asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he anticipates being in a position to announce his decision on the recommendations contained in the May report.

I announced the Government's acceptance of the May committee's recommendations on pay and allowances in my statement on 31 October when the report was published. I have also accepted the recommendation that the functions now performed by the division in the Home Office establishment department concerned with prison service grades should in future be exercised within the prison department. I shall announce decisions on other recommendations of the committee as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the results of the World Administrative Radio Conference.

The World Administrative Radio Conference which has just ended was held in Geneva by the International Telecommunication Union. It was attended by 142 member States, including the United Kingdom. The chief purpose of the conference was to review, and where necessary revise, the main provisions and articles of the international radio regulations, including the international table of frequency allocations which provides the framework for the use of frequency wavebands for all types of radio throughout the world.Without commenting on the technically complex details of the changes that have been made, I can say that the United Kingdom has broadly achieved its objectives. There are inevitably one or two matters on which we would have liked to see different conclusions, but in general the outcome was satisfactory. I intend to publish a short report outlining the main results of the conference early next year. I understand that printed copies of the final acts of the conference are - expected to be distributed by the International Telecommunication Union by about the autumn of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in view of the recent case in the city of Carlisle when the local authority applied successfully to the courts for authority to remove travelling families from its car park but the police were unable to enforce the court's decision, if he will amend the law, to enable the local authority in conjunction with the police to move such families to permanent or temporary sites; and if he will make a statement.

The police have no power to enforce orders of the civil courts for the removal of people from private property, nor would it be appropriate to place such a duty upon them. I understand that the police will usually attend while orders are enforced by bailiffs, in order to prevent a breach of the peace, and that the Cumbria constabulary did so on the occasion refered to.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he took account of the comments of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in reaching his decision to close the special programme for refugees from Latin America.

Yes. On 8 October 1979 at the executive committee meeting on refugees at Geneva, the High Commissioner for Refugees made the following statement:

"For years during the decade, resettlement opportunities were vitally needed for Latin American refugees. This is no longer the case: the residual problem on that continent has been solved since we last met. The current needs are of limited scope and are met as they emerge".

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he intends to ensure that booking for the House's private dining rooms are published; and what are the safeguards against abuse of the House facilities by outside bodies such as public relations organisations.

I have been asked to reply.It is not the Catering Sub-Committee's policy to publish details of functions sponsored by hon. Members.The arrangements for the use of private dining rooms set out in the fifth report from the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) of Session 1974–75 (HC 483, 1974–75) provide the necessary safeguards against abuse.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many accounts of hon. Members of more than £500 are outstanding in the Refreshment Department.

I have been asked to reply.I do not think it appropriate to give details of the accounts of hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has been called in to intervene in the dispute at Adamson Containers, Reddish, Stockport.

I understand that ACAS has offered its services to help in resolving this dispute but that the offer has not so far been taken up.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the result of the discussions held between the training services division of the Manpower Services Commission and the Wool, Jute and Flax Training Board about pending redundancies in West Yorkshire.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that discussions have taken place between the training services division, the Wool, Jute and Flax Industry Training Board and local employers with regard to the possibility of TSD support for retraining of redundant weaving over lookers in West Yorkshire for other jobs in the textile industry. However, support for retraining in this case cannot be justified at present because of the lack of employment opportunities in the industry on completion of training. The MSC is keeping the situation under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent public expenditure cuts are affecting the recruitment of factory inspectors.

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are his conclusions arising from the Health and Safety report on the underground train accident at Bentley colliery; and if any general instructions are being issued as a consequence of the report.

The report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Mines and Quarries published on 3 October 1979 drew a number of conclusions and made recommendations which would reduce the risk of such accidents occurring. I have nothing to add to those conclusions and recommendations. A copy of the report is available in the Library of the House.Immediately following the Bentley accident, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Mines and Quarries instituted an industry-wide review of locomotive man-riding practices aimed to ensure that the circumstances which gave rise to the accident could not occur elsewhere. Action to implement the recommendations in the report is being taken by the National Coal Board and the trade unions. Lessons to be learnt from the report are being discussed between the NCB, the unions, and the mines and quarries inspectorate at national and local level.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has yet completed his review of the temporary short time working scheme; whether the scheme will be extended; and if he will make a statement.

The annual review of the temporary short time working compensation scheme and other special employment and training measures has not yet been completed. A decision about the future of the scheme will be announced as soon as possible before 31 March 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage of unemployment in the Keighley, Shipley and Bingley travel-to-work areas for each complete month in the current year.

The following table gives information for the Keighley employment office area and for the Bradford travel-to-work area which comprises the Bradford, Shipley and Bingley employment office areas.

	Keighley employment office area Per cent.	Bradford travel-to-work area Per cent.
January 1979	5·1	7·0
February 1979	5·1	6·9
March 1979	4·9	6·7
April 1979	4·5	6·4
May 1979	4·5	6·2
June 1979	4·7	6·3
July 1979	5·5	7·1
August 1979	5·2	7·1
September 1979	5·0	6·7
October 1979*	5·1	6·5
November 1979	5·0	6·3
*From October 1979 the unemployment figures from which the rates have been calculated are affected by the introduction of fortnightly attendance and payment of benefit. The figures are likely to be slightly higher than they would have been under weekly attendance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the meeting held by the EEC Council of Ministers, Labour and Social Affairs, on 22 November at which Her Majesty's Government were represented.

The United Kingdom Government were represented by my noble Friend the Minister of State. The main item discussed was a draft resolution on the reorganisation of working time, submitted to the Council as part of the European Commission's proposals on work sharing aimed at reducing Community unemployment levels. The resolution was agreed after a wide discussion which took account of differing views among Ministers of the scope there was for a Community approach to work sharing measures. For the United Kingdom my noble Friend referred particularly to the Government's policies of containing inflation and increasing competitiveness of industry, to the importance we attach to improving productivity and growth, and to the autonomy of unions and employers in the collective bargaining process. He stressed the need to ensure that work sharing measures did not add to inflationary pressures and damage the competitive position of the Community. In agreeing the resolution, the Council considered that limits should be applied to systematic overtime working provided that these took account of such factors as the necessary flexibility of the production process and the situation in the labour market, and were introduced in accordance with procedures in force in the member States and with due regard to the independent role of unions and employers. The resolution also invites the Commission to examine further with unions and employers the possibilities of a Community approach to questions of flexible retirement, part-time work, temporary work and reducing annual hours of work.The effect of the resolution in the United Kingdom is that the possible introduction of work sharing measures is a matter for unions and managements to consider in the course of collective bargaining procedures.A copy of the resolution when available in final form will be placed in the Library of the House.The Council also agreed a draft resolution to encourage systems of training based on alternating periods of employment with educational or training activity, with the intention of assisting the transition from school to work and in general breaking down the barriers between education/ training and employment. The United Kingdom welcomed the resolution which is in accord with the Government's approach to encouraging the improvement of vocational preparation for young people through, for example, the youth opportunities programme and other training measures. A copy of this resolution, when available, will also be placed in the Library of the House.In taking note of a progress report on the proposal to extend the social security regulations to insured self-employed and non-employed nationals of member States, the Council indicated its agreement in principle to the amending regulation, subject to the solution of three outstanding problems.The Council also adopted conclusions agreeing, on a proposal from the Commission, to promote consultation between the member States on migration policies towards third countries.Among other matters, the Council referred for further examination, the Commission's communication on employee participation in asset formation which the United Kingdom welcomed as a useful basis for discussion and in accord with the Government's policy to encourage wider ownership of real and financial property.The Council also took note of the Commission's seventh report on the European social fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers are in section 2 employment; how many are on the waiting list, and what is the number of vacancies.

On 31 March 1979 there were 13,899 registered severely disabled people in sheltered employment. Information on the number of people on the waiting list and the number of vacancies is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the names and addresses of all the sheltered workshops, known to his Department, in the United Kingdom.

I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many new places in sheltered employment are planned for the next five years; and whether any programme expansion has been stopped or delayed because of the government's policy of cutting public expenditure.

The Manpower Services Commission (MSC), which is responsible for sheltered employment, announced in 1978 that it planned to provide an additional 200 places annually over the next few years, economic circumstances permitting.I have been advised by the MSC that it has not changed those plans but, because of financial constraints, some new workshops, some of which are partially financed by local authorities and voluntary bodies, could be deferred.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the per capita cost per annum for persons in sheltered employment.

In the financial year 1977–78, the latest year for which full information is available, the cost per severely disabled person in all forms of sheltered employment was £2,460.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in the 1980–81 financial year of raising (a) the married man's tax allowance and (b) the additional personal allowance for lone parents by an amount sufficient to provide a gain in take-home pay of £1 a week for (i) standard rate taxpayers and (ii) lower rate taxpayers.

The estimated cost at 1979–80 income levels would be:

(i) for basic rate taxpayers to benefit fully about £610 million.

(ii) for lower rate taxpayers to benefit fully about 730 million.

It is not possible to give a corresponding amount for 1980–81, which will depend on income levels and tax rates and allowances for that financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to ensure that the normal tax relief is available immediately to taxpayers whose mortgage payments increase.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that the extra tax relief on the higher mortgage interest rates will be paid speedily; and if he will make a statement.

Because of the work burden in tax offices it is not possible to adjust all PAYE codes forthwith to take account of increased mortgage interest payments. Any extra tax relief due will in general be given by way of refund after 5 April next, and tax offices will give priority to this work. However, if any taxpayer is caused hardship by this arrangement he should write to his tax office giving full information of the interest actually payable by him for the year, and his tax code will then be adjusted as a matter of urgency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the average increased cost to the borrower arising from the increase in the mortgage rate from 11¾ per cent. to 15 per cent. for mortgages of, respectively, £25,000, £30,000, £40,000, £50,000, £60,000, £75,000 and £100,000 in each case both gross and net of tax relief.

The net cost to the borrower of the increase in mortgage rate from 11¾ per cent. to 15 per cent. at different levels of mortgage depends on the borrower's marginal tax rate and on the remaining mortgage outstanding. For new 20-year mortgages at marginal tax rates of 30 per cent. and 75 per cent. (the top marginal rate including investment income surcharge), the figures are as follows:

		Additional monthly cost after tax relief
Mortgage	Additional monthly cost	(a) At basic rate	(b) At 75 per cent.
£	£	£	£
25,000	58·30	38·00	7·50
30,000	69·90	49·60	19·20
40,000	93·20	72·90	42·50
50,000	116·60	96·20	65·80
60,000	139·90	119·60	89·10
75,000	174·80	154·50	124·10
100,000	233·10	212·80	182·30

The tax relief is limited to the interest on £25,000 of the mortgage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate for the sum of tax relief given to parents in respect of payment of fees for pupils at private or grant-aided schools in Scotland.

No tax relief is allowable for school fees.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of his officials were sent to Brussels in 1978 to discuss EEC matters; what was the total man-days involved; and what was the cost to public funds of travel and subsistence, including sums reimbursed by the Commission.

During 1978 the number of visits made by officials of my departments to Brussels was:

Treasury	210
Customs and Excise about	450
Inland Revenue	14

Most of these were to discuss EEC matters.Information on the total man-days involved and the cost to public funds of travel and subsistence could only be obtained at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.The amounts reimbursed by the EEC Commission towards travel and subsistence were:

	£
Treasury	24,783
Customs and Excise (about)	36,000
Inland Revenue	1,228

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what study he has made of the taxation position of disabled people in receipt of various benefits or income from other sources; and if he will make a statement.

I keep these aspects of the tax system regularly under review.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he has any proposals for changing the method by which Civil Service pay is negotiated.

I have no present plans to do so.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many redundancies he expects will result from the implementation of his statement of 6 December on Civil Service cuts; and whether any of these will be compulsory.

The Government's aim is to secure the reductions in Civil Service manpower, which will take place over the next three years, by natural wastage as far as practicable.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will give the number of persons who will now be made redundant in the various Civil Service departments, respectively, in Carlisle and Cumbria as a result of the measures

								Cost (at 1979 survey prices)		Staff numbers (approximate)
								£ million	Per cent.		Per cent.
Ministry of Defence		…	…	…	…	…	…	41·0	3·0	7,500	3·2
Foreign and Commonwealth Office					…	…	…	6·0	4·2	425	5·1
Overseas Development Agency				…	…	…	…	2·1	10·0	235	9·4
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food						…	…	4·1	4·1	470	3·2
Department of Industry			…	…	…	…	…	7·9	13·5	1,290	13·3
Department of Trade			…	…	…	…	…	3·1	6·3	455	5·9
Office of Fair Trading			…	…	…	…	…	0·3	15·0	70	21·5
Export Credits Guarantee Department					…	…	…	0·8	7·1	145	7·1
Department of Energy			…	…	…	…	…	1·0	10·2	145	10·7
Department of Employment				…	…	…	…	10·9	10·4	2,575	10·0
Manpower Service Commission				…	…	…	…	20·2	12·9	3,400	12·7
Health and Safety Executive				…	…	…	…	2·2	5·9	260	5·9
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service						…	…	1·0	12·7	100	11·4
Department of Transport			…	…	…	…	…	13·1	17·7	2,480	17·1
Department of Environment and Ordnance Survey							…	9·9	10·0	1,620	9·
Property Services Agency			…	…	…	…	…	29·2	10·4	4,730	9·9
Home Office	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	2·9	1·2	460	1·2
Lord Chancellor's Departments				…	…	…	…	1·9	2·1	450	2·5
Department of Education and Science				…	…	…	…	1·0	5·1	155	5·7
Department of Health and Social Security				…	…	…	…	8·3	1·8	1,705	1·7
Office of Population Censuses and Surveys				…	…	…	…	1·3	9·7	275	9·0
H.M. Treasury		…	…	…	…	…	…	0·4	4·7	40	3·3
Customs and Excise		…	…	…	…	…	…	2·3	1·4	465	1·5
Inland Revenue		…	…	…	…	…	…	19·0	4·8	5,515	6·5
Department of National Savings				…	…	…	…	4·4	10·0	1,070	10·0
Civil Service Department			…	…	…	…	…	2·3	10·5	280	5·1

The Government's aim is to secure the reductions in Civil Service manpower by natural wastage as far as practicable. These reductions will take place over the next three years and it is too early to say whether there will need to be any redundancies in particular areas of the country.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will tabulate the percentage savings, in numbers and in salary costs, respectively, in Civil Service employment for each Department following his statement of 6 December and the date by which they are to be achieved, together with the aggregate savings percentage in numbers and in salary costs.

The table below shows the percentage savings in Civil Service staff costs and numbers by Departments and in aggregate. Some £200 million of these savings or approximately 37,000 staff should be achieved by the financial year 1982–83 and almost all of the remainder by 1983–84.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what sums were spent on Government advertising in the three most recent years in (a) Labour Weekly, (b) the Morning Star and (c) Tribune.

			1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80 (to 31 October)
			£	£	£	£
(a) Labour Weekly	…	…	Nil	658	Nil	Nil
(b) Morning Star	…	…	502	1,950	780	570
(c) Tribune	…	…	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in view of the coroner's findings on the dangers of the use of polyurethane foam in furniture at the inquest into the fire at Woolworths, Manchester, he will seek powers to set safety standards regarding the use of such material in the cabin furniture of aircraft operated by British airlines.

These matters are the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. Furnishing materials used in British registered aircraft already have to conform to flame resistant specifications laid down by the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what new consumer protection measures he proposes to take to limit the use of polyurethane foam in furniture, following the coroner's findings in relation to the danger of this material at the inquest into the fire at Woolworths store in Piccadilly, Manchester.

:I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to questions by the hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts) on 5 December. The draft Upholstered Furniture (Safety) Regulations which are due to be re-laid

The sums spent on Government advertising in (a) the Labour Weekly, (b) the Morning Star and (c) the Tribune during the last four financial years are:shortly before Parliament do not limit the use of polyurethane foam in furniture, but all upholstered furniture coming within the scope of these regulations will be required to comply with them, whether or not it contains polyurethane foam.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many tonnes of coal have been imported from Morocco in each of the past five years.

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many safety inspections have been conducted by his Department's marine superintendents on British ships in each year since 1972; and if he will break down the figures into districts.

Safety surveys and inspections are carried out by surveyors of the marine survey service.The main survey effort is directed towards the statutory certification of United Kingdom ships and fishing vessels: figures for these surveys for 1973–78 are shown in table I. The statutory survey safety requirements are supplemented by general inspections for which separate figures for United Kingdom ships and fishing vessels are not available prior to 1975. The figures for 1975–78 are given in table II.

TABLE I: Statutory Surveys of United Kingdom Ships and Fishing Vessels
Districts	…	…	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
Bristol Channel	…	…	285	204	233	260	286	264
East England	…	…	323	368	399	478	343	441
East Scotland	…	…	171	194	240	293	325	355
Liverpool	…	…	366	374	317	384	336	356
London	…	…	928	784	732	657	787	725
North East England	…	…	312	293	269	272	268	265
Northern Ireland	…	…	69	47	55	54	62	53
South and South West England		…	525	576	586	573	494	592
West Scotland	…	…	426	375	417	403	314	378
Totals	…	…	3,405	3,215	3,248	3,374	3,215	3,429

TABLE II: General Inspections of United Kingdom Ships and Fishing Vessels
Districts	…	…	1975	1976	1977	1978
Bristol Channel	…	…	190	140	148	96
East England	…	…	160	130	165	99
East Scotland	…	…	122	31	52	38
Liverpool	…	…	148	148	109	52
London	…	…	582	424	338	242
North East England	…	…	120	117	73	64
Northern Ireland	…	…	69	67	88	75
South and South West England		…	55	34	73	33
West Scotland	…	…	71	94	90	27
Totals	…	…	1,517	1,185	1,136	726

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what was the value of imports of steel and steel products from developing countries in each of the past five years;

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will specify the consultations that he undertook with the management of British Airways and the aviation trade unions, respectively, giving dates of any such meetings con-

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the percentage share of the United Kingdom market for steel and steel products taken by imports from developing countries and EEC countries, respectively, in each of the past five years.

The information is as follows:cerning the financing of British Airways prior to 20 July 1979, indicating the main purport of any such discussions;(2) if he will specify the consultations that he undertook with the management of British Airways and the aviation trade unions, respectively, giving dates of any such meetings, concerning his decision not to mobilise the Government's right as the majority shareholder in the proposed successor company to British Airways to appoint directors to the board of that company;(3) what representations he has received from the aviation trade unions concerning his plans for the financing of British Airways.

Since 20 July a number of meetings have been held with representatives of the management of British Airways to discuss a whole range of issues relating to my original statement and the preparation of part I of the Civil Aviation Bill. Among the issues discussed has been the appointment of directors to the board of the successor company.In addition to the discussion with the trade union side of the NJCCAT, we have received written representations about the proposals for British Airways from the general secretary of the TUC, the general secretary of APEX and the deputy national organiser of Conservative trade unionists.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report full details of the reduction of various civil aviation functions arising from the cuts in the Civil Service announced on 6 December.

Ten posts will disappear by 1982. This saving will be achieved by closing down the aircraft noise unit at Harmon worth, and as a result of a reduced requirement for international negotiations on Concorde routes.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how much of the £4 million promised by the British Government to Kampuchea has been paid.

I refer the hon. Member to the information given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker), during the debate on Cambodia on Thursday 6 December.—[Vol. 975, c. 758.]

asked the Lord Privy Seal what recent discussions he has had with the Iranian Ambassador.

Ministers have not had any discussions with the Iranian Chargé ďAffaires.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps Her Majesty's Government will now take to pursue further inquiries arising out of the Bingham report.

I have nothing to add at this stage to the reply I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 13 June.—[Vol. 968, c. 236.]

asked the Lord Privy Seal what plans he has to ensure the political independence of the media, and in particular the broadcasting media in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, between the ceasefire and the election.

It has been agreed in the conference that all parties should have free and universal access to the public media; and there will be freedom to advertise and publish political views in the press. The Governor will take appropriate steps to see that this is done, and will watch over radio, television and press output generally. He will be assisted by the Election Commissioner and by other members of his staff who will have appropriate experience.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what instructions he will give to the Governor to ensure the political independence of the media, and in particular the broadcasting media, in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia prior to the election.

The Governor will be instructed to ensure, through the Election Commissioner, that all political parties contesting the election have a fair opportunity to obtain access to the media and are free to advertise and to publish their political views. His advisers will keep abreast of the political reporting and commentary put out by the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation, bearing in mind the need to maintain editorial balance in the coverage of political parties and their activities.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will arrange for the Governor to second to the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation during the period up to the election personnel from the United Kingdom experienced in the impartial reporting of and commenting upon elections in order to assist the corporation in achieving desirable objectivity.

I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the replies I have given to his two preceding questions. The Governor and his staff will be keeping the situation under review and will take any further steps that seem to them necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will consider framing legislation for local referendums to accompany public inquiries into planning applications for new nuclear power stations.

					1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
A. United Kingdom imports of coking coal (million tonnes)	…	…	…	…	0·9	0·8	1·2	1·2	1·4
B. 'A' above as a percentage of total consumption at United Kingdom coke ovens					4·7	4·1	6·4	6·8	9·2

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he willtake to prevent the major oil companies contracting their supplies to small independent garages.

I am aware that a number of oil companies are pursuing a policy of withdrawing supplies from the smaller fiilling stations. The oil companies concerned have, however, given my Department assurances that where a closure would cause supply difficulties, particularly in rural communities where alternative filling stations may not be available within a reasonable distance, they will be

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what assumptions led his Department to project that 15 new nuclear power stations will need to be built and operating by the year 2000 if energy needs are to be met.

I expect to make an announcement on the nuclear programme shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the conditions imposed in forward sale agreements or undertaken by the British National Oil Corporation preclude the Government from ending the corporation's special access to Government finance through the national oil account as mentioned in his statement on oil policy in the Official Report, 26 July, column 892.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many tonnes of coking coal have been imported in each of the last five years; and what each amount represents as a percentage of national consumption.

The information is as follows:prepared to go on making supplies available. My Department will continue to watch the situation closely.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EEC Council of Energy Ministers on 4 December.

The EEC Council of Energy Ministers on 4 December discussed a proposal to increase the rate of aid under the Community's existing scheme of support for intra-Community trade in coking coal during the scheme's remaining two years. This increase would be financed by increasing the contributions paid by the original six member States. A majority of member States including the United Kingdom were in favour of this proposal, which will be considered further by a future Council.The Council also considered the proposed breakdown into national targets of the Community's net oil import objective, agreed in Strasbourg, of 472 million tonnes in 1980. Agreement was reached on the figures proposed, including for the United Kingdom the net oil import target of 12 million tonnes for 1980. Member States also agreed the principles of arrangements for monitoring the adequacy of national policies to achieve the oil import targets, leaving to individual countries the definition of concrete measures. Some member States suggested that, in the event of oil supply difficulties, production of North Sea oil should be adjusted and allocated as a priority to meet Community needs. For our part, the United Kingdom pointed out that this suggestion was not feasible, that crisis machinery already existed in the IEA and the Community to help with supply difficulties when the crisis trigger level was reached, and that North Sea oil was already making a major contribution to the supplies of our Community partners—in the first nine months of this year our EEC partners received over half of all North Sea oil exports, which was nearly a third of total production.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.

I have been asked to reply.The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate will continue, within the Health and Safety Executive, to carry out its functions in relation to the safety of nuclear installations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft are currently in the Royal Air Force; and how many there were in 1955, 1965 and 1970.

In terms of total holdings, the figures are:

• 1955–8693^*
• 1965–3073
• 1970–2294
• 1979–1796

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that aircraft tyres required by the Royal Air Force can be supplied from sources in the United Kingdom.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the findings of the coroner at the inquest into the fire at Woolworths store in Piccadilly, Manchester, he will end the purchase of furniture containing polyurethane foam for any establishment for which he is responsible; and if he will undertake a review of each establishment to ensure that the present use of this material in no case constitutes a risk to safety.

:All new furniture purchased by the Property Services Agency of the Department of Environment on behalf of the MOD meets the standard recommended for legislation by the Department of Trade. But it would not be practicable to end the purchase of furniture containing polyurethane foam. However, measures exist to reduce the fire risk in specal areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to investigate fully the incident which occurred at Bankhead Farm New Aberdour, on 7 December when a low-flying aircraft dropped what appeared to be a smoke bomb weighing approximately 28 Ibs. and carrying a minor explosive charge into a field having narrowly missed the farmhouse; and if he will take into account the many complaints of low-flying aircraft in East Aberdeenshire causing distress to the inhabitants and cattle.

My Department has ordered an investigation into this incident, and I shall write to my hon. Friend when I have the report. Meanwhile the Ministry of Defence has written to Mr. Mackie at Bankhead Farm expressing its apologies for the distress caused to him and assuring him that if any change in procedures or safety regulations is found necessary appropriate action will be taken.The Royal Air Force very much regrets the disturbance caused by low-flying aircraft in East Aberdeenshire as elsewhere. Strict control is exercised over low flying to reduce this to the minimum possible consistent with the need for operational training.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken to reduce truancy; and how this problem is being monitored.

:Truancy is primarily a matter for individual local education authorities, and my Department does not monitor the incidence of absence from school nationally. It does, however, support research into truancy and related behaviour. Her Majesty's Inspectorate continues to bear these problems in mind in the course of its visits to schools and where appropriate will discuss measures to encourage fuller attendance.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers are expected to qualify in each of the next two years; and what he expects will be the total number of qualified teachers available in the same period.

18,000 newly qualified teachers are expected to become available for teaching in primary and secondary schools at the end of the current academic year and 15,000 to 16,000 a year later. It is estimated that more than 30,000 additional men and women may be available for posts in each period, mainly former teachers seeking re-entry to the profession.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, when considering the proposals submitted by Avon county council to reorganise 16-to 19-year-olds' education in the Kings-wood area, he will take account of the support for the proposals from the substantial majority of parents in the area.

Yes. My right hon. and learned Friend will take account of all representations made to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the Association of Polytechnic Teachers is not recognised by his Department.

This Association has been consulted by my Department on a number of issues and I have met its representatives on two recent occasions. As for recognition on national negotiating bodies, the Association is not represented on Burnham but has, very recently, submitted a formal application for membership of the teachers' panel of the Burnham FE committee, which will be given careful consideration by my right hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he informed the Birmingham education authority that he had approved the proposals to amalgamate the Tame Valley junior and infant schools.

:Birmingham education authority was informed that my right hon. and learned Friend had approved the proposals to amalgamate the Tame Valley junior and infant schools by means of a letter which was sent on 5 November 1979, although regrettably it did not reach the authority until 7 November.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers currently teaching mathematics have not achieved O level in mathmatics.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will carry out a survey on the number of children taking school meals (a) in Bolton metropolitan borough and (b) in the North-West; and if he will establish the number of these children for whom the school dinner is the one cooked meal they receive each day.

My Department has carried out a school meals census relating to the autumn term 1979, the results of which will be available shortly. It will not, however, provide the information asked for in the second part of the question and my right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to request authorities to provide it. It is open to individual authorities to collect such information if they consider it appropriate to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the coroner's findings at the inquest into the fire at Woolworths store in Piccadilly, Manchester, he will issue a circular to local education authorities and schools warning them of the dangers associated with the use of polyurethane foam in furniture.

:The associations representing local education authorities were amongst those consulted by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade before he made draft safety regulations on this subject. I do not think that a separate circular is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what public expenditure is being saved by his decision to abolish the National Centre for Information and Advice on Educational Disadvantage; what consultation he had with the centre's governing body about the decision before it was taken; and if he will now reconsider his decision.

Grant-aid to the centre in 1978–79 amounted to £209,000 and the cash limit for the current year is £312,000. The exact savings in 1980–81 arising from a closure of the centre at the end of August 1980 cannot be estimated until the centre's governing body has itself estimated necessary expenditure before that date. My right hon. and learned Friend did not consult the centre's governing body before reaching his decision, but when he met its representatives on 5 December he agreed to consider the points they made and he will be writing to them in due course.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on inquiries so far made into matters arising from the Bingham report; and whether it is proposed to pursue these.

Matters arising from the Bingham report were referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions. My right hon and learned Friend the Attorney-General will be making a statement on the matter as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will bring forward proposals to protect disabled people from the effects of the 40 per cent, rise in gas prices.

Increases in all fuel prices are reflected in the General Index of Retail Prices, movements in which are taken into account in determining the annual up rating of benefits including those for disabled people. So far as supplementary benefit heating additions are concerned—the criteria for the award of which take special account of the health of beneficiaries—the right hon. Member will see from appendix G of the annual report of the Supplementary Benefits Commission for 1978, Cmnd. 7725, that they are automatically increased to take account of increases in fuel prices. The right hon. Member must direct any questions about gas price rises to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children in 1977 and 1979 were living in families below the supplementary benefit level, on supplementary benefit and with incomes up to 10 per cent, 20 per cent. and 40 per cent. above supplementary benefit level, classified by the employment status of the head of the family and whether there were one or two parents.

The available information as at the end of 1977 is given in the following tables. For families not receiving supplementary benefit it is not possible to break down the estimates in table one between one and two-parent families, other than for those who are in full-time

Table One: Families not receiving supplementary benefit
December 1977	Thousands
Employment category	Below supplementary benefit level		Above supplementary benefit level but within 10 per cent, of it		Above supplementary benefit level but within 20 per cent, of it		Above supplementary benefit level but within 40 per cent, of it
	Families	Children	Families	Children	Families	Children	Families	Children
In full time work or self employed:
One-parent families	[10]	[30]	[10*]	[10*]	[10]	[40]	[30]	70
Two-parent families	110	250	100	230	300	690	790	1,750
Sick or disabled for more than three months:
One and two-parent families	[20]	[30]	[10*]	[30]	[40]	110	70	160
Unemployed for more than three months:
One and two-parent families	[40]	90	[10]	[20]	[20]	[40]	[30]	[50]
Other one and two-parent families	[20]	[20]	[10*]	[20]	[30]	60	[40]	110
Total number of families and children	200	420	140	310	410	930	970	2,140
* Indicates that the number in the group is below 10,000.

TABLE Two: FAMILIES IN RECEIPT OF SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT
December 1977	Thousands
	One parent families		Two parent families
Employment category	Families	Children	Families	Children
Sick or disabled for more than three months	[10*]	[10*]	[10]	[30]
Unemployed for more than three months	[10*]	[10*]	140	360
Others	310	570	[10*]	[10*]
Total	330	590	160	400
* Indicates that the number in the group is blow 10,000.
Notes on the tables:
Table One—Families not receiving supplementary benefit
1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000. (If the figure is from 1 to 10,000 it is rounded to 10,000 and starred.) Consequently the sum of the component parts may not equal the total.
2. The estimates are based on a Department of Health and Social Security analysis of incomes and other information recorded by respondents to the family expenditure survey. They are subject to statistical error. Those figures in square brackets are subject to very considerable proportionate statistical error.
3. The estimates relate only to the population living in private households. Families and persons in institutions are not sampled in the family expenditure survey.
4. The supplementary benefit level is taken as being the supplementary benefit scale rate(s) appropriate to the family using the long term rates for pensioners only.
5. Income refers to net income including all benefits, less housing costs, work expenses, income tax and national insurance contributions as appropriate.
6. The comparison is based on the family's normal income in the normal employment of the family head. For example, where the head of the family had been off work due to sickness or unemployment for less than three months at the time of the survey, the family's normal income when the head was at work was used in determining their level of income.
7. The estimates of numbers of families with income below the supplementary benefit level do not indicate unclaimed entitlement to supplementary benefit. For example, those who are in full time work or undertaking fulltime further education would not normally have entitlement to supplementary benefit. For others not precluded from claiming, no regard is had in these estimates to factors such as disregarded income, treatment of capital or exceptional circumstances additions, each of which can affect payment of supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 7 November, columns 213–20, comparing net weekly spending power in and out of work, and at different earnings levels, takes into account the fuel allowance supplement payable with family income supplement; and, if not, if he will amend the figures accordingly.

TABLE 6
UNEMPLOYED (WEEKS 3–28)
Former Earnings				UB	FIS	Rent Rebate	Rate Rebate	Free School Meals	Free Welfare Foods	Net Weekly Spending Power
				£	£	£	£	£	£	£
£85	…	…	…	47·97	—	7·50	2·91	4·50	1·05	69·23

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update to 1979–80 the replies given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 7 July 1977 and 17 April 1978, showing total net expenditure on child support by category of expenditure; and if he will include the cost of school meals and of school transport subsidies.

The information is as follows:

	£ million
	1979–80
Child benefit	2,820
Family income supplement	27
Free welfare milk	31
Home to school transport	145
Free school—remission of charges	67
School meals subsidy	358
Child dependency additions to recipients of national insurance benefits.	190
Child dependency additions to recipients of other social security benefits. In respect of supplementary benefits this is the estimate amount included in the assessment, offset by the national insurance dependency additions and child benefit in payment.	110
	3,748

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what instructions are given to doctors regarding treatment of persons who they suspect may be

Yes. The amounts of family income supplement given in the answer to my hon. Friend on 7 November—[Vol. 973, c. 213–20.]—were those which took effect on 13 November and which included an increase to provide help with fuel bills, as I explained to the House on 31 October.—[Vol. 972, c. 1392–95.]I am sorry that entitlement to free welfare foods was overlooked in one of the lines in table 6 of my reply of 7 November. The entry should now read:ineligible for National Health Service treatment.

It is for health authorities to ensure that medical staff are aware of the principles governing eligibility to use the service and to agree with them procedures for checking eligibility, if in any doubt, in association with administrative staff.

Short asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report his Department's circular to hospital administrators in October entitled "Gatecrashers".

A letter was sent on 3 October to area health authorities in the London area and one using the same text went to the boards of governors of the post graduate teaching hospitals.The text of the letters is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy regarding the payment for emergency treatment in hospital; what categories of people would be denied such treatment; and in what circumstances.

The existing policy, which is under review, is that emergency hospital treatment is free except for charges under the Road Traffic Act. However, if a person who is not ordinarily resident in this country comes here specifically for treatment, the general rule is that free NHS treatment should not be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are taken to ensure that the confidentiality of patients' records is maintained; and if he will make a statement.

The confidentiality of patients' records is safeguarded both by the ethics of the medical profession and of those other professions which contribute to health care.The recommendations of the Data Protection committee report, which include recommendations relating to patient records, are under consideration by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he has issued a circular on emergency dental treatment at weekends and bank holidays to area health authorities; and whether he will make a statement;(2) what response he has received from area health authorities on emergency dental services; and whether he will make a statement.

Following agreement with representatives of the profession on the remaining details referred to in my reply to the hon. Member on 29 October—[Vol. 972, c. 442]—a health notice on the provision of emergency dental services is about to be issued. I shall send the hon. Member a copy.Health authorities and family practitioner committees will be asked to consider, with area and local dental committees, the extent of the need for emergency services and it will be for the authorities to decide what services to establish.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to complete his review of pension arrangements for the self-employed and to announce the Government's intentions.

I propose to review the national insurance position of the self-employed generally and I hope to make an announcement shortly on the form of the review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to overcome the delays in payment of benefits accruing at the Department of Health and Social Security premises, Archway Towers, Junction Road, London N19, during recent times; and if he will make a statement.

The delays in payment of benefit are due mainly to industrial action which is still continuing. It has recently been possible, however to reduce the extent of the delays, and Christmas bonus payments have been made.Every effort is being made to minimise delay, and to reduce arrears of payment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many requests to use his reserve powers under section 36 of the National Assistance Act 1948 he has received since he took office; how many cases are currently under consideration; on how many he has reached a decision; and if he will make a statement.

Four applications have been made since May 1979 and seven are currently under consideration, including three made prior to May. My right hon. Friend has reached a decision in one case, but he hopes to come to a decision in two others quite soon now.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of people aged 80 years or over are in receipt of supplementary benefit; and how many of these have their 25p age addition absorbed by an exceptional circumstances addition.

It is estimated that in 1978 about 29 per cent. of people aged 80 or over were receiving or were dependent on supplementary benefit. I regret that information on the number who derive no advantage from the higher supplementary benefit scale rate because their exceptional circumstances addition is correspondingly less is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date the age addition to retirement pension was introduced; what its amount was when it was introduced; when it was increased to 25p; and to what level it would now have to be raised in order to retain its original value.

:The 25p age addition for retirement pensioners aged 80 or over was introduced in September 1971. On the basis of the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices between September 1971 and October 1979, the latest date for which a figure is available, the age addition would have to be increased to 73p to restore its original value.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when he intends to bring forward legislation on the Clothier report recommendations covering rural pharmacies;(2) whether his Department supports the existing standstill arrangement, pending legislation, in the Clothier report for rural provision of dispensing services.

:The representatives of the medical and pharmaceutical professions have made a most persuasive case for implementation of the Clothier committee's recommendations on the arrangements for dispensing NHS prescriptions in rural areas. I am not yet able to make a statement on legislation, but I wholeheartedly support the existing "standstill" agreement between the General Medical Services Committee, the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, and I hope that all general medical practitioners and pharmacists practising in rural areas will continue to abide by it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take to allay the anxiety of disabled persons dependent for mobility upon the use of a motor vehicle for work and other purposes, in the light of the increasing cost of petrol and the prospect of further price rises.

:I am aware of the concern over rising prices felt by everyone who is required to use a motor car for whatever purpose. We are committed to an annual review of the rate of mobility allowance, which takes into account all the relevant factors.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what instructions have been given to hospitals regarding the issue of sickness certificates to patients discharged but unfit for work and who continue to be treated as outpatients; and if he is satisfied that hospitals are obeying the rules and not telling patients to apply to their general practitioners.

The Department issued guidance to health authorities on medical certificates in April 1971. It requires hospital doctors to provide medical certificates for national insurance purposes of out-patients where clinical responsibility for treatment rests with the hospital doctor. I believe that hospitals generally follow this guidance, but if the right hon. Gentleman has a particular case in mind I should be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what increase in the mobility allowance would now be needed to restore its value to what it was in July 1978 in terms of travelling by private car, by hire car, by London taxi and by British Railways, respectively.

Mobility allowance has been increased by 20 per cent. from November 14. The increase in the cost of the following items since July 1978 is:

(a) Motoring	27 percent.
(b) London taxis	29 percent, (for an average journey)
(c) British Rail (including London Transport)	12 percent.

I regret there is no information from official sources on the cost of hire cars.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the pay increase for regional, area and district nursing officers, recently successfully negotiated through the nurses and midwives Whitley Council, will be paid before Christmas.

Health authorities have been asked in a letter dated 5 December 1979 to implement the agreement as soon as possible. The precise timing of the first payment of any pay increase is a matter for individual authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how he will ensure that the use of National Health Service facilities by private patients will not prejudice services for other patients; and if he will give an undertaking that there will be full public consultation before he authorises private practice within National Health Service hospitals.

Both these points arise from part II of the Health Services Bill, and Ministers will deal with them during the debates on the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list in the Official Report the number of drug rehabilitation centres supported by his Department;(2) if he will list in the

The provision of services for drug misusersis the responsibility of health and local authorities. Details are not collected centrally. The level of provision is determined in the light of local assessment of need, the resources available, and the competing claims of other priorities. Local authorities may provide services directly; by grants to voluntary organisations under section 65 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968; and by per capita maintenance grants under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948. Health authorities have delegated powers under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 to make grants to local voluntary organisations providing health services in their area, and are similarly empowered under section 23 of the National Health Service Act 1977, to make available certain facilities to assist the work of voluntary organisations in the health and personal social services field.Though normally the Department makes grants only towards the headquarters costs of national voluntary organisations working in the health and personal social services field, in exceptional circumstances pump-priming grants for a period normally not exceeding three years may be given towards the funding of local projects. At present such assistance is given to the Elizabeth House association, a London-based organisation providing supportive accommodation for ex-drug dependents, for which the Department has approved a total grant of £16,000 distributed over 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82.I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department that:(i) the Home Office currently contributes grant-aid to 13 drug rehabilitation centres which provide places for ex-offenders. In addition the probation service has been authorised, within its own expenditure limits, to fund placings at other establishments on a per capita basis for offenders on probation subject to a condition of residence; this arrangement may include offenders with drug problems.(ii) there is no central record of applications by the probation service to centres

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE EXPENDITURE PER HEAD OF POPULATION FOR AREAS WITHIN THE TRENT REGION
			1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
			£	£	£	£	£
Derbyshire	…	…	50	66	76	84	101
Leicestershire (T)		…	55	73	83	95	109
Lincolnshire	…	…	62	79	87	100	114
Nottinghamshire (T)		…	61	87	102	116	131
Barnsley	…	…	49	62	76	84	101
Doncaster	…	…	51	65	75	83	97
Rotherham	…	…	49	67	80	84	94
Sheffield (T)	…	…	87	111	130	148	169
Notes on Table:
1. "T" denotes an area health authority (teaching) and the relative expenditure figures are influenced by additional expenditure on the provision of facilities for the clinical teaching of medical and dental students.
2. Expenditure figures used have been taken from the annual accounts of the health authorities in the region. Capital expenditure included in the accounts of the regional health authority which is identified as appropriate to a specified area has been included in the expenditure per head of the population of that area. Other regional expenditure not so included amounts to an average of £2 per head of the population of the region as a whole in each of the years shown.
3. The population figures used for each year are the mid-year estimates of residential population, which make no allowance for people resident in one area who receive treatment in another, or for the differences in morbidity and age-sex structure of particular populations.