asked the Minister for Trade what steps his Department has taken to establish better trade relations with Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the level of trade between the United Kingdom and Iraq since March 1980.

In 1979, my right hon. Friends the then Secretary of State and Minister for Trade visited Baghdad. In June 1981, my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Trade signed an economic and technical co-operation agreement with his Iraqi counterpart in London. He subsequently attended the first meeting of the resulting joint commission in Baghdad, and the international trade fair, in October 1981. I attended a seminar in Baghdad in February 1982 organised by the British construction industry. Other Iraqi ministers have been invited to the United Kingdom. My hon. Friend the Minister for Consumer Affairs will attend the Baghdad international trade fair next month. The British Overseas Trade Board has supported 14 trade missions to Iraq since April 1980. Full support to British exporters has been given by the commercial sections in the British Embassy in Baghdad and the Iraqi Embassy in London. British exports to Iraq totalled £322 million in calendar year 1980. Full figures are not yet available for 1981, but the figures for the first six months of 1981 and 1982 were £287 million and £419 million respectively.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the curent negotiations on the multi-fibre arrangement.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Trade what was the total volume of steel imports from the European Economic Community and the rest of the world, respectively, in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; what were the comparable figures for each of the previous 10 years; and if he will publish a table showing European Economic Community and rest of the world imports as percentages of steel imports in each of the years concerned.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) what was the positive or negative balance of trade in manufactures with the EEC and the rest of the world, respectively, in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and if he will state the positive or negative balances for the same period in each of the previous comparable annual periods commencing 1960–61;(2) what was the positive or negative balance of trade in all goods, commodities arid services with the EEC and the rest of the world, respectively, in the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available; and if he will state the positive or negative balances for the same period in each of the previous comparable annual periods commencing 1960–61.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will take steps to obtain information about how much the British Airports Authority has so far spent on publicising its opposition to the North of England regional consortium's case to the Stansted airport inquiry ; if he is satisfied with the propriety of such expenditure by a public body while the inquiry is proceeding; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 October 1982, c. 3]: I regret that many parties to the Stansted inquiry, and their supporters, engage in a parallel debate outside the inquiry itself. In those circumstances I think it is not unreasonable for the planning applicants, the British Airports Authority to do the same. The cost of its reply to the NOERC case is not separately identifiable. The Government's decision on the application will be taken on the basis of the inspector's report on the evidence actually given at the public inquiry.

asked the Minister for Trade why his Department has agreed to a request from the Government of Kenya that the Mombassa port authority be permitted to conclude a negotiated contract for the supply of harbour tugs rather than follow the normal procedure of public open tender open to all potential United Kingdom suppliers.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 October 1982, c. 3]: Because I was convinced that this was the only way to minimise the risk of losing this business to fierce foreign competition following strong representations to this effect from the Government of Kenya through our High Commission in Nairobi.

asked the Lord President of the Council what are the criteria employed for allocating separate offices to those 176 hon. Members who are not Ministers.

The division of Back-Bench Members' rooms between the parties is decided by the parties at the beginning of each Parliament. The allocation of these rooms to particular Members is decided by the party Whips.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 21 October.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

asked the Prime Minister if she will consider seeking to convene a conference of world leaders to prepare plans for world disarmament.

No. We have just had the United Nations special session on disarmament, which I attended. There are no grounds for convening a meeting of world leaders. The right way to pursue arms control is by serious negotiations. Negotiations are now taking place on intermediate nuclear forces, strategic arms reduction talks and mutual and balanced force reductions.

asked the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet the chairmen of the nationalised industries.

I have no immediate plans to do so

asked the Prime Minister if she will introduce legislation in the next Session to implement the recommendations of the Equal Opportunities Commission to strengthen the equal pay and sex discrimination legislation.

I do not wish to anticipate the Queen's Speech but I doubt that it will be possible to make time available next Session for a major Bill on equal opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister when she next expects to visit West Yorkshire.

I have at present no plans to do so

asked the Prime Minister whether she will transfer responsibility for magistrates' courts procedures from the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the Lord Chancellor.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what matters Her Majesty's Government consider to be totally the responsibility of the island Governments of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man; in what areas and to what extent the Home Secretary, in whatever capacity, exercises some degree of responsibility; and what formal arrangements there are for exercising that responsibility in each of foreign affairs, defence, fiscal policy, prison service, health service, employment, industry, fisheries, trade and education.

The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are internally self-governing dependencies of the Crown. The United Kingdom Government is directly responsible for their foreign relations and external defence and consults the islands about these matters as appropriate. All island legislation requires Royal Assent. The Crown acts through the Privy Council, and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is the Privy Councillor primarily responsible for matters relating to the islands. The Crown has ultimate responsibility for their good government, but otherwise the islands have virtually full control over their own internal affairs. The circumstances which might justify the exercise of the United Kingdom's paramount powers to intervene in the internal affairs of the islands in the interest of good government cannot readily be defined, but are likely to be very rare.

asked the Prime Minister whether there are any criteria upon which pictures for the official rooms at No. 10 Downing Street are chosen; and from what sources they may be drawn.

My aim has been to have in No. 10 pictures by British artists and, also, pictures which are representative of the nation's history, achievements and its great men and women.Pictures are on loan from a number of sources, including the Government art collection, museums and galleries, societies and private collectors.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the state of relations with the Republic of Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on Anglo-Irish relations.

As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend on 15 July—tVol. 27, c. 4291—our relations with the Republic have suffered recently. Our future relations will inevitably depend on the attitude of the Irish Government. It is our long term aim to foster close relations with all our EEC partners.

asked the Prime Minister if, in the light of the proposed closure of the Lyons Maid factory, she is satisfied that the Departments of Employment, the Environment and Industry adequately co-ordinate policy to prevent factory closures and provide financial assistance to industry in Merseyside; and if she will arrange for Ministers from these Departments to meet hon. Members from Merseyside to discuss these matters.

I am satisfied that Departments adequately co-ordinate policy to provide financial assistance to industry, including industry on Merseyside, under the Industry Act 1972 I know that Ministers will be happy to discuss such matters with hon. Members.Lyons Maid's proposal to close its factory in Liverpool must be a matter for the company's commercial judgment.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the breaking by the Press and broadcasting services of the embargo on the publication of details of the awards of decorations for service in the Falklands campaign, she will review the arrangements for the confidential pre-release of Government documents to the media; and if she will make a statement.

My chief press secretary has written to a number of media organisations following the breach of the embargo. The arrangements for the confidential release of Government documents to the media will be reviewed in the light of their replies. Meanwhile, the Press Council is considering the circumstances in which news of the awards was published in advance of the embargoed release time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the comments as made by Judge Argyle at the trial of Ian Breckenbridge sentencing him to seven years' imprisonment at the Old Bailey on Thursday 12 August, he will arrange for the woman who was attacked by Ian Breckenbridge to receive agreed compensation from his Department.

The release of Ian Breckenbridge, under licence, from a sentence of life imprisonment imposed in 1968 was authorised in full accordance with the statutory requirements after consultation with the judiciary and on the recommendation of the Parole Board for Scotland. No question of compensation has been raised with me or my Department by or on behalf of the lady attacked by Ian Breckenbridge earlier this year; and no liability for any such compensation is admitted. It is open to anyone who suffers criminal injuries to make an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for compensation from public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the increase in the number of rabbits, which is causing considerable nuisance and damage, he will consider reintroducing the 50 per cent. grant which was previously paid to rabbit clearance societies in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the concern about increasing rabbit numbers, despite sporadic outbreaks of myxomatosis and the incidence of severe winter weather is recent years. Given the present constraints on public expenditure, however, there is no possibility of the Government reintroducing grant aid. The answer must continue to lie in occupiers taking control measures on a concerted basis and deriving the benefits.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why his Department took six weeks to reply to a letter from the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan on the health workers' pay claim, written during the Summer Adjournment; and if he will take steps to speed up replies to such correspondence from hon. Members.

I have not received any correspondence from the hon. Member about the health workers' pay claim. I did receive two letters about the proposed closure of the department of dermatology at the Southern general hospital, Glasgow, and I have already apologised to the hon. Member for the delay in replying to these letters. As the hon. Member is aware from my reply to him, I had arranged a meeting with Greater Glasgow health board to discuss its financial situation. I postponed a reply until after that meeting. Every effort k already made both by myself and the Departments for which I am responsible to provide prompt replies to the correspondence of hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many qualified medical doctors were registered as unemployed in Scotland in September of each of the last three years.

The following table shows the numbers of people who were registered at employment offices in Scotland for work as medical practitioners in September of each of the last three years.

asked the Attorney-General if, in the light of the remarks of Mr. Hambleton, the former chief constable of Dorset, he is satisfied that charges have been brought in all possible cases arising out of Operation Countryman.

I am satisfied that, where the evidence justified it, criminal proceedings have been instituted in all cases arising out of the Operation Countryman investigations that have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department gives financial assistance to the X-ray crystallographic database, Cambridge.

Yes, indirectly through research councils and through the University Grants Committee, Cambridge university, which receives a grant through the UGC, provides the basic facilities used by the X-ray crystallographic database. I understand that the Science and Engineering Research Council supports the database team's work financially by giving a rolling grant, currently £200,000 over four years, which equates to approximately 35 per cent. of the running expenses of the database, and by providing support services through two of its establishments. I also understand that the database team leader is a member of the Medical Research Council's external scientific staff. Payments by industrial and overseas users of the database for its services have to date covered over half its running expenses.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage and what number of the total number of assisted places in the present school session have been awarded to pupils currently attending fee-paying schools.

Figures for 1982–83 are not yet available. In 1981–82, 68 per cent. of assisted pupils had previously been in publicy maintained schools for at least two years immediately prior to taking up their assisted places: it is a requirement of the scheme that at least 60 per cent. of selected pupils should be so qualified.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the recent official visit to Liverpool by the Under-Secretary of State.

The Under-Secretary of State met representatives of the city of Liverpool local education authority and other bodies to hear their views on the provisional proposal that initial teacher training should be discontinued at the city of Liverpool college of higher education. The points made will be fully taken into account before final decisions are made.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Campbell and Cosens v Her Majesty's Government, he will introduce legislation to prohibit all forms of corporal punishment.

The Government are studying the Court's judgment and the implications it has for different parts of the United Kingdom. I note, however, that the court itself does not suggest that a general prohibition of corporal punishment is necessary to satisfy the judgment.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) which of the criteria listed in the note to editors issued by his Department on 9 August led him to propose the ending of teacher training at Newman College, Birmingham;

My Department considered how the reduced planned intakes to initial teacher training in the public sector might be distributed and in doing so took into account a wide range of factors. Institutions were not considered in isolation and it would be a misunderstanding of the process to attempt to identify specific factors in respect of individual institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is in a position to make a further announcement about the date for implementing the remaining provisions of the Education Act 1981.

Preparation of the regulations and circular on the new procedures for carrying out assessments and making statements of special educational need has taken longer than expected because of the need for extensive consultations with all the various bodies concerned. It is now unlikely that the texts can be published before the end of December. Local education authorities will need at least two to three months from the issue of the circular and regulations in which to make the necessary changes to their local procedures and arrangements. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I therefore propose to bring the remaining provisions of the Education Act 1981 into force on 1 April, 1983, and not 1 January as announced earlier.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether and, if so, by what amount the cost of living figures for September reflected the cost to parents of reduction in the numbers of children entitled to free school meals.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether and, if so, by what amount the cost of living figures for September reflected increases in the price of school meals.

Local education authorities' increases in school meal charges between August and September 1982 added 0·01 per cent. to the retail price index.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take steps to consult disablement organisations and other relevant bodies on ways of encouraging disabled people to register, in order to make it easier to enforce the quota;(2) if he plans to introduce a code of practice on the employment of disabled people as proposed by the Manpower Services Commission;(3) subsequent to the Government's decision to retain the statutory quota for the employment of disabled people, what plans he has to ensure it is enforced; and if he will make a statement.

As my right Friend indicated in his reply of 29 July to my hon. Friend, we have asked the Manpower Services Commission to press ahead with the drafting of a code of practice on the employment of disabled people, to be tried out on a voluntary basis; and to consider further the ways suggested by the Select Committee and others for improving the effectiveness of the quota scheme within the framework of existing legislation. These could, of course, include ways of encouraging more disabled people to register. In considering these issues the commission will be consulting the national advisory council on the employment of disabled people, disablement organisations and other interested bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if his Department is carrying out research into behavioural toxicology with respect to exposure to chemicals at work.

The Health and Safety Executive has a continuing programme of work devoted to behavioural toxicology research. Effort is concentrated into five main areas. First, a series of volunteer studies is under way at the HSE's occupational medicine and hygiene laboratory This experimental work is investigating short-term behavioural changes during acute exposure to industrial solvents at or below currently permissible levels. Tests of performance which reflect different aspects of psychological functioning and measures of mood change are being used in these studies to assess their reliability, sensitivity and robustness for use in the field. The second, and parallel, part of the programme is investigating behavioural changes in actual workplaces. This work is aimed at assessing the likelihood of behavioural changes which follow acute exposures—over a day's shift—and those which may reflect prolonged exposure—chronic effects. A third part of the work will seek to establish the significance of toxic exposure as a cause of clinical presentation (a) as an emergency and (b) subsequently due to intellectual impairment.A fourth aspect of the work is concerned with the question of the possible increase in likelihood of mental illness in those occupations where toxic substances are known to be used. In this context, a number of epidemiological surveys are currently under way to investigate possible occupational differences in incidence rates of mental health disorders. Apart from these empirical studies a critical review of the use of behavioural methods in toxicological research is planned. It will concentrate upon a classification of available test methods from the point of view of validity and reliability and will examine the significance of such findings from behavioural studies with respect to the health and safety of those exposed and to appropriate guidance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that voluntary training arrangements for journalists will be adequate following the proposed abolition of the Printing and Publishing Industry Training Board.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list (a) current training schemes for women and (b) any proposed new training schemes for women.

The majority of the Manpower Services Commission's training schemes are open to men and women, but the commission runs a modest programme of training and development courses for women only, through industrial training boards, educational institutions, management centres, and other training bodies, as well as through its own facilities.At present, the commission is funding or part funding the following training for women through training organisations:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent girls on the youth opportunities programme are receiving training in nontraditional skills.

The information requested is not available.Although statistics are kept for each financial year showing the numbers of girls and boys entering the youth opportunities programme as a whole, they are not broken down by sex for the training offered in the various occupations or skills.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current number of young people involved in the youth opportunities programme; and what were the figures for October 1981.

It is estimated that there were 252,100 places filled by young people on the youth opportunities programme at the end of September 1982, the latest date for which figures are available. There were 221,800 places filled by young people at the end of October 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the current number of long-term unemployed on Merseyside and in Liverpool.

In July 1982, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers of people who had been registered as unemployed for over 52 weeks in the Merseyside special development area and in the Liverpool travel-to-work area were 60,723 and 42,702 respectively.Additional help for the long-term unemployed in Liverpool and Merseyside, and elsewhere in the country, will of course be provided by the new community programme scheme introduced on 1 October. But the best way of helping all those who are unemployed is to improve employment prospects by getting the economy right. This is what our policies are designed to achieve.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest total of unemployed among persons aged 18 years and under on Merseyside and in Liverpool, respectively; and what were the comparable figures for October 1979.

At July 1982, the latest date for which the quarterly age analysis is available, the numbers of young people aged 18 years and under registered as unemployed in the Merseyside special development area and the Liverpool travel-to-work area were 21,764 and 13,703 respectively. The corresponding figures at October 1979 were 21,764 and 13,703 respectively. The corresponding figures at October 1979 were 14,757 and 10,565. The July 1982 figures include a higher proportion of summer school leavers than would have been the case in October 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans Her Majesty's Government have for reducing unemployment amongst young people aged 18 years and under on Merseyside.

Unemployment, including youth unemployment, will fall in Merseyside and the rest of the country with the success of the Government's economic policies. Our policies have already reduced inflation to single figures and are helping to increase the growth and international competitiveness of British industry.In the meantime the youth opportunities programme is helping unemployed young people by providing courses of work experience and training. Next year the new youth training scheme will replace the current programme and will provide a full year of foundation training.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated number of young people unemployed in the areas covered by the Liverpool, Toxteth and Scotland Exchange constituencies; and how these figures compare with the national average.

The numbers registered as unemployed are compiled for employment office areas and not for parliamentary constituencies. At 8 July 1982, the latest date for which an age analysis is available, there were 5,030 young people aged 18 and under registered as unemployed in the Liverpool employment office area, which is somewhat larger than the combined constituencies of Toxteth and Scotland Exchange. The corresponding figure for the United Kingdom was 536,760.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many qualified medical doctors were registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom as a whole in September of each of the past three years.

At September 1982, the number of unemployed people registered at employment offices in the United Kingdom for employment as medical practitioners was 1,418. The corresponding figures at September 1980 and September 1981 were 493 and 1,020, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the total population of working age, excluding those in full-time education, is currently employed; and how that figure compares with 1972, 1962, 1952 and any earlier relevant dates for which figures can be made available.

Figures of the employed labour force as a proportion of the population of working age—excluding those in full-time education—are given for Great Britain, mid-year, in the table.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the numbers of young people in the area covered by offices in March, Wisbech and Ely who (a) have been unemployed for more than six months and (b) have been found jobs under the youth opportunities programme.

At 8 July 1982, the latest date for which an analysis by age and by duration of unemployment is available, there were 262 young people under 20 years of age registered as unemployed for over 26 weeks in the area covered by the March, Wisbech and Ely employment offices.Figures are not available below regional level of the number of young people who are on youth opportunities programme schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the effect on employment in Merseyside of the proposed closure of the Lyons Maid factory, Liverpool.

The only representations my Department has received were from a deputation from the Lyons Maid Liverpool action committee which I received on 14 October.In this connection I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to his questions on 19 October.—[Vol 29. c.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to prevent further job losses in Liverpool.

The Government's policies are aimed at developing a soundly based economy, which means among other things bringing inflation and interest rates steadily down. As these are reduced, and productivity continues to improve, British firms will be in a position to offer goods and services at home and abroad which people want to buy at prices they are prepared to pay. This is the only way to safeguard existing jobs and also to create the new jobs which we all seek, both in Liverpool and throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether his Department has evaluated the potential use of hydrogen as a replacement fuel for oil.

My Department has considered the possible role for hydrogen and has concluded that it :is unlikely that it can be manufactured cheaply enough to displace existing fuels in the United Kingdom until well into the next century.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to obtain details of the work at Texas A and M university on hydrogen extraction from water for use as a possible fuel replacement for oil in the future; and if he will make a statement.

My Department will study the detailed results as soon as they become available. It would appear that much development work will be required before the commercial production of hydrogen directly from solar energy can be realised. Countries with abundant sunshine would have a clear advantage over the United Kingdom for this method of producing energy from renewable sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if his Department is sponsoring any research projects into the production of hydrogen from water for use as an alternative fuel.

My Department is supporting the manufacture and demonstration of an advanced design of electrolyser for producing hydrogen from water by electricity. In addition, the Science and Engineering Research Council is supporting several projects to produce hydrogen directly by solar energy and the European Community has a research and development programme on the manufacture and use of hydrogen.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has now formulated his plans for the sale of Britoil; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's plans for the sale of shares in Britoil were set out during the passage of the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Bill. I have made it clear that final decisions about the sale of shares will depend, amongst other things, on market conditions at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will dismiss the chairman of British Telecommunications.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will tabulate in the Official Report all sums expended by public funds in support of information technology for the years 1978–79, 1979–80, and 1980–81 and his estimate for the years 1981–82 and 1982–83, together with the titles of the relevant schemes or heads of expenditure.

Department of Industry support for information technology is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what Government assistance is available under the Industry Acts or other powers to Lyons Maid, Liverpool, to maintain its factory in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

Selective financial assistance is available under the Industry Act for viable investment projects which will create or maintain jobs in designated assisted areas. Liverpool is in the Merseyside special development area, and any application for selective assistance would be considered on its merits. To date no such application has been received. The company might be eligible for assistance under the temporary short time working compensation scheme, but that is a matter for it to decide. The decision to close is one which is properly within the commercial judgment of the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry by what percentage steel capacity and production, respectively, have been increased or decreased by the United Kingdom and Italy, respectively, since the introduction of the crisis cartel.

Mandatory production quotas under article 58 of the Treaty of Paris were introduced in 1980, though looser anti-crisis measures had been in operation since 1978. Data are therefore given for two periods; 1978 to 1980 and 1980 to 1981, the latest year for which definitive figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has any evidence of EEC nations selling steel in the United Kingdom at prices or terms below their published price lists; and if he will make a statement.

Under current ECSC price rules, steel producers and dealers are required, except in certain specified exemptions, to publish price lists and adhere to them except when aligning on to a competitor's price. The Government have received no firm evidence of instances where companies in other member States are failing to abide by these rules. We should welcome any such evidence, which we would pass to the Commission, to whom we look to enforce the rules vigorously. In this latter connection, the Commission has recently increased the number of inspectors responsible for policing the rules.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if, pursuant to his reply of 18 May, Official Report, c. 97, he has yet established the working group to investigate and draw up the technical standards for cable systems; if he will list the members of the group; if he will publish its findings; and if he will make a statement.

I have placed in the Library a copy of the terms of reference and the list of members of the technical working group.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, pursuant to the statement by the Under-Secretary of State on 28 June, Official Report, c. 728, concerning the loss of assisted area status for Derbyshire and his meeting with a deputation representing the county council, on what date the leader and chief executive of Derbyshire county council were invited to attend the meeting referred to; and if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the invitation sent and the replies received.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 July 1982, c. 794]: As I told the House in the Adjournment debate on intermediate area status for Derbyshire—[Vol. 26, c. 729]—because of the pressure of time all the arrangements for me to meet the deputation were made by telephone. I agreed in the week beginning 14 June to a meeting at the request of my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Rost) who himself notified the county council and was able to confirm to my private office on the afternoon of Thursday 17 June that the arrangements were acceptable to the council.My office was informed only on 22 June, the day of the meeting that the leader and chief executive would not, after all, attend the meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 July, why, in view of the comments made by the Lord Chancellor on, and the results of, the case in the House of Lords of Michael Evans who was wrongly dismissed as a policeman, he will not recommend to Her Majesty the Queen the cancelling of the warrant of appointment of Mr. Philip Myers, the chief constable then responsible, as an inspector of constabulary.

My right hon. Friend is completely satisfied with the way Mr. Myers is carrying out his duties as an inspector of constabulary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the difficulties and problems in Kenya, and the situation of some 60,000 Asians, some 1,500 of whom hold British passports and are anxious to emigrate to the United Kingdom, he proposes to take any steps to facilitate the entry of these people.

We estimate that there may be some 15,000 United Kingdom passport holders subject to immigration control in Kenya. Those who wish to come here may apply under existing arrangements for a special voucher, which entitles them to enter the United Kingdom, and we have no further steps in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reach a decision in respect of the formal request by 30 parliamentary electors in the parish of Beal in the Selby district for a separate polling district and polling station in the Kellingley area of the parish.

I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce the necessary amending legislation to provide concessionary television licence payments for people resident in part III accommodation, including those physically and menially handicapped.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent. South (Mr. Ashley) on 26 May.—[Vol. 24, c. 306.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received over each of the last three years from individuals in each of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey, respectively, concerning (a) difficulties of pursuing legal cases between the United Kingdom and the islands and (b) the applicability of the European Convention on Human Rights to individuals in the islands; and what has been his response.

The number of representations cannot be determined without disproportionate cost, but is known to be small. Advice as to the procedure for pursuing legal cases would, when necessary be given and the appropriate island authorities be notified: and persons inquiring about the European Convention on Human Rights would be informed that the convention has been extended to all the islands but that ratification of the right of individual petition has not been renewed for the Isle of Man since 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the remarks of Mr. Hambleton, the former chief constable of Dorset, he is satisfied that no obstruction of Operation Countryman has occurred; and if he will make a statement.

I have concluded that there is no evidence of obstruction of a kind which would have prevented those responsible for Operation Countryman from doing their job. I have today replied to the representations made to me on this matter by the right hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. Steel), and a copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many amateur radio licences were issued by his Department in each of the last three years; if he will estimate the current delay between application and issue ; and if he will provide a more prompt service.

The number of new amateur radio licences issued was:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis £4,000 was paid in compensation to a Nigerian student in the United Kingdom who complained that he had to have a testicle removed after assault by the police after a Scotland Yard investigation of the case found that the complaint was unsubstantiated.

In 1979 the man in question initiated a civil action against the Metropolitan Police for injuries sustained during his arrest in November 1977. A settlement was reached and an agreed sum of compensation was paid, without admission of liability, by the Metropolitan Police in October 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many staff were employed in the dental officer reference service in his Department in each of the last three years; if he has accepted the recommendation of the dental strategy review group to strengthen this service; and if he will make a statement.

The numbers of dental officers employed in the dental officer reference service in the last three years are:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the dental strategy review group submitted its latest recommendations; what was the final date for receiving comments from the profession; how many recommendations are still being considered; and if he will make a statement.

The dental strategy review group's report "Towards Better Dental Health—Guidelines for the Future" was submitted in August last year and the consultation period ended on 31 January 1982. The report is of major importance and we have been considering very carefully all of the recommendations in the light of the many comments received. The decision to close the School for Dental Therapists at New Cross was made earlier this year. We aim to make an announcement shortly on other recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list in the Official Report, for each of his Department's local offices serving the Birmingham, Stechford constituency, the current number of non-pensioner and pensioner claimants; and if he will give comparable figures for 1979, 1980 and 1981 where available;(2) if he will list in the

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many teaching hospitals devoted solely to chiropody and foot care there are in England and Wales; and what is his estimate of the total number of qualified chiropodists emerging in 1983.

Students undertaking courses leading to State registration are trained in schools of chiropody approved by the Chiropodists Board, an independent statutory body established by the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960. There are nine such institutions in England and Wales; one of them, the London foot hospital is in the NHS, the others are in the further education sector. I estimate that, if the proportion of students qualifying in 1982 is maintained next year, some 215 qualified chiropodists will emerge in 1983.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if patients who register with independent medical associates for private general practitioner services will need to transfer from the National Health Service doctor with whom they are registered at present; if drugs prescribed privately may be collected on a form FP10 signed by a National Health Service doctor; and if he will make a statement.

A patient who so registers may remain on the list of his NHS doctor. A doctor may prescribe on form FP10 only such drugs as he considers necessary for a patient he is treating under the NHS. He may not order on form FP10 drugs for a patient whom he is treating privately.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his timetable for the closure of Marple Dale hospital, Marple, Stockport.

The timetable for closure of Marple Dale hospital is for Stockport health authority to determine. I understand that at present the hospital is planned to continue in use until mid-1983.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many forms his Department has in circulation relating to benefits or exemptions available to those on low incomes.

People on low incomes can claim the full range of social security benefits. There are claim forms for all the benefits administered by the Department, and many of these are attached to explanatory leaflets.However, there are eight main forms which deal with benefits or exemptions specifically available to those on low incomes. All are attached to explanatory leaflets. They are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why those who had been employed by Orton and Smith, Ltd. Willenhall, West Midlands have been refused both unemployment and supplementary benefit; and what is the latest position arising from representations which have been made to his local offices on this matter.

Benefit has not been payable because both the insurance officer—and, on appeal, the tribunal—and the supplementary benefit officer have so decided, on the basis that the stoppage of work at Orton and Smith, Ltd. is due to a trade dispute. That stoppage has now ceased, and the independent adjudicating authorities will therefore be reconsidering the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in Bolton, currently receiving welfare benefits, will lose that right to benefit when the unified housing benefit scheme is fully introduced; if, in the absence of exact figures, he will give the best estimate ; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that information for Bolton is not available. The most recent estimate is that 3 per cent. of supplementary benefit householders in Great Britain will cease to be entitled to supplementary benefit when housing benefit is introduced. There were 17,600 supplementary benefit householders in Bolton in April 1982 and if the national percentage were applicable to Bolton about 530 of them would no longer receive supplementary benefit. Instead, they will be entitled to housing benefit and will receive as much or more in weekly benefit as they did under the current supplementary benefit scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations have been made by his Department to bring the price of pharmaceutical drugs into line with those paid by other European Economic Community nations; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my hon. and learned Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 6 July .—[Vol. 27, c. 92.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely on 10 March, Official Report, c. 443, if he will list in the Official Report(a) the numbers of deaths and (b) the death rate per thousand for the following age groups. (i) under one year, (ii) one to five years, (iii) 60 to 64 years, (iv) 65 to 69 years, (v) 70 to 74 years, (vi) 75 to 79 years, (vii) 80 to 84 years, (viii) 85 to 89 years and (ix) 90 years and over from (a) 1 April 1981 to 30 September 1981 and (b) 1 October 1981 to 31 March 1982 and (c) 1 April 1982 to 30 September 1982.

The available information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of death by hypothermia in (a) those aged 65 years and over and (b) those aged five years and under were recorded in each of the last two years.

The available information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total number of staff employed at his Department's offices in the West Midlands in May 1979 and now; and if he will also give the changes in staffing levels in percentage terms.

Staff employment figures for local offices in the Department's former West Midlands region are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department or the North-West regional health authority has investigated allegations made locally that consultants at Oldham and district general hospital have, during the current industrial dispute, facilitated the admission of non-urgent patients to hospital in return for money payments; and if he will make a statement.

I am assured by Oldham health authority that it is satisfied there is no truth in these allegations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has completed his consideration of the child benefit legislation which affects children in care who return home temporarily.

Yes. A draft amending regulation will shortly be referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee. The intention will be to provide for child benefit to be payable in respect of a child, who is in the care of a local authority, but who nevertheless spends a period of seven consecutive nights at home.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what follow-up study he is making of the progress of the 580 wounded British Service men treated in SS "Uganda".

No follow-up study is necessary. I am quite satisfied that all the men who suffered injuries in the operation to recover the Falkland Islands have received, and where necessary will continue to receive, whatever medical treatment is necessary to effect their recovery or rehabilitation. Of the 777 members of the task force who suffered injuries, only 38 are still receiving hospital treatment. A further small number are still on sick leave and most of these will return to their units in due course. None have yet been medically discharged.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the dockyard in Gibraltar will be closed for use by the Royal Navy.

Her Majesty's dockyard Gibraltar is to close in 1983. Examination of the possibility of subsequent commercial operation of the dockyard is continuing. The naval base will of course remain fully operational.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions are taking place within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation about the future of the Royal Naval base at Gibraltar; and whether Spain is now involved in such discussions.

No such discussions are taking place. There are no plans to change the status of the Royal Naval base at Gibraltar.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which civilians have been transported to the Falkland Islands by his Department since the re-occupation of the islands; what financial arrangements have been made for such transportation; and for how long he envisages such arrangements will continue.

Civilian passages by sea or air to the Falkland Islands are provided by MOD chartered ships or RAF transport aircraft if spare capacity can be made available in the light of over-riding military priorities for freight or personnel. A number of Falkland Islands civilians and their dependants and other civilians on defence or other important Government business have been moved in this way during the last four months. In line with Government accounting requirements, civilians travelling in MOD chartered ships of RAF aircraft are generally charged the equivalent commercial rate for the journey. In exceptional cases, such as those which have applied in the Falkland Islands, a lower charge is made. It is too early to say how long the present travel arrangements will continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a moratorium on all future ship disposals pending the presentation to Parliament of his new defence White Paper.

There are no plans to withdraw any RN or RFA ship from the active fleet before the publication of the forthcoming defence White Paper on the Falklands operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if e will list the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships that are, on present plans, to be disposed of during 1982 and 1983; and if he will give the date and form of disposal for each ship.