asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has now received from Argyll regarding the current revaluation.

My right hon. Friend has received a total of 428 representations from Argyll and Bute District about the 1978 rating revaluation in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to harmonise rates of pay of those local government employees who, since the reorganisation of local government, are receiving different rates for the same work and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

As I explained to the hon. Gentleman in reply to his Questions on 8th December 1977, action to harmonise rates of pay in the situation he describes is a matter not for my right hon. Friend but for the local authorities jointly acting through the appropriate negotiating machinery.—[Vol. 940, c. 778–80.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the present legislation governing land ownership and use in Scotland.

I have nothing to add to my reply of 23rd May to the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. Henderson).—[Vol. 950, c. 449–50.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in which areas of Scotland uranium exists in substantial quantities.

Deposits of uranium oxide are known to exist to the east of Stromness in Orkney and in the Ousedale area of Caithness. The extent of the deposits is not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to local authorities on how to deal with the decline in the school population in Scotland and its effect on school buildings.

My right hon. Friend is at present awaiting comments on the discussion paper which he sent out in February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is currently being done on the incidence of murder since the abolition of capital punishment; and if he will publish any figures available which show the number of murders in each year since abolition, according to age, sex, and other relevant facts.

My right hon. Friend keeps information on the incidence and circumstances of murders known to the police in Scotland under regular review and analysis. I shall consider what detailed information can be made available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places there are in colleges of higher education and in colleges of further education in Scotland; what has been the proportion of places filled in these colleges during the last five years; what is the projected occupancy rate in the next five years; and what proportion of students in all categories of Scottish colleges is foreign or from the Commonwealth.

Since the working capacity of an educational establishment varies from time to time because of a number of factors, the information requested about places is not readily available. The fallowing table shows the actual and estimated numbers of full-time equivalent students for the years concerned. The percentage of full-time foreign and Commonwealth students in the colleges in 1976–77 was 3·2.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions are being made to ensure that in areas of general redevelopment satisfactory arrangements are made for the treatment of sick and disabled citizens.

The appropriate health board is responsible for ensuring that health care facilities are adequate throughout its area, and arrangements will vary according to local circumstances. If my hon. Friend has a particular problem in mind I shall be happy to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the percentage increase in Scottish unemployment since July 1975.

52 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he will take to provide additional jobs for teachers graduating from the colleges of education this year.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member for Dumbartonshire, East (Mrs. Bain) on 17th May.—[Vol. 950, c. 184.]

asked the Secretary to State for Scotland how much was spent per mile on roads in Scotland in the last year for which figures are available.

Dividing expenditure by mileage, and taking no account of type of road or traffic, gives a figure of £6,330 per mile in 196–77.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of people in Scotland who are known to have contracted asbestosis.

No figures are available to show the number of persons in the general population of Scotland who have contracted asbestosis. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services informs me, however, that about 120 people in Scotland have current awards of disablement benefit in respect of asbestosis as one of the diseases prescribed under the industrial injuries scheme administered by his Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money was made available to Scottish borrowers from building societies in the last year for which figures are available; and how much was deposited by Scottish lenders in the same period.

The April edition of the Building Societies Association's quarterly publication "Facts and Figures" showed that during 1977 societies lent £450 million in Scotland for house purchase and improvement. Net receipts amounted to £334 million and £83 million of interest were credited to depositors' accounts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the perinatal mortality per 1,000 total births in Scotland over the years 1967 to 1977 inclusive.

The figures are given in the table below:

Perinatal mortality, per 1,000 total births (live and still), Scotland, 1967–77
1967	27
1968	26
1969	25
1970	25
1971	24
1972	24
1973	22
1974	23
1975	21
1976	18
1977	18

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many listed buildings there are (a) in Scotland and (b) within the area covered by Glasgow District Council.

There are 23,714 listed buildings in Scotland of which 690 are in the area covered by Glasgow District Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest information about herring stocks in the North Sea; and if there is any increase.

The herring stock in the North Sea is still at a low level but there are already signs that the stock is beginning to recover as a result of the ban on directed fishing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners transferred from Northern Ireland to Scotland to serve their sentences were at the time of their conviction serving members of the Armed Forces.

Seven in the period since 1st January 1969, all of whom were transferred during 1977 and 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any loyalist prisoners have been transferred from Scottish prisons to Northern Ireland in the years 1969 to 1978.

In the period in question a total of eight prisoners were transferred from Scotland to Northern Ireland. Five were transferred to complete their sentences, two were transferred for the purpose of attending further criminal proceedings, and one in order to receive visits. Prisoners are not classified by reference to the political or other motivation of their offences.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will allocate specific funds to the Health Service in Scotland to implement programmes for improved perinatal care.

Health boards are given a block allocation for the provision of hospital and community services of all kinds. My right hon. Friend recently indicated to boards, however, that perinatal and infant care should be one of the priority areas for the use of the additional funds for the National Health Service in Scotland announced by the Chancellor in his Budget speech on 11th April this year.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish figures showing the approximate total cost of the introduction of sound broadcasting of the proceedings of Parliament to public funds, divided between initial costs and first year running costs and, from information available to him, similar figures for expenditure incurred by the broadcasting authorities and companies.

It is estimated that the total cost to public funds of the introduction of sound broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings has been about £200,000. First-year accommodation running costs at No. 1 Bridge Street are estimated at about £52,000. The expenditure on capital equipment by the broadcasting authorities has been about £390,000, and they anticipate that their annual running costs will be about the same amount. The broadcasting authorities have also contributed about £50,000 towards accommodation costs. None of these figures includes expenditure on future permanent accommodation for broadcasters in Norman Shaw (South), which it is now estimated will cost about £250,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in the light of the loss caused to the Weymouth fleet of crabbing fishermen consequent upon the extension of the Army's use of Lulworth firing ranges, what negotiations have taken place with the fishermen; what compensation they have claimed; and whether he will make a statement.

Discussions have taken place between representatives of the Weymouth crab fishermen and the local Army authorities about the problems the fishermen are facing this week over the restriction of their activities arising from the British army equipment exhibition firepower demonstration. Although financial compensation was suggested by the fishermen's representatives, the Army authorities were unable to agree to this but offered to cancel all firing on Wednesday 21st June and limit the firing to a total of three hours each on Tuesday 20th June and Thursday 22nd June, which are the days on which the firepower demonstration is taking place. We understand that this offer was not accepted by the fishermen's representatives.We nevertheless hope that attempts will not be made to disrupt this demonstration on a range where we have enjoyed good relationships with the fishermen for many years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the whole of the land comprising Gordon Barracks, Gillingham is to be released; if so, when the release will take place; and what is the total area involved.

I am not at present in a position to reply, but I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report a table updating his answer to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central on 5th May 1977 at the most recent convenient price levels.

The estimated total income from exports of arms by the United Kingdom in each year from 1963–64 to 1977–78, adjusted to September 1977 price levels, is as follows:

	£m
1963–64	480
1964–65	485
1965–66	500
1966–67	572
1967–68	599
1968–69	717
1969–70	744
1970–71	717
1971–72	671
1972–73	664
1973–74	1,013
1974–75	933
1975–76	792
1976–77	706
1977–78	800
	(provisional)

The above figures are based on the export unit value index contained in the Government's Statistical Service Monthly Digest of Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the annual receipts from the levy on defence sales from 1963–64 in constant prices.

The estimated annual receipts for the levy on defence sales since 1971–72, updated to September 1977 price levels, are:

	£m
1971–72	9·1
1972–73	9·3
1973–74	8·5
1974–75	11·9
1975–76	22·4
1976–77	26·5
1977–78	22·0

Figures for years prior to 1971–72 are not available. The figures given for the years earlier than 1975–76 are incomplete and I will provide, as soon as possible, such additional information as can be obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the proposed increase of 3 per cent. in defence expenditure will be used in meeting increased pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces.

No part of the proposed increase of 3 per cent. will be used in honouring the Government's forward commitment to the Armed Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of apprentices that entered Chatham Dockyard in each of the years 1974 to 1977; and what is the projected number for 1978 (a) as craft entries and (b) as technician entries.

The information is as follows:

	Craft	Technician	Total
1974	167	20	187
1975	164	20	184
1976	170	18	188
1977	165	15	180
1978 (estimated)	199	20	219

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the craft and technician apprentices, respectively, who were indentured in Chatham Dockyard in 1974, remain in employment there and will complete their apprenticeships this year.

The information is as follows:

	Craft	Technician	Total
Entered, 1974	167	20	187
Completing, 1978	159*	21†	180*
* Two apprentices indentured in 1974 will complete their apprenticeships in 1979.
† Includes one craft transfer.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what RAF requirement exists for a military version of the HS146.

There is at present no Royal Air Force requirement for an aircraft in this category.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will consider returning the Aberdeen travel-to-work area to full development status.

I do not consider that development area status would be appropriate for the Aberdeen travel-to-work area, where the rate of unemployment in May was 3·3 per cent., as opposed to a national average of 5·7 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is satisfied with the industrial potential of the Clowne area during the next five years; and if he will initiate discussions with the Derbyshire County Council and the National Coal Board to promote industrial development at West Lea, Clowne.

Intermediate area financial incentives are available at Clowne and there is land suitable for industrial development in the area. The possible purchase of a site at West Lea is a matter for the local authorities concerned and the National Coal Board, and I understand that discussions are taking place between them. If, however, these do not produce a satisfactory outcome, I am willing to assist in these discussions if either party should feel this will be of help.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the present estimated stocks of mercury, copper, cobalt, aluminium, magnesium and nickel held in the United Kingdom (a) by the Government and nationalised industries and (b) by industrial companies, for the most recent convenient date; and for what period at ordinary rates of consumption these stocks would last if all supplies were halted, and which industries would be most affected by the shortage of which minerals.

Of the six metals listed, stocks information is published only for copper and this is partial. The World Bureau of Metal Statistics estimated that, at the end of March 1978, consumer stocks of refined copper amounted to 30,000 tonnes. 89,000 tonnes was held in London Metal Exchange Warehouses in the United Kingdom. The total stocks of 119,000 tonnes are equivalent to some two or three months of current consumption.A complete cessation of supplies of these six metals would affect a very broad range of industries These most dependent on supplies of the metal concerned, in addition to the metal industry itself, are listed in the table below:METAL AND INDUSTRY

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish the assessment made by his Department of the civil market for the HS146 aircraft; and what account has been made in this assessment of the slow sales record, namely six aircraft in 1977 of the one foreign manufacturer competing in this category of aircraft manufacture.

It is principally for the British Aerospace to assess the market prospects for civil aircraft which it wishes to develop.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the new Common Market pig-meat levies; and if he will make a statement of their likely effect upon United Kingdom pig producers and upon United Kingdom consumer producers.

The United Kingdom imports very little fresh pigmeat from countries outside the Community, and the changes in levies that apply from time to time therefore have no significant effect on our pig producers or consumers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of eggs has been exported by the EEC for each quarterly period in the last two years.

Only annual figures for EEC exports of eggs are published by the EEC Commission. The latest information available relates to the calendar years 1975 and 1976 and is as follows:—

EEC EXPORTS OF EGGS (a) TO THIRD COUNTRIES
	tones
1975	45,000
1976	37,000

(a) Including egg products expressed in shell egg equivalent.Source: Statistical Office of the European Communities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he is contemplating for the disposal of land for building on his estate at Sutton Bridge; and whether the freehold or leasehold will be disposed of.

My right hon. Friend has no proposals to sell land at Sutton Bridge for development.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he now expects to publish the Food Standards Committee's report on water in food; if the report will include comments on water added to meat; and if he will make a statement.

The Food Standards Committee's report on water in food was published on 15th May and a copy was deposited in the Library of the House on that day. The report recommended that added water should be included in the list of ingredients for all prepacked foods, including meat and meat products.Representations have been sought on this report. Further consideration is being given to the control of the use of water in meat products in the course of the committee's current review of the meat products regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making to support the 1978 potato crop.

It now seems certain that an EEC regime will not be introduced in time to apply to the 1978 crop. In the circumstances the Government have, following discussions with the interests concerned, decided to continue the existing guarantee arrangements for the forthcoming crop year. The guaranteed price for 1978–79 will be £44·64 per ton.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Council of Ministers (Agriculture) meeting in Luxembourg on 19th-20th June.

I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting assisted by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary.There was an exchange of views on the main outstanding problems arising on the draft Common Market regulation on potatoes. I emphasised the need for provisions enabling the United Kingdom to operate a regional price stabilisation scheme. The Commission undertook to consider this in its re-examination of the proposals.The Council also discussed a Common Market organisation for sheepmeat. I questioned the necessity for a sheepmeat regime but said that if there had to be a common measure, the Commission's market-related proposals perhaps offered a reasonable starting point. But I pointed out that a transitional period would be needed to avoid unnecessary disturbance to trade and prices and that adequate and continuing access for New Zealand lamb must be ensured. The Commission's proposals will now be subject to further study, which will also include other legally viable alternatives.I reminded the Commission of the need for urgent action to change the coefficients used in calculating monetary compensatory amounts on bacon and other processed pigmeat. The Commission confirmed that it has in hand the study which it promised to undertake during the price negotiations and also that proposals will be made shortly for the reduction of mcas on some processed products exported by the United Kingdom, including confectionery, cakes and biscuits.In a discussion on progress in the GATT trade negotiations, I supported the Commission's efforts to secure a multilateral agreement on dairy products which would include arrangements for continuing access for New Zealand cheese to the United Kingdom market.I also raised the question of EEC policy concerning the export of live animals for slaughter. The Commission said that it was pressing ahead urgently with work on a further Community directive which develops in detail the provisions of the Council of Europe convention on the protection of animals during international transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many gold and silver hoards have been notified to the coroners' courts since 1968; and, of these, how many have subsequently been deemed treasure trove.

A total of 274 inquests on treasure were held in coroners' courts in England and Wales from 1968 to 1977. 91 finds were declared treasure trove, 68 of these being hoards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the expenditure by each local authority in England and Wales on in-service education for teachers in 1977–78.

I regret that this information is not currently available. A survey of the extent of in-service and induction training is being carried out by my Department in co-operation with the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further help she is prepared to offer the City of Birmingham Art Gallery in its need to raise £77,500 by 11th July in order to secure the second Canaletto painting of Warwick Castle.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave to his Question on 3rd April.—[Vol. 947, c. 54.] Since then my noble Friend has accepted the recommendation of the reviewing committee on the export of works of art that the export licence be suspended for a further two months, and the director of the Victoria and Albert Museum has also offered a further sum of £30,000 from the museum's fund, thus making a total contribution of £167,500 this year from central Government funds.The two pictures, which are magnificent, are on show at the National Gallery, which is mounting an appeal for them which has begun very well.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what number of complaints have been made to her under Part III, Section 22–23 of the Sex Discrimination Act.

Thirty-four.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response her Department has had so far to its discussion document "Higher Education in the 1990s"; and if she will make a statement.

My Department has so far received about 120 written responses to the discussion document.Those bodies which my Department expressly invited to comment on the document were asked for their preliminary views by 1st June. A few of them have not been able to meet this deadline for a number of reasons, but I expect them all to have submitted comments by the summer.The Government have not yet reached any decisions about their higher education policies for the coming decade. It is our aim to do so after considering all the views expressed by the widest possible range of persons and organisations, not just those active in higher education. I hope that no one with an interest in higher education will neglect the present opportunity to contribute to this process.

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

The numbers of Statutory Instruments laid before the House under my authority since the beginning of 1974, when the Department of Energy was set up, are as follows:

1974	37
1975	53
1976	65
1977	52
1st January 1978 to 15th June 1978	11

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the intended locations for the increased research on alternative sources of energy.

The programmes of research into alternative sources of energy comprise a large number of projects carried out by individual firms, universities or other organisations which have the particular type of expertise or experience necessary. They are widely dispersed. Contracts for the recently announced increased programmes of research have not yet been placed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of people who have been recruited to, and resigned from, the Metropolitan Police Force between 1st January and 1st June 1978.

578 were recruited and 548 resigned before being entitled to retire.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the group known as the Hungarians, recently sentenced for robbery and forgery, had previously been allowed to settle and remain in the United Kingdom.

The immigration status of the foreign members of this group is currently being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend Section 19 of the Equal Opportunities Act so as to allow women to have the same rights as men in appointments within ecclesiastical bodies.

No. During the passage of the legislation, the Government made it clear that they did not wish to interfere in doctrinal issues.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many defendants were granted bail in 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977; how many in each year failed to surrender their bail; and how many in each year committed further offences while on bail.

National figures are not available on the number of persons who failed to surrender to bail and the number who committed offences whilst on hail. Figures for England and Wales of persons committed on bail for trial at the Crown court are published annually in the Criminal Statistics. No information is yet available for 1977. The total number of persons remanded by magistrates courts during proceedings relating to "standard list" offences—that is, indictable offences and some of the more serious non-indictable offences—and whose last remand was on bail are given in the following table:

Year	Last Remand (Number of persons) on bail
1970	109,000*
1974	190,000
1975	227,000
1976	251,000
* Aged 17 or over only.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he is delaying his decision in regard to the proposed new byelaws stipulating a uniform speed limit, excluding water ski-ing areas, on the River Deben; and when this is likely to be forthcoming.

Consultation between the Suffolk Coastal District Council and the Home Office on a draft of the proposed byelaws was completed last month. If the council makes the byelaws and submits them to me for confirmation, I will consider them in the light of any objections that I receive, and will give my decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions and convictions have occurred in the last year as a result of the provisions of the Sunday Observance Act 1780 concerning limitations on entertainment after midnight on Saturday.

There were seven persons prosecuted and subsequently convicted of offences against Section I of the Sunday Observance Act 1780 in England and Wales in 1976, the latest year for which figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to seek to amend the Sunday Observance Act 1780.

At present, none.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals or organisations have sought advice from his Department about the legality of events planned for the next New Year's Eve; and what replies he has sent.

Fifteen letters—including 10 from Members of this House—and a few telephone inquiries have been received about dancing on New Year's Eve 1978. Inquirers have been told that the Sunday Observance Act 1780 prohibits dancing on a Sunday but that the prohibition does not apply where the public are admitted without charge or where admission is restricted to members of a bona fide club.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has issued to chief constables concerning the enforcement of the Sunday Observance Act 1780 in respect of social functions to be held on New Year's Eve.

I have issued no advice on the particular point to which my hon. Friend refers. The Home Office consolidated circular to the police on crime and kindred matters, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, draws attention to the statement by the then Attorney-General in the House in May 1951 in which he said that he assumed that chief officers of police would take the view that proceedings in cases arising from the Sunday Observance Act could best be brought by private persons rather than by the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, since 1974, the two prisoners believed to have links with loyalist organisations connected with the situation in Northern Ireland, who were transferred temporarily to a prison in Northern Ireland to receive visits from relatives, were category A prisoners; how long they spent in Northern Ireland; whether they remained there permanently; and what was their categorisation.

Both prisoners were in category A when they were temporarily transferred to a prison in Northern Ireland to receive visits in 1974 and they stayed there for 27 days and 23 days respectively. The first prisoner was permanently transferred to Northern Ireland in 1975; the second, who was downgraded to category B in 1976, continues to serve his sentence in England but was recently temporarily transferred for visits again for a period of 29 days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total numbers of prisoners receiving visits under more closely supervised conditions than other prisoners; how many of these prisoners are Irish Republican prisoners; and, of the remaining number, how many are temporarily in this category for the foreseeable future.

84 prisoners have their visits in closely supervised conditions in the interests of security, and of these 71 are thought to have Republican links. The need for individual prisoners to have visits under these conditions is regularly reviewed and it is impossible to say how long particular prisoners will be subject to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, at Wakefield Prison, there is a need to place the partition between the tables when Irish Republican prisoners have visitors; whether there is any prohibition against physical contact between prisoners and visitors during visits; and, if it is necessary for the semi-screened conditions to exist, whether it is also necessary to put prison officers in the room at the same time as the visits take place.

When visits take place at Wakefield to prisoners who for security reasons need to have their visits especially closely supervised, a partition below the table and extending less than a foot above the table separates the visitor and the prisoner. The purpose is to make it more difficult for unauthorised articles to be passed unobserved. The partition does not remove the need for the visits to be in the sight and hearing of a prison officer. Prisoners and their visitors are allowed to embrace at the beginning and end of visits held under these conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he proposes to take to ensure that all those young people leaving school in Ormskirk and Kirkby in 1978 find suitable employment.

The full resources of the careers service are available to help school leavers in Ormskirk and Kirkby to find suitable employment. In addition, the Government have asked the Manpower Services Commission to ensure that no school leaver who is still unemployed the Easter after he leaves school remains without the offer of a suitable place in the youth opportunities programme. The area boards which cover Ormskirk and Kirkby are now finalising plans for provision of opportunities in their areas which will ensure that this condition is met.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many new jobs he estimates could be created for a sum of £8 million, using the various mechanisms at his disposal.

The relevant special employment measures to support new jobs for which I am responsible are designed to provide temporary employment opportunities for the unemployed through the special temporary employment programme and to provide temporary support for expansions in employment through the small firms employment subsidy. Assuming that the £8 million was divided equally between these two schemes, the number of new jobs supported would be about 9,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) to the nearest convenient date, what has been the cost of the temporary employment subsidy over the past 12 months in supporting jobs in the aerospace manufacturing and repairing industry (as defined under Minimum List Heading 383);(2) to the nearest convenient date, what has been the cost of the temporary employment subsidy over the past 12 months in supporting jobs in the radio, radar and electronic capital goods industry (as defined under Minimum List Heading 367);(3) to the nearest convenient date, what has been the cost of the temporary employment subsidy over the past 12 months in supporting jobs in the ordnance and small arms industry (defined under Minimum List Heading 370);(4) to the nearest convenient date, what has been the cost of the temporary employment subsidy over the past 12 months in supporting jobs in the scientific instruments and systems industry (as defined under Minimum List Heading 354);(5) to the nearest convenient date, what has been the cost over the past 12 months of supporting jobs in the radio and electronic components industry (as defined under Minimum List Heading 364) through the use of the temporary employment subsidy.

I regret that the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information on the distribution by industry of TES applications is only available on the basis of standard industrial classification orders and not by minimum list headings.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, to the nearest convenient date, what has been the cost of the temporary employment subsidy over the past 12 months in supporting jobs in the shipbuilding and marine engineering Industry (as defined under Minimum List Heading 370).

I regret that information is not available in the precise form requested. In the 12-month period to 31st March 1978, applications in respect of 896 jobs in the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry—Standard Industrial Classification Order—were approved at an estimated total gross cost of £660,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many apprenticeships were notified in the Medway towns in the years 1974 to 1977 inclusive; and what is the anticipated number in 1978.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware that, under the present system of recording unemployment statistics, it is often the case that figures cannot be obtained for parliamentary constituencies or district council areas; and whether he will arrange for every unemployed person to be allocated a reference letter of the alphabet identifying the parish of residence, and for the parish statistics to be collated on (a) a constituency, and (b) district council basis.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what studies are being undertaken to develop inactivated vaccines which do not need to be kept at specially low temperatures for use in developing countries; and if she will make a statement.

The National Institute of Biological Standards and Control and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine are both working on the development of inactivated vaccines and the improvement of stability in vaccines against measles and poliomyelitis. Studies are also continuing, under the auspices of the World Health Organisation, on the use of inactivated Salk poliomyelitis vaccine in the tropics. On the evidence presently available, inactivated vaccines are unlikely to provide effective immunity against tuberculosis, measles, German measles and mumps.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will make a further statement on the developments in the research at Harwell on a cold chain for poliomyelitis vaccine, measles vaccine and vaccines used in animal husbandry.

The Atomic Energy Research Establishment, working in close liaison with the World Health Organisation, has just completed a feasibility study to consider the best pattern for the design and operation of an improved portable refrigerated vaccine container. Equipment necessary for testing vaccine containers has been built, and this will allow experimental work on prototype containers to be undertaken once my advisers have considered the proposals in the study and made their recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representation he has received about the level of tariffs applied to import of wet fish, and in particular cod and haddock, from Norway; and why these tariffs should be at a higher rate than for fish from Iceland and other non-EEC countries.

Several hon. Members have drawn my attention to an aide memoire prepared by Norwegian fishing interests. This refers to the lower duties charged in the EEC on fish from certain unspecified third countries, presumably Iceland, compared with those charged on Norwegian fish. Decisions concerning concessionary rates of customs duty are matters for the EEC Council, but the lower tariff rates for Icelandic fish reflect the negotiating requirements for the EEC/Iceland Agreement. The Council recently decided temporarily to reduce the duties on certain species of fish, including cod and haddock, intended for the processing industry, for the second half of 1978. These reductions will, of course, apply to Norwegian fish.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade on how many occasions in recent years, to his knowledge, manufactures and industrial equipment have been exchanged with foreign countries on the basis of the consignor or a company associated in the transaction receiving crude oil in payment; and whether any corporation for which he is responsible has been or is contemplating such an arrangement.

To my knowledge, there have not been any deals of this nature and none are being contemplated by United Kingdom corporations for which my right hon. Friend is responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to limit the size of oil tankers allowed to enter British waters, and to ensure that such tankers carry adequate protection against oil spills.

I am not persuaded that it is desirable to limit the size of oil tankers. This would increase the number of tankers required to carry the same amount of oil and, by adding to traffic congestion, could increase the risk of tanker casualties and in consequence that of oil pollution.It is not practical for a tanker to carry collated on (

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what account he took in arriving at his policy on industrial democracy of its success in some cases in Germany and the Netherlands.

In preparing the White Paper on industrial democracy the Government were well aware of the successful development of employee participation in other European countries, including the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what evidence he has that efficiency in the use of the resources of the United Kingdom will improve if large firms put industrial democracy into effect, as recommended in the White Paper on industrial democracy.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his previous Question on this subject on 13th June 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report the reasons for advocating in the White Paper on industrial democracy that large firms should have to consult a joint representation committee before making decisions affecting the workers in any way.

The reasons for encouraging consultation with employees about major proposals which affect them are set out in paragraph 1 of Cmnd. 7231, and the need for a joint representation committee in paragraphs 11 and 12.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report the reason for recommending in the White Paper on industrial democracy that large firms and not small ones should be required to engage in worker representation on the policy-making boards of the company.

Greater participation by employees is of benefit in all companies, but it is in the larger companies rather than smaller ones that formal structures are likely to be necessary to ensure that consultation and participation are fully effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report a description of the process which will be used to select the employee representatives who, according to the latest White Paper on industrial democracy, will have seats on industries policy boards.

Cmnd. 7231 makes it clear, in paragraphs 33 to 38, that the method of selection remains to be decided in the light of further consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what persons or groups will be held responsible for designing the four to eight week courses that will provide employee representatives in large firms with the skills needed to do a good job of influencing company policy decisions.

Cmnd. 7231 stated in paragraph 49 that the details of the necessary education and training will he discussed with those most directly concerned. No decision has been taken about which body will be responsible for devising the necessary courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report the reasons for proposing in the White Paper on industrial democracy that membership in the joint representative committee and company policy boards should be confined to members of trade unions.

Since the Government intend that their proposals for industrial democracy should complement existing collective bargaining arrangements, non-union members should participate in the JRC only by agreement. Alternative approaches to representation on policy boards are discussed in paragraphs 33 to 38 of Cmnd. 7231 and decisions will be taken in the light of consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in his discussions on future air travel agreements, he will take steps to remedy the disparity between the cost of an advance booking charter fare to Los Angeles of £159 and an advance purchase excursion fare to Australia and New Zealand of betwen £450 and £630.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer that I gave to the Question from the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 19th June. The distances to Australia and New Zealand are, of course, much greater.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many private security companies, contract security managers, installers and maintainers of alarms, locks, safes and other security equipment, and private investigators, have gone bankrupt or into liquidation in each year since 1970.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make available details of distribution by the British Film Fund—the Eady levy.

Yes. In concert with the British Film Fund Agency, I have consulted widely on this question and find that, in general, the proposal finds favour. Accordingly, I have decided that details of the amounts distributed in respect of individual films from the beginning of the next Eady year—25th September 1978—will be published at regular intervals. My Department will be announcing, later this year, precise details of the form of publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what inquiries he has received from the London branch of the Inland Waterways Association concerning the implementation of the Fraenkel Report on waterway maintenance; and what reply has been sent.

The hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey (Sir A. Royle) forwarded to me on 9th June a copy of a letter he had received from the chairman of the London branch of the Inland Waterways Association. I have today sent him a reply explaining the real difficulties for pay policy and for longer term financing policies involved in the BWB's proposed approach to the first stage of implementation of the Fraenkel Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the buildings of Billingsgate market are listed as being of architectural and historical interest; if in that context he is aware of any redevelopment proposals; and, if not, if he will give consideration to their being so listed.

None of the buildings used for market activities at Billingsgate is listed as being of special architectural or historic interest; and I have received no advice from my advisory bodies that they should be listed.I understand that in connection with the proposed relocation of the fish market the City Corporation is considering the future of the site now occupied by the Billingsgate market building but I know of no firm proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Local Government Boundary 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.

Total expenditure for the year 1977–78 was £306,500. Projected costs for 1978–79 are £390,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of running the Local Government Staff Commission for England 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 Local Government Staff Commission for England went out of existence at the end of 1976. Its offices had been closed in 1974. In the year 1977–78 there was residual expenditure of £2,692. Projected residual expenditure for 1978–79 is £100.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement about the current intentions with regard to all the buildings on the site originally earmarked for new parliamentary offices;(2) if he will make a statement about the current intentions with regard to the renovation, maintenance and future use of 1, Bridge Street, Westminster.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Services Committee's Fifth Report (HC 1977–78 483). I am considering the implications for this Department in so far as this is possible before the House has reached a conclusion on the recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many public lavatories his Department administers; and how many of these have facilities for the disabled.

There are 99 public lavatories administered directly by the Department of which 22 have special facilities for the disabled. In addition, the Department provides 84 toilets for the public in the national museums and galleries and 388 in local offices of Government Departments; of these 20 and 139 respectively currently have facilities for the disabled.When new lavatories are provided the needs of the disabled are always borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to set up a navigation authority for the River Derwent, so as to secure the development, maintenance and management of the navigation for use by the public.

No. I understand that discussions are proceeding between interested parties on the best way in which the various possible uses of the River Derwent can be satisfied. I think this is a matter which should be resolved locally.

asked the Secretary to State for Transport how much was spent per mile on roads in England in the last year for which figures are available.

About £7,850 per mile of road in use at 1st April 1977 for the financial year 1976–77.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations have been received from the paper industry with regard to the draft Drivers' Hours (Harmonisation with Community Rules) Regulations 1978; and what reply he has sent.

The British Paper and Board Industry Federation has written to my Department regretting the proposal to retain British duty limits in conjunction with EEC limits on driving time. The reply has noted the federation's views but referred to the recognised social benefit of duty limits.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what direction, advice or guidance he has given to local authorities regarding the provision of off-street car parking; what are the guidelines concerning charges; what has been the response; and whether he is satisfied that present arrangements are satisfactory.

Advice about the provision of off-street parking is included in the Department's annual circulars on transport supplementary grant submissions. Authorities are recommended to impose charges which will cover both operating costs and loan charges, and we are satisfied that most of the mare setting charges in accordance with this advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the estimated cost of road accidents in Great Britain in 1977, broken down into lost output, police and administration costs, medical and ambulance costs, damage to property, and an allowance for loss in human terms; and what would be the estimated effect on these costs of implementing the recommendations of the Leitch Committee report concerning the valuation of accidents;(2) what was the estimated average cost per road accident in Great Britain in 1977 broken down into fatal accidents, serious accidents, slight accidents and accidents which caused damage only; and what would be the estmated effect on these costs of implementing the recommendations of the Leitch Committee report concerning the valuation of accidents.

The provisional estimated costs of road accidents in Great Britain in 1977 are shown below. These values include the increase of 50 per cent. in the notional allowance for pain, grief and suffering recommended by the Leitch Committee pending further study and consultation about this allowance. Revised medical and ambulance costs have been included. The effect of these changes has been to increase the total costs by about £120 million. The effects of the committee's recommendations that police and legal costs should be updated, and that the value of lost output should be based on average income of the population at risk are likely to be small. I cannot estimate the effect of possible changes in the notional allowance for pain, grief and suffering following further study and consultation.

£million
(June 1977 prices)
Lost output	284
Police and administration costs	75
Medical and ambulance costs	42
Damage to property	542
Notional allowance for pain, grief and suffering	347
Total, all costs	1,290

ACCIDENT RATES BY TYPE OF AREA—GREAT BRITAIN, 1977
Per 100 million vehicle kilometers
					Fatal	Serious	Slight	All Severities
M and A(M) Roads*	…	…	…	…	0·7	4	10	15
Built-up areas†	…	…	…	…	2·8	37	121	161
Non Built-up areas†	…	…	…	…	2·2	18	31	51
All Roads‡	…	…	…	…	2·3	26	73	101
* All accidents on M and A(M) roads divided by kilometres covered by vehicles permitted to use these roads.
† Excluding M and A(M) roads, all accidents divided by kilometres travelled on these roads by all vehicles.
‡ Includes unknown type of area.
Note: The 1977 traffic figures, used for calculating the accident rates quoted above, are subject to revision.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what were the rates of vehicle involvement in road accidents per 100 million vehicle kilometres in Great Britain in 1977 for motor-cycles, cars and taxis, goods vehicles of less than one and

VEHICLE INVOLVEMENT RATES IN INJURY ACCIDENTS: BY CLASS OF VEHICLE—GREAT BRITAIN, 1977
Per 100 million vehicle kilometers
	Fatal	Serious	Slight	All Severities
Motor cycles*	23·8	355	808	1,187
Cars and Taxis	2·7	31	96	130
Buses and Coaches	10·3	71	355	437
Goods vehicles not over 1½ tons unladen weight	2·8	29	88	119
Goods vehicles over 1½ tons unladen weight	4·9	26	59	90
All motor vehicles	3·6	40	115	159
Pedal cycles	8·1	127	472	607
All vehicles	3·6	41	121	166
* Includes mopeds and motor scooters.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what were the road accident rates per 100 million vehicle kilometres in Great Britain in 1977 on motorways and A(M) roads, in built-up areas, in non-built-up areas and on all roads.

The information is as follows:a half tons unladen weight, goods vehicles of over one and a half tons unladen weight, buses and coaches, all motor vehicles, pedal cycles and all vehicles.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the estimated percentage of households which owns cars and the total number of households in each region of the United Kingdom in 1977.

The best available information was given in a Written Answer to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Sillars) in December 1977. —[Vol. 940, c. 720.]Other information about car ownership is published in "Transport Statistics, Great Britain".

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why several miles of the M40 between Stokenchurch and Wycombe was reduced to single-line traffic on Monday 19th June when there was no visible sign of any roadwork activity.

This length of motorway is regularly used by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, with the agreement of the authorities concerned, to test road surface materials with the aims of reducing the cost of motorway maintenance and improving road safety. One carriageway was closed on 19th June between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to carry out measurements of surface texture.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will hold an inquiry into the administration of the child benefit centre at Washington, and publish the results of such inquiry; and if he will now publish the number of complaints received about this department in the last 12 months.

No. During the last 12 months there have been 1,433 cases, raised through hon. Members or the media or directly by claimants to child benefit, which were treated as formal complaints. In nearly one-third of these cases the Child Benefit Centre was not considered to be at fault. No record is available of the larger number of cases in which claimants have included some criticism in correspondence with the centre, the question generally being settled to the satisfaction of the claimant.Child benefit operations are being closely monitored with a view to reducing complaints to a minimum, but the level of complaints should be seen against the scale of operations. The centre maintains payments for over 7 million families with over 13½ million children, involving during the last 12 months the issue of 8 million order books and the return or recall of 1½ million order books. Over the same period, 825,000 new claims have been received and over 800,000 children have left school. Since January the centre has also taken over the administration of million payments of child benefit increase to one-parent families.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of paying child benefit to parents of children in the care of a local authority, who do not get a boarding-out allowance, for any week in which the child spends a complete day at home.

Child benefit is payable where a child in care normally returns home for at least a complete day each week. Payment may also be made for longer periods at home of at least a complete—child benefit—week and also for part-weeks at the begninning or end of the visit provided there is a complete week in between. It is not possible to estimate the number of other short visits home of at least a complete day for which child benefit is not payable, or, therefore, the cost of paying child benefit in these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many parents do not receive child benefit for a child because that child is in the care of the local authority; and how many of these parents are losing part of their child tax allowance as a result of the phasing in of the child benefit scheme.