asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose the raising of the limits of income set out in the White Paper of July 1971, Command Paper No. 4729, within which income tax debts may be remitted, in view of the fall in the value of money since the limits were set.

The income limits were raised in 1974 and 1977 and now stands at twice the figures set in 1971.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of wage increases would hold inflation within single figures during the year beginning 1st August.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 21st July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annualised rate of inflation based on the latest three-monthly and six-monthly figures; and how long he now estimates it will be before the annual rate of inflation, year on year, begins to rise.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Lawson) on 20th July 1978 and to my right hon. Friend's statement on the following day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest rate of inflation on an annual basis.

In the 12 months to June, the retail prices index rose by 7·4 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the per capita tax revenue per annum from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively, in the last year.

Excluding Revenue from local authority rates and national insurance contributions, we estimate that, for the latest available year, 1976–77, the tax borne per capita by residents in each country were £594 for England, £536 for Scotland, £499 for Wales and £432 for Northern Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any immediate plans to meet representatives of widows' organisations.

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to meet widows' organisations but he is aware of the problems facing widows and he will continue to bear them in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the income limit for full entitlement to age allowance would now be if it had been increased in step with the cost of living since April 1974.

Age allowance was introduced in 1975 and was a substantial improvement on the age exemption which preceded it. If comparison is made with age exemption, the equivalent of the April 1974 exemption limits, above which full entitlement to the exemptions started to be withdrawn, would be £1,485 for a single person, and £2,145 for a married man. The current income limit for age allowance is £4,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met his EEC colleagues.

I last met my Community colleagues at the meeting of the Finance Council in Brussels on 24th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pence of February 1974 had the same value as £1 sterling currently.

Comparing the first quarter of this year with the first quarter of 1974, consumers had nearly twice as many pounds in their pockets each worth 53p. Overall, and in real terms, for every £1 consumers had in their pockets in the first quarter of 1974, they had £1·04 four years later.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the cost of petrol at retail level is a consequence of taxation in the United Kingdom and in other member States of the EEC.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to excise duty and VAT, which for the United Kingdom represent about 51 per cent. of the retail price of premium grade petrol. The comparable figure for France is 63 per cent., for West Germany 58 per cent., and for Italy 71 per cent. For the other member States of the EEC the figures are as follows:

	Approximate Tax content*
	(per cent.)
Belgium	63
Denmark	63
Ireland	56
Luxembourg	49
Netherlands	61
*Excise duty and VAT as percentages of the retail price of premium grade petrol in each member State of the EEC. The definition of premium may vary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has had concerning the renewal of statutory controls over dividends.

A number of representations have been received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to revise his estimate of the benefit that will accrue to Her Majesty's Treasury from North Sea oil during 1978 as a result of recent studies on the subject.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to make a statement on pay policy from 1st August 1978.

I refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House on 21st July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from trades unions and others over the refusal of the Chief Inspector of Taxes to grant to apprentices the national income tax allowances for tools and working clothes granted to older workers; and if he will give the reason for this ruling.

The Inland Revenue is corresponding with the one trade union which had made representations on this matter, to see whether a flat rate allowance for apprentices can be agreed. Such an allowance can cover expenditure only on the upkeep of tools and special clothing, not the cost of their initial acquisition.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends next to meet the Governor of the Bank of England.

I maintain close contact with the Governor of the Bank of England, meeting him on a regular basis and also as and when circumstances require.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the index of industrial production has risen since July 1970 and since March 1974.

After adjusting for the use of delivery indicators in sonic parts of the index of industrial production, it is estimated that industrial output in recent months is about 4 per cent. above the average for the third quarter of 1970 and about 1¾ per cent. above that in the first quarter of 1974.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to adjust the units of currency to take account of the further decline in the value of the £ sterling.

The denomination and specification of the coinage and notage are kept under review as is the balance between notes and coin. There is no present intention of making a change.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of women who are (a) divorced or separated from their husbands, (b) in receipt of court awarded maintenance payments from which their husbands have deducted tax and (c) having to present to the Inland Revenue at intervals certificates of deduction of tax in order to obtain refunds of the deducted tax, he will introduce regulations to bring about a more equitable and less cumbersome method of dealing with these transfers of income.

No. I am satisfied that the present arrangements work well in the great majority of cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to the reply to the hon. Member for Richmond on 20th July, if he will arrange for the portable electronic traffic analyser to be opearted in the Kew Road in the Richmond constituency to control juggernaut lorries travelling at excessive speed.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that he is making arrangements for equipment to be operated in Kew Road.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the light of the fact that the hon. Member for Fife, Central, several weeks ago telephoned, subsequently wrote to, and then saw, Ministers from his Department concerning the immigration and detention at Heathrow Airport of the father of a Pakistani constituent; and that despite these repeated representations by the hon. Member, no written acknowledgment or statement of any kind has been given to the hon. Member about the case, what steps he intends to take to end this gross inefficiency and discourtesy.

My hon. Friend first wrote to me about this case on 19th June. An acknowledgment was sent on 26th June. I regret that no further communication was sent to my hon. Friend about the case until 20th July, when an interim reply was sent indicating that further inquiries had been made. I hope that my hon. Friend will receive a letter shortly conveying a final decision on the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the entitlement to residence in the United Kingdom of foreigners who enrol as students at colleges not registered with the Department of Education.

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Scienec has no statutory power to control or register further education establishments. They may apply for recognition as efficient under a voluntary scheme; however, the fact that an establishment is or is not so recognised is not in itself a ground for the grant or refusal of leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for a limited period of study.Someone seeking such leave for the purpose of study must fulfil the requirements set out in the immigration rules made under the Immigrationu Act 1971. No one given leave to enter as a student since that Act took effect can thereby acquire any entitlement to permanuent residence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to use cells at police stations to hold remanded prisoners; and, if so, how many such cells are (a) now being used for this purpose and (b) are intended to be so used in future.

It is not the Government's policy to use police cells to house persons committed to prison custody, but do so. The last occasion on which this was necessary was during an industrial dispute earlier this month, when a maximum of 59 prisoners had to be housed for the night in police cells in the London area. At the present time there are no such prisoners held in police cells.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish a list of the community relations councils which have, since April 1976, increased their expenditure above 10 per cent, per annum; and where these increases have taken place, what was the cost on 1st April 1976 and at the latest avaialble date.

Community relations councils are independent voluntary bodies, and this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish a comprehensive and detailed synopsis of the information sent by him to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West of 14th July showing to what extent there has been any growth in the numbers of community relations councils, in their officers and staffs, and in payments made by the Commission and local authorities in each of the years from 1st April 1976 to March 1978; and what were the total payments in each of those years.

Much of the information has been published, though not necessarily in the form sent to my hon. Friend, in the annual reports of the Community Relations Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality. Information to provide a complete synopsis of the kind requested is not available; what is available could not be summarised in this way without disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total salaries in November 1977 of the 177 community and assistant community relations officers, full and part-time; what clerical and other staff were employed and at what weekly or annual salaries; and what were the figures in both instances at the latest and most convenient date.

The total grant-aid for employment of community relations officers and assistant community relations officers in 1977–78 is given in appendix 10 of the first annual report of the Commission for Racial Equality, published on 6th July.The other information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions under the Race Relations Act 1974 there have been in each of the years since it was passed.

On the assumption that the reference is to the Race Relations Act 1976, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Brotherton) on 25th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of persons convicted of driving offences in each of the past five years was resident outside the United Kingdom;(2) what proportion of persons convicted of shoplifting offences in each of the past five years was resident outside the United Kingdom;(3) what proportion of persons convicted of violent crimes in each of the past five years was resident outside the United Kingdom.

Information is not collectea centrally about the place of residence of persons proceeded against at courts in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost of running the Commission for Racial Equality including all main constituent costs such as expenditure on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating, lighting and maintenance in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.

The total cost of running the Commission for Racial Equality from 13th June, 1977—when it came into full operation—to 31st March, 1978 was £3,150,000. The approved estimates of expenditure of the Commission for Racial Equality for the financial year 1978–79 are £4,747,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue regulations to ensure that religious organisations registered with the Charity Commission are obliged to submit annual accounts to the Commission; and whether he will also issue regulations to ensure that such accounts are available for public scrutiny.

Most of the major religious bodies have for many years been exempted by orders or regulations from the statutory obligation of charity trustees to present accounts to the Charity Commissioners. If the hon. Member will let me know the reasons why he thinks that these exemptions should be reviewed. I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for the longest and most convenient period of time the total number of persons deported by order of the courts for any reason; and in how many of these cases the orders or wishes of the court were not implemented.

The number of deportation orders enforced as a result of court recommendations made under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1971 is as follows: 1976, 419; 1977, 560. I regret that figures for earlier years are not readily available.As regards the second part of the Question, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to a Question by him on 21st July.—[Vol. 954, c. 433–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the operation of the system of appeal in Strathclyde region, in the light of the report "Appeal Dismissed" published by Strathclyde community relations council which showed that, of 58 refusals of appeal to wives or dependants from Pakistan, 55 were found to be genuine and had been wrongfully dismissed; and if he will make a statement.

The report "Appeal Dismissed", published by the Runnymede Trust, dealt with only two cases involving appeals heard in the Strathclyde region. As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State stated in reply to a Question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 25th May—[Vol. 950. c. 658]—the majority of the cases thought by the authors of the report to be genuine have been reexamined as a result of further appeals or fresh applications for entry clearance. The Government have undertaken to reply in due course to the Runnymede Trust on the report's general recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received from individuals and organisations on the Green Paper on "British Nationality Law". Command Paper No. 6795; and if he will make a statement.

225. The representations put forward are being studied and I shall be glad to receive as soon as possible any more that individuals or organisations wish to send me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete and publish the findings of the review of the operation of section 11 of the Local Government Act, mentioned in his reply to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. Ovenden) Official Report, 12th July, c. 576.

I aim to publish proposals in the autumn for the purpose of formal consultations with the local authority associations and others.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current extent of overcrowding at Brixton Prison; and if he will make a statement on the measures he intends to take to alleviate it.

On 11th June 1978, the latest date for which this information is available, there were 1,032 persons held in Her Majesty's Prison, Brixton. Of these, 412 were sleeping two in a cell and 315 were sleeping three in a cell. Facilities at Pentonville for accepting unsentenced prisoners from the London area are being increased and I hope that this will help within the next 12 months to relieve pressure of demand on Brixton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will confirm that United Kingdom citizenship to children born abroad in non-Commonwealth countries can only be transmitted down the male line; and if he will indicate what steps he proposes to take to end this discrimination.

Under our present law a woman does not transmit her citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies to her child born abroad.The Government expressed the view in their Green Paper on Nationality Law (Cmncl. 6795) that the law should be amended to enable women to transmit citizenship on the same terms as men.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about vandalism in London; and if he will call a conference with church and public leaders to discuss solutions to the problem.

I am aware of public concern about vandalism in London, as elsewhere. I held a general conference on vandalism last year, attended by organisations concerned with all aspects of the problem, and am considering holding another later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. and learned Member for Ruislip, Northwood will receive a reply to his letter to the Home Office, dated 24th May, about the case of the son of one of his constituents, Mrs. P. A. Wasny, whose first application for registration as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies was made in 1970.

I replied to the hon. and learned Member today. I am sorry I was not able to do so before.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the costs of providing free television licences for all retirement pensioners in 1978.

Between £80 million and £90 million a year, including the cost in lost revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give a detailed list of the persons, organisations and Governments whom he approached with a view to assisting him in the preparation of his White Paper on the Official Secrets Act and freedom of information; and what was the response from the Australian, American and Swedish Governments to his approach.

The White Paper was not prepared in consultation with other Governments, or private organisations and individuals. The White Paper is mainly concerned with the reform of section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 and consequently it took account of the Franks report and subsequent comment on it. It also took account of information about foreign practice, which was already available. More detailed study of overseas experience is now envisaged, as indicated in the White Paper.

asked the Prime Minister when he will meet next the CBI.

I met representatives of the CBI on 19th July. Further meetings will be arranged as necessary.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects next to meet the TUC and the CBI.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans next to meet the CBI and the TUC.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy) on 18th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 27th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27th July.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers).

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to visit the south of Scotland.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects next to meet the chairman of the nationalised industries.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. Lewis) on 20th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech at Llandudno at the conference of the National Union of Railwaymen on 12th July on wage restraint.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech to the National Union of Railwaymen at Llandudno on 12th July on the subject of the economy.

I refer the hon Members to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) on 24th July.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes next to meet the Prime Minister of Malta.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he plans next to visit Berne.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit the north-west.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Orpington.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any plans to visit the Test division of Southampton.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Coppull.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he supports the call by the United Nations Special Session for a world disarmament conference.

The final document of the special session stated that, at the earliest appropriate time, a world disarmament conference should be convened with universal participation and with adequate preparation. The Government continue to believe that such a conference could be of value, provided that it is properly prepared and attended by all nuclear weapon States.

asked the Prime Minister on how many occasions since he became Prime Minister he has been unable to say in reply to parliamentary Questions whether speeches made by the Secretary of State for Energy have or have not represented Government policy.

I do not keep such a catalogue.

asked the Prime Minister if he will review and make a statement on the practice of Ministers of Her Majesty's Government refusing to answer parliamentary Questions on a wide variety of subjects of public interest and concern.

Ministers answer Parliamentary Questions only on those matters for which they have ministerial responsibility, and in accordance with the rules of the House governing the form and content of Questions. Ministers may refuse to answer Questions on matters within their ministerial responsibility if they consider it is not in the public interest to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list the names of the chairmen and members of the Royal Commissions who have been paid salaries in the last five years, with the amounts paid.

The only salaried Commission is the Royal Commission on the distribution of income and wealth. The current membership is Lord Diamond—chairman, Professor J. Greve, Professor D. E. C. Wedderburn, Sir Neville Butterworth, Mr. D. E. Lea, Professor A. B. Atkinson, Mr. A. M. G. Christopher and Mr. D. Vanderweycr. Past members were Professor P. Brown, Mr. G. H. Doughty, Mr. L. Murphy and Mr. R. A. Cox. The chairman's current annual salary is £14,104; members receive an annual salary of £1,000.

asked the Prime Minister when the Central Statistical Office intends to publish its first comprehensive analysis of public expenditure for each of the regions of England.

The Central Statistical Office has no plans for preparing or publishing comprehensive estimates of public expenditure for the English regions; it has, however, recently begun a three-year programme of work to prepare regional estimates of local authority income and expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much financial assistance has been made available to date under the special schemes for wool textiles and clothing; how much assistance has been granted to firms in Calderdale, West Yorkshire; how many applications from firms in Calderdale are under consideration; and if he will make a statement.

Under the first wool textile scheme a total of £18 million was available, £16·6 million has been estimated as the requirement and £14·7 million has been paid. Under the second wool textile scheme a total of £5 million has been available and offers of £2·4 million have been made.A total of £15 million is available under the clothing scheme and total take-up is expected. £12·3 million had been offered up to 21st July with payments at £3·5 million. In Calderdale, West Yorkshire, first wool textile scheme payments have been £607,000, second wool textile scheme payments £1,250 and clothing scheme payments of £8,000.For the first wool textile scheme there are no applications from firms in Calder-dale under consideration. For the second wool textile scheme there are two applications and for the clothing scheme six applications are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much financial assistance has been made available to private industry under the Industry Act 1972 since 1974 to date; how much has been made available to firms in Calder-dale since 1974 under sections 7 and 8; how many applications for assistance from firms in Calderdale are now under consideration; and if he will make a statement.

Since 1974 regional development grants paid total £1,338·5 million and assistance amounting to £1,275·5 million has been offered under other sections of the 1972 Industry Act. The total amounts offered under sections 7 and 8 in Great Britain are £444·1 million and £813·8 million, respectively. The corresponding figures for Calderdale are £1·2 million and £2·9 million; a further 33 applications for assistance in Calderdale are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many advance factories, and with what square footage, have been built in Calderdale since 1974; how much is now under construction in Calderdale; how much of the available space is let or under negotiation; how many jobs are or will be available as a result; and if he will make a statement.

Nine advance factories—including nursery units—totalling 25,000 sq ft have been built since 1974. 17,500 sq ft of this space has been let with expectation of 200 jobs within three years. No factories are currently under construction but land at Elland has recently been acquired and the plans for the building of six factories—including four nursery units—already announced will now go ahead.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-West, Official Report, 10th July, column 1013, how many times he has discussed the Lucas workers corporate plan with the Lucas workers.

My right hon. Friend, the Minister of State, was first advised of the Lucas Aerospace combine shop stewards committee's corporate plan when my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Mr. Tierney) brought a group of Lucas Aerospace shop stewards to see him on 10th December 1975. Since that time, Ministers in the Department of Industry have discussed the corporate plan with trade union representatives of the Lucas Aerospace work force on many occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he intends to include effluent heat recovery plant amongst items eligible for grant under the energy conservation scheme.

My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to include effluent heat recovery plant within the new energy conservation scheme announced on 13th June.

asked the Lord President of the Council why, in the light of the Government's decision to implement the Boyle committee report on top salaries and the Lord Edmund-Davies report in two stages, he will not similarly implement the Boyle committee report on hon. Members' salaries.

The last report from the Review Body on Top Salaries on Members' pay—Report No. 7, Cmnd. 6136—was implemented in part in 1975, and increases in accordance with the pay policy guidelines have been made since. However, I appreciate the unsatisfactory nature of the present situation, and intend that we should discuss future prospects in the debate later in the week.

asked the Chancellor 01 the Exchequer if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total agreed cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department anti (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in her Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Attorney-General if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in her Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in No. 10 Downing Street and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he wil llist (a) the number of photocopying machines currently operating in his Department and (b) the total annual cost of these machines, both capital and current costs.

I have been asked to reply because the provision of photocopiers is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, which bears the cost on its Vote.The following table shows the number of photocopying machines currently in use in Departments with their purchase costs or annual hire charge together with their annual operating costs.

					Number of machines	Purchase	Hire	Consumable including maintenance and paper	Total
						£000	£000	£000	£000
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food				…	200	41	146	64	251
Civil Service Department†				…	95	—	122	41	163
Customs and Excise			…	…	409	17	222	163	402
Defence	…	…	…	…	3,250	339	2,038	1,702	4,079
Education and Science			…	…	56	22	53	25	100
Employment		…	…	…	316	13	118	59	190
Energy	…	…	…	…	33	29	23	31	83
Environment		…	…	…	707	104	482	546	1,132
Foreign and Commonwealth Office					656	48	364	186	598
Health and Social Services				…	744	36	120	143	299
Inland Revenue		…	…	…	1,216	26	132	397	555
Northern Ireland Office			…	…	42	—	52	24	76
Scottish Office		…	…	…	178	—	112	53	165
Treasury	…	…	…	…	45	—	48	38	86
Welsh Office		…	…	…	57	—	19	11	30
Others	…	…	…	…	*	70	1,748	673	2,491
* Not readily ascertainable.
† Including No. 10 Downing Street.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the sheriff officers employed to carry out court orders are all employed on a temporary or permanent basis; and, if permanent, which trade unions represent them for negotiation purposes.

Sheriff officers are a self-employed profession who provide services for enforcement of court decrees. Their professional association is the Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers, 102 Bath Street, Glasgow.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to ban the export of leg irons and other torture equipment to South Africa.

I am not aware that these goods are exported to South Africa from the United Kingdom at the present time. If my hon. Friend has any evidence to the contrary, I will consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to ensure that a representative of the Heathrow airport consultative committee should be stationed at the airport at all times so that complaints by passengers can receive immediate investigation.

This is a matter for the British Airports Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give the trade figures for the United Kingdom and China for the latest quarter for which figures are available.

In accordance with established practice to refer hon. Members to published information where this is readily accessible; this information is obtainable from table IB of the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom for March and June 1978, copies of which are in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what proportion of total British imports of non-renewable resources came from developing countries in each of the years since 1970; and what these proportions were worth in £ sterling at constant prices;(2) what proportion of total British exports went to developing countries in each of the years since 1970; and what these proportions were worth in £ sterling at constant prices;(3) what proportion of total British imports of food and animal feedstuffs came from developing countries in each of the years since 1970; and what these proportions were worth in £ sterling at constant prices.

1. UNITED KINGDOM EXPORTS TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
			1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
Value (£ million fob)		…	1,817	2,188	2,205	2,592	3,594	5,202	6,507	8,462
Percentage of total exports		…	22·5	23·8	22·6	20·7	21·6	26·1	25·3	25·7

II. UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS OF FOOD AND ANIMAL FEEDSTUFFS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
			1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
Value (£ million cif)	…	…	500	485	535	687	800	989	1,195	1,628
Percentage of total imports			26·9	24·7	25·5	25·4	23·8	25·2	26·6	30·3

III. UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS OF NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
			1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
Value (£ million cif)	…	…	1,036	1,210	1,142	1,652	4,200	3,568	4,526	3,904
Percentage of total imports			52·6	57·8	56·1	57·7	66·5	61·9	59·7	53·5

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the net leasing of foreign-registered aircraft for operations on North Sea oil exploitation in the British sector.

It is the Government's policy to give an operating permit for the use of a foreign-registered helicopter wet-leased to a British operator only if no suitable United Kingdom-registered helicopter is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many British calves were sent to Italy in 1977 and in the first quarter of 1978, respectively.

Following are the numbers of calves exported from the United Kingdom to Italy:

Year 1977	59,127
January-March 1978	17,840

Source:

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protec-

This information is not available at constant prices. Following are the figures available from the Overseas Trade Statistics:tion what proportion of the 104·9 per cent. increase in food prices between 1974 and 1978 was due to membership of the EEC; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the percentage increase in food prices due to British membership of the EEC to date; and what is the overall increase in food prices over the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection by how much the food price index has increased since 1st January 1973; and what part of this increase can be attributed to membership of the European Economic Community.

Between mid-January 1973 and mid-June 1978 the retail food index has increased as follows:

	Overall increase Per cent.	Percentage increase on same month a year earlier
January 1974	20·1	20·1
January 1975	42·1	18·3
January 1976	78·1	25·4
January 1977	119·9	23·5
January 1978	135·6	7·1
June 1978	148·3	6·7

It is not possible to identify, after the event, the effect of the CAP separately from all other factors affecting food prices. However, it is estimated that the additional cost of purchasing food at CAP rather than world prices currently accounts for less than 10 per cent. of the overall increase in food prices since February 1974. This estimate clearly depends on assumptions about the prices at which food could at present be purchased if the United Kingdom were not a member of the EEC. The effects of EEC membership on food prices at any time depends on the relative levels of CAP and world prices, which fluctuate over time. In 1974 and 1975, for example, world prices tended to exceed CAP prices, and the effects of membership on food prices were then negligible. It is one of the Government's objectives for the CAP to ensure that support prices take greater account of world price levels.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is his estimate commodity by commodity of the extent by which the various green pound devaluations of the spring have so far increased or reduced food prices for the United Kingdom consumer.

It is not possible to provide a precise estimate commodity by commodity. However, it was estimated that the phased 7½ per cent. green pound devaluation announced on 1st February would, when fully worked through, increase the level of retail food prices by about 1½ per cent. The devaluation has not yet been implemented for all commodities: it will not apply in the cereals and poultry sectors until 1st August.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will call for a report from the chief officer of police on action taken to prevent the sale of explosive novelties to children of all ages, which were imported from Brazil.

These explosive novelties are classified as "shop goods fireworks" under the Explosives Act 1875. Consequently under that Act, as amended by the Explosives (Age of Purchase, etc.) Act 1976, it is an offence to sell them to persons under 16. Action has been taken by my Department to ensure that those who import and sell these fireworks are aware of this prohibition and the Health and Safety Executive has required, as a condition of importation, that it is indicated on each box in which they are sold. I am not aware of any reason why a report should be sought from the chief constable of Humberside.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when he expects to introduce new regulations on the way garages display petrol prices, following his consultations with petrol companies, retailing associations and consumer groups.

A consultative document describing the changes I announced to the House on 17th July was issued on 21st July. I hope to be able to lay an order embodying the changes in early September, to come into effect at the start of October.

asked the Attorney-General how many separate instances currently exist of secret papers embargoed under the 30-year rule and the 100-year rule, respectively, and of any other fixed time period in excess of 30 years and less than 100 years; and what were the corresponding figures for the middle of 1973 and 1974.

This information could not be provided without undue cost.

asked the Attorney-General what is the average waiting time between committal and trial for contested criminal cases in the Crown courts in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Birmingham and Coventry, respectively; and what were the equivalent figures 12 months and two years ago.

The average waiting times between committal and start of hearing for defendants who pleaded not guilty during January to March 1976, 1977 and 1978 in the Crown courts at Nottingham, Derby Leicester, Birmingham and Coventry were as follows:

	January to March
	1976(weeks)	1977(weeks)	1978(weeks)
Nottingham	11·1	11·8	14·3
Derby	8·8	10·4	11·7
Leicester	14·6	9·3	13·5
Birmingham	11·1	15·6	18·8
Coventry	10·5	10·4	13·8

asked the Attorney-General when he expects to amend the judges' pension scheme to enable pensions to be paid to judges' widowers

My noble Friend has no immediate intention of introducing the legislation that would be necessary for this purpose.

asked the Attorney-General if he will list the hon. Members of the House, other than Ministers, who hold public legal appointments, with their respective salaries and expenses for the latest convenient period.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General gave him on 24th July about appointments made by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor. I cannot answer for any other Minister who may have made such appointments.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she has now considered the report of her Advisory Committee on Development Education; and if she will publish it.

Yes. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.This report made to me by my Advisory Committee on Development Education recommends that the Ministry of Overseas Development should finance an expanding programme of development education.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what assistance she is giving to Ugandan refugees.