Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday 13 February 1979

Scotland

Falkirk And Stirling Royal Infirmaries

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average waiting list time for each of the main specialties at Falkirk Royal Infirmary and Stirling Royal Infirmary.

Speciality					Falkirk Royal Infirmary Mean Waiting Time in weeks for patients discharged in 1997	Stirling Royal Informatory Mean waiting Time in weeks for patients discharged in 1997
General Surgery	…	…	…	…	17·7	11·7
Orthopaedic Surgery	…	…	…	…	44·8	36·0
ENT	…	…	…	…	17·2	10·2
Ophthalmology	…	…	…	…	22·0	9·5
Urology	…	…	…	…	18·4	10·2
General Medicine	…	…	…	…	12·2	2·2
Surgical Paediatrics	…	…	…	…	11·2	14·6
Medical Paediatrics	…	…	…	…	2·8	Less than 1 week
Gynaecology	…	…	…	…	11·6	15·8
Geriatrics	…	…	…	…	2·8	4·8
Chest Medical	…	…	…	…	N/A	Less than 1 week

Central Region (Expenditure)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing actual or estimated expenditure in the Central region, the expenditure planned, all at 1978 survey prices, and the shortfall as a percentage of planned

ROADS EXPENDITURE IN CENTRAL REGION
			£ million 1978 Survey Price
Motorway and Trunk Road	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80
New Construction
Planned	0·52	4·16	7·42	5·73
Actual/Estimated	0·56	4·27	7·02	5·87
Percentage Shortfall (−)/Excess(+)	+8 per cent.	+3 per cent.	−6 per cent.	+2 per cent.
Maintenance
Planned	0·69	0·75	0·76	0·98
Actual/Estimated	0·73	0·72	0·76	0·98
Percentage Shortfall(−)/Excess(+)	+7 per cent.	−4 per cent.

The second part of the question is a matter for the local authority concerned.

Central Region (Schools)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those primary and secondary schools in the Central region with accommodation dating from before 1900; whether he is satisfied that all these schools meet the minimum acceptable standards laid down by his Department; and what additional finan-

It is not possible to give a comprehensive answer to the question. The information set out in the table below shows the mean waiting times, in weeks, of patients discharged during 1977, the latest year for which figures are available, in each of the specialties at both hospitals. The figures refer only to patients discharged during 1977 and not to all patients on the waiting list in 1977.budget for(

a) motor way and trunk raod maintenance for 1976–77, 1977– 1978–, and 1979–80.

The information so far as it relates to expenditure within my responsibility is as follows:cial provision he intends making to upgrade the buildings and facilities.

Information about all schools in the Central region is not available centrally in the form requested. I am asking the regional council to send the hon. Member a copy of a council report which gives dates of construction and, where applicable, reconstruction for most primary and secondary schools in their area. The provisional allocations for capital expenditure on education which were notified to the regional council in December 1978 are intended to give it more scope than previously planned for school improvement and replacement work.

Western Isles (Bilingual Project)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the progress of the bilingual project in the Western Isles; and what support and assistance he has given the project.

This project has made good progress during its first three years to September 1978. My Department has taken an active role in the work of the advisory committee which is associated

				1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78
				£	£	£	£
An Comunn Gaidhealach	…	…	…	12,000	18,000	21,800	25,362
Sabhal Mór Ostaig	…	…	…	Nil	4,000	4,600	5,290
Gaelic Books Grant	…	…	…	8,500	8,500	15,000	9,117^*
Western Isles Project	…	…	…	Nil	5,208	12,465	12,824
^*Grants totalling £45,000 are payable over the three-year period 1977–78 to 1979–80

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will issue a circular to all education authorities in Scotland stating (a) his Department's policy in support of Gaelic (b) methods to be used to implement this policy as suited to each district and its needs and (c) which specific grants are available to help education authorities initiate action to support the language and to meet the cost of additional teachers, in-service training for additional teachers, school books and other teaching material.

It is for education authorities themselves to determine the place of Gaelic in the curriculum and the educational provision which should be made for the language in their areas. I see no need to give them any guidance on this subject at present.In terms of the present regulations governing my right hon. Friend's powers to pay grants to bodies providing education and educational services, no specific grants are payable direct to education authorities, but authorities may benefit from grants paid to other bodies for research and development projects, for example, for the production of teaching materials and other aids to bilingual education.

with the project, and will continue to suport it financially for further period of three years. The total financial assistance by the Department to this project over the six-year period to 1981 is expected to amount to nearly £80,000.

Gaelic

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the assistance in grants and other forms given to the Gaelic language in each of the last four years.

The information is set out in the table below. These grants were in addition to rate support grant.

Regional Aids

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to confirm the provisional figures for expenditure in Scotland on regional aids in 1977–78, published in tables 7 and 8 of the Scottish Economic Bulletin no. 16 of autumn 1978; and if he will make a statement.

There have been some recent minor revisions to the estimates of expenditure on regional preferential assistance in Scotland in 1977–78, and the total gross expenditure is now estimated at £145·5 million: full details will be published in the forthcoming spring 1979 edition of the Scottish Economic Bulletin.

Museums (Financial Allocations)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to treat such sum in respect of the extra £2 million earmarked to assist museums in preserving the national heritage as is allocated to his Department on 1 April 1979 in a similar manner to that described in his reply to the hon. Member for Warley, East made in the Official Report,17 March 1978, column 379, which related to the £142,000 made available to him for this purpose on 1 April 1978.

Yes. The central fund is to continue, and is available to assist purchases by local museums and galleries as well as by the national institutions.

Life Expectation

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the expectation of life for males and females in Scotland at birth and at 10-year intervals thereafter to age 80 years in 1900 and 1978, or in the nearest years for which figures are available.

The figures for the nearest available years are given below:

EXPECTATION OF LIFE IN YEARS, SCOTLAND
Life table
		1891–1900		1977
Age		Males	Females	Males	Females
At birth	…	44·7	47·4	68·3	74·6
10	…	48·5	50·3	59·8	65·9
20	…	40·4	42·3	50·1	56·1
30	…	33·0	34·9	40·7	46·4
40	…	25·7	27·6	31·3	36·8
50	…	18·9	20·6	22·5	27·8
60	…	13·0	14·3	15·2	19·7
70	…	8·5	9·1	9·4	12·6
80	…	4·9	5·5	5·5	7·2

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the expectation of life for males and females in Scotland at the nearest 20-year intervals for which figures are available between 1878 and 1978.

Figures from the appropriate Scottish life tables are given in the table below

EXPECTATION OF LIFE AT BIRTH (IN YEARS), SCOTLAND
Life Table			Males	Females
1861–70	…	…	40·3	43·9
1881–90	…	…	43·9	46·3
1910–12	…	…	50–1	53·2
1930–32	…	…	56·0	59·5
1950–52	…	…	64·4	68·7
1977	…	…	68·3	74·6

Drink And Gambling

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of money spent by people in Scotland, per annum, on drink and gambling, respectively.

I regret that this information is not available.

Road Traffic Act 1974

asked the secretary of state for Scotland if he is yet in a position to give detailed advice to local authorities about the implementation of section 8 of the Road Traffic Act 1974.

A circular of advice will be issued before 1 April, when the provision is due to come into operation in Scotland.

Prime Minister (Engagements)

Q3.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q6.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q7.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q8.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

10.

asked the Prime Minister what are his official engagements for 13 February.

Q11.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q12.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q13.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q14.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q15.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q17.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q19.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q21.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q22.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q23.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q24.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q26.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q28.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

029.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q30.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q31.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q32.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q34.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q37.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 13 February.

Q38.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q39.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q42.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q43.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q47.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q48.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q50.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q51.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

Q53.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 February.

Q55.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 13 February.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I have today given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle).

Tuc And Cbi

Q4.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects next to meet the Confederation of British Industry.

Q35.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans next to meet the Confederation of British Industry.

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

Q5.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects to meet the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry.

Q41.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans to meet the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress.

I refer my hon. Friends to the replies which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) and my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr. Atkinson).

Q18.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes next to meet the Trades Union Congress.

Q27.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

Q45.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects next to meet the Trades Union Congress.

Q49.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

Q54.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

Q57.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley).

Q25.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the leaders of the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when he last met the Trades Union Congress.

I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit) on 8 February.

Broadway, Worcestershire

Q16.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make an official visit to Broadway, Worcestershire.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Secretary Of State For Transport (Speech)

Q20.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech by the Secretary of State for Transport, on prices and incomes policy at Stockton on 28 January, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Lady the Leader of the Opposition on 30 January.

Lostwithiel

Q33.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Lostwithiel.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Hednesford

Q36.

asked the Prime Minister if he plans to visit Hednesford.

I have at present no plans to do so.

European Assembly (Members' Emoluments)

Q40.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will reconsider the level of emoluments proposed for Members of the European Parliament.

No.

Liverpool

Q44.

asked the Prime Minister if he has plans to pay an official visit to Liverpool.

Q56.

asked the Prime Minister if he will visit Liverpool.

I have at present no plans to do so.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nuclear Weapons)

Q46.

asked the Prime Minister whether a proposal to increase North Atlantic Treaty Organisation nuclear weapons in Europe was discussed at Guadeloupe.

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made to the House on 16th January.

North-East Lancashire

Q52.

asked the Prime Minister if he will visit North-East Lancashire.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Ethnic Records (Departmental Co-Ordination)

Q58.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Home Department and the Departments of the Environment and Employment in the practice of keeping ethnic records.

Yes.

Government Press Officers

asked the Prime Minister what authority he has given for the use of Government press officers to advise members of trade unions, currently in dispute with the Government over pay policy, on how to handle their press and public relations.

None. Individual Ministers are responsible for the work of Government information officers in their LIVERPOOL Departments.

Wage Increases (Government Policy)

asked the Prime Minister, in the light of the fact that the Licensed Non-Residential Establishment Wages Council proposes to increase wages for public house bar staff by an amount in excess of 26 per cent., whether this is in line with the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

Defence

Dartmoor National Park (Military Exercises)

13.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what conditions were imposed by the Duchy of Cornwall when renewing the licence permitting the Army to continue its use of the Dartmoor National park for military exercises.

The conditions are unchanged and include those normal between a landowner and licensee as well as conditions relating to military use. Those relating to military activities allow all kinds of training, including firing, but forbid the use of tanks or tracked vehicles. The Department undertakes to avoid damage to tors or ancient monuments, to fill in trenches and shell holes. and to clear unexploded shells. There are also provisions governing the direction of fire, and no new roads, tracks or buildings are to be constructed without the consent of the Duchy.

Servicemen's Families (Accommodation)

18.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the latest figures available for the number of units of accommodation available for Service men's families; what proportion is currently occupied; how these figures compare with one and two years ago: and how many units have been disposed of in the last two years.

At the end of 1978 the number of married quarters and hirings available in the United Kingdom for Service men's families was about 95,500, of which 78 per cent. were occupied. Comparable figures for the two previous years were 98,000 at the end of 1977, of which 81 per cent. were occupied; and 99,100 at the end of 1976, of which 86 per cent. were occupied. In the last two years about 4,500 married quarters have been passed to the Property Services Agency for disposal and about 1,600 hirings were released.

Iran (Defence Minister)

19.

asked the secretary of State for Defence if he plans to meet the Iranian Defence Minister.

I have no plans to meet the Itanian Defence Minister.

Cyprus (Sovereign Base Areas)

20.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about future requirements for the installations used by his Department in the sovereign base areas of Cyprus.

They will be required for the foreseeable future, but this need is kept under regular review.

Exercise Clockwork

21.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made in 1979 for Her Majesty's Royal Marines participation in Exercise Clockwork; and if he will make a statement.

45 Commando Group together with elements of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and a detachment of 845 Naval Air Squadron have deployed to North Norway in January each year since 1972 for a three month period of training known as Clockwork. Last year 42 Commando Group also deployed to Norway on Mainspring and this year, in addition to 42 and 45 Commandos with artillery, engineer, logistic and helicopter support, HQ 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines will also deploy to Norway for three months training known as Pendulum.Thus by April of this year, a complete Royal Marines Brigade of 2 Commandos plus support will be trained and equipped for mountain and Arctic warfare so that they may undertake, in the most efficient manner, their operational commitment to the defence of NATO's northern flank. The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps have also increased the number of their forces trained in mountain and Arctic warfare.

Strategic Re-Assessment

22.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what strategic reassessment he has made, with Her Majesty's allies, having regard to the situation in Iran.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens).

Nato Defence Ministers

23.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to meet the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Defence Ministers.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Temple-Morris).

40.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he next expects to meet his North Atlantic Treaty Organisation counterparts.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Temple-Morris).

United States (Arms Purchases And Sales)

24.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the balance of the purchase of arms and equipment by the United Kingdom from the United States of America and vice versa; and what proposals he has for redressing the imbalance.

The balance of trade for the period between January 1976 and September 1978 is about 4:1 in favour of the United States. Comparable detailed figures for earlier years are not available but we have consistently taken the view that, apart from the early 1970s when the Harrier was being supplied to the US Marine Corps, the balance has been very much in favour of the United States for some time.We are seeking to improve the position by encouraging and giving support to United Kingdom industry in its attempts to compete for United States defence orders under the terms of the 1975 UK—US memorandum of understanding.

Service Men's Pay

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Service men's pay.

The next pay award for the Armed Forces will be effective from 1 April this year. The award will reflect the commitment which the Prime Minister announced on 25 April 1978, following the recommendation of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in its seventh report, to restore the full updated military salary in two approximately equal stages in 1979 and 1980. The level of the award in 1979 will depend on the recommendations of the review body in its next report.

C130 Aircraft

26.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for modifying the C130 aircraft; how many aircraft will be affected; how much the cost will be; and over what period the modification will be carried out.

We announced last summer our intention to extend the fuselages of 30 of the RAF's Hercules fleet to increase their carrying capacity. The modification programme is planned to start later this year and to extend over four years. The cost is estimated to be about E141, million.

Strategic Nuclear Weapons

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by what date he expects to make a decision concerning the next generation of British strategic nuclear weapons.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Churchill) on 26 January.—[Vol. 961, c. 268.]

Intermediate Nuclear Missile

28.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions took place at the Summit meeting at Guadaloupe about the development of a new intermediate nuclear missile to be stationed in Europe for possible use against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdare (Mr. Evans).

Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve (Training)

29.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for training Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve personnel for tank crew duties.

TAVR personnel are not used for these duties.

Service Men's Salaries

30.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he remains satisfied with the method of payment of salaries to members of Her Majesty's forces.

Yes. However, if my hon. Friend has any specific matter in mind, perhaps he would write to me with the details.

Defence Budget

31.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the recommendation of the International Committee of the Labour Party to make 25 per cent. cuts in defence spending, he will make it his policy to reduce the defence budget by this amount.

I have no plans to make such reductions.

Hms "Bulwark"

32.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects HMS "Bulwark" to recommission.

HMS "Bulwark" has not been decommissioned; a re-dedication ceremony at Portsmouth is planned for 23 February 1979.

Low-Flying Aircraft (Exercises)

33.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the new arrangements involving a wider area for carrying out low-flying aircraft exercises; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the revised arrangements for low flying are sound and that they will provide for improved training in this essential operational role, while spreading the load more evenly.

Tornado Aircraft

34.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects the Tornado air defence variant to enter squadron service with the Royal Air Force.

It is expected that the first RAF Tornado F Mk2 squadron will be formed in the mid-1980s.

Royal Air Force (Recruitment)

35.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional expenditure has been incurred by the recruitment of 4,000 personnel into the Royal Air Force above the figure forecast in the Defence Review.

The annual cost, at current pay and price levels, of the personnel additional to the RAF manpower level forecast in the defence review is estimated to be about £19 million.

Service Personnel (Civilian Training)

36.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a full list of all the categories of civilian workers for the replacement or potential replacement of whom members of Her Majesty's Forces have, during the period of office of Her Majesty's Government, received some form of training.

Since 1974, Service men have received training in connection with only two industrial disputes—the firemen's strike in 1977–78 and the oil tanker drivers' dispute in 1978–79. In both cases training took place immediately prior to the deployment of Service men. In the case of the oil tanker drivers' dispute, training was limited to instructors and to those Service men who were deployed in Northern Ireland.

Expenditure

37.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest projected increase, expressed as a percentage in real terms, of defence spending between 1979–80 and 1982–83.

Defence expenditure is planned to rise by 3 per cent. in real terms in 1980–81 compared with 1979–80. As stated in the latest public expenditure White Paper—Cmnd. 7439—no decisions have yet been taken on the size of the defence budget for 1981–82 and 1982–83.

Service Men (Local Overseas Allowance)

38.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that local allowance for Service men overseas accurately reflects their extra expenditure incurred.

For reasons given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mr. Goodhart) on 25 July 1978, we have made no changes in local overseas allowance rates (LOA) since October 1977 except where the Forces' fixed rates of exchange have been adjusted.—[Vol. 954, c. 1353–4.]This standstill has been generally beneficial to those serving overseas, but I am aware that there are some areas where the allowance has not kept pace with local living costs. We shall give these areas priority when reviews of the rates are resumed.

Essential Services

41.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service men have been made available to help with running essential services during the recent period of industrial action.

During the recent period of industrial action, about 1,000 Service men have been assisted in the maintenance of essential services, though much larger and fluctuating numbers have been at shortened notice of readiness.

Type 42 Frigate

39.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the award of the contract for the Royal Navy's next Type 42 frigate.

It is too early to say. Tenders for our next Type 42 destroyer orders have been received from four shipyards, and they are still being evaluated.

Wrekin Rifle Range

42.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he can yet give a date for the transfer of the Wrekin rifle range to an alternative site, as recommended and agreed five years ago.

No. Redeployments which are planned to be completed in the next few years may call into question the need for either the existing range or the provision of an alternative.Until this has been decided it would not be prudent to spend substantial sums on a new range and the requirement will be reviewed in the early 1980s.

Polaris Submarine

43.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the research and development programme for a replacement of Polaris.

There is no such programme.

Warship Construction

44.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will place additional orders for warship construction with British shipbuilders.

British shipyards have a major programme of new construction for the Royal Navy, and further orders will be placed during the coming year.

Cadetships

45.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many cadetships were awarded during the last 12 months by the Army; and, of these, how many were awarded to entrants from Headmasters' Conference schools and how many from State schools.

In the financial year 1977–78 the Army awarded 52 cadetships. Of these, 38 were awarded to applicants from Headmasters' Conference schools and 14 to applicants from State schools.

Iran (Defence Contracts)

46.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the effect upon defence contracts between the United Kingdom and Iran, as a result of the political changes taking place in Iran; and if he will make a statement.

Before the events of last weekend we had been invited to discuss with the Iranians the deferment, curtailment or cancellation of their defence contracts with the United Kingdom. The intentions of the new Iranian Government about all the outstanding contracts are not yet known, but it is likely that a number of them will be terminated.

Hawk Aircraft

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for equipping the RAF Hawk aircraft with heat-seeking missiles, so as to increase the number of aircraft available for the air-defence of the United Kingdom.

A number of options for a war role for the Hawk aircraft are under consideration. Design proposals have now been received and are being studied, and it is hoped to make a decision later this year.

Air Ministry (Use Of Electricity)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why 106 windows in the Air Ministry building, Whitehall S.W.1, were lit up at 9.40 p.m. on Thursday 8 February; approximately how many persons were on duty in the building at that time; and what action he is taking to order his staff to cut waste of electricity.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Ministry of Defence main building in Whitehall Gardens.The number of personnel on duty in the building at the time referred to was between 150 and 200. In addition to offices occupied by duty staff, the nighttime cleaning of the whole building had just started. Lighting is also necessary for security patrols and is mandatory on staircases.All personnel in the building are frequently reminded of the need for economy in the use of electricity.

Armed Forces Pay Review Body

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has had any discussions with the chairman of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body concerning its forthcoming report.

No. Ministry of Defence evidence on a wide range of subjects has been submitted to the Review Body. I am in no doubt that the Review Body appreciates all the factors which it will have to take into account in its forthcoming report.

Home Department Civil Defence

48.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had concerning the need for a credible Civil Defence Corps and for public air raid shelters in the event of a nuclear attack on the United Kingdom.

None recently. The Home Office has continuing consultations with the local authority associations and others on ways to improve home defence preparedness, and plans envisage that local authorities would undertake local civil defence operations, making all possible use of voluntary effort. Successive Governments have considered that the enormous cost of building special shelters is not justified and that the better course is to tell people at the proper time what to do to improve the protection given by their homes.

Probation Officers (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report details of the percentage increase in the salary of a main grade probation officer since the implementation of the Butterworth scales, the percentage increase in the retail price index and the percentage increase in the average pay of non-manual workers during the corresponding period; and what steps he proposes to take to raise probation officers' salaries to a level which reflects the extent of their responsibilities and their importance to society.

Between July 1972 and July 1978, when current rates of pay came into effect, the salaries of main grade officers at the entry points for professionally trained graduates and non-graduates increased by 115 per cent. and 122 per cent. respectively, and the maximum of the scale increased by 89 per cent. It is estimated that average gross earnings of main grade officers increased by 107 per cent. while the retail price index rose by about 131 per cent. Statistics of average pay of non-manual workers are not available but between April 1972 and April 1978 the average gross earnings of male non-manual workers over 21 including overtime and other emoluments increased by 132 per cent.Following the report of the Butterworth inquiry of 1972, probation officers' salaries were linked to those of local authority social workers. In 1977 the joint negotiating committee of the probation and aftercare service appointed a working party comprising members of both sides of the committee to examine the pay structure of the service. The working party is required by its terms of reference to take account of changes in the functions, work and structure of the service since the Butterworth inquiry and of relativities with other groups, in particular local authority social workers. My right hon. Friend will consider any recommendations which the joint negotiating committee makes as a result of the working party's report.

Marriage Guidance (Working Party)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the working party on marriage guidance and its report "Marriage Matters".

The chairman's fee and the cost of travel and subsistence for members amounted to £8,585. Printing and publication of the report cost £7,000 against which will be offset income from sales. The time given by the Civil Service members and the secretarial and common services involved no additional public expenditure.

Mr Michael Blake

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to make a statement upon the medical condition and medication currently being administered to Michael Blake, as requested by letter dated 10 October 1978 from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Handsworth; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Blake's state of health gives no cause for concern and I am writing to my hon. Friend giving further details.

Picketing

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he received a recent memorandum from the Associations of Chief Police Officers and Police Superintendents requesting the Government to give them powers to arrest anyone picketing if he was not directly involved in the dispute; and what action he has taken.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton (Mr. Robertson) on 8 February. In their comments on the Government's consultative paper on the law of picketing, neither the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland nor the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales suggested that the police should be given powers to arrest persons, not involved in the dispute, who were engaging in peaceful picketing.—[Vol. 962, c. 260.]

Jurors

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the electorate is eligible to sit on juries.

I regret that this information is not available. Under the Juries Act 1974 a person is qualified to serve as a juror if his name is on the electoral register, he is between 18 and 65 years old, he has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for any period of at least five years since attaining the age of 13 and is not ineligible or disqualified for jury service by virtue of schedule 1 to the Act.

Police Forces (Resignations)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of premature resignations from (a) police forces in England and Wales, excluding the Metropolitan Police, and (b) the Metropolitan Police for every year since 1945 to 1978.

The available figures are as follows:

Year		England and Wales (excluding Metropolitan Police) Year ended 30 September men only	Metropolitan Police Year ended 31 December men only
1946	…	N.A.	554
1947	…	N.A.	932
1948	…	N.A.	681
1949	…	1,828	502
1950	…	1,262	395
1951	…	1,780	411
1952	…	1,171	397
1953	…	1,587	473
1954	…	1,708	504
1955	…	2,103	606
1956	…	1,300	488
1957	…	1,544	632
1958	…	1,553	517
1959	…	1,477	492

		Quarter ended 31 September 1959
		497	—
		Year ended 31 December
1960	…	2,111	505
1961	…	1,349	370
1962	…	1,443	361
1963	…	1,356	362
1964	…	1,692	474
1965	…	1,714	405
1966	…	2,531	434
1967	…	1,877	385
1968	…	2,374	367

		Year ended 31 December—men and women
1969	…	3,100	507
1970	…	3,033	627
1971	…	2,032	565
1972	…	2,149	635
1973	…	2,719	794
1974	…	2,917	740
1975	…	2,186	515
1976	…	2,645	642
1977	…	4,106	1,060
1978	…	4,752	933

Police (Negotiating Machinery)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to put into effect the new police negotiating machinery.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. Eyre) on 6 February.—[Vol. 962, c. 90.]

Civil Service

Pensions

51.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what forecasts of the annual cost of inflation-proofing Civil Service pensions were made for the White Paper on the Government's Expenditure Plans 1979–80 to 1982–3, Command Paper No. 7439.

The forecasts of expenditure contained in the White Paper are expressed in terms of constant prices. Future pensions increase awards, which will depend on future price rises, do not therefore appear. However, the forecasts include £155 million in 1979–80, £147 million in 1980–81, £138 million in 1981–82 and £131 million in 1982–83 in respect of the increases in basic pensions that will become payable in those years as a result of past annual review orders.

Departmental Staff (Mature Entrants)

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many of the staff of his Department were engaged as mature entrants with experience of personnel management and management services.

The number of staff in the Civil Service Department who were engaged as mature entrants with experience of personnel management and management services is 15. All were recruited at principal or equivalent level or above.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Fisheries Protection Squadron

49.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the number of foreign vessels boarded by the Fisheries Protection Squadron in the year 1978; and how many convictions were made of illegal fishing in British territorial waters.

In 1978 United Kingdom fishery protection vessels carried out 1,383 boardings of foreign vessels within United Kingdom fishery limits. Twenty-two skippers of foreign fishing vessels were convicted of offences against fishery regulations applying within United Kingdom fishing limits but none of the offences involved illegal fishing within United Kingdom territorial waters.

European Community (Council Of Agriculture Ministers)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the outcome of the Council of Ministers (Agriculture) meeting in Brussels on 12 February.

I represented the United Kingdom at a meeting of the Council of Ministers (Agriculture) in Brussels on 12 February.The Council discussed a Commission working paper on the elimination of any new monetary compensatory amounts that might develop if the European monetary system were introduced and the European currency unit adopted for CAP purposes. No agreement was reached: there remains a basic difference of approach between France and other member countries; and I made it clear that the United Kingdom could not consider arrangements for the automatic elimination of new monetary compensatory amounts unless it were decided also to maintain a freeze on common prices until surpluses were eliminated. I joined Italy in seeking a decision on the Commission's proposals for moderate devaluations of the green pound and lira, but these were not substantively discussed.Discussion of both these agri-monetary issues will be resumed at the next Council meeting on 5–6 March. It now seems possible that decisions on common prices for 1979–80 will not be reached before the scheduled beginning of the next milk and beef marketing years on 1–2 April. The Government's attitude to any proposals to extend the current marketing years will be strongly influenced by the outcome of future Council discussion of the Commission's proposals for early green rate devaluations.I also pressed for early discussion by the Council of the Commission's proposals for a directive on provisions to protect the welfare of animals during international transport. I urged that these rules should require that farm animals intended for slaughter should not be permitted to travel for more than 12 hours on their final journey to the slaughterhouse. The Commissioner for Agriculture undertook to consider this.

Tenant Farmers

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will institute a departmental inquiry into the reasons why so many tenant farmers are unwilling to use the arbitration machinery for settling their farm rents.

Lord Northfield's committee is examining farm rents and my right hon. Friend the Minister prefers to wait for his report.

Jurors

asked the Attorney-General if he will publish details of the mechanics of jury selection at a suitable administrative office, giving the rank of the person choosing the names and the methods by which that person finds the names of potential jurors.

It is the responsibility of the chief clerk at each centre of the Crown court to summon jurors for the Crown court at that place—except in Greater London where the under sheriff carries out these functions. At the Crown court at Chester, for example, full-time ushers or clerical staff, under the supervision of the chief clerk, undertake the work itself. The electoral registers for the whole of the catchment area for that court are divided into three lists, some part of each parish and ward being included in each of these lists. Summoning then follows a three-year cycle, each list being used in sequence. Individual panels of jurors to be summoned for any particular period are compiled by the random selection from the list then in use of one name from each ward or parish of the catchment area, except where the ward or parish is large, when two names are selected.

asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation extending the provision enabling the linguistic capabilities of jurors to be tested under the Juries Act 1974 to cover Welsh as well as English in trials held in Wales when defendants elect to give evidence in Welsh.

No. This would depart too far from the principle that jurors be chosen by random selection from the electoral register. Moreover, the arrangements for the provision of interpreters for cases in which defendants wish to speak Welsh appear to be working satisfactorily.

Employment

Trade Union Political Levies (Deduction From Wages)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek to introduce legislation to clarify the legality of deductions by employers from wages of amounts corresponding to trade union political levies.

No.

Benzidine Azo Dyes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what recent investigations have revealed concerning precautions taken in processing and effluent treatment and disposal arising in (a) dye-handling processing and (b) textile dye stripping processes which involve benzidine azo dyes and may result in the substantial release of highly carcinogenic benzidine.

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that during 1978 tests were made in several dye houses in West Yorkshire to determine the quantity of amine base evolved during dye stripping processes. Nothing of significance was discovered.The Factory Inspectorate is stressing the need to take general precautions in colour stores and dye houses to limit as far as practicable contact with benzidine azo dyes.The water authorities and Water Research Centre are examining effluent treatment and disposal for dyes generally including benzidine azo dyes. No special problem involving benzidine azo dyes has emerged as yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report the maximum and average levels in parts per million of free benzidine in imported benzidine azo dyes and give an assurance on the level of free benzidine which does not constitute a risk of causing bladder cancer amongst workers using the dyes.

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that there are approximately 250 different dyes in the class known as benzidine azo dyes which are made from the aromatic amine benzidine. Trace quantities of free benzidine are known to be present in such dyes, to the extent of a few tens of parts per million, but it is not possible to list the maximum and average levels as requested by the hon. Member since the amount may vary from batch to batch, even from the same manufacturer.The chairman further informs me that the Health and Safety Executive has no epidemiological evidence to show that there is any risk of developing bladder cancer among workers handling benzidine azo dyes but he is unable to give an assurance on the level of free benzidine which does not constitute a risk of causing bladder cancer amongst such workers.

Carcinogenic Substances

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report the number of prosecutions arising under (a) the Carcinogenic Substances Regulations 1967 and (b) the Carcinogenic Substances (Prohibition of Importation) Order 1967 since the coming into force of these orders.

I am advised by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that no prosecution has been taken under the Carcinogenic Substances Regulations 1967; and there is no record of any proceedings under section 77 of the Factories Act 1961 for sale or possession of substances prohibited under the Carcinogenic Substances (Prohibition of Importation) Order 1967.

Publication "Network"

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the publication "Network" receives editorial or other assistance from the Manpower Ser- vices Commission; what is the estimated cost of such assistance; what is its total circulation; what are its total costs; and how the publication is financed.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the publication "Network" is financed wholly by the Manpower Services Commission.The distribution of "Network" is currently 38,000 and includes employers running work experience schemes, local authorities, colleges of further education, a number of voluntary organisations and youth groups, the careers service and MSC staff involved in programmes to help the unemployed.Taking into account production costs, staff costs, circulation and postage costs, the cost per issue is on average £4,500.Editorial content for "Network" is approved by the Manpower Services Commission.

Earnings (International Comparisons)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, for all member countries of the European Economic Community, the United States of America, Canada and Japan, for the period from the 1st quarter of 1974 to 3rd quarter of 1978 or the latest available quarter (a) the increase in manufacturing earnings, in money terms, (b) the increase in manufacturing earnings deflated for increases in consumer prices and (c) the increase in real take-home pay for the average industrial worker.

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

Disabled Persons ("Fares To Work" Scheme)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people are receiving assistance under the revised "Fares to Work" scheme; and if he will make a statement.

I am very pleased to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the Manpower Services Commission—MSC—which administers the Assistance with Fares to Work Scheme for Severely Disabled People, has informed me that the number of severely disabled people who have benefited under the revised scheme which began on 5 July 1978 has increased almost three times—2·7—which is in line with the increase estimated by the MSC.In the six months ended 31 December 1978, 280 applications for assistance were approved. This compares with 103 approvals in the corresponding period to December 1977.The ratio of "Permanent"—those for an indefinite period—to "Temporary"—generally those from car owners whose car has broken down—applications is now 2:1 which has reversed the previous ratio of 1:2 under the "old" scheme.The average weekly payment made under the revised scheme, is £9·38. This is taken over all the cases currently authorised for payment under the revised scheme including those transferred from the old scheme—369 cases.A full review of the revised scheme will be carried out after 12 months operation.

Microelectronics

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking on the recommendations made in the latest National Economic Development Council report on microelectronics.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 8 February 1979; Vol. 962, c. 239], gave the following information:The progress report 1979 of the electronic components sector working party of the NEDC, published in January, contains two recommendations relating to my Department. The first of these deals with the need to meet the growing fears among trade unions that microelectronic technology will cause large-scale unemployment and suggest a greater dissemination of available information. It is not possible for anyone to say with any accuracy, at this stage, what effects microelectronic technology will have on employment. In my own Department a study group on microelectronics has been set up to look at the potential impact of the technology on employment over the next 5 to 10 years. It contributed the results of some of its studies to the CPRS report that was made available following the meeting of the NEDC on 6 December. It hopes to produce its own report in the summer of this year.The second recommendation is for a Government initiative to overcome what the report describes as a current and growing shortage of skilled personnel. The Government have taken steps to support the training of skilled and semiskilled workers by industry in order to try to ensure that shortages of such workers do not develop. The Manpower Services Commission has put in hand, through the national training system, a three-year programme beginning this year to ensure that computer manufacturers and users expand their training in software skills and new areas of skill for which systematic training has hitherto not been available generally. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Employment, for Industry and for Education and Science presented a joint paper to the National Economic Development Council on 6 December which set out, among other things the action the Government are taking to ensure that skill shortages do not become a constraint. Copies of this paper were laid in the Library of the House.

Job Creation

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest up-to-date target figures set by the Manpower Services Commission for the youth opportunities and special temporary employment programmes and what is the number of places which the Manpower Services Commission had expected to have had available by 1 February, the number of actual places negotiated, and the number of places occupied, giving each figure under the respective subheadings of the youth opportunities programme, namely, work experience on employers' premises, training workshops, community service, and project-based work experience with separate figures for the special temporary employment programme.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 5 February 1979; Vol. 962, c. 27], gave the following information:I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that its targets are to enable 187,000 young people to enter the youth opportunities programme in the period September 1978 to August 1979 and to have 80,000 filled places under the programme at the end of March 1979. There is a good prospect of both these targets being met. The target for the special temporary employment programme is to maintain occupancy at a level of 25,000 filled places, and it is hoped that this level will be reached by end-June 1979. No specified targets were set for either programme for 1 February. By the end of December 1978 there had been 100,000 starts on the youth opportunities programme and 8,800 starts on the special temporary employment programme since the programmes began on 1 April, and the number of places occupied at end December was some 55,000 and 8,000 respectively. These figures cannot reliably be broken down by type of scheme except at disproportionate cost. The number of places negotiated from the beginning of the programme is as follows:

Scheme	Places negotiated
Work Experience on Employers Premises Premises	49,200
Project-based Work Experience	8,000
Training Workshops	3,900
Community Service	8,000
Work Preparation Courses	20,200
Special Temporary Employment Programme	16,800

Energy

Multi-Purpose Stamp

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration he has given to the proposal by Age Concern Wales for the provision of a multipurpose energy stamp at post offices, which could be used towards payment of gas, electricity and water bills, and possibly television licences, by retirement pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

Both the gas and electricity industries provide for payment of bills through purchase of stamps at their showrooms. They have had discussions with the Post Office about the sale of an energy stamp through post offices. Whilst I believe that this might be a helpful contribution to the other easier payment methods already offered by the industries a number of problems have been found which remain to be re- solved, and the proposal is still under consideration. I understand that stamps can be purchased at post offices towards the payment of the television licence fee and that some water authorities similarly provide for payment of bills through stamps on sale at post offices.

Biomass Energy Sources

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what action he is taking to exploit biomass energy sources; and if he estimates that these sources will make a major contribution to the country's energy needs within the next 10 years.

Staff at the Department's energy technology support unit and external experts are carrying out assessment studies on energy from biomass as part of the Department's solar energy R & D programme. It is too early to say what contribution energy from biomass might make to the country's future energy needs but over the next ten years it is likely to be small. However, our preliminary studies indicate that the biomass resource could be significant and studies are continuing to establish this more firmly and to assess the technical and economic feasibility of exploiting energy from biomass sources. The commitment to these studies at present is £600,000.

Subsidence Damage (Claims)

asked the Secretary of State for Eneregy (1) how many claims for subsidence damage have been made against the National Coal Board in each year since the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957; how many were accepted; how many were rejected; and how many were unresolved;(2) how Much money has been paid for subsidence damage by the National Coal Board in each year since the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957; and much has been paid in each of the National Coal Board's regions;(3) in how many cases the National Coal Board has (

a) paid full costs and ( b) made a contribution to the costs of surveyors' fees incurred by claimants in each year since the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957;

(4) in how many cases the National Coal Board has ( a) paid full costs and ( b) made a contribution to the legal costs

incurred by claimants in each year since the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957;

(5) in how many cases the National Coal Board has ( a) paid full costs and ( b) made a contribution to the costs of loss of pay incured by claimants in each year since the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957;

(6) in how many cases the National Coal Board has ( a) paid full costs and ( b) made a contribution to the costs of hardship and inconvenience incurred by claimants in each year since the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957.

(7) in how many cases the National Coal Board has ( a) paid full expenses and ( b) paid partial expenses incurred by claimants in each year since the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957.

(8) in how many cases the National Coal Board has paid compensation to alleviate hardship when it had no legal liability in each year since the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act 1957.

(9) in how many cases since the May agreement the National Coal Board has paid a contribution to the fees of an independent surveyor employed by a claimant for subsidence damage; what is the average amount paid; and what proportion was the average of the full costs incurred.

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

Urenco

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether there are any plans to increase the enrichment capacity of the Anglo-Dutch-German project, URENCO.

The three Governments have recently agreed to the build up of capacity at the URENCO plant at Almelo in the Netherlands to 600 tonnes per annum and at Capenhurst to 400 tonnes per annum.Agreement has also been given to the creation of a third URENCO company, URENCO (Deutschland) and the construction of a centrifuge assembly plant and subsequently an enrichment plant at Gronau in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The three Governments will be consulted before work on an enrichment plant at Gronau begins, and on any subsequent extension of capacity at URENCO plants. The three Governments will continue discussions with a view to their conclusion in 1979, on the formal extension of their collaboration until at least 1991.

Asbestos (Simpson Advisory Committee)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when the Simpson advisory committee on asbestos is expected to report; and whether it will be available for general publication.

I have been asked to reply.I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission, who also chairs the advisory committee on asbestos, that the committee is preparing its final report which it hopes to submit to the Health and Safety Commission and Ministers in the spring. I can confirm that, as my right hon. Friend told the House when announcing the setting up of the advisory committee—[Vol. 908, c. 1105], its final report will be published.

Environment

Waste Land

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what use is made of section 65 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 by local authorities in tidying up the environment;(2) what encouragement is being given to local authorities in general to use section 65 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971;(3) what encouragement is being given specifically to inner area local authorities to use section 65 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 as a replacement for the widespread use of corrugated iron to hide derelict sites.

Section 65 is available for the abatement of serious injury to the amenity of any part of an authority's area arising from the condition of any garden, vacant site or other open land. Local authorities were reminded of it in DOE circular 109/77 as one of the measures available in the enforcement of planning control, and in the normal course of liaison with authorities it figures as appropriate among the solutions that can be adopted for certain environmental problems, which could include those arising over the kind of sites the hon. Member specifically mentions.

Bathing Areas

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will decide whether local authorities or water authorities shall designate bathing areas in accordance with the EEC directive concerning the quality of bathing water in view of the fact that the two-year period for this decision elapsed 14 months ago.

My right hon. Friend is considering the whole question of the implementation of this directive and hopes to announce his decisions soon. On timing, the main requirements of the directive are that a first report on United Kingdom bathing waters be submitted to the Commission by the end of this year and that relevant bathing waters attain the standards set out in the directive by the end of 1985.

Private Housing (Investment)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the gross housing investment in the private sector in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, during each of the last five years.

Gross domestic fixed capital formation on all dwellings, private and public sector combined, in the years shown are set out below. Reliable estimates of fixed investment in dwellings by the private sector only are not available.

			£ million at current prices
			England	Scotland	Wales
1972	…	…	1,883	205	102
1973	…	…	2,220	240	123
1974	…	…	2,593	368	157
1975	…	…	3,427	456	187
1976	…	…	3,811	542	215

Source: Central Statistical Office.

Community Arts

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities to remind them that community arts may secure funds from such sources as the urban aid and inner cities programmes.

The urban programme circulars make it clear that cultural projects qualify. Voluntary bodies already have advice on how to apply to their local authorities. Some community arts schemes are being funded under this programme.

Construction Industry Manpower Board

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the Construction Industry Manpower Board.

The CIMB reported in November 1978 that the Government's measures to deal with abuses associated with the "Lump" have been effective, although there has been a small increase in self-employed sub-contracting since 1977.The industry has accepted the Board's recommendations for registers of employers. For the building and civil engineering registers the initiative now lies with the industry to which I look for more progress over the next few months than hitherto. The Board itself is considering how best to establish a register of specialist sub-contractors and will also be reviewing the question of certificates of training and achievement for employees.

Rubbish Disposal

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a ministerial broadcast in order to advise and encourage people to undertake their own rubbish disposal during the current industrial dispute.

Not at this stage. Local authorities have already given advice and made temporary arrangements, based on the widely differing problems that they face.

Community Land Act

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, pursuant to paragraph 38 on page 111 of Command Paper No. 7439, he will indicate the estimates made by his Department for expenditure by local authorities on land acquisition under the Community Land Act which is to be wholly financed by receipts from land disposals, giving separate figures for each of the years 1979–80 to 1982–83 inclusive.

The estimates assume the following receipts from disposals of land in England:

			£m
1979–80	…	…	18
1980–81	…	…	40
1981–82	…	…	66
1982–83	…	…	103

This is available for site improvements as well as land acquisitions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it remains his policy, as stated in answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 31 January 1977, not to give information about land acquisition or disposal under the Community Land Act either by districts, or by sites, but only by counties; and whether he will now reconsider this.

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes." However, discussions are being held with the local authority associations and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy about the publication of data from local authorities' land accounts. It is hoped to conclude these discussions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the three local authorities whose 1977–78 community land accounts showed a surplus; and whether he will give details for each of (a) income, (b) expenditure, (c) administrative costs as part of (b), (d) land acreage acquired and (e) land acreage resold in 1977–78.

The three authorities were Leicester city council, St. Albans city and district council and Rushmoor district council. As explained in reply to another question from the hon. Member today, the question of publishing details of individual local authority land accounts is currently under discussion.

Local Authority Wage Settlements (Cheshire)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has sent to the letter from the county secretary and solicitor of the ] Cheshire county council dated 3 February 1979 on the sunject of wage settlements and the rate support grant, which was supported by all the district councils of Cheshire, and if he will make a statement.

I shall be replying to the county council's letter of 3 February shortly and will send a copy of my reply to the hon. Member.

Rent Acts (Review)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now allocate sufficient full-time staff to the review of the Rent Acts to enable publication to take place before 1 June.

My right hon. Friend considers that the staffing arrangements for the review are adequate.

Garbage (Recycling)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department is undertaking on recycling garbage into domestic fuels; how Great Britain compares with the United States of America in this field; and what contribution recycled waste will make to United Kingdom energy requirements by 1984.

The Waste Management Advisory Council will very soon publish a report "Energy from Waste" by its waste as fuel working party. The report, which will be placed in the Library, provides a comprehensive survey of schemes undertaken by industry, with assistance from the Government's national anti-waste programme, to use processed domestic waste as fuel in boilers. It also describes the work being undertaken jointly by Government and local authorities to develop mechanical sorting plants for domestic waste which, after recovering certain materials for recycling, will produce waste-derived fuel pellets with half the calorific value of coal for use in industrial boilers. A pilot plant is already operating in Chichester, a full-scale plant will shortly be commissioned in Tyne and Wear, and a more sophisticated plant will come into operation in South Yorkshire later in the year. A similar plant is already operating in the United States of America and others are planned or under construction.

If present cost estimates are confirmed, by the early 1980s there should be scope for mechanical sorting up to 20 per cent. of municipal waste per year to produce refined waste-derived fuel equivalent to coal savings of up to 2 million tonnes per year—about £40 million. There would be additional savings from schemes using only partly processed waste.

Southwark (Town Hall)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will call in for his own decision the planning application by Southwark borough council to build a new town hall.

No. I have carefully considered this planning application which has been referred to me in accordance with normal practice as a departure from the development plan. It has been for me to decide whether the planning issue is of national or regional significance or of essentially local concern. I have decided that the latter is the case, and that the application should therefore continue to be dealt with by the local authority. This would be without prejudice to any consideration which I might need to give in connection with any compulsory purchase order which might be sought.As to the financial aspects of this proposal, which have aroused much comment, I can only reaffirm what my noble Friend said in another place in response to a recent question on 8 February, namely, that the project is not subject to individual Government financial approval since it comes within the locally determined sector, and that in this sector local authorities are free to determine their own priorities, and are responsible to their own electors.—[Vol. 398, c. 826.]

Transport

Orbital Road Traffic (London)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been undertaken into the feasibility of transferring London orbital road traffic to rail.

There have been a number of studies of orbital rail routes, including the London Rail Study, published in 1974. British Rail has a scheme for linking its North London Line to the North Woolwich line anti the GLC has proposals for extending this route by building a tunnel under the Thames to Woolwich Arsenal. However, I am satisfied that improvements to the rail system could neither cater adequately for essential industrial traffic nor prevent traffic which is crossing or skirting London from continuing to use unsuitable and congested roads.

British Railways

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to meet the chairman of the British Railways Board.

Soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Railways.

Yesterday.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Disarmament Expenditure

50.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will implement the proposal of the United Nations Secretary-General that one-thousandth part of military spending be made available for education and research activity concerned with disarmament.

We shall work towards the goal set by Dr. Waldheim that 0·1 per cent. of world military expenditure be devoted to disarmament efforts, including information work, education and research. My right hon. Friend is in touch with universities about encouraging more research, and a disarmament newsletter will shortly be started by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in addition to the increasing amount of disarmament information which we have recently been distributing.

Ocean Island

190.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there is any continental shelf around Ocean Island—Banaba; and whether it or the continental slope contains sedimentary rock of a type that may accommodate oil and natural gas.

There is no continental shelf around Ocean Island—Banaba. On present geological information the possibility that the subsea rock contains oil or natural gas is remote.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the depth of water within 200 miles of Ocean Island: and whether a geological analysis has been carried out of the mineral resources in the seabed.

The sea bed around Ocean Island—Banaba—falls away steeply in all directions reaching depths of 3,000 to 4,500 metres. We know of no geological analysis of the type mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of Ocean Island has been covered by phosphate mining; what investments would now be required to make the island capable of sustaining profitable agricultural crops; and what population could be sustained on the island now and following completion of a rehabilitation programme.

Approximately four-fifths. A full study would be required to ascertain the island's potential for agricultural crops and habitation. In early 1978 the British Government offered to finance a full resources survey, but the Rabi Council of Leaders has not yet agreed to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Banabans live on Ocean Island; how many on Rabi Island, part of the Fiji Group; and, of the latter, how many people have expressed a desire to return to Ocean Island when the British Phosphate Commission withdraws from local mining operations.

In 1978 there were 48 Banabans, including dependants, employed by the British Phosphate Commission on Banaba. In addition, the Banabans maintain a small rotating presence on the island. The Banaban community of Rabi numbers about 2,500. The Government are not aware of how many wish to return to Banaba.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, of the present labour force employed by the British Phosphate Commission on Ocean Island, how many are expected to remain on the island following the cessation of phosphate mining this year.

The British Phosphate Commission is providing for the repatriation of all those of the present labour force who wish to leave. They expect this to comprise the greater proportion of the labour force.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he estimates that the terrain is such that an airstrip could be built on Ocean Island; and whether harbour facilities are feasible due to water depths.

A technical appraisal would be needed to determine the feasibility of an airstrip. The possibility could be included in the proposed resources survey of Banaba. Mooring, but no harbour facilities exist.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the cost to restore the nitrogen and potassium deficiency in the areas which have been mined on Ocean Island; and what quantity of fresh water is available to support development.

The Government have offered to finance a full resources survey to assess the island's potential for habitation and development after mining ends. This survey could cover the matters mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he estimates that Ocean Island could be rendered a commercially viable unit following the expenditure of either the capital or income derived from the trust fund.

The British Government have offered to finance a resources survey of Banaba, not yet accepted by the Rabi Council of Leaders, to assess its potential. The trust fund was primarily designed to secure the economic future of the Banaban community on Rabi Island, where the large majority will continue to live.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he estimates that it would be more economic to spend compensation funds accepted by the Banabans on Rabi Island or on Ocean Island.

The A$10 million ex-gratia offer was primarily designed to secure the economic future of the Banaban community on Rabi, which in 1947 the Banabans voted to make their permanent home. The Government have offered to make available £1 million for Rabi development projects, and to finance a resources survey of Banaba Island.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will compare the income available on a per capita basis to the inhabitants of Nauru Island from the trust fund set up to compensate the islanders for the loss of phosphates with that available under the current settlement with the Banabans.

No recent information in respect of the Nauru trust fund is available to the British Government which could be used as a basis for comparison with the Banabans.

Gilbert And Ocean Islands (Manganese Nodules)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether manganese nodules comprise any part of the sea bed in the general area of the Gilbert Islands; if so, at what depth; and, specifically, whether nodules are discoverable around or in the vicinity of Ocean Island.

No deposits of manganese nodules have been identified in the general area of the Gilbert Islands. including Ocean Island.

British Phosphate Commission

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, over the period of phosphate mining by the British Phosphate Commission, the phosphate has been sold to participating Governments at market prices or under preferential pricing; and what were the rates of royalties per ton payable to landowners over the period of mining leases.

No reliable phosphate "market price" before 1967 had been established to the Government's satisfac- tion. Since 1968 the price has been based on that agreed for Nauru phosphate. The royalty rates per ton have varied greatly, but full details are not available at short notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the percentage interests of the participant Governments in the British Phosphate Commission; and whether they draw phosphate rock proportionate to their equity interest.

Capital for the establishment of the British Phosphate Commissioners in 1920 was provided by Australia (42 per cent.), Britain (42 per cent.) and New Zealand (16 per cent.); nearly all phosphate has gone to Australia and New Zealand.

Banaba (Association With Fiji)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had concerning an association with Fiji as a solution for the Banaban problem; and whether any consequent legislation would include entrenched clauses of a nature similar to those envisaged in Cmnd. Paper No. 7445 relating to the Gilbert Islands.

Separation of Banaba and association with Fiji has been considered in the past but has been consistently opposed by Gilbert Islands Governments, most recently at the constitutional conference. The question of legislation consequent to such a solution has not been raised.

Gilbert Islands

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to bring forward legislation relating to the constitutional position of the Gilbert Islands.

The Kiribati Bill had its first reading in another place on 7 February 1979.

Ethiopia (Soviet Intervention)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of United Nations Resolution 3903, he will raise the issue of Soviet intervention in Ethiopia, and particularly in Eritrea, at the United Nations.

The Government have made clear their deep concern at the scale and nature of Soviet and Cuban military involvement in Ethiopia. We favour a peaceful negotiated settlement in Eritrea taking account of previous United Nations resolutions. At present there is insufficient international backing to make an approach to the United Nations effective.

Rhodesia

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government intend to send observers to Rhodesia to monitor the elections in April.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the right hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Mr. Amery) on 17 January.—[Vol. 960, c. 1720.]

China

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if in principle it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to help the Chinese to modernise their tank force as part of a wider agreement involving trade and closer relations.

Any firm proposals would need to be considered by Ministers in the light of the Government's general policy on the sale of defence equipment to China.

Industry

Microprocessors

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has yet approved a £10 million programme to publish the uses and potentialities of microprocessor technology if not, when he intends to do so; and if he will detail how the money allocated is to be spent.

The £10 million programme is part of the £55 million microprocessor applications project announced by the Prime Minister on 6 December 1978. The programme is aimed at raising the level of general awareness and the number of training courses available. Details of the awareness programme will be announced shortly. My Department, working closely with the National Computing Centre, has already doubled the number of short microcircuit training courses available for engineers.

National Enterprise Board

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) on what date he gave his consent under section 10 of the Industry Act 1975 for the National Enterprise Board to acquire 42·7 per cent. of the nominal value of the total equity in R. R Chapman (Sea Surveys) Ltd.; what is the number of type of shares acquired and what was the cost to the Board;(2) on what date he gave his consent under section 10 of the Industry Act 1975 for the National Enterprise Board to acquire 79·7 per cent. of the nominal value of the total equity in Cambridge Instruments; what is the number of type of shares acquired: and what was the cost to the Board(3) on what date he gave his consent under section 10 of the Industry Act 1975 for the National Enterprise Board to acquire 100 per cent. of the nominal value of the total equity in Bull Motors Ltd.; what is the number of type of shares acquired; and what was the cost to the Board;(4) on what date he gave his consent under section 10 of the Industry Act 1975 for the National Enterprise Board to acquire 50 per cent. of the nominal value of the total equity in B.T.B. Engineering; what is the number of type of shares acquired; and what was the cost to the Board.

My right hon Friend gave his statutory consent to the Board acquiring 30 per cent. or more of the voting shares in R. R. Chapman (Sub-Sea Surveys) Ltd. on 15 October 1976, and in Bull Motors Ltd. on 1 September 1977. My right hon. Friend's statutory consent under section 10 of the Industry Act 1975 was not required for the Board's acquisition of its shareholdings in Cambridge Instruments Ltd. and BTB (Engineering) Ltd. In the latter case, as I informed the hon. Member on 24 January last, the Board's shareholding is not equity. In all these cases the number and type of shares and the cost to the Board are set out in my replies of 24 January and 15 November last.

British Steel Corporation

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish a list of those plants closed by the British Steel Corporation during the last 10 years, together with the dates of closure.

Details of individual closures have been the subject of negotiation between the Corporation and the unions. The Corporation is thus best placed to provide the information and the hon. Member's request has been drawn to its attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish figures showing the average labour force employed by the British Steel Corporation during each of the last 10 years.

Information on numbers of employees at the end of each financial year is given in the annual reports of the Corporation, copies of which are laid before the House. More detailed figures on a calendar year basis appear in the publication "Annual Statistics of the Corporation", which is also available in the Library.

European Commission (Textile And Clothing Policy)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the general guidelines for a textile and clothing sectoral policy recently produced by the EEC Commission.

I refer the hon. Member to the explanatory memorandum on the EEC Commission's "Communication to the Council on general guidelines for a textiles and clothing industry policy", reference R/2118/ 78, submitted by my Department on 12 October 1978.The communication is complex and wide-ranging. It has been discussed by member States in the Council machinery but has not so far been considered by the Council itself. The Commission has held a series of hearings with the different sectors of the Community industry and the unions. Further discussions with member States are expected, after which it is envisaged that the Commission will bring forward specific proposals to the Council to deal with particular problems which have been identified. We shall seek to ensure that any measures adopted by the Community are consistent with United Kingdom objectives.Initiatives have already been taken by the Commission in three areas which it sees in part as elements in a Community policy for the textiles and clothing industry. The Commission has put forward proposals for a regulation for Community aid for industrial restructuring and conversion (R/2821/78) which are now under discussion with member States. An explanatory memorandum on these proposals was submitted by my Department on 11 December 1978. Also preliminary ideas for a Council regulation setting out Community conditions for outward processing of textile and clothing products by Mediterranean countries with which the Community has preferential trade agreements are being discussed by the Commission with member States. Ideas for a second Community research and development programme for textiles and clothing are also being discussed by the Commission with member States.

China (Non-Ferrous Metals Mission)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement about the recent nonferrous metals mission to the People's Republic of China which was led by officials from his Department.

In addition to officials from my Department, the mission contained representatives from six British companies and the Institute of Geological Sciences. Encouraging technical and commercial discussions were held in Beijing (Peking) about possible collaboration on a wide range of mining and processing projects, and visits were paid to several sites. The results of the discussions are set out in a minute of agreement, copies of which I am placing in the Library.

Trade

Oil Spillage

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish the results of the follow-up work to the report "Accidents at Sea Causing Oil Pollution: Review of Contingency Measures".

I hope to do so later this month.

Textiles

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on his Department's attitude towards a policy of real reciprocity in world textile trading with particular reference to the recent developments in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Travels multilateral trade negotiations.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report a list of all those countries exporting textiles to the United Kingdom which exceeded the 1978 ceiling or presumed trigger level for (a) cotton yarn, (b) stranded woven cotton fabrics, (c) woven spun synthetic fabric, (d) household textiles and furnishing articles, (e) terry towels and towelling, (f) handkerchiefs, (g) bedlinen, (h) spun synthetic yarn, not for retail sale, (i) spun regenerated yarn, not for retail sale, (j) woven pile fabrics, (k) woven filament synthetic fabrics, (1) woven filament regenerated fabrics, (tn) woven spun regenerated fabrics, (n) woven table, toilet and kitchen linen; and by how much the ceilings were exceeded to the period January to December 1978.

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

Turkey

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what quantities of man-made fibre, finished fabric and clothing have been imported from Turkey into (a) the EEC and (b) the United Kingdom in the last 12 months; and how these figures compare with the previous period of 12 months.

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

China

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the Government's trade negotiations with the People's Republic of China, with particular reference to the desire of the Government of China to increase its textile exports to the West and to EEC countries including the United Kingdom in order to help pay for its imports of manufactured goods and technology.

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

Korea

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what recent discussions he has had within the EEC about Korea's determination to treble the production of its textile industry and the repercussions this will have on the textile industries within the EEC.

None; the capacity of the South Korean textile industry is not a matter for the EEC. South Korean exports of textile and clothing products to the European Community up to the end of 1982 are governed by the EEC/ South Korea bilateral agreement under the multi-fibre arrangement.

Portugal

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the voluntary restraint agreements recently negotiated with Portugal and other low cost Mediterranean textile suppliers: and whether he had to concede further increases in the import levels in addition to the annual growth factor to obtain these agreements.

The EEC Commission has recently negotiated voluntary restraint arrangements on its textile and clothing exports with Portugal (for three years), Spain (two years), Greece (one year, renewable) and Morocco (three years). At our insistence, there are improved procedures for enforcing the agreed limits, including a "warning bell" mechanism to set in hand action when limits are 75 per cent. used. These arrangements, which cover about five-sixths of our imports from low-cost Mediterranean suppliers, involve average increases of less than I per cent. on the overall global ceilings for the eight group I products; in no case is the increase over 2 per cent.

Tariffs (Reductions)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress to reduce tariffs with the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa, Brazil and Korea has so far been made in the current General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade multi-lateral trade negotiations.

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

Comecon

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what consultations he has had with the Trades Union Congress about whether compensation trade deals with COMECON countries are in the best interests of its members.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 1 February 1979; Vol. 961, c. 539], gave the following information:While my right hon. Friend has not had formal discussions about compensation trade deals with Eastern Europe or elsewhere with representative organisations, this is one subject he will shortly be discussing in a wider meeting with representatives from both sides of industry. There is of course no necessary link between any potential trade threat created by the build-up of East European industries and counter-trade.

Prices And Consumer Protection

British Association Of Removers

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what discussions he has had with the British Association of Removers concerning its recently announced customer guarantee scheme.

Following the collapse of certain companies in 1976, which affected several hundred emigrants and led to questions in the House and to an Adjournment debate—[Official Report, 7 March 1977; Vol. 927, c. 1191–1208]— I discussed with representatives of the British Association of Removers the possibility of introducing some type of bonding scheme.The association has now brought into operation a customer guarantee scheme, to be run by an authorised insurance company, in which all members of its overseas group will be required to participate. The scheme provides for certi- ficates to be given to customers to the value of the advance payment for the removal. In the event of default by the remover, the customer would be able to make a claim on an indemnity fund.I welcome the scheme as a useful step forward in the protection of those arranging for their personal effects to be moved overseas. Such persons now have an additional incentive for placing removals in the hands of companies which are members of the overseas group of the British Association of Removers.

British Reinforcement Manufacturers' Association

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will announce his decision on the application from the British Reinforcement Manufacturers' Association for exemption under section 29 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 of its scheme for the supply of cut-and-bent steel reinforcing bars.

My right hon. Friend has considered an application under section 29 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 for exemption from registration of a proposed agreement between members of the British Reinforcement Manufacturers' Association relating to the supply of cut-and-bent reinforcing bars. He is required to take into account any effects which an agreement is likely to have on purchasers and users and the views of organisations representing purchasers and users of the products covered by the scheme were therefore sought. My right hon. Friend has concluded that the scheme does not meet the criteria set out in section 29 of the Act and in particular he is not satisfied that the agreement is on balance expedient in the national interest. He has therefore decided not to approve the application for exemption from registration. I have informed the British Reinforcement Manufacturers' Association of this decision.

Wales

Relief Roads (Welshpool)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will now announce his decision as to the final lines of the Welshpool relief roads and bypass.

Draft line and side roads orders for this scheme are expected to be published in the autumn of this year. A final decision on the line of the new roads will not be taken until the views of the public on the proposals have been considered, if necessary after a public inquiry.

Welsh Arts Council

asked the Secretary of State for Wales why the proposed increase in the 1979 grant to the Welsh Arts Council is only 8 per cent. as compared with an increase of nearly 18 per cent. in that proposed for the Arts Council of Great Britain.

I have been asked to reply.The Welsh Arts Council is a committee of the Arts Council of Great Britain and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is responsible for the grant in aid to the latter body. The figure for the grant in aid for 1979–80 has not yet been announced and the sum to be allocated to the Welsh Arts Council is a matter for the Arts Council of Great Britain.

National Finance

Capital Transfer Tax (Exemptions)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many properties claims for conditional exemption from capital transfer tax, under section 76 of the Finance Act 1976, have been made up to 31 December last, or the latest convenient date, on death transfers and on inter vivos transfers, respectively, with respect to, separately: land of outstanding scenic, scientific or historic interest, section 77(1)(b), to buildings of outstanding architectural or historic interest, section 77(1)(c), to their adjoining land, section 77(1)(d), and to their historically associated contents, section 77(1)(e).

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many of the claims made for conditional exemption from capital transfer tax under section 77 of the Finance Act 1976, comprehensive offers of exemption were made up to 31 December last, or the latest convenient date; and on how many of these the designation process was completed by the same date.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what rate, per annum, claims for conditional exemption from capital transfer tax on transfer on death and on inter vivos transfers, respectively, with respect to objects falling within section 77(1)(a) of the Finance Act 1976 are now being received; how this compares with claims for similar exemption from estate duty; on what proportion of those claims received comprehensive offers of exemption have been made up to 31 December last, or the latest convenient date; and on what proportion of these the designation process was completed by the same date.

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

Child Tax Allowances

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the value at constant prices of child tax allowances in each year since 1964 to a one, two and four child family on average earnings, half average earnings, two-thirds average earnings, one and a half times average earnings and double average earnings.

The figures at 1964–65 prices are as shown in the tables below.It has been assumed that in the one and two child family the children are aged under 11 and in the four child family two are under 11 and two aged between 11 and 16.The price index used is the General Index of Retail Prices, all items.Earnings are earnings of full-time male manual workers in October of each year to 1969–70; for 1970–71 they are the average of the earnings of full-time male manual workers in the April new earnings survey at the beginning and end of each year.The figures take account where appropriate of the family allowance deduction —clawback. They are affected, of course, by the change, starting in 1977–78, from child tax allowances to tax-free child benefit.

VALUE OF CHILD TAX ALLOWANCES AT 1964–65 PRICES

Half average earnings

Two-thirds average earnings

Average earnings

One and a half times average earnings

Twice average earnings

One child

Two children

Four children

One child

Two children

Four children

One child

Two children

Four children

One child

Two children

Four children

One child

Two children

Four children

1964–65

…

4·80

27·60

33·90

42·40

76·90

115·10

44·60

89·10

193·00

44·60

89·10

197·60

1965–66

…

10·79

10·70

30·30

44·30

45·20

82·10

136·10

45·20

90·40

200·40

45·20

90·40

200·40

1966–67

…

13·00

31·00

48·00

43·70

82·20

142·30

43·70

87·30

193·60

43·70

87·30

193·60

1967–68

…

16·60

31·00

47·40

54·70

42·70

84·80

149·90

42·70

85·40

189·20

42·70

85·40

189·20

1968–69

…

21·70

23·60

23·50

29·40

48·40

63·10

40·40

68·20

130·60

40·40

68·20

141·30

40·40

68·20

141·30

1969–70

…

28·00

30·90

31·40

48·80

74·70

38·40

62·90

127·00

38·40

62·90

128·40

38·40

62·90

128·40

1970–71

…

31·90

35·90

58·60

90·90

35·90

58·60

119·80

35·90

58·60

119·80

35·90

58·60

119·80

1971–72

...

41·60

44·00

41·60

71·90

100·20

41·60

71·90

145·90

41·60

71·90

145·90

41·60

71·90

145·90

1972–73

…

29·30

38·80

67·10

89·10

38·80

67·10

136·20

38·80

67·10

136·20

38·80

67·10

136·20

1973–74

…

35·10

50·30

35·10

59·60

112·40

35·10

59·60

121·00

35·10

59·60

121·00

35·10

59·60

121·00

1974–75

…

39·30

69·70

39·30

70·10

140·20

39·30

70·10

143·10

39·30

70·10

143·10

39·30

70·10

143·10

1975–76

…

33·40

59·60

85·70

33·40

59·60

121·80

33·40

59·60

121·80

33·40

59·60

121·80

43·00

74·60

144·70

1976–77

…

36·30

66·20

83·50

36·30

66·20

134·70

36·30

66·20

134·70

36·30

66·20

134·70

46·60

84·70

161·20

1977–78

…

20·20

37·70

53·90

20·20

37·70

79·90

20·20

37·70

79·90

20·20

37·70

79·90

23·70

44·30

88·30

1978–79^*

…

7·00

14·00

33·00

9·30

18·50

43·50

9·30

18·50

43·50

9·30

18·50

43·50

9·30

18·50

43·50

^*October 1978.

Maintenance Funds (Historic Buildings)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many maintenance funds for historic buildings, section 84, Finance Act 1976, there were known to the Treasury to have been established or to be in process of establishment up to 31 December last, or the latest convenient date; and on how many of these the Treasury has made a direction under subsection (1)(b) of that section by the same date.

The Treasury is aware of 10 proposals to establish maintenance funds under section 84 of the Finance Act 1976.No direction under section 84(1)(

b) of the Finance Act 1976 has so far been issued.

Personal Incomes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have capital in excess of £100,000, £150,000, £500,000 and £1,000,000; and how much would become available per capita of the United Kingdom population if such excess were in all cases to be redistributed evenly.

For 1976, the latest year for which estimates are available, the figures at market values are given below. They do not take account of wealth held in certain trusts, for which

Level of total income	Number of incomes above that level	Excess income	Income tax on excess income	Excess income per capita
				Gross of tax	Net of tax
£		£ million	£ million	£	£
10,000	491,000	2,400	1,560	44	16
15,000	141,000	1,100	820	20	5
20,000	60,000	640	500	11	2

The estimates are based upon the Inland Revenue's survey of personal incomes. The income covered is that which is assessable for tax purposes and therefore excludes, for example, certain imputed income and non-taxable benefits. The data are based on a sample and subject to sampling error. Married couples are counted as one.

Public Expenditure

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of each category and sub-category of public ex- detailed information is not available, and are subject to sampling error. No estimate can be made of the likely loss of value oi realisation.

Amount of net wealth		Numbers of individuals (thousands)	Amount per capita of the United Kingdom population if excess capital could be realised at market value, and were redistributed evenly(£)
£100,000 and over	…	125	300
£150,000 and over	…	60	215
£500,000 and over	…	6	85
£100,000 and over	…	1	30

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for any year after 197576, how many persons have incomes over (a) £10,000 per annum, (b) £15,000 per annum, and (c) £20,000 per annum; how much income in aggregate is received by those people, taking only that portion of income in excess of the figure stated; how much income tax is paid on such excess income; and how much per capita of the population would be available if those totals, gross and net of tax, were evenly redistributed.

Estimates relating to 1976–77, the latest year for which information is available, arc given in the following table.penditure detailed in tables 2.1 to 2.15 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1979–80 to 1982–83", Command Paper No. 7439, is unidentified.

The table below shows the percentages of total public expenditure in 1977–78 under each of the headings in tables 2.1 to 2.15 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1979–80 to 1982–83", Cmnd. 7439, which are not included in the estimates of identifiable public expenditure given to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Ovenden) on 17 January 1979.—[Vol. 960, c. 781-94.] That answer gives a full explanation of the term" identifi

PROPORTION OF EACH CATEGORY OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WHICH IS NOT ALLOCATED TO COUNTRIES 1977–76
Per cent.
1. Defence	…	…	…	…	100
2. Overseas aid and other overseas services	…	…	…	…	100
3. Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry:	…	…	…	…
Market regulation and production support	…	…	…	…	2
Support for capital and other improvements	…	…	…	…	—
Support for agriculture in special areas	…	…	…	…	—
Other assistance to agricultural production, food processing and marketing				…	23
Food subsidies	…	…	…	…	—
Covent Garden Market Authority	…	…	…	…	—
Central and miscellaneous services	…	…	…	…	—
Support for the fishing industry	…	…	…	…	^*
Forestry	…	…	…	…	—
Total programme3	…	…	…	…	3
4. Trade, industry, energy and employment:	…	…	…	…
Regional support and regeneration	…	…	…	…	—
Industrial innovation	…	…	…	…	10
General support for industry	…	…	…	…	92
Support for nationalised industries (other than transport industries)			…	…	1
International trade	…	…	…	…	^*
Functioning of the labour market	…	…	…	…	5
Health and safety at work	…	…	…	…	—
Central and miscellaneous services	…	…	…	…	30
Transactions in British Petroleum company shares	…	…	…	…	100
Total programme 4	…	…	…	…	^*
5. Government lending to nationalised industries	…	…	…	…	^*
6. Roads and transport:	…	…	…	…
Motorways and trunk roads	…	…	…	…	—
Local transport	…	…	…	…	—
Central government subsidies to transport industries	…	…	…	…	94
Ports and shipping	…	…	…	…	2
Civil aviation	…	…	…	…	35
Other transport services	…	…	…	…	—
Total programme 6	…	…	…	…	19
7. Housing	…	…	…	…	—
8. Other environmental services:	…	…	…	…
Central and miscellaneous environmental services	…	…	…	…	31
All other	…	…	…	…	—
Total programme 8	…	…	…	…	1
9. Law, order and protective services:	…	…	…	…
Administration of justice	…	…	…	…	25
Treatment of offenders	…	…	…	…	—
General protective services	…	…	…	…	1
Civil defence	…	…	…	…	62
Community services	…	…	…	…	100
Central and miscellaneous services	…	…	…	…	90
Total programme 9	…	…	…	…	5
10.Education and libraries, science and arts:	…	…	…	…
Research councils, etc.	…	…	…	…	8
All other	…	…	…	…	—
Total programme 10	…	…	…	…	—
11.Health and personal social services	…	…	…	…	—

able public expenditure". Some of the Smaller items in the table have been aggregated.

Per cent
12. Social security:	…	…	…	…
Pension benefits:	…	…	…	…
National insurance	…	…	…	…	1
Other	…	…	…	…	3
All other	…	…	…	…	—
Total programme 12	…	…	…	…	1
13. Other public services:	…	…	…	…
Parliament and Privy Council	…	…	…	…	81
All other	…	…	…	…	—
Total programme 13	…	…	…	…	2
14. Common services:	…	…	…	…
Office and general accommodation costs	…	…	…	…	—
Stationery and printing (home)	…	…	…	…	46
Computers and telecommunications	…	…	…	…	—
Home publicity	…	…	…	…	96
Civil superannuation	…	…	…	…	100
Rates on government property	…	…	…	…	—
Other common services	…	…	…	…	35
Total programme 14	…	…	…	…	40
Northern Ireland	…	…	…	…	—
^* In these categories, the expenditure not allocated to countries consists mainly of net repayments of loans.

United Kingdom (Debt)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report details of the United Kingdom's debt to the central bankers and the International Monetary Fund in respect of each of the years of 1960 to 1978 inclusive.

The information is given in the following table:

$ million
Year ended				Central banks	IMF
1960	…	…	…	—	—
1961	…	…	…	1,532	1,037
1962	…	…	…	—	—
1963	…	…	…	—	—
1964	…	…	…	605	998
1965	…	…	…	913	2,370
1966	…	…	…	1,736	2,411
1967	…	…	…	3,454	1,509
1968	…	…	…	5,350	2,724
1969	…	…	…	3,744	2,651
1970	…	…	…	958	2,330
1971	…	…	…	—	1,084
1972	…	…	…	—	634
1973	…	…	…	—	704
1974	…	…	…	—	605
1975	…	…	…	—	465
1976	…	…	…	—	2,788
1977	…	…	…	—	4,907
1978	…	…	…	—^*	3,236
^* To end of Third quarter, 1978.

Vat (Discretionary Relief)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many payments have been made by the commissioners of Customs and Excise as discretionary relief following the recommendations of VAT tribunals.

I am afraid that records are not kept in this form and the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Gross Domestic Product (International Comparisons)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the gross domestic product index number for every quarter since 1970 (1st quarter), based on 1975=100, for the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Italy, France, West Germany, Canada and Japan.

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

Industrial And Manufacturing Output (International Comparisons)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the index numbers for (a) total industrial output, and (b) manufacturing output for every quarter since 1970 (1st Quarter), based on 1975=100, for the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Italy, France, West Germany, Canada and Japan.

The table below shows such information as is readily available for total industrial output—excluding construction—and manufacturing output, based on 1975=100 and seasonally adjusted. The figures for the United Kingdom are consistent with those published by Press Notice on 18 January 1979. For the other countries specified in

OUTPUT
1975=100 seasonally adjusted
			Total industrial output (excluding construction)							Manufacturing output
			United Kingdom	United States	Italy	France^*	Federal Republic of Germany	Japan	Canada	United Kingdom
1970—	1st quarter	…	97	92	93	86	94	89	83	97
	2nd quarter	…	97	92	91	88	96	92	82	98
	3rd quarter	…	97	92	93	88	96	93	82	98
	4th quarter	…	98	90	92	90	96	93	82	99
1971—	1st quarter	…	97	92	92	91	98	94	84	97
	2nd quarter	…	98	93	90	92	98	93	86	98
	3rd quarter	…	97	93	92	94	98	95	89	97
	4th quarter	…	97	95	94	96	96	95	90	97
1972—	1st quarter	…	93	98	95	96	99	97	90	95
	2nd quarter	…	100	100	95	98	100	99	93	100
	3rd quarter	…	101	102	94	99	101	102	94	101
	4th quarter	…	104	106	101	101	104	107	98	105
1973—	1st quarter	…	107	108	97	103	107	113	101	107
	2nd quarter	…	108	110	105	104	108	115	102	108
	3rd quarter	…	108	111	109	106	108	117	102	109
	4th quarter	…	108	112	111	107	108	119	105	109
1974—	1st quarter	…	101	110	113	109	107	119	108	104
	2nd quarter	…	108	111	115	110	108	114	107	109
	3rd quarter	…	107	112	110	110	106	110	105	108
	4th quarter	…	104	106	103	103	102	104	103	105
1975—	1st quarter	…	103	96	102	100	99	98	99	104
	2nd quarter	…	99	97	99	99	98	99	99	99
	3rd quarter	…	98	102	98	99	99	101	100	98
	4th quarter …		100	105	102	103	103	102	101	99
1976—	1st quarter	…	100	108	107	108	106	107	103	99
	2nd quarter	…	103	110	111	108	107	110	106	102
	3rd quarter	…	103	111	113	110	109	113	105	102
	4th quarter	…	106	112	118	110	110	114	106	103
1977—	1st quarter	…	108	113	121	113	111	115	109	104
	2nd quarter	…	108	116	113	110	110	115	109	102
	3rd quarter	…	108	118	112	110	111	115	109	103
	4th quarter …		107	118	109	109	111	117	111	102
1978—	1st quarter	…	109	119	115	110	111	120	112	102
	2nd quarter	…	112	122	113	113	111	122	113	105
	3rd quarter	…	113	125	114	110	114	123	115	105
^*Quarterly data represent 78 per cent. of total industry.

"Guide To Fees And Other Charges"

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's Guide to Fees and other Charges", issued to other Government Departments in 1971, together with any other instructions or guidelines issued by his Department on that subject.

the question figures for total industrial output have been received directly from OECD, and are compatible with these published regularly in that organisation's publication, "Main Economic Indicators"; compatible information for manufacturing output in these countries is not yet available.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 February 1979], gave the following reply:No. It would not be appropriate to place these documents in the Library as they are for internal use. An outline of the basic principles and procedures is given in "Government Accounting" published by HMSO in 1974.

Endangered Species (Prosecutions)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions have been brought (a) by his Department and (b) by others under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act in each year since the Act was implimented; and, in each case, what were the results and the penalties imposed in consequence.

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

Balance Of Payments (North Sea Oil And Gas)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will give (a) the total balance of payments, current account, surplus or deficit from July 1970 to February 1974, inclusive, and March 1974 to December 1978, inclusive, and (b) the contribution of North Sea oil and gas exploitation to the balance of payments for the same periods;(2) if he will give (

a) the current account balance of payments for every quarter since 1970 and ( b) the contribution to the current account balance of payments of North Sea oil and gas exploitation in every quarter since 1970 if the information is available, or in every year since 1970.

, pursuant to the replies by the Chancellor of the Exchequer [Official Report, 9 February 1979; Vol. 962, c. 342], gave the following information:The table below shows such information as is available. The estimates for the North Sea cover only the most direct and identifiable contributions to the current account. These estimates are consistent with those presented in an article in the October 1978 issue of Economic Progress Report. A copy of that article, which explains the methodology adopted, is available in the Library. No estimates for the North Sea contribution are available before 1973; and quarterly estimates are available only for 1977 and the first Endangered Species (Prosecutions) three quarters of 1978.

£ billion, current prices Direct
Period				Current account	North Sea contribution
1970
1	…	…	…	+0·3
2	…	…	…	+0·1
3	…	…	…	+0·1
4	…	…	…	+0·2
	Total	…	…	+0·7	N/A

1971
1	…	…	…	+0·2
2	…	…	…	+0·3
3	…	…	…	+0·4
4	…	…	…	+0·2
	Total	…	…	+1·1	N/A

1972
1	…	…	…	+0·1
2	…	…	…	+0·1
3	…	…	…	−0·1
4	…	…	…	—
	Total	…	…	+0·1	N/A

1973
1	…	…	…	−0·2
2	…	…	…	−0·1
3	…	…	…	−0·3
4	…	…	…	−0·4
	Total	…	…	−0·4	+0·2

1974
1	…	…	…	−0·8
2	…	…	…	−0·9
3	…	…	…	−0·9
4	…	…	…	−1·0
	Total	…	…	−3·6	+0·9

1975
1	…	…	…	−0·6
2	…	…	…	−0·4
3	…	…	…	−0·7
4	…	…	…	−0·2
	Total	…	…	−1·9	+0·6

1976
1	…	…	…	−0·1
2	…	…	…	−0·3
3	…	…	…	−0·4
4	…	…	…	−3·3
	Total	…	…	−1·1	+1·3

1977
1	…	…	…	−0·5	+1·0
2	…	…	…	−0·3	+0·4
3	…	…	…	−0·6	+0·6
4	…	…	…	−3·6	+0·9
	Total	…	…	+0·4	+2·9

£ billion, current prices Direct
Period				Current account	North Sea contribution
1978
1	…	…	…	−0·4	+1·2
2	…	…	…	+0·1	+0·9
3	…	…	…	—	+0·8
4	…	…	…	+0·4	N/A
	Total	…	…	+0·1	N/A

Note: All current account figures are seasonably adjusted. The quarterly figures for the contribution by North Sea oil and gas are not seasonably dusted.

From Q3 1970 to 01 1974 inclusive, the current account was in deficit by £0·3 billion, and from 02 1974 to Q3 1978 inclusive it was in deficit by £5.7 billion. Because quarterly figures are not available before 1977, it is not possible to provide similar figures for the North Sea contribution.

Social Services

Pensions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the State pension for a married couple in January 1972; by what percentage it has increased up to January 1979; and how this compares with the increase in the average weekly wage over the same period.

I regret that the latest information about the level of average earnings relates to November 1978. In January 1972, the standard rate of national insurance retirement pension for a married couple was £9·70. In November 1978 it was £31·20, an increase of 221–6 per cent. Over the same period average earnings^* rose by 168.1 per cent.

^* Average gross weekly earnings of male, adult full-time manual workers as determined by the Department of Employment's October inquiry into the earnings of manual workers employed in manufacturing and certain other industries and the monthly index of average earnings —old series.

Heart Surgery

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons have so far been transferred from the Mersey region for heart surgery at other centres; and how many have been transferred to each centre.

Since 1 June 1978, 27 patients have been transferred to hospitals in the South-East, as follows:

St. George's Hospital	3
National Heart Hospital	1
Brompton Hospital	8
Guys Hospital	1
Harley Street Clinic	5
St. Anthony's Hospital, Cheam	7
Princess Grace Hospital, London W1	2

Drugs

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the value of samples of drugs provided to doctors in the latest available period; and what proportion of these samples he estimates were subsequently purchased by pharmacists.

Total Expenditure on samples by all companies submitting annual financial returns under the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme in 1977, the last year for which full information is available, was £2·9 million. As my right hon. Friend announced to the press in July 1976, the amount of sales promotion expenditure accented as a cost under the scheme has been progressively reduced since 1 April 1977 and expenditure on certain items, of which samples—other than those required for identification purposes—is one, is no longer accepted as a cost under the scheme.Information about purchase of samples, if any, by pharmacists is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the percentage increase in drug costs for each year since 1972; and what has been the increase in excess of the rate of inflation for each such year.

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

Domiciliary Patients (Oxygen)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the cost of providing oxygen to domiciliary patients by the National Health Service for the lastest available period; and on what basis this is purchased by the National Health Service.

The cost of providing oxygen to domiciliary patients in England and Wales for the financial year ended 31 March 1978 was £2,941,588. This figure comprises payments to oxygen therapy service contractors for the supply of gas and remuneration for provision of the service.

Pensions (British Citizens, Portugal)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the lowest weekly pension currently being paid to single people and married couples who are British citizens living in Portugal.

The lowest rates of British pensions in payment to pensioners in Portugal at present—excluding a few pensioners who are only entitled to small amounts of graduated benefit—are:

Widows pension 74p a week

Single Retirement pensioner £1.13 a week

Married Couple retirement pensioners 0.30 a week.

All the above pensioners would, however, be entitled to only 28 per cent. of the standard rate of pension if they were in the United Kingdom. The nationality of these pensioners is not recorded as this is irrelevant in determining pensions. entitlement.

Hospital Workers (Spending Power)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a table based on the same assumptions as in his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, 30 November 1978, showing the net weekly spending power in December 1978, in each case for a plaster technician, a hospital porter and an ambulance man—married with two children and each paid the middle grade in the job; and also what would be their net weekly spending power if their basic wages were increased by 8.8 per cent., assuming in each case (a) that they earn only the basic rate for the job and (b) that they earn the average amount of supplements for shift work, overtime etc.

I regret that I can-not answer this question in view of the disproportionate expense involved.

Psychiatric Hospitals

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (I) if he will publish in the Official Report a list of those psychiatric hospitals in the regional health authorities within East Anglia which operate a system of token cr modification behaviour; and what guidance he proposes to issue on the desirability of the treatment;(2) if he will set up a working party to examine the token or modification behaviour techniques now used in a number of psychiatric hospitals.

The information requested in the first of my hon. Friend's questions is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.It is for the clinicians involved to consider what lines of treatment they should offer to their patients, in the light of present knowledge of their advantages and disadvantages, the alternatives available and the condition of the individual patient. A working party was set up by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the British Psychological Society and the Royal College of Nursing to formulate ethical guidelines on programmes of behaviour modification and I understand it is now in the process of completing its report. I shall consider what guidance needs to be issued in the light of the report.I do not consider that a departmental working party is called for.

British Dental Association

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to conclude an agreement between his Department and the British Dental Association for the provision of emergency dental treatment out of hours.

Discussions with the British Dental Association are still proceeding and I am hopeful that these are leading to an agreement. It would he inappropriate for me to take any other steps at present.

Skateboarders (Accidents)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many skateboard accidents have been treated in National Health Service hospitals during the last year for which figures are available; and what is the estimated cost of such accidents.

The information is not available in the form requested. During the period 1 February to 31 August 1978 the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection's home accident surveillance system has shown that, in a sample of 18 hospital accident and emergency departments in England and Wales, 621 patients were treated following accidents with skateboards, 29 of whom were admitted as in-patients. It is estimated that the total cost of their treatment might be of the order of £12,000 at November 1978 prices.

Exceptional Needs Payments

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the national price list for exceptional needs payments was last reviewed; by what overall percentage it was increased and on what basis; when it is due to be reviewed next; and how many times since its introduction it has been reviewed.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Edwards) on 14 November 1977.—[Vol. 939, c. 63.] Items are priced individually; a figure for the overall percentage increase could be produced only at disproportionate cost. The current list, introduced in February 1978, will be replaced shortly by a new list with prices again based on the actual costs of items available in various chain stores and by mail order.

Departmental Press Officer

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he personally authorised a member of the press office in his Department to advise the shop stewards' committee of the London ambulancemen, then contemplating the withdrawal of all ambulance services for Londoners, on how to handle their press and public relations.

Yes. I was concerned that there should be accurate reporting in the media of what was happening at a particularly sensitive time. A member of my press office gave advice only on the elementary mechanics of organising a press conference. No advice was given on what should or should not be said.

Pharmacists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the implementation of any award recommended for pharmacists in England and Wales will be made effective from the date of their original claim.

We shall consider what proposals to make about implementation of the recommendations of the independent panel when we have received its report.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will estimate the percentage net profit made by pharmacists in England and Wales in each year since 1972.

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

Child Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the take-up rate of child benefit increase among those who would benefit from it; and what plans he has to improve it.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 15 December 1978: Vol. 960, c. 470], gave the following information:On the basis of the estimate by the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys that there were a total of 750,000 lone parents in 1976, take-up at the end of 1977 would have amounted to about 60 per cent. of those who would have benefitted from child benefit (increase). I am encouraged to see that since the end of 1977 the number of recipients has been increasing steadily and has now reached 323,000—including those—around 70,000 at the end of 1977—who do not derive immediate advantage from child benefit (increase). This reflects the special measures which have already been taken to encourage claims as well as the impact caused by the introduction of the £2 rate in November. I am watching the development of the present trend and will be reviewing the take-up position in the spring.

Lone Parents

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many lone parents receive a benefit which (a) precludes them receiving child benefit increase and (b) means that receipt of child benefit increase is of no immediate financial advantage; and how many do not fall into either category.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 15 December 1978; Vol. 960, c. 469–70], gave the following information:It is estimated that at the end of 1977, the latest date for which most information on benefit receipt is available:

(a) 115,000 lone parents were in receipt of a benefit which precluded the receipt of child benefit (increase) and,

(b) 330,000 lone parents were in receipt of a benefit which meant that receipt of child benefit (increase) was of no immediate advantage.

It cannot be reliably estimated how many lone parents are excluded from ( a) or ( b). The firmest estimate of the total number of lone parents is for 1976 when it was put at about 750,000. This would leave about 305,000 falling outside categories ( a) and ( b). Not all would be eligible for child benefit—increase—because those separated other than under a court order or deed of separation have to be apart for 91 days before qualifying; limited evidence suggests that these may amount to 5 per cent. of the total.

Childbirth, Infant Mortality And Rubella

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide in tabular form the perinatal mortality for Kirklees, Yorkshire, and England in each year of 1975, 1976, 1977, and the latest available date in 1978, and also show in the table the number of immigrant children in Kirklees, Yorkshire, and England, who died either as a result of a stillbirth or within one week of being born, showing in the table the numbers requested for every 1,000 still and live births in the areas mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for the North-West regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities 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 socio-economic classes I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, (b) the stillbirth rate, the peri- natal 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 for socio-economic groups I, II, III, IV, V 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 and the estimated 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 numbers of births in each socio-economic class, and 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 numbers 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, (j) the incidence of congenital malformations, and (k) the incidence of cerebral palsy.

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 (a) the stillbirth rate, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for the whole population and for socioeconomic classes I, II, III, IV and V and 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 grams, (c) the proportion of babies born weighing less than 2,500 grams for the whole population and for socioeconomic groups I, II, III, IV and V and unsupported mothers, respectively, (d) the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and in 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available, (e) the number of inoculations against rubella given to, respectively, schoolgirls and adult women of childbearing age; and if he will estimate the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years, (f) the number of births in each socio-economic class, and to unsupported mothers, (g) 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, and (h) the prevalence, respectively, of caesarian section and induction.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for the North-West regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities 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 socio-economic classes I, II, III, IV, V and 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 for socio-economic groups I, II, III, IV, V 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 congential rubella in 1977 and in 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available, (g) the number of births in each socio-economic class and 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, 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, (i) the incidence of congenital malformations and (k) the incidence of cerebral palsy.

the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, for the North-West Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities 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 socio-economic classes I, II, III, IV, V and 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 socio-economic groups I, II, III, IV, V 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 in each socio-economic class and 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 years and the perinatal mortality rates in each age band, (I) the incidence of congenital malformations and (k) the incidence of cerebral palsy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, for the North-West Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities 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 socioeconomic classes, I, II, III, IV, V and 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 for socio-economic groups I, II, III, IV, V 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 each socio-economic class and 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 years plus and the perinatal mortality rates in each age band, (j) the incidence of congenital malformations and (k) the incidence of cerebral palsy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 the incidence of cerebral palsy;(2) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 the incidence of congenital malformations;(3) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 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;(4) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 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;

(5) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 the number of births in each socio-economic class and to unsupported mothers;

(6) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and in 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available:

(7) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 the number of inoculations against rubella given, to, respectively, schoolgirls and adult women of childbearing age; and if he will estimate the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years;

(8) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 the prevalence, respectively, of caesarian section and induction;

(9) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 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;

(10) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 the stillbirth rate, the perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for babies weighing less than 2,500 gms;

(11) if he will list for England, for the North-Western regional health authority and for each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977 the stillbirth rate, the 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.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, for Staffordshire 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 socio-economic 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 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 Northern 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 socio-economic 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 if he will estimate the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years, the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and 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 pregnan- cies, (d) fourth pregnancies, and (e) fifth or later pregnancies, and the perinatal mortality rates for each parity, the num ber 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 years plus 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-East Thames 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 socioeconomic 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 socio-economic 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 Wessex 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 socio-economic groups I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, respectively, the prevalence, respectively, of ceasarian 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 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 still birth 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 socio-economic 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, respec- tively, 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 soda-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 classes I, 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 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 (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report the stillbirth rate, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post-neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms.; and if he will subdivide these statistics in regional health authorities for each of the last three years for which figures are available;(2) if he will publish in the

Official Report the proportion of babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms. ( a) for the whole population and ( b) for socio-economic groups I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, respectively, in each of the last three years for which figures are available;

(3) if he will publish 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 years plus and the perinatal mortality rates in each age band in each of the last three years for which figures are available;

(4) if he will publish in the Official Report 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 over each of the last three years for which figures are available;

(5) if he will publish the number of births in each socio-economic class and to unsupported mothers for each of the last three years for which figures are available;

(6) what has been the incidence of congenital rubella in 1976 and 1977 to the, latest date for which figures are available;

(7) what is the number of inoculations against rubella given to, respectively, schoolgirls and adult women of childbearing age; and if he will estimate the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years in each of the last three years;

(8) if he will publish in the Official Report the prevalence, respectively, of caesarian section and induction; and if he will give these figures per regional health authority in each of the last three years;

(9) if he will list the incidence of congenital malformation in each of the last three years for which figures are available;

(10) if he will list the incidence of cerebral palsy for each of the last three years for which figures are available;

(11) whether he will publish in the Official Report the stillbirth rate, perinatal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, post neo-natal mortality rate and infant mortality rate for ( a) the whole population and ( b) socio-economic classes I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, for each of the last three years for which figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, the incidence of cerebral palsy at birth;(2) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, the incidence of congenital malformations at birth;(3) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, 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-piers years, and the perinatal mortality rates in each age band;(4) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, the number of births in each socio-economic class and to unsupported mothers;(5) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, 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;

(6) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities, the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and in 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available

(7) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, the number of inoculations against rubella given to, respectively, schoolgirls and adult women of childbearing age; and if he will estimate the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years;

(8) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, the prevalence, respectively, of caesarian section and induction;

(9) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, 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;

(10) if he will list, for the South-East Thames regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities in 1977, 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.;

(11) if he will list, for the South-East Thames 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 and V, and unsupported mothers.

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 classes I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, the stllbrth 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 if he will estimate 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 socioeconomic 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 (1) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and in 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available;(2) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the number of inoculations against rubella given in 1977 to, respectively, schoolgirls and adult women of childbearing age; and if he will estimate the percentage of girls inoculated by the age of 15 years;(3) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the prevalence in 1977, respectively, of caesarian section and induction;(4) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the proportion of babies born in 1977 weighing less than 2,500 gms. for the whole population and for socio-economic groups 1, 11, III, IV. V and unsupported mothers, respectively;(5) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the number of births in 1977 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;

(6) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the number of births in 1977 in each socio-economic class and to unsupported mothers, respectively;

(7) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the number of births in 1977 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;

(8) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the incidence in 1977 of congenital malformations;

(9) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the incidence in 1977 of cerebral palsy;

(10) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the 1977 rate of stillbirth, perinatal mortality, neonatal mortality, post-neonatal mortality and infant mortality for the whole population and for socio-economic classes I, II, III, IV, V and unsupported mothers, respectively;

(11) if he will list for the Wessex regional health authority and each of its constituent area health authorities the 1977 rate of stillbirth, perinatal mortality, neonatal mortality, post-neonatal mortality and infant mortality for babies born weighing less than 2,500 gms.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the incidence of congenital malformation among babies born in 1977; and what was the incidence of cerebral palsy:

(2) how many inoculations against rubella were given to schoolgirls and adult women of child-bearing age during 1977; and what was the incidence of congenital rubella in 1977 and 1978 to the latest date for which figures are available;

(3) what was the prevalence of caesarian section and of induced births in England and Wales in 1977.

, pursuant to his replies [Official Report, 17 November 1978; Vol.958, c. 400–8; 20 November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 506–8; 23 November 1978; Vol.958, c. 699–701; 27 November 1978; Vol.959, c. 52–3; 28 November 1978; Vol.959, c. 162–4; 29 November 1978; Vol.959, c. 269–70; and 15 January 1979; Vol. 960, c. 615], gave the following information:The information is published today in the form of an OPCS monitor. I am sending the hon. Members a copy and a copy has been placed in the Library. The monitor contains the full range of available statistics relating to the questions. The information which is not available and where alternative relevant statistics have been substituted is as follows:

Mortality rates for still births, and for perinatal, neo-natal, post neo-natal and infant deaths for the whole population and for socioeconomic classes are included. However, the information for unsupported mothers is not available but figures for illegitimate births have been used as the nearest substitute.

Babies born weighing 2,500 gms or less: Information is not available by birth weight on post neo-natal and infant deaths, nor for socioeconomic group and unsupported mothers.

Caesarian section and induction: Information is not available for area health authorities.

Rubella vaccinations: The only available information is the number of vaccinations to girls aged 11, 12 and 13; estimates of the percentage of girls vaccinated in each health authority are not available. No information is available on the number of vaccinations given to adult women.

Births: The information for unsupported mothers is not available but figures for illegitimate births have been included. Information by pregnancy is not available; data on parity for legitimate births only have been substituted.

Cerebral palsy: No reliable estimates can be made. Information is only available from the hospital in-patient inquiry which is based on a one-in-10 sample of NHS non-psychiatric hospital discharges and deaths. The number of these cases in the sample for England and Wales for 1976—the latest available year—was only eight at age under one year, and is therefore subject to a high degree of sampling error. The number could also be misleading because cases in this age category are normally ascribed to birth injury.

Congenital rubella: The congenital malformations induced by rubella concern mainly the heart, eyes and internal ears. These defects are not easily detected at birth or in the first seven days after birth, which is the period to which notification of congenital malformations to OPCs is confined in order to obtain data quickly for surveillance for early warning.

Education And Science

Burnham Committee

47.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the National Union of Teachers is overrepresented on the Burnham Committee.

I assume that the right hon. Gentleman is referring to the balance of representation of teachers' associations in

Old Hall School—new school for educationally subnormal children	…	completed 1976
St. Margaret's Hospital School—rebuilt as Queslett School	…	Completed 1978
Three Crowns School of physically Handicapped—addition of a new nursery unit	…
New Partially Hearing Unit for junior pupils	…

A further partially hearing unit is included in the current (1978–79) building programme.A peripatetic teaching service for hearing impaired an visually handicapped children has been developed.All new school buildings are designed to allow access to the physically disabled and similar provision is made when improvements are carred out in older buildings.

Craftsmen Training Centre, Venice

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will circularise local education authorities of their entitlement to grant, under their disretionary powers, of funds for scholarships at the Council of Europe Craftsmen Training Centre in Venice.

No. My Department has made clear in circular 11/75 that local education authorities have power to make awards to students attending establishments outside the United Kingdom.

Museums (Financial Allocations)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the date from which revaluation upwards to take account of current prices will be the teachers' panel of the Burnham primary and secondary committee.My right hon. Friend does not accept that the National Union of Teachers will be over-represented in the revised determination she intends to make. She and her predecessors have consistently held that the claimed membership of an organisation among teachers serving in maintained schools in England and Wales should not be the sole criterion for determining the basis of representation.

Disabled Students (Walsall)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what improvement in provisions for the needs of disabled children have been made in the town of Walsall's schools.

The main improvements in recent years have been: Calculated when fixing the total sum to be made avalabe on 1 April 1979 in connection with the extra £ million earmarked to assist museums in preserving the national heritage and referred to in the question asked by the hon. Member for Warley, East, Official Report, 25 January, columns 221–22

The extra £2 million referred to by my hon. Friend represents that provision at 1977 public expenditure survey prices.

Trades Union Congress (Funds)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what public funds are to be made available in 1979 to the Trades Union Congress (a) for education and training purposes and (b) for any other purposes.

The Government's requirements for voted expenditure for 1979–80 for trade union education and training, as for other purposes, are still under consideration.

Comprehensive Education

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list those district councils which formerly were county boroughs where a different form of organisation of comprehensive education exists from that in the shire counties of which they are now a part.

The information requested is as follows:Barrow-in-Furness, Brighton, Burnley, Cambridge, Carlisle, Chester, Darlington, Exeter, Grimsby, Hartlepool, Hull, Ipswich, Leicester, Lincoln, Luton, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Portsmouth, Preston and York.

Physical Education Association

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received from the Physical Education Association in respect of the development of sporting talent for children of school age; and whether she will consult that body whose members are directly engaged in teaching physical education before issuing further guidance to local education authorities on this subject.

My right hon. Friend has received no such representations. My Department has no plans at present for issuing further guidance on this topic.

Students (Travelling Expenses)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science under what provisions local education authorities refund travelling expenses to students attending admission conferences for academic courses to be undertaken; and whether such grants are paid on a statutory or a discretionary basis.

In England and Wales, this is a discretionary power conveyed in regulations made under section 81 of the Education Act 1944.

Inner London Education Authority (School Closures)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information she has regarding the closure of schools in the Inner London Education Authority area due to the falling birth rate.

My right hon. Friend is currently considering proposals to close two primary schools and one secondary school in the ILEA area. I understand that the main reason for these proposals is the decline in the number of children in the areas served by these schools.

Overseas Development

Mozambique

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what has been the total amount of British aid in grants and loans offered, allocated or provided to Mozambique since that country's independence.

Signed loan agreements total £22–5 million. Signed agreements for food aid, as part of the British national action under the European Community programme, cover 32,500 tonnes. In addition to signed agreements for bilateral technical, cooperation costing about £2.8 million, small amounts of disaster relief and other technical co-operation have been pledged or provided, or are under discussion. Disbursements of bilateral development assistance are as follows:

UNITED KINGDOM GROSS BILATERAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE TO MOZAMBIQUE-DISBURSEMENTS 1975-1978
£000
			Grants	Loans	Total
1975	…	…	24·9	—	24·9
1976	…	…	19·2	—	19·2
1977	…	…	729·1	2,170·0	2,899·1
1978^*	…	…	1,346·3	3,275·0	4,621·3
	Total	…	2,119·5	5,445·0	7,564·5
^*Provisional.

"Survey Of Attitudes Towards Overseas Development"

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what was the total cost, including that of publication of the "Survey of Attitudes towards Overseas Development;" and what is the use of it.

The cost of publication is expected to be covered by sales. All other costs came to £32,450. The survey's use is to establish the level of public knowledge of matters which are important to our relations with developing countries.

Vietnam

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the current amount of aid provided by Her Majesty's Government to Vietnam; what is the composition of that aid; and whether she plans to use any aid to Vietnam for the purpose of the construction of ships for that country.

British bilateral aid to Vietnam in the current financial year will be £625,000 for food aid, £25,000 for emergency flood relief and £210,000 for English language training and books.As I told the House last June, aid has been offered under the aid-trade contingency provision to assist the Government of Vietnam to buy cargo vessels and gas turbines from the United Kingdom. Commercial negotiations began some considerable time ago. Government involvement began in July 1977 and February 1978 respectively. In the light of the most recent disturbing events involving Vietnam, the Government have urgently considered whether the offers should now be withdrawn. After careful examination they have reluctantly decided not to do so because of the contractual implications. The total cost of the aid involved is £4.5 million for the cargo vessels and £2.9 million for the gas turbines.Apart from any disaster and humanitarian aid, the Government propose to provide no further bilateral aid to Vietnam in the present circumstances of human rights there.

Northern Ireland

Schools (Transfer Procedure Tests)

asked the Secreatary of State for Northern Ireland what evidence he has received that the contents of the tests set under the revised transfer procedure, which were taken in certain schools in Downpatrick on 7 November 1978, became known prematurely to pupils in other schools where the tests were not taken until 10 November; what instructions he has given in consequence regarding the results of those tests; and how the possibility of a recurrence will be excluded.

No evidence has been received that the contents of the comparability test papers in the revised transfer procedure were known prematurely by pupils in any schools in Northern Ireland. Discussions are taking place about the arrangements for transfer from primary to secondary education in 1980.

De Lorean Car Company

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland over how many years the 206 dealers in the United States of America, who are committed to purchase 26,350 De Lorean DMC12 cars, are bound to take that number of vehicles; and to what extent they are contractually bound to the purchase.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make the corporate plans produced by the De Lorean car company available in the library of the House of Commons.

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

Volume 962: debated on Tuesday 13 February 1979

Written Answers To Questions

Scotland

Falkirk And Stirling Royal Infirmaries

Central Region (Expenditure)

Central Region (Schools)

Western Isles (Bilingual Project)

Gaelic

Regional Aids

Museums (Financial Allocations)

Life Expectation

Drink And Gambling

Road Traffic Act 1974

Prime Minister (Engagements)

Tuc And Cbi

Broadway, Worcestershire

Secretary Of State For Transport (Speech)

Lostwithiel

Hednesford

European Assembly (Members' Emoluments)

Liverpool

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nuclear Weapons)

North-East Lancashire

Ethnic Records (Departmental Co-Ordination)

Government Press Officers

Wage Increases (Government Policy)

Defence

Dartmoor National Park (Military Exercises)

Servicemen's Families (Accommodation)

Iran (Defence Minister)

Cyprus (Sovereign Base Areas)

Exercise Clockwork

Strategic Re-Assessment

Nato Defence Ministers

United States (Arms Purchases And Sales)

Service Men's Pay

C130 Aircraft

Strategic Nuclear Weapons

Intermediate Nuclear Missile

Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve (Training)

Service Men's Salaries

Defence Budget

Hms "Bulwark"

Low-Flying Aircraft (Exercises)

Tornado Aircraft

Royal Air Force (Recruitment)

Service Personnel (Civilian Training)

Expenditure

Service Men (Local Overseas Allowance)

Essential Services

Type 42 Frigate

Wrekin Rifle Range

Polaris Submarine

Warship Construction

Cadetships

Iran (Defence Contracts)

Hawk Aircraft

Air Ministry (Use Of Electricity)

Armed Forces Pay Review Body

Home Department Civil Defence

Probation Officers (Pay)

Marriage Guidance (Working Party)

Mr Michael Blake

Picketing

Jurors

Police Forces (Resignations)

Police (Negotiating Machinery)

Civil Service

Pensions

Departmental Staff (Mature Entrants)

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Fisheries Protection Squadron

European Community (Council Of Agriculture Ministers)

Tenant Farmers

Jurors

Employment

Trade Union Political Levies (Deduction From Wages)

Benzidine Azo Dyes

Carcinogenic Substances