Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions>

Monday 20th Novermber 1978

House Of Commons

Oral Questions

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will list in the Official Report the days on which Welsh Oral Questions were taken during the 1977–78 parliamentary Session, and indicate the total time taken up by such sessions.

Welsh Oral Questions were taken on the following Mondays:

21st November 1977
9th January 1978
16th January 1978
20th February 1978
3rd April 1978
15th May 1978
2th June 1978
3rd July 1978

The approximate total time taken up was three hours, 20 minutes.

Home Department

Departmental Houses (Insulation)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what programme he has for providing insulation to the housing stock of his Department for those employed in the police service; and whether he will make a statement.

My Department provides housing only for certain police officers seconded to central service. Arrangements have been made to ensure that all such houses are insulated. Housing for members of police forces is provided by police authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what programme he has for providing insulation to the housing stock of his Department for those employed in the fire service; and whether he will make a statement.

The insulation of houses at the fire service staff and technical colleges which are occupied by fire service officers is a matter for the Property Services Agency. The provision of houses for members of fire brigades, where appropriate, together with their insulation, is a matter for the fire authority concerned.

St Albans (Electoral Arrangements)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he received the final report from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on its proposals for future electoral arrangements for the district of St. Albans; and on what date he proposes to make the necessary order under section 51(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 giving effect to the changes involved.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England submitted its report with final proposals for new electoral arrangements for the City of St. Albans on 4th November 1977. This was one of a number of reports on which I deferred action until the Commission's appeal against the High Court's judgment in a case brought by the London borough of Enfield had been heard. I have now resumed consideration of these reports, but I cannot at present say when an order providing new electoral arrangements for the city of St. Albans will be made.

Mentally Abnormal Offenders

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mentally abnormal offenders are in (a) prisons and (b) other prison Department establishments; if he will list the number at each location; and how many were unsentenced.

On 30th June 1978, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 581 persons held in prison department establishments who were considered by prison medical officers to be suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree warranting their detention in hospital for medical treatment under the Mental Health Act 1959. Of these 377 were serving a sentence.A breakdown of the figures, by category and by establishment, is given in the following table:

INMATES CONSIDERED TO BE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL DISORDER WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1959 IN CUSTODY ON 30TH JUNE 1978
							Sentenced					Unsentenced					Total (including Non-Criminal)
Establishments							M	SS	S	P	Total	M	SS	S	P	Total	M	SS	S	P	Total
MALES—
Remand centres—
Ashford	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	4	—	—	1	5	4	—	—	1	5
Risley	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	1	—	1	1	—	1	1	3	1	—	2	1	4
Winchester	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	1	—	1	1	—	1	—	2
							1	—	1	—	2	5	—	2	2	9	6	—	3	2	11
Local prisons—
Bedford	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—	1	2	—	1	1	4	3	—	1	1	5
Birmingham	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	—	—	—	2	16	—	2	—	18	18	—	2	—	20
Bristol	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
Brixton	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	55	—	—	—	55	55	—	—	—	55
Canterbury	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	—	1	—	3	5	—	—	1	6	7	—	1	1	9
Cardiff	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	1	1	3	3	—	—	1	4	4	—	1	2	7
Dorchester	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	2	2	—	—	—	2
Durham	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	1	2	4	1	—	—	—	1	2	—	1	2	5
Exeter	…	…	…	…	…	…	9	—	1	6	16	—	—	—	—	—	9	—	1	6	16
Gloucester	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	—	—	—	2	3	—	—	—	3	5	—	—	—	5
Leeds	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—	1	5	—	—	—	5	6	—	—	—	6
Leicester	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	1	—	1	6	—	—	—	6	6	—	1	—	7
Lewes	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	3	—	1	—	4	3	—	1	—	4
Liverpool	…	…	…	…	…	…	6	—	—	1	7	—	—	—	—	—	6	—	—	1	7
Manchester	…	…	…	…	…	…	4	—	—	—	4	—	—	—	—	—	4	—	—	—	4
Norwich	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	2	2	—	—	—	2
Oxford	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	1	2	3	6	—	2	8	16	6	—	3	10	19
Pentonville	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	1	1	3	8^*	—	—	—	8^*	9^*	—	1	1	11^*
Swansea	…	…	…	…	…	…	3	—	2	2	7	—	—	2	—	2	3	—	4	2	9
Wandsworth	…	…	…	…	…	…	14	—	—	3	17	4	—	—	—	4	18	—	—	3	21
Winchester	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—	1	10	—	—	—	10	11	—	—	—	11
Wormwood Scrubs	…	…	…	…	…	…	10	—	1	—	11	—	—	—	—	—	10	—	1	—	11
							59	—	10	18	87	131^*	—	8	11	150^*	190^*	—	18	29	237^*

							Sentenced					Unsentenced					Total (including Non-Criminal)
Establishments							M	SS	S	P	Total	M	SS	S	P	Total	M	SS	S	P	Total
Adult closed training prisons—
Albany	…	…	…	…	…	…	8	—	—	22	30	—	—	—	—	—	8	—	—	22	30
Blundeston	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	—	1	1	4	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	1	1	4
Camp Hill	…	…	…	…	…	…	3	—	1	—	4	—	—	—	—	—	3	—	1	—	4
Coldingley	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	1	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	1
Dartmoor	…	…	…	…	…	…	5	—	4	—	9	—	—	—	—	—	5	—	4	—	9
Featherstone	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	1	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	1
Gartree	…	…	…	…	…	…	7	—	3	43	53	—	—	—	—	—	7	—	3	43	53
Kingston (Portsmouth)	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	6	6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	6
Long Lartin	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	1	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	1
Maidstone	…	…	…	…	…	…	7	—	—	1	8	—	—	—	—	—	7	—	—	1	8
Parkhurst	…	…	…	…	…	…	26	—	—	45	71	—	—	—	—	—	26	—	—	45	71
Reading	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1
Stafford	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	—	1	2	5	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	1	2	5
Wakefield	…	…	…	…	…	…	17	—	—	36	53	—	—	—	—	—	17	—	—	36	53
							77	—	13	157	247	—	—	—	—	—	77	—	13	157	247
YP closed training prisons—
Aylesbury	…	…	…	…	…	…	7	—	—	2	9	—	—	—	—	—	7	—	—	2	9
Exeter	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
Onley	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	1	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	1
Swinfen Hall	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	—	—	1	3	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	1	3
							10	—	1	3	14	—	—	—	—	—	10	—	1	3	14
Adult open training prison Ashwell	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
Closed borstals—
Feltham	…	…	…	…	…	…	3	—	—	5	8	—	—	—	—	—	3	—	—	5	8
Rochester	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
							4	—	—	5	9	—	—	—	—	—	4	—	—	5	9

							Sentenced					Unsentenced					Total (including Non-Criminal)
Establishments							M	SS	S	P	Total	M	SS	S	P	Total	M	SS	S	P	Total
FEMALES—
Remand centres—
Pucklechurch	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	—	—	—	2	6	—	—	3	9	8	—	—	3	11
Risley	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—	1	4	—	1	—	5	5	—	1	—	6
							3	—	—	—	3	10	—	1	3	14	13	—	1	3	17
Closed prisons—
Durham	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	—	3	3	7	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	3	3	7
Holloway	…	…	…	…	…	…	1	1	1	2	5	15	—	2	14	31	16	1	3	16	36
Styal	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	2
							4	1	4	5	14	15	—	2	14	31	19	1	6	19	45
Total (male)	…	…	…	…	…	…	152	—	25	183	360	136^*	—	10	13	159^*	288^*	—	35	196	519^*
Total (female)	…	…	…	…	…	…	7	1	4	5	17	25	—	3	17	45	32	1	7	22	62
Total (male and female)	…	…	…	…	…	…	159	1	29	188	377	161^*	—	13	30	204^*	320^*	1	42	218	581^*
^* Includes four Non-Criminal mental cases.
Category of Mental Disorder—
M—Mental Illness.
SS—Severe Subnormality.
S—Subnormality.
P—Psychopathic Disorder.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mentally abnormal prisoners are currently awaiting transfer to NHS hospitals; and how long they have been waiting.

The cases of five prisoners, reported to be suffering from mental disorder warranting their detention in hospital for treatment, are currently unresolved following approaches to the relevant regional health authority. The approach was made in July 1978 in two cases, and in September 1978 in three cases. Hospitals have agreed to admit two further prisoners, once a bed is available, following approaches made to them in June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that mentally abnormal persons should have to be in prison.

We are concerned about those cases where a prisoner is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree warranting detention in hospital for medical treatment under the Mental Health Act 1959, but where my right hon. Friend cannot make an order directing transfer to hospital because a suitable hospital place cannot be found. The majority of mentally abnormal prisoners are not mentally disordered to this degree and it is for the courts when passing sentence on such persons to decide whether imprisonment or some other penalty or order is appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he remains satisfied that mentally abnormal offenders are adequately cared for in prison.

Prison medical officers and other prison staff care for mentally abnormal offenders to the best of their ability within the resources and powers available to them. But where the offender is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree warranting detention in hospital for medical treatment under the Mental Health Act 1959 it is clearly desirable that he should be in a suitable hospital rather than cared for under the constraints imposed by the prison environment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will give a full account of the steps he has taken to transfer mentally abnormal prisoners to NHS hospitals and the difficulties he has encountered;(2) if he will list those hospitals that have refused to take mentally abnormal prisoners.

When it is decided to seek the transfer to an NHS hospital under section 72 of the Mental Health Act 1959, of a sentenced prisoner reported to be suffering from a mental disorder warranting detention in a hospital for medical treatment, the health authority for the prisoner's home area is sent details of the case and asked to make a bed available in a suitable hospital.I am not aware of any NHS hospitals which have refused to take mentally disordered prisoners in principle. In those instances where the health authority has not felt able to accept the prisoner the grounds for refusal are often that the available resources are insufficient to cater for the particular case. The general problem is the subject of continuing discussion between the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Security.

Certificates Of Unruliness

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prison establishments in which the 132 girls in respect of whom certificates of unruliness were issued between October 1977 and September 1978 were accommodated, showing how many were held in each establishment.

The 132 certificates of unruliness issued between October 1977 and September 1978 were in respect of 101 girls; 24 girls were remanded on more than one occasion. The girls were received into the following establishments:

Holloway prison	…	45
Risley remand centre	…	42
Low Newton remand centre	…	7
Pucklechurch remand centre	…	7

National Remembrance Ceremony (War Widows' Association)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on whose authority the War Widows' Association of Great Britain was excluded from participation in the national ceremony of remembrance at the Cenotaph; and if he will ensure that steps are taken to ensure that this decision is reversed before 1979's ceremony of remembrance.

The War Widows' Association of Great Britain made no request to me to participate in the official ceremony at the Cenotaph. I shall, however, be considering, well in advance of next year's ceremony, whether it would be appropriate for any changes to be made in the traditional arrangements.

Metropolitan Police (Press Accreditation)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a working party to investigate procedures for accreditation of the press with the Metropolitan Police.

No. These procedures are a matter for the Commissioner.

Naturalisation Applications

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his reply of 15th November concerning applications for naturalisation, the differences between the total numbers of applications received in each year and the sum of those granted and those refused, comprised those still pending, or withdrawn or other categories.

The process of naturalisation has always been a lengthy one and is now taking on average about 19 months. Consequently, many of the applications granted or refused in any one year will have been received in previous years; and the number of applications granted and refused in any one year thus bears little relation to the number received in that year.Some applications are withdrawn, as the hon. Member suggests, and consideration of others is postponed.

Rhodesian British Passport Holders

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons in possession of a British passport who previously lived in Rhodesia have taken up residence in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years for which this information is available.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

Richard Milhouse Nixon

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will prohibit the entry into the United Kingdom of Richard Milhouse Nixon as an undesirable alien, in the light of the criminal activities revealed in the Watergate affair.

No.

Television Licences

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department took to ensure that the information conveyed to social services departments in connection with television licence concessions changes was passed on to district council housing departments; and whether any specific requests to do so were made in the relevant correspondence.

No specific request was made to directors of social services to notify district council housing departments about the changes in the arrangements for the old persons' home licence announced on 6th April. Social Services departments have an overall responsibility for the welfare of the elderly in their areas and it was therefore within their discretion to decide to whom the necessary information should be passed.

Police Forces (Computers)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the location in London of the computers on which the police maintain details of criminal records.

Criminal records are held by the police in London in manual form. A national index of these records is provided by the police national computer at Hendon. Limited information about crime and criminals is held on a computer maintained by the Metropolitan Police, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose its precise location.

Overseas Development

Ministerial Travel Expenses

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will table details of her expense accounts on overseas travel during her period of office.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. When travelling overseas, I receive subsistence allowance at the same rate as senior civil servants and incidental expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the same rules.

Education And Science

Higher Education

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether adjustments will be made to the financial support for higher education to take full account of the first step towards the rectification of the university teachers' pay anomaly during the next financial year.

The universities' recurrent grant for the current academic year, which spans the financial years 1978–79 and 1979–80, includes provision for pay increases for all university staff. The need for an adjustment to the grant to take account of the rectification of the university teachers' pay anomaly will be considered in the light of the level of actual pay settlements as well as the movement of prices generally.

Professional Association Of Teachers

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why she has not made provision for the Professional Association of Teachers to be represented on the Burnham Committee.

The reasons are given in the answer I gave on 6th November 1978 to a Question from the hon. and gallant Member for Winchester (Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles).—[Vol. 957, c. 52.]

Polytechnics (Technicians' Pay Scales)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list in the Official Report the current pay scales for each grade of technicians employed in polytechnics.

The current scales for technicians employed in polytechnics, which came into effect from 1st July 1978, are as follows:

	£
Grade 1	1,821
	1,935
	2,088
	2,205
	2,355
	2,556
	2,652
	2,727
	2,823
	2,895
	2,988
	3,087
	3,180
	3,279
Grade 2	3,279
	3,369
	3,465
	3,561
	3,651
Grade 3	3,732
	3,831
	3,933
	4,035
	4,146
Grade 4	4,245
	4,368
	4,500
	4,632
Grade 5	4,773
	4,920
	5,073

These figures include a supplement of £312 introduced in 1976 which has not been consolidated.

Research Establishments (Technicians' Pay Scales)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list in the Official Report the current pay scales of technicians employed in Government research establishments which fall within the general responsibility of her Department.

The current pay scales for technicians in the Science Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council and Agricultural Research Council, which have operated since 1st April 1978 are:Professional and technology officer

	£
Grade IV	3,148
	3,251
	3,355
	3,458
	3,562
	3,671
	3,774
	3,878
	3,981
	4,085
	4,206
	4,326

	£
Grade III	4,326
	4,435
	4,545
	4,654
	4,763
	4,869
Grade II	4,869
	5,039
	5,208
	5,378
	5,559
	5,739
Grade I	5,739
	5,926
	6,112
	6,298
	6,484
	6,670
	6,862
	7,064

The current pay scales for technicians in the Medical Research Council, which have operated since 1st April 1978, are:

Junior technician A
£
1,905
2,037
2,247
2,427
2,604
2,775
2,829
2,904
Junior technician B
£
2,169
2,370
2,538
2,718
2,889
2,937
3,015
Technician
£
3,261A3;
3,366
3,471
3,582
3,696
3,813
3,930
4,047
4,167
4,293

Grade 1 A and B	…	…	…	…	…	2,193— (51)—2,499
Grade 2 A	…	…	…	…	…	2,364— (63)—2,616— (69)—2,685
Grade 2 B	…	…	…	…	…	2,529— (69)—2,736— (72)—2,880
Grade 3	…	…	…	…	…	2,688— (72)—2,760— (75)—3,060
Grade 4	…	…	…	…	…	2,955— (87)—3,042— (90)—3,402
Grade 5	…	…	…	…	…	3,186— (99)—3,285—(108)—3,609—(111)—3,720
Grade 6	…	…	…	…	…	3,654—(111)—3,765—(I20)—4,365
Grade 7	…	…	…	…	…	4,254—(132)—4,782
Grade 8 (c)	…	…	…	…	…	4,746—(138)—5,160
Grade 8 (b)	…	…	…	…	…	5,085—(144)—5,517
Grade 8 (a)	…	…	…	…	…	5,412—(156)—6,036

£
4,419
4,545
4,680
Senior technician
£
4,347
4,485
4,623
4,764
4,902
5,040
5,178
5,322
5,463
5,613
5,769
Chief technician
£
5,472
5,586
5,697
5,817
5,937
6,063
6,192
Senior chief technician
£
6,063
6,213
6,372
6,543
6,723
6,909
7,098
7,311
Principal technician
£
7,311
7,671
8,055

University Technicians (Pay Scales)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list in the Official Report the current pay scales for each grade of university technician.

The current national pay scales for university technicians, which have operated since 1st October 1977 are as follows—expressed in £ annually, with increments in parentheses:

Independent Schools (Maintained Places)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which local authorities bought places at independent schools and paid for pupils to attend them during 1977–78 and 1978–79; how many students were involved; and what were the costs of providing such schooling to local authorities.

Using their powers under the Education Acts, local education authorities supported a total of 21,346 non-handicapped pupils and 7,362 handicapped pupils at independent schools in the academic year 1977–78. Corresponding figures for 1978–79 are not yet available. Information as to the costs for independent school placements alone are not readily available. However, for all non-maintained schools, including former direct grant schools and non-maintained special schools, the total number of students was 74,888 and according to provisional outturn figures, the expenditure by local education authorities in the financial year 1977–78 on the support of pupils in all such non-maintained schools was at November 1977 prices £41·7 million for non-handicapped pupils, of which approximately £18·5 million was for pupils in former direct grant schools, and £47·5 million for handicapped pupils. The number of pupils supported by each local education authority was as follows:

	Number of pupils
Local education authority	Non-handicapped	Handicapped
GREATER LONDON
Barking	4	59
Barnet	185	120
Bexley	110	28
Brent	512	104
Bromley	512	83
Croydon	639	115
Ealing	169	79
Enfield	155	62
Haringey	21	131
Harrow	241	73
Havering	23	26
Hillingdon	151	48
Hounslow	96	73
Kingston	277	67
Merton	61	26
Newham	40	30
Redbridge	47	69
Richmond	660	69
Sutton	81	74
Waltham Forest	2	17
ILEA	177	291

	Number of pupils
Local education authority	Non-handicapped	Handicapped
Birmingham	89	26
Coventry	20	14
Dudley	4	28
Sandwell	7	9
Solihull	121	26
Walsall	15	9
Wolverhampton	26	9
MERSEYSIDE
Knowsley	—	12
Liverpool	10	11
St. Helens	29	24
Sefton	41	44
Wirral	363	84
GREATER MANCHESTER
Bolton	28	51
Bury	14	22
Manchester	126	65
Oldham	22	27
Rochdale	49	16
Salford	38	6
Stockport	572	—
Tameside	61	35
Trafford	935	12
Wigan	23	8
SOUTH YORKSHIRE
Barnsley	5	—
Doncaster	11	5
Rotherham	—	5
Sheffield	32	3
WEST YORKSHIRE
Bradford	17	48
Calderdale	5	10
Kirklees	5	14
Leeds	52	74
Wakefield	3	12
TYNE AND WEAR
Gateshead	124	15
Newcastle	315	30
North Tyneside	28	2
South Tyneside	6	9
Sunderland	3	—
Isles of Scilly	3	—
Avon	237	236
Bedfordshire	303	118
Berkshire	1,163	236
Buckinghamshire	106	152
Cambridgeshire	139	94
Cheshire	2,712	43
Cleveland	43	40
Cornwall	31	52
Cumbria	55	56
Derbyshire	291	32
Devon	133	272
Dorset	662	230
Durham	37	14
East Sussex	233	236
Essex	239	187
Gloucestershire	460	129
Hampshire	1,267	469
Hereford and Worcester	310	112
Hertfordshire	423	245
Humberside	71	101
Isle of Wight	12	16
Kent	890	339

	Number of pupils
Local education authority	Non-handicapped	Handicapped
Lancashire	566	183
Leicestershire	84	72
Lincolnshire	50	49
Norfolk	320	34
North Yorkshire	219	20
Northamptonshire	14	39
Northumberland	37	12
Nottinghamshire	169	77
Oxfordshire	316	168
Salop	4	3
Somerset	688	107
Staffordshire	79	91
Suffolk	446	77
Surrey	559	246
Warwickshire	336	92
West Sussex	65	105
Wiltshire	212	169
TOTAL ENGLAND	21,346	7,362

Overseas Students

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her policy towards the total number of overseas students by 1980–81; how this target relates to the total in 1975–76; and if she will make a statement.

As indicated in the public expenditure White Paper of January 1978 Cmnd. 7049. Volume II, Page 78—the Government's present policy is to reduce the total number of overseas students from 1978–79 onwards to 67,000 by 1980–81. This compares with a total of 75,000 in 1975–76.

Prices And Consumer Protection

Director General Of Fair Trading

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when he plans next to meet the Director General of Fair Trading.

I have no plans to meet the Director General in the immediate future, but Ministers and officials are regularly in contact with the Director and his staff.

Inflation

18.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the six-month rate of inflation, excluding seasonal foods.

The six month rate of inflation as measured by the retail price index excluding seasonal foods fell from 4·7 per cent. in September to 3·8 per cent. in October.

British Railways (Fares)

20.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will state the reason for his reference of British Railways application for a rail fare increase to the Price Commission.

Responsibility for deciding whether or not to investigate particular price increases lies entirely with the Price Commission.

Essential Goods (Prices)

22.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will consider legislation to impose a six months' price freeze on certain essential goods.

No. A price freeze would prevent firms in both public and private sectors from recovering unavoidable cost increases, with damaging consequences for jobs and investment. Existing prices policy enables the Price Commission to consider whether specific price increases are justified and to make recommendations to me for restrictions, if appropriate.

Price Commission

23.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what consultations he has had with the Confederation of British Industry about new powers for the Price Commission.

I discussed with the CBI the Government's willingness to include in a joint Government/TUC statement proposals to strengthen the Price Commission, review the safeguard clauses and secure the maximum practicable interval between price increases.

Advertising

24.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he plans to introduce legislation on advertising.

I am already consulting the advertising industry, the Advertising Standards Authority and the National Consumer Council on the need to reinforce the voluntary regulation of advertising. I would welcome the views of other interested parties.

Nationalised Industries (Consumer Protection)

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will seek to abolish the individual nationalised industry consumer protection bodies, in the light of the growth of general provision for consumer protection through such bodies as the National Consumer Council, the Scottish Consumer Council, the Welsh Consumer Council, the Office of Fair Trading and the Price Commission.

No. The Government's reasons for maintaining the individual nationalised industry consumer protection bodies were explained in paragraphs 30 and 33 of the White Paper—Cmnd. 7131—on the nationalised industries published earlier this year.

Television Rentals

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what consideration was given to the television industry's future investment programme when he recently arranged a standstill in television rentals from certain companies.

The connection between the television rental and manufacturing industries, and the investment plans of the latter, were considered in some detail in the Price Commission report on which my right hon. Friend's action was based. Against this background, the Price Commission advised that the rentals of a number of companies should not be increased before 1st April 1979 beyond the levels applying at 31st August 1978.These same issues were also discussed with the companies after the report was published. Following these discussions my right hon. Friend accepted voluntary assurances on levels of rental which fully reflected the advice of the Commission.

Motor Vehicles (Spare Parts)

28.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what were the considerations leading to the reference of the prices of British-made spare parts for motor vehicles to the Price Commission.

The considerations which my right hon. Friend had in mind in making this reference included extensive public concern at the price of motor car spares and that running a car is a substantial and essential part of the budget of very many households.

Maize Starch, Glucose Syrup And Derived Products

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will make a statement on the price of maize starch, glucose syrup and derived products, in view of the Price Commission's report on this subject.

I have nothing to add to the Price Commission's report on CPC(UK) Ltd., which was published on 27th July and which recommended no restriction on the price increases sought.

Price Increases (Disallowed Applications)

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether, and on how many occasions, the Price Commission has disallowed a price increase because a productivity scheme has been found not to be self-financing.

The Price Commission assesses price increases in the light of the criteria in section 2 of the Price Commission Act 1977 and does not pay exclusive attention to any one consideration. But the commission regards productivity schemes, and the extent to which they are self-financing, as one of the matters which it takes into account when it considers factors which contribute to increased costs.

Conglomerate Companies (Takeover Bids)

28.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what recent studies his Department has made of the activities of conglomerate companies which use large financial resources to take over companies whose business is unrelated to their own and in fields where they have no technical expertise.

An interdepartmental group of senior officials has reviewed this issue amongst others as part of a wider study of monopolies and mergers policy. Their report which my right hon. Friend published as a Green Paper last May contained certain recommendations for strengthening control over the activities of conglomerate companies. But these recommendations are still the subject of consultation and do not represent current Government policy.

Animal Feedingstuffs

32.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will now announce the outcome of discussions with interested parties on the Price Commission report on prices, costs and margins in the production and distribution of compound feedingstuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry; and what action it is proposed to take to promote greater price competition, as recommended by the report.

Following discussions with interested parties my right hon. Friend announced his conclusions on 21st August. He indicated that the Director General of Fair Trading would take action against those suppliers shown by the Price Commission to be engaged in price co-ordination; and that the Commission's comments on loyalty discounts would be considered by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the context of its current study of discounts in general. Other recommendations in the report, particularly in respect of labelling of ingredients, home mixing and independent test results, were all drawn to the attention of the industry, and any further action rests with them in the light of such additional discussion with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as may be necessary.

Roof Repairs

33.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what steps he has taken to deter firms from extorting money from aged householders for unnecessary roof repairs, despite repeated fines.

Aged householders, and inexperienced consumers generally, would be wise to take advice before contracting for roof repairs.

The Director General of Fair Trading has the power to take action against a trader who persistently breaches his contractual obligations or the criminal law and is currently seeking assurances from two such firms.

I am keeping under review whether there are sufficient powers to deal with shortcomings in the service trades.

Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd

34.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what action he proposes to take in the light of the Price Commission's report on Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd.

The Price Commission did not recommend any price restrictions in this case, but suggested that the scale of gross margins in the retail distribution of tableware in the United Kingdom domestic market might be pursued by means of a sectoral examination. My right hon. Friend is considering this suggestion.

Minimum Lending Rate

35.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what effect he estimates the 2½ per cent. increase in minimum lending rate will have on the retail price index in the period up to the end of 1979.

Changes in the minimum lending rate have no direct effect on the RPI, but the recent increase in the mortgage rate will add about one half of one per cent. to the index for as long as it is in operation. On the other hand, a rise in interest rates was necessary to keep the growth of the money supply within the announced targets, which is essential if we are to keep inflation under control.

Food Prices

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what discussions he has had with the Food and Drink Industries Council concerning the impact of the common agricultural policy upon British food prices; and if he will make a statement.

Although my right hon. Friend has not had any recent discussions with the FDIC on the CAP, my Department keeps itself informed of the views of the food industry, as well as consumers and farmers on the subject.

Electricity Prices

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether, bearing in mind that many electricity prices are cheaper in the United States of America than in the United Kingdom, in spite of higher United States prime and labour costs and longer distances for distribution, he will now refer pricing policies of the British electricity supply industry to the Price Commission for investigation.

My right hon. Friend will keep this suggestion in mind.

National Association Of Citizens Advice Bureaux Information Services

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what grants were made to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux Information Service during each of the past four years; and if he will take necessary steps to ensure that further grants be given so that the National Association of Citizens Advice Bpreaux Information Services can continue to carry out its service to the public.

Specific grants are not given separately to the Information Service of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. Total grants given to the association during the past four years were as follows:

1974–75	…	…	…	£377,000
1975–76	…	…	…	£766,000
1976–77	…	…	…	£1,193,000
1977–78	…	…	…	£1,424,000

My Department expects to provide a total of £1·26 million in the present financial year. We have assured the National Association that our grant aid to it will continue at no less than its present level until March 1981. This should enable it to assist a limited number of new projects, notably in Scotland.We intend to undertake a review which would consider the funding and coverage of advice services. This will, among other things, provide a means of considering whether any changes are called for in present government policy towards the citizens advice bureaux service. The form of our support to this service beyond March 1981 will depend very much upon the outcome of this review which will take particular account of the findings of the Royal Commissions on legal services in England and Wales and in Scotland. The National Association's own proposals for its development, and the reports by the national and Scottish consumer councils on local advice services will also provide important inputs to this review.

Domestic Coal Consumers Council

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the cost to public funds of the Domestic Coal Consumers Council; who are its members; what remuneration they are paid; and what steps are taken to draw the attention of the public to its existence.

The cost to public funds of the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council for the year 1977–78 was £35,000 The members of the committee are:

Mr. D. Tench, (Chairman).
Mrs. J. Upward.
Mr. C. Needham.
Mrs. M. Brown.
Mr. K. W. Nattrass.
Mr. D. Holdsworth.
Mr. W. Devlin.
Mr. R. G. Greening.
Mr. R. Parry.
Mrs. M. A. Bell.
Mrs. J. Saunders.
Mr. T. Nawaz.
Mr. M. Ward.
Mr. P. H. Clarke.
Mr. M. Winslow.
Mrs. Y. Neville.
Mr. P. Brewis.
Mr. E. Hayhurst.
Mrs. J. Knott.
Mrs. M. Ewan.
Mrs. F. J. Clark.
Mr. E. Lee, OBE.
Mrs. D. Saunderson.
Mrs. D. M. Sergeant.

No remuneration is paid to members of the committee, but travelling and subsistence costs are reimbursed. The Domestic Coal Consumers' Council does not deal directly with complaints but ensures that the means exists for dealing with them. The point of contact for a consumer who is not satisfied with the response of a coal merchant is the appropriate regional secretary of the Approved Coal Merchants Scheme. The DCCC does, however, comment upon policy issues affecting domestic coal consumers through the press and radio.

Central Transport Consultative Committee

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the cost to public funds of the Central Transport Consultative Committee; who are its members; what remuneration they are paid; and what steps are taken to draw the attention of the public to its existence.

The cost to public funds of the Central Transport Consultative Committee for the year 1977–78 was £51,000. The members of the committee are:

Mr. W. F. Higgins, (Chairman).
Mr. L. V. Pike, MBE, JP.
Mr. S. A. Campbell.
Mr. C. George, JP.
Mr. M. Kellner.
Dr. E. C. Midwinter.
Mr. P. J. Kenyon.
Mr. W. J. Price.
Mr. C. L. Ricketts.
Mr. M. D. D. Newitt.
Professor D. Wiggins.
Mr. T. Carbery.
Mr. J. C. H. Meakin.
Mrs. A. Munro, CBE.
Mr. B. S. Jeuda
Mr. J. Daly
Mr. M. Shapley.
Mrs. N. Bloom.

Members of the committee, other than the chairman, are not remunerated but do have their travel and subsistence costs reimbursed. The chairman is paid £1,375 per annum. The CTCC is a national body which concerns itself mainly with broad policy issues. It regularly issues press releases about its activities. Individual complaints are handled by the area transport users' consultative committees which are advertised at all railway stations.

Prices (Northern Ireland)

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what progress he has made on his promise during his visit to Northern Ireland that he would be prepared to examine the reasons for the generally higher price levels that pertain in the Province.

I made it clear during my visit to Northern Ireland that, while recognising that there was genuine concern over the levels of prices there, I had reached no conclusions as to possible causes or solutions. The first task must be to establish the facts and I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the scope for a study with this purpose.

Transport

Odiham (Public Inquiry)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is able to indicate when his consideration will be completed of the report to him by his' inspector following the local public inquiry into the proposals of Hampshire county council for a bypass of the village of Odiham in Hampshire.

Not yet.

British Railways (Financial Support)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated level of financial support to British Railways in 1978–79; what proportion of operating costs this represents; and how these figures compare with 1973–74.

The financial support payable to the British Railways Board for the calendar year 1978 is estimated to be about £458 million, excluding pension funding. This represents about 28 per cent. of the estimated railway operating expenses. In the calendar year 1973 the support paid was £181 million—£385 million at 1978 prices—representing 26 per cent. of railway operating expenses.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Railways about the level of Government financial support in the context of the British Railways Board's application to the Price Commission for approval of fare increases; and if he will make a statement.

The chairman is aware of my views that fare increases should be consistent with the Government's policy on support to the passenger railway as set out in the White Paper on transport policy—Cmnd. 6836.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the increase in Government financial support which would be necessary to reduce the average rise in British Railways fares to 5 per cent. from the figure currently proposed for January 1979 and now under investigation by the Price Commission.

About £25 million for a full year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is his estimate of the effect on fare levels since 1973–74 of his policy of increasing the level of financial support to British Railways;(2) what is his estimate of the effect on British Railways' fare levels since 1973–74 of his policy of increasing the proportion of operating costs covered by Government financial support.

The fares increase since 1973 would undoubtedly have been higher and services would have been reduced but it is not possible to describe the precise outcome since many factors enter into the way the Railways Board achieve a balance between costs and revenues.

A17, Norfolk (Bypass)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is now in a position to confirm the start date for the West Lynn/Clenchwarton/Terrington St. Clement/Walpole Cross Keys bypass on the A17; and if he will make a statement.

This scheme is still programmed to start in 1979–80. Draft orders were published in 1976, and there was considerable opposition to the proposed closure of some side roads. Further orders taking account of these and other representations will be published early in the new year.

Coach Operators (Temporary Licences)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the traffic commissioners the granting of temporary licences to coach operators to run emergency bus services during rail disputes.

No. The traffic commissioners are statutorily independent bodies and I cannot intervene in such matters.

British Railways (Industrial Action)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the ASLEF unofficial action on the south-western division of the Southern Region of British Railways.

The action arises from disatisfaction with a recent decision of the Railway Staff National Tribunal to reject ASLEF's claim for payments to footplate staff in parallel with bonus payments for pay train guards for the extra duties of issuing and inspection of tickets. It is quite unjustified, damaging to the long-term prospects of British Railways and inexcusable in the inconvenience it is causing to the travelling public.I understand it is taking place against advice of the general secretary of ASLEF.

A57 Road (Worksop Bypass)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the public inquiry into the A57 Worksop bypass was held; what has been the reason for the delay in announcing his decision; and when he expects to issue the findings.

The public inquiry was held between 9th and 18th May 1978. The inspector's report needs careful consideration and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment will reach a decision as soon as possible.

Concessionary Travel Schemes (Grant)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the fact that it has been announced by Her Majesty's Government that concessionary travel schemes attract rate support grant at a rate of 61 per cent., why many local authorities are this year receiving a level of grant at a rate of 35 per cent.

Expenditure on concessionary fares is relevant for rate support grant. The Government currently finance 61 per cent. of local authorities' aggregate relevant expenditure but the grant is not earmarked for particular purposes. It is distributed according to each area's needs and resources and the proportion of grant to expenditure varies between authorities.

Motor Vehicle Mileages

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, on annual re-registration for MOT and third party insurance, he will include a record of the total mileage reached at the date of registration so that frauds induced by false speedometer readings may be obviated.

No. To do so would be expensive, would put motorists to extra trouble, and would be unlikely to he very effective.

A6 Bakewell-Buxton

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in view of the recent spate of serious accidents on the A.6 road between Bakewell and Buxton, he will bring forward proposals to improve the road at that point.

The section of this road at Taddington Dale, where serious accidents have occurred recently, is at present being surveyed to see to what extent safety can be improved. In the meantime, additional road signs and markings are being provided on the approach from the north to make drivers more aware of the hazards.

Energy

Technology Support Group (Technicians' Pay Scales)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the pay scales for each grade of technician employed by the Energy Technology Support Unit.

There are no technicians employed in the Energy Technology Support Unit. The unit provides management services, supported by desk studies, for the Department's programmes of research into renewable sources of energy and energy conservation technology, for which technician involvement is not appropriate.

European Coal And Steel Community

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the totals of loans and grants, respectively, to the United Kingdom from the European Coal and Steel Community from 1973 to the latest convenient date, and separately in the last financial year; and of these totals what sums have been made available for projects in Norfolk.

To 31st October 1978 the United Kingdom coal industry received £391 million in loans and £25·8 million in grants. In 1977–78 the figures were £93·6 million and £40 million respectively.The National Coal Board has no projects in Norfolk. Steel industry matters are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry.

Morecambe Bay Gas Field

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has supplied to the Lancashire trades council about the exploitation of the Morecambe Bay gas field; and whether he will place in the Library a copy of the documents supplied to it.

After addressing a meeting of the Lancashire Association of Trades Councils on 28th July, I left a copy of my speaking notes and some background information with its secretary. A copy of the papers has been placed in the Library.

Mining Subsidence

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many claims have been lodged against the National Coal Board in respect of subsidence; what is the total compensation payable in the last full year for which figures are available; and whether consequential damages such as loss of profits are claimable under the revised code.

These are matters within the day-to-day responsibility of the National Coal Board and I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

Pit Closures

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to require it to inform men in writing of all propositions affecting them when a pit falls under the closure procedure;(2) if he will set up a departmental inquiry into the National Coal Board's handling of its withdrawal from deep mining in the Doon valley, with special reference to the lack of precise advance information to the workforce and local authorities.

There are long established and well defined arrangements agreed between the board and the unions for the discussion of possible colliery closures. Any adjustment to these procedures would be for the industry to discuss with the Secretary of State for Energy, who has indeed made suggestions for improving them.

Rent And Rate Rebate Recipients

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what would be the cost of extending the electricity discount scheme to rent and rate rebate recipients on the same terms as apply to supplementary benefit recipients; and how this compares with the cost of his current proposals.

The cost of such extension would be about £16 million compared with the total of £45 million allocated to next winter's scheme.

Opencast Coal

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many applications for opencast developments he has approved during the last three years; and in how many cases approval has been given against the recommendation of the Department of the Environment's inspector who has presided at an inquiry.

Since the beginning of 1976, 50 applications have been approved, four of them after the inspector at a public inquiry had recommended refusal. In two of the latter cases, significant modifications were made to the boundaries of the sites in accordance with the inspectors' suggestions.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Cyprus

39.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the present situation in Cyprus, with special regard to consideration of United Nations discussions about the future of the island.

The British Government are working for a resumption of the intercommunal negotiations, which are essential for progress towards a settlement. The British attitude at the United Nations reflects this. In my right hon. Friend's view, the resolution recently adopted in the General Assembly will not help towards a resumption of negotiations and the United Kingdom therefore abstained in the vote.

Hong Kong

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from elected members of the Hong Kong urban council, concerning a phasing-out of appointed members, expansion of the franchise and expansion of urban council jurisdiction; what reply he has sent and if he will make a statement.

Three elected members of the Hong Kong urban council put forward these proposals in a letter to my right hon. and noble Friend of 24th June. In reply, they were told that we would naturally like to see appropriate moves at the right time towards a more representative system of government in Hong Kong but that patience and caution are necessary when considering changes which could affect the stability and prosperity of the territory. The councillors have recently renewed their proposals. A reply will be sent shortly.

Saudi Arabia (British Detainees)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people normally resident in Scotland are presently detained in Saudi Arabia for alleged offences relating to the sale and manufacture of alcoholic drinks.

None.

Moscow Olympics (British Citizens)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guarantees he has sought from the Soviet Union regarding the freedom of movement for British visitors, contestants and the press should the 1980 Olympics take place in Moscow; and what discussions he has held with his EEC partners on the matter.

It is for the International Olympic Committee to satisfy itself that its rules and regulations, including those relating to participation and the press, are complied with. My right hon. Friend has not discussed the question of guarantees with the Soviet Government, or with colleagues in the Nine.

Judicial Delays

asked the Attorney-General if he will indicate for the most recent period for which figures are available the maximum and minimum delay experienced in the hearing of applications for judicial review after leave has been granted by the Queen's Bench Division to apply for such review in accordance with order 53 of the Rules of the Supreme Court (S.I., 1977, No. 1955); and how these days compare with those expe-

	1973		1974		1975		1976		1977
	Tonnes		Tonnes		Tonnes		Tonnes		Tonnes
	'000s	£ '000s	'000s	£ '000s	'000s	£ '000s	'000s	£ '000s	'000s	£ '000s
Total landings	23·1	1,160	31·1	1,486	48·6	2,310	87·3	5,262	186·9	14,673
of which—
for human consumption	10·9	548	15·1	699	20·4	1,159	38·8	2,959	119·8	10,123
exports	7·2	780	13·1	1,426	14·8	1,665	25·5	3,298	53·3	7,823
Human consumption as percentage of landings	47·2		48·6		42·0		44·4		64·1

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what is the figure representing the quantity of mackerel that his Department's scientific fishery officers believe can be caught in any one season without prejudicing future stocks of mackerel; when this figure was last revised; what was the previous estimate; and what is the quantity of mackerel that he expects will be caught during the current mackerel season based on his department's catch quotas and regulations.

In these matters the Government are guided by the recommendations of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea—ICES—in whose work scientists of the United Kingdom Fisheries Departments play a leading part. In May 1978 ICES recommended that the total allowable catch—FAC—from the Western mackerel fishery should be 450,000 tonnes in 1978—compared with an earlier recommendation rienced under the former order 53 (R.S.C. 1965).

I regret that the information is not available, since all motions for hearing before the Divisional Court are included in the same list.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Mackerel

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the past five years for which figures are available, what are the total quantities and financial value of the mackerel catch landed in United Kingdom ports and the estimated proportions that were sold for human consumption and the estimated quantities and corresponding values of mackerel exported.

The information is as folows:for 1978 of 300,000 tonnes—and 435,000 tonnes in 1979. The United Kingdom catch so far in 1978 totals some 225,000 tonnes. The objective of the Government's licensing arrangements is to keep the United Kingdom catch to a reasonable share of the latest recommended TAC.

Rabies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest preventive measures he has taken against rabies reaching Great Britain from the Continent; and what discussions he has had with representatives of foreign Governments on this subject.

The Government's objective continues to be to keep rabies out of the country. This is achieved by stringent control measures coupled with a vigorous rabies awareness campaign designed to inform the public of the Government's requirements.We maintain continuing contacts with foreign Governments and international organisations about our controls and about the measures that they adopt. En addition, everything possible is done to ensure that travellers from abroad are alert to our requirements.Details of our control measures and our contingency plans are set out in a memorandum which was placed in the Library of the House earlier this year.

Marginal Land

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will look

INTERVENTION STOCKS (TONNES)
		United Kingdom	Other EEC	Total	United Kingdom as percentage of total
Skimmed milk powder	…	70,364	715,075	785,439	9·00
Butter …	…	25,838	189,587	215,425	12·00
Beef	…	16,915^*	205,574	222,489	7·60
Cereals	…	20,943	1,695,550	1,716,493	1·1
^* Includes 2,500 tonnes of Eire beef in intervention stores in the United Kingdom.

Pork Imports (Health Regulations)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether he will give an assurance that the Government will resist any attempt to weaken the health regulations against the import of fresh pork from the Continent.

We shall do so in furtherance of our general policy of safeguarding the health status of British livestock.

British Sugar Corporation (Bury St Edmunds Factory)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the fact that thousands of tons of sugar beet already harvested and awaiting delivery to the British Sugar Corporation factory in Bury St. Edmunds are liable to rot because the factory is unable to receive them, and that hundreds of thousands of tons of sugar beet still in the ground are also at risk due to the dislocation of delivery arrangements, he will personally intervene to ensure a speedy end to the disputes and delays that have held up the British Sugar Corporation's completion of its latest works at this factory; and if he will make a statement on at the possibility of meeting the special needs of farmers of marginal land.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Howells) on 16th November.—[Vol. 958 c. 296–97]

Intervention Stocks

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much food and agricultural produce is held in intervention in the United Kingdom in the case of each product covered by intervention; and how these amounts compare with the EEC totals.

The latest available figures are shown in the table.the losses already suffered by both farmers and the British Sugar Corporation and an arrangement for compensation to the growers of sugar beet.

No. I understand from the British Sugar Corporation that the industrial action that delayed the completion of capital works at the Bury St. Edmunds factory involved contractors installing equipment and not the corporation itself. The operation of the factory and the supply of beet to it are matters for the corporation and the farmers concerned.

Northern Ireland

Ballantine Knitwear Company

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement on the circumstances which led to the closure of Ballantyne knitwear factory in Coleraine; and what was the number and the total value of grants made to the Ballantyne Knitwear Company from public funds during its operation.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 14th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 165], gave the following information:The closure of the Ballantyne factory followed 11 weeks of industrial action resulting from a trade dispute. I deplore this development, which was quite uncharacteristic of the good industrial relations which I understand the company enjoyed in Northern Ireland during the past 20 years.The factory was established in 1958 in premises rented from the Government. It received the following grants:

(i) from the Department of Commerce, towards capital expenditure—£24,695, of which over £18,500 was given in the two years up to 1960.

(ii) from the Department of Manpower Services, under the training on employers premises scheme—£18,643, of which some £14,400 was provided between 1964 and 1966.

Ex-President Nixon

asked the Prime Minister if, in the light of his willingness to meet ex-Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi, if he will meet ex-President Nixon on his forthcoming visit to Great Britain.

There are at present no plans for me to meet Mr. Nixon.

Employment

Industrial Action (Governmental Action)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what, if any, discussions he has had with the Trades Union Congress concerning the future use of the services by Her Majesty's Government to frustrate industrial action, similar to that employed by Her Majesty's Government in the firemen's dispute, and the Glasgow refuse dispute; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions.

Working Week

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the percentage by which labour costs would rise in industry generally and engineering, respectively, if the working week was reduced to 35 hours without loss of earnings.

An article setting out the possible effects of various methods of work-sharing was published in the April 1978 issue of the Department of Employment Gazette. On the assumptions set out in it, the estimates were that total labour costs would be increased by between 6 per cent. And 8·5 per cent., assuming there was no loss of earnings. No corresponding estimates have been made for manufacturing industry or engineering alone.

Industrial Tribunals

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he proposes to introduce legislation aimed at amending procedures at industrial tribunals so as to reduce complaints of no merit; and if he will make a statement.

Under present procedures, over 3,000 applicants a year are told by the secretaries that their applications are out of scope. The vast majority of them do not pursue their cases. I have at present no plans to amend tribunal procedures further, but I shall continue to keep them under review.

Pay Policy (Leap-Frogging Awards)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that schedule 11 to the Employment Protection Act has sufficient safeguards against leap-frogging pay awards; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I have no evidence that the schedule has given rise to such awards.

Departmental Premises, Walthamstow (Political Meetings)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why extreme Left wing demonstrators have been allowed to use the forecourt of his Department's premises at Walthamstow for political meetings.

Four "Right to Work" campaigners recently demonstrated against the Government on the forecourt of my Department's premises at Waltham-stow. My Department did not give authority for this attack on itself. The police were informed, but the occurrence did not call for further action.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why he has not yet replied to the letter of 25th September from the hon. Member for Waltham Forest, Chingford, concerning the political meetings held on the forecourt of his Department's office at Walthamstow on 22nd and 30th August.

I have replied to the hon. Member.

Pay Settlement (Trades Union Congress)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to his reply of 10th November concerning his inquiries made on 26th September concerning the Trades Union Congress pay settlement which appears to breach the Government's pay guidelines, he has yet had a reply from the Trades Union Congress giving details of the settlement.

The main features of the settlement have been reported to me by the TUC, but I am awaiting a reply to my subsequent request for additional information, to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member on 10th November.—[Vol. 957, c. 360.]

Temporary Employment Subsidy

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies and how many employees were the subject of payments under the temporary employment subsidy at the latest date, and at what rates.

I regret that information is not available in the precise form requested. As at 31st October an estimated 104,580 jobs in 2,050 establishments were currently being supported by main scheme TES and 28,850 jobs in 570 establishments by TES (Supplement).TES is paid at the rate of £20 per week for each full-time job supported and £10 per week for part-time jobs. TES (Supplement) is paid at half these rates.

Walsall

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many schemes and individual places have been approved by the Manpower Services Commission's programme dealing with youth unemploy- ment (STEP and YOP) in the Walsall area since 1st April; how many of these have been sponsored by: (a) the local authority, (b) firms and (c) voluntary bodies; and if he is satisfied with the response so far.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information requested is as follows. Since 1st April 1978, 269 schemes comprising 676 places have been approved under the youth opportunities programme and the special temporary employment programme in the Walsall area up to mid-October. Of these schemes, five have been sponsored by local authorities giving eight places. Private firms have sponsored 228 schemes with 370 places and voluntary bodies have sponsored 11 schemes with 130 places. The area board which is responsible for the management of the special programmes in the Walsall area has assured me that the response is sufficient to meet the needs of unemployed people in the Walsall area.

Jobcentres

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give instructions to Government job-centres to supply names and addresses of people ready to fill company vacancies on a self-employed basis.

No. I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for the public employment service that it is not its policy to submit people to vacancies for self employment, i.e. under a contract for services. This policy is based on concern to safeguard the interests of workers who may not be fully aware of the implication of self employment, and in particular the lack of some forms of employment protection for the self employed. However, the employment service division of the MSC has in hand a review of this policy.

Glasgow Transport Executive (Industrial Dispute)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will make a statement on the steps which have been taken by officials of his Department and of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service to seek a solution of the strike within the Greater Glasgow Transport Executive;(2) if he will now consider meeting both sides in the Glasgow transport dispute, if the current discussions are unsuccessful in finding a solution.

I am pleased to say that, following talks which the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service held with both sides, normal working was resumed on 17th November.

Environment

Mortgages

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the monthly mortgage payment payable by an owner-occupier purchasing a £10,000 house in February 1974 with a 90 per cent. mortgage; what would be the repayment for a purchaser buying the same house at present; and what proportion of average earnings the mortgage payments would represent in each case.

Monthly repayments on a new 25-year repayment mortgage of £9,000 in February 1974 would have been £8910 gross or £64.35 net of tax at the basic rate of 30 per cent. and at a mortgage interest rate of 11 per cent. House prices have risen, on average, by about 50 per cent. since that time and a house purchased for £10,000 in February 1974 might now cost around £15,000. Repayments on a 90 per cent. mortgage—that is, £13,500—would be £141–08 gross or £9745 net of tax at 33 per cent. and at a mortgage interest rate of 11·75 per cent. The increase in the monthly mortgage repayment would therefore have been about 50 per cent. net or about 60 per cent. gross; between February 1974 and September 1978 the index of average earnings in Great Britain increased by 116 per cent.It is unlikely that a purchaser on average earnings would have obtained a mortgage of these sizes. A typical first-time purchaser who took out an average advance in 1974 could have expected gross monthly mortgage repayments to be about 30 per cent. of his net income; the equivalent proportion is now about 27 per cent.

Council House Rents

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest figure for the average increase in council house rents since February 1974, in cash and percentage terms; and how this compares with the increase in the retail price index and the increase in average earnings.

On the latest available information, rebated and unrebated rents in England and Wales are estimated to have risen on average by £1.87 or 56 per cent. and £2'06 or 55 per cent. respectively during the period February 1974 to April 1978.Over the same period the retail price index for the United Kingdom rose by 91 per cent. and the index of average weekly earnings for Great Britain rose by 108 per cent.

Rate Support Grant (Northamptonshire)

asked the Secrettary of State for the Environment what was the amount of rate support grant payable to the Northamptonshire county council in each of the years 1973–74 to 1978–79; what was the value of the grant in real terms related to 1973–74 prices; and what proportion of the country's total expenditure this represented in each year.

The amount paid in rate support grant to Northamptoshire

Years							Grant £	Grant expressed at 1973–74 prices	Percentage of total expenditure
							£	£
1973–74	…	…	…	…	…	…	26,792,100	26,792,100	60·82
1974–75	…	…	…	…	…	…	24,504,053	20,108,365	40·75
1975–76	…	…	…	…	…	…	32,431,627	21,425,399	35·28
1976–77	…	…	…	…	…	…	35,357,684	20,642,001	37·60
1977–78	…	…	…	…	…	…	34,671,442	18,234,691	35·53
1978–79	…	…	…	…	…	…	33,413,396	15,972,750	29·97

For the year 1973–74 these figures include the payment made to the former Northampton county borough whose major functions were transferred to the county council in the local government reorganisation in 1974; they include both the resources and needs elements of rate support grant which were payable to these authorities at that time. Since 1974–75 only the needs element is paid direct to the county council and therefore the figures shown do not include resources element.

Council House Sales (Greater London Council)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department is investigating the £10 million losses made by the Greater London Council on selling of council housing.

I am concerned at reports of the Greater London Council's decision to sell council housing at less than the cost of providing it and I am inquiring into this.

Water Conservation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance his Department has given to those local authorities wishing to implement schemes to conserve water since mid–1976.

The only scheme serving a conservation purpose for which grant has been paid by my Department since 1976 is the Northumbrian Water authority's Kielder water scheme, which qualifies for assistance under section 7 of the Local Employment Act 1972 to the extent that it makes provision for the county council for each of the years 1973–74 to 1977–78 and the latest figures for 1978–79, together with the estimated value of the grant, in each of the years related to 1973–74 prices, and the proportion of the county's total expenditure this represented are as follows:future needs of industry. Payments exceeding £10 million have been made to date, of which more than half relate to the storage element of the scheme.

Mansfield/Alfreton Growth Zone (Development)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the purchase and development of the Broadmeadows site in the Mansfield/Alfreton growth zone by the Derbyshire county council; and if he will investigate the loss of public money in this venture.

As I explained to my hon. Friend in my letter of 26th June, on the information available, I do not see justification for intervention.

Dawn House, Mosley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that the £25,000 paid by the Copec housing trust for Dawn House, Mosley, in Birmingham, represents value for money in his opinion, if he will explain the basis on which this price was determined.

The price was based on the district valuer's certificate of the vacant possession value. The property is expected to be vacant by the anticipated completion of the purchase later this month.

Rates

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the rates paid per domestic hereditament in each district council within Cambridgeshire and in the London boroughs of Southwark, Havering, and Enfield, in 1977–78 and 1978–79, respectively.

The information is as follows:

AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE PAYMENT PER DOMESTIC HEREDITAMENT
Authority	1977–78	1978–79
	£	£
Cambridge district council	145·42	172·35
East Cambridgeshire district council	91·68	111·59
Fenland district council	86·26	107·51
Huntingdon district council	107·74	131·74
Peterborough district council	117·13	139·83
South Cambridgeshire district council	129·78	151·28
London borough of Southwark	130·21	138·05
London borough of Havering	168·07	174·33
London borough of Enfield	134·12	141·17

Home Loans

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish a departmental inquiry into the present situation of home loans finance and the effects of and reasons for each increase in building society interest rates over the last four years.

I am not persuaded that an inquiry now would be helpful.

Planning Inquiries (Environmental Evaluations)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give full details of how the recommendations of the Thirlwall-Catlow report on environmental evaluations can be used in major planning inquiries such as for coal mining in the Vale of Belvoir in North East Leicestershire.

I envisage that, for any particular case, the considerations to be examined, and the method of examination, should be tailored to the issues identified for that case. At Belvoir I hope that, if necessary, the important environmental considerations that have already been the subject of a joint study by the county council and the NCB will be further developed for presentation at the inquiry, perhaps under guidance from the pre-inquiry meeting.

Industry

British Shipbuilders

37.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has received a report from British Shipbuilders; and if he will make a statement.

If my right hon. Friend is referring to British Shipbuilders' corporate plan, we do not expect to receive it until towards the end of the year.

Government Chemist

38.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish the current cost to public funds of the move of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist from London to Cumbria, together with figures showing (a) the building costs, (b) the cost of relocating employees, (c) the cost of terminating existing contracts and of redundancies, (d) the annual expected operating costs, including those of accommodation, compared with present costs and (e) the costs and return from the sale, conversion or other use of the previous premises and the present value of the overall benefit of the move.

The new laboratory will not be ready before 1984 and it is far too early to provide detailed costings; the design is still at an early stage. Estimates for the dispersal programme as a whole were given last year by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal, but estimates for individual elements are not available.

Steel Imports

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the degree of import penetration of the United Kingdom market in respect of tool steel, high speed steels, and stainless steel bar in each of the years 1974, 1976, 1977 and 1978, to 30th September (a) by volume, (b) by value, and (c) as a percentage of the United Kingdom market, showing the main exporting countries to the United Kindom.

The information is given below. The estimates of import penetration are based only on volume figures because figures of the value of home deliveries are not available.

IMPORT PENETRATION OF UNITED KINGDOM MARKET BY MAIN EXPORTING COUNTRIES TO UNITED KINGDOM
			1974			1976			1977			1978 (January-September)
			Imports		Imports penetration	Imports		Imports penetration	Imports		Imports penetration	Imports		Imports penetration
			tonnes	£000	%	tonnes	£000	%	tonnes	£000	%	tonnes	£000	%
Alloy tool, die and magnet steel—
France	…	…	7,510	1,157	14·86	5,154	1,228	14–58	11,236	2,486	23·09	9,610	2,842	22·93
Netherlands	…	…	690	182	1·36	141	65	0·40	858	217	1·76	2,286	628	5·46
Federal Republic Germany	…	…	5,742	1,388	11·37	2,420	1,052	6·85	4,545	2,593	9·34	6,554	3,197	15·64
Italy	…	…	995	317	1·97	2,000	451	5·66	3,908	1,082	8·03	2,332	709	5·56
Sweden	…	…	8,908	2,263	17·63	4,803	2,138	13·60	5,348	2,116	10·99	1,718	941	4·10
Finland	…	…	5,740	957	11·37	5,910	1,585	16·72	3,526	1,162	7·25	3,456	1,272	8·25
Austria	…	…	1,142	670	2·26	1,189	1,123	3·36	2,226	2,581	4–57	517	445	1·23
Japan	…	…	84	34	0·17	1,213	556	3·43	1,909	787	3·92	628	288	1·50
USA	…	…	4,280	1,138	8·47	188	234	0·53	209	244	0·43	335	481	0·80
Brazil	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1,245	249	2·97
All countries	…	…	36,727	8,523	72·69	23,802	8,685	67·35	35,525	13,865	73·01	29,895	11,518	71·34

High speed steel bar and rod
(including wire rod)—
France	…	…	341	527	2·86	252	486	2·31	718	1,624	6·18	360	1,030	4·23
Federal Republic of Germany	…	…	186	273	1·56	52	108	0·48	433	821	3·73	189	492	2·22
Sweden	…	…	2,875	3,498	24·09	2,491	4,394	22·80	2,257	4,590	19·44	2,097	4,151	24·65
Austria	…	…	1,334	1,708	11·18	382	850	3·50	416	1,109	3·58	409	1,396	4·81
All countries	…	…	5,087	6,609	42·63	3,419	6,365	31·30	4,251	8,701	36·61	3,190	7,313	37·49
Stainless steel bars—
France	…	…	1,578	940	4·57	853	1,182	3·86	1,189	1,892	4·37	1,341	2,133	5·72
Federal Republic of Germany	…	…	1,683	1,182	4·88	2,127	1,823	9·62	3,011	2,751	11·05	2,187	2,309	9·33
Italy	…	…	289	165	0·84	470	402	2·13	2,502	2,699	9·18	2,736	2,731	11 · 67
Austria	…	…	412	297	1·19	453	478	2·05	749	989	2·75	610	794	2·60
Spain	…	…	1,497	878	4·34	1,245	1,067	5·63	2,251	2,145	8·26	1,287	1,206	5·49
All countries	…	…	8,279	5,520	24 · 00	7,955	7,602	35 · 98	12,201	13,548	44·78	9,670	11,079	41 25
In order to provide comparability as between the trade statistics of Customs & Excise and the delivery figures from 1SSB the three product categories covered are as follows:—
(a) Alloy tool, die and magnet steel excludes carbon tool steel.
(b) High speed steel includes high speed wire rod.
(c) In addition to stainless steel bar this steel category includes valve steel and tube rounds.
Sources: Iron & Steel Statistical Bureau, H. M. Customs & Excise.

Special Steels Industry

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the current involvement of the National Enterprise Board in the special steels industry.

None, but the board is of course always ready to consider proposals for worthwhile investment.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish the report of the Iron and Steel Industry Sector Working Party on the special steels industry.

After consideration last summer, the working party decided not to publish this report as it contained commercial information supplied in confidence by United Kingdom producers and consumers.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will hold discussions with the principal trade unions concerned about possible re-organisation of the special steels industry;(2) if he will initiate discussions with the British Independent Steel Producers Association with a view to producing a planning agreement for the special steels industry.

The problems of the special steel industry including the need for possible reorganisation are one of the main issues already being considered by the NEDO iron and steel sector working party. Both the employers and the trade unions are represented as well as the Government. My right hon. Friend asked the sector working party to give further thought to ways in which the industry can best be helped to improve its efficiency and competitiveness, but my right hon. Friend is always willing to consider any practical ideas and proposals to help the industry that are put to him. Planning agreements are negotiated with individual companies rather than with sectors of industry but the British Independent Steel Producers Association is represented on the sector working party and participates actively in its discussions. My right hon. Friend would, however, welcome, at the same time, the conclusion of planning agreements with companies in this sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what discussions have taken place between his Department and Commissioner Davignon on the problem of special steels and the need for orderly marketing of these steels within the Community;(2) if he will seek to place on the agenda of the next meeting of EEC Industry Ministers the problem of special steels with a view to eliminating dumping and discriminating pricing by producers in EEC countries.

My right hon. Friend wrote to Commissioner Davignon about this serious problem on 15th September and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Industry discussed it with him on 16th October. A reply from the Commissioner has now been received and is being considered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State who will be pursuing this problem further at the Council of Ministers meeting tomorrow.

Industrial Projects, West Midlands (Regional Fund Assistance)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what assistance has been given by the Regional Fund of the European Economic Community to industrial projects (a) in the West Midlands and (b) in the area of the Birmingham district council, by parliamentary constituency; and if he will list those projects individually in the Official Report.

The European Regional Development Fund can contribute towards the costs of projects in assisted areas only with priority being given to those in the national priority areas, namely development areas and special development areas. So far no projects have been assisted in the Oswestry employment office area which is the only assisted area in the West Midlands.

Post Office (Code Of Practice)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has received a copy of the Post Office code of practice to which the Minister of State referred, Official Report, 6th May 1977, column 854, as having been approved in principle by the Post Office.

No, but I look forward to an early outcome to the discussions the Post Office is having with the Office of Fair Trading and the Post Office Users' National Council.

Research Establishments (Technicians' Pay Scales)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report the current pay scales of technicians employed in research establishments for which his Department has general responsibility.

Technician is not a Civil Service grade in the Department's research establishments, but some members of the professional and technology group employed there might be so described. The pay scales (national rates) for the grades in those establishments most relevant to that description are:

PTO IV Entry scale
	£
Age 21	3,148
Age 22	3,251
Age 23	3,355
Age 24	3,458
Age 25	3,562
Age 26	3,671
Age 27	3,774
	3,878
	3,981
Main scale £3,878, £3,981, £4,085, £4,206, £4,326.
PTO III £4,326, £4,435, £4,545, £4,654, £4,763, £4.869.

"The Future Of Information Technology"

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will now publish the confidential report entitled "The Future of Information Technology"; and if he will make a statement.

I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Small Businesses

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what further action is being taken in the help to small businesses provided under the small firms counselling service.

Development of the Small Firms Counselling Service is kept under constant review by my officials and it has been decided that in exceptional cir- cumstances, firms may receive counselling advice for periods in excess of the 10 days maximum in any one year under the scheme as it at present stands. I emphasise that such occasions will be rare and will arise only where it is clear that extra counselling for particular firms would put their development in terms of growth, output and profitability on a firmer footing.

Building Industry

asked the Secretary of State for Industry for what purpose his Department is collecting statistics from the building industry on the purchase of building materials; under which Act the survey is authorised; and what sanctions will be taken against firms which fail to supply the required information.

The business statistics office will be asking firms in the construction industry employing 20 or more persons for details of their purchases of building materials as an extension of the qnnual census of production for 1979. The census is taken under section 2 of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947 and firms failing to complete returns are liable to prosecution under section 4 of that Act.Detailed information on purchases by the construction industry was last sought in 1968. It will be used to bring up to date the basis of calculating the construction materials price index and related indices which are used extensively in price variation adjustments. It will also be used in the preparation of input/output tables to study the interdependence between industries. A wide variety of firms and trade associations have stressed to us how important this information is.

Statistical Office, Newport

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the cost to public funds of the Statistical Office at Newport; and how many people are currently employed there.

In the financial year 1977–78 the cost to public funds of the business statistics office at Newport was £7.5 million. 1,027 people were employed there on 10th November 1978.

Trade

British Airways (Fares)

36.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether bearing in mind that it is now cheaper to fly from London to San Francisco than to Inverness, he will refer British Airways (UK) to the Price Commission for investigation.

No. The fares from London to San Francisco are well above those from London to Inverness but, in any event, fares charged by United Kingdom airlines are subject to the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority and are not a matter for the Price Commission. In examining fare proposais the authority is required to have regard, among other things, to Government prices policy.

Industrial Democracy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether his legislative proposals on industrial democracy will include rights of consultation for all employees whether or not they are trade union members.

The Government's proposals on this matter are set out in the White Paper on industrial democracy, Cmnd. 6231, on which consultations are in progress. I shall in due course announce detailed proposals for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether it is his policy to employ the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service as the instrument for industrial participation or if a specialist agency is proposed.

The White Paper 311 industrial democracy (Cmnd. 7231) indicated that the Government were disposed to accept the recommendation of the Bullock Committee that a new institution should be set up. A final decision will be taken in the light of the views expressed by the TUC, CBI, ACAS and other interested parties.

Oil Mop Device

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington, Official Report, 13th November, columns 85–6, whether any of the employees referred to in that answer were formerly employed by Her Majesty's Government on work connected with oil pollution.

I am aware that one of the employees of these two companies was formerly employed by the Government on work connected with oil pollution. I am not aware of the details of all the employees of those two companies, and it may be that others had also previously been employed by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington, Official Report, 13th November, columns 84–5, why his answer makes no reference to Oil Recovery International of Christchurch, Dorset.

Because Oil Mop (UK) Ltd. is the registered name of the company which trades as Oil Recovery International.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to his Written Answers to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington, Official Report. 13th November, columns 84–5, why he states that the oil mop device developed by Oil Recovery International Ltd., of Christchurch, Dorset, is suitable only for use close inshore and in sheltered waters when the device has now been developed to the point where the manufacturers can guarantee its use in the open sea in wind conditions up to force seven.

Because the devices in question are only suitable for use close inshore and in sheltered waters. We understand that Oil Mop (UK) Ltd., in association with another company, is in the process of developing a system for use in the open seas employing a large "Oil Mop" rope. We also understand that a full scale model is not yet available for test and evaluation.

Oil Spillage (Select Committee's Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he now expects to issue the Government's reply to the Fourth Report, Session 1977–78, of the Select Committee on Science and Technology on oil spillage.

We expect to reply to this report in the customary manner before Christmas.

Exports To Japan

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what areas of discrimination currently exist against British exports to Japan; what was the position over each of the past four years; and what action he is taking or intends to take to improve the United Kingdom's trade balance with that country.

The main areas of discrimination include the high import duties on Scotch and confectionery, the quotas on leather and the distribution and pricing policies of the State tobacco monopoly. Some concessions were introduced into the tariffs on Scotch earlier in the year. The EEC Commission is pursuing these questions bilaterally and in the multilateral trade negotiations, and the Government use every opportunity to press our case, too. Over the past few years, the Government and the EEC Commission have also pursued a number of other sectoral problems which have deterred our exporters. These have included Japanese standards and test procedures on, for example, cars, pharmaceuticals and marine diesel engines. Japan has responded to these representations and changes have been introduced. For example, the application of the 1978 emission standards to foreign cars has been deferred for three years, and reciprocal testing arrangements for cars have been made. Further representations will be made as necessary. The main obstacle to exporters, however, has been the depressed state of Japan's domestic demand and her high level of self-sufficiency in manufactured goods. Together with the EEC, the Government have been pressing Japan to adopt policies which will eliminate these obstacles, lead to more imports of manu- factured goods and so reduce Japan's global current account surplus. Japan has undertaken to increase her real growth rate by 7 per cent. And to reduce her global surplus in fiscal year 1978. This pressure will be maintained, for example, at the next round of EEC/Japan high level consultations at the beginning of December.

Trade Balance

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what the change of 1 per cent. either way in the terms of trade for the United Kingdom means in value at current prices for the overall trade balance.

The effect of a change in the terms of trade on the current balance will depend on a number of factors, such as the period over which the effect is considered, the cause of the change—for example whether it arises principally on exports or imports, and for which products—and the impact on trade volumes. In the very short term, assuming unchanged volumes, a rise of 1 per cent. might be expected to improve the visible balance by around £30 million a month, with a fall of 1 per cent. reducing it by a similar amount. The long term impact would generally be considerably less than this and will depend on the factors referred to above and on the prevailing economic circumstances.

Oil Pollution Unit

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he will appoint the head of the new unit to be responsible for contingency planning and operations to combat oil pollution at sea.

I have appointed Rear Admiral M. L. Stacey to be director of the new Marine Pollution Control Union in the marine division of my Department. The unit will have four main tasks:

(i) To ensure that the arrangements for using the resources available for dealing with oil pollution at sea are as effective as they can be;

(ii) To develop a national plan, including measures to deal with other potential marine pollutants such as chemicals and other dangerous cargoes;

(iii) to relate these plans to those of neighbouring countries so as to provide as much mutual support as possible;

(iv) To take charge of operations at sea in the event of a marine pollution emergency in British waters.

Admiral Stacey, who is at present serving as Flag Officer and Port Admiral, Gibraltar, will retire from the Royal Navy and take up his new appointment on a full-time basis towards the end of January 1979. He will be in the United Kingdom in early December to discuss planning for the new unit.Captain Ralph Maybourn, a director of BP Tanker Company, will serve part-time as a special adviser to the unit.

Steel Imports

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the level of steel imports into the United Kingdom at the latest available date; what is their country of origin; and what is the respective tonnage from each individual country.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

National Finance

Hotels (Capital Investment)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is yet able to monitor any movement on investment in new hotel construction, pursuant to the granting of industrial building allowances to hotels.

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

Securities (Taxation)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in a full year if all corporate new issues of debt, equity and convertible securities in the domestic market, including rights issues, were free of (a) capital gains tax, (b) liability to investment income surcharge, and (c) liability to income tax altogether.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in a full year of extending the capital gains tax exemption on gilt-edged securities to all fixed interest stocks.

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

Customs And Excise (Recompense To Traders)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average time within which Her Majesty's Customs and Excise recompenses taxable traders for amounts shown to be due to them at the end of quarterly periods; and if he is aware of any unusual delays.

Customs are conscious of the importance of prompt repayment of VAT where due and it is its aim to make repayments within fourteen days of receipt of claims. This is achieved in 95 per cent. of cases. Some delays must be expected in cases where queries arise, but every effort is made to keep these to the absolute minimum.

Schedule D Assessment

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what study has been undertaken by the Inland Revenue into the methods of assessment of income tax on Schedule D taxpayers; and whether this study is available as a discussion document.

The Inland Revenue is at present carrying out studies into alternative methods of assessing Schedule D tax. These studies are at an early stage, and no discussion document has yet been issued.

European Community (Value Added Tax Payments)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the system of contributions to the EEC budget based on value added tax own resources will come into effect on 1st January 1979 if only three member States have implemented the sixth directive on value added tax by that date; and whether he will make a statement.

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

Betting Duty

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the total cost to Her Majesty's Commissioners of Custom and Excise of collecting and monitoring during the financial year 1977–78 the general betting duty chargeable on bets made on horse-race—courses with bookmakers and the Horse-race Totalisator Board.

I regret that it is not practicable to isolate the cost of administering the general betting duty chargeable on bets made on horse-race courses with bookmakers and the Horse-race Totalisator Board from the cost of administering the betting and gaming duties as a whole.

Wage Bargaining

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, pursuant to the Prime Minister's statement, Official Report, 14th November, column 203, that a statement concerning wage bargaining would be issued by the Trades Union Congress in conjunction with the Government later that day, he will now arrange for that statement to be placed in the Library.

I refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House on 15th November.—[Vol. 958, c. 408–43.]

Public Contracts (Advertising)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans exist for Great Britain to withdraw from the arrangements whereby public contracts, above a certain level, must be advertised publicly throughout the Common Market, in the light of the limited practice of these arrangements in other Common Market countries.

I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

Petrol Duty

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the yield on a full year of increasing the duty on petrol by lop a gallon, 20p a gallon and 30p a gallon, respectively.

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

Vehicle Excise Duty

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the total yield of vehicle excise duty payable by individual owners of private cars, by corporate owners of private cars, and by owners of other motor vehicles, respectively.

The estimated 1978–79 yield of vehicle excise duty from private cars is £740 million and from other vehicles £337 million. I estimate that about 10 per cent. to 15 per cent. of private cars are owned by businesses.

Personal Incomes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual tax and national insurance liability of a single wage married couple with two children, earning £80 a week, assuming only the personal tax allowances apply and that the father is contracted in to the State pensions scheme; and what is the comparable figure in each of the other EEC member States.

The information requested is as follows:

	Income taxes net of child benefits	Social security contributions	Total
	£	£	£
Belgium	—491	404	—87
	(–475)		(–71)
Denmark	—156	58	—98
	(176)		(234)
France	—244	349	105
Germany	—225	674	449
Ireland	100	203	303
Italy	241	314	555
Luxembourg	—466	500	34
Netherlands	—388	861	473
United Kingdom	470	270	740

Notes

1. All figures relate to income of the year 1978, with the exception of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland (1978–79), and France (1977—French tax rates are fixed in arrear).

2. The tax figures take account of persona; allowances and reliefs, minimum expenses deductions, deductible social security contributions, employment income reliefs, and any other flat rate reliefs. The income is assumed to be wholly earned by the husband.

3. Any child benefits receivable by individuals have been set off against the income taxes, as is OECD practice.

4. The figures in brackets include local income taxes—for Belgium the local income tax surcharges at the usual rates, and for Denmark, the income taxes chargeable in Copenhagen.

5. Currency conversions were made at the exchange rates prevailing on 3rd November 1978. The exchange rate between the United Kingdom and overseas countries currencies may not fully reflect differences in consumers' purchasing power between the United Kingdom and those countries.

6. The minus signs denote an excess of social security benefits over tax and/or social security contributions.

Manufactured Products

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage increase in export and import prices of semi-manufactures and of finished manufactures assumed or given by the Treasury model at the end of each of the first 12 quarters following a devaluation of (a) 10 per cent. and (b) 30 per cent.; what is the corresponding increase in relative volume; and what is the assumed increase in gross domestic product, employment in manufacturing, company profits in manufacturing, and in the wholesale and retail price of foodstuffs and other manufactures.

I will write to my hon. Friend.

Child Tax Allowances

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will be making any special provision for social security beneficiaries when child tax allowances are reduced in April 1979.

Yes. My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary said in his reply of 21st July 1978 to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Mr. Tierney) that, in order to ensure that widows and others in receipt of taxable social security benefits who receive child dependency additions are not worse off as a result of the withdrawal of child tax allowances next April, it is proposed to exempt the whole of the child dependency additions from tax with effect from 1979–80. For those beneficiaries who are liable to tax this exemption will more than set off the loss of the tax allowances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the proposed £100 reduction in child tax allowances in April 1979 will apply to war widows with children.

Yes. An appropriate adjustment will be made to the amount of their child dependency additions to compensate for the loss of the remaining child tax allowances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his intention to complete the elimination of child tax allow- ances for children of all ages from April 1979.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary's reply of 21st July 1978 to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Mr. Tierney).

European Monetary System

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what provision of the Treaty of Rome it would be possible for the proposed European monetary system to be operated by the European Commission out of funds contributed by all member States.

A draft Council regulation made under article 235 of the Treaty empowers the European Monetary Cooperation Fund to receive reserve assets from member States and to issue European currency units (ECU) against them. These ECUs would be usable by the monetary authorities of member States for settlement between themselves and with the European Monetary Cooperation Fund. This draft regulation had been sent to the Council under R/2790/1/78. It has been deposited with the scrutiny committee and recommended for debate.There is no proposal that the European Commission should have access to the reserves received by the EMCF or that it should operate the exchange rate arrangements of the European monetary system.

Value Added Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances a trader may not appeal to a value added tax tribunal against a decision of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise; and if he is satisfied with the present arrangements.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 388], gave the following reply:A trader may not appeal to a value added tax tribunal where the decision of the Commissioners is not in respect of a matter falling within section 40(1) of the Finance Act 1972, as amended. This section provides for appeals on a wide range of VAT matters and I am satisfied with the present arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases have been heard by value added tax tribunals concerning the records of traders on special schemes in each of the last four years; and in what percentage of such cases the traders concerned won their appeals.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 388], gave the following reply:The number of appeals to value added tax tribunals concerning the records of traders on secondhand schemes is as follows:

1975	1
1976	6
1977	12
1978 to date	10

Only one trader, whose case was heard in 1977, won his appeal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many traders are registered for each of the value added tax special schemes.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 388], gave the following reply:This information is not available because a specific record is not kept of the number of registered VAT traders using the value added tax second hand schemes.However, some indication of the totals involved may be seen from the number of traders to whom the appropriate public notices have been issued, which are as follows:

Notice	Second-hand goods	Numberissued
711	Cars	44,342
712	Works of art, antiques and scientific collections	9,634
713	Caravans and motor cycles	6,732
720	Boats and outboard motors	1,332
721	Aircraft	139
722	Electronic organs	163

These numbers will include advisers such as accountants and lawyers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to change the regulations concerning the keeping of records by value added tax registered traders on special schemes.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 388], gave the following reply:No.

Housing (Tax Relief And Subsidies)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of mortgage interest relief in 1978–79; what is the amount per dwelling; what is the total amount of housing revenue subsidy; and what is the amount per dwelling.

I have been asked to reply.Figures for 1978–79 are not yet available. Provisional figures for England for the last financial year are given below. Direct comparisons of assistance to the two sectors on the basis of these figures are difficult and potentially misleading for reasons detailed in paragraphs 5.39 to 45 of the Housing Green Paper—Cmnd. 6851. These include different views on the items to be included in respect of each sector in any balance sheet of housing costs and benefits.

Tax relief and option mortgage subsidy 1977–78

Total tax relief and option mortgage subsidy £1,107 million

Amount per mortgaged dwelling

£205

GENERAL HOUSING SUBSIDIES TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND NEW TOWNS (EXCLUDING RENT REBATES) 1977–78
	Total £ million	Per dwelling£
Exchequer subsidy	926	187
Rate fund contribution	160	32
Total	1,086	219

In addition, a proportion of local authority and new town tenants received a total £323 million in 1977–78 in respect of rent rebates, including payments through supplementary benefit, from Exchequer subsidy and rate fund contributions.

Defence

Neutron Bomb

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if information for the development of the neutron bomb, or the bomb and associated delivering equipment would be sold to other countries.

Since the United Kingdom has no programme to develop or produce enhanced radiation weapons, there is no question of any sales.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if any research establishments in his Department have undertaken work on the development of the neutron bomb;(2) if any company has received grants from his Department to undertake research, development or production work on the neutron bomb;(3) if his Department has offered, or is giving any financial grant for work on research, development or the production of the neutron bomb.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what talks he has had with his Soviet counterpart about the inclusion of the neutron bomb in strategic arms limitation talks.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if a decision has yet been reached on the equipping of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces with the neutron bomb.

The United States' Government recently announced that some theatre nuclear warheads were to be produced which could be converted to enhanced radiation warheads, in line with the decision of President Carter to retain this option last April. There has been no decision to produce or deploy it.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if any university has undertaken work on the development of the neutron bomb; on what aspect of development; and what was the amount of Government funds expended, or the amount and source of financial support.

My Department has not placed any contract or given any grant to any university for work to be undertaken on the development of an enhanced radiation/reduced blast weapon, or on any other aspect of nuclear weapon development.

Departmental Housing (Insulation)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what programme he has for providing insulation to the housing stock of his Department for those employed by his Department, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment and similar organisations; and whether he will make a statement.

Married quarters of the Armed Forces are being insulated under a two-year programme run by the Property Services Agency. Civilian houses for key staff and MOD police will be insulated by the early part of 1979. The programme for the rest of the MOD state of civilian houses will be completed as resources become available.

Microprocessors

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to ensure that the 50,000 military microprocessors required by his Department in the 1980s do not have to depend on foreign components for their manufacture and maintenance.

Arrangements already exist to help to build up a United Kingdom capability for the development of integrated circuits specially designed for defence applications. These arrangements are kept under review.Microprocessors developed for civil commercial use are also likely to be used to fulfil military requirements. In so far as the requirement for microprocessors is for standard products available on world markets, the Government's industrial strategy for the development of the United Kingdom micro electronics industry is expected to create significant production capability of these products in the United Kingdom.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom troops are currently committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Europe; how many are actually there; and how many are in Northern Ireland.

The number of male Army personnel stationed on the Continent of Europe, including those serving in NATO headquarters but excluding Berlin, was about 55,500 on 30th September 1978. Of these about 3,000 were temporarily deployed in Northern Ireland. In an emergency they could be returned to Germany within 72 hours.

Scotland

Printing And Publishing (Local Authorities)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether regional authorities are empowered to undertake printing and publishing work for other local authorities and to tender for such work outside the area of local authorities.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970 regional authorities are empowered to supply goods and services, including printing and publishing services, to other local authorities.

Glasgow (Concert Hall)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what response he has made to the request from the Glasgow district council that he meet elected members of that council to discuss the provision of a concert hall to replace the former St. Andrew's hall: and if he will make a statement;(2) if he regards the provision of a concert hall in Glasgow as a national cultural project which would justify its receiving special financial assistance from his Department.

I have asked the council for information about the priority it would accord to the project in relation to other projects in the general services section of its financial plan; and I have suggested a preliminary meeting with my officials, which need not preclude a later meeting with Ministers.Since the proposed concert hall is intended to replace the main auditorium in the old St. Andrew's halls, which were burned down in 1962, having performed functions similar to those of analogous halls in other major cities, the district council has been informed that I would expect the normal financial arrangements to apply rather than a special grant being made available by the Government.

Infant Mortality, Childbirth And Rubella

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list separately for each health board in Scotland in 1977 (a) the stillbirth rate, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for the whole population and for unsupported mothers, (b) the stillbirth rate, the perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms., (c) the proportion of babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms. for the whole population and unsupported mothers, respectively, (d) the prevalence, respectively, of caesarian section and induction, (e) the number of inoculations against rubella given to, respectively, schoolgirls and adult women of childbearing age, estimating the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years, (f) the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and in 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available, (g) the number of births to unsupported mothers, (h) the number of births which were first pregnancies, second pregnancies, third pregnancies, fourth pregnancies, and fifth or later pregnancies, and the perinatal mortality rates for each parity, (i) the number of births to mothers aged, respectively, under 16 years, 16 to 19 years, 20 to 24 years, 25 to 29 years, 30 to 34 years, and 35 plus and the perinatal mortality rates in each age band, (j) the incidence of congenital malformations, and (k) the incidence of cerebral palsy.

I am arranging for this information to be produced and shall write to the hon. Member.

Electoral Voting

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, and under what authority, it is permitted to sell to the public details of who voted at parliamentary and local elections.

Rules 58 and 59 of the parliamentary elections rules in the second schedule to the Representation of the People Act 1949 require the documents listed in rule 56—except ballot papers, counterfoils and certificates of employment—to be open to public inspection after an election and provide for copies or extracts of these documents to be supplied, on request, on payment of authorised fees. The documents available in this way include marked copies of registers, which indicate the persons who have voted, but obviously not how they voted. Corresponding arrangements apply for local elections under rule 47 of the Scottish local elections rules 1974 (SI 1974 No. 82).

Hamilton High Parks Estate

asked the Secretary of State for Scoland what proposals he has for the future of the Hamilton High Parks estate, Lanarkshire.

I have recently completed arrangements for the acquisition of part of the Hamilton High Parks estate. This purchase will be financed through the machinery of the National Land Fund.Hamilton district council has agreed to accept the central portion of the Hamilton High Parks estate, which includes the Avon Gorge, Chatelherault, Cadzow Castle, the Duke's bridge and the Hamilton monument, and to maintain and develop the area for public use and benefit

Wales

School Milk (Subsidy)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the local authorities in Wales which have now taken up the EEC milk subsidy for school milk for the 7- to 11-year-old school children; and if he will make a statement.

All the local education authorities in Wales other than South Glamorgan have decided to provide free school milk for 7- to 11-year-old pupils in the current financial year, thereby taking advantage of the EEC subsidy.

Infant Mortality, Childbirth And Rubella

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales in 1977 (a) the still-birth rate, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate and infantile mortality rate for the whole population of Wales and for socio-economic classes I, II, III, IV, V and for unsupported mothers, (b) the infant mortality rate for babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms., (c) the proportion of babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms. for the whole population and for socioeconomic groups I, II, III, IV, V and for unsupported mothers, respectively, (d) the prevalence, respectively, of caesarian section and induction, (e) the number of inoculations against rubella given to, respectively, schoolgirls and adult women of child-bearing age, estimating the number of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years, (f) the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and in 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available, (g) the number of births in each socioeconomic class, and to unsupported mothers (h) the number of births which were first pregnancies, second pregnancies, third pregnancies, fourth pregnancies, fifth or later pregnancies, and the perinatal mortality rates for each parity, (i) the number of births to mothers aged, respectively, under 16, 16 to 19, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, and 35 plus years and the perinatal mortality rates in each age band, (j) the incidence of congenital malformations, and (k) the incidence of cerebral palsy.

It will take time to bring together the available information. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales in 1977 the stillbirth rate, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for the whole population and for socio-economic classes I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers;(2) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the stillbirth rate, the perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms. in 1977;(3) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the proportion of babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms. for the whole population and for socio-economic groups I, II. III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, respectively, during 1977;(4) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the prevalence, respectively, of caesarian section and induction of births during 1977;(5) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the number of inoculations against rubella given to schoolgirls and adult women of childbearing age, respectively; and if he will estimate the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years during 1977;(6) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and to the latest date for which figures are available in 1978;(7) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the number of births in each socio-economic class and to unsupported mothers, respectively, during 1977;(8) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the number of births to mothers aged, respectively, under 16 years, 16 to 19 years, 20 to 24 years, 25 to 29 years, 30 to 34 years and 35-plus years, and the perinatal mortality rates in each age band during 1977;(9) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the number of births which were (

a) first pregnancies, ( b) second pregnancies, ( c) third pregnancies, ( d) fourth pregnancies and (e) fifth or later pregnancies, and the perinatal mortality rates for each parity during 1977;

(10) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the incidence of congenital malformations in babies born in 1977;

(11) if he will list for Wales and each area health authority in Wales the incidence of cerebral palsy in babies born during 1977.

It will take time to bring together the available information. I shall write to the hon. and learned Member.

Welsh Language

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is now in a position to state the approximate annual amount of the Exchequer grant, additional to the resources made available by the Government through the rate support grant, that will be paid under the pro. visions of the proposed education Bill to local education authorities and other bodies in respect of expenditure incurred in, or in connection with, the teaching of the Welsh language or the teaching of other subjects through the medium of Welsh.

About £500,000 a year in the first instance.

Social Services

Secure Psychiatric Units

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the total sum of money paid to regional health authorities so far in order that they may provide secure psychiatric units;(2) what is the total revenue allocation to regional health authorities for 1978–79 for secure psychiatric units;(3) what has been the total sum paid to regional health authorities for the establishment of regional secure psychiatric units since the direct supplementary financial allowance of 1974.

Amounts for regional secure units were first made available in 1976–77. The sum of £5–2 million was included in the 1976–77 revenue allocations to regional health authorities and the recurrent effect of this in 1977–78 and 1978–79 was £6·0 million and £6–5 million at the respective forecast out-turn prices. Capital sums are made available to regional health authorities to meet estimated needs. In 1976–77 and 1977–78 the amounts were £54,000 and £226,000, and in 1978–79, to date, £292,000. In 1977–78 only £107,000 was actually expended, but the balance is available for regional secure unit provision in subsequent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the regional health authorities spent their special revenue allocations for 1977–78 for providing secure psychiatric units.

Reports from regional health authorities indicate that about 60 per cent. of these allocations were spent on the provision and staffing of interim secure units, the planning and training of staff of permanent units and on non-recurring expenditure for psychiatric services—for example, in one region, the improvement of the care of unpredictable or potentially violent patients. Most of the remainder has been transferred to reserves and carried forward to 1978–79.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give a full account of progress in establishing interim secure psychiatric units;(2) if, given the failure of the regional health authorities to establish secure psychiatric units, he will establish these as outposts of each of the special hospitals.

Interim secure psychiatric facilities have been established in six regions, providing about 100 places. Information received from regional health authorities indicates that, by the end of 1979, it is planned to establish over 200 places in interim secure facilities in nine health regions. Ten regional health authorities have sent my Department plans for permanent regional secure units, and it is hoped that the first will be open by about 1980–81 and the remainder by the mid–1980s. While I do not consider that this rate of progress is entirely satisfactory, I acknowledge that this is a difficult area, involving major capital planning and development and in which some health authorities are meeting strong opposition to their plans. I do not consider that it would be practicable or desirable to link organisationally secure psychiatric units within the general National Health Service with special hospitals which are provided for the very limited number of patients who fall in the category defined in section 4 of the National Health Service Act 1977.

Vaccine-Damaged Children

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the proposed legislation concerning vaccine-damaged children will include provision for children affected by drugs taken during the mother's pregnancy.

I am considering whether the legislation should apply in respect of disabled persons suffering severe disability as a result of foetal damage resulting from vaccination of the mother against one of the diseases covered by the scheme.

Departmental Housing Stock (Insulation)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what programme he has for providing insulation to the housing stock of his Department for those employed in the National Health Service; and whether he will make a statement.

Improving the insulation of the housing stock of the National Health Service is one aspect of the energy economy campaign which my Department has been actively pursuing in conjunction with the appropriate officers of the NHS.My Department has made special grants for insulation and energy economy measures including the insulation of the housing stock, and these total £10 million. In addition, my Department has this year allocated to NHS Regions a further £4 million which is part of the comprehensive package of energy conservation measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy last December.

Crawley Hospital (Incident)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take about the incident which took place at Crawley hospital on 18th August when a patient, who had been admitted by a consultant, was refused admission by a union official, and made to leave.

There is some uncertainty about the facts of this incident. It is a matter for the West Sussex area health authority which has set up an inquiry.

Myoelectric Hands

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the progress of tests of the Swedish myoelectric hand.

Arrangements have been made for fitting and training at the rate of one child a week. Of the 25 children selected for the trial, six have been fitted at Roehampton and six at Manchester.It is too early yet for me to make any statement about the outcome of the trial. I shall do so as soon as possible and keep my hon. Friend informed.

Special Hospitals

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide an updated and full list of those hospitals which have refused to accept patients from the special hospitals.

I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a full account of the steps he has taken to transfer suitable patients from the special hospitals to NHS hospitals and the difficulties that have been encountered; and what he has done to try to overcome these.

Officials of my Department are in frequent contact with regional and area health authorities about individual cases.As I explained to my hon. Friend in my letter of 26th October 1977, the difficulties in arranging transfers are varied and complex. My officials are constantly looking for ways of overcoming these difficulties. They have had meetings with representatives of a number of health authorities and have visited NHS hospitals for direct discussions with local consultants about particular cases. They are seeking to encourage closer contact and better understanding between the special hospitals and NHS hospitals. Consultants from NHS hospitals are being encouraged to visit the special hospitals with members of their nursing teams so that they can obtain first hand knowledge of the patients who have been recommended for transfer to their hospitals. Alternatively, in suitable cases, the special hospital patients are being taken to the NHS hospitals for assessment by the local clinical team. In addition, undertakings are increasingly being given to re-admit to special hospitals those patients who fail to settle in NHS hospitals within a reasonable period of time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail the consequences of overcrowding at the special hospitals.

The main consequence of the current overcrowding at Broadmoor special hospital is that the dormitory accommodation (for those patients who do not have single rooms) and day room accommodation is cramped; this reduces general living standards and increases the problems of staff caring for patients. Despite some recent improvements there is still also insufficient space for educational, occupational and social activities. More generally, lack of space also seriously hampers the modernization of substandard accommodation.When hospitals are full or nearly full it is increasingly difficult to place patients in the most appropriate ward having regard to their age, clinical and security needs; this adds to the problems facing staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate separately the number of patients each of the special hospitals is supposed to accommodate and the number actually contained.

The number of patients for which the hospital buildings are appropriate varies from time to time for example because of the mix of patients and the wards out of use for redecoration etc. The current figures are about 600 at Broadmoor, 1,050 at Rampton, 400 at Moss Side and 70 at the Park Lane advance unit. These figures include beds in specialist wards—for example, admission, pre-discharge, clinical, maximum care, and so on—which by their nature cannot necessarily be fully utilised at all times. Much of the accommodation at Broadmoor hospital is however in need of substantial modernisation.The numbers of patients resident on 31st October 1978 was:

Broadmoor	708
Rampton	891
Moss Side	381
Park Lane	67

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a full breakdown of the number of patients at the special hospitals who are awaiting transfer to NHS hospitals by age, sex, time waiting and the hospital at which they are presently located.

The information, as at 31st October 1978, in respect of patients who are thought by their responsible medical officers at the special hospitals to be ready for transfer to a less secure hospital is as follows:

Period of waiting
			Under 1 year		1–2 years		2–3 years		3–4 years		Over 4 years		Total
Hospital	Age	…	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females
Broadmoor	Under 20	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	21–30	…	—	—	1	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	2	—
	31–40	…	6	1	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	7	1
	41–50	…	4	—	2	—	1	—	1	—	—	—	8	—
	51–60	…	1	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—
	Over 60	…	2	1	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	1
	Total	…	13	2	5	—	3	—	1	—	—	—	22	2
Rampton	Under 20 …	…	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
	21–30	…	5	4	11	2	4	—	3	—	3	—	26	7
	31–40	…	11	5	12	4	4	3	3	2	1	1	31	15
	41–50	…	4	1	5	1	6	3	3	—	—	1	18	6
	51–60	…	6	1	5	2	2	3	1	—	2	—	16	6
	Over 60	…	2	—	1	—	1	1	1	—	2	—	7	1
	Total	…	28	12	34	9	17	10	11	2	8	3	98	36
Moss Side	Under 20	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	21–30	…	3	2	1	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	5	2
	31–40	…	5	1	1	2	—	—	1	—	—	—	7	3
	41–50	…	1	—	—	—	—	1	1	1	—	—	2	2
	51–60	…	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—
	Over 60	…	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1	1	3	1
	Total	…	11	3	5	2	2	1	2	1	1	1	21	8
Park Lane	Under 20	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	21–30	…	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—
	31–40	…	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—
	41–50	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	51–60	…	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—
	Over 60	…	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—
	Total	…	2	—	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	5	—
Grand Totai		…	54	17	47	11	22	11	14	3	9	4	146	46

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he has entered into any arrangements with hospitals or regional health authorities to swap patients with those at the special hospitals;(2) on how many occasions patients have been transferred from the special hospitals to National Health Service hospitals under a patient swap arrangement.

It is not the Department's policy that the admission of patients from NHS hospitals to the special hospitals should be conditional on the NHS hospitals in question accepting in return a special hospital patient. However, if there is a special hospital patient who has already been recommended for transfer to the NHS hospital concerned, it is usual to ask whether the NHS hospital is pre-pared to accept the special hospital patient.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many vacancies there are in National Health Service hospitals that would be suitable for transferees from prison and special hospitals.

Whether the vacant places in NHS hospitals are suitable for patients on transfer from prisons or special hospitals is a matter of professional judgement in each individual case. The factors which have to be taken into account include the nature of the individual's mental disorder and his treatment and security needs as well as the nature of the facilities including staffing resources of the hospital concerned. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to say how many of the available vacancies are suitable for these groups.

Technicians (Pay Scales)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the current pay scales of technicians employed in hospital or other laboratories of the National Health Service, giving each grade separately.

The agreed annual salary scales, effective from 1st April 1978, for qualified technicians employed in the National Health Service and coming with-in the purview of the professional and technical staffs "B" Whitley Council are as follows:

		£
Dark Room Technician	Age 16	1,791
	17	1,887
	18	2,082
	19	2,154
	20	2,229
	21	2,319
	22	2,403
		2,532
		2,631
		2,691
Pharmacy technicians		2,691
		2,805
		2,922
		3,039
		3,159
		3,285
		3,411
Senior pharmacy technicians		3,270
		3,393
		3,516
		3,636
		3,756
		3,882
		4,035
Cardiographer		2,286
		2,352
		2,406
		2,505
		2,589
		2,691
		2,739
		2,817
		2,892
		2,934
Senior cardiographer		2,916
		2,991
		3,069
		3.216
		3,309
		3,390
Artificial kidney assistant		2,691
		2,739
		2,817
		2,892
		2,934
		2,979
Senior artificial kidney assistant		3,069
		3,216
		3,309
		3,390
		3,513
		3,639
Animal technician		2,883
		2,949
		3,021
		3,102
		3,192
Senior animal technician		3,063
		3,177
		3,291
		3,411
		3,528
		3,648
		3,774
Chief animal technician		3,543
		3,663
		3,780
		3,897
		4,020
		4,140
		4,263
		4,386

	£
Post mortem room technician	2,799
	2,886
	^*2,970
	3,066
	3,171
	3,279
	3,390
Senior post mortem room technician	3,198
	3,321
	3,444
	3,570
	3,696
	3,825
High senior post mortem room technician	3,486
	3,600
	3,717
	3,837
	3,957
	4,080
	^*Bar Point
Dental technician	3,069
	3,216
	3,309
	3,390
	3,513
	3,639
	3,756
	3,882
	4,005
	4,134
Senior dental technician/Maxillo-facial technician	3,744
	3,882
	4,023
	4,173
	4,323
	4,476
	4,632
	4,788
Chief I Dental technician	4,470
	4,605
	4,743
	4,881
	5,019
Chief II dental technician	4,881
	5,019
	5,163
	5,307
	5,412
	5,610
Medical photographer	2,916
	3,027
	3,147
	3,264
	3,381
	3,501
Senior I medical photographer	3,357
	3,486
	3,615
	3,741
	3,870
	3,999
	4,128
Senior II medical photographer	3,771
	3,906
	4,041
	4,176
	4,311
	4,446
	4,581
	4,716

	£
Chief medical photographer	4,800
	4,959
	5,115
	5,274
	5,433
Physiological measurement technician	2,916
	2,991
	3,069
	3,216
	3,309
	3,390
	3,513
	3,639
Senior physiological measurement technician	3,513
	3,639
	3,756
	3,882
	4,005
	4,134
	4,242
	4,353
Chief physiological measurement technician	4,470
	4,605
	4,743
	4,881
	5,019
	5,163
	5,307
	5,412
	5,610
Medical physics technician IV	3,069
	3,216
	3,309
	3,390
	3,513
	3,639
	3,756
	3,882
	4,005
	4,134
Medical physics technician III	3,744
	3.882
	4,023
	4,173
	4,323
	4,476
	4,632
	4,788
Medical physics technician II	4,470
	4,605
	4,743
	4,881
	5,019
	5,163
	5,307
	5,412
	5,610
Medical physics technician I	5,433
	5,574
	5,706
	5,898
	6,051
	6,222
Medical laboratory scientific officer	3,261
	3,366
	3,471
	3,582
	3,696
	3,813

	£
Medical laboratory scientific officer—cont.	3,930
	4,047
	4,167
	4,293
	4,419
	4,545
	4,680
Senior medical laboratory scientific officer	4,347
	4,485
	4,623
	4,764
	4,902
	5,040
	5,178
	5,322
	5,463
	5,613
	5,769
Chief medical laboratory scientific officer	5,472
	5,586
	5,697
	5,817
	5,937
	6,063
	6,192
Senior chief medical laboratory scientific officer	6,063
	6,213
	6,372
	6,543
	6,723
	6,909
	7,098
	7,311
Principal medical laboratory scientific officer	7,311
	7,671
	8,055

Students (Health Treatment Charges)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to his replies to the hon. Member for Bedwellty, he proposes to introduce in the current Session of Parliament legislation to exempt all students in full-time education, including those at sixth form colleges, from charges for treatment and services in the National Health Service.

I do not propose to do so.

Infant Mortality

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the Official Report figures to illustrate his statement, Official Report, 13th November, column 106, during the Second Reading debate on the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Bill, that the perinatal mortality figure is going down very rapidly.

The following table shows the perinatal mortality rate—stillbirths and infant deaths under one week per 1,000 total births—for England and Wales for the years 1947 to 1977.

Year	Rate
1947	40·3
1948	38·5
1949	38·0
1950	37·4
1951	38·2
1952	37·5
1953	36·9
1954	38·1
1955	37·4
1956	36·7
1957	36·2
1958	35·0
1959	34·1
1960	32·8
1961	32·0
1962	30·8
1963	29·3
1964	28·2
1965	26·9
1966	26·3
1967	25·4
1968	24·7
1969	23·4
1970	23·5
1971	22·3
1972	21·7
1973	21·0
1974	20·4
1975	19·3
1976	17·7
1977	17·0

The provisional perinatal mortality rate for the first quarter of 1978 is 15·9.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research is being currently sponsored by his Department into perinatal mortality and infant mortality; what is the cost of each project; and when is each project likely to be completed.

My Department is currently funding the following research relating to perinatal and infant mortality:

Dr. Eve Alberman at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is studying the success of medical care in reducing the mortality and morbidity of babies weighing 2,000 grammes or less at birth. The total cost of this project is estimated at £47,000; and it is due to be completed in September 1979.

A multicentre study of post perinatal deaths is being carried out under the direction of Professor Knowelden at Sheffield University. The objective of the research is to identify the factors contributing to death and the formulation of preventive measures. The total estimated cost of the research is over £300,000; and the pro-gramme is due to be completed by Dec-ember 1980.

Dr. Ian Chalmers at the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the Research Institute, Churchill Hospital, Oxford is conducting epidemiological research in the perinatal field with a view to providing information which can promote effective use of resources in the perinatal health services. The Department's initial support is estimated at £146,000, over a period of five years ending in December 1982.

Professor Hibbard at the Welsh National School of Medicine is carrying out a study of screening for neural tube defects. The total cost is estimated at £106,000 and the project is due to be completed in November 1979.

In addition the Department has just approved a grant of £5,000 to Mrs. J. C. Roberts at Park Hospital for Children, Oxford to study the link between sudden infant death and child abuse. It is expected that this project will commence in May 1979 and last for 12 months.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that the Medical Research Council also supports relevant research in these areas, details of which will be circulated in the

Official Report as soon as possible. Such research is also being undertaken by universities and hospital medical schools, but she regrets that details are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the Official Report his Department's definition of perinatal mortality, infant mortality and neonatal mortality; on what basis national figures are collected and at what frequency; whether they separate illegitimate births; and

TABLE 1
>NUMBER OF SECURE PLACES IN ALL COMMUNITY HOMES
Regional planning area				Places for girls	Places for boys	Places for both sexes	Total
1	…	…	…	—	—	50	50
2	…	…	…	5	3	5	13
3	…	…	…	16	32	2	50
4	…	…	…	12	7	6	25
5	…	…	…	—	3	—	3
6	…	…	…	—	6	—	6
7	…	…	…	—	17	6	23
8	…	…	…	20	40	—	60
9	…	…	…	—	—	—	—
10	…	…	…	—	—	2	2
11	…	…	…	12	26	2	40
Total	…	…	…	65	134	73	272

whether they separate hospital and home confinements.

The definitions are—

perinatal mortality rate: stillbirths and deaths under one week of age per 1,000 total (live and still) births,

infant mortality rate: deaths under one year of age per 1,000 live births,

neonatal mortality rate: deaths under four weeks of age per 1,000 live births.

Statistical information from birth and death registrations in England and Wales is sent to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys weekly, and from this it is possible to compile figures about infants by legitimacy and place of confinement. Basic statistics are compiled and published weekly or quarterly, but analyses based on legitimacy or place of confinement are at present only compiled annually.

Secure Places

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report tables detailing secure places in community homes and secure places for young people on remand, as given in his replies to the hon. Members for Chislehurst dated 17th July and 7th November, respectively, showing such figures on 1st November.

Table 1 below shows the number of secure places for all types of community homes on the 1st November.Table 2 shows the number only for observation and assessment centres, in which young people on remand are accommodated.

TABLE 2
SECURE PLACES IN OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT CENTRES ONLY
Regional planning area				Places for girls	Places for boys	Places for both sexes	Total
1	…	…	…	—	—	14	14
2	…	…	…	—	—	5	5
3	…	…	…	4	—	2	6
4	…	…	…	5	7	6	18
5	…	…	…	—	3	—	3
6	…	…	…	—	6	—
7	…	…	…	—	5	6	11
8	…	…	…	16	10	—	26
9	…	…	…	—	—	—	—
10	…	…	…	—	—	—	—
11	…	…	…	—	—	2	2
Total	…	…	…	25	31	35	91

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the secure places approved by him for young people on remand on 1st November could not be used for lack of qualified staff.

I understand that of the secure places approved for use in observation and assessment centres by the Secretary of State for Social Services, four are temporarily out of use for lack of staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the timetable for the completion of the further 217 secure places under construction referred to in his reply of 17th July.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the right hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Jenkins) on 17th November.

At-125 Drug

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements his Department has made to safeguard patients in the clinical testing of the potential new anti-cancer drug AT–125.

An application for a clinical trial of AT–125 would be expected to include all the relevant data on quality, safety and expectation of therapeutic efficacy that is requested for any substance that is intended for application to man in a clinical study. These requirements are laid out in "Notes on Applications for Clinical Trial Certificates" (MAL 4) issued by the licensing authority. The advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines would be sought before considering whether or not to approve the issue of a clinical trial certificate. The Committee would also advise on particular safety monitoring additional to any that the applicant would routinely include.I have placed a copy of MAL 4 in the House of Commons Library.

Infant Mortality, Childbirth And Rubella

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, for the West Midlands regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, the stillbirth rate, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for the whole population and for socio-economic classes I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, the stillbirth rate, the perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms., the proportion of babies born weighing less than 2.500 gms. for the whole population and for socioeconomic groups, I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, respectively, the prevalence, respectively, of caesarian section and induction, the number of inoculations against rubella given to, respectively, schoolgirls and adult women of childbearing age, estimating the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years, the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and in 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available, the number of births in each socio-economic class and to unsupported mothers, the number of births which were (a) first pregnancies, (b) second pregnancies, (c) third pregnancies, (d) fourth pregnancies and (e) fifth or later pregnancies. and the perinatal mortality rates for each parity, the number of births to mothers aged, respectively, under 16 years, 16 to 19 years, 20 to 24 years, 25 to 29 years, 30 to 34 years, and 35 plus years and the perinatal mortality rates in each age band, the incidence of congenital malformations and the incidence of cerebral palsy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, for the South-Western regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, the stillbirth rate, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for the whole population and for socio-economic clauses I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, the stillbirth rate, the perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms. the proportion of babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms. for the whole population and for socioeconomic groups I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, respectively, the prevalence, respectively, of caesarian section and induction, the number of inoculations against rubella given to, respectively, schoolgirls and adult women of childbearing age and his estimate of the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years, the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and in 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available, the number of births in each socio-economic class and to unsupported mothers, the number of births which were (a) first pregnancies, (b) second pregnancies, (c) third pregnancies, (d) fourth pregnancies and (e) fifth or later pregnancies, and the perinatal mortality rate for each parity, the number of births to mothers aged, respectively, under 16 years, 16 to 19 years, 20 to 24 years, 25 to 29 years, 30 to 34 years, and 35 plus years and the perinatal mortality rates in each age band, the incidence of congenital malformations and the incidence of cerebral palsy.

I would refer my hon. Friends to my reply to the hon. Members for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Lomas), Ealing, Acton (Sir G. Young), Walsall, South (Mr. George), Chorley (Mr. Rodgers), Welwyn and Hatfield (Mrs. Hayman), St. Marylebone (Mr. Baker), Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones), Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley), Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Thomas), Woolwich, West (Mr. Bottomley) and Southampton. Test (Mr. Gould) on 17th November 1978.

Mentally Handicapped (Development Team)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what conclusions he has reached on the future of the development team for the mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.

this year I sought the views of field authorities and others on the operations of the development team for the mentally handicapped since it began work in 1976. Most of those consulted praised the work of the team, while making a number of suggestions for improvement. I am myself convinced, in the light both of these responses and of recent disquieting reports about problems affecting mental handicap services, that there remains an important role for the team in providing independent expert advice to the planners and providers of services for the mentally handicapped.I intend to make a number of changes now in order to strengthen the team's effectiveness and shall review the position again when we have had experience of the new pattern of operations in practice. First, I intend in future that the team should not only continue to visit authorities at their invitation, but that I should myself ask the team to visit a health authority where I think it deisrable. Second, I have asked the team to follow up all its visits, as a matter of routine, with the authorities concerned. Third, I wish to strengthen the team's operations in relation to the social services and shall be discussing this with representatives of the authorities concerned. Fourth, I propose to strengthen the team's administrative arrangements so that it will be able to report more quickly on the visits it makes. I am also reviewing the composition of the team's panel of experts in consultation with the director in order to ensure that the team disposes of all the expertise necessary to the fulfilment of its functions. Fifth, I propose that a closer working relationship should be developed between the team and the health advisory service/social work service.

Among the matters I shall be discussing with the directors of these bodies is the possibility of givin—a wider circulation than at present to reports on visits to services.

I should like in conclusion to record my gratitude to Dr. Simon and his colleagues for the good work they have done so far, and my confidence that they will continue under the new arrangements to provide a service of very great value both to the mentally handicapped and to those who work on their behalf.

Cerebral Palsy And Perinatal Mortality

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) which area health authorities in the North of England have a perinatal mortality rate worse than the national average;

				30th June	30th September	Increase
Derbyshire	…	…	…	7,825	8,467	642
Sheffield	…	…	…	8,259	8,685	426

Hospitals (Standby Facilities)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what instructions he has given to regional health authorities in respect of the provision of standby facilities for hospitals, with practical reference to the Trent regional board.

It is the responsibility of health authorities to make plans and arrangements locally to meet emergencies. Because the nature and impact of emergencies are so variable, my Department has not in general issued standing instructions. However, guidance has been issued on occasions when advice on the need for special measures on the implications of an emergency was judged necessary. In addition, my officers are always ready to give health authorities such advice and assistance as they can.

Community Schools (Yorkshire And Humberside)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultation has taken place between his Department and local authority representatives about future provision of community school places in Yorkshire and Humberside; how many places now exist; how many places there have been in each of the

(2) which area health authorities in the South of England have a perinatal mortality rate worse than the national average.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 21st June 1978. The provisional perinatal rates shown may now be treated as final figures.—[Vol. 952, c. 239–42.]

Hospital Waiting Lists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the hospital admissions waiting list in (a) the Derbyshire area health authority and (b) the Sheffield area health authority has increased during the last three months.

These statistics are collected only at quarterly intervals.Following are the figures relating to 30th June and 30th September 1978:years for which figures are available; what forecasts of anticipated demand for places have been made for future years; and if he is satisfied that these latter forecasts are correct.

All children's regional planning committees have been asked to review their regional plans for the accommodation of children in care and to submit revised plans by 31st March 1979. The future provision of community homes with education on the premises in Yorkshire and Humberside is therefore under consideration by the children's regional planning committee which will in due course put their proposals to me for my consideration and approval. There are at present 831 places for boys and 154 for girls in community homes providing education on the premises in the Yorkshire and Humberside regional planning Area. The number of places for earlier years is as follows:

	Boys	Girls	Total
1977	835	149	984
1976	838	149	987
1975	812	149	961
1974	756	157	913
1973	806	147	953

I understand, however, the children's regional planning committee currently anticipates a demand for 714 places for boys and 188 for girls for the three year period beginning 1st April 1979. I see no reason to doubt this forecast.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals exist for the closure of community schools in Yorkshire and Humberside; how many places would be lost if these closure proposals were implemented; and how many staff would lose their jobs.

I understand that the Yorkshire and Humberside children's regional planning committee has no proposals before them to close community homes with education on the premises except Dobroyd Castle which would mean the loss of 58 places for boys.Forty-five staff were employed at Dobroyd Castle on 1st November 1978 and

						Actual rates of retirement pension		Equivalent value of November 1977 prices^*
						Single	Married	Single	Married
						£	£	£	£
July 1945	…	…	…	…	…	0·50	1·00	3·18	6·35
October 1951	…	…	…	…	…	1·50	2·50	7·54	12·57
October 1964	…	…	…	…	…	3·375	5·45	11·24	18·15
June 1970	…	…	…	…	…	5·00	8·10	11·65	18·87
March 1973	…	…	…	…	…	6·75	10·90	13·99	22·59
April 1978	…	…	…	…	…	17·50	28·00	16·85	26·96
November 1978	…	…	…	…	…	19·50	31·20	†	†
^* Based on the movement of the General Index of Retail Prices.
† No equivalent value for the November 1978 rates at November 1977 prices can be given because the retail price index for November 1978 is not yet available.

Rent And Rate Rebate Recipients

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what would be the cost of extending entitlement to free spectacles to all recipients of rent and rate rebates and their families;(2) what would be the cost of extendind entitlement to free spectacles to all retirement pensioners in receipt of rent or rate rebates;(3) what would be the cost of extending entitlement to free dental treatment and free dentures to all retirement pensioners in receipt of rent or rate rebates;(4) what would be the cost of extending free dental treatment and entitlement to free dentures to all recipients of rent and rate rebates and their families.

Estimates of the costs of these proposals are not available. However, the existing arrangements for remitting all or part of dental and optical charges for those on low incomes could

priority is being given by Calderdale metropolitan district council and the 10 other local authorities in the regional planning area to these staff when vacancies occur in similar employment.

Retirement Pension (Value)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the real value of the retirement pension, both single and married, at constant 1977 prices in July 1945, October 1951, October 1964, June 1970, March 1973, April 1978, and November 1978.

The following table shows, for a single person and a married couple, the actual rates of the retirement pension and their real value, at November 1977 prices, in the months referred to:apply to recipients of rent or rate rebates.

Family Practitioner Committees

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to issue a directive that the five area health authorities end the situation which has existed since 1974 of amalgamating aspects of the work of family practitioner committees under the Brent and Harrow family practitioner committee.

The secretariat of the Enfield and Haringey family practitioner committee has recently been moved from the Brent and Harrow premises to its own area, separate secretariats have been established at the premises for the other family practitioner committees, and progress is being made with various other measures to enable all the family practitioner committees to comply with statutory administration and to raise staff morale. In the circumstances, I do not think it would be useful for my right hon. Friend to issue a directive of the kind described by my hon. Friend.

Young Offenders (Community Schools)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he remains satisfied that all procedures relating to young offenders for which he is responsible allow for the services of community schools to be utilised fully.

Local authorities are responsible for young offenders subject to care orders. They have a duty to give first consideration to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their care, though they may act in a manner which may not be consistent with that duty if it appears to them necessary for the protection of members of the public. Such a duty does not imply that particular facilities must be fully utilised.Full utilisation of community homes with education on the premises—CHEs —depends on relating the number and type of places to the demand for them by local authorities. Regional planning committees are currently revising their regional plans and in the process will be reviewing the likely demand for CHE places.

Smoking, Drinking And Sex Education

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to ensure that films on the dangers of smoking and alcohol and on sex education are available free of charge or at nominal charges to youth clubs.

I understand that the Health Education Council has produced a number of films for young people which deal with smoking and some of the issues of sexual relationships. These films are freely available to youth clubs and others through the council's central film library, or by arrangement with the health education services of area health authorities. While the council has no immediate plans to produce a film on alcohol, certain grant-aided voluntary bodies have films on the subject which, though not intended specifically for youth clubs, are aimed at professional workers in the youth field.

Unemployment Benefit Recipients

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action his Department has taken, or is proposing to take, against the fraud investigator at his local office in Bedford, who made a public statement about the high number of persons drawing unemployment benefit and in fact also working; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The officer concerned has been reminded by his superiors that it is the Department's policy that public statements referring to the Department's business should be confined to what is fair, accurate and based on proven fact and should not include personal speculations not based on fact.On the general matter of benefit fraud, I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services on 7th December 1977.—[Vol 940, c.

745–8.]

European Monetary System

42.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received from those living within the Duchy about the proposed European monetary system; and if he will make a statement.

None, but my right hon. Friend has no doubt that the topic generates as great a degree of interest in the Duchy as it does in other areas of the country.

Economic Strategy

43.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received from people in the Duchy of Lancaster about the Government's economic strategy.

None recently.

Small Businesses (Questionnaires)

44.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many questionnaires affecting small businesses have been eliminated since the Prime Minister initiated a review of all regular statistical surveys affecting small firms in July 1978.

I understand that the exercise initiated by my right hon. Friend is proceeding vigorously and Departments are conducting a thorough review of all their regular surveys to ensure that no possibility of reducing the burden they impose on small firms is overlooked. An announcement will be made when the review is completed

Volume 958: debated on Monday 20 November 1978

Written Answers To Questions>

House Of Commons

Oral Questions

Home Department

Departmental Houses (Insulation)

St Albans (Electoral Arrangements)

Mentally Abnormal Offenders

Certificates Of Unruliness

National Remembrance Ceremony (War Widows' Association)

Metropolitan Police (Press Accreditation)

Naturalisation Applications

Rhodesian British Passport Holders

Richard Milhouse Nixon

Television Licences

Police Forces (Computers)

Overseas Development

Ministerial Travel Expenses

Education And Science

Higher Education

Professional Association Of Teachers

Polytechnics (Technicians' Pay Scales)

Research Establishments (Technicians' Pay Scales)

University Technicians (Pay Scales)

Independent Schools (Maintained Places)

Overseas Students

Prices And Consumer Protection

Director General Of Fair Trading

Inflation

British Railways (Fares)

Essential Goods (Prices)

Price Commission

Advertising

Nationalised Industries (Consumer Protection)

Television Rentals

Motor Vehicles (Spare Parts)

Maize Starch, Glucose Syrup And Derived Products

Price Increases (Disallowed Applications)

Conglomerate Companies (Takeover Bids)

Animal Feedingstuffs

Roof Repairs

Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd

Minimum Lending Rate

Food Prices

Electricity Prices

National Association Of Citizens Advice Bureaux Information Services

Domestic Coal Consumers Council

Central Transport Consultative Committee

Prices (Northern Ireland)

Transport

Odiham (Public Inquiry)

British Railways (Financial Support)

A17, Norfolk (Bypass)

Coach Operators (Temporary Licences)

British Railways (Industrial Action)

A57 Road (Worksop Bypass)

Concessionary Travel Schemes (Grant)

Motor Vehicle Mileages

A6 Bakewell-Buxton

Energy

Technology Support Group (Technicians' Pay Scales)

European Coal And Steel Community

Morecambe Bay Gas Field

Mining Subsidence

Pit Closures

Rent And Rate Rebate Recipients

Opencast Coal

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Cyprus

Hong Kong

Saudi Arabia (British Detainees)

Moscow Olympics (British Citizens)

Judicial Delays

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Mackerel

Rabies

Marginal Land

Pork Imports (Health Regulations)

British Sugar Corporation (Bury St Edmunds Factory)