asked Her Majesty's Government:What would be the estimated effect of bringing in a common retirement date of 62·5 years for both men and women on the average number of persons available for employment in each of the calendar years 1979 through 1985, assuming that the proportion of women seeking employment in the age band 60 to 62·5 is 10 per cent. below the proportion of women aged 55 to 60 now seeking employment; and what could be the net effect of this change on the total of retirement pensions in 1979–80, assuming that the rates are the same as those paid now.

I regret that this information is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make a statement about the joint ACC/ACPO Conference held in Torquay early in June and whether they will report the conclusions reached.

The conference, held on 5th-8th June, was one of a series arranged jointly by the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Association of County Councils and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities. I understand that the conference was not intended to reach firm conclusions but to provide an opportunity for members of the three Associations to meet and discuss matters of mutual interest. The main theme of the conference was "Community Involvement and Preventive Policing". My right honorable friend the Home Secretary addressed the conference on Wednesday, 7th June. In his address, a copy of which I am sending the noble Lord, my right honorable friend explained the Government's view on a wide range of issues currently affecting the Police Service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps are being taken to make funds available for research into the practicability of developing commercial sailing ships particularly for transporting grain between the United Kingdom and the United States of America, with particular reference to the Port of Liverpool where some research has already taken place.

The Department of Industry has commissioned a feasibility study on the viability of operating large commercial sailing vessels suitable for use as a bulk carrier container or general cargo ship. The study will include the production of preliminary drawings, operational costs, an analysis of freights and voyages, and will also consider safety and training requirements. The Department has drawn the contractor's attention to the research undertaken at Liverpool.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What EEC legislation affects the use of asbestos; whether the provisions of national legislation in the Member States affecting asbestos are identical; and what measures of harmonization they now propose.

I am informed that at the present time there is no European Economic Community legislation affecting the use of asbestos and legislation concerning asbestos in the Member States is not identical.The EEC are currently considering an action programme on safety and health under which directives will be prepared, designed to bring about a degree of harmonization on matters including the measurement and analysis of asbestos in air, prohibition of the use of certain dangerous fibers and processes where adequate control is not possible, technical measures necessary to reduce exposure of workers to asbestos in cases where the use of asbestos is essential, the development of suitable alternative materials and medical supervision.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make a Statement about the progress made by motability.

My right honorable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services made the following Statement in reply to a Question for Written Answer from my honorable friend the Member for Eccles today:"I understand that Motability is today issuing details of a scheme which will enable recipients of mobility allowance to lease a car at favorable rates. Details of the car leasing scheme are being placed in the Library. Priority will be given to people aged 16–19 and to those who need a vehicle to get to work or to approved training, but other groups will be phased in as soon as possible. Motability has thus taken a beg step towards its objective of enabling disabled people who want to use their mobility allowance to obtain a vehicle to get maximum value for their money in doing so. I should like to pay a warm tribute to the work of Lord Goodman and his colleagues and welcome the co-operation they have received from all the interests with whom they are in touch."I have, at Motability's request, referred to the National Insurance Advisory Committee amending regulations which will allow the Department of Health and Social Security to pay over mobility allowance, where a beneficiary enters into a leasing agreement, in settlement of liability for payments due for the relevant period under the agreement. This will both simplify matters for the disabled person and, by providing regular and secure payments, enable the costs of the leasing scheme to be kept to a minimum."House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before midnight.