Written Answers To Questions
Thursday 7 August 1980
Employment
Medway Area
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the fact that the rate of young employed in the Medway area is 15 per cent. as compared with the average figure for the South-East area of 8 per cent., he will ensure the Manpower Services Commission increases the provision for youth opportunities in the Medway area above the 40 per cent. he has announced.
The Government asked the Manpower Services Commission to plan the youth opportunities programme in 1980–81 in such a way as to meet the needs of young people eligible for a place in the programme. In particular the Government reaffirmed their commitment to the two undertakings to young people; that is, to provide all school leavers who cannot find a permanent job with a place in the programme by next Easter and to provide those young people who become unemployed for 12 months with a place in the programme within three months.I have asked the MSC to keep enough places available in the programme to ensure that these undertakings will be met. I am now discussing with the MSC what more can be done to help the young unemployed, and those discussions will naturally take account of the needs of those districts where youth unemployment is a particular problem.
Permaflex, Stoke-On-Trent (Fire)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment on which date the report of the inquiry by the Health and Safety Executive into the fire at Permaflex, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, will be published.
Work on the report is at an advanced stage and it is expected that it will be made available in the autumn.
Divers (Fatalities And Injuries)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list fatalities and serious injuries incurred by divers operating in inshore areas, on North Sea oil and gas projects, for each year since 1964.
No separate figures are available relating to divers operating in inshore areas on North Sea oil and gas projects.
Merseyside
asked the Secretary of State for Employment why some private agencies which have received cash assistance to help train young people in skills in Merseyside are now being refused that aid and what opportunities he is providing for youth employment.
[pursuant to his reply, 30 July 1980, c. 675]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that this year it plans to provide 27,350 opportunities for young people in Merseyside under the youth opportunities programme. This compares with a total of 23,550 young people in Merseyside who were helped by the Programme last year. Those school leavers who do not obtain permanent jobs will be offered a place in the programme by Easter 1981, and young people remaining unemployed for 12 months will be offered a place in the programme within three months. If the hon. Gentleman has in mind a particular agency from which public funds have been withdrawn I would be happy to look into the matter.
Farm Accidents
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of deaths involving tractors in each year since 1945 with breakdowns showing how many were (a) workers, (b) farmers and their families and (c) children under 16 years of age.
[pursuant to his reply, 4 August 1980, c. 17]: The tables below present statistics relating to fatal accidents with tractors from 1 January 1958 to 31 December 1979.The age limit in respect of children during the period 1958–1972 was 15 years. From 1973 onwards this limit was extended to 16 years of age.
Statistical information for tractor accidents prior to 1976 does not permit any
| FATAL ACCIDENTS WITH TRACTORS IN GREAT BRITAIN | ||||||
Year
| Adults
| Children
| Total
| |||
| 1958 | … | … | … | 59 | 6 | 65 |
| 59 | … | … | … | 51 | 5 | 56 |
| 60 | … | … | … | 45 | 8 | 53 |
| 61 | … | … | … | 71 | 5 | 76 |
| 62 | … | … | … | 65 | 8 | 73 |
| 63 | … | … | … | 46 | 6 | 52 |
| 64 | … | … | … | 54 | 7 | 61 |
| 65 | … | … | … | 54 | 4 | 58 |
| 66 | … | … | … | 56 | 5 | 61 |
| 67 | … | … | … | 46 | 4 | 50 |
| 68 | … | … | … | 49 | 5 | 54 |
| 69 | … | … | … | 41 | 5 | 46 |
| 70 | … | … | … | 39 | 10 | 49 |
| 71 | … | … | … | 43 | 4 | 47 |
| 72 | … | … | … | 26 | 6 | 32 |
| 73 | … | … | … | 28 | 8 | 36 |
| 74 | … | … | … | 23 | 6 | 29 |
| 75 | … | … | … | 28 | 9 | 37 |
| 76 | … | … | … | 33 | 3 | 36 |
| 77 | … | … | … | 26 | 4 | 30 |
| 78 | … | … | … | 17 | 4 | 21 |
| 79 | … | … | … | 17 | 5 | 22 |
Year
| Farmworkers
| Farmers and their families
| Others *
| Children
| Total
| |||
| 1976 | … | … | … | 12 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 36 |
| 1977 | … | … | … | 8 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
| 1978 | … | … | … | 5 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 21 |
| 1979 | … | … | … | 5 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 22 |
* Others covers contractors, members of the public etc. | ||||||||
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of people killed and injured, separate figures, in farm accidents in Great Britain in each year since the war, with a breakdown giving the number of workers and the number of farmers and their families, with sub-totals showing children under 16 years, also the totals of hired workers and farmers and their families for those years, and the ratio of deaths against total farm work force
breakdown between agricultural workers and others.
and the ratio reported injuries against total farm work force for each year.
[pursuant to his reply, 4 August 1980, c. 17]: The table attached lists the available statistical information relating to agricultural accidents in Great Britain for the years 1971 to 1979 inclusive.It is not possible to provide information for years prior to 1971 because the statistics of employment relating to agricultural workers are not comparable with subsequent years.
| WORKFORCE AND ACCIDENTS IN AGRICULTURE: GREAT BRITAIN 1971–79 | |||||||||||
Workforce *
| Fatal accidents§ | ||||||||||
Of which
| |||||||||||
Farmers and family workers† | Employees‡ | Total
| Total
| Children║ | Employees
| All reported accidents to employees
| Fatal accidents per 100,000 workforce Columns 3 and 4
| Reported accidents to employees per 100 at risk Columns 2 and 7
| |||
1
| 2
| 3
| 4
| 5
| 6
| 7
| 8
| 9
| |||
thousand
| number
| thousand
| |||||||||
| 1971 | … | … | 308 | 314 | 622 | 141 | 30 | 53 | 6·7 | 22·7 | 2·1 |
| 1972 | … | … | 308 | 310 | 618 | 100 | 20 | 45 | 6·8 | 16·2 | 2·2 |
| 1973 | … | … | 304 | 313 | 617 | 118 | 27 | 46 | 6·2 | 19·1 | 2·0 |
| 1974 | … | … | 290 | 303 | 593 | 101 | 30 | 33 | 5·7 | 17·0 | 1·9 |
| 1975 | … | … | 287 | 291 | 578 | 100 | 23 | 34 | 5·2 | 17·3 | 1·8 |
| 1976 | … | … | 295 | 290 | 585 | 106 | 21 | 41 | 5·3 | 18·1 | 1·8 |
| 1977 | … | … | 279 | 300 | 580 | 102 | 25 | 32 | 4·8 | 17·6 | 1·6 |
| 1978 | … | … | 281 | 300 | 581 | 72 | 16 | 25 | 4·6 | 12·4 | 1·5 |
| 1979 | … | … | 263 | 294 | 557 | 94 | 24 | 36 | 4·1 | 16·9 | 1·4 |
* MAFF and DAFS June census. | |||||||||||
| † Excluding the working spouses of farmers, partners and directors (about 50,000) and farmers in Scotland (there are about 30,000 holdings in Scotland). | |||||||||||
| ‡ Including salaried managers and casual workers. | |||||||||||
| § Including accidents to members of the public arising from work activities. | |||||||||||
| ║ Under 16; under 15 before 1973. | |||||||||||
Birmingham
asked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Handsworth on 26 June about employment in Birmingham, if he will update the figures given to the latest convenient date.
[pursuant to his reply, 6 August 1980, c. 126]: At 10 July 1980 there were 32,610 males and 11,412 females aged 20 years and over, and 18,531 young people under 20 years of age registered as unemployed in the Birmingham travel-to-work area. The corresponding figures for July 1979 were 24,605. 8,029 and 14,065, respectively. The July 1980 figures are not strictly comparable those for July 1979 because of the introduction of fortnightly attendance anti payment of benefit. Estimates of this effect by age or for local areas are not available, but for the country as a whole the monthly figures for all unemployed from October 1979 are about 20,000, or 1½ per cent. higher than they would have under weekly attendance.
Derv
asked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Northampton. North, Official Report, 22 July, if derv increases in price by 10 per cent. now this affects industrial costs; and to what extent this is passed on to the consumer and hence to the retail price index.
[pursuant to his reply, 6 August 1980, c. 126]: The extent to which an increase in the price of derv affects industrial costs will vary from industry to industry. Moreover whether a rise in derv prices and hence industrial costs will be passed on to consumers will also depend on other economic factors including the level of demand and competitiveness. It is therefore not possible to determine any mechanical link between an increase in derv prices, industrial costs and movements in the retail prices index.
Civil Service
Treasury Paye System
asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will consider consortium as well as single-supplier provision for the Treasury PAYE system.
The method of procurement of the computers for the PAYE project is still under consideration.
Trade
Hearing Aids (Doorstep Sales)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to protect the elderly hard of hearing who complete coupons contained in newspaper advertisements from receiving calls from doorstep salesmen of hearing aids unless such a call is positively requested.
The Hearing Aid Council has proposed further changes to its code of practice. As a result I am considering whether, and if so under what conditions, such home calls should continue to be permitted.
White Goods (Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has any plans to curb the import of white goods such as fridges, freezers, and washing machines into the United Kingdom.
No.
Albania
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what proposals he has for improving trade between Albania and the United Kingdom.
In the absence of diplomatic relations the scope for activity is necessarily limited. However, within these limits my Department is always ready to help British companies trading or wishing to trade with Albania.
Taiwan (Anti-Dumping Measures)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress is being made, through the EEC. in preparing a case for antidumping action against Taiwan over the import of manufactured doors.
The British Woodworking Federation and its European counterpart FEMIB have submitted to the European Commission within the last few days a formal complaint about the dumping of wooden doors from Taiwan.
British Overseas Trade Board
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report the number of overseas exhibitions with which the British Overseas Trade Board has been involved for each year since 1970 to date.
The following table shows the number of exhibitions in each calendar year since 1970, supported by the Department of Trade under its joint venture, pavilion and all-British trade fairs arrangements and at the British Export Marketing Centre, Tokyo.
| Year | Total Number of Exhibitions |
| 1970 | 285 |
| 1971 | 269 |
| 1972 | 283 |
| 1973 | 322 |
| 1974 | 318 |
| 1975 | 250 |
| NUMBERS EMPLOYED IN EXPORT SERVICES AS AT | ||||||||
| Date | Open Structure | Adminis-tration Group | Science Professional and Technical | Other Professional | Support | Total | ||
| 1 April 1972 | … | … | 3 | 900 | 5 | 92 | 47 | 1,047 |
| 1 July 1973 | … | … | 2 | 883 | — | 87 | 41 | 1,013 |
| 1 July 1974 | … | … | 3 | 903 | — | 88 | 44 | 1,038 |
| 1 July 1975 | … | … | 2 | 888 | — | 99 | 45 | 1,034 |
| 1 July 1976 | … | … | 2 | 878 | — | 97 | 46 | 1,023 |
| 1 July 1977 | … | … | 2 | 839 | — | 92 | 48 | 982 |
| 1 July 1978 | … | … | 2 | 794 | 4 | 90 | 43 | 933 |
| 1 July 1979 | … | … | 2 | 788 | 4 | 98 | 49 | 941 |
| 1 July 1980 | … | … | 1 | 737 | 3 | 94 | 49 | 884 |
Air Crash (Exeter)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what investigation has taken place into the circumstances in which the Alidair Scotland Viscount airliner crash-landed on a flight from Santander to Exeter; if he is satisfied that the aircraft received the amount of fuel it requested in Spain; whether the aircraft's fuel guages were working properly; and if he will make a statement.
The Chief Inspector of Accidents ordered an inspector's investigation to be conducted into the accident to the Alidair Viscount which crashed near Exeter on 17 July 1980 and the Secretary of State will receive a full report in due course. Inspectors from the accidents investigation branch visited Santander between 22 and 24 July and were assisted by the Spanish aircraft accident investigation authorities. The question
| 1976 | 352 |
| 1977 | 303 |
| 1978 | 319 |
| 1979 | 337 |
| 1980 (to end July) | 177 |
The Department's overseas trade fair programmes have been subject to the direction of the British Overseas Trade Board since its inception in 1972.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the establishment, by discipline, of the British Overseas Trade Board in each year since 1970.
The following were the numbers of civil servants engaged in export services work—in the Department of Trade—under the direction of the British Overseas Trade Board on behalf of the Secretary of State, in each year since the board was set up:whether the aircraft received the fuel that was requested in Spain is still the subject of investigation. The port fuel gauge was defective and the starboard gauge was not wholly reliable. An AIB bulletin concerning this accident was published on 25 July 1980 and I do not believe it would be helpful to the further progress of the investigation to make any further statement at present.
Coal
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, from information available to him, he will tabulate his assessment of the value, tonnage, and in consequence cost per ton of each export source of coal, and coal products, imported into each EEC country and in total per annum at present.
[pursuant to the reply, 4 August 1980, c. 5]: The information, in respect of 1979, is as follows:
| TABLE 1 | |||||||||||||||
| EUROPEAN COMMUNITY—IMPORTS OF COAL AND COAL PRODUCTS* 1979 | |||||||||||||||
| From | To | European Community | Belgium/Luxembourg | Denmark | Federal Republic of Germany | France | Ireland | Italy | Netherlands | United Kingdom | |||||
| £ million | |||||||||||||||
| France | … | … | … | … | … | 55·2 | 12·1 | 5·3 | 26·0 | — | 0·1 | 5·8 | 2·2 | 3·7 | |
| Belgium/Luxembourg | … | … | … | 27·3 | — | 0·1 | 9·5 | 14·8 | 0·1 | 0·3 | 1·2 | 1·3 | |||
| Netherlands | … | … | … | … | … | 41·0 | 18·4 | 0·1 | 14·7 | 6·5 | 0·6 | — | — | 0·7 | |
| Federal Republic of Germany | … | … | 837·7 | 321·2 | 3·0 | — | 301·0 | 0·4 | 102·4 | 93·6 | 15·9 | ||||
| Italy | … | … | … | … | … | … | 1·3 | — | — | — | 1·3 | — | — | — | — |
| United Kingdom | … | … | … | … | 68·8 | 4·7 | 0·4 | 19·0 | 22·5 | 13·0 | 1·5 | 7·7 | — | ||
| Ireland | … | … | … | … | … | 9·6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9·6 | |
| Denmark | … | … | … | … | … | 0·3 | — | — | 0·2 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Norway | … | … | … | … | … | 1·5 | 0·1 | — | 1·2 | — | — | — | 0·2 | — | |
| Sweden | … | … | … | … | … | 1·6 | — | 1·0 | 0·1 | — | — | 0·2 | — | 0·2 | |
| Finland | … | … | … | … | … | 1·9 | — | 0·1 | — | 0·2 | — | — | 0·9 | 0·7 | |
| Austria | … | … | … | … | … | 0·2 | — | — | 0·2 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Spain | … | … | … | … | … | … | 0·4 | 0·3 | — | — | — | — | 0·1 | — | — |
| Yugoslavia | … | … | … | … | … | 1·3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1·3 | — | — | |
| Turkey | … | … | … | … | … | 0·4 | — | — | — | — | — | 0·4 | — | — | |
| USSR | … | … | … | … | … | 77·8 | 7·9 | 0·1 | 6·3 | 30·8 | 0·1 | 29·3 | 0·4 | 3·0 | |
| German Democratic Republic | … | … | 0·7 | — | 0·5 | — | — | — | 0·2 | 0·1 | — | ||||
| Poland | … | … | … | … | … | 305·3 | 16·5 | 1·0 | 56·4 | 100·4 | 22·0 | 72·7 | 17·0 | 19·3 | |
| Czechoslovakia | … | … | … | … | 22·4 | 1·8 | — | 16·6 | — | — | — | 4·0 | — | ||
| Morocco | … | … | … | … | … | 3·1 | — | — | — | 0·6 | — | 0·7 | — | 1·7 | |
| Egypt | … | … | … | … | … | 0·1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0·1 | — | — | |
| Gabon | … | … | … | … | … | 0·9 | — | — | — | 0·9 | — | — | — | — | |
| Zaire | … | … | … | … | … | … | 0·3 | 0·3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| South Africa | … | … | … | … | 250·7 | 31·4 | — | 20·1 | 145·2 | 0·5 | 39·5 | 12·6 | 1·4 | ||
| USA | … | … | … | … | … | … | 448·9 | 74·9 | — | 44·4 | 102·0 | 8·6 | 133·2 | 48·9 | 36·9 |
| Canada | … | … | … | … | … | 19·9 | 4·0 | — | 10·6 | 2·0 | — | 3·2 | 0·1 | — | |
| Mexico | … | … | … | … | … | 0·8 | 0·5 | — | 0·2 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Brazil | … | … | … | … | … | 0·2 | — | — | 0·2 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Argentina | … | … | … | … | … | 0·9 | — | — | 0·7 | — | — | — | 0·2 | — | |
| Vietnam | … | … | … | … | … | 0·7 | 0·5 | — | — | 0·1 | — | — | — | — | |
| China | … | … | … | … | … | 7·0 | — | — | 2·9 | 1·5 | — | 0·4 | 0·6 | 1·5 | |
| Japan | … | … | … | … | … | 0·9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0·9 | |
| Australia | … | … | … | … | … | 193·7 | 7·2 | — | 13·4 | 53·3 | 0·4 | 30·1 | 29·4 | 59·9 | |
| Secret | … | … | … | … | … | 126·4 | — | 126·4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Unspecified by country | … | … | … | 0·9 | 0·2 | — | 0·2 | 0·2 | — | 0·1 | — | 0·1 | |||
| World | … | … | … | … | … | 2,510·0 | 502·0 | 138·1 | 243·0 | 783·3 | 45·8 | 421·6 | 219·0 | 156·8 | |
| * SITC (Rev 2) Division 32. | |||||||||||||||
| — Nil or less than half of the final digit shown. | |||||||||||||||
| Source: Eurostat. | |||||||||||||||
| TABLE 2 | |||||||||||||||
| EUROPEAN COMMUNITY—IMPORTS OF COAL AND COAL PRODUCTS* 1979 | |||||||||||||||
| From | To | European Community | Belgium Luxembourg | Denmark | Federal Republic of Germany | France | Ireland | Italy | Natherlands | United Kingdom | |||||
| Thousands of tonnes | |||||||||||||||
| France | … | … | … | … | … | 1,142 | 263 | 83 | 598 | — | 1 | 91 | 40 | 65 | |
| Belgium/Luxembourg | … | … | … | 633 | — | 1 | 250 | 316 | 2 | 4 | 35 | 24 | |||
| Netherlands | … | … | … | … | … | 1,364 | 736 | 3 | 443 | 147 | 12 | 1 | — | 22 | |
| Federal Republic of Germany | … | … | 20,917 | 6,825 | 50 | — | 9,026 | 7 | 1,962 | 2,764 | 284 | ||||
| Italy | … | … | … | … | … | … | 24 | — | — | — | 24 | — | — | — | — |
| United Kingdom | … | … | … | … | 2,453 | 144 | 6 | 787 | 846 | 369 | 34 | 266 | — | ||
| Ireland | … | … | … | … | … | 195 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 195 | |
| Denmark | … | … | … | … | … | 8 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Norway | … | … | … | … | … | 61 | 5 | — | 50 | — | — | — | 7 | — | |
| Sweden | … | … | … | … | … | 29 | — | 17 | 7 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Finland | … | … | … | … | … | 18 | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 9 | 6 | |
| Austria | … | … | … | … | … | 11 | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Spain | … | … | … | … | … | … | 16 | 12 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — |
| Yugoslavia | … | … | … | … | … | 57 | — | — | — | — | — | 57 | — | — | |
| Turkey | … | … | … | … | … | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | — | |
| USSR | … | … | … | … | … | 2,589 | 371 | 6 | 264 | 779 | 1 | 1,078 | 12 | 78 | |
| German Democratic Republic | … | … | 24 | 2 | 15 | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | ||||
| Poland | … | … | … | … | … | 12,744 | 690 | 49 | 2,483 | 4,466 | 658 | 3,033 | 706 | 658 | |
| Czechoslovakia | … | … | … | … | 1,928 | 64 | — | 1,728 | — | — | 2 | 134 | — | ||
| Morocco | … | … | … | … | … | 61 | — | — | — | 14 | — | 12 | — | 34 | |
| Egypt | … | … | … | … | … | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | |
| Gabon | … | … | … | … | … | 29 | — | — | — | 29 | — | — | — | — | |
| Zaire | … | … | … | … | … | … | 18 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| South Africa | … | … | … | … | 14,167 | 1,914 | — | 1,058 | 8,117 | 13 | 2,325 | 702 | 38 | ||
| USA | … | … | … | … | … | … | 14,613 | 2,591 | — | 1,533 | 3,345 | 214 | 4,205 | 1,639 | 1,085 |
| Canada | … | … | … | … | … | 910 | 153 | — | 548 | 73 | — | 132 | 4 | — | |
| Mexico | … | … | … | … | … | 27 | 20 | — | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
| Brazil | … | … | … | … | … | 8 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Argentina | … | … | … | … | … | 38 | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | 8 | — | |
| Vietnam | … | … | … | … | … | 13 | 11 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
| China | … | … | … | … | … | 312 | — | — | 132 | 71 | — | 23 | 28 | 58 | |
| Japan | … | … | … | … | … | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | |
| Australia | … | … | … | … | … | 7,889 | 275 | — | 640 | 2,265 | 8 | 1,169 | 1,366 | 2,165 | |
| Secret | … | … | … | … | … | 7,498 | — | 7,498 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Unspecified by country | … | … | … | 22 | 5 | — | 5 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |||
| World | … | … | … | … | … | 89,859 | 14,099 | 7,729 | 10,587 | 29,530 | 1,288 | 14,158 | 7,727 | 4,741 | |
| * SITC (Rev 2) Division 32. | |||||||||||||||
| — Nil or less than half of the final digit shown. | |||||||||||||||
| Source: Eurostat. | |||||||||||||||
| TABLE 3 | |||||||||||||||
| EUROPEAN COMMUNITY—IMPORTS OF COAL AND COAL PRODUCTS* 1979 | |||||||||||||||
| From | To | European Community | Belgium/Luxembourg | Denmark | Federal Republic of Germany | France | Ireland | Italy | Netherlands | United Kingdom | |||||
| £/tonne | |||||||||||||||
| France | … | … | … | … | … | 48·4 | 46·2 | 64·2 | 43·5 | — | 77·0 | 63·0 | 55·5 | 56·4 | |
| Belgium/Luxembourg | … | … | … | 43·1 | — | 63·5 | 38·0 | 46·7 | 60·0 | 71·8 | 33·5 | 55·5 | |||
| Netherlands | … | … | … | … | … | 30·1 | 25·1 | 32·6 | 33·1 | 44·0 | 51·2 | 60·8 | — | 31·5 | |
| Federal Republic of Germany | … | … | 40·0 | 47·1 | 61·1 | — | 33·3 | 57·6 | 52·2 | 33·9 | 55·9 | ||||
| Italy | … | … | … | … | … | … | 52·9 | — | — | — | 52·9 | — | — | — | — |
| United Kingdom | … | … | … | … | 28·1 | 32·9 | 61·3 | 24·2 | 26·6 | 35·2 | 44·0 | 28·9 | — | ||
| Ireland | … | … | … | … | … | 49·4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 49·3 | |
| Denmark | … | … | … | … | … | 33·1 | — | — | 28·0 | 85·2 | — | 55·8 | 90·6 | — | |
| Norway | … | … | … | … | … | 25·0 | 25·2 | — | 25·0 | — | — | — | 25·5 | — | |
| Sweden | … | … | … | … | … | 53·7 | — | 62·1 | 18·9 | — | — | 47·0 | 95·2 | 135·9 | |
| Finland | … | … | … | … | … | 101·9 | — | 71·4 | — | 134·6 | — | — | 91·1 | 116·4 | |
| Austria | … | … | … | … | … | 15·8 | — | — | 15·8 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Spain | … | … | … | … | … | … | 28·9 | 23·4 | — | — | 47·7 | — | 49·2 | — | — |
| Yugoslavia | … | … | … | … | … | 22·8 | — | — | — | — | — | 22·9 | — | — | |
| Turkey | … | … | … | … | … | 27·3 | — | — | — | — | — | 27·3 | — | — | |
| USSR | … | … | … | … | … | 30·1 | 21·3 | 23·5 | 23·7 | 39·6 | 60·7 | 27·2 | 30·3 | 38·0 | |
| German Democratic Republic | … | … | 30·6 | 17·8 | 32·3 | — | — | — | 34·7 | 22·4 | — | ||||
| Poland | … | … | … | … | … | 24·0 | 23·9 | 20·6 | 22·7 | 22·5 | 33·4 | 24·0 | 24·1 | 29·4 | |
| Czechoslovakia | … | … | … | … | 11·6 | 28·5 | — | 9·6 | — | — | 22·9 | 29·5 | — | ||
| Morocco | … | … | … | … | … | 50·8 | 48·0 | — | — | 44·0 | — | 56·6 | — | 51·6 | |
| Egypt | … | … | … | … | … | 50·4 | — | — | — | — | — | 50·4 | — | — | |
| Gabon | … | … | … | … | … | 29·7 | — | — | — | 29·7 | — | — | — | — | |
| Zaire | … | … | … | … | … | … | 15·0 | 15·0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| South Africa | … | … | … | … | 17·7 | 16·4 | — | 19·0 | 17·9 | 37·8 | 17·0 | 17·9 | 37·9 | ||
| USA | … | … | … | … | … | … | 30·7 | 28·9 | — | 28·9 | 30·5 | 40·3 | 31·7 | 29·8 | 34·0 |
| Canada | … | … | … | … | … | 21·9 | 26·4 | — | 19·3 | 26·8 | — | 24·3 | 20·6 | — | |
| Mexico | … | … | … | … | … | 28·4 | 26·8 | — | 33·0 | — | — | — | 37·2 | — | |
| Brazil | … | … | … | … | … | 26·7 | — | — | 26·7 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Argentina | … | … | … | … | … | 24·6 | — | — | 25·0 | — | — | — | 22·8 | — | |
| Vietnam | … | … | … | … | … | 50·5 | 51·5 | — | — | 47·0 | — | — | — | — | |
| China | … | … | … | … | … | 22·3 | — | — | 22·2 | 20·8 | — | 19·6 | 21·4 | 25·9 | |
| Japan | … | … | … | … | … | 31·7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31·7 | |
| Australia | … | … | … | … | … | 24·5 | 26·2 | — | 21·0 | 23·5 | 42·1 | 25·8 | 21·5 | 27·7 | |
| Secret | … | … | … | … | … | 16·9 | — | 16·9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| World | … | … | … | … | … | 27·9 | 35·6 | 17·9 | 23·0 | 26·5 | 35·6 | 29·8 | 28·3 | 33·1 | |
| Notes: | |||||||||||||||
| Variations in the figures reflect variations in the product mix as well as the source of supply. | |||||||||||||||
| * SITC (Rev 2) Division 32. | |||||||||||||||
| — Basic figures nil or too small for reliable £/tonne figures to be calculated. | |||||||||||||||
Commonwealth Countries
asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what share of the markets for cars, pottery, clothing and electrical goods is now enjoyed by the United Kingdom in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Nigeria, India and Kenya; and how this compares with 1972;(2) what tariff is imposed against imports of United Kingdom manufactures in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Nigeria, India and Kenya, respectively; and how these tariffs compare with those in force in 1972.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Commonwealth Preference
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what Customs duties, import levies and other restrictions are now imposed on the United Kingdom imports from the Commonwealth of butter, cheese, lamb, beef, sugar, wheat, fruit and vegetables; and how these compare with 1972.
In 1972 no import duty was charged in the United Kingdom on butter and wheat and the duty on lamb from all sources—except the Irish Republic—was £0·9335 per cwt. Under the Commonwealth preference arrangements, cheese, beef, fruit and vegetables were free of import duty. Certain types of sugar were charged a preferential rate of £1·0665 per ton whilst other types were free of duty. Imports of butter, sugar and potatoes required an individual import licence when imported from any source, and apples and pears from Canada and Nauru needed to be individually licensed when imported into the United Kingdom. Cheese, lamb, beef and wheat could be imported without restriction under the provision of the open general import licence of 30 June 1971.Today imports of butter, cheese, wheat and sugar are subject to variable levies reflecting the differences between world prices and European Community prices, though in the case of sugar imports from Commonwealth countries covered by the Lomé convention and related agreements benefit from levy free access. Beef is subject to a Customs duty of 20 per cent. and a variable levy, though the majority of Commonwealth imports benefit from special arrangements for reduced rates under the Lomé convention or preferential access under concessions granted in the GATT multilateral trade negotiations and other trade arrangements.Examples of current rates of levy are as follows:
| per tonne | |
| Butter | £1,373·9 |
| Cheese | £1,151·4 |
| Beef | £1,185 |
| Wheat | .£48·6 |
| Sugar | Nil |
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the calculated impact on United Kingdom exports of manufactures of the loss of Commonwealth preference and the imposition of tariffs against imports of United Kingdom manufactures by Commonwealth countries since 1972.
We do not have any estimates of the impact on United Kingdom exports of manufactures of the loss or Commonwealth preference and the imposition of tariffs against imports of United Kingdom manufactures by Commonwealth countries since 1972.
Ss "Southern Cross"
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the engine failure of the SS "Southern Cross" off the Isles of Scilly on 1 August.
At 0850 BST on Friday 1 August, the Greek Tanker SS "Southern Cross" reported that she had stopped with engine failure some 6½ miles south of the Scilly Isles. She was bound for Limerick carrying 44,000 tons of fuel oil.The vessel was being carried away from the Scilly Isles by the tide and work was put in hand by the crew to repair the fault. Meanwhile five salvage tugs were making for the vessel and the first would have arrived at 1330 BST. However, at 1230 BST the repairs had been completed and she resumed her voyage.The coastguards and the marine pollution control unit in my Department monitored the situation and were in frequent touch with the vessel, the owner's
| Original European Community | |||||||
| ("The Six") | Commonwealth | ||||||
| 1972 | 1979 | 1972 | 1979 | ||||
| Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent. | ||||
| Total United Kingdom imports | … | 25 | 37 | 19 | 11 | ||
| Total United Kingdom exports | … | 23 | 33 | 18 | 12 | ||
| Imports of food | … | … | … | 12 | 25 | 36 | 26 |
| Exports of manufactures | … | … | 22 | 31 | 19 | 14 | |
| Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics (Food: SITC/R1 and R2 section 0; Manufactures: SITC/R1 and R2 sections 5–8 inclusive). | |||||||
| Notes: | |||||||
| (i)Figures for the Commonwealth in 1972 ignore trade with Bangladesh. | |||||||
| (ii)Figures for exports of manufactures are in accordance with the first revision of the standard international trade classification for 1972 and the second revision for 1979. | |||||||
| (iii)The effect of these inconsistencies is considered negligible. | |||||||
Scotland
Police (Use Of Firearms)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown by police force area of the 699 occasions when firearms were issued to police officers in Scotland in 1979.
The information is as follows:
| Central | 10 |
| Dumfries & Galloway | 15 |
| Fife | 5 |
| Grampian | 12 |
| Northern | 65 |
| Lothian and Borders | 19 |
| Strathclyde | 562 |
| Tayside | 11 |
Non-University Tertiary Education (Dundee)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet received the report of the working party on the provision of non-university tertiary education in the Dundee area; and if he will make a statement.
agents in London, and the Greek Embassy.
Imports And Exports
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what proportion of United Kingdom exports of manufactures, United Kingdom imports of food and United Kingdom total trade, respectively, now goes to or comes from France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and the Commonwealth; and how these figures compare with 1972.
The available information is as follows:
I have now received the working party's report and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library. I propose to have consultations about its conclusions with Tayside regional council and the governing bodies of the various institutions concerned.
Milk Pasteurising Equipment (Grant Assistance)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the scheme for grant assistance for milk pasteurising equipment installed by producer retailers in Scotland will begin.
The scheme will come into operation on 1 September 1980. Grant will be 22½ per cent. of eligible expenditure. A Supplementary Estimate will he presented in due course, but authority for grant will initially rest on the Estimate and the confirming Appropriation Act. The necessary enabling legislation will be brought forward as soon as possible.
Scottish Development Agency (Factory Guidelines)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will make available the revised factory guidelines for the Scottish Development Agency.
Copies have been placed in the Library of the House today.
Nursing, Midwifery And Health Visiting Board
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is able to make a statement about the membership of the Scottish Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.
I am happy to announce that Miss M. E. Scholes, chief area nursing officer in Tayside health board, has accepted an invitation to serve as the first chairman of the Scottish board. An announcement of the membership of the board will be made very soon.
Overseas Development
St Lucia
asked the Lord Privy Seal what relief is being provided by Her Majesty's Government to the island of St. Lucia; and what help is being sent to repair the serious damage, including the failure of the electricity and water supply, caused by the hurricane.
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS "Glasgow" has been sent to the island, where it has provided medical assistance and helped restore essential public services, including the electricity supply at Castries and Vieux Fort. In addition, the High Commissioner in Barbados has been authorised to spend up to £10,000 on the local purchase of immediate relief supplies. We are ready to consider further immediate help in the light of up-to-date reports on needs.
Wales
Factories
asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) which Welsh Development Authority factory units are available in Wales for lease or sale;(2) what is the total acreage available at the Bridgend trading estate; and what premises are already available for leasing;
(3) if he well consider large-scale development of advance factory units at Pwllyngwent site at Ogmore Valley and Forge site at Maesteg.
I have asked the Welsh Development Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Employment (Bridgend)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Ogmore, Official Report, 28 July, c. 1029, whether he expects that the 4,500 unemployed persons in Bridgend will have to wait for at least two years until the factories to which he referred are built before jobs are available for them.
No. Some 500 of these are students who are expected to return to full-time education in the autumn, and as I said on 28 July—[Vol. 989, c. 1029]—there are already 2,400 manufacturing jobs in the pipeline in the Port Talbot travel-to-work area. In addition, many of the factories that the WDA has planned for the area will be completed in much less than two years.
Nursing, Midwifery And Health Visiting Board
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is now in a position to make an announcement about the membership of the Welsh Board for Nursing. Midwifery and Health Visiting.
I am happy to be able to announce that Mr. David Jones, area nursing officer, Gwynedd health authority, has accepted my invitation to serve as the first chairman of the Welsh Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting. An announcement about the members of the Welsh board will be made in the near future.
Prime Minister (Engagements)
Q5.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 August.
Q6.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 August.
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 August.
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 7 August.
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 August.
Q16.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 August.
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 August.
Q25.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 7 August.
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official duties for 7 August.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 7 August.
I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Montgomery).
Clegg Commission
Q7.
asked the Prime Minister whether she proposes to announce the abolition of the Clegg Commission.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Nantwich (Sir N. Bonsor) on 4 August.
Tuc (Annual Congress)
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister if she will seek to attend this year's annual meeting of the Trades Union Congress.
I have no plans to do so.
Bradford
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister when she next expects to visit Bradford.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Budgetary Procedure
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if she will examine the proposals made for a reorganisation of budgetary procedure made by the Committee on Budgetary Reform, chaired by the late Lord Armstrong of Sanderstead.
The Government have noted with interest the recent report of the Committee on Budgetary Reform, chaired by the late Lord Armstrong. This year we published the public expenditure White Paper with the Budget.
Horns Cross, Swanscombe And Galley Hill
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Horns Cross, Swanscombe and Galley Hill.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Preston
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Preston.
I have at present no plans to do so.
British Broadcasting Corporation
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister if she will review the manner and method by which the British Broadcasting Corporation receives its revenue.
As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has made clear, the Government are satisfied that the television licence fee is the best method of financing the BBC. He has, however, asked the working party on the administration of the broadcast receiving licence system, on which the Home Office, the Post Office and the BBC are represented, to consider again methods of payment of the licence fee and whether the base of the licensing system might be expanded.
Rhodesia (Commonwealth Monitoring Force)
asked the Prime Minister whether it has yet been decided to institute a special medal to mark the services of the Commonwealth Monitoring Force and those others who took part in the process of bringing Rhodesia to independence.
The Government have decided that it would be right to recognise the services of those who were sent to Southern Rhodesia for the period of direct British rule which led to the granting of independence to that country. I have therefore recommended to the Queen that a medal should be instituted to mark these services, and the Queen has approved it. It will be known as the Rhodesia medal. The terms and conditions of the new medal are set out in a Command Paper—Cmnd. 7997—which was laid before the House yesterday.
Home Department
Taxi Fares
20.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, following recent fare increases, what is now the average cost per mile for the hire of taxi cabs in the London area and elsewhere outside London, respectively; what index he has for comparisons on a year-to-year basis; and how these costs and indices compare with 1 April of the current year, 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1978.
For typical 2 to 3-mile journeys in London the present fare ranges from 58p to 82p per mile. The equivalent range was from 43p to 60p per mile on 1 April of this year and from 37p to 47p per mile on both 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1978.Outside London, fare scales vary from district to district, but in a typical area journeys of a similar length would now cost from 58p to 91p per mile. On each of the other dates the range of the average fare was slightly higher than in London.
Vietnamese Refugees
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the number of refugees from Vietnam settled in the following parliamentary constituencies: Finchley, Cardiff South-East, Roxurgh, Selkirk and Peebles, Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury, Surrey East, Leeds, North-East, Cambridgeshire, Lowestoft, Chesham and Amersham, Stratford-on-Avon, St. Ives, Oswestry, Cleveland and Whitby, Worcester, Henley, Ayrshire and Bute. Pembroke, Spelthorne, Wanstead and Woodford, Chelmsford, Guildford and Runcorn.
I understand from the joint committee for refugees from Vietnam that the information is not readily available in the form requested, but that on 1 August the numbers of
| Constituency | Housing authority area | Number refugees | ||||||||||||
| Barnet, Finchley | … | … | … | Barnet | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | 10 | ||
| Cardiff South East | … | … | Cardiff | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | 50 | |||
| Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles | … | Etterick and Lauderdale, Roxburgh and Tweeddale | … | — | ||||||||||
| Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury | … | Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe | … | … | … | … | 13 | |||||||
| East Surrey | … | … | … | Tandridge | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | — | ||
| Leeds North East | … | … | … | Leeds | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | 59 | ||
| Cambridgeshire | … | … | … | South Cambridgeshire and East Cambridgeshire | … | 59 | ||||||||
| Lowestoft | … | … | … | … | Waveney | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | 23 | |
| Chesham and Amersham | … | Chiltern | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | — | ||||
| Stratford on Avon | … | … | … | Stratford on Avon | … | … | … | … | … | 2 | ||||
| St. Ives | … | … | … | … | Penwith and Kerrier | … | … | … | … | … | — | |||
| Oswestry | … | … | … | … | Oswestry and North Shropshire | … | … | … | — | |||||
| Cleveland and Whitby | … | … | Langbaurgh and Scarborough | … | … | … | … | 12 | ||||||
| Worcester | … | … | … | … | Wychavon and Worcester | … | … | … | … | 19 | ||||
| Henley | … | … | … | … | South Oxfordshire | … | … | … | … | … | — | |||
| Ayr | … | … | … | … | … | Kyle and Carrick | … | … | … | … | … | … | — | |
| Pembroke | … | … | … | … | South Pembrokeshire and Preseli | … | … | … | 2 | |||||
| Spelthorne | … | … | … | … | Spelthorne | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | — | |
| Wanstead and Woodford | … | Redbridge | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | — | ||||
| Chelmsford | … | … | … | Chelmsford and Brentwood | … | … | … | … | 18 | |||||
| Surrey, Guildford | … | … | … | Guildford and Waverley | … | … | … | … | … | 10 | ||||
| Runcorn | … | … | … | … | Warrington, Vale Royal and Halton | … | … | … | 123 | |||||
Police Officers (Firearms)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown by police force area of the 8,374 occasions on which firearms were issued to police officers in 1979.
The total number of occasions in 1979 on which firearms were issued to police officers for particular incidents involving criminals or others known or believed to be armed was 8,394, not 8,374 as stated in my reply to a question by the hon. Member on 28 July.—[Vol. 989, c. 150.] I regret this error. The breakdown requested is as follows:
| Force | Number of occasions |
| Avon and Somerset | 22 |
| Bedfordshire | 32 |
| Cambridgeshire | 7 |
| Cheshire | 31 |
| Cleveland | 14 |
| City of London | 182 |
| Cumbria | 10 |
| Derbyshire | 8 |
| Devon and Cornwall | 114 |
| Dorset | 19 |
| Durham | 7 |
| Essex | 51 |
| Gloucestershire | 21 |
| Greater Manchester | 75 |
| Hampshire | 96 |
| Hertfordshire | 62 |
| Humberside | 15 |
refugees resettled in local housing authority areas most nearly corresponding to the named parliamentary constituencies were as follows:
| Kent | 69 |
| Lancashire | 23 |
| Leicestershire | 21 |
| Lincolnshire | 2 |
| Merseyside | 74 |
| Metropolitan | 6,647 |
| Norfolk | 17 |
| Northamptonshire | 20 |
| Northumbria | 17 |
| North Yorkshire | 13 |
| Nottinghamshire | 40 |
| South Yorkshire | 20 |
| Staffordshire | 21 |
| Suffolk | 23 |
| Surrey | 18 |
| Sussex | 41 |
| Thames Valley | 29 |
| Warwickshire | 19 |
| West Mercia | 39 |
| West Midlands | 271 |
| West Yorkshire | 77 |
| Wiltshire | 34 |
| Dyfed Powys | 4 |
| Gwent | 2 |
| North Wales | 15 |
| South Wales | 72 |
Local Government Boundaries
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which local government districts in England he has, since 27 March, received reports from the Local Government Boundary Commission with regard to new electoral arrangements; and for which districts he has made orders under schedule 9 to the Local Government Act 1972.
Since 27 March we have received reports from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England proposing new electoral arrangements for the districts of Balby, East Cambridgeshire, Knowsley, South Oxfordshire and Wimborne. We have made orders for Arun, Birmingham, Caradon, Charnwood, Gateshead, Mid Sussex, Newcastle upon Tyne, North West Leicestershire, Bother, Suffolk Coastal, Sunderland, Tewkesbury, Waveney, West Dorset, Wimborne, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wycombe.
Prisoners (Medication)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the number of prisoners in each establishment who were given medicines under each of the prescription only medicines categories as published in the "Report on the Work of the Prison Department 1979", Cmnd. 7965;(2) how many prisoners were given (
a) Largactil, ( b) Depixol and ( c) Stematil, at each prison department establishment listed in the "Report on the Work of the Prison Department 1979", Cmnd. 7965.
This information is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.
Police Residential Accommodation
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of residential accommodation owned or controlled by police authorities in England and Wales has been unoccupied for more than 12 months;(2) what proportion of residential accommodation owned or controlled by police authorities in England and Wales is occupied by persons other than serving police officers or their families;(3) what is the total number of units of residential accommodation owned or controlled by police authorities in England and Wales.
On such information as is available the total number of dwellings owned or rented by police authorities would appear to be of the order of 28,300. There are no central records held to show if any of the properties have been unoccupied for more than 12 months or if any are occupied by persons other than serving police officers or their families.
Metropolitian Police District (Arrested Persons)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) within the Metropolitan Police district within the last three years, how many stops have been made followed, respectively, by no further action, by arrest and no further action, by arrest, and charge, by arrest and referral to a juvenile bureau, by arrest and caution, by arrest and some other process, by arrest and some other formal police action and by arrest and some other informal police action, which are recorded as relating to subjects whose ethnic appearance may be described as brown, black or negroid;(2) whether the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis or any of his officers has within the last three years prepared any summary of stops followed by no further action or followed by arrest and, respectively, no further action, charge, referral to a juvenile bureau, caution, some other process, some other formal police action, or some other informal police action, which are recorded as relating to subjects whose ethnic appearance may be described as brown, black or negroid.
The information requested is not readily available, and I shall write to the hon. Member.
Metropolitan Police (Complaints)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many official complaints were made against police officers in each Metropolitan Police division in 1978, 1979 and to date in 1980, classified by the type of complaint used in the report of the Police Complaints Board.
Complaints against the police cannot be categorised until action on them has been completed. The information available in relation to complaints completed is shown in the following table. Some of the complaints completed in each of the periods concerned will have been received in earlier periods.
| COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE: BY DIVISION AND CATEGORY—METROPOLITAN POLICE DISTRICT | ||||||||||||
Division
| Incivility
| Assault
| Irregularity in procedure
| Traffic irregularity
| Neglect of duty
| Corruption
| Mishandling of property
| Irregularity in relation to evidence
| Oppressive conduct or harassment
| Other
| Total
| |
1978
| ||||||||||||
| A | … | 44 | 45 | 33 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 14 | 18 | 190 |
| B | … | 56 | 80 | 63 | 7 | 49 | 3 | 21 | 19 | 49 | 40 | 387 |
| C | … | 62 | 75 | 67 | 9 | 36 | 10 | 18 | 28 | 46 | 55 | 406 |
| D | … | 64 | 63 | 61 | 13 | 33 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 33 | 41 | 339 |
| E | … | 68 | 72 | 57 | 18 | 41 | 5 | 15 | 17 | 42 | 46 | 381 |
| F | … | 68 | 102 | 44 | 6 | 28 | — | 27 | 9 | 44 | 44 | 372 |
| G | … | 56 | 85 | 30 | 11 | 26 | 3 | 20 | 28 | 40 | 25 | 324 |
| H | … | 36 | 70 | 34 | 6 | 39 | 1 | 15 | 13 | 30 | 24 | 268 |
| J | … | 55 | 80 | 42 | 8 | 31 | — | 16 | 13 | 61 | 21 | 327 |
| K | … | 78 | 110 | 81 | 21 | 60 | 2 | 23 | 16 | 70 | 44 | 505 |
| L | … | 66 | 145 | 81 | 14 | 57 | — | 30 | 24 | 83 | 41 | 541 |
| M | … | 43 | 86 | 40 | 11 | 38 | 4 | 29 | 11 | 39 | 45 | 346 |
| N | … | 42 | 68 | 45 | 11 | 33 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 38 | 30 | 289 |
| P | … | 54 | 74 | 49 | 10 | 39 | 6 | 18 | 6 | 52 | 41 | 349 |
| Q | … | 72 | 93 | 47 | 15 | 50 | 1 | 24 | 10 | 48 | 42 | 402 |
| R | … | 33 | 51 | 38 | 12 | 29 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 25 | 21 | 226 |
| S | … | 41 | 54 | 44 | 9 | 23 | — | 5 | 9 | 35 | 26 | 246 |
| T | … | 42 | 49 | 36 | 12 | 15 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 28 | 27 | 232 |
| V | … | 56 | 38 | 33 | 13 | 40 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 32 | 16 | 248 |
| W | … | 38 | 57 | 28 | 8 | 36 | 1 | 13 | 6 | 38 | 20 | 245 |
| X | … | 47 | 68 | 46 | 14 | 38 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 45 | 28 | 303 |
| Y | … | 77 | 64 | 47 | 24 | 34 | 4 | 11 | 13 | 40 | 29 | 343 |
| Z | … | 48 | 58 | 59 | 15 | 25 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 44 | 18 | 294 |
| Airport | … | 52 | 16 | 27 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 31 | 19 | 178 |
| Other* | … | 241 | 175 | 155 | 83 | 119 | 20 | 71 | 68 | 166 | 143 | 1,241 |
| TOTAL | … | 1,539 | 1,878 | 1,287 | 365 | 946 | 84 | 452 | 354 | 1,173 | 904 | 8,982 |
* Police officers not allocated to a specific district. | ||||||||||||
| COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE: BY DIVISION AND CATEGORY—METROPOLITAN POLICE DISTRICT | ||||||||||||
Division
| Incivility
| Assault
| Irregularity in procedure
| Traffic irregularity
| Neglect of duty
| Corruption
| Mishandling of property
| Irregularity in relation to evidence
| Oppressive conduct or harassment
| Other
| Total
| |
1979
| ||||||||||||
| A | … | 53 | 53 | 33 | 12 | 24 | — | 10 | 6 | 31 | 32 | 254 |
| B | … | 63 | 69 | 52 | 10 | 37 | 3 | 22 | 22 | 58 | 38 | 374 |
| C | … | 81 | 85 | 50 | 10 | 47 | 6 | 28 | 23 | 37 | 33 | 400 |
| D | … | 51 | 64 | 48 | 13 | 32 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 26 | 44 | 320 |
| E | … | 60 | 53 | 50 | 17 | 32 | 4 | 16 | 9 | 33 | 38 | 312 |
| F | … | 54 | 76 | 30 | 5 | 24 | — | 18 | 9 | 45 | 27 | 288 |
| G | … | 51 | 104 | 39 | 13 | 24 | 6 | 17 | 11 | 50 | 26 | 341 |
| H | … | 43 | 73 | 45 | 13 | 39 | 3 | 25 | 17 | 44 | 17 | 319 |
| J | … | 59 | 75 | 59 | 10 | 41 | 5 | 21 | 15 | 38 | 34 | 357 |
| K | … | 81 | 151 | 81 | 19 | 57 | 3 | 47 | 15 | 71 | 67 | 592 |
| L | … | 67 | 111 | 52 | 16 | 55 | 3 | 24 | 17 | 51 | 31 | 427 |
| M | … | 68 | 102 | 64 | 19 | 45 | 4 | 30 | 16 | 48 | 44 | 440 |
| N | … | 32 | 56 | 18 | 4 | 27 | 2 | 10 | — | 13 | 20 | 182 |
| P | … | 74 | 98 | 42 | 16 | 47 | 2 | 34 | 14 | 56 | 38 | 421 |
| Q | … | 72 | 94 | 51 | 11 | 42 | 2 | 24 | 13 | 39 | 31 | 379 |
| R | … | 38 | 61 | 43 | 13 | 31 | 1 | 13 | 15 | 51 | 27 | 293 |
| S | … | 40 | 49 | 27 | 9 | 19 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 25 | 18 | 207 |
| T | … | 32 | 44 | 34 | 9 | 17 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 37 | 13 | 203 |
| V | … | 29 | 32 | 17 | 5 | 31 | 1 | 5 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 157 |
| W | … | 61 | 54 | 46 | 6 | 32 | — | 9 | 20 | 32 | 22 | 282 |
| X | … | 50 | 55 | 41 | 12 | 38 | 3 | 21 | 7 | 50 | 25 | 302 |
| Y | … | 69 | 104 | 62 | 21 | 57 | 5 | 20 | 15 | 60 | 35 | 448 |
| Z | … | 39 | 48 | 42 | 18 | 20 | 1 | 13 | 11 | 48 | 21 | 261 |
| Airport | … | 24 | 15 | 27 | 6 | 17 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 35 | 16 | 154 |
| Other* | … | 232 | 113 | 144 | 65 | 115 | 23 | 67 | 51 | 158 | 105 | 1,073 |
| TOTAL | … | 1,523 | 1,839 | 1,197 | 352 | 950 | 85 | 513 | 366 | 1,151 | 810 | 8,786 |
* Police officers not allocated to a specific district. | ||||||||||||
| COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE: BY DIVISION AND CATEGORY—METROPOLITAN POLICE DISTRICT | ||||||||||||
Division
| Incivility
| Assault
| Irregularity in procedure
| Traffic irregularity
| Neglect of duty
| Corruption
| Mishandling of property
| Irregularity in relation to evidence
| Oppressive conduct or harassment
| Other
| Total
| |
1 January to 30 June 1980
| ||||||||||||
| A | … | 19 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 8 | — | 5 | 1 | 16 | 13 | 89 |
| B | … | 30 | 40 | 23 | 6 | 23 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 19 | 23 | 182 |
| C | … | 34 | 22 | 15 | 4 | 17 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 16 | 26 | 157 |
| D | … | 13 | 23 | 15 | 2 | 19 | — | 9 | 5 | 12 | 23 | 121 |
| E | … | 30 | 22 | 21 | 1 | 25 | — | 10 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 142 |
| F | … | 22 | 27 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 124 |
| G | … | 23 | 47 | 27 | 7 | 24 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 21 | 15 | 184 |
| H | … | 18 | 32 | 20 | 8 | 19 | — | 6 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 135 |
| J | … | 30 | 36 | 27 | 6 | 22 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 24 | 180 |
| K | … | 29 | 55 | 29 | 3 | 27 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 22 | 27 | 222 |
| L | … | 35 | 41 | 23 | 10 | 18 | — | 17 | 12 | 35 | 22 | 213 |
| M | … | 34 | 36 | 16 | 6 | 19 | 6 | 14 | 9 | 18 | 20 | 178 |
| N | … | 15 | 26 | 17 | 1 | 8 | — | 5 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 94 |
| P | … | 34 | 54 | 19 | 8 | 27 | 2 | 12 | 5 | 31 | 15 | 207 |
| Q | … | 29 | 36 | 25 | 9 | 21 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 28 | 22 | 196 |
| R | … | 35 | 37 | 22 | 2 | 17 | — | 11 | 5 | 33 | 14 | 176 |
| S | … | 23 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 11 | — | 4 | 3 | 15 | 21 | 113 |
| T | … | 28 | 28 | 23 | 4 | 19 | — | 4 | 3 | 24 | 16 | 149 |
| V | … | 19 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 13 | — | 5 | 4 | 18 | 7 | 93 |
| W | … | 28 | 35 | 23 | 2 | 18 | — | 7 | 2 | 13 | 10 | 138 |
| X | … | 33 | 31 | 27 | 8 | 16 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 20 | 18 | 163 |
| Y | … | 34 | 40 | 28 | 11 | 36 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 26 | 22 | 217 |
| Z | … | 21 | 24 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 112 |
| Airport | … | 27 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 22 | 25 | 121 |
| Other* | … | 160 | 72 | 68 | 44 | 68 | 8 | 42 | 42 | 105 | 64 | 673 |
| TOTAL | … | 803 | 822 | 528 | 172 | 508 | 38 | 259 | 177 | 574 | 498 | 4,379 |
* Police officers not allocated to a specific district. | ||||||||||||
Immigrants (Gynaecological Examinations)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the report of Sir Henry Yellowlees into the incidence of virginity testing and X-ray examinations of would-be immigrants to the United Kingdom.
Sir Henry Yellowlees' review is of the nature and conduct of medical examinations for immigration purposes in general. As the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) was told on 11 July—[Vol. 988, c. 328]—we are considering the matter.
Prisoners (Forcible Feeding)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will, for each of the last 10 years, list the penal institutions where forcible feeding has taken place, giving the number of prisoners involved and the length of time for which each prisoner was fed in this way.
Departmental records show that in the period 1 January 1977 to 30 June 1980 two prisoners have been artificially fed, both of them this year. One was artificially fed for five days at Ashford remand centre, the other for one day at Her Majesty's prison, Parkhurst. Information in respect of earlier years is not available.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the circumstances under which forcible feeding may take place in a penal institution in England and Wales.
Artificial feeding is considered when it comes to notice that a prisoner is failing to take nourishment to an extent which could endanger his health. The decision on whether or not to resort to artificial feeding in any particular case is a matter for the clinical judgment of the medical officer. Prison standing orders provide that if a prisoner is reported as persistently refusing to accept any form of food, the medical officer should at an early stage examine him, explain the effect of self-starvation upon health, and consider the advisability of admitting him to the prison hospital for observation. If the medical officer is of the opinion that the prisoner's capacity for rational judgment is unimpaired by illness, mental or physical, he should seek confirmation of his opinion from an outside consultant; and if the consultant confirms that opinion, the medical officer should make it clear to the prisoner that he will continue to receive medical supervision and advice and that food will be made available to him but that there is no rule of practice which requires any medical officer to resort to artificial feeding and that the consequent and inevitable deterioration in his health may be allowed to continue without medical intervention unless he specifically requests it.
Prisons (Sanitation)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many prisons without internal sanitation in the cells there are plans to instal it, and how many cells are involved in each case.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question by the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 3 July 1980.—[Vol. 987, c. 657–58.]
Prisons (Accommodation)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are sleeping four to a cell; and in which prisons.
The only accommodation defined as cells in which up to four prisoners may be located is at Her Majesty's prison Birmingham. On 5 August 1980 there were four prisoners accommodated in each of two of the three large cells at that prison which have been certified under section 14(2) of the prison Act, 1952 and rule 23 of the prison rules, 1964, as suitable to hold a maximum of four prisoners. The third cell is at present closed for refurbishing.
Local Radio
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Home Office local radio working party intends to produce a supplementary report to its second report.
Yes. In its second report, published in July 1979, the Home Office local radio working party left open the possibility of a supplementary report. I have now received a supplementary report from the working party, which recommends a modification to the BBC Plymouth station which I approved last year. Copies of the supplementary report are being placed in the Library of the House.Following my decision on the licence fees last November the BBC has revised its plans for local radio and has decided, for financial reasons, to reduce the total number, though not the total coverage, of local radio services it wishes to develop. In England it is now aiming for a pattern of local radio whereby some 35 local radio services, each of approximately county coverage, would provide local radio to approximately 90 per cent. of the population, with the possibility of adding further services at a later date. These plans will be discussed more fully in the working party's third report.Consistently with its revised local radio policy, the BBC proposes to develop a single local radio service for Devon, BBC Radio Devon, with a studio presence in both Exeter and Plymouth and the option to add a studio facility at Barnstable at a later date. This service would replace the regional service, now broadcast from transmitters in Plymouth, Exeter, Barnstaple and Torquay. The BBC is anxious to proceed with this Devon service as part of the transition from regional to local radio in South-West England. Since this proposal for a Devon service with a basis in both Exeter and Plymouth is essentially a modification to the Plymouth radio service, for which the corporation has approval, and arises from financial considerations, I have accepted the working party's recommendation that the proposal as modified should be approved.The working party intends to submit a third report later this year which will include a further discussion of the plans for local and localised radio of both authorities in the United Kingdom as a whole. I intend to make that report available for public comment.
Energy
Commercial Heating Systems
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to encourage companies to convert their heating systems to coal from other fuels.
Present price relativities provide strong incentives for firms to examine their patterns of fuel use and, in particular, the merits of substituting coal for fuel oil in industrial bulk heating. Government pricing policy is designed to ensure that consumers receive accurate signals about the costs of supplying the individual fuels on a continuing basis. The Government are also supporting a programme of demonstration projects which includes improvement in coal combustion.
North Sea Oil (Exports)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of exports of indigenous North Sea crude oil production is implied in the maintenance of United Kingdom self-sufficiency of oil.
North Sea oil is not capable of producing all the products we require and is not on its own the cheapest source of all those products which can be made from it. We will therefore continue to import certain types of crude oil while exporting some of our indigenous production. As I informed my hon. Friend on 25 January, the amounts of United Kingdom, continental shelf oil used at home and overseas depend upon a variety of factors and cannot be estimated reliably.
British Gas Corporation (North Sea Oil Assets)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes to recommend the sale of North Sea oil assets of the British Gas Corporation to the British National Oil Company at market price or, following the precedent established in section 13 of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-Lines Act 1975 in the case of the National Coal Board's North Sea assets, to the market in order further to reduce the public sector borrowing requirement.
I have no immediate plans to do so.
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether there is anything in current agreements made by or with the British Gas Corporation that would preclude the sale of British Gas Corporation's North Sea oil assets to third parties.
That is a matter for the corporation. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.
British Gas Corporation (Profitability)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the return on turnover set by the Government for the British Gas Corporation and the rate attained in the past year; and what implications the increased profitability has for (a) the revenue and (b) gas consumers.
The last Government set the British Gas Corporation a one-year financial target for the year ended 31 March 1980 of a return on turnover after interest but before tax of 6·5 per cent. The return actually achieved was 12·1 per cent., the same level as that attained in the previous year. The achievement of a higher level of profit than originally planned moves forward the corporation's liability to corporation tax but will not affect the financial target already announced.
Energy Strategy
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the reports of his Department's working group on energy strategy under the chairmanship of Mr. D. le B. Jones will be published.
An account of the group's functions and work was published in 1977 as Energy Commission Paper No. 2. I shall keep under review the case for publishing further items of work.
District Heating
asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what progress has been made on the programme of work announced by the Government on 2 April to test the feasibility of combined heat and power district heating in particular locations;
(2) what progress has been made on the programme of work announced by the Government on 2 April to test the feasibility of combined heat and power district heating in particular locations.
The first stage of the programme of work has been prepared and I intend to appoint W. S. Atkins and Partners to act as lead consultant for this stage. The work in the first stage will comprise a pre-feasibility examination of individual locations to identify a short list of locations giving the highest expectations of early and economic development, where there is also a high degree of interest by the local authority and the electricity supply industry. So far 18 local authorities—listed below—have expressed the wish to participate in the first stage of the programme. It will, however, be necessary to close this list shortly as the consultants will soon be commencing their detailed analysis of these areas.
- Greater London Council
- London Borough of Southwark
- London Borough of Croydon
- London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- City of Westminster
- City of Belfast
- City of Liverpool
- City of Manchester
- City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- City of Sheffield
- City of Southampton
- Glasgow District and Strathclyde Regional Council (Glasgow)
- Lothian Regional Council (Edinburgh)
- South Glamorgan County Council (Cardiff)
- Tyne and Wear County Council
- Wakefield Metropolitan District Council
- Milton Keynes Development Corporation
- Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale
Licensing Policy (Landward Areas)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes to make any change to the Government's licensing policy for landward areas.
I have considered the arrangements for landward petroleum licensing and have decided that production licences for such areas should continue to be granted broadly in accordance with the arrangements published in the Official Gazettes on 2 June 1978.However, in line with policies already announced in the context of offshore licensing, the Secretary of State's reserved right to require applicants to extend to the British National Oil Corporation, or one of its subsidiaries, an option to join in applications as a 51 per cent. equity partner will be replaced by an arrangement under which BNOC will, if the Secretary of State so requires, have an option to take at market price, up to 51 per cent. of the petroleum produced under all new licences. This change in the licensing arrangements will not affect BNOC's right to apply for licences on the same basis as private sector companies.I have also decided that the consideration payable for landward production and exploration licences granted in pursuance of applications made on and after 6 August should be increased.Applicants for future production licences will continue to be judged against specified criteria including technical and financial competence, past performance, and future plans on a range of matters.The Government take very seriously the need to ensure that the impact of landward petroleum exploration on the environment is kept to an absolute minimum. The grant of licences does not absolve licensees from the need to consult all parties who may be affected by their operations and to obtain the prior consent of the owners and occupiers of land they may need to enter. In addition licence operations are subject to the requirements of planning legislation, and the planning authorities have power to attach to any planning permission which may be given, such conditions as they consider necessary to protect the environment.I have today placed in the House Libraries copies of the text of a Gazette Notice which incorporates details of the above changes to the licensing arrangements which are designed primarily to keep the Government's onshore licensing policies in step with those offshore. Although small by comparison with its offshore counterpart, onshore oil production nevertheless makes a valuable contribution to the national economy; and it is in the national interest that the recent increase in the search for petroleum onshore should continue.
Camborne School Of Mines (Research)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether further funding will be provided for the next stage of the research work of the Camborne school of mines geothermal energy project.
My Department intends, subject to negotiation, to allocate £6 million to the Camborne School of Mines to continue its project on improving ways of extracting heat from underground rock.The next stage will study methods of fracturing granite at depths of 6,000 ft. If the project is successful it will be a major step towards the widespread exploitation of geothermal energy in the United Kingdom. The technology could be utilised in those areas where the rock temperatures are high enough to produce steam from which electricity could be generated.Geothermal energy technology is still in its early stages, and the economics of exploiting this resource remain to be proved. However, there is a very large amount of energy involved—the granite deposits in the South West contain the equivalent of 6,000 million tonnes of coal—and it would clearly be worth while to exploit even a fraction of such a resource.
North Sea Oil Policies
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the position on the inquiries made by the European Corn-mission into aspects of United Kingdom North Sea oil policies.
My discussions with the Commission on the three aspects of our North Sea oil policies on which it has raised queries—the full and fair opportunity policy, the landing requirement, and the central management and control provision in our petroleum licences—have now been concluded. The Commission has confirmed that in present circumstances it is satisfied with the explanations I gave it of our policies and procedures on these issues.
Energy Conservation
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his response to the third report of the Advisory Council on Energy Conservation (energy paper No. 40).
I have welcomed the report as a comprehensive and balanced review of energy conservation policies since 1973, and a stimulating contribution to the development of future policy. I have written to the present chairman of the council, Professor Sir Hermann Bondi, with the Government's views on all the report's specific recommendations, most of which are in line with Government thinking. I hope these comments will prove a useful contribution for the work of the reconstituted advisory council. I have placed a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Tehran (Visas)
asked the Lord Privy Seal how many applications for visas to travel to the United Kingdom are awaiting processing in the United Kingdom Embassy in Tehran.
About 100.
asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the waiting period between a visa being applied for in Tehran and being processed by the embassy staff.
A completed visa application is processed on the same day that it is received.Some 15,000 people, mainly private visitors, are awaiting interview. The embassy can interview about 100 applicants each day and appointments are now being given for May 1981. This is a substantial delay. But in present circumstances for obvious reasons we do not propose to increase the number fo visa officers at Her Majesty's Embassy in Tehran.A small proportion of applications, of an urgent or compassionate nature, can be handled more quickly. These include Iranian spouses of United Kingdom citizens normally resident here; business visitors with close connections with British firms; persons requiring urgent private medical treatment not available in Iran; students returning to their studies and other returning residents.
Albania
asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) if he has any proposals to make to Albania for an improvement in the relations between Albania and the United Kingdom;(2) if he has any proposals to lead to an improvement in cultural relations between the United Kingdom and Albania.
In his reply of 19 May to my hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Biggs-Davison)—[Vol. 985, c. 80]—my hon. Friend described the position our wish to re-establish diplomatic relations with Albania. In the absence of such relations, the Government cannot actively promote cultural relations though they would have no objection to private initiatives to this end.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in view of recent evidence that the finding of the International Court of Justice in the Corfu Channel case in 1949 was based on errors of fact, he will waive the United Kingdom's claim against Albania under that judgment.
We know of no convincing evidence that the International Court of Justice verdict in the Corfu Channel case was based on errors of fact.
Hong Kong
asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations the Hong Kong Government have received from trade unions in the Civil Service to set up an independent arbitration body to deal with grading disputes.
The Hong Kong Government have received one letter from a staff union proposing the setting up of an independent arbitration board to deal with disputes between the Government and its employees. In addition, the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service, a non-governmental body, has received three submissions on the subject.
asked the Lord Privy Seal how many disputes have taken place in the Hong Kong Civil Service during the past five years; and how many persons were dismissed or suspended during such disputes.
During the past five years, 17 staff unions in the Hong Kong Civil Service have been involved in 21 disputes leading to some form of industrial action. On two occasions, 26 and 314 officers respectively were suspended from duty without pay. No officer has been dismissed as a result of taking part in such action.
asked the Lord Privy Seal what system of arbitration exists for dealing with disputes in Hong Kong in (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector.
(a) In the public sector, an agreement between the Government and the three main Civil Service staff associations in 1968 provides for the referral of disputes over such matters as pay, allowances, hours of work etc. to a committee of inquiry appointed by the Governor.(
b) The Labour Relations Ordinance provides the legal framework for dealing with disputes in the private sector. This empowers the Commissioner for Labour to appoint conciliation officers to initiate or undertake conciliation. If no settlement of the dispute is reached, the commissioner may recommend that the Government in Council refer the matter to arbitration or to a board of inquiry.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied with the Government machinery for dealing with disputes affecting Government employees in Hong Kong.
Yes.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied with the use of Civil Service regulation 611 and the letters patent in dealing with disputes of Hong Kong civil servants.
The question of the applicability of these instruments for this purpose is at present before the Court of Appeal. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment.
British Broadcasting Corporation (World Service)
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will ensure that audibility of the British Broadcasting Corporation world service to United Kingdom listeners will not be reduced by any changes in the transmitters; and whether he will make a statement about the improvement of reception of the British Broadcasting Corporation world service to the rest of the United Kingdom.
The BBC world service is intended for overseas listeners. The fact that parts of the United Kingdom have been able to receive it is an accidental by-product of the transmission. I am advised that the BBC's plans to install new transmitters to improve audibility overseas may reduce reception in the United Kingdom, but that the precise effects cannot be evaluated at this stage.
Zimbabwe (Cecil Rhodes Statue)
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will seek to acquire from the Zambabwean Government the bronze statue of Cecil Rhodes in order that this may be sited in Salisbury, England.
No. We understand that the statue is to be placed in the museum housing the Zimbabwe national archives.
European Community
Council Of Ministers
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.
No meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for August, and at present 10 meetings of the Council are scheduled for September and October. The usual written forecast was deposited in the House on 4 August.The Foreign Affairs Council is expected to meet on 15 September to discuss the negotiation of a co-operation agreement with the countries of the Andean Pact; a formal review of the working of the Community's 1975 co-operation agreement with Israel; a negotiating mandate for Zimbabwe's accession to the Lomé convention; the Community's position in international discussions on commodities such as cocoa and tin; progress in the accession negotiation with Portugal and Spain; pre-accession aid for Portugal; the draft right of establishment directive for architects; and export quotas for ferrous scrap. The Council is also expected to discuss further the implementation of the agreement of 30 May on the United Kingdom's budget contribution and to approve the draft regulation on the non-quota section of the European regional development fund. The Council is expected to meet again on 7 October, when discussion is likely to include the Community's steel anti-crisis measures.The Finance Council is expected to meet on 22 September to consider a Commission paper on the effect of recent oil price rises. Ministers are also likely to exchange views on the forthcoming annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund, to be held in Washington at the beginning of October. The Council is also expected to meet on 20 October to discuss the economic situation in the Community in preparation for the Commission's third quarterly review.The Budget Council is expected to meet on 23 September in order to establish the 1981 draft Community budget.The Fisheries Council is expected to meet on 29 September and possibly again in October to discuss all aspects of the common fisheries policy. This will include access arrangements, national quota allocations and control arrangements.The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 29–30 September and again on 20–21 October. It will give further consideration to arrangements for post-1980 access to the market for New Zealand butter. Ministers are also expected to discuss agreements with third country suppliers of mutton and lamb and the implementation of the new market arrangements; proposals concerning agricultural structures, and the common organisation of the market in ethyl alcohol.The Fiscal Questions Council is expected to meet on 27 October to resume discussion about the basis for harmonising the structure of excise duties on alcoholic drinks. Ministers will also consider a request by Belgium for derogation under article 27 of the sixth VAT directive, proposals on tax reliefs for temporarily imported means of transport and permanent imports of personal property, and tax reliefs for intra-Community travellers.
Court Of Justice
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's attitude to the request by the Court of Justice of the European Communities to have an additional advocate-general appointed to the court.
This House resolved on 22 January that it considered that any enlargement of the court should take place only if a genuine need for it is clearly established. Her Majesty's Government were not then satisfied that there was such a need, but they are now persuaded by the trend of the court's workload and the rate of the disposal of cases that a little strengthening of its membership is called for. On the figures now available, the number of effective cases pending before the court has risen from 113 in June 1977 to 146 in June 1978, 189 in June 1979, and in June 1980 stands at 242. The Government are therefore satisfied that the volume of work could now in principle justify the creation of a fifth advocate-general post.
Works Of Art (Capital Transfer Tax)
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, further to his written answer to the hon. Member for Warley, East, Official Report, 28 July, column 480, he will publish in the Official Report in answer to this question his promised statement on the interpretation of pre-eminence of works of art and museum objects accepted in satisfaction of capital transfer tax.
Following consultations with the national museums and galleries and the relevant advisory bodies, I have decided that the present system of obtaining expert advice on the preeminence of objects offered in satisfaction of tax should be revised and detailed guidelines issued on the interpretation of pre-eminence. I shall continue to rely on the directors of the national museums and galleries as my principal source of advice but shall expect them usually to consult widely, particularly where an object has local significance or could be of especial interest within a local context, before formulating their advice. In cases of doubt they will be expected to consult the Standing Commission on museums and galleries or the Royal Commission on historical manuscripts which will then, if necessary, convene an informal panel of independent advisers which may include a representative of the relevant Historic Buildings Council. The new procedure will be kept under review. I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the guidelines on the interpretation of pre-eminence and shall arrange for a copy also to be placed in the Library of the House.
Victorian Letter Boxes
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will hold consultations with the Post Office with a view to ensuring the preservation of Victorian letter boxes, in view of their contribution to the national heritage.
I understand the National Postal Museum already has a representative collection of letter boxes, including those from the Victoria era, and a number are in the collections of different museums around the country.
| Operative date | Parliamentary salary | Percentage increase over preceding figure | Equivalent in June 1980 real terms* | |||
| £ | £ | |||||
| 1 April 1946 | … | … | … | 1,000 | — | 9,040 |
| 24 May 1954 | … | … | … | 1,250 | 25·0 | 7,800 |
| (including sessional allowance) | ||||||
| 1 July 1957 | … | … | … | 1,750 | 40·0 | 9,790 |
| 16 October 1964 | … | … | … | 3,250 | 85·7 | 15,340 |
| 1 January 1972 | … | … | … | 4,500† | 38·5 | 14,420 |
| 13 June 1975 | … | … | … | 5,750 | 27·8 | 11,140 |
| 13 June 1976 | … | … | … | 6,062 | 5·4 | 10,320 |
| 13 June 1977 | … | … | … | 6,270 | 3·4 | 9,070 |
| 13 June 1978 | … | … | … | 6,897 | 10·0 | 9,290 |
| 13 June 1979 | … | … | … | 9,450‡ | 37·0 | 11,430 |
| 13 June 1980 | … | … | … | 10,725‡ | 13·5 | — |
| 13 June 1980 | … | … | … | 11,750§ | 9·6 | — |
| * As measured by the movement in the Consumer's expenditure deflator for the period 1946 to 1962 and the General Index of Retail Prices from 1962 to 1980. | ||||||
| † Members' remuneration prior to 1972 contained an unquantifiable eelment to cover thei rexpenses. Separate allowances for these expenses have been payable since 1972. | ||||||
| ‡ First and second stage salaries following Government proposals on the recommendations in Top Salaries Review Body Report No. 12, approved by the House on 11 July 1979. | ||||||
| § Updated second stage salary following Government proposal on TSRB 15, approved by the House on 21 July 1980. | ||||||
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the total pay forgone from June 1979 to June 1981 in gross income to an hon. Member which followed from the incomplete implementation of the Boyle committee's recommendations in 1979 and 1980.
£3,100.
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is now in a position to make the statement he has promised on parliamentary pay, pensions and allowances.
The question of preserving post boxes in situ would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry in the first instance.
House Of Commons
Members' Pay
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will state the increases in remuneration for hon. Members since 1946 and the level of pay at the time of the increase, giving the equivalent real terms for 1980.
The information is given in the following table:
I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made earlier today.
Government Of Scotland
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the report on the inter-party talks on the Government of Scotland will be made available; and if he will make a statement.
Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses today. The report is concerned with ways of improving the handling of Scottish parliamentary business. Its principal recommendations are that the maximum of eight Estimates and Matter Day debates which may at present be taken in Scottish Grand Committee should be increased to 12; that there should be a guaranteed minimum number of such debates; and that the appointment of added Members to the Scottish Grand Committee should be discontinued. The report also refers to suggestions on which it was agreed not to put forward recommendations for change; and to the possibility of the Scottish Grand and Standing Committees meeting in Edinburgh on which it was recognised that the House should have the opportunity to consider and decide.The Government welcome the report and will be tabling motions recommending support for its proposals.
National Heritage Act 1980
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any further items have been accepted in lieu of estate duty or capital transfer tax under the National Heritage Act 1980.
Yes. The following five paintings have been accepted in lieu of capital transfer tax:
- Landscape by Cézanne
- Fruit by Cézanne
- Basket with Fruit by Manet
- Déjeuner sur L'Herbe by Manet
- La Meuse by Monet
Social Services
Cancer
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many area health authorities throughout Great Britain have public education programmes which promote the early detection and prevention of cancer.
I regret that the information sought about local campaigns is not available centrally. At the national level the Health Education Council is the body chiefly concerned and several of its programmes are of importance for the prevention of cancer.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has studied the review of various causes of cancer made for the Chemical Industries Association; and what conclusions they have drawn.
[pursuant to his reply, 29 July 1980, c. 611]: The paper is seen as a useful review of some of the available studies of morbidity and mortality attributed to cancer. It draws attention also to the many difficulties in analysing the complex causes of cancer. These include the problems of extrapolating from studies in which animals are given high exposure over short periods, to the effects on man of low exposure over a long term, and of taking into account personal factors, for example dietary and social habits. It would be unwise to draw unequivocal conclusions from a single review of this nature, which was prepared with the stated intention of countering previous assertions on the causes of cancer, and which is of a length within which an adequate examination of all the relevant factors is not possible. The paper's conclusions are, however, in broad agreement with the assessment, accepted by the majority of scientific observers, that current knowledge suggests occupational factors account for between 1 and 5 per cent. of all cancers.
Drugs (Generic Prescribing)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that when the Open University embarks upon medical education, funded by his Department in order to update doctors' knowledge of drug therapeutics, no opportunity is lost to promote the cause of generic prescribing.
The course on drug therapy to which the hon. Member refers is to be produced jointly by the Open University and the Council for Postgraduate Medical Education in England and Wales with financial support from this Department. The content of the course is to be determined by a course team set up by both bodies.
Health Education Council (Director General)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the recent advertisement for a director general-designate of the Health Education Council at a salary of £ 20,000, who will be appointed for the last 18 months of the tenure of the present director general, resulting in a total expenditure on the concurrent posts of £ 60,000 over 18 months, he will cease further funding to this body, as a contribution to the reduction of public expenditure.
No. The Health Education Council makes an important contribution to the Government's policy of prevention of disease and promotion of good health. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the staffing arrangement my hon. Friend mentions will be well justified by the work in this field to be carried out by the present director general, in his office as president of the International Union for Health Education, for the period to 1982, and by his designated successor, whose immediate task will be to develop strategies to give effect to the conclusions reached in my review of the council's work, which is nearing completion.
Unemployment Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what would be the net cost at 1980– 81 benefit rates of (a) increasing flat rate unemployment benefit to the level of invalidity pension
| £ million | |||||||
| Unemployment benefit payable at the equivalent rate of— | Payable after 6 months unemployment | Payable for a further year | Payable as long as unemployment lasts | ||||
| flat rate unemployment benefit | … | … | — | 50 | 100 | ||
| invalidity pension | … | … | … | … | 65 | 140 | 240 |
| basic retirement pension | … | … | … | 75 | 150 | 250 | |
Supplementary Benefit (Home Help Charges)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will instruct his local offices to take into account, when
after six months unemployment and (b) of paying unemployment benefit at this rate for (i) a further year after the present time limit and (ii) as long as unemployment lasts; and if he will provide an estimate of the impact these measures would have on the number of unemployed claiming supplementary benefit;
(2) what would be the net cost at 1980– 81 benefit rates of paying flat rate unemployment benefit (a) for an extra year and (b) so long as unemployment lasts; and what would be the impact of these measures on the number of unemployed claiming supplementary benefit;
(3) what would be the net cost at 1980– 81 benefit rates of (a) increasing flat rate unemployment benefit to the level of retirement pension after six months' unemployment and (b) of paying unemployment benefit at this rate for (i) a further year after the present time limit and (ii) so long as unemployment lasts; and what he estimates the impact these measures would have on the number of unemployed claiming supplementary benefit.
I regret that it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the net costs. However, by making broad assumptions on the circumstances of claimants and duration of periods of unemployment, it is considered that the various net costs at average 1980–81 benefit rates might be of the following order:assessing the needs element for payment of supplementary benefit, any charge to be imposed by local authorities for the provision of home helps.
No. From 24 November, the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations (schedule 3 part II paragraph 14(c)), which the House approved last week, specifically preclude the payment of additional supplementary benefit for local authority home helps. Until then the responsibility lies with the Supplementary Benefits Commission, whose view, with which I fully agree, is that local authorities' discretionary powers to charge for home helps should not be exercised in respect of people living at supplementary benefit level.
Child Psychiatry (Northern Region)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the range of facilities available for disturbed adolescents in the Northern region; and whether he will support the proposal that the child psychiatry unit planned for Newcastle general hospital should be open to a wider catchment area than Newcastle itself.
These are matters for the Northern regional health authority and I suggest the hon. Member may like to contact the regional health authority direct.
Full-Time Students (Unemployment And Supplementary Benefit)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will amend the condition of qualification for unemployment and supplementary benefit to enable full-time students to qualify even if for considerable parts of the year they are not able to satisfy the availability for work criteria; and if he will make a statement.
No. It is a long-standing and fundamental condition for receipt of unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit that an unemployed person must be capable of and available for work. Full-time students cannot normally satisfy this condition during term-time because of their educational commitments.
Mentally Disturbed Prisoners
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list each occasion in the last 10 years when a person detained in a penal institution was refused admission to a hospital under section 60 or section 73 of the Mental Health Act 1959.
I regret that this information is not available.
Huntington's Chorea
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether his Department has taken any action to ensure that general practitioners are informed when it is known that one of their patients is at risk of developing the disease Huntington's chorea; and what efforts are being made to ensure early diagnosis whenever practicable;(2) whether there has been any specific attempt to ensure a follow-up by social workers and general practitioners of those suffering from Huntington's chorea and those at risk of developing the disease;(3) whether there are any special units or consultants with a particular interest in Huntington's chorea;(4) whether any special efforts are made to ensure that patients suffering from Huntington's chorea are enabled to stay at home for as long as possible prior to permanent hospitalisation; and if there is any provision for day, weekend or holiday relief for families of sufferers;(5) if he will ensure that in-patient admissions for those suffering from Huntington's chorea should be available when it is necessary that the number of emergency situations is reduced;(6) how many patients suffering from or carrying the disease of Huntington's chorea have received genetic counselling; and if any steps have been taken to encourage doctor-initiated genetic counselling;(7) if he will list the centres where research which might be relevant to the early diagnosis or treatment of Hunting-ton's chorea is being carried out; and if he will give the nature of the research, the cost, the source of funding and the date the research is expected to be completed;(8) if he will take steps to identify those who are at risk of being carriers of the gene of Huntington's chorea, whilst at the same time ensuring confidentiality; and if he is unable to accede to this request, if he will give the reasons for not doing so, distinguishing between those arising from cost and those based on other factors;(9) what advice his Department has given to general practitioners on the nature, management and implications of Huntington's chorea; and what advice general practitioners are receiving from other sources.
As these are complex and detailed matters, I shall write to the right hon. Gentleman.
Earnings Rule
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will now estimate the cost of abolition of the earnings rule for retirement pensioners;(2) if he can now estimate the cost of abolition of the earnings rule for retirement pensioners.
As I said during the Committee stage on the Social Security (No. 2) Bill on 7 May—[Standing Committee B; c. 758]—we have been reviewing the assumptions underlying the estimates of the cost of abolishing the retirement pensioners earnings rule, set out in the report on the earnings rule, which was presented to the House by my predecessor in October 1978.Crucial factors have been the full evidence about the likely effects of abolition on working patterns in the report "Older Workers and Retirement", published by OPCS in April, and up-to-date information about trends in economic activity after pension age. These have provided the basis for revised assumptions.From these revised assumptions we estimate that, at 1979 survey prices, the cost to the national insurance fund of abolition would be about £110 million in a full year. This would be offset by about £65 million from increased revenue from taxes and national insurance contributions, giving a net cost to public funds of about £45 million. This compares with the estimated net cost in the 1978 report of about £100 million, when updated to 1979 survey prices. Both these estimates assume the continuation of increments to pensions for deferred retirement and that 20 per cent. of those deferring retirement at the time of abolition will continue to forgo their pension. It will be necessary to consider in due course a number of changes to other features of the national insurance scheme consequent upon the ending of the earnings rule—for example, the future role of increments.
Nursing, Midwifery And Health Visiting Board
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is now in a position to make an announcement about the membership of the English Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.
I am happy to be able to announce that Professor Baroness McFarlane of Llandaff has accepted my right hon. Friend's invitation to serve as the first chairman of the English Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting. An announcement about the balance of membership of the English board will be made in the near future.
Medicines Commission (Report)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the 1979 report of the Medicines Commission; and what arrangements he is making for this and related reports to be available to hon. Members.
I received the report today and copies have been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with section 5(2) of the Medicines Act 1968. Copies have been placed in the Library and are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office. In addition, copies may also be obtained from the Vote Office of the 1979 annual reports of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the Veterinary Products Committee, the British Pharmacopoeia Commission, the Committee on Review of Medicines, the Committee on Dental and Surgical Materials and the Committee on Radiation from Radioactive Medicinal Products.
Medical Manpower
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to make a statement on the size of the future medical school intake, following consultations on his Department's discussion paper "Medical Manpower—the next 20 years"
Following the publication in the autumn of 1978 of the discussion paper "Medical Manpower—the next 20 years", comments from more than 100 organisations have been received and analysed. In addition, an inter-departmental steering group has prepared a report, based on further work by officials, on the country's likely long-term needs for medical manpower. Copies of the group's report have today been placed in the Library and further copies will be obtainable from the Department on payment.Because of the length of time it takes to train doctors, medical school intakes have to be planned on the basis of calculations which necessarily make assumptions about long-term trends in a number of factors. These include the level of financial resources likely to be available for the health and education programmes, the contribution made by overseas doctors, the career patterns of women doctors and changing working practices in the Health Service. None of these factors can be predicted with any precision and illustrative projections of a range of options have been made for the purposes of the interdepartmental steering group's study. They do not, however, constitute a Government view of how the economy or the Health Services necessarily will or should progress, and they will need to be revised from time to time in the light of experience. Because of the unavoidable uncertainties involved in making these calculations, my right hon. Friends and I share the view expressed by the Royal Commission on the NHS, representatives of the medical profession and the steering group, that it is important for them to be regularly reviewed and the outcome made publicly known. Officials will discuss the arrangements for such reviews with the interests most closely concerned.The planned annual target intake to medical schools in Great Britain stands at 4,080. The Government have concluded that there should at present be no change in either direction in that target figure, although we recognise that expenditure constraints may delay its complete achievement. In addition to ensuring the supply of an appropriate number of new doctors, it is also important that we make the most efficient use of those already in the Health Service. The Government will therefore do what they can to encourage flexibility in postgraduate medical training and in medical career structures.
Catering Industry Workers (National Insurance Contributions)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how his recent decision that earnings in the catering industry which are derived from a service charge are liable for national insurance contributions will affect the benefit entitlement of individuals.
Under regulation 19(1) (c) of the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 1979, gratuities which are either not paid or not allocated—directly or indirectly—by an employer to his employees are not liable for national insurance contributions. The Department had hitherto assumed that this regulation covered payments derived from service charges. My right hon. Friend's recent decision was based on legal advice, which he accepted, that service charges are not a gratuity, and are not therefore covered by the regulation.It is not possible for the Department to identify from its records all those whose benefit entitlement may be affected because their employers have not deducted contributions on payments derived from service charges at any time since April 1975. Where an individual believes his employer has not deducted contributions from such payments, and that he may lose or have lost benefit entitlement as a result, he should inform his local DHSS office. If investigations show that contributions have been underpaid and that benefit entitlement is affected, the Department will estimate the underpayment of contributions and adjust the individual's contributions record accordingly; any past underpayments of benefit will then be rectified. Other cases which come to the Department's notice will be investigated to the extent that is reasonable in the circumstances.I regret that there is no way in which the Department can identify all the individuals who may be affected. We shall, however, seek widespread publicity so that individuals are alerted to the situation and can take action themselves.
"Boarders And People In Residential Accommodation"
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has considered the responses received following the publication of the supplementary benefits review consultative document "Boarders and People in Residential Accommodation"; and if he will make a statement.
The consultative document "Boarders and People in Residential Accommodation" was issued last September as part of the second stage of the supplementary benefit review. The document presented a wide range of options in a comprehensive review of a complex subject. Twenty-nine organisations responded to the invitation for views. Consideration of these has been governed by two main factors—the need to keep the supplementary benefit review changes within existing expenditure, and the respective responsibilities of central and local government for those who are in need of care and attention.The main subject discussed in the document was the rate of supplementary benefit for people in residential accommodation. At present this varies according to whether or not the person needs care and attention and is the responsibility of the local authority. There was a variety of views among those consulted. Present financial constraints rule out the possibility of any major shift of responsibility for the maintenance of these people or any general increase in their personal allowance, and we therefore conclude that no change should be made. We agree that, for supplementary benefit purposes, the resources of people in residential accommodation should be treated in the same way as the resources of others on supplementary benefit. As regards those in local authority care, we are considering separately the treatment of their resources for the purpose of determining the appropriate level of charge.As regards boarders on supplementary benefit, there was extensive support for the suggestion that the maximum board and lodging charge accepted for supplementary benefit purposes should be determined locally, but on the basis of standard guidelines. We agree, and this is being put into effect. We intend no change in the way in which the maximum is increased by set amounts for the claimant who is elderly or infirm or who would otherwise qualify for the long-term rate of supplementary benefit.Considerations of cost rule out any substantial increase in the personal allowances for boarders. But from November a married couple in lodgings will get twice the amount of the single boarder's personal allowance. At present they get less than this. The single boarder's personal allowance is also being increased slightly in real terms in November.As regards young people aged 16 or over in care, there was substantial support for the suggestion that they should be eligible for supplementary benefit whether in a local authority home or not. We agree, and this will take effect from November. These young people will be assessed for benefit purposes in the same way as the young person living at home.
Means-Tested Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the reply given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 16 June 1977 c. 270, showing all the different means-tested benefits now in operation.
[pursuant to her reply, 21 July 1980, c. 88]: The following meanstested benefits, including benefits which are the responsibility of other Departments, are administered centrally or on a statutory basis by local authorities:
- Supplementary benefit.
- Family Income Supplement.
- Free milk and vitamins.
- Help with National Health Service charges for:
- Dental treatment, dentures and glasses, prescriptions,
- Wigs and fabric supports.
- Patients' hospital travelling expenses.
- Legal aid (civil).
- Legal advice and assistance.
- Legal aid (criminal).
- Professional training scheme for disabled people.
- Awards for students taking certain postgraduate courses.
- Rent rebates and allowances.
- Rate rebates.
- Awards for students on first degree or comparable courses, on teacher training courses and courses leading to the Diploma of Higher Education or Higher National Diploma.
- Awards for students at long term residential adult colleges.
- Remission of direct grant school tuition fees.*
- Accommodation under Part III of the National Assistance Act 1948.
* So far as grammar schools are concerned the direct grant scheme is being phased out. It will be replaced and modified by the Assisted Places scheme.
Free school meals are available to children in families receiving supplementary benefit or family income supplement. Children in other families can qualify for free or reduced price school meals where the local authority considers it appropriate.
The following benefits and services are administered by local authorities on a discretionary basis, but this list should be taken only as a general guide and not as a complete and authoritative statement.
- Awards for students on courses of further education other than those mentioned above.
- Provision of clothing.
- Grant towards the cost of distinctive clothing.
- Educational maintenance allowances (higher school bursaries in Scotland).
- Assistance with boarding education (in Scotland the central bursaries scheme).
- Independent day school fees.
- Remission of further and adult education course fees.
- Services for children in care.
- Residential accommodation for mothers and babies.
- Day care facilities for children.
- Residential accommodation for mentally disordered adults.
- Meals in centres for the mentally disordered, elderly or handicapped.
- Meals on wheels.
- Recreational and day care facilities and occupational centres for the elderly or handicapped.
- Personal aids and equipment for the elderly and handicapped.
- Adaptation of houses for the elderly and handicapped.
- Telephones for the elderly and handicapped.
- Televisions for the elderly and handicapped.
- Home help and laundry facilities.
- Holidays.
- Aids for daily living.
ENGLAND AND WALES
- Assistance in kind to prevent children being taken into care.
- Assistance in cash to prevent children being taken into care.
SCOTLAND ONLY
- Local authority social work assistance in kind where greater expense would otherwise be incurred.
- Local authority social work assistance in cash where greater expense would otherwise be incurred.
Industry
Shipbuilding And Ship Repairing
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he intends to introduce legislation to enable the nationalised shipbuilding and ship repairing companies to be offered back to private enterprise; and if he will make a statement.
The Government have been considering whether to introduce private sector capital into shipbuilding and ship repair. This review was begun when there were some signs of recovery in the market and there was still a reasonable expectation that British Shipbuilders would be able to keep within its financial limits this year without the need for substantial corrective action. As the Minister of State told the House last week, these hopes have not been realised and the industry faces a period of continuing uncertainty about its future shape and viability. We have accordingly decided to defer proceeding at this stage. I know that this decision will be a disappointment to many, including all those who think that private enterprise offers a better hope for jobs and prosperity in the industry than public ownership. We intend to introduce private capital into the industry as soon as appropriate.We recognise that some previous owners and many members of this House and of the public believe that the terms of compensation imposed by the 1977 Act were grossly unfair to some of the companies and we share this view. We have explored every possibility to right the injustice done by the previous Government, but to our very great regret we have concluded that amending legislation to establish new compensation terms retrospectively would be unjust to the many people who sold shares on the basis of the previous terms.We had to recognise, moreover, that had we wanted as an alternative to offer the companies back to the former owners legislation would have been required. This would inevitably create a long period of uncertainty for the industry during the passage of legislation, the preparation of the detailed offer to the former owners and the consideration of the terms. Moreover we cannot return to the former owners that which was taken from them because the assets and liabilities of the companies concerned have changed. In the case of the aircraft industry the changes are quite clearly irreversible. We have therefore come to the most reluctant conclusion that there is no satisfactory way to alter the 1977 compensation terms.
Engineering Authority (Finniston Recommendation)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is yet ready to make an announcement about the Government's conclusions on the Finniston report's recommendation that they should establish an engineering authority.
The Government's consultations over the Finniston committee report, and the pattern of responses to it, were outlined to the House on 13 June by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Industry. As he said then, the report has been widely welcomed and has shown that there is general concern for seeking improvements in the areas covered by the inquiry. We have discerned also a willingness from every quarter to help make the best use of our national engineering capabilities.The report's central proposal affecting the Government is the suggested creation of a new engineering authority established by statute, with all the members appointed by the Government. Not surprisingly, this recommendation has been the object of much controversy; many have expressed concern that a body of this kind would represent undue Government interference in the affairs of the engineering profession, and have advocated a body operating tinder the auspices of the Privy Council through a Royal Charter. I have received several specific proposals from different groups within the profession for a non-statutory alternative to the proposed authority.There does seem to be a readiness in the profession and among employers and academics to tackle widely perceived deficiencies in the present institutional arrangements for education and training of engineers. It would seem sensible therefore for the Government to facilitate the emergence of a focal point for the engineers, academics and employers to work with the existing institutions to remedy the deficiencies identified by Finniston.The Government do not propose the establishment of a statutory body. Instead they propose to facilitate the emergence of such a focal point by recommending to the Privy Council that Her Majesty the Queen should be advised to constitute a new body by Royal Charter. The Government, after full consultation with those concerned, would be prepared to nominate the initial members of this body, but only for a limited period. The central responsibilities of the body would be similar to those recommended by Finniston, centering upon the accreditation of engineering education and training and the formal registration of those engineers qualified thereby. However, instead of the new body itself organising accreditation visits and assessments of individual registrants, I would expect this work to be delegated to nominated institutions, the new body simply determining the standards to be applied. The Government would expect the chartered body to become quickly self-financing, but the Government will be prepared to support initial funding.The necessary arrangements will have to be discussed in detail with the existing institutions and I am authorising officials to enter into discussions with a view to the new body being established later this year.The Government wish to repeat their thanks to Sir Monty Finniston and his committee for all their hard work in producing this important report, and also to those many people who have put forward their views and suggestions.
Inner London Letter Post
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a further announcement about the Post Office's response to the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the inner London letter post.
I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Post Office (Report And Accounts)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to receive the annual report and accounts of the Post Office for 1979–80.
The preparation of the report and accounts of the Post Office for 1979–80 has been delayed by the aftermath of industrial action at the corporation's computer centres between April and September 1979.As a result, I expect to receive the report and accounts in a few weeks' time and will then place copies in the Libraries of both Houses.
British Shipbuilders
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the estimated loss to British Shipbuilders due to the recent steel strike.
During the steel strike British Shipbuilders lost deliveries of about 40,000 tons of steel from an annual usage of some 150,000 tons. The full financial implications of the strike cannot yet be quantified.
Advance Factories
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the Government in tend to continue granting rent-free periods on advance factories.
Rent-free periods will continue to be available, but in future will be granted in accordance with need, at the discretion of the bodies concerned, in accordance with Government policy for other forms of regional assistance. "Need" in this instance will take account of the difficulty of letting the factory.
National Enterprise Board (Guidelines)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement about the National Enterprise Board's guidelines.
Within the new framework established by the Industry Act 1980 I have issued a direction giving the National Enterprise Board revised guidelines. The substance remains the same as the draft guidelines which were laid before Parliament on 11 December last during the Committee stage of the Industry Bill. However, a number of amendments have been made to take account of discussions with the NEB and of representations that I have received since the draft was published. A copy of the direction has been laid before Parliament today.
Industrial Development Certificates
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for industrial development certificates announced on 17 July 1979.
I am satisfied that the present arrangements for industrial development certificates (IDCs) which I announced last July, and which included an increase in the exemption limit to 50,000 sq. ft., are generally working well, especially in respect of firms who wish to build their own factories. IDCs may still be required for factories which are of a size below the exemption limit and which are located on industrial estates, and this has resulted in anomalies which particularly affect the provision of factories for rent on industrial estates. I propose to remove these anomalies by making IDCs generally available to both private devel- opers and local authorities to enable industrial estates to be developed with individual factories up to 50,000 sq. ft. IDCs for such industrial estates will be subject to two conditions; namely, that no one firm can occupy more than 50,000 sq. ft. and that no part of the development may be occupied by a firm moving from the assisted areas.This will help to put manufacturers wishing to rent their premises on a broadly similar footing to those who prefer to build their own. The existing scheme for granting IDCs for the replacement of obsolete factories will be unnecessary under these new arrangements and will be discontinued.
Derelict Land Clearance
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement about the designation of further derelict land clearance areas.
Following a review carried out with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, I have decided to designate the Coalville employment office area as a derelict land clearance area. In addition, the following employment office areas which are due to become non-assisted areas on 1 August 1982, will be made derelict land clearance areas as from that date and will thereby retain eligibility for 100 per cent. grants for approved schemes of derelict land clearance. The necessary order will be laid before the House in due course.
- Accrington
- Alfreton
- Altrincham
- Ashton-Under-Lyne
- Atherton and Tyldesley
- Bacup
- Bamber Bridge
- Barnoldswick
- Barrow-in-Furness
- Batley
- Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Blackburn
- Bolton
- Bramley
- Brighouse
- Burnley
- Bury
- Buxton
- Carlisle
- Castleford
- Chapeltown
- Chester
- Chesterfield
- Chorley
- Clay Cross
- Clitheroe
- Colne
- Congleton
- Crewe
- Darwen
- Denton
- Dewsbury
- Didsbury
- Dinnington
- Dronfield
- Eccles
- Eckington
- Elland
- Failsworth
- Farnworth
- Firth Park
- Glossop
- Great Harwood
- Halifax
- Haltwhistle
- Haslingden
- Heanor
- Hebden Bridge
- Hemsworth
- Hexham
- Heywood
- Horsforth
- Horwich
- Huddersfield
- Hunslet
- Hyde
- Irlam
- Keighley
- Kirkby-in-Ashfield
- Knottingley
- Leeds
- Leigh
- Longsight
- Leyland
- Littleborough
- Macclesfield
- Manchester
- Marple
- Middleton
- Middlewich
- Morley
- Mossley
- Moss Side
- Nantwich
- Nelson
- New Mills
- Newton Heath
- Newton-Le-Willows
- Normanton
- Northwich
- Oldham and Chadderton
- Openshaw
- Ormskirk
- Otley
- Padiham
- Pontefract
- Preston
- Prestwich
- Radcliffe
- Rawtenstall
- Rochdale
- Rothwell
- Royton
- Salford
- Sandbach
- Seacroft
- Sheffield
- Skelmersdale (other than Skelmersdale New Town)
- South Elmsall
- Sowerby Bridge
- Spen Valley
- Stalybridge
- Staveley
- Stockport
- Stretford
- Sutton-in-Ashfield
- Swinton
- Todmorden
- Ulverston
- Wakefield
- Warrington
- Westhoughton
- Wetherby
- Wilmslow
- Winsford
- Wythenshawe
- Woodhouse
- Worksop
- Worsley
- Yeadon
Rolls-Royce (Contract Procedures)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement about Rolls-Royce contract procedures.
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on Rolls-Royce contract procedures.
On the basis of evidence available to me I see nothing which reflects discredit on the company. Rolls-Royce, my hon. Friend and I have all asked the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Bar (Mr. Rooker) to supply further evidence to support his allegations, but he has declined to do so. As the House will be aware, Rolls-Royce has investigated them and has concluded that there is no substance in the hon. Member's allegations, and the persons referred to by him as witnesses have not supported the allegations.
Education And Science
Primary And Secondary Education (Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the total expenditure on primary school education in England at constant prices in 1977–78,1978–79 and 1979–80; and what he anticipates it will be in 1980–81;(2) what was the average expenditure on education per pupil in primary schools in England at constant prices in each of the following academic years: 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80; and what is the anticipated average expenditure per pupil in 1980–81;(3) what was the total expenditure on secondary school education in England at constant prices in 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80; and what he anticipates it will be in 1980–81;(4) what was the average expenditure on education per pupil in secondary schools in England at constant prices in each of the following academic years:
| NET RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ON PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION: ENGLAND | ||||||||
| Financial years—1980 survey prices | ||||||||
| '1977–78 | 1978–79 | 1980–81 (planned) | ||||||
| Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | |||
| Net expenditure—£ million | … | 1,604 | 2,202 | 1,686 | 2,282 | 1,634 | 2,349 | |
| Expenditure per pupil | … | … | 375 | 572 | 407 | 589 | 429 | 613 |
| Comparable data for 1979–80 are not yet available. | ||||||||
Warwick University And Lanchester Polytechnic
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students are taking science-based or industrial-based
| Postgraduate courses | First degree and other advanced courses | Non-advanced courses | |||||
| Warwick University | |||||||
| Engineering and technology | … | … | 55 | 255 | — | ||
| Science | … | … | … | … | 177 | 906 | — |
| Lanchester Polytechnic | |||||||
| Engineering and technology | … | 67 | 1,730 | — | |||
| Science | … | … | … | … | 1 | 1,006 | 39 |
Teachers (Pay)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of the 1980–81 negotiations on teachers' salaries: if he anticipates announcing the decision reached by the Burnham committee before 1 October; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. and learned Friend announced on Wednesday 6 August his acceptance of the arbitral bodies' recommendations on revised salary scales.
Teacher Training
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the total cost of the teacher training programme in the years 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80;(2) what was the average cost of training, per teacher, in the years 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80.
1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80; and what is the anticipated average expenditure per pupil in 1980–81.
The figures for England, underlying the Government's expenditure plans (Cmnd. 7841), are:courses at Warwick university and Lanchester polytechnic, Coventry; and if there are any vacancies.
The information for full-time and part-time students on courses in the academic year 1979‱ 80 is as follows:
With the reorganisation of teacher training within higher education, the costs of teacher training are not separately distinguishable from the rest of expenditure on higher education. I regret, therefore, that I cannot give precise figures for expenditure on teacher training. The average institutional cost of the higher education and professional training of a teacher in recent years is likely to have been of the order of £7,000 at 1980 survey prices.
School Books And Equipment (Kent)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what sum he allocated to Kent county council from the extra £35 million budget he allocated for books and equipment.
The assumptions underlying the Government's expenditure plans for books and equipment are directed to the national picture, not to the circumstances of individual local authorities. As rate support grant is a block grant given in support of local authority expenditure on all its services and not earmarked in aid of particular services or parts of a service, it is for local authorities to determine their own spending priorities in the light of local needs and circumstances.
School Population
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils there were in primary schools and
| Thousands | |||||||||
| January of each year | |||||||||
| 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | |||||
| actual | actual | actual | projected | projected | |||||
| Nursery and primary* | … | … | 4,735 | 4,602 | 4,476 | 4,311 | 4,133 | ||
| Secondary | … | … | … | … | 3,799 | 3,852 | 3,872 | 3,867 | 3,830 |
| TOTAL | … | … | … | 8,534 | 8,454 | 8,348 | 8,178 | 7,963 | |
| * Counting each part-time pupil as 0·5. | |||||||||
National Finance
Value Added Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards the zero rating of value added tax for double glazing and thermal shutters following the ruling of the London value-added tax tribunal of 1 July; and how the commissioners of Customs and Excise propose to implement the decision in future.
The decision of the tribunal that the first-time installation of double glazing in an existing building was liable to value added tax at the standard rate has far-reaching implications for a large number of traders and their customers, because such supplies have hitherto been treated as eligible for zero rating. For this reason it is important to place the legal position beyond doubt, and the Commissioners of Customs and Excise have accordingly entered an appeal to the High Court. We must now await the outcome.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of value added tax was collected during the past 12 months; and what is the total paid to the European Economic Community.
In 1979 net receipts of VAT were £6,361.6 million and VAT own resources payments to the European Community £844 million.The contribution to the Community for 1979 is paid at a rate of 0.7889 of the value of all transactions included in a
in secondary schools in England in each of the past four academic years; and how many he anticipates there will be in the next academic year.
The pupil population of maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England for each of the years requested is at follows:harmonised base laid down by the sixth Council directive on VAT.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the report of the review carried out by Customs and Excise of the operation of the relief from value added tax of young children's clothing and footwear.
Yes. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library for the convenience of Members. Additional copies are available from Customs and Excise press office, King's Beam House, Mark Lane, London EC3R 7HE.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the revised penalties proposed in section 14(1) of the Finance Act 1980 will be administered by Customs and Excise; what rights of appeal will exist against the imposition of such penalties; and whether Customs and Excise will use the increased penalties to settle cases out of court.
The revised penalties represent increases, in the case of larger taxpayers only, in the maximum penalties already prescribed by the Finance Act 1972 for failure to furnish a VAT return, or failure to pay VAT, when due. Such penalties are imposed not by Customs and Excise but by magistrates' courts, before which proceedings for the above offences are brought. The courts have full discretion to impose such lower penalty as they consider appropriate in the circumstances of any particular case. Appeals against the decisions of the magistrates' courts are to the Crown court or, by way of case stated, to the High Court.Customs and Excise intends to make no change in its existing practice of bringing penalty proceedings only to secure the compliance of persistent defaulters who fail to respond to reminders of their legal obligations, and only after giving due warning to the persons concerned. Nor is it intended to change existing policy under which power that it has to settle cases out of court is not used for these particular offences.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take to amend schedule 4 to the Finance Act 1972 in the light of the recent decisions in the London value added tax tribunal that the installation of double glazing was taxable at the standard rate.
[pursuant to his reply, 31 July 1980, c. 811]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Lyell).
Monetary Policy
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will circulate in the Official Report, following the article on monetary policy in Economic Progress Report No. 123, an estimate showing by how much United Kingdom prices were reduced each year since 1976 by the appreciation of the £ sterling and by how much they have been reduced this year.
It is not possible to estimate precisely the effect of movements in sterling on prices since 1976. An appreciation has both a direct effect on prices, as a result of lower import prices and costs, and important indirect effects. These indirect effects include possible changes in the level of activity, the response of wages to the initial change in prices, and the effect of lower competing import prices on domestic producers' prices and profit margins. The magnitude of these effects is complex and uncertain. Any assessment will also depend on the assumptions made about Government policy.
Income Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, having regard to the fact that the top rate of income tax in Japan exceeds that in the United Kingdom, as shown in his Department's answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 30 July, with no apparent effect on its economic performance, he will reconsider his policy of direct tax cuts as incentives.
No. I remain convinced of the desirability of reducing direct taxation. Moreover, a comparison of the top rates of income tax does not by itself give the full picture. The hon. Member may not have appreciated that the top rate of income tax on employment income in Japan applies only at very high levels of income—£174,000 p.a. for a married couple with two children. A similar couple in Japan earning the yen equivalent of £29,895—the United Kingdom threshold for the maximum rate—would be subject to a marginal rate, ignoring local taxes, of about 38 per cent.
Lending And Borrowing (Overseas Residents)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what classes of lending or borrowing involving overseas residents and the £ sterling, or United Kingdom residents and foreign currencies, are outside the definition of sterling M3 and domestic credit expansion, respectively; what is the estimated value of these transactions in the year preceding the abolition of exchange controls and in the period since; and to what extent these transactions would come under effective control as a result of (a) the changes which the Government propose in the monetary system and (b) a monetary base system which covered only the banks' reserves with the Bank of England, with a current or lagged mandatory requirement.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Personal Taxation
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 24 July, c. 382, by how much the cost of introducing a personal tax allowance for either sex at £1,820 would be reduced if the taxpayer were allowed only to set the allowance against taxable income within the standard rate tax band.
By about £330 million for a full year at 1980–81 income levels.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 28 July, c. 473, showing the percentages of earnings absorbed by income tax and social security contributions in selected countries, if he will confirm that the figures given are for a married couple with two children; and if he will say to which year they apply.
I am sorry that the notes which should have accompanied the table showing the percentages of earnings absorbed by income tax and employees' social security contributions in selected countries were omitted from my published reply. These are as follows:
Notes
1. All figures relate to the tax year 1980 or 1980–81, except for France (1979) whose income tax rates are fixed in arrear and Japan (1979).
2. Figures are for a married man with two children under 11. It is assumed that all income is employment income of the husband. Income from child benefit has not been taken into account. It is assumed that the United Kingdom employee is not contracted out of the new pension scheme.
3. United Kingdom average earnings are the April 1979 figures for adult full time male workers from the New Earnings Survey updated to March 1980 in line with the increase in average earnings. The calculations for the United Kingdom reflect the proposals in the 1980 Finance Bill.
4. Exchange rates used are those for 14 July 1980.
5. Figures in brackets include local income taxes; for the United States of America, the Californian rate, and for Japan the rate which applies to the majority of the population.
6. Personal reliefs, minimum expenses deductions, employment income reliefs, other flat rate reliefs and deductible social security contributions, have been taken into account.
Monetary Control
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the strong grounds referred to in paragraph 3 of the introduction to the Green Paper on monetary control are theoretical or empirical; and if he will circulate in the Official Report data showing for the principal countries, including the United Kingdom, the relationship between the supply of money and money national income on the basis of the assumed time lags for the periods 1950 to 1960, 1960 to 1970 and 1970 to date, together with the evidence which he has that the causality flowed from money to prices and not in the reverse direction.
The nature of the long-term relationship between the growth of the money stock and the rate of inflation was discussed in the July issue of Her Majesty's Treasury's Economic Progress Report. Data for the money supply and national income for the principal countries for the periods in question are available from the International Financial Statistics Yearbook for 1979, published by the International Monetary Fund.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the period of years which he had in mind in paragraph 3 of the introduction to the Green Paper on monetary control; and if it is his view that in any shorter period the relationship between prices and the money stock can and does diverge significantly.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Companies (Taxation)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many firms in the last financial year were liable for (a) corporation tax and (b) advance corporation tax, respectively; and, of these, how many did not pay each tax.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Self-Employed Persons (Retirement Annuity)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of allowing those born before 1 January 1920 and 1 January 1930, respectively, to invest 20 per cent., 25 per cent. and 30 per cent. of their incomes in a self-employed retirement annuity in lieu of the 17½ per cent. allowed in the Finance Act 1980.
[pursuant to his reply, 4 August 1980, c. 44]: Information on the age of persons making qualifying contributions is incomplete and the estimates also depend on an assumption about the extent to which an increase in the limit would be taken up. This assumption must be highly uncertain if the increase is substantial. With these qualifications, estimates of the cost for a full year at 1980–81 income levels might be of the following orders of magnitude:
| Persons Born | Limit | on | retirement relief | annuity |
| Before 1 January | 20% | 25% | 30% | |
| £ million | ||||
| 1920 | 8 | 10 | 13 | |
| 1930 | 20 | 25 | 35 |
Treasury Solicitor (Costs Department)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the estimated cost to public funds of the costs department of the office of the Treasury Solicitor is attributable to applications for costs in respect of claims which had been settled by Government Departments, with which the Treasury Solicitor's office had not been involved at the time of settlement.
[pursuant to his reply, 4 August 1980, c. 44]: It is estimated that the cost is of the order of £10,000 to £15,000.
Computers (Departmental Purchasing Policy)
asked the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, Official Report, 14 July, column 396, on the subject of departmental purchasing policy of computers, she will now announce the decision of the Government on the procurement of computers for the Inland Revenue's PAYE project.
As I said in the House earlier today, the Government are still considering this important matter and we shall make an announcement as soon as we have reached a decision.
House Of Commons
Society Of Fulham Artists (Exhibition)
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will arrange for an exhibition of paintings by the Society of Fulham Artists to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall during the week beginning 3 November.
I have made arrangements with the authorities of the House for this exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall during the week beginning Monday 3 November.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Sheepmeat
19.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present position with regard to the proposed European Economic Community sheepmeat regime.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Devon. West (Mr. Mills) on 4 August 1980.—[Vol. 990, c. 65–681.]
White Fish Authority And Herring Industry Board
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce his decision on the future of the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board; and whether he will give an indication of how the new organisation will be financed.
We have received a number of comments from organisations in the fishing industry on the consultative document recently circulated by fisheries departments about a new body to replace the authority and the board. The Government are now assessing the comments and we will announce our decisions on the issues involved, including finance, as soon as possible.
Grants And Subsidies
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what practice his Department follows in correcting underpayments of grants and subsidies.
When an underpayment is discovered, my Department will pay the exact amount due if requested by the claimant. It will also correct any underpayment of more than £10 that comes to light. It is, however, necessary to take account of the administrative cost of correcting underpayments, while having regard to their significance in relation to the total payment due and to the individual. Unless specifically requested, my Department will therefore not correct underpayments of £10 or less, except where a series of underpayments to a single payee and arising from a single cause amounts in total to more than £10. Moreover, all the above rules are subject to a time limit. After six years, no underpayments will be corrected.These de minimis rules will apply to grants, subsidies and other payments in support of the agricultural, horticultural and fishing industries, but not to fees, allowances or other remunerations. My right hon. Friends agree that the other agricultural departments will be following the same practice, except where the intervention board is applying Community regulations which already provide specific de minimis rules.
Milk
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about sales of untreated milk through dealers.
Since my statement of 7 March, I have received a number of representations on this issue. Sales of farm-bottled untreated milk by distributors will be allowed to continue and new licensing arrangements will be introduced on 1 January 1981. The new distributor's licence will enable distributors to sell the milk only of a specified producer named in the licence. Distributors will be able to obtain milk from more than one producer but each producer will need to be specified in the licence. Sales of untreated milk by dealers who obtain their supplies in bulk will not be permitted after 31 December 1980.
Suckler Cow Premium Scheme
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements are being made for the introduction of the suckler cow premium scheme in the United Kingdom.
The detailed rules of the new suckler cow premium scheme which was agreed by the European Com- munity Council of Ministers as part of this year's price-fixing have now been settled. It will be paid on suckler cows belonging to one of the recognised meat producing breeds or the offspring of a cross with one of those breeds and forming part of a herd which is used for rearing beef calves. For 1980 the rate has been fixed at £12·37 per cow held by the producer on the day the application is lodged.To be eligible, an applicant must show that at the date of application he is not selling milk or milk products from any of his production units and that farming is his main occupation. He must also undertake to sell no milk or milk products for 12 months from the date of application and to keep for a minimum of six months at least as many suckler cows as the number for which the premium is granted.Applications for 1980 must be received between 11 August and 31 October. In no circumstances will applications be accepted after the closing date. Payments in the United Kingdom are expected to cost £18·5 million in the current year. They will be wholly financed from Community funds. Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in supplementary estimates for the agricultural support Votes for the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and the Welsh Office. The regulation containing the necessary supplementary provisions, in particular for protection of payments, will be laid in due course.
Northern Ireland
Republic Of Ireland (Prime Minister)
11.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to meet the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland with a view to discussing the present political situation in Northern Ireland.
I have no plans to do so.
Murders
17.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current number of murders per 100,000 population per year in Northern Ireland.
The figure for unlawful killings per 100,000 population in Northern Ireland in 1979 was approximately 8·5.
Constitutional Proposals
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has received to his constitutional proposals; and whether he will make a statement.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. van Straubenzee).
Postgraduate Students
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total postgraduate studentships awarded by the Department of Education to both male and female students in the past four years; and if he will give details as to the criteria under which the awards are made and the value of such awards and the subjects covered.
The information is as follows:
| 1976–77 | 1977–78 | 1978–79 | 1979–80 | |
| Male | 164 | 202 | 187 | 180 |
| Female | 42 | 74 | 73 | 80 |
| Total | 206 | 276 | 260 | 260 |
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of postgraduate bursaries awarded by the Department of Education to both male and female students in the past four years; and if he will give details of the criteria under which the awards are made and the value of such awards and the subjects covered.
The information is as follows:
| 1976–77 | 1977–78 | 1978–79 | 1979–80 | |
| Male | 17 | 73 | 73 | 86 |
| Female | 23 | 31 | 44 | 72 |
| Total | 40 | 104 | 117 | 158 |
Housing Sales
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sales of dwellings under the co-ownership scheme and the sales policy of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, respectively, have been delayed as a result of the freeze on public expenditure in Northern Ireland.
I understand that 61 sales under the co-ownership scheme have been delayed. There has, however, been no delay as far as the sale of Northern Ireland Housing Executive dwellings is concerned.
Further Education And University Scholarships
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the total number and the total cost of further education scholarships in each education board area for the past five years; and how these awards are calculated;(2) what was the total number and total cost of university scholarships in
| UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS | ||||||||
| Board | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | |||
| Belfast: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 2,251 | 2,262 | 2,271 | 2,226 | 2,253 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 1,424 | 1,730 | 2,649 | 3,083 | 3,621* |
| Western: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 1,035 | 1,050 | 1,070 | 1,148 | 1,255 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 781 | 969 | 1,395 | 1,763 | 2,190* |
| North-Eastern: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 1,679 | 1,667 | 1,722 | 1,748 | 1,852 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 1,238 | 1,458 | 2,263 | 1,434 | 3,270* |
| South-Eastern: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 1,715 | 1,728 | 1,809 | 1,883 | 1,951 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 1,064 | 1,283 | 2,164 | 2,513 | 3,122* |
| Southern: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 1,436 | 1,508 | 1,564 | 1,540 | 1,513 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 1,085 | 1,454 | 2,111 | 2,322 | 2,650* |
| Total: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 8,116 | 8,215 | 8,436 | 8,545 | 8,824 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 5,592 | 6,894 | 10,582 | 12,116 | 14,853* |
| * Estimated. | ||||||||
| FURTHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS | ||||||||
| Board | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | |||
| Belfast: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 690 | 935 | 1,052 | 1,145 | 1,129 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 498 | 664 | 1,171 | 1,446 | 1,705* |
| Western: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 579 | 632 | 712 | 838 | 1,005 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 410 | 545 | 886 | 1,075 | 1,486* |
| North-Eastern: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 730 | 820 | 980 | 1,112 | 1,092 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 519 | 628 | 1,154 | 1,443 | 1,722* |
| South-Eastern: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 556 | 650 | 714 | 855 | 931 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 362 | 493 | 802 | 1,060 | 1,402* |
| Southern: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 746 | 901 | 1,063 | 1,113 | 1,103 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 457 | 725 | 1,146 | 1,509 | 1,820* |
| Total: | ||||||||
| Number | … | … | … | 3,301 | 3,938 | 4,521 | 5,063 | 5,260 |
| Value (£'000) | … | … | … | 2,246 | 3,056 | 5,159 | 6,533 | 8,135* |
| * Estimated. | ||||||||
each education board area for the past five years; and how these awards are calculated.
The number and value of awards made by education and library boards and held at 31 December in each year is as follows:rate for living in college halls or lodgings. Additional grant is also available in appropriate cases for dependants, students aged 26 or over and disabled students and for travelling expenses, extra weeks attendance and special equipment.The value of university awards is calculated under the Students Awards Regulations. Discretionary awards for further education advanced courses are calculated in exactly the same way as mandatory awards, and their respective values are identical. However, discretionary awards are made under the discretionary awards arrangements while mandatory awards—that is first degree courses, courses for the diploma in higher education, courses for the higher diploma, and courses comparable to first degree courses—are made under the Student Awards Regulations. The discretionary awards arrangements also cover awards for non-advanced courses—courses where admission requirements are less than five O-levels-but the rates of fees and maintenance are lower than for the other awards.
| ENROLMENT | |||||||||||
| Board Area | School | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | June 1980 | September 1980* | |||||
| Belfast | … | … | Cedar Lodge | … | … | 141 | 141 | 144 | 140 | 150 | |
| Fleming Fulton | … | 208 | 214 | 212 | 208 | 210 | |||||
| Greenwood House | … | 49 | 41 | 47 | 45 | 47 | |||||
| Harberton | … | … | 153 | 149 | 153 | 152 | 155 | ||||
| Jaffe | … | … | … | 24 | 23 | 36 | 27 | 25 | |||
| Mitchell House | … | … | 75 | 79 | 86 | 81 | 80 | ||||
| Mount Vernon | … | … | 170 | 148 | 142 | 105 | 155 | ||||
| Oakleigh | … | … | 150 | 143 | 145 | 119 | 155 | ||||
| St. Aloysius | … | … | 156 | 140 | 121 | 114 | 155 | ||||
| St. Francis de Sales | … | 27 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 30 | |||||
| South Eastern | … | Ardmore House | … | 26 | 17 | 30 | 21 | 30 | |||
| Beechlawn | … | … | 147 | 144 | 145 | 118 | 155 | ||||
| Brookfield | … | … | 49 | 52 | 46 | 47 | 52 | ||||
| Castlereagh | … | … | 23 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 28 | ||||
| Killard House | … | … | 184 | 185 | 185 | 179 | 185 | ||||
| Stewart Memorial | … | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 30 | |||||
| North Eastern | … | Immaculata | … | … | 120 | 120 | 114 | 109 | 125 | ||
| Jordanstown | … | … | 213 | 196 | 178 | 177 | 215 | ||||
| Roestulla | … | … | 163 | 150 | 150 | 144 | 155 | ||||
| Western | … | … | Belmont House | … | 157 | 174 | 178 | 172 | 180 | ||
| Gibson House | … | … | 70 | 70 | 64 | 71 | 72 | ||||
| Greystone Hall | … | … | 109 | 120 | 119 | 110 | 120 | ||||
| Erne | … | … | … | 24 | 42 | 62 | 57 | 55 | |||
| Southern | … | Fallowfield | … | … | 20 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 20 | ||
| * Estimate. | |||||||||||
Building Projects
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many building projects have been approved by the Department of Education in each of the past five years in each education board area; and what was the nature, location and cost of each project.
| £000s | ||||||||||||
| Area | 1975–76 | 1976–77 | 1977–78 | 1978–79 | 1979–80 | |||||||
| No. | Cost | No. | Cost | No. | Cost | No. | Cost | No. | Cost | |||
| Belfast | … | … | 18 | 5,476 | 23 | 5,710 | 15 | 1,685 | 21 | 5,820 | 12 | 1,182 |
| North-Eastern | … | 16 | 2,465 | 28 | 6,586 | 34 | 7,764 | 27 | 5,780 | 13 | 1,268 | |
| Southern | … | … | 11 | 959 | 16 | 1,430 | 29 | 2,567 | 23 | 2,824 | 7 | 2,021 |
| South-Eastern | … | 17 | 1,780 | 14 | 2,901 | 13 | 2,637 | 17 | 3,966 | 9 | 1,718 | |
| Western | … | … | 14 | 3,723 | 16 | 2,286 | 20 | 3,434 | 13 | 1,847 | 10 | 1,576 |
Special Schools
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils were enrolled in each special school in each area in the past three years; what was the total attending each school at the end of June; and what estimates he has of future enrolments in September for each school.
The information in respect of January of each year unless otherwise indicated is as follows:
The approved building projects and tender costs in respect of schools, further education colleges, institutions of higher education, area boards administration, youth facilities, libraries, museums and the arts are as follows:Details of location and nature of each project could be obtained only at substantial cost.facilities is not readily available in the form requested but in the financial years 1975–76 to 1979–80 there were a total of 815 approved building projects at an estimated cost of £67,513,000.
Education (Handicapped Pupils)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many handicapped pupils from Northern Ireland are being educated elsewhere in the United Kingdom; if he will give full details as to the nature of the tuition received, the location of the schools involved, the number attending each school and the total cost to each area board.
Thirty eight. The details are as follows:
| Belfast Board | |
| Laleham House school for delicate pupils, Kent | 3 |
| St. Dominics Open Air School for delicate boys, Surrey | 6 |
| Hethersett Vocational Centre for blind adolescents, Surrey | 2 |
| St. Vincents Open Air School for delicate girls, Sussex | 1 |
| Burwood Park school for deaf boys, Surrey | 1 |
| Royal National College for the blind, Hereford | 1 |
| Mary Hare Grammar School for the deaf, Berkshire | 1 |
| St. Johns school for the deaf, Boston Spa, Yorkshire | 1 |
| * Estimated cost £66,500 | |
| Western Board | |
| Mary Hare Grammar school for the deaf, Berkshire | 1 |
| Percy Hendley school for the physically handicapped, Northumberland | 1 |
| Queen Alexandra College for the blind, Birmingham | 1 |
| * Estimated cost £13,500 | |
| North Eastern Board | |
| St. Dominics Open Air school for delicate boys, Surrey | 1 |
| Royal National College for the blind, Hereford | 1 |
| Mary Hare Grammar school for the deaf, Berkshire | 2 |
| School | No of pupils | |||||||||||
| 1977–78 | 1978–79 | 1979–80 | ||||||||||
| St. Joseph's School for deaf Boys, Cabra, Dublin | … | … | … | 7 | 8 | 12 | ||||||
| St. Mary's School for hearing impaired children, Cabra Dublin. | … | 14 | 10 | 12 | ||||||||
| St. Joseph's School and Home for the blind, Drumcondra, Dublin | … | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||
| St. Michael's School, Chapelizod, Co Dublin | … | … | … | … | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||
| St. Mary's School for the visually impaired, Merrion Road, Dublin | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| St. Augustine's Residential Special School, Blackrock, Co Dublin | … | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||
| St. Raphael's, Celbridge, Co Kildare | … | … | … | … | … | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||
| St. Joseph's Orthopaedic Hospital and Home, Mullingar, Westmeath | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| Total | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | 30 | 31 | 35 |
| Hareward College for physically handicapped and delicate, Warwickshire | 2 |
| National Star Centre for disabled youth, Gloucestershire | 1 |
| Childrens Convalescent Home and School for delicate pupils, Chershire | 1 |
* Estimated cost £35,500 | |
South Eastern Board
| |
| Mary Hare Grammar School for the deaf, Berkshire | 1 |
| Corseford School for Spastic Children, Scotland | 1 |
| Worcester College for the blind, Worcester | 1 |
| Bedgeworth Court School for maladjusted boys, Cheltenham | 1 |
| Chilton School for epileptic pupils, Liverpool | 1 |
| Pilgrims School for delicate boys, Sussex | 1 |
* Estimated cost £31,500 | |
Southern Board
| |
| Hethersett Vocational Centre for blind adolescents Surrey | 1 |
| St. Roses School for physically handicapped, Gloucestershire | 1 |
| Crowthorne School for the educationally sub-normal, Lanes | 1 |
| Lingfield Hospital School for epileptic pupils, Surrey | 1 |
| Derby College of Further Education, Derby/Royal School for the deaf, Derby | 1 |
* Estimated cost £25,000 | |
* [Total estimated cost for 1980–81 school year] | |
The pupils receive a general education and a course of special education suitable to their particular handicaps.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many handicapped pupils from Northern Ireland were educated in each of the past three years in the Republic of Ireland; and what was the location of each school, the number attending each school and the total cost to each area board in the same period.
The information is as follows:
The tuition and boarding costs to each education and library board were as follows:
| £ | |
| 1977–78 | |
| Belfast | 5,036 |
| North Eastern | 3,141 |
| South Eastern | 1,137 |
| Western | 7,460 |
| Southern | 21,334 |
| 1978–79 | |
| Belfast | 4,277 |
| North Eastern | 3,964 |
| South Eastern | 3,712 |
| Western | 7,463 |
| Southern | 30,644 |
| 1979–80 | |
| Belfast | 3,992 |
| North Eastern | 3,939 |
| South Eastern | 4,375 |
| Western | 15,603 |
| Southern | 31,587 |
Departmental Officials (Telephone Inquiries)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether persons employed by his Department who deal with the public by telephone are required to identify themselves at the citizen's request; whether any, and if so what, category of employee in his Department is forbidden to give his name at the request of a member of the public who speaks to him by telephone; if so, on what occasions and for what reasons; and whether he will instruct all those employed by his Department who have contact with the public by telephone to give their names at the caller's request.
Because the nature of the work differs between Departments, it would not be appropriate to make it obligatory for civil servants to give their names on request. However, no members of the Northern Ireland Office, or the Northern Ireland Departments are forbidden to give their names and they are encouraged to do so where appropriate, for example when follow-up action is required.
Unemployed Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many unemployed males and females, respectively, in the city of Londonderry have been signing the unemployed register for more than 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 years, respectively;
(2) what is the total number of males and females, respectively, in the Greater Belfast area who have been signing the unemployed register for more than 10 years;
(3) how many male and female unemployed, respectively, have been signing the unemployed register for more than 5, 10 and 20 years, respectively, in the Newry local offices;
(4) how many male and female unemployed, respectively, have been signing the unemployed register for more than 5, 10 and 20 years, respectively, in the West Belfast local offices.
(5) how many unemployed persons in Northern Ireland are signing the unemployed register quarterly;
(6) how many males and females respectively in Northern Ireland between the ages of 21 and 25 years, 25 and 30 years, 30 and 35 years, 35 and 40 years, 40 and 45 years, 45 and 50 years, 50 and 55 years, 55 and 60 years and 60 and 65 years have been signing the unemployment register for more than 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 years respectively;
(7) how many people have been on the unemployment register in Northern Ireland for ( a) less than one year, ( b) between one and two years, ( c) between two and three years and ( d) between three and four years.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Housing Improvement (Grants Contracts)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individual grants contracts on the improvement of private houses, rural cottages and other Northern Ireland Housing Executive dwellings have been delayed as a result of the freeze on public expenditure in Northern Ireland.
I understand that 402 grant applications and eight contracts for improvement of Housing Executive dwellings have been delayed as a result of the temporary standstill on new commitments announced by my right hon. Friend.
Phonic Ear Equipment
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he intends to request all the education boards in Northern Ireland to follow the recent example of the Southern board in the matter of phonic ears and allow the children to have free loan of the equipment.
I have no such plans. The equipment is provided by education and library boards for use in classrooms. Any use of the equipment outside the classroom is a matter for each education and library board.
Terrorism
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons killed in Northern Ireland in
| Regular Army | UDR | RUC | RUC 'R' | Civilians | ||||
| 1976 | … | … | … | 14 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 231 |
| 1977 | … | … | … | 15 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 62 |
| 1978 | … | … | … | 14 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 40 |
| 1979 | … | … | … | 38 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 49 |
| 1980(to 31 July) | … | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 26 | ||
Lear Fan Project
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department consulted the airworthiness requirements board of the civil aviation Authority before a commitment was made to support the Lear Fan project; if so, what advice the board gave about the certification of this aircraft; and how his Department is represented on the management of the Lear Fan project.
[pursuant to his reply, 4 August 1980, c. 64]: During the appraisal of the project the views of the Civil Aviation Authority were sought and the authority participated in discussions. At that stage the authority was naturally unable to offer any definitive ruling on certification but did not contemplate insurmountable problems. Discussions continue between the authority and the company. The Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland is entitled to nominate four directors, including the chairman, out of a total of 11 members of the board of Lear Fan Ltd. It has also a right of approval over two
each of the last four years and the present year, or financial years if more convenient, are known to have died as a result of terrorist type violence initiated by each of the following groups ( a) the Provisional IRA, ( b) the Official IRA, ( c) the People's Liberation Army, ( d) the Irish National Liberation Army, ( e) the UDA, ( g) the UVF, ( g) the UFF, and ( h) the Red Hand Commando; and how many in each case were members of the Regular Army, the Ulster Defence Regiment, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, or civilians.
The number of deaths due to terrorist-type violence are shown below.other board appointments—the managing director and the chief financial officer.
Defence
Nuclear Weapons
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any other member of NATO is or would be subject to joint decision with the United States over the use of nuclear weapons; and whether there is an established policy of the NATO Ministers on this subject.
The United States and United Kingdom, as the two nuclear powers committing forces to the integrated military structure of NATO, have agreed with their allies procedures for consultation over the use of nuclear weapons. The details are confidential. Any bilateral arrangements between the United States and other members of the Alliance associated with the deployment of nuclear weapons are, of course, matters for the countries concerned.
Departmental Land
asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in respect of June 1980, what total area of land surplus to requirements was transferred by his Department otherwise than to other Government Departments; how many such transfers there were; anld what was the net amount realised therefrom.
In June 1980 the Property Services Agency completed the sale of 454 acres on behalf of my Department in 114 transactions realising £6·27 million net of deposits previously paid.
Mr J B Knee (War Medals)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was in his reply of 25 July to the letter sent by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West's letter of 27 June concerning the replacement of Mr. J. B. Knee's war medals which could not have been sent earlier: why this letter was not posted until 29 July; and whether he will expedite such replies in the future.
Every effort is made to ensure that hon. Members receive replies to their inquiries as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, delays occur when in formation has to be recalled from locations outside London. The letter in Question, dated Friday 25 July, left my office that same evening and was taken to the House. If not collected from the Board it would have been posted.
Armaments (Exports And Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total value of British armaments exports and imports during the years 1977–78. 1978–79 and 1979–80.
The estimated value of exports and imports of United Kingdom defence equipment at actual price levels for the years concerned is as follows:
| £ million | ||
| Exports | Imports* | |
| 1977–78 | 800 | 64 |
| 1978–79 | 850 | 102 |
| 1979–80 | 1,050 (provisional) | 113 |
| * Categories of equipment which can be identified through the Customs and Excise tariff only. | ||
Departmental Officials (Telephone Inquiries)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether persons employed by his Department who deal with the public by telephone are required to identify themselves at the citizen's request; whether any, and if so what, category of employee of his Department is forbidden to give his name at the request of a member of the public who speaks to him by telephone; if so, on what occasions and for what reasons; and whether he will instruct all those employed by his Department who have contact with the public by telephone to give their names at the caller's request.
It is the normal practice within the Ministry of Defence for stall to give their names when answering the telephone.
Service Personnel (Political Activity)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used in granting or refusing permission for members of the Armed Forces to stand as local government candidates.
Subject to Service needs, serving members of the Armed Forces may be allowed to stand as local government candidates if their candidacy is independent of any political party.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service personnel are currently serving as elected members of local authorities.
I regret that no comprehensive record is kept of this information.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are made in respect of attendance allowances due to members of the Armed Forces serving on local authorities; and whether any reciprocal deductions affect their eventual pension rights.
Attendance allowances payable to local authority councillors are the responsibility of individual local authorities. Payments made to any councillors who are also members of the Armed Forces do not have any effect on their pension rights.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning political activity by serving members of the Armed Forces;
(2) what advice is given with regard to the undesirability of serving officers being associated with particular political parties.
No advice as such is given. Queen's Regulations permit Service personnel, as individuals, to join political parties.There are long-standing regulations which are designed to ensure that the traditional political neutrality of the Armed Forces is maintained. Among other things, Queen's Regulations stipulate that Regular personnel must not take any active part in the affairs of any political organisation or party; that they must not engage in any public discussion of politically controversial issues; and that all forms of political activity, including political meetings and speeches, are prohibited in Service establishments.
Army Observation Point (Rossville Street, Londonderry)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any evidence that the Army observation point on the Rossville Street flats is causing, or has caused, damage to the roof of the flats; and whether any complaint has been made to him about such damage by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Four claims for damages have been made to the Ministry of Defence in respect of the Army observation point on the Rossville Street flats. One was from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in November 1977, and was settled in April 1979. The other three claims, from residents of the flats, were made in November 1976, October 1977 and March 1978. All three have now been settled and no further claims are outstanding.
Armed Forces (Support For Civil Power)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the role and authority of the Armed Forces in situations in which they may be called on to give support to civilian authorities.
The Armed Forces may be called upon in an emergency to assist the civil authorities in keeping the peace, securing the essentials of life or in coping with natural disasters. Except where legislation confers specific authority on Service men—as, for example, the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978—those undertaking this role have no more authority than any other citizen.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement explaining the extent to which training is given to military personnel in connection with their being called on to give support to civil authorities; and to what degree political control is exercised over the content of such training courses.
In most cases, the training given to fit Service men for their normal military duties is sufficient to enable them to assist the civil authorities when called upon to do so in an emergency. Once Ministers have authorised the use of Service men in a specific emergency then they may also approve the provision of further training if it is felt it would help those concerned to carry out more effectively the particular duties they are required to perform.
Service Personnel (Civil Convictions)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence, for each of the past five years, how many persons have been discharged from the Armed Forces as a consequence of conviction in a civil court.
I regret that no comprehensive statistics are maintained.
Hms "Speedy"
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the purchase of HMS "Speedy" from the United States of America; in what circumstances the United States Government could prevent the supply of spare parts; and what arrangements have been made for the production of a British alternative.
The Boeing Jetfoil HMS "Speedy" was purchased by the Royal Navy to evaluate the performance of this type of craft in a number of roles, including offshore protection. Trials are continuing. In the light of our close co-operation with the United States I foresee no problems arising over the supply of spares. Future requirements for such craft and related procurement arrangements have yet to be determined.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to equip HMS "Speedy" with nuclear weapons of any description.
It has been the policy of successive Governments not to disclose details of nuclear armament. I do not intend to depart from this practice.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated annual operating cost of HMS "Speedy".
Approximately £800,000.
Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent cut in the defence budget for 1981–82 of £700 million, or between 5 and 6 per cent., to compensate for spending in excess of cash limits in 1979–80 and 1980–81; and which specific programmes will be affected.
No cut has been made in the defence budget for 1981–82.
Equipment Purchases
asked the Secretary of State for Defence from which countries the United Kingdom purchased defence equipment in the financial year 1979–80, showing how far those purchases were part of collaborative projects.
The callendar year 1979 is the nearest period for which information is immediately available. In that year, excluding minor business, the United Kingdom imported defence equipment from Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States of America. The transactions with France, the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy were very largely related to collaborative ventures.
Northolt Airport
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the overall annual cost of Northolt airport to public funds and the cost per movement of Service aircraft using Northolt airport.
The information requested is not readily available. I shall write to my hon. Friend.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the numbers of aircraft using Northolt airport annually, with separate figures for military and civil aircraft and for United Kingdom and foreign aircraft.
The numbers of aircraft using RAF Northolt between 1 August 1979 and 31 July 1980 were as follows:
| United Kingdom military | 3,277 |
| United Kingdom civil | 1,276 |
| Non-United Kingdom military | 902 |
| Non-United Kingdom civil | 32 |
| 5,487 |
West Ruislip Air Base (United States Personnel)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what conclusion he has reached on the request by the United States Navy for alternative accommodation for personnel located at West Ruislip air base; and if he will make a statement.
[pursuant to his reply, 30 July 1980, c. 722]: I have now been able to make 100 married quarters at Hendon available to the United States Navy for as long as it requires them. As a result, it will be able to give up over seven acres of land at West Ruislip, in addition to the area already passed to the PSA for disposal. I understand the United States Navy intends to seek approval to have 100 married quarters constructed for its use on the area it will be retaining, and meanwhile to use part of it for recreational facilities. If it is not able to secure the necessary financial approval by dates acceptable to me, this land will also be passed to the PSA for disposal in due course.
Transport
Departmental Officials (Telephone Inquiries)
asked the Minister of Transport whether persons employed by his Department who deal with the public by telephone are required to identify themselves at the citizen's request; whether any, and if so what, category of employee of his Department is forbidden to give his name at the request of a member of the public who speaks to him by telephone; if so, on what occasions and for what reasons; and whether he will instruct all those employed by his Department who have contact with the public by telephone to give their names at the caller's request.
Staff dealing with the public by telephone are encouraged to give their names if requested to do so. None is forbidden to give his or her name. The staff of the DVLC at Swansea are in fact instructed to volunteer their name and to encourage members of the public to use it in future communications.
National Freight Corporation
asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken to prepare for the sale of the National Freight Corporation; and if he will make a statement.
I intend to transfer the National Freight Corporation to the private sector at the earliest practicable date. For a number of reasons, and in particular the need to complete a full actuarial assessment of the corporation's pension funds, I am advised that the earliest a flotation would be practicable is in the early part of 1981.To this end I intend, with the agreement of my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to make an order under section 45 of the Transport Act 1980 appointing a day at the beginning of October for the transfer of the undertaking of the corporation to the National Freight Company Limited, which was formed and registered for this purpose on 30 June 1980, and also for the simultaneous dissolution of the National Freight Corporation.By removing the constraints of nationalised status under the Transport Act 1968, this step will enable the NFC to make the most of the wider commercial opportunities that will be available to it as a company with widely drawn memorandum and articles of association. While the company remains in the public sector I shall of course continue to exercise financial controls over investment and borrowings similar to those which now apply to the corporation. I shall be considering how this might best be done. During the period of 100 per cent. Government ownership the company will continue to have a published external financing limit within which it must operate. I have no doubt that this change to the company status is the surest way to safeguard the future prosperity of the undertaking as a whole, and of its employees.The precise timing of the sale must of course depend on market conditions. An interim period of operation as a limited company before flotation will enable the new board, its managers and work force to adjust to the new conditions, and will also assist potential investors to assess their performance.I have also concluded that it would be wrong to burden the new company with fixed debt to the Government. The outstanding commencing capital debt of the corporation amounts to £42·1 million and subsequent borrowing from the national loans funds to £57·9 million—details are shown in the annexed schedule. These debts will, under the provisions of section 45(4) of the Act be extinguished immediately before the appointed day. I do not propose to require the company to assume any corresponding amount of debt.Under section 46 of the Transport Act 1980 I shall require the National Freight Company Limited, as successor to the corporation, to issue to me an appropriate number of ordinary shares, credited as fully paid up. The immediate effect will be to relieve the board from the need to meet fixed interest payments of approximately £9 million per annum. Instead the company will have to consider and settle with the Government an appropriate level of dividend to be paid on its shares. I will expect the board, while the company remains wholly-owned by the Government, to use any improvement in the financial position as a result of this arrangement to reduce its bank and other borrowings from the private sector.This loss of interest to the Exchequer should in part be reflected by an enhanced price for the shares when these come to be sold. I am satisfied that any eventual net loss of funds to the Exchequer is justified by the need to provide a firm basis for a successful issue of shares to the public.
I will be announcing further details of the arrangements for these changes in due course.
CAPITAL LIABILITIES TO THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AS AT 7 AUGUST 1980
Commencing capital debt
The principal outstanding is £42,143,726 and falls to be repaid as follows:
Repayment date
| Amount of principal
|
| £ | |
| 2nd January 1981 | 8,264,329 |
| 2nd January 1982 | 8,264,329 |
| 2nd January 1983 | 8,264,329 |
| 2nd January 1984 | 8,264,329 |
| 2nd January 1985 | 9,086,410 |
| 42,143,726 |
Loans
Loans have been made by the Minister of Transport under section 20(1) of the Transport Act 1962. On 4 August 1978 the Minister of Transport, in accordance with section 17(1) of the Transport Act 1978 (Commencement No. 1) Order 1978, and with the approval of the Treasury, reduced the loans in aggregate to £41,327,616. Since then the Minister of Transport has made further loans to finance repayments of the commencing capital debt. The total of all loans is now £57,856,274.
The Minister of Transport has directed that interest on the loans stated below shall be at the respective rates of interest stated and that the loans shall be repaid on the dates stated:
Repayment date
| Amount of Principal of loan
| Rate of interest Per cent.
|
| £ | per annum
| |
| 2nd October 1980 | 1,720,876 | 9·000 |
| 2nd October 1980 | 1,720,876 | 8·500 |
| 2nd October 1980 | 1,720,876 | 8·750 |
| 2nd October 1980 | 1,720,876 | 9·000 |
| 2nd October 1980 | 1,720,876 | 13·375 |
| 2nd October 1980 | 5,162,625 | 10·625 |
| 2nd October 1981 | 1,720,876 | 8·875 |
| 2nd October 1981 | 5,869,327 | 10·875 |
| 2nd October 1982 | 8,264,328 | 14·500 |
| 2nd October 1983 | 8,264,328 | 9·875 |
| 2nd October 1984 | 4,264,329 | 12·875 |
| 2nd October 1984 | 4,000,000 | 13·375 |
| 2nd October 1985 | 4,264,320 | 16·250 |
| 2nd October 1985 | 4,000,000 | 15·500 |
| 2nd October 1985 | 3,441,752 | 14·750 |
| 57,856,274 |
Articulated Vehicles
asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is proposing to take to reduce the loss of life and incidence of injury occasioned by the jackknifing of articulated vehicles.
Draft regulations which set stringent new standards for braking performance and stability for all new vehicles were circulated for comment last month. The new standards should considerably reduce the risk of jack-knifing.
Nationalised Industry Officials (Telephone Inquiries)
asked the Minister of Transport whether he will issue a general direction to the nationalised industries for which he is responsible that all those employed by them who have contact with the public by telephone shall give their names at the caller's request.
This is a matter for the industries themselves. My powers to give directions do not extend to management matters of this kind.
Heavy Goods Vehicles (Fog Lights)
asked the Minister of Transport if he intends to make it compulsory to have fog lights fitted to front and rear of all heavy goods vehicles; and, if not, what is the reason for his decision.
Rear fog lamps are already compulsory for all new vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles. These enable vehicles to be seen more easily by following drivers when visibility is bad. This function is fulfilled for oncoming drivers by the use of dipped headlights. Front fog lights can certainly make driving easier in some circumstances, but I have no evidence to suggest that there would be significant road safety benefits in requiring their compulsory fitment.
Cycleways
asked the Minister of Transport how many new road constructions that he has approved, especially those linking residential areas with industrial and shopping areas, have provision for cycleways.
I am afraid this information is not available because local authorities are responsible for this type of road provision and their schemes do not require my approval.I wish, however, to see cycling given proper priority in the planning nad regulation of transport. I therefore announced in the House on 25 June that I have commissioned a review of cycling policy and I propose to publish a consultation paper shortly.
Motor Vehicles (Noise Levels)
asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to reduce the noise levels of motor cycles and other motor vehicles.
asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to reduce noise levels of motor cycles and other motor vehicles.
I made regulations yesterday which will reduce the maximum permitted noise levels of most new motor vehicles first used in 1983. The new
| VEHICLE NOISE—PERMITTED LIMITS | ||||||||||||
| Vehicle category (for current limits) | Current limits | Vehicle category (for proposed limits) | Proposed limits | |||||||||
| dB(A) | dB(A) | |||||||||||
| CARS | … | … | … | … | … | 84 | 80 | |||||
| GOODS VEHICLES | ||||||||||||
| Less than 3·5 tonnes | … | … | 85 | 81 | ||||||||
| Over 3·5 tonnes | … | … | … | 89 | 86 | |||||||
| Over 12 tonnes and 200 horse-power | 89 (92 permitted for EC Type Approved Vehicles) | 88 | ||||||||||
| BUSES | ||||||||||||
| Less than 12 seats | … | … | … | 84 | Less than 3·5 tonnes | … | … | 81 | ||||
| More than 12 seats | … | … | 89 | Over 3·5 tonnes | … | … | … | 82 | ||||
| Over 3·5 tonnes and 200 horse-power | 89 (92 permitted for EC Type Approved Vehicles) | Over 3·5 tonnes and 200 horse-poser | 85 | |||||||||
| MOTORCYCLES | ||||||||||||
| Less than 50 cc | … | … | … | 77 | Less than 80 cc | … | … | … | 78 | |||
| 50–125 cc | … | … | … | … | 82 | 80–125 cc | … | … | … | … | 80 | |
| Over 125 cc | … | … | … | 86* | 125–350 cc | … | … | … | … | 83 | ||
| 350–500 cc | … | … | … | … | 85 | |||||||
| Over 500 cc | … | … | … | 86 | ||||||||
| MOPEDS | … | … | … | … | 77 | 73 | ||||||
| AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS | … | … | 89 | Less than 90 horsepower | … | 89 | ||||||
| Over 90 horsepower | … | … | 92 | |||||||||
| * Because of differences in the test procedures some large motorcycles designed to meet 86 dB(A when tested to the current procedure would indicate +3 dB(A) when tested in accordance with the procedure in the new regulations. | ||||||||||||
Large Vehicles (Annual Testing)
asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish his proposals on future arrangements for annual testing of heavy goods vehicles and large passenger vehicles.
I am publishing a paper today which sets out my policy for the future of annual testing. I intend to transfer the network of heavy goods vehicle testing centres to a limited number of private sector companies, which will also take on the annual testing of large passenger vehicles. I believe that
limits will apply to motor cycles and most agricultural tractors manufactured on or after 1 October 1982 and first used on or after 1 April 1983 and to most other vehicles manufactured on or after 1 April 1983 and first used on or after 1 October 1983. The regulations allow a few exemptions, and relaxations for specialised vehicles which rarely travel on the roads and made very little contribution to vehicle noise levels. The table following shows the existing and new noise limits.
I am also considering the response to my proposals for still further reductions in the longer term.
there is no case for retaining testing in the public sector, and employing a large number of civil servants, when the private sector can provide a more flexible and efficient service without any lowering of safety standards.
I am placing copies of my policy paper in the Library of the House.
Environment
Local Authorities (Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to let local authorities know what the Government's overall target for volume of local authority current expenditure for rate support grant purposes is in 1981–82; and how this compares with 1980–81.
In March 1980 the Government set out in the public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 7841) their expenditure plans for the years 1980–81 to 1983–84. These plans envisaged a fall in the volume of local authority current expenditure, of around 2 per cent. in 1981–82, 1 per cent. in 1982–83 and 1 per cent. in 1983–84.The regular annual review of public expenditure is now in progress. The Government attach the highest priority to reducing public expenditure to a level that can be financed without excessive public borrowing, thus exerting a downward pressure on interest rates. The refunds that the United Kingdom has now secured from the European Community budget will reduce the cuts in the previous Government's spending plans which would otherwise have been needed to achieve this objective, but they do not open the way to increases in aggregate expenditure on other public expenditure programmes above the levels planned in Cmnd. 7841.Final decisions on the distribution of the totals over the whole range of central and local programmes do not have to be reached yet. However, local authorities are beginning to plan their budgets for next year, and need to know the Government's view, on the basis of the review of expenditure plans that has so far taken place, on the overall level within which they should contain their volume of current expenditure in 1981–82. In reaching this view we have taken account of the recently concluded discussions with the local authority associations in the consultative councils on local government finance and their expenditure groups.For 1981–82 the Government expect local authorities in England and Wales to plan an aggregate for a volume of current expenditure for the purposes of RSG of £13,044 million at November 1979 prices. This is a further 2 per cent. below the targets local authorities were set in 1980–81 at the time of the rate support grant settlement last November and which the Government have asked local authorities to secure in the call for revised budgets. When the rate support grant settlements for 1981–82 are announced the amount of grant available will again be stated as a cash total.The Government have indicated the priority which they attach to the law and order services, while recognising that local authorities must have discretion to decide how to allocate resources between services in the light of local needs. The Government's priority remains, but law and order services should not be regarded as wholly exempted from the search for economies.In making this early announcement to assist local authorities with their planning, the Government have borne in mind the action which is being taken at present to deal with the excess spending which local government planned for in the current financial year. We cannot emphasise too strongly to local authorities that the Government are planning for a steady reduction in local authority current expenditure over the coming years. The achievement of these plans is a most important part of the Government's economic strategy.We must therefore make it clear that we expect authorities not only to eliminate this year's overspending, but also to achieve the lower target set for the next year. Reductions in manpower levels will obviously have to continue at a faster rate than has been achieved so far if our spending targets are to be met. The response of local government to our call for revised expenditure plans for 1980–81 will obviously be one factor which will influence our decisions on the financing of local authority expenditure for 1981–82.
Departmental Officials (Telephone Inquiries)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether persons employed by his Department who deal with the public by telephone are required to identify themselves at the citizen's request; whether any, and if so what, category of employee of his Department is forbidden to give his name at the request of a member of the public who speaks to him by telephone; if so, on what occasions and for what reasons; and whether he will instruct all those employed by his Department who have contact with the public by telephone to give their names at the caller's request.
Staff dealing with the public by telephone are encouraged to give their names if requested to do so. None is forbidden to give his or her name.
Rent Rebates And Allowances (Coventry)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tenants in Coventry were receiving rent rebates and allowances, respectively, in 1979–80; what percentage of the total number of householders this represents; and how this compares with the previous three years.
I invite the hon. Member to get in touch with the local authority for the information he seeks.
Local Authority Housing (Hard-To-Let Schemes)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities operate hard-to-let lettings schemes; how many specify students as a group who might be able to use them; and how many apply to young single people including students.
Letting arrangements for local authority housing are the responsibility of individual local councils and this information is not available in my Department.
Planning Applications
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the policy of his Department concerning proposals for charging for planning applications made to local government authorities; and what increases in staff they would be expected to require to accommodate such a procedure.
My Department has issued a consultation paper setting out detailed proposals for charges for planning applications. I shall consider the responses to that before making final decisions on the scheme. We are taking a number of measures to simplify the planning system and I would not expect the introduction of charges to result in a need for local planning authorities to take on extra staff.
Local Authority Employees
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will change the situation whereby employed persons serving on local authorities and in receipt of attendance allowances, and whose pay is made up to basic earnings in respect of time off work on council duties, suffer a loss of ultimate pension entitlement because the attendance allowance element is disregarded.
I understand that only a very small proportion of councillors are affected in this way and that many employers protect the pension rights of councillor employees from loss as a result of absence on council business. I do not believe that this is a suitable matter for legislation.
Housing (London)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he is making to the report by the London Tenants Organisation on the worsening housing situation.
I understand that the report in question has not yet been published.
Vacant Property
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information is available to him concerning the reasons for the number of empty dwellings which could be let; what further steps he intends to take to establish the reasons; and what he proposes to do to remedy the situation.
Comprehensive information about the number of vacant domestic properties in England and the reasons for vacancy is contained in the report of the vacant property survey, which was published on 25 July. The Housing Bill contains a number of important new measures which will enable better use to be made of vacant dwellings. In the private rented sector the most significant of these is shorthold. In the public sector local authorities will be helped by the new improvement for sale scheme and by the provisions for short-term lettings to the homeless, students and job-movers. Prospective purchasers of older houses in poor condition, which were identified by the survey as particularly likely to be empty, will be assisted by the more flexible home improvement grant scheme in the Bill and by homesteading schemes.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the results of the pilot surveys initiated by the previous Government regarding empty properties in certain localities.
I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the vacant property survey which was undertaken in 1977 by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. The report of its findings was published on 25 July. Estimates of the number of vacant properties in individual areas are contained in local authorities' housing strategy and investment programmes (HIPS), copies of which are in the Library.
House Building (Housing Associations)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the contribution to be made by housing associations to the provision of new housing accommodation for the current year and the next three years.
The Housing Corporation programme for the current year provided for approximately 10,000 new build housing association dwellings in 1980–81. There will in addition be dwellings for which a local authority is the lending authority.The position in future years will depend upon general economic circumstances at the time and on how far housing associations take up the new opportunities they have been given under the Housing Bill.
Lichfield Rugby Club
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to the answer given on 18 June to the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tamworth, if he will now confirm that the council's submission has been received; and, if so, whether a date has yet been fixed for a public local inquiry.
I confirm that Lichfield district council has now submitted the Rugby club's planning application to the Department. A public local inquiry into the proposals has been arranged for 25 and 26 November.
Park Court, Coventry
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects the repairs to the building at Park court, Coventry occupied by the Inland Revenue and the Department of Employment, to be completed;(2) what is his estimate of the final cost of the repairs now being carried out at Park court, Coventry.
The work is expected to start later this month and be completed by the end of December 1980 at a final cost of £90,000.
Nature Conservation
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of individuals in his Department with specific responsibility for nature conservation.
The division responsible for nature conservation in my Department is 23 strong.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps the Government have taken to implement the priority actions set out in the world conservation strategy launched on 5 March.
The Government are actively considering their response to the world conservation strategy and intend to make a statement as soon as possible after the recess.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that the present expenditure on nature conservation is sufficient to halt the present destruction of United Kingdom wildlife habitats.
I am satisfied that the present level of funding to the Nature Conservancy Council is consistent with economic reality. I have asked the council to keep me informed of any important wildlife site which is under threat and which it or the voluntary conservation bodies are not in a position to save without help from me. It has so far approached me on two such sites and on both occasions I have been able to give the help for which it asked.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he considers that, following the recommendations of the Strutt report, specific grants should be made available to farmers to support wildlife conservation projects.
The Nature Conservancy Council is already empowered to enter into management agreements with landowners and tenants in areas notified as sites of special scientific interest and to make grants for the purpose of wildlife conservation.
British Gypsum Limited
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to announce his decision on the appeal by British Gypsum Ltd. against the refusal of planning permission to mine gypsum and erect a plasterboard plant at Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire; and whether he will make a statement.
I expect the decision on these appeals to be issued within a few days.
Local Authorities (Finance)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he considers he has adequate control over the amount of loans raised by local authorities through the money market or directly from the public.
My right hon. Friend has a general and overall power under paragraph 1(b) of schedule 9 to the Local Government Act 1972 to control the purposes for which local authorities may wish to borrow money. In addition, where a local authority choose to borrow money in a particular way, for example, either by the issue of stock, bonds or bills, or from outside the United Kingdom, that borrowing will be subject to further Government control.
Somerset House (Fine Rooms)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he now has any statement to make concerning the future use of the Fine Rooms at Somerset House, with particular reference to the Courtauld institute of art, London university, and the bequest to it for public exhibition of Count Seilern's collection of paintings and drawings.
My right hon. Friend had preliminary discussions with the vice chancellor of the University of London about the practicability of using the Fine Rooms and Upper Galleries of Somerset House to display some or all of the picture collection of the Courtauld institute. As the discussions are at an early stage it would be premature for me to make a statement.
Enterprise Zones
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure the planned enterprise zones will not lower or seriously blighten the planning standards in areas where they are established; and whether he will take appropriate action to ensure that any incentives offered will not draw investment to the zones and away from neighbouring areas without making any overall increase in jobs.
Enterprise zones are an experiment in reducing controls, except where they are needed for the protection of health, safety or the control of pollution. I do not therefore propose to introduce Government imposed standards of the sort suggested. The incentives offered may perhaps divert some investment from neighbouring areas, but the overall effect should be to stimulate the local economy to the benefit both of the zones themselves and the surrounding areas.
South-East Region
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to issue a statement setting out strategic guidance for the South-East region.
I have written today to Lord Nugent, chairman of the standing conference on London and South-East regional planning, setting out strategic guidance for the South-East region. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.
Derelict Land
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage the reclamation of derelict land in places outside the assisted areas and derelict land clearance areas.
I intend to seek power at the next legislative opportunity to make orders enabling me to make grants of up to 100 per cent. of approved expenditure for derelict land clearance in areas specified in the orders.It would be my intention to exercise this power sparingly and only in cases where the need was great and reclamation was unilkely otherwise to be carried out. Grants made in these circumstances would not lead to increases in total public expenditure authorised for derelict land clearance. The main weight of the derelict land clearance programme will continue to be in the assisted areas and the DLCAs.
Local Authority Construction Projects
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to announce a moratorium on the start of new local authority construction projects; and if he has made an assessment as to the extent to which such a moratorium would be sufficient to keep total public spending for this financial year within planned ceilings and upon the construction industry.
[pursuant to his reply, 6 August 1980, c. 191]: Local authorities were asked to provide by 1 August revised expenditure returns which would bring their planned expenditure into line with the Government's policy. I am still examining their response.