asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the official results of the investigation of the Inland Revenue into 1,000 taxpayers' claims for personal relief in respect of children living in the Indian subcontinent reported to the Public Accounts Committee and published in the Third Report of the Session 1967–68; and whether they will state in how many of the 332 cases in which allowances had been withdrawn or were being subjected to active investigations the allowances were subsequently restored, and in how many of those cases the taxpayers were prosecuted.

The number of taxpayers finally selected for investigation within the Survey was 958, but 99 lost touch with the Revenue mostly because they returned abroad. Of the remaining 859, 383 claims were accepted; this includes cases where the relevant documents could not be properly checked because of lack of co-operation by some issuing authorities. In 376 cases the allowances were withdrawn. The remaining 100 appeared to be unsatisfactory, but were still under inquiry, some in local offices, when separate statistical records of cases within the Survey were discontinued at the end of March 1968. The final outcome of these has not been centrally recorded. It is not possible to state whether any of the 332 cases, which, at the time evidence was given to the Public Accounts Committee, had had the allowances withdrawn or were under active investigation, were subsequently considered to be genuine, but the proportion is thought to be very small. Of those within the survey, 11 had been prosecuted at the end of March 1968 and 58 dealt with under the arrangements for amnesty. Separate figures are not available for subsequent prosecutions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any further investigations have been conducted since the Session 1967–68 on the same lines as the Inland Revenue's investigation of 1,000 taxpayers' claims for personal relief in respect of children living in the Indian subcontinent reported to the Public Accounts Committee in that year; and, if so, with what results.

No further exercise of this kind has been undertaken. Since 1968, in the case of new claimants, a new system of more critical examination has been applied to claims involving children resident in the Indian subcontinent.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

During 1977 proceedings were initiated against 3 taxpayers. In the same year proceedings against 4 taxpayers culminated in conviction. There were no acquittals.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

The Royal Air Force Station at Thorney Island is surplus to Ministry of Defence requirements and is to be sold.The Government appreciate that there is local concern about its future use which is initially a matter for decision by the local planning authority. West Sussex County Council have published a comprehensive consultation document to elicit the views of the interests concerned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether instruments of ratification have yet been exchanged with the Mongolian People's Republic with regard to the Consular Convention signed on 21st November 1975 (Cmnd 6299), and if not, why not.

Instruments of ratification were exchanged in Ulan Bator on the 28th July 1976. The Convention entered into force on the 27th August 1976 and was laid before the House as a Cmnd Paper in the Treaty Series (Cmnd 6639).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will appoint to the Economic and Social Committee of the EEC a person able to represent the various interests of the British fishing industry.

As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said in another place on 24th January, the number of United Kingdom interests wanting representation on the EEC Economic and Social Committee far exceeds the number of seats available. In considering the future composition of the British delegation the Government will continue to make every effort to ensure that as wide a range of interests as possible is represented.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the licence for the Hull Telephone Service was last renewed and when it is to expire.

The Post Office, with the consent of the Secretary of State for Industry, have granted a temporary extension to 30th June of the Hull telephone licence which expired at the end of last year. This will enable the question of a new long-term licence to be carefully considered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in view of the tragic case of Lester Chapman, they will appoint a committee of inquiry into the social services involved, to simplify the system and to ensure clear-cut allocation of responsibility in child welfare cases in order that correct decisions can be taken at the right time.

During the latter part of his life, Lester Johnston (also known as Lester Chapman) and his family received health and personal social services in Hampshire and Berkshire. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services in suggesting to the County Councils and to the Area Health Authorities in those two counties that they should jointly set up a panel under an independent chairman, to review the provision of care and services to Lester and his family, including the decisions made; the arrangements for communication within and between the authorities and agencies involved; the lessons arising from the case; and to report to the four authorities. I shall let the noble Lord know what response I receive.House adjourned at thirteen minutes before nine o'clock.