asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider introducing a conditional release scheme similar to that operating in Northern Ireland in order to reduce pressure on the prison system.

Whilst I am prepared to consider any measures which would reduce pressure on the prison system, a conditional release scheme as operated in Northern Ireland—where there is no parole system—would be incompatible with the existing parole scheme operated in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of keeping Astrid Proll on remand and any legal aid, travel or other costs incurred on her behalf before her recent return to West Germany.

It would not be practicable, without disproportionate expense, to assess the costs of Miss Proll's detention on remand. The cost of her legal aid has not yet been assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give an assurance that all children and babies of countries other than those from the Asian sub-continent are treated in exactly the same way, when entering Great Britain to join their friends, and relatives, for fixed periods and as permanent residents, as those who enter from the Asian sub-continent.

The treatment of a child wishing to enter the United Kingdom temporarily or for settlement depends on the circumstances of the case. The relevant rules are substantially the same whether the child is a citizen of a Commonwealth country or a foreign national—other than a national of a member State of the EEC. The immigration rules require immigration officers to carry out their duties without regard to the race, colour or religion of people seeking to enter the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, the numbers and age groups of persons prevented or delayed entry into Great Britain, together with their countries of origin and giving comparisons to show to what extent those from the Asian subcontinent are treated in a worse manner than those from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America.

Numbers of people refused leave to enter, according to the countries issuing their passports, are published annually in the " Control of Immigration Statistics "—for 1978 see table 1 of Cmnd. 7565.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will bring up to date the details of applications for settlement for wives and children from the Indian sub-continent which his predecessor gave in a parliamentary answer, on 17 June 1978.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27 June 1979; Vol. 969 c. 182], gave the following answer:Details of total new applications received—over 90 per cent. of which were from wives and children—applications granted and applications refused, in each country of the Indian subcontinent for each quarter of 1977 and

1978, were published in the House of Lords

(1) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many New Commonwealth and Pakistan citizens were admitted to Great Britain under the distressed relatives category for 1977 and 1978;(2) how many citizens of the New Commonwealth and Pakistan were admitted to Great Britain under the provisions for parents, grandparents and children over 18 years in 1977 and 1978.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 20 June 1979; Vol. 968, c. 549], gave the following answer:The only figures available are the total numbers accepted for settlement on arrival under the provisions for distressed relatives, for parents, grandparents and children over 18, and for certain other miscellaneous categories which are published annually by individual country in " Control of Immigration Statistics "—tables 3(a) and 3(b) of the issue for 1978, Cmnd. 7565. For the New Commonwealth countries and Pakistan there were 3,007 such acceptances in 1977 and 2,848 in 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many New Commonwealth and Pakistan citizens applied for entry to Great Britain under the distressed relatives provision in 1977 and 1978;(2) how many citizens of the New Commonwealth and Pakistan applied for entry under the provisions for parents, grandparents and children over 18 years in 1977 and 1978.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 20 June 1979; Vol. 968, c. 549], gave the following answer:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue guidance to electoral registration officers that the use of form RPF 30 in respect of absent voters should become normal practice.

Home Office guidance to electoral registration officers on this and other matters will be reviewed in the light of experience of the recent elections.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet set a date when the new ward boundaries in the Wirral district will take effect.

I shall do so as soon as I have considered the report of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England proposing new electoral arrangements for the borough as well as the representations I have received about these proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what conditions it is permissible for fiances and fiancees to enter the United Kingdom for arranged marriages with intended spouses (a) if they have previously met and (b) if they have never met.

The immigration rules contain no specific prohibition on entry for arranged marriages whether or not the intending parties have previously met. The main provisions are as follows.A man seeking to enter for marriage to a woman settled here, and intending to settle himself, should not be admitted unless he holds a current entry clearance issued for that purpose. An entry clearance will be refused if the officer to whom application is made has reason to believe that the proposed marriage would be one of convenience entered into primarily to obtain admission here with no intention that the parties should live together permanently as man and wife. The holder of an entry clearance should be admitted for three months with normally, a prohibition on employment. Commonwealth citizens with clearances issued upon proof that one of their grandparents was born in the United Kingdom and islands should be admitted for settlement.A woman seeking to enter to marry a man settled in the United Kingdom should be admitted if the immigration officer is satisfied that the marriage will take place within a reasonable time. She may be admitted for a period of up to three months and it may also be appropriate to impose a prohibition on employment. No entry clearance is required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will summarise the legal restrictions on animal snares and traps; and if he is satisfied that these restrictions are sufficient to eliminate cruelty and unnecessary suffering.

This reply relates to England and Wales. Snares are not restricted. Section 10 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 requires daily inspection of spring traps set for catching hares and rabbits. Section 8 of the Pests Act 1954 restricts the use of traps to those approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Spring Traps Approval Order 1975 specifies the approved traps and the conditions in which they may be used. We have no plans for further legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the speed at which the new police pay scales are being implemented; if each police authority in the North-East is implementing the new scales with effect from 1 May; and if he will make a statement.

The Police (Amendment) Regulations 1979, which were laid before Parliament on 27 June, require the new police pay scales to be implemented with effect from 1 May 1979. The regulations were circulated to police autho- rities on 29 June and I have no doubt that they will make every effort to give effect to the new pay scales as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has reduced the rate of taxi fares for distances over six miles in London; if he expects that this will lead to more refusals; whether he contemplates any action to remove the right of taxi drivers to refuse fares above this mileage; what consultations he has had with the trade over his actions over the six-mile problem; and if he will make a statement.

As I stated in my reply to a question by my hon. Friend, the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Bendall) on 15 June, I have decided to allow a substantial increase in London taxi fares to come into effect on 22 July. This increase will apply to the rate of fare payable on journeys of all distances, including those beyond six miles where the rate will increase by 16 per cent. from approximately 43p per mile to 50p per mile. I am assured by the trade that this will lead to fewer refusals, particularly for journeys of between three and six miles.I have accepted the recommendations of both the departmental committee on the London taxi cab trade and the Price Commission report on prices, costs and margins in the provision of taxi cab and private hire car services, that the surcharge payable on journeys beyond six miles should be reduced from its present level of 100 per cent. of the fare payable on that part of the journey beyond six miles. The new tariff will therefore incorporate a surcharge of 50 per cent. as requested unanimously by the London joint cab trade committee in a letter sent to my Department on 10 October 1978. My Department has had continuing discussions with the trade about all aspects of the tariff since that date.I have no plans at present to extend compellability beyond six miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to respond to the representations of the West Midlands fire brigades union regarding the manning review undertaken by the West Midlands county council in conjunction with his Department.

I shall take into account the representations which I have received before reaching a decision on the West Midlands county council's proposals for varying the establishment scheme of its brigade, which I hope to do shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what periods of time elapsed, for each redistribution of parliamentary constituencies effected by legislation between 1910 and 1955, between the enactment of the relevant statute and the subsequent dissolution of Parliament.

Redistribution of parliamentary seats was effected by the Representation of the People Acts which received Royal Assent on 6 February 1918 and 30 July 1948. Parliament was subsequently dissolved on 25 November 1918 and 5 February 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of wives an immigrant is allowed to bring into the United Kingdom for settlement.

The immigration rules provide for the admission for settlement of the wife of a man settled in the United Kingdom. A wife's entitlement stems from a marriage which is valid under the law of this country. Ultimately only a court can decide whether a marriage which has taken place overseas is valid in United Kingdom law but I understand that a marriage will be recognised as valid, even if polygamous, provided that it was one that each of the parties had the capacity to contract under the law of his or her domicile and was valid under the law of the country where it was contracted. A man acquiring a domicile of choice in the United Kingdom loses the capacity to contract a polygamous marriage overseas which would be valid in United Kingdom law. Thus the number of wives one man may sponsor depends on the validity of the marriages in United Kingdom law in each case. Also, except in the case of Commonwealth citizens settled here on 1 January 1973, the man must be able and willing to provide support and accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in view of the current oil crisis, he is considering any amendments to the Gas Act 1972; and if he will make a statement.

I am always willing to consider amendments to energy legislation if they can be justified, but at present I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 2 July, in response to the private notice question asked by the right hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dr. Owen).

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to meet the leaders of the major oil companies.

I am in regular contact with the leaders of the major oil companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any proposals to encourage the Gas Board to extend mains supply in rural areas in order to conserve oil supplies.

I have no such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will consider the introduction of energy shops, as in France.

This would appear to be a matter for the British Gas Corporation and the Electricity Council, and I am asking the chairmen to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied that the EEC Energy Council can implement an effective 5 per cent. reduction in oil consumption.

At the 18 June EEC Council, member States reaffirmed their determination to reduce their oil consumption substantially in order to achieve the Community objective of limiting oil consumption in 1979 to 500 million tonnes. The European Council on 21 and 22 June also expressed its resolve to continue to step up efforts in this direction. Member States have agreed to monitor progress and to undertake work on possible future measures should they become necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of Great Britain's North Sea Oil production is currently being exported; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of the current oil yield from the North Sea is being exported; and if he can estimate the financial gain which results to the United Kingdom from the export of each barrel of such oil after offsetting the cost of importing a compensating barrel of foreign crude.

About 49 per cent. of North Sea crude produced so far this year has been exported. There are technical as well as financial reasons why it is in the United Kingdom interest to export some North Sea oil and import other crudes. For this reason, and because of the recent leapfrogging of crude prices it is difficult to calculate the financial gain, but the Department estimates on the basis of prices of imported and indigenous crudes, that in the last three months it has been in the range 40–80p per barrel.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the development of the North Sea oil fields after 1985.

The rate of development of North Sea oil fields after 1985 will depend on many factors including the world oil price and supply position, trends in costs, the impact of new technology and, in part, on the future rate of licensing. It will also depend on the rate of discovery of new fields, and it is my intention that the essential further exploration of the United Kingdom continental shelf should be carried out with increased vigour.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many tons were consumed in coal-fired power stations over each of the past four years; what is the estimated consumption for the year 1982; and what were the comparable figures for oil-fired power stations over the same period.

I shall arrange for the detailed figures for the past four years to be published in the Official Report. Between 1975 and 1978 coal burn increased by more than 6 million tonnes and oil burn decreased by about 2 million tonnes coal equivalent. Fuel use in 1982 will depend upon a number of factors including the level of electricity demand and the price and availability of competing fuels.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the report by Dr. Walter Marshall on combined heat and power, using waste heat from power stations.

I ask the hon. Member to wait, please, until later this month when the report on combined heat and power is published.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make an interim statement on his present attitude towards combined heat and power schemes pending the publication of the Marshall report.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer today to the question from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley).

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the latest progress of his examination of the role of the British National Oil Corporation.

The review has made considerable progress. I shall make a statement on its conclusions as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what conversations he has had about the future of the British National Oil Corporation with the present chairman.

I have frequent conversations with the chairman of the British National Oil Corporation, covering a wide range of topics, including the future of the corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the qualifications including previous appointments in the selection of Ministers held by each member of the British National Oil Corporation.

Members of the British National Oil Corporation were appointed by my predecessor in office. Their previous Government appointments are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the full-time occupation and other Government appoint-

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if any progress had been made in the design of power stations for the home market by the Central Electricity Generating Board which have regard to the export potential of the power industries.

The CEGB has adopted a policy of standardising designs for its engineering programme of power plant development. The board responds positively, through British Electricity International Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Electricity Council), to British manufacturers' requests for CEGB support and assistance in securing potential export business. While the standards are not necessarily the same as those abroad, experience in United Kingdom use and the satisfaction of the United Kingdom user can prove a valuable export recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has for priority allocation of energy resources.

Under the powers of the Energy Act 1976, contingency plans exist for controlling the distribution of fuels if the need arises. However, as I told the House on 11 June, I do not consider it necessary or appropriate to invoke those powers in relation to the current level of shortfall in oil supplies to the United Kingdom market. On 2 July I stated that the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association had undertaken to handle the requirements of customers with particular problems as flexibly and swiftly as supply constraints allowed.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what further developments are taking place in the provision of cross-Channel electricity links; and if he will make a statement.

Government approval in principle was given to the Central Electricity Generating Board in August 1978 for the construction of a 2000 MW cross-Channel link with Electricité de France. The CEGB expects to seek final approval this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has completed his consultation on the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Communities dated 14 November 1978 in respect of article 103 of the European Atomic Energy Community Treaty concerning the ownership and movement of fissile materials, the defence of nuclear establishments and agreements between the United Kingdom and other countries consuming fissile materials; and if he will make a statement.

The ruling of the Court of Justice of 14 November 1978 (Euratom 1/78) raises issues which are complex and require careful study; the Government are still considering these.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the capital investment programme of the National Coal Board; and when he intends to introduce an order on the board's borrowing requirements.

Substantial investment in the coal industry must continue so that the industry can equip itself with modern capacity to meet the longer-term demands for coal. A draft order to raise the NCB's borrowing limit from £1,800 million to £2,200 million was laid before the House on 5 July for approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the working of the National Coal Board productivity agreement.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 5 July 1979; Vol 969, c. 260], gave the following further answer:Throughout 1977 productivity and production were declining. The introduction of the productivity arrangements reversed this decline, especially in the key area of face and development operations. In October 1977, on a falling trend face output per manshift was 7·7 tonnes. By October 1978 it had climbed to 8·6 tonnes and last March it was 8·8 tonnes. but overall OMS did not do so well, increasing from 2·13 tonnes in October 1977 to 2·22 tonnes last month. Both sides of the industry regard this as disappointing and are jointly making strenuous efforts to improve performance.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to alleviate the problems for farmers in Sussex whose oil suppliers are unable to deliver sufficient diesel fuel during the summer months so that they can harvest and dry their crops.

The oil companies are well aware of the importance I attach to ensuring that farmers receive adequate fuel supplies in good time for carrying out essential work. Where particular difficulties persist, however, the Department's supply liaison unit is prepared to investigate and intervene if appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the decision to fund the building of an AGR nuclear power station at Heysham is based upon the planning margin on the electricity grid of 35 per cent. and whether he will initiate an inquiry into the unreliability of the existing generating capacity which has prompted the intention to raise the present planning margin.

Investment approval for Heysham II was based on a planning margin of 28 per cent. adopted by the electricity supply industry in 1977. There is no intention to increase this margin.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy why the planning margin of the electricity grid is higher in Great Britain than any country; whether he will publish a comparative study of the planning margin used in the United Kingdom in relation to other industrial countries; and whether he would reduce expenditure on nuclear power stations by improving the efficiency of the existing electricity generating plant.

Comparisons of the planing margins in different countries are extremely difficult to make because of differing security standards and plant types. I am advised that in so far as a comparison can be made, the planning margin in England and Wales does not compare unfavourably with those abroad. The CEGB already operates its existing generating plant at the maximum possible efficiency. Power stations in Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, based on the estimated nuclear capacity for 1990 in the United Kingdom and France of 13GW and 65GW, respectively, what he estimates would be the comparative energy costs by that date failing immediate revision of the United Kingdom programme.

I have no estimates of comparative costs for 1990 on the lines requested but clearly the level of electricity demand, the movement of fossil fuel prices and the costs of systems installed at that date will be relevant.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will issue a directive to the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board not to undertake long-term contracts for coal imports; and if he will make a statement.

No. I am in touch with the board about future coal supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what facilities exist within his Department for carrying out tests to gauge the efficiency of energy-saving devices; and whether he will encourage his Department to examine and report on energy-saving proposals submitted by members of the public.

Facilities for testing the efficiency of energy-saving devices exist in various Government and privately-owned research establishments. In addition, each of the fuel industries operates extensive research and testing facilities. This equipment is fully committed to testing commercial and domestic heating plant and increasing attention is being given to energy efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what volume of oil currently burnt in Central Electricity Generating Board power stations could be replaced by coal.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration he has given to the introduction of dual fuel burners for industrial purposes.

The use of duel fuel burners for industrial purposes is already fairly common practice, especially for oil and gas, and I have no evidence to suggest that there is a need for special Government involvement in the choice of combustion equipment which is freely available commercially.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy on the relative prices of oil, gas, coal and electricity in view of the increasing

The CEGB has already reduced oil burn to the minimum practicable level.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the amount and proportion of Central Electricity Generating Board electricity generated by (a) coal, (b) oil, (c) nuclear and (d) other means for each of the past five years.

It is not possible to give precise figures of electricity generated from coal or oil, but estimates provided by the Central Electricity Generating Board—CEGB—for these fuels are given in the following table:cost of oil and the different costs of production.

I believe that the price of each fuel should reflect the costs and market conditions of the industry concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give assurances that Government support to the National Coal Board plans to mine coal in the Vale of Belvoir will be forthcoming in view of the energy crisis.

As I have already made clear, the Government believe that an efficient and competitive coal industry has an important part to play in meeting future energy needs. A great deal of investment to provide additional capacity for future coal production will be essention. But it would not be appropriate for me as a member of the Government to express views one way or the other during the public consideration of any particular planning application.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to ensure continuity of supply of heavy fuel oil to industrial users and in particular to the paper and board industry.

The oil supply situation generally continues to be tight, and industrial users, like other consumers, may not at present be able to get all the oil product they would like. I have no evidence that the paper and board industry is suffering bigger cuts than other users of heavy fuel oil, but if my hon. Friend has some specific case in mind perhaps he will write to me on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what would be the total capital cost of a nuclear power programme designed to produce the 40 GW of installed nuclear capacity by the year 2000 as envisaged in the energy policy Green Paper (Cmnd. 7101, p. 55), assuming cost of construction remains constant at 1979 prices and taking into account the need to replace some of the existing Magnox stations within the next 20 years.

Excluding the 5 GW of AGRs already built or building, the capital cost of constructing 35 GW of nuclear capacity by the year 2000—assuming 1979 prices—is estimated to be of the order of £25 billion.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report a calculation showing the annual saving in oil consumption in the United Kingdom that will accrue by the year 2000 if an installed nuclear generating capacity of 40 GW is achieved by that date as envisaged in the energy policy Green Paper (Cmnd. 7101), assuming a 1 per cent. annual growth in energy demand from the current year to 2000 and that the percentage of total delivered energy as electricity remains 14 per cent. as at present.

An energy scenario of the specification mentioned in this question has not been considered by my Department. In the scenario closest to it and the other scenarios now being studied, oil usage in power stations by the end of the century is minimal.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects Heysham B nuclear power station to (a) supply power to the national grid and (b) to produce its full design output.

The target programme is for the first unit of Heysham II nuclear power station to supply power to the national grid in 1986 and for full design output a year later, with the station fully operational by 1987–88.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what research has been done to see if there are tar-sand and shale oil deposits in British territory; and what research he is supporting looking into the technology of extraction from these sources.

Government research into the oil shale deposits existing in various areas of Great Britain—and indeed produced commercially in the Lothian region until 1964—has been directed at establishing the possible economic potential of future oil production from these sources. Following a report by Mr. Alastair Macleod Matthews on the subject published by my Department in 1975, a technical survey of shale reserves—including drilling—was commissioned from the natural environment research council in 1976. The report of this survey, just received, is being studied.There is no evidence that tar-sand deposits exist in Great Britain, but if they do it would only be in insignificant quantites, not justifying research.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what research he is supporting into using powdered coal as a substitute for diesel fuel.

No support is being provided by my Department for research into the direct use of powdered coal as a substitute for diesel oil. Present evidence suggests that the manufacture of a substitute diesel oil from coal is a more attractive alternative.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consultation machinery exists between his Department and the underwater training centre, Fort William.

The chief inspector of diving of the petroleum engineering division of the Department of Energy is a member of the advisory board to the board of control of the underwater training centre. This advisory board which consists of members from Government Departments, the diving industry and the training centre meets twice a year.In addition, at the request of the Manpower Services Commission, an inspection of the training centre is carried out annually by a diving inspector from the Department of Energy. Following these inspections a letter is sent to the chief instructor at the training centre with a copy to the Manpower Services Commission confirming advice given during the inspection.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in view of the declared policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage unfettered competition, he will ensure that all future turbo-generator contracts are the subject of competitive tender.

Tendering procedures are a matter for the generating boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he will be replying to the representations made by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill on 15 June concerning Maclellan Rubber Limited.

A reply has been sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Central Electricity Generating Board sought competitive tenders for the turbo-generators for Drax B; and what was the total sum involved for each tender.

I have nothing to add to my reply of 4 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what actual or estimated figures are available for compensation payments to the Central Electricity Generating Board in respect of the advance ordering of Drax B for 1978–79.

Current estimates indicate that compensation of about £0·6 million will be due to the CEGB in 1979·80 in respect of the board's payments on Drax B in 1978·79.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what action he has now taken to prevent oil companies discriminating against small garages in the remote areas in the supply of fuel, oil and petrol.

I have no evidence that the allocation systems adopted by oil companies discriminate against small garages in remote areas. If, however, my hon. Friend has any specific case in mind perhaps he will write to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with security arrangements at URENCO establishments

Security at Urenco is based on arrangements agreed by the three governmental partners in the centrifuge project. As I told the Member for Pontypool (Mr. Abse) on 27 June, Urenco has been asked to review its detailed security arrangements. In the light of this, the three Governments will consider whether action is needed to strengthen the tripartite arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will take steps to ensure that enough North Sea oil will be available to provide for the needs of the United Kingdom.

I told the House on 11 June that I was not satisfied with the arrangements I found for supplies of oil into the United Kingdom market. I am consulting the oil companies and the British National Oil Corporation on the disposal of North Sea oil and on arrangements to improve our supply. We do not yet produce as much oil as we consume. Even when we do, we shall still need to trade some North Sea oil and to import foreign crudes with different qualities to meet the United Kingdom's pattern of product demand as economically as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in view of the fact that in some areas fishermen are facing bigger cuts in oil supplies than other users, rather than a 5 per cent. reduction in use, and that some ports will have to face a cut of 15 per cent. causing losses to the vessel owners, if he will make a statement on what action he proposes to take.

Fuel supplies generally continue to be tight, and although that has caused worries for many consumers, including fishermen, I have no evidence that the fishing industry is suffering bigger cuts in oil supplies than other users of diesel fuel. If my hon. Friend has some specific case in mind perhaps he will write to me on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what research is going on into the use of methanol as an alternative to petrol for motor vehicles; and if he will make a statement about current research work being conducted into fuel additives, and equipment designed to improve miles per gallon.

I have been asked to reply.Whilst a good deal has been done by motor and petroleum companies into the use of methanol as an alternative or additive to petrol for motor vehicles, none is being done by this Department. The Department of Industry does keep in touch with such developments here and abroad and also with their commercial applications which are matters also for the companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the total coal stocks, whether at pit-head, merchants or power stations; and how this compares with the coal stocks on 1 January and on 1 January of the preceding five years.

Coal stock statistics are published in the Department's monthly statistical bulletin " Energy Trends " copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Statistics of stocks held by merchants are not available.For convenience, the available figures are given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the coal stocks in each of the countries of the European Economic Community and in total.

The following is the latest available information:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are now the coal stocks at power stations in the United Kingdom; and how this figure compares with 1 January and 1 January on each of the preceding five years.

Public supply power station coal stock statistics are published in the Department's monthly statistical bulletin " Energy Trends ", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. For convenience the available figures are given in the following table:

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has to introduce morning sittings; and if he will make a statement.

I have no such proposals to make to the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement on the subject of the future method of assessment of the pay of Ministers and Members of Parliament.

Motions setting out the Government's proposals on the recommendations of the twelfth report of the Review Body on Top Salaries were laid before the House last week, and we will be debating these on Wednesday.The Government have taken account of views expressed by hon. Members, and agreed that 50 per cent. of the increases recommended by the TSRB should be paid immediately, and the remainder in two equal instalments in June 1980 and June 1981. The June 1980 increase will be further updated, in a manner analogous to that adopted for other review body groups.The Government will invite the TSRB both to carry out the 1980 uprating and to make recommendations about one or more analogues in the professions to which Members' salaries could be related from 1981 onwards. Ministerial salaries will be subject to a biennial review by the TSRB beginning in 1981.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is satisfied with the arrangements made for informing the House of forthcoming EEC business and for ministerial statements.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on how many sitting days of Parliament since 1 January the printed Hansard or Order Paper and Notices of Motions has not appeared.

Since 1 January 1979 Hansard has not appeared in its printed form on its due publication date February 7, 8, 9 and June 19 to July 6 inclusive, a total of 17 occasions. Similarly the Order Paper and Notices of Motions considered as a single publication have not appeared on their due day on February 7, 8, 9 and June 20 to July 6 inclusive, a total of 6 occasions. Both publications were available to Members in an alternative form on all occasions.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list in the Official Report the industrial disputes which have caused interruptions in the printing of Hansard, the Order Paper and Notices of Motions over the past five years, together with the approximate number of staff involved, and the reasons for the disputes.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer being given today by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department to my hon. Friend the Member for Ravensbourne (Mr. Hunt).

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many hon. Members have returned the questionnaire relating to their outside financial interests; and when it is intended to publish the up-to-date register.

I understand from the Registrar of Members' Interests that about 600 hon. Members have so far declared their interests. The question of the publication of the register will be a matter for the new Select Committee on Members' Interests when it is established.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate (a) the cost in benefit payments, (b) the loss of tax revenue, (c) the loss of national insurance revenue and (d) the cost of national income, for an increase in unemployment of (i) a single man (ii) a married man and (iii) a married man with two children.

Unemployment benefits depend on the contributions record and previous employment of claimants as well as on their needs and dependants. Tax revenue, national insurance contributions and national income depend not only on the level of unemployment but also on how much income is produced by those in jobs. It is not therefore possible to provide estimates in the form requested by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the report of the EEC audit court has been discussed at any meeting of the Council of Ministers; and if he requests it to be discussed at any future meeting.

The Council had before it, under the provisions of article 85 of the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977, the report of the Court of Auditors when framing its recommendation of 8 May 1979 to the European Parliament on the granting of a discharge to the Commission on the implementation of the 1977 budget of the European Communities. Any future discussions by the Council on the recommendations of the report would most conveniently arise in the context of the area of Community expenditure to which they relate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the study of the incidence of capital gains tax and capital transfer tax promised in his Budget Statement to be concluded.

I cannot add to the passage in my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget speech in which he said that we are pressing ahead with this review with a view to legislation at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the full details of the cuts in public expenditure as they affect Wales—at 1979 public expenditure survey prices—under the following headings: electricity, roads and transport, education, health and Manpower Services Commission—assessed Welsh shares.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 11 June, c. 134, whether it is possible to measure the extent or growth of the hidden economy using national income or other statistics.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the estimated volume reduction resulting from limitation of adjustments to cash limits for central Government programmes in Wales.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the refund to Motability of value added tax on the purchase of cars for disabled people will also apply to cars bought by that organisation for its proposed hire-purchase scheme.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the price of a bottle of whisky, a pint of beer, and 20 cigarettes, if the duties were increased in line with (a) the retail price index, and (b) the index of average earnings, since 1960; and how much extra revenue would thus accrue.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the additional weekly income, by comparison with the last winter, which will accrue per family and per person to each of a single person, a married couple, a two-wage married couple, and couples with each of one, two, three, and four children—including teenage children—as a result of his Budget proposals and of the changes in child support which took place last April, assuming weekly earnings of £45, £75, £95, £150 and £300.

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