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Written Answers

Volume 78: debated on Monday 29 April 1985

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Written Answers To Questions

Monday 29 April 1985

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Nephrops Fishery

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the Government are taking to ensure that any European Community measures affecting the British nephrops fishery take full account of the wide variations in biological and conservation factors in different parts of the waters around the British Isles.

I do not know what particular measures the right hon. Member has in mind, but I can assure him that in considering any measures which may be proposed I will take into account all the relevant factors which affect the United Kingdom fishing industry, including those which he has cited.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the Government are taking, in connection with the accession of Spain and Portugal to the EEC, to safeguard British interests in the nephrops fishery in the Irish sea.

The agreement reached between the European Community and Spain and Portugal on their fishing rights in the waters of the existing member states specifically excludes their vessels from fishing in the area known as "The Irish Box", which includes the whole of the Irish sea, until the end of 1995.Total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas will be set for nephrops in areas VI, VII (which includes the Irish sea) and VIII for the first time in 1986 in order to prevent unrestricted fishing on this species by Spanish or other vessels. Spain will receive a small share, roughly corresponding to the amount she is currently allowed to catch under the by-catch provisions of the EC-Spain fisheries agreement. Until the end of 1995 she will of course be able to fish her area VII quota only outside the Irish box. Portuguese vessels will not be allowed to fish for nephrops at all in the waters of the existing member states.Proposals have yet to be made for the allocation of the nephrops TACs between existing member states. It will be the Government's aim to ensure that the United Kingdom nephrops quote in area VII adequately meets the needs of our fleet in this important and developing fishery.

Food Surpluses (Destruction)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the total sum spent by the European Economic Community on the destruction of food surpluses in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and if he will list the quantities of food items destroyed during this period;(2) what progress has been made by the Common Market Commission in taking action on the report of the European Economic Communiy audit commission about the fraudulent payment of European Economic Community funds for the destruction of non-existent food surpluses; and if he will make a statement.

In certain circumstances, produce withdrawn from the market under the Community schemes for fish and fruit and vegetables finds no end use and has to be destroyed. The expenditure involved cannot be identified from the Community statistics, which relate to all withdrawals. For fish Community expenditure on withdrawals was 17·5 mecu in 1983 and 14·8 mecu in 1984; the quantity withdrawn in 1983 was 87,216 tonnes. For fruit and vegetables 2·05 million tonnes were withdrawn in the 1983–84 marketing year, involving Community expendure of 446 mecu.The Court of Auditors has not published any report dealing specifically with allegations of fraud under these schemes. No other Community schemes provide for destruction of food.

Equal Opportunities

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the equality of opportunities in his Department in so far as they concern sex and race discrimination; and what advice has lately been given to staff in his Department in respect thereof by the officer designated as equal opportunities officer with responsibility for giving such advice.

Yes, on the basis of the information now available. To ensure equality of opportunity as far as possible, we will be conducting ethnic surveys of all staff (under the Government's phased programme) to enable ethnic monitoring to be carried out, and the implementation of the programme of action on women in the Civil Service announced on 9 February 1984 is being carefully monitored. My equal opportunities officer has advised all members of my staff of their rights and responsibilities in respect of equal opportunities legislation and departmental codes of practice concerning sexual and racial discrimination.

Wool

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is able to announce the guaranteed price for wool for the 1985–86 marketing year.

I have been glad to note that the prices of British wool have been much stronger over the last year or so, partly due to the British Wool Marketing Board's successful efforts in developing new markets for British Wool both at home and abroad.In all the circumstances, I consider that it would be reasonable to make a further increase of 9 pence in the guaranteed price for wool and it will accordingly be set at 129p/kg for the 1985 clip. This will allow producers to benefit significantly from the improved trading position whilst enabling the Board to make further repayments to the Exchequer under the stabilisation arrangements.

Education And Science

Grants

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he has given to the implications for staff and students of the ending of specific educational support grants.

One of the aims of the education support grant programme is to secure a limited redeployment of resources within the education service. It will be for local education authorities to decide whether to continue funding particular activities once grant support has ceased and, if so, in what form, taking into account as appropriate the effects on staff and students of their decisions.

Teacher Training

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated expenditure on in-service teacher training by local authorities in England for 1984–85.

Expenditure by local education authorities in England on in-service training for schoolteachers in 1984–85 is estimated at something approaching £100 million. This figure covers the costs to authorities of realeasing teachers to undertake training and the costs of provision made by them through their advisory services and in teachers' centres.

Market Research

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what use is made of market research by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has funded market research from time to time where this is relevant to policy needs. A recent example was a study on knowledge of drug misuse undertaken by Andrew Irving Associates and jointly funded with the Department of Health and Social Security.

Postgraduate Awards

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many nationals of each member state of the European Communities have applied for, and how many have received, awards from public funds for the purposes of postgraduate study in the United Kingdom by virtue of article 7 of Council regulation (EEC) No. 1612/68, by year and award-making body.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many persons granted asylum in the United Kingdom, with or without refugee status, have received awards from public funds for the purpose of postgraduate study in the United Kingdom, by year and award-making body.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which of the bodies in the United Kingdom which make awards from public funds to postgraduate students pay no older students' allowance.

This allowance is not paid to students under the state studentships scheme administered on my behalf by the British Academy. Nor, I understand, is it paid by the Scottish Education Department nor by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland under their studentship schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which of the bodies in the United Kingdom which make awards from public funds to postgraduate students pay no postgraduate experience allowance.

This allowance is not paid by the Department, nor by the Scottish Education Department nor the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

Teacher Recruitment

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to seek to extend his Department's promotion and recruitment procedures, operating on the basis of merit and without reference to the ethnic origin of candidates, to the recruitment of all teachers; and if he will make a statement.

Appointments to teaching posts in maintained schools and establishments of further education are the responsibility of the local authorities and the institutions concerned. My right hon. Friend has recorded, and maintains, his view that the successful applicant for any post should be the one who in the appointing body's opinion is the most suitable for that post. This does not mean that actual patterns of recruitment cannot be improved. Hence my right hon. Friend's acceptance in his statement to the House on 14 March at column 452, that ways might be sought to increase the proportion of the teacher force recruited from ethnic minority groups.

Equal Opportunities

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the ethnic origin of the officer designated by his Department as equal opportunities officer.

The ethnic origin of the Department's equal opportunities officer is classified as "white".

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the equality of opportunites in his Department in so far as they concern sex and race discrimination; and what advice has lately been given to staff in his Department in respect thereof by the officer designated as equal opportunities officer with responsibility for giving such advice.

I am satisfied with equality of opportunities within the Department on the basis of information now available. The Department's personnel procedures are kept constantly under review and improvements are made from time to time. In pursuance of this policy, the Department will be conducting ethnic surveys of all staff (under the Government's phased programme) to enable ethnic monitoring to be carried out, and the implementation of the programme of action on women in the Civil Service announced on 9 February 1984 is being carefully monitored. The equal opportunities officer gives advice to members of staff and management on an individual basis as and when necessary.

Class Sizes

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing the number of classes and of pupils in classes in each local education authority with 30 and under, 31 to 35, 36 to 40 and over 40 pupils per class for primary and secondary schools in 1979, 1981 and 1984, respectively.

Embryos (Research)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the centres currently undertaking research under the auspices of the Medical Research Council on human embryos.

I understand that the Medical Research Council is currently supporting three projects involving early human embryos resulting from in vitro fertilisation. Details are as follows:

Direct support at MRC establishments:

  • MRC experimental embryology and teratology unit.
  • MRC reproductive biology unit.

Indirect support through grants to individual researchers:

  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, university of Cambridge.

Attorney-General

Family Courts (Review)

asked the Attorney-General when the report of the review of family courts will be published.

I refer the hon. Lady to my answer to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 4 April at column 716.

Prime Minister

Civil Service

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 10 April 1984, Official Report, column 154, if she will compare the amount and percentage by which the Civil Service has been reduced, with manpower changes throughout the United Kingdom in (a) local government, (b) the National Health Service, (c) nationalised industries and (d) all other persons in receipt of payment of any kind including allowances, engaged in the public sector, including those listed in "Public Bodies 1984" for each year since 1979.

The available information is as follows:

Wages, salaries, etc. of public sector
1979 £ million1980 £ million1981 £ million1982 £ million1983 £ million
Local authorities12,44015,54417,88819,20021,199
National Health Service4,6776,3127,3447,5138,618

Thousands headcount*

'000

Change '000

per cent.

Civil Service
1979739
1980714–24–3·3
1981698–17–2·3
1982671–27–3·8
1983654–18–2·6
1984630–24–3·6
Local authorities
19792,997
19802,956–41–1·4
19812,899–57–1·9
19822,865–34–1·2
19832,879+14+0·5
19842,884+5+0·2
National Health Service
19791,152
19801,174+22–1·9
19811,207+33+2·8
19821,227+20+1·7
19831,227+0·0
19841,223–4–0·3
Nationalised industries
19791,726
19801,697–29–1·7
19811,618–79–4·7
19821,540–78–4·8
19831,465–75–4·9
19841,416–49–3·3
Other public sector
1979678
1980694+16+2·4
1981691–3–0·4
1982675–16–2·3
1983679+4+0·6
1984677–2–0·3

* The figures shown relate to the mid-points of the years shown. Reductions and percentage changes are based on unrounded figures.

† To provide figures on a comparable basis, the public corporations figures exclude employees of corporations which were privatised bCore June 1984.

Sources: March 1985 Economic Trends pages 91 to 99 and Her Majesty's Treasury.

asked the Prime Minister what was the estimated total expenditure in 1984–85 and for each year since 1979 for each of (a) local government, (b) the National Health Service, (c) nationalised industries and (d) all other persons in receipt of payment of any kind, including allowances, engaged in the public sector, including those listed in "Public Bodies 1984", separately, and in total, including all pay, allowances, payments of all kinds, national insurance, superannuation, and all costs related to the employment or appointment of staff within them.

1979 £ million

1980 £ million

1981 £ million

1982 £ million

1983 £ million

Public corporations12,75315,14316,20517,21117,755
Her Majesty's Forces2,5483,0473,3873,6924,022
Other central Government4,6595,9346,5817,1927,566

Source: United Kingdom National Accounts 1984 edition.

The figures shown above include wages, salaries, employers' contributions to national insurance and superannuation payments.

asked the Prime Minister how many staff in percentage and absolute terms have been removed from each of the following categories in each year since 1979 as a result of privatisation measures: (a) local government, (b) the National Health Service, (c) nationalised industries and (d) all other persons in receipt of payment of any kind, including allowances, engaged in the public sector, including those listed in "Public Bodies 1984".

Data on staff savings from contracting out in local government and the National Health Service are not collected centrally. From 1979 to mid-1984 privatisation of public corporations reduced public sector employment by some 115,000. Details are given on page 94 of the March 1985 issue of Economic

Weekly rate at November 1984 £Weekly level of earnings at which basic benefit is extinguished £
1. Retirement Pension (RP)
* Category A35·80107·80
* Category B (wife)21·5093·50
Category B (window)35·80
Age Addition (over 80)0·25
Non-contributory over 80's
pension
Higher rate21·50
Lower rate
Adult Dependant12·85
Age Addition (over 80)0·25
2. Widows' Benefits (WB)
Widows' Allowance50·10
Widowed Mothers' Allowance35·80
Widows' Pension35·80
3. Invalidity Pension (IVP)
single34·25Any earningsSmall exception for permitted work with medical approval, earnings £23·50
Invalidity allowance
Higher rate7·50
Middle rate4·80
Lower rate2·40
4. Unemployment Benefit (UB)
Under pension age single28·452·00On a daily basis
Over pension age single35·802·00On a daily basis
5. Sickness Benefit (SB)
Under pension age single27·25Any earningsSmall exception for permitted work with medical approval, earnings £23·50
Over pension age single35·25
6. Maternity Allowance (MA)27·25Any earnings
7. Attendance Allowance
Higher rate28·60
Lower rate19·10
8. Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)
single21·50
9. Invalid Care Allowance(ICA)

Trends. Privatisation of British Telecom plc in November 1984 reduced public sector employment by a further 240,000.

Between 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1984 the reduction in civil service numbers as a result of privatisation (including contracting out) was 17,000.

Benefits And Allowances

asked the Prime Minister if she will list all social benefits and allowances operated by central and local government showing the level of income at which payment ceases where applicable.

The table shows social security benefits paid by the central Government and housing benefits paid by local authorities.

Weekly rate at November 1984 £

Weekly level of earnings at which basic benefit is extinguished £

single21·5012·00
10. Mobility Allowance20·00
11. Child Benefit6·85
12. One Parent Benefit4·25
13. Family Income Supplement
Prescribed amount—one child family90·00
Increase for each additional child10·00Payment ceases once gross weekly earnings equal the prescribed amount
Maximum payment—one child family23·00
Increase for each additional child2·00
14. Supplementary Benefit
Supplementary pension single35·70
couple57·10
non-householder28·55
Long-term scale rate single35·70
couple57·10
non-householder 18+28·55
non-householder 16–1721·90
Ordinary rate single28·05
couple45·55
non-householder 18+22·45
non-householder 16–1717·30
Dependent children 18+22·45
16–1717·30
11–1514·35
under 119·60
Blind addition1·25
Heating additions
Higher rate5·20
Lower rate2·10
Central heating additions
Higher rate4·20
Lower rate2·10
Estate rate heating additions
Higher rate8·40
Lower rate4·20
Dietary additions
Lower rate1·55
Higher rate3·60
Kidney dialysis10·35
Notional laundry charge0·50
Extra bath0·25

Board and Lodging personal expenses

Over pension age single10·30
couple20·60
Long term rate single10·30
couple20·60
Ordinary rate single9·25
couple18·50
Dependants 18+9·25
16–175·55
11–154·75
under 113·10

Weekly rate at November 1984 £

Weekly level of earnings at which basic benefit is extinguished £

Meals allowance (per meal)
breakfast1·10
main meal1·55
Increase in maximum amounts
for board and lodging single16·15
couple32·20
Maintenance and insurance allowance1·80
15. Industrial Disablement Pension

over 18

58·40

under 18

35·80

Reduced rates—10 per cent. to 90 per cent. of basic rate

Maximum disablement gratuity (lump sum)

3,880·00
Unemployment supplement34·25Over £1,200 per annum

Increases for early onset of incapacity

Higher rate7·50
Middle rate4·80
Lower rate2·40

Maximum special hardship allowance

23·36

Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

23·40

Industrial Death Benefit

Initial rate50·10
Higher permanent rate36·35
Lower permanent rate10·74

Constant Attendance Allowance

Normal maximum rate23·40
Part-time rate11·70
Intermediate rate35·10
Exceptional rate46·80
16. Workmen's compensation, pneumoconiosis, byssinosis and other schemes

Maximum major incapacity

58·40

Partial disablement allowance

21·50
17. Housing Benefit
Needs allowance
single45·10Amounts of housing benefit are worked out by comparing income with the needs allowances. As the needs allowances vary according to individual circumstances there is no one level at which payment of benefit is extinguished
Couple/single parent66·50
Single handicapped50·30
Couple-one handicapped71·70
Couple both handicapped74·15
Pensioner addition0·80
Dependent child addition12·85
18. Dependency additions
For child—with IVP, RP, WB, SDA, ICA, and if claimant over pension age, with SB and UB7·6580·00Earnings by spouse (or partner). Each extra £10 extinguishes further addition for child residing with beneficiary
For spouse
with SDA and ICA12·8559·85for wife (or female partner)
12·85for husband
with MA and SB under pension age16·8016·80
with MA and SB over pension age20·5520·55
with UB under pension age17·5517·55
with UB over pension age21·5021·50

Weekly rate at November 1984 £

Weekly level of earnings at which basic benefit is extinguished £

with IVP and unemploy-ability supplement20·5567·55for wife
20·55for husband
with RP21·5068·50for wife
21·50for husband

* After retirement age (65 for women, 70 for men) earnings do not affect pension payable.

Not subject to any earnings rule.

People in full-time work (over 30 hours a week) are automatically excluded from receiving supplementary benefit whatever their level of income. In all other cases supplementary benefit is paid to those whose weekly income is less than their overall requirements. As these requirements are calculated according to the individual's circumstances, there is no one level of income at which payment of benefit is extinguished.

Rates

asked the Prime Minister, if she is satisfied with the operation of the consultation arrangements between industry, commerce and local authorities prior to the fixing of a new rate.

This is the first year that statutory consultations have taken place. A small number of local authorities have not co-operated as fully as we would have liked, but I am encouraged by reports of the useful consultations which have been achieved in many areas. We shall be keeping the process under review.

City Action Teams

asked the Prime Minister why city action teams do not include representatives from the Department of Health and Social Security, the Department of Education and Science and the Home Office.

The Government decided that the initial priority for the city action teams should be to improve the contribution in the inner city partnership areas of those programmes of the Department of the Environment, the Department of Employment and Manpower Services Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry which directly help to foster enterprise and promote employment. Other Departments' policies and programmes are also important in these areas and they will be consulted as the work of the teams proceeds.

Standing Committee Of Chief Scientists

asked the Prime Minister whether she will instruct the Standing Committee of Chief Scientists to hold proper consultations with the director and staff of the British Geological Survey before formulating its

1. Overseas Visits
DateDays or Part Days*CountryPurpose
1983
17–19 June3Federal Republic of GermanyEuropean Council
19–21 September3NetherlandsTalks with Netherlands Government
Federal Republic of GermanyVisit to British Forces Germany
25–30 September6CanadaTalks with Canadian Government and speech to Canadian Parliament
United States of AmericaTalks with President Reagan
8–9 November2Federal Republic of GermanyAnglo/German summit
21–30 November10IndiaCommonwealth Heads of Government meeting
4–6 December3GreeceEuropean Council

comments on the corporate plan of the Natural Environment Research Council; and whether she will make a statement.

No. The proper forum for discussion of the internal matters relating to the Natural Environment Research Council including its corporate plan is the council itself and the Advisory Board for the Research Councils. Departmental chief scientists are represented on both the NERC and the ABRC.

Civil Service (Secondment)

asked the Prime Minister when she expects to announce new regulations for the secondment of business men to the Civil Service.

As I told the hon. Member on 4 April at col. 713, the Civil Service Commissioners are considering with their legal advisers new procedures to ensure that future appointments on secondment are made in compliance with the Civil Service Order in Council 1982. These procedures will be introduced as soon as it is possible to do so. Until then, it is important that departments are still able to arrange new secondments. All such proposals are being referred to the commissioners and are being considered on an individual basis against the background of the provisions and discretionary powers contained in the Order in Council.

Overseas Visits

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish in the Official Report tables showing (a) the purpose, dates, duration and country of all overseas visits made by her since June 1983 and (b) the purpose, dates, duration, and place, including county, of all visits made by her within the United Kingdom, since June 1983.

Date

Days or Part Days*

Country

Purpose

1984

23 January1FranceTalks with President Mitterrand
26–27 January2ItalyAnglo/Italian summit
2–4 February3HungaryTalks with Hungarian Government
13–14 February2Soviet UnionPresident Andropov's funeral
19–20 March2BelgiumEuropean Council
17–19 April3PortugalTalks with Portuguese Government
4 May1FranceTalks with President Mitterrand
25–26 June2FranceEuropean Council
2–4 November3IndiaMrs. Gandhi's funeral
29 November—13FranceTalks with French Government and Franco/British Council
December
3–4 December2Republic of IrelandEuropean Council
17–22 December6China/Hong Kong/United States ofSigning of Hong Kong agreement/local engagements/talks with
AmericaPresident Reagan

1985

18 January1Federal Republic of GermanyAnglo/German summit
19–21 February3United States of AmericaTalks with President Reagan/speech to Congress
12–13 March2Soviet UnionPresident Chemenko's funeral
29–30 March2BelgiumEuropean Council
4–14 April11Malaysia/Brunei Indonesia/Singapore/Sri Lanka/India/Saudi ArabiaTalks with Heads of Government and promotion of British political and trade interests

* Including time spent travelling.

2. Visits within the United Kingdom

Date

Days or Part Days*

Place/County

Purpose

1983

29 July1Cranwell/LincolnshireRAF Cranwell
31 August-1 September2Dumfries/Dumfries & Galloway Edinburgh/Lothian Beith/Strathclyde Cunninghame/Strathclyde Largs/Strathclyde Kilbarchan/Strathclyde Bridge of Weir/StrathclydeLocal engagements
18 November1York/North YorkshireEnthronement of Archbishop of York
23 December1Newtownards/County Down Drumadd Barracks/Armagh Aughnacloy Army Base/County TyroneLocal engagements

1984

6 January1Maidstone/KentLocal engagements
24 February1Coventry/WarwickshireLocal engagements
7 April1Penzance/CornwallLocal engagements
13 April1London Docklands/Greater LondonLocal engagements
3 August1Dartford/Kent Redhill/SurreyLocal engagements
5 September2Farnborough/HampshireAir show
5–6 September2Edinburgh/Lothian Ratho/Lothian Livingston New Town/Lothian Dunblane/Central Kinross/Central Aviemore/HighlandLocal engagements
21 September1Chester/Clwyd Wrexham/ClwydLocal engagements
26 September1York/North YorkshireLocal engagements
2 October1Liverpool/MerseysideLocal engagements

1985

11 January1Milton Keynes/Buckinghamshire Towcester/Northants Leicester/Leicestershire Lutterworth/LeicestershireLocal engagements
15 March1Henley on Thames/Oxfordshire Witney/Oxfordshire Abingdon/Oxfordshire Newbury/Berkshire Stoke Poges/BuckinghamshireLocal engagements
26 April1Deeside Industrial Park/Clwyd Mostyn Dock/Clwyd 'Plas Newydd'/Clwyd St. Asaph/Clwyd Abergele/ClwydLocal engagements

* Including time spent travelling.

† Visits where I have been a guest of Her Majesty the Queen are excluded as are political or private visits.

Wales

Government Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the equivalent for Wales of all tables referring to England that have not been previously published in the Official Report, in the Government's expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 9428).

This information cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.

Rhymney Valley (Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer, Official Report, column 605, 22 April, whether he will send to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney a copy of the report on Rhymney valley, and make a copy available in the Library.

As the report was not intended for publication only a few copies were printed. However, I have today placed one copy in the Library of the House.

Equal Opportunities

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied with the equality of opportunities in his Department in-so-far as they concern sex and race discrimination; and what advice has lately been given to staff in his Department in respect thereof by the officer designated as equal opportunities officer with responsibility for giving such advice.

Yes, on the basis of the information now available. To ensure equality of opportunities as far as possible, we will be conducting ethnic surveys of all staff (under the Government's phased programme) to enable ethnic monitoring to be carried out, and the implementation of the programme of action on women in the Civil Service announced on 9 February 1984 is being carefully monitored.

Home Department

Local Government (Grant Applications)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the applications for grant under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 which are currently awaiting decision from his Department, together with the authority which submitted the application, the date it was submitted, and an indication of when his Department's decision is expected.

Applications on which decisions had not been taken on 26 April 1985 are identified in the following table. Applications have frequently to be referred back to the local authorities for further information before decisions can be taken. It is not therefore possible to indicate when a decision can be expected in particular cases.

Applications for grant under s.11 of the Local Government Act 1966
Date of applicationAuthorityNumber of posts
4 April 1983ILEA2
7 April 1983GLC2
3 May 1983Tower Hamlets2
19 May 1983Lambeth1
13 June 1983South Glamorgan2
18 October 1983Barking5
21 December 1983Sheffield (part-time hours)3,640
7 February 1984Hackney2
2 March 1984West Midlands1
2 March 1984ILEA3
9 March 1984Wolverhampton12
9 March 1984Waltham Forest5
15 March 1984Hillingdon5
16 March 1984Redbridge52
16 March 1984Dudley3
16 March 1984Leeds (plus 400 part-time hours)1
20 March 1984Kensington and Chelsea17
22 March 1984Bedfordshire33
26 March 1984Calderdale3

Date of application

Authority

Number of posts

27 March 1984ILEA (plus 2,360 part-time hours)1
28 March 1984Tower Hamlets93
28 March 1984Newham69
29 March 1984Islington163
30 March 1984Hackney703
30 March 1984Hertfordshire43
30 March 1984Birmingham133
9 April 1984Bradford1
10 April 1984Bedfordshire5
10 April 1984ILEA1
10 April 1984Manchester11
21 April 1984West Midlands5
2 April 1984Lambeth8
9 May 1984ILEA1
22 May 1984Dudley2
24 May 1984ILEA1
25 May 1984Birmingham4
31 May 1984ILEA3
5 June 1984Birmingham3
11 June 1984Redbridge1
12 June 1984Tower Hamlets4
18 June 1984Bradford2
26 June 1984Redbridge1
28 June 1984Kent1
29 June 1984ILEA174
2 July 1984Kirklees1
11 July 1984Barking8
13 July 1984Birmingham41
13 July 1984ILEA (part-time hours)1,450
23 July 1984Barking8
25 July 1984Coventry19
26 July 1984Wandsworth4
30 July 1984Birmingham13
31 July 1984Hertfordshire3
31 July 1984Hampshire3
6 August 1984Avon15
14 August 1984Derbyshire (plus 263 hours)29
15 August 1984Gravesham3
15 August 1984Bradford31
16 August 1984Bradford1
16 August 1984Barnet20
21 August 1984South Glamorgan3
28 August 1984ILEA1
11 September 1984Westminster2
11 September 1984ILEA1
11 September 1984Middlesex Polytechnic1
13 September 1984West Midlands10
17 September 1984Sheffield15
20 September 1984Wandsworth2
21 September 1984Brent2
24 September 1984Northamptonshire5
26 September 1984Leicestershire1
2 October 1984Leeds1
3 October 1984Cleveland6
9 October 1984Lambeth9
18 October 1984Bedfordshire5
22 October 1984Nottinghamshire2
23 October 1984Harrow3
23 October 1984Bradford42
25 October 1984Birmingham1
26 October 1984Camden2
30 October 1984Bradford2
30 October 1984Trafford6
1 November 1984Hounslow5
5 November 1984Haringey1
5 November 1984Hackney135
6 November 1984Newham4
7 November 1984Tameside4
8 November 1984Waltham Forest2
9 November 1984Kirklees10
19 November 1984ILEA9
20 November 1984Ipswich2
27 November 1984Leeds1
28 November 1984Kent1
28 November 1984Bradford1
4 December 1984Calderdale (plus 2,207 part-time hours)2

Date of application

Authority

Number of posts

10 December 1984Birmingham40
10 December 1984Avon5
10 December 1984Camden1
14 December 1984Bradford9
18 December 1984Kirklees2
20 December 1984Northamptonshire3
21 December 1984Brent1
21 December 1984Merseyside2
31 December 1984Ealing1
8 January 1985Newham1
8 January 1985Cleveland1
10 January 1985Leeds3
14 January 1985Coventry3
14 January 1985Kirklees3
14 January 1985Oldham2
16 January 1985Bradford1
17 January 1985Kirklees1
17 January 1985Hammersmith2
18 January 1985Avon1
21 January 1985Nottingham City2
24 January 1985Birmingham1
25 January 1985Leeds4
28 January 1985Hampshire7
30 January 1985Richmond3
30 January 1985Coventry24
31 January 1985Devon2
8 February 1985Birmingham9
11 February 1985Birmingham3
14 February 1985Camden1
15 February 1985St. Albans2
15 February 1985Ealing166
19 February 1985Manchester3
20 February 1985Lambeth2
21 February 1985Westminster2
22 February 1985Brent4
22 February 1985Redditch1
25 February 1985Bradford10
25 February 1985South Glamorgan2
27 February 1985Oxford City1
28 February 1985Middlesbrough1
4 March 1985Surrey4
4 March 1985Waltham Forest2
6 March 1985Bradford11
7 March 1985ILEA1
8 March 1985Northamptonshire1
8 March 1985Kent (adjustment of approved pan-time hours)
8 March 1985Trafford14
8 March 1985Lancashire4
11 March 1985Wandsworth2
12 March 1985Lambeth38
12 March 1985ILEA2
13 March 1985Southwark8
13 March 1985Derby City1
14 March 1985Lancashire8
15 March 1985Ipswich3
19 March 1985Bolton2
21 March 1985ILEA3
25 March 1985Barking1
27 March 1985Rotherham1
27 March 1985Leicester City1
27 March 1985Oxfordshire14
29 March 1985Coventry10
29 March 1985Cleveland1
29 March 1985Croydon1
2 April 1985Sheffield (plus 1,010 part-time hours)6
2 April 1985Bradford3
3 April 1985ILEA1
4 April 1985Reading1
4 April 1985Ealing3
10 April 1985Nottinghamshire1
10 April 1985Cleveland1
12 April 1985Birmingham11
12 April 1985Bradford1
15 April 1985City of Cardiff2
Totals: 169. Applications for 2,577 posts plus 11,330 part-time hours

Note: Part-time hours are annual totals.

National Freight Corporation, Sheffield (Fire)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Her Majesty's Inspector of Fire Services has investigated the fire-fighting procedures adopted by the South Yorkshire fire service during the fire at the Sheffield warehouse of the National Freight Corporation on 14 to 16 December 1984.

The South Yorkshire fire service has sent a full report on this fire to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services which is being studied to see whether there are any general points which should be brought to the attention of other fire authorities. The Fire Service Inspectorate is also co-operating with the investigating team led by the Health and Safety Executive which is examining the causes of the fire and precautions taken against exposure. It is understood that the executive intends to publish the team's report.

Magistrates' Courts (Children And Young Persons) Rules

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to undertake the full review of the Magistrates' Courts (Children and Young Persons) Rules referred to in the Government reply to the Second Report of the Social Services Committee, Session 1983–84, Cmnd. 9298.

The review of the rules will go ahead when the outcome of the review of the substantive child care law which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services put in hand following the committee's report is sufficiently clear. As was indicated in the Government's response to the report, new rules will need to reflect any changes which may be made in the substantive law, and the current review is addressing a number of issues that are relevant to court procedure.

Immigration

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for each year since 1973, how many applications were received for settlement in the United Kingdom, by nationality of applicant; and, for each nationality, what were the reasons for application, the numbers admitted or refused admission and the reasons for refusal of admission, and the average waiting time between application and interview and between interview and admission;(2) for each year since 1973, how many applications for settlement in the United Kingdom were received from husbands or fiancés of women settled in the United Kingdom; what were the nationalities of the men concerned; and, for each nationality, what were the numbers admitted or refused admission and the reasons for the refusal of admission.

The readily available information is as follows.Information on applications for entry clearance leading to settlement in the United Kingdom is available only for the Indian sub-continent from 1977 and is given up to 1983 in tables 5 to 9 of the latest annual Command Paper "Control of Immigration Statistics: United Kingdom 1983" (Cmnd 9246). Corresponding information for 1984 is given in tables 8 to 10 of Statistical Bulletin 5/85 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—Fourth Quarter and Year 1984" and in tables 1 and 2 following. The waiting times given are to the first interview; applications are decided at the first interview unless further enquiries need to be made or a refusal is followed by an appeal, in which case the time taken depends on the particular circumstances of the application.Reasons for refusals of applications are available only for husbands and male fiancés from 1983 and are given in table 3. Information for all countries on the numbers of persons admitted to and granted settlement in the United Kingdom is published annually by nationality and category in the Command paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics" (Tables 1 to 4 of the latest issue), the 1984 issue is due to be published in June.

Table 3
Reasons for refusal of entry clearance for leave to enter the United Kingdom for husbands and male fiancés in the Indian sub-continent
Number of persons*
HusbandsMale fiancésTotal
198319841983198419831984
Primary purpose of the marriage was to obtain admission to the United Kingdom
(a) Solely for this reason80220420660500890
(b) In combination with one or more other reasons10102108022090
Solely because couple did not intend to live together10+10+10+
Solely because couple had not met+1001010010
Solely because wife/fiancé was not a British citizen302030106030
Other reasons and combinations202040706090
Total†1502808108409701,120
* Rounded to the nearest 10; + indicates 5 or fewer; −indicates nil.
† The total includes a small number of cases for which the reason for refusal was not recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of passengers detained overnight under Immigration Act powers during 1984, by nationality; and whether he will give, for each nationality the proportion of total passengers so detained.

The information requested, excluding the numbers of those detained in Queen's building, Heathrow for which similar information is not available, is as follows:

NationalityNumber detained overnightNumber of persons detained per 1,000 arrivals of that nationality
Afghanistan3*
Algeria502·25
Antigua3*
Argentina80·60
Australia130·04
Austria110·10
Bahamas1*

Table 1

Applications for entry clearances for immediate settlement made by wives, children and others in the Indian sub-continent by category of applicant, 1984

Number of persons

Newly received

Granted

Refused

Outstanding at the end of 1984

Wives5,3703,7101,1605,100
Children9,6205,3003,83013,100
Other dependant relatives1,1504503601,100
Others for settlement110801060

Table 2

Applications for entry clearances for leave to enter the United Kingdom made by husbands and male fiancés in the Indian sub-continent by country 1984

Newly received

Granted

Refused

Outstanding at the end of 1984

Bangladesh1002020230
India1,4006406601,400
Pakistan1,3006804401,700

Nationality

Number detained overnight

Number of persons detained per 1,000 arrivals of that nationality

Bangladesh1576·40
Barbados10·12
Benin1

*

Bermuda2

*

Bolivia2

*

Brazil120·23
British Overseas citizens30·18
Bulgaria10·29
Cameroon3

*

Canada60·01
Cape Verde1

*

Central African Republic1

*

Chile60·48
China101·15
Colombia572·70
Cuba1010·09
Cyprus180·51
Denmark1

*

Dominica2

*

Ecuador2

*

Nationality

Number detained overnight

Number of persons detained per 1,000 arrivals of that nationality

Egypt70·12
Ethiopia81·17
Finland50·06
France3

*

Gambia41

*

Germany (FRG)8

*

Ghana71620·12
Greece16

*

Grenada1

*

Guyana40·67
Holland4

*

Hong Kong (BDTC)420·75
Iceland3

*

India4542·33
Indonesia30·20
Iran1382·32
Iraq602·98
Israel960·66
Italy5

*

Ivory Coast6

*

Jamaica110·38
Japan30·01
Jordan120·45
Kenya160·62
Korea (South)22

*

Kuwait10·03
Lebanon200·48
Liberia5

*

Libya587·39
Malawi1

*

Malaysia250·33
Mali2

*

Malta150·41
Mauritius70·38
Mexico100·26
Morocco492·73
Mozambique5

*

Nepal3

*

New Zealand50·06
Nicaragua1

*

Nigeria7414·31
Norway40·02
Oman1

*

Palistan5064·73
Peru50·57
Philippines642·41
Poland200·52
Portugal831·06
Romania61·90
St. Lucia1

*

Saudi Arabia100·18
Senegal2

*

Seychelles1

*

Sierra Leone172·33
Singapore50·14
Somalia42·39
South Africa60·05
Spain1130·38
Sri Lanka1565·09
Sudan180·91
Surinam2

*

Sweden110·03
Switzerland100·04
Syria221·30
Tanzania121·00
Thailand90·44
Togo1

*

Tunisia504·58
Turkey1432·82
Trinidad and Tobago20·90
Uganda273·34
Uruguay20·56
USA1130·04
USSR20·21

Nationality

Number detained overnight

Number of persons detained per 1,000 arrivals of that nationality

Venezuela60·60
Yemen6

*

Yugoslavia200·55
Zaire2

*

Zambia80·71
Zimbabwe140·94
Nationality doubtful470·64
Total4,5480·59

* Separate totals are not kept of arriving passengers of these nationalities; in aggregate the proportion of these nationals detained was 0·74 per 1,000 arivals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the review of the instructions for the staff of the immigration and nationality department to be completed; and whether he will publish the results.

We are pressing ahead with the review but my right hon. and learned Friend cannot set a date for its completion. The possibility of publication of some of the instructions will be considered as part of the review.

Victim Support Schemes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the extent of direct funding by his Department of locally-run victim support schemes and on the appointment of regional liaison officers for the National Association of Victim Support Schemes.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the recent Government reply (Cmnd. 9457) to the report of the Home Affairs Committee on compensation and support for victims of crime (HC 43).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total cost of the victim support scheme nationally; and whether his Department collects information on the number of references made each year by local schemes.

We have made no estimate of the total cost of victims support schemes. We rely on the National Association of Victims Support Schemes for information about the number of cases dealt with by local schemes. I understand that the number in 1983 was 65,254 and in 1984 about 100,000.

Equal Opportunities

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department of what sex and ethnic origins are the officers designated by his Department as equal opportunities officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the equality of opportunities in his Department in so far as they concern sex and race discrimination; and what advice has lately been given to staff in his Department in respect thereof by the officer designated as equal opportunities officer with responsibility for giving such advice.

Yes, on the basis of the information now available. To ensure equality of opportunity as far as possible, my Department will be conducting ethnic surveys of all staff (under the Government's phased programme) to enable ethnic monitoring to be carried out, and the implementation of the programme of action on women in the Civil Service, announced on 9 February 1984, is being carefully monitored. The equal opportunities officers have encouraged the provision of advice to staff generally on the Civil Service's policy as an equal opportunity employer, on the scope for part-time working, job-sharing and re-instatement, and on sexual harassment, and to all line managers on their responsibilities for ensuring racial and sexual equality. They are also concerned with guidance to staff involved in recruitment, selection, promotion, career management and training.

Mrs Anne Francis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which prison, and under what conditions, Mrs. Anne Francis, of Abergavenny, is serving her sentence of one year's imprisonment.

Mrs. Francis is on normal location at Cookham Wood, a closed women's prison in Kent.

Civil Defence

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the amount of money spent per annum on civil defence in each member country of the European Economic Community, including the United Kingdom; and what information he has as to the respective figures for (a) 10, (b) 20 and (c) 30 years ago.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) on 11 March at column 28.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has plans to produce a film on planning for peacetime emergencies.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) on 8 March at column 627.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to make funds available to local authorities for the maintenance of emergency centres.

Not at present: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) on 8 March at column 627.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria by which grant applications for funds to build or improve emergency centres under the Civil Defence Regulations 1983 are assessed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) on 8 March at column 627.

Transport

Metropolitan Districts (Transport Policies)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to issue any guidance to passenger transport joint boards in metropolitan county areas, in the event of the abolition of the metropolitan county councils, concerning the interpretation of public passenger transport policies and highway, traffic and land use policies of metropolitan districts in their areas.

It will be necessary for the new passenger transport authorities to liaise closely with metropolitan district councils in matters relating to highways, traffic and land use policies, and their effect on public transport, but at this stage we see no need for further guidance. If the need arises, guidance can be given.

Welsh Highland Light Railway Company

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many offers of purchase have been made to him in respect of his stock-holdings in the Welsh Highland Light Railway Company.

Five offers were made to purchase my right hon. Friend's holdings of debenture stock. It has now been sold to the highest bidder.

Severn Bridge

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount collected in tolls on the Severn bridge in the last full financial year for which figures are available; what was the cost of collection; and what percentage this is of the overall amount collected.

The information requested is as follows.

Financial year 1983–84
£
Tolls levied2,843,710
Cost of collection607,220
Percentage21 per cent.
Tolls received have been less than in 1982–83 due to traffic management restrictions on the bridge. For 17 days all east-bound traffic travelled toll free in order that there was no back up on the bridge itself.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the original total cost of constructing the Severn bridge; and what percentage of the accumulated interest charges remains outstanding.

£14·4 million, and 72 per cent. at 31 March 1984. The components of the £14·4 million construction cost are detailed in the published account 1966–67.

Singapore International Airlines (Manchester)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his Answer of 19 April, Official Report, column 281, if he will give the reasons why the Manchester services for which Singapore International Airlines has applied do not fall within the terms of the existing air services arrangements; and if he will place a copy of these arrangements in the Library.

Air services between the United Kingdom and Singapore are governed by the air services agreement of 12 January 1971 as amended by exchanges of notes in 1976, 1978 and 1980. The agreement and subsequent exchanges have been published in the treaty series as Cmnd. 4619, 6622, 7431 and 7988. Copies are in the Library.The agreement as amended provides for SIA as a designated airline of Singapore to be entitled to operate scheduled services from Singapore over certain named intermediate points to London. There is no provision in the agreement for services to Manchester. As I told my hon. Friend on 19 April, however, consultations between the aeronautical authorities will take place early next month to consider the Singaporean request for permission to operate such services.

Equal Opportunities

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the sex and ethnic origin of the officer designated by his Department as equal opportunities officer;(2) whether he is satisfied with the equality of opportunities in his Department in so far as they concern sex and race discrimination; and what advice has lately been given to staff in his Department in respect thereof by the officer designated as equal opportunities officer with responsibility for giving such advice.

Rail Closures (Yorkshire)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will reject the proposed closure of link lines between Halifax and Huddersfield until such time as British Rail has provided a new service from Sheffield to Huddersfield to Bradford.

I am now considering the report which has been submitted by the transport users' consultative

* Holdback PenaltyRate Limitation 1985–86
Authority1981–821982–831983–841984–85Expenditure levelRate limit
£ million£ million£ million£ million£ millionPence
BirminghamN/AN/A
Hackney1·3591·0971·93082·315147·18
Islington1·1940·06017·51485·564112·07
Lambeth2·17514·183113·558107·57
Liverpool5·4796·5170·8003·193N/AN/A
Manchester5·2610·611N/AN/A
Salford1·085N/AN/A
Newcastle5·0465·5495·239N/AN/A
Gateshead2·6660·392N/AN/A
* Figures from the latest supplementary report for each year.

Rateable Values

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to prevent local authorities increasing the rateable value of properties when these have been improved by the provision of energy-saving measures or appliances.

committee for Yorkshire and in due course I will decide whether to give consent to the closure having taken into account all the relevant factors.

Environment

Somerset Levels And Moors

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the strategy for the Somerset levels and moors, published by Somerset county council, a copy of which has been sent to him.

I welcome the publication of Somerset county council's recent strategy document for the Somerset levels and moors, which represents the culmination of several years painstaking research and consultation. Somerset county council hopes that it will provide a framework for harmonizing the various interests of agriculture, land drainage, nature conservation, landscape, peat extraction, archeology and recreation and tourism. I wish the council success in its implementation.

Merseyside

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Merseyside.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) on Thursday 25 April 1985 at column 549.

Inner City Partnership Areas

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the inner city partnership areas which fall within local authorities which have been subject to rate capping or rate support grant penalties; and if he will give details of the relevant penalty or rate limitation and the year in which it occurred.

No. Nearly all the common energy saving measures such as loft insulation, double glazing and cavity wall insulation already have little or no effect on rateable values. Moreover, section 21 of the Local Government Act 1974 provides that central heating systems installed after 1 April 1974 and any minor improvements, including energy saving improvements, carried out from that date which would have had the effect of raising the gross value by £30 or less, will not normally result in an increase in the rateable value of a dwelling until the next revaluation.

Equal Opportunities

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the equality of opportunities in his Department in so far as they concern sex and race discrimination; and what advice has lately been given to staff in his Department in respect thereof by the officer designated as equal opportunities officer with responsibility for giving such advice.

Broadly speaking, yes. My Department is reviewing its policies and procedures to ensure equality of opportunity on the grounds of both race and sex. It is also participating in the service-wide development of policy and the creation of an adequate data-base on which the success of such policies can be evaluated. The Department's equal opportunities officers play a leading role in such work and promulgate appropriate guidance and instruction. All staff have been advised of the Department's general policy on race and sex equality through office circulars published in November 1984 and March 1985.

Single Women (Accommodation)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many single women between the ages of 16 and 18 years were refused accommodation by councils and housing associations in the last five years for which records are available; and, of these, how many and what percentage were subsequently offered accommodation as a result of becoming single mothers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many and what percentage of people living in council or housing association accommodation in the last five years for which records are available were single mothers between the ages of 16 and 18 years at the time when the accommodation was originally allocated to them.

Pield Heath Nurseries (Appeal)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the outcome of the appeal by Costain Homes Ltd. and Milton Hardings Ltd. against the decision of the London borough of Hillingdon in respect of Pield Heath Nurseries has still not been determined.

The proposals raise matters of some complexity requiring careful consideration. Once these are clarified, a decision will be issued.

Ascension Island (Airport)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest cost estimate for the new airport apron, hangars and accommodation for service men at Ascension Island.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 March at column 149.

Falkland Islands (Airport)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a breakdown of the £119 million spent at Mount Pleasant for new Army facilities.

As I explained in my answer to the hon. Member of 22 October at column 490 there are two phases to the provision of the Army facilities at Mount Pleasant. The current estimates for phase I and II at September 1984 prices stand at £25 million arid £94 million respectively.

Local Government Reform

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what mechanism will be employed to ensure that London boroughs adhere to the Greater London development plan in the transitional period between the proposed abolition of the Greater London council and the commencement of the unitary development plan system.

The GLDP will have the full weight of statute behind it until superseded by adopted unitary development plans. Planning applications constituting departures from the GLDP which boroughs propose to allow will be referred to my right hon. Friend for him to decide whether they should be called in for determination.

Crown Court, Reading

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made over discussions on the siting of the new Crown court for Reading; and if he will make a statement.

Officials of the Property Services Agency and the Lord Chancellor's Department had preliminary and without prejudice discussions about this matter with officers of the Berkshire county council on 27 March 1985. Further such discussions are expected to take place shortly.

South-East (Planning Co-Ordination)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions he has held with the London Boroughs Association and the London and southeast regional planning conference regarding amendments to the arrangements for strategic planning co-ordination in the south-east;(2) what discussions he has had with the London Boroughs Association and the London and south-east regional planning conference about amendments to his proposals for a London planning commission.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government met representatives of the London and south-east regional planning conference (known as SERPLAN) on 11 December and my noble Friend, the Minister of State, met representatives of that body on 22 April. My right hon. Friend is arranging to meet the LBA shortly.

Local Government Bill

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply on 7 March, OfficialReport, column 544, why his Department took until 23 January before replying to the Association of London Borough planning officers' letter of 16 November 1984.

The letter from the Association of London Borough Planning Officers dated 16 November followed a discussion between my Department and representatives of the association on 5 October 1984 and it was assumed that the letter was to record the association's views. Following the discussion in Standing Committee G on 17 and 22 January, a further meeting was suggested by my Department to pursue the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply on 7 March, Official Report, column 544, what was the result of his Department's offer to meet the Association of London Borough Planning Officers to discuss the planning proposals in the Local Government Bill.

There has been no reply from the association to my Department's letter of 23 January 1985, to which I referred in the answer to the hon. Member on 7 March, but my officials have been in touch with the association to arrange a meeting.

London Docklands Development Corporation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what programme for infrastructure works and reclamation the London Docklands Development Corporation has for land within the London Docklands (East Docklands) Compulsory Purchase Order 1985; how the programme is phased and over what period; which sites are included in each phase; and what is the cost of each phase;(2) in respect of how much land within the London Docklands (East Docklands) Compulsory Purchase Order 1985 the London Docklands Development Corporation has specific proposals.

The LDDC published its draft development framework for the royal docks in January 1985. This presents a strategic framework for infrastructure and reclamation works which will provide the context for future development. Public consultation is now in progress. The corporation is discussing a number of individual development initiatives for the docks within this framework and, once their viability has been assessed, details will be provided to the local authorities and other interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how much land within the London Docklands Development Corporation area, not acquired by the London Docklands Development Corporation, was either newly developed or in the process of development by 31 December 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in respect of how much of the land acquired by the London Docklands Development Corporation within the Royal Victoria dock the London Docklands Development Corporation has specific proposals; and what are these specific proposals;(2) what programme for infrastructure or reclamation works the London Docklands Development Corporation has for land acquired by it within the Royal Victoria dock; how this programme is phased; and what is the cost of each phase.

The details of the Royal Victoria dock infrastructure programme and its phasing, will be confirmed once the consultation programme on the royal docks development framework is complete. The LDDC's recently published Operational Plan makes the following provision for the royal docks area, which chiefly covers work within the Royal Victoria dock and its immediate area:

£ million
1985–864·0
1986–877·2
1987–889·4

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the land acquired by the London Docklands Development Corporation on which new development had taken place, or had started by 31 December 1984, was subject to works by the London Docklands Development Corporation before development could take place; and at what cost.

This information is not available in the form requested. However, 77 per cent. of the land disposed by the corporation up to 31 March required infrastructure works before disposal. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers I gave him on 15 April 1985 at column 122 and 20 February 1985 at column 488 about costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total value of contracts and the number of consultants retained by the London Docklands Development Corporation in each year since its creation.

Local Government Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list all the applications under sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act which were outstanding on 25 April and the date on which the applications had been received;(2) if he will list each consent applied for under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act by the Greater London council and each of the metropolitan county councils and give the date the application was made, together, where appropriate, with the date on which consent was granted;(3) how many staff are employed, and what are their grades, by his Department to process consent applications under sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received relating to section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act.

Numerous representations have been received, not all of which were relevant to the determination of particular applications for consent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about delays in granting consent for applications received under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984.

All applications are considered carefully and expeditiously on their individual merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from prospective purchasers of properties requiring consent under section 8 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984.

Numerous representations have been received. Many involved transactions for which no application for consent had been received from the authority concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to ensure that all consent applications under section 8 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984 are processed within one month of submission.

Sufficient to ensure that all applications are considered expeditiously on their individual merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many consent applications under

Number of applications by value (£)
AuthorityNot specifiedUnder £100£100 to £999£1,000 to £9,999£10,000 to £99,999£100,000 to £1 millionOver £1 million
Greater London council365190213648450605
Greater Manchester county council38971031811238
Inner London education authority180527
Merseyside county council5734305174
South Yorkshire county council10510968116362
Tyne and Wear county council3201764221
West Midlands county council361145118012171
West Yorkshire county council64322659343
All Authorities8481,1235081,299793856

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many consent applications under each of section 7, section 8 and section 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act have been refused for each of the metropolitan county councils, the Greater London council and the Inner London education authority.

None, but consent has been withheld in some cases pending receipt of further information or assurances from the applicant authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the longest period for which a case submitted under sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act remained with his Department before consent was given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many consent applications citing clause 89 of the Local Government Bill have been received from each of the metropolitan county councils, the Greater London council and the Inner London education authority;

sections 8 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984 submitted by the Greater London council before 1 February 1984 are still awaiting written consent.

Three. In each case the delay is due to the GLC's failure to supply further information requested to enable proper consideration to be given to the application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many consent applications under sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act are still being considered by his Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many consent applications for the Greater London council and each of the metropolitan county councils under section 8 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act were for a value of less than (a) £100, (b) between £100 and £1,000, (c) between £1,000 and £10,000, (d) between £10,000 and £100,000, (e) between £100,000 and £1 million and (f) over £1 million, respectively.

Financial considerations are riot always a material factor in determining applications under the Act and such details have not been supplied or sought in every case. The information requested is as follows:(2) how many consent applications have been received under section 9 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act from each of the metropolitan county councils, the Greater London council and the Inner London education authority;(3) how many consent applications have been received under section 8 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act from each of the metropolitan county councils, the Greater London council and the Inner London education authority;(4) how many consent applications have been received under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim. Provisions) Act from each of the metropolitan county councils and the Greater London council;(5) how many consent applications citing clause 90 of the Local Government Bill have been received from each of the metropolitan county councils, the Greater London council and the Inner London education authority.

Number of Applications received up to 25 April 1985

Authority

Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984

Local Government Bill

Total

Section 7

Section 8

Section 9

Clause 89

Clause 90

GLC1401,93119510212,297
Greater Manchester1655094511676
ILEA2470713744
Merseyside10183292224
South Yorkshire1343610544598
Tyne and Wear364127451537
West Midlands465101075668
West Yorkshire1221845275
Total6254,66263316836,019

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to reach a decision on the application for consent under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act in respect of the women's peace bus;(2) when he exects to reach a decision on the application for consent under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act in respect of the London lesbian and gay centre;(3) when he expects to reach a decision on the application for consent under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act in respect of Interights;(4) when he expects to reach a decision on the application for consent in respect of Spare Rib under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act;(5) when he expects to reach a decision on the application for consent under section 7 of the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act in respect of Searchlight.

Turtle Products

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the take-up of import permits for turtle products in each complete year since 1979; and what were the products and their values.

For each complete year since 1979 import permits granted for turtle products have been taken up as follows:

YearNumber of permits used
197910
19805
198118
198239
198311
198432
These permits related to various products, including meat, bones, handbags, shells and tortoiseshell items. The statistics kept by my Department do not include the value of these products.

Whale Products

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the take-up of import permits for whale products in each complete year since 1979, the products imported, and their value.

For each complete year since 1979 import permits granted for whale products have been taken up as follows:

YearNumber of permits used
19796
198015
198111
198212
19835
19849
These permits related to various products, including teeth, bone, tusk, blood, blubber, powder, sperm, sperm oil and spermaceti wax. The statistics kept by my Department do not include the value of these products.

Merseyside

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his visit to Merseyside on 22 and 23 April; and what practical and financial assistance to Liverpool will result from it.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 April 1985, c. 549.]: I visited Merseyside on 22 and 23 April 1985 to review progress on some of the intiatives launched in the area in recent years.I arrived on the evening of 22 April to attend one of the regular meetings that Halton borough council hold with members of the local business community at the invitation of the leader of the council. I offered to consider urban programme help with premises for a proposed new development agency for the borough. On the morning of 23 April I held a press conference in Liverpool where I made a statement and answered questions about the Liverpool city action team.I then visited the site of the former Courtaulds factory at Aintree which is now in the hands of private developers who, with the help of derelict land grant, are reclaiming the site for industrial use. I was pleased to learn that jobs with the firms on the industrial estate now nearly equals the jobs lost when Courtaulds closed.I later visited Cammell Laird (Shipbuilders) Ltd, Birkenhead and met the managing director and the shop stewards' committee. I was also able to see work in progress on the Type 42 destroyer, HMS Edinburgh, which they are constructing in their yard.After lunch, I toured the Liverpool freeport where I met the freeport manager and representatives of the two companies established within the freeport area. One, a textile firm already employs about forty people most of whom were unemployed before the freeport was established.The visit enabled me to satisfy myself at first hand that the substantial public funds made available to these projects are being used to best effect.The matter of Liverpool city council's budget was not discussed during the visit. I have made it quite clear on numerous occasions that I am not prepared to re-open discussions on this year's rate support grant. The responsibility for setting a legal budget rests fairly and squarely with the city council.

Energy

Coal Industry Dispute

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if when he next meets the chairman of the National Coal Board, he will discuss the numbers of miners dismissed by the board during the 1984–85 strike.

Renewable Resources

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the Government's policy on renewable energy resources; and if he will make a statement.

I refer to the answer given earlier today to my right hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mr. Chapman).

Oil-Fired Generating Capacity (Conversion)

17.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, when he next meets the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board, he proposes to discuss the conversion of oil-fired generating capacity to coal.

It is for the CEGB to consider whether, in the light of all the relevant factors, it should invest in the conversion of any of its oil-fired stations to coal. I will discuss with the chairman any specific proposals made by the board.

Energy Efficiency Project

18.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on progress in energy efficiency projects within Government Departments including his own.

As a result of my initiatives there is increased pressure on Government Departments to improve energy efficiency in the activities they influence.

Coal Industry (Conciliation And Consultation)

19.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied that the normal processes of conciliation and consultation are being carried out in the coal industry.

The operation of consultation and conciliation procedures within the coal industry are matters for the National Coal Board.

Colliery Closure Review Procedure

20.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to meet the chairman of the National Coal Board to discuss implementation of the revised colliery closure review procedure.

I understand from the National Coal Board that a sub-committee of the Coal Industry National Consultative Committee, set up to discuss the implementation of a modified colliery review procedure, has now had its first meeting. The committee consists of representatives of the three main coal industry unions—NUM, NACODS and BACM—and the National Coal Board. I hope their discussions will lead to early agreement.

Miners (Working Conditions)

21.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the chairman of the National Coal Board since the ending of the miners' strike concerning the working conditions of miners.

The National Coal Board has made clear that, as work resumes following the strike, safety must be the prime consideration.

Electricity Prices

22.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received about the present mode of fixing electricity prices to the consumer.

Mining Industry Manpower

24.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimate his Department has made of the total manpower in the mining industry by the end of 1985.

The board is undertaking a thorough review of the damage done by the strike and its options for the future. No estimate is yet possible of the total manpower of the industry by the end of the year.

National Coal Board (Redundancies)

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has had discussions with the chairman of the National Coal Board on the number of redundancies likely in the year 1985–86.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Orme).

North Sea Oil

26.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of United Kingdom North sea oil is refined within the United Kingdom; how many jobs there are in United Kingdom refineries; what is the regional breakdown of this figure; and how these figures compare with the figures in May 1979.

I refer to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands). A regional breakdown is not readily available.

Equal Opportunities

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the sex and ethnic origin of the officer designated by his Department as equal opportunities officer.

The equal opportunities officer designated by my Department is male and is of white European ethnic origin.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with the equality of opportunities in his Department in so far as they concern sex and race discrimination; and what advice has lately been given to staff in his Department in respect thereof by the officer designated as equal opportunities officer with responsibility for giving such advice.

Yes on the basis of the information now available. To ensure equality of opportunities so far as possible, we will be conducting ethnic surveys of all staff under the Government's phased programme to enable ethnic monitoring to be carried out. The implementation of the programme of action on women in the Civil Service, announced on 9 February 1984, is being carefully monitored. An equal opportunities officer has been designated to co-ordinate non-discrimination policy in my Department and a joint management/trade union committee has been formed to review progress on this issue.

Scotland

Crofter Housing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now abandon the policy of refusing grant and loan for crofter housing to single men resident with their parents.

Each application for housing assistance is considered on its merits but assistance is not generally given if the applicant is already satisfactorily housed within working distances of the croft. Assistance will be given, regardless of marital status, if there is a demonstrated need for the provision of a house to enable the croft to be worked.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if will now increase the amount of grant and loan for crofting houses.

Local Authority Spending

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to reach a decision on selective action against certain overspending councils.

I am still examining the budget returns of authorities and hope to reach decisions soon.

Forestry Reserves

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the area covered by afforestation in the United Kingdom in 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1980 and his estimate of expected life of reserves of current rates of extraction.

Year

Area (hectares)

19501,525,000
19601,700,000
19701,880,000
19802,180,000

These figures include unproductive woodland.

Woodlands are a renewable resource and, given their effective management, the life of timber reserves should be infinite.

Norway Pout

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if Her Majesty's Government will make it its policy at the European Economic Community Council of Fisheries Ministers, to support the reversion to a 10 per cent. level of the Norway pout by-catch.

Herons

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for licences to kill herons were received in 1983, 1984 and so far in 1985; how many licences were granted; what were the locations; how many birds were allowed to be killed in each case; how many were actually killed; what deterrent advice was given; and what were the reasons for granting and refusing licences.

The details are as follows:

  • a. Applications received, 1983: 5, 1984: 6, 1985: 4
  • b. Licences granted, 1983: 5, 1984: 6, 1985: Nil so far
  • c. Locations (by admibernistrative region)
  • 1983
    Dumfries and Galloway1
    Highland1
    Tayside2
    Fife1
    TOTAL5
    1984:
    Dumfries and Galloway2
    Highland1
    Tayside3
    TOTAL6

  • d. No limits were placed on the numbers of birds to be killed.
  • e. Numbers killed under licence:
  • Location

    Number

    1983

    Dumfries and Galloway16
    Highland3
    Tayside13
    Fife2
    TOTAL34

    1984:

    34
    Dumfries and Galloway28
    Highland2
    Tayside14
    TOTAL44

  • f. The advice of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was made generally available to all applicants for licences.
  • g. Licences were issued in 1983 and 1984 to prevent damage to framed trout stocks. The applications for licences for 1985 are under consideration.
  • Equal Opportunities

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the equality of opportunities in his Department in so far as they concern sex and race discrimination; and what advice has lately been given to staff in his Department in respect thereof by the officer designated as equal opportunities officer with responsibility for giving such advice.

    Yes. The implementation of the programme of action on equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service is being progressed in my Department by a joint management and trade union group and advice is being given to staff as matters are agreed by the group. No new advice on race discrimination has lately been given to staff.

    Rates

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the approximate cost of granting relief to proprietor managed businesses in Scotland in order to restrict the increase in their commercial rates bill for 1985–86 to an amount not exceeding (a) 125 per cent., (b) 133⅓ per cent. and (c) 150 per cent. of their corresponding 1984–85 rates bill.

    Entries on the valuation roll do not permit identification of properties which might be in use by owner-managed businesses, so the information on which to base the estimates requested is not available.

    Morbidity

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in accordance with the Croham directive, he will publish all background papers originating in his Department on the subject of the methodology of the Lenihan investigation into morbidity in the Denny, Bonnybridge and Larbert area; and if he will make a statement.

    I presume the hon. Member is referring to the Crohan directive on the publication of official papers containing factual and analytical material used as the background to major policy studies. The Lenihan review group was an independent body and its members were free to determine what methodology should be used for conducting their review. No Departmental guidance was given to them on this matter.

    Fishermen (Fuel Costs)

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will estimate the cost of cutting the present price of marine gas oil charged to fishing vessel owners in order to reduce that cost by 25 pence per gallon;(2) if he has any information on the weekly fuel bill cost of a fishing vessel of 80 feet in length;(3) what information he has as to the cost of one gallon of marine fuel oil for fishing vessels in the years 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and the lastest available figures for 1985;(4) what is the amount of rebate granted to fishing vessels when purchasing marine gas oil; and whether value added tax on the purchase of this commodity is recoverable by the vessel owner.