Written Answers To Questions
Friday 16 November 1979
Employment
Potential Employees
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the numbers of male and female workers who have left the labour market since 1974 without remaining on the unemployment register and who would be available for work in conditions of full employment.
I regret that this information is not available.
Incomes Policy Divisions
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the purposes and functions of the incomes policy divisions of his Department and what is the annual cost to public funds of these divisions.
The incomes divisions of the Department of Employment provide information and advice as necessary on pay developments as they affect the Government's economic, industrial or social policies, and administer the Wages Councils Act and other legislation. The full annual cost to public funds is £3,600,000. Most of this is the cost of the wages inspectorate.
Office Of Manpower Economics
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the purposes and functions of the Office of Manpower Economics; how many staff are employed in it; and what is the annual cost to public funds.
The Office of Manpower Economics provides a secretariat for the review bodies on doctors' and dentists' remuneration, top salaries and Armed Forces' pay; for the Standing Commission on pay comparability; the Civil Service arbitration tribunal; and the police negotiating board. It also undertakes research with Ministers' approval in the pay field. There were 60 staff employed at the Office of Manpower Economics on 1 October 1979, and its annual cost to public funds is estimated at £1·2 millions.
Redundancies
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies were notified under section 100 of the Employment Protection Act in each of the last 12 months.
In accordance with section 100 of the Employment Protection Act 1975, the number of proposed redundancies notified to my Department in each of the last 12 months, was as follows:
November 1978 | 37,786 |
December | 36,575 |
January 1979 | 45,491 |
February | 42,913 |
March | 50,114 |
April | 39,913 |
May | 35,690 |
June | 46,232 |
July | 33,519 |
August | 38,085 |
September | 43,105 |
October | 62,040 |
Total | 511,463 |
Escalator Safety
asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what progress has been made by the Health and Safety Commission in revising its proposals on regulations concerning the reporting of accidents caused by escalators;(2) what progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the British Safety Council for improving safety on escalators.
I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Purchasing Contracts
asked the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his reply on purchasing contracts to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West [Official Report 6 November, c. 129.]—what work is involved in obtaining the information required and why the cost of obtaining such information would therefore be disproportionate.
To collect the information necessary to answer the question would first involve the identification from financial accounts of a substantial number of payments made in respect of purchasing contracts, and then a reference for each to contract files to determine whether they were awarded by (a) selective tender (b) open tender or (c) single tender. This activity would be necessary in each of the four constituent members of the Department of Employment group and in the case of the Manpower Services Commission and the Health and Safety Commission would need to be repeated in sub-organisations. The cost of collecting this information would far exceed an acceptable level of expense.
Redundancy (Voluntary Liquidation)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the fact that former employees of firms that have gone into voluntary liquidation may have to wait years before learning if they can obtain their back pay or holiday pay due, he will consider giving priority to such claimants when the claim due has been outstanding for over three years for wages due.
Under the insolvency provisions of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978, my Department is empowered to pay from the redundancy fund certain debts, within limits, owed to employees by employers who have become insolvent. These debts include arrears of pay, holiday pay and payment in lieu of notice. The provisions came into effect on 20 April 1976 under the Employment Protection Act 1975 and apply in respect of employers who became insolvent, including companies for which a resolution for voluntary winding-up has been passed, on or after that date.If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, I will be pleased to investigate it for him if he will write to me with the relevant details.
Disabled Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to the review of "Disabled People and their Employment" undertaken for the Association of Disabled Professionals by Melvyn Kettle; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979, c. 731]: The Minister of State in my Department has personally considered this review and in contributing the foreword to the publication has welcomed it as an important contribution to the understanding of the potential of disabled people in employment.I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for the public employment service for disabled people, that it has also welcomed the review and has distributed leaflets—a copy has been placed in the library—on behalf of the Association of Disabled Professionals. The MSC has also included references to and extracts from the review in the publicity literature distributed during its current "Fit for Work" campaign to encourage more and better employment opportunities for disabled people.
Mines And Quarries Inspectorate
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from the mining industry about the under-recruitment of the mines and quarries inspectorate.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979]: In August 1979, the secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers wrote to my right honourable Friend expressing concern about vacancies in the mines and quarries inspectorate. I am also informed that the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission and the former chief inspector of mines met a delegation from the National Union of Mineworkers in August 1979 to discuss recruitment difficulties.
Clegg Commission
asked the Secretary of State for Employment, what is the membership of the Clegg Commission: and whether any changes will be made by him.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979, c. 735]: The members of the Standing Commission on pay comparability are:
- Professor Hugh Clegg (Chairman)
- Mr. Peter Gibson
- Professor Joan Mitchell
- Sir William Ryland, CB
- Mr. Barry Urwin
- Sir Leslie Williams, CBE
Statutory Instruments
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to ensure that by 1 January 1980 at the latest the contents of explanatory memoranda attached to statutory instruments are made much fuller.
It is the Government's aim to ensure that all explanatory memoranda accompanying statutory instruments properly serve their function.
Civil Service
Exchequer And Audit Department
asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the number of staff employed in the Exchequer and Audit Department; and how many have degree-level qualifications.
The present strength of the Exchequer and Audit Department is 672, of whom 574 are audit staff and the remainder are clerical, typing and other support staff. 185 of the audit staff hold degree-level qualifications.
Wales
Rate Support Grant
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the future of the rate support grant in Wales.
I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment about our proposals for changing the rate support grant system. I shall be responsible for the operation of the revised system in Wales. This is a major addition to the function of the Welsh Office, which does not at present have responsibility for the rate support grant. It will represent an improvement in the machinery of Government in Wales. I will be consulting the Welsh Counties Committee and the Council for the Principality on the implementation of the details of these proposals in due course.
Home Department
Racing Pigeons
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a circular advising all chief constables that racing pigeons are a protected species, and that to shoot them is an offence under the Criminal Damages Act.
No.
Television Licence
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the total amount of revenue raised by the television licence system; and how much of this is produced by television colour licences;(2) if he will give details of the present rules governing the sales of television sets to the public and the subsequent sending to the television authorities of the names and addresses of buyers of such sets;(3) what estimate he has made of the amount lost yearly to the Government because of evasion of television licences.
The estimated gross television licence revenue for 1979–80 at current fees is about £385 million, of which an estimated £330 million is produced by colour television licences.The loss of revenue because of licence evasion in the current financial year is estimated to be of the order of £20 million.Under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (Part I), television dealers are required to notify the national television licence records office of the details of all transactions within 28 days. The information required includes the name of the buyer or hirer, the address of the premises where the set is to be installed, the date of the transaction, whether the set is designed for reception in colour and the name and address of the dealer supplying it. Dealers are also required to keep a record of the particulars provided.
Security Firms
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has over the operation of security firms; if he has any powers to prevent security firms from merging; and what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in security firms.
I have no powers relating to the operation of security firms. The control of mergers is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade. The only information readily available about the number of persons employed by security firms is that published in February in the Home Office discussion paper on the private security industry.
Firearms
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide for the latest convenient date the number of police officers in England and Wales trained in the use of firearms.
It is for individual chief officers of police to decide how many police officers should be trained in the use of firearms. Fgures are not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the minimum age limits for (a) buying a certificate, (b) purchasing, (c) possessing and (d) carrying in a public place the following weapons (i) firearms, (ii) shot guns, (iii) air rifles under 12 ft. lbs. kinetic energy, (iv) air rifles over 12 ft. lbs. kinetic energy, (iv) air pistols under 6 ft. lbs. kinetic energy and (vi) air pistols over 6 ft. lbs. kinetic energy.
INDICTABLE OFFENCES RECORDED BY THE POLICE IN WHICH AIR WEAPONS WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN USED BY OFFENCE GROUP | |||||||||
ENGLAND AND WALES | |||||||||
Number of offences | |||||||||
Violence against the person | |||||||||
All offences | Homicide | Attempted murder and other acts (including wounding) endangering life | Other* | Robbery | Burglary | Criminal damage estimated at over £20 | Other offences‡ | ||
1972 | … | 1,275 | 1 | 49 | 1,013 | 34 | 8 | 163 | 7 |
1973 | … | 1,642 | — | 79 | 1,279 | 25 | 16 | 234 | 9 |
1974 | … | 1,859 | 1 | 56 | 1,340 | 69 | 15 | 369 | 9 |
1975† | … | 2,489 | 1 | 85 | 1,710 | 96 | 31 | 550 | 16 |
1976† | … | 3,171 | 1 | 71 | 2,126 | 99 | 19 | 834 | 21 |
* Includes any wounding which was not classified as an act "endangering life". | |||||||||
† The figures for 1975 and 1976 have been revised since the publication of Criminal Statistics England and Wales 1976. | |||||||||
‡ Mainly sexual offences and theft. |
The detailed information requested is in sections 1, 11, 22 and 23 of the Firearms Act 1968 and the Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for the years 1977 and 1978, on how many occasions guns were discharged by police officers in the course of their duties; and how many injuries and killings resulted from those discharges;(2) for the years 1977 and 1978, what was the total number of occasions on which guns were issued to police officers in England and Wales; and what was the total number of guns issued to police officers in those years.
I am arranging for the relevant information to be collated and will write to the hon. Member.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the years since 1972, what was the total number of indictable offences in England and Wales recorded by the police in which air weapons were reported to have been used, classified by offence group.
Figures for 1977 and 1978 are published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—table 3.4 of the volume for 1977, Cmnd. 7289, and of the volume for 1978, Cmnd. 7670. Figures for 1972–6 are shown in the following table.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the years 1972, 1975 and 1978, what was the total number of indictable offences in England and Wales where air weapons were used.
The information requested is published in table 3.6 of "Criminal Statistics' England and Wales 1978"—Cmnd. 7670.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the years 1972, 1975 and 1978, what was the total number of indictable offences in England and Wales where air weapons were used which resulted in personal injury; and, for each year, how many such injuries were (a) fatal, (b) serious or (c) slight.
In 1972, 1,000 indictable offences were recorded by the police in England and Wales in which air weapons were reported to have caused injury—1 fatal, 101 serious and 898 slight.
INDICTABLE OFFENCES RECORDED BY THE POLICE IN WHICH AIR WEAPONS WERE REPORTED TO HAVE CAUSED INJURY BY DEGREE OF INJURY AND AGE OF OFFENDER | ||||||
ENGLAND AND WALES | ||||||
Number of offences | ||||||
Total | Fatal injury | Severe injury | Slight injury | |||
1977 | ||||||
10 and under 17 | … | 907 | — | 82 | 825 | |
17 and under 21 | … | 237 | — | 23 | 214 | |
21 and over | … | … | 132 | — | 14 | 118 |
Age not known | … | … | 848 | — | 45 | 803 |
Total | … | … | 2,124 | — | 164 | 1,960 |
1978 | ||||||
10 and under 17 | … | 931 | — | 98 | 833 | |
17 under 21 | … | 277 | — | 34 | 243 | |
21 and over | … | … | 118 | — | 28 | 90 |
Age not known | … | … | 986 | — | 56 | 930 |
Total | … | … | 2,312 | — | 216 | 2,096 |
Immigration
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many civil servants deal with queries about immigration;(2) how many are employed in his Department on immigration matters.
I have information only for my own Department. On 1 November, 2,796 staff were in post in the immigration and nationality department of the Home Office, including the immigration service
The other figures requested are published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—table 6.2 of the volume for 1975, Cmnd 6566, and table 3.7 of the volume for 1978—Cmnd. 7670.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the years 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978, what was the number of indictable offences in England and Wales in which air weapons were used and in which (a) fatal, (b) serious or (c) slight personal injury was caused, classified by age of offender, namely those under 17 years, those aged 17 years and under 21 years, those aged over 21 years, and those where age was not known.
The information requested for 1975 and 1976 is published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—table 6.2 of the volume for 1975, Cmnd 6566, and tables 9.3 of the volume for 1976, Cmnd. 6909. Figures for 1977 and 1978 are given in the following table.but excluding staff dealing solely with nationality maters. Most of these staff deal with immigration queries of one kind or another, as do staff in ministerial private offices not included in the above figure.
European Community Law (United Kingdom Application)
asked the Attorney-General by what means judges in the courts of the United Kingdom apply to the Court of the European Communities for an opinion on Community law to be applied by their court in the United Kingdom; how many applications have been made during each of the years 1973 to 1978; and where such opinions are published.
Article 177 of the treaty establishing the European Economic Community gives United Kingdom courts a power, and in certain circumstances imposes on them an obligation, to refer to the Court of Justice of the European Communities questions of Community law for a preliminary ruling. The United Kingdom court may make a reference of its own motion or on the application of the parties or one of them. The procedure for making the reference will be governed by the appropriate rules of court.No references were made by United Kingdom courts in 1973; one reference was made in each of the years 1974, 1975 and 1976; and five references in each of the years 1977 and 1978.Judgments of the Court of Justice on references for preliminary rulings are published in the reports of cases before the court by the office for official publications of the European Communities in Luxembourg.
Defence
Nuclear Alert
asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what further measures are proposed to prevent nuclear war taking place by accident;(2) if he has received any confirmation of the effectiveness of safeguards against the United Kingdom becoming involved in nuclear war following the incident at Colorado Springs;(3) if he will make a statement on the part played by the early-warning system at Fylingdales in the checking of the false alarm of hostilities emanating from Colorado Springs, USA.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 14 November 1979 to the hon. Members for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis), Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) and Preston, North (Mr. Atkins). [Vol. 973, c. 646–47.]
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department received any communication from the United States Government and United States Air Force of the war alert which was declared recently; and what procedures for notification of Her Majesty's Government exist when F-111 fighter aircraft of the United States Air Force based in Great Britain are alerted for combat.
I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 November to the hon. Members for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick), Preston, North (Mr. Atkins) and Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis) [Vol. 973, c. 646–47]. No United States forces in this country were involved. I am satisfied with the existing consultation procedures but it would not be appropriate to give details.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with arrangements for informing the public in Great Britain, particularly those living near American military installations, when the United States, deliberately or accidentally, decides to have a war alert.
I am satisfied with our existing arrangements.
Polaris
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will postpone his decision on the Polaris replacement until after the Select Committee appointed by this House to consider defence matters has had an opportunity of considering the question, and until after the matter has been fully debated in Parliament and by the public at large.
So far as a debate is concerned, I am, of course, at the disposal of the House; but it is, I understand, a question of finding time in a very full Parliamentary programme. The House does, however, already have a good deal of relevant information at its disposal as a result of the evidence submitted earlier this year to the Defence and External Affairs Sub-Committee.
Procurement
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what memoranda of understanding on defence procurement projects are currently in force; and if he will indicate, in each case, the foreign Government or Governments involved, the date of signature of the agreement concerned, and the period of its validity.
Since major international defence co-operation started in the 1960s, all our collaborative defence projects have been covered by memoranda of understanding. The memorandum which my right hon. Friend signed last month in Hamburg with his French and German colleagues, covering work on future anti-tank missile systems, is one of the most recent.Each main phase of the project may require a separate MOU. There are also memoranda with some other countries covering general procurement arrangements. Additionally, major purchases of equipment from abroad and some of our own defence sales will also involve negotiation of an MOU.It is not our practice to publish all these separate arrangements in detail, but if there is any particular arrangement about which my hon. Friend would like to write to me I will certainly consider it.
Royal Ordnance Factories
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what effects he expects the cancellation of the Iranian order for tanks will have on the production of the Royal ordnance factories in the current year and the two ensuing years; and if he will make a statement.
The cancellation of the Iranian order for tanks has already led to reduced production in the Royal ordnance factories. ROF Leeds, where 500 men left on voluntary redundancy, was the most seriously affected. Over the next two years no additional effects on production are expected.
Cash Limit
asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what forecastt rate of inflation the cash limit on the Defence Vote was established for the year 1979–80; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to raise this cash limit in the light of the current rate of inflation.
The levels of increase in pay and prices assumed in calculating 1979–80 Defence Estimates varied according to the economic category of the expenditure concerned. Details were published in the general notes accompanying the Estimates—HC 244, pages I-ii and I-iii.Cash limit increases for defence totalling £409 million were announced last June—Cmnd 7604—to meet additional costs arising from the Armed Forces' pay award to restore full comparability, the civilian non-industrial pay award and expenditure on the equipment programme.In addition, the Government will shortly be seeking the approval of the House through a Winter Supplementary Estimate for a further increase of £140 million primarily as a consequence of additional costs arising from increases in VAT and petroleum duty and the civilian industrial pay award. This further increase would bring the cash limit total to £8,553·6 million.
Low Flying
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether regulations for minimum levels of low flying continue to apply during special exercises to take place in North-West Scotland and central Wales during the period 12 November to 21 December, and 7 to 25 January 1980.
As already announced, the pilots engaged in the Red Flag work-up training between 12 November to 21 December and 7 to 25 January will be required to fly rather lower than the minimum heights normally prescribed for low level training in the United Kingdom, but only over remote districts which are very sparsely populated.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties will take place on average each day during the exercise periods; and if the exercises will include night time and/or weekend flying.
It is not possible to quote an average daily figure; the intensity of the "Red Flag" work-up training will depend on the weather. None of the sorties will be flown at night or during weekends.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what altitude is defined by the RAF as simulating flying below enemy radar cover and missile defences.
In war, pilots would have to fly at or below 100 feet, depending on the terrain and prevailing weather. In peacetime, training and special exercises flying is normally carried out at 250 feet or above as a compromise between realistic training and the need to minimise disturbance to the public, but it is necessary from time to time to exercise the capability of our strike and offensive support aircrews to fly at true operational heights against defences which simulate as closely as possible those which they would face in war.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what inspectorate and surveillance procedures his Department has to ensure that during special exercises designed to test ability of aircrew to fly below enemy radar cover, the civilian population in exercise areas is not further endangered.
Special measures are taken to control the low flying in exercises such as the "Red Flag" work-up training. The flying is confined to remote districts which are very sparsely populated. The aircraft carry special equipment to warn the pilots if they are in danger of descending below the minimum height specified for the sorties. The aircrew taking part are fully qualified operational crews. Other pilots training in the general area are required to fly well above the heights of aircraft engaged in "Red Flag" work-up training.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now undertake a full review of the strategic purposes of low-level military flying exercises overland; and if he will make a statement.
RAF tactics are kept continuously under review and it remains our conclusion that flying at low level and high speed is the most effective means of penetrating the air and ground defences our aircrews would be likely to encounter in war on their way to and returning from their targets. Such tactics are very demanding on aircrew skills and require regular and realistic training overland to maintain the necessary professional standards. Such training must provide for both single aircraft and formation flying and for the mutual exercising of offensive and defensive forces.The "Red Flag" and "Maple Flag" series of exercises which are held over uninhabited areas of North America provide an opportunity for such training under conditions which simulate as closely as possible those which our aircrews would encounter in war. The success of RAF aircrews in these exercises has been most encouraging and has confirmed the effectiveness of our day to day low level training over the United Kingdom and the specialised work up training necessarily undertaken prior to each exercise.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount of the gallonage of fuel consumed by military aircraft undertaking low-flying exercises during each year since 1974.
My Department does not maintain central records of the amounts of fuel actually consumed by RAF aircraft at particular altitudes and it would require disproportionate effort to collate this information in the form requested.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of sorties made by military aircraft on low-level training missions in each year since 1974.
The total number or military low level training sorties flown in the United Kingdom was:
1974 | … | 71,000 |
1975 | … | 78,000 |
1976 | … | 77,700 |
1977 | … | 76,000 |
1978 | … | 76,000 |
1979 (1 Jan. to 30 Sep.) | … | 77,000 |
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many North Atlantic Treaty Organisation aircraft were involved in low-level flying exercises; and how many sorties took place.
Between January and September 1979, some 10,000 low-level sorties were flown over the United Kingdom by military aircraft belonging to our NATO Allies—including USAF aircraft based in this country. It would require disproportionate effort to establish how many individual aircraft were involved.
Exercise Red Flag
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total estimated cost to his Department of its involvement in "Exercise Red Flag" to be held in Nevada in the United States of America in 1980; and how many Royal Air Force aircraft will be involved.
Twenty RAF aircraft, Vulcans, Buccaneers and Jaguars, will be involved in "Exercise Red Flag", which takes place in January and February 1980. It has not yet been decided whether the RAF will participate in a further such exercise later in 1980. The costs of participation are included in financial provision for the RAF's training as a whole in 1980, and it would require disproportionate effort to identify "Red Flag" costs separately. Its training value is, however, beyond question.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
United Nations
asked the Lord Privy Seal if, as part of the current expenditure cuts, he will seek a reduction in the net £80 million plus that the United Kingdom spends on United Nations organisations each year.
Expenditure on the United Nations is, in common with other programmes of public expenditure, under review. But most of it is an unavoidable consequence of our membership.
Brazil (Santo Dias Da Silva)
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will recall Her Majesty's ambassador to Brazil for consultations, in view of the shooting and death of Santo Dias da Silva during a peaceful demonstration; and if he will make a statement.
I see no need to recall our ambassador for consultations. I have received a report from him on this matter. Official Brazilian inquiries are being conducted into the death of Santo Dias da Silva; the person alleged to have been responsible has been identified.
Rhodesia
asked the Lord Privy Seal what has been the approximate cost to public funds of the conference on Rhodesian independence.
The conference costs are now estimated at £440,000.
China (Wei Chung-Sheng)
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will raise in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights the imprisonment of Wei Chung-Sheng by the Government of the People's Republic of China and seek to secure the release of this dissident.
The Government will consider at the appropriate time what matters might be raised at the next meeting of the Commission. The hon. Member will no doubt be aware that one of the charges on which Wei Chung-Sheng was convicted concerned the passing of military secrets to foreigners.
Bermuda
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the conference which was held in Bermuda earlier in the current year to examine constitutional issues arising from the recommendations of the report of the Royal Commission of inquiry into the 1977 disturbances.
The conference began in February 1979 under the chairmanship of the Governor. Following an adjournment, it was concluded in July. Copies of the conference report have been placed in the Library of the House. An Order in Council to amend the constitution in accordance with the conference decisions was laid before Parliament on 29 October, and will come into operation on 1 December.
Social Services
Cimetidine
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the re-assurances given by the manufacturer of cimetidine that it does not cause gastric cancer; if his Department will undertake to make an ex gratia payment to any patient who contracts cancer after being prescribed cimetidine within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
There is no evidence from long-term safety studies in animals that cimetidine is likely to cause an increased risk of gastric cancer. Adverse reactions to marketed drugs are carefully monitored by the Committee on Safety of Medicines, and no evidence has become available through adverse reaction reports to give concern on this account in the time that cimetidine has been on the market. The manufacturer advises that it is important to exclude malignancy before treatment with cimetidine since the drug may alleviate the symptoms of such a cancer and thus delay diagnosis and treatment.Under the law as it stands, liability to pay compensation is a matter for the parties directly concerned—that is the
NUMBERS OF ABORTIONS NOTIFIED AS OCCURRING IN THE AREAS COVERED BY YORKSHIRE REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY AND NORTH WESTERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY 1975 TO 1978 | ||||||||||
1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | |||||||
Yorkshire RHA | ||||||||||
RHA NHS | … | … | … | … | … | … | 2,663 | 2,601 | 2,654 | 2,603 |
Non-NHS | … | … | … | … | … | … | 2,684 | 2,729 | 3,273 | 3,639 |
N.W RHA | ||||||||||
RHA NHS | … | … | … | … | … | … | 3,640 | 3,769 | 3,661 | 3,756 |
Non-NHS | … | … | … | … | … | … | — | — | 101 | 1,099 |
(1979 data not yet available) | ||||||||||
Information is not readily available as to how many of these were performed after a 20 week gestation period, but the following figures relating to women normally resident in each area distinguish cases (regardless of the place of abortion) in which the gestation period exceeded 17 and 24 weeks. | ||||||||||
NUMBERS OF NOTIFIED ABORTIONS TO WOMEN NORMALLY RESIDENT IN THE AREAS COVERED BY THE YORKSHIRE REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY AND THE NORTH-WESTERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY 1975 TO 1978 | ||||||||||
YORKSHIRE REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY | ||||||||||
1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | |||||||
NHS hospitals | ||||||||||
Total abortions | … | … | … | … | … | … | 2,669 | 2,598 | 2,630 | 2,556 |
17–23 | … | … | … | … | … | … | 97 | 90 | 85 | 88 |
24 and over | … | … | … | … | … | … | 5 | 8 | 3 | 4 |
Non-NHS premises | ||||||||||
Total abortions | … | … | … | … | … | … | 3,642 | 3,301 | 3,330 | 3,876 |
17–23 weeks | … | … | … | … | … | … | 102 | 120 | 106 | 124 |
24 and over | … | … | … | … | … | … | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
NORTH WESTERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY | ||||||||||
1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | |||||||
NHS hospitals | ||||||||||
Total abortions | … | … | … | … | … | … | 3,525 | 3,660 | 3,497 | 3,648 |
17–23 | … | … | … | … | … | … | 137 | 104 | 139 | 172 |
24 and over | … | … | … | … | … | … | 9 | 10 | 13 | 10 |
Non-NHS premises | ||||||||||
Total abortions | … | … | … | … | … | … | 3,614 | 3,383 | 3,423 | 4,138 |
17–23 weeks | … | … | … | … | … | … | 118 | 121 | 129 | 175 |
24 and over | … | … | … | … | … | … | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 |
patient's doctor or the pharmaceutical company—and arises only if negligence can be proved on the facts of the case. My right hon. Friend does not intend to make ex gratia payments in the circumstances described.
Abortion
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many abortions were notified as being carried out in the National Health Service and in the non-National Health Service sector within the areas served by the Yorkshire regional health authority and the North-Western regional health authority in each of the years 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979; and how many of these were performed after a 20-week gestation period.
The numbers so notified of abortions to women normally resident in England and Wales were as follows:
Community Nurses (Car Mileage Allowances)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from Mrs. Mary Chapple of the Royal College of Nursing with regard to car mileage allowances for community nurses; what reply he is making; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Chapple wrote on 31 October to seek support for an early improvement in car mileage allowances for community nurses, and I have sent the right hon. Gentleman a copy of my reply.
Chronically Sick And Disabled Persons Act 1979
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much was spent per thousand of population on services provided under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons' Act 1970 by the city of Manchester, Trafford, and the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire.
It is not possible to identify separately expenditure on services provided under this legislation, but information about expenditure by local social services authorities, including expenditure on meals in the home, telephones, aids, adaptations and holidays, is to be found in "Personal Social Services Statistics", published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, copies of which are in the Library.
Mentally Handicapped Persons (Adult Training Centres)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on adult training centres for the mentally handicapped in the Greater London area.
Provision of adult training centres for mentally handicapped adults in Greater London, as elsewhere, is a matter for the local authoirities concerned.
Whittington Hospital
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with the North-East Thames regional health authority regarding the proposed new Whittington hospital, High-gate Hill, London N.19; and if he will make a statement.
None. The planning of major capital building schemes is the responsibility of the North-East Thames regional health authority. The authority has included a proposal for the redevelopment of the Whittington in the regional strategic plan 1978–88.
National Finance
Tax Officials (Code Of Conduct)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to introduce the code of conduct for value added tax officials as planned in the Government's programme.
In the party manifesto we undertook to review the powers of the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise, and this we are now considering.
Exchange Controls
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the likely return on capital in the next 12 months of money exported from the United Kingdom as a result of the removal of exchange restrictions; whether he expects these earnings to be brought back to the United Kingdom; and, if so what effect that is likely to have on exports of other goods and services.
The effects on the balance of payments of the removal of exchange controls are uncertain: most of these controls have been in force for 40 years and it is not possible to estimate with any precision how much capital will be invested abroad by United Kingdom residents, what the returns will be or to what extent foreign earnings will be remitted to the United Kingdom. But overseas investment should help our exports and strengthen our international trading position generally.
Gross National Product (International Comparisons)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the principal exporting countries the annual increase in gross national product between 1952 and 1978 in the form of an index or otherwise.
The information is given in the following tables. Estimates of gross national product at constant prices are not available for all countries, and in table 1 the figures are based on estimates of gross domestic product at constant
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT CONSTANT MARKET PRICES | |||||||
TABLE 1 | |||||||
Percentage increase (change over preceding year) | |||||||
United States | Japan | France | Federal Republic of Germany | Italy | United Kingdom | ||
1953 | … | +4·9 | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | +4·6 |
1954 | … | -2·2 | +5·7 | +4·2 | +7·7 | +3·6 | +3·8 |
1955 | … | +6·9 | +8·6 | +4·7 | +12·0 | +6·7 | +3·3 |
1956 | … | +2·2 | +7·5 | +5·9 | +7·2 | +4·7 | +1·6 |
1957 | … | +1·9 | +7·3 | +6·0 | +5·6 | +5·3 | +1·9 |
1958 | … | -0·5 | +5·8 | +2·9 | +3·5 | +4·8 | +0·2 |
1959 | … | +6·0 | +9·1 | +3·2 | +7·4 | +6·5 | +4·0 |
1960 | … | +2·1 | +13·1 | +7·0 | +8·9 | +6·3 | +4·7 |
1961 | … | +2·3 | +14·6 | +5·5 | +5·1 | +8·2 | +3·3 |
1962 | … | +5·6 | +7·1 | +6·7 | +4·4 | +6·2 | +0·9 |
1963 | … | +4·1 | +10·5 | +5·3 | +3·0 | +5·6 | +3·9 |
1964 | … | -5·1 | +13·2 | +4·1 | +6·7 | +2·6 | +5·0 |
1965 | … | +6·0 | +5·1 | +4·8 | +5·6 | +3·2 | +2·3 |
1966 | … | +6·0 | +10·9 | +5·2 | +2·5 | +5·8 | +2·1 |
1967 | … | +2·7 | +12·4 | +4·7 | -0·2 | +7·0 | +2·6 |
1968 | … | +4·5 | +14·1 | +4·3 | +6·3 | +6·3 | +4·2 |
1969 | … | +2·6 | +12·2 | +7·0 | +7·8 | +5·7 | +1·5 |
1970 | … | -0·1 | +11·6 | +5·7 | +6·0 | +5·0 | +2·3 |
1971 | … | +2·9 | +5·2 | +5·4 | +3·2 | +1·6 | +2·8 |
1972 | … | +5·8 | +9·3 | +5·9 | +3·7 | +3·1 | +2·4 |
1973 | … | +5·4 | +10·0 | +5·4 | +4·9 | +6·9 | +8·0 |
1974 | … | -1·3 | -0·3 | +3·2 | +0·5 | +4·2 | -1·5 |
1975 | … | -1·0 | +1·4 | +0·2 | -2·1 | -3·5 | -1·0 |
1976 | … | +5·5 | +6·4 | +5·0 | +5·6 | +5·9 | +3·7 |
1977 | … | +4·8 | +5·2 | +2·8 | +2·8 | +2·0 | +1·3 |
1978 | … | N.A. | N.A. | +3·8 | N.A. | +2·6 | +3·1 |
Source: | |||||||
United Kingdom—National Income and Expenditure 1979 Edition, adjusted to international definitions. | |||||||
Other countries—National Accounts of OECD countries 1952–77 (volume I Main Aggregates) updated by later estimates given in the International Financial Statistics Yearbook 1979. |
TABLE 2 | |||||||
GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT AT CONSTANT MARKET PRICES | |||||||
Percentage increase (change over preceding year) | |||||||
United States | Japan | Federal Republic of Germany | United Kingdom | ||||
1975 | … | … | … | -1·3 | +1·4 | -1·9 | -1·7 |
1976 | … | … | … | +5·9 | +6·5 | +5·1 | +4·0 |
1977 | … | … | … | +5·3 | +5·4 | +2·6 | +0·5 |
1978 | … | … | … | +4·4 | +5·6 | +3·4 | +3·5 |
Source: | |||||||
United Kingdom—National Income and Expenditure 1979 Edition. | |||||||
Other countries—International Financial Statistics Yearbook. |
prices, published by OECD and compiled according to international definitions.
For the United States, Japan and the Federal Republic of Germany, however, figures on this basis are not yet available for 1978, and figures based on gross national product at constant prices for the last few years are given in table 2 to provide a basis for comparison. Figures for the United Kingdom are included in both tables.
Social Benefits (Eec Residents)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what progress has been made with the review concerning the availability of United Kingdom social benefits to nationals of other countries within the European Economic Community, with a view to preventing systematic abuses;(2) if, in view of the abuses by nationals of other EEC countries which affects South Coast holiday resorts, he will ensure that his review on the availability of United Kingdom social benefits is concluded and remedial action taken before the next holiday season.
I take my hon. Friend's point, but the scope for abuse by nationals of other EEC countries in south coast holiday resorts is limited. Claims by people, whether British or foreign, who move into areas where it is established that regular seasonal work is readily available are subject to special control arrangements. Awards of supplementary benefit are made in the usual way but suitable claimants are told that they ought to be able to find work within two weeks and further payments of benefit are conditional upon the production of evidence that serious attempts have been made to find work.On the progress of our study, I cannot add to the answer my hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend on 6 November. [Vol. 973, c.
156.]
European Community (Reciprocal Arrangements)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present position on negotiations with EEC countries about reciprocal health insurance arrangements for self-employed persons and their families.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 26 October. Vol. 972, c. 350.]
Family Incomes
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the net weekly spending power of each family grouping using the same assumptions as in the written reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 7 November, column 213, when entirely dependent on supplementary benefit; and if he will include the family group of a man with a wife and two children aged 12 and 14 years.
I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Child Benefit
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the numbers of women in work and the need to transfer resources to families with children, he will consider the abolition of the increment in the married men's tax allowance and transferring the moneys to an increase in child benefit.
I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestions.
Purchasing Contracts
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many small businesses feature on the approved list of suppliers maintained by his Department for purchasing contracts by means of selective tender.
I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
General Commissioners For Income Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many general commissioners for income tax there are; how many cases are heard by them each year; of those cases, how many are cases which have been delayed; and what is the cost of the cases heard.
I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Exchange Rates
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will circulate in the Official Report a table showing for each of the principal exporting countries, Canada and Sweden the change in the effective exchange rate for each quarter since the Smithsonian agreement, on a trade-weighted basis, in the form of an index, or otherwise.
The figures are as follows:
EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATES (MERM WEIGHTS, MAY 1970 = 100) | ||||||||||
United States | Canada | Japan | Germany | France | Italy | Netherlands | Belgium | Sweden | United Kingdom | |
1971 | 96·8 | 106·4 | 102·4 | 103·6 | 98·4 | 98·8 | 101·0 | 100·3 | 99·7 | 100·0 |
1972— | ||||||||||
First quarter | 90·2 | 104·8 | 113·3 | 107·2 | 100·7 | 98·2 | 103·2 | 103·5 | 101·1 | 100·9 |
Second quarter | 89·5 | 105·8 | 114·0 | 107·2 | 101·8 | 98·2 | 102·2 | 103·0 | 101·4 | 100·3 |
Third quarter | 89·4 | 106·8 | 115·1 | 107·0 | 102·3 | 98·6 | 102·2 | 103·2 | 102·3 | 94·3 |
Fourth quarter | 90·0 | 106·4 | 115·6 | 106·8 | 101·9 | 98·8 | 102·0 | 103·3 | 102·5 | 91·4 |
1973— | ||||||||||
First quarter | 86·0 | 104·0 | 122·4 | 109·7 | 103·7 | 95·9 | 103·3 | 104·2 | 102·7 | 90·0 |
Second quarter | 82·1 | 102·1 | 126·3 | 115·9 | 107·4 | 88·8 | 103·8 | 105·1 | 103·0 | 90·5 |
Third quarter | 79·3 | 100·8 | 123·2 | 127·9 | 108·1 | 86·7 | 106·4 | 105·1 | 105·7 | 85·3 |
Fourth quarter | 81·8 | 102·2 | 121·0 | 123·7 | 106·0 | 87·5 | 109·1 | 103·3 | 103·0 | 84·1 |
1974— | ||||||||||
First quarter | 85·7 | 105·9 | 117·5 | 122·2 | 99·0 | 83·6 | 109·0 | 102·6 | 99·8 | 84·2 |
Second quarter | 82·6 | 106·3 | 119·4 | 128·5 | 96·0 | 81·4 | 112·0 | 106·1 | 104·1 | 85·8 |
Third quarter | 84·3 | 105·4 | 113·2 | 124·1 | 100·1 | 80·8 | 112·5 | 106·4 | 103·7 | 85·3 |
Fourth quarter | 84·0 | 104·7 | 111·3 | 127·3 | 101·9 | 78·2 | 113·3 | 106·9 | 106·2 | 83·7 |
1975— | ||||||||||
First quarter | 81·3 | 102·2 | 111·4 | 131·4 | 106·1 | 77·7 | 115·2 | 109·3 | 110·6 | 82·8 |
Second quarter | 81·4 | 99·7 | 111·6 | 129·4 | 111·5 | 78·4 | 114·6 | 108·1 | 111·5 | 80·1 |
Third quarter | 85·2 | 100·4 | 112·6 | 124·9 | 109·8 | 77·8 | 111·9 | 105·2 | 106·9 | 76·2 |
Fourth quarter | 86·2 | 102·2 | 111·2 | 124·5 | 109·8 | 77·1 | 112·1 | 103·8 | 106·0 | 74·0 |
1976— | ||||||||||
First quarter | 86·9 | 104·9 | 112·4 | 127·2 | 108·7 | 68·7 | 113·1 | 104·6 | 107·1 | 73·0 |
Second quarter | 88·1 | 107·2 | 114·9 | 130·6 | 106·4 | 61·7 | 113·7 | 106·0 | 108·0 | 66·7 |
Third quarter | 87·7 | 107·2 | 118·4 | 132·4 | 101·1 | 63·4 | 115·7 | 106·7 | 108·4 | 65·0 |
Fourth quarter | 88·0 | 105·8 | 116·9 | 139·1 | 98·4 | 61·1 | 120·8 | 111·0 | 113·4 | 60·4 |
1977— | ||||||||||
First quarter | 88·0 | 101·6 | 120·3 | 140·0 | 98·5 | 59·4 | 121·2 | 111·1 | 112·8 | 62·7 |
Second quarter | 87·4 | 99·0 | 124·9 | 141·4 | 98·5 | 58·8 | 122·0 | 111·9 | 108·8 | 62·5 |
Third quarter | 86·8 | 97·1 | 129·0 | 144·0 | 99·0 | 58·6 | 121·5 | 112·4 | 104·4 | 62·7 |
Fourth quarter | 84·7 | 93·4 | 138·1 | 146·9 | 98·1 | 57·6 | 121·4 | 112·3 | 97·6 | 64·2 |
1978— | ||||||||||
First quarter | 81·9 | 91·3 | 141·0 | 152·6 | 95·9 | 56·7 | 125·2 | 116·0 | 98·0 | 66·3 |
Second quarter | 80·7 | 89·7 | 152·0 | 151·3 | 98·8 | 56·2 | 124·4 | 114·4 | 98·1 | 62·4 |
Third quarter | 76·6 | 86·9 | 171·5 | 150·5 | 100·3 | 55·7 | 122·4 | 113·0 | 98·2 | 63·3 |
Fourth quarter | 75·2 | 83·6 | 171·2 | 158·0 | 99·2 | 54·4 | 126·1 | 116·3 | 98·8 | 63·6 |
1979— | ||||||||||
First quarter | 76·1 | 83·3 | 161·5 | 160·0 | 100·1 | 53·9 | 127·5 | 117·2 | 98·7 | 64·9 |
Second quarter | 77·8 | 86·1 | 150·0 | 159·1 | 99·1 | 54·3 | 126·1 | 115·6 | 99·6 | 68·3 |
Third quarter | 76·4 | 85·0 | 147·0 | 162·3 | 99·9 | 55·0 | 126·2 | 116·8 | 101·3 | 72·1 |
Source: International Financial Statistics. |
Value Added Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any consideration has been given to making value added tax repayments quarterly, instead of monthly; and, if so, what consultations have taken place with representatives of the construction industry.
As part of the Government's policy to seek ways of reducing the size and cost of the Civil Service, I am looking at ways of reducing the cost of administering VAT. One possibility would be to withdraw the option which repayment traders at present have to submit their tax returns and obtain repayments of VAT on a monthly basis. This change would reduce by about 15 per cent. the number of returns which have to be processed by Customs and Excise. So far, no consultations with industry have taken place.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases are heard annually by the value added tax tribunals; how many members sit on these tribunals; and what is their total annual cost.
I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to end the imposition of value added tax on education visits by organised school parties which has been imposed as from 1 November.
[pursuant to his reply, 14 November 1979, c. 629]: No change has been made in the liability to value added tax of visits made by organised school parties. Subsidised visits arranged by local education authorities are treated as outside the scope of the tax. Non-subsidised visits are not liable to VAT provided that they are made for strictly educational purposes and the charge to pupils does not exceed the full cost. Non-subsided visits which are made primarily for recreational purposes are liable to VAT in common with recreational actitivies generally.It came to light at the end of last year that there was some uncertainty among local authorities about the treatment of organised school visits, and in April this year Customs and Excise provided them with further guidance. The operative date for any corrective action which local authorities found it necessary to take would be a matter to be settled between them and their local VAT office.
Capital Gains Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the answer given to the hon. Member for Upminster on 25 October, that information of the amounts of capital gains tax derived from the sale of homes used partly for business purposes is not available, he will consider removing this aspect of capital taxation on small businesses which may be set up in private homes.
I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Income Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, consequent upon his statements, Official Report, 12 June, c. 261–2, that as a result of his Budget a married couple with a husband earning £100 a week would be £1·30 a week better off, a couple with a husband earning £60 a week would be 75p a week better off, and a couple with a husband earning £150 a week would be nearly £2 a week better off, if he will now state the net gain or loss for each of these couples taking into account the factors involved in his original calculation, together with all price rises that have taken place since then, and in addition, the forthcoming increase in mortgage rates, assuming that those couples would each be buying an average two-bedroomed house.
I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue is planning in the near future to make any special arrangements with regard to income tax for any particular groups of workers.
The Inland Revenue makes arrangements from time to time in respect of various groups of employees—for example, flat rate allowances for tools or special clothing. If my hon. Friend has any particular point in mind, I will be pleased to look into it.
Special Commissioners For Income Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many special commissioners for income tax there are; how many cases are heard by them each year; and what is the total cost of these cases.
I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Money Supply (Credit Cards)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the extent to which the operations of the credit card companies have contributed to the recent growth in money supply;
Premium savings bond prices £m | Price fund interest expressed as average for year (%) | M.L.R./Bank rate expressed as average for year (%) | |||
1956 | … | … | — | 4·0 | 5·500 |
1957 | … | … | 2·6 | 4·0 | 5·604 |
1958 | … | … | 6·3 | 4·0 | 5·452 |
1959 | … | … | 8·8 | 4·0 | 4·500 |
1960 | … | … | 10·5 | 4·21 | 5·359 |
1961 | … | … | 13·5 | 4·5 | 5·671 |
1962 | … | … | 15·4 | 4·5 | 4·851 |
1963 | … | … | 17·2 | 4·5 | 4·000 |
1964 | … | … | 19·3 | 4·5 | 5·041 |
1965 | … | … | 21·6 | 4·5 | 6·425 |
1966 | … | … | 23·9 | 4·5 | 6·471 |
1967 | … | … | 25·9 | 4·5 | 6·159 |
1968 | … | … | 28·2 | 4·54 | 7·466 |
1969 | … | … | 32·1 | 4·625 | 7·844 |
1970 | … | … | 34·5 | 4·625 | 7·226 |
1971 | … | … | 37·6 | 4·677 | 5·918 |
1972 | … | … | 42·3 | 4·75 | 5·900 |
1973 | … | … | 46·2 | 4·813 | 9·882 |
1974 | … | … | 51·9 | 5·19 | 11·936 |
1975 | … | … | 57·4 | 5·5 | 10·790 |
1976 | … | … | 61·3 | 5·521 | 11·717 |
1977 | … | … | 66·4 | 5·625 | 8·468 |
1978 | … | … | 70·8 | 5·625 | 9·130 |
1979* | … | … | 65·2 | 5·75 | 13·280 |
*To end of October 1979 | |||||
Note: Prizes are paid free of UK tax. |
Double Taxation Conventions
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to lay an order for the ratification of new double tax convention between the United Kingdom and Canada.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979]: The draft order relating to the new double taxation convention between the United Kingdom and Canada was laid on 16 January 1979 and was approved on 23 February. The convention has not yet been approved by the Canadian Parliament.
and whether, in the light of such growth, he is proposing to limit the present permitted levels of credit available from this source.
I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Premium Bonds
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual rate of interest paid on premium bonds since their inception; and if he will list each year's interest rate against the average minimum lending rate then prevailing.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979]: The information required is as follows:
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the proposed protocol to amend the double taxation convention between the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979, c. 758]: In July 1978 agreement was reached at official level on a protocol to amend the double taxation agreement between the United Kingdom and New Zealand signed in 1966. A number of minor points have subsequently arisen and discussions on these are at an advanced stage.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the proposed new protocol to the double taxation convention between the United Kingdom and Cyprus.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979, c. 760]: A protocol amending the text of the double taxation convention between the United Kingdom and Cyprus was initialled in October 1978 and arrangements are being made for signature.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the proposed new double taxation convention between the United Kingdom and Denmark.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979, c. 760]: A new double taxation convention between the United Kingdom and Denmark was initialled on 14 July 1978. The convention is being translated into Danish; after which it is expected that it will be signed by the two Governments and laid before the House of Commons in the usual manner. I am not yet in a position to say when this will be.
6 August 1976 | 1 January 1977 | 1 January 1978 | 1 January 1979 | 1 May 1979 | 1 November 1979 | 1 January 1980 | |
Staffing ceiling | 185 | 185 | 170 | 176 | 176 | (174) | (174) |
Staff in post | 121 | 164 | 153 | 166 | 174 | 158 | — |
Mortgages (Northern Ireland)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax relief would accrue to a person in Northern Ireland,
Value of income tax relief | |||||||
(a) | (b) | (c) | |||||
Year of commencement of mortgage | Cost of house | Mortgage advance | First year | Average per annum | Total | ||
£ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
1974–75 | … | … | 10,000 | 5,473 | 198·70 | 134·80 | 2,697·00 |
1979–80 | … | … | 20,000 | 10,946 | 385·80 | 268·60 | 5,371·00 |
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the proposed new double taxation convention between the United Kingdom and Italy.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979, c. 760]: A new double taxation convention between the United Kingdom and Italy was initialled on 16 April 1977, and is being translated into Italian. Negotiations have recently taken place to amend the proposed new convention to take account of the introduction by Italy since the earlier negotiations of an imputation system of corporation tax.
Development Land Tax Office
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was (a) the staffing establishment and (b) the staff actually in post at the Development Land Tax Office on each of the following dates: 6 August 1976, 1 January 1977, 1 January 1978, 1 January 1979, 3 May 1979 and 1 November 1979; and what is the authorised establishment level for 1 January 1980.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 November, c. 420]: Following is the information:with the maximum mortgage allowable now and five years ago, over the normal life of the mortgage on a dwelling costing £10,000 five years ago and a dwelling costing £20,000 now, if the owner were earning the average industrial wage of the appropriate time and had: (a) a wife and two children and (b) a wife and four children.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 422]: The figures for both sizes of family are as follows:based on the assumption of a maximum mortgage of two and a half times the mortgager's annual earnings and repayable over 20 years.
The figures assume that the present mortgage interest rate and basic rate of income tax remain unchanged for the remainder of the duration of each mortgage.
Average earnings for 1974–75 are taken to be the average of the new earnings survey estimates for April 1974 and April 1975 relating to full-time male manual workers in Northern Ireland. For 1979–80, the April 1979 new earnings survey estimates for Northern Ireland have been used.
Hotel And Catering Industry
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, for the purposes of the Inland Revenue, gratuities in the hotel and catering industry are deemed to be earned or unearned income.
[pursuant to his reply, 14 November 1976, c. 626]: Earned income.
Nationalised Industries
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what limits have been set on the external financing of the nationalised industries for the financial year 1980–81.
The limits are as follows:
Nationalised Industries' External Financing Limits 1980–811 | |
£ million | |
National Coal Board | 834 |
Electricity Council and Boards | 187 |
North of Scotland Hydroelectric Board | 59 |
South of Scotland Electricity Board | 73 |
British Gas Corporation | -400 |
British National Oil Corporation | 101 |
British Steel Corporation | 450 |
Post Office | 652 |
British Airways Board | 230 |
British Airports Authority | 20 |
British Railways Board | 750 |
British Transport Docks Board | -10 |
British Waterways Board | 30 |
National Freight Corporation | 24 |
National Bus Company | 85 |
Scottish Transport Group | 9 |
British Shipbuilders | 120 |
Notes: | |
(1) No figure is included for British Aerospace in view of the prospect of selling shares in a successor company in 1980/81. In the case of British Airways and the National Freight Corporation limits have been set in view of the uncertainty about the timing of the proposed sales. As in the past, the forecast shown for BNOC does not represent a limit. | |
(2) The limit for the Post Office is set before taking account of the expected inflow of funds in 1980–81, resulting from delayed billing following |
the recent industrial action by computer operators, and will be adjusted when the inflow is known accurately. |
Overseas Development
"India Alive" Project
asked the Lord Privy Seal if, on completion of the Sheffield-based "India Alive" project, his Department will fund further projects by this group.
The Overseas Development Administration, through its development education fund—DEF—agreed to finance the Sheffield World Poverty Action Group's "India Alive" project until 30 April 1981.On 9 October my hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development announced that the fund is to be run down over the next three years and that no commitments are being made to new projects. It will not, therefore, be possible for the Sheffield group to receive further support for development education projects after its present grant expires.
Energy
Crude Oil Price (Spot Market)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy towards the effect on the oil price of the disproportionate influence of the spot markets on crude oil prices, as opposed to the restraint exercised by the Saudi Arabian price for market crude; and if he will raise the matter at the next meeting of the EEC Council of Ministers.
I am concerned about the very high prices being charged for a number of transactions on the international oil market. My hon. Friend will recall that, at the Tokyo Summit, heads of Governments gave a commitment to urge oil companies and oil exporting countries to moderate spot market transactions. Her Majesty's Government continue to support that commitment, and I wrote to United Kingdom oil importers drawing their attention to the importance of exercising restraint on the spot market. I would expect developments generally in the oil market to be discussed at the next Council meeting.
North Sea Gas
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans Her Majesty's Government have for reassessing the North Sea gas gathering pipeline scheme in the light of the increasing cost of oil.
Oil prices will form part of the economic background to the assessment of the report expected next spring from British Gas and Mobil, to whose work I referred in my reply of 1 November to my hon. Friend.—[Vol. 972, c. 626–7.]
Purchasing Contracts
asked the Secretary of State for Energy, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West, Official Report, 6 November, c. 103, concerning purchasing contracts, what work is involved in obtaining the information required and why the cost of obtaining such information would therefore be disproportionate.
Being small, my Department does not have a central contracts organisation. Most contracts placed arise directly from my Department's work—particularly research and development—so to provide the information requested would necessitate a general scrutiny of contracts to identify those few which involve purchasing.It is this administrative effort which would incur the disproportionate cost referred to in the earlier reply to my hon. Friend.
Education And Science
School Milk
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children are at present automatically entitled to free school milk.
About 1·8 million children at school in England.
School Transport
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children are at present statutorily entitled to free school transport; and, of these, how many are in families receiving supplementary benefit or family income supplement.
Information is not available to answer the question in this form, but it has been estimated that about 800,000 children living more than the statutory walking distance from school are transported free and that about 10 per cent. of children of school age belong to families receiving supplementary benefit or family income supplement.
Craft Education
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teacher training institutions and university departments of eduction conduct specialist courses in craft education.
Eighteen public sector institutions in England, and one university department of education, provide training for teachers in craft design and technology. Ten of these also provide retraining courses in this subject for teachers qualified in other subjects and one further college provides only such a course.
School Meals
asked the Secretary of Education and Science what are the responsibilities of teachers in supervising school meals; in what way the Government intend to change these responsibilities; how much money could be saved if teachers took on total responsibility for this supervision; and to what number of teaching jobs this saving corresponds.
Under the terms of a report of a working party published in 1968 and endorsed by all the bodies represented,
Any change in these responsibilities would be a matter for the representative bodies of the local authorities and the teachers to consider. The cost of employing about 100,000 midday supervisory assistants, not all of whom supervise the school meal, is currently about £46 million annually, but it is not possible to say how much money might be saved if teachers took on this supervision nor to what number of teaching jobs this saving might correspond."The head teacher must retain overall responsibility for the conduct of the school meal, just as he does for all that takes place in and about the school, and there is a professional responsibility on the teaching staff as a whole to support the head teacher in fulfilling these responsibilities".
School Leavers
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, further to his written answer of 2 November, he will describe further the disruptive effect on final year courses, in view of the number of pupils likely to be involved.
The question appears to assume that few pupils would be affected. I believe, on the contrary, that such a change in the law on school leaving would lead to increasing numbers of young people seeking offers of employment; and to disaffection among those forced to remain at school. If, during the fifth
£000 | ||||||||
School meals | School transport | School milk | ||||||
West Yorkshire— | ||||||||
Bradford | … | … | … | … | … | 4,497 | 849 | 110 |
Calderdale | … | … | … | … | … | 2,067 | 440 | 100 |
Kirklees | … | … | … | … | … | 2,771 | 298 | 72 |
Leeds | … | … | … | … | … | 5,918 | 1,299 | 174 |
Wakefield | … | … | … | … | … | 2,789 | 523 | 129 |
Total | … | … | … | … | … | 18,042 | 3,409 | 585 |
Greater Manchester— | ||||||||
Bolton | … | … | … | … | … | 2,617 | 313 | 111 |
Bury | … | … | … | … | … | 1,461 | 160 | 59 |
Manchester | … | … | … | … | … | 5,531 | 1,072 | 116 |
Oldham | … | … | … | … | … | 1,890 | 204 | 45 |
Rochdale | … | … | … | … | … | 2,044 | 235 | 68 |
Salford | … | … | … | … | … | 2,450 | 232 | 107 |
Stockport | … | … | … | … | … | 2,312 | 349 | 106 |
Tameside | … | … | … | … | … | 2,076 | 263 | 109 |
Trafford | … | … | … | … | … | 2,232 | 295 | 64 |
Wigan | … | … | … | … | … | 2,963 | 307 | 76 |
Total | … | … | … | … | … | 25,576 | 3,430 | 861 |
Northern Ireland
Prisoners (Medical Care)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the arrangements for the medical care of prisoners in Northern Ireland, with particular reference to those prisoners in Maze prison who are breaking prison rules in an attempt to secure special treatment as political prisoners.
Prison inmates in Northern Ireland have access to medical facilities equivalent to those available to the general population. Medical staff are attached to the prisons, and can also call in consultants to give specialised advice and treatment as required,
year, classes were allowed to dwindle piecemeal, it could disrupt teaching and make it difficult to plan the use of resources sensibly. In such circumstances it seems that these pupils would derive minimal benefit from their last year.
Schools (Subsidies)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the current subsidies on (a) school meals, (b) school transport and (c) school milk in each of the local education authorities in West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
The net cost to public funds of these services in the areas in question in 1978–79 was as follows:or refer prisoners to outside hospitals for out-patient treatment or for admission.The doctors concerned with prisoners' health observe the same professional ethical principles as apply to the treatment of any other patients. In particular, treatment indicated in a prisoner's own interest is not forced upon him against his will. While prisoners can, therefore, deny themselves medical care by refusing to co-operate with the medical staff, medical care is never denied a prisoner on disciplinary grounds.The current campaign by certain prisoners in Maze prison involves the creation of disgusting and unhygienic conditions, apparently with total disregard of consequent risks to health, in support of demands for special category status. The Secretary of State has made it clear that the Government will not yield to these demands. To contain the health risk created, a number of special measures were introduced, including regular steam-cleaning and repainting of cells.The full range of medical services is available to the protesting prisoners, with daily sick parades and with a medical officer and prison hospital officers available day and night. It is, however, part of the campaign that these prisoners do not co-operate with prison officers or clinical staff. A medical officer visits the cells at least once a week, to monitor and observe the internal conditions, personal hygiene standards and inmates' health, so far as this is practicable. It is not possible to maintain the same standards of care for prisoners who reject it as for the majority who co-operate in measures designed for their own welfare.If the actions of individual prisoners should cause an unacceptable health hazard to other inmates, staff or the community, such measures as may be necessary will be taken to counter the risk; but it is not the practice, or the intention, to force medical care upon any prisoner for his own individual benefit.This accords with the ethical and legal position in the general community, where measures to protect the individual's health are not forced on him against his will, but public health legislation provides for compulsory examination and isolation in the case of an infectious disease hazard.Despite the conditions which the protesting prisoners have been creating since March 1978, there has so far been no evidence of any resulting illness.Prisoners who reject normal hygienic standards of behaviour, and who refuse to co-operate in medical examination or treatment indicated for their individual welfare, do so at their own risk, and the consequences are entirely their own responsibility. I hope this is clearly understood by these prisoners and by those outside the prison who are directing or supporting the protest.I shall continue to monitor the situation closely, and in the light of medical advice to take appropriate measures to control the health risks created by the protest campaign.
Ulster College
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many academic staff are employed by the Ulster college; and how many of these are employed on degree courses, teacher training, and on other courses.
The number of academic staff in post at the Ulster polytechnic on 31 March 1979 was 538. Academic staff are not recruited to teach on particular courses. Most of them teach across a range of courses.
Housing Stock (Belfast)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of dwellings owned by Belfast corporation during the last year for which it was responsible for housing; and what is the approximate number of Housing Executive dwellings in the same area in 1979.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 November, c. 552]: The number of dwellings owned by Belfast corporation in September 1971 was approximately 21,000. There are at present approximately 39,700 Northern Ireland Housing Executive dwellings in Belfast. These figures are not comparable because of differences between the boundaries of the former county borough council and the present Northern Ireland Housing Executive Belfast regional office area.
Driving Tests (Fees)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the reasons for the increase in the fee for a heavy goods vehicle driving test from £8 to £30; and if he will publish the accounts of such tests for each of the last three years.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1979, c. 554]: This fee was increased to take account of increased costs since fees were last revised in April 1976 and to bring it into line with that for the same test in Great Britain.Vehicle and driving test staff are responsible for the whole range of vehicle and driving tests and it is not possible to
give precise information on the cost of the heavy goods vehicle driving test service alone. However, estimates of costs for the last 3 years are:
1976–77 | £49,000 |
1977–78 | £56,500 |
1978–79 | £62,000 |
1976–77 | £18,472 |
1977–78 | £19,920 |
1978–79 | £21,480 |
Altnagelvin Hospital
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many medical vacancies have occurred, and in what departments, in Altnagelvin hospital during the last 12 months; how many have been filled; and how many are still vacant;
Medical staff | Posts vacant during year | Appointments during year | Posts still vacant | |||
CONSULTANTS (12 posts) | ||||||
Anaesthetics | … | … | … | 2 | — | 2 |
(under advertisement) | ||||||
Chest medicine | … | … | … | 1 | — | 1 |
Geriatrics | … | … | … | 1 | — | 1 |
(under advertisement) | ||||||
Obstetrics and gynaecology | … | … | … | 1 | 1 | — |
Oral surgery | … | … | … | 1 | 1 | — |
Orthopaedics | … | … | … | 1 | 1 | — |
Ophthalmology | … | … | … | 1 | — | 1 |
Radiology | … | … | … | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Pathology | … | … | … | 2 | — | 2 |
REGISTRARS (20 posts) | ||||||
Anaesthetics | … | … | … | 5 | All posts filled; in 3 cases junior house officers have been appointed in lieu. | |
Ear, nose and throat | … | … | … | 1 | ||
General medicine | … | … | … | 3 | ||
General surgery | … | … | … | 3 | ||
Obstetrics and gynaecology | … | … | … | 3 | ||
Oral surgery | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Orthopaedics | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Paediatrics | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Radiology | … | … | … | 2 | ||
SENIOR HOUSE OFFICERS (32 posts) | ||||||
Accident and emergency | … | … | … | 5 | All posts filled. | |
Anaesthetics | … | … | … | 4 | ||
Chest medicine | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Ear, nose and throat | … | … | … | 1 | ||
General medicine | … | … | … | 9 | ||
General surgery | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Geriatrics | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Obstetrics and gynaecology | … | … | … | 4 | ||
Orthopaedics | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Paediatrics | … | … | … | 3 | ||
Rheumatology | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Vanerology | … | … | … | 1 | ||
HOUSE OFFICERS (10 posts) | ||||||
General medicine | … | … | … | 3 | All posts filled. | |
General surgery | … | … | … | 2 | ||
Geriatrics | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Orthopaedics | … | … | … | 2 | ||
Paediatrics | … | … | … | 1 | ||
Rheumatology | … | … | … | 1 |
(2) how many vacancies have occurred in the nursing staff at Altnagelvin hospital during the last 12 months; how many of these posts have been filled; and how many are still vacant;
(3) how many vacancies have arisen in the industrial and domestic staff in Altnagelvin hospital during the last 12 months; how many posts are still vacant and how many have been filled; how many were filled from the employees within the hospital; and of the latter, in how many cases temporary staff were made permanent on their temporary posts, and how many temporary staff were not appointed to the post in which they were employed in that temporary capacity.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1979, c. 553]: Information for the year ending 31 October 1979 is:
Medical staff
| Posts vacant during year
| Appointments during year
| Posts still vacant
| |||
NURSING STAFF | ||||||
Ward sister/charge nurse | … | … | … | 10 | 8 | 2 |
Staff midwife | … | … | … | 41 | 38 | 3 |
State registered nurse (full-time) | … | … | … | 62 | 61 | 1 |
State registered nurse (part-time) | … | … | … | 13 | 12 | 1 |
State enrolled nurse | … | … | … | 18 | 18 | — |
Nursing auxiliary | … | … | … | 21 | 16 | 5 |
OTHERS | ||||||
Maintenance, ancillary and general staff including domestic staff | 110 | 109* | 1 | |||
* Five posts were filled by temporary employees within the hospital. Information about the number of temporary staff who competed unsuccessfully for posts in which they were employed is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. |
Norcall
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of the pilot scheme for Norcall proposed by the Northern health and social services board; and what would be the cost of supplying the same number of telephones to the same people for the same period.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1979, c. 554]: This pilot project, which would provide an emergency alarm system for about 40 vulnerable people, is still being examined. Many aspects of the scheme including the equipment to be used, the allocation of a radio frequency and the cost of the scheme are still uncertain. The installation and rental charges for telephones for 40 people for one year would be about £3,400 unless savings were made by the
East Belfast and Castlereagh | North and West Belfast | South Belfast | |
Estimates population (mid-1978) | 131,200 | 178,700 | 78,800 |
Staff (whole-time equivalent) | |||
administrative and clerical | 388 | 844 | 538 |
social workers and social work assistants | 94 | 149 | 74 |
other | 3,820 | 5,606 | 5,148 |
total | 4,302 | 6,599 | 5,760 |
Total staff per 1,000 population | 32·8 | 36·9 | 73·1 |
Social workers and social work assistants per 1,000 population | 0·72 | 0·83 | 0·94 |
Alcohol (Sales To Minors)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many
use of the Post Office voluntary labour service scheme.
Eastern Health And Social Services Board
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Belfast sub-divisions are encompassed by the Eastern health and social services board for the purposes of administration; what are the respective populations of these areas; what staff operate in each of the respective sub-divisions (a) in offices and (b) on the ground; in particular, how many social workers there are engaged in each sub-division; what is the staff-population ratio in each sub-division; and if there is any disparity what is the reason for it.
[pursuant to his reply, 15 November 1979]; The latest available information is as follows:prosecutions have resulted from serving alcohol to minors in Northern Ireland in the past 12 months.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 483]: The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Gransha Hospital
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether margarine is still being given to the patients in Gransha hospital in Londonderry; and, if so, how the quantities compare with the quantities in each of the last three years.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 481]: All patients in Gransha hospital are now served butter unless butter is precluded for medical reasons or the patient prefers margarine.
Royal Ulster Constabulary
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present membership level of the Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve; and what is the actual active service level of this force.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 477]: At 1 November 1979, the strength of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve was 4,492. All members of the reserve perform duty on a regular basis.
Special Care Schools
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) in view of the deep concern of parents and others about the decision to drop the term "special care school", what representations has he or his Department received; and if he will reconsider this decision;(2) why the term "special care school" was changed to "school for the mentally handicapped";(3) what bodies and organisations in Northern Ireland pressed for the term "special care school" to be dropped and replaced by "school for the mentally handicapped", and what consultations took place with them and others closely affected.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 482]: The consultative document on services for the mentally handicapped published in April 1976 formed the basis for comprehensive discussions with a number of interested parties on services for the mentally handicapped. Subsequently, the policy paper "Services for the Mentally Handicapped in Northern Ireland—Policy Objectives" published in July 1978 announced the intention to refer to services "for the mentally handicapped" rather than to "special care" services.This decision was in accordance with the policy of providing services for the mentally handicapped in this one way as for any other client group rather than identifying the mentally handicapped as in need of some form of special care.The change in title of schools for the mentally handicapped is in keeping with this policy. There have been no representations about the change and I have no plans to review the decision.
Terrorism
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve have been killed or injured on duty; and how many have been killed or injured off duty as a result of terrorist incidents since the formation of the force.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 483]: Since the formation of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, 39 members have been killed and 312 injured as a result of terrorist activity. Information as to whether or not these incidents took place on or off duty is not readily available.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary have been killed or injured on duty; and how many have been killed or injured off duty as a result of terrorist incidents since 1968.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 483]: From 1 January 1969 to 31 October 1979, a total of 129 regular and reserve officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary were killed as a result of terrorist attacks. From 1 January 1969 to 30 September 1979, a total of 3,401 regular and reserve officers were injured either as a result of terrorist attacks or in the course of controlling civil disturbances. Information as to whether or not the deaths or injuries took place on or off duty is not readily available.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in the past six months the Royal Ulster Constabulary have been fired at by terrorists; on how many occasions they returned fire; and how many terrorists were killed or injured as a result.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 483]: Between 1 May and 31 October 1979 officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary have come under fire on 52 occasions. It is not possible, except at disproportionate cost, to determine on how many occasions fire was returned, but no one was killed or injured as a result of police gunfire during any of the 52 incidents recorded.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland were convicted of terrorist type offences during the recent Trinity term at Belfast City Commission; and what sentences were imposed.
During the recent Trinity term, 216 persons were convicted at Belfast crown court for offences which are scheduled under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978. The following sentences were imposed:
- 8 persons were sentenced to life imprisonment;
- 3 persons were sentenced to 20 years and over;
- 3 persons were sentenced to at least 15 years but less than 20 years' imprisonment;
- 15 persons were sentenced to at least 10 years but less than 15 years' imprisonment;
- 7 persons were sentenced to at least 7 years but less than 10 years' imprisonment;
- 15 persons were sentenced to at least 5 years but less than 7 years' imprisonment;
- 41 persons were sentenced to less than 5 years' imprisonment;
- 30 persons were given borstal or training centre sentences, and
- 94 persons were given non-custodial sentences.
House Of Commons
Telephone Charges
asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bottomley), as representing the House of Commons Commission, what was the amount of the telephone bill for the House of Commons for the last three months; and how this compares with the last three quarters.
I have been asked to reply.
Telephone bills chargeable to the House of Commons Vote and settled in the three months ended 30 September 1979 amounted to £150,161. For the preceding three quarters the figures were as follows:
Quarter ended 30 June 1979 | £139,797 |
Quarter ended 31 March 1979 | £151,800 |
Quarter ended 31 December 1978 | £150,893 |
As the House of Commons is a major user of the telephone service estimated accounts have been rendered by the Post Office.
The apparent "shortfall" of the June 1979 quarter is probably due to the reduced use of the telephone during the general election period.
Trade
Export Promotion And Dumping Supervision
asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what proposals exist for the Government to reduce their role in export promotion and for the abolition of dumping supervision;(2) what proposals exist to abolish his discretionary power governing undesirable company names, to institute a 24-hour notice in place of the on-demand service at the companies registration office and to abolish the discretionary power to allow companies to omit "Limited" in their name and the requirement to include directors' names on business documents;(3) if he will list the services provided by his Department that it is intended will be reduced in order to reduce the need for employing as many civil servants;(4) what proposals exist to remove the present bankruptcy service from his Department; and whether this service is to be replaced by anything if so removed;(5) what reduction he proposes to make in the commercial relations division of his Department; and whether the savings are to be made by refusing to discuss trade treaties with certain specified or unspecified countries;(6) what proposals exist to reduce supervisory controls on insurance companies; or if any such proposals are likely to be made in the near future.
I am reviewing a number of functions of the Department with a view to reducing Civil Service work, and will announce the outcome as soon as possible.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will circulate in the Official Report a table showing the unit value of United Kingdom exports of manufactures each quarter from 1 January 1977 to the latest quarter on a 1970 base and the weighted average of the export prices of United Kingdom principal competitors on the same bases, together with an index showing the one divided by the other.
Unit value information for the United Kingdom on a 1970 base was not compiled after 1977. Information as was available on 1970 = 100 was
UNITED KINGDOM TERMS OF TRADE (a) FOR MANUFACTURES | |||||||
OTS BASIS | |||||||
Semi Manufactures | Finished Manufactures | Total Manufactures | Semi Manufactures | Finished Manufactures | Total Manufactures | ||
1970–100(b) | 1975–100 | ||||||
1963 | … | 107 | 99 | 103 | 105 | 99 | 102 |
1964 | … | 106 | 97 | 102 | 104 | 97 | 101 |
1965 | … | 105 | 100 | 102 | 103 | 100 | 101 |
1966 | … | 104 | 103 | 103 | 102 | 103 | 102 |
1967 | … | 105 | 102 | 104 | 103 | 102 | 103 |
1968 | … | 99 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 97 | 98 |
1969 | … | 97 | 99 | 98 | 95 | 99 | 97 |
1970 | … | 100 | 100 | 100 | 98 | 100 | 99 |
1971 | … | 105 | 102 | 104 | 103 | 102 | 103 |
1972 | … | 104 | 103 | 105 | 104 | 103 | 105 |
1973 | … | 95 | 99 | 97 | 94 | 96 | 96 |
1974 | … | 91 | 99 | 93 | 90 | 97 | 93 |
1975 | … | 102 | 102 | 102 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
1976 | … | 101 | 100 | 101 | 98 | 98 | 99 |
1977 | … | 102 | 107 | 105 | 98 | 103 | 101 |
1978 | … | — | — | — | 100 | 105 | 103 |
1976 1st Quarter | … | 104 | 102 | 104 | 101 | 100 | 101 |
2nd Quarter | … | 100 | 100 | 101 | 97 | 98 | 98 |
3rd Quarter | … | 99 | 100 | 101 | 97 | 99 | 98 |
4th Quarter | … | 99 | 98 | 99 | 97 | 97 | 97 |
1977 1st Quarter | … | 100 | 104 | 103 | 96 | 100 | 99 |
2nd Quarter | … | 100 | 104 | 102 | 97 | 102 | 100 |
3rd Quarter | … | 102 | 107 | 106 | 98 | 104 | 102 |
4th Quarter | … | 105 | 111 | 109 | 99 | 105 | 103 |
1978 1st Quarter | … | — | — | — | 101 | 106 | 104 |
2nd Quarter | … | — | — | — | 101 | 103 | 103 |
3rd Quarter | … | — | — | — | 100 | 105 | 103 |
4th Quarter | … | — | — | — | 98 | 106 | 103 |
1979 1st Quarter | … | — | — | — | 99 | 107 | 104 |
2nd Quarter | … | — | — | — | 99 | 111 | 106 |
3rd Quarter | … | — | — | — | 101 | 114 | 109 |
(a) Export unit value index as percentage of import unit value index—not seasonally adjusted. | |||||||
(b) The 1970-based index numbers were not compiled for periods after 1977. | |||||||
The 1975-based series differ from those based on 1970, the main reasons being different weighting, classification changes and methodological improvements. |
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the
published up to August 1978 in table B23 of the monthly review of external trade statistics. Subsequent editions of the review include figures on 1975 = 100.
Terms Of Trade
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will circulate in the Official Report a table showing the terms of trade for United Kingdom manufactures each year since 1963 and for each quarter since the beginning of 1976 on the basis of trade in (a) 1970 and (b) 1975; and if he will include similar figures for semi-manufactures and finished manufactures.
The information is as follows:United Kingdom terms of trade and relative volume for trade in manufactures for each quarter since 1970.
The information is as follows:
TRADE IN MANUFACTURES* | |||
OTS Basis 1975 = 100 | |||
Terms of trade† | Relative volume‡ | ||
1970—1st quarter | … | 97 | 130 |
2nd quarter | … | 98 | 115 |
3rd quarter | … | 100 | 117 |
4th quarter | … | 101 | 119 |
1971—1st quarter | … | 101 | 115 |
2nd quarter | … | 101 | 123 |
3rd quarter | … | 104 | 123 |
4th quarter | … | 106 | 117 |
1972—1st quarter | … | 106 | 108 |
2nd quarter | … | 106 | 104 |
3rd quarter | … | 104 | 97 |
4th quarter | … | 102 | 103 |
1973—1st quarter | … | 102 | 99 |
2nd quarter | … | 99 | 98 |
3rd quarter | … | 92 | 98 |
4th quarter | … | 91 | 94 |
1974—1st quarter | … | 92 | 93 |
2nd quarter | … | 91 | 94 |
3rd quarter | … | 93 | 102 |
4th quarter | … | 96 | 98 |
1975—1st quarter | … | 99 | 99 |
2nd quarter | … | 100 | 101 |
3rd quarter | … | 100 | 96 |
4th quarter | … | 100 | 104 |
1976—1st quarter | … | 101 | 104 |
2nd quarter | … | 98 | 98 |
3rd quarter | … | 98 | 99 |
4th quarter | … | 97 | 98 |
1977—1st quarter | … | 99 | 99 |
2nd quarter | … | 100 | 93 |
3rd quarter | … | 102 | 103 |
4th quarter | … | 103 | 97 |
1978—1st quarter | … | 104 | 91 |
2nd quarter | … | 103 | 84 |
3rd quarter | … | 103 | 89 |
4th quarter | … | 103 | 88 |
1979—1st quarter | … | 104 | 74 |
2nd quarter | … | 106 | 78 |
3rd quarter | … | 109 | 79 |
* SITC (Rev 2) Sections 5 to 8. | |||
† Export unit value index as a percentage of import unit value index; not seasonally adjusted. | |||
‡ Volume of exports f.o.b. as a percentage of volume of imports c.i.f.; seasonally adjusted. |
Anglo-American Trade
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will circulate a table in the Official Report showing the change in United Kingdom and United States export prices for manufactures each year since 1970 and each quarter since the beginning of 1976, together with the corresponding change in the volume of United Kingdom exports to and imports from the United States of America.
The available price information is given in the table below. Volume figures of United Kingdom exports to and imports from the United States of America are not available in the United Kingdom statistics.
EXPORT PRICES FOR MANUFACTURES | |||||
Percentage change on previous period (national currencies) | |||||
UK | USA | ||||
1970 | … | … | … | 7½ | 5 |
1971 | … | … | … | 5½ | 1½ |
1972 | … | … | … | 5½ | 3 |
1973 | … | … | … | 11 | 7½ |
1974 | … | … | … | 25 | 21 |
1975 | … | … | … | 23 | 16 |
1976 | … | … | … | 21 | 7 |
1977 | … | … | … | 18 | 4½ |
1978 | … | … | … | 9½ | 8 |
1976 Q1 | … | … | … | 5 | 2 |
Q2 | … | … | … | 5½ | 2 |
Q3 | … | … | … | 6 | 1 |
Q4 | … | … | … | 6 | 3 |
1977 Q1 | … | … | … | 3 | — |
Q2 | … | … | … | 4 | 1 |
Q3 | … | … | … | 2½ | 2 |
Q4 | … | … | … | 2 | 2½ |
1978 Q1 | … | … | … | 1½ | 1 |
Q2 | … | … | … | 2½ | 1 |
Q3 | … | … | … | 3 | 2½ |
Q4 | … | … | … | 3 | 4 |
1979 Q1 | … | … | … | 3 | NA |
Q2 | … | … | … | 1 | NA |
Q3 | … | … | … | 2½ | NA |
NA: Not Available |
Tourism
asked the Secretary of State for Trade how much of the 1978–79 grant by the Exchequer for the promotion of tourism was spent in the development areas; what was the conclusion of the inter-departmental programmes analysis review as to the return to the public at large on the moneys spent outside the development areas; and whether, in view of the cuts in education and other essential services, he will set a date by which public assistance to the promotion of tourism outside the development areas will be withdrawn.