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Written Answers

Volume 28: debated on Monday 26 July 1982

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Written Answers To Questions

Monday 26 July 1982

Prime Minister

Computer Staff (Pay)

asked the Prime Minister if she will review the level of pay for computer staff in the Government service in the light of the comments in paragraph 28 of her statement on the recommendations of the Security Commission.

We have already increased the pay and allowances of qualified computer staff engaged in automatic data processing in the Civil Service by up to 18 per cent. this year, and the subsequent recruitment and retention position is being kept under review.

King Hussein (Meeting)

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on her meeting with His Majesty King Hussein; and whether she discussed with him the possible role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan over the future of the area variously described as the West Bank or as Judaea and Samaria.

The meeting provided a welcome opportunity for a comprehensive discussion of the situation in the Middle East, including the Lebanon, the future of the Palestinians and the Iran-Iraq conflict. The discussion was on a confidential basis.

Falkland Islands

asked the Prime Minister what inquiries she has made concerning the living conditions of British troops of 63 Squadron Royal Air Force on the Falkland Islands outlined to her by the right hon. Member for Norwich, North in his letter of 17 July; what action has been taken to improve the situation; and if she will make a statement.

I have established that 63 Squadron RAF Regiment has to live in tents because of its operational role, which is to man Rapier batteries deployed around the perimeters of Port Stanley airfield. Nearly all the other troops in the garrison are accommodated either in ships or in buildings. The full range of special protective clothing and bedding is available and additional Arctic clothing is provided for those in particularly exposed positions. Food is of good quality. Everything possible is being done to improve the situation. On 22 July prefabricated accommodation for 3,000 people arrived in the Falkland Islands. I have written to the right hon. Gentleman setting out the position in more detail.

Sub-Postmasters

asked the Prime Minister whether the Estimates and Votes of the originating Departments commissioning functions to be offered by sub-postmasters to supplement their incomes from the fund announced by Her Majesty's Government following the alterations in weekly pension payment arrangements, will show drawings on the special fund set aside far that purpose, or whether the Department of Industry Estimates and Votes will identify all drawings on its fund.

The purpose of the fund is to compensate sub-post offices for the loss of business arising from the new methods of paying social security benefits where such loss is not compensated for by the growth of new business.As yet no disbursements have been made from the fund as the changes in the arrangements for paying benefits have only recently begun to be implemented and the effect of any loss of business takes some time to be reflected in sub-postmasters' incomes.The precise arrangements for the administration of the fund are still under discussion, but I have asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry to inform my hon. Friend when they have been concluded.

Home Department

Prison (Population Density)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were in cells for one and how many were in cells designed for two at the latest available date.

On 13 June 1982 there were 12,379 prisoners one in a cell, 12,052 two in a cell, and 4,098 three in a cell (where "cell" is defined as a secure unit of accommodation designed for one person only). We have no central records of the individual capacities or use of accommodation designed for more than one person.

Detained Persons

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average period of detention in custody for those on remand for charges of a non-violent character.

Estimates of the average time spent in custody by all untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners are published annually in "Prison statistics, England and Wales" (table 2(g) of the issue for 1980, Cmnd. 8372). Corresponding estimates are not available separately by type of offence charged and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, information on the numbers proceeded against who had been remanded in custody, by type of offence, is published annually in "Criminal statistics, England and Wales" (tables 8.4 and 8.8 of the volume for 1980, Cmnd. 8376).

Prisoners (Recall)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the recall of prisoners subject to licence; and if he will make a statement.

Each case is considered on its merits having regard to the relevant statutory provisions, the circumstances which have raised the question of recall, any recommendation by the supervising officer, and criteria such as the degree of risk to the public if the prisoner were not recalled.

Prisoners (Licence)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many licences were terminated early for good progress following release from (a) detention centres, (b) Borstals and (c) young prisoner establishments during the latest 12 months;(2) how many prisoners were released on licence in the latest 12 months in the following categories

(a) from detention centres, (b) from Borstals, (c) young prisoners serving under 18 months, (d) young prisoners serving over 18 months, (e) young prisoners released on parole and (f) adult prisoners released on parole; how many of these successfully completed their period on licence; how many in each category were recalled and how many such recalls were at the recommendation of the supervising probation officer; and how many licences were suspended.

The information available on terminations of after-care administered by the probation and aftercare service, by type of after-care, is published annually in "Probation and after-care statistics, England and Wales" (table 46 of the issue for 1980), a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Corresponding information for 1981 will be published later this year. Information of those released on parole and recalled from parole is published annually in the "Report of the Parole Board" (paragraphs 28 to 34 of the report for 1981). Reliable information is not available on those recalled from other types of licence.

Police Officers (Broadcasting And Journalism)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to prevent serving police officers, while in office, participating in radio or television programmes or writing articles without the specific authority of the Home Secretary, except where they are acting in furtherance of a specific police inquiry.

Video Piracy

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following the passage of the Copyright (Amendment) Act 1971, he will hold discussions with police forces on its use to end video piracy.

The deployment of resources to combat particular criminal activities is a matter for chief officers of police. We are confident that they will keep under review the priority accorded to operations against video piracy.

Exercise Hard Rock

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response Southampton city council gave to his Department with regard to exercise Hard Rock.

Southampton city council resolved on 14 July to take part in exercise Hard Rock.

Crossbows (Injuries)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many injuries have been caused by crossbows over the last five years to (a) human beings and (b) animals; and how many people have been prosecuted over the last five years for offences involving the misuse of crossbows.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner (Appointment)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations, interviews and investigations he carried out in exercising his function, under section 1 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1829, of appointing the Commissioner designate of Police of the Metropolis.

Under section 1 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1829, the Commissioner is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen.

Juvenile Crime

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will list in the Official Report the per capita juvenile crime rate in the latest year for which figures are available nationally; and what was the annual rate of increase in the figures for each of the last five years;(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Hampshire as to the per capita juvenile crime rate in the Aldershot area in the latest year for which figures are available, together with the annual rate of increase in the figures for each of the last five years.

No analysis by age of persons committing serious offences recorded by the police is possible either on a national basis or for the Aldershot area because at the time of recording of most offences the identity of the offender or offenders is unknown. The information available relates to persons found guilty or cautioned for indictable offences per 100,000 population in the age group and is published annually for England and Wales in "Criminal statistics, England and Wales" tables 5.18 and 5.19 and figures 5.4 to 5.6 of the volume for 1980, Cmnd. 8376); corresponding information for Aldershot could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Commission For Racial Equality

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon on 19 July, if he will take steps to amend the Race Relations Act 1976 in order to enable him to call for reports from the Commission for Racial Equality and to enable him to give directions in certain circumstances affecting the day-to-day running of the commission; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon on 19 July, Official Report, c. 23, when he expects to receive information from the Commission for Racial Equality concerning allegations of racial discrimination in the commission's recruitment procedures.

I understand that the commission expects shortly to complete its inquiry into these allegations and that we will then be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.

Offenders (Home Leave)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the legislative and administrative arrangements for co-ordination between social service departments, custodial establishments and police forces in respect of offenders on home leave or who otherwise have not completed their sentence but have freedom to move within the community.

Operation Countryman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the future role of Operation Countryman in the light of the convictions of Detective Superintendent Cuthbert and John Golbourn at the Old Bailey on 22 July.

The position as we understand it at present is that a small number of inquiries remain outstanding and it is possible that further proceedings may arise from them. Unless fresh relevant matter comes to light, however, the operation will in the normal course cease when these inquiries have been completed.

Irish Republican Army

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are held in Her Majesty's prisons in England and Wales for offences committed as members of the Irish Republican Army; and whether any have received any remissions against their sentences.

The information is not readily available in the form requested. About 80 prisoners are held in Her Majesty's prisons in England and Wales for terrorist type offences connected with the troubles in Northern Ireland. Those prisoners serving only determinate sentences are eligible in the normal way for remission for good conduct.

Electronic Eavesdropping Devices

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prevent the sale of electronic eavesdropping devices; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have no plans to prohibit the sale of electronic eavesdropping devices as such, although they intend to seek powers under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts to ban the sale of particular wireless telegraphy equipment—which could include certain equipment capable of being used for surveillance—in order to reduce radio interference.

Iranian Students

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from members of the academic community in Greater Manchester with regard to students from Iran; what reply he is sending; if there is any action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 14 July 1982, c. 395]: A petition dated 1 July signed by 34 members of the academic community in Greater Manchester and received on 5 July requested that the British Government take urgent steps to grant refugee status to students from Iran much more readily than hitherto. I have sent the right hon. Member a copy of the reply, which points out that refugee recognition is defined in the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees and that the criteria for such recognition cannot be relaxed. Asylum, or permission to remain in the United Kingdom exceptionally outside the immigration rules, may however be granted if the circumstances of the individual warrant this.

Air Guns

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many accidents involving personal injury from air guns have been reported in each of the last five years; and how many of these involved fatalities.

I have been asked to reply. This information is not available centrally.

Education And Science

Educational Maintenance Allowances

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report details of educational maintenance allowances updating his answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell), on 8 June 1981, Official Report, c. 51 to 63.

The information contained in local education authorities' expenditure returns for 1980–81 is as follows:

Expenditure by Local Education Authorities in England in 1980–81 on Allowances to Pupils over Compulsory School Age attending Schools
£000s
Inner London Education Authority*1,759
London Boroughs
Barking4
Barnet9
Bexley9
Brent27
Bromley15
Croydon11
Ealing35
Enfield4
Haringey31
Harrow14
Havering8
Hillingdon
Hounslow
Kingston upon Thames8
Merton8
Newham17
Redbridge5
Richmond upon Thames1
Sutton
Waltham Forest
West Midlands
Birmingham52
Coventry23
Dudley
Sandwell15
Solihull
Walsall46
Wolverhampton25
£000s
Merseyside
Knowsley45
Liverpool165
St. Helens9
Sefton
Wirral37
Greater Manchester
Bolton48
Bury20
Manchester209
Oldham17
Rochdale22
Salford30
Stockport15
Tameside17
Trafford22
Wigan26
South Yorkshire
Barnsley11
Doncaster16
Rotherham12
Sheffield104
West Yorkshire
Bradford38
Calderdale13
Kirklees
Leeds
Wakefield22
Tyne and Wear
Gateshead12
Newcastle upon Tyne51
North Tyneside34
South Tyneside16
Sunderland70
Non Metropolitan Counties
Isles of Scilly
Avon96
Bedfordshire22
Berkshire5
Buckinghamshire11
Cambridgeshire39
Cheshire3
Cleveland
Cornwall6
Cumbria14
Derbyshire25
Devon45
Dorset46
Durham
East Sussex33
Essex72
Gloucestershire8
Hampshire231
Hereford and Worcester
Hertfordshire41
Humberside40
Isle of Wight2
Kent
Lancashire103
Leicestershire5
Lincolnshire16
Norfolk2
North Yorkshire25
Northamptonshire4
Northumberland15
Nottinghamshire101
Oxfordshire
Salop17
Somerset14
Staffordshire3
Suffolk16
£000s
Surrey21
Warwickshire
West Sussex
Wiltshire31
England
Total4,319
* The corresponding revised figure for 1979–80 was £1,337,000.

Foreign Students

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students from Nigeria are known to have attended British universities or polytechnics on degree courses in the past five years; and what is the anticipated number who will be attending in the academic year 1982–83.

The number of students from Nigeria attending first degree and postgraduate courses in universities in Great Britain and all maintained, assisted and grant-aided establishments of higher and further education in England and Wales, for the last five years are shown as follows. Figures for 1981–82 are not yet available. My Department does not make projections of overseas students by country of origin.

First degree courses*Postgraduate courses
1976–77881n/a
1977–7810881144
1978–7911301084
1979–8011701049
1980–8113161318
* These include all undergraduate courses at Universities; there may be a small number of students on courses other than first degree courses.
The figures include students at all non-university establishments of higher and further education in England and Wales as separate figures for the polytechnics are not readily available. Not all of the students taking postgraduate courses would have been taking higher degree courses; these figures include some students taking other postgraduate qualifications.

Adult Education

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the education budget was spent on adult education in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

The figures, derived from the Government expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 8494), are:

per cent.
1979–800·73
1980–810·66
1981–82*0·65
* Provisional.

Block Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is his intention to issue a consultative document of proposals for the introduction of an education block grant.

The Green Paper, "Alternatives to Domestic Rates", mentioned a block grant for education as one of several possible changes in financing the local authority education service. Papers on the subject were subsequently prepared at the request of the local authority associations for a meeting of the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance, and copies have been placed in the Library.

Free School Transport

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will consider seeking to amend the Education Act 1944 to require local education authorities to provide free school transport for all students whose journey to school by foot would be dangerous.

No. Local education authorities already have a duty under section 55(1) of the Education Act 1944 to provide free school transport where they consider it necessary.

Less Academically Able Children

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what schemes he is sponsoring to help less academically able children; how much is involved; if he will give full details of the schemes in the Official Report; and if he will make a statement.

On 16 July my right hon. Friend announced plans for a programme of development projects in seven or eight local education authorities, beginning in September 1983, which would aim to provide more effective education for lower-attaining pupils, especially in the last two years of compulsory education. My right hon. Friend has invited interested local education authorities to put proposals to him, and we will announce details of the projects which are selected in due course. The total cost of the programme to the Government will be some £2 million in a full year.

Spina Bifida

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what studies are in progress to establish whether women should take extra vitamins in early pregnancy to prevent babies developing spina bifida;(2) what evidence there is that taking extra vitamins in early pregnancy helps to prevent babies developing spina bifida.

I understand that it has long been suspected, largely on the basis of animal studies, that maternal nutritional factors—particularly vitamin deficiencies—are associated with fetal malformations. Although there is no firm evidence of such an association in the human, a study published in 1980 suggested that if the diets of women who had already had a neural tube defect pregnancy were supplemented with a multivitamin preparation around the time of conception of a subsequent pregnancy, the risk of a similar outcome would be substantially reduced. Another study published last year suggested that a reduction of risk might be achieved with just one vitamin—folic acid. An investigation is now in progress in Dublin to compare the two therapies.In the Medical Research Council's view, the results of these earlier studies are encouraging, but they do not conclusively establish the value of vitamin therapy in preventing neural tube defects. The lack of an adequate control group gives rise to doubt about their interpretation, and until a properly controlled trial is undertaken there can be no proof that vitamin therapy is effective. I understand that the Medical Research Council therefore plans to conduct such a trial. Some 20 centres, both in this country and abroad, are likely to participate. The trial will be designed to provide clearer evidence of the effects of multivitamins and to enable a separate assessment to be made of the benefits of folic acid.

University Teachers (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on university teachers' pay.

A proposal for a 5 per cent. increase in the salaries of university non-clinical academic and related staff has now been accepted by the relevant negotiating committee. The settlement runs from 1 April 1982. Its cost will be borne by employing universities: there is no question of increasing the grant paid to universities by the Government through the University Grants Committee on account of this settlement.

National Finance

Member's Correspondence

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report the letter from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North following the reply of 21 June, Official Report, c. 12.

The text of my letter of 25 June is as follows. I have taken the opportunity to introduce some slight revisions to the figures in the table. I shall be writing to my hon. Friend on this point.

Ratio Of Public Expenditure To Gdp

Your recent written question asked for a reconciliation between the ratio of 44 ½ per cent. quoted in my speech to the IFS on 10 May, and the written answer given to you on 8 June.

The different figures reflect two approaches to measuring this ratio, both of which are shown in Cmnd. 8494 I, the latest Public Expenditure White Paper (Chart 1·4).

Strictly the absolute level of the larger ratio has limited economic significance because the numerator and denominator represent two very different concepts. The denominator—GDP—is a measure of goods and services actually produced or consumed in the economy. The numerator—public expenditure—on the other hand does not only include direct purchases of goods and services but transfer payments and loans as well. These disbursements do not provide the public sector with direct control over resources: how they are spent will depend on the recipient. The role of the public sector for these elements of expenditure is essentially to transfer and redistribute resources between private sector economic units (people and firms) rather than to absorb a share of Gross Domestic Product. Nevertheless the ratio provides a way of measuring how overall public expenditure is moving over time relative to prices and real growth in the economy at large. The definitions used are not without controversy and are discussed, for example, in Sir Leo Pliatzky's recent book 'Getting and Spending'.

It is useful to supplement the PE/GDP ratio however measured by the ratios you requested in your Question answered on 8 June. Adding together central and local government expenditure on goods and services (both current and capital) provides a measure of the direct expenditure of general government on the Gross Domestic Product. The third line in the table provided in the reply (NHS expenditure) is of course a sub-category of the first line, so that the ratio of direct general

government expenditure to GDP was 24 per cent. in calendar year 1980 (rather than the figure of 29·1 per cent. mentioned in your later Question).

The figure of 44½ per cent. quoted in the IFS speech is an up-date of the (partly forecast) 45 per cent. given for 1981–82 in Cmnd. 8494. It was based on very preliminary and partial indications of the 1981–82 outturn for public expenditure and GDP available in early May. A more firmly based ratio for 1981–82 will be available next month.

I attach a reconciliation table which uses figures for calendar year 1980. Incidentally, we were unable to give you 1981 as the latest year in your 8 June answer because the absence of full overseas trade figures (an effect of the Civil Service dispute) has prevented compilation of GDP figures for that year".

Public Expenditure and GDP

1980

£ million

Percentage of GDP

Gross domestic product at market prices224,900100·0
Central government final consumption plus gross domestic fixed capital formation and stocks31,167

*13·9

(of which NHS expenditure)(11,749)

*(5·2)

Central government subsidies4,228
Central government current grants26,204
Central government capital transfers to private sector1,617
Central government capital transfers to public corporations322
Central government net lending etc.2,992
Local authorities final consumption plus gross domestic fixed capital formation22,979

*10·2

Local authority subsidies984
Local authority current grants1,123
Local authority capital grants to personal sector175
Local authority capital grants to public corporations140
Local authority net lending to private sector470
Certain public corporations' capital expenditure1,389
Nationalised industries' market and overseas borrowing-329
Adjustment to planning total including VAT and capital consumption†-959
Net debt interest4,361
Total public expenditure96,86343·1

* Consistent with figures provided in 8 June written answer, except that the NHS figure given then excluded capital consumption, and revised in the light of later information.

† For details of the adjustment see Table 2.4 of Financial Statistics.

Personal Savings

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring up to date the information on personal savings given in the reply of 9 June 1980, Official Report, c. 25.

The following table provides the latest estimates of personal saving as a percentage of gross national product at factor cost in each year from 1969 to 1981

Personal saving

*

as a percentage of gross national product at factor cost†

Percentage

19696·3
19707·3
19716·0
19727·9
19739·2
19749·7
19759·7
19768·9
19778·2
197810·0
197911·7
198012·7
198111·1

* Before providing for depreciation, stock appreciation and additions to tax reserves.

† Income-based.

Personal saving is defined as in the United Kingdom national accounts, that is, as the difference between personal disposable income and consumers' expenditure.

European Community (Budget)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report, the amount paid over in own resources contribution to the European Economic Community budget for 1981, and his estimates for 1982, under the heading customs duties, broken down between food, beverages, manufactures and other goods, agricultural levies, sugar and isoglucose levies, value added tax own resources and total.

The amount paid to the European Community in own resources contributions in 1981 and estimates for 1982 are set out below. A breakdown of customs duties for 1981 is not yet availdable and as a result it is not possible to produce reliable estimates for 1982.

(£ million)
19811982*
Customs duties861941
Agricultural levies192270
Sugar and isoglucose levies3053
Value-added tax own resources1,0951,403
TOTAL2,1782,667
* Estimates.

Value Added Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give further consideration to removing value added tax from housing repairs, as suggested by the British Association of Retired Persons.

The scope and coverage of VAT is kept under continuing review. The removal of VAT from house repairs would, however, cost as much as £425 million in a full year and in our judgment this is a loss of revenue that cannot be contemplated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the level of value added tax on boats presently pertaining in all European Economic Community countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the net effect on the Exchequer, taking into account administrative savings to Customs and Excise, of annual collection of value added tax from registered traders having a turnover of (a) less than £50,000 and (b) less than £30,000.

I regret that information is not available on which to make a reliable estimate.

Defence Budget

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the Isle of Man regularly contributes to the defence budget whereas the Channel Islands do not.

I would refer the hon. Member to the consideration given to this issue in part XI of volume 1 of the report of the Royal Commission on the Constitution (1969–73), copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

Air And Sea Passengers (Duty-Free Goods)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss of jobs and revenue in complying with the European Economic Community proposal to charge full customs duty on goods produced outside the European Economic Community which are now sold duty-free to air and sea passengers; and if he has made representations against this proposal.

The proposed change would have little effect. The customs duty element is in general a very small part of the total relief from revenue charges and a significant proportion of total sales would not be affected at all. Moreover, the proposal relates only to sales to passengers travelling between member States. The Government have in principle accepted the proposal which stems from a judgment of the European Court.

Disposal Of Assets (Tax Liability)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the loss of revenue resulting from companies reducing their tax liability by disposing of assets to nationalised undertakings whereby such undertakings are themselves able to reduce their tax liability in respect of such assets; and if he will seek to legislate to end this practice.

Taxation

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the income tax, value added tax and national insurance contributions liable to be paid by a man on average earnings with a non-employed wife and two children between 5 and 11 years of age, in May 1979, May 1980, May 1981 and May 1982.

It is not possible to calculate income tax payments for a particular month since tax liability depends on income throughout the tax year. The following table gives the payments requested for a man with average earnings in the financial years 1978–79 to 1982–83.

£ per week

Income tax

VAT

NICs

Average earnings

1978–7918·992·756·1494·42
1979–8022·165·267·23111·18
1980–8127·725·759·02133·65
1981–8232·256·4611·53148·75
1982–8333·896·8114·00160·00

Notes to table:

  • (i) Income tax payments are calculated on the assumption that the man has no allowances available to him other than his married man's allowance.
  • (ii) National Insurance contributions are paid at the Class I standard rate for employment not contracted out of the state additional (earnings related) pension scheme.
  • (iii) VAT payments have been imputed to the family at their particular income levels by means of regression estimates based on Family Expenditure Survey data.
  • (iv) "Average earnings" are defined here as the average gross earnings of full-time men whose pay was unaffected by absence; all occupations, all industries and services, Great Britain, monthly average for each financial year. The figures used for 1981–82 and 1982–83 are illustrative: they are based on the rates of earrings increase assumed by the Government Actuary in his report on the Social Security (Contributions) Bill.
  • (v) The family is assumed to have no unearned income.
  • Contingency Reserves

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply of 20 July, Official Report, c. 16, on the level of contingency reserves, if he will list the areas of greater uncertainty about possible expenditure in later years that he had in mind, indicating where this differs from past uncertainties.

    Under cash planning, the further ahead the expenditure is planned to occur the greater the uncertainty in all areas. The forecasting of pay and movements is a particular example of this.

    Cannabis Offences

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 15 June, Official Report, c. 245, concerning on the spot fines for customs offences involving cannabis, how many people have been so fined; what has been the total amount of cannabis seized in this way; and what are the criteria followed by the Commisioner of Customs and Excise in deciding whether to institute proceedings.

    Civil Service

    Pensions

    asked the Minister for the Civil Service if any persons, formerly in the public service, but who were dismissed on grounds which involved espionage for a foreign country, are in receipt of public service pensions.

    No public service pensions are currently in payment to former public servants who were dismissed on grounds which involved espionage.

    Attorney-General

    Trials (Press Reporting)

    asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the operation of section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and orders made under it banning court reports.

    The way in which section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 is applied is a matter for the courts, and authoritative guidance has been given by the Court of Appeal in R v Horsham Justices, ex parte Farquharson, reported at [1982] 2 W.L.R. 430. In that case the court quashed a blanket order which had been made by the justices under section 4(2) and emphasised, among other things, the importance of open justice and freedom of the press and that the subsection was to be strictly confined. (See pages 451 and 455–6 of the report).

    asked the Attorney-General how many trials he is aware of which have been subject to total bans on press reporting in the current year.

    I am making inquiries of the Director of Public Prosecutions and shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

    Mr Roy Garner And Mr Kenneth Ross

    asked the Attorney-General if the Director of Public Prosecutions has completed his inquiries into the case of Mr. Roy Garner and Mr. Kenneth Ross who were alleged in open court by a Crown witness, at the trial of David Spicer and five others at Snaresbrook Crown Court which ended on 2 June, to be receivers of stolen property.

    The Director of Public Prosecutions has not received a report regarding such allegations.

    House Of Commons

    Falkland Islands (Service Of Thanksgiving)

    36.

    asked the Lord President of the Council if he will propose that the House should attend a religious service of thanksgiving to mark the successful outcome of the campaign to recover the Falkland Islands and the dependencies.

    Trade

    Semi-Manufactures

    asked the Minister of Trade to what extent the increase in imports of semi-manufactures from the first quarter of 1981 onwards has to do with the rebuilding of stocks; and what is the degree of import penetration in the industries concerned in the latest quarter compared with 1975 and 1977.

    Imports of semi-manufactures are influenced by a number of factors among which are the level of domestic activity and stocks and the competitive position of United Kingdom industry. It is not possible to quantify the effects of these influences separately nor to disaggregate the effects for individual industries. Owing to the incompleteness of the overseas trade figures in 1981, it has not yet been possible to compile comprehensive import penetration figures for periods later than 1980.

    Bargain Offer Claims

    asked the Minister for Trade whether he will make a statement on the results of his review of the Office of Fair Trading's report on bargain offer claims.

    I am considering the report and the views expressed by those affected by the order. I shall announce my proposals for action as soon as possible.

    Manchester Airport

    asked the Minister for Trade whether he has had discussions with Manchester international airport committee and the EEC about establishing a freeport at Manchester airport.

    During the visit of my hon. Friend to Manchester airport on 22 June the management expressed interest in the establishment of a freeport at the airport. There have been no discussions of this issue either with the Commission or with other member States.

    Co-Insurance Directive

    asked the Minister for Trade what steps the Government are taking within the European Economic Community to ensure that the co-insurance directive, which came into force in June 1980, does not continue to be frustrated by continuing disagreement as to the meaning of key aspects of that directive.

    The United Kingdom has taken all the legislative and administrative action necessary to implement the EC co-insurance directive. The Commission is taking action under article 169 of the Treaty against other member States, which have either not yet taken such action or have done so in a manner which the Commission consideres contrary to the meaning of the directive and the provisions of the Treaty. It is not appropriate for us to intervene at this stage, but we would consider whether to do so if the matter came before the European Court.

    Insurance Services (Directive)

    asked the Minister for Trade why no progress has yet been made within the European Economic Community to agree a directive for the freedom of life insurance services; and what steps the Government intend to take to ensure that such a directive is agreed.

    No proposal for a life insurance services directive has yet been put forward by the Commission. It is doubtful whether it would at present be profitable for the Community to divert its attention to this subject from the other important proposals on insurance currently before it.

    asked the Minister for Trade what progress is being made within the European Economic Community to agree a directive for the freedom of non-life insurance services; and what are the obstacles to such progress.

    Though discussions on the draft non-life insurance services directive have continued since our Presidency last year, progress towards agreement on the main issues have been minimal. The main obstacle to progress remains the reluctance of some other member States to relinquish administrative controls over the terms on which the insurance of, in particular, industrial, commercial and professional risks, is transacted. Another difficulty to be resolved is the desire of the French Government to charge value added tax on insurance, against which a large majority of member States and the Commission have strong reservations.It has proved difficult against this background to resolve a number of other technical problems, including the question of what country's law should be applicable to international insurance contracts.

    Freeport Study (Miami)

    asked the Minister for Trade whether any study has been made by his Department of the Miami freeport in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

    Anderson Strathclyde (Bid)

    asked the Minister for Trade if he will give his reasons for referring to the Monopolies Commission the bid of Charter Consolidated for Anderson Strathclyde.

    In accordance with the Director General's advice, the merger was referred because it was considered to raise issues of public interest, in particular the effects of the transfer of control to Charter Consolidated on the performance of the merged company in its home and overseas operations.

    Ministerial Visit (Arab Countries)

    asked the Minister for Trade (1) what was the purpose of the visit of the previous Secretary of State to Iraq between 3 and 7 October 1981;(2) what was the purpose of his visit to various Arab countries between 12 and 22 February and 26 March and 2 April.

    Hire Purchase Controls

    asked the Minister for Trade whether he has any statement to make on recent representations about the control of hiring and hire purchase orders and the possible implication for consumers.

    My right hon. and noble Friend today announced that, having reviewed the orders relating to hire purchase and control of hiring in consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the controls would now be removed. Controls on hire purchase were originally part of a wider apparatus of quantitative controls on credit. Changes in the structure of the consumer credit market mean that these controls now contribute little to overall economic policy. Removing them is consistent with our policy of dismantling unnecessary controls in the interests of freeing competition and removing economic distortions.The abolition as from midnight tonight of these controls will benefit the sectors most affected by the regulations, particularly motor cars, but in a way consistent with the Government's economic policy. The abolition of the controls will be of benefit to consumers. I believe that these changes will increase competition in the market and the range of choice for consumers.

    British Midland Airways

    asked the Minister for Trade (1) if, pursuant to the answers to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Steen) on 28 June on British Midland Airways, he will now either set new time limits to replace the original limits for further submissions fixed on 21 May, or dispense with them altogether, and come to a final determination of the appeals submitted last October;(2) when he proposes to reply in full to the question of the hon. Member for Upminster to which a holding answer was given on 1 July,

    Official Report, c. 355; and what have been the reasons for the delay in providing such a reply;

    (3) if he is now able to complete his urgent consideration of British Midland Airways appeal to him, made on 17 October 1981, to compete with British Airways on Heathrow to Glasgow and Heathrow to Edinburgh routes; and if he will make a statement before the Summer Recess.

    My right hon. and noble Friend has decided to uphold the appeal from British Midland Airways and to direct the Civil Aviation Authority to grant the appellant the two licences in the terms applied for.

    Overseas Development

    Foreign Students

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial help has been given by Her Majesty's Government to students from the countries of Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia and Sierra Leone over each of the past five years; and what is the anticipated level of aid for 1982–83.

    The assistance which the ODA gives comes prdominantly from our Government to Government technical co-operation programme in the form of training awards fro candidates nominated by the overseas government for courses of development value. Awards normally meet the costs of fees, maintenance and other necessary expenses including travel to and from the UK. Expenditure in the past five calendar years was as follows:

    £000s
    19771978197919801981 (provisional)
    Nigeria402345437*1,056*1,690
    Ghana5956637551,034707
    Gambia214263316349290
    Sierra Leone233295403484457
    * Gross expenditure of which part (50 per cent. for 1981) is recovered from the Nigerian Government under cost-sharing arrangements.

    The technical co-operation training allocations for 1982–83 are as follows:

    £

    Nigeria

    *1·1 million

    Ghana878,000
    Gambia478,000
    Sierra Leone600,000

    * 50 per cent. of a joint programme budgeted at £2·2 million.

    Population And Family Planning Programmes

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for allocations for population and family planning programmes under the joint funding scheme were received for the year 1982–83; what were these applications and from which organisation; how many and which were not accepted; and if he will give the reasons for refusal in each case.

    The population and family planning projects being supported under the joint funding scheme in 1982–83 are:

    Agency and ProjectAllocation £
    Population Services
    Family planning promotion, Haiti8,728
    Ayurvedic practitioners family planning training programme, Sri Lanka43,080
    Family planning project, Zamboanga, Philippines44,528
    OXFAM
    Family planning training for Red Cross dais and mid wives, Bangladesh1,256
    Tarib family planning project, Pakistan3,175
    CAFOD
    Natural family planning workshop, Mauritius12,823
    The following applications for support were unsuccessful as the funds available for joint funding had already been fully committed:

    Agency and ProjectAllocation £
    Population Concern
    Family planning and Maternal child health care, Chimbote, Peru13,142
    Chittagong slum area, integrated health, education and family planning project, Bangladesh4,500
    Population Services
    Rural male surgical contraceptive programme, Sri Lanka56,925
    Rural family planning programme, Agra, India52,970
    Family planning promotion, Haiti10,000
    Africa Now
    Contraceptives—social marketing, Kenya64,270
    Two further applications did not meet the criteria of the scheme:

    Agency and ProjectAllocation £
    Population Concern
    Family planning association, Madhya Pradesh, India3,778
    IPPF
    Family planning project, Varanasi, India52,000

    Departmental Expenditure

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, further to his undertaking of 19 July, Official Report, c. 16, he will make a statement on the Public Expenditure Survey Committee allocations to his Department.

    The PESC allocations for overseas aid are set out in vol. II of the Government's Expenditure Plans 1982–83 to 1984–85 (Cmnd. 8494).

    Employment

    Young Persons

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people aged under 20 years are (a) unemployed and (b) on Government sponsored schemes in (i) Greater Manchester and (ii) the North-West region; and how this compares with the same date in 1979.

    At April 1982, the latest date for which the quarterly age analysis is available, there were 29,036 young people under 20 years of age registered as unemployed in the Greater Manchester metropolitan county compared with 9,711 at April 1979. The corresponding figures for the North-West region were 73,868 at April 1982 and 32,944 at April 1979. Easter school leavers are included in the figures for April 1982 but not for April 1979.The numbers of young people on Government schemes are shown as follows for the region and, where available separately, for Manchester. The table excludes those on the special temporary employment programme (1979) and the community enterprise programme (1982) for which separate figures are not available for those aged under 20.

    Greater Manchester metropolitan countyNorth-West region
    Youth opportunities programme
    April 1979N/A10,300
    April 1982N/A34,800
    Community industry
    April 197994564
    April 19821001,023
    Young workers scheme*
    April 1982N/A2,920
    * Number of applications approved. The scheme did not exist in 1979.
    N/A: not available.

    Unemployed Persons (Government Expenditure)

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report such information as is available to him to compare Government expenditure per person unemployed in the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Germany, Sweden and Italy for each of the last five years.

    Job Losses (West Yorkshire)

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the total number of jobs lost in (a) the wool textile industry, (b) the clothing industry and (c) the mining industry in West Yorkshire since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

    The information is not available in the form requested. Comparison of the employee figures for different dates indicates net changes but changes in levels of employment since 1979 are not available for West Yorkshire.Employee figures for counties are obtained from the census of employment and the most recent are for June

    Standard industrial classification (1968)
    Number of redundancies
    1979198019811982
    Minimum list heading (MLH)January-DecemberJanuary-DecemberJanuary-DecemberJanuary-December
    MLH 414 Wool textile industry1,9994,8552,2951,153
    MLH 441–449 Clothing industry1,1992,3092,291810
    MLH 101 Coal mining industry65581

    Notes:

    1. Figures for 1982 are provisional.

    2. Figures for 1981 and 1982 are not exactly comparable with earlier figures because of improvements in data collection.

    Further job prospects in West Yorkshire, as everywhere else, will depend largely on restoring the competitiveness of our industries. This will take time, and meanwhile we are protecting those hardest hit through our special employment and training measures on which we are spending £1·5 billion this year.

    West Midlands (Job Creation)

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the large scale unemployment in the West Midlands, he will introduce new measures to ensure that young people obtain permanent full-time employment, and achieve a greater degree of self dignity and earn sufficient wages to maintain a married existence.

    Employment prospects for young people in the West Midlands, as for other groups elsewhere, depend on the success of the Government's economic policies designed to curb inflation and encourage competitive enterprise. A well-trained young work force can contribute to economic success, and accordingly my right hon. Friend announced on 21 June a major new youth training scheme which will provide school leavers with the foundation training they need for a successful and fulfilling future life at work.

    Long-Term Unemployment

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with the Manpower Services Commission about the £150 million scheme for the long-term unemployed announced in the Budget on 9 March.

    My right hon. Friend has asked the Manpower Services Commission to consider details of the new initiative announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 9 March. We understand that it has discussed the lines of a possible scheme and intends to return to the matter at its meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, 27 July. We would hope to be able to make a further statement shortly thereafter.

    1978. No censuses were taken in 1979 and 1980 and information from the September 1981 census is not yet available.

    The following table shows the numbers of redundancies confirmed to the Manpower Services Commission as due to occur in West Yorkshire during 1979, 1980, 1981 and in the first six months of 1982. These figures cannot be equated with actual job losses. Neither are they comprehensive—they do not, for example, include redundancies affecting fewer than 10 people.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number registered as being unemployed for over a year in May 1979; and what is the number so registered in July 1982.

    The numbers registered as unemployed are analysed by duration of unemployment for January, April, July and October. At April 1979 the number of people registered as unemployed for over 52 weeks in the United Kingdom was 366,711. The corresponding figure at April 1982 was 994,395. The information for July 1982 is not yet available.

    Oil Refineries

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish details of employment in United Kingdom oil refineries and associated petrochemical and downstream activities during each of the past five years; and whether he will make a statement.

    The following table gives, for the United Kingdom, the numbers of employees in employment in the mineral oil refining industry (minimum list heading 262 of the 1968 standard industrial classification) at April each year from 1978. The heading covers the refining of petroleum or shale oil and the production of medicinal paraffin, paraffin wax, petroleum jelly, etc.

    April each yearThousands
    197822·0
    1979*22·1
    1980*21·7
    1981*21·3
    1982*18·8
    * Provisional.
    The most recent figures reflect closure decisions taken by refinery companies since 1981. These closures are a response to the continuing overcapacity in refining in Western Europe.

    Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

    Mackerel

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the total allowable catch of mackerel which has been allocated to EEC countries other than the United Kingdom; if he will list in the Official Report each country and the quota allocated to it, specifying the sea area where the catching is to be permitted; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is the total allowable catch for mackerel for the pelagic fleet; whether this total is exclusively for the United Kingdom fleet and not shared with Norway or the Faroes; what is the period covered by this total allowable catch; and if he will make a statement.

    There are at present no agreed total allowable catches for mackerel though the European Commission has put forward proposals. No quotas have therefore been agreed for the United Kingdom or any other EEC member State.It has been agreed that in 1982 Faroese vessels may take up to 10,000 tonnes of Western mackerel in the waters of member States of the EEC and that similarly Norway may take 16,000 tonnes of this stock. This is in return for opportunities for vessels of member States of the EEC to fish in the waters of those countries.

    Agricultural Prices

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the average annual increases in price since 1973 for the following items (a)wheat, (b) bread, (c) sugar, (d) sugar beet, (e) retail sales of milk, (f) the price paid to milk producers, (g) the retail price of beef and (h) the price paid to beef producers.

    The annual average percentage increases in price between 1973 and 1981 for the items requested are as follows (a) 11·5 per cent., (b) 16·7 per cent., (c) 18·2 per cent., (d) 14·2 per cent., (e) 16·3 per cent., (f) 13·3 per cent., (g) 14·2 per cent. and (h) 11·3 per cent.

    Pig Prices

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to grant any financial aid to pig farmers after the recent fall in pig prices.

    The president of the National Farmers Union has written to my right hon. Friend recently about the conditions and prospects of the pig industry. We are considering the points that he has made.

    Herbicide 2,4,5-T

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the advisory committee on pesticides has now had an opportunity to consider the article in The Lancet of 8 May by Dr. Coggon and Professor Acheson and come to any conclusion regarding a ban on the herbicide 2,4,5-T.

    As I said in my reply to the hon. Member on 18 June, I have invited the advisory committee on pesticides to let me have its observations on all evidence that has become available since the committee's report on the safety of 2,4,5-T herbicides published in December 1980. I am now awaiting its observations.

    Horticultural Holdings (Statistics)

    asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing numbers of farmers, farmers' wives and farm workers engaged in work on holdings of a predominantly horticultural nature in England and Wales in 1971 and 1981.

    The numbers of persons returned at the June agricultural census in 1981 on holdings classified as horticultural holdings—that is, holdings which are most dependent on horticultural crops—were as follows:

    Numbers
    Farmers, partners and directors18.246
    Wives, husbands of farmers, partners and directors6,031
    Regular hired and family workers42,243
    I regret that information on a comparable basis is not available for 1971.

    Glasshouses

    asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants have been paid for the erection of glasshouses in England and Wales, year by year, for the last 20 years for which figures are available.

    Grants paid under the capital grants schemes towards expenditure incurred in the erection of glasshouses in England and Wales for the years 1974–81 inclusive were as follows:

    YearGrant paid £
    197447,200
    1975232,500
    1976242,900
    1977366,200
    1978547,800
    1979883,700
    1980984,300
    1981632,600
    I regret that figures for earlier years are not available.

    Horticultural Crops

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the acreage of horticultural crops grown in England and Wales in 1971 and 1981, with details of type of crop and area of horticultural glasshouses.

    The information is as follows:

    (area in hectares)
    19711981
    Total horticulture*264,427236,146
    of which:
    vegetables176,447167,799
    Orchard: commercial54,68038,223
    non-commercial4,7502,131
    Small fruit†12,66514,122
    Hardy nursery stock6,4956,486
    Bulbs and flowers7,5615,255
    Glasshouse‡1,8292,130
    *excluding minor holdings
    † excluding area grown under orchard trees
    ‡excluding holdings with an area of glass of less than 1,000 square metres.

    Source: MAFF June census.

    Common Fisheries Policy

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Danish decision to defer agreement on a common fisheries policy and the effect this will have on the British fishing industry.

    I have nothing to add to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on 22 July when he reported to the House the outcome of the meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers on 20 and 21 July.—[Vol. 28, c. 542–48.]

    Local Authorities (Farms And Smallholdings)

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many and what acreage of farms and smallholdings are owned by local authorities in each county of England; and which of these authorities have a policy of selling a farm or smallholding to a tenant who wishes to buy his own;(2) what is the total number of local authority owned farms and smallholdings in England; and what is the total acreage of the land involved.

    The statistical information requested is given, in so far as it is available, in the annual reports on smallholdings in England, copies of which are in the Library. I am arranging for a copy of the latest report to be sent to my hon. Friend.Policy on sales of smallholdings is a matter for the individual local authority concerned.

    Energy

    British Gas Corporation (Statutory Duty)

    13.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the law so far as it relates to the statutory duty to supply gas by the British Gas Corporation.

    Energy Consumption

    15.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy by what proportion the United Kingdom's consumption of energy in 1981 fell below consumption in 1980 and in 1979.

    My Department has calculated that in 1981 United Kingdom inland energy consumption was 3·5 per cent. below the 1980 level and 10·8 per cent. below that of 1979.

    Ncb (Financial Assistance)

    17.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will reconsider the level of Government financial assistance to the National Coal Board.

    Electricity Costs

    18.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has had from the Chemical Industries Association and other intensive energy users about the continuing comparative high cost of electricity in the United Kingdom.

    I have received a number of such representations. Over 100 large industrial users of electricity have now taken up the new load management terms announced in the last Budget. Many of them will see, as a result, no increase in their electricity charges this year, and about one-third of the total benefit will go to companies in the chemical industry.

    Alternative Forms Of Energy (Research)

    19.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent research into alternative forms of energy is co-ordinated with other EEC countries.

    We play a full part in formulating Community programmes, and afterwards aid in their management and co-ordination. We also pursue our own natural programme of research and development into alternative energy sources.

    Substitute Natural Gas

    20.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in the development of the manufacture of substitute natural gas from coal; and if he will make a statement.

    The British Gas Corporation is carrying out a major programme to develop technology for the manufacture of substitute natural gas from coal. I am satisfied with the progress that continues to be made.

    Tidal Power (Talks)

    21.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if the Minister of State for Energy had any talks on tidal power with Canadian or United States Ministers or officials during his recent visit to North America.

    North Sea Secondary Gas (Transport)

    22.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with progress in the development of pipelines in the North Sea for the transport of secondary gas.

    The oil companies are making good progress with gas-gathering schemes to ensure that our North Sea gas is brought ashore in an efficient and timely manner. The FLAGS line is now on stream and I understand that plans are well advanced for a gas line form Fulmar which could collect other accumulations in the vicinity.

    Sizewell Reactor (Inquiry)

    23.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has yet reached a decision on the public funding of the objectors' case in the Sizewell B pressurised water reactor inquiry.

    I have previously made known to the House my views on this issue. I have just received from the inspector, Sir Frank Layfield QC, a letter setting out fully the arguments in favour of public funding advanced by objectors at the June pre-inquiry meeting. Sir Frank has asked me to consider these arguments; I shall of course do so and I shall send him a reply as soon as possible.

    Electricity Supply (Monopoly)

    24.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the individual organisations and bodies he is consulting in connection with his stated intention to remove the prohibition on the private supply of electricity as a main business.

    A wide range of organisations was consulted. I am arranging for a list of those who have replied to be printed in the Official Report. Following these consultations I am now finalising my proposals.

    Heat And Power Schemes

    25.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement concerning the latest publications on the potential for combined heat and power schemes.

    The report of the lead consultants on the combined heat and power/district heating feasibility programme will be published after local authorities and other interested parties have commented on the document.

    Wind And Geothermal Energy

    27.

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made since 1979 on research and development into wind and geothermal energy.

    Substantial progress has been made on research and development into both of these technologies since 1979, with the result that they have been selected as priority items for our continuing renewable energy programmes.

    British National Oil Company

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in view of the separation of Britoil from the British National Oil Corporation, whether it is contemplated that the British National Oil Corporation should trade in (a) crude oil derived from the North Sea under participation agreements, (b) royalty oil at the behest of Her Majesty's Government and (c) crude oil derived and purchased by the corporation from abroad.

    The British National Oil Corporation will continue to trade in both participation and royalty oil after Britoil has been separated from it. Whether it will trade in foreign crude will depend upon circumstances.

    Council Of Energy Ministers

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) at how many meetings of the European Communities' Council of Energy Ministers in 1982 he has represented the United Kingdom;(2) how many meetings of the European Communities' Council of Energy Ministers there have been in the current year; and at how many of these meetings the United Kingdom has been represented by a civil servant.

    There have been two meetings this year of the European Communities' Council of Energy Ministers—on 16 March, when the United Kingdom was represented by my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, Central (Mr. Moore), the Under-Secretary of State for Energy, and on 13 July, when the United Kingdom was represented by the permanent under-secretary at the Department of Energy, Sir Donald Maitland.

    North Sea Oil (Refining Incentives)

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list any fiscal and other incentives which exist further to maximise on the amount of North Sea oil production refined in the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement.

    Oil Refinery Capacity

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimates his Department has made of United Kingdom oil refinery capacity needs for the future; and whether he will make a statement.

    For the foreseeable future, United Kingdom refinery capacity will be more than sufficient to meet United Kingdom product demand.

    Electricity Prices (International Comparisons)

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the average price per unit at which electricity is available to industrial and domestic users, respectively, in each European Economic Community country.

    The latest information available is shown in the following table. Prices are based on an informal survey conducted by the Electricty Council and relate to tariffs in force on 31 March 1982. Comparable figures for Greece, Denmark, Luxembourg and Ireland are not available.

    European electricity prices 31 March 1982
    Pence/Kwh
    Industrial (excluding VAT) 2,500 Kw at 40 per cent. load factorDomestic (including VAT) 3,300 Kwh/annum
    Belgium3·786·44
    France2·945·31—5·74
    Federal Republic of Germany3·67—4·235·49—6·50
    Italy3·555·74—5·76
    Netherlands4·216·56
    United Kingdom3·564·67—6·16

    Note: In making international comparisons it must be borne in mind that difficulties can arise in times of changing prices and exchange rate fluctuations. There can also be a wide range of prices within countries.

    Gas Prices (International Comparisons)

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the average price per unit at which gas is supplied to industrial and domestic users, respectively, in each European Economic Community country.

    The latest information is given in the following table. The figures are based on tariffs in force at 1 January 1982 prices and were collected by the Statistical Office of the European Community for specific consumption levels in certain cities in each country. Figures for Greece and Ireland are not available. National currencies have been converted using published exchange rates for 31 December 1981.

    European prices 1 January 1982
    Pence/therm
    Industrial (excluding VAT)Domestic (including VAT)
    Brussels30·551·6
    Copenhagennot available*87·5
    Paris25·753·9
    Stuttgartnot available†57·7
    Luxembourgnot available46·7
    Turin28·936·0
    Rotterdam27·936·8
    Great Britain/London‡23·231·2
    Unit values have been calculated for an approximate consumption of 4,000,000 therms per annum and 800 therms per annum for industrial and domestic consumption respectively.
    Source: Statistical Office of the European Community.
    * Price relates to Town gas.
    † A price from SOEC is not available. The price quoted was obtained from a survey conducted among gas undertakings in certain European cities.
    Source: Department of Energy survey of 900 large industrial consumers in Great Britain, which showed the average price of gas during the period January to March 1982 was 23·2p/therm. The average price realised in new and renewed contracts during the same period was 27·5p/therm.

    Note: In making international comparisons it must always be borne in mind that difficulties can arise in times of changing prices and currency exchange fluctuations. There can also be wide ranges of prices within countries.

    Power Station Coal Supplies

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the average price per ton, at which coal is supplied to electrical power generating stations in each country within the European Economic Community, respectively, at the present time.

    The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

    North Sea Oil (Production)

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent it his policy to maximise North Sea oil production refined in the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement.

    I welcome the refining in the United Kingdom of crude oil from the United Kingdom continental shelf to the extent that it is economic. That will depend on several factors such as relative prices of such crudes and imported crudes, the absolute level of demand for oil products in the United Kingdom and the relative demand for different products in the market served by United Kingdom refineries.

    Iraq (Under-Secretary's Visit)

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the purpose of the visit of the Under-Secretary of State to Iraq between 15 and 17 January.

    I was in Iraq between 14 and 16 February this year at the head of the joint Government and company team from the United Kingdom to the Anglo-Iraqi oil and gas seminar. During my visit, I had discussions with the Iraqi Minister for Oil, gave the closing address to the seminar and visited the new OAPEC training centre and the Dawra oil refinery.

    Nuclear Incidents (Reporting)

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has completed his review of reporting procedures for nuclear incidents.

    Yes. Following the incident. at Sellafield last October, involving a release of radioactive iodine, I asked Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to examine the existing reporting procedures for nuclear incidents and to make recommendations on how these might be improved.This it has now done and the revised procedure amends the criteria for reporting so as to ensure more prompt reporting of nuclear incidents and in particular those which could give any cause for concern to the public living in the vicinity. The revised procedure should also eliminate the reporting to Ministers of minor incidents on the sites which have no significant safety implications either for the public or for personnel on the site.This procedure should ensure greater consistency, and promptness in the reporting of significant incidents than under existing arrangements. Reports will normally be made to Ministers within 24 hours. A note on the revised criteria for reporting has been placed in the Library of the House.I should emphasise that the proposed changes relate only to what is reported by the operator through Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to Ministers. I am satisfied that the removal of the requirement to report incidents on the sites which have no significant safety implications will not have any effect on the high standards of safety enforced in the industry. Minor incidents will continue to be reportable to Her Majestry's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate under statutory regulations and licence conditions.Arrangements have also been agreed between Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the operators of each site to inform their local liaison committees and the local population promptly about all incidents reported to Ministers as well as their own work-force. I have been particularly concerned to ensure that local people are kept properly informed about incidents which might have or might be thought to have any consequences outside the site.

    Friends Of The Earth Insulation Project (Birmingham)

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the reason for the length of the delay in approving the project grant for the Friends of the Earth insulation project in the Kingstanding area of the Birmingham, Perry Barr constituency.

    The project grant application submitted by Friends of the Earth in this case raised certain difficulties which have resulted in a delay. We aim to resolve these as soon as possible. My Department has recently been in touch with FOE, which is fully aware of the problem.

    Electricity Consultative Council And Gas Consumers' Council

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the annual cost to public funds of (a) the Electricity Consultative Council and (b) the Gas Consumers' Council in the most recent year for which figures are available; and, in respect of each council, what was the cost of the North-West area in the same year.

    I have been asked to reply.In the year ending 31 March 1982, relevant expenditure borne on the Department's Vote was as follows:

    1981–82 Outturn*£000s
    Electricity Consumers' Council and area electricity consultative councils (England and Wales)1,129·2
    Electricity Consultative Council (North-West)79·6
    National and regional gas consumers' councils (Great Britain)1,320·2
    North-Western Gas Consumers' Council108·2
    * Provisional.

    Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland Bill

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in view of the recent speech by the Irish Foreign Minister in the Irish Parliament, whether he is satisfied that the Northern Ireland Bill when enacted will not interfere with any previous arrangements made between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement.

    No arrangements or agreements have been made at any time between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Republic which could affect either the constitutional status of Northern Ireland or the way in which the Province might be governed. As Her Majesty's Government have repeatedly made clear, the future government of Northern Ireland is a matter for the people of Northern Ireland, the Government and Parliament.

    Irish Republican Army

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners are held in Her Majesty's prisons in Northern Ireland for offences committed as members of the Irish Republican Army; and whether any have received any remissions against their sentences.

    Departmental Officials (Interviews)

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether all or any of the interviews with an academic researcher by officials of his Department referred to in the debate on 29 June were tape-recorded by the officials.

    Departmental Staff

    asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many civil servants are employed by his Department in each functional job category; in each such category, how many are of each rank; and for each such rank, what are the maximum and minimum pay scales.

    [pursuant to his reply, 21 July 1982, c.193]: The numbers of civil servants employed in the Northern Ireland Office, which include members of the Home and Northern Ireland Civil Services, are given in the following table. Pay scales for the Home Civil Service are given in the annexes to paragraph 1050 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code, a copy of which is in the main Library. Lists of the numbers of civil servants employed in the Northern Ireland Departments, by grade and Department, have also been placed in the main Library, together with pay scales.

    PersonnelNumbers
    Senior Staff
    Permanent secretary1
    Deputy-secretary2
    Under-secretary7
    Administration Group
    Assistant-secretary15
    Principal41½
    Deputy-principal30
    Senior executive officer7
    Higher executive officer22
    Staff officer40
    Administration trainee3
    Executive officer24
    Executive officer I49
    Executive officer II71
    Clerical officer147½
    Clerical assistant143½
    Information Officer Group
    Director1
    Chief information officer1
    Senior information officer2
    Assistant information officer1
    Scientific Group
    Deputy chief scientific officer1
    Senior principal scientific officer1
    Principal scientific officer6
    Senior scientific officer18
    Higher scientific officer16
    Scientific officer9
    Assistant scientific officer21
    Laboratory assistant4
    Other Groups
    Solicitors56
    Law clerks53
    Prison education and training officers45
    Prison industries officers38
    Director of prison operations1
    Secretarial and Typing Staff
    Chief superintendent of typists1
    Senior superintendent of typists5
    Senior personal secretary10
    Superintendent of typists5
    Personal secretary29
    Specialist typist60
    Typist60
    Security Staff
    Security guard30
    Search officer279

    Personnel

    Numbers

    Others49

    Messengerial Staff

    31

    Cleaning Staff

    11

    Other Miscellaneous Grades

    34½

    Industrial Grades

    58
    Total1,540

    Note: Numbers are for April 1982.

    Social Services

    Family Practitioner Committees

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what improvements in patient care will accrue from the decision to make family practitioner committees into employing authorities;(2) whether he will implement the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the National Health Service and abolish family practitioner committees.

    No. The decision to change the status of family practitioner committees is aimed at simplifying administrative arrangements, clarifying accountability, improving efficiency and encouraging collaboration between health authorities and FPCs. We believe that this will benefit primary care as a whole.

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what circumstances a family practitioner committee stamps the word "immigrant" on the medical card of the wife of a British citizen; and what authority is required.

    I am not aware of this practice. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

    Novo Laboratories (Insulin)

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will ensure that the decision by Novo Laboratories, which supplies the National Health Service, to withdraw porcine insulin and replace it with a synthesised human insulin at greater cost, will lead to an improvement in patient care commensurate with the additional cost.

    There is no barrier to a pharmaceutical company introducing new products in the United Kingdom provided that it satisfies the requirements of the Medicines Act with regard to their safety, quality and efficacy. A company is also free to fix the price at which a new product is introduced to the market, although it then comes within the scope of the controls on overall profitability of the company's dealings in NHS medicines as exercised through the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme. It is for the prescribing doctor to decide whether to prescribe a new product in preference to alternatives. In this he will be guided, among other things, by the information provided from the Department and elsewhere on relative costs.I understand that, at least for the time being, Novo Laboratories is continuing to supply porcine insulin.

    Leukaemia

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the international study into the relationship between environmental and occupational factors and leukaemia referred to in the Official Report, 26 October 1979, c. 338, has reported; and, if so, what links were found between these factors.

    I understand that the study referred to in my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Pavitt)—Vol. 972, c. 347—consists of a series of workshops held in several countries and organised by scientists taking part. They have been considering various aspects of leukaemia, including the role of environmental and occupational factors.No formal report is anticipated. Indications at present are that considerable scientific difficulties still remain in establishing causal links between leukaemia and any particular factor.

    School Dental Service

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average number of patients treated per full-time dental officer in the school dental service in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what was the comparable figure for the area covered by the Staffordshire area health authority.

    The average number of patients treated per full-time dental officer in the school dental service in England in 1980 was 907. The comparable figure for the area of the former Staffordshire area health authority was 979.The dental officers concerned spent some of their time treating patients other than in the school dental service.

    New Cross Dental School

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the superannuation division of his Department has ruled that staff of the New Cross school for dental therapists are members of the National Health Service, by virtue of their superannuation contributions, when other divisions have ruled that they are not members of the National Health Service.

    Overseas Visitors (Health Changes)

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, in the implementation of his policy for National Health Service charges for overseas visitors, he will draw up a list of insurance firms who do not pay hospital bills promptly or at all;(2) in the light of the new policy about National Health Service charges for overseas visitors, what guidance he gives to district health authorities, about ways to check the validity and extent of medical insurance policies such visitors have, particularly where such visitors come with policies never seen by the district health authority previously.

    As with charges payable by private patients, I would expect authorities to accept in lieu of direct payment only agreed evidence of insurance with established medical provident associations, and with other insurance companies who have made satisfactory arrangements with the authority.

    Hospitals (Lighting Costs)

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the consumption of electricity for lighting in hospitals in England and Wales on an annual basis; and if he will estimate the savings which would be achieved if wider use were made of fluorescent tubes.

    Information in the form requested is not available centrally. NHS authorities have long been aware of the savings resulting from the use of fluorescent lighting and are kept in touch with the latest developments.

    Health Visitors (Car Allowances)

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what factors he bore in mind in reaching his determination with regard to the mileage and block allowances on health visitors when used wholly and necessarily in execution of their duties.

    Car allowances for health visitors and other National Health Service staff are negotiated between staff and management representatives within the General Whitley Council and approved by my right hon. Friend after considering the result of those negotiations.A comprehensive independent survey of arrangements was jointly sponsored by both sides of the council in 1979 and this led to substantial improvements. The allowances are reviewed regularly on the basis of information provided by the Automobile Association and the Institute of Petroleum and changes in the allowances thus reflect fluctuations in motoring costs.

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the mileage and block allowances for health visitors' cars were last reviewed; and if he will publish details of the current schemes.

    The General Whitley Council adjusts National Health Service mileage allowances whenever petrol prices, as notified by the Institute of Petroleum, fluctuate by 5p per gallon either way. On this basis the allowances were last revised on 1 February 1982 and the current rates are shown as follows. The council plans to undertake the main annual review of car allowances and associated arrangements later this month, using the Automobile Association's schedule of motoring costs as a basis for calculating the allowances.

    Regular user allowances with effect from 1 February 1982
    Engine capacityLump sum £Up to 9,000 miles per annum penceThereafter pence
    501 to 1,000 c.c.27714·18·0
    1,001 to 1,500 c.c.31715·78·7
    1,501 to 2,000 c.c.40819·310·2
    Over 2,000 c.c.40821·412·4

    Free Prescriptions

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department will re-examine the regulations concerning entitlements to free prescriptions to allow a woman below the age of 50, who is entirely dependent upon the income of her husband who is over 65 and entitled to a free prescription, to be entitled also to a free prescription.