asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to meet the chairman of the British Insurance Association.

My right hon. Friend met the chairman of the British Insurance Association on 6 November and has no present plans for a further meeting.

The case of Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Newman Industries, which particularly concerns me, is sub judice, but may I ask whether when the Secretary of State next meets the chairman of the British Insurance Association, as I hope he will, the right hon. Gentleman will raise with the chairman the important matter of a large institutional investor taking a very small minority stake in a company and pursuing a battle of endless litigation which may end up to the detriment of other shareholders and the employees?

The hon. Gentleman knows that I cannot refer to the case of Newman Industries because the matter is before the courts. On the wider point concerning institutional shareholders, I should point out that this range of matters is being considered by the committee under the chairmanship of the right hon. Member for Huyton (Sir H. Wilson).

Has the hon. Gentleman discussed with the British Insurance Association the options that he is exploring in cost cutting within his Department as they affect the supervisory role of the insurance division? Is he aware that there is great anxiety lest we go back to the lack of supervision of the early 1970s? Can he indicate approximately how many people are engaged in such supervisory duties in his Department?

The hon. Gentleman will know that this part of my Department is being reviewed, as are all other parts, but no decisions have been taken. I emphasise that my right hon. Friend has made perfectly clear that an effective and efficient system of supervision of the insurance industry will be maintained.

Will my hon. Friend confirm that, notwithstanding any stabilisation of the staff of the insurance division which may take place, there is no indication from the Government that they propose to move backwards from the supervisory provisions of the Insurance Companies Act 1974?

I am glad to assure my hon. Friend that the system of supervision of the industry will be effectively maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the present annual rate of inflation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade by how much the rate of inflation has risen since May.

The retail price index increased by 17·2 per cent. over the 12 months to October and by 9·1. per cent. between May and October.

Will the right hon. Lady explain how the Government intend to protect the 7½ million people in this country who are below, on, or within, 10 per cent. of the official poverty line from this appalling increase in the cost of living?

The hon. Lady will know that social security benefits are to increase in cash terms by the greatest amount ever. If the previous Government had not tried to borrow, print, tax and bribe their way out of every economic crisis, and if those policies had not failed, consumers would not be having to pay such high prices today.

Can my right hon. Friend give the House an indication of what proportion of the increase in the rate of inflation can be attributed to decisions taken by the previous Government?

Not the VAT increase.

Practically everything in the present inflation figure, with the exception of the Budget measures, can be attributed to the previous Government.

Since the Minister is making quite a play of the fact that the increase in pensions equates roughly to the present rate of inflation but not the prospective rate of inflation, which would be much more, will she pass on to other Ministers, in the Treasury and elsewhere, the message that the same should at least apply to wages?

My hon. Friends in the Treasury are perfectly aware of this. They are also aware that, if we do not get sensible wage settlements, and if productivity does not rise, inflation will be very much worse.

Is it the right hon. Lady or some other member of the Government who is in charge of finding a fifth man in order to deflect the attention of the public from the next rise in minimum lending rate and the outrageous RPI figures announced on Friday?

Is not the right hon. Lady ashamed of the figures that she has given to the House today? We now have an inflation rate of 17½ per cent. per year and are running into steep increases in gas, electricity, rents, mortgages and nearly every other charge that one can think of? When will the Government admit that their smart-alec Budget was a great mistake, and when will they bring the inflation rate down to the level which obtained under the previous Labour Government?

Of course I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that price inflation is far too high, but he and his hon. Friends cannot have it both ways. If we were to embark on the levels of expenditure that they are calling for, we would have hyperinflation, hypertaxation and a drastically devalued pound as we had under the previous Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what measures he is taking inside and outside the European Community to persuade the Governments of maritime nations to enter into a general agreement not to give special advantages to their own merchant fleets.

It would not be practicable to aim for a general agreement on all forms of special advantage. Individual Government measures are discussed within the EEC and in wider international fora. In such discussions, the United Kingdom's consistent aim is to maintain a freely competitive environment for as much as possible of world shipping.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that an open seas policy, which is clearly in the best interests of the consumers of the world, is very much at prejudice at present in view of the number of Governments who, as my question points out, are giving "special advantages" to their merchant marines? There can come a point when those merchant marines which play dead straight on a competitive policy will increasingly be put at a disadvantage.

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why it is our purpose not to try to up the ante in these matters but to persuade other countries, through every international organisation and every bilateral contact, that we have, that it is in no one's interest continually to subsidise shipping.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he proposes to take to eradicate the differentials which presently make Scottish food prices higher than elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Government action as suggested by the hon. Member would not be feasible. To the extent that price differentials may be due to monopolies or anti-competitive practices, these would be subject to the existing powers in the Fair Trading Act, and the new powers conferred by the Competition Bill.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that after considerable urging the previous Government agreed to instruct the Price Commission to hold an inquiry into high food prices in Scotland? Does she further realise that consumers in Scotland, who have to pay these high food prices, will not be convinced by the answer that she has given and that they want action taken above and beyond action to deal with the general rise in inflation?

I am sure that consumers in Scotland will be comforted by the fact that under the new Competition Bill it will be possible for the first time to look at the abuse of market dominance in local situations. This is a new step. If it proves that there is abuse of market dominance, it will allow the Director General of Fair Trading to act in this area for the first time. If the hon. Gentleman knows of any specific cases, he will no doubt bring them to the attention of the Director General.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is the practical experience of those of us who have lived on both sides of the border that the quality and choice of food available in Scotland is consistently extremely high?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that information.

Does the Minister agree with the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. Wilson) that the Labour Government tried to do something through the Price Commission to minimise the differentiation between Scottish prices and English prices? Does she find it as incomprehensible as we do that the hon. Gentleman and his party sought to get the previous Government out?

The previous Labour Government were always trying to do things through the Price Commission, and they always failed.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that whatever special problems Scotland may have, to which the Government are rightly giving special attentions, those problems would be made infinitely worse if Scotland were ever subjected to the socialist and separatist policies of the Scottish National Party?

Scottish consumers, through their consumer council, asked for a reference on prices in remote areas. Why did the right hon. Lady turn them down?

I am aware that that request was made. We believe that consumers in Scotland can best be helped through the strengthened competition policy which is aimed particularly at the abuse of local monopolies. We believe that, if competition is limited in areas such as the Western Isles, we must look at ways of increasing that competition.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to receive the reports from the advisory groups considering the question of the third London airport.

I expect to receive the reports very soon, and to announce the Government conclusions when we have completed our consideration of all the relevant advice and information.

Can I urge upon the Minister that if at all possible the Government's own position should be made clear simultaneously with the publication of the recommendations so as, hopefully, to eliminate some of the six sites from the planning blight to which they are at present subjected?

My hon. Friend makes an interesting suggestion. It is one to which we shall give due heed, together with all the others.

Is it correct to assume that the Government are not bound by the limitations of the reports that they receive and that they could decide upon an option that is not contained in the remit of the advisory committee?

Yes.

Will my hon. Friend continue to bear in mind the conclusion of the Roskill Commission that, if Maplin were chosen, Kent would be the uncompensated loser and that the situation would be particularly worse if extensive night-time flying was allowed from such an airport?

We shall take all such matters into consideration, and we shall always give due weight to what my hon. Friend says in defending his constituents.

Will the Minister listen to representations from regional airports such as Manchester International, which believe that they have the facilities and the capacity to take up a lot of the capacity that will be imposed on London and the South-East? Will the Minister consider this suggestion seriously?

Without prejudice to the decision on the third London airport, I should like to emphasise that I believe that Manchester airport has an extremely important role to play in the United Kingdom's airport policy. I look forward to visiting that airport shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he intends to take any further steps to assist British exporters whose trade is adversely affected by the Arab boycott of Israel.

The Government already give advice and assistance to firms experiencing problems with the Arab boycott. We are always ready to consider suggestions for improving the service.

While accepting the sincerity of the Government's condemnation of the Arab boycott, does not the Minister consider that the authentication of boycott documents by the Government is entirely inconsistent with that attitude? As the boycott now extends to Egypt as well as Israel, and as the Government are entirely in favour of peace between those two countries, as well as the peace process that has been initiated, will not they now at least stop that practice of authentication?

As to authentication, the Government's position was made very clear in the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 5 November. I cannot add to that answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what further proposals he has for reforming company law by strengthening disqualification proceedings against directors of companies going into liquidation, in line with the recommendations of the Jenkins committee.

Provisions extending the grounds on which directors may be disqualified were included in the Companies Act 1976 and the Insolvency Act 1976. Outstanding recommendations of the Jenkins committee, and other possible measures, will be considered in the light of the report of the Insolvency Law Review committee, which is expected next year, and of experience of the operations of the statutory provisions that I have mentioned.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of us receive constant complaints from our constituents who are the creditors of fly-by-night directors who have taken a firm into insolvency and started it up again almost immediately using the same telephone number, the same office but a different company name? Will the hon. Gentleman, along the lines of paragraph 85 of the Jenkins report, undertake to have his Department consider this as a matter of urgency, because many people have lost a great deal of money?

I am concerned about the actions of a small number of fraudulent and delinquent directors who operate in that way to the discredit of the system as a whole. On receipt of the Insolvency Law Review committee report, I shall seriously consider the matter.

Will the Minister bear in mind the building industry when considering these matters? In that industry there are numerous examples where people have suffered unjustly through development and repair work, and pensioners have been particularly affected.

I shall note the points that the hon. Gentleman made.

Does my hon. Friend agree that if a director knows that he may lose other people's money without loss to himself that can amount to fraudulence because he does not bother to care? Being a director surely involves caring, and we should introduce the strongest law possible to stop people from engaging in business when they have no experience and no capital and just use other people's savings.

I am glad to say that the overwhelming majority of directors do care, but there are problems that need serious consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what consultations he has had concerning the future of the film industry; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Leo Pliatzky, then of my Department, had wide-ranging consultations with the film industry, and copies of his report were placed in the Library on 26 July. I have also met representatives of the industry.

Although I am glad to hear that, is the Minister aware of the distrust in the film industry because of the contradictory and soothing statements and recommendations that are being made, not least by the right hon. Gentleman himself? Does the Minister agree that there is a great need for an indigenous film industry in this country and that the best way to achieve that, at least in the interim, is by adequate financing of the National Film Finance Corporation? Finally, will he confirm that, if there are any arrangements with the Eady levy, he will not use that as an excuse for reducing Government expenditure?

I am not aware of any distrust in the film industry about the Government's intentions. It is important to have a healthy indigenous film industry. The proposals that I made and publicised in July for the reconstruction of the National Film Finance Corporation, which involve some public money, will go forward, but the legislative timetable is not finally settled. We are hoping to present the Bill as planned during this parliamentary Session.

I reinforce the desire of my hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Mr. Dormand) to see an indigenous British film industry prosper. Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that timely Government assistance might give an opportunity for marketing some of the outstanding British talent which exists in the industry?

If the right hon. Gentleman is volunteering himself in the role of a star, I am sure that the film industry will be glad to publicise him.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied with the speed of implementation of undertakings agreed at the general agreement on tariffs and trade, Tokyo round.

At the Tokyo summit last June the leaders of main industrialised countries committed themselves to an early and faithful implementation of the agreements negotiated in the Tokyo round. The main agreements are to come into force on 1 January 1980 and I expect that timetable to be adhered to by the main participants.

At the meeting tomorrow, will my right hon. Friend impress on the European Commission and the Council of Ministers that no further delay will be tolerated in implementing the undertaking to protect the textile industry from unfair competition based on cheap feedstocks and cheap energy sources?

Yes. I believe that the time for fact finding is over. We have been pressing for action for many months and I expect the Commission to announce tomorrow that it wishes to obtain the Council's authority to hold urgent talks under article 23 of the GATT. I consider this matter to be of great importance and intend to raise it tomorrow.

Is the Secretary of State prepared to restrict the entry into the United Kingdom of viscous yarn?

As I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale (Mr. Trippier), I intend to go to the Council tomorrow and these matters will be debated. I believe that we have sufficient facts to decide in the Council tomorrow how to go forward, and I expect that the Commission will propose action under article 23 of the GATT.

How does my right hon. Friend view the closure announced on Friday of Courtaulds Redscar mill in Preston, with the loss of 2,600 jobs? Does he recognise that that is an indictment of Government policy, both Labour and Conservative, on the import of cheap textile goods?

I am concerned to hear of the closure, but approximately 12 per cent. of the textiles sold in this country come from low-cost sources, and the overwhelming proportion of those supplies from low-cost producers are under some kind of import restraint. I am deeply concerned to hear of the closure in my hon. Friend's constituency, and perhaps he will give me more details later.

The Secretary of State will be aware that during the Tokyo round the previous Government raised the question of cheap man-made multi-fibres coming from the United States which are cheap because of cheap energy sources, and special arrangements were made under the negotiations for the matter to be raised. Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is satisfactory that so many months after the Government took office they are still at a fact-finding stage? Does he agree that action should be taken under the rules that were negotiated?

I have said three times that I am going to the Council tomorrow on the matter. I must also point out that, with such a depressing outlook for world trade, it is vitally important for other British industries, including the wool textile industry which is a large exporter to the United States, that if possible we solve these problems by agreement and go through the agreed international procedures and not take unilateral action. I could not be more aware of the concern that is felt in the country and the House on these fibre imports, and I am anxious that we should move forward as soon as possible under article 23.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what proposals have been made by British Airways for a fifth terminal at London Heathrow airport on the Perry Oaks site.

I am aware that British Airways favour the further expansion of Heathrow, but I have received no specific proposals for a fifth terminal.

Is my hon. Friend aware of a British Airways document that partly argues the case for a fifth terminal on the Perry Oaks site and that that should be considered as an alternative to the restrictions placed on the development of Heathrow airport by the previous Government? If he does not know of the document, will he be kind enough to familiarise himself with it and put the minds of the people of West London at rest?

As I said, I am aware that British Airways favour the further expansion of Heathrow, but there are major problems. It would not be right for me to state the Government's attitude before all the options to satisfy the demand for increased air capacity in the South-East of England have been considered.

Before the hon. Gentleman starts talking about a fifth terminal at Heathrow, will he give his attention to the question of a fourth terminal? Is he aware that the inspector's report has been lying on the Secretary of State's table since 18 May, and surely it is a disgrace that such a costly delay should occur? What is the reason?

If we are to discuss costly delays in airport policy, the hon. Gentleman might be wise to leave the Chamber in order to avoid embarrassment.

Will the Minister tell us whether a decision has been taken to build a further terminal or rebuild the terminal at Stansted? That is one alternative to the fifth terminal at London airport.

As I said earlier, all these options are being taken into account in considering solutions to the problem of increased capacity in the South-East. We do not wish to rule out any option before reaching our final conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what will be the amount of financial assistance from his Department for local citizens advice bureaux for 1980–81; and how this compares with levels of assistance for the current financial year.

As I shall be announcing today, we shall be doubling the level of assistance in 1980–81, compared with this year. We shall provide £3 million next year. This compares with £1·5 million in the current year. Both figures are at 1979 survey prices.

Does the right hon. Lady realise that she provides practically no assistance for the local CABs? Although she is increasing expenditure at national level by £1·5 million, she is making a saving of £1·5 million because of the abolition of CACs. Is the right hon. Lady concerned that, with the pressure on local government spending, many local CABs will come under severe pressure because of the cut in grants at local level?

Like the hon. Gentleman's Government, when he was Minister with responsibility for consumer affairs, the Government make no direct grant to local CABs. I was referring to the grant for the National Association of Consumer Advice Bureaux—as happened under the previous Government. I value greatly the work done by CABs. That is why I am pleased to be able to increase support in this way. The hon. Gentleman referred to the CACs. I have noted that the CABs are far more cost-effective. It costs them £1 to deal with a complaint, against £4 in the case of the CACs.

Notwithstanding the carping of the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Fraser), will my right hon. Friend take it from me that some of my right hon. and hon. Friends, conscious of the need to continue to assist the consumer in whatever way is open to us, warmly welcome the announcement that she has made this afternoon?

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what changes he would wish to be made in the multi-fibre arrangement when it comes up for renewal.

The Government recognise that there will be a need for continuing orderly marketing arrangements for textiles after the present multi-fibre arrangement expires, but it would be premature to consider now what form those arrangements should take.

Does my right hon. Friend accept that it is not only vital to the Yorkshire and Lancashire textile industries that a new and, preferably, strengthened MFA is negotiated, but that, once it is negotiated, the Commissioners should use their powers to monitor the operation to ensure that it is not abused, as it has been in the past?

I fully accept that the MFA is of great importance to the Yorkshire and Lancashire textile industries. It will be just as important for new marketing arrangements to be adequately monitored. I give my hon. Friend that assurance that they will be.

Will the Secretary of State indicate what weight he gives to representations from the jute industry regarding the maintenance of the position of the industry on Tayside? What action does he propose to take, through the EEC or in other ways, to prevent back-door importation of jute products, which will affect employment levels in Dundee and Tayside?

I am well aware of the importance of the jute industry to Dundee. Some of my hon. Friends have been concerned about the industry for many years and I could hardly not be so aware. If the hon. Gentleman will give me specific examples, I shall look into those with great care.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there should be provision for a meaningful annual review of any successor to the MFA, preferably to be incorporated in the current agreement, to see that restrictions on developing countries are not negatived by the increase of imports into this country from other sources?

The new MFA is not due for another two years. The bilateral agreements do not expire for another three years. It is not in the interest of the textile industry—although some people in the industry believe that it is—for us to be drawn into detailed discussions at this stage about the contents of the new agreement. However, I agree with my hon. Friend that we should ensure that, where imports fall outside the MFA arrangements, we are prepared, if there are sudden surges of imports, to look at the possibility of other restraint arrangements. That is what takes place now.

Will the Minister indicate when he believes that it will be appropriate to have discussions on the succeeding arrangement? Will he assure the House that, within the next 12 months, the trade unions and the employers federation in the wool textile industry will take part in such discussions?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry and I have met two substantial delegations from the textile industry. We are always ready to meet further delegations on the subject. When the time arrives for discussion on the possible new regime we will be happy to meet representatives from the wool textile industry. I do not expect that the Community will wish to make firm decisions about the matter for another year, at least.

The Secretary of State will recall that part of the British agreement to the Tokyo round's conclusion was that the MFA would continue. Agreement was secured within the Community on that objective. The Secretary of State would reassure people in the industry, without going into detail, if he would confirm that a new MFA will contain levels of protection no less than those at present.

I am reluctant to use the term MFA, because it refers to a specific arrangement. It refers to about 27 separate bilateral arrangements. It is a mistake to use the term when, in three years' time, what the House, the country and the industry may want, is a different sort of arrangement. That is the only reason for my reluctance to talk specifically about a renewal of the MFA. I prefer to say that we shall need some form of orderly marketing arrangement to succeed it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent exchange value of the pound on the level of imports and exports; and if he will make a statement.

The relative strength of sterling since the Conservative Government took office has enhanced the reputation of this country abroad, reduced the sterling value of imports and, by contributing to the fight against inflation, will help our future export performance.

Does the Secretary of State appreciate that the reputation of sterling abroad does not necessarily bring jobs at home? Does he accept that the high and escalating value of sterling—according to the latest figures—will lead to cheap imports, expensive exports and the consequential de-industrialisation of these islands? Taken in conjunction with the lifting of restraints on the export of capital and the high interest rates on home manufacturing industries, does he agree that the value of sterling is having a devastating effect on the country?

The strength of sterling is a by-product of the new Government's economic policies. I find it strange that when the House has complained for years and years about the weakness of sterling and its accompanying problems—including a high domestic inflation rate—many hon. Members now start to complain because sterling is strong. They cannot have it both ways. It must be for the benefit of the country that our currency is highly regarded overseas. That plays an important role in reducing the cost of imports. For that reason, it is beneficial in the fight against inflation.

Will my right hon. Friend comment on Professor Reddaway's report and the CBI report on investment overseas? Those reports show that such investment brings greater exports and greater employment for the country.

I agree with my hon. Friend. Trade follows overseas investment. The example of the United States is a good one to illustrate that point. The National Economic Development Council considered these matters, as did the sector working parties on which the trade unions were represented. The majority view was that overseas investment helped to provide jobs at home.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give his support to what appears to be the developing policy of Her Majesty's Government, to run down the currency reserves so that they can no longer be used by the Bank of England and others in the silly game of rigging the exchange rate?

I think that the right hon. Gentleman is slightly confused in his question, if I may say so. If he is suggesting that we should not support the value of sterling, or we should not intervene in the foreign exchange market—I think that was his point—I would agree with him. There may be some reason for the Bank of England being in the market in some minor way, but I would certainly agree with him that it is markets, not the Bank of England, which decide the value of sterling.

Is it the Secretary of State's view that we should maintain a substantial surplus in the balance of trade during the oil years? If not, how are we to live when they are over?

I believe that our recently announced policy for the abolition of exchange controls is an extremely important one for the balance of payments. It is absolutely fundamental that we invest some of the proceeds of North Sea Oil in overseas income-producing assets. This will provide great benefits for this country in future years, just as overseas investment has provided enormous benefits to this country throughout its recent history. That aspect of our policies will bring great benefits over future generations.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity of raising the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the Government's present policy in regard to import controls; and what controls have been introduced during the last six months.

The Government are completely opposed to general import controls, since they would destroy jobs and diminish our competitiveness. But they are always prepared to consider the imposition of temporary import restraints where special circumstances apply.

Does the Secretary of State recall that on earlier occasions Conservative Members have frequently and loudly complained that the special steel interests of south Yorkshire were being severely harmed by unfair overseas competition, despite the helpful action taken by the last Government? Is their silence today evidence of the fact that the Government have done anything to help? Have they done anything at all?

Since the Government came to power they have acted in very many instances where it has been shown that unfair trading practices are being indulged in by our overseas competitors. I have been to the EEC in Brussels in order to discuss this with the Commission.

There is, I think, a great misunderstanding of the anti-dumping powers that we have in this country, and I am anxious to make the procedures more generally known.

If the hon. Gentleman has examples of unfair trading practices in the industry with regard to dumping, we shall be only too ready to help the industry and the hon. Gentleman in trying to deal with them.

Is it not a fact that the total import bill for steel last year was over £1,000 million, and that in the same year the total number of motor cars imported was 800,000? Does not this gravely impair the viability of two basic industries in Britain as well as leading, incidentally, to steel closures?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is aware that the motor industry and, indeed, the steel industry, are both very substantial exporters. We not only import steel; we also export it. When one-third of our gross national product finds its way into export markets, we have to be extremely careful about imposing import restraints on products in regard to which we benefit greatly in export markets.

I welcome my right hon. Friend's antipathy towards unfair trading practices, but will he consider the relationship between the British Rail pension fund and Sotheby's auction house, in particular in the context of the Ojjeh sale in Monte Carlo in June or July this year, when there were strong rumours of a price being guaranteed by Sotheby's auction house to the British Rail pension fund and to the sellers of the particular goods involved?

I have to say to my hon. Friend, in the most friendly spirit, that there are a number of matters for which I am responsible, but that fortunately I am not responsible for British Rail or for its pension fund. The way in which the investment manager of the British Rail pension fund behaves is ultimately a matter for the trustees of that fund. If my hon. Friend wishes to put further questions on this matter, I suggest that he put them to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects the review of staffing levels in his Department to be completed.

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.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that assurance. Will he give an equally strong assurance that his review will make quite sure that the net figures produced will take account of the amalgamation between his own Department and the now defunct Department of Prices and Consumer Protection?

I am endeavouring to eliminate unnecessary functions. There is not any particular determination on my part to get numbers down for the sake of getting numbers down. I am looking at the general efficiency of the Department. Where we can eliminate functions, or improve the way in which we do our work, we may, as a byproduct of that, obtain reductions in staff.

I am conscious of the fact that two Departments have been merged into one. Both are now working very much better under the Conservative Administration than they were before. I hope that we can achieve some savings of the sort that my hon. Friend proposes.

On a day when this House is reminded of the courage and skill of our air-sea rescue personnel, will the Secretary of State assure us that in his review he is not considering a cutback in the marine division, particularly in the coastguard services or the marine survey office? Any such cutback would inevitably reduce safety for our seafarers.

I am very well aware of the vitally important work done by the marine division and by the coastguard service. There is no question of our reducing in any way the role that we play in this area. That could not be so. However, if some reorganisation is found to be desirable within, let us say, the marine division, we must be free to make that reorganisation. We are looking at how we can make the Department more efficient, and not at how we can get numbers down just for the sake of it.

How can my right hon. Friend justify the near doubling of the airport security levy on air passengers next spring when manning levels—for example, four people are assigned to each X-ray machine—appear to be higher than is the case elsewhere in the world?

This function must pay for itself. It would be quite wrong, in my view, for the general body of taxpayers—many of whom have never travelled on air transport and will never do so—to be subsidising this function. We shall look into the efficiency with which the operation is conducted, but it must cover its own costs.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an undertaking that he will not delegate essential survey work from the survey department within the marine division to the independent classification societies?

I am not giving any undertakings to the hon. Gentleman. I shall give undertakings about the organisation of the Department when we have fully completed our study of all these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what new initiatives he intends to take to increase trade with France.

The British Chamber of Commerce in France has recently published a policy statement aimed at increasing trade with France. I am studying its report.

How is the trade in lamb getting on? If the French continue to refuse to take our lamb, why should we continue importing unlimited quantities of their revolting apples?

As for French lamb, it is for the Commission, not for us, to take action against illegal behaviour by France. I do not know that I agree with the hon. Gentleman's comment about French apples. I think that some French apples are delicious, but that is a matter of taste.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Price Commission.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet the chairman at present.

Now that the Government's counter-inflation strategy seems to be an absolute shambles, with inflation over 17 per cent. and likely to rise to 20 per cent. by the turn of the year, and with more and more people complaining about the high price of food, fuel, clothing and many essential goods and services, will the Government, even at this late stage, abandon their insane proposals to abolish the Price Commission? What we need is more price control, not less.

I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's diagnosis that the Government's counter-inflation policy is a shambles. If the last Government had had the courage to face economic realities, as we are doing today, the country would not be facing its present problems. As the Price Commission never significantly affected prices in any way, the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is irrelevant.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the prices policy of the last Government drove nearly half the suppliers of paraffin out of business? The result of that is that in many rural areas today no paraffin can be obtained for delivery to homes.

I am aware that the operation of prices policies under the last Government caused prices to more than double. I am also aware of the problems to which my hon. Friend rightly referred.

Are the many companies which donated so generously to the Conservative Party now satisfied with the abolition of the Price Commission?

The people who donate most generously to the Conservative Party are the people who work for the party on the ground.

The right hon. Lady rejected the word "shambles" as a desscription of the Government's counter-inflation policy. With inflation heading towards 20 per cent., what word would the right hon. Lady use?

I would use the word "shambles" to describe the counter-inflation policy of the last Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the present level of inflation as measured by the retail price index; and what are the comparable levels for the other members of the European Economic Community.

The retail price index increased by 17·2 per cent. over the 12 months to October and by 10·3 per cent. over the 12 months to May.

As the Minister did not give the comparable figures for the European Community I assume that, unlike the press, the Treasury does not keep those figures. Is the right hon. Lady aware that the Treasury indicated in figures published last week that the correlation between growth of the money supply and inflation broke down two years ago and that present inflation is not due to money supply, and still less to rises in wages for working people, but is almost exclusively caused by the actions of the Government since they came to power in April?

In answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, with permission I shall circulate the figures for other members of the Community in the Official Report. As he will be aware, the rate of inflation in this country was higher when we took office than in most other countries of the European Community. I do not accept his diagnosis of the present cause of inflation.

Now that the Treasury's forecast of inflation has been invalidated by last week's statement, will the right hon. Lady give us her inflation forecast for next year?

The Government's counter-inflation strategy is not aimed at any one year, or any one month. We are tackling the root causes of inflation in all our economic policies. The consequences of living beyond our means during the past five years will be painful in the short term, but I believe that in the long term our policies will succeed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many quasi autonomous national government organisations for which he is responsible have been abolished; and what progress is being made towards the abolition of the remainder.

Announcements have been made that I intend to abolish the Price Commission and the Metrication Board. Departmental funds are being withdrawn from 120 consumer advice centres. A review of the remaining bodies is in hand. The total saving arising from these measures amounts to over £11 million a year.

Although I welcome my right hon. Friend's announcement, and the progress that he has made so far, may I ask him to tell the House how many more quangos he proposes to abolish and what the net saving to the taxpayer will be in that event?

I cannot answer that question, because our review of the other bodies is still in hand. I hope that we may be able to save more of the taxpayers' money in this area in future.

Will the Minister confirm that he is already in the process of setting up another quango for pilots; that is the Pilotage Commission? How much will it cost?

I know how very faithfully the hon. Gentleman supported his own Government when they were in office. I must tell him that I did not propose the establishment of the Pilotage Commission. That proposal came from right hon. Gentlemen now in opposition. I believe that the Pilotage Commission is necessary and that it will perform an important role. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to find out more about it, he should ask his right hon. Friends.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

My right. hon. Friend meets the chairman of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission as frequently as necessary. He has no meeting arranged at present.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that a subject which may come up for discussion when next she meets the chairman is the problem of monopoly buyers—I believe that the correct word is "monopsonists"—and will she encourage him to launch an investigation into one in order to discourage the others?

This is an interesting matter and, I believe, is the subject of an amendment which is likely before long to be before the Standing Committee considering the Competition Bill. It is of special interest in relation to public sector buyers, so obviously it is a matter to which the Government will be giving due consideration.

asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, what estimate the Commissioners have made of the shortage of skilled stonemasons capable of doing restoration work on medieval churches.

While this matter does not come within the responsibility of the Church Commissioners, in order to help the hon. Member I can tell him that there are now 14 English cathedrals with cathedral workshops employing skilled stonemasons and apprentices, and that a number of substantial private firms do the same. The advent of State aid for churches in use has given a considerable fillip to stonemasonry and the situation to which the lion. Member refers may, therefore, be expected to improve somewhat.

In the light of the detailed correspondence from the Department of Employment that I have sent to the hon. Gentleman and in the light of the anxieties caused by the age of those who can do this extremely skilled work in stonemasonry, would the Commissioners consider lending their weight to proposals that the Manpower Services Commission should undertake a further training programme in stonemasonry?

I recognise the validity of the point raised by the hon. Gentleman. If I may have time to consider the correspondence that he has been courteous enough to send to me, I will gladly see whether, consistent with our responsibilities, it would be appropriate for the Commissioners to make any representations.

What discussions have the Church Commissioners had with the Department of Employment on the training of young people in this vitally important craft? Will my hon. Friend acknowledge that, unless young people are trained in this craft, all the State aid in the world will be no good?

The Commissioners have not had any discussions, for the reasons I indicated in my main answer.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the greatest shortage is not of stonemasons but of stone conservators, who require considerable additional training? I am sure that hon. Members on both sides of the House wish to see stone conserved. Will my hon. Friend make inquiries in the appropriate Department and find what opportunities there are for expanding the number of places for training stonemasons to become stone conservators?

I will gladly look into that matter, but I repeat—with no discourtesy to my hon. Friend—that, consistent with the duties of the Commissioners, they have no direct responsibility here.

asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, when next he expects to attend a meeting of the Church Commissioners.

Consistent with my duties in this House, I hope to be present at the Commissioners' headquarters twice this week.

What do the Church Commissioners think of the proposal of the Government to deprive children of their legal right to free school transport? Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the children who will suffer most as a result of this mean proposal are those who travel considerable distances to attend denominational schools? This Government are depriving parents of freedom of choice in the education of their children as well as depriving their children of free school transport.

The Church Commissioners have no responsibility in education or in the voluntary controlled and voluntary aided schools. Therefore, the matter has not been discussed. On the more general question, I have noticed that in our efforts to improve the lot of the low-paid clergy the present economic climate has considerably helped the efforts of the Commissioners.

Will the Church Commissioners use their influence to ensure that space is provided temporarily in our parish churches for the storing of the Book of Common Prayer so that, when people tire of the new services, it may be used again?

I find, increasingly, that the duties of a Second Church Estates Commissioner get wider and wider—and I refer not only to his shape. The short answer to my hon. Friend is that, since I am quite certain that he is an active member of his own parochial church council, that is the body on which he should make his influence felt.