asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many price control orders he has issued since he assumed office.

Twenty-two.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, in view of widespread consumer anxiety, what consideration he has given to the call by the Electricity Consumers' Council for a Price Commission inquiry into electricity pricing, which rose by 150 per cent. between January 1974 and March 1978.

My right hon. Friend is attracted by the suggestion made by the Electricity Consumer Council. Electricity pricing will not be included in the list of sectoral examinations which will be announced tomorrow but will be considered for reference later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what action he has taken on the recommendation of the Price Commission in its report on Southalls (Birmingham) Limited into sanitary protection and other hygiene products, that the price of tampons should not be further increased before 23rd December 1978; and with what result.

The company has offered my right hon. Friend an undertaking to comply fully with the Commission's recommendation concerning the price of tampons and he has accepted it.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Price Commission.

The Chairman of the Price Commission and I meet frequently. No firm date has been set for our next meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he remains satisfied with Consumer Advisory Service; and what plans he has to extend and improve consumer protection and advice.

The Government have provided 100 per cent. support for consumer advice centres over the past two years, with a consequent considerable expansion in this service. But I regret that certain local authorities have rejected the government's support and closed some centres.A full list of plans for improvement of consumer protection and advice would make this answer excessively long, but just as examples I might mention that I have recently circulated proposals for new regulations on consumer credit, that an Order for Price Display for Food and Drink was laid before Parliament on 23rd May and will come into effect on 1st July, and that the White Paper on Nationalised Industries—Cmnd. 7131—published on 5th April set out the Government's plans for improving consumer protection in these industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when he intends to make regulations under the Consumer Protection Act 1961 in relation to perambulators and push-chairs, projectile firing toys, cosmetic products and oil lamps.

I hope to make regulations relating to cosmetic products shortly and to make regulations dealing with perambulators and pushchairs and oil lamps before the end of the year. There are no immediate plans to make regulations for projectile firing toys. However, the new European standard for toys, which is in the final stages of drafting, will lay down specific requirements for "toy projectiles". It is the intention of the European Commission that the standard should form the basis of an EEC directive on toys which will be implemented in the United Kingdom by legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the current rate of inflation.

7·9 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will make a statement concerning the margins between current grain prices and the wholesale and retail prices of flour.

Margins between current grain prices and the price of flour depend on a number of factors, including the type and source of grain and its date of purchase. The Monopolies and Mergers Commission was satisfied that the price of flour was not being manipulated to the detriment of consumers. I have no information which casts doubt on that finding.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what effect the proposed cosmetic regulations will have on the legality of sale of lead-based, Asian-made eye cosmetics in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

The proposed cosmetic products regualtions will have the effect of prohibitiong the sale in this country of eye cosmetics containing lead and its compounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when he expects to announce the introduction of a national tyre pressure gauge testing scheme which would give confidence in the accuracy of tyre pressure gauges.

Comments received on the draft proposals for a voluntary tyre pressure gauge test scheme showed considerable support for the proposals, though some details need to be settled by further discussion. A management committee, which will include representatives of local authorities and the motor trade, is now to be set up to consider implementation, and will advise me on a date for the scheme's introduction.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what was the average annual rate of retail price inflation in the United Kingdom during each of the years 1969 to the first quarter of 1978, measured in the same way and at 1970 prices; and what was the purchasing power of the £ sterling during each of these years based on an index number of 100 for the year 1970.

I refer the hon. Member to Page 42 of the latest edition of Economic Trends, published by the Central Statistical Office, for yearly increases in the retail prices index and a series showing the purchasing power of the £ sterling. It is not meaningful to attempt to express inflation rates at 1970 prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will give a list of those items whose price manufacturers have agreed to hold stable until the end of the year in response to Government pressures.

The Government encourage all firms to hold prices stable, and welcomes public statements from enterprises to this effect. No central record is maintained of such statements except for formal undertakings given to my right hon. Friend under the provisions of the Price Commission Act 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will estimate the effect on the retail price index of the recent increase in interest rates.

Changes in the minimum lending rate have no direct effect on the retail price index, but the 1¼ per cent. increase in the mortgage rate will add about one-third of one per cent. to the index for as long as it is in operation. On the other hand the recent measures—which include an increase in minimum lending rate—will help to keep the money supply under control and thus avoid fuelling inflation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will list his official engagements for 12th June.

Apart from my duties in this House, I have meetings today with ministerial colleagues and with my officials.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government have reached decisions on the future development of the Broad Sanctuary site.

The Government propose that an International Conference Centre be built on the Broad Sanctuary site to provide modern facilities for the large governmental conferences which are now such an important feature in international relations.These conferences have special requirements of access, layout and security which mean that the ordinary commercial facilities for conferences and conventions are not suitable. London lacks the type of accommodation needed. Last year's important series of conferences connected with the United Kingdom Presidency of the EEC, NATO and the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Conference was held in Lancaster House. Whilst these arrangements were fairly satisfactory, they were necessarily of an ad hoc nature and provided only a temporary substitute for permanent purpose-built facilities.A feasibility study by the eminent architectual firm of Powell and Moya has shown that an entirely suitable building can be built on a site that has for so long been derelict and an eyesore. Illustrative sketch plans are being published today, and copies are available to Members in the Library. The planning authorities will be fully consulted on the proposals under the normal procedure.Building work should start on the site in 1979 or 1980, and the Centre should be fully ready for use by the mid 1980's. We estimate it will cost about £15¼ million, including furnishing and equipment, and this can be met within the existing PSA budget.The Government are confident that the Centre will provide a major asset offering conference facilities appropriate to London's status as an international centre and that it will mean that—at long last—this important site on the very doorstep of Parliament is being put to fitting use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will rectify the situation whereby certain nurses employed at Osborne House, Cowes, Isle of Wight, are employed through agencies and therefore do not enjoy the same privileges as others in the same establishment who are employed direct.

A degree of flexibility in staffing arrangements can help to cope with fluctuations in the workload. For the time being it continues to be necessary to employ a limited number of agency nurses at Osborne.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average percentage increase in domestic rates for the current financial year 1978–79, compared with the last financial year, for ratepayers in the Greater London Council area.

3·85 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Ministers from his Department have been in Argentina on official visits in June 1978; and if he will make a statement on the length and purpose of any such visits.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State was in Argentina from 1st to 6th June during the early stages of the World Cup football competition, in exercise of his responsibilities for sport and recreation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue the inspector's report into the planning application for the development and reconstruction of Liverpool Street and Broad Street Stations, prior to issuing his decision.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, because of the sums involved, he will consider introducing legislation to allow water and sewerage rates to be paid by instalments similar to the system for local rates.

No. Water authorities are already able to accept payment of charges by instalments, and I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to a supplementary question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, East (Mr. Young) on 10th May.—[Vol. 949, c. 1168–70.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many grants towards the repair of historic churches have been made since August 1977; and what plans he has to increase the sums available for such grants during the current financial year.

133 between August 1977 and end May 1978. These grants were towards the repair of historic churches and other buildings in regular use for public worship. The sum available for such grants has been increased from £350,000 in 1977–78 to £750,000 in 1978–79.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications he has received from historic churches for grants towards their maintenance or repair during the period August 1977 to May 1978; and what criteria were applied when deciding which applications should be accepted and which rejected.

From August 1977 up to 8th June my Department received 498 applications for grants for churches and other buildings in use for public worship. The criteria for grants are the same as for repair grants for secular buildings—i.e. the building must be of outstanding historic or architectural interest and the applicants must be able to show that they cannot raise the whole of the cost from other sources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he expects to be able to lay before the House proposals for implementation of the recommendations of the Cripps Report on the working of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 before the Summer Adjournment.

I hope to be able to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why it has taken over a year to come to a decision on the Ealing town centre project, following the inspector's report of 1976.

This was an unusually complex case which presented my right hon. Friend with a difficult decision. While we regret the delay it does reflect the very detailed consideration that is necessarily given to a major proposal of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which projects have been approved for grant aid under the main phase of urban programme circular No. 17.

My right hon. Friend has approved 396 capital and non-capital schemes for urban aid to begin this year in 89 local authorities. Of the £10 million available, about £6 million will go on capital projects, £2 million on the running costs of these projects and £2 million on non-capital projects. This is in addition to the £16 million for schemes submitted separately by the seven inner city partnership areas.Voluntary organisations will be involved in the running of 180 of the approved projects worth about £3·8 million and at least 104 of the schemes worth about £2·8 million will be of specific benefit to ethnic minority groups. I have placed a list of all the approved projects in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he proposes to have with the West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council concerning more economic responsibility for West Yorkshire.

Our officials are ready to discuss any such matters which the Metropolitan County Council may wish to raise with them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that caesium isotopes currently contribute more radiation to the public than any other from Windscale, if he will seek to put an immediate specific limit on the amounts of caesium 134 and 137 that the plant may put out.

pursuant to his reply—[Official Report, 9th June 1978; Vol. 951, c. 255]—gave the following answer:I and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are considering what radionuclides should be specified in new limits on emissions from the Windscale plant and we shall in due course be issuing a new authorisation under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. The authorisation will specify limits for all the most significant radionuclides, including caesium.Meanwhile, British Nuclear Fuels Limited is designing a plant to reduce the discharges of caesium and other radionuclides from the Windscale works, and has been requested to submit the design to the authorising Departments for examination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in order to ensure compliance with any recommendations which the new inspectorate proposed under recommendation 6 of the Parker Report may make, he will seek to give the inspectorate the power to restrict plant working or enforce temporary closure if permitted limits are exceeded, until improvements have been made to brine the emissions within the limits.

pursuant to his reply—[Official Report, 9th June 1978; Vol. 951, c. 255–56]—gave the following answer:As I told the House on 18th May, the Government have not yet reached a decision on the unified pollution inspectorate for England and Wales recommended in the Fifth Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.Meanwhile, the Radiochemical Inspectorate of my Department will, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, be responsible to Ministers for carrying out Mr. Justice Parker's recommendations that an overall view be taken of the level of discharges to be authorised to all sectors of the environment, and each authorisation should take account of the advice of the National Radiological Protection Board on the total radiation dose from all sources of discharge.The Government have already indicated, in their response to the Royal Commission's Sixth Report, that they are considering whether further statutory powers are needed to enable the Secrearies of State for the Environment, Scotland and Wales to carry out their new responsibilties for radioactive waste management.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what studies or research are in train on the problem of decontamination during decommissioning of a nuclear power station.

Decontamination of wide varieties of nuclear plant, buildings and equipment has been carried out as part of routine operations for many years. Decommissioning studies by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the generating boards are reviewing the application of existing techniques. The development of new techniques will be undertaken if required. In addition, methods of "fixing" contamination are being considered so as to reduce the need for decontamination which itself produces active effluents requiring disposal. Close liaison is, of course, maintained between the Authority and the boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what features of nuclear power plant design have been built in to facilitate the eventual decommissioning of the reactor.

Decommissioning is facilitated by features of reactor design which have the immediate purpose of facilitating the repair and maintenance of nuclear power plants. Important among these features are the easy removal of the fuel and the confinement of radioactivity to the central region of the plant with a very substantial concrete shield. Specifications for new nuclear power plants require the designers, having regard to the consideration that safety and performance should not be impaired, not only to improve access for repair and maintenance, but also to pay further attention to the ultimate need for decommissioning.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimates have been made of the quantities of radioactive waste which will arise from the decommissioning of a Magnox or advanced gas-cooled power station.

Amounts will depend on the method of decommissioning adopted, and in particular the period that is allowed to elapse between shutdown and decommissioning. Calculations that have been made indicate that there is advantage in allowing radioactivity to decay before decommissioning is undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether any trial dismantling techniques have been evolved for the eventual decommissioning of nuclear power stations.

Basic techniques which are required for decommissioning are already available. Practical experience has been gained, for example, in maintenance and repair operations; and also in the carrying out of large scale decontamination and dismantling the chemical reprocessing plant which had been in service at Dounreay for 17 years. Work is also in hand on the decommissioning of the experimental fast reactor at Dounreay, and a scheme is being prepared for the Wind-scale AGR.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the contract between URENCO and Brazil for the supply of enriched uranium will be suspended, pending the outcome of the international fuel cycle evaluation programme.

Deliveries under the contract are not in any case due to begin until after the completion of the international fuel cycle evaluation programme.

asked the Prime Minister if the matter of the alleged unfair subsidy of European collaborative aircraft and Rolls-Royce engines was raised with him during his recent visit to the United States of America.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in view of the submission of the British Airports Authority to the public inquiry into the fourth terminal at Heathrow, he will now revise the forecasts of international and domestic passenger demand at London area airports which were published in the White Paper on Airports Policy, Command Paper No. 7084; and if he will make a statement.

The forecasts of passenger demand in the White Paper on airports policy do not differ substantially from those of the British Airports Authority, and I do not propose to revise them. However, they will be closely monitored and the assumptions and methodology kept under review, in the context of the formal structure which is being established to advise on future airport policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the bulk volume of textile imports into the United Kingdom in each year since 1970.

Following is the available information:

				Thousand tonnes
1974	…	…	…	…	536
1975	…	…	…	…	493
1976	…	…	…	…	562
1977	…	…	…	…	582

NOTES(

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the development projects in the Ivory Coast for which he has received requests for British capital and technology.

I have received no such requests, but projects in the Ivorian development plan offering scope for British capital and technology were mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member on 9th June 1978.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what part of the overseas aid programme for 1978–79 she anticipates will be spent on bilateral aid and what part on multilateral aid, both in absolute figures and as a percentage of the total programme, basing the calculation on 1977 survey prices.

My present expectation is that bilateral disbursements in 1978–79 will total £481 million and multilateral disbursements £240 million, leaving £24 million still to be allocated, all at 1977 survey prices. These figures represent 64·6, 32·2, and 3·2 per cent. respectively of the gross aid programme of £745 million.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make it his policy that in all future legal aid applications by retirement pensioners there should be disregarded sums saved specifically for the pensioner's and his or her spouse's funeral, burial or cremation charges.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make it his policy that in all future legal aid applications by retirement pensioners there should be disregarded sums saved specifically for the pensioner's and his or her spouse's funeral, burial or cremation charges.

My noble Friend is aware that the current legal aid capital limits can sometimes cause hardship, especially among the elderly. He proposes to increase the limits as soon as sufficient resources become available for the purpose, so that small savings of the kind mentioned will be unlikely to prejudice applications for legal aid.

asked the Attorney-General if, having regard to the increase in the number of police officers injured as a result of assault while on duty, as evidenced by the reply of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Official Report, 4th May, c. 433, he will ask the Lord Chancellor to convene a sentencing conference to discuss the considerations arising in the context of sentences for such offences, including the importance of reducing the incidence of the said offences.

Sentencing conferences at which sentencing policy in cases of assaults of all kinds, including assaults on police officers are discussed, are already convened for judges, magistrates and others concerned with sentencing policy. In giving general guidance to magistrates regarding sentencing matters, my noble Friend has on a number of occasions, drawn particular attention to the need for the courts when determining sentences to reflect the seriousness of these offences and the need to afford adequate protection to police officers and other persons whose duties make them particularly vulnerable to unlawful violence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of wine bar licences issued throughout the country annually for the past 15 or 20 years.

The information available centrally is as follows:

PREMISES IN ENGLAND AND WALES LICENSED FOR THE SALE OF WINE ONLY OR CIDER ONLY
Year					Number of premises
1962	…	…	…	…	95
1963	…	…	…	…	82
1964	…	…	…	…	73
1965	…	…	…	…	71
1966	…	…	…	…	72
1967	…	…	…	…	61
1968	…	…	…	…	54
1969	…	…	…	…	57
1970	…	…	…	…	53
1971	…	…	…	…	52
1972	…	…	…	…	53
1973	…	…	…	…	63
1974	…	…	…	…	103
1975	…	…	…	…	172
1976	…	…	…	…	188
1977	…	…	…	…	217

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of wine bar licences that have been upgraded to on-licences during the past 15 to 20 years.

The information available centrally for England and Wales relates only to the total number of licences for the sale of wine only or of cider only extended to on licences for the sale of all liquors in the years 1962 and 1973 inclusive, and is as follows:

Year ending 30th June				Number of licences extended
1962	…	…	…	…	18
1963	…	…	…	…	9
1964	…	…	…	…	3
1965	…	…	…	…	7
1966	…	…	…	…	9
1967	…	…	…	…	11
1968	…	…	…	…	15
1969	…	…	…	…	2
1970	…	…	…	…	2
1971	…	…	…	…	—
1972	…	…	…	…	2
1973	…	…	…	…	1

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken by the Inspectorate to ensure that irrelevant or repetitive experiments on live animals are kept to a minimum.

The Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 does not permit experiments on living animals unless they are performed with a view to new discovery which may advance physiological knowledge or knowledge useful for saving or prolonging life or alleviating suffering. Inspectors ensure that the provisions of the Act are observed by regular inspections of experiments, discussions with licensees and scrutiny of proposals for research.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a code of practice requiring all establishments, registered for the purpose of experimentation on live animals, to reduce the number of such experiments progressively by five per cent. per annum over a trial period of three years, with a view to stimulating the development of new and additional non-animal based research techniques.

No. I have no power under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, or any other legislation, to impose such a requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to reduce the number of experiments on living animals for testing medicines and commercial products.

I have no power to require such a reduction. However, licensees under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 are to be urged to use alternative methods wherever possible. I have also asked the advisory committee on the administration of the Act to examine the LD50 test and to consider its scientific necessity and justification.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if there is a list of approved organisations with which prisoners are allowed to correspond and, if so, if he will list the organisations so listed and indicate the criteria employed in deciding which organisations are put on the list;(2) what status the list of approved organisations that prisoners are allowed to correspond with has; whether all prisoners are able to have the list; and. if not, why not;(3) if he will publish in the

In general, there is no list of approved organisations. In the specific context of seeking legal advice about his conviction or sentence, four bodies are listed to whom a prisoner may write. These are the National Council for Civil Liberties, Justice, Release, and The Howard League for Penal Reform. The list appears in standing orders to governors, of which a copy is in the Library of the House. The provision was made to indicate to governors that a prisoner who sought to write on that subject to one of these bodies should be allowed to do so, and was made in the belief that these were experienced and responsible bodies, competent to provide legal advice, although I understand that one of them does not in fact have legal staff. Information cards for prisoners seeking legal advice direct them to the

UNITFD KINGDOM CIVIL SRRVANTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AT 1ST JANUARY 1978
Non-Industrial Staff
Department	Administration and related Groups	Professional Scientific Group	Typing and Support Services	Other	Industrial Staff	Total
Defence*	536½	102½	178½	219	2,783	3,819½
Inland Revenue	1,340	—	126	—	—	1,466
Supreme Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland	6	—	32	66	—	104
Environment	50	130	17	5	512	714
Trade and Industry	5	10	3	23	—	41
Customs and Excise	622	—	43	2	—	667
HMSO	27	2	9	3	26	67
DHSS	25	3	5	3	—	36
MAFF	17	—	2	—	1	20
NIO	52	—	13	5	12	82
Others	18	—	2	2	8	30
Totals	2,698½	247½	430½	328	3,342	7,046½
* Figures for Defence relate to 1st April 1978.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list in the Official Report the total number of United Kingdom civil servants now working in Northern Ireland, showing the total numbers of such civil servants in each Government Department in Northern Ireland and specifying the numbers in each grade in each Department.

Fourteen Departments employ an estimated total of some 7,047 United Kingdom civil servants in Northern Ireland. Very many different grades are involved. The table below therefore shows the large employing Departments together with the main groups and classes of staff employed. All numbers include part-time staff counted as half-units.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list in the Official Report the total numbers of (a) registered and (b) unregistered physically disabled persons employed by the United Kingdom Civil Service in Northern Ireland, stating the numbers in each category and in each Department and listing the grades held by the disabled in each Department.

I regret that the information is not available in the form requested by the hon. Member. The numbers of registered disabled persons employed by the United Kingdom Civil Service are collected from Departments once a year and do not distinguish areas of employment. The latest available figures relating to the year ending 1st June 1977 were published in the Department of Employment Gazette in November 1977, and show that the Civil Service, with a total of 14,173½, employs more registered disabled persons than any other single employer. Records are not maintained of unregistered disabled persons.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions have taken place in the Greenwich Health District about the relocation of acute beds from St. Nicholas Hospital, Plumstead to other hospitals in the district; and what is his response to such a proposal.

The Greenwich and Bexley Area Health Authority's officers are discussing with medical and other staff various schemes which would involve changes in acute bed provision at Greenwich District Hospital and the Brook Hospital to implement the decision to change the use of St. Nicholas Hospital. These adjustments are matters for local decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he is now considering for the relocation of the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital or for relieving the Greenwich and Bexley Area Health Authority of its operating costs.

No proposal for relocation of this hospital is currently under consideration. The costs of treating seamen are taken into account in the allocation of resources to the Greenwich and Bexley Area Health Authority, but I have not yet reached any conclusion on the suggestion put to me that special funding arrangements might be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give as much detailed information as may be available showing to what extent persons from the countries of the Common Market have entered Great Britain and claimed and received social security payments; what amounts have been claimed and paid; and what restrictions, if any, are placed upon such claimants.

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind claims to supplementary benefit. No restrictions on claiming that benefit are placed on people coming from Common Market countries, and in 1977, 493 visitors, excluding those from the Republic of Ireland, were paid benefit for more than two months.

asked the Secreary of State for Social Services whether he will give as much information as may be available showing to what extent persons from Common Market countries have entered Great Britain and have received unemployment benefits; whether there is any restriction imposed; and whether he will make a statement.

Unemployment benefit is paid for days of unemployment only to claimants who can meet our national insurance contribution conditions and satisfy other requirements—chiefly that they must be capable of, and available for, work. Under the provisions of the EEC Regulations on social security, unemployment insurance in other Common Market countries can also be taken into account to satisfy the contribution conditions in relation to claims from nationals of those countries who become unemployed in Great Britain, provided they have worked and been insured here since their last arrival. Exceptionally a person who does not satisfy this last condition may still be able to count unemployment insurance contributions in another Common Market country if he has retained permanent residence in Great Britain while temporarily working abroad. The number of claims to unemployment benefit since the beginning of 1977 in which unemployment insurance in other Common Market countries has been taken into account is as follows:—

Insurance in			1977	1978
Belgium	…	…	51	9
Denmark	…	…	19	3
France	…	…	202	98
Germany	…	…	405	109
Ireland	…	…	583*	377
Italy	…	…	65	27
Luxembourg	…	…	4	—
Netherlands	…	…	92	30
Total	…	…	1,421	653
* From 1st March 1977 only.

My Department may also be authorised by other Common Market countries to continue to pay their unemployment benefits to unemployed persons who come from those countries to Great Britain to seek work. In such cases the payment is recovered from the other Common Market country. The numbers dealt with in this way since the beginning of 1977 have been as follows:—

Unemployment benefit of			1977	1978
Belgium	…	…	15	8
Denmark	…	…	20	2
France	…	…	10	8
Germany	…	…	60	33
Ireland	…	…	185	51
Luxembourg	…	…	—	1
Netherlands	…	…	9	9
Total	…	…	299	112

GREENWICH HEALTH DISTRICT
		Average daily bed occupation during 1977
Hospital		Medical	Surgical
St, Nicholas Hospital Plumstead	…	72·0	90·3
Dreadnought Seamans Hospital, Greenwich	…	35·3	52·7
Eltham and Mottingham Hospital, London, S.E.9	…	3·3	18·0
Greenwich District Hospital, London, S.E.10	…	106·1	172·1
Brook General Hospital, London, S.E.18	…	155·3	183·1
Memorial Hospital, London, S.E.18	…	Nil	1·6

		Average daily bed occupation during 1976
Hospital		Medical	Surgical
St Nicholas Hospital Plumstead	…	66·3	89·7
Dreadnought Seamans Hospital, Greenwich	…	40·0	53·3
Eltham and Mottingham Hospital, London, S.E.9	…	4·8	18·7
Greenwich District Hospital, London, S.E.10	…	113·9	163·2
Brook General Hospital, London, S.E.18	…	136·3	180·6
Memorial Hospital, London, S.E.18	…	Nil	15·9
1977 figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what accommodation at the Whittington Hospital has been offered to the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital to enable it to function as a separate identifiable unit, including provision for out-patient consultations and treatment, auxiliary services, reception and clerical facilities.

The long-term proposal comprises 85 beds in wards A12, A13, A14 and A15 and an out-patient department in the south block of the Archway Wing. The staff at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson have now confirmed to me that they are prepared to consider any offer of alternative accommodation without commitment subject to the precise nature of the facility being determined. I have invited the regional and area health authorities, representatives of the staff of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, and other interest parties to come together under the chairmanship of one of my senior officials to consider detailed proposals for alternative accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out the most recent figures for bed occupancy for (a) medical and (b) surgical beds at the hospitals in the Greenwich Health District.

Following are the figures in beds:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients were awaiting operations in each of the main specialties at St. Nicholas Hospital. Plumstead, Greenwich District Hos-

NUMBERS AWAITING ADMISSION AT 31ST DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR
Hospital name and specialty		1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977*
St. Nicholas Hospital, Plumstead
General Surgery	…	311	522	428	402	306	363
Traumatic and Orthopaedic	…	1	14	10	5	3	15
Ophthalmology	…	202	329	420	100	0	0
Urology	…	57	72	71	0	0	0
Dental Surgery	…	1	6	1	6	0	0
Gynaecology	…	134	144	107	196	128	110
Greenwich District Hospital, Vanburqh Hill
General Surgery	…	101	175	150	232	238	234
Ear, Nose and Throat	…	25	—	—	—	—	—
Traumatic and Orthopaedic	…	0	0	87	82	66	59
Ophthalmology	…	66	55	79	147	154	68
Urology	…	28	81	72	183	64	27
Dental Surgery	…	18	33	0	12	17	19
Gynaecology	…	111	134	95	108	123	99
Greenwich District Hospital (Miller General Wing)
General Surgery	…	40	28	Nil
Traumatic and Orthopaedic	…	39	40	Nil
Brook General Hospital, London, S.E.18
General Surgery	…	347	379	346	304	248	109
Far, Nose and Throat	…	90	69	76	65	52	93
Traumatic and Orthopaedic	…	108	108	102	122	111	110
Urology	…	75	97	111	34	40	46
Thoracic Surgery	…	27	22	35	29	23	14
Dental Surgery	…	103	82	8	1	0	0
Neurosurgery	…	54	63	36	40	32	20
* 1977 figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that replies are sent from his Department to hon. Members in the Welsh language in all cases where constituents have originally corresponded with the Member concerned in that language or, alternatively, that any reply in the English language should he accompanied by a Welsh translation in all such cases.

I am not aware of any problem about replying to letters received in the Welsh language, but if the hon. and learned Gentleman will let me know of any particular difficulty, I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he

Following are the figures of patients awaiting admission to the surgical specialties:is taking to reduce the continuing shortage of National Health Service chiropodists in the Greater London area; and if he will make a statement.

There is at present a shortage of chiropodists nationally. New training schools are being opened or planned to increase the number of chiropodists available in future years to enable services to expand in line with the growth rates envisaged in the two Consultative Documents on Priorities in the Health and Personal Social Services. The 1977 intake of students at the eight recognised schools in Great Britain was 296, of which 84 were at the two schools situated in London.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether, during the past five years, he has asked for an inquiry into the distribution of the National Health Service rural practices fund in any part of England;(2) whether he is satisfied that the National Health Service rural practices fund is being distributed equitably in England;(3) what is the annual value of the rural practices fund in England and Wales;(4) for what purpose the rural practices fund was established under the National Health Service.

The rural practices fund was established to compensate rural general medical practitioners for the extra travelling expenses incurred and the extra time involved in visiting patients in a rural practice. The fund in England and Wales for 1977–78 amounted to £4,252,000 and an increase with effect from 1st April 1978 has been recommended by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration. Distribution of the fund is made by family practitioner committees in accordance with the detailed provisions of the rural practice payments scheme which is designed to secure the equitable distribution of the fund among rural practitioners. I am advised on the operation of the scheme by a central advisory committee, which includes representatives of the medical profession. My right hon. Friend has not asked for any inquiry into the distribtuion of the fund in any part of England during the last five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in the light of the incidence of retinitis pigmentosa given in his answer to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Hardy), he is satisfied with the adequacy of provision for treatment of and research into this disease compared with others; and whether he will make a statement.

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. High priority is given to research through the Medical Research Council for effective treatment for the condition.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether in the light of the large sums of money being spent by individuals and raised in appeals for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa victims at the Opos Eye Clinic, St. Gallen, Switzerland, he will institute an inquiry into the success or failure of this treatment in improving the vision or checking the progress of the disease among those who have gone to the clinic from Great Britain.(2) whether the combination of treatment involving surgical implantation, vitam injection and strenuous exercises practised by the Opos Eye Clinic in Switzerland for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa has ever been critically evaluated either in the United Kingdom or by study in Switzerland.

A Medical Research Council working party, set up to look into research into all aspects of retinitis pigmentosa, concluded that:

"Tissue therapy using placenta as a biological stimulant (the Opos Eye Clinic treatment) was widely practised for the ten years following 1955. There is no convincing evidence of improvement in vision following these treatments".

On the basis of this advice I do not propose to institute any further inquiry at this time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) to what he attributes the high infant mortality rate in Wolverhampton in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(2) to what he attributes the high infant mortality rate in Salford in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(3) to what he attributes the high infant mortality rate in Rochdale in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(4) to what he attributes the high perinatal mortality rate in Kirklees in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(5) to what he attributes the high perinatal mortality rate in Barnsley in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(6) to what he attributes the high perinatal mortality rate in Salop in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(7) to what he attributes the high perinatal mortality rate in Dudley in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(8) to what he attributes the high perinatal mortality rate in Sandwell in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(9) to what he attributes the high perinatal mortality rate in Wolverhampton in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(10) to what he attributes the high perinatal mortality in Rochdale in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(11) to what he attributes the low infant mortality rate in Suffolk in 1976; what lessons he has drawn for national application; and if he will make a statement;(12) to what he attributes the low infant mortality rate in Oxfordshire in 1976; what lessons he has drawn for national application; and if he will make a statement;(13) to what he attributes the low infant mortality rate in Gloucestershire in 1976; what lessons he has drawn for national application; and if he will make a statement;(14) to what he attributes the low perinatal mortality rate in Suffolk in 1976; what lessons he has drawn for national application; and if he will make a statement;(15) to what he attributes the low perinatal mortality rate in Berkshire in 1976; what lessons he has drawn for national application; and if he will make a statement;(16) to what he attributes the high infant mortality rate in Calderdale in 1976; what action has since been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(17) to what he attributes the low perinatal mortality rate in Oxfordshire in 1976; what lessons he has drawn for national application; and if he will make a statement.

I am advised that high perinatal or infant mortality rates are almost invariably associated with a multiplicity of factors, including the relative prevalence of families in social classes IV and V and more particularly disadvantaged groups such as one-parent families and recent immigrants; with family size; with poor housing, atmospheric pollution and other environmental disadvantages; with variations in climate; as well as with factors relating more directly to the provision of medical services and the use which people make of them. Thus the nine areas which my hon. Friend mentions as having the highest perinatal or infant mortality rates show a marked concentration of such unfavourable factors, while the four areas with the lowest rates for perinatal or infant mortality, are correspondingly favoured in most or all of these respects.The rates of perinatal and infant mortality—and the associated morbidity—in the worst areas are plainly unacceptable; but it will require sustained effort on a broad front to reduce them to levels comparable to those prevailing in more favoured areas. The Government are already making, and intend to develop and sustain, a broad attack on these problems through their partnership schemes for inner city areas and the urban programme. In 1976, health authorities were specifically asked to review their facilities for the care of the newly-born in the light of the report of professor Oppe's working party on the prevention of early neonatal mortality and morbidity; and the priority attached to these services was emphasised in "The Way Forward" in 1977.The planning guidelines to health authorities issued in March of this year reaffirmed these priorities and drew particular attention to the need for improving take-up of ante-natal services and to my right hon. Friend's Eleanor Rathbone lecture in which he called for a major effort to reduce the toll of child deaths in the worst areas. Concurrently, regional health authorities have been asked to cover in detail in the strategic plans which they are required to submit in January 1979 the subject of perinatal and infant mortality and handicapping, and their plans for improvement in areas with persistently poor figures. The Government have also taken a number of steps to increase public and professional awareness of the issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the area health authorities which reduced their perinatal mortality rate by more than 15 per cent. between 1974 and 1976; what factors he believes were responsible for the fall in each case; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will list the area health authorities which reduced their infant mortality rate by more than 15 per cent. between 1974 and 1976; what factors he believes were responsible for the fall in each case; and if he will make a statement.

The following list names areas in which infant and perinatal mortality rates were reduced by 15 per cent. or more between 1974 and 1976. In my reply to my hon. Friend's other Questions today, I have emphasised the multiplicity of factors which appear to influence the incidence of infant and perinatal deaths and it seems probable that the factors which contributed to their improvement in each of the areas listed were equally many and various, although I have no doubt that the conscious and sustained efforts of health professionals will have made a major contribution in each case. In this connection, I draw my hon. Friend's attention to the paper by kin Chalmers, Josephine Weatherall and others published in the May 1978 issue of Health Trends which reiterates the inadequacies of crude perinatal mortality statistics for judging the effectiveness of perinatal health services, and offers some suggestions for overcoming these limitations; and to the comments of my Chief Medical Officer on page 15 of his report "On the State of the Public Health" for 1976, on possible factors associated with the improvements in perinatal and post-neonatal mortality during that year.

AREA HEALTH AUTHORITIES WITH 15 PER CENT. OR MORE IMPROVEMENT IN INFANT AND/OR PERINATAL MORTALITY RATES BETWEEN 1974 AND 1976—IN RANK ORDER
Area Health Authority					Percentage improvement in infant morality rate
Wirral	…	…	…	…	44·9
Tameside	…	…	…	…	42·0
Sunderland	…	…	…	…	37·6
Bradford	…	…	…	…	36·2

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Eccles on 11th May 1978, whether the reason for the mortality figures for half the countries listed being no later than 1974 lies in the failure of those countries to produce later information; and if he will make a statement.

The figures quoted were the latest then available in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys where arrangements exist with the various countries concerned for regular exchange of statistical publications as they become available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the number of children in the United Kingdom who will die in the first year of life in 1978 if (a) the infant mortality rate remains the same as in 1977 and (b) the infant mortality rate falls to the rate of 8·3 deaths per 1,000 live births which obtained in Sweden in 1976;(2) what is his estimate of the number of children in the United Kingdom who will be stillborn or who will die in the first week of life in 1978 if (

The estimated numbers are as follows:

Deaths under one year of age (a) 9,400, (b) 5,500;

Stillbirths and deaths under one week of age (a) 11,600, (b) 7,200.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give comparative figures for the salaries of occupational therapists employed by the National Health Service and social services departments; and if he will make a statement.

The salaries of occupational therapists employed in the National Health Service are negotiated by the Professional and Technical A Whitley Council. The scales effective from 1st April 1978 range from £2,823 at the minimum of the basic grade to £7,479 at the maximum of the Teacher Principal I grade. No specific scales for occupational therapists employed by local authority social service departments are laid down by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical Services, but I understand that such staff are commonly paid on scales ranging from £2,570 to £6,243, which are due to be increased with effect from 1st July 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the average cost to local authorities of funerals carried out by them in each of the years 1967 to 1977;(2) how many funerals were carried out by local authorities in each of the years 1967 to 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the average cost to local authorities of funerals carried out by them in each of the years 1967 to 1977;(2) how many funerals were carried out by local authorities in each of the years 1967 to 1977.

I would refer the hon. Members to my hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) on 13th December 1977.—[Vol. 941, c. 158.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue instructions that when assessing special needs entitlements there shall be disregarded sums specifically saved for funeral, burial or cremation expenses by a retirement pensioner and his or her spouse.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue instructions that, when assessing special needs entitlements, there shall be disregarded sums specifically saved for funeral, burial or cremation expenses by a retirement pensioner and his or her spouse.

This is a matter for the Supplementary Benefits Commission's discretion under Section 3(2) of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976. I understand, however, that it has regard in particular to the cost of funerals when it revises from time to time the amount—currently £200—of capital which a supplementary beneficiary may possess without its affecting any decision on a request for an exceptional needs payment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce amending legislation to ensure that a war pensioner or disablement pensioner who cannot work and who is a lone parent in receipt of supplementary benefit is allowed the same income disregard as he or she would be entitled to if earning.

The Government have no plans to introduce legislation to increase to £6 the £4 disregard on miscellaneous income when a war or industrial disablement pensioner receiving supplementary benefit is a lone parent and incapable of work. The purpose of the £6 supplementary benefit disregard on a lone-parent's earnings is to treat lone parents in a similar way to two-parent families where both parents work; and to give some incentive to those who are able to undertake part-time work to do so in order to avoid social isolation and to keep them in touch with the employment field.The whole question of supplementary benefit disregards is among the matters which have been examined in the current review of the supplementary benefit scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) war pensioners and (b) industrial disablement pensioners are the heads of one-parent families; and of how many claim supplementary benefit.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many one-parent families on supplementary benefit have (a) between £4 and £6 and (b) over £6 other income; and how many of these are war pensioners and industrial disablement pensioners.

I regret the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of introducing an extra allowance of £3 a week for women who depend on supplementary benefit who are pregnant and (a) claimants in their own right and (b) wives of claimants.

I regret that no figures of the numbers of pregnant women who depend on supplementary benefit are available to enable an estimate to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many war widows there are from the period of (a) World War I and (b) World War II; and what is the total of all war widows.

The information requested is given below.

War Widows Pensions in Payment at 31st March 1978
1914 War:	…	…	…	18,800
1939 War:	…	…	…	63,900
Total	…	…	…	82,700

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the value of a war widow's pension for each rank in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, as at 1st April 1950, 1st April 1960, 1st April 1970, and 1st April 1978; and show for comparison the cost of living index at those dates, taking the index and the value of the £ sterling as 100 at 1st April 1950, and assuming that the widow in each case had two children of 11 years and 7 years of age.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the value of unemployment benefit for a married man with two children aged 11 years and 7 years at 1st April 1950, 1st April 1960, 1st April 1970 and 1st April 1978 if the value of the £ sterling was taken as 100 at 1st April 1950, together with, for comparison, the cost of living index for those dates taking the index as 100 at 1st April 1950.

To enable a reliable comparison to be made, the information given below has been set out in a slightly different form from that requested.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT FOR MARRIED MAN WITH TWO CHILDREN AGED 7 AND 11 YEARS
1. Unemployment benefit without family allowance/child benefit
Date	Actual rate	Rate in terms of April 1950 prices*	Index of real Value of benefit (April 1950 equals 100)
	£	£
1st April 1950	2·475	2·475	100·0
1st April 1960	5·10	3·43	138·6
1st April 1970	10·30	4·68	189·1
1st April 1978	28·20	4·77	192·7

2. Unemployment benefit with family allowance/child benefit
Date	Actual rate	Rate in terms of April 1950 prices*	Index of real Value of benefit (April 1950 equals 100)
1st April 1950	2·725	2·725	100·0
1st April 1960	5·50	3·70	135·8
1st April 1970	11·20	5·09	186·8
1st April 1978	32·80	5·55	203·7
* Based on movement in general index of retail prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in connection with Appendix I to the White Paper on prevention and health, Cmnd. Paper No. 7047, which shows the Government's conclusions on the Sub-Committee's recommendations, if he will indicate for those recommendations which have been accepted, the timetable and the order of priorities.

I draw my hon. Friend's attention to what is said in Chapter VII of the White Paper. Against that background I am afraid that it is not possible for me to be specific in the way my hon. Friend has asked.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for each regional health authority the number of law suits involved in 1976–77 which gave rise to the recovery of the debts incurred by pay bed patients listed in his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, Official Report, 2nd February 1978, c. 266.

pursuant to his reply, [Official Report, 21st February 1978; Vol. 944, c. 599–600], gave the following information:The number of law suits in 1976–77 which related to the recovery of private patients' charges were as follows:

Regional Health Authority			No. of Law Suits
Northern	…	…	7
Yorkshire	…	…	24
Trent	…	…	46
East Anglia	…	…	7
North-West Thames	…	…	13
North-East Thames	…	…	4
South-East Thames	…	…	7
South-West Thames	…	…	6
Wessex	…	…	13
Oxford	…	…	14
South-Western	…	…	23
West Midlands	…	…	15
Mersey	…	…	0
North-Western	…	…	78

These figures relate to recovery through the courts. There were in addition an unspecified number of cases where recovery was effected before the initiation of formal proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would have been the net spending power of a family on one-half and two-thirds average national earnings, with three children aged under 11 years, in 1973–74 and 1977–78 expressed at current price levels, taking account of family allowances and child benefit, family income supplement, rent and rate rebates and allowances and free school milk.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23rd May 1978; Vol. 950, c. 549], gave the following information:I regret that, because of the disproportionate expense involved, I cannot supply information in the exact form requested by the hon. Member. However, comparable information for a family on one-half and two-thirds national average earnings, with two children under 11 years, is given in the following tables for corresponding dates in 1973–74 and 1977–78. This information is based on

ONE-HALF NATIONAL AVERAGE EARNINGS (£p)
Date				Weekly earnings	Net weekly spending power	Net weekly spending power at February 1978 prices
February 1974	…	…	…	22·50	20·39	38·13
February 1978	…	…	…	38·50	40·16	40·16

TWO-THIRDS NATIONAL AVERAGE EARNINGS (£p)
Date				Weekly earnings	Net weekly spending power	Net weekly spending power at February 1978 prices
February 1974	…	…	…	30·00	22·18	41·48
February 1978	…	…	…	51·33	41·04	41·04