asked the Secretary of State for Trade how much Mevinphos by weight was imported into the United Kingdom in 1979, 1980 and 1981, respectively; what was the total value of the imports in each year; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that this information is not available as the substance in question is not separately identified in the statistics of overseas trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the results of analyses of dead birds and other wildlife carried out in the agricultural laboratories controlled by his Department in 1979, 1980 and 1981, indicating how many of each species had died as a result of poisoning by Mevinphos; and if he will make a statement.

The following table shows the number of cases submitted to the laboratories of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland in which mevinphos was found to be present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the recurrent grant offers made to community education organisations for the financial year ending 31 March 1983.

Grant offers made to community education organisations by my Department for the year to 31 March 1983 are given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest position in relation to dock labour in the Port of Belfast.

I am pleased to say that following negotiations involving the Department of Manpower Services, the employers of labour at the Deep Sea Docks, the Belfast Harbour Commission and the Irish Transport and General Workers Union, an agreement has been concluded for the severance of 212 dock workers from the dockers register and the reintroduction of a scheme of decasualised labour with effect from 29 March 1982. The agreement also provides for improvements in working practices and for the establishment of a severance fund to meet any future severances.The cost of the severance scheme is £925,000. This will be funded by a loan of £395,000 from the Belfast Harbour Commission to be repaid by a levy on total payroll payable by the docks employers and by a grant of £530,000 payable by the Department of Manpower Services.In my reply to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Ferguson) on 21 December 1981—[Vol. 15, c. 265]—I referred to the retention of dockers in the pool at the cross channel docks pending developments in a replacement of the Belfast-Liverpool ferry. It is hoped that a new ferry will commence operations shortly. Manning levels have been agreed and 11 further dockers formerly employed in the cross channel docks on the P&O service will be severed. This brings the total severance payments in respect of dock workers at the cross channel docks to £332,060, of which £188,030 came from public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how he proposes to allocate the £16 million special aid which he announced last January would be made available to the Northern Ireland agricultural industry in 1982–83.

Following discussions with the Ulster Farmers Union and consultations with the EC Commission I have decided to allocate £13·6 million of the total as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is any part of Her Majesty's Government's policy to offer resettlement to those residents of Northern Ireland who wish to move away from Northern Ireland.

It is not the Government's policy to offer general assistance to residents of Northern Ireland wishing to settle elsewhere. I am glad to have this opportunity to record that the recent newspaper reports which no doubt prompted my hon. Friend's question are entirely without foundation, no consideration of such "resettlement" has taken place either in my own Department or that of my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The only circumstances in which financial help is available is in a few exceptional individual cases of people who have been seriously intimidated or threatened and who wish to leave Northern Ireland, but it would not be in the public interest to enter into detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what payments are made to the chairman and vice chairman of Lisnevin school; how they were appointed; and what is the period of appointment.

The chairman and vice chairman of Lisnevin management board receive payments in respect only of travelling expenses incurred by them. The appointment of the chairman and vice chairman is a matter for the board itself, which is constituted consonant with section 138 of the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 as amended by schedule 16 to the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972. The board was set up under an indenture made on 24 September 1973 between the management boards of the Rathgeal, Whiteabbey, St. Patrick and St. Joseph's training schools and the former Ministry of Home Affairs.No period of appointment is specified in the indenture, but any member of the Lisnevin board may be removed from office by the Secretary of State, after consultation with the appropriate parent board.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost of salaries and associated expenditure of the teachers and social workers at Lisnevin school.

The total estimated cost of salaries and associated expenditure of the teachers and social workers at Lisnevin school for 1981–82 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, in view of the further scheduled offences committed by persons released after serving their sentences for terrorist offences, given in the answer to the hon. Member for Epping Forest on 17 December, Official Report, c. 209, he is satisfied that existing legislation provides for sufficient sentence in such cases.

Many scheduled offences carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and most others carry a lengthy prison term.

asked the Prime Minister if she will undertake a review of the potential effect on British industry of the increasing number of franchises for imported manufactured products, such as that for the tractors of Japanese design planned to be imported from Turkey.

No. I do not consider that such a review is warranted. British industry must face up to and beat foreign competition. Only it can do this. I understand the hon. Member's particular concern. If he has evidence of any anti-competitive practices, he should contact the Director General of Fair Trading.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 April.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall have further meetings later today. This evening I hope to dine with Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor.

asked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the operation of the law relating 10 monopolies and mergers.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade continues to keep under review the operation of the legislation relating to monopolies and mergers.

asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will seek to amend the law so that private clubs are no longer exempted from the provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act.

The Government consider that this proposal, which is included among those put forward by the Equal Opportunities Commission for amending the Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Acts, should be considered as part of the commission's total package of suggested amendments, and not in isolation.

asked the Prime Minister what items she will seek to place on the agenda for the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament.

The agenda for the second United Nations Special Session on Disarmament has already been agreed. The principal substantive items are: a review of progress since the first special session; consideration of a comprehensive programme of disarmament; and a review of disarmament machinery.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to pay an official visit to Cairnbulg in the constituency of East Aberdeenshire.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Cardigan.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make an announcement on future public holidays.

Arrangements for bank holidays at Christmas and new year up to 1984 were announced in the reply given to my hon. friend the Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. Lewis) on 8 August 1980.—(Vol. 990, c. 411.Consultations are now in progress about the future of bank holidays in May, as my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Employment announced in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 16 February 1982—Vol. 18, c. 101–2.

asked the Prime Minister when she expects to meet the Trades Union Congress.

I have no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Berkshire.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she is in a position to make a statement on the extent to which the Government are implementing a policy of "trade not aid" in information technology in response to requests made to her by British computer and telecommunications companies.

The Government fully appreciate the growth and value of the world market for information technology, and are actively encouraging the efforts of British companies pursuing opportunities in this market. In parallel with a range of schemes for providing assistance for such companies' research and development work, the Government's public purchasing initiative is aimed at improving the international competitiveness and suppliers to the public sector by promoting enlightened public purchasing practices.

asked the Prime Minister how many permanent secretaries, second permanent secretaries and under secretaries there were in the Civil Service in 1964; how many there are at present; and whether she has any plans for reducing their numbers.

The earliest year for which figures are held centrally is 1965. The following table shows the number of posts in the grades specified at 1 April 1965, 1 April 1979 and 1 January 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give financial assistance to those groups of residents in parts of rural Wales who have to buy and construct their own booster television masts and pay the Home Office licence of £100 for a five-year period, in addition to the usual receiving licence.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the present regulations in force for the selling of animals in street markets.

The sale of animals as pets in street markets is regulated by the Pet Animals Act 1951, which makes it an offence except at a stall or barrow, licensed by the local authority, who may attach conditions to such licences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the reasons why he will not set up an investigation on the reasons for the increase in criminal activity and law breaking, despite the fact that the numbers, conditions of work, salaries and equipment of the police force are at their best ever levels.

The complex reasons for criminal activity are unlikely to be usefully illuminated by such an investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest annual figures for stray dogs detained by the police.

Figures for stray dogs are not kept centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the proportion of police time spent in dealing with stray dogs under present legislation.

The information on which to base such an estimate is not held centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost by detailed inquiries throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he remains satisfied with the current legislation relating to stray dags.

Current legislation relating to stray dogs is contained in the Dogs Act 1906 and my right hon. Friend has no plans for further legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are serving custodial sentences for (a) murder, (b) other homicide offences, (c) crimes of violence other than homicide and (d) all other offences, (i) at the latest available date and (ii) on 31 December 1966.

The latest available information is given in the following table; comparable figures are not available for 31 December 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of people sentenced to imprisonment for non-payment of fines served their full sentences in (a) Inner London and (b) England and Wales in the years 1979–80 and 1980–81.

Estimates of the kind requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Parliamentary Boundary Commission to report following the public inquiry held in Liverpool on 25 January relating to parliamentary constituency boundary redistribution within the city of Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the Boundary Commission for England hopes to complete its current general review by the end of 1982, and that it intends to submit the report containing its final recommendations for the whole of England, including the city of Liverpool, as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the future of pool competitions run under the Pool Competitions Act 1971.

I intend to lay a draft order extending the Pool Competitions Act 1971 for a further year from 26 July 1982, and to lay further annual orders as necessary during the lifetime of this Parliament pending the introduction of legislation designed to deal permanently with these competitions. Meanwhile I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of a discussion document on the future of pool competitions which is being sent to relevant organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 4,800 untried and unconvicted prisoners incarcerated in British prisons on 31 January had been in prison for periods between one to three months, three to six months, six months to one year and more than one year; and whether, in pursuance of his policy of reducing pressure within prisons, he will release these people rather than release or shorten sentences of convicted criminals.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 March 1982, c. 173–74]: The information available is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report the United Kingdom steel plants and steel companies which received readaptation grants from the European Coal and Steel Community in 1981 and to date in 1982 to help workers affected by plant closures and modernisation; what sums were allocated to each plant; and how many workers were aided in each instance.

The amounts allocated from ECSC funds toward the cost of readaptation benefits are given in

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in regard to each of the 25 police killings in England and Wales since 1965, what the method of killing was; whether any were attributed to acts of terrorism; whether the alleged killer was arrested and what was the subsequent court disposal; and where there was no arrest whether the alleged offender is known and still sought.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 March 1982, c. 185]: There were 24 offences currently recorded as homicide over the period 1965 to 1981 where the victim was a police officer on duty. The information requested is given in the following table:the following table. As I said in my previous answer—[

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Whitehaven on 22 February, Official Report, column 574, he has considered the decision of the Biogen Company not to invest in industrial development in Great Britain; what conclusions he has reached; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that there have been no recent decisions by Biogen not to invest in industrial development in Great Britain. The Government believe that, biotechnology is an important area for research and development. We are currently spending at least £6 million per annum on R and D, with further funding for the basic science. This is above the level called for in the Spinks report. In addition, there is authorised investment by the British Technology Group in biotechnology exceeding £13 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had with British Aerospace about its proposed involvement in the A320 airliner project; when he expects to make a decision about the funding of the project; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has asked British Aerospace to provide further information about the project. At this stage I cannot say when the Government will reach a decision on the question of launch aid.

asked the Secretary of State For Industry whether, in view of the decision by the Secretary of State for Wales, to increase by 71 per cent. in 1982–83 the grant paid by Her Majesty's Government to the Development Corporation for Wales, via the Welsh Development Agency, he will afford identical treatment to the grant from his Department to the North of England Development Council, in view of the identical size and scale of the problems in the Northern region; and if he will make a statement.

We are considering the scale of grant which might be paid by this Department to the North of England Development Council and the other three English regional development organisations when present financial arrangements come to an end in March 1983. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Industry, is meeting the chairmen and directors of the four bodies, together with representatives of the regional local authority associations today to discuss this and other matters of common interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the current and projected estimated demand for engineers in microelectronics; and if he is satisfied that this demand can be met.

It is widely accepted that employment opportunities for microelectronics engineers have been increasing and will continue to do so.Part of the funds of the Department of Industry's microprocessor application project have been set aside for training. The number of places on short practical updating courses for engineers has been increased from 2,500 in 1978 to more than 30,000 now. Assistance has also gone to the Open University for two home study courses—one for managers—4,500 sold since spring 1980—and one for engineers—nearly 1,000 sold since October 1981—and to the Technician Education Council to develop some microelectronic modules for use in its course units—available April 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Environment on the possibility of the transfer of the Development Commission and the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

The two Departments are at present carrying out pilot schemes of joint management of the advisory services of the small firms service and CoSIRA in three areas. The chairman of CoSIRA and I review this experiment from time to time and a definitive view of the results and lessons will be made in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the disposal of assets made by the National Enterprise Board in the years 1979–80, 1980–81 and the total value of the annual disposals in each of those years.

The NEB has disposed of investments in the following companies:

• 1979
• Hird Brown Ltd.
• ICL Ltd.
• Total net proceeds: £37·6 million
• 1980
• Brown Boveri Kent (Holdings) Ltd.
• Barrow Hepburn Group Ltd.
• Computer and Systems Engineering Ltd.
• Fairey Holdings Ltd.
• Ferranti Ltd.
• Middle East Building Services Ltd.
• Newtown Securities (Northern) Ltd.
• R. R. Chapman (Sub-Sea Surveys) Ltd.
• Total net proceeds: £81·2 million
• 1981
• Automation and Technical Services (Holdings) Ltd.
• CIC Investment Holdings Ltd.
• Energy Equipment Ltd.
• Ferranti Ltd.
• Negretti & Zambra Ltd.
• Systems Designers International Ltd.
• Total net proceeds: £6·95 million (This includes a deferred consideration for CIC)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a further statement about the funding of the Engineering Council.

The firm intention remains that the council should become financially independent as soon as possible. The Government have previously indicated that they would be prepared to help finance the council's initial running costs. Subject to Parliament providing the necessary funds, they envisage that this support will take the form of a grant in aid of not more than £1 million in each of the council's first three financial years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his written reply dated 8 March concerning the issue of Treasury bills, whether he will publish in the Official Report his reasons for giving the figures as at 31 March instead of the average for the year as a whole; and whether the figures he gave were representative of the year as a whole.

As the national debt, the money supply and Treasury bills outstanding are all stocks, it is appropriate to compare them as at the closest possible dates. Figures for the national debt outstanding are published as at 31 March only each year in the Consolidated Fund and National Loans Fund accounts. My earlier reply was therefore based on figures for Treasury bills outstanding as at 31 March.The following table shows average values of Treasury bills outstanding as at the end of each quarter as proportions of the PSBRs, and of the average levels of sterling M3 outstanding as at the end of each quarter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total sums lent to public authorities and public and private enterprises in the United Kingdom in 1981 through the European Investment Bank; what was the regional breakdown of these loans in that year; and what proportion of total lending by the European Investment Bank went to the United Kingdom in 1981.

In 1981 the European Investment Bank lent £142·6 million to the United Kingdom, including £20 million from the New Community Instrument which the EIB administers on behalf of the European Commission. This was 7·5 per cent. of total lending by the European Investment Bank for projects within the Community. £72·6 million was lent to public authorities, £56 million to public enterprises and £14 million to private enterprises. The regional breakdown of loans to the United Kingdom in 1981 was as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Stroud on 2 March, Official Report, c. 111, under what circumstances riding horses may be classified as agricultural animals.

A riding horse is treated as an agricultural animal where it is kept wholly or mainly for its work on the farm.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married men over the age of 65 years did not receive the full age allowance in the 1981–82 tax year because their income was higher than the age allowance limit of £5,900.

About 550,000; it is estimated that about 150,000 of this total received the reduced age allowance, and the remainder received only the ordinary married man's allowance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married men over the age of 65 years would have been entitled to the full age allowance in the 1981–82 tax year if the income limit of £5,900 had been applied to each spouse individually.

I regret that the information on which to base an estimate is not available. Income tax records identify married couples who are entitled to the age allowance—subject to the income limit—when either partner reaches the age of 65. It is not known in how many of these cases the husband is over 65, and would therefore be entitled to the age allowance if the rules were applied to each spouse individually.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the financial year 1982–83 a single, widowed or divorced woman aged 60 to 64 years will be liable to pay tax on her pension.

Such women will not be liable to pay lax if their basic State pension is their only income. Nor will they be liable if they have earnings-related additions to their State pension of less than £65 a year, and no other income. Where the total income is large enough to give rise to tax liability the tax due in respect of the basic pension will be less in 1982–83 than in 1981–82, despite the 11 per cent. uprating of pensions which will occur in November 1982.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied with the current level of total output.

Many indicators point to an improved level of activity. During the second half of last year total output recovered by approaching 1 per cent. and manufacturing output by 2 per cent. despite industrial disputes and the very severe weather. Last year saw a dramatic fall in short-time working, higher overtime and more vacancies. Profitability, productivity and competitiveness all improved significantly during 1981.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there had been any signs indicating an improved outlook for the economy since his Budget Statement.

There have been several signs indicating an improved outlook since the Budget. Interest rates have fallen further; inflation fell in February; this year's further slowdown in the increase in unemployment has been confirmed; company profits rose further in the final quarter of last year, and the latest CBI monthly trends inquiry points to improving business prospects.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people were discovered to have tried to defraud the Inland Revenue in each year since 1975; how much was recovered in each of these years; and how much was received in fines and interest payments;(2) what was the total underpayment of tax or fraud discovered by the Inland Revenue in each year since 1975; and how much it is estimated was not discovered in these years;

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury has yet received the records from the Public Record Office relating to moneys paid to it in 1950 following the failure to reach a settlement with the West German Government over the pay of prisoners of war.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies there were at the last available date for engineers in microelectronics; and what were the figures for the same month for each of the previous five years.

Figures for the specified occupation are not separately distinguished in the vacancy statistics.

asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what was the cost of the visit by the Employment Committee to the multi-occupational training and education centre, Livingston, on 10 June 1981.

£583.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any plans for uprating the addition paid to pensioners aged over 80 years; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no proposals at present to increase the age addition to retirement pensions. We take the view that in the present economic climate this is not a change which can be given a higher priority than the other measures we are taking to protect pensioners, such as maintaining the value of the basic pension or providing special fuel help for 1½ million supplementary pensioner households.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of tins of American salmon held by wholesalers in Great Britain that may be contaminated with botulism; and what steps he has taken to protect the public from purchasing this salmon.

Over 10 million ½lb. cans of United States of America salmon have either been held back from distribution in this country, or returned by the public or by retailers, following the issue by the Department of a public warning on 16 February. The risk that some of these cans may be contaminated is slight but cannot be ignored.In the light of measures being taken in the United States of America, close consultation is continuing with trade interests in this country with a view to working out agreed measures to ensure that stocks released for sale will have been thoroughly checked. Until such measures have been agreed upon and implemented, the United Kingdom trade will continue to withhold ½lb. cans from sale.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to the recommendation contained in the Rayner report that those caring for children and other dependants must first show that care arrangements have been made before being considered available for work.

The report made no recommendation about the availability for work of unemployed people caring for children and other dependants and the Government are not considering any changes along the lines of those discussed, but not formally recommended, in paragraph 4·52 of the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the 20 local authority districts with the highest proportion of births to (a) mothers of non-United Kingdom ethnic origin and (b) mothers of Commonwealth origin, excluding the United Kingdom, setting out the percentages and numbers for each of the last two years for which figures are available.

The only information collected at the registration of births relates to parental birthplace, not to ethnic origin. The following are the 20 local authority districts which in 1980 had the highest percentage of live-births (a) accounted for by mothers born outside the United Kingdom; and (b) accounted for by mothers born in the New Commonwealth and Pakistan.