asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what was the relevant price of a small loaf of bread and a pint of milk in 1945, in 1950 and at the latest date.

Information available indicates the following average retail prices. Comparable information for a small loaf is not available and the prices given are for a standard loaf.

	Bread Pence per 1¾lb. loaf	Milk Pence per pint
1945	1·6*	1·9*
1950	2·3	2·1
1978 (March)	24·1	12·5*
* Equivalent prices for these quantities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in his recent meeting with the interim Rhodesian Government, he was asked for, and gave, any commitment for economic aid or guarantees of pensions.

These questions did not arise in the talks that the United States Secretary of State and my right hon. Friend held with the parties to the Salisbury Agreement on 17th April.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on current Government policy in relation to computer procurement.

As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds. West (Mr. Dean) on 27th July 1977—[Vol. 936, c. 227–8]—the arrangements under which computers are currently purchased for central Government use were reported to this House on 2nd March 1971—[Vol. 812, c. 419]—as follows:

(1) to acquire large computers—those more powerful than Atlas—and computers leading into them by single tender action from ICL, subject to satisfactory price performance and delivery date, save in exceptional circumstances where the penalties of transferring from another manufacturer would be too great;

(2) to acquire other computers by single tender action where there are reasons for seeking compatibility or flexibility, subject to the same proviso about price, performance and delivery;

(3) in all other cases, including those in which the appropriate manufacturers are unable to meet the conditions specified in (1) and (2), to seek competitive tenders, including so far as possible at least one offering a system manufactured in the United Kingdom and to award the contract strictly on the merits of the evaluation.

The Government have decided to continue for the time being substantially the same arrangements for purchasing computers for the central Government. Subject to the important provisos set out in 1971, computers in the power range corresponding to the ICL 1904S, 2960, 2970, 2976 and 2980 machines will in future be acquired by single tender action from ICL. As before, these arrangements do not commit the Government to purchasing a large computer within this power range where it would be more efficient to meet a particular requirement by a system made up of smaller machines.In reaching this decision, the Government took note of a directive on public supplies issued by the European Economic Commission which provides for the exemption of procurement of ADP equipment from the scope of the directive until the end of 1980. The Government are ready to co-operate in any co-ordinated European approach to public procurement from the European computer industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the total cost of providing free school meals on a universal basis, without means test.

Between £570 million and £800 million, depending on the proportion of pupils at school who elected to take a school meal. These figures are calculated for 70 per cent. and 100 per cent. take-up respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will arrange for an exhibition relating to Cleveland International Drawing Biennale to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 2nd May to 13th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proportion of jobs in firms receiving temporary employment subsidy is lost in competitive firms which are not similarly supported;(2) what proportion of jobs saved by temporary employment subsidy is lost by the displacement effect.

I regret that I am unable to supply this information. It is not possible to estimate with any confidence the extent and timing of job displacement occurring as a result of TES.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those who would have been unemployed but for temporary employment subsidy is assumed, in calculating the total cost to the Revenue of such unemployment (a) to have registered as unemployed, (b) to have been entitled to unemployment benefit, and, on average, how long and at what average weekly cost and (c) to have been entitled to supplementary benefit and, on average, how long and, on average, at what weekly cost.

We calculate that TES has neglible net costs, and for this purpose we assume that at least 70 per cent. of those whose jobs are preserved would otherwise have signed the register and claimed benefit. Given the wide variety of individual circumstances, broad estimates have to be made of the savings to the Exchequer when a worker is maintained in employment. Total savings averaging £40 a week for each job preserved are assumed for the duration of the subsidy payment, approximately half of which represents savings in unemployment and supplementary benefits in the case of those who would have signed the register; the other half is made up of increased tax revenue—largely direct taxes—and national insurance contributions. These figures reflect the fact that 42 per cent. of those covered by TES are women.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs he estimates are lost in addition to the displacement effect as a result of the public expenditure resulting from the net cost of temporary employment subsidy.

The net cost of the TES is negligible and the number of jobs lost through this money not being available for spending elsewhere is, therefore, also negligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the average income per household at the latest available dale on a national, county and parliamentary constituency basis in England.

The gross normal average weekly income for households in England and the regions of England in 1976 is shown below. The figures are taken from the family expenditure survey which does not give acceptably reliable results for areas smaller than the regions.

	£
England	83·30
North	78·80
Yorkshire and Humberside	78·20
North-West	76·50
East Midlands	80·90
West Midlands	83·00
East Anglia	81·70
South-East	90·60
Greater London	92·00
Rest of South-East	89·60
South-West	79·30

These results, which are given to the nearest 10p, are subject to sampling error.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he has taken or now proposes to increase the number of firms who have effective works safety councils.

The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977, which come into operation on 1st October 1978, provide that an employer must establish a safety committee if two or more safety representatives ask for one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the 14 Home Office inspectors under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 all have veterinary qualifications.

Seven have veterinary qualifications. The other inspectors have medical qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dogs were debarked before being used in experimental procedures under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, during the years from 1970 to the latest possible date.

Detailed information is not available. My inspectors, however, advise against this practice and there is no evidence that it occurs on any scale, if at all.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is given to a Home Office inspector before he is appointed under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876.

All candidates for appointment to the Inspectorate are required to have recognised medical or veterinary qualifications and experience.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police car drivers, (b) fire appliance drivers and (c) ambulance drivers were prosecuted in each of the past three years for speeding offences or failing to observe traffic signals; under what provision of which statutes the prosecutions were brought; and whether any advice is given to chief officers of police about prosecution in such circumstances.

The information requested in the first part of the Question is not available. Prosecutions for exceeding a speed limit and for failing to comply with traffic light signals would be brought under the appropriate sections of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967 and the Road Traffic Act 1972 and regulations made under them. The instituting of proceedings in any particular case is a matter for individual chief officers of police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to authorise the publication of the Osmond Report commissioned by the Lancashire Police Authority for the investigation of allegations against the conduct of Mr. Parr, the former Chief Constable of Lancashire.

No. This was a report to the Lancashire Police Authority, not to me, and the police authority has decided that it would not be appropriate to publish it, and so to risk the loss of qualified privilege which might result from publication. That decision is, of course, consistent with the long-standing principle that police reports are confidential and can be written on the assumption that they will not be made public: an assumption which is a necessary condition of their containing a complete account of the relevant information. I am, however, with the agreement of the police authority, putting in the Library of both Houses copies of the report of the tribunal set up to hear disciplinary charges against Mr. Parr, which has been sent to me in accordance with the relevant regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the average percentage increase in police officers' pay between 1973 and 1978; and what has been the increase in the cost of living in the same period.

The retail price index increased by 108·2 per cent. between April 1973 and March 1978. In the same period the basic pay of a police constable outside London increased by 104 per cent. at the minimum 99·8 per cent. at the four year point and 74·8 per cent. at the maximum.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish

				Firearm Certificates				Shotgun Certificates
Police Force				Issue	Renewal	Variation	Replacement	Issue	Renewal	Replacement
				£	£	£	£	£	£	£
Metropolitan Police			…	52·80	32·42	38·44	26·40	12·79	8·51	6·48
Cheshire		…	…	12·73	10·90	12·27	2·41	7·74	5·14	2·07
Cumbria		…	…	10·41	6·52	7·48	7·15	3·51	3·03	2·96
Devon and Cornwall				13·41	13·46	8·62	8·94	3·02	3·22	—
Dyfed-Powys		…	…	14·56	9·33	8·54	—	6·19	3·68	2·47
Humberside		…	…	10·91	11·29	11·74	11·66	9·19	9·19	9·19
Sussex	…	…	…	10·87	8·52	—	—	7·77	3·71	—
West Midlands			…	12·34	7·98	8·24	4·80	4·32	3·85	3·08
Central Scotland			…	13·57	12·74	12·73	—	5·84	4·32	4·32
Northern Scotland			…	14·73	12·21	12·21	13·05	5·06	4·22	4·22

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to collect all of the administrative costs in issuing firearm and shotgun certificates from the certificate holder; and to what extent this policy is modified by the need in any event for police involvement in their efforts to maintain law and order.

The policy is that fees for licences and certificates in respect of activities regulated in the public interest should recover the costs of issuing them. This policy is not affected by the police having further responsibilities in connection with regulation of these activities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average period served by persons convicted of homicide who were released from prison between 1974 and 1977.

, pursuant to his reply, [Official Report, 25th April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 420], gave the following information:The average time spent in prison after sentence by those persons convicted of homicide—that is murder, manslaughter or infanticide—or attempted murder who were released from custody between 1974 and 1977 was three years eight months. The average time spent in prison after sentence by persons convicted of murder

The police forces taking part in the 1977 survey provided the following estimates of the cost of each activity during the 12 months ending 31st March 1977:who were released on licence between 1974 and 1977 was 10 years one month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those licences and certificates for which he has responsibility and for which the cost of administration is not covered by the licence or certificate fee.

No charge is made for licences issued under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 or the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876. The costs of issuing pedlars' certificates and hackney carriage drivers' licences are partially covered by the certificate or licence fee.In the following cases it is Government policy that the full costs of administration shall be met by charges for certificates or licences but at present income falls short of total costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pedal cyclists have been prosecuted in the years 1975, 1976 and 1977, respectively, for wilfully riding on a foot-path by the side of any road made or set apart for the use of foot passengers thereby contravening Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835.

Information is available only on the total number of persons prosecuted in England and Wales for riding a pedal cycle on a footpath, who numbered 1,319 in 1976. Proceedings taken under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 cannot be distinguished. Figures for 1975 cannot readily be obtained, and figures for 1977 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers of motor vehicles have been prosecuted in the years 1975, 1976 and 1977 respectively, for wilfully driving on a footpath by the side of any road made or set apart for the use of foot passengers thereby contravening Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835.

Information is available only on the total number of prosecutions in England and Wales for offences of driving a motor vehicle on a footway, which numbered 5,198 in 1975 and 6,398 in 1976. Proceedings taken under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 cannot be distinguished. Figures for 1977 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the percentage rate, and number, of passes of driving tests in the Southend area for each of the last five years up to the most recent convenient period; and how this compares with other driving test centres in the same region.

The situation was as follows:

	Tests passed	Pass rate per cent.	Tests passed	Average pass rate per cent.
1973	3,450	39·6	35,181	46·4
1974	2,898	40·1	38,834	45·3
1975	4,007	42·5	40,833	45·1
1976	3,651	42·1	42,558	45·5
1977	2,972	40·6	40,747	45·4

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present establishment of driving examiners at Beverley for public service vehicles and heavy goods vehicle driving tests; and when he intends to restore it to two examiners.

One such examiner is at present employed on a permanent basis, supplemented by examiners from other centres as necessary. Two examiners will be employed full time when the demand for tests warrants it.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present waiting list for public service vehicle and heavy goods vehicle driving tests at the Beverley centre.

Five weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many tests for heavy goods vehicle and public service vehicle licences have been cancelled in the current year at the Beverley testing centre.

The position at 27th April was as follows:

	Appointments cancelled
Cancellations	Firm bookings	Provisional reservations
By Department:
HGV driving tests	29*	12
PSV driving tests	1	4
By Applicants:
HGV driving tests	39	3
PSV driving tests	5	2
* Sixteen arose through bad weather.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what efforts have been made to secure a derogation from EEC regulations No. 543/69 to prevent the imposition of requirements to keep records of local deliveries from vehicles over 3·5 metric tonnes plated weight where the continuing driving period does not exceed four hours and is within a radius of 50 kilometres from the operating depot.

I am at present consulting the Commission on the derogations permissible under Article 14a of Regulation (EEC) No. 543/69. I expect to take advantage of the provision which permits the exemption from record-keeping of all internal goods transport operations within a radius of 50 km from the vehicle base. At present such an exemption is permitted only until 1st July 1979 when installation of a tachograph is due to become compulsory for this type of traffic.I am also seeking permanent exemption from record-keeping for specialised vehicles used for door-to-door selling. I remind the hon. Member of my statement of 1st February 1978 in which I said that until final decisions had been made about derogations I would not want anyone to change operating practices permissible under the 1968 Transport Act in respect of the vehicles or purposes for which derogation is possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Council of Ministers (Agriculture) meeting in Luxembourg on 25th-26th April.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 642], gave the following information:The Agriculture Council continued its consideration of agricultural prices for 1978–79 and related matters. At the outset the Chairman of the Council made compromise proposals which, however, failed to attract general support. He and Commissioner Gundelach then spent two days in bilateral consultations with member countries. Late on 27th April the Commission put forward a working document containing amendments to its original proposals. The Council decided to adjourn until 8th May to allow time for study of the revised proposals and for further contacts; and to extend the 1977–78 marketing years for beef and milk until 21st May.The revised proposals will require careful study. They are said to add about one-quarter of 1 per cent. to the average price increase of 2 per cent. in the Commission's original proposals. They contain significant improvements to the original proposals for safeguarding the milk marketing boards, but would envisage a further decision by the Council on future Community arrangements of this kind in four years' time. They fail to provide for any reduction in United Kingdom monetary compensatory amounts on pigmeat but make improved provision for the United Kingdom butter subsidy. They include new provisions on wine and Mediterranean issues.I said that in examining these new proposals Her Majesty's Government would want to assess how far they dealt fairly with the particular problems of the United Kingdom and other member countries. Our main criterion would be how effectively they attacked the present structural surpluses that have resulted from excessive price levels, and how far they would avoid the creation of new ones.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Council of Ministers (Fisheries) meeting in Luxembourg on 24th April.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting. The Council agreed to extend until 31st May the interim fishing arrangements with Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands. In the meantime, the Commission will continue to hold informal discussions on the internal policy with member Governments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on any change of policy to allow the Forestry Commission to negotiate the sale of agricultural holdings to the Commission's tenants.

The policy generally in England and Wales is for agricultural land and property to be retained in public ownership, and only in exceptional circumstances would sale be contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost to public funds of waiving prescription charges on all prescriptions for generic drugs, assuming (a) the present pattern of prescribing did not change and (b) all subsequent prescriptions for drugs available in generic form were written for the generic drug, respectively.

I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as the existing estimates can be updated to reflect current prescribing patterns.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are in receipt of the full attendance allowance; and how many are in receipt of the lower rate at the latest available date, and in each year since its inception.

The information requested is as follows:

NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN RECEIPT OF ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE AS AT 31ST DECEMBER EACH YEAR
	Higher rate	Lower rate	Total
1971	66,000	—	66,000
!972	85,000	—	85,000
1973	108,000	45,000	152,000
1974	118,000	69,000	187,000
1975	129,000	94,000	222,000
1976	139,000	121,000	260,000
1977	153,000	147,000	300,000

Because of rounding the totals do not always precisely equal the sum of the parts.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total capital and current expenditure on the National Health Service, and the contribution made to that cost by charges, in each year since 1948; what is his estimate of expenditure on private medicine for the same period; and what these figures represent as proportions of the gross national product in each year.

The table below sets out the total capital and current expenditure on the National Health Service in Great Britain for each complete financial year since 1948, together with the contribution from charges, and also the proportion of the Gross Domestic Product—GDP—in the United Kingdom—the figures most readily available—taken up by the cost of the NHS—including income from charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of private hospital beds outside the National Health Service in each of the last five years.

The number of beds in private hospitals and registered nursing homes for the last five years for which the information is available is as follows:

31st December
1972	24,778
1973	25,509
1974	26,965
1975	29,616
1976	29,663

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of National Health Service pay beds in each of the last five years.

In February 1974 National Health Service hospitals in Great Britain were authorised to admit up to 4,966 private patients at any one time; the level of authorisation was reduced to 4,444 in July 1975, to 3,444 in May 1977 and 3,088 in January 1978. Further proposals made by the Health Services Board for revocations of authorisations by July of this year will be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of British subjects who were treated in hospital in 1977 received their treatment (a) in National Health Service hospitals and (b) in private hospitals.

My Department does not have any record of the number of patients treated in private hospitals. In 1976, the latest year for which information is readily available, the total number of deaths and discharges in NHS hospitals in England was 5,254,551, of which 5,160,820 related to NHS patients and 93,731 related to private patients. Separate figures for British and overseas patients are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why eligibility for maternity grant is based on either the mother's contribution or her husband's contributions but not on the father's contributions.

Maternity grant provision has always been on the basis that it would not be right in the contributory scheme to extend the use of a man's insurance record to cover children not born within his marriage. There would also, of course, in many cases be difficulty in obtaining satisfactory evidence of paternity.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any effective treatment of retinitis pigmentosa is available under the National Health Service; and if he has any record of relief or improvement of this condition following treatment from other sources in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

No specific treatment has been accepted by ophthalmologists in this country as effective in preventing, arresting or curing retinitis pigmentosa and none is therefore commonly practised under the National Health Service. Any doctor may of course prescribe or use any treatment that he feels may benefit an individual patient. My Department does not maintain records of the success of treatment from other sources, but a Medical Research Council working party on research into retinitis pigmentosa is reviewing amongst other aspects all the known treatments for the disease.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide his estimate of the number of persons suffering from retinitis pigmentosa in England and Wales at present; and if this condition is increased or more frequently diagnosed.

Although there are no reliable official figures for retinitis pigmentosa sufferers, informed estimates suggest that there are between 10,000 and 25,000 in the United Kingdom. I have no evidence that the incidence of the disease has increased, although it is possible that increasing knowledge has led to more frequent and precise diagnosis.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is able to report further progress in negotiating a reciprocal agreement with Canada on payment of retirement pensions to allow United Kingdom citizens resident in Canada to receive pensions at current United Kingdom rates.

I have at this stage nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Somerset North (Mr. Dean) on 8th November 1977.—[Vol. 938, c. 53–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there are any plans for joint financing of hostels for the mentally handicapped over 16 years of age; and, if so, where they are to be sited.

In 1976–77 and 1977–78 I received information about 19 such homes where joint finance was contributing to the cost of construction. Authorities are still planning the use of their joint finance allocations in 1978–79, but I have provisionally selected six such homes for loan approval. Details are:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what part of the national insurance contribution goes to the National Health Service; and what percentage of the National Health Service cost is met in this way.

In 1976–77—the latest year for which figures are available—7·1 per cent. of total national insurance contribution income went to the NHS in Great Britain. This represented 9·7 per cent. of the cost of the NHS in that year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what number of non-commissioned officers and other ranks in each of the three Services have bought themselves out or have requested to leave the Services prematurely in each of the last three years.

The Services handle applications for premature voluntary release differently and it is not possible to give comparable figures for the total numbers of Service men who have applied to leave prematurely. The number who have actually left at their own request, prior to the completion of their engagement, including those who have purchased their premature voluntary release, is as follows:

	Royal Navy/ Royal Marines	Army	Royal Air Force
1975–76	1,909	4,174	l,628
1976–77	1,633	3,750	1,749
1977–78	1,631	5,125	1,99

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what number of officers in each of the three Services have asked for or taken premature retirement in each of the last three years.

The number of officers who have applied for premature voluntary release from the services in each of the last three years is as follows:

	Royal Navy/ Royal Marines	Army	Royal Air Force
1975–76	182	539	472
1976–77	270	509	497
1977–78	307	908	778
* Latest figure

The number who have left on premature voluntary release in each year is:

	Royal Navy Royal Marines	Army	Royal Air Force
1975–76	228	604	427
1976–77	223	561	395
1977–78	265	689	414

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the additional public expenditure required in 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81 to meet the Government's commitment to raise the pay of the Armed Forces to comparable civilian levels by April 1980, assuming an increase in comparable civilian pay of 10 per cent. per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if comparability is to be restored by April 1980, what would be the monthly pay of a corporal, a sergeant, a lieutenant and a colonel, respectively, now, and in April 1979 and in April 1980 assuming the same average increase in national pay rates as in the past two years;

I cannot agree with the assumptions of future civilian or national pay levels and therefore any figures on the lines requested would be misleading.The cost of increasing Service pay in the current award is about £155 million. The percentage increase in April 1979 and April 1980 will be, on average, 9·5 per cent. each year—representing about £115 milion for each year—to restore the current position, together with a percentage in each of those years to update the award appropriately.Current levels of Service pay are set out in pay scales placed in the Vote Office. Increases in the pay of individual ranks in April 1979 and April 1980 will be within the above totals—including the updating—but will depend on the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body each year, which will take into account the levels of outside pay at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will issue a direction to British Gas to freeze the price charged to special contract customers who are council tenants in line with the 12-month tariff freeze for normal domestic gas consumers.

No. The price of gas sold under a large contract is a matter for the corporation to settle, within the accepted policy of market related pricing for such contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the results of the inquiry into the Belfast transportation strategy will be published.

I have today announced decisions on the results of the review of the Belfast urban area transportation strategy. A detailed statement on the results of the review, together with the report of the Inspector, Mr. C. M. Lavery QC, on the public inquiry, has been published today. Copies of the documents are being placed in the Library.Views were sought at the public inquiry on a range of options; a roads-orientated strategy, one based mainly on public transport, and a mid-course for which a preliminary preference was expressed. The inspector's recommendations which I have broadly accepted favour the mid-course with some scaling down of the road content, but with a higher capacity M1/M2 harbour link.Other features of the strategy include an increase in the frequency of City bus services, two additional road bridges across the river Lagan and the building of a central rail link joining the Larne line with the rest of the rail network.The decisions I have now taken will remove the uncertainty there has been about the future of many of Belfast's inner city areas which could have been affected by some of the alternative transportation schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the policy of the Government towards the sale by the National Enterprise Board of its holdings in companies that have become successful and profitable.

It is a statutory function of the Board to hold publicly owned securities and to extend public ownership into profitable areas of manufacturing industry. The Board, under its guidelines, is required to seek my right hon. Friend's approval to the disposal of voting shares.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what share of tonnage of special and tubular steel, other than submarine pipelines, has been taken up by the British Steel Corporation in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively, in relation to the offshore oil and gas developments.

In 1977, I understand the Corporation supplied over 75 per cent. of the tonnage of tubular steels—other than submarine pipelines—used in the United Kingdom area of the North Sea and has supplied over 85 per cent. of the requirement for well casing tubes. BSC is also supplying more than 80 per cent. of the high strength plate required for the three major platform contracts placed during the year. Detailed information in the form requested is not available, but the great bulk of both the tubes and the high strength plate is produced in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will publish a list of the criteria used by her Department in deciding whether or not to make public money available to non-governmental organisations through the auspices of the Development Education Fund.

I have arranged for copies of the publications "The Development Education Fund (a) An Explanatory Brochure; and (b) How to Apply" to be placed in the Library. These publications describe the variety of projects and applicants admissible for grants. Applications are considered by the Advisory Committee on Development Education.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if it is her policy to make public money available to the Trade Union Committee for International Co-operation and Development; and, if so, how much and for what specific purposes.

Yes. On the recommendation of the Advisory Committee for Development Education, I have decided to give the committee an accountable grant of £16,000 a year for three years. These are contributions towards the cost of two full-time members and one part-time member of staff, travel and overheads, conferences and weekend workshops to increase understanding in the trade union movement of the issues affecting economic and social development of developing countries, and of their implications for trade unionists and others in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will now approve the completion of a full-size aircraft runway in the Falkland Islands.

The present airport has been in use for only six months. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Sir N. Fisher) on 26th April.—[Vol. 948, c. 569.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will review the role and budget for the developing countries Import Opportunities Office; and if she will make a statement.

I am now reviewing the role and budget of the Import Opportunities Office, but am not yet able to make any statement of my conclusions.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what requests she has received for further aid to Indonesia; and if she will make a statement.

I am at present considering several proposals for further aid to Indonesia. As with other developing countries, requests for assistance come forward on a continuing basis. The chief objective of our aid programme to Indonesia is to help improve the living standards of the poorest people, especially in the rural areas. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Jenkins) on 6th March—[Vol. 945, c. 496]—in planning further aid to Indonesia we shall continue to have serious regard to developments in the human rights position there.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the difference in rateable value of comparable premises in Scotland and England as a result of the revaluation that is to take effect in Scotland from 1st April 1978.

None. The current Scottish valuation roll was made up as at 1st January 1978; the current English valuation lists date from 1973. It would be difficult to make a valid comparison between valuations made under different laws and on rental evidence five years apart.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government accept the recommmendations of the Committee under Lord Thomson as to the need to improve the opportunities for appeals from convictions under summary procedure; and, if so, when the Government intend to introduce legislation to implement these recommendations.

Consultations are now taking place on the third Thomson report with interested bodies. My right hon. Friend will reach a decision on the recommendations when these consultations have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the definition of footwear from Taiwan falling within the 7½ million quota includes footwear with uppers only, and which is not completed.

Footwear with uppers only, and which is not completed, is not included in the quantitative restriction on Taiwan nor by the surveillance licensing. There were no imports in this category in 1977, while imports in the first quarter of 1978 amounted to 2,088 pairs representing only 0·03 per cent. of the quota level in finished footwear. I shall continue to watch the level of these imports and imports of other parts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether it is the intention of any Minister from his Department to visit the Building Exhibition Arab Build in Bahrain from 2nd to 30th November 1978, at which more than 70 British firms have indicated their intention to exhibit;

My hon. Friends and I are committed to an extensive programme of overseas visits and it will not be possible in the time available to include visits to these important exhibitions. However the British Overseas Trade Board is making available its full range of financial assistance to those British companies wishing to exhibit at these events under its joint venture scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has any plans to introduce legislation to seek to amend the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act 1958 in the current parliamentary Session.

It has not been possible to find a place for this in the current Session, but we intend to introduce a Bill as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he proposes to take in the EEC Council of Ministers in response to the recommendation of the Paper and Board Sector Working Party concerning the need to maintain a reasonable ratio between the price of pulp and that of paper.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 21st April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 379], gave the following information:The recommendations of the sector working party refer largely to a period before improvement in sterling's position in relation to the dollar and the Nordic currencies. Sterling's currently more favourable situation and a fall in world pulp prices have gone far to redress the balance. It is difficult to control the pulp/paper price ratio in the face of market forces and currency fluctuations, but we will continue to seek to influence Nordic and North American Governments where this is justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current estimate of annual growth of electricity demand in Northern Ireland in the light of energy trends.

The present five-year projection—which is currently under review—assumes a trend rate of growth in demand of 3½ per cent. per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons in full-time employment are issued with family income supplement through the local offices at Falls Road and Shankill road in West Belfast, respectively.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th April 1978, Vol. 948, c. 611], gave the following information:None. All family income supplement claims are dealt with in a central office. At 31st March 1978 there were 8,807 persons in Northern Ireland in receipt of a supplement.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the maximum amount of family incomes supplement paid to a claimant through the Falls Road and Shankill Road local offices in West Belfast, respectively.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16th April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 611], gave the following information:Family income supplements are issued from a central office and not through local social security offices. The maximum weekly amount payable to a clamant with one child is £9·50, increasing by £1 for each additional child. The average weekly payment in Northern Ireland is £6·87.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the maximum amount of supplementary benefit paid to a claimant through the Falls Road and Shankill Road local offices in West Belfast, respectively.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 612], gave the following answer:This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The average weekly payment of supplemetnary benefit in Northern Ireland is £23·12.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the maximum amount of unemployment benefit paid to a claimant through the local offices at Falls Road and Shankill Road, respectively, in West Belfast.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 612], gave the following answer:This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The average weekly payment of unemployment benefit in Northern Ireland is £19·07.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish such information as he has concerning the amount of land available for residential development in each local authority area, stating whether such land has planning consent and the availability of main services, and the number of houses which it is estimated could be built on such land; and what demand for such houses he estimates to exist in such areas.

Local information in this detail is not available centrally. The supply of, and demand for, housing land at the local level is a matter for the local authorities in consultation with builders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment is it his policy to allow county councils to purchase private land in order to fulfil their obligations to provide gipsy camp sites.

The duty of county councils is defined as being to determine what sites are to be provided and to acquire or appropriate the necessary land. Whether they appropriate land in their own ownership or acquire land belonging to someone else is a matter for them and depends on where the most suitable site can be found.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why, over the last 10-year period, there has been a real increase in expenditure on maintenance provided by the Property Services Agency in the South Eastern and Scottish Regions when in other regions there have been substantial savings in real terms; and what steps are being taken to rectify this situation.

The reasons for the recent increase in maintenance expenditure in real terms in South-East Region are:

(a) the need for a higher than average expenditure on major maintenance schemes; mainly for Royal Navy accommodation and,

(b) the increasing cost of maintaining old buildings in Chatham and Portsmouth Dockyards, which include listed buildings of historical importance. There are plans for the redevelopment of Chatham and Portsmouth Dockyards which could mean eventual replacement of some old—non-listedbuildings.

The increase in maintenance expediture in real terms in Scotland compared with 1968–69 is due to a substantial increase in the size of the civil estate, and to increased maintenance requirements of the defence estate resulting from changes in the role of certain Service establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) why there has been a sharp increase in real costs in the maintenance provided by the Property Services Agency since 1974–75: and if he will make a statement;(2) why there has been a 20 per cent. increase in real terms in the maintenance expenditure of the Southern Region of the Property Services Agency between the years 1974–75 and 1975–76;(3) why there was more than a 10 per cent. real increase in expenditure on maintenance provided by the Property Services Agency between the years 1974–75 and 1975–76.

The increase in maintenance expenditure in real terms since 1974–75 is due to the depressed expenditure in 1972–73 to 1974–75 resulting from the wholesale termination of maintenance term contracts by contractors due to the high rate of inflation, the effects of the power strike, and economic constraints. This led to a considerable backlog in maintenance and the consequent increase in expenditure in 1975–76 and 1976–77.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the acreage of derelict land in the ownership of public utilities and nationalised industries in each local government area of Cheshire;(2) if he will list the acreage of derelict land in the ownership of public utilities and nationalised industries in each local government area of Lancashire;(3) if he will list the average of derelict land in the ownership of public utilities and nationalised industries in each local government area of Merseyside;(4) if he will list the acreage of derelict land in the ownership of public utilities and nationalised industries in each local government area of Greater Manchester.

This information is not available; the 1974 survey of derelict and despoiled land did not include information on ownership.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the acreage of derelict land in the ownership of Government Departments in each local government area of Lancashire;(2) if he will list the acreage of derelict land in the ownership of Government Departments in each local government area of Cheshire;(3) if he will list the acreage of derelict land in the ownership of Government Departments in each local government area of Greater Manchester;(4) if he will list the acreage of derelict land in the ownership of Government Departments in each local government area of Merseyside.

I shall write to my hon. Friend about areas of land in these counties which have been acquired for trunk road schemes and which may at present be derelict. Other than these areas the Government do not own any derelict land in Cheshire, Greater Manchester or Merseyside. In Lancashire, the Government own some 12 acres at Samlesbury Airfield in the Ribble Valley district.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans for reclaiming derelict land are currently being considered by his Department from each local authority in Cheshire; and what is the acreage involved;(2) what plans for reclaiming derelict land are currently being considered by his Department from each local authority

Number of schemes

Area in acres

Cheshire County Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

1

6·1

Chester District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Congleton District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

1

15·3

Crewe District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

1

54·3

Ellesmere Port District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Halton District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

1

7·1

Macclesfield District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

2

2·9

Vale Royal District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Warrington District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Greater Manchester County Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

7

220·9

Bolton Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

2

17·7

Bury Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Manchester Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

4

155·4

Oldham Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

2

11·8

Rochdale Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

2

1·7

Salford Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

……

—

—

Stockport Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

1

3·2

Tameside Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

3

58·5

Trafford Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

2

1·5

Wigan Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

4

32·0

Lancashire County Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

4

47·5

Blackburn District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

1

0·4

Blackpool District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Burnley District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

4

6·2

Chorley District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Fylde District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Hyndburn District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Lancaster District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Pendle District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

1

1·6

Preston District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Ribble Valley District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

1

1·3

Rossendale District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

7

5·8

South Ribble District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

West Lancashire District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Wyre District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Merseyside County Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

3

10·0

Knowsley Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Liverpool Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

……

2

3·4

St Helens Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Sefton Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Wirral Metropolitan District Council

…

…

…

…

…

…

—

—

Total

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

56

664·6

The attached list shows for each authority the number of plans for derelict land reclamation which are currently being considered by the Department and the acreage involved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he estimates has been the saving, in each region of the United Kingdom, respectively, of the operation of maintenance economy reviews since their inception.

The savings in each region up to 31st March 1977 are estimated as follows:

Region	Maintenance Economy Reviews
	£
Eastern	464,500
Midland	1,556,500
North-East	562,426
North-West	121,725
South East	1,276,362
SouthWest	5,542,330
Southern	4,009,875
Scotland	582,627
Wales	470,830
London	875,824
TOTAL	15,462,999

Savings for 1977–78 are not yet available.These figures are at outurn prices. They include approximately £10 million recurring annual savings on Property Services Agency Votes.Additional savings have been made as a result of other forms of review and initiatives by local management.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many maintenance economy review surveys have been completed since the scheme began in the London, Scottish and South-Eastern Regions of the Property Services Agency; and what estimated savings were made as a result of them.

Thirty-four surveys have been undertaken in the South-East Region with total savings estimated at £1,276,362.Twelve surveys have been undertaken in Scotland with total savings estimated at £582,627. Reviews by management produced additional estimated savings of £618,610.Twenty-five surveys have been undertaken in London with total savings estimated at £875,824. Reviews by management produced additional estimated savings of £28,387.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify the number of maintenance economy review surveys carried out in each region of the United Kingdom, respectively, since 1974; how many have taken place overseas; and if he will estimate the savings that have accrued so far from these surveys.

The details for the United Kingdom are as follows:

Region	Number of surveys	Estimated savings MER teams
		£
Eastern	2	8,700
Midland	13	324,500
North-East	9	76,415
North-West	—	—
South-East	11	744,750
South-West	5	4,893,262
Southern	6	574,785
Scotland	1	67,080
Wales	4	53,050
London	18	656,129
	69	£7,398,671

In Germany 11 surveys covering about one half of the British Army on the Rhine have been completed and analysed. Further surveys are in progress and a number of reports are being studied. When all the recommendations agreed so far with BAOR have been implemented it is expected that annual savings of about £2½ million will accrue while some £½ million of expenditure which would otherwise have been necessary will be avoided. In Gibraltar four surveys covering the whole defence estate have been completed and the results are being studied.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in pursuance of the answer given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, will he now state the average increase in the net weekly spending power for (a) all families, and (b) married couples and (c) single householders, during 1977.

I regret that estimates for all families are not available. For a single person and a married couple without children on average earnings the increase in net income between January 1977 and January 1978 was as follows:

	Current prices	£ per week January 1978 prices
Single person	6·60	1·50
Married couple without children	7·60	2·30

Net income is gross income less tax and national insurance contributions. Average earnings are taken from the New Earnings Survey estimates of the average weekly earnings of full-time adult male workers in all occupations, manual and non-manual. The April 1976 and April 1977 figures have been updated by the monthly index of average earnings to give earnings figures for January 1977 and January 1978.These figures do not of course take account of the Budget proposals for the year 1978–79.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing the percentage increase or fall in real net income between 197–71 and 1978–79 for a man on average earnings (a) if he is single, (b) if he is married with no children, (c) if he is married with two children aged under 11 years and (d) if he is married with two children aged under 11 and two aged between 11 and 16 years, using the assumptions set out in his reply to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Lawson).—[Official Report, 17th April 1978.]

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which countries have a higher starting rate of income tax, excluding local income tax, than 25 per cent.

Australia has a starting rate of 32 per cent. but information is not available for all countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in a full year, over and above the proposals announced in the Budget Statement, of extending the basic rate band to the first £8,000 of taxable income, and charging the next £2,000 at 40 per cent., the next £3,000 at 50 per cent., the next £4,000 at 60 per cent., the next £6,000 at 70 per cent., and the remainder at 75 per cent.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 25th April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 534], gave the following information:At 1978–79 income levels, and after taking account of the proposals in the Budget Statement, the estimated cost would be about £290 million, on the assumption that the basic rate band covered taxable income between £750 and £8,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which countries have a combined starting rate of income tax and social security contributions higher than 31½ per cent.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 675], gave the following answer:The information is given in the table below but details are not available for all countries.

Combined starting rate of income tax and social security contributions per cent.
Denmark	42·8	1
Norway	37·2	1
Australia	34·5
Germany	34·4	2
Netherlands	33·1	2
NOTES:
1. Includes local income tax.
2. The figures for Germany and Netherlands take account of the deductibility of social security contributions for income tax purposes in these countries.
3. Rates are those for 1978, except for Norway (1977).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the percentage of total taxation taken by taxes on personal incomes, capital taxes, the employee's national insurance contribution, taxes on companies, the employer's national insurance contribution and surcharge, value added tax or purchase tax, excise duties, local rates, and other expenditure taxes, in each year since 1959–60, including his forecast for 1978–79.

The list is as follows:

Percentage of Total taxation

Taxes on personal incomes

Capital taxes

Employee's NIC

Taxes on companies

Employer's NIC

Quasi payroll taxes

Ad valorem taxes

Specific duties

Rates

Income Tax Surtax Special charge

Estate Duty CGT, CTT and DLT

Corporation Tax Profits Tax

SET NIS

Purchase Tax VAT, Car Tax

duties; Stamp Duties VED

Specific

1959–60

…

…

…

…

…

34·4

3·2

6·9

3·7

6·0

0·0

7·1

28·2

10·5

1960–61

…

…

…

…

…

35·3

3·2

6·6

3·5

5·7

0·0

6·9

28·2

10·6

1961–62

…

…

…

…

…

35·3

3·1

7·2

4·0

6·3

0·0

6·2

27·6

10·2

1962–63

…

…

…

…

…

34·5

3·1

7·3

4·4

6·4

0·0

6·6

26·9

10·9

1963–64

…

…

…

…

…

32·3

3·4

8·0

4·3

7·1

0·0

6·2

27·2

11·6

1964–65

…

…

…

…

…

32·7

3·0

7·7

4·2

6·9

0·0

6·3

28·0

11·2

1965–66

…

…

…

…

…

34·2

2·6

7·7

3·9

7·7

0·0

5·7

27·0

11·2

1966–67

…

…

…

…

…

28·1

2·5

7·3

9·0

7·4

3·0

5·5

25·5

11·6

1967–68

…

…

…

…

…

29·6

2·5

7·1

9·1

7·3

3·7

5·5

24·3

10·9

1968–69

…

…

…

…

…

29·1

2·7

6·8

8·5

7·0

3·7

6·1

26·1

10·0

1969–70

…

…

…

…

…

29·5

2·8

6·5

9·6

6·7

3·9

6·3

24·9

9·8

1970–71

…

…

…

…

…

32·3

2·7

7·0

8·6

7·4

3·6

6·9

21·4

10·1

1971–72

…

…

…

…

…

33·3

3·0

7·1

7·6

7·5

1·6

7·0

22·2

10·6

1972–73

…

…

…

…

…

31·3

3·1

7·8

7·0

8·3

1·6

6·4

23·3

11·3

1973–74

…

…

…

…

…

30·9

3·1

8·0

9·4

9·0

0·5

8·1

20·8

11·2

1974–75

…

…

…

…

…

33·9

2·3

7·7

9·3

9·9

0·0

8·5

18·0

10·5

1975–76

…

…

…

…

…

38·4

1·8

7·2

5·1

11·0

0·0

9·0

16·9

10·7

1976–77

…

…

…

…

…

37·2

1·5

7·7

5·8

11·6

0·0

8·7

17·5

10·0

1977–78*

…

…

…

…

…

35·3

1·4

7·4

6·4

11·1

2·2

8·6

17·8

9·8

1977–78†‡

…

…

…

…

…

34·0

1·5

7·6

6·5

11·3

2·3

8·8

18·0

10·0

1978–79 (estimate)

…

…

…

33·9

1·3

7·0

7·6

10·7

2·6

9·0

17·8

10·0

* Finance Act.

† October Measures.

‡ The October measures anticipated the requirement, under the Finance Act 1977, that the main personal allowances for 1978–79 should be increased in line with the retail price index. They thus broadly offset fiscal drag in 1978–79. In making comparisons between the years, therefore, the relevant figure for 1977–78 is the post-Finance Act figure rather than that following the October measures.

Source Annual Abstract of Statistics, Financial Statistics, FSBR.