asked Her Majesty's Government:When they are contemplating reasonable protection for investors by initiating legislation requiring public companies' annual reports to carry, by footnote, a percentage figure indicating the degree to which profit results have been affected by the debasement of the currency since March 1965.

The Government do not intend to introduce such a requirement. Since 1976 the Stock Exchange has asked public listed companies to include in their annual reports some information about the effects of inflation on results, measured in terms of current cost accounting, and have supported the interim recommendations on inflation accounting, published by the Accounting Standards Committee, which are to be implemented with effect from 1st January 1978.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When, in view of the reply to his Question of 15th December 1977 to the effect that the rebuilding of the 'Westminster Hall annex has been completed, will the unsightly boarding on the outside be removed; when will the statue of Oliver Cromwell be uncovered and when will the surrounding terrain be restored to its original condition.

A contract for reinstating Cromwell Green will be placed when competitive tender procedures are completed. Work is due to begin in April 1978 and the perimeter hoarding will be removed as soon as the site has been cleared and is reasonably tidy, by about May. The Cromwell statue will be left covered until the work on site is nearing completion (by July 1978) in order to avoid damage to the stonework.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will confirm that the following sailings were made from Dover and the Channel ports of live animals for Europe in conditions of wind force 7 or above:

My information is that the number of sheep and calves shipped from Channel ports to the Continent of Europe on the days mentioned was as follows:

• 12th November—398 sheep, 327 calves;
• 14th November—219 sheep, 405 calves;
• 15th November—246 calves;
• 24th November—955 sheep, 775 calves.

The wind in the Channel on these dates was force 6 or above. Reports on these sailings confirm that there were no casualties.House adjourned at five minutes past six o'clock.