asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of the appeals procedure against deportation orders under the Immigration Act 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of the appeals procedure against deportation orders under the Immigration Act 1971.

I see no occasion for a statement on the statutory appeals procedure. If my hon. Friends have in mind the non-statutory advisory procedure in security cases, I would refer them to what both I and my right hon. Friend the Lord President said on 22nd February about the Government's intention to provide time for a debate on the non-statutory procedures in the cases of Mr. Agee and Mr. Hosenball.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on granting political asylum to persons taking refuge from Rhodesia to avoid compulsory service in the armed forces of the illegal régime.

The grounds for political asylum are set out in the Immigration Rules and require a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular group or political opinion. It follows that avoidance of armed service does not by itself fall within these criteria and hence the Continuing need to examine each application on its particular merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish his proposals for tightening up immigration controls.

In my right hon. Friend's statement on 9th February about the Franks Report on a Register of Dependants, he identified three areas in which measures might be contemplated to check abuses of the present system. New Immigration Rules were made last week to deal with marriages of convenience. As regards the other areas, my right hon. Friend will make a further report to the House as soon as he can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees from Chile and the Argentine, respectively, were granted visas to enter the United Kingdom in January and February of this year.

In January, authority was given for the grant of entry clearances in respect of 33 persons from Chile and five from the Argentine. The corresponding figures for February were 138 and 58.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future plans for the community development project.

The five remaining community development projects are expected to have completed their action programmes and final reports by 31st March 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total amount of money accumulated in the compensation funds by authorities responsible for licensing public houses.

The latest available information from the compensation authorities shows that on 31st December 1975 they held funds amounting to just over £3,667,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the police forces are able to ensure a sufficient level of personal security so that all people within the United Kingdom are free to move in public places without fear of attack.

It would never be possible to guarantee complete security from attack, but I am confident that within the resources available to them the police continue to maintain a high standard of policing giving good protection to the public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the reserved judgment in the case of Regina v. Goodchild; and whether he has decided to take action on the matter in relation to the present brief of the Working Group on Cannabis and in relation to those previously convicted of possession, supply, intent to supply, importation or exportation of cannabis leaves.

A further conviction on 3rd March of possession of a cannabinol derivative, which is a controlled drug found in the leaves of the cannabis plant, is the subject of an appeal and we are, therefore, unable to make a statement at this time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications in total for entry certificates are outstanding from Chileans.

Out of a total of 4,270 applications involving 11,238 people for resettlement in the United Kingdom by Latin-American refugees there were on 28th February 1977 494 outstanding. A separate total for applications by Chilean nationals is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the disruption caused by phone-in programmes to telephone users in the Dorset area and elsewhere, if he will give a general direction to the British Broadcasting Corporation to have regard to the interests of telephone users as a whole when drawing up schedules for such programmes.

The corporation tells me that there is close liaison with the Post Office when arranging phone-in programmes to minimise the risk of inconvenience to telephone users. My right hon. Friend does not consider that a general direction to the BBC would in the circumstances be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the Police Council.

I last met the Official Side of the Police Council on 3rd March. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, with the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland and me, met representatives of the Police Federations for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who constitute the Staff Side of Committee C of the Police Council—the committee which deals with pay of police officers up to the rank of chief inspector—on 7th March. In addition the Police Council met on 15th March but the Police Federations for England and Wales and for Northern Ireland declined to attend, and they have not attended any meeting of the Police Council since 21st July 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with the BBC and with organisations representing the public about the reallocation of frequencies for BBC national radio services.

Consultations with the BBC have so far concentrated mainly on the technical aspects of the proposals; there have been no consultations with organisations representing the public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further action he is taking to increase recruiting to the Metropolitan Police.

Recruitment to the Metropolitan Police is a matter for the Commissioner. The force mounts a vigorous recruiting campaign, which includes Press advertising, visits to schools, attendance at careers exhibitions and conventions, and liaison with Her Majesty's forces at home and overseas. The Home Office supports the efforts of all police forces in England and Wales, by a number of methods including national Press advertising and, when necessary, co-ordinating the efforts of individual forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider the proposals in the Mountbatten Report for the containment of special security prisoners.

My present view is that we are right to continue with the dispersal policy recommended by the Radzinowicz Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total prison population at the latest available date compared with the certified normal accommodation; and what steps he is taking to reduce overcrowding.

On 28th February there were 36,918 certified normal accommodation places in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales and the total population was 41,577.With regard to the second part of the Question, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today to a Question from my hon. Friend to the Member for Aberdare (Mr. Evans).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money will have been spent in the current financial year in pursuance of the Government's obligations under the Civil Defence Acts; how much will be spent during the coming financial year; what progress has been made by local authorities in fulfilment of their civil defence obligations; and whether he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to answers that I gave to similar Questions by the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 27th January and 8th February, by the hon. Member for Walsall North (Mr. Hodgson) on 7th February and by the hon. Mem- ber for Wycombe (Sir J. Hall) on 3rd March—[Vol. 924, c. 711; Vol. 925, c. 603; Vol. 925, c. 521–22; Vol. 927, c. 268.] Most local authorities in England and Wales have made considerable progress in preparing civil defence plans in recent years, and we expect this to continue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has for ensuring that local authorities carry out their responsibilities under the Civil Defence Act and regulations made thereunder.

My right hon. Friend has no powers to inspect or call for reports under the Civil Defence Act 1948. He relies on the good sense of local authorities properly to discharge their civil defence functions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the present licensing regulations are adequate to cope with he problem of under-age drinking; what progress is being made in measures designed to cope with this problem; and if he will make a statement.

The Criminal Law Bill now before Parliament provides for greatly increased penalties for offences against the Licensing Act 1964 connected with under-age drinking. We shall continue to keep other aspects of this problem under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he wil make a statement on the present situation on the dispute with the Police Federation over pay.

I refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) and Thanet, East (Mr. Aitken).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received a copy of the leaflet issued by the Police Federation which states that the average earnings for all non-manual workers in Great Britain is 27 per cent. above the constable's average, and that this estimate is based on the incorrect assumption that policemen work between four and five hours' overtime a week; and if he will make a statement.

I have seen the statement by the Police Federation, which quotes a figure of £75·22 a week as the average pay of police ranks from constable to inspector. This figure omits the effectively tax-free rent allowance, the average value of which for a constable was shown by a survey in March 1976 to be over £10·50. Allowances for higher ranks were more than this, and there have been increases since then in rent allowances in a number of forces. The present average is therefore more than £10·50, but it could not be calculated without a new survey.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a circular to local authorities drawing their attention to the fact that the voluntary civil aid service has a register of qualified instructors with high standards of proficiency for dealing with emergencies.

No. I believe the National Voluntary Civil Aid Service, which is one of a number of voluntary bodies who may be able to help in an emergency, has already drawn local authorities' attention to its facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations has he received about the granting of a visa to Mario Humberto Neira, a Chilean student; and what reply he has made.

We have recently received a number of representations on this case, though as yet we have not had a formal application by, or on behalf of, a person of this name. I am having further inquiries made into this case and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for entry into the United Kingdom have been received from Bolivian citizens claiming to be unable to return to Bolivia for political reasons; and how many have been admitted during the course of each year from 1970 to the present;(2) if he will give sympathetic consideration to requests for entry permits for any long-term Bolivian political prisoners held without charge or trial.

Two applications were received in 1976 from Bolivians in the Agentine seeking resettlement in the United Kingdom for political reasons but they went to other countries. Inquiries in respect of a third application, lodged at the end of last month, are being urgently pursued. These were the only applications recorded from 1970 onwards.All applications for resettlement in the United Kingdom on political grounds are considered sympathetically in the light of the individual circumstances of each case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile offenders have been kept in custody at remand centres; and how many in the care of local authorities during the last 12 months.

In 1976 there were about 4,750 receptions of persons aged 14–16 years into remand centres in England and Wales either on remand or under sentence.I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services that information is not yet available on the number of children and young persons aged under 17 who were kept in the care of local authorities in the last 12 months. During the 12 months to 31st March 1976 a provisional estimate of 5,900 children and young persons came into care on remand or were detained in care on arrest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides have taken place in remand centres during the last 12 months, showing juveniles and adults separately.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what comments he has received on the report on the feasibility of the tape recording of police interrogations; and when he proposes to introduce such an experiment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the report "Feasibility of an Experiment in the Tape-Recording of Police Interrogation" (Command Paper No. 6630) since he received the report in October; if he is now in a position to take action on the report; and if he will make a statement.

I have received some useful if divergent comments on the report, but not all those whose views my Department has particularly invited have yet been able to reply. Since I wish to take into account all points of view before coming to a decision on whether or not to set up an experiment, my Department is issuing a reminder to those concerned, asking for their comments as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics his Department maintains relating to aliens resident in the United Kingdom.

Statistics are kept of the following:

(i) Aliens admitted to the United Kingdom in various categories and of those accepted for settlement on removal of time limits. These are published in the annual White Paper on the Control of Immigration Statistics.

(ii) Aliens who are required to register with the police.

(iii) Aliens applying for, and granted, citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the recent decisions of the majority of police who have voted for industrial rights on a basis similar to that of all other industrial workers, and of the fact that the police are civilian forces, he will introduce the necessary legislation to seek to permit them to have the same rights as all other workers in civil employment.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question on Monday 31st January—[Vol. 925, cols. 1–2.] Since that time a number of police forces have had ballots on the question of industrial rights, but there has been no national ballot. I have offered the Police Federation an inquiry into their constitution, and I hope that, once the present dispute on pay is resolved, we can make progress in setting this up. The inquiry will include the position of the police with regard to industrial rights bearing in mind also, of course, their unique position in the maintenance of public order. It would be wrong to take decisions on matters of such importance to the whole community until Parliament has considered the recommendations of the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the cost of the Annan Report, he will issue a popular version of the recommendations for wider consumption.

No. I hope that those most interested will read the report as a whole; in any case, in view of the fact that its main conclusions and recommendations have been summarised and discussed in a number of major national newspapers I do not think it necessary to ask that a summary should be published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many seals have been culled in the United Kingdom in each of the past three years; and what licences for the culling of seals he has issued for 1977.

Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 a licence is required to kill common and grey seals in Great Britain during their close seasons. The numbers of such seals killed under licence issued by the Home Secretary or the Secretary of State for Scotland are as follows:

		England and Wales		Scotland
Year		Grey	Common	Grey	Common
1974	…	8	1	1,843	535
1975	…	823	1	1,709	368
1976	…	8	—	1,672	467

My right hon. Friend and I have issued no licences this year. I have no information about common or grey seals killed outside the close season or seals of any species killed in Northern Ireland waters, which are not covered by legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the letter of 25th March from the Under-Secretary to the hon. Member for Blaby.

No. As I explained in my letter of 25th March, no reliability can be attached to the figures that were provided in the first table in that letter, at the hon. Member's request. But, if the hon. Member wishes, I shall be pleased to publish the second table given in that letter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take in the light of the report by the European Commission of Human Rights concerning judicial corporal punishment in the Isle of Man; and what part will be played by Her Majesty's Government in the forthcoming proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights.

The European Convention on Human Rights extends to the Isle of Man, as it does to a number of other territories for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible, by reason of a declartion under Article 63 made by the United Kingdom Government. The declaration in respect of the Isle of Man was made after consultation with the Isle of Man Government. The United Kingdom Government also accepted, after consultation with the Isle of Man Government, on behalf of the Isle of Man, and for the relevant period, the competence of the European Commission to receive petitions from individuals in accordance with Article 25.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will make a statement about the report by the Price Commission on price margins of soft drinks and mixers in licensed premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when he proposes to publish the report on soft drink mixers.

This report of the Price Commission has been published today and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library. The Price Commission has examined the prices and profit margins on selected soft drinks and mixers sold for consumption on licensed premises and has compared them with those on other sales. It examines the reasons for complaints by consumers and comes to three main conclusions.First, it considers that the gross profit margin on licensed premises is higher than is justified, that some manufacturers have loaded price increases on those sizes of mixers normally sold in public houses, and that trade prices are fixed at a level which tends to lead to further rounding up. It therefore concludes that manufacturers and the licensed trade between them should be able to reduce the prices of mixers by at least 2p. Secondly, it suggests that the prices of mixed drinks such as shandy or lager and lime should be reduced to reflect more closely the cost of the constituents, where this is not already the practice. Thirdly, it comments that in some instances the prices of soft drinks sold as such are set at an unduly high level in order to discourage the trade and that this seems an undesirable practice.There is no suggestion in the report that the overall profits of soft drinks manufacturers, brewers or licensees are in any way excessive or that they have charged more than they are permitted under the Price Code. The Commission considers that as soft drinks and mixers represent a small proportion of total sales it should be possible in most eases for action to be taken on the lines suggested without an undue effect on profits.It does, however make an important qualification to its conclusions in relation to licensees. It points out that, in looking at profit margins on individual products, it is necessary to bear in mind the profitability of the enterprise as a whole. It was not the purpose of this study to investigate the profits of the licensed trade as such. The same point is relevant for the Commission's investigation into the manufacture and distribution of beer sold for consumption on licensed premises, which I announced on 10th February.In order to make possible a proper assessment of the overall position of the licensed trade, I have, therefore, decided to amend the terms of the reference on beer so as to include an investigation and report on the overall net profit margins of businesses licensed to sell beer for consumption on the premises.The Commission has produced an interesting and valuable report on soft drinks and mixers. A final assessment must await its report on beer. In order to make progress in the meantime, however, I have invited comments on the present report from interested parties and I will be arranging for the conclusions to be discussed with those most concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the average length of time taken by the Price Commission in investigating the special matters he refers to it.

The times have varied considerably according to the complexity of the subject under investigation, but the average is about seven months.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will reconsider his decision to sanction the merger between Lonrho and Dunsford and Elliot, in the light of the many adverse paragraphs contained in his inspector's report on Lonrho published in 1976.

No; my right hon. Friend took account of the Department of Trade report in reaching his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection how many complaints his Department has received from (a) Members of Parliament and (b) members of the public regarding the price of prescribed school clothing in 1976.

My right hon. Friend was urged by the TUC on behalf of its membership to arrange for an inquiry into the prices of prescribed school clothing, and representations about the case of school clothing were also made by the Poverty Group of the British Association of Social Workers.

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) whether he will make a statement giving details of the Members of Parliament with whom he discussed Government business since Wednesday 23rd March; and what action Members have to take to be included in such discussions;(2) whether, in view of the Government's new proposals for discussing with certain groups of Members of Parliament Government programmes, intentions and legislative proposals, he will take the necessary action to extend this practice so as to include all parties in the House within such discussions.

Government Ministers are always available to discuss Government business with the representatives of all parties as appropriate.

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen are to have access to restricted, confidential, secret and top secret documents and papers; and if this policy will apply to defence secrets;(2) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen are to be allowed to participate in decisions which would normally be classified as confidential or secret;(3) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen with official access to Government Departments will be positively vetted or otherwise scrutinised.

Information will be made available to the extent necessary to make consultations effective, but classified information not intended for publication will be made available only on Privy Counsellor terms.

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen will be issued with passes to Government Departments.

No.

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen will be allowed direct access to civil servants and Government Departments;(2) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen will be allowed to submit papers to Government Departments; and, if so, to whom in these Departments, or to Cabinet and Cabinet Sub-Committees and to official committees.

All Members of Parliament are free to make representations to Ministers at any time.

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 23rd March, departmental Ministers will be invited to make representations to the Consultative Committee in cases where Liberal spokesmen feel they are not being properly consulted.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) on 28th March.—[Vol. 929, c. 34.]

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) in the light of the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 23rd March, who will bear the cost of servicing the consultative committee;(2) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 23rd March, civil servants will service the consultative committee; and, if so, how they will be selected and on which parliamentary Votes their salaries will be borne.

The consultative committee will be serviced by my office. There will be no additional salary costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to inspect Cromwell's Green during 1977.

I shall continue to inspect the site on frequent occasions and look forward to its improvement later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will use his best endeavours to ensure that all public buildings to be built in future contain basements which could be adapted as air-raid shelters in the event of war.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, in view of the two years which have elapsed since the Government accepted the principle of State aid for historic churches in use, he will now introduce an extended pilot scheme in Suffolk with its many ecclesiastical buildings of outstanding architectural and historic interest, where need and response are assured;(2) if, in view of the fact that it was announced in January 1975 that the Government had accepted the case for State aid for historic churches in use, he will seek to expedite ratification of the scheme by religious authorities and announce a date when it will start generally.

My noble Friend announced on 11th November 1976 in another place that representatives of the Government and of the religious denominations had met and agreed details of a draft scheme for State aid to historic churches in use. The General Synod of the Church of England has officially welcomed the scheme and I have now heard that the Churches Main Committee, on behalf of the other denominations, has also accepted it, with only a few very minor reservations. I regret, however, that in the current economic situation I am unable to give a starting date, both nationally or for Suffolk in particular.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Property Services Agency is still seeking to acquire further office accommodation: and, if so, for what purpose.

It is necessary to acquire office accommodation to meet the needs of government throughout the United Kingdom, including the replacement of premises whose lease has expired or which have to be vacated for other reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the applications made by South Yorkshire for aid from the European Regional Development Fund in 1975, 1976 and to date in 1977, and the outcome of each application.

Following is the list:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will in future include land reclamation schemes of importance to areas such as South Yorkshire in projects submitted for aid from the European Regional Development Fund.

My right hon. Friend is willing to consider applications for the reclamation, preparation or servicing of sites for industrial development. Some such projects have already been approved for Fund aid.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the criteria for environmental improvement schemes to qualify for aid from European regional development funds.

To be eligible for Fund aid infrastructure projects must show a direct link with industrial development, so projects of environmental improvement do not qualify.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will press for greater emphasis on infrastructure projects in submitting applications for aid from the European Regional Development Fund.

We are satisfied that the present balance between infrastructure and industrial projects in applications to the Fund is a reasonable one. Within the terms of eligibility in the Fund Regulation, we are doing all we can to encourage public authorities in assisted areas to put forward suitable infrastructure projects for consideration for the Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what facilities exist to provide loans at preferential rates from the European Investment Bank for infrastructure development in regional development schemes.

Under the regulation establishing the European Regional Development Fund assistance from the Fund may take the form of a rebate of three percentage points on loans for infrastructure projects made by the European Investment Bank. The projects must be situated in the areas eligible for Fund aid.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Merseyside Civic Society concerning urban renewal in the Liverpool inner areas; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

The Merseyside Civic Society wrote to my right hon. Friend in January, supporting his approach to the problems of the inner cities. The society's letter, which has been acknowledged with appreciation, is one of an encouraging number from voluntary bodies in Liverpool. The Government believe that voluntary bodies have an important part to play in tackling the problems of our inner areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many square feet of office space, residential accommodation and shop floor space in the existing buildings on the site of the formerly proposed new parliamentary building are currently empty; how many have been empty for more than 12 months and two years, respectively; and what is the annual rent lost to the Government as a result during the past year.

Approximately 104,000 sq. ft. of space is currently vacant of which 24,000 has been empty for more than two years and a further 40,000 sq. ft. for more than 12 months.However, the effective annual rent lost to the Government for this space is minimal, as over half—56,000 sq. ft.—is unusable and requires major expenditure whilst uncertainties about future parliamentary requirements affect a further 37,000 sq. ft. Much of the remaining 11,000 sq. ft. is sub-standard and is in small units; the estimated annual rental value of this remainder is about £35,000.

				Office space (sq. ft.)	Residential accommodation (units)	Shop floor space (sq. ft.)
Currently unoccupied	…	…	…	730,214	15	968
Unoccupied for more than 12 months	…	…	…	198,111	5	780
Unoccupied for more than 2 years	…	…	…	94,593	0	0

Of the space that is currently vacant, 673,621 sq. ft. are being prepared for occupation by Government Departments, leaving 56,593 sq. ft. Although this figure remains fairly constant—at about 0·3 per cent. of the total PSA office estate in Central London—there is a continually high turnover of vacant accommodation, due to the constantly changing requirements of Government Departments and the normal incidence of lease expiry. Accordingly, very little of this space can be considered surplus to Government requirements; however, the list of vacant accommodation is constantly monitored and space is surrendered or let whenever it is practicable to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now publish a draft text of the order he would make under Clause 1(4) of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Bill if that Bill becomes law.

I will make a draft text available before the start of Committee stage and will at the same time place a copy in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many square feet of office space, residential accommodation and shop floor space owned by Her Majesty's Government are currently empty in Central London; how many have been empty for more than 12 months and two years, respectively; and what is the estimated annual rent loss to the Government as a result during the past year.

There is no centralised record of property held by other Government Departments and the following is therefore limited to the Crown and leased holdings of the Department of the Environment. Information on residential accommodation is available in units of accommodation only.I will then send a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a copy of the document by means of which he is consulting local authorities associations about the guidance which would fall to be issued under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Bill if that Bill became law.

I have done so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the properties acquired by his Department, or with its assistance, during the year between 31st March 1976 and 31st March 1977 by means of grants made from the National Land Fund, specifying the amounts in each individual instance.

Between 31st March 1976 and 31st March 1977 my Department purchased about 240 acres of land at Dyrham Park, Avon, for the National Trust for £149,220, provided from the National Land Fund. My Department also paid a grant of £90,000 from the fund to Peterborough City Council to meet 75 per cent. of the cost of acquiring Thorpe Hall, Peterborough.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the properties for which his Department has defrayed expenses of management and custody during the year between 31st March 1976 and 31st March 1977 by means of grants made from the National Land Fund, specifying the amounts in each individual instance.

Between 31st March 1976 and 31st March 1977 my Department defrayed expenses for the following properties from the National Land Fund:

Clytha Estate, Gwent	£4,141
The Old Hall, Gainsborough, Lincs.	£28,040
Heveningham Hall, Suffolk	£5,630*
* This does not include reimbursement to the National Trust of the deficit in running costs for the period as this figure is not yet available. The figure for the deficit in the comparable period in 1975–76 was £16,249.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with co-ordination between the Secretary of State for Trade and his Department with regard to the clearance of derelict craft in harbours.

The responsibility for clearance of derelict craft in harbours lies with the individual harbour authorities concerned. Neither of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and Trade has any executive responsibilities in this matter, but they are satisfied with the co-ordination of all relevant matters between their respective Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether the inclusion of the A5(D) in the trunk road programme for 1978 remains conditional on the current review of new town development.

The A5 diversion through Milton Keynes is required for the existing development in the new town and the relief of congestion in Fenny Stratford and Old Stratford on the present trunk road. Any effect of the current review of new town development upon the timing of this scheme will be considered when the outcome of the review is known.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when resurfacing of the northbound carriageway of the A12 from Stratford St. Mary and Four Sisters was last carried out.

In 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the economic case for his authorising the expenditure of £120,000 on the resurfacing of the A12 from Stratford St. Mary along 1¾ km to Four Sisters; and if he will give an assurance that minimum disruption of traffic flow will be observed, and that this opportunity will now be taken to re-examine cyclist and pedestrian hazards at the Four Sisters junction.

Resurfacing is necessary because of rutting and deformation of the carriageway. Unless the resurfacing is carried out further deterioration will occur and complete reconstruction of the carriageway at higher cost will soon become necessary. Traffic flow will be maintained by using the southbound carriageway for two-way traffic. Possible improvements at Four Sisters junction are at present under investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many applications he has received for assistance under Section 8 of the Railway Act 1973 for private sidings; and how many applications have been approved.

Eighty applications have been received and dealt with as follows:

Approved	24
Refused	8
Withdrawn, deferred or not pursued	21
Under consideration:
(a) completed applications on which a decision is expected shortly	7
(b)applications at earlier stages of planning; evaluation of consultation about the completion of a case	20
Total	80

asked the Prime Minister whether he will hold discussions with the Chancellor of Germany and the President of France with the object of creating a European task force which in conjunction with the United States would be capable of operating in the Indian or South Atlantic Oceans.

No.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in the preparation he is making for the forthcoming summit conference in London.

We are in touch with all the participants and detailed preparation is proceeding satisfactorily.

asked the Prime Minister what subjects he will propose to be considered at the summit conference in London.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) on 24th March.

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends taking the chair at a NEDC meeting.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Thomas) on 15th February.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with co-ordination between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Employment in efforts to improve opportunities for school leavers.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether the comments made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to Mr. Llew Gardner on the Independent Television programme, "People and Politics", represents Government policy.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 31st March.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 31st March.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 31st March.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his engagements for 31st March 1977.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state his public engagements for 31st March.

asked the Prime Minister what are his official engagements for 31st March.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31st March 1977.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for 31st March.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 31st March 1977.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 31st March.

I refer the hon. Members and my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan).

asked the Prime Minister when he will next meet the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to meet the TUC.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett) on 3rd February.

asked the Prime Minister if he plans to visit South Yorkshire in the near future.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the President of Finland.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish a report on his visits to industry.

I have no plans to publish such a report.

asked the Prime Minister what he intends to discuss when he meets President Carter in May.

President Carter will visit London in May to participate in the Downing Street Summit Conference and the ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council. The precise agenda for the Downing Street Summit is still under discussion and is for agreement by all participants. Discussion at the ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council will focus on policy questions of concern to the Alliance. I also hope to have bilateral discussions with President Carter on matters of mutual concern.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Department of the Environment and the Home Office on the use of unoccupied service houses to accommodate the homeless.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister when he will next make a Prime Ministerial broadcast.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sowerby (Mr. Madden) on 7th December.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to Botswana.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what overseas visits he is planning to make during the remainder of 1977.

My overseas visits will be announced in the usual way.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to India after its General Election.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will invite the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund to the forthcoming economic summit conference to be held at 10 Downing Street in May 1977.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if the remarks of the Secretary of State for Transport on a television programme on 28th February represent the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement about the membership of the committee of inquiry into the political activities of civil servants.

Yes. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development has resigned from the Committee on appointment as a Minister. I have appointed in her place my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle).

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of Industry in assisting Rolls-Royce to recover unpaid royalties in respect of the 100,000 Nene and Derwent engines pirated by the Government of the Union of Socialist Republics and sold by them to 21 air forces throughout the world; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received no request from Rolls Royce Ltd. for such assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he next expects to meet the Chairman of the NEB.

There are no formal arrangements; my right hon. Friend meets the Chairman of the NEB frequently.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry for what purpose his Department is running a campaign on tribology; how many civil servants are involved in it; and what is its cost to public funds.

My Department's campaign to promote tribology was discontinued at the end of financial year 1974–75, shortly after the dissolution of the Committee on Tribology. Since then only incidental and low-key publicity has been given to tribology, by exploiting suitable projects in the current campaign to promote other industrial technologies. Staff involvement and expenditure are both negligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will include representatives of the Post Office Users' Council and consumer organisations in his discussions on changes in the Post Office and Telegraph Acts.

It is not known to what changes the hon. Gentleman refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he intends to bring in legislation to amend the Post Office and Telegraph Acts with a view to allowing Post Office employees to be engaged in disputes which affect the transference of mail and telecommunications.

The matter is under consideration, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many ship-repairing firms, which were originally included in the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Bill but excluded before it became an Act, have approached him with a view to their being brought within the scope of the present Act.

Approaches have been made by three companies about the possible acquisition of their ship-repairing interests. It is also the Government's intention that the three publicly owned ship-repairing companies should be transferred to British Shipbuilders by transferring the ordinary shares of their parent company to the corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry further to the reply given to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West Official Report, 23rd March, column 569, concerning the National Enterprise Board's 35 per cent. equity holding in the Anglo-Venezuelan Railway Corporation, why he will not publish in the Official Report his latest estimate of the current value of the holding.

The occasion has not arisen where valuation by my right hon. Friend is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will in future include the rehabilitation and conversion of derelict buildings into factory units in schemes submitted for aid from European regional development funds.

Job-creating projects by industrialists which involve the rehabilitation and conversion of premises for a specific use, and rehabilitation and conversion schemes by local authorities for eventual industrial use, are considered by the Government on their merits alongside other industrial and infrastructure projects as appropriate in selecting projects for applications for a contribution from the European Regional Development Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will propose that the European Social Fund be merged with the European Regional Development Fund to achieve more rational deployment of resources.

Although the two Funds are complementary in some respects their objectives and geographical coverage are different. The amount of co-ordination which is possible is, therefore, limited, and it may not be appropriate to merge these two Funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proposals are being made by the United Kingdom for substantial expansion of the resources of the European Regional Development Fund.

Under the Fund Regulation it is the responsibility of the Commission to make proposals for the future of the Fund. These are now being prepared. The Government expect, and will press for, a significant increase in the scale of the Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will in future include the provision of advance factories in schemes submitted for aid from the European Regional Development Fund.

The Commission has already agreed to contribute £13 million towards the cost of advance factories provided by the United Kingdom Government. As advance factories do not fall readily within the terms of the present Fund Regulation, I hope the position will be clarified during negotiation of the new Regulation which will govern the operation of the Fund from 1st January 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what recent representations have been made to his Department about the future of the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod AEW project; and what replies he has sent.

My Department has received a large number of representations over the past few weeks from hon. Members and from trade unions, employees of the aircraft industry, local government authorities and trade associations about the future of the Nimrod AEW project. My right hon. Friend and his colleagues have explained in reply that this is primarily a matter for the Ministry of Defence in the context of Her Majesty's Government's policies towards NATO; but that industrial implications will be taken fully into account before a final decision is reached on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the total of aid approved from the European Regional Development Fund for Yorkshire and Humberside in 1975 and for 1976 and the comparable figures for each of the English regions, for Scotland and for Wales.

The European Commission approved contributions from the European Regional Development Fund towards the cost of projects in the United Kingdom in 1975 and 1976 as follows:

£'000
Projects located in	1975	1976
Yorkshire and Humberside	996	2,094
Northern	7,175	18,862
North-West	3,030	6,849
East Midlands Assisted Areas	113	390
West Midlands Assisted Areas	11	3
South-West Assisted Areas	779	741
English Assisted Areas	12,104	28,939
Northern Ireland	7,751	7,222
Scotland	9,851	14,608
Wales	6,201	8,362
United Kingdom	35,907	59,131

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what machinery of co-ordination exists between the European regional development funds and funds available from the European Coal and Steel Community to deal with problems arising from the rundown in certain areas of the coal and steel industries.

Article 5·1(e) of the Regional Development Fund Regulation requires the Commission, when considering applications to the Fund, to take account of other contributions made by Community institutions either to the same investment or to other activities within the same region. This Article quotes the purpose for this as follows:

"Thus contributions from the Fund will be co-ordinated with other Community contributions, in such a way as to favour a range of converging and co-ordinated actions within a given region."