asked the Minister for Trade if he is now in a position to introduce proposals for value-added tax inclusive pricing to avoid the cases of consumers being misled by traders who price goods on an exclusive basis without making the exclusion clear until the point of payment.

No. It is already an offence under section 11 of the Trade Descriptions Act for a trader to give any indication that goods are being offered at a price less than their actual price. I have recently asked my officials to undertake a comprehensive review of section 11 of the Trade Descriptions Act and of the bargain offers order and to consider proposals for new primary legislation. It would not be appropriate to impose new requirements until this review has been completed.

asked the Minister for Trade what steps were taken during the period in and around 5 November to inform the public generally of the dangers associated with the use of fireworks.

On 15 October I launched an extensive firework safety campaign to publicise the hazards of fireworks if used carelessly or irresponsibly. Publicity material available from my Department includes a leaflet and poster for registered retailers of fireworks. Television films and new radio tapes have been distributed to the media. I have also had particularly in mind the importance of getting young people to understand the dangers. For this purpose we have for the fourth year been able to enlist the services of someone who knows how to put the message over to the, a young singer who is also featured in one of our posters and who helped in promoting a firework safety song competition for schools. The publicity material has been sent to all schools, local authorities, youth organisations, fire brigades, and police. Press packs containing this material together with a press notice and feature article are sent to national and local press and women's and children's publications. The Firework Makers Guild and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents have worked closely with my Department in this campaign and their material is also receiving a wide distribution.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will take action to encourage local authorities to arrange public firework displays.

In our annual firework safety campaign we bring to the attention of local authorities the desirability of encouraging people to attend properly organised displays and provide guidance on how to run a firework display safely. It is for the local authorities to decide whether they wish to organise such displays; many public spirited organisations already do this themselves.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will publish a table showing (a) the total number of bankruptcies in 1979 and (b) the total number of company liquidations in 1979 and the estimates for 1982–83 for (i) the total number of bankruptcies and (ii) the total number of company liquidations; and if he will make a statement.

Figures for 1979 and the first three quarters of 1982 are given in table 1 on page 311 of British Business, 22 October.My Department does not prepare forecasts of insolvencies.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will take steps to prevent the importation of dangerously inflammable substances for use at Christmas parties and other festivities.

I have no evidence that dangerously inflammable substances for use at Christmas parties and other festivities are being imported. I have, however, asked my officials to investigate the fire hazard the hon. Member considers might be caused by some party streamer spray that he has recently written to me about. Previous investigations have shown that this kind of streamer is less of a fire risk than the traditional paper streamers.

asked the Minister for Trade when he expects the Stansted inquiry to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

The first phase of the public inquiries into BAA's outline planning application to develop Stansted airport and various related proposals was held at Quendon Hall in Essex and has recently been completed. The inspector also has before him a related planning application from Uttlesford district council for the proposed development of a fifth terminal at Heathrow as an alternative to development at Stansted. The inquiries will therefore reopen in January 1983 at the Crest hotel, Heathrow. This second and final phase is expected to last for about six months.

asked the Minister for Trade how many prosecutions there were against individuals or companies in the years 1971, 1976 and 1981, in respect of offences relating to breaches of the Companies Acts.

I refer my hon. Friend to the annual reports for the years in question which were laid before Parliament pursuant to section 451 of the Companies Act 1948, copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Minister for Trade, during the years 1971, 1976 and 1981, how many people were employed in his Department to investigate offences by individuals or companies relating to breaches of the Companies Acts.

Only officers working in the companies investigation branch are employed exclusively on investigating offences relating to breaches of the Companies Acts. On 1 January 1973, the first date for which information is readily available, there were 22 staff; on 1 November 1976 there were 35, and on 1 November 1981 there were 30.Other officers employed in the companies registration office and the insolvency service and in the solicitor's division of the Department of Industry devote part of their time to this work.

asked the Minister for Trade if he plans to legislate so as to require tour operators to include airport taxes in the published prices of inclusive tours; and if he will make a statement.

No. I have asked my officials to undertake a comprehensive review of section 11 of the Trade Descriptions Act and of the bargain offers order and to consider proposals for new legislation. It would not be appropriate to impose new burdens on traders in this field in advance of the results of this review. I have decided therefore not now to proceed with the proposed VAT and ancillary charges order.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) if he will list the names of hon. Members who have made representations to him concerning the takeover bid by Linfood Holdings for Fitch Lovell;(2) what representations he has received concerning the proposed takeover bid by Linfood Holdings for Fitch Lovell; and if he will make a statement.

I have received 81 letters from hon. Members; it might be taken as a discourtesy if I listed their names.On 3 November I announced that my right hon. and noble Friend had decided, in accordance with the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading, to refer the proposed merger to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It was considered that the merger raised issues of public interest that called for investigation, in particular the effects of continuing concentration among the major food distributors.

asked the Minister for Trade if he has made a decision about the establishment of freeport duty free areas at air and sea ports following his consideration of the views of the Institute of Directors; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 November 1982, c. 18]: As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Proctor) on 8 November—[Vol. 31, c. 17]—we have decided that there should be a comprehensive review of the potential advantages of freeports. We shall be seeking advice from a wide range of interested bodies and individuals. We should be glad to hear from anyone who has views to contribute.

asked the Attorney-General what criteria are adopted by the Director of Public Prosecutions in deciding whether or not to institute proceedings in respect of offences relating to breaches of the Companies Acts.

Only a minority of alleged offences under the Companies Acts are referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions. In considering these the Director applies the criteria he applies when considering whether to prosecute other offences.

asked the Attorney-General what criteria are adopted by the Director of Public Prosecutions in deciding whether or not to institute proceedings in respect of offences relating to breaches of income tax or corporation tax legislation.

These offences are prosecuted by the Inland Revenue and not by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Attorney-General if he will ensure that a transcript of the BBC1 "Panorama" programme on Monday 8 November is studied by the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to the preferment of criminal charges against persons named in the programme; and if he will make a statement.

The Director of Public Prosecutions will be considering the programme in the light of the hon. Member's question. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding experiments on live animals; and if he will make a statement.

In the first nine months of this year about 1,700 letters have been received in the Home Office. The Government intend to improve and modernise the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 when parliamentary time permits and final agreement has been reached on the draft Council of Europe convention on this matter. Substantial progress has already been made in drafting the convention, but some matters remain to be settled and these will be considered by the ad hoc committee of experts later this month. The complete text will then have to be submitted to the Committee of Ministers for approval. In the meantime we are continuing our study of detailed proposals to give effect to this intention. Plans for carrying it forward will be announced when the study is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the problems in maintaining the present level of population without industry, imports or crops, following a nuclear attack on Great Britain; and if he considers that this will be possible.

The problems in sustaining the population immediately after a general nuclear attack would be severe, and dispersed stocks of essential food are held against this contingency. The pace of subsequent recovery would depend upon the scale of attack, the numbers surviving and the extent of damage, none of which can be estimated with certainty. The better the planning in peacetime by local authorities and others with responsibility for civil defence, the better would be the prospects for recovery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers or civilian staff employed in the police service have, in the latest 12 months, been disciplined for passing information from criminal records to unauthorised persons.

I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards there are to prevent police officers or civilian staff employed in the police service who are entitled to access to Scotland Yard criminal records or those held at local police stations and regional criminal record offices from passing such information to unauthorised persons; and whether he is satisfied with the efficacy of these safeguards in the case of retired police officers now working as security officers for private firms.

We are satisfied that chief officers of police are fully seized of the importance of taking all practicable steps to ensure the confidentiality of police records, and to guard against their unauthorised disclosure. Such disclosure may be subject to disciplinary or, in some circumstances, criminal sanctions. I understand that the principal safeguards are the logging of requests for information and the requirement that no information is given over the telephone except when the identity of the person making the request has been established.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry to discover whether the cough linctus Phensedyl is an addictive drug and whether restrictions should be placed upon its sale.

Phensedyl, which is widely used to treat coughs, can be sold to the general public only under the supervision of a pharmacist.Restrictions on the sale of Phensedyl under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 would be justifiable only if there was evidence that it was being misused to such an extent as to constitute a social problem. Although there are occasional reports of misuse of Phensedyl, the advisory council on the misuse of drugs, which is responsible for considering whether grounds exist for imposing such control, has not, on the evidence available, recommended extending them to this preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he now expects the Boundary Commission's report to reach him.

I have recently received the report of the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland, which I am now studying, and which will be laid before Parliament, together with a draft Order in Council, as required by the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1949.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what consideration he is now giving to international co-operation in scientific research, whether through the European Economic Community or other international institutions, to avoid duplication and obtain better value for money; if he will list those meetings that he and his officials have attended so far in the current year to bring this about; and what has been the outcome of the meetings.

The Government are convinced of the value of international co-operation in science and technology, both through the European Communities and other international bodies, and attach considerable importance to the criteria identified. So far this year Ministers from this Department and the Department of Energy have participated in three meetings of the European Community Council of Research Ministers. Officials from a number of Departments have been present at these meetings and participated constructively in the work of Community bodies concerned with the devising and implementation of research policy in the European Community as well as wider European collaboration in the framework of COST.The United Kingdom also plays a prominent role in the work of many other bodies concerned with international co-operation in science and technology. For example, the Government strongly support the activities of the European Space Agency, where we co-operate with other technologically advanced countries. Officials from this Department regularly participate in meetings concerned with the implementation of research programmes on a collaborative basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the trend in dividends on shares in manufacturing industry in recent years; and if there is any significant correlation between this trend and changes in profitability over the same period.

No recent figures for manufacturing companies alone are available. Column (1) of the following table shows actual dividend payments by all industrial and commercial companies from 1974 to 1981 and column (2) the figures deflated by the retail price index. Column (3) gives the rate of return on capital. Dividend controls were in operation until the end of July 1979. Nevertheless, there appears to be some correlation between columns (2) and (3) although the relationships in 1977 and 1978 are out of line with those of other years.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the volume of steel imports into the

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish a table showing amounts of capital debt written off, interest forgone and additional sums given to each of the nationalised industries and other companies including the National Enterprise Board and the British Technology Group in each of the past three years.

Following is the information:United Kingdom and the percentage share of the British market in each of the most recent five available years taken by

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is yet able to disclose the extent of Government financial support for British Shipbuilders following his consideration of its new corporate plan.

I shall make a statement on Government support for British Shipbuilders when we have completed our examination of the plan and discussions with the European Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he has taken to obtain renewal of the authority under the Fifth Directive for the continuation of the shipbuilding intervention fund beyond 31 December 1982.

We are currently discussing renewal of the intervention fund with the European Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will review the aids provided to development and special development areas in such a way as to allocate funds to all clearly defined areas where unemployment has been consistently above the national average; and if he will make a statement.

The present coverage of assisted areas and the financial aids provided for them are fully consistent with the Government's policy of concentrating such assistance on areas which have experienced persistently high levels of unemployment and structural decline.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry which service sector industries are eligible for regional grants under the Industry Acts.

Service industries covered by the Standard Industrial Classification—1968 version—XXII-XXVI are eligible for regional selective assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 for projects which create new jobs in the assisted areas. The "non-production" activities of all industries—for example, administrative and sales offices, research and development units, training centres—are similarly eligible.The following service activities are defined as qualifying activities in the context of regional development grants under part I of the Industry Act 1972:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what consultations Her Majesty's Government have had with other parties about the future of Concorde; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government are at present responsible for the organisation procurement and funding of the British contribution to the in-service support of British Airways and Air France Concorde operations. The joint Anglo-French studies on the future of Concorde, which were conducted in the spring, showed that, on the basis of figures supplied by British Airways, the cost of such support up to the end of 1988 should be more than offset by Concorde operating surpluses. British Airways have therefore been asked whether they would be prepared to take on Her Majesty's Government's present financial and other responsibilities for in-service support, on the basis that Government funding of this will cease on 31 March 1983.The airline is considering this proposal in consultation with other interested parties, and expects to let the Government have a definitive reply in early December. The French Government are being kept fully in touch with developments.I have placed tables summarising the British input to the joint studies in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the microelectronics applications project.

I am very pleased with the achievements of the microelectronics application project—MAP—to date. It is generally acknowledged to have been a successful programme, well tuned to the needs of industry. Since MAP' s inception in 1978, the rate of uptake of microelectronics in manufacturing industry has improved from 5 per cent. to 30 per cent. And it is not, just having an impact in the high technology industries. Microelectronics is also helping traditional sectors to innovate, and a large proportion of successful applications have come from small firms.But MAP is in sight of exhausting its original funding of £55 million, and clearly a lot still remains to be done. The Government have thérefore decided to allocate MAP an additional £30 million as part of the Budget innovation package announced on 9 March this year by my right hon. and learned Friend. These funds will allow us to keep up the pace of change already achieved by MAP, to make new initiatives in industrial awareness and microelectronic training and to continue support for feasibility studies and development projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will bring forward proposals to extend to Wales similar provisions to those of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints Act 1967, section 7, subsections (2) to (10); and if he will make a statement.

Since the Commission for Local Administration in Wales was established in 1974 there have been 160 cases in Wales where maladministration was found. In only six cases, or some 4 per cent. of the total, was it considered that the final outcome of the case was unsatisfactory. We have noted the situation, but have no present plans to extend this legislation to Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in the light of the view expressed by the chairman of the Commission for Local Administration in England in her last annual report, he will bring forward proposals that people should be able to complain to a local commissioner either direct or through a member of the authority involved.

The same point has been made by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Wales. The question is under consideration by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many tenant farmers there are in Wales; and what were the corresponding figures for the last six years.

While information on the number of principal farmers, by tenure, is not available, the numbers of agricultural holdings rented in Wales are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters of complaints he has received from individual farmers, landlords, tenant farmers, the Country Landowners Association, the National Farmers Union and the Farmers Union of Wales during the last 12 months regarding the agricultural tenancy agreements under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976; and if he will make a statement.

I have received 10 letters during the last 12 months urging the introduction of legislation to change the security of tenure provisions of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Of these, seven were from members of or on behalf of either the NFU or CLA.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will state her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official duties for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her public engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her public engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 9 November.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to meet leaders of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the need to develop new technologies in Great Britain.

I take every opportunity to stress to the leaders of industry, and to the companies I visit, the importance of developing and adopting new technologies.Last February I chaired a meeting of the National Economic Development Council, which includes CBI leaders, at which papers on electronics and new technologies were discussed.In May I held a reception in Downing Street for some 90 representatives of industry, trades unions, universities, and the financial world, at which they were given a presentation on information technology and its importance to industry and the economy.In December I will be speaking at the information technology conference to be held in the Barbican to mark the end of IT Year.

asked the Prime Minister which Falkland Islands victory celebrations she has attended in her official capacity.

In commemoration of the Falklands campaign I attended a Thanksgiving service in St. Paul's Cathedral on 26 July and the City of London salute to the task force on 12 October. I also hosted a reception on 30 June and a dinner at 10 Downing Street on 11 October for those closely involved in the campaign.

asked the Prime Minister whether she authorised the presence of drill round dummy nuclear weapons, containing concrete, on Royal Fleet Auxiliaries in the South Atlantic.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave him on 8 November.—[Vol. 31, c. 58.]

asked the Prime Minister if she will now answer questions relating to the circumstances of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 28 October 1982.—[Vol. 29, c. 466–67.]

asked the Prime Minister when she expects to receive the report of the Franks committee review of events leading up to the Falkland Islands invasion.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 19 October 1982.—[Vol. 29, c. 90–91.]

asked the Prime Minister what recent discussions she has had with other European Economic Community Heads of Government regarding the trade balance between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community.

In my frequent exchanges with Community colleagues I have emphasised the extent and mutual value of our trade: in 1981 this was over £21 billion in each direction and the balance must be seen in that context. I have stressed the importance we attach to the removal of the remaining barriers to trade in both goods and services, and the serious implications of any growth in protectionism or other distortions of the Community's internal market.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has any proposals to make a further response to the Public Accounts Committee report on the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General in Session 1980–81.

My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary told the House on 19 April—[Vol. 22, c. 97]—that there would be talks with senior right hon. and hon. Members on both sides of the House, to seek a common position on the issues raised by the PAC report. Those talks are continuing.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to Finchley.

I will be visiting Finchley later this month.

asked the Prime Minister if she will visit Skelmersdale new town.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when next she plans to visit Greater Manchester.

I have no such plans at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will outline the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards removing imbalances of trade between the United Kingdom and its trading partners; and what recent steps have been taken in that regard.

The Government believe that trade should be balanced on a multilateral rather than a bilateral basis. However, we are concerned about the strain being placed on the open trading system by those countries which do not allow fair access to their markets and are pressing for positive Community action to remedy this.

asked the Prime Minister if she will give a single Minister overall responsibility for British maritime policy.

I have no plans to change the current arrangements under which the Secretary of State for Trade has the lead role in co-ordinating policy on maritime matters, other Ministers continuing to have the primary role in some specific maritime fields.

asked the Prime Minister what measures Her Majesty's Government are taking to encourage pupils aged 16 to 18 years who would benefit from such an education to remain in full-time education.

In the last three years there has been a welcome increase in the proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds who stay on in full-time education and who recognise the value of improving their qualifications. The Government have provided for additional expenditure of some £100 million in 1982–83 to assist this, and this support will be carried forward into later years. In May my right hon. Friend announced proposals for a new national pre-vocational qualification at 17-plus which is aimed at meeting the needs of young people who are not fully catered for by existing provision.

asked the Prime Minister what plans she has to visit Scotland.

I hope to do so later this year.

asked the Prime Minister when next she expects to visit Birmingham.

I have at present no plans to make such a visit.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement about the disbursement of funds from the South Atlantic fund to those charities responsible for distributing money to those injured or disabled in the Falklands campaign.

None of those injured or disabled has yet been medically discharged from the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy, and those still on sick leave are continuing to receive at least basic pay. To meet their immediate extra commitments the trustees of the South Atlantic fund have paid £1·5 million to the principal Service charities, Service dependent's fund and Service amenity fund. Commanding officers have been encouraged to ensure that cases of need are brought to the attention of those organisations. The trustees have paid £1·9 million to meet the immediate needs of the relatives of those killed. All charities, in any way connected with Service men—some 200—have been asked to assist with all cases that come to their notice and to seek reimbursement from the South Atlantic fund. The trustees have also set in motion a scheme whereby the long-term needs of all those who have suffered will be met from the fund so that, as far as possible, those affected will lead the kind of lives they might have expected to lead had the conflict not taken place.

asked the Prime Minister how many letters she has received in her official capacity from the general public over the past 12 months.

The exact figure is not available, but I receive an average of nearly 3,000 such letters each week.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on her recent meetings with the West German Chancellor.

Chancellor Kohl visited London at my invitation on 19 October. I visited Bonn on 28–29 October for the regular six-monthly bilateral consultations at Head of Government level. The two meetings provided an excellent opportunity for an early exchange of views with the new Federal Government and we looked forward to close co-operation in the future. Dr. Kohl also accompanied me on my visit to Berlin.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to pay an official visit to Welwyn.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has any proposals to establish a Prime Minister's Department.

There is already a Prime Minister's Office whose capacity and functions have changed from time to time. In addition, the head of the CPRS reports direct to the Prime Minister.

asked the Prime Minister if she will bring all aspects of energy conservation within one Department.

The report of the Rayner scrutiny commissioned earlier this year on how energy conservation is handled throughout Government has been received only recently. As the report recommends changes affecting several Departments we need some time to consider it. We intend to announce the lines of implementation before the end of the year.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the system of monitoring proposed legislation contuining powers of entry into business and private premises.

The present system of central scrutiny was designed to ensure that proposed statutory powers of entry did not impose an undue burden on the owners and occupiers of premises. I am satisfied that the arrangements have achieved that end, but I am keeping alive the search for their improvement.

asked the Prime Minister if she will set out the responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Industry and the Secretary of State for Trade relating to trade in steel and the terms of such trade.

Matters concerning trade in steel within the European Coal and Steel Community are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Industry. Matters concerning trade in steel with countries that are not members of the EEC are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Trade, although the Secretary of State for Industry has an interest in the effects of such trade on the United Kingdom steel industry.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Manpower Services Commission, the Department of Education and Science and local education authorities in the planning, publicity and administration of the youth training scheme.

I am satisfied that the Manpower Services Commission's proposals for the design and administration of the youth training scheme will enable the contribution of the Department of Education and Science and local education authorities to be effectively co-ordinated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the 1982–83 block defence cash limit.

It was announced on 29 June—[Vol. 26, c. 743]—that defence costs in relation to the Falkland Islands would be met out of moneys in addition to the 3 per cent. annual rate of real growth.It is too early to estimate precisely where additional Supply might be needed. Meanwhile, subject to parliamentary approval, the block defence cash limit for 1982–83 will be increased by £371 million to £13,623,905,000 on account of operations in the South Atlantic. This additional provision will meet the supply needs of the defence programme in the immediate future and will be sought by means of a Winter Supplementary Estimate.The cash limit increase currently proposed is without prejudice to a further increase when the overall position is clearer and when account can be taken of likely outturn on non-Falklands expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the United Kingdom proposes to take to help the world out of the present recession.

Reduced levels of inflation and restraint on Government borrowing are widely agreed by the major industrial countries to be the essential prerequisites for sound growth. By pursuing a responsible, flexible and balanced approach to fiscal and monetary policy, the British Government, like many other Governments, are now successfully reducing both inflation and interest rates—without a drift into financial laxity. Reduced inflation and interest rates should not only improve the financial position of companies but also encourage increased investment and risk taking, as well as higher consumption. The prospect for next year is for a resumption of modest growth both in the world and United Kingdom economies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update to 1982–83 the information on the value of personal tax allowances provided in his reply of 14 December 1981 to the hon. Member for Thurrock Official Report, c. 63–64.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, further to his reply to the hon. Member for St. Pancras

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is taxation as a percentage of gross domestic product.

Total taxation, including national insurance contributions and local rates, is expected to be 39·8 per cent. of GDP at market prices in 1982–83.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update to 1982–83 the information on the cost of tax reliefs at actual and constant prices provided in his reply of 14 January 1981 to the hon. Member for Barking (Miss Richardson) Official Report, c. 546.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 November 1982, c. 16]. Information for 1981–82 and 1982–83 was given in my reply on 23 April 1982 to the hon. Member for Barking (Miss Richardson). The estimates at constant prices and some of the estimates at current prices for 1982–83 have since been revised to take account of more recent information, as follows:

[pursuant to his reply, 8 November 1982, Vol. 31, c. 16]. The information for 1982–83, calulated on the same basis as in previous answers is as follows:North,

[pursuant to his reply, 8 November 1982, c. 16]: The information requested is shown below.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the pensioner price index on a monthly basis in future; and if he will examine the possibility of introducing more sensitive and regular indices of changes in the pensioner's cost of living.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 November 1982,c. 16]: Over short periods it is unlikely that differences in the movement of pensioners' indices and the retail price index would be very great. The quarterly indices should provide an adequate guide to important differences.The indices have been constructed following the recommendations made by the cost of living advisory committee to provide the best possible indication of pensioners' cost of living. The weights in the indices are derived from the same family expenditure survey as those for the retail price index. They are updated each year.The pensioners' price indices exclude the cost of housing. The majority of pensioners covered by these indices receive Government assistance to help cover their housing costs. There is no reliable information on the actual changes in housing costs experienced by pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will reverse the proposed cuts in teacher training places in Catholic colleges of education.

No. However, compared with the provisional proposals of 6 August the final decisions which I announced yesterday offered an increased overall allocation to Roman Catholic colleges and included provision for the continuation of initial teacher training at Newman college, Birmingham.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in respect of how many schools his Department has authorised closure; and how many have been saved as a result of his overruling local education authorities in each of the last three years.

In 1980 the Secretary of State approved proposals for the closure of 107 schools and rejected proposals for the closure of five; for 1981 the figures were 181 and 10; for the first nine months of this year they were 159 and 24.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest pupil-teacher ratio in State primary and secondary schools, respectively; and how these ratios compare with 1978–79.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the latest primary and secondary schools pupil-teacher ratios.

The ratio of pupils per qualified teacher in maintained primary schools in England fell from 23·1 in January 1979 to 22·5 in January 1982. In maintained secondary schools the comparable ratios were 16·7 in 1979 and 16·6 in 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many reductions in university places he anticipates for the 1982–83 session.

Early information based on returns made to the University Grants Committee indicates that there has been a reduction of about 3,000 home and European Community undergraduate entrants to universities compared with last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will carry out a review of the effect of the reductions in public expenditure on university education in the current and next year.

No, but my right hon. Friend has asked the University Grants Committee to provide such a review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now introduce a weekly school maintenance grant for 16 to 18 year-olds; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the Government will introduce a new scheme of financial support for sixth form pupils.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce a common maintenance allowance for 16 to 18 year olds in education. Local education authorities have discretionary powers to pay maintenance allowances to relieve hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide additional funds to local education authorities to enable them to meet their responsibilities under the youth training scheme.