asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take to prevent the systematic subversion of the mandatory United Nations embargo on the supply of arms to South Africa by the Space Research Corporation operating through Antigua.

We are consulting urgently with the Government of Antigua with a view to ensuring that allegations made concerning the Space Research Corporation are thoroughly investigated and any necessary action taken. We are also in touch with the United States and Canadian Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Type 42 destroyer construction programme.

An order for the eleventh Type 42 destroyer was placed with Vickers Shipbuilding Group Limited today. This ship and its successors will be built to a slightly modified design. Four Type 42 destroyers are already in service with the Royal Navy and a further six are under construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the Ministry of Defence establishment at Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.

I hope to be in a position to do so shortly.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many copies of the London Gazette are distributed under normal circumstances: through the post to subscribers, by sales over the counter in Government bookshops, and by other means, respectively.

Under normal arrangements, each edition of the London Gazette is distributed as follows:

By post to subscribers	702
Official issues to Government Departments	486
Supplied to advertisers by the London Gazette Office	130
Counter sales at Holborn bookshop	100
Sales from other Government bookshops and agents	180
Other miscellaneous issues	40
	1,638

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will state her Department's policy towards the closure of small schools in primary areas.

Our general policy, which is set out in circular 5/77, "Falling Numbers and School Closures", is to approve proposals to cease to maintain under-used primary schools where there are educational and financial benefits in doing so. But each proposal is carefully examined on its merits and in the light of any objections received and due weight is given to the social geographical and, where appropriate, denominational arguments.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish a table showing expenditure

EXPENDITURE ON FREE SCHOOL MEALS AND NUMBER OF PUPILS TAKING THEM—MAINTAINED SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND AND WALES
						Expenditure*		Number of pupils (October) ('000)
Year						At current prices (£m.)	At 1978 prices (£m.)
1965–66	…	…	…	…	…	3	15	308
1966–67	…	…	…	…	…	3	15	330
1967–68	…	…	…	…	…	4	20	404
1968–69†	…	…	…	…	…	12	41	841
1969–70	…	…	…	…	…	8	28	594
1970–71	…	…	…	…	…	11	31	627
1971–72	…	…	…	…	…	18	38	805
1972–73	…	…	…	…	…	19	41	850
1973–74	…	…	…	…	…	18	38	795
1974–75	…	…	…	…	…	17	35	750
1975–76	…	…	…	…	…	23	38	784
1976–77	…	…	…	…	…	24	40	839
1977–78	…	…	…	…	…	40	46	997
1978–79	…	…	…	…	…	—	62	1,240

NOTES:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the number of managers on the board of managers for a voluntary church-aided school can be increased from six to eight so as to include an elected parent representative and an elected staff representative; and what procedures would have to be followed in order to achieve this result.

The present statutory position is that two-thirds of the managers of aided primary schools are appointed as foundation managers, and one-third by the local education authority, or by the local education authority and the district council or other minor authority if there is one. It is not possible to establish separate categories of elected parent or staff managers, but those responsible for appointed managers under the present statutory provisions are free to appoint parents, who can be nominated directly or indirectly as the result of an election or in some other way. Managing bodies of six already include parents in some cases, but with the agree-

The information is as follows:ment of those concerned my right hon. Friend whould be prepared to consider amending an instrument of management to provide for a larger managing body for this purpose. However, managing bodies have to be constituted in multiples of three because statutory rights to appoint managers are expressed in thirds of the total size.The standard instrument of management of aided schools at present precludes the appointment of members of staff as managers. To avoid any uncertainty about the position of staff managers under the present law, my right hon. Friend would be reluctant to amend instruments to permit such appointments. However my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to introduce a Bill which will,

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many parents and staff are co-opted on the boards of managers of voluntary aided schools.

Detailed figures are not available, but my right hon. Friend understands that it is relatively common practice for parents of pupils at aided schools to be appointed as managers, and for arrangements to be made for members of the teaching staff to attend managers' meeting as observers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation extending equal right of access to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service to employers.

Employers already make considerable use of the services which ACAS provides. The idea that employers should be able to make formal recognition references to ACAS under section 11 of the Employment Protection Act was considered and rejected when the Employment Protection Bill was under discussion in Parliament. However, employers can and do approach ACAS for assistance in conciliating in recognition disputes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the requirement in the terms of reference of the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service to extend collective bargaining is equitable to employers.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what use has been made of section 79 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 relating to restrictive labour practices and their reference in certain circumstances to the Monopolies and Merger Commission.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection, who is responsible for the Fair Trading Act 1973, that no reference has been made under section 79 of the Act. The Government's view is that in general the best way to deal with any working practice, either in a particular establishment or in an industry, is for those directly concerned in the area where the practice occurs to deal with the matter by discussion and negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he first became aware of the pay settlement made by the Trades Union Congress with its employees; when he first inquired of the Trades Union Congress about the level and basis of the settlement; and if he has yet ascertained these facts.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 26th October.—[Vol. 955, col. 833.] The matter was first brought to my attention by the publicity to which he referred. I am now awaiting a reply to my subsequent request for additional information.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what instructions have been given to the inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive following the decision of the sheriff of Lothian and Borders, sitting at Haddington, on 18th July in the case of Robert William McConnachie v. Danckaerts Woodworking Machinery Limited.

It is not proposed to issue instructions to inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive at the present time. The procurator fiscal is considering an appeal against the judgment of the sheriff of Lothian and Borders by way of case stated.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, under current average rates of pay in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, France and Italy, what time would have to be spent to earn the cost of a given quantity of gasoline in each country at current prices.

The following table gives the number of minutes' work required to earn, before tax, the cost of one gallon of "four-star" or equivalent grade petrol. It is based on the average gross hourly earnings of men and women in all in- dustries. Comparisons of this type involve considerable uncertainties. They arise in particular from variation in the systems of remuneration and taxation in the different countries.Number of minutes of work required to earn—before tax—the price of a gallon of "four star" or equivalent grade petrol at October 1977

United Kingdom	30
Federal Republic of Germany	22
France	41
Italy*	55

Note:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the United Kingdom Nuclear Installations Inspectorate in identifying the dangers of atomic reactors, in the light of information recently made available in the United States of America.

I have been asked to reply.I am advised by the Health and Safety Commission that the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has adequate resources and expertise to identify the potential safety hazards associated with any nuclear reactor system likely to be used in the United Kingdom.

		1973–74	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–73
Total Capital Expenditure (£m.)	…	79·5	143	216·9	273·8	341·3
Self-financing ratio*	…	68·3%	42·3%	40·4%	44·5%	39·5%
* After taking into account Government grants.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what tonnage of coke was imported into the United Kingdom during 1978.

For the first nine months of 1978, imports of coke amounted to 14,124 tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a further statement regarding the major study initiated a year ago concerning the introduction in the United Kingdom of atomic reactors, in the light of the reve-

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in support of the Government's policy of more open government, he will make available all papers and documents in the possession of the United Kingdom Nuclear Installations Inspectorate on the question of the safety of nuclear reactors.

I have been asked to reply.The papers and documents in the possession of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate include material, obtained in the course of carrying out its functions, some of which are of a proprietary and confidential nature. The inspectorate publishes details of its technical reviews and activities with the aim of keeping the public informed on questions of nuclear safety. If my hon. Friend believes that more material should be published, I shall be happy to look into the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate the annual capital expenditure for the National Coal Board for every year since 1973 giving the self-financing ratio for each year.

The National Coal Board's capital expenditure and self-financing ratios for the past five years.

The National Coal Board's capital expenditure and self-financing ratios for the past of five years are:lations made in the United States of America that these are unsafe.

The advice I received from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate on the generic safety issues of pressurised water reactors—PWRs—was published on 8th July 1977, and I will continue to look to the inspectorate for advice on safety matters which may arise in connection with the development of the PWRs in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the Acts and appropriate sections rendering it an offence to pollute inshore and coastal waters with the remnants of fish processing, fish oil and smell, and controlling noise levels of the machinery aboard ships processing fish in inshore waters and harbours; and if he will define the appropriate prosecuting authority in such cases.

Powers to deal with the pollution of inshore and coastal waters are contained in section 2 of the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act 1951 as applied to specified tidal waters by orders made under section 6 of that Act. The prosecuting authority is the Water Authority or, with the consent of the Attorney-General, any other person.Powers to deal with smell nuisance are contained in part III of the Public Health Act 1936, sections 91–100. The

EXPENDITURE ON RECREATION, PARKS AND BATHS BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES
				£m. at current prices		£m. at November 1977 prices║
				Current expenditure*	Capital expenditure†	Current expenditure*	Capital expenditure†
1965–66	…	…	…	41·6	18·3	176·3	57·9
1966–67	…	…	…	44·7	16·1	178·1	48·1
1967–68	…	…	…	48·9	14·1	194·9	40·9
1968–69	…	…	…	53·6	15·7	191·4	43·1
1969–70	…	…	…	54·6	16·5	182·6	42·9
1970–71	…	…	…	62·9	24·8	192·4	60·5
1971–72	…	…	…	74·0	28·8	207·3	65·5
1972–73	…	…	…	86·7	49·8	224·6	104·0
1973–74	…	…	…	104·3	63·8	248·9	107·0
1974–75	…	…	…	158·9	77·5	281·7	107·8
1975–76	…	…	…	219·0	84·5	282·6	97·1
1976–77	…	…	…	247·2	75·5	273·5	80·1
1977–78‡	…	…	…	277·2	73·8	273·6	74·0
1978–79‡	…	…	…	—	—	292§	70 to 90§
* Expenditure on employees and running costs net of income from sales, fees and charges.
† Expenditure on capital assets net of sales and capital receipts.
‡ Excluding baths (other than swimming baths) and public laundries, which are included in the figures for 1976–77 and earlier years.
§ Tentative estimates.
║ For years prior to 1974–75 the adjustment to November 1977 prices has been based on general movements in local authority costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet able to announce that land on the Ribble Estuary has, or will be, purchased by the Nature Conservancy Council.

I can at this stage add little to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 17th July. The district valuer, on behalf of the NCC is actively negotiating for the purchase of land on the

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total level of expenditure by local authorities on parks and recreation in each year since 1965, at current and at 1978 prices; and what is the estimated expenditure in the current year.

The available information is as follows:Ribble Estuary and I understand that the district valuer has now received detailed information which will assist him in his valuation. The case is complex and is unlikely to be resolved for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with protection against vandalism at Stonehenge.

The security arrangements are being reviewed to see what improvements can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to ban political advertising in the cinema;(2) what controls exist and are exercised by his Department to regulate the content and balance of political advertising in the cinema;(3) if he will take steps to provide control ensuring balance of coverage in political advertising in the cinema.

Advertising films shown in cinemas must comply with the requirements which local cinema licensing authorities may impose on the showing of films in their areas, particularly in relation to the grant of a certificate by the British Board of Film Censors. In addition, political advertisements may be covered by the limitations on election expenditure under sections 63 and 64 of the Representation of the People Act 1949. The need for any further controls relating to the political content of cinema advertisements could be considered by a Speaker's Conference on electoral law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why his Department decided to advise county council social services departments of the extension of entitlement to concessionary television licences and not to advise district council housing departments;(2) what action his Department took to ensure that district council housing departments were made aware of the extension of television licence concessions to a number of their tenants;(3) if he is satisfied that all pensioners eligible to benefit from the extension of television licence concessions will be made aware of the new regulations;(4) how many applications for old persons' home television licences have been received as a result of the changes in the concessionary arrangements announced on 6th April; how many people are included in these; and how those figures compare with his estimate of the numbers eligible to apply.

The National Television Licence Records Office has so far received 210 applications, involving 5,947 persons, for the old persons' home licence as a result of the change in the arrangements announced on 6th April. It is not possible to estimate how many people will eventually benefit from the change but it is known that many councils are still compiling information for their applications; those received to date represent only a small proportion of the applications that will eventually be made. Information about the change was sent to the directors of social services of all the county councils, metropolitan districts and London boroughs rather than district council housing departments because social services departments have an overall responsibility for the welfare of the elderly in their areas. This should ensure that all pensioners living in accommodation which has become eligible for the concessionary licence as a result of the new arrangements will benefit from it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-British nationals are currently serving sentences in Her Majesty's prisons.

Information on the nationality of prisoners serving custodial sentences is not recorded centrally. However, on 30th June 1978 those serving sentences in Prison Department establishments in England and Wales included 3,891 born outside the United Kingdom and 658 whose country of birth was not known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of his inability to publish Boundary Commission proposals for the European elections through Her Majesty's Stationery Office, he will make immediate alternative arrangements for copies of those proposals to be made available to political parties, Members of Parliament and the press.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member's earlier Question— [Vol. 957, c. 44–51—Orders in Council will be laid before Parliament as soon as practicable. I am considering alternative means of meeting the statutory requirements for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when answering Questions for which information is not readily available and which can be obtained only at disproportionate cost, what objective criteria are used in determining the cost of obtaining the data, what values are attached to the parameters employed and under what circumstances and how the final calculation is made; and what levels or ratios must be exceeded before the cost becomes disproportionate.

As I have indicated on previous occasions, I always try to give hon. Members the information for which they ask, but where the staff or other costs are substantial I take this aspect into account together with such factors as any special interests of the House or of individual hon. Members. It is difficult to prescribe general criteria for deciding whether disproportionate cost is involved in preparing the answer to a Question. The assessment must depend upon the circumstances of each case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, further to his reply, Official Report, 13th July, column 680, places in hospital have now been found for the three mentally-abnormal offenders; and, if not, which hospitals have refused them admission.

It has not been possible to transfer to hospital any of the three prisoners referred to in my reply of 13th July.In the case of one patient, the catchment area hospital concerned—Napsbury, Hertfordshire—declined to admit the prisoner and the regional health authority was unable to find a bed in any other hospital. The prisoner was released at the expiry of his sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will build on some of the local schemes for helping the victims of crime and seek to introduce a national scheme.

I consider that, at least for the present, this is a matter better left to local initiative, which I very much welcome. Most of the local schemes have recently joined in forming a National Federation of Victims Support Schemes; officials of the Home Office and Department of Health and Social Security recently met representatives of the federation to discuss its aims.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the present deposit required from candidates in the General Election and to increase the number of supporting signatures which are required for nomination, with a view to eliminating frivolous candidatures which have little support.

The Government take the view that it would be appropriate for a Speaker's Conference on electoral law to consider the question of an increase in the candidate's deposit before amending legislation is prepared. Such a Conference could also consider related matters, such as the number of signatures required on a candidate's nomination paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made towards allowing women prisoners in Styal prison to receive extended visits from their children.

Discussions are continuing with representatives of the services concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the current domestic and export market for manufactured vitamin C; and if he can give reasons why this process receives a high level of grant.

The current domestic and international markets for Vitamin C are estimated at 650 tonnes and 25,000 tonnes respectively. Manufacturers of Vitamin C are eligible to apply for assistance under the Industry Act 1972 on the same basis as other industries. The hon. Member may have in mind assistance to Roche Products Limited to locate a vitamin factory at Dalry, Ayrshire, instead of Switzerland. Assistance was made available in part through regional development grants, and in part under the selective investment scheme as the minimum necessary to secure the project and its associated benefits.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry which National Enterprise Board subsidiaries, or companies in which the National Enterprise Board holds equity or other interests, trade or invest in South Africa.

This is a matter for the NEB.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what policy guidelines are observed by the National Enterprise Board, in relation to wholly-owned subsidiaries or companies in which the National Enterprise Board has an equity or other interest, trading or undertaking investment in South Africa; and what instructions he has given to the National Enterprise Board on this matter.

As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) on 2nd August 1978, the Government's declared policy on trade with and investment in South Africa will be known to the NEB and its subsidiaries as to other British companies. The NEB and its companies will also be aware of Cmnd 7223 of 25th May, which commended the code of conduct adopted by the Governments of the nine member States of the European Community on employment practices for companies with interests in South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether any directions have ever been given to the National Enterprise Board under section 3 of the Industry Act.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which EEC countries have not yet amended their legislation in accordance with the Sixth Directive on value added tax; which countries are likely to have done so by 1st January 1979; and whether he is pressing the Commission to initiate proceedings in accordance with article 169 of the EEC Treaty.

The EEC Sixth Directive on VAT has so far been implemented only by the United Kingdom, Belgium and Denmark. It is not possible to say which other member States will have done so by 1st January 1979, except that the Federal German Government have made it known that they cannot meet that deadline. I am keeping the situation under close review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to harmonise the excise duties on beer, wines and spirits so that such duties are directly related to the alcoholic content of these beverages; what discussions have been held with the European Commission on this subject; and if he will make a statement.

The EEC Commission has put forward a series of proposals for the harmonisation of the structure of the excise duties on beer, wines and spirits. There is no suggestion that the duties on beer or table wine should be charged with duty related to the degree of alcoholic content. The proposals are being considered and are likely to come before the Council of Ministers in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the light of the fact that the EEC Second Supplies Directive came into force on 1st July 1978, and that the United Kingdom accounts for 90 per cent. of the public contracts advertised in the EEC Official Journal since that date, whether he will now initiate proceedings in the European Court against other member States for being in breach of the directive, and against the Commission for failure to ensure application of the directive.

		Single person	Married couple	Married couple 2 children under 11	Married couple 2 children under 11 2 children 11–16
		£	£	£	£
1974–75	…	161	223	333	448
1975–76	…	140	197	286	378
1976–77	…	132	195	293	395
1977–78	…	149	229	287	351
1978–79 (estimate)	…	144	225	254	293

The figures are on the same basis as the previous answer except that the figure for 1974–75 has been recalculated using the average of the retail prices index for 1974–75. The index for September 1978, the latest available, has been used for 1978–79.The revalorised tax threshold for married couples with children shows a reduction over the last two years which reflects the reduction in child tax allowances: over the same period there has been an increase in child support by way of child benefit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what action he has taken on recommendation 130 of the report of the Finer Committee on one-parent families.

The Inland Revenue has prepared a special pamphlet, IR 29, called "Income Tax and One-Parent Families", which from today is available free of charge from any tax

I agree that the position is thoroughly unsatisfactory. The Government are urging the Commission to propose immediate remedial measures to ensure that the directive is implemented simultaneously and to equal effect in all member States. If necessary, we shall be ready to press our case in the Council. The possibility of legal action will be considered, if necessary, in the light of the response from the Commission and the Council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring up to date for each year the answer given on tax thresholds to the hon. Member for Walsall, South, Official Report, 15th May 1974, columns 469–72.

For earned income, the thresholds at 1945 prices are as follows:office. Another new pamphlet, IR 30, called "Income Tax—Separation and Divorce", is also available from tax offices from today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate a thorough review of the taxation of widows and one-parent families.

The effects of the tax system on widows and one-parent families are kept under continuous review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates are available of the cost to the Exchequer of making journeys to and from work an allowable expense against income tax; if he will take steps to make these journeys allowable; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that the information on which to base satisfactory estimates is not available, but the cost would be substantial. For example, if all employees received relief on average expenses of £100 a year, it would be in the region of £700 million. I do not think that it would be right to single out this particular form of expenditure for tax relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the answer given to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Sproat), Official Report, 2nd November 1976, column 558, on the percentage of Government spending on social security benefits.

The figures are as follows:

Social Security Expenditure as a Percentage of Central Government Expenditure
1950	16·6
1951	14·4
1952	15·6
1953	16·7
1954	16·3
1955	17·2
1956	18·0
1957	17·4
1958	20·2
1959	20·6
1960	20·0
1961	20·4
1962	20·6
1963	22·5
1964	21·5
1965	21·8
1966	21·3
1967	20·9
1968	21·6
1969	22·3
1970	22·2
1971	21·5
1972	22·7
1973	21·8
1974	21·0
1975	20·5
1976	22·2
1977	24·3
Source: National Accounts estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he is satisfied with the operation of the Trade Descriptions Act, in the light of the contents of products of certain jam manufacturers and the descriptions of their products on their labels.

The description of the contents and the labelling of jam in England and Wales are primarily matters for my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Social Services and the Secretary of State for Wales, who, acting jointly, have the responsibility for the food and drugs legislation. If my hon. Friend considers that certain jam manufacturers are misdescribing their products, he should bring the facts to the attention of his local trading standards department, which has the duty of enforcing this legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he remains satisfied that the increase in retirement pensions due on 13th November will correspond to the increase in average earnings for the preceding year.

The increase in retirement pensions due in the week beginning 13th November was based on a forecast of the likely increase in the general level of earnings over the period from November 1977 to November 1978. The actual increase in earnings over that period will not be known until the figures for November 1978 are available but there is as yet no clear evidence that the increase in retirement pensions will not correspond to the increase in earnings.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the increase in retirement pensions between November 1974 and November 1978 compares with the increase in retail prices and average earnings, respectively.

In 1974 pensions were increased in July, not November. The new pension rates to be introduced next week are 95 per cent. higher than those introduced in July 1974. The relevant prices and earnings figures for November 1978 are not yet available, but between July 1974 and September 1978 the general index of retail prices rose by 82 per cent. and between July 1974 and August 1978 average earnings—as measured by the movement in the Department of Employment's monthly index of average earnings of all employees (old series), seasonally adjusted—rose by 84 per cent. The dates referred to are the latest dates for which figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what special arrangements have been made for vaccination against German measles, in the light of the information about a possible epidemic during 1978;(2) if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the vaccination programme against German measles.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Carter-Jones) on 7th November.—[Vol. 957, c. 110–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are being made to cope with the backlog of operations resulting from the recent National Health Service supervisors' dispute.

It is for health authorities to take appropriate local action in the light of their particular circumstances and within the resources available to them. Industrial action, whether by works supervisors or other Health Service staff, is one of the general factors which in recent years have led to an increase in waiting lists for hospital treatment. We shall continue to tackle the general problem of waiting lists through discussions with health authorities, which have been asked to pay particular attention to this question in their planning. I am considering what further initiatives would be useful.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether disabled persons over retirement age who were able to drive their own cars were eligible for private car allowance before 1st January 1976.

Yes, but, while age was not a factor under the invalid vehicle scheme, ability to drive was crucial. Thus, people who could not drive, whether because of disability, age or any other cause, were barred from all benefit. Mobility allowance, though not yet fully phased in, is already helping many more disabled people than did the vehicle scheme. Public expenditure on mobility help for the disabled has also very substantially increased.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is his intention to propose to include a question on address in the 1981 census of population, so allowing local authorities to estimate changes in migration patterns; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's intention to include a question about address one year ago is stated in Cmnd 7146, paragraph 22. The answers to this question will provide statistics on migration in the 12-month period before census day.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what data or assumptions the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys bases its estimate of 1,000 second generation New Commonwealth ethnic births in 1971 and 40,000 by 1981.

Information from the 1971 census about the numbers and age structure of persons of New Commonwealth and Pakistani (NCWP) ethnic origin who were born in the United Kingdom was given in an article in Population Trends No. 9 "New Commonwealth and Pakistani population estimates", Table 3.No information is available about the fertility of women of NCWP ethnic origin born in the United Kingdom. However, the estimates of the second generation of NCWP ethnic groups to be born in the United Kingdom, quoted by the right hon. Gentleman, assumed that the fertility rates of these United Kingdom-born women would, during the 1970s, be intermediate between those of NCWP-born women and the national average.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women have been refused the non-contributory invalidity pension for married women because they fail to satisfy the normal household duties test; and what proportion: (a) of all claims and (b) of all refusals this represents.

Up to 3rd November 1978, 11,291 claims for non-contributory invalidity pension had been disallowed on the ground that the household duties test was not satisfied. This represents 16 per cent. of all claims for the benefit and 52 per cent. of all disallowances.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women who have been refused the noncontributory invalidity pension for married women because of the household duties test have appealed; and what proportion of these appeals have been successful.

The total number of appeals against the disallowance of claims for HNCIP received up to 3rd November 1978 is:—

To local tribunals	5,783
To National Insurance Commissioners	433

Save at disproportionate expense, it is impossible to say how many of those appeals were based on the satisfaction of the household duties test. However, up to 30th September 1978, local tribunals decided 3,474 cases on that question. They allowed 52 per cent. of the appeals. I regret that similar information in respect of appeals to the commissioners could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any additional group of people have been included in the Christmas bonus payments in 1978; and if he will give special consideration to pensioners where, although the spouse is under pension age, the pensioner is well over 70 years of age and whose condition prevents the spouse from taking up employment.

The Pensioners Payments Bill, which was published on 3rd November, provides for the bonus to be paid this year to the same categories of beneficiaries who received it last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate has been made of the costs of providing all pensioners with a rent-free telephone.

The initial cost of providing a telephone for those households not possessing one at present where the chief income is that of a pensioner would be more than £100 million, based on 1971 census figures. The recurrent annual rental would be more than £125 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the value of family allowances, child tax allowances and child benefits for each year since 1948; and if he will express these data as a percentage of (a) gross average earnings and (b) net average earnings.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will add Ormskirk and Kirkby to the list of towns in which at least one public building is to be adapted to meet the needs of the disabled; and what are his reasons for his decisions.

I have been asked to reply.It is the policy of the Department to adapt all Government buildings to meet the needs of the disabled, but this will take some time and depends on the availability of funds and staff resources. The special programme announced earlier this year was designed to give priority to the adaptation of at least one Government office building in the larger towns in the country so that the absence of facilities in major centres of population should not be a bar to employment of the disabled as civil servants.New offices for the Department of Health and Social Security now being built in Kirkby will include facilities for both disabled staff and visiting members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reactions he has received so far to his discussion document "A Happy Old Age".

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Bowden) and my hon. Friend the Member for Paddington (Mr. Latham) on 6th November. —[Vol. 957, c. 36–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what evidence he has received from the Lighting Industries Federation concerning dumped or subsidised imports of vehicle bulbs from the Far East.

This topic has been discussed by the BLIF and officials of my Department, but we have had no communication on it from the federation since February 1977. My Department stands ready to give advice in the formulation of any submission to the European Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will seek to increase his Department's allocation for research into oil pollution control methods in the next financial year.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade announced the conclusions of our review of the contingency arrangements for dealing with oil pollution in a Written Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Wainwright) on 2nd August. We are considering the need for further research on some aspects of the techniques available for dealing with oil pollution as part of the follow-up work to that review, but it is too soon to form a judgment on the appropriate scale of the oil pollution research and development programme as a whole for 1979–80.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the annual amount allocated by his Department for research into oil pollution control methods.

The Warren Spring laboratory, which acts as our scientific and technical advisers on methods of dealing with oil pollution, expects to spend some £600,000 in 1978–79 on research and development in this field, including methods of dealing with oil in inshore waters and on beaches. Virtually the whole of this expenditure is financed from Exchequer funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will make a statement on the discussions which have taken place with Spain on air services between the two countries;(2) if it is still his policy to require Iberia and TAP to transfer their operations to Gatwick; what progress is being made with such transfer; and if he will make a statement.

It remains Government policy that all passenger air services including those of British Airways, between London and Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar should operate from Gatwick. Talks were begun with the Spanish and Portuguese authorities some 18 months ago. In further talks recently, involving a full exchange of views, both Governments were invited to send high-level teams to Heathrow and Gatwick to see for themselves the advantages which Gatwick offers. We understand the concern the Spanish and Portuguese authorities have expressed and hope that we shall be able to meet it.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents have been reported as having occurred during lighting-up times at the Tudworth roundabout where the A18 and A614 trunk roads join the M180 motorway, during the latest period of 12 months for which figures are available; and what were the effects in terms of death and injury.

Two accidents have been reported to the police as having occurred during lighting-up times at the Tudworth roundabout during the 12 months ending 30th September 1978. Each accident involved a slight injury to one person.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the Government's plans to maintain and develop the Upper London Docks.

I have nothing to add at present to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Horn-church (Mr. Williams) on 31st July.—[Vol. 955, c. 169–170.]

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the saving in energy through the abolition of the road tax and substitution of a compensatory gasoline tax.

In the short term, up to 5 per cent. of current petrol consumption.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales why he has delayed giving loan sanction to the Saundersfoot harbour commissioners for the renovation scheme for the north pier wall; and when the decision will be conveyed to the commissioners.

I regret the delay which was due to pressure of work in the Department concerned. I can confirm that loan sanction will be issued within the next few days.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans next to meet the CBI.

I meet representatives of the CBI from time to time, at NEDC and on other occasions. Further meetings will be arranged as necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with present legislation regarding stray and killer dogs; and if he will make a statement.

As was explained to the hon. Member on 13th July—[Vol. 953, c. 769]—there are statutory provisions to deal with marauding dogs worrying livestock; and the maximum penalty for infringement has lately been increased. I do not envisage further action at this stage. However, in the general case of stray dogs, the hon. Member will be aware that changes have been foreshadowed, and discussions initiated, as described in the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment gave to my hon. Friend the member for Middleton and Prestwich (Mr. Callaghan) on 3rd August.—[Vol. 955, c. 750.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what has been the annual value and volume of imports of apples, and pears, respectively, from EEC and non-EEC sources since the United Kingdom joined the European Community; what is the corresponding figure for United Kingdom production of apples and pears consumed in the domestic market; and if he is satisfied that the current pattern of production and trade is enabling the consumer to have access to these fruits at the most advantageous price.

Annual imports and estimated marketable production of fresh apples and pears for the United Kingdom in the years 1973 to 1977 are set out in the table below. The current pattern of production and trade reflects the free play of market forces and I am satisfied that the consumer is enabled to have access to these fruits at the most advantageous prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, by what percentage wool producers' costs of production have gone up in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

I regret the information requested is not available. Cost changes for agriculture as a whole are assessed annually as part of the Annual Review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will identify by name each of the fish processing vessels accepting mackerel catches in Falmouth bay and Falmouth harbour during the 1977–78 mackerel season; if he will list the total tonnage of mackerel transhipped to each of these vessels; and if he will list the specific dates on which these vessels were visited to ensure that catch quotas were not being exceeded.

The information is being assembled and I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will meet next the presidents of the National Farmers' Unions.

My agricultural colleagues and I keep in close touch with the presidents of the Farmers' Unions, but at present I have no plans for a meeting.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number in the national pig breeding herd at the latest available date, compared with 1973.

Pig breeding herds are subject to substantial cyclical fluctuations, often covering a period of about three years. This needs to be taken into account in comparing any two figures. The United Kingdom herd peaked at a particularly high level in 1973 and 1,015,000 sows and in-pig gilts were recorded in the June census. Numbers fell sharply late in that year and the early part of 1974 and were down to 889,000 by the next census. They have shown further fluctuations since then. At the June census this year the breeding herd stood at 843,000 and is currently expanding.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current average price of agricultural land expressed as an index of the average price at June 1970.

Information analysed by the Inland Revenue indicates that the average sale price of agricultural land in England, expressed as an index taking June 1970 as 100, was 359 at June 1977. Less comprehensive but more up-to-date information on the price of vacant possession land in England collected by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service and the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation suggests a further rise of 45 per cent. to the quarter ending September 1978. This would bring the index figure for the period July to September 1978 to 520.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the implementation of his proposals for restricting the sale of certain veterinary products.

The Medicines (Exemptions from Restrictions on the Retail Sale or Supply of Veterinary Drugs) Order 1977 will come fully into effect on 1st February 1980, when certain transitional provisions expire. My right hon. Friends the Minister, the Secretaries of State for Social Services, Scotland, Northern Ireland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, expect shortly to make a further order adding compound calcium borogluconate injections and injectable preparations of Vitamin A, D and E to the list of products covered by the 1977 order, and generally up-dating the schedules to that order. The provisions of the order are being reviewed by the Veterinary Products Committee, but this review is not yet sufficiently advanced for a statement on progress to be made. I do however appreciate the desire of the trade to be kept fully in touch with developments, and my Department expects to be able to issue an information paper about the review early in the new year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the proposed Meat Export (Hygiene and Meat Inspection) Regulations.

We have received a wide range of comments from interested organisations on these proposed regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes to hold a meeting in the near future with the Environmental Health Officers' Association concerning the proposed Meat Export (Hygiene and Meat Inspection) Regulations.

The Environmental Health Officers' Association has not asked my right hon. Friend the Minister for such a meeting, but officials of my Department keep in close touch with the association on this and other matters.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made representations to the EEC on behalf of environmental health officers relating to the implementation of EEC Directive 64/433.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) on 1st August 1978.—[Vol. 955, c. 239.]