asked the Secretary of State for Defence what mileage rate is paid to members of the RAF for the use of their private cars in the course of duty; how much lower this is than the rate paid to civil servants and hon. Members; and why it is not at the same level.

There are two rates of motor mileage allowance paid to members of the RAF who use their private cars in the course of duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by what date he expects work to commence on building new single quarters at RAF Boulmer.

Work on redevelopment of the domestic site, including the single quarters, is planned to start in April 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many penetrations of the United Kingdom Air Defence Region have taken place in each of the last five years; on how many occasions RAF aircraft have been scrambled; how many interceptions have occurred; and if he will place in the Library a diagram outlining Soviet military aircraft movements within the United Kingdom Air Defence Region in 1977.

I am not prepared to publish detailed statistics, but on average we choose to intercept two or three aircraft in the United Kingdom Air Defence Region each week.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the gross tonnage of the Royal Navy and the Soviet Navy currently; and what were the comparable figures for 1950, 1960 and 1970.

A comparison based on total tonnages alone is misleading in that it does not accurately reflect Fleet capabilities, but the current total full load displacements of the Soviet Navy and the Royal Navy—excluding ships smaller than mine counter-measures vessels—are approximately 3,000,000 and 600,000 tonnes respectively. Comparative figures for previous years could not be compiled without disproportionate effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the increase in numbers of tanks deployed within the areas covered by the mutual balanced force reduction talks since those talks began (a) by NATO, (b) by the USSR and (c) by other Warsaw Pact countries.

I regret that it is not the usual practice to publish details of NATO force strengths. Since 1973 we estimate that Warsaw Pact main battle tanks deployed in the area covered by the MBFR talks have increased by the order of 1,000, about half of this increase being Soviet.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence from international sources available to him, what has been the increase in numbers of strategic nuclear missiles deployed (a) by the United States of America and (b) by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics since 1967.

Taking the figures published by the International Institute of Strategic Studies, the United States strategic missile force has remained constant in number over the period—at 1,710 —whereas the Soviet Union's ICBM and SLBM force has increased from around 600 to 2,400 systems. But taking into account all factors in the strategic equation—including air-launched systems and the number of independently targetted warheads per missile—there is a broad parity between the two Powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers and men left the Armed Forces of the Crown during the first four months of 1978; what were the equivalent figures for the first four months of 1977 and 1976; and whether he is satisfied with the present strength of the Armed Forces.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 22nd May 1978; Vol. 950, c. 1325–6], gave the following information:The number of officers and men who left the Services during the first four months of 1978 was 15,330. The equivalent figures for 1976 and 1977 were 14,735 and 14,699 respectively. The trained strength of all three Services continues to be generally in line with present requirements and I remain confident that the Services are able to meet their commitments.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the appointments to the British National Oil Corporation that he has approved since he became Secretary of State for Energy; and what background secured their appointment.Dr. Mabon: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18th May 1976.—[Vol 911, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the level of coal production in terms of tonnes of coal per employee for each year since 1970 in each current member State of the EEC. the United States of America and Japan.

The figures for Europe are in the Annual Bulletins of Coal Statistics for Europe. Comparable information is not readily available for the United States of America and Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for an exhibition of art by Members of both Houses to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I have arranged with the authorities of the House for this exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 10th July to 21st July 1978. I am grateful to the hon. Member for his efforts in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names of the research projects which are currently being financed by the Noise Advisory Council; and what is the cost of each one to public funds.

The following research projects are currently being financed by this Department on the recommendation of the Noise Advisory Council:

ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF PROJECT
Pilot study for a social survey in the Heathrow area on attitudes to air-craft noise:	£4,100
Survey in discotheques etc. to determine whether regular attendance can cause permanent hearing damage:	£11,590
Darlington Quiet Town Experiment (including preliminary and follow-up surveys):	£25,000
TOTAL	£40,690

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what funds he has allocated to local authorities and other bodies to help with the problems of dampness and condensation in council housing; and whether he will consider the extension of the successful Scottish scheme to the rest of the United Kingdom.

No funds have been allocated to deal specifically with dampness and condensation. Local authorities are able to use their general housing allocations according to their own local priorities. I am giving urgent consideration to heating problems arising in public sector housing of which condensation is one important aspect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is yet in a position to make further funds available to Southampton University to enable it to continue its researches into the effects of dredging in the Solent upon the coastlines of Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

No funds have been allocated by this Department to Southampton University to carry out research into the effects of dredging in the Solent. The Department's limited research funds which are used for a variety of projects having a likely national application are already fully committed. I understand Southampton University is taking part in a project relating to the effects of dredging on the coastline of the Isle of Wight which is being financed by other bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the evaluation basis for the rateable value of domestic property is the same in England as it is in Wales.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the Property Services Agency is making over finding a location for a skillcentre in the north-west Glasgow area; and if he is aware that a prime site for a skill-centre is available on the Cowl airs industrial estate.

The Cowlairs industrial estate is one of several locations in the Glasgow area which the Property Services Agency has identified as likely to be suitable for a skillcentre. These locations will shortly be looked at jointly with the Training Services Agency of the Manpower Services Commission with whom responsibility for final selection rests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Camden Borough Council about his refusal to designate the borough under the Inner Urban Areas Bill; and what consideration he is giving to these representations.

I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average length of time which his Department took to process applications for loan sanctions through local authorities in 1976, 1977 and 1978 to date; and if he will make a statement.

It is not possible to generalise about this. The procedures involved in considering applications for loan sanction and the amount of discussions needed with local authorities before loan sanction can be given vary according to the service involved and the nature of the application. In a growing proportion of cases a block loan sanction is given annually to finance expenditure on a programme without the need for specific loan sanction.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he is making for a full and informed debate on the regional highway traffic model; and if he will give a guarantee that all those who provided oral and written evidence to the Leitch Committee will be invited to take part in every stage of this full and informed debate.

Highway traffic modelling is a complex subject and we regard it as essential that there should be extensive opportunities for those with relevant knowledge and expertise to contribute to the debate on the Regional Highway Traffic Model. As a first step, a conference was held on 21st and 22nd June to which about 300 academics and others professionally concerned with the subject were invited. The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment will be asked to advise. We shall then consider the arrangements for further consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied that the safety regulations controlling the transport of chemicals on the roads of Wales are adequately enforced and observed.

The situation in Wales is the same as in England. Observance and enforcement are not unsatisfactory but further improvement is desirable. The Health and Safety Commission is preparing regulations which would extend control and clarify some areas of uncertainty in the powers of enforcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the approximate number of tourists who have visited during the past 10 years (a) St. Christopher, (b) Nevis and (c) Anguilla.

The British Government have no responsibility for the internal affairs of the Associated States and do not keep figures for numbers of tourists visiting St. Kitts and Nevis. In the case of Anguilla which is administered by the British Government under the Anguilla (Constitution) Order 1976 the following statistics for the numbers of visitors to Anguilla, including travelling Anguillians, are available:

1972	4,184
1973	4,126
1974	4,457
1975	4,125
1976	3,758
1977	5,162

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of the licence under which life prisoners are released on parole.

Every life sentence prisoner released on licence is initially required, under the terms of his licence, to place himself under the supervision of a probation officer nominated for that purpose; to keep in touch with the probation officer in accordance with that officer's instructions; to receive visits, if required, from the probation officer at the address where he is living; and to notify the probation officer of changes of address and employment. These conditions have been agreed with the Parole Board in accordance with the provisions of Sections 61(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 1967. Additional conditions, which are also agreed with the Board, may be added in individual cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases in the last 10 years a life prisoner released on parole committed a further crime which itself could attract a life sentence; and when any such cases occurred.

So far as is known, during the years 1968–77 inclusive 10 persons who had been released on licence from sentences of life imprisonment were convicted of such offences committed while they were at liberty. Details are as follows:

Year	Number again sentenced to life imprisonment	Number sentenced to determinate periods of imprisonment
1968	—	—
1969	—	1
1970	1	—
1971	—	—
1972	—	1
1973	1	—
1974	—	2
1975	—	—
1976	1	1
1977	1	1

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners there are at present serving life sentences in Her Majesty's pri sons; and how many of these are held at present in open prisons.

On 30th April 1978, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers for England and Wales were 1,366 and 64 respectively. These figures include persons detained during Her Majesty's pleasure under Section 53(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 or for life under Section 53(2) of that Act but not persons who had previously been released on licence and subsequently recalled to prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases, in each of the last five years, where a life prisoner was released on licence the trial judge made a recommendation as to the minimum length of the sentence that should be served; and in how many such cases the trial judge's recommendations were not followed.

The court's statutory power to recommend a minimum period of detention for a life sentence prisoner applies only to cases of murder.During the years 1973–77, inclusive, no persons in respect of whom such recommendations had been made were released on licence. Three have been released this year, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and, where he was available, the trial judge. They were detained for periods shorter than those recommended.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to re-issue in one document the Judges' Rules and Administrative Directions to the police and the related Home Office circulars.

The document has been published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office today. Copies are available in the Vote Office, and in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total work force of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on 31st December 1977; and what was the full amount of salaries paid out to all employees during that year.

This information is not available in the form requested, but the present work force of the Executive is about 4,200 persons, and the amount paid in salaries and wages for the financial year ending 31st March 1978 was £15·75 million.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development when she proposes to make available to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees the contribution of £750,000 announced in the House on 6th June to his appeal on behalf of those refugees who have crossed from Burma into Bangladesh.

Parliamentary approval to this service is being sought in the Summer Supplementary Estimates for the Overseas Aid Vote. Pending that approval the necessary expenditure will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many bodies within the criteria that qualified bodies to be included in the 1976 edition of "A Directory of Paid Public Appointments Made by Ministers", have come into being since that directory was published; and what those bodies are.

23 such bodies have come into being since the 1976 edition of the "Directory of Paid Public Appointments Made by Ministers" was compiled. They are:

• Agricultural Dwelling-House Advisory Committees.
• Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration Tribunal.
• British Aerospace.
• British National Oil Corporation.
• British Shipbuilders.
• Commission for Racial Equality.
• Committee on Dental and Surgical Materials.
• Construction Industry Manpower Board.
• Detergents and Allied Products—Voluntary Scheme. Scruntiny Group.
• Development Board for Rural Wales.
• Development Team for the Mentally Handicapped.
• Economic Council, Northern Ireland.
• Electricity Consumers' Council.
• Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland.
• Fair Employment Agency.
• Health Services Board.
• Labour Relations Agency.
• Lay Observer for Scotland.
• Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission.
• New Towns Staff Commission.
• Northern Ireland Development Agency.
• Police Complaints Board.
• Police Complaints Board, Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service, for each volume of a report or minutes of evidence of a public session of a Select Committee printed in the current Session to date, what period of time elapsed between a final draft being sent for printing and the printed report being delivered to the Palace of Westminster.

In view of its considerable size I am arranging for the information requested by my hon. Friend to be placed in the Library. The table provided lists the volumes of reports or minutes of evidence printed in the current Session indicating the dates when copy and Press proofs were received by the printers and dates published.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reductions there have been in 1976–77 and 1977–78 in the total number of persons employed in National Health Service administration; and by what means such reductions have been achieved.

Between September 1976 and September 1977 the total number of administrative and clerical staff employed in the NHS in England is estimated to have increased slightly from 98,507 to about 99,000—provisional—while the number of medical staff engaged on administrative duties fell from 765 to 685. Comparable figures are not yet available for administrative nursing staff. Precise staffing figures are not yet available for 1978: but the overall proportion of total expenditure devoted to management dropped from 5·7 per cent. in 1976 to 5·3 per cent. in 1978 and there has been a reduction of over 2,700 management posts during that period.Indications are that this reduction has been made possible by a streamlining of the management process, and by the diversion of resources towards direct administrative support for patient care; and that it has been achieved by natural wastage and redeployment, without redundancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what circumstances supplementary benefit claimants are interviewed in a locked room; and in what circumstances supplementary benefit claimants are kept locked up until police arrive.

Supplementary benefit claimants are not interviewed in locked rooms, though in many offices special interviewing rooms away from the main interviewing areas are fitted with yale-type locks, for reasons of security and privacy, so that they can be freely opened from inside but not from outside. Departmental instructions to staff lay down that no attempt must be made to prevent a claimant from leaving an office if he wishes. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the ratio of administrative to medical staff in the National Health Service in 1970 and each year since until the latest available date.

The ratio of administrative and clerical staff to doctors in England in each year from 1971 to 1976 was as follows:

1971	1·5:1
1972	1·5:1
1973	1·5:1
1974	1·6:1
1975	1·8:1
1976	1·8:1

Figures for 1970 are not readily available. The increase is attributable to a number of factors, including increased support for professional staff engaged directly in patient care, for example ward clerks, records and appointments clerks; development and improvement of management functions, including financial control, resource planning and personnel management; and the provision of administrative support for community health councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list: (a) the administrative cost of the family allowance/child benefit scheme, (b) the money paid out in child benefit and (c) if he will express the administrative cost as a percentage of the moneys paid out in child benefit.

It is estimated that for 1977–78

(a) the administration cost of child benefit was in the region of £40 million;

(b) child benefit paid was £875 million; and

(c) the administration costs were about 4·6 per cent. of the benefit expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute an official inquiry into the handling in Liverpool of the Darryn Clarke case, and the child's subsequent death less than a month after notification of suspected non-accidental injury.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute an official inquiry into the handling in Liverpool of the Darryn Clarke case, and the child's subsequent death less than a month after notification of suspected non-accidental injury.

I have asked the Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool Area Health Authority (Teaching) for urgent reports on the involvement of their respective services, and will consider in the light of these reports what further action is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will announce his decision about the future of Seaham Hall Hospital.

After careful consideration, I have agreed to the closure of Seaham Hall Hospital. It is neither required for its present use, for which better provision has been made, nor is it suitable for the alternative uses suggested by the organisations which were consulted over its proposed closure. Moreover the funds which would be needed to maintain it for these alternative uses are better deployed elsewhere within the area and particularly at the new Sunderland District General Hospital. I appreciate that my decision will be a great disappointment to many local people who value the attractive buildings. I am actively seeking to find a use for the premises outside the National Health Service so that they may continue to benefit the local community.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of the population are New Commonwealth immigrants in (a) Walsall and (b) each of the 14 districts and London boroughs designated other than partnership and programme authorities under the Inner Urban Areas Bill.

, pursuant to the reply [Official Report, 6th June 1978; Vol. 951, c. 104], gave the following information:The figure for Blackburn should read 3·8 per cent., not 0·5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has completed the review of the policy of withdrawing three-wheelers from people of pensionable age who received them since 1976; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has now completed the review of the policy of withdrawing invalid three-wheeled vehicles (trikes) from disabled people of pensionable age who have received them since 1976; and if he will make a statement.

All disabled people who since January 1976 have been loaned invalid three-wheelers by my Department have received them on condition that they would be surrendered at pensionable age. The Government's intention, in continuing to issue the three- wheeler after the mobility allowance had been introduced as an alternative to the vehicle, was to be as helpful as possible to out-of-phase applicants for the allowance. But it is argued that the condition has caused hardship. Several hon. Members have raised the matter with me. After careful consideration, I have now decided that the practice of withdrawing three-wheelers at pensionable age will cease forthwith. Where vehicles have already been withdrawn, the people concerned will be offered replacements if they want them and if they still satisfy the conditions of supply.My Department will continue to maintain and, where necessary, replace vehicles supplied to new applicants since 1st January 1976, as long as it is practicable to do so. As the House knows, we are planning to keep the three-wheeler fleet on the road until 1982 or 1983. But unlike beneficiaries of the pre-1976 vehicle scheme, people who received vehicles on a temporary basis after 1st January 1976, will not have reserved rights to further help when their vehicles can no longer be replaced.The decision we announced in July 1976, was to phase out the three-wheeler. It has not been supplied generally to new applicants for nearly two years. The special arrangement for supplying vehicles to out-of-phase applicants for the mobility allowance was a temporary one pending the extension of the allowance to all eligible age groups. Under the terms of a further commencement order laid before the House earlier this year, people aged up to 58 will be able to apply for the mobility allowance in September; and we expect the allowance to be fully phased-in during next year. As a corollary to the change of policy I have outlined above, three-wheelers will no longer be supplied to new applicants whose applications are received after 4th July 1978.This is the logical next step of our policy and it will enable us both to husband our existing stocks of the vehicle and maintain provision for as long as possible to those who already use it.My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will be making similar arrangements.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to report further to the answer he gave, Official Report, 29th January 1976, columns 311–12, on the implications for Government policy towards higher incomes of the report of the Royal Commission on the Distribution of Income and Wealth, Command Paper No 6383.

The Government have taken account of the analysis presented in this report in developing their policies affecting those on higher incomes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, in view of the fact that the submission to the European Commission for anti .dumping measures against imported bleached wood pulp is designed to protect the French and Belgian industries, if he can give an assurance that any duties or minimum price restrictions that might be imposed under any antidumping measure would not be applied to imports of bleached wood pulp into the United Kingdom.

I dealt with the question about duties in my reply to the hon. Member on 20th June 1978.—[Vol. 952, c. 149.]The acceptance of price undertakings is a matter for the Commission, but we have made clear to it the need to take full account of the interests of the United Kingdom paper industry, including users of bleached wood pulp.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1945 (a) the number of company bankruptcies and (b) the number of company insolvencies.

The numbers of company liquidations involving insolvency—com- pulsory liquidations and creditors' voluntary liquidations—in England and Wales begun during the relevant years are as follows:

1945	57*
1946	78*
1947	161*
1948	816
1949	1,066
1950	1,263
1951	1,027
1952	1,333
1953	1,319
1954	1,275
1955	1,169
1956	1,200
1957	1,081
1958	1,312
1959	1,294
1960	1,563
1961	1,846
1962	2,196
1963	2,154
1964	2,104
1 965	2,595
1966	3,250
1967	3,535
1968	3,165
1969	3,510
1970	3,689
1971	3,506
1972	3,063
1973	2,575
1974	3,720
1975	5,398
1976	5,939
1977	5,848
* Compulsory liquidations only. Figures for creditors' voluntary liquidations are not available for years before 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the current position regarding discussions with EEC member States to locate the European Trade Mark Office in London; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25th May to the hon. Member for Richmond (Sir A. Royle).—[Vol. 950, c. 652.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what commitments his Department has entered into with. the Romanian Government with regard to the purchasing of goods from Romania in lieu of payment for the BAC 1–11 aircraft, and aircraft parts, to be supplied to the Romanian Government by British Aerospace.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are current trends in world trade in tractors and combine har

WORLD* EXPORTS
SITC(R)			1973	1974	1975
712.5	Tractors, other than road and industrial tractors.	Value $ million	1,973	2,722	4,141
		United Kingdom percentage share	20·3	16·0	16·6
		Number thousands	488	586	657
		United Kingdom percentage share	23·8	19·0	21·1
712.2	Agricultural machinery and appliances for harvesting, threshing and sorting.	Value $ million	1,140	1,640	1,919
		United Kingdom percentage share	6·9	6·1	6·3
		Number	Not available
* World market economies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the position of New Zealand lamb imports in the light of the most recent Common Market discussion on the subject.

I made it clear at the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 19th and 20th June that if a Common Market organisation is legally necessary, it should provide for continuing imports of new Zealand lamb with no new restrictions.

Figures for world trade are not available for the most recent years nor at the level of detail requested. Following is the available information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current position in the negotiations for the recalculations of pigmeat monetary compensatory amounts.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Harrogate (Mr. Banks).—[Vol. 952, c. 253.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in forming his policy on the preservation of the whale, what account he takes of the practices and views of foreign Governments in the area.

Her Majesty's Government are represented on the International Whaling Commission and in forming their policy on whaling take account of the views expressed by the other members of the Commission and of the advice given by the Commission's scientific committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has received the report of the Coypu Strategy Group; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, and I am much indebted to Mr. Morton and his colleagues for a very full report on this vexing problem. I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House, and for the report to be supplied to all organisations and individuals who helped the group in its extensive inquiries.The report examines various options for dealing with a coypu population now estimated to be increasing rather than decreasing as had previously been supposed. It concludes that special measures will be required, over a rather larger area of East Anglia, to maintain effective control and to pave the way for eradication, which the group favours as the long-term objective and for which it recommends new forms of research. There are also some proposals for adjusting the present operational and financial arrangements; and for strengthening existing safeguards against the escape or release of other non-indigenous species.The group emphasises how important it is to sustain present public support for measures against the coypu, and with that in mind we shall be consulting fully with national and local interests concerned before reaching any conclusions on the report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) single people without children, (b) married men without children, (c) married men with children, (d) one-parent families and (e) working wives were below the tax threshold in 1977–78; and how many extra will be taken below the tax threshold in 1978–79 by the Finance Bill in its original form.

I regret that estimates of the numbers below the tax threshold in 1977–78 are not available.It is estimated that in 1978–79 the following numbers of people who would have been liable to tax in accordance with the allowances for 1977–78, are not liable as a result of the increase in the allowances proposed in the Finance Bill:

(a) single persons without children	110,000
(b) married men without children	80,000
(c) married men with children	30,000
(d) single persons with children	10,000
(e) earning wives	120,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure a decrease in the rate of taxation on the development of land in order to prevent a drop in the output of housebuilding.

My right hon. Friend does not consider such action necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the number of people with assets valued over £1 million; and how this figure compares with each of the last eight years.

I have nothing to add to my answer of 23rd March 1978.—[Vol. 986, c. 738.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the percentage decrease in the internal purchasing power of the pound in 1977 and (b) for 1977, the sum of money giving an internal purchasing power equivalent to £1 in 1946.

During 1977 the internal purchasing power of the pound, measured by the movement in the retail prices index, fell by 9·0 per cent. Long-run comparisons on this basis can only be regarded as approximations to the actual movement in prices: in these terms £6·28 in 1977 gave an internal purchasing power equivalent to £1 in 1946.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each month since March 1977 the new and old indices of the trade weighted depreciation of the £ sterling;(2) if he will publish a table showing for each member country of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development the percentage change in the trade weighted external value of its currency since mid-February 1974, arranged in descending order of appreciation.

The information requested is as follows:

(1) STERLING'S EFFECTIVE RATE INDICES SINCE MARCH 1977
	New Index	Old Index (Discontinued with effect from 1st March 1977)
1977—
End March	61·8	57·1
April	61·6	56·6
May	61·6	56·7
June	61·3	56·5
July	61·7	56·5
August	62·3	57·2
September	62·3	57·2
October	64·6	59·6
November	63·5	58·4
December	65·2	59·6
1978—
End January	66·5	609
February	65·2	59·0
March	61·8	55·7
April	61·4	55·6
May	61·4	55·8

(2) CHANGE IN EFFECTIVE RATE FOR OECD COUNTRIES*
	Percentage change mid-February 1974–21st June 1978
Switzerland	+ 56·7
Japan	+34·6
Denmark	+23·8
Austria	+23·3
Germany	+21·9
Netherlands	+ 12·0
Belgium	+8·4
France	+0·2
Norway	-3·3
Sweden	-3·7
USA	-7·8
Canada	-10·9
United Kingdom	-26·6
Australia	-29·8
Italy	-32·3
* OECD countries for which an effective rate is calculated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update, in the light of his proposed Budget changes, the figures given in the Written Answer to a Question from the honourable Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Pardoe), Official Report, 28th February, columns 187–8, concerning the percentage of total tax revenue of direct and indirect taxes.

Following my right hon. Friend's Budget proposals, direct taxes were expected to account for 49·8 per cent. of total tax revenue in 1978–79 and indirect taxes for 50·2 per cent. using the same definitions as in that answer.On the basis of the income tax amendments to the Finance Bill and the proposed increase in the national insurance surcharge the figures become 48·8 per cent. and 51·2 per cent. respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to prevent individuals being asked to guarantee bank loans on behalf of anyone other than their immediate families; and if he will seek to ensure that the liabilities of a guarantor are fully explained, in simple language, in all cases.

It would not be appropriate to restrict bank loan guarantees. While it is obviously in the interest of both parties that the guarantor should be clear as to the responsibilities he or she is undertaking, this must remain a matter for the parties concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied with the new Customs clearance procedures; and whether he will make a statement.

The new Customs clearance procedures have settled down reasonably well in most ports, but not yet in all. The position is being closely monitored. In Dover, for example, a number of problems remain and are being tackled. I shall write to the hon. and learned Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will order an immediate inquiry into the working of the new import procedure of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to improve procedure and clearance time following the introduction of the new import procedures so as to speed up free movement of goods through the ports.

The new procedures are under constant review by Customs, which will make any changes proved to be necessary. Computer processing of entries will be introduced in stages at the major ports over the forthcoming months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average time for clearance of a commercial vehicle following the introduction of the new import procedure scheme compared to the time taken before its introduction.

The information can only be obtained at disproportionate cost. It would be extremely difficult to ascertain an overall average time for all ports under the new system for the clearance of commercial vehicles and there is no comparative figure under the previous system.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of introducing the new import procedure scheme; and how much of this additional cost has been passed on to commercial users.

The new system will provide a more efficient use of resources and will lead to significant staff savings which cannot be precisely quantified at this stage. None of the transitional Departmental costs of preparation and implementation has been passed on to commercial users.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1970 for each present member State of the EEC, the United States and Japan the proportion of gross domestic product at factor cost and market prices absorbed by (a) income taxes. (b) income taxes plus indirect taxes and excise duties, (c) excise duties, (d) employee's social security contributions and (e) Government revenue as a whole.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing for each year since 1945: (a) the total number of people employed in the Inland Revenue, including temporary staff, (b) the total number of people paying direct taxes and (c) the number of Revenue employees per £1 million of income tax collected.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing in terms of 1976 constant prices for each year since 1945 (a) total Government revenue from all taxes and (b) total central Government revenue from all taxes per capita.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increase or decrease in gross domestic product at constant 1970 prices and at factor cost in each year since 1945.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1946 in terms of 1976 prices gross domestic product per capita.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average annual rate of growth in gross domestic product, adjusted for price changes in each member State of the EEC, the United States of America and Japan for the periods 1964 to 1970, 1970 to 1974 and 1974 to the latest date for which figures are available.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1945 in both current and constant 1976 prices the Budget surplus or deficit on a per capita and per family basis.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14th February to the hon Member for Leek (Mr. Knox)—[Vol. 944, c. 158–60]—showing the total public sector borrowing requirement, the total public sector borrowing requirement per household, and the total public sector borrowing requirement per capita for each year between 1963 and 1976 in terms of constant 1970 prices and constant 1976 prices. Figures are not available for earlier years, nor on a per family basis. Figures for 1977 will be published in the Official Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total

						A	B	C
						Staff effort (in man-years)*	Registered persons	Staff per £1 million collected*
31st March 1973	…	…	…	…	…	6,300	981,200†	Not applicable‡
31st March 1974	…	…	…	…	…	7,700	1,196,700	4·8
31st March 1975	…	…	…	…	…	10,500	1,223,800	4·0
31st March 1976	…	…	…	…	…	10,850	1,250,800	3·0

On revised method of calculation of staff effort:

						A	B	C
	…	…	…	…	…	Staffeffort {in man-years)*	Registered persons	Staff per £1 million collected*
31st March 1977	…	…	…	…	…	12,213	1,274,600	3·2
31st March 1978	…	…	…	…	…	12,070	1,330,400	2·9
* Figures of staff effort and staff per £1 million collected up to 1976 include car tax. Thereafter the figures are for VAT only.
† Not all persons liable to be registered with effect from 1st April 1973 had registered by 31st March.
‡ VAT and car tax were introduced with effect from 1st April 1973.

Earlier this year Her Majesty's Customs and Excise adopted a revised and improved method of attributing staff effort and costs to their activities. The main feature of the new method is that greater allowance is made for staff engaged on administrative support work. This new basis of calculation has been used to attribute staff to activities at 31st March 1977 and 1978 and provided the VAT staffing figures which I gave in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Roderick) on 16th May 1978.—[Vol. 950. c. 137.] These figures are not comparable with those previously published; nor is it practicable to apply the new method of calculation retrospectively to the introduction of VAT. The table below therefore estimates the staff effort involved in VAT on two different bases.The estimates of the total Customs and Excise star employed in connection with the administration of VAT are shown in column A below, and the approximate number of persons registered for VAT are set out in column B. Column C shows the estimated staff at 31st March each year per £1 million of VAT collected in the preceding year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual rate of growth in the economy in 1977.

The latest estimate, published on 20th June, is that the average measure of the gross domestic product rose 1 per cent. as between the years 1976 and 1977.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1945 (a) in current prices, (b)

CURRENT BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
£ million
		United Kingdom	Belgium/Luxembourg	Denmark	France	Federal Republic of Germany
1970	…	710	297	-227	124	353
1971	…	1,074	348	-174	218	360
1972	…	126	456	-25	119	299
1973	…	-883	470	-189	-282	1,782
1974	…	-3,515	389	-419	-2,540	4,191
1975	…	-1,617	318	-220	-1	1,823
1976	…	-859	-166	-1,057	-3,340	2,153
1977	…	165	ֵ944	-944	-1,859	2,205

£ million
		Ireland	Italy	Netherlands	USA	Japan
1970	…	ֵ	376	-218	982	821
1971	…	-78	838	-65	-579	2,381
1972	…	-54	906	516	-2,394	2,648
1973	…	-95	-1,024	955	2,811	-55
1974	…	-287	-3,437	881	499	-2,006
1975	…	-11	-239	746	7,984	-307
1976	…	-145	-1,581	1,337	2,607	2,037
1977	…	ֵ	ֵ	ֵ	-7,959	6,324
Sources:
United Kingdom—latest published figures.
Other countries—International Financial Statistics (June 1978 issue) figures published in US dollars converted to sterling using the average daily exchange rate for each year

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table comparing the annual average rates

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each member State of the EEC, the United States and Japan for each year since 1970 the surplus or deficit in terms of £ sterling, converted at the appropriate exchange rate, of each country's balance of payments.

The figures are as follows:of change in output per person employed in the following periods: 1964 to 1970, 1970 to 1974 to the latest date for which information is available for all current member States of the EEC, the United States and Japan.

Such compatible data as are available for the countries

OUTPUT PER HEAD OF OCCUPIED POPULATION*
Annual average rates of change (percentages)
				1964–70	1970–74	1974–76
German Federal Republic	…	…	…	+4·7	+3·5	+3·7
France	…	…	…	+4·6	+4·0	+3·6
Italy	…	…	…	+5·8	+3·7	+0·5
Netherlands	…	…	…	+4·7	+4·6	+2·1
United Kingdom†	…	…	…	+2·5	+2·5	+1·3
Irish Republic	…	…	…	ֵ	+3·5	+3·2
Belgium	…	…	…	+4·4	+3·9	·0·9‡
Luxembourg	…	…	…	+2·7	+1·8	·7·9‡
Denmark	…	…	…	+3·0	+2·5	+2·5
United States of America	…	…	…	+1·1	+1·2	+1·9
Japan	…	…	…	+8·8	+5·5	+4·1
Source:SOEC National Accounts ESA 1960–76, Table A5.
* Percentages calculated from volume indices of gross domestic product based on expenditure at constant 1970 market prices and exchange rates per head of occupied population.
† Excluding private domestic staff.
‡ Percentage change 1974–75.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish with 1974 as a base of 100 a table showing for each year since 1945 in the form of an annual index, output per person employed, indicating break periods caused by redefinitions of the index where appropriate.

The table below shows output per person employed in the United Kingdom in index number form resealed to 1974=100:

1945	ֵ
1946	ֵ
1947	ֵ
1948	56·6
1949	58·6
1950	60·2
1951	60·5
1952	60·1
1953	62·2
1954	63·8
1955	65·1
1956	65·2
1957	66·5
1958	67·0
1959	69·9
1960	72·5
1961	73·1
1962	73·8
1963	76·0
1964	79·5
1965	81·0
1966	82·3
1967	84·7
1968	88·6
1969	90·5
1970	92·4
1971	95·5
1972	97·5
1973	101·2
1974	100·0

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many dairy producers have left the industry during the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

The number of registered dairy producers in Wales fell by 8,247 in the 10 years ended December 1977. During the period the average number of cows in Welsh dairy herds increased from 20 to 35 and overall sales of milk off farms increased by 19 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons have been helped under the youth opportunities programme during the first two months of its operation in Wales.

The information is being obtained, and I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) 16 year-olds and (b) 17 year-olds in each individual local authority area in Wales were not entered for either 0 level or CSE in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what

1975–76
					School leavers	Number attempting no exams	Per cent.
Maintained Schools:
Clwyd	…	…	…	…	5,090	785	15
Dyfed	…	…	…	…	4,520	1,015	22
Gwent	…	…	…	…	6,730	1,595	23
Gwynedd	…	…	…	…	3,040	615	20
Mid Glamorgan	…	…	…	…	7,905	2,700	34
Powys	…	…	…	…	1,505	275	18
South Glamorgan	…	…	…	…	5,815	1,360	23
West Glamorgan	…	…	…	…	5,200	1,335	25
Independent and Direct Grant Grammar Schools					1,040	50	5
Wales	…	…	…	…	40,850	9,720	24

1976–77
					School leavers	Number attempting no exams	Per cent.
Maintained Schools:
Clwyd	…	…	…	…	5,315	1,020	19
Dyfed	…	…	…	…	4,690	975	21
Gwent	…	…	…	…	7,165	1,835	25
Gwynedd	…	…	…	…	3,265	390	11
Mid Glamorgan	…	…	…	…	8,405	3,005	35
Powys	…	…	…	…	1,580	240	15
South Glamorgan	…	…	…	…	6,210	1,385	22
West Glamorgan	…	…	…	…	5,845	1,545	26
Independent and Direct Grant Grammar Schools					1,075	20	1
Wales	…	…	…	…	43,550	10,415	24

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs for persons between the ages of 19 and 24 years have been approved during the first two months of the special temporary employment programme in Wales.

The Manpower Services Commission tells me that in Wales 27 applications, offering 219 places have been received. So far four of these, offering a total of 48 places, have been approved. It is not possible to say how many places will be filled by people between 19 and 24 although priority will be given to those in this age group who have been unemployed for six months or more.

Information is not available in the form requested. The tables below, which are derived from a 10 per cent. sample, show the numbers leaving maintained schools in each county in Wales in 1975–76 and 1976–77 together with the number who attempted neither GCE nor CSE examinations. Comparable data for earlier years are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) school leavers and (b) graduates are currently unemployed in Wales.

On 8th June 1978 there were 6,307 school leavers aged under 18 registered unemployed in Wales.Information on the number of unemployed graduates is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent per mile on trunk roads in each of the Welsh counties during the last year for which figures are available; what were the corresponding figures for the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

The information is as follows:

	1973·74
County	(£000s per mile)
Anglesey	9·9
Brecon	5·2
Caernarvon	13·9
Cardigan	7·1
Carmarthen	10·6
Denbigh	33·7
Flint	23·9
Glamorgan	193·2
Merioneth	10·7
Monmouth	28·2
Montgomery	4·8
Pembroke	10·2
Radnor	11·2

	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77
	(£000s per mile)
Clwyd	29·2	47·0	26·2
Dyfed	15·5	18·7	13·7
Gwent	19·7	31·4	88·6
Gwynedd	17·2	19·9	15·1
Mid Glamorgan	58·6	120·5	780·0
Powys	7·8	12·9	10·3
South Glamorgan	29·0	181·0	45·6
West Glamorgan	121·2	516·8	40·3

These figures cover trunk roads and motorways and the totals for Gwent for 1975–76 and 1976–77 and for the Glamorgan Counties for the three years 1974 to 1977 thus include expenditure on the M4. All the figures also include all expenditure on new construction and improvement, maintenance and lighting, but exclude expenditure on administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated cost of the special employment and training measures programme in the current year.

Total expenditure in Great Britain this financial year is estimated to be around £530 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the cost of special employment and training measures in Wales from April 1975 to 31st March 1978.

Figures of expenditure on special programmes are produced in the middle of each month. Up to mid-March 1978, expenditure on these programmes for which separate costs in Wales can be identified was £51 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons were covered in Wales by each of the special employment and training measures at the latest date for which figures are available in each case.

The following is the latest information available of those who have benefited from these measures:

Temporary Employment Subsidy (including supplement)	30,843
Youth Employment Subsidy	4,588
Recruitment Subsidy for School Leavers	2,529
Job Release Scheme	2,215
Small Firms Employment Subsidy	868
Job Creation Programme	15,125
Job Introduction Scheme for Disabled Persons	32
Work Experience Programme	6,012
Youth Opportunities Programme	648
Special Temporary Employment Programme	88
Total	62,948

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the acreage lost to farming in Wales during the last 10 years.

The best available assessment of the acreage of crops and grass, with rough grazings lost to farming in Wales during the 10 years to June 1977 is given in the following table:

1967–68	7,800
1968–69	15,000
1969–70	27,200
1970–71
1971–72	18,700
1972–73	5,200
1973–74	8,200
1974–75	400
1975–76	8,500
1976–77

Final figures for 1975–76 and 1976–77 are not yet available but this should not affect the result to a significant degree.