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Written Answers

Volume 984: debated on Monday 12 May 1980

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Written Answers To Questions

Monday 12 May 1980

Employment

Wages Inspectorate

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what reductions will take place in the size of the Wages Inspectorate.

My right hon. Friend has no current plans to reduce the size of the Wages Inspectorate. However, all Government expenditure continues to be subject to rigorous scrutiny, and this includes the staffing of the Wages Inspectorate.

Fair Wages Resolution

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he will make a statement about the future of the Fair Wages Resolution.

The Government will be reviewing the Fair Wages Resolution in the light of debate on clause 18(c) of the Employment Bill, which proposes to repeal schedule 11 to the Employment Protection Act 1975. A statement will be made in due course.

GREAT BRITAIN
MalesFemalesTotal
June 1949194,20461,867256,071
June 1950195,58076,722272,302
June 1951120,73062,587183,317
June 1952169,878126,318296,196
June 1953178,68997,025275,714
June 1954148,14278,506226,648
June 1955116,11364,404180,517
June 1956126,07263,456189,528
June 1957170,27876,704246,982
June 1958264,227103,743367,970
June 1959278,311107,149385,460
June 1960214,25482,904297,158
June 1961184,97169,798254,769
June 1962277,50894,709372,217
June 1963345,666115,036460,702
June 1964240,34876,569316,917
June 1965207,42262,507269,929
June 1966199,47353,732253,205
June 1967377,87787,982465,859
June 1968429,37177,079506,450
June 1969414,91568,366483,281
June 1970450,23273,406523,638
June 1971589,07798,142687,219
June 1972646,775118,681765,456
June 1973461,02583,932544,957
June 1974439,49375,139514,632
June 1975679,563148,910828,473
June 1976972,380305,5041,277,884
June 19771,009,370381,0311,390,401
June 1978978,094403,3091,381,403
June 1979887,211393,8911,281,102
April 1980 (provisional)1,010,969443,6871,454,656

Preston

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current rate of unemployment in the Preston travel-to-work area.

As I told my hon. Friend on 22 April—[Vol 983, c. 202]—at 10 April the rate of unemployment in the Preston travel-to-work area was 68 per cent. The May figures are not yet available. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as they are.

Employment Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the level of unemployment in (a) Great Britain, (b) the North-West, (c) Merseyside and (d) Birkenhead for each year since 1945; and if he will subdivide these data according to whether the persons were male or female.

The present series of unemployment statistics started in July 1948. In the following table information is given, where readily available, for June each year from 1949 to 1979 and for April 1980.

NORTH WEST REGION

Males

Females

Total

June 194932,7179,98842,705
June 195030,39112,56442,955
June 195117,81710,31328,130
June 195229,94829,78559,733
June 195331,09518,45949,554
June 195423,87512,89836,773
June 195517,82510,68328,508
June 195619,68910,68630,375
June 195726,78512,73639,521
June 195841,19517,78758,982
June 195946,81620,35167,167
June 196035,68416,42452,108
June 196129,09010,45639,546
June 196245,83216,44562,277
June 196358,25122,23780,488
June 196441,90813,19055,098
June 196532,28710,03642,323
June 196628,1117,67935,790
June 196750,74112,71663,457
June 196857,1009,54166,641
June 196956,8848,46365,347
June 197063,0859,04772,132
June 197187,74313,788101,531
June 1972108,99018,337127,327
June 197382,58212,75495,336
June 197473,11311,43884,551
June 1975114,09921,864135,963
June 1976152,30146,818199,119
June 1977152,92657,493210,419
June 1978149,64262,316211,958
June 1979138,39962,302200,701
April 1980 (provisional)156,09970,254226,353

MERSEYSIDE SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT AREA

Males

Females

Total

June 1949· ·· ·· ·
June 1950· ·· ·· ·
June 1951· ·· ·· ·
June 1952· ·· ·· ·
June 1953· ·· ·· ·
June 1954· ·· ·· ·
June 1955· ·· ·· ·
June 1956· ·· ·15,009
June 1957· ·· ·20,090
June 1958· ·· ·27,316
June 1959· ·· ·30,423
June 1960· ·· ·23,965
June 1961· ·· ·21,102
June 1962· ·· ·30,642
June 1963· ·· ·36,500
June 1964· ·· ·27,192
June 1965· ·· ·19,191
June 1966· ·· ·16,045
June 196719,8524,94824,800
June 196821,3163,39824,714
June 196923,0763,33926,415
June 197026,6763,61230,288
June 197134,1035,81339,916
June 197242,3607,93250,292
June 197338,2026,14944,351
June 197434,6365,38240,018
June 197549,79710,04959,846
June 197660,98920,00880,997
June 197759,92224,15484,076
June 197860,05725,55285,609
June 197960,62026,38087,000
April 1980 (provisional)63,81328,65192,464

BIRKENHEAD EMPLOYMENT OFFICE AREA

Males

Females

Total

June 19491,5483691,917
June 19501,1806621,842
June 19516414621,103
June 19526707661,436
June 19531,0448661,930
June 19547847091,493
June 19556246141,238
June 19565585781,136
June 19579808241,804
June 19581,2187111,929
June 19591,6218952,516
June 19601,5866982,284
June 19611,4945082,002
June 19622,1767572,933
June 19632,3948993,293
June 19642,3715582,929
June 19651,0423281,370
June 19668322151,047
June 19671,2533901,643
June 19681,4341641,598
June 19691,7501881,938
June 19702,0663022,368
June 19712,6955973,292
June 19724,0698344,903
June 19733,5866904,276
June 19743,2706013,871
June 19754,6749895,663
June 19765,2561,6616,917
June 19775,4061,7997,205
June 19785,1852,0287,213
June 19795,3132,0517,364
April 1980 (provisional)5,6612,1847,845
· · Not available.

Notes:

(1) The figures for the North West region from June 1974 are not strictly comparable with those for earlier dates because of boundary changes.

(2) The April 1980 figures are not strictly comparable with those given for earlier dates because of the introduction, in September 1979, of fortnightly attendance and payment of benefit. This had the effect of raising the monthly unemployment figures for Great Britain by about 20,000 or 1½ per cent. from October 1979.

Wages And Salaries (Clegg Awards)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will tabulate all the Clegg awards as a percentage of the original wage; what were the dates on which they were awarded; how many employees were affected; what was the total annual cost; what percentage of the award was a comparability award as opposed to a normal annual increase; and what was the total annual cost of the award and the total of these last totals.

Engineering Foundry And Engineering Construction Industries

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the remuneration of each of the chief executives of the industrial training boards.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 May 1980, c. 691–92]: The information is as follows:

REMUNERATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING BOARDS AT 1 APRIL 1980
BoardsAnnual salary
£
Air Transport and Travel22,000
Carpet12,938
Ceramics, Glass and Mineral Products.15,282
+243 London
Weighting
Chemical and Allied Products20,260
Clothing and Allied Products11,990
Construction*15,992
Cotton and Allied Textiles16,848
Distributive17,487
Engineering18,725
+ 280 London
Weighting
Foundry Industry Training Committee.14,200
+ 200 London
Weighting
Food, Drink and Tobacco16,197
Furniture and Timber23,372
Footwear, Leather and Fur Skin17,209
Hotel and Catering17,000
+275 London
Weighting
Iron and Steel19,263
+815 London
Weighting
Knitting, Lace and Net12,758
Man-made Fibres Producing13,533
Paper and Paper Products12,702
+ 225 London
Weighting
Petroleum20,604
Printing and Publishing21,674
Road Transport29,633
+250 London
Weighting
Rubber and Plastics Processing18,980
+220 London
Weighting
Shipbuilding14,248
+286 London
Weighting
Wool, Jute and Flax16,625
* The duties of chief executive are divided between two posts, one of which attracts London weighting of £325.
Number in apprenticeshipsGovernment supported additional 1st year trainees
1974–7584,943
1975–7684,7785,056
1976–7789,2164,990
1977–7891,6254,717
1978–7992,2213,068
1979–80not available2,007
1974–75not available
1975–76not available360
1976–77not available316
1977–783,666344
1978–793,864307
1979–803,643313
The total number of persons in apprenticeships in engineering construction is not available; however the annual intakes

Apprenticeships intakeGovernment supported additional 1st year trainees
1974–75not available
1975–76not available138
1976–77271177
1977–78302172
1978–79337177
1979–80294174

Industrial Health And Safety Centre

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people visited the Industrial Health and Safety Centre in each of the last 10 years.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 May 1980, c. 252–53]: The recorded number of visitors to the Health and Safety Centre in the period 1970 to 1979 were:

197022,018
197125,099
197221,862
197320,422

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are at present in apprenticeships in the engineering, foundry and engineering construction trades; how many of these are supported by the Government grants or awards; and how these numbers compare with each of the last five years.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 May 1980, c. 691–92]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that reliable information can be given only in respect of the craft and technician apprentices recruited by firms in scope to the engineering industry training board and its foundry industry training committee and who follow approved courses of training.The figures are as follows for mainstream engineering:and those supported by Governmerit grants are as follows:

197422,823
197521,096
197627,002
197727,181
197827,850
197926,541

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what methods of bringing relevant information to the public are comparable to the work carried out at the Industrial Health and Safety Centre in Horseferry Road; and what proposals he has for ensuring that such methods are fully utilised following the closure of the centre.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 May 1980, c. 252–53]: The Health and Safety Executive participates in a programme of major industrial trade shows and exhibitions and has an increasing stock of safety films. These activities are used to convey information to specific audience groups about occupational health and safety hazards.A wide and expanding range of publications is available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office bookshops or agents. General information services in headquarters and area offices, including a substantial press service, provide ample flow of health and safety information.The HSE has steadily improved the standard of its information services and it is expected that this development will continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the numbers of people employed by the Health and Safety Commission in the provision of information services, categorised by rank; and what is the cost of the provision of such services.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 May 1980, c. 252–53]: The numbers of people employed by the Health and Safety Commission in the provision of information services are as follows:

Information Officers22
Graphics Officers24
Photographers14
Printing Grades15
Librarians13
Scientific & Technical10
Museum Grades8
Executive8
Clerical27
Typing11
152
The latest available estimate of the annual cost of the provision of such services is £2·5 million, which includes the salaries of the staff shown, their support cost, and provision for such items as films and exhibitions.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on how many occasions during the last 12 months television time was bought for informing the public about occupational health and safety hazards; and what was the cost.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 May 1980, c. 252–53]: Television time has not been bought for this purpose during the last 12 months.Television has used HSE material on a number of occasions during the last year to inform the general public about occupational health and safety hazards, but this time has been provided free of charge.

Specialist Electrical Inspectors

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Keighley of 28 April, how the specialist electrical inspectors' warrants are distinguished from general warrants of Her Majesty's inspectors of factories.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 May 1980, c. 255]: Specialist electrical inspectors and Her Majesty's inspectors of factories hold identical full warrants.

Energy

Wales (Coal Extraction)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the coal extracted from Wales has been sold to State-owned industries in 1979; and how this compares with the figures for 1970, 1973 and 1976.

This is a matter for the NCB and I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

Energy Stamps

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to encourage the introduction of energy stamps, on sale through gas and electricity boards showrooms and post offices, as a means of helping consumers to save for their quarterly fuel bills.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 February 1980, c. 363]: Agreement has been reached between the Electricity Council, the British Gas Corporation and the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters for the sale of electricity and gas saving stamps by the federation's members. Stamps will be made available by the industries from 2 June to individual sub-postmasters wishing to sell them. There are nearly 20,000 sub-post offices in England and Wales. The Government welcome this agreement, which will provide a helpful extension to the industries' existing " pay-as-you-go " scheme, particularly in outlying areas where the industries do not have showrooms.

Oil Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will tabulate for the last 10 years (a) United Kingdom oil consumption, (b) United Kingdom oil discoveries and (c) a cumulative estimate of United Kingdom remaining oil reserves net of depletion and for each year, consumption as in (a) minus discoveries as in (b), cumulative reserves as in (c) divided by oil discoveries as in (b), (d) exports of United Kingdom sourced oil to the European Economic Community and (e) wells drilled.

North Sea Oil And Gas

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the average volume of gas flared each day and how much offshore oil was exported in the first quarter of the current year.

[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 30]: The average daily volume of gas flared from United Kingdom continental shelf fields in the first quarter of 1980 was about 14 million cubic metres. Exports of UKCS oil in the same period are provisionally estimated at 9·7 million tonnes.

Overseas Development

Middle East Development Division

43.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what net financial saving will accrue in the current financial years from the closure of the Middle East Development Division.

Develpoment Aid

asked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent the improved status of women and their socio-economic role is a component part of his Department's planning when reviewing or preparing development aid projects.

The ODA seeks to ensure that all implications for women are fully considered in new projects. Any project's effects on women is appraised before approval and monitored during implementation. Progress is monitored by ODA's social development advisers, one of whom has special responsibility for matters related to the role of women. I am sending the hon. Lady a more detailed description of ODA policies and practice in this field.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list the current development aid projects in which women are clearly identified as potential beneficiaries of the project; and if he will make a statement.

Women benefit from most general development aid projects and it is ODA policy to ensure that the benefits to them are recognised and maximised. Aid projects of more particular benefit to women are principally in the areas of health, particularly mother and child health and family planning, education and agriculture. I shall send the hon. Lady as soon as possible a list of the countries in which such projects operate.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the concern expressed in recent debates on the Brandt Commission report about the problem of world population growth in relation to development, he will give an assurance that, when all development projects are being examined and agreed, there is a financial input in the programme directly related to population activities; and whether he wil make a statement.

I fully recognise the relation between world population growth and development, but it is not possible to apply a hard and fast rule. The aid input to projects varies considerably.I have, however, directed that when projects are under consideration this should take full account of and wherever possible include a population element.

Nuclear Accidents

asked the Prime Minister which Government Department has the direct and immediate responsibility for warning the public in the event of a serious accident or malfunction at a nuclear power station and of supervising and controlling any necessary evacuation of population in the vicinity of the power station, whether the incident occurs in the United Kingdom or on the territory of some neighbouring state such as the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Holland, or in Northern France.

In the event of any emergency occurring within the United Kingdom, it is the responsibility of the police and local authorities concerned to provide appropriate warning to the public and to supervise and control any evacuation. Departmental responsibility for these general emergency arangements in Great Britain is shared by the Home Secretary and the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and the Environment. In Northern Ireland responsibility lies with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.In the case of a serious accident at a nuclear power station, the station's operator would be responsible for providing the police with the advice and information on which a decision to evacuate could be taken. Departmental responsibility for nuclear safety rests with the Secretary of State for Energy, in England and Wales, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, in Scotland.In the unlikely event of an incident at a nuclear installation overseas affecting the United Kingdom, it would be for the Secretary of State for the Environment in consultation with the Minister of Agriculture to assess the environmental effect and to advise the local authorities concerned who have standing arrangements for all incidents affecting their areas.

Education And Science

Church Of England High School (Ealing)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the names of the groups and organisations from which he has received

representations in favour of and against the proposal to establish a Church of England high school in the London borough of Ealing.

The numbers of those who signed letters or petitions for and against these proposals were 11,575 and 7,623 respectively. They included two organisations which wrote in support and 21 which expressed opposition. It is not the Department's normal practice to publish the identity of those who make representations in respect of proposals under section 13 of the Education Act 1944.

Adult Education Colleges

Mr.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many students have been in full-time attendance at adult education colleges during each of the past 10 years; and how many are expected to be during each of the next three years;(2) how many adult education colleges have been (

a) opened and ( b) closed during each of the past 10 years; and what closures are projected for the year ahead.

There are at present five adult education colleges in England with which my right hon. and learned Friend is directly concerned. These are the long-term residential colleges one of which, Northern, opened in 1978 and another, Fircroft, closed in 1975 but is expected to reopen this autumn. No closures are expected for the year ahead.These colleges provide full-time courses of one or two years' duration, on which numbers of students in the past 10 years were:

1970–71489
1971–72461
1972–73475
1973–74461
1974–75428
1975–76440
1976–77404
1977–78380
1978–79368
1979–80389
Numbers of students up to and including 1977–78 include those at a similar college in Wales whose funding is now the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

The overall number of student places available is expected to increase during the next three years with the reopening of Fircroft college.

Nursery Education

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many education authorities in England and Wales are reducing nursery and under-five provision during 1980–81; and how many such places will be lost as a consequence of such contraction.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no detailed information about the intentions of local authorities with regard to the provision of nursery education and early admissions to primary schools during 1980–81. The Government have provided within the rate support grant settlement for 1980–81 for educational expenditure on under-fives to remain at broadly the same level as for 1979–80 and my right hon. and learned Friend does not anticipate that there will be any substantial reduction in provision overall.

One-Teacher Schools

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many one-teacher schools there are in the United Kingdom; and what are the figures for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, respectively.

In January 1979, the latest date for which information is available, 156 maintained primary schools and no maintained secondary schools in England had only one full-time teacher. Statistical information for schools in the other three countries comprising the United Kingdom is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Village Schools

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many village schools have been reopened since 1960 having once been closed.

There have been none since January 1978 and I regret that information relating to earlier years could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has and what consideration he gives to the effect on the local community, before agreeing to the closure of any village primary school.

It is for local education authorities to undertake consultations with parents, teaching or other staff and governors of any school concerned before submitting proposals to close a school. My right hon. and learned Friend then considers the proposal in the light of all the relevant evidence, the objections which have been submitted and any meetings he has held at the request of local groups. He takes full account of the social and educational effects of school closures before reaching his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria he uses to decide whether to confirm the closure of village primary schools.

My right hon. and learned Friend considers each proposal to close a school on its merits. Paragraphs 6 and 7 of circular 5/77 describe the educational, economic and other factors which are fully taken into account when such proposals are being examined. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary schools have been closed in Suffolk since 1970; and how many of those were village schools.

Twenty primary schools have been closed in Suffolk since 1970. All were village schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue a circular to local education committees giving advice on the closure of village primary schools.

Advice to local education authorities on the closure of schools is contained in the Department's circular 5/77. This covers schools in both urban and rural areas and there are no plans to issue a further circular.

London Students (Accommodation)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is available to him of the percentage of students in London in (a) universities, (b) polytechnics, (c) other colleges and (d) all colleges, who are accommodated in (i) halls of residence and (ii) other college accommodation; and what percentage of such accommodation is allocated to first-year students.

In the academic year 1978–79, the latest year for which information is available, 33 per cent. of full-time students in universities in London were accommodated in colleges or halls of residence. Information is not readily available about the percentage of such

NET RECURRENT INSTITUTIONAL COST PER PUPILS IN MAINTAINED SCHOOLS
£ at 1980 survey prices
Financial years
1976–771977–781978–79
PrimarySecondaryPrimarySecondaryPrimarySecondary
London Borough of Brent461657511705550745
Inner London Education Authority562844599847649891

Education Costs

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what, for each local education authority, are the costs of education (a) per school-pupil, (b) per head of the population and (c) per domestic ratepayer.

My Department does not prepare figures of expenditure for each local education authority. Certain analyses of their estimates and expenditure are contained in the education and financial and rating statistics published annually by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, copies of which are available in the Library.

Teachers (Pay And Conditions Of Service)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is able to indicate the cause for delay in adjustments to teachers' pensions following the 1979 salary award; and if the accommodation allocated to first year students. A division into halls of residence and other college accommodation is not available. No information is available about the accommodation of students in polytechnics or other colleges.

London Pupils (Expenditure)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the expenditure per head of pupils in schools, for each of the last three years, in the London borough of Brent and the Inner London Education Authority.

The figures are as follows:payment of interest can be authorised in the light of the long delay.

Because of the late date at which the 1979 teachers' salary settlement was reached, my Department had no option initially but to calculate the pensions of teachers who retired between April and August on the 1978 salary scales.Immediately benefits for teachers who retired on 31 August had been dealt with staff were available to begin the work on some 6,000 revisions. The work started in September and has been proceeding as quickly as possible, but priority had to be given to first-time benefits payable to teachers who retired on 31 December. The staff dealing with these revisions have been augmented to the extent permitted by the resources available and it is expected that the last of the revisions will be dealt with during the next two weeks.Every effort has been made to deal with these revisions as quickly as possible. There is no provision in the teachers' superannuation regulations under which payment of interest may be authorised in these circumstances.

School Leavers

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list details of the numbers and percentages of pupils leaving school at the minimum leaving age; and if he will classify these figures for each social class of the parents for each year since the raising of the school leaving age.

The information is as follows:

PUPILS LEAVING SCHOOL* AT THE MINIMUM SCHOOL LEAVING AGE IN ENGLAND† FROM 1973–74 to 1978–79
YearNumbers (thousands)Percentage of all school leavers
1973–74†366·254
1974–75346·653
1975–76345·652
1976–77353·250
1977–78363·850
1978–79 (provisional)352·648
*Excluding leavers from independent schools not recognised as efficient, up to and including 1976–77.
† Figures for 1973–74 are for England and Wales.
No information is available concerning the social class of the leavers' parents.

Inner London

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has had or intends to have with representatives of the Inner London Education Authority to assist him in the examination he is undertaking currently into the administration, provision and financing of education in inner London.

The Inner London Education Authority has already sent me its detailed comments on the Baker report on inner London education. These comments, and any further written expression of views received from the authority, will be given full consideration in the course of the internal Government examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence he is calling for to assist him in the examination he is undertaking currently into the administration, provision and financing of education in inner London.

All written representations received on this matter will be given full consideration in the course of the internal Government examination.

House Of Commons

Specialist Advisers

asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the total number of specialist advisers currently employed by Select Committees of the House.

Trade

United Kingdom—Ghana (Air Services)

5.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps it is in his power to take to improve the balance of air services as between the United Kingdom and Ghana.

The United Kingdom—Ghana air services agreement provides for consultation between the aeronautical authorities of the contracting parties to ensure close collaboration in all matters affecting the fulfilment of the agreement. My officials have recently had negotiations with the Ghana authorities with the objective of improving the balance of air services between the two countries. A second round of talks is due to start very shortly.

United Kingdom—Canada (Air Services)

13.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the recent talks with Canada concerning the air service agreement between the United Kingdom and Canada.

As I told my hon Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) on 1 May, at the April talks the Canadian delegation refused British Airways access to Western Canada unless we gave Canadian airlines further major unreciprocated traffic rights between London and Hong Kong, including that cabotage route itself. This is not acceptable and we have told the Canadians that Air Canada's direct services to Western Canada will have to end on 31 March 1981 unless British airlines are allowed similar rights.

Heathrow Airport (Baggage Handling Facilities)

17.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether any proposals have been put to him for major investment in new baggage handling facilities at Heathrow.

Yes. The British Airports Authority has put forward several substantial items of expenditure to improve baggage handling facilities at Heathrow, as part of its investment plans which we are currently considering.

Air Transport Services

23.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied that the existing system of bilateral negotiation of air transport services within Europe is operating in the best interests of the United Kingdom.

The existing system has provided us with an extensive network of air services in Europe, but I strongly believe that it should be possible to give the air traveller in Europe a better deal and have taken initiatives with the aim of achieving this multilaterally in both the European Community and the wider 21 Nation European Civil Aviation Conference. In the meantime we make the best use we can of the bilateral system as it is.

Airports Policy

26.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade to what extent he has been successful in securing the transfer of scheduled airline passengers from Heathrow to Gatwick.

As a result of the policies set out by my right hon. Friend on 9 October 1979 the British Airports Authority has announced that over 20 new scheduled services are expected to start operating from Gatwick during 1980. Under the recent agreement reached with the United States all new United States services including those to new United States gateways will operate from Gatwick.

Price Control

27.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list his powers in relation to the control of prices.

I have powers under the Prices Act 1974 to regulate the prices of fresh or subsidised food and certain other articles. Powers to control prices may also arise from a report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on a monopoly reference under the Fair Trading Act 1973 or in a competition reference under the Competition Act 1980.

Sale Of Goods (Third Party Protection)

29.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied with the present lack of protection for third parties under the Sale of Goods Act; and, if not, whether he is considering legislation to provide remedies in such cases.

I am considering the draft European Community directive on liability for defective products which would make the producer liable for damage caused by defective goods.I am not considering any other changes in the law in this field since the Law Commission recommended that the law of contract should not be extended to give third parties contractual rights against suppliers of goods.

London Postal Services

30.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the Monopolies and Mergers report on the London postal services in relation to the consumer interest.

I welcome this thorough and valuable report which reveals a number of disturbing facts which have contributed to the poor postal services in London. These weaknesses will need to be remedied if the Post Office's standards of service are to be restored to an acceptable level. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry has discussed the report with the chairman of the Post Office Board; the Post Office is considering as a matter of urgency what action needs to be taken in the light of the report.

Monochrome Television Sets (Imports From Thailand)

28.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from the Transport and General Workers Union concerning the import of monochrome television sets from Thailand; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Trade has held two meetings with management and trade unions in the industry, including a representative from the Transport and General Workers Union, to discuss this matter. Following those meetings, our ambassador in Bangkok has held discussions with the Government of Thailand and one of their officials has been in the United Kingdom to examine the facts and report back to his own Government. We are awaiting their response. My Department is also considering with the EC Commission the possible courses of action.

Exclusion Clauses

31.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will review the law relating to exclusion clauses in the light of the recent case of Photo Production v Securicor.

No. The effect of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the recent House of Lords judgment is that the test of reasonableness will apply to exclusion clauses in consumer contracts and in commercial contracts on written standard terms, but that the parties to other commercial contracts will be free to make their own bargain.

Bread (Prices)

32.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will use his Competition Act powers to refer the price of bread to the Director General of Fair Trading for investigation.

My right hon. Friend does not think it would be appropriate to use these powers in the case of the bread industry, particularly as the profit on the standard loaf is still very low, and as a considerable number of redundancies have already occurred in this industry, and also in view of the fact that the particular industry has already been the subject of investigations by the Price Commission and the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

South Africa

33.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many trade missions or delegations assisted by Government funds will be sent to South Africa in the current year.

European Air Traffic Control Centres

34.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions he has had with Herr Kurt Gscheidle, Minister of Transport of the Federal Re public of Germany, about the future of Karlsruhe and Maastricht air traffic control centres, and the future of Eurocontrol.

I had a most useful meeting with Herr Gscheidle on 29 April. We were in broad agreement that the plans being developed within Eurocontrol for its future were on the right lines. The future of the Karlsruhe and Maastricht air traffic control centres is playing an important part in the discussions.

Finland

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in view of the concern in British industry arising from the compensation trade deal with Finland for the sale of 50 Hawk trainer aircraft, he will use his powers to restrict imports from Finland into the United Kingdom where imports from other sources exceed 20 per cent. of United Kingdom production, by sector.

The EC/Finland Free Trade Agreement guarantees reciprocal duty-free entry for most industrial goods and provides for special controls only if Finnish exports could be shown to be causing serious disturbances to any sector of the Community economy or a serious deterioration in the economy of a member State. I am aware of no evidence which would justify any action on those grounds.

Iran

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what information his Department has as to the number of jobs in British industry that would be at risk if sanctions were imposed against Iran; and if he will make a statement.

The effect of sanctions would depend on their precise scope and on the extent to which exports to Iran can be diverted to other markets.

Stansted Airport

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what assistance his Department gave to the preparation of the British Airports Authority's publication "Development of Stansted Airport"; and if he will publish a factual statement on the disadvantages of the proposed development at Stansted for distribution into the

First featureSupporting programmes
Average quota achieved*Percentage of cinemas defaultingAverage quota achieved†Percentage of cinemas defaulting
197040·36·234·58·0
197144·36·337·18·1
197239·26·434·89·3
197342·14·037·28·4
197441·34·242·32·7
197540·64·443·32·2
197638·48·442·32·7
197737·111·346·51·6
197833·223·849·22·0
197936·811·056·81·0
* Standard prescribed rate 30 per cent.
† Standard prescribed rate 25 per cent.

European Community

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the United Kingdom balance of trade with other EEC members for each year since entry to the EEC.

This information is published in table A9 of the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. homes in the Bishops Stortford, Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow areas.

My Department played no part in the preparation or production of this booklet. Presentation of the cases for and against the British Airports Authority's proposals to develop Stansted, both before and during the forthcoming public inquiry, is a matter for the parties concerned.

Films

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the proportion of British feature films shown in United Kingdom cinemas in each of the past 10 years and the proportion of supporting films as against the quotas of 30 per cent. and 25 per cent. respectively.

Nationalised Industries (Consumers' Councils)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the names of the chairmen of each of the 43 nationalised industries consumers' councils, the dates of their appointments, and the total payments made to each as fees or expenses during the last complete year for which figures are available.

Council

Chairman

Date of First Appointment

Salary at 1,4,80 £

Electricity Consumers CouncilMr. M. Barnes……1.11.775,065
Electricity Consultative Councils:
London Electricity Consultative CouncilVacant since 9.5.80
South Eastern Electricity Consultative CouncilDame E. Ackroyd1.10.724,725
Southern Electricity Consultative CouncilMrs. M. Haynes10.8.784,725
South Western Electricity Consultative CouncilRear Admiral W. J. McClune CB15.2.804,725
Eastern Electricity Consultative CouncilMrs. K. Moody30.9.784,725
Midlands Electricity Consultative CouncilMr. L. V. Pike OBE1.1.664,725
East Midlands Electricity Consultative CouncilMr. C. R. W. Grantham1.10.724,725
South Wales Electricity Consultative CouncilMrs. A. M. Rees1.10.774,725
Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Consultative CouncilMr. J. A. Duncan23.4.804,725
Yorkshire Electricity Consultative CouncilMr. D. Webster18.1.744,725
North Eastern Electricity Consultative CouncilDr. J. Bradshaw1.3.784,725
North Western Electricity Consultative CouncilLord Taylor of Blackburn1.10.774,725
Domestic Coal Consumers CouncilMr. D. E. Tench1.6.76

*

Post Office Users Councils:
National Post Office Users CouncilMr. J. A. Morgan25.9.785,065
Wales Post Office Users CouncilMr. D. Foulkes1.10.78

*

Scotland Post Office Users CouncilMr. M. G. J. Wylie MBE1.9.72

*

Northern Ireland Post Office Users CouncilMr. J. Grew1.1.76

*

Central Transport Consultative CommitteeMr. W. F. Higgins1.8.772,815

Council

Chairman

Date of First Appointment

Salary at 1.4.80 £

Transport Users Consultative Committees:
West Midlands Transport Users Consultative CommitteeMr. L. V. Pike OBE1.3.692,250
London Transport Users Consultative CommitteeDr. E. C. Midwinter1.11.772,250
North East Transport Users Consultative CommitteeMr. K. Kellner1.4.782,250
South West Transport Users Consultative CommitteeMr. M. D. D. Newitl1.6.782,250
Wales Transport Users Consultative CommitteeMr. E. R. Jones1.3.792,250
North West Transport Users Consultative CommitteeMrs. O. Clarke MBE1.11.792,250
Scotland Transport Users Consultative CommitteeProfessor T. F. Carbery1.11.762,250
East Anglia Transport Users Consultative CommitteeVacant since 21.2.80
East Midlands Transport Users Consultative CommitteeMr. S. A. Campbell1.12.712,250
South East Transport Users Consultative CommitteeMr. E. G. Feben1.8.792,250
Yorkshire Transport Users Consultative CommitteeMr. J. S. D. Towler1.10.792,250
Gas Consumers Councils:
National Gas Consumers CouncilProfessor Naomi Mcintosh1.1.785,065
Scottish Gas Consumers CouncilCouncillor R. Tosh JP27.3.793,940
Northern Gas Consumers CouncilMr. J. Hudson OBE12.5.683,940
North Western Gas Consumers CouncilDr. A. G. Read9.2.763,940
North Eastern Gas Consumers CouncilProfessor P. B. Fairest12.5.773,940
East Midlands Gas Consumers CouncilMr. M. A. J. Gibson29.3.793,940
West Midlands Gas Consumers CouncilMr. S. King1.1.793,940
Wales Gas Consumers CouncilMr. A. D. Arnold MBE5.3.803,940
Eastern Gas Consumers CouncilMrs. A. Williams MBE19.7.743,940
North Thames Gas Consumers CouncilMrs. C. M. Goodhart MA12.5.793,940
South Eastern Gas Consumers CouncilCouncillor Mrs. M. R. Grimes24.3.763,940
Southern Gas Consumers CouncilMr. P. L. Hancox OBE21.3.803,940
South Western Gas Consumers CouncilMr. F. Phillips1.9.773,940

* These chairmen are paid an attendance of £23 · 50 for each day spent on council or committee business.

The cost involved in providing details of expenses paid to chairmen would be disproportionate. In addition to salary or attendance allowance chairmen may claim travelling and subsistence costs in accordance with laid down scales of allowance.

Product Liability

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the Government's policy on the issue of product liability and the status of the European Economic Community draft directive 9427/79.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Proctor) on 29 April—[Vol. 983, c. 413]—the Government will take account of the views of the interested parties whom they consulted last year before deciding their attitude to the draft directive. Meanwhile, a council working party has commenced its examination of the draft.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied with the definition of "defective" in A.4 of the draft directive on product liability 9427/79; and what submissions have been made by the Government.

My Department is now considering the views of the interested parties whom it consulted last year about the draft directive. The Government will, of course, take account of these views before deciding their attitude to the draft.

1977197819791980 (to 2 May)
New registrations55,21463,56666,47226,037
Receiverships notified1,276983853514
Liquidations notified9,9749,1628,7514,518
Companies wound-up (compulsory, voluntary or by order of Court)8.9598,4077,4723,125

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many companies in Scotland have gone bankrupt since May 1979; and how many people lost their jobs as a result.

In the 12 months May 1979 to April 1980 there were 267 company liquidations—compulsory plus creditors' voluntary liquidations—in Scotland. I regret that information on jobs lost as a result is not available.

Press Association

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in the interests of promoting competition in the supply of news, he will refer the news gathering and dissemination activities of the Press Association to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied that strict liability for development risks will not deter innovation in the draft directive on product liability unless exemption is permitted where fault is not discoverable by technology prevailing at the time.

My Department is now considering the views of the interested parties whom it consulted last year about the draft directive. A number of these bodies have argued that strict liability will deter innovation unless a state of the art defence is added to the draft. The Government will, of course, take account of these and all other views expressed before deciding their attitude to the draft.

Companies (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the number of new companies registered in 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980 to the most recent practicable date and the number of companies (a) in receivership and (b) liquidated for the same years.

The relevant information, for companies registered in Great Britain, is as follows:

Monopoly references are normally made by the Director General of Fair Trading. I understand that he has no plans for a reference at present.

Defence

Weather Reports

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to discontinue publication of the daily weather report at the end of 1980; and what will be the anticipated financial economies and the alternative source of weather observations for essential users.

Yes. The annual saving is estimated at £150,000, including six Civil Service posts in the Meteorological Office and the closure of the specially maintained Her Majesty's Stationery Office press there. Sales have been declining and annual receipts are currently only £4,000.The report is compiled from national and international data assembled for the general work of the Meteorological Office. Essential users already obtain information from this data bank and the service will continue. The information is provided free, or at special rates, if it is required in the public interest; otherwise a commercial rate is charged.Those requiring general weather charts can also subscribe to the European daily weather report. This is produced, by arrangement, by the West German wetterdienst. Its much larger circulation enables it to be published economically at approximately the same price, including postage, as is currently charged for the United Kingdom report.

Cruise Missiles

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will confirm that no cruise missiles have yet been installed, stored or deployed in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has of

CountryConvicted prisoners (per 100,000 of total population)Unconvicted prisoners (per 100,000 of total population)Total (per 100,000 of total population)
United Kingdom (1979 average)44,688 (80·0)5,440 (9·7)50,128(89·7)
Belgium (April 1980)3,117(31·67)1,542(15·66)4,659(47·33)
Denmark (April 1980)2,284(44·8)888 (17·4)3,172(62·2)
France (March 1980)21,016(39·4)17,382(32·6)38,398 (72·0)
Federal Republic of Germany (November 1979)41,214(67·1)14,561 (23·7)55,775(90·8)
Republic of Ireland (April 1980)1,081 (32·0)103 (3·0)1,184(35·0)
Italy (April 1980)12,400(21·8)* 18,600 (32·6)31,000(54·4)
Luxembourg (April 1980)200(56·0)48(13·0)248 (69·0)
Netherlands (January 1980)11,893(13·4)1,310 (9·3)3,203 (22·7)
Total127,893(49·2)59,874(23·0)187,767(72·2)
* Includes many who have been sentenced by a lower court and who are awaiting definitive sentence from a higher court.
†A further 10,253 persons (72·7 per 100,000) have been convicted to serve prison sentences but are at liberty awaiting prison space.

Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs

Royal Hong Kong Police

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many members of the Royal Hong Kong Police force have committed the number of test firings of cruise missiles and those which have (a) failed during Bight, (b) failed to target accurately and (c) were successful.

The research and development programme for the United States ground launched cruise missile which is to be based in this country—the General Dynamics Tomahawk—is a matter for the United States Government.

European Community

Prison Population

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will update his reply to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East, Official Report, 20 April 1978, Volume 948 column 319–20, stating how many convicted and unconvicted prisoners there are separately and as a whole in each of the countries of the EEC and for the whole of the Community, and in each case the number per 100,000 population and the date of the figures given.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 April 1980, c. 178]: The information is set out below. The figures should, how-ever, be treated with caution in making comparisons, since the basis for calculating them varies from country to country.suicide by firearm in the last 10 years; and in how many of these cases the hands of the dead officer were tested for powder traces.

In the last 10 years 15 police officers out of a force now totalling over 20,000 have committed suicide by shooting. In three of these cases the hands were tested for gunshot residue.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the special investigation unit of the Royal Hong Kong Police force was set up; who have been its commanding officers; what was the purpose of its establishment; what results it has achieved; what is its establishment and strength; and what is the level of forensic training of its specialist officers, if any.

The special investigation unit was set up under the command of a superintendent in August 1978 to investigate allegations of unnatural offences particularly those involving procuring and exploitation of young males. As a result 13 adults have been brought to court on various charges of buggery, gross indecency, procuration, blackmail and theft. Of these, nine were found guilty, two are awaiting trial, one has been acquitted and a nolle prosequi was entered in the other case. The unit originally comprised 27 all ranks. However, the establishment has fluctuated since its formation and presently stands at 19. The unit is staffed by experienced detective officers who call upon forensic and other specialists when needed.

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what were the allegations which led to the dismissal of the late Inspector John MacLennan from the Royal Hong Kong Police in 1978; what unit or units investigated the allegations; who was in charge of the investigation; which officer decided to dismiss him; and under which provisions of which ordinance he was dismissed;(2) what new evidence, if any, led to the reinstatement of the late Inspector John MacLennan to the Royal Hong Kong Police force in December 1978; what investigations took place; who was in charge of them; which officer decided on the reinstatement; whether any apology was offered to Inspector MacLennan; and under which provision of which ordinance he was reinstated;(3) whether he will make a statement about the case of the late Inspector John MacLennan, in the light of the verdict of the jury at the inquest; and whether he will order a public inquiry into the full circumstances of the death of John MacLennan in Hong Kong.

The case of Inspector MacLennan is still the subject of examination by the Attorney-General of Hong Kong, who received on 29 April the recorded evidence given at the coroner's inquest which took place from 29 February to 12 March. In accordance with the provisions of the Coroner's Ordinance the Attorney-General will consider all aspects of the case, including points covered in the hon. Member's questions. Until he has done this I cannot comment further.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in the light of the disclosures at the recent inquest on the late Inspector John MacLennan in Hong Kong, he is satisfied with the professional level of forensic examination of the scene of crime in such cases; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Lord Privy Seal at whose request or order the body of the late Inspector John MacLennan was cremated in Hong Kong in the current year.

The deceased's parents requested that the body be cremated. This was ordered by the coroner.

Hong Kong (Gunshot Deaths)

asked the Lord Privy Seal, in cases where gunshot wounds have resulted in death in Hong Kong, what instructions are laid down in police general orders or other instructions regarding the use of paraffin tests or other forensic tests on the hands of persons who may have fired any firearm; and whether any special instructions are laid down where the agent or victim of such wounds is or was a police officer.

There is no requirement in police orders for particular forensic tests in shooting cases, whether or not the agent or victim is a police officer. Police officers are instructed as to the assistance available from forensic or other experts. In Hong Kong the automatic absorption spectroscopy test for gunshot residue is used rather than the paraffin test.

Hong Kong (Homosexuality Laws)

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Governor of Hong Kong has received any representations to bring the law on homosexuality in Hong Kong into line with that in the United Kingdom; if he is satisfied that the present law does not pose security risks for certain public employees of homosexual tendencies; and whether any changes in the law are contemplated.

Representations were received by the Governor of Hong Kong in July 1979 from the Movement for Homosexual Reform in Hong Kong and in 1980 from the Scottish Homosexual Rights Group. The possibility of a review of the law on homosexuality including any security aspects is under consideration.

Vietnamese Boat People

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many Vietnamese boat people are still in Hong Kong.

There were 40,788 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong on 7 May, of whom 351 had arrived in the preceding month.

Unifil (South Lebanon)

asked the Lord Privy Seal what destruction of UNIFIL equipment has occurred in the current year through attacks by the militia under Major Haddad in South Lebanon; and who will bear the cost of replacing this equipment.

Damage and losses of UNIFIL equipment this year so far amount to an estimated US $545,000 to S645,000. This covers damage to (a) four Italian helicopters, (b) helicopter communication equipment, (c) headquarters buildings at Naqura, and (d) damage to and theft of miscellaneous items of equipment such as radios, vehicles, binoculars and weapons. An account of how this damage was sustained is contained in the United Nations Secretary General's special report of 11 April and his statement of 13 April, copies of which are being placed in the Library of the House. The cost is met from the United Nations budget.

Chile

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the cost of maintaining Her Majesty's Ambassador in Chile.

The cost in the current financial year, including the salary, is expected to be about £43,500. Some of this expenditure would be incurred if we maintained a chargé d'affaires.

Industry

British Steel Corporation

35.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether any salary or fees will be paid to the chairman or other members of the committee which is to review the performance of Mr. Ian MacGregor and the amounts to be paid to Lazard Frères; and what the total cost will be to public funds of this committee.

It is not intended that the chairman or members of the review committee will receive any salary, but it may be that certain of them will receive fees. The Department of Industry has agreed to pay the reasonable fees of United Kingdom-resident members of the committee and the reasonable expenses incurred by the members of the committee in attending meetings. No estimate has been made of the likely total cost to public funds of this committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry to what extent he discussed with the trades unions in the industry the appointment of the new chairman of the British Steel Corporation board.

Mr. Sirs, chairman of the TUC steel committee and general secretary of the ISTC, was told on 27 February that I would welcome any suggestions he might have about possible candidates, and on 11 March that I would be content to discuss with him the question of the chairmanship in general terms. Mr. Sirs replied on 23 April, by which time negotiations for the appointment of Mr. MacGregor were almost complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will state the statutory authority, and the Vote which authorises the arrangements reached for the employment of Mr. MacGregor as the new chairman of British Steel.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 May 1980, c. 281]: Mr. MacGregor's salary, first as deputy chairman and then as chairman of the British Steel Corporation, will be paid by the corporation as provided for in paragraph 7 of schedule 1 to the Iron and Steel Act 1975. For the first payment to Lazard Frères due on 1 July, parliamentary approval will be sought by means of a Supplementary Estimate under a new sub-head in the Central and Miscellaneous Services (Department of Industry) Vote (Class IV, Vote 24). Authority for payment will rest on the Estimate and on the confirming Consolidated Fund Act. Pending that approval the necessary expenditure will be met by repayable advances from the Contingency Fund. Authority for any subsequent payments to Lazard Frères related to performance will similarly rest on the estimate and the confirming Consolidated Fund Act.

STEEL PRODUCTION IN 1979
Steel production Million tonnesChairman's salary £/Year
MAJOR EEC STEEL PRODUCERS
British SteelUnited Kingdom17·548,500 in 1980
ThyssenWest Germany13·5n. i.*
FinsiderItaly12·4n. i.
UsinorFrance9·4n. i.
Hoesch-WerkeWest Germany6·0n. i.
HoogovensEstelNetherlands5·5n. i.
MAJOR OECD STEEL PRODUCERS (OTHER THAN EEC)
Nippon SteelJapan33·5
U.S. SteelUnited States of America27·0242,000 in 1978†
BethlehemUnited States of America17·6362,000 in 1978
Nippon KokanJapan14·1n. i.
KawasakiJapan12·9n. i.
SumitomoJapan12·9n. i.
Jones & LaughlinUnited States of America10·4207,000 in 1978
National SteelUnited States of America9·7285,000 in 1978
Republic SteelUnited States of America9·1248,000 in 1978
Broken HillAustralia8·1n. i.
Kobe SteelJapan7·6n. i.
Inland SteelUnited States of America7·5221,000 in 1978
ArmcoUnited States of America7·3249,000 in 1978
StelcoCanada5·3n. i.
* n. i.=No information readily available on salaries of senior executives in the other major EEC-OECD steel companies listed.
† Salaries in dollars converted to £ at average rate of exchange prevailing in 1978 $1·92=£1·00.

Derelict Land

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to make a statement on the future of derelict land clearance areas.

Rb211 Engine

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the aggregate cost to public funds of all forms of aid to and support for the RB211 engine and derivatives to date.

The aggregate net cost to public funds of the RB211 engine and its derivatives to the end of 1979 was £340 million.

European Community (Steel Production)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the amount of steel produced in each of the largest steel companies in the European Economic Community; what information he has of the approximate salary paid to the most senior executive employed by each; and, for purposes of comparison, what are the comparable figures for the main steel producing companies in other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

While I recognise the argument in favour of an early announcement, I cannot yet anticipate when it can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in his consideration of future derelict land clearance areas, he will take into account the proposed withdrawal of eligibility for assistance from the European regional development fund.

We shall take into account the provisions of section 8(6) of the Local Employment Act 1972.

Jury Vetting

36.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give an assurance that pending his statement to the House no further authorisations for jury vetting will be given; and whether he will ensure that no police authority conducts jury-vetting without his express authority.

The answer to the first part of the question is " No ". My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has informed us that he has received suitable assurances on behalf of chief officers of police.

Legal Aid

asked the Attorney-General how much civil legal aid has been granted to enable people to appeal against a decision of a magistrate to remand them in custody, pending their trial at the Crown court.

Criminal legal aid in the Crown court is available and is the normal channel adopted by applicants in the circumstances described. It is granted in a substantial number of cases. Though available in principle, civil legal aid in the High Court is seldom sought by applicants, and there is no separate record of the amount disbursed.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Marginal Land Survey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Government expect to complete their marginal land survey; and what proposals he has for the assistance of farmers of marginal land pending the completion of that survey.

We cannot consider special assistance before the survey work is concluded. It is my intention to make a further statement about the conduct and timing of the survey in the near future.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Meteorological Readings)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making for continuing the full range of meteorological readings at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Arrangements have been made in consultation with the Meteorological Office for the following weather observations to be undertaken daily by the staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; cloud cover; wind direction and speed; weather conditions and visibility; air temperature—minimum and maximum over the previous 24 hours; soil temperature, rainfall and sunshine over the previous 24 hours.This information is primarily recorded for the benefit of the Meteorological Office as part of the United Kingdom voluntary network, but it is also of value in the horticultural research undertaken at Kew.

White Fish Authority Committee

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the White Fish Authority Committee for Scotland and Northern Ireland, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members, and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

The committee advises the White Fish Authority on matters particularly affecting Scotland and Northern Ireland. It has no executive duties and does not disburse public funds; nor does it have separately identifiable support staff.

Most members of the committee in the last five years have served concurrently as members of the authority and have received composite salaries. Expenditure on salaries and expenses attributable solely to committee business is not readily identifiable.

Potato Guarantee

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to announce the level of the potato guarantee for 1980–81; and if he will make a statement.

Apple And Pear Development Corporation

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will announce the name of the chairman of the reconstituted Apple and Pear Development Council.

I am delighted to be able to announce that Mr. Richard Venables, the chairman of Ogilvy Benson & Mather and a director of Ogilvy and Mather International has agreed to become chairman of the revitalised Apple and Pear Development Council. Mr. Venables, with his distinguished record in the advertising industry, will bring an independence of mind and extensive marketing experience to the leadership of the council at a critical stage when there is an overwhelming need for the apple and pear industry to improve the marketing of home grown produce in the face of fierce competition from imports of apples from France.I am confident that under Mr. Venables' chairmanship the council will act with vigour, enterprise and imagination in tackling the industry's marketing problems.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is now able to announce the membership of the reconstituted Apple and Pear Development Council.

I am pleased to announce the names of those who have agreed to serve on the reconstituted Apple and Pear Development Council.

Members whose service will continue under existing appointments are:

Mr. D. G. Bottom, Mr. J. H. Culley and Mr. P. W. J. Dunsby (representing growers), Mr. W. A. Punt (employees) and Mr. F. W. Wilkes (distributors).

New members who have accepted my invitation to serve are:

Mr. S. Brice, Mr. D. Corbett, Mrs. M. Charrington, Mr. N. Longe and Mr. M. E. Withnall (representing growers) and Mr. B. J. Collingridge (distributors).

I hope to make an early announcement on the appointment of members to fill the remaining two seats on the council.

I am sure that this streamlined council, whose role will be strengthened by the additional functions we have assigned to it, will serve the apple and pear industry well and with energy in getting to grips with its urgent marketing problems.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Libyan Government (Representations)

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations have been made to the Libyan Government as a result of the recent murders in London.

Transport

Skips

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to provide that liability under the Highways Act 1971 for ensuring that a skip is safely placed and lit at night does not place that liability with the person hiring the skip under a separate contract of hire, in view of the likelihood that a hirer may not be adequately insured against public liability risks; and if he will make a statement.

No. Section 31 of the Highways Act 1971 already makes the owner of a skip responsible for lighting it properly and for complying with any conditions imposed by the highway authority. The terms of a hiring agreement cannot remove this responsibility. If my hon. Friend has any specific evidence of problems relating to hirers' public liability, I will of course be happy to consider it.

Unadopted Roads

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider giving grants to householders in unadopted roads to enable their roads to be adopted.

No. The adoption of private streets and the extent to which the costs should be borne by householders or public funds are matters for local authority decision.

Home Department

Cremations

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the report of the Brodrick committee, existing safeguards against cremation being used for the concealment of crime will be retained in all circumstances; and if he will make a statement on any recent discussions with interested funeral bodies.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) on 3 March.—[Vol. 130, c. 64.] Since 8 April, when I wrote to my hon. Friend, alternative proposals to those of the Brodrick committee have been received from the ad hoc commttee representing the National Association of Funeral Directors, the Institute of Burial and Cremation Administration and others. These are being studied.

Secretary Of State (Visits To Prisons)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisons he has visited since becoming Home Secretary.

Departmental Complaints Procedure

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on allowing officers of his Department to appear on television or radio to answer complaints made against his Department.

It may sometimes be appropriate for officials to take part in broadcasts on matters concerning this Department, but I regard the defence of Government policy as a matter for me or my ministerial colleagues.

Home-Made Weapons Publications

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consideration he has given to the criminal and security risks which arise from the general availability of magazines such as Incendiaries, Booby-traps and Unconventional Warfare Devices and Techniques, which describe how to construct home-made napalm bombs and home-made lethal booby-traps; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will seek to amend the law so as to prohibit the sale and dissemination of publications stimulating the manufacture of home-made lethal weapons and devices; and if he will make a statement;(3) what study he has made of a current press catalogue, a copy of which has been supplied to him by the hon. Member for Cannock, offering books such as

How to Kill, How Terrorists Kill, Incendiaries and Improvised Munitions; if he will seek to amend the law so as to ban the publication and dissemination of such publications; and if he will make a statement.

Distribution of material which incites crimes is a criminal offence. We will study the catalogue to which the hon. Member refers, but we would be reluctant to consider taking powers to censor publications unless we were persuaded that this would make an effective practical contribution to the prevention of terrorism.

Dangerous Weapons (Advertising)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of the general advertising of a number of high velocity weapons, such as Armalite M16 shotguns, available with only shotgun certificates; and what steps he is taking to reduce the availability of such dangerous weapons.

Most of these weapons are no more powerful than shotguns of conventional appearance and require a shotgun certificate. The more powerful versions require a firearms certificate. The controls of the existing law, which provide heavy penalties for the misuse of firearms, are in my view adequate at the present.

Mercenaries (Advertising)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of the advertising of mercenary services in Great Britain; if he will seek to amend the law so as to ban this advertising; and if he will make a statement.

None, but if the hon. Member would be good enough to let us have details of any such advertising that is causing him concern we will be pleased to look into it.

Prisons, Remand And Detention Centres

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those prisons, remand centres and detention centres in which prisoners have had to be located in accommodation not designed for sleeping, indicating for each establishment the number of prisoners involved, the accommodation used and the time they were located there.

Inmates have had to be located temporarily in accommodation not designed for sleeping in the establishments listed below. Accommodation used has included association rooms, classrooms, storerooms, visiting rooms, a library, offices, a dormitory floor, hospital annexes and, in one case, a corridor. No record is available of the daily numbers involved or the time each person was so located.

Local PrisonOxford
Remand CentresLow Newton (Female)
Risley (Female)
BorstalsEast Sutton Park
Detention CentresHaslar
Kirklevington
North Sea Camp
Send
Werrington
Whatton

Wet Shelters

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many wet shelters there are available currently in (a) England and Wales and (b) Greater London.

Imprisonment (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time spent in custody of (a) drunks, (b) mentally sub-normals, (c) prostitutes and (d) defaulters in (i) England and Wales and (ii) Greater London.

Violent Crime (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of people held in Her Majesty's prisons has been convicted of crimes of violence in the years 1975 to 1979, respectively, in (a) England and Wales and (b) Greater London.

Mr Frank Barry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to enable Mr. Frank Barry to remain in the United Kingdom to complete his legal studies at Edinburgh university.

Mr. Frank Barry has been refused leave to remain as a student as there are doubts surrounding his intention to return abroad on completion of his studies. He has appealed against this decision and is under no obligation to leave the country whilst the appeal is pending.

Hugh Doherty And Eddie Butler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Hugh Doherty of Winson Green prison, No. 338636, and Eddie Butler of Durham prison, No. 338637, have been held in solitary confinement since February 1978, and for what reason.

In February 1978, Mr. Doherty and Mr. Butler, together with other former inmates of the special security wing at Leicester prison, were transferred to other local prisons to enable necessary improvements to security to be carried out at Leicester. There is no such thing as solitary confinement; but whilst in local prisons they have been segregated from other prisoners under rule 43 of the Prison Rules, in the interests of good order and discipline, and except for exercise periods have normally been confined to their cells. The building work at Leicester was completed very recently and Mr. Butler returned there on 8 May. Mr. Doherty will be moved from Birmingham soon.

Police And Fire Services

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of total local government expenditure currently is spent on the police and fire services, respectively.

Mentally Disturbed Prisoners

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the offence for which the mentally disturbed prisoner, discharged from Dartmoor on 29 April because of the absence of a hospital place, was imprisoned.

The prisoner had been convicted of malicious wounding and two charges of theft.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the offence for which the two mentally disturbed prisoners, who were released to out-patient care after 22 April, were imprisoned.

One of these prisoners had been convicted of malicious wounding and two charges of theft; the other of two charges of burglary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the offences of each of the 19 male prisoners awaiting transfer on 22 April to hospital under section 72 of the Mental Health Act 1959.

The offences of the 19 prisoners awaiting transfer to hospital on 22 April 1980 were as follows:

  • 1.
  • (i) Causing grievous bodily harm with intent to do grievous bodily harm
  • (ii) Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
  • 2.
  • (i) Going equipped for theft;
  • (ii) Assault occasioning actual bodily harm;
  • (iii) Assault on Police Constable (2 offences).
  • 3. Harassment (Protection from Eviction Act 1977).
  • 4. Incest.
  • 5. Arson.
  • 6. Burglary.
  • 7.
  • (i) Assault occasioning actual bodily harm;
  • (ii) Possession of dangerous drugs;
  • (iii) Obtaining property by deception;
  • (iv) Unlawful assault;
  • (v) Planting cannabis.
  • 8. Actual bodily harm (2 offences).
  • 9.
  • (i) Malicious wounding;
  • (ii) Theft.
  • 10. Arson.
  • 11.
  • (i) Theft;
  • (ii) Arson.
  • 12. Malicious wounding.
  • 13.
  • (i) Burglary;
  • (ii) Arson.
  • 14.
  • (i) Wounding with intent.
  • 15.
  • (i) Damage to property × 2;
  • (ii) Common assault (2 charges).
  • 16.
  • (i) Assault;
  • (ii) Burglary;
  • (iii) Robbery.
  • 17. Burglary (2 charges).
  • 18. Criminal damage.
  • 19. Burglary.
  • asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give an assurance that he will not discharge into the community any more mentally disturbed prisoners whom he considers require detention in a hospital under the terms of the Mental Health Act 1959.

    No. If hospital beds have not been made available to such people by their release date, we have no power to detain them further in prison and they must be released.

    Prisoners' Letters (Rules)