asked the Paymaster General if he will publish a table showing (a) the number and percentage

Changes in the numbers of employees in employment between June 1979 and June 1985
	Northern region		Great Britain
	Thousand	Per cent.	Thousand	Per cent.
Manufacturing industries	-125	-31	-1,743	-25
Service industries	-30	-5	+361	+3
All industries and services	-219	-18	-1,812	-8
Metal goods, engineering and vehicles	-60	-33	-781	-23
Shipbuilding and repairing	NA	NA	-51	-36
Mechanical engineering	NA	NA	-250	-24
Electrical and electronic engineering	NA	NA	-104	-14
Instrument engineering	NA	NA	-15	-12

The number of registrants unemployed for over one year in the northern region and Great Britain in July 1979 was 32,521 and 340,543 respectively. The number of claimants unemployed for over one year on this basis for July 1985 was 106,502 and 1,269,286. Figures for long-term unemployment are only calculated quarterly.It is difficult to make comparisons of long-term unemployment between 1979 and 1985 because of the change in the basis of the count in October 1982, the 1983 Budget provisions which mean that some men, mainly aged 60 and over, no longer need to sign on at unemployment benefit offices to receive benefit, and the change to a ward-based system for allocating claimants to localities.

asked the Paymaster General how many people were in (a) full-time and (b) part-time employment in the Wirral and Chester travel-to-work areas in 1979, and at the latest available date.

Comprehensive employment statistics for travel-to-work areas are not available except for dates when censuses of employment are taken. Censuses have been taken triennially since 1978 and the latest results are for September 1981.Results of the 1978 census of employment are not available for the travel-to-work areas announced last year, but figures for the area covered by the old Chester and Birkenhead travel-to-work areas, which corresponds most closely to the Wirral and Chester travel-to-work area, are as follows:

Employees in employment
Thousands
	Full-time	Part-time	All
1978	146·4	46·3	192·7
1981	140·0	43·4	183·3

The following table contains the changes for the areas, dates and categories specified. Separate statistics are available for the shipbuilding and engineering industries only at national level. At regional level they are included in the metal goods, engineering and vehicles industries—division 3 of the 1980 standard industrial classification.More up-to-date employment figures for travel-to-work areas will become available following the publication of the 1984 census of employment in the spring of 1986.

asked the Paymaster General what is the breakdown of unemployed people (a) by sex and (b) by duration for each of the years since 1979 for the London borough of Wandsworth.

The following information is in the Library. The table gives the breakdown of unemployed claimants by sex and duration for October 1984 and October 1985. Statistics of unemployment for local authority districts are derived from the new ward-based system. At present the analysis by duration is only available from April 1984 onwards, but information back to June 1983 will shortly be available.

London borough of Wandsworth
	11 October 1984		10 October 1985
	Males	Females	Males	Females
Duration of unemployment in weeks
One or less	347	200	307	202
Over 1 and up to 2	358	225	349	217
Over 2 and up to 4	562	327	581	356
Over 4 and up to 6	628	425	620	397
Over 4 and up to 8	390	212	395	225
Over 8 and up to 13	853	508	863	457
Over 13 and up to 26	1,611	829	1,676	934
Over 26 and up to 39	1,186	492	1,085	525
Over 39 and up to 52	897	381	797	352
Over 52 and up to 65	743	303	736	309
Over 65 and up to 78	535	165	533	186
Over 78 and up to 104	901	250	800	220

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places are currently taken on the community programme for crime prevention projects.

I have been asked to reply. Information about numbers on this type of community programme project is not currently available. However, it is being collated as part of the initiative being undertaken with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to ensure that worthwhile and practical crime prevention projects are mounted, as the programme expands to 230,000 places. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as the information is available.

asked the Paymaster General if the Health and Safety Executive is satisfied with the current and proposed standards of health and safety at the Ault and Wiborg paint factory in Perivale; and if will make a statement.

The Health and Safety Executive has required improvements to the standards of health and safety at the factory. When the work is complete, the standards required will have been met.

asked the Paymaster General how many cases have been approved for compensation payments during the past 12 months under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers Compensation) Act 1979; what has been the average payment made in these cases; what is the total number of cases for which payment has been made since this Act came into force; and what is the total compensation paid over the period and the average compensation corresponding to these figures.

The information requested is as follows:

	Approved applications	Total paid £	Average payment £
1 November 1984 to 31 October 1985	67	427,956	6,387
4 July 1979 to 31 October 1985	4,527	26,359,136	5,823

I would also like to take this opportunity to correct the figures I gave in my reply to the question on 10 July 1985 at column

asked the Paymaster General, pursuant to his reply of 22 November, Official Report, column 326, what is his estimate of the number of small businesses which would be affected by the estimated loss of 20,000 retail jobs following the deregulation of Sunday trading.

We are not in a position to make such an estimate. The study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies which indicated that up to 20,000 jobs may be lost did not make any estimate of the number of small businesses which could be affected.

asked the Paymaster General, pursuant to his reply of 22 November, Official Report, column 326, what information he has as to the percentage of retailers who expect an increase in sales following the deregulation of Sunday trading.

A number of retailers have indicated that they expect sales to increase following the deregulation of Sunday trading, but we are not in a position to estimate what proportion of retailers as a whole expect increases.

asked the Paymaster General whether he has had any discussions with representatives of the small retail trade or its employees about the employment implications of the deregulation of Sunday trading: and if he will make a statement.

We have had no such discussions, but Ministers at the Home Office have met employee representatives.

asked the Paymaster General, pursuant to his reply of 22 November, Official Report, column 326, what assumptions are made in the estimate that 22,000 new jobs could be generated following the deregulation of Sunday trading as to the relative growth of small retail outlets on the one hand and larger retail concens on the other.

We are not in a position to make such an estimate. The Institute for Fiscal Studies who suggested that a 2 per cent. increase in sales may lead to an additional 22,000 jobs did not allocate these new jobs between firms of different sizes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to his reply of 22 November, Official Report, column 326, he will list those reasons not specified in that answer as to why he regards as pessimistic the assessment that 20,000 jobs could be lost following the deregulation of Sunday training.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies' assessment takes no account of the fact that some shops already trade on Sunday. Nor did it take into account the possibility that deregulation of Sunday trading may increase jobs in related sectors of the economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he has had any meetings with the Equal Opportunities Commission to discuss the implementation of those parts of the Nairobi conference on forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women relevant to his Department; and if he has any future plans for such meetings;(2) what steps he is taking to evaluate the progress in implementing those parts of the United Nations Nairobi conference on forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women which apply to his Department; what resources he has allocated to this; and if he will make a statement;(3) what plans he has for implementing paragraph 58 of the Nairobi conference on forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women, relating to the collection of statistics on the situation of women;(4) whether he will establish a special office within his Department to monitor periodically and accelerate the

Body	Total	Males	Females
Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Institute	9	9	—
Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland	21	21	—
Foyle Fisheries Commission	4	4	—
Livestock Marketing Commission for Northern Ireland	7	6	1
Milk Marketing Board	13	13	—
Northern Ireland Agricultural Wages Board	15	15	—
Northern Ireland Drainage Council	17	17	—
Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority	6	6	—
Northern Ireland Water Council	15	14	1
Pigs Production Development Committee	8	8	—
Water Appeals Commission	2	2	—
Total	117	115	2
Department of Economic Development
Belfast Harbour Commissioners	14	14	—
Board of Directors:
Harland & Wolff Ltd.	15	15	—
Short Bros. Ltd.	11	11	—
Compensation Tribunal (Loss of Employment through Civil Unrest)	3	3	—
Committees for the Employment of Disabled People (three)	39	33	6
Enterprise Ulster	8	7	1
Equal Opportunities Commission	11	5	6
Fair Employment Agency	12	10	2
Fair Employment Appeals Board	3	3	—
Health and Safety Agency	9	8	1
Industrial Development Board	12	12	—
Labour Relations Agency	10	9	1
Local Enterprise Development Unit	9	8	1
Local Enterprise Development Unit—Area Panels (four)	27	26	1
Manpower Council	17	15	2
General Consumer Council	18	8	10
Northern Ireland Electricity Service Board	8	7	1
Northern Ireland Industrial Court	22	21	1
Northern Ireland Industrial Tribunals	147	133	14
Northern Ireland Training Authority	19	18	1
Northern Ireland Tourist Board	11	9	2
Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission	8	8	—
Training Boards for:
Catering Industry	20	19	1
Clothing Industry	14	13	1
Construction Industry	14	14	—
Distributive Industry	21	20	1
Engineering Industry	15	15	—
Food and Drink Industry	22	21	1
Road Transport Industry	16	16	—
Textile Industry	16	16	—

The final report of the Nairobi conference has only recently become available and I am considering what steps might be appropriate in respect of Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those bodies to which his Department makes appointments, the number of appointees and the number of these who are women.

The Northern Ireland bodies to which I make appointments or to which appointments are made by Northern Ireland Departments subject to my direction and control are listed with the total number of appointees and the number of women currently serving on each of these bodies:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the incidence of the practice of schoolchildren, some of whose teachers are on strike, being sent off school premises during periods in school hours when their teachers are not available; and if he will make a statement.

I have seen many reports of children being sent home or otherwise excluded from school premises because their teachers are taking disruptive action. Detailed information is however not available. I deplore any interruption of pupils' education arising from industrial action; apart from its effect on pupils' education and the deplorable example it sets, it results in inconvenience to both pupils and parents; harms relationships, behaviour and discipline; and risks children's safety and well-being. I look to local education authorities and schools to continue taking all possible measures to fulfil their responsibilities to the children in their care.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his response to the letter which he has received from the general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers urging him to take measures to end the present teachers' dispute.

I am considering the letter which I have received from Mr. Peter Dawson, the general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, dated 20 November. I hope to reply shortly and the hon. Member may then wish to approach Mr. Dawson to see whether he is willing to release the content of my reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reply he has sent to the letter which he has received from the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers about the shortfall in applications for university teacher training courses.

I received the letter referred to by the hon. Member on Tuesday 26 November and will be replying in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he intends to take to monitor the extent to which the guidance notes to local education authorities issued by his Department have been complied with.

There is no intention to monitor the extent to which local education authorities comply with the guidance notes. These notes are only a guide to the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations, and have no statutory authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he plans to re-establish his Department's former policy of publishing the breakdown of the main rates of grants allocated to university students.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he plans to amend the current criteria according to which rates of grants for university students are calculated.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much he plans to increase the main rate of student grant outside London for the 1986–87 academic year.

A statement about the level of student grants for the academic year 1986–87 will be made in the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made with his review of student awards at degree and sub-degree level.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Squire) on 19 November 1985 at column 120.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to amend section 8 of the Rent Act 1977 in respect of lettings to university students by educational institutions with a view to reducing board or residence costs incurred by students.

No. The Government's policy is that charges for educational residential accommodation, which need to cover specified running costs, should be determined by the institutions concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to evaluate those parts of the United Nations Nairobi forward-looking strategies for advancement of women which apply to his Department; what resources he has allocated to this; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have made it clear on many occasions that it is essential to ensure that equal curricular opportunity is genuinely available at all levels within the education system, and our policies for education will continue to reflect that commitment to equal opportunities. We shall be considering the education recommendations in the Nairobi strategy document, many of which raise matters which are the responsibility of educational institutions themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the implementation of paragraph 58 of the Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women, which calls for the collection of timely and reliable statistics on the situation of women.

All regular collections of data about pupils, students, leavers, examination results and teachers provide for separate identification of boys and girls, men and women. Statistical summaries, which normally include separate figures for each sex, are available for departmental consideration within the academic year to which they apply. Subsequent publication retains the distinction when thought to be important.When ad hoc surveys are undertaken, it is customary to consider whether the design should allow for the preparation of reliable statistics for men and women separately. Such allowance is made in the majority of cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to seek to ensure that educational programmes enabling men to assume as much responsibility as women in the upbringing of children and the maintenance of the household are introduced at all levels of the educational system, as called for in paragraph 173 of the United Nations Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women.

Detailed decisions on the curriculum in educational institution are for the institutions themselves. The Government have made it plain that what is taught in schools should be relevant to adult life and that there can be no room for discrimination in the curriculum on grounds of sex. Her Majesty's Inspectorate have recently published a discussion document on home economics in their "Curriculum matters" series: that document takes it as one of its starting-points that homemaking is equally important for boys and girls, and that in adult life the responsibilities of family life should be shared so that both men and women have sufficient opportunity to continue their own personal development.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to seek to implement paragraph 83 of the Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women, calling for new teaching methods which emphasise the equality of the sexes.

Decisions on teaching methods and materials are for educational institutions themselves; attention should be given to the expectation and attitudes of girls when reaching those decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to diversify women's vocational education and training in order to extend their opportunities for employment in occupations that are non-traditional or new to women, as called for in paragraph 171 of the United Nations Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women.

The Government will continue to encourage girls and young women to take greater advantage of the full range of vocational education and training which is available. New approaches to education and training in the 14–18 age range are being explored by the technical and vocational education initiative, which is emphasing the need to avoid sex stereotyping; and the Government is seeking in a variety of ways to promote interest among girls and young women in the whole range of employment opportunities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what meetings he has had with the Equal Opportunities Commission to discuss the implementation of those parts of the Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women; and what future plans he has for such meetings.

My right hon. Friend is considering the implications of the Nairobi conference recommendations for Government policies in education, and has not met, or made any plans to meet, the Equal Opportunities Commission. Officials at the commission with responsibility for education maintain regular contact with the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report those bodies to which his Department makes appointments and the number of appointees; and if he will specify in each case the number of women appointees.

The information requested is as follows:

List of bodies to which appointments are made by or on behalf of the Secretary of State and the number of appointments to each
	Men	Women
1 Advisory Board for the Research Councils	10	—
2 Advisory Committee for the Microelectronics Education Programme	5	—
3 Advisory Committee on Pesticides	11	—
4 Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs	3	1
5 Agricultural and Food Research Council	15	—
6 Assessment of Performance Unit: Consultative Committee	9	3
7 British Museum (Natural History): Board of Trustees	1	—
8 Burnham Committees	1	—
9 Business & Technician Education Council	20	3
10 Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges: Board of Trustees	10	2
11 Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research: Governing Board	13	1
12 Computer Board for Universities and Research Councils	9	—
13 Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges	4	2
14 Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education	16	3
15 Council for National Academic Awards	23	3
16 Council for Educational Technology for the United Kingdom	27	3
17 Economic and Social Research Council	16	2
18 Further Education Staff College: Governing Body	16	4
19 Further Education Unit: Board of Management	8	—
20 Health Education Council	1	2
21 Medical Research Council	14	1

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the implications for the morale of university lecturers of current promotion prospects and real salary levels, and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him yesterday at column 628.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the trend in university lecturers' salaries in real terms since 1979.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-West (Dr. Hampson), on 19 November at column 127.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the bodies which have made representations to his Department about the introduction of the new subject entitled economic awareness which he is considering introducing into school curricula; and what discussions are presently taking place between officials of his Department and representatives of local education authorities and teachers on this issue.

The Department issued earlier this year a consultation letter to interested groups seeking comments on the Government's view that all pupils should be equipped by the age of 16 with some economic awareness and understanding. The letter made clear our view that this objective could be achieved through a wide range of subjects in the curriculum and that translation of the principle into action in the schools was a professional matter for teachers. Responses to the consultation letter have been received from the local authority associations, teachers' organisations, individual local education authorities, employers' groups and individual companies, and from other interested groups and correspondents. These responses are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has given any consideration to the possibility of providing financial support for students at the age of 16 years.

This is one of many aspects of policy on post-compulsory educational provision which is kept under review. However, the Government have no immediate plans to change the practice of successive previous Governments in regarding young people in non-advanced full-time education as primarily dependent on their parents for financial support until their 19th birthday. Parents receive child benefit in respect of such children, and in addition local education authorities have discretionary powers to pay grants and allowances to those in need.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has responded to the proposal by local education authorities to establish a national joint council to discuss pay and conditions of service for teachers; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I said as long ago as last March that I am prepared to consider the case for change, but that before coming to a firm view on the matter I should want to be satisfied that any new arrangements would offer the prospect of being a real improvement on the existing ones. I still await the detailed submission of such a case by the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has made to the recommendation issued in the 24th Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities 1984 (page xxviii) advocating a common status and income approach for all trainees and students.

The Government's response to the 24th report of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities 1984 was given in the course of the debate on the report in the other place on 22 October. I draw the hon. Member's attention to what Lord Young of Graffham said about the recommendation for a common status and income for all trainees and students in his closing speech.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research has been conducted by his Department into methods of raising standards in primary schools in inner city areas.

The Government's policy, as set out in the White Paper "Better Schools", is to raise standards in all schools, including primary schools in inner city areas, and a number of research projects currently being funded by the Department will contribute towards that objective. In addition, pilot projects to improve the quality of education in selected primary schools in deprived urban areas have been approved for education support grant starting in 1985–86 in 12 local education authorities. These will cost approximately £3 million and will last from three to five years. Reports on the projects will be available to other schools and authorities.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, how many meals were served in the Westminster Hall cafeteria during the lunch period on 21 November; and how many Members of either House, Officers and staff working within the Palace were unable to be served.

The number of meals served in the Westminster Hall cafeteria during the luncheon period of 21 November was 350. It is impossible to determine how many Members of either House, Officers or others within the Palace were unable to be served.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many meals were served in the Strangers' cafeteria during the lunch period on 21 November; and how many Members of either House, Officers and staff working within the Palace were unable to be served.

The number of meals served in the Strangers' cafeteria during the luncheon period of 21 November was 600. It is impossible to determine how many Members of either House, Officers or others within the Palace were unable to be served.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many meals were served in the Members' cafeteria during the lunch period on 21 November; how many Members of either House and others working within the Palace were unable to be served; and how many strangers were unable to be served.

The number of meals served in the Members' cafeteria during the luncheon period of 21 November was 150. It is impossible to determine how many Members of either House, Officers or others within the Palace were unable to be served.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many meals were served in the Harcourt room during the lunch period on 21 November; and how many Members of either House, Officers and staff working within the Palace were unable to be served.

The number of meals served in the Harcourt grill room during the luncheon period of 21 November was 80. It is impossible to determine how many Members of either House, Officers or others within the Palace were unable to be served.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many meals were served in the Strangers' dining room during the lunch period on 21 November; and how many Members of either House, Officers and others within the Palace were unable to be served.

The number of meals served in the Strangers' dining room during the luncheon period of 21 November was 80. It is impossible to determine how many Members of either House, Officers or others within the Palace were unable to be served.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement with regard to the payment of compensation to persons who have been wrongly convicted of criminal offences.

There is no statutory provision for the payment of compensation from public funds to persons charged with offences who are acquitted at trial or whose convictions are quashed on appeal, or to those granted free pardons by the exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy. Persons who have grounds for an action for unlawful arrest or malicious prosecution have a remedy in the civil courts against the person or authority responsible. For many years, however, it has been the practice for the Home Secretary, in exceptional circumstances, to authorise on application ex gratia payments from public funds to persons who have been detained in custody as a result of a wrongful conviction.In accordance with past practice, I have normally paid compensation on application to persons who have spent a period in custody and who receive a free pardon, or whose conviction is quashed by the Court of Appeal or the House of Lords following the reference of a case by me under section 17 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968, or whose conviction is quashed by the Court of Appeal or the House of Lords following an appeal after the time normally allowed for such an appeal has lapsed. In future I shall be prepared to pay compensation to all such persons where this is required by our international obligations. The international convenant on civil and political rights [article 14.6] provides that:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with police authorities and chief constables about the provision of Government funds to buy additional equipment for dealing with riots.

The Department's officials and Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary keep in regular contact with chief officers of police about all aspects of the policing of their force areas including the availability of public order equipment. Government funding for properly incurred police expenditure is provided through the normal police grant arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Metropolitan police will be equipped with fireproof overalls and riot helmets with neck protection; and what information he has on plans for chief contables to purchase such equipment.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that all shield-trained officers in the Metropolitan police have been issued with riot helmets and fire resistant overalls, both which offer some neck protection. All other police forces in England and Wales hold stocks of riot helmets and fire resistant overalls or uniforms. Records of the exact type of protective equipment held by each force are not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of all young offenders released from detention centres, and what proportion of juvenile offenders, are reconvicted within two years.

The latest available information relates to reconvictions of those discharged from prison department establishments in 1981 and is published in tables 8(e) and 8.4 of "Prison Statistics England and Wales 1984" (Cmnd. 9622).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the absolute and the percentage increase in the number of offences of burglary recorded by the police between 1979 and 1984.

The number of offences of burglary recorded by the police increased by 348,300 or 63 per cent. between 1979 and 1984. Statistics of offences recorded by the police are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" and details of recorded offences of burglary are given in table 2.10 of the latest issue for 1984 (Cmnd. 9621).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motor cyclists have been convicted of speeding in the Metropolitan police area in the period in which figures are available.

In 1984, the latest period for which information is available, there were about 1,900 findings of guilt at magistrates' courts in the Metropolitan police district for speed limit offences associated with motor cycles, mopeds and scooters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the principal recommendations of the report by the chief constable of the west midlands on the Handsworth riots.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 19 November, at column 142.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has about which police forces have a victim examination suite in use and those which are planning to open victim examination suites within the next three years.

The Metropolitan police plan to introduce a number of victim examination suites consisting of a medical examination room, an interview room and shower facilities. The first such suite should open in Brentford shortly. In other police forces the examination of victims of rape and other sexual assaults is generally conducted in surgeon's rooms or in hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are being issued to chief constables on the creation of victim examination suites for the victims of rape and sexual assault.

Home Office circular 25/1983 containing general guidance on the treatment of rape victims was issued to chief officers of police in March 1983. Copies are in the Library. It recommended that medical examinations should take place in a proper clinical environment so as to reduce stress and produce an atmosphere of care and concern. The nature of the facilities which are required to meet this is a matter for individual police forces in consultation with police surgeons, taking account of the existing provisions which are locally available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any formal representations from Mr. W. M. Jadeson, assistant chief constable, Operation South Yorkshire, concerning the police view on civil disturbances; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were removed from the United Kingdom as illegal immigrants and overstayers, despite having remained here for over 10 years, in each of the years 1981 to 1985; and if he will make a statement as to his Department' policy towards such long-term overstayers.

The figures requested are not available. The immigration rules provide that in deciding whether to deport an overstayer, full account is to be taken of all the relevant circumstances, with the public interest being balanced against any compassionate factors, including length of residence. Similar considerations apply in deciding whether to remove illegal entrants. Continuous unlawful residence in the United Kingdom amounting to 10 or more years is considered a prima facie reason for allowing a person to remain. Account is also taken of any countervailing factors, such as a criminal record. Each case is considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate, of the 100,790 visitors from the New Commonwealth and Pakistan in 1983 and the 105,850 New Commonwealth and Pakistan visitors in 1984, how many returned to their own countries at the end of their permitted stay, how many were granted an extension to their initial duration of stay and how many cannot be accounted for.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the total number of spouses admitted to the United Kingdom to accompany their immigrant partner in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;(2) what has been the average number of children admitted to the United Kingdom to accompany their immigrant parents in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available;(3) what information he has concerning the average number of wives admitted to the United Kingdom to accompany immigrant husbands in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

The available information relates to all children and spouses accepted for settlement on arrival or on removal of time limit and is published annually in "Control of Immigration Statistics, United Kingdom". Figures for the latest 10 years are given in table 14 of the latest issue for 1984, (Cmnd. 9544.).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has concerning the number of immigrant men who were accompanied on entry into the United Kingdom by one, two or three or more wives in the latest year for which figures are available.

The information requested is not available in this form.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has concerning the number of immigrant parents who were accompanied on entry into the United Kingdom by one, two, three or four or more children in the latest year for which figures are available.

The specific information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, information is available on the numbers of children accompanying wives granted entry clearance in the Indian subcontinent for settlement in the United Kingdom: in 1984, 560 such wives were accompanied by one child, 470 by two, 370 by three and 390 by four or more. These figures exclude any children granted entry clearance who were born after their mother lodged her application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions are presently taking place with other countries on arrangements to ensure that court orders made in one jurisdiction over assets belonging to suspected drug traffickers are enforceable in another; what progress has been made so far; and if he will make a statement.

No detailed negotiations are yet taking place with countries outside the United Kingdom on this matter; but we have it in mind to seek such arrangements once Parliament has had an opportunity to consider the Government's proposals for legislation on the confiscation of drug traffickers' profits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum of prisoners who are employed in workshops in Her Majesty's prisons Winson Green and Featherstone in any one day.

The maximum number of prisoners employed in workshops in Her Majesty's prison Winson Green on any one day is 157. The maximum number of prisoners employed in workshops in Her Majesty's prison Featherstone in any one day is 266.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many square feet of exercise space are available to prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons Winson Green and Featherstone.

As I stated in my reply to a question from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington, (Mr. Corbett) on 18 November, Winson Green prison, Birmingham, has available 46,000 sq ft in exercise yards and 8,500 sq ft in the gymnasium.Featherstone prison has available 40,000 sq ft in exercise yards, 6,700 sq ft in the gymnasium and 400,000 sq ft in grassed and hard-surfaced sports pitches.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many hours in the week ended 2 November the workshops in Her Majesty's prisons Winson Green and Featherstone were open; what was the average number of prisoners employed in each establishment; how many classes took place and for how many hours; what was the average number of prisoners in each class; how many individual prisoners attended at least one class during the week; and how much time on average each prisoner spent out of his cell during that week.

In the week ended 2 November one of the two workshops at Featherstone prison was opened for 29 hours. The other workshop was open for 26 hours, having been closed for half a day to enable a security search to be undertaken. The two workshops employ an average of 118 and 134 prisoners respectively. In addition, 222 prisoners were employed on domestic, catering, maintenance and farm duties.Forty six classes were held during that week with total class hours of 76. The average number of inmates attending each class was nine. One hundred and fifty-nine inmates attended at least one class which represents 34 per cent. of the total population. It is not possible other than at disproportionate cost, to calculate the average amount of time spent out of cells.The information relating to Birmingham prison was given in a reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) at column

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how Her Majesty's Government intend to implement paragraph 58 of the document agreed at the Nairobi conference on forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women, relating to the collection of statistics on the situation of women.

A good deal of relevant statistical information is already being collected by Government Departments and other public bodies. Much of this is published. In addition, the Equal Opportunities Commission regularly publishes, as part of its annual report, a digest of selected statistics to depict the relative position of men and women in British society. The Government are not, therefore, short of statistical material with which to assess progress towards equality between men and women.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the status of the trip in a chauffeur-driven car by Commander Phil Corbett of the Metropolitan police to North Devon to meet retired police officer Harry Clement about an interview he had given to the BBC; what was the cost of the trip and the overnight stay of Commander Corbett and his driver.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1985, c. 25]: The information requested is as follows:I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that a visit was made by Commander Corbett to North Devon in the course of operational duties. The visit was authorised by a senior officer in the specialist operations department and cost approximately £77.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on current projects, in which year the value added tax resource base of the European Economic Community will have to be increased beyond 1·4 per cent. to make provision for the projected United Kingdom refund provided for by the Fontainebleau agreement.

The Commission's latest financial forecast indicates that the 1·4 per cent. VAT ceiling should be sufficient to finance all the Community's needs, including the abatement, up to the end of the forecast period in 1988. No forecast has yet been made for later years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost of the publicity campaign associated with the sale of the Government's remaining assets in Cable and Wireless.

It will not be possible to give the cost to the Government until after the sale is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the local authority housing allocation for 1986–87 will compare with the current year; and if he will make a statement.

The total housing investment programme allocations for English local authorities in 1986–87 will be £146 million. The corresponding figures for 1985–86 was £1,600 million. In setting this figure we have taken account of increased spending power from receipts and of the increasing use local authorities are making of other opportunities for capital expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost to the London Docklands Development Corporation of building the red brick road on Canary wharf and the subsequent costs of relaying this road.

The cost to the LDDC of building the red brick road on Canary wharf was £474,000, including drainage work and professional fees. This form of construction was chosen to allow the materials to be reused, if necessary, greatly reducing the cost of any subsequent road on which they are used.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what existing firms in Cannon workshops would be required to move out as a result of the proposed Canary wharf development proceeding.

The existing firms in the new, unlisted part of the Cannon workshops would be displaced by the Canary wharf development. It is the LDDC's intention, however, to ensure that alternative accommodation is made available and that all out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of any move are reimbursed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will include pre-war Laing's Easiform housing in the list of housing types covered by the Housing Defects Act.