asked the Minister for Trade (1) if he will introduce legislation to prohibit commercial relationships between estate agencies and property companies in circumstances where partners of the former also have a major financial interest in the latter; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will introduce legislation governing commercial relationships between estate agencies and property companies so that where partners of the former also have a major financial interest in the latter, such circumstances shall be made publicly known.

No. Under section 21 of the Estate Agents Act 1979, which comes into force on 3 May 1982, any person who is engaged in estate agency work and who has—or may acquire—a personal interest in a transaction must disclose that interest before entering into negotiations. Moreover, the Companies Acts require extensive disclosure of directorships and other interests in companies generally.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will introduce legislation to ensure that land and property companies operating in the United. Kingdom shall, if registered abroad, be obliged to make public the names of their directors and major shareholders.

No. Companies which are incorporated outside Great Britain and which have a place of business within Great Britain are required, under section 407 of the Companies Act 1948, to deliver information to the Registrar of Companies including a list containing details of the directors of the company. This information is available for inspection by the public.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will carry out a study into methods of remedying the existing situation whereby companies operating in the United Kingdom, which are part or subsidiaries of companies registered in the Irish Republic, are able to avoid the payment of their United Kingdom liabilities if they suffer bankruptcy in Ireland.

I am not aware of a problem of the kind described, given the powers in the Companies Acts for the courts to wind up a foreign-based company. If the hon. Member has a particular point in mind perhaps he would write to me and I will undertake to look into the matter.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the proposed reorganisation of British Airways and its implications for privatisation.

British Airways is to be split into three separate divisions: International Services, European Services, and Gatwick Services. These divisions will operate from 1 May 1982. Each division will have its own managing director, with its own annual budget and its own profit and loss account. There will also be further accountable profit centres within each of these divisions. There will still be common services in areas including engineering, ticket sales, personnel and cargo marketing, and the airline will continue to trade under one name.These important changes follow the steps already put in hand last autumn to reduce the work force by some 9,000 employees, and to cut out unprofitable routes and stations. These steps have been taken in order to make British Airways more efficient, more sensitive to the wishes of travellers, and more profitable, with a view to placing it in the private sector as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) when he will bring into force the provisions of the Estate Agents Act requiring an agent who takes deposits, whether contract of pre-contract, to be insured;(2) when he will bring into force the provisions of section 18 of the Estate Agents Act;(3) when he will bring into force the provisions of the Estate Agents Act relating to the power to limit the size of pre-contract deposits;(4) when he will bring into force the provisions of the Estate Agents Act prescribing minimum standards of competence.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1982, c. 312]: Section 18 of the Act will come into force on. 3 May 1982. Regulations under section 18(4) are not thought necessary at present. As to the other provisions mentioned, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend on 4 February 1982.—[Vol. 17, c. 170.]

asked the Minister for Trade whether procedures exist for requisitioning British-owned merchant ships now flying flags of convenience should they be needed in future to support military operations; and if he will set out such procedures in the Official Report.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1982, c. 311]: There is a prerogative power to requisition in times of war or acute national emergency any merchant ship within United Kingdom jurisdiction. The Order in Council made on 4 April applies only to British ships—as defined in the order—though it does so whether or not they are within United Kingdom jurisdiction.

asked the Minister for Trade when he expects the Director General of Fair Trading to report on the takeover of Redpath Dorman Long by Trafalgar House.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1982, c. 312.]: The Director General's advice is expected in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what financial aid was provided for the textile and clothing industries, respectively, by the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Corporation for Wales and the Development Board for Rural Wales during the most recent convenient year for which figures are available.

I have asked the Welsh Development Agency to provide my hon. Friend with details of the financial aid it has provided for the textile and clothing industries. The Development Corporation for Wales and the Development Board for Rural Wales do not provide direct financial assistance for industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further action he is taking to promote new employment in the Cardigan, Newcastle Emlyn, Llandyssul and Lampeter areas; and if he will make a statement.

The travel-to-work areas involved remain eligible for a wide range of Government schemes and initiatives designed to regenerate the economy and improve employment prospects. Development in the Cardigan and Lampeter-Llandyssul TTWAs includes 14 advance factories—totalling 28,500 sq ft—under construction or to be constructed in 1982–83.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales why the industry department of his office has

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of fine defaulters received into (a) Wandsworth, (b) Leeds, (c) Liverpool, (d) Birmingham and (e) Manchester prisons in the last six months for which figures are available were unemployed.

The information requested is not recorded centrally. already implemented a decision to downgrade the assisted area status of Mid-Wales through stating that all applications for special financial assistance must be received by 30 April 1982 and that officers of his Department will not attend meetings to discuss projects after this date.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Industry gave to the hon. Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar) on 2 April 1982—[Vol. 21, c. 199]—in which the Government's reasons for introducing a cut-off date were explained. My hon. Friend made it clear that the introduction of these arrangements was without prejudice to the further review of those areas in Great Britain which are due to be downgraded on 1 August 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of convicted prisoners received into (a) Wandsworth, (b) Leeds, (c) Liverpool, (d) Birmingham and (e) Manchester prisons in the last six months for which figures are available were fine defaulters;(2) how many fine defaulters were received into

The latest readily available information is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to Rhydymwyn as a sub-regional headquarters for the civil defence network.

The caverns at Rhydymwyn are not considered a suitable site for a sub-regional headquarters because of the danger of flooding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Liverpool on the scale of the incidents which took place in Toxteth, Liverpool, on the evening of Saturday 24 April; and if he will make a statement.

At 4.15 pm on Saturday, 24 April two officers patrolling on foot in the Toxteth area were attacked by a group of 25 to 30 youths for no discernible reason. The officers' injuries were sufficiently serious for them to be detained overnight in hospital, although we are glad to learn that they have now been discharged.During the evening there were reports of gangs of youths engaged in stoning vehicles or committing acts of vandalism. In each case the police responded and the gangs broke up when officers arrived on the scene.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many motor vehicles, by category, special car tax was collected on entry into the United Kingdom by land in each of the last six months for which such figures are available.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will accept the recommendations of the arbitration tribunal on Civil Service pay.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what loss of stamp duty revenue in 1982–83 would occur as a result of the implementation of each of the following changes:(a) an increase of £5,000 in each of the thresholds for stamp duty applicable to house purchase, (b) an increase of £10,000 in each of the thresholds for stamp duty applicable to house purchase, (c) raising each of the thresholds for stamp duty applicable to house purchase by an amount which would restore them to the real value held in 1974, by comparison with (i) the retail price index and (ii) the Building Societies Association and Department of the Environment house price index, (d) replacing the present system with a system whereby stamp duty is levied at the appropriate rate only on that part of the house price which exceeds each threshold and (e) implementing changes (c) and (d) together.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1982, c. 313.]: The thresholds apply to all transfers other than those of stocks and shares. It has been assumed that the increases of £5,000 and £10,000 at (a) and (b) are additional to the increase of £5,000 in the stamp duty thresholds which were part of my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget proposals and to which temporary effect has already been given. It is estimated that if these changes applied to the whole fiscal year their implementation would reduce the revenue in 1982–83 from stamp duty on all such transfers currently estimated at £410 million, after allowing for the Budget changes by:|

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is giving to the extension of the additional age tax allowance to women at the age of 60 years.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1982, c. 314]: I do not consider an extension of the age allowance would be justified, for the reasons given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chief Secretary when this matter was discussed during the Committee stage of the Finance Bill.—[Vol. 22, c. 490–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received concerning the payment of standing charges for electricity and gas by pensioners since January 1982.

I shall answer the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards recommendation 373 of the Western European Union Assembly on European security and the South Atlantic.

The Government's policy and the policies of other member Governments of Western Europe Union to Assembly recommendation 373 are set out in the reply to the recommendation agreed by the Council on 24 March. Shortly after that date Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. The recommendation called for political solutions to reduce tension and the Government's first priority has been to seek a peaceful political settlement on the basis of Security Council resolution 502. This still remains the fundamental aim of the Government although we do not rule out the possible use of force.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards recommendation 372 of the Western European Union Assembly on European union and the Western European Union.

The Government share the views of other member Governments of Western European Union as spelt out in the reply which the Council adopted on 24 March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reply the Japanese Government have given to the request of Her Majesty's Government to take action against Argentina following that country's aggression in the Falkland Islands; if he is satisfied that the Japanese Government are aware of the importance which Her Majesty's Government attach to this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Japan voted for Security Council Resolution 502, and on the basis of that resolution the Japanese Government have appealed both in public and in diplomatic representations to the Argentine Government for immediate Argentine withdrawal. Japan has also made it clear to Argentina that the crisis could affect economic relations between the two countries.The Japanese Government have issued advice to the business community designed to prevent any action by Japanese firms which would undermine the trade measures against Argentina applied by other countries. In addition, we understand that in present circumstances no new official credits will be given for exports to Argentina.Her Majesty's Government have kept in close touch with the Japanese Government throughout the crisis. We believe that they are fully aware of the importance we attach to the matter and to their support.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

At present, meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for May. The usual written forecast was deposited in the House on 28 April. The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 3–4 May to continue discussion of the 1982–83 CAP price fixing proposals and changes in Mediterranean support regimes in preparation for the enlargement of the Community.The Council of Industry Ministers is expected to meet on 4 May to discuss and review the state of the European steel regime. Discussions are likely to cover progress in carrying out the decision on State aids and capacity reductions and renewal of the anti-crisis measures with effect from 1 July and a proposal to open a duty free quota for imports of two grades of ferro-chrome. Ministers may also consider industrial strategy and Commission recommendations on telecommunications in industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many unemployed persons who have ceased to qualify for unemployment benefit would be eligible for benefit if it were to be extended to all unemployed persons irrespective of the duration of unemployment; and if he will estimate the net cost to the national insurance fund of extending (a) unemployment benefit and (b) earnings related benefit to all unemployed persons.

In 1982–83 the number of unemployed claimants who, at a point in time, will have exhausted their entitlement to unemployment benefit is estimated to be 1,040,000 taking the average over the year. To abolish the one-year limit on entitlement would cost the national insurance fund an estimated £1,470 million in 1982–83. To restore earnings-related supplement on the basis which applied before the Social Security (No. 2) Act 1980, but without the six-months duration limit, for unemployed people only, would cost the fund an estimated £770 million, in addition to the expenditure which will be incurred in that year on supplement payable under the transitional arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to counter the effects that unfilled consultant posts have on patient care, particularly in some specialties in certain unpopular areas of the United Kingdom.

I see no reason for further steps. Our proposals to improve patient care by expansion of the consultant grade were set out in Cmnd. 8479. In specialties where there is a shortage of suitable experienced applicants for consultant posts health authorities have been encouraged to create additional training grade posts. Our system of allocation of posts in shortage specialties gives preference to regions with the lowest ratio of doctors in the specialty to population.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will ask the Health Education Council to run a specific campaign on family planning and phased parenthood in relation to the 16 to 19-year-old age group.

I understand that the council plans to repeat the advertisements used in its recent advertising campaign to prevent unwanted teenage pregnancies. It is also considering what further action to take.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will instruct those responsible for writing his Department's leaflets to use plain, simple English so that claimants can understand their entitlement.

The Department always strives to write leaflets in as simple English as possible. The main obstacle to comprehension is frequently the complexity of the legislation covered in the leaflet. However, the fact that the Department's leaflets have won awards in the two Plain English Society competitions held to date shows some measure of success in making the leaflets easier to understand.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now reconsider the cutting off of financial support to the publication of the "Community Health Council News".

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients who attend the pathological and radiological departments of hospitals in each of the regions of England, Wales and Scotland, have been referred directly from the private clinics of part-time consultants and not from the hospital or its neighbour hospitals' outpatient clinics; in what percentage of cases referred from the consultants' private clinics a charge is made for the particular examination ordered; and what is the annual sum of money that the National Health Service has reclaimed in this way in each of the past three years, region by region.

This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much blood collected by the Blood Transfusion Service in 1981 was made available for non-National Health Service purposes; and how much money was collected in charges for this.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) on 11 March.—[Vol. 19, c. 473.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the amount of unclaimed Department of Health and Social Services benefits.

It seems possible that, of those benefits with a significant take-up problem, some £400 million may be unclaimed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in Islington and in Greater London, respectively, are currently claiming supplementary benefit; how many are pensioners; and how these figures compare with May 1979.

Information is not available in the form requested. However, the numbers claiming from the four local offices, which deal with parts of Islington^*, and the numbers claiming within the GLC area, are given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons in Manchester have exhausted their right to unemployment benefit; and what percentage of the unemployed in Manchester they represent.

At February 1982 there were 19,500 unemployed claimants at the 13 unemployment benefit offices in the Manchester area who had exhausted their entitlement to unemployment benefit. This was 32·3 per cent. of the total number of unemployed claimants in that area.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the payment of non-contributory maternity grant.

Under the Social Security (Maternity Grant) Regulations 1981, non-contributory maternity grant provided for in section 5 of the Social Security Act 1980 will be paid in respect of confinements expected to occur on or after 4 July 1982. Parliamentary approval of provision for this new service has been sought in the 1982–83 Main Estimates for the family benefits Vote (Class xii 3), pending that approval, the necessary expenditure will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Ireland what works are being carried out or are planned a prisons for women prisoners in Northern Ireland; what is the total cost of such works; and how these works will affect the total number of places available.

No significant works are being carried out or are planned at Her Majesty's prison, Armagh, which is the only women's prison in Northern Ireland.A new prison for women is presently under construction at Maghaberry, County Antrim and when it is opened in 1983 the existing prison at Armagh will be closed. The expected cost of the women's section of Her Majesty's prison, Maghaberry is approximately £3 million and it will provide facilities for 56 female prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report the substance of his reply to the right hon. Member for Down, South on 16 March regarding his application of the Statute of Limitations (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 to Admiralty actions.

The following is the text of the reply:

During the course of the debate on 1 March on the draft Limitation Amendment (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 you raised a query in respect of the application of the Statute of Limitations (Northern Ireland) 1958 to Admiralty actions.

As I stated during the debate causes of action within the Admiralty jurisdiction of the High Court have not thus far been covered by the Statute of Limitations (Northern Ireland) 1958.A similar situation persisted in Great Britain until the enactment of the Limitation Amendment Act 1980.

The reason for the exclusion of Admiralty actions from the rules laid down in the various Statutes of Limitations is based on the fact that proceedings in Admiralty could be pursued "in rem". Actions in rem are peculiar to the Admiralty Jurisdiction and are distinguishable from ordinary common law forms of action.

An action in rem is one in which the subject matter itself is sought to be affected and in which the claimant is enabled to arrest the ship, cargo or freight and have it detained in the custody of officers of the law until the claim has been adjudicated upon. It was considered that to have the normal rules of limitation apply to actions in rem would have created difficulties. The Law Reform Committee investigated this matter and concluded unanimously that the reason for the exclusion of Admiralty action from the normal rules of limitation was no longer sufficiently cogent and that the abolition of the exception would not in fact give rise to any difficulties in practice.

asked the Secretary of state the Environment if he will list the local authorities that operate services for glass recycling; and if he will make a statement.

We are giving as much encouragement as possible to the bottle bank scheme, which is organized by the glass industry in co-operation with local authorities, and welcome the industry's efforts during glass recycling year to expand the scheme further The Glass Manufacturers Federation advise that all the following local authorities have joined the scheme:ENGLAND

asked the Secretary of state for the Environment what consideration he has given to the environmental implications, particularly in conservation areas, of the widespread installation of rooftop dish aerials which might result from the introduction of satellite broadcasting.

The environmental implications of such aerials are being carefully considered in advance of the likely introduction of direct satellite broadcasting in 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the Stonham housing association to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I understand that arrangements are being made with the authorities of the House for an exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 4 to 7 May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now announce further appointments of private sector accountancy firms as additional district auditors to audit the accounts for 1981–82 of certain local authorities in England.

I have today appointed the following as additional district auditors. The names of the authorities with which they will be concerned are given in brackets.

• Mr. R. J. Walls of Messrs Price Waterhouse (Derby city council)
• Mr. R. Legge of Messrs Arthur Young McClelland Moores & Co (London borough of Newham)
• Mr. A Hardcastle of Messrs Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Co (London borough of Tower Hamlets)
• Mr. J. Ellam of Messrs Armitage and Norton (Wolverhampton borough council)
• Mr. D. G. Burgoyne of Messrs Ernst & Whinney (South Hams district council)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government have now considered the report by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, "Silent Death", concerning the destruction of birds and mammals through the deliberate misuse of poisons; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. My right hon. Friend and I are most grateful to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for its initiative here, and for all the resources, time and effort put into the compilation of this report. It has been widely circulated and studied within Government Departments and other public sector bodies concerned with safeguarding wildlife against deliberate misuse of poisons. It has also been of much help in arousing necessary public awareness of this problem; and that in itself is a valuable first step towards stamping out these despicable practices.In several instances the RSPB's objectives or proposals were reflected both in recent debates on the Wildlife and Countryside Bill; and in the legislation as now enacted. Elsewhere Departments concerned have taken, or will be taking, action in sympathy with themes in the report. I have today sent the RSPB a considered response to each of its itemised recommendations; and I am arranging for a copy of its report, and the Government's detailed response, to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has estimated the total number of jobs which the introduction of cable television would bring to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

The Government consider that the expansion of cable television will offer significant industrial and employment opportunities, but quantitative estimates of the total number of jobs which this would bring to the United Kingdom have not been made. The number of jobs likely to result from the introduction of cable television will depend on the nature of the service provided, the speed at which an extensive cable system develops, and the success of British equipment producers in both the home and overseas markets. Furthermore, an unknown but probably significant proportion of expenditure on cable television is likely to displace expenditure elsewhere in the economy. To the extent that this is so, some of the jobs created by cable television will be offset by losses elsewhere. In such a rapidly changing and uncertain situation, estimates of the total number of jobs which the introduction of cable television will bring to the United Kingdom cannot be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if, pursuant to his policy of improving the efficiency of letter delivery by the Post Office, he will request it to give wider publicity to section 13 of the code of practice for postal services which enables the users of the postal services to reclaim their postal costs if their mail is delayed in delivery due to the fault of the postal authorities.

That is a matter for the Post Office in consultation with the Post Office Users National Council. I understand, however, that it is intended that the revised code of practice for postal services due for publication in June of this year should receive wide publicity, and I welcome this.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much money the Government have put into the Lazard scheme for the rationalisation of the steel foundry industry; and how much of this finance is going towards enhanced redundancy payments for the redundant workers.

The Government have made a grant of £795,145 towards compensation payments to be made to companies closing under the high alloy (static) scheme. The proportion to be spent on redundancy payments is a matter for the individual companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what consultation took place with the appropriate trade union with regard to the implementation of the Lazard agreement for the steel foundry industry; and what is the purpose of the agreement.

The steel castings industry reconstruction agreement is intended to promote voluntary rationalisation by means of self-help levy schemes. Participants remaining in business in each sector pay a levy in order to fund compensation payments to companies who volunteer to close. I understand that trade union representatives have been kept informed of developments by Lazards and that companies concerned in individual schemes will consult employees and trade unions about detailed closure arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has completed his review of assisted area status as it affects the area of the Development Board for Rural Wales.

The review of former special development and development areas which are due to become non-assisted from August this year—including a number in the area of the Development Board for Rural Wales—is currently under way and my right hon. Friend expects to announce the results shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make provision for an investment grant against the purchase of process machinery; and

I have no plans to add to the existing investment allowances and other schemes of industrial assistance for which process machinery may be eligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many projects in total were brought into the United Kingdom to the knowledge of the Invest in Britain Bureau; where the projects went; and how many jobs were created region by region.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1982, c. 320]: The information in respect of the two years 1980 and 1981 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many convictions there were in Scotland under section 435 of the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act 1892 in each of the last 10 years.

This information is not separately identified in the statistics compiled by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each Scottish local authority and for authorities as a whole (a) the 1982–83 guideline for services within relevant expenditure, (b) the budgeted expenditure for 1982–83 on a comparable basis and (c) the difference between (a) and (b), in £ sterling and as a percentage.

The information is contained in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons have been convicted in Scotland under the provisions of the Trespass (Scotland) Act 1865 in each of the last 10 years; how many persons were sentenced to a period of imprisonment; and how many offences under this Act were made known to the police.

Information for the years 1972 to 1980 is set out in the following table; information for 1981 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give in a manner similar to table 2.10 in "Criminal Statistics Scotland 1979" (Cmnd. 8215) percentages of what subsequent actions followed the issue of a fixed penalty notice in 1980 and 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the numbers of persons against whom a charge was proved, by age and disposal in 1980 and 1981 using the headings in table 6.7 in "Criminal Statistics Scotland 1979" (Cmnd. 8215).

The information for 1980 is set out in the following table. Figures for 1981 are not yet available.

The information requested for 1980 is set out below; information for 1981 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the number of community service orders made in 1980 and 1981 by age group, sex and period of service broken down as in table 6.11 of "Criminal Statistics Scotland 1979" (Cmnd. 8215).

The information requested for 1980 is set out in the following table. Detailed figures for 1981 are not yet available but the provisional figure for the total number of orders made in that year is 1,170.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the numbers of persons proceeded against, by crime and offence group and type of proceedings, in 1980 and 1981, following the headings set out in table 6.2 of "Criminal Statistics Scotland 1979" (Cmnd. 8215).

The information requested for 1980 is set out in the following table. Figures for 1981 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the number of initial reports on children made by the police, showing to whom these children were referred and the number of reports per 1,000 children aged 8 to 15 years, in 1980 and 1981 in a manner similar to table 5.1 in "Criminal Statistics Scotland 1979" (Cmnd. 8215).

The information for 1980 is set out below. Figures for 1981 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will break down initial reports on children made by the police in 1980 and 1981 by crime and offence group, following the headings in table 5·2 in "Criminal Statistics Scotland 1979" (Cmnd. 8215).

The information requested for 1980 is set out in the following table. Information for 1981 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of crimes in which a firearm was involved recorded by the police in 1980 and 1981, broken down into type of weapon used and divided into crimes in which a weapon was used in the commission or crimes which resulted from the reckless handling of firearms following the headings used in table 4.1 of "Criminal Statistics Scotland 1979" (Cmnd. 8215).

The number of serious crimes of violence recorded by the police in which a firearm was used in 1980 and 1981 is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people applied for bail in sheriff courts for any convenient period during which the Bail etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 was in operation; how many of these were released on bail; in how many cases bail was refused; and if he can give similar figures for Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen sheriff courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport which organisations have made representations to him in favour of increased weights of heavy goods vehicles.

Many trade associations, individual companies and professional transport institutions, together with some local authorities, national bodies such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, and individual members of the public, have made representations to us in favour of increased weights for heavy goods vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether consultations have been held between his Department and Kent county council regarding the detection and prosecution of overloaded heavy goods vehicles.

The only information available on the granting of bail in sheriff courts during the operation of the Bail etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 is that collected in the monitoring exercise conducted in 11 sheriff courts covering approximately 45 per cent. of persons proceeded against in sheriff courts during the first year of operation of the Act. Figures for this period are set out in the following table:

It is my Department's general policy to cooperate fully with all the other agencies concerned in order to secure effective enforcement of lorry weights. Consultation takes place with Kent county council on roadside check programmes, records of convictions for overloading and selection of new weighbridge sites. My Department is currently examining a number of ways of improving liaison between enforcement agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many letters have been received by his Department concerning any proposed increase in lorry weights.

Since publication of our White Paper last December, about 550 letters have been received directly by my Department concerning our proposals. A similar number have been forwarded by Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Association of Municipal Authorities regarding proposed increases in lorry weights; whether he will publish details of any reply; and if he will make a statement.

The Association of Metropolitan Authorities has written to my right hon. Friend, making a number of detailed comments on our White Paper proposals. These are being taken into account, together with other representations received, in developing our final package of measures on heavy lorries. My right hon. Friend has no objections if the AMA wishes to publish the reply that he has sent them.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans for a consultative exercise to ascertain the view of the general public toward any increase in the weight of heavy goods vehicles.

The Armitage inquiry into "Lorries, People and the Environment" took evidence very widely. Many people and organisations subsequently expressed their views on the report and there have been two debates on it in the House of Commons. Our White Paper proposals, which build on the Armitage recommendations, have also been debated in the House and have been the subject of further numerous representations from members of the general public as well as firms and other interested organisations. There has therefore already been an extensive consultation exercise.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans any further legislation concerning the overloading of heavy goods vehicles.

No. The existing legislation gives adequate powers to the enforcement authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether investigations have been carried out by his Department into the effect on bridges of any increase in the weight of heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The results of the investigations are reported at paragraph 32 of the recent White Paper "Lorries, People and the Environment" Cmnd. 8439 and at paragraphs 20–23 of the Department's technical note "The Effects of Increasing Lorry Weights".

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will bring forward proposals to assess the effect of heavy lorries on the environment.