asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state for England and Wales, for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, what has been the average term of imprisonment served prior to parole by those prisoners under life sentences who have been paroled in each of the years in question.

Persons sentenced to life imprisonment are not eligible for parole as such but are released on licence, under the terms of which they may be recalled to prison at any time should this be necessary. The average periods of detention of those released during each of the past 10 years were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state separately for Cheshire, for England and Wales and for the Metropolitan area, the number of police officers of the rank of inspector or above who have resigned before reaching normal retirement age, in each of the last five complete years for which figures are available.

The numbers resignning before becoming entitled to pension or gratuity were:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prison sentences have been suspended, for each of the last five years for which figures are available, for England and Wales.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give immediate and sympathetic consideration to the request of Masoud Mohammed Ali Riyami to visit his son in the United Kingdom, in view of the fact that he had to get a return ticket before he could apply for entry and his ticket expires in August.

I shall be writing to the hon. Member shortly in reply to the representations he made about this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state at May 1978 prices the average basic pay of the lowest rank of police officer outside the Metropolitan area for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and whether he will also state for each of those years the percentage of average earnings that the figures represent.

The average basic pay—that is, excluding overtime and allowances—of police constables during the past five years, with effect from the settlement date of 1st September each year, was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the Chief Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on his policy of securing that local police stations should use local authority orders and traffic regulations as a means of discouraging motorcades in support of candidates in elections or of other causes.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that it is his practice to draw any relevant statutory provisions to the attention of those wishing to organise motorcades within the Metropolitan Police District and to point out that experience has shown that such events can cause obstruction and inconvenience to other road users.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Russian Government concerning policy towards the Report on "China and European Security" to be debated at the next Part-Session of the Assembly of Western European Union; and what reply he has sent.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Torbay (Sir F. Bennett) on 15th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when the decision to disband the manpower and productivity branch of his Department was taken and implemented.

Early in 1971 the Secretary of State announced that the Manpower and Productivity Advisory Service would in future concentrate on work related to the manpower and industrial relations functions of the Department. The Service was merged into the Department's Industrial Relations Division in January 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the unemployment figures requested in the Written Question from the hon. Member for Blaby which appeared in the Official Report, 7th April, columns 263–64, are now available; if so, if he will publish them; and, if not, when he expects them to be available.

pursuant to his replies [Official Report, 15th May 1978; Vol. 950, c. 29; 6th June 1978, Vol. 951, c. 31], gave the following information:The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics—BLS2—estimates of unemployment rates, adjusted to United States concepts, for the first quarter of 1978 are:

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when the proposed regulations relating to the safety of babies' dummies will be made.

The Babies' Dummies (Safety) Regulations 1978, which have been laid before Parliament today, will impose safety requirements for babies' dummies based on the provisions of British Standard 5239/1975.The Regulations, which have been made under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961, come into operation on 1st October this year for manufacturers and importers and on 1st January 1979 for retailers and wholesalers.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West, for what reasons he chose to place in the Library the correspondence between him and the hon. Member on the control and reduction of prices, rather than to publish it in the Official Report.

While wishing to oblige my hon. Friend in his apparent desire to draw attention to my letter of 24th May, I felt it should be seen in context, but I did not think it appropriate to have such extensive correspondence reproduced in the Official Report. I therefore chose to make it available in the Library should any hon. Member, being aware of it from the Written Answer, wish to study it.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what closed shop arrangements are in force or are proposed among staff employed on Government computer installations.

None is currently in force. The Government have received claims for union membership agreements from three of the unions representing non-industrial civil servants: the Civil and Public Services Association, Inland Revenue Staff Federation, and the Civil Service Union. The claims include junior staff employed on computer installations. In addition, the Government have received claims from the industrial unions representing industrial staff employed in computer establishments. Discussions with the unions concerned are still proceeding.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service on what basis certain officers are denied the right to commute part of their pensions in favour of a lump sum payment, while others are allowed to do so; and if he will confirm that the health of the applicant is not taken into account in deciding these matters.

Under the Pensions Commutation Act 1871, retired officers of the Armed Services may apply to commute up to half of their pensions for life. The Civil Service Department, advised by the Pensions Commutation Board, may commute the pension by the payment of a lump sum under Section 4 of the 1871 Act, which says:

"it shall be lawful for the Treasury"—

"on the application of any person to whom this Act applies, to commute his pension by the payment of a capital sum of money, calculated according to the estimated duration of the life of the pension-holder".

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in view of the decision by the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive to increase fares by an average of over 15 per cent., he will withdraw its subsidy if it goes ahead with this flouting of the Government's anti-inflation policy.

No direct Government grant is given to the Executive. Financial assistance is the responsibility of the West Midlands County Council whose total transport expenditure, including that on revenue support, is assisted by the rate support grant and the transport supplementary grant—TSG. These are block grants, settled annually and not specific to individual items of expenditure. But I have no evidence to suggest that the county is not going to spend the £12 million which it proposed, and which was accepted, for TSG for revenue support purposes for 1978–79. We have made the county council aware of our views about the importance of meeting future reductions in support without resort to fare increases above the rate of cost inflation in the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate the current expected completion dates for the various stages of the M18 and M180; and when he expects work to begin on the trunk road from the Brigg bypass to Grimsby.

Those parts of the MI8 and M180 not yet open to traffic are currently due for completion as follows:

• M18, Wadworth-Armthorpe, February 1978.
• M180, Thorne-A16, October 1978.
• A161-Scunthorpe (Brumby Common Link to the A18), January 1979.
• Scunthorpe Southern By-pass, January 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport at what point on the A34 north of Litchfield the first stage of the improvement ends and the second stage commences; and when he anticipates being able to make an announcement as to the possible options for the second stage.

The first stage will end north of Whitway, near the point where the A34 crosses the former Winchester-Newbury railway line. An announcement on the possible options for the second stage, running north from the first stage, is unlikely to be possible before the early 1980s.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether traffic commissioners hearing applications and objections relating to fare increases can take into account social factors, or whether they must make their decisions on commercial factors only.

Traffic commissioners can and do take social factors into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the number of road accidents, where alcohol was considered to be a factor, which took place in England and Wales between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. in each of the years 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th June 1978; Vol. 951, c. 77], gave the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on road and rail matters discussed at the Council of Transport Ministers of the EEC which met on 12th June 1978.

The Council adopted a proposal for a regulation laying down uniform costing principles for international goods transport carried in full train loads, and noted a Commission report on progress achieved in the preparation of a programme of co-operation among Community railways. It approved in principle a directive on the adjustment of national taxation systems for commercial road vehicles and the terms of a statement on the introduction in Austria, as from 1st July, of a tax on road goods transport proceeding to and through that country. The Council took note of the Commission's intention to carry out a three-year experiment in monitoring traffic between the freight markets of member States, and agreed that the directive on combined road-rail transport, at present in force for an experimental period, should be made permanent. There was an exchange of views on a number of other issues.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has studied the memorandum published by the Consultation Committee of Accountancy Bodies in March on the administration of value added tax; and if he will make a statement on its conclusions.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the memorandum in which the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies advocated the elimination of VAT on transactions between registered businesses. There are great difficulties about the proposal, but it is receiving careful study.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation, as defined by the percentage rise in the retail price index over the three months to May, expressed as an annual rate.

The increase in the Retail Price Index in the three months to May, expressed at an annual rate, is 11·1 per cent. However, the normally accepted indicator of the current trend, the rise over six months of the RPI excluding seasonal foods, expressed at an annual rate, is 8·6 per cent. for May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury has made a forecast of the effects on the economy of the amendments carried in Committee of the whole House on the Finance Bill.

Estimates of the economic effects of the amendments were produced with the aid of the Treasury model.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on employment in Scotland of the increase in national insurance contributions, the increase in interest charges and the other measures announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 15th June 1978; Vol. 951, c. 639–40] gave the following information:Taken together with income tax amendments to the Finance Bill, the measures my right hon. Friend announced last week should restore the immediate prospects for the United Kingdom economy as a whole to what they were at the time of the Budget. There is no reason to believe that the situation will be any different for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he can now state the members of the inquiry to be set up to consider police procedures and practice in Northern Ireland.

The inquiry will be chaired by His Honour Judge Bennett, QC, who has been a Circuit Judge for the past six years. The two other members will be Sir James Haughton, who last year retired as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, and Professor John Marshall, who is Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of London.The terms of reference of the inquiry will be:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much fuel for its own consumption is loaded into a KC135 tanker aircraft for take-off; and how this load of fuel when added to the 31,000 US gallons which it carries for refuelling other aircraft compares to the fuel load on take-off of a Jumbo jet.

The KC 135 does not carry a separate load of fuel for its own consumption. It can transfer to other aircraft all its fuel load apart from a minimum reserve of 1,200 United States gallons—996 Imperial gallons—and any additional amount needed to reach its own destination.The aircraft has a total internal capacity of 31,000 United States gallons—25,730 Imperial gallons—but the maximum take-off weight restricts the fuel uplift to 28,770 United States gallons—23,880 Imperial gallons—at the most. However, the KC 135 is not operated at maximum weights in peacetime because this would shorten the aircraft's life. The fuel load carried in peacetime is limited to a maximum of 26,000 United States gallons—21,580 Imperial gallons—but this can be achieved at most military airfields in the United Kingdom only during cold winter weather. Summer temperatures usually limit the load to 22,310 United States gallons—18,520 Imperial gallons. However, even these fuel loads are seldom carried in practice and training missions from the United Kingdom are currently generally flown with fuel loads of 21,550 United States gallons—17,890 Imperial gallons—or less.By comparison, a Boeing 747–200 can carry about 54,000 United States gallons —45,000 Imperial gallons—of fuel.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many KC135 aircraft have crashed since they were brought into service.

I am informed by the United States Air Force that it has not been possible in the time available to produce figures specifically for the KC 135 before 1970. Since 1970, the KC 135 accident rate has been 0·6 per 100,000 hours. This is between four and five times better than the average for the USAF as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that a fully loaded KC135 aircraft can operate safely if two engines fail within five miles of take-off.

Regulations, based on ICAO standards, do not call for any four-engined aircraft to maintain flight at maximum gross weight if two engines should fail on take-off. However, to date there has never been an instance of a KC 135 crashing due to the loss of two engines. In fact, the probability of two engine failure is very remote. As with all similar four-engined jet aircraft, flight can be maintained and a safe landing made on two engines when sufficient speed and altitude have been gained, though in certain circumstances, as with many aircraft, fuel would need to be jettisoned.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if, pursuant to his answer of 27th April, Warren Spring Laboratory has yet tested at sea the equipment of Oil Recovery International.

Oil Recovery International equipment has now been supplied to Warren Spring Laboratory. It is being mounted on its research vessel "Seaspring" and the first series of tests at sea is planned for completion by mid-July.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to keep under continuous review, as recommended by the Report of the Committee on the Export of Live Animals for Slaughter, Command Paper No. 5566, published in March 1974, the relationship between the potential growth in the export market for carcase meat and the location and capacity of export-approved slaughterhouses in the United Kingdom.

In making this recommendation the Committee was concerned that export-approved slaughtering capacity should be available to cope with the expected growth of carcase meat exports. It was for the industry itself to assess the opportunities for development in particular locations, but at the national level the Government introduced the red meat slaughterhouse industry scheme in November 1976, one of the main objectives of which was to bring slaughterhouses up to the standard required for intra-community trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken, by whom, when, and with what result, on the recommendation of the Report of the Committee on the Export of Live Animals for Slaughter, Command Paper No. 5566, published in March 1974, that stevedores with previous experience of handling livestock should be given the task of unloading animals in preference to other personnel; and with which other member States of the EEC this recommendation was discussed, when, and with what result.

The Committee's recommendation applied to conditions at the port of embarkation. It was discussed in 1975 with the British Ports Association which indicated, on behalf of the ports involved, that there did not appear to be any difficulty in implementing it. The recommendation has however been overtaken by the change-over to roll-on/roll-off transport, which does not require the individual handling of animals at the dockside.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to ensure that the meat manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is encouraged to take full advantage of the supplies of raw material which are available from domestic sources, as recommended by the Report of the Committee on the Export of Live Animals for Slaughter, Command Paper No. 5566, published in March 1974; and with what results, comparing the position in 1973 with that in 1977.

The United Kingdom beef supply pattern has changed considerably since 1973: our self-sufficiency has increased and the sources of our imports have changed. Manufacturers have adjusted to this by much greater usage of domestic beef supplies. Their sup- plies of pigmeat and poultry have continued since 1973 to be almost entirely home-produced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why his Department has decided that the Agriculture Training Board should not in future be involved in providing courses in farm business management; and if he will make a statement.

Provision for agricultural education and training in management generally has been under review for some time in the light of the findings in the Report of the EDC for Agriculture on "Agriculture into the 1980s". There have been extensive discussions with representatives of the industry and of the Agricultural Training Board.My right hon. Friend the Minister and I are concerned that the Board should further develop its provision for training in man-management skills to complement the courses in farm business management being provided by local education authorities and other bodies in the education sector. This does not preclude the Board from assisting the education bodies concerned by advising them of local needs or by recognising their courses for purposes of Board grants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that there are sufficient qualified inspectors available to govern the regulations concerning the hygiene of goats in view of the increased numbers of goats and goat herds in the United Kingdom.

No inspectorate is attached to my Department for the purpose of enforcing regulations on goat hygiene. In the course of its normal work, the State Veterinary Service has regard to goats among other animals in matters of animal health and welfare. If my hon. Friend has any specific point in mind, I shall be pleased to look into it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from people living in the county of Kent about alleged cruelty to livestock being exported from or imported into that county.

My right hon. Friend the Minister has received 35 letters on this subject, four of which contained petitions, against the export of live food animals.

asked the Lord President of the Council what currently is the approximate cost to the taxpayer of answering a Question for Written Answer; and, in view of this cost and of the fact that more than 50 such Questions may be, and on occasions have been, tabled simultaneously by an hon. Member, if he will move to limit the number of Questions for Written Answer which may be tabled in any one day.

The estimated average cost as at the end of March 1978 is £18 for a written answer to a Parliamentary Question. I have no doubt the Select Committee on Procedure will have noted the hon. Member's proposal, and I suggest that consideration of any change in Question procedure await the Committee's report.

asked the Lord President of the Council what was the cost to public funds of producing the document entitled "The Government's Record", and what is the total number to date that has been requested by members of the public.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Reigate on 16th May.—[Vol. 950, c. 109–110.]Copies of "The Government Record" have been sent to the three members of the public who have requested them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the latest position in the negotiations between the United Kingdom and Scandinavia on a revised air services agreement.

The first round of negotiations took place in Oslo from 29th May to 2nd June. Despite a disappointing response by the Scandinavians to our proposals, progress was made on some issues. In line with our views it has subsequently been agreed that fares on the routes between the United Kingdom and the three Scandinavian countries should be reduced. The second round of negotiations is expected to take place in London early in August.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if the Scandinavian air authorities propose the restriction of air services to British Airways alone; what position the Government are taking on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

The Scandinavian authorities wanted to have a single multinational carrier on their side and a single carrier on ours. My view is that it is for each side to decide which carrier or carriers should operate its services and that neither side should attempt to impose its policies in this matter upon the other. At the recent round of talks the Scandinavian delegation indicated that, as part of an overall satisfactory settlement, they would accept our position.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if it is his intention to seek to maintain the services from the United Kingdom to Scandinavia provided by British Caledonian, Dan-Air and Air Anglia.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if the current proposal by the EEC Commission regarding the level of textile imports from Portugal is acceptable to the United Kingdom Government; whether Her Majesty's Government would have the right to introduce bilateral quotas under their own authority at the same rate as the levels agreed with the Commission on 20th December 1977; and if not, what means are available to the United Kingdom Government to ensure that the levels of Portuguese imports are no higher than those of 20th December 1977.

The EEC Commission's proposals on textile imports from Portugal were discussed at the Council of Ministers on 6th June, and we made it clear that they presented particular difficulties for us. Further discussions will take place. Under the relevant Community law it is possible for the United Kingdom to introduce bilateral quotas under its own authority. But any such action by a member State would have to be approved by the Commission, which may also propose amendments. If the Commission did not approve the action, it could be put to the Council of Ministers. If neither the Commission nor the Council of Ministers were willing to approve it, the action would automatically be annulled.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about maritime and civil aviation matters discussed at the Council of Transport Ministers of the European Communities which met on 12th June.

The Council agreed to set up a system permitting collection of information on the activities of fleets of countries whose practices are harmful to the shipping interests of member States and the joint use of countermeasures, and asked for details of implementation of information gathering in relation to State trading countries and flags of convenience fleets to be worked out for its next meeting.The Council agreed to recommend a timetable for ratification by member States of international conventions, and other co-ordinated action in relation to maritime safety and pollution.On the United Nations Convention on a Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences, Ministers agreed that further suggestions by the United Kingdom should be examined with a view to a final decision at their next meeting.Finally, the Councl received a report on the progress of discussion on civil aviation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) whether he will have consultations with the English Tourist Board and other bodies over the implications for tourism in the Post Office decision to phase out local postmarks;(2) what impact he estimates there will be on Great Britain's tourist industry when the Post Office's postmarks for areas which are of paramount importance in that industry are phased out in the next two or three years.

I have at present no evidence to suggest that the phasing out of local postmarks will have any significant impact on the tourist industry. I understand that the English Tourist Board, on behalf of the Heart of England Regional Tourist Board, has raised the matter with the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the principal tariffs applied to fish imported from Norway and Iceland, respectively.

For imports into the EEC of fresh, chilled or frozen fish, the duty on Norwegian cod, haddock and coal-fish is 15 per cent., and Iceland 3·7 per cent. For plaice and whiting, imports from Norway and Iceland are charged 15 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps are taken by his Department to keep the Performing Right Tribunal aware of current Government policy about requests for indexation of tariff charges for the public use of monopoly property in copyright music.

The Performing Right Tribunal is an independent statutory authority established by Parliament by virtue of Part IV of the Copyright Act 1956. It is empowered to settle disputes over terms of certain collective licensing schemes for the public formance of copyright music by determining what it considers to be reasonable in the circumstances and there is no provision for Government intervention in its proceedings. A music user bringing a case would undoubtedly remind the Tribunal of any relevant Government policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the waiting list for hospital in-patient admission for traumatic and orthopaedic surgery on 31st March 1977, 31st December 1977 and 31st March 1978, respectively.

Statistics are not yet available for dates subsequent to 30th September 1977. The figures for 31st March 1977 and that date are:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps the Registrar General takes to ensure that local registrars, when asking questions of persons registering a birth concerning their employment status, inform those persons that the information is not required by law and that they are not therefore obliged to supply it.

Standing instructions to registrars require them to make it clear to every informant that, although the information serves a useful purpose in relation to statistical analysis, it is not required by law to be given and the informant is not, therefore, obliged to supply it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage increase will be paid to state registered nurses from 1st April 1978 as compared with their consolidated salary for the year April 1977 to 31st March 1978.

Nurses and midwives working in the National Health Service received increases effective from 1st April 1978 of 10 per cent. on their basic—1975—salaries, together with consolidation of the Stage II pay supplement and part of the Stage I supplement. The unconsolidated portion of the Stage I award—£130 per annum—is being paid as an additional flat rate supplement. These additions amount to an increase for staff nurses of 8·98 per cent. of total 1977–78 salary at the maximum of the scale. Part of the 10 per cent. available under the Government guidelines was allocated to improved conditions of service—for example, a higher rate of enhancement for work on Sundays and bank holidays.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reply he has sent to the telegram from the City of Birmingham Local Optical Committee requesting urgent action over the limiting of the services now available at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital.

I expect to reply within the next few days when inquiries of the Birmingham AHA(T) should be complete. I will send a copy of that reply to the hon. Member. In the meantime I have already assured myself that a full emergency service is being maintained at the hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give the costs of the telegram of apology that he recently sent to the Royal College of Nursing; who paid for it; and why a letter was not sent at a cost of 9p.

The cost of the telexed letter which I sent to the President of the Royal College of Nursing at the meeting of its representative body in Harrogate was met from departmental funds. The precise cost is not known. The message was sent by telex to ensure that it could be read to the annual representative meeting before it ended. It contained important statements of Government policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is now ready to introduce legislation to seek to allow women who are the sole or major breadwinners in their families to claim allowances for dependants in the contributory social security benefits; and, if he is still discussing this matter with the EEC, for how long he proposes to delay taking action in the United Kingdom pending agreement with them.

As I told my hon. Friend in my letter of 3rd March, I am sympathetic to the case she is putting. The Government have, however, no plans to legislate in advance of the EEC directive, discussions on which are to be resumed next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost of allowing claims for family income supplement to be made on the basis of full-time working by either husband or wife, instead of husband only; what is his estimate of the number of families which could be affected; and whether his studies confirm that the principal categories affected are those where

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many Statutory Instruments have been laid before the House under his authority in each of the past five years.

The numbers are as follows:

I regret that no further information is available beyond that contained in my right hon. Friend's reply on 5th December 1977, which was based on a Department of Health and Social Security analysis of information recorded in the 1975 family expenditure survey. I will let my hon. Friend have corresponding estimates derived from the 1976 family expenditure survey shortly.—[Vol. 940, c. 535–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the different types of lightweight invalid chairs now on supply to the Department of Health and Social Services.

The following wheelchairs of comparatively light weight are provided by my Department. Other wheelchairs are also occasionally provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will tabulate in the Official Report the supplementary benefit level (a) including average rent addition, and (b) excluding average rent addition, for (i) a single pensioner and (ii) a married pensioner couple, in 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965 and each year since 1970, including the forthcoming increase in November 1978, expressed both in actual money terms and also in terms of present money equivalents.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report 26th May 1978, Vol. 950, c. 801], gave the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will issue guidance to all local education authorities to ensure that the provisions of Sections 2(1) and 2(2) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 are carried out in all schools and other educational establishments.

My Department's Circular 11/74 drew the attention of local education authorities to the main provisions of the Act, including those of Section 2. The Department maintains close working relations with the Health and Safety Executive which is responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will institute a series of regional conferences with a view to stimulating public awareness of the need for and the value of a thriving policy for the arts; and if she will encourage local authorities to make adequate provision to this end.

It is the function of the Arts Council of Great Britain as laid down in its charter to improve knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts and to increase their accessibility to the public. The Council continually seeks to implement these objectives with the help of the grant which my department makes to it. My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for the arts visits the regions frequently and extensively and encourages all local interests to support the arts within the means of their disposal. I myself will speak at a conference later this month on the future of the arts whose well-being is an objective of Government policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children are currently receiving the benefit of nursery education provided by (a) Lancashire County Council, (b) Sefton Council, (c) Knowsley Council, and (d) St. Helens Council; and if she will indicate in each case the location of the schools, which are fully maintained nursery schools, and which are primary schools with nursery classes.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if Lancashire, Sefton, St. Helens and Knowsley Councils have any plans to increase nursery school places.

Lancashire, Sefton and Knowsley propose to expand their nursery provision during the forthcoming year, Lancashire having received an allocation under the Department's nursery building programme, and Sefton and Knowsley having made successful applications for nursery projects under the urban aid programme. St. Helens has not made application under either programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the estimated cost of introducing the voucher system if it were extended to include primary and secondary schools in both the public and private sectors;(2) what would be the cost of the voucher system if it were extended to all primary and secondary schools in the public sector.

The feasibility study for a voucher system recently published by the Kent County Council suggested that the cost of introducing a voucher system in the Ashford division of Kent, with approximately 15,000 children, would be between £90,000 and £600,000 a year for a scheme limited to schools maintained by local education authorities and between £873,000 and £1,328,000 a year if extended to include independent schools. The study offers no costs for England and Wales, but applying the figures in the study to the approximately 9 million children in maintained schools in England and Wales the introduction of a voucher system would cost between £54 million and £360 million a year for a scheme limited to maintained schools and between £524 million and £797 million a year if extended to include independent schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many copies of the Kent County Council's educational voucher feasibility study have been received by her Department; and by whom they have been examined.

The Department has seven copies of the feasibility study, which are available for study as necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if her Department's review of the present arrangements concerning school uniform grants will include the taking of evidence from outside bodies; and, if so, what action is being taken to receive this evidence;(2) if her Department's review of the present arrangements concerning school uniform erants will include discussion with the Supplementary Benefits Commission.

The review, which is informal, is taking account of material already available, including representations made to the Department over the past year or so, the Price Commission report "Prescribed School Clothing", and the Child Poverty Action Group report "Battle Royal—Another Look at School Clothing and Maintenance Grants". It is also taking account of discussions with officials of the Supplementary Benefits Commission. It is not proposed to invite further evidence from outside bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what statutory rights of inspection parents have to see records kept by schools on their children.

There are no statutory requirements concerning access to school records. Decisions about access by parents are the responsibility of local education authorities and practice varies. However, as part of the wider review of their curricular activities occasioned by the Green Paper "Education in Schools", we have asked authorities to examine and report on their existing record-keeping practices. The Green Paper itself stressed the need for full regard to be paid to the rights of parents, as well as those of teachers and pupils, to know what material is included.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many of the graduates admitted to initial one-year courses of teacher training in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977 had obtained an O-level in mathematics, or its equivalent, prior to their training year;(2) what proportion of the graduates who completed initial one-year courses of teacher training in 1975, 1976 and 1977 and obtained posts in primary schools had gained O-level, or its equivalent, in mathematics and English prior to their training year.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the amount of building work covered by the 1975–76 loan allocation for locally-determined non-key sector schemes in Cheshire he estimates can, after allowing for the effects of inflation, be financed by the 1978–79 allocation.

It is for local authorities themselves to decide how to finance works in the locally determined sector. Authorities do not provide my Department with information about their decisions on what building or other work is financed through the borrowing allocation in any financial year. The major part of the expenditure in the locally deter- mined sector is now financed from sources other than borrowing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give a figure showing what the amount of rate support grant for Cheshire per capita would have had to have been exactly to have matched the rate of inflation in each of the years since 1970;(2) if he will give a figure showing the amount of rate support grant for Cheshire per capita in each year since 1970.

The relevant figures are:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes that Sections 1 and 2 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, relating to arrangements for the disposal of controlled waste and waste disposal plans, should be brought into operation.

Section 2 comes into operation on 1st July 1978 by virtue of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (Commencement Order No. 11) Order 1977. I hope it will be possible to make an announcement about the implementation of Section 1 shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Sports Council, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting, and maintenance, in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

The Sports Council's latest accounts published in its Annual Report 1976–77, show a total expenditure of £10·5 million in the year ended 31st March 1977.As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State announced on 25th May, subject to parliamentary approval the Government's grant-in-aid to the Council in 1978–79 will be £14·2 million. An announcement will be made later about appropriate cash block adjustments.—[Vol. 950, c. 696.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to provide financial help to landowners by way of grant or loan toward the cost of maintaining trees protected by preservation orders.

No, my right hon. Friend has no power to do so. But some limited assistance towards the cost of amenity tree-planting, which is not confined to protected trees, may be available from the Countryside Commission under its powers in Section 9 of the Local Government Act 1974.

asked he Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now seek to amend section 62(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 so as to ensure that landowners who fell woodland trees protected by preservation orders without consent are legally required to replant.

We recognise that there appears to be an anomaly which we shall seek to rectify by amending legislation when a suitable opportunity arises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in England and Wales are known to have entered into agreements with their tenants to take over the responsibility for the repair and maintenance of their council homes in selected areas, on suitable terms.

This information is not available in the Department, but I hope that, as part of increasing tenants' participation in housing management generally, local authorities will experiment with a variety of equitable arrangements of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Housing Corporation, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

The cost of running the Housing Corporation in 1977–78 was £4 million. The current estimate of the cost for 1978–79 is £4·9 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Letchworth Garden City Corporation, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

Letchworth Garden City Corporation was established by Private Act of Parliament. The most recent details of the corporation's expenditure are contained in its published report and accounts for the year ended 31st March 1977. Any further information should be sought from the corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the National Water Council, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

The accounts for 1976–77 included in the Council's latest annual report show total expenditure of nearly £4 million. The Council's expenditure is almost entirely financed by the water authorities. I am advised by the National Water Council that its projected budget for 1978–79 amounts to just under £5 million at outturn prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Housing Associations Registration Advisory Committee, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

The running cost of the Housing Associations Registration Advisory Committee are negligible. Any expense incurred is included in the administration expenses of the Housing Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Nature Conservancy Council, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

The accounts for 1976–77 included in the Nature Conservancy Council's latest annual report show expenditure of £5,028,000.For 1977–78 the provisional figure will be £6,142,000.The present approved estimated cost for 1978–79 is £6·4 million. I shall be seeking the approval of Parliament to increase this to £8 million. An announcement will be made later about appropriate cash block adjustments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Regional Economic Planning Councils (England), including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on their own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

Figures for the annual cost of running the economic planning councils are not available in the form requested. They are included in the cost of the Department's regional organisation and cannot be separately identified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Water Services Staff Commission, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

The Water Services Staff Commission was wound up on 31st October 1977. Its costs for 1977–78 were less than £1,000. There will be no cost for 1978–79.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the National Building Agency, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

The total expenditure of the National Building Agency in 1976–77 was £1,883,145. I am advised by the Agency that its projected costs for 1978–79 will amount to £2·1 million at out-turn prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Location of Offices Bureau, including all main constituent costs of any sort, such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

The last published accounts of the Bureau, for 1976–77, showed expenditure of £202,000. The accounts for the year ending 31st March 1978 are expected to be published next month; I understand the total costs for that year were £254,000. The estimated cost for 1978–79 is £521,000, the increase reflecting the new roles of the Bureau.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will add Coventry to his list of designated districts, so that it can benefit from powers to aid industry; and if he will make a statement.

I have considered the claims of many authorities, but I have no present plans to extend the list that I announced on 8th May.—[Vol. 949, c. 338–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Statutory Instruments have been laid before the House under his authority in each of the past five years.

The number of statutory instruments laid before Parliament under my authority in each of the past five calendar years is:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will call a meeting between his Department, the Southern Water Authority and local authorities in the area to discuss the pollution caused by the pumping of sewage into the Rivers Test and Itchen