possibilities are considered.I understand that the National Enterprise Board is aware of the problem.

Industry Act 1975

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he intends in the future to make use of those sections of the Industry Act 1975 requiring disclosure of information by companies.

Use of the powers in Part IV of the Industry Act 1975 will be made as appropriate, but I remind my hon. Friend that when the powers were before the House it was emphasised that they were intended to be held in reserve and that it was hoped that they would have to be used only in a very few cases. This position is unchanged. However, "held in reserve" does not mean that the powers should be ignored, and the Government have every intention of using the powers where appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the companies that have been required to disclose information under Sections 30, 31 and 33 of the Industry Act 1975.

No companies have been required to disclose information under Sections 30, 31 and 32 of the Industry Act 1975. Section 33, to which my hon. Friend refers, is concerned only with the treatment of information obtained under these sections.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the occasions on which he has served a preliminary notice under Section 28 (1) of the Industry Act 1975 and the occasions on which he has made an order under Section 28(4) of the Industry Act 1975, respectively.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry on how many occasions trade unions have asked him to make use of the Industry Act 1975 to secure the disclosure of information by companies.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Nelson) on 27th February 1978—[Vol. 945, c. 9].

Port Talbot (Development Scheme)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the estimated capital cost at March 1978 prices of the Port Talbot development scheme, as announced by him on 16th March 1977.

As this scheme has now been largely deferred, no new estimate has been made.

British Steel Corporation

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the revised commissioning dates and the actual or forecast outturn costs of the 16 principal investment schemes of the British Steel Corporation which were in progress in 7th April 1976, as set out in the Corporation's memorandum of that date to the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries.

These are matters for the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give a general direction to the British Steel Corporation to co-operate in future investment planning with private industrialists.

No. The Government believe that the consultation arrangements in the tripartite iron and steel sector working party and direct between the Corporation and the British Independent Steel Producers Association are working well.

Steel Prices (European Community Policy)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps his Department has taken to expedite action by the European Commission following the alleged breaches by Italian steel producers of the mandatory measures on steel pricing.

At the Council of Ministers on 4th April the Commission said that it was resolved to use all the means at its disposal to ensure that the mandatory minimum prices were observed throughout the Community. My Department is continuing to press the Commission to take effective and speedy disciplinary action in cases where the mandatory prices are ignored.

Social Services

Polish Ex-Service Men (Widows' Pensions)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many recorded cases there are of British women who married Polish ex-Service men, who took up residence in the United Kingdom at the end of the 1939–45 war, who subsequently had their widow's pension removed from them on the ground that the Polish ex-Service man had had a legal wife living in Poland;(2) what was the total amount of money paid, in 1977 and each preceding year, by the United Kingdom Government as widows' pensions to women resident in Poland who were widows of Polish ex-Service men, after payments had been withdrawn from British women to whom such pensions had previously been paid.

This information is not readily available from existing records and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Sick And Disabled Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give comparative figures and details of the provisions made for the sick and disabled under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Acts of 1970 and 1976 in the county districts of the Greater Manchester metropolitan county.

The information requested is as follows:

1976–77

Rate and £ per 1,000 population

Populations (thousands)

Households assisted with telephones

Expenditure on telephones

Households assisted with televisions

Expenditure on televisions

Households assisted with personal aids

Expenditure on personal aids

Households assisted with adaptations to property

Expenditure on adaptations to property

Net households assisted

Persons assisted with holidays

Expenditure on holidays

Total expenditure

Bolton

…

261·0

1·7

39·0

0·0

4·6

96·0

1·2

66·0

5·5

0·0

1·5

203·0

Bury

…

181·0

2·0

73·0

0·0

4·3

25·0

0·5

97·0

6·4

0·2

13·0

208·0

Manchester

…

490·0

8·6

285·0

0·7

2·4

87·0

2·4

256·0

10·8

1·2

40·0

659·0

Oldham

…

227·0

2·6

90·0

0·0

N/A

49·0

1·2

240·0

N/A

0·0

220·0

600·0

Rochdale

…

210·0

2·1

76·0

0·0

2·5

49·0

1·0

51·0

5·2

2·1

21·0

198·0

Salford

…

261·0

1·5

74·0

0·0

3·0

15·0

0·5

18·0

4·9

1·8

150·0

257·0

Stockport

…

293·0

2·3

86·0

0·0

4·0

59·0

0·7

43·0

6·5

0·3

8·0

197·0

Tameside

…

222·0

2·1

91·0

0·0

4·8

26·0

1·1

186·0

7·8

0·2

17·0

319·0

Trafford

…

227·0

1·1

79·0

0·0

5·2

95·0

2·3

90·0

7·6

0·2

4·5

268·0

Wigan

…

311·0

2·3

94·0

0·1

5·9

176·0

1·5

115·0

9·1

1·5

17·0

403·0

N/A = Not available.

^* I will provide my hon. Friend with figures of expenditure on televisions as soon as they are available.

Doctors (Deputising Services)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what powers under what regulations family practitioner committees use to control or approve the form of deputising services provided by medical practitioners; and in what manner these powers differ from those conferred on the former area insurance committees, as set out in Schedule One, Part One of the Medical Benefit Regulations 1937.

The current powers are in the National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1974, S.I. 1974 No. 160. Schedule 1 sets out the terms of service for doctors, and paragraphs 16 to 23 include a number of provisions governing the extent to which a doctor must provide services personally, the circumstances in which he may employ deputies, and his responsibility for the acts and omissions of his deputies. In particular, paragraph 19 requires that a doctor shall obtain the consent of the family practitioner committee before entering into arrangements with a deputising service and gives the committee power to impose conditions to ensure the adequacy of the arrangements.Paragraph 19 had no counterpart in earlier regulations to which my hon. Friend refers—the National Health Insurance (Medical Benefit) Regulations, which were in fact made in 1936—because deputising services had not then been introduced. Apart from that, the main rules

							Administrative and clerical	Other^*	Total
Brent health district		…	…	…	…	…	69	18	87
Harrow health district		…	…	…	…	…	54	17	71
Shenley Hospital	…	…	…	…	…	…	31	7	38
Family practitioner service			…	…	…	…	275†	Nil	275
Area Health Authority headquarters				…	…	…	107	12	119‡
Total	…	…	…	…	…	…	536	54	590
^* Including nursing, medical and works staff.
† Total number of staff at the Wembley complex which services the family practitioner committees for five area health authorities.
‡ Including the following area-based services: supplies, accounts training, salaries and wages. Some headquarters staff also provide managerial services for the family practitioner committee and Shenley Hospital.

Willesden General Hospital

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in

governing deputising are broadly similar to those in the 1936 regulations.

Deputising services have now become widespread, and about a third of all family doctors make some use of them. My right hon. Friend announced the introduction of a new code of practice in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Blyth (Mr. Ryman) on 10th April.—[Vol. 947, c. 279–80.] Many deputising services already operate to high standards, and I expect that co-operation by the services with the professional advisory committees which are being set up to monitor them will bring about the implementation by all these services of the general requirements of the code. If a particular deputising service fails to implement them, the family practitioner committee has the power to ensure compliance, if necessary by refusing consent to the use of that service.

Brent And Harrow Area Health Authority (Administrative Staff)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of administrative staff in full-time equivalents within the Brent and Harrow Area Health Authority serving the Brent Health District, Harrow Health District, Sherby Hospital, family practitioner service and area health authority headquarters.

The number of administrative and clerical staff as defined for the management costs review in the Brent and Harrow Area Health Authority is as follows:the

Official Report the days, times, specialty and name of responsible consultant for out-patient clinics at present still available at Willesden General Hospital.

The information is as follows:

Monday:
9.30–12.00	…	…	…	Diabetics		…	…	…	…	…	Dr. Jepson
2.00–4.00	…	…	…	Neurology		…	…	…	…	…	Dr. Lange
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Urology	…	…	…	…	…	…	Mr. O'Donaghue
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Dental	…	…	…	…	…	…	Mr. Hare
Tuesday:
9.30–12.00	…	…	…	General Medicine			…	…	…	…	Dr. Jepson
9.00–12.00	…	…	…	Dermatology		…	…	…	…	…	Dr. Cronin
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Psychiatry		…	…	…	…	…	Dr. Henryk-Gutt
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Rheumatology		…	…	…	…	…	Dr. Woolf
Wednesday:
9.30–12.00	…	…	…	General Medicine			…	…	…	…	Dr. Jepson
9.30–12.00	…	…	…	Ear, Nose and Throat			…	…	…	…	Mr. Auerbach
11.30–1.30	…	…	…	General Surgery		…	…	…	…	…	Mr. Newcombe
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Rheumatology		…	…	…	…	…	Dr. Woolf
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Orthopaedics		…	…	…	…	…	Mr. Howse
Thursday:
9.00–12.00	…	…	…	Ophthalmology		…	…	…	…	…	Mr. Tandon
9.00–12.00	…	…	…	Gynaecology		…	…	…	…	…	Mr. Thomson
9.00–12.00	…	…	…	Dental	…	…	…	…	…	…	Mr. Hare
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Ear, Nose and Throat			…	…	…	…	Mr. Auerbach
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Psychiatry		…	…	…	…	…	Dr. Henryk-Gutt
Friday:
9.30–12.00	…	…	…	General Medicine			…	…	…	…	Dr. Newton
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Paediatrics		…	…	…	…	…	Dr. Ross
2.00–5.00	…	…	…	Rheumatology		…	…	…	…	…	Dr. Woolf

Respiratory Tuberculosis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the number of cases treated for respiratory tuberculosis for each of the last 10 years in the area now served by the Brent health district and the estimate of the cost in the current year of this treatment in the Brent district and in the Harrow district.

The figures are as follows:

	Number of cases under treatment at 31st December	New cases during year
1968	2,139	143
1969	2,141	155
1970	1,925	130
1971	1,713	116
1972	1,529	131
1973	1,558	198
1974	1,474	160
1975	1,429	268
1976	1,265	530
1977	963	500

Information on the cost of this treatment is not separately available.

Northwick Park Hospital

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the result of the review on the level of resources at Northwick Park Hospital by his Department and the authorities concerned.

My Department and the authorities are continuing their consideration

of the protection to be afforded in allocations in recognition of the special role of Northwick Park.

Young Chronic Sick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the unit for the young chronic sick will be available; and if the Minister for the Disabled will perform the opening ceremony.

Brent and Harrow Area Health Authority is intending to adapt and extend an existing ward at Willesden Hospital to provide a 16-bed younger disabled unit which will serve both Brent and Harrow health districts. Present proposals are for a start to be made on site in January 1979, with completion in April-May 1980. If an invitation to open the unit is extended to my hon. Friend, I know it will be sympathetically considered.

National Insurance Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his Department's estimate of the annual cost of extending to the unemployed indefinite entitlement to national insurance benefit.

It is estimated that the net additional cost of paying flat-rate unemployment benefit without limit of duration would be of the order of £125 million for 1978–79.

Abuses

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his Department's latest estimate of the total cost to public funds of social security abuses;(2) what further action his Department is taking to prevent social security abuses;(3) how many successful prosecutions were brought in cases of social security abuse during 1977, and for the first three months of 1978 or for such period of 1978 for which figures are available.

I assume that by "abuse" the hon. Member has in mind claims to benefit which are not fully justified—e.g. malingering in the case of a claim to incapacity benefit or not seriously seeking employment while claiming unemployment benefit—as opposed to deliberate fraud such as, for example, working while claiming unemployment benefit. These cases do not generally lend themselves to prosecution and there is no estimate available of the cost to public funds. Benefit procedures take into account the need to identify cases where abuse is a possibility, and, if it is found, to terminate the claim as quickly as possible.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Swiss and Russian developments regarding retinitis pigmentosa cures are being used in Great Britain.

So far as I am aware, neither treatment for retinitis pigmentosa is currently in use in Great Britain. Treatment, of course, is a matter for the individual ophthalmologist concerned.

Red Influenza

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the figures for the incidence of red influenza in the country; if the epidemic is increasing or declining; if his Department has given advice as to the possibility of a second phase of this epidemic; and if he is taking any general steps to deal with it.

Since influenza is not a notifiable disease, no figures of incidence are available. Our information is based on a system of surveillance of sample practices throughout the country. This indicates that there was an increase in the incidence of the disease in January and February, but there has been a decline since, and that the number of cases is now at the normal seasonal level. The Department and its advisers are continuing routine surveillance, and the Chief Medical Officer will, as usual, be issuing information to the medical profession in the autumn.

Prescription Charges

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much it would be necessary to increase prescription charges to ensure that revenue derived from this source funded the same percentage of social security expenditure as it did in 1972.

Expenditure on social security benefits is not funded from prescription charge revenue, which makes a contribution towards the cost of the National Health Service. To achieve currently from such revenue the same percentage of gross NHS expenditure as in the financial year ended 31st March 1973, it would be necessary to increase charges by 150 per cent., which would entail a basic charge of 50 pence.

Pensions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of applications to contract out of the new State pension scheme received by the Occupational Pensions Board up to 23rd March 1978.

The Occupational Pensions Board estimates that between 18,000 and 19,000 applications had reached its premises by 23rd March 1978. Where, at 6th April 1978, an employer was awaiting the receipt of a contracting-out certificate, what is relevant for national insurance contribution purposes is whether his application had been dispatched to the OPB by 23rd March 1978. The OPB estimates that at least 19,000 had been so dispatched.

Chronically Sick And Disabled Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the incomes of chronically sick and disabled persons have increased in real terms through State provision between June 1970 to March 1974 and from March 1974 to date.

Total public expenditure on social security benefits which are by their nature paid because of chronic sickness or disablement increased in real terms by £62 million between the financial years ending 31st March 1970 and 1974 and by £387 million between the financial years ending 31st March 1974 and 1978.

PERCENTAGE OF EX-FACTORY SALES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OF CIGARETTES IN EACH TAR GROUP
Tar group		1974	1975	1976	1977
Low (0–10 mg)	…	2·5	4·8	7·2	12·2
Low to middle (11–16 mg)	…	7·6	7·7	13·0	9·0
Middle (17–22 mg)	…	74·5	74·6	68·9	69·7
Middle to high (23–28 mg)	…	14·8	12·5	10·5	8·8
High (29 mg and over)	…	0·6	0·4	0·4	0·3

As my hon. Friend will see, these figures continue the trend over recent years towards cigarettes with lower tar yields. The Government welcome this trend as part of their strategy of making smoking a less dangerous habit.The figures for 1976 have been revised since my reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 30th March 1977.—[Vol. 929, c.

177–8].

Kidney Machines

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action is being taken by his Department to support financially the production of portable kidney machines being pioneered by Lucas Aerospace combined shop stewards' committee; what technical evaluation of such machines has been made by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

I have no information about the committee's portable kidney machines, and I understand that they may not yet be in production.

Trent Regional Health Authority (Funds)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the extra resources for the National Health Service announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement will be allocated to the Trent Regional Health Authority.

Cigarettes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report figures on the percentage of cigarettes sold in 1977 in each tar band as defined in the tar and nicotine tables issued by the Health Departments of the United Kingdom and which were discussed in recent negotiations; and how these figures compare with those for 1976, 1975 and 1974.

The information is as follows:

10 per cent. of the total additional funds for England, other than funds to cover the cost of certain medical equipment, have been allocated to the Trent region.

National Health Service (Safety Committees)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken and financial provision made by his Department to implement fully in the National Health Service those sections of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 concerning the establishment of safety committees; and if he will make a statement.

The arrangements for the implementation in the National Health Service of the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1978 are being discussed by the General Whitley Councils for the Health Services (Great Britain). On the question of financial provision, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Hoyle) on 13th April.

Prescriptions (Economies)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is being done to promote economies in prescribing in the National Health Service; whether he has consulted the medical profession; and if he will make a statement.

My Department takes a wide range of measures to secure economies and obtain value for the money spent on prescribing, whilst safeguarding patients' rights to whatever treatment their doctor considers necessary for them. In particular, we provide doctors with independently produced information about drugs and therapeutics and about comparative prices of medicines.The medical profession is no less concerned than Ministers to promote every economy in the use of drugs that is compatible with patients' well-being. Yesterday, the Chairman of Council of the British Medical Association and I issued a joint statement about rising patient expectation and consumption of medicines, asking doctors for their co-operation in helping to arrest the trend. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library.Patients have an important part to play in the reduction of unnecessary expenditure. My officials are consulting doctors' representatives and the Health Education Council about how best the public can be encouraged to co-operate with their doctors in avoiding unnecessary demands for medicines.

Population

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish a study outlining the social and economic implications of a falling, rising and stable population.

I have been asked to reply.The Report of the Population Panel, Cmnd. 5258, published in March 1973, considered the social and economic implications of possible changes in the population of Britain, using a range of assumptions about future fertility rates. More recently, a report by the Central Policy Review Staff entitled "Population and the Social Services" was published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in April 1977. This report examined the implications for social expenditure of changes in population size and structure in Britain on various assumptions over the next 15 to 20 years. There is a continuing programme of work in the field of population and its implications, and results from this will be published from time to time.

Pregnancy Tests

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list in the Official Report all the drugs which have been prescribed for hormone pregnancy tests in the last 10 years, together with the names of their manufacturers;(2) which of the drugs used in hormone pregnancy tests have been withdrawn from the market; when they were withdrawn; and what official reason was given for their withdrawal;(3) what consultations he has had with the Committee on Safety of Medicines about the use of hormone pregnancy test drugs; what advice he was given by the committee; and what action he took in the light of that advice;(4) if he has had discussions with foreign Governments on foreign manufacturers about the use of hormone pregnancy test drugs both in Great Britain and abroad; and, if so, with whom he held these discussions;(5) if, in the light of facts disclosed in his letters to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent. South, he will now hold an inquiry into the manufacture, testing and prescribing of hormone pregnancy test drugs.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 10th April 1978; Vol. 947, c. 274–6.], gave the following corrected information:In the list of drugs which, as far as is known, have been used or recommended for hormonal pregnancy testing, the name of the licence holder for Primodos should read Schering Chemicals Limited.

Medical Research (Expenditure)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the size of funds he spends annually on medical research.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 14th April 1978], gave the following information:My Department has commissioned research in the health and personal social services fields worth £8½ million in 1978–79, of which approximately half could be said to be in the medical sphere. Biomedical research to meet the needs of my Department is carried out on my behalf by the Medical Research Council at a cost, in 1978–79, of about £10 million. In addition, the NHS will in 1978–79 spend over £2 million on the locally organised research scheme, under which most of the work can be classified as medical.

Prices And Consumer Protection

Scottish And Universal Investments Ltd

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will take the necessary steps to stop the Lonrho take-over bid for Scottish & Universal Investments Limited; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has power to prevent a merger only if he has first referred it to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation and the Commission has concluded that it may be expected to operate against the public interest. He will announce his decision on whether to make a reference in this case when he has received from the Director General of Fair Trading the advice on the proposed merger which the Director General is statutorily bound to give him under the Fair Trading Act 1973.

Retail Prices

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what was the increase in retail prices in each of the two last calendar years.

Between 9th December 1975 and 14th December 1976 the General Index of Retail Prices increased by 15·1 per cent. The rate of increase between 14th December 1976 and 13th December 1977 was 12·1 per cent.

Food Prices

70.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection by what percentage food prices have increased since February 1974.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) on 17th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, bearing in mind that during the 1970s consumption of butter fell by 22 per cent., bread by 14 per cent., eggs by 14 per cent. and lamb by 24 per cent., to what extent he estimates that such reductions in consumption were due to price rises; what these price rises were; and what action he has taken or intends taking to increase the consumption of these items by reducing prices.

Trends in household consumption and in the average prices paid for these foods, as given by the National Food Survey, are set out in the table below. Price is only one of a number of factors to affect household consumption of these items; other factors will include the movements in prices of alternative foods and changes in taste. For a more detailed account I refer my hon. Friend to the annual reports of the National Food Survey Committee.The Government's anti-inflation policies aim to reduce the rate of increase of all prices, not just the prices of these items. Moreover, in respect of those foods subject to the CAP, our policy is to reduce the real price of commodities in surplus.

HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND AVERAGE PRICES PAID
				1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
Butter—
Consumption ozs. per person per week		…	…	5·90	5·44	4·79	5·24	5·61	5·63	5·16	4·70
Average price paid (1970=100)	…	…	…	100	135·4	146·6	120·8	126·1	160·7	221·9	278·8
Bread—
Consumption ozs. per person per week		…	…	37·51	35·20	34·44	33·42	33·50	33·67	33·17	32·72
Average price paid (1970=100)	…	…	…	100	108·4	116·9	125·8	161·0	182·7	202·1	243·0
Eggs—
Consumption ozs. per person per week		…	…	4·59	4·48	4·41	4·23	4·09	4·14	4·08	4·00
Average price paid (1970=100)	…	…	…	100	110·2	97·3	144·3	171·4	171·8	194·0	220·9
Mutton and Lamb—
Consumption ozs. per person per week		…	…	5·17	5·32	4·96	4·44	4·11	4·25	4·20	3·97
Average price paid (1970=100)	…	…	…	100	109·7	126·0	162·8	185·7	201·0	237·8	280·2
Source MAFF: National Food Survey.

Wales

Welsh Language Council (Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his intentions, following the completion of the Welsh Language Council's final report, concerning its publication and implementation of recommendations.

The council's report on a policy for the Welsh language will be published shortly. I will make a statement then.

Scotland

Identification Procedures

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report of the working group on identification procedure under Scottish criminal law will be published; and what action he proposes to take on it.

The report has been published today and copies are available in the Vote Office. My right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate and I have indicated our appreciation to Sheriff Principal Bryden and the other members of the working group and are now studying the recommendations in the report. Consultations will be initiated very soon with interested bodies and individuals.

Criminal Law

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about criminal justice legislation for Scotland.

As a matter of priority, the Government are today introducing a Community Service by Offenders (Scotland) Bill to give Scottish courts the power to make orders requiring offenders to undertake community service. The Government have further proposals to introduce legislation on a wide range of criminal justice and criminal procedure matters and these will be brought forward as soon as legislative time is available. The Government regret that this will not be possible in the present Session.

Performance Bonds

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he gives to local authorities on obtaining performance bonds from contractors of capital works.

The standing advice is that the decision whether to ask for a performance bond, which is for the local authority, should be taken on a consideration of each contract, and that in cases of doubt bonds should be sought.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his practice in giving borrowing consent to local authorities for contracts where no performance bond is requested from the contractor.

Local authorities do not require my consent to borrowing proposals. Consent to incur liability to meet capital expenses under Section 94 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 has been granted to local authorities without any condition as to performance bonds, the need for which is a question for each local authority in relation to particular contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities require performance bonds from contractors of capital works.

The securing of performance bonds from contractors of capital works for local authorities is a matter for the authorities themselves, and no record of this is held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that current legislation on the requirement of performance bonds from contractors of capital works by local authorities is adequate.

There is no such legislation.

Housing Co-Operatives

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will name any housing authorities which have established tenants' housing co-operatives in response to SDD Circular 14/1977.

The only tenants' housing co-operative in Scotland is that at Summerston in Glasgow, which started to accept tenants in 1976. Though no co-operatives have started since SDD Circular 14/1977 was issued on 31st March 1977, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State knows of positive interest being shown by Clydebank, East Kilbride, East Lothian, Falkirk, Gordon, Ross & Cromarty and West Lothian District Councils. The SSHA has two schemes at an advanced stage of planning.

National Finance

Government Accounts (Audit)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government as expressed by his predecessor in the Second Reading debate on the Exchequer and Audit Departments Bill of 1921, Official Report, 5th August 1921, column 1886, that the Comptroller and Auditor General should audit Government accounts officially and formally on behalf of the House of Commons, so that the responsibility of the House over them through its officer, the Comptroller and Auditor General, is signalised by statute.

The accounts mentioned in the passage of the Official Report referred to by my hon. Friend have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General in accordance with the statutory obligation placed on him by the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921.

Income Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total value of income tax rebates under the PAYE system in the last available 12 month period; and how many taxpayers were involved.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the number of families who will pay income tax although their income is less than the supplementary benefits to which they would be entitled.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th April 1978], gave the following information:It is estimated that very few, if any, families would be liable to pay income tax if their net disposable income, including benefits available to those in work, was less than what it would be if they were in receipt of supplementary benefit.

War Widows' Pensions

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is now the cost of the tax concession on war widows' pensions per annum.

About £10 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Revenue if war widows' pensions up to the value of current rates of supplementary benefits for the persons concerned were ignored in arriving at the sums of income tax payable by each person.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th April 1978], gave the following information:About £3 million in addition to the present cost.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Revenue if war widows' pensions were to be ignored in arriving at the sums of income tax payable by such persons.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th April 1978], gave the following information:About £6 million in addition to the present cost.

Hotels (Building Allowance)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the rate of industrial building allowance he has announced for hotels is lower than for other industrial buildings.

Hotels are not industrial buildings, and there is no reason why the capital allowances for hotel buildings proposed in my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement should necessarily be at the same rates as the present allowances for industrial buildings.

Personal Taxation

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of the overall level of personal taxation in the United Kingdom compared with the levels in West Germany, France and Italy.

The information requested is given in the table below. The latest available figures are for the calendar year 1975:

	Personal taxation as percentage of
	(i) Total taxation	(ii) GDP
France	12·4 (21·0)	4·6 (7·8)
Italy	15·3 (24·3)	4·9 (7·9)
United Kingdom	38·9 (46·4)	14·3 (17·1)
West Germany	30·1 (45·1)	10·6 (15·9)

Notes:

1. Figures are from OECD Revenue Statistics 1977.

2. Personal taxation includes income tax, tax credited to individuals in respect of dividends, and capital gains tax. The figures in brackets are inclusive of employees' social security contributions.

3. Total taxation includes all central Government taxation, social security contributions, and local rates.

Public Contracts

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what undertakings the Government have given to review the operation of the counter-inflation conditions in public contracts.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Brown) on 15th March.—[Vol. 946, c. 233–5.]

Child Benefit And Allowances

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the combined value of child benefit, dependency allowances, child tax allowances and tax exemption for part of the dependency allowance for a widow with two children who is paying the standard rate of tax compares with the value of child tax allowances and child benefits paid to a married couple; what will be the corresponding figures from November 1978; and what they were in April 1974 and April 1976.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

Bureaux De Change

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied that all bureaux de change deal in foreign currency with permission of the Bank of England.

In general, yes. But if the hon. Member has reason to believe that any bureau is operating without permission, I should be glad to receive details so that the matter can be investigated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many bureaux de change have been authorised in each of the past three years by the Bank of England to deal in foreign currency under the Exchange Control Act 1947; and what is the total number of authorisations listed independently of the clearing banks.

308 authorisations to run bureaux de change have been issued to operators other than authorised banks. Of these, 17 were issued in 1975; 76 in 1976; 133 in 1977; and 40 so far this year.

asked the Chanceller of the Exchequer what system of monitoring is conducted by the Bank of England to ensure that those bureaux de change authorised to deal in foreign currency trade within the required conditions.

Exchange control officials make spot checks on bureaux de change as resources allow.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many letters of authorisation granted by the Bank of England to bureaux de change have been withdrawn for non-compliance with the trading conditions stipulated;(2) if the Bank of England has withdrawn any authorisations to bureaux de change which offer rates of exchange or charge commissions not in fine with those quoted by authorised banks;(3) if the Bank of England has withdrawn any authorisations to bureaux de change which do not display clearly and permanently the rates of exchange offered and the commission charged.

The Bank of England, where necessary, reminds the operators of bureaux de change of the need to comply at all times with the conditions attached to their permissions to deal in foreign currency, and requires them to put right any irregularity of which the Bank has become aware. As yet, no permission has peen withdrawn, but the Bank would not hesitate to take such action in appropriate circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how regularly authorisations by the Bank of England to bureaux de change are reviewed.

Existing authorisations have not been subject to automatic review, but the Bank of England keeps a constant watch on the development of bureaux de change.

Mortgage Interest Relief

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the overall cost of tax relief on all mortgage loans and the average relief for each mortgage in each of the last 10 years.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

Investment Income Surcharge

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss of revenue if the investment income surcharge was abolished.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss of revenue if the threshold for the investment income surcharge for those aged 65 years was raised to £4,500, with an equivalent increase in the threshold for those under 65 years of age.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss of revenue if the higher threshold for investment income surcharge operated from age 60 instead of age 65 years.

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

Age Reliefs

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an estimate of the loss of revenue involved if the age reliefs operated from the date of actual retirement rather than age 65 years.

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

Nationalised Industries (Purchasing Policy)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the recent remarks of his right hon. Friend on the desirability of buying British will form the basis of Government directions to the nationalised industries to purchase British products; and if he intends to include British Airways within the scope of his policy.

The nationalised industries are well aware of the Government's views, and the great bulk of their purchases other than of raw materials are made at home. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade is dealing with the specific question of British Airways' acquisition of aircraft in his reply to the hon. Member for Chertsey and Walton (Mr. Pattie).

Council Of Ministers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Finance Council meeting in Luxembourg on 17th April.

The EEC Finance Council met under Danish Presidency on 17th April in Luxembourg. The Council agreed a statement to be made on behalf of the Community by the Presidency at the meeting of the Interim Committee of the International Monetary Fund in Mexico City on 29th-30th April.On the basis of the conclusions reached at the European Council in Copenhagen on 7th-8th April, the Council agreed on the procedure for making a joint assessment of the scope for action to promote economic recovery. The assessment will be considered at the May meeting of the Council with a view to reaching agreement on a report at the June Council in preparation for the European Council meeting in July.The Council agreed to the text of a draft directive on the co-ordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to co-insurance. The directive will be formally adopted at a future meeting of the Council.The Council had a further discussion of the date of implementation of the VAT Sixth Directive.

Personal Incomes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the written answer to the hon. Member for Blaby on 21st March—Official Report, c. 520–1—if he will publish a similar table of net income and take-home pay for a married man on average earnings with one child under 11 years of age.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th April 1978], gave the following information:The figures are as follows:

	Average real weekly net income at January 1978 prices	Average real weekly take-home pay excluding child benefit at January 1978 prices
	£	£
1970–71	61·40
1971–72	62·90
1972–73	66·80
1973–74	67·50
1974–75	67·00
1975–76	63·50
1976–77	62·50
1977–78 (see Note 1 below)	62·10	61·10
1978–79 (see Note3 below)	64·70	62·30

NOTES.1. Child benefit became payable for the first child in 1977–73; before then, take-home pay and net income were the same.

2. The figures are on the same basis as those given in the previous answer on 21st March—[ Official Report, c. 520–1].

3. The figures for 1978–79 take account of the Budget proposals and the increase in child benefit announced for November 1978. Average earnings have been notionally estimated as follows: on the basis that in October 1977 a man on average earnings has not yet received an increase in the current pay round, it may be assumed that his earnings will rise by a further 10 per cent. to October 1978 in accordance with the Government's guideline. It is assumed that the retail prices index will rise by 7 per cent. over the same period.

Transport

Feeder Roads

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that county councils are able to go ahead without delay on necessary local feeder roads.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to him on Friday 14th April 1978.

Fog Lamps

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider introducing legislation to prohibit the incorrect fitting of high intensity rear fog lamps.

My right hon. Friend proposes to make regulations on the fitting of rear fog lamps on vehicles. Interested bodies have been invited to comment on a draft of the regulations. A copy has been made available in the Library.

Northern Ireland

Pollution Control

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of pollution control over the next five years.

The estimated cost to public funds of pollution control in Northern Ireland, including the provision and operation of sewerage services, over the next five financial years will be of the order of £200 million.

Prisoners (Hygiene)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of Republican prisoners at present engaged in the "no washing" campaign in the Maze Prison.

There are 290 prisoners at present not conforming to prison rules in the H blocks at Her Majesty's Maze Prison.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of Republican prisoners at present engaged in the "no washing" campaign in the Crumlin Road Prison.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in view of the warning of infectious disease issued by a consultant of the Royal Victoria Hospital, if he will now take steps to safeguard those prisoners not taking part in the "no washing" campaign on the Maze Prison.

I have noted the reports of the statement by the consultant. I can assure the hon. Member that the medical aspects of the present campaign are being carefully watched in the light of reports from doctors who know the situation in the prison, and that any necessary action will be taken to safeguard the health of prisoners. There is at present no evidence of skin infection or any other disease among the prisoners concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the dates of the most recent medical examinations of all prisoners taking part in the "no washing" campaign.

The medical authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation in the two H blocks where the protest is taking place. There are daily sick parades at the prison, and any prisoner who reports sick is seen by a doctor as soon as possible. Information is not readily available, however, as to the precise dates of the last individual medical examination of all the prisoners concerned.

Gaelic Athletic Association

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in view of the fact that the Gaelic Athletic Association has reaffirmed its rules which discriminate against members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and members of Her Majesty's security forces, what decision he has taken regarding continuing grants to the Gaelic Athletic Association.

The payment of capital grant to Gaelic Athletic Association clubs is to be resumed following the temporary suspension of grants in December 1977. Grants were suspended following remarks made by a judge in open court which raised the issue of whether or not the Department of Education for Northern Ireland was in breach of Section 19 of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 in grant aiding GAA clubs. Having received legal advice the Government have decided that payments to the GAA should be resumed on the basis of 33⅓ per cent. grant aid, the grant rate payable to voluntary sporting clubs which have restricted membership.

Rural Planning (Cockcroft Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Cockcroft Report on rural planning will be published.

It is expected that the report of the Committee on Rural Planning Policy, chaired by Dr. Cockcroft, will be published about the end of next month.

Environment

British Waterways Board

71.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date his Department received details of the British Waterways Board's proposals for spending the money allocated to it, as announced in the House of Commons on 9th November 1977.

2nd February 1978.

Housing (Knowsley)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, in view of the serious housing problem in Knowsley and Kirkby, he will now allocate more funds to the council;(2) what steps he is taking to help Knowsley Council deal with its housing problems;(3) what information he has on the nature and scale of the housing problems faced by Knowsley Council; and what financial help the Government have given compared with that provided to other local authorities.

I am well informed of Knowsley's housing problem which is not one of quantity but of quality of housing and difficulty of maintenance. I visited the borough last year; and the regional office of the Department maintain close contact with the council's officers. Special financial arrangements have been made in respect of dwellings which have had to be demolished and other housing subsidy questions are under consideration.An allocation of £3·8 million has already been made for 1978–79 for Knowsley's housing investment programme of which the authority can apply as much as it chooses to the repair and improvement of existing properties. In addition, £300,000 will be available under the building society support scheme.

Rent Assessment Committees

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the names and occupations of present members of rent assessment committees.

Rent assessment committees are drawn from rent assessment panels of which there are currently some 700 members. A list giving their names and occupations is placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, when appointing members of rent assessment committees, what account is taken of any interest that members may have in property, as owners, estate agents or surveyors.

Members of rent assessment panels from which rent assessment committees are drawn consist of professionally qualified lawyers and valuers and of lay persons. Members are chosen by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Lord Chancellor for qualities of judgment, common sense and an ability to take an unbiased view. Lawyers and valuers in addition contribute their professional expertise.Members are required not to adjudicate in circumstances which might give rise to doubt regarding their impartiality, that is if they have any personal, professional or pecuniary interest in a case or any firm or business of which they are a member has such an interest.

Child Benefit Centre, Washington New Town

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's estimate of the size of the duck population presently maintained by his Department on the artificial lake at the child benefit centre in Washington New Town; and what is the annual cost of supplying ducks and the necessary amenities for this duck community.

There are about 12 pairs of ducks on this artificial lake. Most of the initial cost was borne by staff working in the centre; my Department contributed £32·40; it also paid £130 for four geese and two swans. The annual future cost of supplying ducks is nil because they reproduce in sufficient numbers. The birds are fed on a voluntary basis by the staff at the centre, but my Department contributes just under £10 per month to the cost of supplementary feed.

Derelict Land

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much of the 545 hectares of derelict land in Warrington lies within the Newton parliamentary constituency;(2) how much of the 311 hectares of derelict land in St. Helens lies within the Newton parliamentary constituency;(3) how much of the 1,045 hectares of derelict land in Wigan lies within the Newton parliamentary constituency;(4) how much of the 228 hectares of derelict land in Salford lies within the Newton parliamentary constituency.

The information provided by the 1974 survey of derelict land was in terms of local authority areas and figures for parliamentary constituencies are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what Government grant is available, and to which authorities, for reclamation of the 2,370 hectares of derelict land in Lancashire;(2) what Government grant is available, and to which authorities, for reclamation of the 1,711 hectares of derelict land in Cheshire;(3) what Government grant is available, and to which authorities, for reclamation of the 529 hectares of derelict land in Merseyside;(4) what Government grant is available, and to which authorities, for reclamation of the 3,405 hectares of derelict land in Greater Manchester.

Government grants for the reclamation of derelict land are available under Section 8 of the Local Employment Act 1972 to all district and county councils in these areas. The current rate of grant is 100 per cent.

Water And Sewerage Charges

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if there will be any loss of rate rebates as a result of the water authorities collecting water and sewerage charges direct instead of via local council rate demands.

No. Water services charges, including sewerage, however collected, have not attracted rate rebates since the implementation of the Water Act 1973.

Sperm Oil

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now take steps to ban the import of sperm oil.

The sperm whale is not listed in either of the appendices to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. For this reason, there are no grounds for imposing a ban on the import of sperm oil under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976.

Mortgages

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his request to the Building Societies Association to restrict lending extends to additional advances during the currency of a mortgage for improvements and maintenance.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environmentment what is the total loaned by local authorities for mortgages and the amount of the average mortgage in each of the last 10 years.

Following is the information for England and Wales, at outturn prices:

	Loans to private persons for house purchase	Average advance
	(£000's)	(£'s)
1968	85,693	2,200
1969	42,156	2,200
1970	118,343	2,675
1971	126,682	2,675
1972	132,927	2,950
1973	292,668	4,925
1974	455,112	6,050
1975	636,089	6,250
1976	151,788	5,500
1977	134,468^*	5,825
^* Provisional.

Hampton Court Palace

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many grace and favour residences are still available at Hampton Court Palace; and how many are presently lived in.

Of the 57 grace and favour residences, 34 are at present lived in. Of the remainder, 10 are being adapted for future public access and six will be used as conservation studios. The rest will be used for official or residential purposes.

Building Proposals (Foreign Governments)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will call in any application by a foreign Government for the erection of an exceptionally large building complex in a central position in London.

Foreign Governments submit their planning applications to the local planning authorities in the first instance: but where a proposal is particularly controversial I consider calling the application in for my own decision.

House Prices

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in formulating his policy relating to the level of mortgage funds to be made available to home buyers what effect he estimates the supply of building society funds has upon the price and supply of houses.

The demand for houses is strongly influenced by the supply of credit for their purchase. Over 80 per cent. of all house purchases are financed with the aid of mortgages, more than 90 per cent. of which are provided by building societies. A reduction in the level of building society lending therefore can be expected to affect directly the effective demand for houses, and consequently their prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what impact he estimates low-start mortgages will have upon the price of houses.

Some bodies which lend for house purchase—mainly local authorities—operate low start mortgage schemes. These schemes have had no significant effect on house prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the effect of (a) the ending of tax relief on mortgages, and (b) only allowing tax relief at the standard rate, on the prices and demand for houses.

There is no simple relationship between the level of tax relief on mortgage interest and the demand for and prices of houses. This question was discussed in the Consultative Document on Housing Policy (Command 6851) and its accompanying technical volume. However, one would expect any reduction of tax relief to have the effect of reducing the pressure of demand and therefore the pressure on prices.

Housing Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total spent on public sector and private sector housing at 1977 prices in each of the last 10 years.

The answer is as follows:

GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION ON DWELLINGS (UNITED KINGDOM)
	£ million, 1977 outturn prices
	Public sector	Private sector
1968	2,827	2,825
1969	2,765	2,639
1970	2,489	2,483
1971	2,296	2,979
1972	2,132	3,398
1973	2,256	3,085
1974	2,433	2,524
1975	2,476	2,701
1976	2,572	2,607
1977	2,197	2,391

Rented Accommodation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many units and what proportion of the total of private accommodation has been rented by (a) private landlords and (b) housing associations in each of the last 10 years.

Available estimates of dwelling stock in Great Britain at the end of 1977 indicate that about 3·0 million dwellings representing 14·5 per cent. of the stock were rented from private owners, housing associations and with employment tenure categories. Housing association dwellings account for about 1 per cent. of the stock. Corresponding figures for earlier years appear in Table XI of Housing and Construction Statistics issue 21.

Homeless Persons

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the number of homeless people living in slum housing in each of the last 10 years.

Detailed estimates of the number of households accepted as homeless by local authorities in England for each of the half yearly periods from the first half of 1975 to the first half of 1977 are in the appropriate homelessness reports and Press notices lodged in the Library. Before 1975, statistical information on homelessness was returned to the DHSS, and it was collected on a different basis. Results for years earlier than 1975 are not directly comparable for the reasons explained in the document I am sending to the hon. Member.It is estimated that the number of people living in unfit dwellings in England declined from about 2½ million in 1971 to about 1½ million in 1976. Estimates are not available for other years.

Housing Stock

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the number of houses that were one bedroomed, two bedroomed, three bedroomed and four bedroomed and above, and the percentage of each category in each year from 1960;(2) if he will list the number and percentage of total stock of single-bedroomed accommodation in each of the last 10 years.

Information is not available in the precise form requested

		Building Societies		Local Authorities		Insurance Companies		All
		£m.	percentage	£m.	percentage	£m.	percentage	£m.
1967	…	1,477	83·5	168	9·5	124	7·0	1,769
1968	…	1,587	85·1	111	5·9	168	9·0	1,866
1969	…	1,556	86·2	69	3·8	180	10·0	1,805
1970	…	2,021	86·7	157	6·7	154	6·6	2,332
1971	…	2,758	87·9	232	7·4	149	4·7	3,139
1972	…	3,649	88·2	337	8·2	149	3·6	4,135
1973	…	3,540	82·0	519	12·0	259	6·0	4,318
1974	…	2,950	76·2	673	17·4	249	6·4	3,872
1975	…	4,965	83·0	780	13·0	240	4·0	5,985
1976	…	6,117	91·2	386	5·8	202	3·0	6,705
1977	…	6,721	91·5	401	5·5	219	3·0	7,341

but results from the General Household Survey for 1976 indicates that in Great Britain, 11 per cent. of households occupy accommodation with one bedroom, 30 per cent. have two bedrooms, 50 per cent. have three bedrooms and 9 per cent. four or more bedrooms. The percentages have remained virtually constant since 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of one bedroomed, two bedroomed, three bedroomed and four bedroomed and above units of accommodation built in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years.

Following is the available information for England in 1977.

Dwellings completed for local authorities, housing associations and private owners: by number of bedrooms: 1977

ENGLAND
1 bedroom	49,400
2 bedrooms	67,700
3 bedrooms	117,900
4 or more bedrooms	24,500

Figures for previous years appear in Table 18 of Housing and Construction Statistics, copies of which are available in the Library.

Mortgage Investments

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the amounts and proportion of the total of mortgages invested by building societies, local authorities, insurance companies and banks for each of the last 10 years.

The figures for gross advances made by main lending institutions excluding banks, data for which are unavailable, in the United Kingdom are as follows:

House Purchase

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his consent to the equity sharing schemes listed in his answer to the hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling on 19th January, Official Report, column 350, was provided by the general consent in Appendix I of circular 54/70.

I shall answer this Question shortly.

Wainsford Relief Sewer

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington on 14th April, the Wainsford relief sewer, now under construction with its seaward outfall at Pennington, Hampshire, will be subject to Part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

All discharges to the sea up to the three-mile limit will be brought under control of Part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. I am advised by the Southern Water Authority that the Wainsford relief sewer, which should be completed in the spring of 1979, will discharge via the existing sea outfall at Pennington for which consent exists under existing legislative controls over the Solent. The authority plans to replace the Pennington outfall in due course and the new discharge will require a new consent which will be submitted to my right hon. Friend for his approval.

Reddish, Stockport (Compulsory Purchase Order)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he received the report of the inspector into the Gorton Road—Criterion Street, Reddish (Stockport), Compulsory Purchase Order 1976; how long the inspector took to prepare his report; and when he will announce his decision.

I have nothing to add to my answer to my hon. Friend on Friday 17th February 1978.—[Vol. 944, c. 397–8.]

Gazumping

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest information on the current incidence of gazumping; and of the effect of the close monitoring of lending by building societies.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12th April 1978], gave the following information:There are no statistics on the incidence of gazumping. Mortgage lending has of course now been moderated in the light of information available from close monitoring of lending and house prices.

Volume 948: debated on Thursday 20 April 1978

Written Answers To Questions

Home Department

Legal Aid (Statistics)

"New Community"

Deportation Orders

Lotteries And Amusements Act 1976

Taxis (London)

Prime Minister (Engagements)

Trade Union Conferences

Tuc And Cbi

Japanese Prime Minister

Government Legislation

Nationalised Industries

Boulmer

Wiltshire

Dundee

Northern Ireland

Middle East

European Community

United Nations And Organisation For African Unity

National Economic Development Council

Argyll

Teesside

Merseyside

Foreign Secretary (Speech)

Armed Forces (Pay)

Building Proposals (Foreign Governments)

Council Of Europe And Western European Union (Delegations)

Speeding Offences (Fines)

Energy

British National Oil Corporation

North Sea Oil

Gas And Gas Condensate Discoveries

Drax Power Station

International Atomic Energy Agency

Light Viscosity Motor Oils

Civil Service

Health And Safety

Education And Science

King Edward Vi School, Southampton

University Students

Pupil-Teacher Ratios

Schools (Vandalism)

Teachers (Industrial Action)

University Teachers (Pay)

Further Education (Kingswood)

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Green Pound

Common Agricultural Policy

Milk (Sale)

Food Prices

Food Manufacturers

Potatoes (Prices)

Beef

Common Fisheries Policy

Agricultural Holdings

Thames Flood Barrier

Sheepmeat

Monetary Compensatory Amounts

Milk Marketing Boards

Timber

Potato Marketing Board

"Food From Our Own Resources"

Wheat Levies

White Fish Authority

Council Of Ministers

Agricultural Production Statistics

European Community (Membership)

Lime

Agricultural Production

Countryside Commission

Environmental Protection

European Community (Non-Tariff Barriers)

Hard Wheats

Horticulture (Energy Sources)

Value Added Tax

Irish Conservation

Animals (Export)