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Written Answers

Volume 26: debated on Friday 2 July 1982

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Written Answers To Questions

Friday 2 July 1982

Northern Ireland

Fuel Bills (Assistance)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sum from social security funds was spent on help with fuel bills in Northern Ireland in the financial years 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82.Mr. John Patten: The amounts spent on help with fuel costs during the years in question were:

£ million
1978–793·5
1979–805·1
1980–819·6
1981–8211·4

Private Health Care

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hospital beds in National Health Service hospitals in Northern Ireland are used for private health care; and what proportion of total available beds that figure represents.

In 1981 an average of 20·3 beds were used by private patients receiving treatment in Health Service hospital in Northern Ireland. This figure represents 0·25 per cent. of acute hospital beds.

Scotland

Estate Development (Public Facilities)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek to amend the law to provide that local authorities may specify the provision of public facilities on estates being developed by private developers, where houses have been sold, but the roads and services are unadopted, remaining under the control of the developer.

The Stodart Committee has made certain recommendations concerning this problem and discussions are now taking place with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

Unemployment Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of those unemployed in Scotland (a) aged under 18 years and (b) aged under 21 years at the latest available date; and what are the comparable figures for the same dates in 1981, 1980, 1979 and 1975, respectively.

Information is not available in the precise form requested. The following table gives the numbers registered as unemployed in Scotland who in April 1982—the latest date for which information is available—were aged under 18 years and under 20 years respectively, with comparable information for the same month in 1981, 1980 and 1979. The unemployment register was not analysed by age in April 1975.

Numbers Registered as Unemployed in April Each Year
Age1982198119801979
Under 1825,51623,68516,08714,745
Under 2060,49352,66436,16632,039

Defence

Falkland Islands

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Argentine officers of field rank and above are currently held prisoner; and if he will name them and their ranks.

Although the details are currently being verified, the number of officers of field rank and above currently in our custody is estimated at 115. The senior officers are as follows:

  • General Menendez
  • General Joffre
  • Contra-Almirante Otero
  • General Parada
  • Air Force Brigadier Castellano

Ascension Island

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he intends to make to ensure that any additional construction work now required on Ascension Island is carried out as soon as possible.

No special arrangements are necessary. The staff concerned are urgently assessing requirements and the best means of meeting them.

National Defence College

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist for the future of the National Defence College.

The higher defence training of officers on a joint service basis, to which we attach great importance, has recently been reviewed. It has been established that spare capacity at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich could be put to use by the provision there of a joint service staff course. It has therefore been decided to transfer the provision of the joint service staff course to Greenwich from the National Defence College at Latimer and to dispose of the Latimer site after 1983. Joint warfare training for United Kingdom personnel will be provided under alternative arrangements.

Education And Science

West Yorkshire And Greater Manchester

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the amount of money spent per child by education authorities in West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester during 1979, 1980 and 1981.

Net recurrent expenditure per pupil by local education authorities in West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester in 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81 was as follows:

PrimarySecondary
1978–791979–801980–811978–791979–801980–81
££££££
Bradford406464599514575708
Calderdale368420535553614780
Kirklees337394505495563711
Leeds407482626440499624
Wakefield367421525497547672
(West Yorkshire)(381)(443)(568)(485)(544)(679)
Bolton324385489535571713
Bury370444557557645811
Manchester424512633628756909
Oldham334409525539612742
Rochdale359417528570654831
Salford326390521532624780
Stockport321376499540603744
Tameside339403497560630770
Trafford365407505584651850
Wigan336394514513601761
(Greater Manchester)(354)(419)(533)(560)(643)(797)

Museums

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will accept the recommendations in the Rayner report that administration of the grant in aid fund for purchases by provincial museums should be transferred to the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries; and whether he will further strengthen the commission by appointing a full-time director.

The references in the report to provincial museum purchase assistance funds are among the matters on which, as I told the House on 27 May, I am consulting widely. No decisions will be reached before August. I announced last year some measures to strengthen the museums and galleries commission and extend the scope of its work. Its staffing needs will be kept under review.

Advisory Council For Adult And Continuing Studies

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the budget of the Advisory Council for Adult and Continuing Studies in England and Wales for the past three years, giving the figure for each year; and if he will indicate the percentage in each case of direct Government financing.

The details for the last three years for which audited accounts have been received are:

Total IncomePercentage received from DES
1978–7955,23099·6
1979–80126,16897·2
1980–81121,24993·5

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what amounts of funding from his Department have been used by the Advisory Council for Adult and Continuing Education to produce research monographs; and how many of these have been published, giving the cost of each.

The National Institute of Adult Education was commissioned by my Department to produce 12 monographs overviewing existing research in areas of adult and continuing education. The project, which also includes the creation of an extensive computer-based bibliography, has received grants totalling £66,816 up to 31 March 1982. The National Institute has so far published 9 monographs at a cost of £3 each.

Home Department

Foreign Visitors (Entry)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign visitors have been refused entry to the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and in how many cases entry has eventually been allowed following representations from an hon. Member.

Total refusals of entry by citizenship/ nationality are published annually in "Control of Immigration: Statistics", tables 1(a) and 1 (b) of the issue for 1981 (Cmnd. 8533). Comprehensive information is not available on refusals of those seeking admission as visitors. Information on the number subsequently allowed to enter following representations from an hon. Member could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Immigration

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visitors from the Indian Subcontinent to relatives in the United Kingdom were stopped by immigration officials in each of the last five years; and how many of the stopped visitors had entry certificates.

Total refusals of entry by citizenship/nationality are published annually in "Control of Immigration: Statistics", table 1(a) and 1(b) of the issue for 1981 (Cmnd. 8533). Separate information is not available on refusals of those seeking admission as visitors to visit relatives or of those with an entry certificate.

Parliamentary Elections (Expenses)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are a candidate's permitted expenses in a parliamentary election; whether any public money is involved; and how often the level of permitted expenses has been reviewed.

A parliamentary candidate's maximum permitted election expenses in a county constituency are £2,700 and 3·1p for each entry in the register of electors to be used at the election, or, in a borough constituency, £2,700 and 2·3p for each entry. These are the expenses incurred by a candidate or his agent on account of or in respect of the conduct on management of the election and do not involve public funds. The maximum permitted amounts are kept under review; since 1949, they have been increased in 1969, 1974, 1978 and 1982. In addition, candidates are allowed free delivery of one election address to each elector. At the general election in May 1979 the total cost of this service to public funds was £4,326,438·80 for the United Kingdom as a whole, that is an average of £1,680 per candidate, but this item is not regarded as forming part of a candidate's permitted election expenses.

Special Constabulary

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is to be the role of the Special Constabulary in the event of a nuclear attack; and if he will make a statement.

As stated in paragraph 17 of part II of Home Office circular No. ES 2/1981, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, members of the special constabulary would be called on to undertake normal police duties and assist in the provision of essential emergency services.

Prison Officers

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to increase the number of prison officers; and how they are to be deployed.

Yes. The recruitment, selection, and training of prison officers is being expanded in the current year to ensure that the prison service is brought fully up to the increased ceiling for which financial provision has been made. The additional officers will be deployed to relieve the greatest pressures in existing establishments and to enable new accommodation to be brought into use.

Solicitor-General For Scotland

Trials (Waiting Times)

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what progress is being made towards reduction in waiting times for trials in the High Court of Justiciary, the sheriff courts and the district courts; and what is the average waiting time for trial in each class of court.

The period between receipt of a police report and the trial diet varies considerably depending on the type of charge, the court in which the proceedings are instituted and whether the accused is in custody or on bail.

There is generally no significant delay in cases of serious crime, and the time taken to process a case through the courts from the first appearance to the trial diet ranges from two and a half to nine months with the average being about five months. Occasionally, very complicated cases crop up which take a very long time to prepare. These usually relate to fraud or embezzlement. With regard to summary crime, the average time between the police reporting to the procurator fiscal and the calling of that case in court is two months. If there is a plea of not guilty and a trial, the time between calling and trial diet is between one and five months.

By way of illustration the figures provided by the Procurator Fiscal at Dundee for May 1982 are as follows:

Sheriff Summary Criminal Court

Approximate period between receipt of police report and first court appearance—10 weeks.

Approximate period between pleading diet and trial diet in which the accused person is—

in custody—three weeks;

not in custody—four to five weeks.

District Court

Approximate period between receipt of police report and first court appearance—11–12 weeks.

Approximate period between pleading diet and trial diet in which the accused person is—

in custody—N/A;

not in custody—seven weeks.

Solemn Cases

Approximate period; between receipt of sheriff and jury instruction and trial diet—six to eight weeks.

In the High Court the approximate period between full committal and trial in non-custody cases from Dundee for the period from 1 August 1981 to 31 June 1982 was 129 days. For Scotland as a whole the approximate period in custody cases was 88 days.

The Transport Bill presently being considered by Parliament provides for an extended fixed penalty system for minor road traffic offences. This will reduce the number of traffic cases before the courts. The Criminal Justice Bill also being considered by Parliament increases the powers of the district court. This provision will reduce the burden on the sheriff court, which is at present the busiest court.

The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 made provision for the prevention of delay in trials once cases are brought to court by providing that an accused should not be tried on indictment for any offence unless such trials commence within a period of 12 months from the first appearance of that accused on petition in respect of that offence. Where an accused is remanded in custody in a summary case the trial must be commenced within 40 clays after the bringing of the complaint in court. In solemn cases an accused may not be detained for a total period of more than 110 days, unless the trial of the case is commenced within that period.

The 1980 Act also made provision for the court to fix intermediate dates to establish inter alia whether an accused intends to adhere to the plea of not guilty. This should reduce the number of cases where the accused pleads guilty on the morning of the trial and result in less delay in disposing of those cases which have to proceed to trial.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Malaysia (Madam Thye Siew Heong)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange on 25 June, Official Report, c. 204, when he expects the study of the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister's briefing on the Internal Security Act to be completed.

We have carefully studied the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister's briefing. We are not at present satisfied that it would be appropriate or helpful to make representations in the case of Thye Siew Heong. However, we fully understand the concern felt by the hon. Member about cases of this nature.

Prime Minister

Science And Government (Select-Committee Report)

asked the Prime Minister if she is now in a position to respond to the report on science and Government from the Select Committee on Science and Technology.

We are publishing today our response to the First Report of the Select Committee of the House of Lords on Science and Technology, on "Science and Government" (Cmnd. 8591). The response emphasises our gratitude to the Select Committee for a valuable and stimulating review, and we accept the main thrust of its report that we have a responsibility to ensure that scientific and technological issues are taken properly into account in policy making.Among the measures announced in the White Paper are broader terms of reference for the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development; closer links between ACARD and the Advisory Board for the Research Councils; the introduction of periodic reports on science and technology; the establishment of a committee of departmental chief scientists; improved links between those responsible for civil and for defence research; and the introduction of a system of annual reviews of research, intended to make our research effort more effective.In its report, the Select Committee recommended the establishment of a council on science and technology but we consider that our objectives can be achieved by the better co-ordination of the work of ACARD and ABRC, which will be facilitated by the arrangements summarised above. The Committee also recommended that a Cabinet Minister should be designated to speak for science and technology. But the improvements outlined in our response, taken together with my personal co-ordinating role, mean that scientific and technological issues will be given proper attention. I am therefore satisfied that the present ministerial arrangements will continue to work well and will meet the Select Committee's objectives.

Youth Training (Glasgow)

asked the Prime Minister why, having regard to the high level of youth unemployment, the Manpower Services Commission special programmes division in Glasgow informed Mr. G. P. Woolard, of Macleod, Paxton Woolard and Company of Glasgow that no young people were available at this time to fill an approved place under the youth opportunities scheme due to a surplus of applications.

The youth opportunities programme requires a variety of kinds of place in order to provide appropriate opportunities for participants, and because of the pattern of school leaving dates there are sometimes more places of a particular type than appropriate candidates, even in areas of high unemployment. The place offered by Messrs. MacLeod Paxton Woolard and Company, in common with a number of other schemes recently approved in Glasgow, was for a young person with clerical ability. The Manpower Services Commission has assured the company that suitable young people should become available when summer school leavers come on to the unemployment register.

Civil Service (Staff Transfers)

asked the Prime Minister whether she will give, for the longest and most convenient period of time, the number of civil servants who have been involuntarily changed in their situation in her Department or moved to other Departments within the Civil Service; and if she will give the reasons for same.

Since the creation of the MPO on 7 December 1981 no member of staff has been transferred to another division within that Department or to another Government Department on an involuntary basis.

Falkland Islands

asked the Prime Minister if she will list any known violations of the Geneva convention perpetrated by the Argentine forces during their occupation of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

Certain allegations of such violations are being investigated. I am not yet able to say more.

asked the Prime Minister what estimate has been made of the cost of replacement of the destruction and loss of property in the Falkland Islands resulting from the occupation by Argentine forces.

The extent of damage and destruction is still being assessed, and no estimate has yet been made of the overall cost of restoration and replacement.

Trade

Norwest Holst Ltd

asked the Minister for Trade (1) whether he will seek to amend the provisions of the Companies Act 1967 to provide criminal sanctions in respect of surreptitious takeovers in line with the recommendations of the inspector's report into Norwest Hoist Ltd.(2) what responses he proposes to the recommendations in the inspector's report into the affairs of Norwest Holst Ltd.

The report was available to the Department, and the inspectors' recommendations for changes in the law relating to the disclosure of interest in shares were taken into account, when part IV of the Companies Act 1981 was prepared. The relevant provisions were brought into force on 15 June 1982 and will extend and strengthen the legal obligations and associated criminal penalties in this field. The inspectors' suggestion that civil or criminal proceedings might be brought has been considered by my right hon. and noble Friend and by the Director of Public Prosecutions who do not intend to take any further action in connection with this matter. My Department has drawn the report to the attention of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, and I understand that the panel is considering the implications of those of the inspectors' recommendations that are directed to them.

Argentina (Loan Guarantees)

asked the Minister for Trade what sum is guaranteed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in respect of loans (a) to the Government of Argentina and (b) to other Argentine importers.

It has been the policy of successive administrations not to make public details of the make-up of Export Credits Guarantee Department commitments on individual markets.

197819791980Jan-June Sep-Dec 1981Jan-Feb 1982
Number (million)29·026·027·827·56·9
Average value per lamp (£ cif)0·120·120·110·090·10
Source: Overseas Trade Statistic of the United Kingdom, SITC (R2) Item 778.21.NOTE:

(a) Average values per lamp do not represent actual prices or costs; they may be influenced by differences in size and type of lamp imported and by other factors.

(b) Owing to last year's Civil Service strike, figures are not yet available for July and August 1981.

Bearing in mind that light bulbs from Hungary have been the subject of anti-dumping action, I do not consider that the figures so far available justify recourse to protective measures, which would need to be consistent with our international obligations.

Gatwick Airport (Air New Zealand)

asked the Minister for Trade if, in carrying out his policy to promote the use of scheduled air services fom Gatwick airport, he will take steps to ensure that the new Air New Zealand service will operate from that airport.

Yes. We expect Air New Zealand to operate its new service to London Gatwick airport, now the world's fourth largest airport in numbers of international passengers.

Corporate Management Planning Ltd

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has yet received a report of any kind on the outcome of the investigations into Corporate Management Planning Limited; and when he now expects to make a statement on the outcome of the investigations.

The inspectors of Corporate Management Planning Ltd. have supplied some interim

Bankruptcies And Insolvencies (Scotland)

asked the Minister for Trade how many bankruptcies and insolvencies, respectively, there were in Scotland for each of the last three years up to April

The figures are:

Year ending April 30Sequestrations*Company Liquidationst†
1980129267
1981148397
1982207462
* Sequestrations apply to all individuals and partnerships and are roughly equivalent in Scottish law to bankruptcies in England and Wales.
†Compulsory and creditors' voluntary liquidations—the two types which involve insolvency.

Light Bulbs (Imports)

asked the Minister for Trade how many Tungsram filament lamps have been imported into the United Kingdom annually from Hungary since 1978; what was the cost per lamp during this period; if he will take steps to limit these imports; and if he will make a statement.

The information is as follows:information about their inquiries. The investigation will be completed as quickly as possible, but I cannot say when I shall be in a position to make a statement.

Exports To America

asked the Minister for Trade what has been the value of British Exports to the United States of America in each of the past 10 years, at constant prices.

Estimates of United Kingdom exports, in constant prices, to particular countries are not available. Data in current price terms for the United States of America are published in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" which is available in the Library.

Bankruptcies

asked the Minister for Trade how many bankruptcies took place in the Northern region in 1979, 1980 and 1981, respectively.

There were 110 net cases administered by county courts in the Northern region in 1979, 151 in 1980 and 203 in 1981.

Insolvency

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has completed his consideration of the Cork committee recommendations on insolvency; what plans he has for their implementation; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister for Trade, if he plans to introduce legislation to implement the proposals of the Report of the Review Committee 'Insolvency Law and Practice', Cmnd. 8558.

I have not completed my consideration of the report of the Cork committee recommendations; these are substantial and comprehensive and require the fullest and most careful consideration. The report raises issues of wide commercial and financial importance; officials will be holding full consultations with the representative bodies concerned before decisions on implementation are taken. The consultations have now started, following the publication of the report on 9 June 1982.

Weights And Measures Act 1979

asked the Minister for Trade if he will place an order bringing into operation section 19 of the Weights and Measures Act 1979; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 July 1982, c. 355]: No. I have only just received further representations from the West Yorkshire metropolitan county council about bringing section 19 into effect, and a copy of the transcript of the recent judgment of the divisional court which rejected its appeal in the case of Bennett v. Markham King against the latter's acquittal of the charge of serving short measure beer. I shall naturally consider whether these documents contain any new material which would justify changes in the present law.

United Kingdom support price*£/tonneEstimated world prices† £/tonneCommon levy‡ £/tonneUnited Kingdom MCA‡ £/toneeUnited Kingdom net levy ‡ per lb#
Beef and veal1,963·78934·98≑1,141·02175·3754·74
Sheepmeat2,264·831,610·20¶n.an.a.n.a.
Pigmeat850·16720·94235·5281·6213·36
Poultrymeat841·19602·19167·9021·487·86
Eggs733·48337·96170·0125·068·11
Milk £/litre0·162n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Butter2,163·441,178·321,060·62207·69▀52·91
Skimmed milk powder904·66533·08441·9186·8522·06
Common wheat114·3576·6667·6910·983·27
Barley102·2281·1849·929·812·49
Maize140·6873·3658·679·812·85
Rice424·34173·51230·3410·45
Olive Oil949·33707·99157·767·16
Sugar319·91135·12210·9029·99*10·01
Notes:
* Prices ruling as at 21 June 1982. Beef and veal—intervention price converted to carcase equivalent using 54·5 per cent. killing out co-efficient; sheepmeat—GB guide price; pigmeat—lowest buying-in price although in practice support is through occasional aids to private storage rather than buying in; poultrymeat and eggs—sluicegate price plus basic levy; milk-milk equivalent intervention price; butter—intervention price for 82 per cent. butter; skimmed milk powder, barley—intervention price; common wheat—reference price; white sugar—United Kingdom intervention price including storage levy. Maize, rice and olive oil—threshold price. The support prices have been converted from ECUs at the representative green rate of £1 = 1·61641 ECUs.
† "World prices" have been taken as the minimum offer prices of imports underlying the calculation of the variable levies and have been calculated by substracting the levy in ECUs applicable on 21 June from the appropriate threshold guide price in ECUs. The beef price is also adjusted for duty. For poultrymeat and eggs the "world price" has been taken as the sluicegate price less supplementary levies; the sluicegate price has been taken for pigmeat. The "world prices" have been converted from ECUs at the market rate used for calculating MCAs on 21 June of £1: = 1·80723 ECUs.
‡The rates of levy and United Kingdom MCAs in force on 21 June 1982. These rates vary for different tariff headings. The rates quoted are: beef and veal—carcase; pigmeat—carcase; poultrymeat—70 per cent. chickens; rice—wholly milled long grain; olive oil—virgin lampante.

British Caledonian Airways (Routes)

asked the Minister for Trade when British Caledonian applied for London to Los Angeles route licences; and when they were granted.

[puruant to his reply, 1 July 1982, c. 355.]: On 11 February 1982 and 13 May 1982 respectively.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Food Prices

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will bring up to date the information given in the answer of 30 March, Official Report, c. 103–4, to the hon. member for Grimsby concerning the levies to take account of the recent changes in the European monetary system and the increase in common agricultural policy prices.

The information requested for the principal foodstuffs is provided in the following table. The third country offer prices used by the Commission to determine rates of levy applicable on 21 June 1982 are taken as the world price. For pigmeat, poultrymeat and eggs the world price is taken as the current sluicegate price, less supplementary levies where applicable. I must emphasise again that the figures do not accurately represent the prices at which the United Kingdom or the Community could buy from the world market, if more supplies from third countries were sought, and are therefore largely notional.Although the figures take account of any changes which have occurred as a result of the recent prices settlement and European monetary system realignment, for commodities with marketing years beginning after 21 June, the support prices applying on that date were for the 1981–82 marketing year.

≑ Most imports of beef from third countries are subject to special arrangements allowing entry at reduced levy rates.

¶Imports of lamb under voluntary restraint agreements with principal suppliers and related arrangements are subject to a reduced charge of 10 per cent. ad valorem. Any imports outside these arrangements are subject to levies which cannot exceed the 20 per cent. tariff rate bound in the GATT.

● There is virtually no trade in liquid milk on world markets.

▀ A special lower rate of levy is applicable to imports of butter from New Zealand.

⋆ In practice United Kingdom imports from third countries are normally covered by the Lomé convention and enter the Community levy-free.

# The United Kingdom net levy is obtained by multiplying the common levy by the United Kingdom monetary co-efficient of 0·904 and adding the United Kingdom MCA.

"Coal And The Environment" (Flowers Report)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contribution his Department is making to any consideration by Her Majesty's Government of the recommendations of the Flowers Commission report on "Coal and the Environment" in general and the aspect of compensation for consequential loss of farm profits due to coal mining subsidence in particular.

My officials are participating fully in discussions on all those recommendations in the Flowers Commission report which are likely to affect agricultural land and agricultural interests generally. Provision of compensation for damage caused by coal mining subsidence is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.

National Finance

Civil Service (Pay)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the 18 per cent. salary and special computer allowance increase from 1 April for some computer staff in the Civil Service; and how many will receive these increases.

The Government's offer of pay increases for the non-industrial Civil Service in February included increases in all allowances for skill and responsibility. It proposed an increase of about 11½ per cent. in the allowances paid to certain executive officers engaged in automatic data processing, and that the allowances should in future be payable above the maximum of the pay scale.The increases are as follows:

Existing AllowanceIncreased Allowance
£ a year£ a year
after 1 year's qualifying service269300
after 2 years' qualifying service538600
after 3 years' qualifying service807900
The Government also proposed a new allowance of £500 a year for qualified staff at higher executive officer level. The Government have now decided that these increases will take effect from 1 April 1982. They are in addition to the increases in basic pay awarded by the Civil Service arbitration tribunal which, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 6 May, the Government have decided to accept. About 2,000 staff at executive officer level are affected. Fewer staff at higher executive officer level are expected to qualify for the new allowance, but a firm estimate of the numbers involved cannot yet be made. The overall increases in pay and allowances will vary in individual cases, and range from 5 per cent. to 18 per cent. The total estimated cost of the improvements in these allowances is £1·25 million a year, or ⅙ per cent. of the pay bill of the grades concerned.

Value Added Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now consider exempting child safety seats in automobiles from value added tax.

National Insurance Surcharge

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether explanatory notes on the additional Ways and Means resolution on the national insurance surcharge recently tabled will be made available.

Yes. Notes. on the new Ways and Means resolution were placed in the Vote Office this afternoon.

Value Added Tax (The Arts)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report the letter he has written to the Chairman of the Select Committee on Education, Science and the Arts, the hon. Member for Lewisham, West, "The Government's reply to the Select Committee's Report on Public and Private Funding of the Arts: Interim Report on Value Added Tax and the Arts: (Third Report, Session 1981–82, HC paper 239)."

The length of the memorandum accompanying the letter would make publication in the Official Report inappropriate. I have however, today placed in the Library of the House a copy of my letter and enclosure dated 29 June. Further copies are available for the convenience a hon. Members in the Vote Office.

Wick Airport (Customs)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the light of the further information contained in the letter of the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury dated 24 June and the further representations made by the Highland regional council, he will reconsider his decision not to provide customs clearance facilities at Wick airport to allow a scheduled air service between the Faroes, Wick and Aberdeen to be started.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 June 1982, c. 306]: The points raised by the hon. Member and the representations made by the Highland regional council are still being considered.

Social Services

Birth Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of handicapped births and the number of post-natal intensive care units, for each regional health authority, at the most recent available date.

Information on the number of handicapped births is not available in the form requested. The difficulties of estimating the total number of such handicaps and the proportion which are avoidable was discussed in the Government reply to the second report of the Social Services Committee on "Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality".—Cmnd. 8084, paras 21 and 22.The number of neonatal intensive care units for each regional health authority as at March 1980 was as follows:

Regional health authority
Northern2(B)
North Western2(A-1; D-l)
Yorkshire1(D)
Mersey3(A-1; D-2)
Trent3(A-2; B/C-l)
West Midlands4(B-1; B/C-1; C-2)
East Anglia1(A)
Oxford1(A)
Wessex1(D)
South Western6(D)
North West Thames6(B/C-1; D-5)
North East Thames2(A)
South East Thames5(A-l;D-4)
South West Thames4(C-1; D-3)

Notes:

The letter A denotes officially designated functioning regional units.

The letter B denotes units which are recognised as having a regional commitment but are not officially designated.

The letter C denotes units which are being developed with a view to designation in due course.

The letter D denotes units which provide a local service. There are in addition two units in London under Boards of Governors,

Unemployment Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981 of unemployment benefit.

Expenditure on unemployment benefit was as follows:

£ million
1978–79632
1979–80653
1980–811,281
1981–82*1,731
* Estimated.

Supplementary Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981 of supplementary benefit.

Expenditure on supplementary benefit was as follows:

£ million
1978–792,017
1979–802,155
1980–812,859
1981–82*4,843
*Estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people of working age are now receiving supplementary benefit; if he will give the figures for May 1979, July 1980 and July 1981, respectively; and if he will also give the change in percentage terms for each of these years.

I regret that information is not available for the months requested. However, the numbers of people receiving supplementary allowance in May 1979, May 1980, May 1981 and February 1982—the latest available date—are as follows:

MayMayMayFebruary
1979198019811982
Supplementary Allowance cases (millions)1·21·21·62·2
Increase over previous year*1 per cent27 per cent33 per cent.
*Note: The disparity between numbers in the table and the percentage is due to rounding.

Source: Quarterly Statistical Enquiry.

Ophthalmic Surgeons

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many qualified ophthalmic surgeons there are in England and Wales; and how this figure compares, as a percentage of medically qualified persons, with those for other member countries of the European Economic Community.

At 30 September 1981 there were 1,408 qualified doctors working in the specialty of opthalmology in hospitals in England and Wales, of whom 406 were consultants, 636 were in other main hospital grades and 366 were in other grades. Directly comparable figures for other member States of the European Community are not available.

Unemployed Persons (Benefits)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the reply by the Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 14 June, Official Report, c. 204,how many persons who are unemployed are in receipt of (a)unemployment benefit only, (b)unemployment and supplementary benefit, (c)supplementary benefit only and (d)neither supplementary nor unemployment benefit.

I refer my hon. Friend to the "Quarterly Analysis of Registered Unemployed Claimants" for February 1982, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The figures in the analysis are not directly comparable with the figure given on 14 June—[Vol. 25, c. 204]—which was from a different source.

Chlorine Dioxide

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the addition of chlorine dioxide to white flour has no toxic effects upon those who handle the product or the population in general.

The Bread and Flour Regulations 1965—SI 1963 No. 1435—specify that all flour other than wholemeal may contain chlorine dioxide containing not more than 20 per centum of chlorine—calculated by volume. The independent committee on toxicity of chemicals in food consumer products and the environment, which advises, the Department reported in 1978 that, subject to a limit of 15 parts chlorine dioxide to 1 million parts flour, chlorine dioxide is acceptable for use as a bleaching agent in white flour. The Health and Safety Executive is satisfied that it can be used safely in the flour manufacturing process provided the normal precautionary measures are taken.

St Nicholas Hospital, Plumstead

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much office space at St. Nicholas hospital, Plumstead, has now been vacated following the transfer of district staff to Greenwich; and what plans exist for the use of this space.

Information requested is not held centrally and the hon. Member may like to seek it direct from the Greenwich health authority.

West Suffolk Hospital

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients were treated in each of the years 1978 to 1982 at West Suffolk hospital; and how many of these were in-patients and out-patients, respectively.

This information is not yet centrally available for the year 1982. Information from health authority returns for the remaining years is as follows:

1978197919801981
In-patients discharges and deaths during the year14,05514,07215,24215,328
Day Case Attendances1,8451,7042,1942,257
Out-patient Attendances69,77769,76274,41775,591
Accident and Emergency Attendances26,20122,30321,16721,466

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what was the number of people waiting for admission to West Suffolk hospital on the latest date for which such information is available; and what were the corresponding figures for each of the years 1978 to 1981, respectively.

Information from health authority returns is as follows:

At 31 December
Number
19781,276
19791,352
19801,387
19811,370

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present number of the following categories of staff at West Suffolk hospital and what were the corresponding numbers in the years 1978 to 1981, respectively: (a) consultants and other hospital doctors, (b) nurses of all grades, including trainees, (c) other professional and technical staff engaged in medical duties and (d) all other ancillary workers, full-time or part-time.

This information is not available centrally. My hon. Friend may like to contact the district health authority for details.

Regional Health Authorities

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now publish a press release further to his release 82/189, giving his reasons why the terms of office of each of his six regional health authority chairmen who have been replaced, were not renewed.

I have already informed the House of the approach I have adopted in this year's round of appointments in my replies to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) on 23 June—[Vol. 26, c. 128]—and to the hon. Member for Crewe (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 30 June—[Vol. 26, c. 333.] In accordance with previous practice by Governments of all parties, I am not prepared to make public considerations relating to the appointment or reappointment of particular individuals.

Industry

High Technology Industries

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he has any evidence that international companies in high technology industries are unable to find suitable premises in England and are being forced to locate their operations on the Continent; and, if so, whether he is considering taking any new steps to encourage them to locate their premises in the United Kingdom;(2) if, in view of the fact that the fastest growing sector of the British high technology industry is in companies employing fewer than 100 people, he has considered the assistance given to such companies to help them to find suitable accommodation, particularly in the Home Counties; and if he will describe any assistance of this kind he is at present rendering.

The provision of suitable premises for international companies in high technology industries is being actively considered both in the public sector and in the private sector. The objective, of course, is to make sure that these companies locate in the United Kingdom. There is little or no hard evidence that it is more difficult to find suitable premises in Britain than in other European countries, although in south-eastern England demand is stronger, land is scarcer and prices are therefore higher than in other parts of the country; this is simply a function of the market.The traditional sort of industrial estate is not best suited for the new campus-style developments favoured by international companies in high technology industries. Local authorities and new town development corporations are therefore moving towards the provision of premises suitable either for office occupation or for high technology manufacturing. In many instances this involves collaboration with universities, and science parks are now a feature of the development scene in Britain, where what is on offer to the international investor is fully competitive with what is available elsewhere in Europe.The question whether current planning procedures and practice may inhibit this type of development is under consideration.

Small Businesses (Loan Guarantees)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the response time taken by his Department to approve applications under the loan guarantees for small businesses scheme.

The average time taken to process loan guarantee scheme applications is currently about three weeks from the date of receipt to despatch back to the bank, although urgent cases are dealt with very speedily. This is longer than I would like, but is due to the increase in applications this year to some 600 a month. As the House knows, I have always been anxious to keep the number of staff operating the scheme within strict limits in accordance with the Government's policy on civil service numbers. But in view of the much heavier work load more staff have now been allocated to this work and I expect the position to improve shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many applications have so far been approved under the loan guarantees for small businesses scheme; what is the total amount so far guaranteed under the scheme; and if he will give the number of applications and total amounts advanced through each of the participating financial institutions.

By 31 May 1982, the most recent date for which figures are available, 4,440 guarantees had been issued in respect of £149·1 million of bank lending. The details of guarantee arrangements entered into between the Department of Industry and the individual participating banks is subject to commercial confidentiality. I am therefore unable to provide the figures requested.

Employment

Apprentices

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many apprenticeship training places were available in industry during 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82; what representations have been received by his Department concerning places for 1982–83; and if he will make a statement.

Full information is not available, but Manpower Services Commission estimates suggest that the number of first-year apprentices recruited in 1979–80 was about 100,000, and in 1980–81 about 85,000. The commission currently estimates that the number recruited in 1981–82 is about 60,000, and we have made funds available to support up to 30,000 of those. My Department has received no specific representation about training places for 1982–83.

Disabled Persons (Unemployment)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered disabled persons are currently unemployed in (a) the North West, (b) Merseyside, (c) Kirkby and (d) Ormskirk.

The number of registered disabled people unemployed in the areas specified on 13 May 1982, the latest date available, are shown below:

Numbers
(a) the North West13,932
(b) Merseyside5,567
(c) Kirkby191
(d) Ormskirk65

Imi Ltd, Witton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of previous explosions at the ammunition factory at I.M.I. Ltd., Witton, Birmingham, he will arrange for an investigation by Her Majesty's Explosives Inspectorate of the site facilities and response rates of West Midlands fire services before the company ceases to maintain its site fire brigade.

Transport

Bexleyheath Transport Co Ltd

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the appeal of the Bexleyheath Transport Co. Ltd. against the refusal of London Transport to allow the operation of a commuter coach service between central and south-east London will be heard; and whether the appeal will be heard in public.

The appeal is being heard by an appointed inspector at an inquiry to be held on Tuesday 27 July 1982, the details of which have been notified to all parties concerned. Any other interested people may attend the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the application of Bexleyheath Transport Co. Ltd. to operate a commuter coach service between central London and various parts of south-east London.

Representations have been received from the London Transport Executive and from the Metropolitan Police, the London borough of Bexley and the Greater London Council, who were notified of the appeal in accordance with section 23A of the Transport (London) Act 1969. Representations have also been made by the London Transport Passengers Committee and Councillor A. Rolfe, member of the Greater London Council for Croydon, North-East.

Road Accident Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many persons were (a) killed and (b) injured in automobile accidents in the county of Derbyshire in 1979, 1980, 1981 and to the nearest available date in 1982, respectively.

Statistics of road accidents in local areas are a matter for the local authority concerned. I suggest that the hon. Member gets in touch with the Derbyshire county council, which is the local highway authority.

Potholes (Repair)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the estimated cost of repairing potholes caused by diesel oil spillage in 1981 and to the nearest available date in 1982.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could not be obtained at reasonable cost.

Severn Bridge

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the police, and each individual broadcasting organisation, were informed that there was more than an hour's delay for westbound traffic on 10 June on the occasion of the Dunlop Masters golf tourament; and what other steps were taken to inform the public that there was such a delay.

[pursuant to her reply, 1 July 1982, c. 390]: The police monitor traffic flows on the whole motorway network, including the Severn crossing, and advise the BBC traffic unit and other broadcasting organisations of any difficulties or delays. While precise information is not available, I understand that before and on 10 June the police were in contact with the traffic unit and local radio stations.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider introducing a scheme whereby motorists paid an appropriate sum for the use of the Severn bridge when approaching the present toll booths, and nothing on the return journey, so as to avoid stationary traffic on the bridge and speed up west to east traffic flows.

[pursuant to her reply, 1 July 1982, c. 390]: The possibility of one-way tolling is being considered. There is no evidence that the toll booths which are to the east of the bridge cause hold ups to the bridge itself.

Environment

Homes Insulation Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what bids he has received from each London borough council for extra funds made available under the homes insulation scheme; and what allocation he has made in each case.

The bids received from London borough councils for the extra funds made available for the homes insulation scheme are as follows. All those boroughs who made bids received allocations equal to their bids.

£000's
Barking195
BarnetNo bid
Bexley21
Brent20
BromleyNo bid
CamdenNo bid
City of LondonNo bid
CroydonNo bid
EalingNo bid
EnfieldNo bid
GreenwichNo bid
HackneyNo bid
HammersmithNo bid
Haringey24
HarrowNo bid
HaveringNo bid
HillingdonNo bid
Hounslow5
IslingtonNo bid
Kensington4
Kingston3
LambethNo bid
LewishamNo bid
MertonNo bid
Newham75
Redbridge30
Richmond55
SouthwarkNo bid
SuttonNo bid
Tower Hamlets13
Waltham Forest35
WandsworthNo bid
Westminster4

Town And Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1972

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider amending the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1972 to provide a new use class designed for high technology industries.

We are currently considering suggestions which have been made that the terms of the Use Classes Order inhibit the development of high technology industries, and our attention has been drawn to a report by Herring Son and Daw which touches on this. It is clearly important that local planning authorities should not impose unnecessary restrictions on such developments. I shall write to my hon. Friend when we have more fully considered the matter.

Raf Pollington

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment from what funds the expenditure on the former hangars at the old Royal Air Force airfield at Pollington, near Goole is being met.

The expenditure is being met from funds which are held by the Property Services Agency for the maintenance and improvement of Government property.

Liverpool Inner City Partnership

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now take action to extend the area now covered by the operations and activities of the Liverpool inner city partnership, to enable these endeavours to benefit all the inner and all the outer areas of the city.

Rating Anomalies

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to eliminate anomalies in the rating system caused by the discontinuance of the checking programme.

Council House Rents

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage increase in the United Kingdom in council house rents from April 1979 to the latest date (a) nationally and (b) in the West Midlands; and how this compares with the increase in the retail price index in the same period.

For England and Wales unrebated council house rents are provisionally estimated to have increased on average by some 112 per cent. between April 1979 and April 1982. In the West Midlands region the increase is provisionally estimated at some 113 per cent.Over the same period the retail prices index increased by 49 per cent. For rents in Scotland and Northern Ireland, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage increase in council house rents which local authorities are expected to raise in council house rents in 1982–83.

Rents in April 1982 are provisionally estimated to be 19 per cent. higher than a year previously. Increases in council rents during the remainder of 1982–83 will be dependent on the decisions of individual authorities.

Local Authorities (Departmental Funding)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many posts on the establishments of local authorities in England and Wales are directly funded (a) in whole and (b) in part through his Department, the Manpower Services Commission or industrial training boards; and what is the total value of such funding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many posts on the establishments of local authorities, including police authorities, in England and Wales are directly funded (a) in whole and (b) in part through his Department; and what is the total value of such funding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many posts on the establishments of local authorities in England and Wales are directly funded (a) in whole and (b) in part through his Department or through the Countryside Commission; and what is the total value of such funding.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many posts on the establishments of local authorities in England and Wales are directly funded (a) in whole and (b) in part through his Department; and what is the total value of such funding.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many posts on the establishments of local authorities in England and Wales are directly funded (a) in whole and (b) in part through his Department, the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys or area health authorities; and what is the total value of such funding.