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Written Answers

Volume 82: debated on Wednesday 3 July 1985

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Written Answers To Questions

Wednesday 3 July 1985

Wales

Labour Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the level of female unemployment in Brecon in each year since 1979.

Following is the information in respect of the former Brecon travel to work area.

Percentage
May 1979Registrant based963·0
May 19801083·4
May 19811464·5
May 19821755·4
May 1983Claimant based1715·3
May 19842026·3
The travel to work area boundaries were changed in November 1984. The figure for the new Brecon travel to work area in May 1985 was:

2406·8

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the latest unemployment figures for north Wales; and what were the comparative figures for July 1979.

For the purpose of this answer north Wales is defined as the counties for Clwyd and Gwynedd. On 9 May 1985 there were 38,003 unemployed claimants in north Wales. There is no directly comparable figure for July 1979 at which date the registrant based figure was 19,396.

Education And Science

Choir Schools

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what subsidy his Department pays to choir schools; and if he will make a statement.

The Department pays no subsidy to choir schools, though, as some of these schools participate in the assisted place scheme or the analogous scheme for music and ballet schools, parents of some pupils receive means-tested assistance with fees from the Department. There is no present prospect of either extending these schemes or introducing any separate scheme for choir schools as such.

Diabetics

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research his Department is supporting into alternatives to insulin injections for diabetics.

The Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid through the Department, is the main Government agency for the promotion of medical research in the United Kingdom. I understand that the MRC is currently supporting three research projects concerned with alternatives to insulin injections for diabetics:

  • i. A prospective study, with other co-funding bodies, comparing diet, sulphonamide drugs and insulin as possible alternatives for the control of glucose in maturity-onset diabetes.
  • ii. The development of a slow infusion pump as an alternative to injection as a means of administering insulin.
  • iii. Research on pancreatic islet transplantation as a method for treating diabetes.
  • The council is also supporting other research on diabetes which might prove relevant to developments in treatment.It is likely that research work on and relevant to the treatment of diabetes is being conducted in universities and medical schools using funds allocated for teaching and research through the University Grants Committee, but details of such work are not collected centrally.

    Part-Time Education

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to increase the level of participation in part-time education by full-time employees.

    The Government fully recognise the need for the country's work force to be kept up to date with technological, social, legal and market developments and consider that the education service has a major part to play in meeting this need. They are seeking to persuade those employers who do not already do so to invest in updating their employees through the adult training campaign and to ensure that there is adequate provision in the higher and further education service to meet the increased demands to be made upon it by means of the PICKUP (professional, industrial and commercial updating) programme.In addition, the Government have indicated to the Open University the priority they attach to science and technology and to the provision of updating courses for those employed in industry and commerce and the professions.

    Educational Establishments (Visits)

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the educational establishments that he has visited in an official capacity in (a) Portsmouth and (b) Hampshire.

    Since June 1984 I have visited three educational establishments in Hampshire, none of which was in Portsmouth. The establishments visited were:

    • Guillemount junior school, Farnborough;
    • John Hanson comprehensive school, Andover;
    • Cricklade college, Andover.

    Women Teachers

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many women teachers there were working (a) in primary education and (b) secondary education in each year of the period 1979 to 1985; and in what disciplines.

    Information on numbers of teachers by sex is available for full-time teachers for the years 1979 to 1984:

    Full-time qualified teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England (thousands)
    Primary*Secondary
    MenWomenMenWomen
    31 March
    197942·4144·4†128·2102·3
    198041·5142·1†127·9†104·7
    198140·0136·8127·0105·3
    198238·5131·8126·1104·7
    198337·1127·6125·0104·4
    1984 (provisional)35·8125·4123·1103·6
    * including nursery schools
    † Because of reclassification, figures for 1980 and later years are slightly higher than they would have been on the 1979 classification.
    Annual information on subject of qualifications is available only for graduate teachers. Information on subjects of qualifications of all teachers in secondary schools from the 1984 secondary school staffing survey is as follows:

    Sujects of qualifications of full-time teachers in maintained secondary schools in England (January 1984)
    Percentage of all reported subjects of qualification†
    SubjectMenWomen
    per cent.per cent.
    Mathematics/remedial mathematics10·56·8
    Computer studies1·00·5
    Biology3·34·3
    Chemistry4·02·2
    Physics5·11·6
    Other science subjects (including medicine and health, biochemistry)7·04·9
    English/remedial English/English as a second language7·913·7
    French2·85·4
    Other modern languages/European studies2·03·3
    Classical languages and studies1·11·2
    History7·16·9
    Religious education2·63·7
    Other humanities1·01·1
    Geography6·44·4
    Economics2·01·0
    Other social studies5·35·1
    Music1·82·5
    Drama1·22·6
    Art3·55·0
    Craft, design and technology/ engineering/architecture and planning7·60·4
    Home economics/needlecraft*8·3
    Business studies/vocational studies not covered elsewhere0·71·4
    Physical education7·35·8
    Careers/health/social/remedial education (not covered elsewhere)/counselling and guidance1·52·4
    Education as an academic subject/ specific aspects of education5·02·6
    Other subjects, not covered above2·22·7
    100·0100·0
    * Less than 0·05.
    Due to rounding the sum of the components differs slightly from 100·0.
    † Some teachers will be counted under more than one subject. Also, a particular subject is counted each time it occurs in a teacher's qualifications. Some teachers may therefore be counted more than once for a particular subject. Some 300,000 subjects were reported in men teachers' qualifications and 240,000 in women teachers' qualifications:

    between 2 and 3 per teacher.

    Not all teachers with a qualification in a subject are teaching it. Corresponding information is not available for primary schools.

    Dental Students

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many dental students there were in England and Wales in each of the last 20 years per head of population; and how many student grants there were to dental students per head of population for the same dates;(2) what was the percentage of the population in Scotland, England and Wales attending degree courses for dentistry in universities in the United Kingdom for each of the last 20 years, giving separate figures for Scotland, England and Wales; and what were the corresponding figures in each case for the percentages qualifying.

    [pursuant to his replies 20 and 24 June 1985, c. 181 and 313]: Information in the form required is not readily available.The available information is given in the tables.

    Number of home dentistry undergraduates in Scotland, England, Wales, England and Wales and Great Britain per million of the population in the respective countries
    ScotlandEnglandWalesEngland and WalesGreat Britain
    1972123·456·164·556·662·9
    1973134·259·061·559·266·3
    1974141·160·967·061·368·9
    1975144·162·971·763·471·1
    1976153·665·075·065·573·9
    1977156·564·276·464·973·6
    1978158·064·879·065·674·3
    1979154·763·879·064·773·2
    1980155·164·072·264·573·1
    1981155·364·073·364·673·1
    1982146·564·570·864·972·6
    1983147·962·872·263·371·2
    Number of first degrees awarded in dentistry by universities in Scotland, England, Wales and Great Britain per million of the population in the respective countries
    ScotlandEnglandWalesGreat Britain
    197220·78·714·510·2
    197320·211·617·312·7
    197422·512·614·713·7
    197524·611·611·812·8
    197623·211·914·313·1
    197727·014·213·215·3
    197828·212·714·914·3
    197932·914·215·316·0
    198027·712·022·814·0
    198131·713·214·915·0
    198236·813·315·314·8
    198330·014·716·016·2
    Figures for earlier years are not available. Information about grants to dental students is not collected separately.

    Energy

    Electricity Supply Industry

    asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has received a copy of the results of the opinion survey commissioned by the Electricity Supply Trades Union Council about public attitudes towards the services supplied by the electricity supply industry and whether or not it should be privatised; and if he will make a statement.

    I have received a copy of the survey to which the right hon. Member refers. There are no present plans to privatise the electricity supply industry.

    Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

    Internal Drainage Boards

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the internal drainage boards, with dates, established since 1979.

    The Swavesey internal drainage board in the Anglian water authority area is the only board established since 1979. This board was constituted on 1 April 1981.

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many internal drainage boards there are.

    Paper Manufacture

    asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to implement the findings of his Department's report of July 1984, which investigated the possibility of using straw pulp for the manufacturing of paper; and if he will make a statement.

    My Department's straw utilisation group provides a forum where industrialists, farmers, research workers, officials and other interested parties can review regularly progress on the whole range of research undertaken in this field and can disseminate their findings to the industries concerned. Commercial development and assessment of commercial viability are matters for the relevant industrial sector to decide. The group met recently to review progress on the projects covered in its 1984 report and noted that studies funded by the Government has identified a number of paper mills and factories potentially capable of utilising straw and, provided appropriate industry support was forthcoming, that a full feasibility study on a particular manufacturing method would be appropriate.

    Attorney-General

    Speakers' Corner (Abuse)

    asked the Attorney-General, if he has yet received the report of the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether charges should be made against those who have disrupted speakers at Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park, with obscene or racial abuse.

    I recently discussed with senior staff of the Director of Public Prosecutions a report submitted to him by the Metropolitan police concerning certain incidents in the vicinity of Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park. We concluded that the traditional gatherings at Speakers' Corner fall outside the ambit of the Public Meetings Act 1908. Although the evidence relating to the incidents which are the subject of that report was insufficient to justify proceedings under any other enactment, the evidence relating to any future incident would have to be considered on its own merits.I have invited the Home Secretary to consider the problems raised by this case in the conext of his review of public order law.

    Environment

    Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete Houses

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Building Research Establishment has developed a successful means of halting the deterioration of mild steel load-bearing stanchions in Wates prefabricated reinforced concrete homes.

    There are no mild steel load-bearing stanchions in such houses. There is a steel joint supporting the first floor but that is unlikely to deteriorate and there have been no reports of any problems. There is, however, mild steel reinforcement in the reinforced concrete components. Once corrosion in these prefabricated components has begun there is no known method of halting its progress. If there is no corrosion, the application of surface coatings to the concrete may slow down the processes leading to corrosion. Guidance on these coatings is given in Building Research Establishment Digest No. 265. A copy of this paper has been placed in the Library.

    Local Authorities (Expenditure)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department collects on the purposes to which money raised under section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972 is put by local authorities.

    Local authorities are not obliged to identify separately expenditure incurred under section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972. My Department does not therefore collect information in the form to which my hon. Friend refers.

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to introduce legislation to amend section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972.

    The Widdicombe inquiry has been asked to report by the end of July on local authorities' discretionary spending on publicity and political campaigning. We shall wish to consider the inquiry's recommendations very carefully, both in relation to section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972 and generally. As we have made clear on previous occasions, we certainly do not preclude legislation in due course.

    European Soccer Matches (Crowd Safety)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek information from all Football League clubs involved in matches in Europe last season with regard to arrangements made for crowd safety at those matches.

    I am in close consultation with the Football Association and Football League, of which these clubs are members on the safety needs of football grounds. I believe that the experience of matches abroad last season and in previous years is available to the governing bodies.

    Housing (Multiple Occupation)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to apply provisions analogous to those applying to houses in multiple occupation through the Housing (Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Regulations 1962 in relation to mansion blocks and similar premises; and if he will make a statement.

    We must see what conclusion the committee chaired by Mr. Edward Nugee, QC reaches as to the nature of the problems of management in privately owned blocks of flats and its recommendations on how best to proceed. The committee is expected to report later this year.

    Chinese Archway, Manchester

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations his Department has received concerning the funding of the proposed construction of a Chinese archway in Manchester; what reply he has sent; if urban programme funding on the scale needed will now be approved; and if he will make a statement.

    A proposal for joint funding by Manchester city council and GMC using urban programme funds has been received from the city council. The GMC has yet to resolve whether to support that application, and despite repeated requests the city council has failed to submit its full inner area programme for urban programme funding in 1985–86. I am not in a position to reach a decision until the local authorities concerned resolve the outstanding matters and come forward with firm proposals.

    Manchester Council For Voluntary Service

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he is sending to the representations made to him on 18 June by the general secretary of the Manchester Council for Voluntary Service; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.

    Property Services Agency

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much is being spent by the Property Services Agency on conservation of energy in their buildings during the current year; and how much is planned for future years.

    The agency has set aside £3 million in 1985–86 for energy conservation works on the civil estate. Expenditure in subsequent years will depend upon decisions in the annual public expenditure surveys.

    Council House Sales

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking further to encourage the sale of council houses.

    My right hon. Friend and I keep the progress of council house sales under regular review. Sales are continuing at a rate in excess of 100,000 a year. I am considering whether further encouragement might be given to tenants of flats to exercise the right to buy.

    Tower Blocks (Gas Facilities)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what communications he has sent to local authorities concerning installation of mains gas facilities for dwellings or other services in system-built tower blocks; and what information he has requested concerning such installations and their removal.

    I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 23 October 1984, at columns 553–57, to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Heddle) on 10 May this year, at columns 526–27 and to the letters from my Department to local authorities of 26 October 1984 and 10 May 1985, copies of which were placed in the Library.In the letter of 26 October 1984 authorities were reminded that mains gas should have been disconnected from all large panel system buildings over six storeys in height which had not been designed or strengthened to resist a standard static pressure of 5lb per square inch (psi). At the same time authorities were asked to complete a return of all their large panel buildings stating their height, the forces which they were capable of resisting and whether they had a piped gas supply. These returns are being analysed by the Building Research Establishment.In the statement enclosed with the Department's letter of 10 May 1985 I again drew attention to the need for authorities to take urgent steps to prevent the use and storage of explosive materials in large panel system buildings of more than six storeys not designed or strengthened to resist a standard static pressure of 5 psi. I urged authorities to appraise the robustness and resistance to progressive collapse of their large panel buildings of six or fewer storeys, particularly where piped gas was installed or liquid petroleum gas was used.

    Sellafield

    asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will update to calendar years 1983 and 1984 the information on discharges of radionuclides to sea from the Sellafield site given in National Radiological Protection Board paper R171; and what proportion of the plutonium contained in the discharges made to sea from the Sellafield site up to 31 December 1984 is estimated to have originated in the Magnox reactors of the Central Electricity Generating Board and South of Scotland Electricity Board.

    Scotland

    Scottish Tourist Board

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out in the Official Report the amount of funds allocated to the Scottish Tourist Board by his Department in each of the years from 1979 to 1985.

    The amounts allocated are as follows:

    £ million
    1979–804·3
    1980–815·2
    1981–826·1
    1982–837·6
    1983–847·9
    1984–858·5

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange to meet the chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board to discuss the proposals by the board for designating eight major tourist routes in Scotland.

    The board is already in consultation with the Scottish Development Department and other interested bodies about its proposals.

    Long-Term Unemployment

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the social consequences of long-term youth unemployment in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

    No specific assessment of the social consequences of long-term youth unemployment has been made in Scotland.A study of the social and psychological effects of unemployment on disadvantaged young people was, however, undertaken on behalf of the Department of Employment by the social and applied psychology unit of Sheffield university. The study covered 11 urban areas in England. A summary of the first stage of the study appeared in the August 1984 issue of the

    Employment Gazette.

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reduce the level of long-term unemployment in Scotland and if he will make a statement.

    The best means of improving prospects for all unemployed people in Scotland, as elsewhere in Great Britain, lies in the Government's economic strategy, re-emphasised in the Budget statement, of keeping inflation down, offering real incentive for enterprise and restoring competitiveness to industry.The Government's full range of special employment and training measures continues to be available throughout Scotland for long-term unemployed people.

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of long-term youth unemployment in Scotland at the latest available date; and what was the level in July 1979.

    On 11 April 1985, the latest date for which information is available, the number of unemployed claimants in Scotland under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over a year was 42,382. It is difficult to make a comparison with July 1979 because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982 and the change to a ward based system for allocating claimants to localities. The number of registered unemployed under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over a year in jobcentre areas in Scotland in July 1979 was 10,294. This information is available in the Library.

    New Towns (Housing)

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what, in respect of each of the Scottish new town development corporations in each of the years 1978–79 to 1984–85, inclusive, and 1985–86 to date, were (i) the number of persons on waiting lists for houses to let at 1 April and 1 October and (ii) the numbers of and sizes of corporation houses at 31 March (a) completed and first let, (b) vacated and re-let, (c) sold to sitting tenants, (d) sold with vacant possession and (e) sold on a shared equity basis;(2) what, in respect of each of the Scottish new town development corporations in each of the years 1978–79 to 1984–85, inclusive, and 1985–86 to date, were (i) the categories of applicants whose waiting time for acceptance of application to allocation of a dwelling was greatest and the average waiting time for such categories and the categories of applicants whose waiting time was shortest and the average waiting time for such categories and (ii) the numbers of and sizes of private sector houses and flats in each of the said years to 31 March which were

    (a) completed and (b) sold on a basis which included any element of subsidy or financial assistance by the development corporation and the total amount of such subsidy or financial assistance.

    House Of Commons

    Dining Facilities

    asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list the organisations which have used the dining facilities of the House during the current Session to date.

    The banqueting rooms may be reserved by hon. Members for private functions from Mondays to Saturdays. It is not the refreshment department's practice to make public information which may be available to it on the nature of functions sponsored by hon. Members.

    asked the Lord Privy Seal how many meals were served in the current Session to date in the public dining rooms of the House; and what was the average cost and charge per meal.

    The total number of meals served in the banqueting rooms in the current Session to 27 June was 50,456 (including teas) and in the Harcourt Room and Strangers' Dining Room was 23,461. The menu and tariff structures in these different venues are too diverse for average costs and charges to be given on a meaningful basis.

    Running Costs

    asked the Lord Privy Seal if, pursuant to his answer of 24 June, Official Report, column 320, to the hon. Member for Leicester, East regarding the costs of running the House of Commons, he will specify, for each year, the Votes concerned, the sum attributable to each and who is responsible for accounting for each Vote.

    The information requested is as follows:

    £'000
    1981–82 (Actual)1982–83 (Actual)1983–84 (Actual)1984–85 (Voted)
    (i) Parliament and Privy Council: House of Commons (Class XIII, Vote 2)21,52822,98728,06731,248
    (ii) House of Commons: Administration (Class XIIIA, Vote 1)13,83015,09415,48117,433
    (iii) Central Management of the Civil Service: Computers and Telecommunications (Her Majesty's Treasury) (Class XIII, Vote 13, Subhead B2)283263442807
    (iv) Stationery and Printing Supplies to the Houses of Parliament, etc. (Class XIII, Vote 22*, Subhead A2)6,1726,6876,8558,800
    * In 1981–82 Class XIII, Vote 25 and in 1982–83 Class XIII, Vote 23.
    The Accounting Officers for these votes are as follows:(i) and (ii) Mr. K. A. Bradshaw, CB (Clerk of the House of Commons).(iii) Mr. A. M. Bailey, CB (Second Permanent Secretary (Public Services Sector) Her Majesty's Treasury).(iv) Mr. W. J. Sharp, CB (Controller and Chief Executive: Her Majesty's Stationery Office).

    Prime Minister

    North Of England Regional Consortium (Report)

    asked the Prime Minister whether she has considered the factual evidence produced by the North of England Regional Consortium and sent to her on the differences in the economic and social fortunes of regions in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

    Yes. The Government's policy of regional industrial incentives is designed to reduce regional disparities in employment opportunities on a stable long term basis.

    European Community

    asked the Prime Minister if, in the light of developments at the Milan summit, she will make a statement on the future political and economic objectives of Her Majesty's Government in the European Economic Community.

    I refer my hon. Friend to the statement that I made to the House yesterday (Official Report, 2 July 1985, c. 185–199).

    Home Department

    Prisons (Reports)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the reports of the Chief Inspector of Prisons on Holloway prison and Bullwood Hall youth custody centre will be published.

    My right hon. and learned Friend expects to be able to publish both these reports soon.

    Diced Cap Bands

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to which organisations wear diced cap bands similar to those worn by the police.

    I understand that five ambulance services and one fire brigade wear diced cap bands, but that these are of a different colour from those worn by the police.

    Riot Damages Act 1886

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has any plans to seek to repeal or amend the Riot Damages Act 1886; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will consider introducing measures to provide for interest to be payable on sums awarded in compensation to victims of riots; and if he will make a statement.

    The White Paper on the review of public order law, published on 16 May, proposes that claims under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 should in future be subject to the test of the proposed new statutory offence of riot. My right hon. and learned Friend will consider whether any other changes are needed in the present statutory arrangements for compensation for victims of riot in the light of the comments received on the White Paper.

    Public Disorder

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about repeated instances of disruption at Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park, and obscene and racial abuse; whether he has any information on the political affiliation of those involved; and if he will make a statement.

    The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the police have received a number of complaints from speakers at Speakers Corner that a group of people have disrupted meetings there by aggressive and offensive heckling. The police have sought to prevent meetings being disrupted, but two prosecutions which were brought were unsuccessful. The Commissioner has no reason to believe that the hecklers are a politically organised group. The police will continue to keep a watch on the situation, and will take appropriate action if criminal offences are committed or a breach of the peace appears likely. My right hon. and learned Friend will consider, in the light of conclusions recently reached on this matter by the Attorney-General, whether any changes in the law are required.

    Terrorism (Preventive Security Operation)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has anything to add to his statement to the House of 25 June, Official Report, columns 774–75, regarding the preventive security operation being co-ordinated by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis; and if he will make a statement.

    The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, whom I had asked to coordinate the inquiries being undertaken by a number of police forces in England, Wales and Scotland in connection with this matter, announced yesterday that the police were now satisfied that the slight possibility of bombs having been placed in certain towns no longer existed. The terms of the statement which he issued was as follows:

    "Following the discovery of a bomb in the Ruebens Hotel, London, on 23rd June, the public was warned of "a slight possibility" of further bombs having been placed in certain towns. As a result of further developments the police are now satisfied that this particular threat has been removed. However, they cannot rule out the possibility of a random retaliatory attack and there is a need for continued vigilance by members of the public.
    Police operations will now be reduced although members of the public may still experience some occasional inconvenience as the emphasis changes from large scale investigation and search to routine measures of prevention designed to forestall any future attack. The continued cooperation of the public is much appreciated"
    A number of people have now been charged with serious criminal offences in connection with the events referred to in my earlier statement. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to give further details.

    Sri Lanka Citizens (Entry Clearance)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of Sri Lanka have applied for entry clearance to enter the United Kingdom since the introduction of the requirement of such citizens to obtain entry clearance to enter the United Kingdom; how many entry clearance officers there are at the British embassy in Colombo; what assurances have been sought from the Sri Lankan authorities about safeguarding any Sri Lankan citizens who apply at the British embassy in Colombo for entry clearance; and if he will make a statement.

    I have been asked to reply.Since the introduction of the visa requirement 1,327 Sri Lankans have applied for visas at the British high commission in Colombo, up to and including 30 June. Sri Lankans will also have applied at other British posts overseas, but details of their number could only be provided at disproportionate cost.There are five entry clearance officers at the British high commission, Colombo.Our High Commissioner has sought and obtained assurances from the Sri Lankan authorities that immediate remedial action will be taken should any harassment of visa applicants occur.

    Northern Ireland

    Portaferry (Housing)

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his reply of 13 June, Official Report, columns 547–8, how many of the 44 applicants on the waiting list for houses in Portaferry are presently residents of Portaferry.

    This is a matter for the housing executive but I understand from the chairman that the figure is 31.

    Nhs Hospitals (Private Patients)

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing average daily bed occupation, inpatient discharge and deaths, average duration of stay, outpatient attendances and day cases for private patients in National Health Service hospitals in Northern Ireland.

    During 1983 there were on average 26 private patients occupying beds in general hospitals daily. The other information requested is not collected separately in respect of private patients.

    Youth Unemployment

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the level of long-term youth unemployment in the Province at the latest available date; and what were the equivalent figures in July 1979;(2) what assessment he has made of the social consequences of long-term youth unemployment in the Province; and if he will make a statement;(3) what plans Her Majesty's Government have for reducing youth unemployment in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

    At 9 May 1985 there were 496 young persons aged under 18 in Northern Ireland who had been continuously unemployed for more than one year. A comparable claimant based figure is not available for July 1979 but 449 unemployed persons aged under 18 had been registered at Jobmarkets for more than one year at that date.The Departments of Economic Development and Education have initiated a study, undertaken jointly by the Queen's University of Belfast and the policy planning and research unit of the Department of Finance and Personnel, of approximately 3,000 fifth form pupils from over 70 schools and colleges throughout Northern Ireland. Contact over three years will ascertain the educational and employment experiences of these young people and will provide social, psychological and attitudinal information on those unable to find work. The results cannot be available before 1987.The Government's economic policies, which are designed to provide conditions under which industry and commerce can create sustainable jobs for young people, are supplemented by a number of initiatives. These include action for community employment (ACE) and enterprise Ulster, the enterprise allowance scheme and the young workers scheme. The main initiative directed at young people is the youth training programme (YTP), which has been created to ensure that there are constructive and worthwhile opportunities for young people and is designed to cater for the vocational education and training needs of all 16 and 17-year-olds. YTP has made a significant contribution towards reducing youth unemployment in Northern Ireland and I am confident that it will continue to do so. Since the programme began, more than half of the young people leaving full-time training schemes have immediately entered employment. The Government are keeping under review how best the programme might be improved in the light of developments in Great Britain following publication of the White Paper on education and training for young people.

    Discrimination

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, pursuant to his answer of 13 June, Official Report, column 1012, he is now in a position to make a further statement about safeguards against discrimination in Northern Ireland.

    Data published today by the Department of Finance and Personnel illustrate a number of marked differences between the characteristics of Protestant and Roman Catholic communities in Northern Ireland, in such areas as educational background, employment and occupation and housing.While such deeply rooted differences exist it will not be easy to secure early dramatic changes. Nevertheless, I believe it to be in the long term interests of the whole community that the Government should explore immediately the possibility of further action to promote equality of opportunity and protect against discrimination. I have already welcomed the wide-ranging review of antidiscrimination law which will be undertaken over the next 18 months by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights. The importance of this work is underlined by the data published today. I have now also asked officials to prepare urgently proposals for discussion later this year to make our approach to full equality of opportunity in employment more comprehensive, consistent and effective.

    Terrorism (Anglo-Irish Co-Operation)

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what indications he has received from the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland as to the policy of himself and other members of the Northern Ireland bench in the event of implementation of measures of co-operation between Her Majesty's Government and the Republic of Ireland currently under discussion and including participation of judges from the Republic of Ireland in trials of terrorist-type offences in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he has sought the advice of the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland on the practical implications for the judiciary of any proposal to enable judges from the Republic of Ireland to sit and participate in courts trying terrorist-type offences; and if he will make a statement.

    [pursuant to his reply, 25 June 1985, c. 365]: Consultations between the Government and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland are, and must remain, confidential.

    Sons Of William Annual Band Parade

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the costs of policing the Sons of William annual band parade in the years 1984 and 1985, respectively.

    [pursuant to his reply, 27 June 1985, c. 450–51]: Precise details could be provided only at disproportionate cost. No information is available for 1984, but an estimate of the cost of policing the parade in 1985 shows it to have been in the region of £35,000.

    asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable as to how many police officers were on duty for the Sons of William annual band parade between the hours of 7 o'clock and 10 o'clock in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, in 1984 and 1985, respectively.

    [pursuant to his reply, 27 June 1985. c. 450–51]: The Chief Constable informs me regularly of law enforcement issues, including the conduct of parades and marches and the police resources involved.

    Transport

    Manchester International Airport

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether any extra scheduled international services for Manchester international airport are proposed for commencement in 1986.

    Twenty seven applications for licences to serve international destinations from Manchester are now with the Civil Aviation Authority. It has been agreed that from April 1986 British Airways and SIA will be able to operate up to three services per week each from Manchester to Singapore. We also hope to begin negotiations soon with the US Government about the basis on which US carriers may operate services into Manchester.

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will identify those 33 international scheduled services now operating from Manchester to which he referred during the debate on airports policy on 17 June, Official Report, column 37.

    The 33 destinations served from Manchester by international scheduled services are as follows:

    CityCityCityCity
    AmsterdamDubrovnikMilanParis
    AthensDusseldorfMontpellierPula
    BangkokFrankfurtMunichRome
    BarcelonaGenevaNew YorkShannon
    BergenLarnacaNiceStavanger
    BrusselsMadridOsloSydney
    CopenhagenMaltaPalmaTel Aviv
    CorkMelbournePaphosZurich
    Dublin

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will identify those 14 international scheduled services from Manchester which have commenced in the current year to which he referred during the debate on airport policy on 17 June, Official Report, column 37.

    Scheduled services, which are either to new destinations or by carriers new to the routes, have been introduced from Manchester to:

    CityCityCityCity
    BergenLarnacaMunichPalma
    Dusseldorf(2nd carrier)(2 services)Paphos
    (2nd carrier)MaltaNew YorkStavanger
    GenevaMonpelierOsloTel Aviv

    Singapore Airlines (Manchester)

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made in implementing the agreement with the Government of Singapore on 3 May concerning flights between Manchester and Singapore; and if he will make a statement.

    I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Sir W. Clegg) on 26 June at column 427.

    Local Government Reform

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what precepting arrangements will be adopted in the event of a district council seceding from a public transport joint board either in whole or in part proposed after abolition of the metropolitan county councils to ensure a proper distribution of the financial burden relating to any functions which remain to be provided on a county-wide basis.

    The Local Government Bill provides for the amendment of section 12 of the General Rates Act 1967 to include the new joint authorities, and in general precepts levied by the authorities will be subject to the requirements of that section. The detailed precepting arrangements which would apply in the event of secession by a district council would depend on the circumstances of the individual case. But the objective would be to ensure that the precept to be issued to each district council by the public transport joint hoard resulted in an appropriate share of the joint board's liabilities being charged to the district's ratepayers, taking into account the provisions of any secession order.

    Airports (London)

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will publish the outcome of the studies he has commissioned on the relocation of the sludge farm at Heathrow airport and on the viability of a rail link to Stansted airport.

    The study of the feasibility of releasing the Perry Oaks site to Heathrow airport has been commissioned by the British Airports Authority, in consultation with the Thames water authority, who own the site. British Rail are, in consultation with the owners and operators of the airports concerned, evaluating the options for providing rail services to Stansted and to Manchester airport. These studies are a matter for the authorities concerned. I will consider any investment proposals they wish to put forward as a result of these studies in accordance with the normal criteria, and will make my decisions known to Parliament.

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the British Airports Authority to submit to his Department its investment strategy for the development of Stansted airport for evaluation; and if this strategy will be published and made available to Parliament.

    The strategy for the development of Stansted airport is set out in the White Paper on "Airports Policy" (Cmnd. 9542) and in the decision letter, which was made available to Parliament, approving the British Airports Authority's application to develop the airport. I expect the BAA in the normal way to submit to me soon, for my financial approval, its proposals for the construction of the first phase of the development in accordance with this strategy and with the conditions attached to the planning permission. I will inform Parliament of and when any such proposals are approved.

    A17 (Leadenham)

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's most recent estimate of the number of vehicles in any 24-hour period passing through Leadenham along the A17 road.

    [pursuant to the reply, 2 July 1985, c. 89]: The estimated number of vehicles passing through Leadenham, along the A17, is currently 10,600.This estimate is based on a traffic count taken in July 1983, and updated by the latest national road traffic forecasts of December 1984.

    Employment

    Sports Clubs

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much the Manpower Services Commission has spent on projects involving sports clubs in each of the last two years; what expenditure is planned in the current year and 1986; and if he will make a statement.

    Information about the amount of money spent on sports clubs under the community programme is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to increase the Manpower Services Commission ceiling fixed in 1982 of £15,000 for projects involving sports clubs.

    I understand from the Manpower Services Commission that it is already reviewing its internal guidance about projects involving sports clubs. I have asked that my hon. Friend be informed of the results of the review.

    Wages Councils

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what recent representations he has received regarding the future of wages councils.

    My right hon. Friend and I have now received 755 responses to the consultative paper on the future of wages councils.

    Labour Statistics

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the levels of unemployment in each special development area in England and Wales at the latest available date; and what were the corresponding figures for July 1979.

    The following information is in the Library. As special development areas were abolished in November 1984, the latest figures relate to October 1984 and to the former travel-to-work areas and jobcentre areas which comprised special development areas at that time. It is difficult to make a comparison with July 1979 because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982 and the 1983 Budget provisions; but figures are given for registered unemployed in the same areas in July 1979.

    Unemployment in travel-to-work areas and jobcentre areas in special development area (as defined October 1984) in England and wales.
    Registered unemployed July 1979Unemployed claimants October 1984
    South west
    Falmouth1,8922,416
    Redruth2,4204,215
    North west
    Birkenhead18,32432,213
    Liverpool61,52291,843
    Widnes6,00111,924
    Skelmersdale*2,8954,812
    North
    Consett3,7137,874
    Hartlepool6,16210,006
    North Tyne21,93240,504
    Peterlee3,0715,096
    South Tyne20,33235,561
    Teesside22,82947,407
    Wearside17,95530,680
    Wales
    Bargoed3,3545,477
    Ebbw Vale3,9425,753
    Holyhead2,3754,726
    Port Talbot6,03611,877
    Shotton4,1268,355
    Wrexham5,2197,842
    Ferndale*5141,499
    Tonypandy*1,9202,464
    Treorchy*6281,413
    * Jobcentres not forming complete travel-to-work areas.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the level of long-term youth unemployment in England and Wales at the latest available date; and what was the level in July 1979.

    The following information is in the Library. On 11 April 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age and duration is available, the number of unemployed claimants under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over one year in England and Wales was 276,583 an 21,871 respectively. It is difficult to make a comparison with May 1979, because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982 and the change to a ward-based system for allocating claimants to localities. The number of registered unemployed under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over one year in jobcentre areas approximating to England and Wales in July 1979 was 42,984 and 3,887 respectively.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of long-term youth unemployment on Merseyside; and what was the level in July 1979.

    The following information is in the Library. On 11 April 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age and duration is available, the number of unemployed claimants under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over one year in Merseyside was 22,099. It is difficult to make a comparison with July 1979, because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982 and the change to a ward-based system for allocating claimants to localities. The number of registered unemployed under the age of 25 years who had been unemployed for over one year in jobcentre areas approximating to Merseyside in July 1979 was 8,264.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to-work area at the latest available date; and what were the figures for July 1979.

    The following information is in the Library. On 9 May 1985 the number of unemployed claimants in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 104,986. It is difficult to make a comparison with July 1979, because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982, the 1983 Budget provisions which mean that some men, mainly aged 60 or over, no longer need to sign on at unemployment benefit offices to receive benefit, and the changes to a ward-based system for allocating claimants to localities. The number of registered unemployed in the former Liverpool travel-to-work area in July 1979 was 61,522.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons were unemployed on Merseyside at the latest date; and what were the figures for July 1979.

    The following information is in the Library. On 9 May 1985 the number of unemployed claimants in Merseyside was 138,847. It is difficult to make a comparison with July 1979, because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982, the 1983 provisions which mean that some men, mainly aged 60 or over, no longer need to sign on at unemployment benefit offices to receive benefit, and the change to a ward-based system for allocating claimants to localities. The number of registered unemployed in jobcentre areas approximating to Merseyside in July 1979 was 87,327.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the social consequences of long-term youth unemployment on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

    A study of the social and psychological effects of unemployment on disadvantaged young people has been undertaken on my Department's behalf by the social and applied psychology unit of Sheffield university. The study covered 11 urban areas, including Merseyside. A summary of the first stages of the study appeared in the August 1984 issue of the Employment Gazette.

    Apprenticeships

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider implementing a school leaver trainer programme involving apprenticeships in specific skills similar to that of the Federal Republic of Germany.

    The Government have just approved plans for a major expansion of the youth training scheme. This will mean a longer period of training for 16-year-olds, a greater attention to training in specific, occupational skills, and the chance to gain a recognised vocational qualification, or credits towards one. The new scheme will draw on lessons from overseas, and will build on the achievements of the existing scheme. It will go a long way towards matching the training system in Germany.

    Jobcentres

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide figures of the staffing levels in jobcentres yearly since 1979 (a) nationally and (b) in Portsmouth.

    The figures requested are given in the table:

    NationallyIn Portsmouth
    197911,396·5Not available
    198011,24839
    198110,39236
    198210,10033
    19839,77929
    19849,39827·5
    19859,12627·5

    Notes

    1. Figures refer to permanent staff in post on 1 April each year.

    2. The national figures include an element for area office staff supervising local office services. Separate national figures for jobcentres only are not immediately available before 1 April 1984 and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

    Wages

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any evidence of a correlation during the years 1979 to 1985 between the numbers of people employed in the wages inspectorate and the numbers of workers paid arrears after their employers were found to have been underpaying them; and if he will make a statement.

    The number of inspectors influences the number of underpayments found, but the link is not necessarily causal and does not hold under all circumstances. For example, in 1969, when there were 146 inspectors in post, only 13,000 workers were found to have been underpaid whereas in 1984, when there were 115 inspectors in post, over 18,000 workers were found to have been underpaid. As 17 per cent. of the establishments visited in 1969 were found to have been underpaying one or more workers compared with 35 per cent. in 1984, it is clear that the general level of compliance is a very important factor.The figures for the period to which the question relates were as follows:

    Wages Inspectors in postWorkers paid arrears and wagesPercentage of establishments visited under-paying one or more workers per cent.
    197915922,45731·5
    198015528,37335·1
    1981117½24,11741·3
    198211618,56239·8
    198311618,49437·4
    198411515,80135·6
    1985 (June)120**
    * Not available
    In interpreting the figures given above it is important to bear in mind that the Wages Inspectorate is influential in helping to secure the current generally high level of compliance. Only 6 per cent. of the workers whose pay was checked in the past three years were found to have been underpaid.In addition to the general level of compliance, there are other factors which influence the relationship between the figures. These include:

  • (1) the tendency in recent years for more workers to be paid at or slightly above the minimum rate thereby leaving less margin for error;
  • (2) the increase in the number of businesses closing down and having no resources to meet claims for arrears of wages;
  • (3) the size of awards by wages councils;
  • (4) increased compliance resulting from the publicity given to wages councils matters during the past two or three years; and
  • (5) the extent to which individual workers ask the Inspectorate not to pursue payment of arrears.
  • Information Technology Centres

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the future of information technology centres (a) in Portsmouth and (b) in the rest of the United Kingdom.

    The Government are firmly committed to the information technology centre programme, which will have an important role to play in the new two-year youth training scheme to be introduced from 1 April 1986. An examination of the future role and overall strategy for information technology centres will be carried out in the next few months by the Manpower Services Commission in consultation with interested parties, including centre sponsors and managers, and will be completed by the early autumn. It will cover all information technology centres, including Portsmouth. The commission's examination will be carried out in parallel with an independent review of information technology centres being undertaken by management consultants.

    Community Programme

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with progress in expanding the community programme.

    We have announced that the community programme would be expanded by 100,000 places to 230,000 filled places by the end of May 1986, and set an interim target for December 1985 of 180,000 filled places. Latest available figures are that 162,707 places have now been approved.

    Industrial Tribunals (Discrimination Claims)

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many claims have been made to industrial tribunals alleging sex and race discrimination, respectively, during each year for which records are available; how many and what percentage of such claims have been withdrawn before hearing; of those heard, how many and what percentage have failed; and what remedies were awarded to successful claimants.

    Information about the outcome of applications to industrial tribunals under the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 has been published at regular intervals since 1977 in the Employment Gazette, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

    Accidents*
    PeriodNumber of entrantsAverage number in trainingFatalitiesInjuries
    Major†Minor
    1 October 1984 to 31 December 1984105,436309,91855515
    1 January 1985 to 31 March 198547,800282,521‡141468
    * The Manpower Services Commission's accident figures for the youth training scheme are compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive on employed persons. However, the Commission's figures will include a number of accidents, in particular road traffic accidents during scheme time and accidents to trainees in educational establishments, which may not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individuals been employed.
    † Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurances Regulations 1980.
    ‡ During the period 1 January to 31 March 1985, one further fatality involving a youngster on the training scheme was notified to the Manpower Services Commission. Investigations to determine the exact causes of the incident and whether it would be reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the youngster been employed are being carried out by the local enforcing authorities.

    Defence

    Brecon Barracks

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date contract cleaning of Brecon barracks first commenced.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the annual cost of cleaning Brecon barracks prior to cleaning being privately contracted.

    The annual in-house costs of cleaning were substantially above those now being paid to the successful contractor. For reasons of commercial confidentially exact figures cannot be stated.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there have been any changes in standards for the cleaning of Brecon barracks following the decision to put this out to private tender.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of cleaners employed at Brecon barracks (a) currently and (b) immediately prior to the cleaning being put out to contract.

    The contract is at a firm price for cleaning in accordance with a statement of requirements, and it is a matter for the contractor how many people he employs

    Youth Training Scheme

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of (a) fatal, (b) major and (c) minor accidents on the youth training scheme from 30 September to 30 May, showing the average number of persons in training in each month during that period and the total number of entrants to the scheme in those three months.

    [pursuant to his reply, 28 June 1985, c. 512]: Information is not available in the precise form requested. Accident figures for the youth training scheme are compiled on a quarterly basis. The following table therefore shows the number of accidents, the number of entrants and the average numbers in training for the two quarters, October-December 1984 and January-March 1985.to this end. Before the work was put to contract seven part-time cleaners were employed by the Ministry of Defence on the work.

    Trident Submarines

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has at any time ordered a review of the total number of Trident submarines planned for construction by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.

    The decision to opt for a four boat Trident force was announced by the previous Secretary of State for Defence on 11 March 1982 at column 975. Four submarines are the minimum needed to sustain without fail at least one always on patrol.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has at any time ordered a review of the total quantity of nuclear warheads planned to be fitted to British Trident D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles; and if he will make a statement.

    I refer the hon. Member to the statement in paragraph 30 of "Defence Open Government" document 82/1.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the estimated annual percentage of the total Trident submarine budget that is expected to be spent with the private sector of British industry for the years ending April 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995.

    No such estimates are made. Contractors for the Trident programme have been and will continue to be selected on merit and there is no policy of preference to either public or private sector industry. Overall it is expected that 55 per cent. of the total estimated cost of £9,285 million for Trident announced by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence in January will be spent in the United Kingdom.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the total planned annual expenditure on the Trident submarine programme at 1985 prices for the years ending April 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995.

    I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil on 21 June 1985, column 247. It is not the practice to give forecasts of cost profiles for projects on a year by year basis.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria he intends to use in deciding whether all 16 missile tubes on each Trident submarine will be loaded with missiles with nuclear warheads when Trident is operational; and if he will make a statement.

    This will depend on a number of factors, including the capabilities of Soviet defensive systems, and bearing in mind the need to pose a potential threat to key aspects of Soviet state power.

    Enfield Weapon (Ejector Mechanism)

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence what problems have been reported to his Department regarding the ejection mechanism of the Enfield individual weapon.

    A problem was experienced with the extractor in the light machine gun variant of the Enfield individual weapon, which impaired its reliability. The problem has been fully resolved.

    Exercise Brave Defender

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is planning to utilise any sites in the county of Derbyshire during Exercise Brave Defender.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is planning to utilise any sites in the county of Lancashire during Exercise Brave Defender.

    I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West on 28 June 1985 at columns 516–7.

    Trident Missile

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances Her Majesty's Government would increase the total of nuclear warheads currently planned to be equipped to Trident D5 submarine-based ballistic missiles; and if he will make a statement.

    It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on warhead numbers.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of all commissioned United Kingdom Trident D5 submarines will be available continually for deployment at sea.

    It will be possible to keep three Trident submarines in the operating cycle for a high proportion of the time, and two submarines in the operating cycle at all times. This will enable us to maintain continuously one submarine on patrol.

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence how often Her Majesty's Government estimates that Trident D5 submarines will require overhauling.

    It is currently planned that the Trident submarines should have commission times of about seven or eight years between major refits.

    Brigadier General Navarrete (Chile)

    asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the programme arranged for the visit to Britain of Brigadier General Navarrete and his colleagues from Chile.

    I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Spearing) on 2 July.

    Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

    Falkland Islands

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest information as to the quantity and type of fish taken from the sea around the Falkland Islands by foreign ships in the last 12 months; and if he will estimate the value of the catch.

    The latest estimates available to us, based largely on aerial surveillance of fishing vessels within the Falkland Islands protection zone suggests that the quantity of fish taken within the protection zone during the period June 1984 to May 1985 was roughly 240,000 tonnes. The main species taken were squid, hake and southern blue whiting but the precise composition of the catch is not known. It is not in consequence possible on the basis of the information currently available to us to make any meaningful estimate of its total value.

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to conserve fish stocks round the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.

    As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Sir J. Biggs Davison) on 26 June at columns 408–9 we are currently working actively for the establishment of a multilaterally-based conservation and management regime around the Falkland Islands.

    Middle East

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's ambassador in Amman has reported to him about the meeting between King Hussein, Yasir Arafat and the Jordanian army commander on 17 June concerning armed men from A1-fatah being allowed to resume guerrilla training on Jordanian soil; and whether any message has been conveyed to the King about this.

    We have regular exchanges of view with the Jordanian Government on the search for a peaceful solution of the Arab/Israel dispute. We cannot confirm the particular decision at the particular meeting mentioned by my hon. Friend.

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what report he has received from Her Majesty's ambassador in Baghdad regarding the claim by the Palestine Liberation Organisation on Voice of Palestine radio in Baghdad on 18 June that eight terrorist attacks had been made in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other places in Israel on the previous day; and whether any message has been conveyed to the Iraqi Government about these incidents.

    We have noted this claim. Our opposition to the use of violence to solve the Arab/Israel dispute is well known.

    Kiribati

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with the Government of Kiribati.

    Our relations with Kiribati are good. Under arrangements made at independence we are the largest aid donor. We are one of two overseas Governments represented there.

    Solomon Islands

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with the Solomon Islands.

    Our relations with the Solomon Islands are good. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, had talks

    $/ECU£/ECU
    Including £Excluding £Including £Excluding £
    March0·7230·6160·5860·503
    April0·7230·6140·5810·496
    May0·7260·6130·5710·477
    June0·7420·6270·5660·478

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each European Economic Community country the percentage change in the real rate of exchange

    Percentage changes in real effective exchange rates*
    December 1971-March 1979March 1979-March 1983March 1983-February 1985†
    Belgium-3·8-22·9-5·1
    France+1·0-16·1-0·6
    Germany+5·8-7·6-12·3
    Italy-1·7+2·9-3·3
    Netherlands-2·4-6·6-12·0
    United Kingdom-3·0+1·9-6·5

    with the Foreign Minister last month. We attach importance to our representation in the Solomon islands and to our aid programme there.

    Diplomatic Immunity

    asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any new guidelines have been issued to ambassadors and high commissioners based in London concerning the use of diplomatic immunity to avoid prosecution for illegal parking; and if he will make a statement.

    I refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 80 of the recent White Paper on "Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges" (Cmnd. 9497). The vice marshal of the diplomatic corps wrote on 19 April to all heads of mission about illegal parking.

    National Finance

    European Monetary System

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each month since the establishment of the European monetary system what effect the movement of the pound sterling had on the central rate of the European currency unit in terms of percentage shift.

    Information on the effect of changes in the sterling exchange rate on the value of the European currency unit was provided in the form requested to 27 March 1985 in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould) on 1 April 1985, at columns 504–506. A change in the exchange rate does not affect a country's central rate against the ECU. Since 17 September 1984, sterling's notional central rate against the ECU has been £0·585992. The table brings the earlier information up to date. All figures are end-month.between the Smithsonion agreement and the setting up of the European monetary system, the change between that date and March 1983 and the change since March 1983.

    * The nominal effective exchange rate against a basket of other currencies (those shown plus USA, Canada and Japan) has been adjusted by a weighted index of wholesale prices to derive the real effective exchange rate.

    † Wholesale prices data not available for non-UK countries after February 1985.

    Note: Figures for other EC countries not readily available in above form.

    Airports (Duty-Free Facilities

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in consultation with the North of England Regional Consortium, he will now review the criteria for providing duty-free facilities at airports to ensure that the smaller regional airports can provide such facilities if they wish to do so.

    I have already agreed that HM Customs and Excise should review the criteria governing the establishment of duty-free shops at international airports. I await its report.

    "Official Report"

    asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give (a) the cost of printing and publishing Hansard in 1984–85. 1983–84, 1982–83 and 1981–82, respectively, and (b) the corresponding revenue from sales, other than supplies to Parliament, Government Departments and public bodies, in each year.

    The following is the information:

    £000
    CostRevenue
    1984–857,7651,039
    1983–847,892816
    1982–838,435850
    1981–827,870646

    Note: Some public bodies maintain retail accounts with Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the value of such business could only be identified and excluded from the figures shown at disproportionate cost.

    The Arts

    Tate Gallery

    asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts (1) if there are any plans to increase the art collection at the Tate gallery in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is the current value of the art collection at the Tate of the North situated in Liverpool.

    In March, the Government announced its approval of phase 1 of a proposal to convert part of the old Albert dock warehouse buildings, Liverpool, to form an outstation of the Tate gallery in the north. Building work is about to start with the intention of opening the gallery to the public in the spring of 1988. It will then be for the trustees of the Tate gallery to decide which works of art to display.

    Social Services

    Housing Benefit

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of standard housing benefit recipients with capital of over (a) £3,000 and (b) £6,000.

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what the estimated savings will be as a result of the proposal in the housing benefit review to exclude students from eligibility for housing benefit and to overhaul the student grant provision for housing cost accordingly; and if the proposed exclusion is (i) total and (ii) still allows benefit to be paid in the long vacation.

    An estimate of the savings which would result from the housing benefit team's proposal cannot be made until the future structure of the system of student support is known.

    Hypothermia

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of pensioners who die of hypothermia each year.

    The numbers of deaths registered in 1984, of males aged 65 and over and females aged 60 and over with mention of hypothermia on the death certificate, were 165 and 312, respectively.

    Supplementary Benefit

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the figures for a proportion of those claimants between the ages of 18 to 25 years in receipt of supplementary benefit at (i) full householder rate, (ii) joint householder rate, that is the difference between (i) and (iii) divided by the number of tenants and (iii) non-householder rate.

    The information, based on provisional figures for December 1983, is as follows:

    Claimants aged 18 to 25*Proportion in receipt of supplementary benefit (per cent.)
    Householders30
    Joint Householders2
    Non-householders†68
    Notes:
    * ie, not including 25 year old claimants
    † includes boarders, hospital patients and claimants in residential homes

    Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry, December 1983

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many 16 to 17-year-olds have lost or received reduced supplementary benefit because of refusal to take advantage of a youth training scheme in October, November and December 1984, respectively.

    Failure to take advantage of a youth training scheme does not result in the cessation of full benefit but may result in a reduction. The number of 16 to 17-year-olds whose supplementary benefit was reduced because of refusal to take advantage of a youth training scheme without good cause in October, November and December of 1984 is given in the table:

    4-week periods26 September 1984 to 23 October 198424 October 1984 to 20 November 198421 November 1984 to 18 December 198419 December 1984 to 15 January 1985
    Number who refused to accept or attend schemes40423235
    Number who prematurely terminated schemes649716579357
    Total689758611392

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of single claimants aged 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 years respectively, received (a) supplementary benefit as a non-householder in April and (b) supplementary benefit in their own right but share their home with people other than parents.

    Social Fund

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish draft guidelines necessary for the regulation of repayments made on loans from the proposed social fund, particularly in respect of (i) period of repayment, (ii) scale of repayments and (iii) discretionary powers to waive repayments.

    We shall, of course, give appropriate information about the working of the proposed fund in

    Great Britain
    Number of Working Families according to Family Size at various income levels
    Normal gross weekly income excluding state benefitsNumber of childrenAll families with children
    £1234+
    90–9448,00049,00017,0005,000119,000
    95–9942,00061,0009,0003,000115,000
    100–10458,00070,00028,00011,000167,000
    105–10963,00076,00018,0008,000165,000
    110–11449,00078,00013,0005.000145,000
    115–11960,00057,00023,0008,000148,000
    120–12465,00082,00022,0005,000174,000
    125–129102,00065,00013,00011,000191,000
    130–13473,00068,00013,0003,000157,000
    135–14096,00092,00049,00019,000256,000
    Total1,637,000

    Notes:

    1. The figures are derived from 1981 family expenditure survey data and are subject to sampling error.

    2. The figures include those where the family head had been sick or unemployed for less than three months at the time of the survey. In these cases the family's normal income when the head was in work has been used in determining income level.

    3. The figures exclude those living in institutions.

    Family Expenditure

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to be able to publish the 1983 "Family Expenditure Survey" results (a) on take-up and (b) on the numbers of low-income families.

    For those benefits where take-up estimates are to be based solely on 1983 family expenditure survey data, results are expected to be available in the autumn. Estimates of numbers of low-income families are also expected to be available about them.

    these and other respects. How this should be done is a matter for further consideration in the light of consultation, as is the detail of any rules on the particular points raised by the hon. Member.

    Family Incomes

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families in work with dependent children have normal gross weekly incomes, excluding state benefits, in the following income ranges: £90 to £94, £95 to £99, £100 to £104, £105 to £109, £110 to £114, £115 to £119, £120 to £124, £125 to £129, £130 to £134, and £135 to £140; and how many in each income range have (a) one child, (b) two children, (c) three children and (d) four or more children.

    Family Credit

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements will be made for payment of the proposed family credit to self-employed people.

    Where there is no employer, arrangements for payment of the proposed family credit are likely to be on similar lines to those used generally within the social security system.

    Vaccines

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why batches of triple vaccine and polio oral vaccine have been withdrawn from Scottish clinics and hospitals; and if he intends to withdraw any batches in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

    Following the reported deaths of twin boys in Scotland shortly after immunisation, the batches of the vaccines involved were withdrawn in Scotland and arrangements have been made to ensure that the batches in question are not used in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These were precautionary measures and pending investigation. There is no reason at present to believe that the vaccines were responsible for the deaths.

    National Insurance

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the number of (a) men over 65 years of age and (b) women over 60 years of age; and how these figures compare with the current estimate for the total numbers who are currently paying national insurance contributions.

    The latest comparable information covering the United Kingdom is for 1983, as follows:

    (Millions)
    National Insurance contributors23·4
    Resident population estimates:
    Men (65 and over)3·3
    Women (60 and over)6·8

    Monyhull Hospital

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the staffing levels and structural conditions at the Monyhull hospital for the mentally handicapped in south Birmingham.

    We are not aware of any particular problems at this hospital. Staffing levels and structural conditions are, of course, the responsibility of local management, in this case the South Birmingham health authority. If the right hon. Member has a particular concern, I suggest he writes direct to the chairman of the South Birmingham health authority giving details.

    Diabetes

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which district health authorities do not have (a) a specialist in diabetes or (b) a diabetes specialist nurse.

    We do not collect this information centrally. However, the report by the Royal College of Physicians of London and the British Diabetic Association, "The Provision of Medical Care for Adult Diabetic Patients in the United Kingdom 1984," copies of which I have placed in the Library, does contain the results of a study of the distribution of specialists in diabetes.

    Nurses

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many nurses were employed in the National Health Service in 1979; and what is the latest available figure.

    The total number of nursing and midwifery staff — including learners, unqualified and agency staff—in the National Health Service in England ** at 30 September 1979 was 358,400 in whole-time equivalent terms, compared with a provisional total of 397,900 at 30 September 1984.

    Waiting Lists

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what effect the recommendations of the resouce allocation working party have had on hospital facilities and waiting lists in north Staffordshire;(2) if he will tabulate, according to the clinical speciality, the number of patients on north Staffordshire who are on waiting lists for

    (a) urgent treatment and (b) non-urgent treatment; and if he will give the totals in each of these two categories;

    (3) if, pending a reduction in hospital waiting lists, he will provide additional resources to enable patients needing urgent attention to be treated at hospitals with short waiting lists in other parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

    (4) what steps he plans to take in conjunction with the West Midlands regional health authority to cut hospital waiting lists in north Staffordshire; and if he will make a statement.

    National Health Service inpatient waiting lists in September 1984 were almost 70,000 lower than those at March 1979. They would have been lower still but for the industrial action in 1982. Within this national picture, the position varies between health authorities and the latest figures for north Staffordshire are set out in the following table. Responsibility for getting this figure down lies with local management. West Midlands regional health authority has consistently received significant levels of growth money after allowing for pay and prices and, in line with the recommendations of the resource allocation working party, has been allocating an increasing proportion of these funds to those districts furthest from their RAWP targets, including north Staffordshire. In 1985–86 the district, as part of its revenue allocation of almost £80 million, will receive growth money of some £1·5 million, the highest of the region's 22 districts. It is the region's stated policy to continue to move money to its districts which historically have been relatively deprived, and we would expect this shift to be reflected in reductions in waiting lists as the policy takes effect.

    Number of persons on inpatient waiting list for admission to NHS hospitals in north Staffordshire DHA on 30 September 1984
    SpecialtyUrgent casesNon-urgent cases
    General medicine5
    Dermatology3
    Neurology113
    Cardiology146
    Rheumatology23
    Younger disabled5
    General surgery4091,787
    Ear, nose and throat20980
    Traumatic and orthopaedic surgery2783,021
    Ophthalmology7558
    Urology228
    Plastic surgery1332
    Thoracic surgery324
    Neurosurgery64
    Gynaecology301,806
    Mental handicap4

    Specialty

    Urgent cases

    Non-urgent cases

    Mental illness30
    Other specialist units312
    Total7569,136

    Footnotes:

    Classification as urgent or non-urgent is decided by the clinician in charge as at the date to which the return relates. In general, figures in waiting lists are believed to include a significant proportion of duplicated entries and patients who no longer require treatment. About half of all admissions to hospital are immediate and many of these on waiting lists already have a planned date of admission.

    Social Security Review

    asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the proposed tariff given in paragraph 2.89 of Cmnd. 9518 on reform of social security of 40 pence for each £100 of capital between £3,000 and £6,000 is calculated on the current rate of investment income.

    No. The proposed rate of tariff reflects both the fact that the first £3,000 of capital and any income derived from it will continue to be ignored and our view that it is reasonable to expect claimants with capital between £3,000 and £6,000, who will gain entitlement to benefit, to draw to some extent on their capital for living expenses.

    Benefit Entitlement