asked the Attorney-General if he will consider bringing forward an amendment to the law relating to maintenance of divorced persons, so as to continue the payment of maintenance to cases where there are children.

It is my noble Friend's view that there are many cases in which it would be generally regarded as unjust to prevent the courts from ordering one former spouse to pay maintenance to the other where there are no children. He has therefore no plans to introduce legislation to amend the law in the sense indicated in the question.

asked the Attorney-General what is the average time for a financial hearing in the divorce courts: if he is satisfied that a registrar can give adequate consideration to all matters to which the law directs his attention during this period; and has he any changes to propose.

No central record is kept of the length of such hearings, and the average length would be without statistical significance. There is no reason to think registrars are not able to deal with all the issues requiring their attention. There are ample powers to adjourn hearings, transfer cases to a circuit judge or to the High Court and arrange for extended hearings where appropriate. These powers appear adequate without recourse to legislative change.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give consideration to the reform of the divorce laws; and what legislation on divorce he proposes to present during the present Parliament.

Her Majesty's Government have no present proposals for reform of the law governing divorce nor am I aware of any private Member's legislation pending on the subject. If my hon. Friend has any specific proposals, they will, of course, be considered.

asked the Attorney-General how many jury trials in civil cases took place in 1978 and have taken place so far this year in (a) Queen's Bench Division and (b) the county court.

The figures requested are set out in the following table:

JURY TRIALS IN CIVIL CASES
	1978	January to March 1979
Queen's Bench Division …	13	2
County courts … …	6	1

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what increase in the price of home produced food he expects to see during the next 12 months.

For the most important foodstuffs, the prices of home produced supplies are affected by the common agricultural policy in much the same way as imported supplies; and there are no separate forecasts for the prices of home produced supplies. Farm support prices will be raised by the recent devaluations of the green pound including the 5 per cent. devaluation under the previous Government last April, and by the recent CAP price-fixing: together these will add some 2 per cent. to average retail food prices. But actual market prices for foodstuffs are always subject to fluctuations for reasons such as the weather.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to publish the inspectors' report on Cornhill Consolidated; and how many other reports are awaiting publication.

Consideration of publication of the report of the inspectors into Cornhill Consolidated Group Ltd. has been deferred pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.There are three other reports which cannot be published for similar reasons and three more which will be published during the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the supply of liquefied gas.

pursuant to her reply [Official Report, 28 June 1979; Vol. 969 c. 301] gave the following answer:My right hon. Friend has today referred to the commission the question of the supply in the United Kingdom of liquefield petroleum gas in containers of not more that 50 kg capacity and not less that 150g capacity. In reaching his decision, my right hon. Friend took into account the advice given by the Director General of Fair Trading in accordance with his statutory duty under section 2 of the Fair Trading Act 1973. The Director General is precluded from making the reference himself by virtue of section 50(2) of, and paragraph 2 of part I of schedule 5 to, the Fair Trading Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the number of persons employed in shipbuilding yards, for each yard, respectively, in the United Kingdom at the latest available date.

This is a matter for British Shipbuilders, Harland and Wolff and the individual private companies concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give the total number of applications made under the microprocessor applications scheme, with the number of applications from the foundry industry, and the respective financial assistance made available.

The number of applications for support of projects under the microprocessor applications project is 494 and the existing and imminent commitment by the Department is now £10 millions. One application has been received from the foundry industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the number of firms in the Jarrow constituency which have received regional development grants since 1974.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what possibilities for experimenting with electric vehicles he is considering.

Department of Industry is supporting assessment trials being undertaken by the Greater London council on electric vehicles manufactured by British companies and also research and development and experimental programmes connected with batteries and electrical drive systems. Present commitments over a five year period to December 1982 amount to £2·635 million for vehicle and transport system development and trials, £2·332 million for advanced battery research and development and £92,000 for work on other components such as motors and controllers. Work of this nature by companies to improve electric vehicle performance is continuous and the extent of departmental support regularly reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish for each year since 1974 the amounts received in regional selective assistance by small firms in Newton Aycliffe and the number of projects involved.

In the period from 1 March 1974 to 31 May 1979, two offers of assistance amounting to £142,000 have been made under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 to firms employing 200 people or less in respect of projects located in the Newton Aycliffe employment office area.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many small firms in Newton Aycliffe have received assistance from the small firms counselling service.

Since the inception of the small firms counselling service in November 1977 seven small firms in Newton Aycliffe have used the counselling service.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action he is taking to help British semiconductor manufacturers increase their share of the PROM (programmable read-only-memory) component market, in the light of demand currently outstripping supply.

The Department of Industry already offers help for the manufacture of microelectronic devices in the United Kingdom. The distribution of such help between particular devices, of which the PROM is one, is mainly a matter for the industry to decide, in consultation with Government. The Department's support for microelectronics applications includes help for the application of PROMs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has now reached a decision as to the future service requirement for the married quarters at RAF Lindholme, in both the short and long term.

Proposals are being examined for the future use of RAF Lindholme which could affect the future Service requirement for married quarters there. I shall let the hon. Gentleman know when a decision has been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what research is currently undertaken or proposed into the incidence of occupational cancers in Scotland;(2) if he will list in the

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made in making regulations for the prevention of occupational cancers in accordance with the recommendations of June 1974 by the International Labour Office.

I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that outline proposals for new regulations and supporting code of practice, taking account of the International Labour Office convention and recommendation of June 1974, were approved by the Health and Safety Commission in June 1976. More detailed proposals have been considered by the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on toxic substances and work is still in progress. It is too early to say when the regulations will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Health and Safety Executive will publish immediately a full list of known and highly suspect cancer agents similar to the list of 269 such chemicals published by the United States Department of Labor; and if information can be published to enable the potency of the chemicals concerned to be compared on experimental evidence and also on the basis of practical aspects of production and use.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what representations he has received with a view to the local authorities taking over administration of the youth opportunities programme and the special temporary employment programme;(2) what percentage of disabled people registered with his Department are employed in firms which employ 20 or fewer people;(3) if he will publish for the United Kingdom and for each Manpower Service Commission special development area the average number of young unemployed during those months when the unemployment register was at its lowest for 1977–78 and 1978–79.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many jobs in the Jarrow constituency are being supported by employment subsidies:(2) how many people in the area covered by Jarrow and Hebburn employment exchange have taken advantage of the job release scheme since its introduction.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what he proposes to do about the consultative document on vocational preparation entitled " A Better Start in Working Life ", issued by the previous Labour Administration.

Better preparation of young people for the world of work is important to the development of a more capable and flexible work force. The views of those concerned on the ideas advanced in the consultative paper would be valuable to the Government both as part of this discussion and as a contribution to its review of the relationship between schools, further education and training. We therefore renew the invitation to comment extended in the paper and would particularly welcome views submitted by the end of the year. Thereafter we shall form our own views on which needs to be done, taking into account our commitment to reduce public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will request from the Health and Safety Commission a study of the siting of carriage renovation and dismantling sheds where blue asbestos is involved and the reasons for the Health and Safety Executive being satisfied or otherwise as to the location of the sheds having regard to the nature and population density of the surrounding areas.

I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that carriage renovation and dismantling sheds where blue asbestos is involved are subject to the requirements of the Asbestos Regulations, 1969, which are designed to protect the health of workers who work with asbestos. They are also subject to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which places a duty on the person undertaking the work to conduct his operation in such a way as to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby, as well as his employees, are not exposed to risks to their health.This legislation is enforced in British Railways' premises by the railway inspectorate as agent of the Health and Safety Executive. In premises occupied by British Rail Engineering Ltd. the legislation is enforced by Her Majesty's factory inspectorate.I understand that work by the inspectorates continues to ensure that the current levels of safety are maintained and progressively improved. In the chairman's view, with which I agree, there is no evidence at present to suggest a need for a special study by the Health and Safety Commission of the siting of carriage renovation and dismantling sheds where blue asbestos is involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consult with the Health and Safety Commission on the effects of the decision in R. W. McConnachie v. Danckarts Woodworking Machinery Limited; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans the Government have to extend fortnightly payment of unemployment benefits.

The Government are satisfied that the arrangements for fortnightly payment of unemployment benefits which have been tested since September 1977 give an improved service to claimants as well as making significant savings in expenditure.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has today laid regulations before the House to allow fortnightly payments to be extended throughout Great Britain in September this year, together with a copy of a report from the National Insurance Advisory Committee which recommends that the regulations should be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he proposes to issue advice for the guidance of local education authorities on the keeping of confidential records of schoolchildren.

This is one of the matters which my right hon. and learned Friend will be considering when the report on local education authority curricular arrangements is published this autumn, and consultations are held.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish for each local education authority area the numbers of 16-year-olds eligible to leave school in 1978–79.

The estimated numbers of pupils in maintained secondary schools for each local education authority in England who will become 16 years old during the academic year 1978–79 and who become eligible to leave school in the spring and summer terms, 1979, are as follows:

Barking	2,399
Barnet	3,870
Bexley	3,234
Brent	3,466
Bromley	3,875
Croydon	4,736
Ealing	3,620
Enfield	3,743
Harringey	2,940
Harrow	2,308
Havering	4,058
Hillingdon	3,349
Hounslow	2,981
Kingston-upon-Thames	1,663
Merton	2,257
Newham	3,491
Redbridge	2,980
Richmond-upon-Thames	1,590
Sutton	2,282
Waltham Forest	2,930
Inner London	31,949
Birmingham	17,596
Coventry	5,442
Dudley	4,516
Sandwell	5,031
Solihull	3,441
Walsall	4,910
Wolverhampton	4,516
Knowsley	3,827
Liverpool	9,416
St. Helens	3,155
Sefton	5,106
Wirral	5,535
Bolton	3,922

Bury	2,600
Manchester	7,884
Oldham	3,333
Rochdale	3,345
Salford	4,300
Stockport	4,395
Tameside	3,566
Trafford	3,495
Wigan	5,012
Barnsley	3,789
Doncaster	5,126
Rotherham	4,230
Sheffield	8,682
Bradford	7,204
Calderdale	2,890
Kirklees	5,910
Leeds	11,074
Wakefield	4,894
Gateshead	3,401
Newcastle upon Tyne	4,317
North Tyneside	3,106
South Tyneside	2,844
Sunderland	5,162
Isles of Scilly	30
Avon	13,098
Bedfordshire	7,907
Berkshire	10,215
Buckinghamshire	7,887
Cambridgeshire	7,822
Cheshire	14,580
Cleveland	10,588
Cornwall	5,843
Cumbria	7,523
Derbyshire	13,819
Devon	12,454
Dorset	7,679
Durham	9,773
East Sussex	7,743
Essex	21,817
Gloucestershire	7,607
Hampshire	22,015
Hereford and Worcester	8,887
Hertfordshire	15,130
Humberside	14,663
Isle of Wight	1,510
Kent	21,843
Lancashire	20,582
Leicestershire	13,300
Lincolnshire	8,044
Norfolk	9,383
North Yorkshire	9,539
Northampton	7,871
Northumberland	4,297
Nottingham	16,262
Oxfordshire	7,855
Salop	5,747
Somerset	5,654
Staffordshire	15,601
Suffolk	8,150
Surrey	12,984
Warwickshire	7,217
West Sussex	8,723
Wiltshire	7,757

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is inviting views on the consultative paper " Providing Educational Opportunities for 16 to 18-Year-Olds " issued by the previous Administration.

The consultative paper raises many important and pertinent questions about the local planning of education provision for 16–18 year olds. The views of those concerned would contribute most helpfully to the review of the relationship between schools, further education and training which the Government are undertaking. My right hon. and learned Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales are therefore renewing the invitation to comment extended in the paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report tables giving the relevant details for the years 1956 to 1977—and to 1978, if available—of the statistics relating to homosexual offences, Appendix 1, tables I-V.

On the assumption that the reference is to the appendix of the report of the Committee on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution (the Wolfenden report, 1957), the information requested is published annually in " Criminal Statistics, England and Wales ". In the volume for 1977, Cmnd. 7289, the relevant tables, in the order shown in the report above-mentioned, are tables 2.9, 1(a), 10(a), 5(a) with 6, 1(a) with 2, and 1(a); separate figures on persons sentenced at the Crown court for importuning and on the length of immediate imprisonment imposed at magistrates' courts for importuning are not readily available. The relevant offence classifications are 16, 17, 18 and 187B.The information relating to 1978 that is at present available is given as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, before deciding upon the recent increase in taxi cab fares, he discussed it with representatives of the taxi cab drivers' trade union; whether their agreement to these increases was received; and whether he will make a statement.

My Department had frequent and lengthy discussions extending over a period of about eight months with representatives of all sections of the London taxi trade, including the TGWU (cab section) and the other organisations representing drivers, about an increase in fares. I regret that, notwithstanding these very full discussions, the TGWU was not prepared to agree to the new tariff which takes effect on 22 July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of persons or grades as mentioned in Lord Edmund-Davies's report on the salaries of the police and their total annual wage or salary scales prior to and subsequent to the report; what their gross and net pay would be after taxation on the basis of each person being married and claiming a marriage allowance; and what these figures will be after the report's proposed increases and after implementing the budget and proposals on income tax charges.

The pay scales of all ranks of the police at the time of publication of the Edmund-Davies committee's report on policy pay (Cmnd. 7283), together with the revised scales recommended by the committee and implemented in full with effect from 1 May 1979, are set out in appendix XI to the committee's report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. As to the question of taxation, this is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will end the use of secret codes on passports by immigration officers; whether such a code was officially authorised; and if he will make a statement.

The endorsements used in passports by immigration officers are valuable in preventing evasion of the control, and I have no intention of ending their use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will order an immediate investigation into the case of Mr. Kelzani of 22 Oxford Street, Swindon, who was arrested on 13 June after the signing of a deportation order and imprisoned for more than three weeks on the basis of incorrect information as to his right of abode in Egypt;(2) what inquiries were made or assurances received regarding Mr. Kelzani's eligibility to be admitted to Egypt before he was arrested on 13 June and placed in detention prior to intended deportation;(3) whether any further efforts were made by his Department following Mr. Kelzani's arrest on 13 June and detention, and prior to representations by the hon. Member for Swindon on 4 July, to recheck his contention that he was not eligible to be admitted to Egypt; and, if so, with whom.

Inquiries about Mr. Kelzani's admissibility to Egypt were made of the Egyption embassy and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before a deportation order was made against him on 24 May. These showed that, provided he still held a valid Egyptian travel document, a visa for return to Egypt was likely to be issued. On his arrest on 13 June, it was found that Mr. Kelzani had lost his travel document and the question of his admissibility to Egypt has now been referred by the Egyptian embassy to Cairo. When a reply is received, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will be consulted before any steps are taken to remove Mr. Kelzani who, in the meantime, has been released from detention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what other cases there have been of persons being detained in similar circumstances to those of Mr. Kelzani during the past five years; if there are any other persons currently being held in detention in similar circumstances; and, if so, if he will order their immediate release.

The answer to the first part of the question could only be provided at disproportionate cost and the information requested in the second part is not readily available. Persons detained in these circumstances are released if this is appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police houses on council estates have been sold by the police authority in the area of the Jarrow constituency over the past five years.

Nine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the police force in the South Tyneside area is up to strength;(2) how many policemen are on the beat in the South Tyneside area;(3) what steps he proposes to take to encourage the police authority to increase the number of policemen on the beat in South Tyneside.

On 30 June 1979 the Northumbria police had 10 vacancies on its establishment of 3,325. South Shields division strength is 272, of whom 180 are on ground cover duties. These levels are determined by the chief Constable having regard to all the commitments of his force. In general chief officers attach great importance to increasing the numbers directly available on the streets and in contact with the community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action Her Majesty's Government propose on the Goodman report on charity law and voluntary organisations.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 27 June to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Drake (Miss Fookes) about the Government's reply to the Expenditure Committee's report on the Charity Commissioners and their accountability. I am considering the Goodman committee's report in this context.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what differences, if any, there are in the criteria which determine whether or not a public inquiry is held into a death from a suspected industrial disease which occurs in Scotland as against one occurring in England or Wales; and what were the comparative numbers of such public inquiries held in the past five years.

In terms of the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976, section 1(1)(b), it is within the discretion of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate to direct that a procurator fiscal apply to the sheriff for the holding of a public inquiry if it appears to the Lord Advocate to be expedient in the public interest that such an inquiry should be held into the circumstances of a death on the ground that the death was sudden, suspicious or unexplained, or has occurred in circumstances such as give rise to serious public concern.Procurators fiscal have been instructed to report to the Lord Advocate's office all deaths which appear to have been caused by poisoning or disease, notice of which is required to be given to any Government Department or to any inspector or other officer of a Government Department under or in pursuance of any Act. In addition, procurators fiscal report all deaths which occur in circumstances the continuance of which or possible recurrence of which is prejudicial to the health and safety of the public and where the death occurred in industrial employment. Similarly, arrangements have been made with the Registrar General for Scotland that registrars will report to procurators fiscal all deaths arising out of industrial employment, accident, industrial disease or industrial poisoning.When such reports are received consideration is given in association with the Health and Safety Executive, to whether the circumstances of the death are such that there is any serious public concern, whether there are any local representations concerning the circumstances of the death, whether the relatives of the deceased have expressed any views to the procurator fiscal on whether there should be a public inquiry, whether there is any continuing danger or risk which should be ventilated at a public inquiry and whether there are any other factors or circumstances which would tend to lead the Lord Advocate to the view that the circumstances should be the subject of public examination.In terms of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 14, the Health and Safety Commission have power, with the consent of the Secretary of State, to direct an inquiry to be held into any death from,

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what rights parents have to opt at primary and secondary school levels in Wales for their children not to be taught the English language as part of their education at school.

Section 76 of the Education Act 1944 imposes upon my right hon. Friend and local education authorities a duty to have regard to the general principle that, so far as is compatible with the provision of efficient instruction and training and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure, pupils are to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions he or another Minister at the Welsh Office, has met either the chairman or vice-chairman of Gwynedd education authority, or its director of education, since 3 May; and on what dates.

None.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what consultations he has had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland about the problems of cross-border co-operation in pursuing terrorists, following an interview, filmed in Dublin by the BBC, with the self-confessed murderer of Mr. Airey Neave.

None. Cross-border co-operation against terrorism was however discussed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he was in Dublin on 27 June.I am sure the House deeply regrets the distress caused to Lady Neave by the interview.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when he expects one or more of Her Majesty's diplomatic representatives in San Salvador to return to work.

Very soon.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any specific advice was given to British citizens in San Salvador immediately before all United Kingdom diplomatic staff at the Embassy took leave last weekend; whether he approved the decision that all United Kingdom diplomatic staff should take leave in Salvador last weekend; what nationality are the honorary and honorary vice consul in Salvador; and how much per annum each receives from Her Majesty's Government.

No specific advice was given or needed but the chief warden of the British community and the honorary vice consul were informed of the temporary absence. As always, Ministers are responsible for decisions taken by their Government Departments. The honorary vice consul is British and at his own wish receives no honorarium from Her Majesty's Government; the full time locally-engaged pro-consul, who is handling urgent consular business, is Salvadorean and is employed on a salary scale of approximately £1,200 to £2,500 per annum.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many British citizens there are in San Salvador; how many of these art employed directly under technical assistance programmes, or are in receipt of financial assistance from the United Kingdom, and when the new Her Majesty's ambassador to Salvador will be in post.

In May there were estimated to be 200 United Kingdom passport holders and 100 other Commonwealth citizens. Of this number, 13 were employed on our technical co-operation programmes. The British school, which employs some British teachers, receives no financial support from Her Majesty's Government. A new ambassador has not yet been appointed.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the closures of the British council offices in Malta; and if he will indicate if any conciliatory action is planned by Her Majesty's Government to restore the normal functioning of the offices.

The Maltese Government required the British Council office in Valetta to close last November following the imposition by the EEC of restrictions on imports to the United Kingdom of certain Maltese textile products.Mr. Mintoff has now indicated that the office can re-open. The council is now considering whether it can do so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the president of the Food Manufacturers Federation.

My right hon. Friend last met the president of the Food Manufacturers Federation on 21 May. No firm date has been set for their next meeting.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to ensure enforcement of the codes of practice concerning the treatment of animals and poultry in factory farming.

The Government are currently reviewing the whole area of animal welfare, and expect to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to sell off their shares in the British Sugar Corporation.

The Queen's Speech contained proposals to reduce State ownership. No decision has yet been taken in relation to the British Sugar Corporation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contribution his Department is making to the future design and operation of fishery protection vessels; and what evaluation he has made of the Osprey, for this purpose.

The Ministry of Defence advises my Department on the suitability of particular vessels for fishery protection work. A number of possible designs for future vessels, including the Osprey, are being studied.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what are the present monetary compensatory amounts payable on imports of pigmeat.

The current monetary compensatory amount for pig carcases imported into the United Kingdom is 03.60 per tonne.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the president of the Dairy Trade Federation.

I am in frequent contact with the president of the Dairy Trade Federation but I have no specific plans for a meeting at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will attend next a meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers of the European Economic Community.

No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers but I hope that constructive discussions of the fundamental issues needing to be settled in a revised common fisheries policy can start in the Council this autumn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to the regulation of lobster fishing.

In November 1978 my Department circulated to fishing organisations a consultation document on the management of the lobster fishery in England and Wales. Fisheries Ministers are considering the need for further conservation measures to protect lobster stocks in Great Britain in the light of the comments received.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next attend a meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers of the European Economic Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to meet other EEC Agriculture Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects next to meet his European Economic Community fellow Ministers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will meet next the Agriculture Ministers of the EEC.

On 23–24 July.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes in the price in the United Kingdom of beef, pigmeat, butter, cheese, bread and sugar have resulted from the meeting of EEC Agriculture Ministers on 21 June.

The retail price of butter in many shops has fallen by about 6p per lb. Increases in the price of sugar of about ¾p per lb. are now working through to retail level. There has been some increase in the first hand price of bacon which is expected to be reflected in retail prices. There have been no changes on this account in the retail prices of the other commodities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to continue to press for any further devaluation of the green pound.

The Government are committed to devalue the green pound so as to enable our producers to compete on level terms with those in the rest of the Community. The 5 per cent. devaluation agreed in June is a substantial step forward, and I shall keep the position under review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current rate of the green pound.

The present rate of the green pound is 1·72039 European currency units, giving a current United Kingdom MCA of 5 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to preserve and increase the United Kingdom's traditional stocks of fish.

The Government introduced national conservation measures on mesh sizes and related matters on 1 July. We are ready to introduce further measures to conserve fish stocks as necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the existing regulations for the conservation of fishing stocks.

EEC INTERVENTION PRICES AND IMPLIED THIRD COUNTRY OFFER PRICES
Commodity			Unit			EEC intervention price in the United Kingdom July 1979	Third country offer price 25 June 1979	Ratio: Intervention to third country offer price
						£	£
Common wheat	…	…	Tonne	…	…	87	88	1·0
Butter	…	…	Tonne	…	…	1,656	480	3·5
Sugar	…	…	Tonne	…	…	259	104	2·5
Beef (live animals)	…	…	100 kg	…	…	81	51	1·6
Pigmeat	…	…	100 kg	…	…	67	57	1·2

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy for transforming the common agricultural policy into a common food policy under which all links in the food chain could be given equal weight.

The improvement which my right hon. Friend is seeking in the CAP will benefit farmers, food processors, distributors and consumers. In particular, we want to see support

Yes, but the Government are ready to introduce further measures as necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy towards the recommendation set out in the Bramwell report 1964, particularly those relating to chickens, pigs and veal calves.

The Government are currently reviewing the whole area of animal welfare, and expect to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's latest estimate of the comparison of EEC support prices on world prices and the ratio between them.

The information requested is attached, for some main commodities. The third country offer prices are those implied by the EEC Commission's calculation of common import levies as at 25 June 1979 and do not represent the prices at which substantial quantities could be purchased on world markets.prices set at realistic levels taking account of the needs of efficient producers; better access for food material in which the EEC is not self-sufficient; and fair conditions for United Kingdom producers and processors to compete with those in other EEC countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to reach agreement with his EEC partners regarding a Community fishing policy.

I hope that real progress towards a revised common fisheries policy can be made in the Council of Ministers this autumn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food it he will report on the latest stage of negotiations on common fisheries policy.

There has been no recent discussion in the Council of Ministers of the fundamental issues needing to be settled for a revised common fisheries policy, but I hope that real progress can be made in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement upon the progress made in his continuing discussions on the Common Fisheries Policy of the EEC at Brussels, with particular reference to exclusive zones for United Kingdom fishermen and the methods of enforcement of these zones.

I hope that real progress towards a revised common fisheries policy can be made in the Council of Ministers this autumn. Our demands include an adequate exclusive zone and for control over the enforcement of fishing rules to be vested in the coastal State.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the latest progress in negotiating the common fisheries policy.

There has been no recent discussion in the Council of Ministers of the fundamental issues requiring settlement. I hope that progress can be made in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he now proposes to assist the United Kingdom bacon industry to protect it from the unfair competition caused by EEC subsidies to other EEC countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new steps he is considering taking to protect the future of the pig industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he proposes to halt the decline of the pig industry.

As indicated in my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 22 June, the devaluation of the green pound which he secured will substantially reduce monetary compensatory amounts on pigmeat and pigmeat products and will assist our producers and processors in competing with imports. We shall continue to do everything possible to enable our industry to compete on an equal basis with its competitors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for the reconstruction of the British fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement.

We are considering the future structure of the industry, and my right hon. Friend will announce his conclusions as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from consumers' organisations concerning the recently agreed EEC agricultural price review; and if he will make a statement.

I have seen press reports of the views of various consumer organisations and I shall shortly be meeting the director of the Consumers Association. My statement on 22 June explained that consumers would benefit as a result of the EEC farm price settlement from the biggest butter subsidy we have ever received from the Community. Consumers will certainly do better than in any price fixing agreed to by my predecessors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what net increase in Great Britain's contribution to the EEC budget is expected to result from the latest farm price review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food, what will be the additional costs to the EEC Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund for agriculture of the Luxembourg farm price deal.

The latest revised figures given by the Commission as to the cost of the CAP prices settlement are as follows:—

£ million
The 1½ per cent, price increases plus the changes in the German and Benelux green rate	63
The 1½ per cent. green franc devaluation	51
Increase in milk powder subsidy	44
Increased butter subsidy	182
Other changes in the milk sector, such as school milk	8
Other increases mainly on aids on processed fruit and vegetables	24
	372
The 5 per cent, green pound devaluation—minus	74
	298

Britain will have to meet 16½ per cent. of this total which is its marginal contribution to the CAP which will amount to £49 million.The benefits to the United Kingdom in financial terms will be:—

£ million
The butter subsidy	65
School milk subsidy	4
Extra receipts due to the green pound devaluation	14
	83

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now take steps to cease the practice of exporting live farm animals.

The future of this trade is one of the animal welfare issues which the Government are currently reviewing. An announcement will be made when the review is complete.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current state of negotiations concerning fishing rights with third countries.

The Community has reached agreement on fisheries arrangements for 1979 with Norway, the Faroe Islands, Spain and Sweden and quotas have been established for member States' fishing in Canadian, United States and international waters in the North-West Atlantic. Agreement has also been reached to allow access by member States' vessels to fisheries in the waters of Senegal. Negotiations for fishing rights in the waters of certain other African countries are continuing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to amend the legislation providing security to tenant farmers and their families.

We shall be studying various aspects of this law and considering with all parts of the industry whether any changes need to be made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the chairman of the Potato Marketing Board.

My right hon. Friend met the chairman of the Potato Marketing Board on Monday 9 July.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with producers in relation to the proposed EEC milk levy.

I had several discussions with producers' representatives on all aspects of the CAP price fixing, including the Commission's proposals for new arrangements for the co-responsibility levy. I took their views fully into account in negotiating a continuation of the levy on its existing basis.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the arrangements for safeguarding against the infestation of imported timber.

I am satisfied that the Forestry Commission's Importation of Wood and Bark (Prohibition) (Great Britain) Order 1977 affords the necessary safeguards.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the chairman of the Forestry Commission.

I plan to meet the chairman of the Forestry Commission on 13 July.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the president of the National Farmers Union.

I meet the president of the National Farmers Union frequently but I have no specific plans at present for a further meeting.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the recent price review will have on the ACP countries who supply cane sugar to the United Kingdom and the EEC.

The guaranteed prices for ACP sugar for the 1979–80 delivery period have been agreed between the supplying countries and the EEC, following negotiations held on 27 June, at 42·30 ecu per 100 kg for white sugar and 34·13 ecu per 100 kg for raw sugar, representing an increase of 14½per cent. in line with the increase in support prices for Community producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to meet the Chairman of the British Fishing Federation.

I keep in close touch with representatives of all sectors of the British fishing industry including the British Fishing Federation but at present have no plans for a meeting with its chairman.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the chairman of the Food and Drink Industries Council.

My right hon. Friend and I last met the chairman of the Food and Drink Industries Council on 5 June. No firm date has been set for our next meeting.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the president of the Country Landowners' Association.

My right hon. Friend and I had a useful meeting with the president of the Country Landowners' Association on 10 May and I shall be meeting him this evening.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level of the national pig breeding herd.

The results of the June census for pigs are not expected to be available before the latter part of August 1979.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to protect the salmon from approaching extinction as a species.

The Government are considering proposals from the United States Government for an international convention to control salmon fishing at sea. My Department is also consulting appropriate interests on possible domestic measures relating to the conservation of our salmon stocks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his recent negotiations in the European Economic Community about isoglucose.

After the judgment of the European Court, which declared invalid the levy on isoglucose production imposed under then existing regulations, the Commission in March proposed a new interim regime for the year 1979–80, based on quotas and a levy. The general United Kingdom aim is that the Community regime for isoglucose should allow for reasonable scope for this new technology on a basis of fair competition with other sweeteners. In the discussion of the Commission's proposals for an interim regime our main concern was that it should contain nothing likely to prejudice the attainment of this objective in the post 1980 arrangements and that it should provide an equitable quota for the United Kingdom industry. Other member States attempted to make the regime more restrictive by higher levies, retrospective application of levies and more limited quotas; and to forge a direct link between isoglucose and sugar quotas.In the outcome we secured improvements in the Commission's original proposal which will ensure that the United Kingdom industry has a fair quota in relation on its capacity and avoid prejudice to the post 1980 regime. The average rate of levy applying to United Kingdom isoglucose production in the coming year should now be no more than about one-fifth of the rate previously applying.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when an EEC regime for potatoes is to be introduced;(2) whether, following the introduction of an EEC potato regime, the probable ending of guaranteed prices for potatoes and the disappearance of the Potato Marketing Board's buying programme, the growing acreage of potatoes in the United Kingdom will be reduced while imports of foreign-grown potatoes will increase;(3) what steps will be taken when an EEC potato regime operates to ensure that British farmers continue to have an incentive to grow potatoes;(4) whether it is his intention, when an EEC potato regime operates, to bring into being a potato control authority, consisting of representatives of consumer, retailing and processing interests, which will be concerned with quality standards and with the production of an adequate quantity of potatoes to meet various national needs.

Member States have been discussing Commission proposals for an EEC potato regime for several years but so far no agreement has been reached in the Council of Ministers. The United Kingdom's position has been that any regime must include adequate provision for supporting our maincrop potato market in times of heavy surplus, so as to ensure satisfactorily stable marketing conditions for our producers, and I shall continue to press for this if and when discussions are resumed in the Council.I have no plans for introducing any new organisation to deal with potatoes; it would be my intention that the Potato Marketing Board should continue in existence under any EEC regime and play a central role in the support arrangements I have referred to, as well as having other relevant responsibilities.I announced on 9 July that the guaranteed price for potatoes for the 1979–80 crop would be £44·64 per ton.