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.
The information is not available.
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.
The information is not available.
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.
I shall write to the hon. Member.
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 £ million | 1980 £ million | 1981 £ million | 1982 £ million | 1983 £ million | |
Local authorities | 12,440 | 15,544 | 17,888 | 19,200 | 21,199 |
National Health Service | 4,677 | 6,312 | 7,344 | 7,513 | 8,618 |
Thousands headcount*
| |||
'000
| Change '000
| per cent.
| |
Civil Service | |||
1979 | 739 | ||
1980 | 714 | –24 | –3·3 |
1981 | 698 | –17 | –2·3 |
1982 | 671 | –27 | –3·8 |
1983 | 654 | –18 | –2·6 |
1984 | 630 | –24 | –3·6 |
Local authorities | |||
1979 | 2,997 | ||
1980 | 2,956 | –41 | –1·4 |
1981 | 2,899 | –57 | –1·9 |
1982 | 2,865 | –34 | –1·2 |
1983 | 2,879 | +14 | +0·5 |
1984 | 2,884 | +5 | +0·2 |
National Health Service | |||
1979 | 1,152 | ||
1980 | 1,174 | +22 | –1·9 |
1981 | 1,207 | +33 | +2·8 |
1982 | 1,227 | +20 | +1·7 |
1983 | 1,227 | — | +0·0 |
1984 | 1,223 | –4 | –0·3 |
Nationalised industries† | |||
1979 | 1,726 | ||
1980 | 1,697 | –29 | –1·7 |
1981 | 1,618 | –79 | –4·7 |
1982 | 1,540 | –78 | –4·8 |
1983 | 1,465 | –75 | –4·9 |
1984 | 1,416 | –49 | –3·3 |
Other public sector† | |||
1979 | 678 | ||
1980 | 694 | +16 | +2·4 |
1981 | 691 | –3 | –0·4 |
1982 | 675 | –16 | –2·3 |
1983 | 679 | +4 | +0·6 |
1984 | 677 | –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.
The information is as follows:
1979 £ million
| 1980 £ million
| 1981 £ million
| 1982 £ million
| 1983 £ million
| |
Public corporations | 12,753 | 15,143 | 16,205 | 17,211 | 17,755 |
Her Majesty's Forces | 2,548 | 3,047 | 3,387 | 3,692 | 4,022 |
Other central Government | 4,659 | 5,934 | 6,581 | 7,192 | 7,566 |
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 A | 35·80 | 107·80 | |
* Category B (wife) | 21·50 | 93·50 | |
† Category B (window) | 35·80 | ||
† Age Addition (over 80) | 0·25 | ||
† Non-contributory over 80's | |||
pension | |||
Higher rate | 21·50 | ||
Lower rate | |||
Adult Dependant | 12·85 | ||
Age Addition (over 80) | 0·25 | ||
2. Widows' Benefits (WB) | |||
† Widows' Allowance | 50·10 | ||
† Widowed Mothers' Allowance | 35·80 | ||
† Widows' Pension | 35·80 | ||
3. Invalidity Pension (IVP) | |||
single | 34·25 | Any earnings | Small exception for permitted work with medical approval, earnings £23·50 |
Invalidity allowance | |||
Higher rate | 7·50 | ||
Middle rate | 4·80 | ||
Lower rate | 2·40 | ||
4. Unemployment Benefit (UB) | |||
Under pension age single | 28·45 | 2·00 | On a daily basis |
Over pension age single | 35·80 | 2·00 | On a daily basis |
5. Sickness Benefit (SB) | |||
Under pension age single | 27·25 | Any earnings | Small exception for permitted work with medical approval, earnings £23·50 |
Over pension age single | 35·25 | ||
6. Maternity Allowance (MA) | 27·25 | Any earnings | |
7. Attendance Allowance | |||
† Higher rate | 28·60 | ||
† Lower rate | 19·10 | ||
8. Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) | |||
† single | 21·50 | ||
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 £
| ||
single | 21·50 | 12·00 | |
10. † Mobility Allowance | 20·00 | ||
11. † Child Benefit | 6·85 | ||
12. † One Parent Benefit | 4·25 | ||
13. Family Income Supplement | |||
Prescribed amount—one child family | 90·00 | ||
Increase for each additional child | 10·00 | Payment ceases once gross weekly earnings equal the prescribed amount | |
Maximum payment—one child family | 23·00 | ||
Increase for each additional child | 2·00 | ||
14. ‡ Supplementary Benefit | |||
Supplementary pension single | 35·70 | ||
couple | 57·10 | ||
non-householder | 28·55 | ||
Long-term scale rate single | 35·70 | ||
couple | 57·10 | ||
non-householder 18+ | 28·55 | ||
non-householder 16–17 | 21·90 | ||
Ordinary rate single | 28·05 | ||
couple | 45·55 | ||
non-householder 18+ | 22·45 | ||
non-householder 16–17 | 17·30 | ||
Dependent children 18+ | 22·45 | ||
16–17 | 17·30 | ||
11–15 | 14·35 | ||
under 11 | 9·60 | ||
Blind addition | 1·25 | ||
Heating additions | |||
Higher rate | 5·20 | ||
Lower rate | 2·10 | ||
Central heating additions | |||
Higher rate | 4·20 | ||
Lower rate | 2·10 | ||
Estate rate heating additions | |||
Higher rate | 8·40 | ||
Lower rate | 4·20 | ||
Dietary additions | |||
Lower rate | 1·55 | ||
Higher rate | 3·60 | ||
Kidney dialysis | 10·35 | ||
Notional laundry charge | 0·50 | ||
Extra bath | 0·25 | ||
Board and Lodging personal expenses
| |||
Over pension age single | 10·30 | ||
couple | 20·60 | ||
Long term rate single | 10·30 | ||
couple | 20·60 | ||
Ordinary rate single | 9·25 | ||
couple | 18·50 | ||
Dependants 18+ | 9·25 | ||
16–17 | 5·55 | ||
11–15 | 4·75 | ||
under 11 | 3·10 |
Weekly rate at November 1984 £
| Weekly level of earnings at which basic benefit is extinguished £
| ||
Meals allowance (per meal) | |||
breakfast | 1·10 | ||
main meal | 1·55 | ||
Increase in maximum amounts | |||
for board and lodging single | 16·15 | ||
couple | 32·20 | ||
Maintenance and insurance allowance | 1·80 | ||
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 supplement | 34·25 | Over £1,200 per annum | |
† Increases for early onset of incapacity | |||
Higher rate | 7·50 | ||
Middle rate | 4·80 | ||
Lower rate | 2·40 | ||
† Maximum special hardship allowance | 23·36 | ||
† Exceptionally severe disablement allowance | 23·40 | ||
† Industrial Death Benefit | |||
Initial rate | 50·10 | ||
Higher permanent rate | 36·35 | ||
Lower permanent rate | 10·74 | ||
† Constant Attendance Allowance | |||
Normal maximum rate | 23·40 | ||
Part-time rate | 11·70 | ||
Intermediate rate | 35·10 | ||
Exceptional rate | 46·80 | ||
16. Workmen's compensation, pneumoconiosis, byssinosis and other schemes | |||
† Maximum major incapacity | 58·40 | ||
† Partial disablement allowance | 21·50 | ||
17. Housing Benefit | |||
Needs allowance | |||
single | 45·10 | Amounts 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 parent | 66·50 | ||
Single handicapped | 50·30 | ||
Couple-one handicapped | 71·70 | ||
Couple both handicapped | 74·15 | ||
Pensioner addition | 0·80 | ||
Dependent child addition | 12·85 | ||
18. Dependency additions | |||
For child—with IVP, RP, WB, SDA, ICA, and if claimant over pension age, with SB and UB | 7·65 | 80·00 | Earnings by spouse (or partner). Each extra £10 extinguishes further addition for child residing with beneficiary |
For spouse | |||
with SDA and ICA | 12·85 | 59·85 | for wife (or female partner) |
12·85 | for husband | ||
with MA and SB under pension age | 16·80 | 16·80 | |
with MA and SB over pension age | 20·55 | 20·55 | |
with UB under pension age | 17·55 | 17·55 | |
with UB over pension age | 21·50 | 21·50 |
Weekly rate at November 1984 £
| Weekly level of earnings at which basic benefit is extinguished £
| ||
with IVP and unemploy-ability supplement | 20·55 | 67·55 | for wife |
20·55 | for husband | ||
with RP | 21·50 | 68·50 | for wife |
21·50 | for 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 | |||
Date | Days or Part Days* | Country | Purpose |
1983 | |||
17–19 June | 3 | Federal Republic of Germany | European Council |
19–21 September | 3 | Netherlands | Talks with Netherlands Government |
Federal Republic of Germany | Visit to British Forces Germany | ||
25–30 September | 6 | Canada | Talks with Canadian Government and speech to Canadian Parliament |
United States of America | Talks with President Reagan | ||
8–9 November | 2 | Federal Republic of Germany | Anglo/German summit |
21–30 November | 10 | India | Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting |
4–6 December | 3 | Greece | European 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.
The information is as follows.
Date
| Days or Part Days*
| Country
| Purpose
|
1984
| |||
23 January | 1 | France | Talks with President Mitterrand |
26–27 January | 2 | Italy | Anglo/Italian summit |
2–4 February | 3 | Hungary | Talks with Hungarian Government |
13–14 February | 2 | Soviet Union | President Andropov's funeral |
19–20 March | 2 | Belgium | European Council |
17–19 April | 3 | Portugal | Talks with Portuguese Government |
4 May | 1 | France | Talks with President Mitterrand |
25–26 June | 2 | France | European Council |
2–4 November | 3 | India | Mrs. Gandhi's funeral |
29 November—1 | 3 | France | Talks with French Government and Franco/British Council |
December | |||
3–4 December | 2 | Republic of Ireland | European Council |
17–22 December | 6 | China/Hong Kong/United States of | Signing of Hong Kong agreement/local engagements/talks with |
America | President Reagan | ||
1985
| |||
18 January | 1 | Federal Republic of Germany | Anglo/German summit |
19–21 February | 3 | United States of America | Talks with President Reagan/speech to Congress |
12–13 March | 2 | Soviet Union | President Chemenko's funeral |
29–30 March | 2 | Belgium | European Council |
4–14 April | 11 | Malaysia/Brunei Indonesia/Singapore/Sri Lanka/India/Saudi Arabia | Talks 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 July | 1 | Cranwell/Lincolnshire | RAF Cranwell |
31 August-1 September | 2 | Dumfries/Dumfries & Galloway Edinburgh/Lothian Beith/Strathclyde Cunninghame/Strathclyde Largs/Strathclyde Kilbarchan/Strathclyde Bridge of Weir/Strathclyde | Local engagements |
18 November | 1 | York/North Yorkshire | Enthronement of Archbishop of York |
23 December | 1 | Newtownards/County Down Drumadd Barracks/Armagh Aughnacloy Army Base/County Tyrone | Local engagements |
1984
| |||
6 January | 1 | Maidstone/Kent | Local engagements |
24 February | 1 | Coventry/Warwickshire | Local engagements |
7 April | 1 | Penzance/Cornwall | Local engagements |
13 April | 1 | London Docklands/Greater London | Local engagements |
3 August | 1 | Dartford/Kent Redhill/Surrey | Local engagements |
5 September | 2 | Farnborough/Hampshire | Air show |
5–6 September | 2 | Edinburgh/Lothian Ratho/Lothian Livingston New Town/Lothian Dunblane/Central Kinross/Central Aviemore/Highland | Local engagements |
21 September | 1 | Chester/Clwyd Wrexham/Clwyd | Local engagements |
26 September | 1 | York/North Yorkshire | Local engagements |
2 October | 1 | Liverpool/Merseyside | Local engagements |
1985
| |||
11 January | 1 | Milton Keynes/Buckinghamshire Towcester/Northants Leicester/Leicestershire Lutterworth/Leicestershire | Local engagements |
15 March | 1 | Henley on Thames/Oxfordshire Witney/Oxfordshire Abingdon/Oxfordshire Newbury/Berkshire Stoke Poges/Buckinghamshire | Local engagements |
26 April | 1 | Deeside Industrial Park/Clwyd Mostyn Dock/Clwyd 'Plas Newydd'/Clwyd St. Asaph/Clwyd Abergele/Clwyd | Local 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 application | Authority | Number of posts |
4 April 1983 | ILEA | 2 |
7 April 1983 | GLC | 2 |
3 May 1983 | Tower Hamlets | 2 |
19 May 1983 | Lambeth | 1 |
13 June 1983 | South Glamorgan | 2 |
18 October 1983 | Barking | 5 |
21 December 1983 | Sheffield (part-time hours) | 3,640 |
7 February 1984 | Hackney | 2 |
2 March 1984 | West Midlands | 1 |
2 March 1984 | ILEA | 3 |
9 March 1984 | Wolverhampton | 12 |
9 March 1984 | Waltham Forest | 5 |
15 March 1984 | Hillingdon | 5 |
16 March 1984 | Redbridge | 52 |
16 March 1984 | Dudley | 3 |
16 March 1984 | Leeds (plus 400 part-time hours) | 1 |
20 March 1984 | Kensington and Chelsea | 17 |
22 March 1984 | Bedfordshire | 33 |
26 March 1984 | Calderdale | 3 |
Date of application
| Authority
| Number of posts
|
27 March 1984 | ILEA (plus 2,360 part-time hours) | 1 |
28 March 1984 | Tower Hamlets | 93 |
28 March 1984 | Newham | 69 |
29 March 1984 | Islington | 163 |
30 March 1984 | Hackney | 703 |
30 March 1984 | Hertfordshire | 43 |
30 March 1984 | Birmingham | 133 |
9 April 1984 | Bradford | 1 |
10 April 1984 | Bedfordshire | 5 |
10 April 1984 | ILEA | 1 |
10 April 1984 | Manchester | 11 |
21 April 1984 | West Midlands | 5 |
2 April 1984 | Lambeth | 8 |
9 May 1984 | ILEA | 1 |
22 May 1984 | Dudley | 2 |
24 May 1984 | ILEA | 1 |
25 May 1984 | Birmingham | 4 |
31 May 1984 | ILEA | 3 |
5 June 1984 | Birmingham | 3 |
11 June 1984 | Redbridge | 1 |
12 June 1984 | Tower Hamlets | 4 |
18 June 1984 | Bradford | 2 |
26 June 1984 | Redbridge | 1 |
28 June 1984 | Kent | 1 |
29 June 1984 | ILEA | 174 |
2 July 1984 | Kirklees | 1 |
11 July 1984 | Barking | 8 |
13 July 1984 | Birmingham | 41 |
13 July 1984 | ILEA (part-time hours) | 1,450 |
23 July 1984 | Barking | 8 |
25 July 1984 | Coventry | 19 |
26 July 1984 | Wandsworth | 4 |
30 July 1984 | Birmingham | 13 |
31 July 1984 | Hertfordshire | 3 |
31 July 1984 | Hampshire | 3 |
6 August 1984 | Avon | 15 |
14 August 1984 | Derbyshire (plus 263 hours) | 29 |
15 August 1984 | Gravesham | 3 |
15 August 1984 | Bradford | 31 |
16 August 1984 | Bradford | 1 |
16 August 1984 | Barnet | 20 |
21 August 1984 | South Glamorgan | 3 |
28 August 1984 | ILEA | 1 |
11 September 1984 | Westminster | 2 |
11 September 1984 | ILEA | 1 |
11 September 1984 | Middlesex Polytechnic | 1 |
13 September 1984 | West Midlands | 10 |
17 September 1984 | Sheffield | 15 |
20 September 1984 | Wandsworth | 2 |
21 September 1984 | Brent | 2 |
24 September 1984 | Northamptonshire | 5 |
26 September 1984 | Leicestershire | 1 |
2 October 1984 | Leeds | 1 |
3 October 1984 | Cleveland | 6 |
9 October 1984 | Lambeth | 9 |
18 October 1984 | Bedfordshire | 5 |
22 October 1984 | Nottinghamshire | 2 |
23 October 1984 | Harrow | 3 |
23 October 1984 | Bradford | 42 |
25 October 1984 | Birmingham | 1 |
26 October 1984 | Camden | 2 |
30 October 1984 | Bradford | 2 |
30 October 1984 | Trafford | 6 |
1 November 1984 | Hounslow | 5 |
5 November 1984 | Haringey | 1 |
5 November 1984 | Hackney | 135 |
6 November 1984 | Newham | 4 |
7 November 1984 | Tameside | 4 |
8 November 1984 | Waltham Forest | 2 |
9 November 1984 | Kirklees | 10 |
19 November 1984 | ILEA | 9 |
20 November 1984 | Ipswich | 2 |
27 November 1984 | Leeds | 1 |
28 November 1984 | Kent | 1 |
28 November 1984 | Bradford | 1 |
4 December 1984 | Calderdale (plus 2,207 part-time hours) | 2 |
Date of application
| Authority
| Number of posts
|
10 December 1984 | Birmingham | 40 |
10 December 1984 | Avon | 5 |
10 December 1984 | Camden | 1 |
14 December 1984 | Bradford | 9 |
18 December 1984 | Kirklees | 2 |
20 December 1984 | Northamptonshire | 3 |
21 December 1984 | Brent | 1 |
21 December 1984 | Merseyside | 2 |
31 December 1984 | Ealing | 1 |
8 January 1985 | Newham | 1 |
8 January 1985 | Cleveland | 1 |
10 January 1985 | Leeds | 3 |
14 January 1985 | Coventry | 3 |
14 January 1985 | Kirklees | 3 |
14 January 1985 | Oldham | 2 |
16 January 1985 | Bradford | 1 |
17 January 1985 | Kirklees | 1 |
17 January 1985 | Hammersmith | 2 |
18 January 1985 | Avon | 1 |
21 January 1985 | Nottingham City | 2 |
24 January 1985 | Birmingham | 1 |
25 January 1985 | Leeds | 4 |
28 January 1985 | Hampshire | 7 |
30 January 1985 | Richmond | 3 |
30 January 1985 | Coventry | 24 |
31 January 1985 | Devon | 2 |
8 February 1985 | Birmingham | 9 |
11 February 1985 | Birmingham | 3 |
14 February 1985 | Camden | 1 |
15 February 1985 | St. Albans | 2 |
15 February 1985 | Ealing | 166 |
19 February 1985 | Manchester | 3 |
20 February 1985 | Lambeth | 2 |
21 February 1985 | Westminster | 2 |
22 February 1985 | Brent | 4 |
22 February 1985 | Redditch | 1 |
25 February 1985 | Bradford | 10 |
25 February 1985 | South Glamorgan | 2 |
27 February 1985 | Oxford City | 1 |
28 February 1985 | Middlesbrough | 1 |
4 March 1985 | Surrey | 4 |
4 March 1985 | Waltham Forest | 2 |
6 March 1985 | Bradford | 11 |
7 March 1985 | ILEA | 1 |
8 March 1985 | Northamptonshire | 1 |
8 March 1985 | Kent (adjustment of approved pan-time hours) | |
8 March 1985 | Trafford | 14 |
8 March 1985 | Lancashire | 4 |
11 March 1985 | Wandsworth | 2 |
12 March 1985 | Lambeth | 38 |
12 March 1985 | ILEA | 2 |
13 March 1985 | Southwark | 8 |
13 March 1985 | Derby City | 1 |
14 March 1985 | Lancashire | 8 |
15 March 1985 | Ipswich | 3 |
19 March 1985 | Bolton | 2 |
21 March 1985 | ILEA | 3 |
25 March 1985 | Barking | 1 |
27 March 1985 | Rotherham | 1 |
27 March 1985 | Leicester City | 1 |
27 March 1985 | Oxfordshire | 14 |
29 March 1985 | Coventry | 10 |
29 March 1985 | Cleveland | 1 |
29 March 1985 | Croydon | 1 |
2 April 1985 | Sheffield (plus 1,010 part-time hours) | 6 |
2 April 1985 | Bradford | 3 |
3 April 1985 | ILEA | 1 |
4 April 1985 | Reading | 1 |
4 April 1985 | Ealing | 3 |
10 April 1985 | Nottinghamshire | 1 |
10 April 1985 | Cleveland | 1 |
12 April 1985 | Birmingham | 11 |
12 April 1985 | Bradford | 1 |
15 April 1985 | City of Cardiff | 2 |
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* | ||||||
Husbands | Male fiancés | Total | ||||
1983 | 1984 | 1983 | 1984 | 1983 | 1984 | |
Primary purpose of the marriage was to obtain admission to the United Kingdom | ||||||
(a) Solely for this reason | 80 | 220 | 420 | 660 | 500 | 890 |
(b) In combination with one or more other reasons | 10 | 10 | 210 | 80 | 220 | 90 |
Solely because couple did not intend to live together | 10 | + | 10 | + | 10 | + |
Solely because couple had not met | + | − | 100 | 10 | 100 | 10 |
Solely because wife/fiancé was not a British citizen | 30 | 20 | 30 | 10 | 60 | 30 |
Other reasons and combinations | 20 | 20 | 40 | 70 | 60 | 90 |
Total† | 150 | 280 | 810 | 840 | 970 | 1,120 |
* 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:
Nationality | Number detained overnight | Number of persons detained per 1,000 arrivals of that nationality |
Afghanistan | 3 | * |
Algeria | 50 | 2·25 |
Antigua | 3 | * |
Argentina | 8 | 0·60 |
Australia | 13 | 0·04 |
Austria | 11 | 0·10 |
Bahamas | 1 | * |
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
| |
Wives | 5,370 | 3,710 | 1,160 | 5,100 |
Children | 9,620 | 5,300 | 3,830 | 13,100 |
Other dependant relatives | 1,150 | 450 | 360 | 1,100 |
Others for settlement | 110 | 80 | 10 | 60 |
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
| |
Bangladesh | 100 | 20 | 20 | 230 |
India | 1,400 | 640 | 660 | 1,400 |
Pakistan | 1,300 | 680 | 440 | 1,700 |
Nationality
| Number detained overnight
| Number of persons detained per 1,000 arrivals of that nationality
|
Bangladesh | 157 | 6·40 |
Barbados | 1 | 0·12 |
Benin | 1 | *
|
Bermuda | 2 | *
|
Bolivia | 2 | *
|
Brazil | 12 | 0·23 |
British Overseas citizens | 3 | 0·18 |
Bulgaria | 1 | 0·29 |
Cameroon | 3 | *
|
Canada | 6 | 0·01 |
Cape Verde | 1 | *
|
Central African Republic | 1 | *
|
Chile | 6 | 0·48 |
China | 10 | 1·15 |
Colombia | 57 | 2·70 |
Cuba | 10 | 10·09 |
Cyprus | 18 | 0·51 |
Denmark | 1 | *
|
Dominica | 2 | *
|
Ecuador | 2 | *
|
Nationality
| Number detained overnight
| Number of persons detained per 1,000 arrivals of that nationality
|
Egypt | 7 | 0·12 |
Ethiopia | 8 | 1·17 |
Finland | 5 | 0·06 |
France | 3 | *
|
Gambia | 41 | *
|
Germany (FRG) | 8 | *
|
Ghana | 716 | 20·12 |
Greece | 16 | *
|
Grenada | 1 | *
|
Guyana | 4 | 0·67 |
Holland | 4 | *
|
Hong Kong (BDTC) | 42 | 0·75 |
Iceland | 3 | *
|
India | 454 | 2·33 |
Indonesia | 3 | 0·20 |
Iran | 138 | 2·32 |
Iraq | 60 | 2·98 |
Israel | 96 | 0·66 |
Italy | 5 | *
|
Ivory Coast | 6 | *
|
Jamaica | 11 | 0·38 |
Japan | 3 | 0·01 |
Jordan | 12 | 0·45 |
Kenya | 16 | 0·62 |
Korea (South) | 22 | *
|
Kuwait | 1 | 0·03 |
Lebanon | 20 | 0·48 |
Liberia | 5 | *
|
Libya | 58 | 7·39 |
Malawi | 1 | *
|
Malaysia | 25 | 0·33 |
Mali | 2 | *
|
Malta | 15 | 0·41 |
Mauritius | 7 | 0·38 |
Mexico | 10 | 0·26 |
Morocco | 49 | 2·73 |
Mozambique | 5 | *
|
Nepal | 3 | *
|
New Zealand | 5 | 0·06 |
Nicaragua | 1 | *
|
Nigeria | 741 | 4·31 |
Norway | 4 | 0·02 |
Oman | 1 | *
|
Palistan | 506 | 4·73 |
Peru | 5 | 0·57 |
Philippines | 64 | 2·41 |
Poland | 20 | 0·52 |
Portugal | 83 | 1·06 |
Romania | 6 | 1·90 |
St. Lucia | 1 | *
|
Saudi Arabia | 10 | 0·18 |
Senegal | 2 | *
|
Seychelles | 1 | *
|
Sierra Leone | 17 | 2·33 |
Singapore | 5 | 0·14 |
Somalia | 4 | 2·39 |
South Africa | 6 | 0·05 |
Spain | 113 | 0·38 |
Sri Lanka | 156 | 5·09 |
Sudan | 18 | 0·91 |
Surinam | 2 | *
|
Sweden | 11 | 0·03 |
Switzerland | 10 | 0·04 |
Syria | 22 | 1·30 |
Tanzania | 12 | 1·00 |
Thailand | 9 | 0·44 |
Togo | 1 | *
|
Tunisia | 50 | 4·58 |
Turkey | 143 | 2·82 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 2 | 0·90 |
Uganda | 27 | 3·34 |
Uruguay | 2 | 0·56 |
USA | 113 | 0·04 |
USSR | 2 | 0·21 |
Nationality
| Number detained overnight
| Number of persons detained per 1,000 arrivals of that nationality
|
Venezuela | 6 | 0·60 |
Yemen | 6 | *
|
Yugoslavia | 20 | 0·55 |
Zaire | 2 | *
|
Zambia | 8 | 0·71 |
Zimbabwe | 14 | 0·94 |
Nationality doubtful | 47 | 0·64 |
Total | 4,548 | 0·59 |
* 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.
Both male and white.
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 levied | 2,843,710 |
Cost of collection | 607,220 |
Percentage | 21 per cent. |
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.
I will answer these questions shortly.
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 Penalty | Rate Limitation 1985–86 | |||||
Authority | 1981–82 | 1982–83 | 1983–84 | 1984–85 | Expenditure level | Rate limit |
£ million | £ million | £ million | £ million | £ million | Pence | |
Birmingham | — | — | — | — | N/A | N/A |
Hackney | — | 1·359 | 1·097 | 1·930 | 82·315 | 147·18 |
Islington | — | 1·194 | 0·060 | 17·514 | 85·564 | 112·07 |
Lambeth | — | — | 2·175 | 14·183 | 113·558 | 107·57 |
Liverpool | 5·479 | 6·517 | 0·800 | 3·193 | N/A | N/A |
Manchester | — | 5·261 | 0·611 | — | N/A | N/A |
Salford | — | — | 1·085 | — | N/A | N/A |
Newcastle | — | 5·046 | 5·549 | 5·239 | N/A | N/A |
Gateshead | — | — | 2·666 | 0·392 | N/A | N/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.
The information is in the table.
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.
This information is not available.
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.
This information is not available.
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.
This information is not available.
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 | |
1985–86 | 4·0 |
1986–87 | 7·2 |
1987–88 | 9·4 |
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.
I will answer this question shortly.
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.
I shall reply shortly.
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 (£) | |||||||
Authority | Not specified | Under £100 | £100 to £999 | £1,000 to £9,999 | £10,000 to £99,999 | £100,000 to £1 million | Over £1 million |
Greater London council | 365 | 190 | 213 | 648 | 450 | 60 | 5 |
Greater Manchester county council | 38 | 97 | 103 | 181 | 123 | 8 | — |
Inner London education authority | 180 | 527 | — | — | — | — | — |
Merseyside county council | 57 | 34 | 30 | 51 | 7 | 4 | — |
South Yorkshire county council | 105 | 109 | 68 | 116 | 36 | 2 | — |
Tyne and Wear county council | 3 | 20 | 17 | 64 | 22 | 1 | — |
West Midlands county council | 36 | 114 | 51 | 180 | 121 | 7 | 1 |
West Yorkshire county council | 64 | 32 | 26 | 59 | 34 | 3 | — |
All Authorities | 848 | 1,123 | 508 | 1,299 | 793 | 85 | 6 |
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.
137 days.
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.
1,065.
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.
Details are set out in the table.
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
| ||
GLC | 140 | 1,931 | 195 | 10 | 21 | 2,297 |
Greater Manchester | 16 | 550 | 94 | 5 | 11 | 676 |
ILEA | 24 | 707 | 13 | — | — | 744 |
Merseyside | 10 | 183 | 29 | — | 2 | 224 |
South Yorkshire | 13 | 436 | 105 | — | 44 | 598 |
Tyne and Wear | 364 | 127 | 45 | 1 | — | 537 |
West Midlands | 46 | 510 | 107 | — | 5 | 668 |
West Yorkshire | 12 | 218 | 45 | — | — | 275 |
Total | 625 | 4,662 | 633 | 16 | 83 | 6,019 |
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.
As soon as possible.
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:
Year | Number of permits used |
1979 | 10 |
1980 | 5 |
1981 | 18 |
1982 | 39 |
1983 | 11 |
1984 | 32 |
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:
Year | Number of permits used |
1979 | 6 |
1980 | 15 |
1981 | 11 |
1982 | 12 |
1983 | 5 |
1984 | 9 |
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.
No.
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.
I have received no representations recently on this matter.
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.
No.
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.
The area of woodland in each of these years was as follows:
Year
| Area (hectares)
|
1950 | 1,525,000 |
1960 | 1,700,000 |
1970 | 1,880,000 |
1980 | 2,180,000 |
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.
Yes.
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:
1983 | |
Dumfries and Galloway | 1 |
Highland | 1 |
Tayside | 2 |
Fife | 1 |
TOTAL | 5 |
1984: | |
Dumfries and Galloway | 2 |
Highland | 1 |
Tayside | 3 |
TOTAL | 6 |
Location
| Number
| |
1983
| ||
Dumfries and Galloway | 16 | |
Highland | 3 | |
Tayside | 13 | |
Fife | 2 | |
TOTAL | 34 | |
1984:
| 34 | |
Dumfries and Galloway | 28 | |
Highland | 2 | |
Tayside | 14 | |
TOTAL | 44 |
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.