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Written Answers

Volume 83: debated on Thursday 25 July 1985

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Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 25 July 1985

House Of Commons

Parliamentary Costs

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will publish in the Official Report a table comparing the average cost of both Houses of Parliament including and excluding pay and allowances, each year since 1970 in terms of constant prices.

Total identified costs for the Houses of Parliament for the financial years 1981–82 to 1984–85 are given in the table:

£'000
1981–821982–831983–841984–85
Cost of Parliament including pay and allowances56,19263,46369,59877,464
Cost of Parliament excluding Members' pay and allowances and Peers' expenses35,74341,41942,98148,082
These figures are expressed in cash terms. Figures in terms of constant prices and figures for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will publish in the Official Report a table comparing the average cost of paying and supporting an hon. Member of this House with such information as he has as to the comparable figure for supporting a member of the Assembly of the EEC; and if he will compare the total costs of the Commons with such information as he has as to the total costs of the European Assembly, the French National Assembly and the Canadian House of Commons all for latest available date.

The latest available figures on the pay and allowances of parliamentarians which have been compiled on a comparable basis are given in the 20th report of the Review Body on Top Salaries (May 1983). For the British House of Commons and the European Parliament these are as follows:

United Kingdom House of Commons
SalaryAllowances
Basic salary of £14,510. Maximum salary of £15,362 for those who draw the London allowance of £852 pa which is taxable. Whole of salary taxable£8,752 secretarial allowance; £875 to meet cost of secretarial pension scheme; £4,376 to employ temporary assistance in event of illness of secretary; all maxima £5,518 (maximum) subsistence allowance. £200 allowance to assist in drafting Private Member's Bill. £1,459 to assist in clearing up the affairs of a deceased, retired or defeated Member of Parliament. (Year beginning April 1982)

European Parliament

Salary

Allowances

Same as national Member of Parliament, for example £14,510 for United Kingdom Member of European Parliament. Some countries, for example Belgium allow half of salary tax free.General allowance of £16,284 but if Member of European Parliament fails to attend at least 50 per cent. of the plenary sessions the allowance is halved. Staff allowances of £16,284 pa to cover salaries, travel and subsistence of staff. Subsistence allowance of £64 per day on sittings and so on.

With regard to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, no meaningful comparison could be made on the basis of figures available.

Line Of Route

asked the Lord Privy Seal what measures are being taken to reduce queues at the entrance to the line of route for visitors to the Palace of Westminster.

The Services Committee has approved the following additional measures for visitors to the Line of Route with effect from 21 October 1985:

  • (1) The special permit system, currently operating between March and July will be taken into use throughout the remainder of the sitting year.
  • (2) The door at Norman porch will be opened daily at 9.30 am instead of 10 am.
  • Prime Minister

    Falkland Islanders

    asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will take steps formally to consult the residents of the Falkland Islands by means of a referendum about their attitudes to resettlement with compensation.

    The Falkland islanders have consistently made clear, through their elected representatives, their desire to remain resident in the islands. We shall continue to protect their right to live there in peace and security under a Government of their own choosing.

    Research And Development

    asked the Prime Minister what consideration she will now give to obtaining more up-to-date information on the amount spent on scientific research and development each year, indicating the pattern over recent years, broken up into public and industrial, civil and military, pure and applied, and as a percentage of gross domestic product.

    Expenditure on research and development in science and technology in the United Kingdom is published biennially in the August edition of Economic Trends. Information in respect of 1983 will be published in the August 1985 edition. Annual data would impose too large a burden on industry as the Government stated in their response to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology in November 1983. Government expenditure on research and development is published annually in the same edition of Economic Trends.

    Eastern Africa

    asked the Prime Minister if she will seek to visit the drought-stricken areas of eastern Africa.

    I have at present no plans to do so, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development has just returned from a visit to Ethiopia and made a full report to me.

    Engagements

    asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 July.

    asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 July.

    asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 July.

    asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 July.

    asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 July.

    asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 July.

    asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 July.

    asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 July.

    I refer the hon. Gentlemen and my hon. Friends to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay).

    Research And Development

    asked the Prime Minister what has been the trend in total expenditure on research and development in the 1980s and in the 1970s, and as expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product; what it represents as a percentage of gross domestic product; and how this compares with the expenditure in other European and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

    The information requested for the United Kingdom is available only for years in which a survey of industrial research and development expenditure on science and technology is undertaken and is shown in the following tables.

    Research and Development in Science and Technology, performed in all sectors of United Kingdom Economy
    Gross Expenditure on R & D at 1975 prices £ millionR & D as a percentage of gdp
    19722,2422·07
    19752,1512·06
    19782,3652·14
    19812,6032·34
    1983*2,4862·19
    * To be published in the August edition of Economic Trends.

    Source: Department of Trade and Industry.

    Research and Development in Science and Technology, Social Science and Humanities in 1981 for OECD Member Countries

    Gross Expenditure on R & D £ million

    Gross R & D as percentage of gdp

    Australia9131·03
    Austria4361·16
    Canada1,8481·22
    Denmark2931·07
    Finland3231·22
    France5,8472·01
    West Germany8,5582·49
    Greece560·21
    Iceland100·75
    Ireland850·79
    Italy2,4821·01
    Japan14,6362·38
    Netherlands1,3641·88
    Norway3381·28
    Spain5120·39
    Sweden*1,2032·23
    Switzerland9672·29
    United Kingdom†6,2152·46
    United States39,7852·52
    Yugoslavia2770·76

    * Research and Development in science and technology only.

    † Includes OECD estimate of Research and Development in social science and humanities outside government and universities.

    Source: OECD, using rates of exchange at purchasing power parities.

    Unemployment

    asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the policy of migration from the less to the more prosperous areas of the United Kingdom as a means of tackling unemployment and the implications of this policy on the planning processes of elected local authorities.

    Regional industrial policy aims to reduce regional imbalances on a stable long-term basis, and to encourage indigenous potential within assisted areas. People may move from areas of persistently high unemployment to areas where employment prospects are better. The Government wish to facilitate greater geographical and occupational mobility by freeing markets, particularly in labour and housing, and by making the planning system more sensitive to changing needs. The planning system is the main vehicle for ensuring adequate provision for development to meet changing requirements. In preparing plans authorities are required to take account of guidance issued by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, for example the strategic guidance which he has issued for the west midlands and south east regions.

    Top Salaries Review Body (Membership)

    asked the Prime Minister if she will publish in the Official Report the list of members of the

    Membership of TSRB 1980–1985
    NameDate of AppointmentDate of Resignation
    The Rt Hon Lord Boyle of HandsworthMay 1971March 1981
    Sir Harold AtcherleyMay 1971Current Member
    Sir George Coldstream KCB KCVO QCMay 1971March 1982
    Baroness SeearOctober 1971May 1984
    Lord HirshfieldNovember 1975May 1984
    Lord Plowden KCB KBENovember 1977Current Chairman
    Andrew Leggatt QCFebruary 1979September 1982
    Lord ChorleyMay 1981Current Member
    Sir Thomas Skynne KCVO CB CBE TDJune 1981Current Member
    Sir David Orr MCJuly 1982Current Member
    Andrew Morritt QCDecember 1982Current Member
    Sir Robin IbbsNovember 1983Current Member
    Sir Peter Matthews AONovember 1984Current Member
    Mrs Alison WrightNovember 1984April 1985

    Cabinet Office

    asked the Prime Minister (1) whether there are any plans to improve or recite the Cabinet Office emergency centre;(2) if she will list the total amount of

    (a) capital and (b) current expenditure incurred by the Cabinet Office for the purpose of planning transition to war activities, during the periods: 1951 to 1960, 1961 to 1970, 1971 to 1980 and 1981 to date, respectively;

    (3) if she will list the total amount of (a) capital and (b) current expenditure incurred by the Cabinet Office for the purpose of planning and preparing for the maintenance of the machinery of government in war during the periods: 1951 to 1960, 1961 to 1970, 1971 to 1980 and 1981 to date, respectively.

    NATO Agency

    Government department

    Number

    Civil Aviation Planning Committee

    Department of Transport1 Official
    Civil Communications Planning CommitteeDTI1 Official
    1 non-Government employee
    Civil Defence CommitteeHome Office1 Official
    Food and Agriculture Planning CommitteeMAFF

    *1 Official

    Industrial Planning CommitteeDTI1 Official
    Petroleum Planning CommitteeDepartment of Energy1 Official
    Planning Board for European Inland Surface TransportD/Transport/MOD3 Officials
    Planning Board for Ocean ShippingDepartment of Transport3 Officials

    *2 non-Government employees

    * United Kingdom currently also provides the Chairman.

    The cost to the United Kingdom of contributing to the work of these planning boards and committees cannot be separately identified.

    Nuclear Non-Proliferation

    asked the Prime Minister if she will list those occasions since 1 January on which she had the

    Top Salaries Review Body over the past five years, giving in each case the date of appointment and the date of resignation.

    In accordance with longstanding practice I am not prepared to disclose information on these matters, publication of which would not be in the public interest.

    North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

    asked the Prime Minister which Government Departments provide representatives to the planning boards of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation wartime civil agencies; who are currently appointed as United Kingdom representatives to these bodies and to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Civil Defence Planning Committee; and what is the cost of United Kingdom participation in such activities.

    The United Kingdom is represented as follows:opportunity to raise the issue of nuclear non-proliferation and the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with foreign Governments or Heads of State.

    Both Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and I have raised nuclear non-proliferation with a wide range of countries. In particular, we have urged many of the countries which have yet to adhere to the non-proliferation treaty to become members.

    X-Ray Laser Project

    asked the Prime Minister if the United Kingdom intends taking part in collaborative research with the United States of America on the nuclear pulsed X-ray laser project within the strategic defence initiative.

    The question of British participation in the strategic defence initiative research programme is still under consideration and no decisions have been taken.

    Top Salaries

    asked the Prime Minister if she will state the monthly increase of take-home salary for the categories of persons covered by the eighth report on top salaries at 1 April 1986 where the individual is married and receives only basic tax allowances.

    [pursuant to her reply, 24 July 1985]: Using current tax rates and income bands and asssuming the married man's tax allowance only, the average monthly increase in take-home pay comparing the rates of pay in force before 1 July 1985 with those which will apply from 1 March 1986 are estimated at:

    • for senior civil servants £157;
    • for senior Armed Forces officers £222;
    • for the judiciary £213.

    Wales

    Moorland

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the area of moorland in Wales which is predominantly heather; and if he will express this as a percentage of the total less-favoured area within Wales.

    The information on which to base such an estimate is not readily available.

    Rough Grazing

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the decline in area of freehold rough grazing between (a) 1955 and 1981 and (b) 1981 and 1984, in Wales in those parishes comprising the original less-favoured areas.

    This information is not available for less-favoured area parishes in 1955. In Wales as a whole rough grazing in sole occupation declined from 533,758 ha in 1955 to 356,742 ha in 1981. Details of sole occupation rough grazing in LFA parishes are available from 1980. This information is as follows:

    YearArea (ha)
    1980292,925
    1981300,898
    1982292,210
    1983291,027
    1984290,672

    Water

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those water supplies in Wales which do not fulfil the requirements of the European Economic Community directive on drinking water, with regard to the levels of aluminium, iron, manganese and lead in such supplies.

    The following supplies do not meet the requirements of the EC directive:

    SourceAluminiumIronManganese
    Nantybwch***
    Garw levels*
    Preseli*
    Capel Dewi*
    Strata Florida**
    Bontgoch*
    Ystradfellte*
    Lovesgrove borehole*
    Nantymoel*
    Ffynnon Rhys*
    Llanfynydd**
    Georgetown***
    Alwen***
    Cynwyd**
    Meifod*
    Betws-y-Coed**
    Garreglwyd**
    Gym Goch*
    Maenllwyd*
    Nantmore**
    Rhyd-Ddu*
    Talwanydd*
    Carno***
    Talybont*
    Portis***
    Penyfan*
    Pontsticill*
    Upper Wenallt Spring*
    Cwm Cegr Spring*
    Llanbedr Springs*
    Byton*
    Eaton Bishop*
    Llandeilo Graban*
    Llanwrtyd**
    Kington**
    Byford*
    Barmouth Junction*
    Bolton Hill*
    Elan Reservoirs (S-TWA)***
    Elan Aquaduct (WWA)**
    Caerau SR*
    Llan Penmachno**
    Crai Reservoir*
    Cwmsymlog**
    Croesor*
    Afon Cym y Llan*
    Rhyd***
    Rhydyronnen*
    Tir Gawen*
    In respect of lead a regional delay until December 1989 is being sought from the European Commission under article 20 to enable the Welsh water authority to complete its remedial programme of works. At the commencement of the programme the authority identified that supplies serving some 600,000 people needed remedial work. Improvements to date have reduced this number substantially.

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales what response he has received from the Welsh water authority about the possibility of privatising the water industry in Wales.

    A copy of the Welsh water authority's response has been placed in the Library of the House.

    Welsh Language

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales if, in view of the Gwynedd social services tribunal decision at Colwyn Bay on Friday 19 July, he will seek an urgent meeting with officers of Gwynedd county council to ascertain the implications of this decision on local government services in Welsh-speaking areas.

    The decision of the industrial tribunal has no immediate impact on the delivery of services by the authority to any particular client group. There is provision for appeal and in view of this and the fact that written judgment is not yet available I cannot comment further on this issue.

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will issue a circular to local authorities in Wales indicating for which jobs a knowledge of the Welsh language may be a condition of employment where, in the view of the authority, the jobs require regular contact with persons who may wish to communicate in the Welsh language.

    Health Technical Services

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has considered the future of the Welsh health technical services organisation; and if he will make a statement.

    Following the assumption of his duties last February I have appointed the director of the NHS in Wales to be chairman of the Welsh health technical services organisation from 1 April, and asked him to examine and report to me on the future of the organisation. The director has subsequently made a number of recommendations which I have approved. These are designed to strengthen the management of the organisation and make it more responsive to the needs of health authorities and the NHS generally in Wales. A general manager has been appointed from 1 July and constitutional changes affecting the name and status of the organisation and a reduction in the number of board members is provided for in the Welsh Health Common Services Authority Constitution Order 1985 which was laid before this House on 9 July and will come into effect on 1 August. (S.I.,1985–996).

    Clwydian Range

    asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has yet reached a decision on the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Designation Order made by the Countryside Commission on 7 June 1984.

    I have today confirmed the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Designation Order as submitted by the Countryside Commission. This proposal attracted the attention of a broad range of interests in and around the area and my decision was taken only after I had fully considered the representations made both for and against the designation and visited the area.

    Solicitor-General For Scotland

    Crown Office And Procurator Fiscal Service

    asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will give the number of non-legally qualified staff employed in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively.

    for Scotland: The information is as follows:

    198319841985
    Non-legally qualified staff in:
    (a) Crown Office67·081·078·0
    (b) Procurator Fiscal Service652·0665·0669·5

    Note: The 1983 and 1984 figures are staff in post taken on 31 December each year. The 1985 figure is based on staff in post on 30 June.

    asked the Solictor-General for Scotland if he will give the cost of operating the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, respectively, in the financial years 1983–84 and 1984–85.

    for Scotland: The total cost of operating the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service was as follows:

    Crown OfficeProcurator Fiscal Service
    ££
    1983–841,538,4289,788,367
    1984–851,693,24910,793,129

    asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will give the number of qualified solicitors employed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively, and the salary costs of those employees in each of these years.

    The following figures relate to solicitors and advocates as no distinction is made between the two branches of the profession in this context.

    Number of qualified lawyers in Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
    NumbersSalary Costs
    £
    19832233,699,864
    19842323,907,972
    19852364,120,072

    Animals (Experiments)

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many animals have been deliberately inflicted with shock at the Medical Research Council trauma unit, Manchester, over the last 10 years.

    I understand that the Medical Research Council trauma unit, which was established seven years ago, has used a total of 2,703 rats and 294 mice; no other species have been used. By no means have all these animals been subjected to the condition known as clinical shock, involving circulatory collapse. Experimental injuries are produced only in fully anaesthetised animals.

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the policy of the Medical Research Council with regard to the use of animals in experiments at its trauma unit in Manchester.

    The staff of the Medical Research Council's trauma unit, in common with all scientists supported by the council, are required to observe the principle that animals should be used in their research only when necessary, an in the minimum numbers consistent with achieving valid results in any experiment. The council also expects those whose work it supports to use, wherever possible, procedures which do not involve live animals. There are, however, many areas of medical research — of which the work of the trauma unit is an example — where, because of the need to study the complex interactions in a whole body, it is not possible to make progress without using experimental animals. In such cases research workers are required to carry out their work under licence from the Home Office, in strict accordance with the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876.

    University Teachers

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed on 12 July, Official Report, column 539, whether, in formulating his answer, he took account of the fact that the settlement for university teachers in August 1980 completed the negotiations of university teachers' pay on the basis of 1 October 1979.

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish figures to show the percentage increases in university teachers' salaries in cash and real terms for each year from 1 October 1974 to the latest available figure.

    Set out below are the pay settlements awarded with effect from the dates shown:

    Pay settlements in cash terms Per cent.Pay settlements in real terms Per cent.
    1 October 19748·0-7·7
    1 October 197533·0+5·7
    1 October 19763·5-9·8
    1 October 19779·8-3·7
    1 October 197815·6+7·2
    1 October 197916·3-0·7
    1 October 1980*25·2+8·5
    1 March 1981†3·2-1·2
    per cent.
    Cash termsReal terms
    (1)(2)(3)(4)
    SettlementsAverage salariesSettlementsAverage salaries
    Head Teachers
    (a)from Houghton to April 19796170-20-16
    (b)from Houghton to April 1984175198-17-10
    (c)from April 1979 to April 1984717557
    (d)from April 1979 to April 1985798536
    Deputy Head Teachers
    (a)from Houghton to April 19796970-16-16

    Pay settlements in cash terms Per cent.

    Pay settlements in real terms Per cent.

    1 April 19825·0-6·7
    1 April 19834·7+0·7
    1 April 19844·8-0·4

    * Consisted of a two-part Clegg-equivalent settlement—9 per cent, on 1 April 1980 plus 8 per cent, on 1 October 1980; together with 8·2 per cent, which was the first part of a two-pan settlement extending over 18 months.

    † Second part of the two-pan settlement.

    Undergraduate (Maintenance Grant)

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the maintenance grant for a married undergraduate is assessed on the income of the student's parents; and if he will make a statement.

    For the assessment of a parental contribution to be waived a student must normally have reached the age of 25 years before starting his course, or have previously supported himself out of earnings for not less than three years. Married students not satisfying one of these conditions have their grant abated by a parental contribution, since marriage alone is not considered to signify the degree of financial independence which would make it unreasonable to expect such a contribution. Married students not assessed for a parental contribution may nonetheless have their grant abated by a spouse's contribution.

    Teachers (Pay)

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to his answer of 11 July, Official Report, columns 483–84, to the hon. Member for Leicester, East about teachers' salaries, he will publish comparable figures for head teachers' and deputy head teachers' salaries.

    There are currently 14 overlapping but separate pay scales for head teachers and 12 for deputy heads. In some years pay increases have applied differentially, and overall average percentage increases for heads and deputies are not readily available. The following tables give approximate percentage settlement increases for the head teacher group 5 and deputy head group 4 scales, and the estimated percentage increases in overall average salaries for all heads and deputies, in cash and in real terms, for the periods requested.

    Cash terms

    Real terms

    (1)

    (2)

    (3)

    (4)

    Settlements

    Average salaries

    Settlements

    Average salaries

    (b)

    from Hougtiton to April 1984185197-14-10

    (c)

    from April 1979 to April 1984697437

    (d)

    from April 1979 to April 1985778415

    Notes:

    1. Columns (1) and (3) relate to Group 5 headteachers (whose scale runs from £12,042 to £13,317) and to Group 4 deputy headteachers (£8,049 to 10,482) and give the cumulative increases from comparison of actual pay scales, where necessary taking the average of the increases at the minimum and maximum points. Column (1) is in cash terms. Column (3) is adjusted to reflect changes in the RPI during [he periods in question.

    2. Columns (2) and (4) give average salary increases for all heads and deputies derived from the Department's main mechanised record of teachers, as at 31 March each year adjusted for pay increased applicable (normally) from the following 1 April. Column (2) is in cash terms. Column (4) is adjusted to reflect RPI changes.

    3. The estimated average salary figures reflect actual changes in salary levels arising from annual pay settlements ad incremental drift.

    4. In extrapolating the figures to 1985 (row d), 5 per cent. has been taken as the settlement increase, and in addition the average salary figures assume a notional 0·3 per cent. for salary drift.

    Power Electronics And Microprocessing Techniques

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether there is a shortage or a surplus of British graduates qualified in power electronics and microprocessing techniques, relative to the needs of industry; and what has been the shortage or surplus for each of the last five years.

    There is no precise way of defining, the needs of industry for particular types of graduate engineer in areas relevant to the new technologies. However, the first report of the committee on IT skill shortages, chaired by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Trade and Industry, my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South West (Mr. Butcher). concluded that the employment market could readily absorb a greater number of graduates from disciplines relevant to the new technologies. Significant increases in such disciplines are currently taking place through the Government's IT in higher education initiative and the engineering and technology programme.

    Universities (Funding)

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East of 24 June, Official Report, columns 310–11, whether he will list in the Official Report the percentage changes in the funding of each university by the University Grants Committee, excluding those amounts representing compensation for changes in home student fees, compensation for redundancy and early retirement, changes to take account of minor capital works from the recurrent grant and changes in the level of local authority rates; and if he will provide similar information for the period between 1980–81 and 1981–82 (a) including and (b) excluding these amounts.

    Academic Institutions (Clinical Medical Staff)

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the implications of the National Health Service pay award for recruitment and remuneration of clinical medical staff in academic institutions.

    The implications of the NHS pay award for clinical academic staff in the medical schools are under consideration and I have at present nothing to add to the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 23 July 1985.

    Higher Education (Green Paper)

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by when he now expects to receive comments on the Green Paper, "The Development of Higher Education into the 1990s," Cmnd. 9524.

    My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be grateful if comments on the higher education Green Paper could be submitted by the end of January 1986. Comments may be sent to the following addresses:

    Department of Education and Science, Room 5/11, Elizabeth House, London SE1 7PH.
    Scottish Education Department, Room 3/114, New St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh EH1 3SY.
    Mr. H. Evans, Welsh Office Education Department, Welsh Office, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF1 3NQ.
    Department of Education for Northern Ireland, Room A6, Rathgael House, Balloo Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 2PR.

    Inner London Education Authority

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what expenditure level he proposes to set for the new Inner London education authority in respect of 1986–87.

    I propose to determine an expenditure level of £902 million for the new ILEA, which under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1985 will be automatically subject for three years to designation under part I of the Rates Act 1984. This sum represents a cash reduction of 1·5 per cent. on the budgeted total expenditure of the present ILEA in 1985–86 as adjusted. The adjustment allows for the new authority's responsibilities in respect of the Geffrye and Horniman museums, and also an estimate of the reduction in the authority's total expenditure which will result from my proposal to introduce a new contribution formula for the advanced further education pools. This adjustment will ensure that the ratepayers of Inner London receive the benefits of a new formula in the shape of a lower precept than they would otherwise have paid. In so far as ILEA's 1985–86 financial reserves are increased as a result of changing the formula this can of course be taken into account in setting the 1986–87 precept limit.Notice of the expenditure level which I determine will be formally served on the interim ILEA as soon as it is constituted under the Local Government Act 1985. However, the present ILEA is being informed today of what I propose.

    University Grants Committee

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is yet able to announce the form and terms of reference of the review of the University Grants Committee announced in the higher education Green Paper, Cmnd. 9524.

    My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I, as the two Ministers who are advised by the University Grants Committee, propose to establish a committee whose terms of reference will be:

    "To review, within the context of expected developments in higher education, the University Grants Committee's constitutional position and role in relation to the Government and to the universities, its membership, its internal structure and working methods, and its secretariat."
    Lord Croham has accepted our invitation to be the chairman of the committee. The members of the committee will be announced as soon as possible. The secretary of the committee will be Mr. Peter Syme of the Department of Education and Science. The committee is expected to start work in the autumn. The committee will seek evidence as it considers appropriate, but any individuals or organisation wishing to submit preliminary observations should send them to the secretary of the committee at the Department of Education and Science before 30 October 1985.

    Assisted Places Scheme

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he will list in the Official Report for the latest year for which figures are available (a) the maximum paid in respect of one school and (b) the average paid in respect of one school under the assisted places scheme represented by incidental expenses of (i) travel, (ii) uniform, (iii) meals and (iv) all three;(2) whether he will list in the

    Official Report for the latest year for which figures are available the percentage of the average fee income to participating schools in respect of (a) assisted places pupils and (b) all pupils represented by the assistance with incidental expenses for travel, meals and uniform.

    [pursuant to his reply, 22 July 1985, columns 349–350]: The information requested for the school year 1984–85 is as follows:

    ££
    Maximum paid to one schoolAverage paid to one school
    Travel9,4691,354
    Uniform5,5661,419
    Meals6,7152,241
    All Three17,5395,014
    The average paid to one school in respect of travel, meals and uniform represents 3·9 per cent. of fee income from assisted pupils or 0·5 per cent. of that from all pupils.

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he will list in the Official Report for the latest year for which figures are available (a) the maximum paid in respect of one pupil, and (b) the average paid per pupil under the assisted places scheme for the incidental expenses of (i) travel, (ii) uniforms, and (iii) school meals and of (i), (ii) and (iii) together;(2) whether he will list in the

    Official Report for the latest year for which figures are available the percentage of the average assistance with fees for a pupil under the assisted places scheme represented by the assistance with incidental expenses for travel, meals and uniform.

    [pursuant to his reply, 22 July 1985, columns 349–350]: Information on payments for incidental expenses in respect of individual pupils is not collected by the Department. For the school year 1984–85, average payments per pupil were as follows:

    £ per pupil
    Travel29
    Uniform18
    Meals18
    All Three65
    The total is equivalent to 4·8 per cent. of the tuition fee remission payments.

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list in the Official Report the percentage fee increase in each school participating in the assisted places scheme in each year since its introduction; and what are the increases for the next academic year.

    [pursuant to his reply, 22 July 1985, c. 349–50]: The information requested is as follows:

    Percentage fee increase over previous year
    September
    School1982198319841985
    Abbey11·34·04·15·5
    Abingdon11·76·86·59·9
    Aldenham3·65·25·0
    Alice Ottley10·85·84·6
    Alleyn's11·26·98·58·7
    Arnold9·15·66·76·8
    Ashford10·68·07·09·9
    Bancroft's10·015·65·912·5
    Batley Grammar7·15·07·3
    Bedales23·17·810·411·7
    Bedford High13·05·66·69·0
    Bedford Modern12·06·56·99·0
    Bedford 11–1315·15·06·010·0
    Bedford 14+15·15·96·010·0
    Dame Alice Harpur13·08·16·110·0
    Berkhamsted 11–1310·94·99·06·0
    Berkhamsted 13+10·75·69·06·9
    Berkhamsted School for Girls15·07·69·911·0
    Birkenhead9·29·36·15·5
    Bishop's Stortford Junior***5·8
    Bishop's Stortford Senior***7·4
    Bolton Boys and Girls9·310·014·6
    Bradfield College31·36·97·1
    Bradford Girls Grammar15·010·16·211·0
    Bradford Grammar11·27·67·66·0
    Brentwood12·14·84·49·2
    Brighton College 11+13·54·96·75·8
    Brighton College 13+12·95·56·85·8
    Bristol Cathedral12·94·35·16·6
    Bristol Grammar14·72·76·87·7
    Bruton School for Girls13·68·03·77·2
    Bury Grammar8·48·36·47·2
    Canford9·710·96·6
    Carmel College13·97·815·50·8

    School

    1982

    1983

    1984

    1955

    Casterton Junior10·27·924·4
    Casterton Senior6·97·96·9
    Caterham13·28·67·97·5
    Charterhouse15·0010·75·0
    Cheadle Hulme10·66·16·95·1
    Chigwell12·19·06·08·0
    Churchers College10·47·609·3
    City of London17·37·65·0
    City of London School for Girls12·35·213·85·6
    Clifton College 11+19·58·57·07·1
    Clifton College 13+19·87·26·97·2
    Clifton High 11–139·82·25·48·2
    Clifton High VI Form8·92·06·08·5
    Colfes9·96·89·37·9
    Colston's 11+15·29·44·3
    Colston's 13+13·29·35·0
    Colston's Girls11·06·77·17·5
    Coventry12·110·37·48·0
    Cranleigh 11+11·37·36·55·9
    Cranleigh 13+10·86·87·35·8
    Culford11·715·15·9
    Dame Allan's Boys and Girls10·56·08·7
    Dauntsey's12·50016·0
    Denstone College 11–1211·47·75·17·1
    Denstone College 13+13·67·66·0
    Dulwich College11·57·48·29·5
    Edgehill College14·49·85·610·3
    Eltham College8·07·112·39·0
    Emanuel11·06·45·17·6
    Epsom College16·17·710·7
    Exeter College14·46·05·96·4
    Farnborough Hill10·05·110·06·0
    Felsted Junior14·77·07·010·0
    Felsted Senior16·37·07·0
    Forest Boys10·97·15·28·3
    Forest Girls11·08·18·110·0
    Friends11·610·47·2
    Girls Public Day School Trust, London area, (10 schools)10·05·04·55·5
    Girls Public Day School Trust, Outside London area (12 schools)10·05·03·95·2
    Godolphin and Latymer10·09·16·67·0
    Gresham's17·26–49·0
    Haberdashers' Aske's (Boys)11·95·26·07·7
    Haberdashers' Aske's (Girls)10·66·06·18·1
    Hampton11·87·77·19·2
    Harrogate College8·76·65·85·9
    Hereford Cathedral14·89·87·112·6
    Highgate Junior12·37·66·17·2
    Highgate Senior11·99·16·06·9
    Hulme Grammar—Boys and Girls7·09·36·5
    Hymers College11·79·110·110·1
    Ipswich forms 1 & 211·37·67·48·1
    Ipswich forms 3-VI11·57·57·57·9
    James Allen's Girls13·37·48·912·7
    John Lyon6·59·110·2
    Kent College 11–1514·612·510·38·4
    Kent College VI14·812·210·28·7
    King Edward's Bath9·613·113·46·2
    King Edward's, Birmingham10·76·110·57·0
    King Edward VI High, Birmingham9·86·09·25·5
    King Edward VII, Lytham12·86·99·68·1
    King Edward VI, Norwich11·28·05·58·5
    King Edward VI, Southampton8·18·38·05·9
    King Edward's Witley11·98·09·5
    King's College, Wimbledon10·511·17·1
    King's High School for Girls, Warwick11·49·712·07·1
    King's, Chester10·610·64·86·8
    King's, Macclesfield16·58·17·5
    King's, Rochester Junior14·28·610·1
    King's, Rochester Senior14·08·612·6
    King's, Worcester11·79·39·910·0
    Kingston Grammar9·98·55·48·1

    School

    1982

    1983

    1984

    1985

    Kingswood 11+9·87·56·3
    Kings wood 13+9·57·66·3
    Kirkham Grammar

    *

    7·87·98·0
    Lady Eleanor Holles7·45·95·611·4
    La Sagesse Convent 11+10·97·17·1
    La Sagesse Convent Yr4-VI Form19·27·17·0
    Latymer Upper8·68·27·89·3
    Leeds Girl's High12·98·79·27·9
    Leeds Grammar7·77·46·98·9
    St Faiths6·5014·7
    Leys's7·77·55·7
    Liverpool College5·95·05·0
    Lord Wandsworth College12·69·08·66·1
    Loreto Convent Grammar12·95·76·8
    Loughborough Grammar9·67·96·25·5
    Loughborough High7·18·03·55·2
    Magdalen College11·96·46·88·0
    Malvern College19·08·86·9

    (a) The Elms with Seaford Court

    13·07·37·8

    (b) Wells House

    016·25·5

    (c) Hillstone

    20·77·96·2

    (d) The Downs

    10·07·47·0
    Manchester Grammer12·57·18·16·8
    Manchester High School for Girls7·55·14·65·6
    Maynard11·16·58·9
    Merchant Taylor's Boys and Girls, Liverpool13·04·56·210·5
    Merchant Taylor's Northwood12·59·07·6
    Mill Hill Junior7·54·413·413·3
    Mill Hill Senior8·68·52·813·6
    Monkton Combe 11+7·49·210·68·0
    Monkton Combe 13+11·37·68·84·7
    Monkton Combe VI Form11·37·68·84·8
    Mount St. Mary's College9·45·36·0
    Newcastle-under-Lyme12·66·55·44·9
    Northampton High School for Girls11·05·75·2
    North London Collegiate10·35·33·2
    Nottingham High

    *

    *

    *

    7·7
    Old Palace5·39·27·5
    Perse School for Boys10·65·17·29·5
    Perse School for Girls9·12·93·95·8
    Plymouth College13·54·99·48·9
    Pocklington7·96·57·78·6
    Portsmouth Grammar9·88·24·16·9
    Queen Elizabeth Grammar, Blackburn14·710·45·9
    Queen Elizabeth Grammar, Wakefield10·15·412·91·2
    Queen Elizabeth Hospital9·04·86·0
    Queen Mary, Lytham12·76·99·68·1
    Queen's College, Taunton Junior13·36·26·1
    Queen's College, Taunton Senior15·46·95·8
    Queen's College, London6·96·817·812·1
    Queen's School, Chester16·37·213·54·0
    Ratcliffe College

    (a) Grace Dieu

    7·47·18·5

    (b) Main School

    11·57·87·3

    (c) VI Form

    11·77·77·3
    Redland High6·26·65·9
    Red Maid's8·83·96·6
    Reigate Grammer10·021·28·46·6
    Repton 11+11·96·66·4
    Repton 13+14·27·26·6
    Rossall Year 113·47·78·88·0
    Rossall Year 213·47·38·87·9
    Rossall Year 313·47·68·87·8
    Rossall Years 4 & 513·47·18·97·8
    Rossall VI Year 113·27·58·67·8
    Rossall VI Year 213·27·38·37·6
    Royal Grammar, Guildford7·75·25·814·8

    School

    1982

    1983

    1984

    1985

    Royal Grammar, Newcastle-upon-Tyne7·94·55·36·2
    Royal Grammar, Worcester

    *

    *

    5·37·5
    St. Albans13·59·17·57·5
    St. Albans High School for Girls12·811·111·2
    St. Ambrose College19·26·84·76·7
    St. Anselm's College 11+13·06·47·59·1
    St. Anselm's College VI Form12·55·91·47·6
    St. Bede's College9·25·13·8
    St. Bees Forms 1 & 213·9007·3
    St. Bees Forms 3-VI17·94·54·37·2
    St. Benedict's Middle10·011·19·4
    St. Benedict's Senior9·68·48·4
    St. Catherine's15·810·518·2
    St. Dunstan's College, College12·17·85·512·1
    St. Edmunds College 11–1312·09·58·90·7
    St. Edmunds College 13+12·09·59·06·8
    St. Edward's College24·715·32·24·0
    St. George's College5·99·014·810·1
    St. Helen's9·47·67·47·9
    St. John's College, Southsea25·34·42·51·9
    St. John's, Leatherhead10·710·37·39·0
    St. Joseph's College 11–1612·18·17·65·1
    St. Joseph's College 16+11·88·26·95·3
    St. Joseph's Convent15·48·86·110·0
    St. Mary's College14·99·111·98·7
    St. Mary's RC14·614·411·111·0
    St. Mary's Hall23·37·48·93·4
    St. Maurs Convent Forms 1–510·37·36·8
    St. Maurs Convent VI Form17·14·213·310·0
    St. Paul's Prep School10·97·37·110·0
    St. Paul's Main School10·87·27·110·1
    St. Paul's Girls11·68·16·710·3
    St. Peter's 11–1310·83·14·46·1
    St. Peter's 13+13·33·23·6
    St. Peter's VI Form13·35·28·0
    St. Swithun's11·78·47·98·2
    Salesian College 11+11·614·616·410·9
    Salesian College VI Form12·813·210·010·6
    School of St. Helen and St. Katherine16·58·88·7
    Sedbergh15·08·78·210·9
    Sir William Perkin's10·67·26·25·8
    Stamford11·15·86·3
    Stamford High13·14·16·7
    Stockport Grammar13·27·98·5
    Stonyhurst College Prep Schools10·610·09·9
    Stonyhurst College10·39·911·0
    Stowe9·77·58·49·4
    Sutton Valence9·24·66·67·0
    Talbot Heath10·05·75·48·2
    Taunton 11+9·09·29·07·9
    Taunton VI Form12·19·38·97·8
    Tonbridge16·06·26·46·3
    Trent Junior College11·77·87·57·3
    Trent College Senior11·27·77·37·2

    £ per annum

    Scale 1

    Scale 2

    Scale 3

    Scale 4

    Senior Teacher

    Deputy Head*

    Head Teacher

    Minimum5,4426,2527,7349,2019,9156,8079,573
    Maximum†9,2019,59711,03112,36313,39516,68922,941
    Uprating these figures by 6·9 per cent, would give the following salary rates:
    Minimum5,8176,6838,2689,83610,5997,27710,234
    Maximum9,83610,25911,79213,21614,31917,84124,524

    * There are 12 separate scales for deputy headteachers and 14 for headteachers. The figures given are the minima of the lowest and maxima of the highest scales.

    † For good honours graduates. Maximum tor other teachers is £8,556.
    Inner London allowance is payable at the rate of £1,038 for all school teachers serving in the inner London area. No proposals have so far been tabled in the Burnham Committee for an increase in the London allowance for 1985.

    School

    1982

    1983

    1984

    1985

    Trinity School of John Whitgift10·45·15·96·9
    Truro14·38·39·2
    Truro High15·11·56·85·9
    University College 11–139·14·48·76·0
    University College 13+ and VI8·94·58·6
    Upton Hall Convent12·56·99·18·3
    Ursuline High7·98·35·3
    Wakefield High4·85·310·41·3
    Walthamstow Hall17·623·77·610·9
    Warwick9·54·96·48·9
    Wellingborough Junior16·39·54·65·4
    Wellingborough Senior16·29·34·25·1
    Wellington College

    (a) Eagle House

    8·78·38·98·1

    (b) Wellington College

    9·27·87·27·6
    Wellington13·610·09·1
    Wells Cathedral10·17·45·07·1
    West Buckland

    *

    *

    *

    10·3
    Westminster-Under

    *

    *

    *

    Whitgift10·54·85·06·8
    William Hulme Grammar12·38·07·5
    Winchester College12·26·36·08·5
    Wisbech Grammar 11+

    *

    *

    09·7
    Wisbech Grammar 13+

    *

    *

    08·9
    Withington Girls9·57·57·2
    Wolverhampton Grammar4·76·26·7
    Woodbridge22·19·58·0
    Woodhouse Grove7·611·25·05·6
    Wycliffe College Junior15·66·96·98·5
    Wycliffe College Senior15·57·06·88·5
    Weighted average (all schools)10·97·49·8n/a

    * School was not a participant in the preceding year.

    — Fee increases not yet proposed or agreed.

    Teachers' Salaries

    asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are current salary rates for all teaching grades employed by the Inner London Education Authority; for each grade, what is the inner London weighting allowance; if he will estimate the consequences of a 6·9 per cent. increase in salary rates, giving the revised pay scales; and if there are any proposals to increase the weighting allowance.

    [pursuant to his reply, 24 July 1985]: Current salary scales for teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools, operative from 1 April 1984, are set out in the Remuneration of Teachers (Primary and Secondary) (Amendment) Order 1984 (S.I., No. 1650) and apply nationally. The minima and maxima of the main scales are as follows:

    Attorney-General

    Cumbria (Bribery And Corruption)

    asked the Attorney-General, if, in the light of the further information now made available to him, he will request the Director of Public Prosecutions to re-open the police inquiry into the allegations of attempted bribery referred to in the answer of 4 June, Official Report, column 113; and if he will request the Director of Public Prosecutions to seek the extension of the police inquiry to include other relevant matters.

    I shall consider with the Director of Public Prosecutions the further information with which I have been provided and write to the hon. Member.

    asked the Attorney-General if he will request the Director of Public Prosecutions to seek a police inquiry into the circumstances referred to in planning committee minute No. 1134, of the South Lakeland district council, dated 27 November 1984, in the light of allegations of improper private gain by a third party arising from the breach of confidentiality mentioned in that minute.

    This is a matter which, in the first instance, should be referred to the chief constable of the Cumbria police.

    St Olave's, St Thomas's And St John's United Charities

    asked the Attorney-General whether he will request the Charity Commissioners to conduct an inquiry under section 6 of the Charities Act 1960 into the allegations of maladministration and conflict of professional and private interests concerning the St. Olave's, St. Thomas's and St. John's United Charities.

    I understand that the trustees of the St. Olave's, St. Thomas's and St. John's United Charities are themselves investigating, through their auditors, certain allegations concerning the activities of one of the charity's officers. They will report to the charity commissioners the result of those inquiries and any action they propose to take in consequence. In these circumstances I do not think there are at present sufficient grounds to request the charity commissioners to conduct a formal inquiry under section 6 of the Charity Act 1960.

    Matrimonial And Family Proceedings Act 1984

    asked the Attorney-General if he is satisfied that the requirement to give first consideration to the children of divorced parents is being met, following the implementation of the provisions of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.

    asked the Attorney-General how many maintenance orders have been made for fixed terms; how many have been terminated; and in how many cases both parties have been barred from making applications to the court since the provisions of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 came into operation.

    The numbers of maintenance orders made for fixed term have only been available from the beginning of 1985. In the period from January to April of this year there were 6,115 such orders made (excluding those made at the principal registry) to benefit a spouse with or without a child.The remainder of the information sought is not available without incurring disproportionate cost.

    asked the Attorney-General how many clean break divorce applications have been granted since the provisions of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 came into operation.

    This information is not available and could not be collected without dispotportionate cost.

    asked the Attorney-General in what ways the Lord Chancellor's Department is monitoring the effects of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.

    The Lord Chancellor's Department is monitoring the effect of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 by the collection of statistical information from the county courts. The nature of the information collected was revised at the beginning of 1985 following the implementation of the Act.

    Mr Jock Kane

    asked the Attorney-General if he will now prosecute Mr. Jock Kane under the Official Secrets Act following the preparation by him of the manuscript for his proposed book "GCHQ: The Negative Asset"; and if he will make a statement.

    No decision has yet been taken on whether criminal proceedings should be instituted against Mr. Kane. Civil proceedings to restrain him from publishing the manuscript of the proposed book or any part of it are still pending and Mr. Kane stands restrained in the meantime by an interlocutory injunction to that effect.

    Extended Detention

    asked the Attorney-General whether it is proposed that the Crown Prosecution Service should be responsible for making the applications for extended detention provided for by section 43 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

    Although section 43 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 requires that such applications be made by a constable, it will sometimes be desirable for the officer to be legally represented. A requirement that the Crown Prosecution Service should undertake such applications would be inconsistent with its independent status and there will be no such requirement. But a crown prosecutor will have a discretion to provide legal representation for the making of such applications in cases where it appears appropriate to him to do so. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and I both hope that when it is considered to be desirable for an officer to be represented on an application under section 43, such representation will normally be provided by a crown prosecutor. Such representation will normally be provided by the crown prosecutor once the service is operating.

    Transport

    Transit Permits

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has made any representations to the French transport authorities seeking the introduction of special transit permits for heavy goods vehicles proceeding to other countries, particularly Spain and Italy; and if he will make a statement.

    British hauliers need a permit to transit France under the provisions of the agreement concluded in 1969. The number of permits made available by the French authorities each year falls short of our requirements and we are pressing the French to remove the restrictions on both bilateral and transit traffic. We are also campaigning within the European Community for measures to liberalise international road haulage, in accordance with the recent judgment of the European Court of Justice.

    Heavy Goods Vehicles

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to introduce a new shape for the heavy goods vehicle road tax disc to improve detection of tax avoidance.

    I agree that a distinctive heavy goods vehicle tax disc would aid enforcement, and the Department is now considering the practical implications including costs. The views of the police will be sought shortly.

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to control the number of heavy goods vehicles entering the United Kingdom from other countries which restrict the number of British vehicles entering them; and if he will make a statement.

    Bilateral agreements with the majority of European countries provide for an annual quota of road haulage journeys in each direction, and any restrictions imposed on British vehicles are reciprocated. We shall continue to press for the removal of all such restrictions.

    M3

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport why the current roadworks on the M3 at Sunbury have been necessary; when were they started; when they are expected to be completed; what will be the cost; how many reported accidents have occurred since the commencement of this work; and if he will make a statement.

    This work is necessary to relieve pressure on the walls retaining the motorway embankments and to strengthen the carriageways through the junction. It began last August and is due to be completed in October this year, at an estimated cost of about £3 million. Since work started, one fatal and eight slight personal injury accidents have been reported.

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the current public inquiry into the extension of the M3 motorway to be completed; and when he is likely to receive the inspector's report.

    Community Transport Services

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to reach a decision on the issue of consents for the existing and planned expansion of dial-a-ride and community transport services.

    Consent under the Interim Provisions Act was given last October for the GLC to purchase £700,000 worth of vehicles for dial-a-ride schemes. The council's present application, for additional vehicles up to a value of £900,000, which would involve substantial leasing liabilities over a 5-year period, is under consideration.

    Off-Licences (Petrol Stations)

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications for his drink-drive campaign of the incidence of petrol filling stations holding off-licences; and if he will make a statement.

    The number of garages actually holding liquor licences appears to be very small, but my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Department, and I are keeping a close watch on the situation. In doing so, we shall keep in mind the particular aspect to which my hon. Friend refers.

    Hayes Bypass

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to reach a decision on the Greater London council's application to carry out noise insulation work in association with the construction of the Hayes bypass.

    I am not certain what point the hon. Member has in mind. If he is referring to the application for consent under the Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984 made by the GLC on 28 March, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment gave that consent on 13 May.

    Light Vans

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate, for light vans and their derivatives, including minibuses and motor-caravans, but excluding car-derived vans, under 1·52 tonnes unladen weight (a) the number and severity of casualties in such vehicles for the last year where information is available, (b) seat belt wearing rates for front seat occupants in such vehicles, including wearing rates in accidents and (c) the crash-protection standards which apply to such vehicles other than those applying to front seat belts; and if he has any plans to introduce national regulations to improve the protection of occupants in such vehicles in the event of a collision.

    (a) The number and severity of casualties of occupants of all types of light vans, including car—derived vans, for the last year figures are available (1983) was 102 killed, 1,447 seriously injured and 5,372 slightly injured. The majority of these casualties probably occurred in car — derived vans, but no separate information is collected. I will provide figures for minibuses and motor caravans as soon as possible.

    (b) The seat belt wearing rates of front seat occupants of light vans, including car — derived vans, in 1983 were—drivers 81 per cent., passengers 83 per cent. The data for wearing rates in light van accidents are incomplete, but the indications are that they are probably similar. The wearing rates of front seat occupants of minibuses and motor caravans have not been separately recorded.

    (c) The crash protection requirements for cars do not apply to the great majority of the vehicles in question. However, some crash protection features might be usefully incorporated in the design of these vehicles, and I will consider what might be done.

    Anti-Lock Braking

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce national regulations requiring the mandatory fitment of anti-lock braking systems on motorcycles.

    Anti-lock braking systems for motorcycles are still under development and must first be proved in service conditions. Trials are under way.

    M25

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now give the expected opening dates of the M25, Reigate to Wisley sections, and all other remaining stages of the M25; and if he will make a statement.

    We expect to have the whole of the M25 open to traffic by the end of 1986. The actual opening dates of the remaining sections will depend on the progress made by individual contractors which in turn is influenced by weather and ground conditions.The expected opening dates for these unfinished sections are as follows:

    Dates
    Wisley-LeatherheadAugust 1985
    Leatherhead-ReigateAugust 1985
    Leatherhead InterchangePartly open already but will come into full use August 1985
    Poyle-M4September 1985
    M4–M40September 1985
    M4 InterchangeJune 1986
    Swanley-SevenoaksJuly 1986
    Micklefield Green-Bedmond RoadOctober 1986
    Bedmond Road-A405October 1986
    A405-The Bell (A6)November 1986
    The Bell-A1 (South Mimms)November 1986

    Seat Belts

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the road safety recommendations in the Transport Committee's report, and with particular respect to the fitting of rear seat belts and ways of encouraging the implementation of cost — effective small engineering schemes for accident reduction.

    As regards rear seat belts I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) on 24 July.

    As regards cost—effective small engineering schemes for accident reduction, the Department takes every opportunity to encourage local authorities to maintain an active programme. It is, however, for individual authorities to decide their own priorities for expenditure.

    Windscreens

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the proportion of heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles, respectively, which come on to the United Kingdom market fitted with high penetration resistance laminated windscreens.

    We do not keep this information, but believe most HGVs and PSVs sold here have toughened glass windscreens.

    Midland Links Motorway Viaducts

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the report will be completed on investigations into the Midland links motorway viaducts; and if he will make a statement.

    I have today placed the interim report on the concrete investigations of the Midland links viaducts in the Library of the House. It deals vv ith the investigations to date and the remedial and protective measures which have been taken.Nothing has so far emerged to call into question the structural integrity of the viaducts and no traffic restrictions are proposed on this account.Nevertheless, the report recommends that further research should be carried out into the effects on reinforced concrete of water contaminated by de-icing salts. This will enable an evaluation to be made of the most effective long-term measures. The problems identified are not unique to these viaducts and the work to be undertaken over the next few years will be of benefit to other structures.Urea was used as a de-icing agent on the Midland links last winter and its use will be continued this coming winter.

    Passenger Transport Authorities

    asked the Secretary of State for Transport what expenditure levels he proposes to determine in respect of 1986–87 for the new passenger transport authorities.

    I expect to receive shortly the financial plans of the passenger transport executives which are submitted to me under the provisions of the Transport Act 1983. My advice under section 3(5) of that Act was issued to the PTEs in May this year, and I expect the plans to include projections based on that advice. Expenditure levels determined for the new authorities will need to take into account the best available information from the PTEs, and I do not therefore propose to announce figures until the new authorities are established.

    Employment

    Pollution

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what guidance is given to the factories inspectorate concerning the disclosure of information to the public following the investigation of alleged health risks;(2) what guidance is given to the industrial air pollution inspectorate concerning the disclosure of information to the public following the investigation of alleged noxious emissions.

    The general requirements for, and restrictions on, the disclosure of information obtained by factory inspectors are contained in section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It is the factory inspectorate's practice to disclose as much information as possible to the public on specific investigations.

    Labour Statistics

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have registered as willing to work, giving details of their skill and experience, at jobcentres covering Mitcham and Morden at the most recent convenient date; and how many people were registered as unemployed for the purposes of benefit in the equivalent area at the same date.

    Persons aged 16 or over in Great Britain
    (Thousands)
    Employees in full-time* employmentEmployees in part-time* employmentSelf-employedAll in employment*Out of employment and seeking work†
    Lone parents with dependent children‡2181814344297
    Heads of two-parent families, with dependent children‡4,521339335,492573
    Married women║2,6493,2655106,433553
    * The full-time/part-time classification is based on the description given by the survey respondents not the number of hours worked. The total in employment includes those who did not state whether they worked full or part-time and those whose employment status was not stated.
    † Also includes those not seeking work because of temporary sickness or holiday or because they were waiting to start a new job or awaiting the results of job applications. Full-time students who satisfy these conditions but who are unavailable to start work because they must complete their education are excluded.
    ‡ Dependent children are those under 16, or those aged 16 to 18 still in full-time education.
    ║ A small number in this group will also appear in the lone parent group.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for the average weekly earnings of (a) women, (b) men, (c) lone mothers, (d) lone fathers, (e) heads of two-parent families, (f) married women with dependent children and (g) married women without dependent children, respectively.

    The most recent available information relating gross earnings to household composition and circumstances is that provided by the 1983 family expenditure survey and is set out as follows:

    Average gross normal weekly wages and salaries*
    £
    For employees who are head of household
    All men170·3
    All women93·8
    One woman with children‡63·8
    One man with children‡†152·6
    One man, one woman and one, two or three children‡181·2
    For employees who are the wives of the head of household
    Working with dependent children‡55·8
    Working without dependent children81·4

    On 7 June 1985 there were 681 people registered for employment at jobcentres in the parliamentary constituency of Mitcham and Morden. This figure includes some employed people seeking a change of employment and some unemployed people not claiming benefits. Jobseekers are no longer required to register at a jobcentre as a condition of claiming unemployment benefit; nor is it necessary to register for employment in order to use the jobcentre.The number of unemployed people claiming unemployment benefit, supplementary allowances or national insurance credits in Mitcham and Morden parliamentary constituency on 13 June was 3,557. It is a condition of receipt of these benefits or credits that a person be unemployed and capable and available for work.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for the number of (a) lone parents, (b) heads of two-parent families and (c) married women in full-time employment, part-time employment, self-employed and unemployed.

    The latest available estimates come from the 1984 labour force survey and are shown in the following table:

    Source: Family Expenditure Survey 1983║

    * Covering both full-time and part-time employment. Earnings from self-employment and households where no wages or salaries were received because the individuals were unemployed or unoccupied are omitted from these calculations.

    † Based on relatively few households and subject to a substantial sampling margin of possible error.

    ‡ Persons who are under 18 years of age and unmarried are regarded as children in the survey.

    ║ The figures relate to the calendar year and are based on a sample of about 7,000 households and will be subject to a margin of sampling and reporting uncertainty.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many doctors have been registered for unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit in the last three years.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the estimated number of additional workers in additional jobs created from the beginning of 1983 to the end of 1984 after making allowance for the additional number of second jobs and the additional number of places on temporary employment schemes.

    Between December 1982 and December 1984 the employed labour force in Great Britain increased by 553,000. It is estimated that over the same period the number of participants in special employment and training schemes included in the employed labour force reduced by 170,000. The second jobs included in the employees in employment estimates are not separately identified but estimates from the labour force surveys suggest an increase of 60,000 between spring 1983 and spring 1984 in the number of people with a second job as an employee.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of (a) men and (b) women registered as unemployed and under the age of 25 years in the London borough of Wandsworth on 30 June.

    The following information is in the Library. Statistics of unemployment are not available for the date requested. On 11 April 1985, the latest date for which an analysis of unemployment by age is available, there were 3,996 male and 2,177 female unemployed claimants under 25 years of age in the London borough of Wandsworth.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of (a) men and (b) women registered as unemployed in the London borough of Wandsworth on 30 June.

    The following information is in the Library. Statistics of unemployment are not available for the date requested. On 13 June 1985 there were 11,539 and 4,820 unemployed male and female claimants respectively in the London borough of Wandsworth.

    Finer Committee Report

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest position as regards the implementation by his Department of the recommendations which affect its responsibilities of the report of the Finer committee on one-parent families.

    The recommendations of this committee on employment matters have been overtaken, since it reported in 1974, by the passage and implementation of equality and employment protection legislation, the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the establishment of the youth training scheme and the extension of adult training provision by the the Manpower Services Commission. In many areas rights and opportunities have advanced further than the committee envisaged in its recommendations.

    Redundancies

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing redundancies for the period from May 1979 to date involving 10 or more persons as due to occur in Great Britain in each order of the Standard Industrial Classification.

    Confirmed redundancies* by industry: May 1979 to June 1985†:

    Great Britain

    Industry‡ (SIC 1980)

    Class

    Number of Redundancies (thousands)

    Agriculture, forestry and fishing01–034·7
    Coal extraction and coke11–1238·4
    Mineral oil and natural gas extraction131·8
    Mineral oil processing143·3
    Nuclear fuel production152·4
    Gas, electricity and water16–177·6
    Extraction of other minerals and ores21–232·7
    Metal manufacture22143·5
    Manufacture of non-metallic products2458·9
    Chemical industry2556·3
    Production of man-made fibres2615·0
    Shipbuilding and repairing3034·0
    Manufacture of metal goods31135·3
    Mechanical engineering32271·3
    Manufacture of office machinery etc.3318·1
    Electrical and electronic engineering34148·4
    Manufacture of motor vehicles35139·8
    Manufacture of aerospace and other transport equipment3645·3
    Instrument engineering3719·5
    Food drink and tobacco41–42131·5
    Textiles43106·2
    Leather, footwear and clothing44–45103·4
    Timber and furniture4640·1
    Paper, printing and publishing4771·6
    Other manufacturing industries48–4974·8
    Construction50178·4
    Wholesale distribution61–6338·5
    Retail distribution64–6585·9
    Hotel and catering6625·9
    Repair of consumer goods and vehicles675·1
    Transport71–7753·9
    Telecommunications7922·1
    Insurance, banking, finance etc.81–8535·2
    Public administration and defence91–9454·4
    Medical and other health services9512·7
    Other services (not elsewhere specified)99–99,0033·8
    All industries and services2,219·7

    * Confirmed by the Manpower Services Commission as due to occur and based on notifications of impending redundancies involving ten or more workers.

    † Includes provisional figures for May and June 1985.
    ‡ Figures for 1979 to 1983 are estimated because of the change in the industrial classification system made in January 1984.

    School Leavers

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many school leavers there were in (a) Hyndburn and (b) north-east Lancashire in 1984; how many (i) secured full-time employment, (ii) secured part-time employment, (iii) entered further or higher educational establishments, (iv) entered the youth training scheme, (v) returned to school and (vi) did not register for any other reason.

    The information which is available from the Lancashire careers service about pupils reaching minimum school leaving age in 1984 in Hyndburn and north-east Lancashire at 8 November 1984 is as follows:

    Hyndburn

    North-east Lancashire‡

    Number eligible to leave school1,1904,941
    Number of known leavers8193,262
    Entering employment*2911,041
    Continuing education†3711,679
    Entering YTS3541,585
    Did not register78330
    Unemployed96306

    * Careers Service records do not differentiate between those entering full and part-time employment.

    † Careers Service records do not differentiate between those remaining at school and entering further and higher education.
    ‡ Consisting of Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale.

    Youth Training Scheme

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many people entered the youth training scheme in (a) Hyndburn and (b) north-east Lancashire in 1984;(2) what was the placement percentage of those completing the youth training scheme in

    (a) Hyndburn and (b) north-east Lancashire;

    (3) how many people completed the youth training scheme in (a) Hyndburn and (b) north-east Lancashire in 1984.

    The information requested on numbers of young people who entered or completed youth training scheme programmes between January and December 1984 is given in the following table:

    Hyndburn local authority districtNorth-east Lancashire
    Entrants4503,999
    Completions1361,504

    Note:

    North-east Lancashire covers the local authority districts of Blackburn Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale.

    I regret that information on the destinations of young people completing schemes is not available in the precise form requested. However, information based on a 15 per cent. sample of young people in the county of Lancashire who left the youth training scheme between July and September 1984 shows that, at the time of the survey, 63 per cent. were in work.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the youth training scheme in the Cheltenham area since its inception.

    Progress on the youth training scheme in the Cheltenham area has been most encouraging. Some 1,500 entrants in the Cheltenham local authority district have benefited from the scheme so far. The undertaking that all minimum age school leavers remaining unemployed would be offered a suitable place on the scheme by Christmas has been effectively met in the first two years of the scheme.

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he has taken to seek to ensure that local education authorities in England carry out their statutory obligations in respect of the youth training scheme and benefit.

    I have asked the head of the Department of Employment's careers service branch to write to all chief education officers in England to remind them that local education authorities are, by virtue of section 12(2) of the Employment and Training Act 1973, under a statutory obligation to give information to the unemployment benefit service on behalf of the Secretary of State concerning those youngsters who refuse a reasonable opportunity of receiving training on the youth training scheme. A copy of the letter which was sent on 11 July has been placed in the Library.The letter refers to the fact that this information is required in connection with the determination of questions as to whether such youngsters should have their benefit temporarily reduced. The letter makes it clear that I am strongly of the view that this is a reasonable requirement on local education authorities which does not in any sense mean that the youth training scheme is "compulsory". Youngsters who, in the past, unreasonably refused jobs or "approved training" were similarly liable to have their benefit reduced: the designation of the youth training scheme as "approved training" is simply an extension of that long established principle.

    Family Incomes

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are his latest estimates of average gross weekly earnings for the following, working age, family types: single man, single woman, man, wife and one child, man, wife and two children, man, wife and three children and lone mother and two children.

    The most recent available information relating gross earnings to household composition is that provided by the 1983 family expenditure survey (published in December 1984) and is set out in the table. Figures from the family expenditure survey for 1984 will be available later this year.

    Average gross weekly normal wages and salaries (£)for households* where the head of household is an employee and aged over 15 but under 65 years
    Household composition†£
    One man123·2
    One woman72·1
    One man, one woman and one child191·6
    One man, one woman and two children197·5
    One man, one woman and three children200·5
    One woman and two or more children56·9

    Source: Family Expenditure Survey 1983.

    * Households where the only earnings were from self-employment or where no wages or salaries were received because the individuals were unemployed or unoccupied were omitted from these calculations.

    † Persons who are under 18 years of age and unmarried are classed as children in the survey.

    Retail Prices Index

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for 1984 the weight given to expenditure on services and on transport and vehicles in the retail prices index at present compared with 1978, 1970 and 1956.

    Retail Prices Index Expenditure Weights out of 1,000

    Services

    Transport and vehicles

    19565868
    197055126
    197856140
    198465158

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report information showing the weight council house rents have in the retail prices index on the same basis as given in the answer of 1 December 1982, Official Report, columns 208–90.

    The weight attached to local authority rents in the retail price index for the current year is approximately 28 out of 1,000.

    Domestic Gas Explosions (Fatalities)

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have died in domestic gas explosions in Scotland in each of the last 10 years.

    The information is not available in the form requested. The following table shows the number of deaths in Scotland as a result of fires and/or explosions involving gas in domestic premises since 1977.

    YearNumber of deaths
    19771
    19780
    19791
    19802
    19810
    19821
    19832
    19841
    1985*2
    * First six months provisional.

    Note: Statistics pre-1977 are incomplete.

    Careers Service

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment what guidance he has issued to local education authorities about their provision of a careers service; and whether he has any plans to alter it.

    My right hon. Friend's current general guidance to local education authorities about the careers service is given in a memorandum issued jointly with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales in November 1980.I have asked officials to take urgent steps to bring the memorandum up to date. In particular, I see a need for greater emphasis on the importance of work with employers as a basis for sound, practical and realistic help to youngsters.

    Putney Gas Explosion

    asked the Secretary of State for Employment when the report of the Health and Safety Executive on the Putney gas explosion will be published; and if he will make a statement.

    [pursuant to his reply, 16 July 1985, c. 70]: The report by the Health and Safety Executive to the Health and Safety Commission of the investigation into the Putney explosion on 10 January 1985 at Newnham House, Manor Fields, Putney, is published today. I have placed a copy in the Library.The investigation finds that gas escaped from a crack in the 150 mm grey cast iron gas main buried at the rear of the building. The crack was probably caused by a combination of stresses from heavy vehicles and ground subsidence acting upon the pipe which rested on the concrete encasement of a drain, which had the effect of concentrating the stresses at the point where the pipe cracked.Although the number of serious gas explosions involving mains is small, the investigation indicates that the British Gas Corporation needs to re-examine its priorities for the replacement of grey cast iron mains, taking into account the factors which contributed to this tragedy. This re-examination will need to take into consideration the level of expenditure required for an adequate programme of replacement. When it is completed, the corporation will be expected to justify publicly its conclusions. This is the main recommendation of the report.The report also recommends that action is taken at Manor Fields to replace the gas mains there and to reconstruct the roads to an adequate load-bearing standard.Additionally, the HSE has commenced work on drawing up guidance to the construction industry on the safeguards required when working near cast iron gas mains. I am asking the HSC to follow up the recommendations made by HSE and to satisfy itself that they are implemented as soon as possible.

    Home Department

    Deportation

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were recommended for deportation with no custodial sentence during 1984; and in how many cases the court released (a) subject to conditions and (b) without conditions.

    In 1984 there were 384 court recommendations for deportation with no custodial sentence; the court directed release subject to conditions in 101 cases and without conditions in 171.

    Coal Industry Dispute

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of charges brought during the 1984–85 miners' strike have yet to be heard by the courts.

    The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

    Drugs Legislation (Malaysia)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will study the laws in Malaysia relating to drug offences and their potential introduction into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

    The legislation relating to the misuse of drugs in Malaysia, like that in the United Kingdom, seeks to deal with the particular nature of the drug problem in that country and reflects the measures which are thought to be the best suited to that situation. We are kept informed of the drugs legislation of overseas countries, including Malaysia, and draw such lessons as seem appropriate.

    Emergency Plans

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to ensure that communities prepare and keep updated their emergency plans; and if he will consider what incentives he can offer.

    Responsibility for making, reviewing and revising civil defence plans at community and other levels rests with county councils, assisted by district councils, and we have asked councils to complete their plans by the end of the year. The civil defence adviser to the Home Office has almost completed a programme of visits to all county councils in England and Wales to discuss the present state of civil defence planning and to offer advice.Local authorities have already been informed that the Home Office is prepared to consider additional grant aid towards the cost of staff needed to prepare and revise their plans. In addition, central training is made available to community advisers and a package of standardised training material is in preparation for local use.

    Military Chemical Weapons

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to take steps to inform the public of the properties of military chemical weapons and the protective measures he intends to introduce.

    In the absence of a ban on chemical weapons we are considering the questions of detection and warning of chemical attacks and of protective measures against them. It is too early to say when this will be completed. Some information on the threat of chemical

    Home Office circular numberDate of issueTitle
    15/196721 February 1967Commonwealth Immigrants
    169/197029 July 1970Commonwealth Immigrants
    97/198217 November 1970Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966
    94/198330 August 1983Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966—Review of Posts

    Race Relations Act 1967

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to review the working of the Race Relations Act 1967 with regard to its use to restrict recruiting of Welsh-speaking people to work in homes for elderly people or homes for mentally handicapped people in predominantly Welsh-speaking parts of Wales.

    No. I am aware of the hon. Member's concern about a particular case, but on present information, we are not persuaded that there is a need for any action on our part.

    Vivisection

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been of universities and colleges for breaking the rules on vivisection.

    attack is already available in section 2 of the "Emergency Planning Guidance to Local Authorities", which local authorities have been asked to make available to the public; a copy is in the Library.

    Attendance Centres

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many compulsory attendance centres have been established since 1983.

    Since 1 January 1983, seven new attendance centres have been established.

    Miss Hilda Murrell

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further reports he has received from the chief constable of West Mercia on the progress of police inquiries into the murder of Miss Hilda Murrell.

    The chief constable of West Mercia has kept my right hon. and learned Friend informed of continuing inquiries in this case. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on 22 July at column 342 for the most recent information provided by the chief constable about progress in this case.

    Commonwealth Immigrants (Funds)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those circulars published by his Department between 1966 and 1985 regarding the Local Government Act 1966, section 11, entitled "Funding Regarding Commonwealth Immigrants".

    Four Home Office circulars have been published between 1966 and 1985 about section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966. They are listed as follows:

    None. A summary of infringements of the 1876 Act and the conditions of licences issued under the Act and of the action taken in respect of these infringements is published annually in the "Statistics of Experiments on Living Animals Great Britain". For 1984 information is given in paragraphs 12 to 16 of Cmnd. 9574.

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what arrangements are made for the Government to monitor the experiments on animals by drug companies;(2) how many staff are employed in the monitoring of animals used for experiments by drug companies;(3) how many drug companies have licences to carry out experiments on animals; and if he will list them.

    The 15 members of the Home Office cruelty to animals inspectorate carry out inspections of premises where medical, dental and veterinary drugs are developed and tested. They do so in precisely the same way as they inspect all other establishments registered with the Home Office under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 as places where experiments, likely to cause pain, may be carried out on live animals. Inspections are carried out mainly without prior notice, to ensure compliance with the 1876 Act and conditions attached to licences issued to individuals under the Act.I regret that it is not possible to identify the premises registered under the 1876 Act which belong to drug companies, nor the number of licensees employed by such companies.

    1979–801980–811981–821982–831983–841984–85*
    Cash expenditure (£ million)2,1032,6073,0933,4453,7924,185
    Annual percentage increase24·028·611·410·110·4
    Exenditure in real terms† (£ million, 1979–80 prices)2,1032,1972,3702,4692,5992,746
    Annual percentage increase4·57·94·25·35·7
    * 1984–85 figures represent provisional outturn.
    † The real terms figures have been obtained by deflating the cash figures to a base of average 1979–80 prices, using the gross domestic product deflator at market prices.

    Terrorism

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to take any action about the presence in Great Britain of Roberto Fiore and four other Italians who have been convicted of terrorist offences in Italy; and if he will make a statement.

    At present I am not satisfied that the information currently available to me is sufficient to justify deportation, taking account of the requirements of the EC law. But I shall keep this aspect of these cases under review. If there was any indication of illegal activity in this country the police would certainly take appropriate action. It would be for the Italian authorities to apply for their extradition. All five were the subjects of unsuccessful applications for extradition in 1981.There are deficiencies in our current extradition arrangements with Italy and we have entered into discussion with the Italian Government with a view to up-dating the list of offences for which extradition can be granted to include certain terrorist and drug offences.

    Filling Stations (Off-Licences)

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to indicate whether he intends to introduce legislation to prohibit the issue of off-licences to operators of petrol filling stations; and if he will make a statement.

    The matter is currently under review; no decison has yet been reached on the need for legislation in this field.

    Police Interviews

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement, in the light of the impending implementation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the Prosecution of

    Law And Order

    asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total expenditure on law and order services in each year since 1979; and what the annual increases were in percentage terms, and in real terms.

    The information requested has been drawn from table 3.9 in volume II of the White Paper "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1985–86 to 1987–88" (Cmnd. 9428-II) and is set out in the table below. The figures are for the total law, order and protective services programme, excluding expenditure on protective services (immigration and citizenship, fire, community services, central and miscellaneous services and civil defence).Offences Act 1985, on the availability of financial and manpower resources for the tape recording of interviews with suspects within the Metropolitan police area.

    Field trials in the tape recording of police interviews with suspects are currently being conducted at Croydon and Holborn stations in the Metropolitan police district. Extension of the trials to Clapham, Holloway and the central cheque squad is planned for later this year.Equipment for the trials at Croydon and Holborn was supplied by the Department. Other costs, including the costs of the equipment for the extension of the trials, are being met from the Metropolitan police's existing resources. The question of the future provision for expenditure on tape recording will be included in negotiations on the size of the Metropolitan police fund.