asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the rate of completion of naval vessels currently under construction.

Warships are being completed at a rate which is enabling the Navy to undertake its operational role with increasing effectiveness. We expect five major surface vessels and one nuclear-powered fleet submarine to be accepted by the Navy in the next 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to meet North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Defence Ministers.

I shall next meet my NATO colleagues collectively at the ministerial meeting of the Defence Planning Committee in Brussels in May 1978. Prior to that, I shall meet some of my colleagues at the Nuclear Planning Group meeting in April.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce what arms expenditure he will propose for the years 1981–82 and 1982–83.

Defence budget provision for the two years in question will be considered in the 1978 Public Expenditure Survey.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the proposed arms expenditure for the years 1981–82 and 1982–83.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Luton, East (Mr. Clemitson).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has had any requests from either Ethiopia or Somalia for members of their armed forces to undergo training in the United Kingdom during the past 12 months.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the high running costs of electric central heating systems used in some newly built RAF married quarters such as those at RAF Boulmer.

The problem of high heating costs is a general one and we are currently carrying out a programme of insulation improvements which will benefit the occupants of married quarters at all RAF stations, including RAF Boulmer.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the markings on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft have been changed.

During the course of a review of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight last year it was decided to change the markings of the aircraft from time to time so that more squadrons could thus be commemorated. The first two aircraft to be given new markings, a Spitfire and a Hurricane, are now being repainted, and will bear the markings of Nos. 19 and 111 Squadrons, the first, respectively, to fly these aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received about the level of accommodation charges payable by members of Her Majesty's Services.

I am aware from many sources that there is a feeling of dissatisfaction in the Armed Forces over the levels of Service pay and charges. The Armed Forces Pay Review Body is also aware of this and the reasons for it.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether public speeches by senior RAF officers are subject to approval before delivery.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers have applied for release from their Army contracts in each of the last three years.

This information is not readily available since the Army does not hold central records of the numbers of applications. The numbers of trained soldiers actually leaving the Army in each of the past three years on either premature voluntary release terms or compassionate discharge were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is now able to give his best estimate of the cost of moving the Royal Navy Pay and Records Office from Gosport to Glasgow.

No decision has been taken as to whether the Royal Navy pay and records office should be moved from Gosport and no estimate of the cost of such a move has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will meet trade unions to discuss with them ways and means by which they can recruit members of the Armed Forces into trade unions.

So far as I am aware the arrangements under which Service personnel may join trade unions as individuals are working well. But I would be prepared to look at any problem which individual unions may wish to bring to my attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of the accident to the Soviet satellite, he will make a statement on safety precautions against the unauthorised firing of the National Atlantic Treaty Organisation nuclear missiles, by design or accident; what actions he will take to increase these precautions; and what proposals he will make to reduce the number of missiles in both East and West.

Our nuclear missiles are subject to the most stringent safety precautions, which we keep under constant review. In addition, we have an agreement with the USSR on measures to prevent accidental nuclear war. The reduction of missile numbers is under discussion in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. The Soviet satellite was not, of course, a nuclear weapon, nor did its crash result from accidental launching.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions, verbal and written, he or his Department gave to the Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, the captain of HMS "Caledonia", Rosyth and any other serving officers in the Royal Navy, requiring them to cancel their invitation to the hon. and learned Member for Kinross and West Perthshire to be guest of honour at a mess dinner in July 1977 on HMS "Caledonia".

The captain of HMS "Caledonia" sought permission to invite the hon. and learned Member for Kinross and West Perthshire to speak at a wardroom dinner planned to be held in July 1977. He was informed that authority to issue an invitation could not be given. I am, however, re-examining our procedures governing such matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to receive the next report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

The timing of the submission of its reports to the Prime Minister is a matter for the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. The Review Body is, of course, aware of the Government's undertaking last year that we would do all we could to ensure that the next pay award to the Forces would be applied in April. This remains our aim.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the proportion of gross national product spent on defence in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other Warsaw Pact countries.

There are no reliable figures for the defence expenditure of member States of the Warsaw Pact. The Soviet Union, in particular, has not been willing to take part in the United Nations Secretary-General's proposals for a pilot study on standardised reporting of military expenditure. Our assessment, however, suggests that the Soviet Union spends around 11 per cent. to 13 per cent. of its gross national product on defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on which members of the Warsaw Pact spend a larger percentage of their gross national product on defence than Great Britain.

Reliable figures for Warsaw Pact countries are not available, but we estimate that the USSR spends a larger percentage of its GNP on defence than does the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the rules governing the attendance of hon. Members at military functions.

While there are departmental guidelines on visits by hon. Members to defence establishments, it is not the intention to impose restrictions in regard to participation in social functions given by the Services, unless political activity is involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the cost of recruitment for the Armed Forces in 1978–79; and what saving this represents in real terms in relation to expenditure in previous years.

On the basis of current estimates at September 1977 prices, expenditure on recruitment to the Armed Forces during the financial year 1978–79 will be about £23 million. Discounting pay and price increases, this figure represents a saving of nearly £4 million over the corresponding figure for 1977–78.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the ability of the Royal Air Force to intercept unidentified intruders into the air space within the responsibility of the United Kingdom air defence regions.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the list of Members whom he has banned from visiting defence establishments.

There is no such list.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will meet the new German Defence Minister.

I expect to meet Dr. Apel at NATO meetings in April and May.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government intend placing additional orders for Royal Naval vessels with a view to safeguarding employment in the shipbuilding industries.

We are conscious of the contribution which defence procurement makes to maintaining employment, but the overriding aim of the Ministry of Defence must be to procure the equipment required by the Services at the right price and time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has reached a decision on whether a nuclear deterrent should be maintained when the four Polaris missile submarines become ineffective in the 1990s.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has reached a decision on whether a nuclear deterrent should be maintained when the four Polaris missile submarines become ineffective in the 1990s.

The Government have no plans for a successor to the Polaris force which has many years of effective life ahead of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, with a view to similar preparations for switching of jobs in Great Britain, he will consider the publications of the United States Government Office of Conversion, showing how towns which were dependent on arms manufacture or military bases have been successfully converted to civilian production without loss of, or with an increase in, employment.

I have not had the opportunity to study the publications mentioned, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) on 19th January 1978.—[Vol. 942, c. 289.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications for premature retirement have been received to date from officers in the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, respectively; how many of the latter are from officers based on RAF Lyneham; and whether he will make a statement.

In the calendar year 1977 applications for premature retirement were received from Services officers as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why Indonesian personnel have been given training at the Special Air Service Training Centre near Hereford.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) and to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-East (Mr. Edwards) on 8th and 9th November 1977 respectively.—[Vol. 938, cc. 63 and 105–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution the United Kingdom has made toward greater standardisation of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation weapons.

The United Kingdom has played a major part in promoting standardisation in NATO and has participated in a number of the more significant collaborative projects in the past 10 years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if, in view of local opposition to the use of RAF Greenham as a United States air tanker base, he will review the position of the RAF bases in Lincolnshire to see if this operation could be transferred to that county;(2) if, in view of the employment opportunities created by United States defence spending on bases in the United Kingdom, he will use the best endeavours of his Department to divert the United States Air Force tanker base to the Gains-borough employment exchange area.

As I explained to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) earlier today, all relevant factors including the suitability of possible alternatives will be taken into account in deciding whether RAF Green-ham Common is the best choice as a base for the purpose which the United States authorities have requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations have been made by the Government to the Governments of Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine about their growing exports of worsted and woollen cloth to the United Kingdom, and their substantial duties against British exports of worsted and woollen cloth and woollen yarn; and if he will make a statement.

These countries are all aware of the provisions of their agreements with the EEC and no such representations have been made. The question of tariffs is being considered separately as part of the multilateral trade negotiations, and it is our aim to secure reductions in these countries' tariffs on textiles.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what powers exist under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement to reduce imports of worsted and woollen cloth, especially from Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine; and if he will make a statement.

Imports of woven woollen fabrics from Hungary and the Republic of Korea are subject to quota. Im

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received about increasing exports of worsted and woollen cloth, and woollen yarn, from South America to the United Kingdom, especially Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine; and if he will make a statement.

The industry has expressed its concern about the level of imports of woollen and worsted fabrics

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the import duties on worsted, woollen cloth and woollen yarn charged by South American countries, especially Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine; if these duties were the subject of negotiations prior to the Multi-Fibre Arrangement settlement; and if he will make a statement.

The import duties charged on the goods in question are as follows:from Argentina, and these imports are being closely monitored. We are also considering with the industry whether there is a case for asking the Commission to take countervailing or anti-dumping action against Argentina.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will bring up to date the information regarding action by Middle East diplomatic posts on departmental circular OTM 11/76 contained in the Under-Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Melton dated 21st February 1977 and his subsequent letter dated 17th March.

The Middle East diplomatic posts have maintained the flow of market information for the United Kingdom construction industries. The information required is being obtained from the posts concerned and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place copies in the Library of the House for the information of hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report the maximum number of passengers a year currently handled by major international airports with only one runway in the United States of America, France, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Italy and any other relevant countries.

According to information recently published by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the following international airports overseas with only one runway handled more than 1 million passengers in 1976. Passenger information regarding the Italian one-runway airports of Florence, Naples and Turin was not published:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a further statement about the quota arrangements to be imposed under the Government's policy of reducing night disturbance at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.

As I announced on 7th November 1977, movements of the noisier aircraft—generally the first generation of subsonic jets—at Heathrow and Gatwick will be phased out over the next 10 years.The total number of permitted aircraft movements will be held constant over the next three years.The position after 1981 will be considered when the results of research into the relationship between aircraft noise and sleep disturbance are available.A jet aircraft will qualify for the quieter quota if the area in which it measures over 95 perceived noise decibels is less than 4 square miles on take-off and 2·5 square miles on landing.The quotas are as follows:

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 21st February 1978.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 21st February 1978.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements on 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 21st February 1978.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Tuesday 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his public engagements for 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Tuesday 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 21st February.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Chertsey and Walton (Mr. Pattie).

asked the Prime Minister when next he intends to meet the Confederation of British Industry.

asked the Prime Minister when he will next meet the Confederation of British Industry.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the Confederation of British Industry.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale (Mr. Noble) on 7th February.

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

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to meet the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the Trades Union Council.

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

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Radice) on 2nd February.

asked the Prime Minister when next he plans to meet the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry.

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery) on 2nd February.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will pay an official visit to Friday Hill in Chingford.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when he is next taking the Chair at the National Economic Development Council.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) on 7th February.

asked the Prime Minister which Government Department is responsible for making and carrying out emergency arrangements to deal with the accidental landing in the United Kingdom of any nuclear-powered space satellite; and if he is satisfied, in the light of recent experience, that such arrangements are adequate.

Local authorities are responsible for preparing plans to deal with the consequences of major accidents and disasters, including those involving radioactive substances. Guidance on specific problems in relation to civil emergencies is given to local authorities by the Government Department most directly concerned. There are arrangements to provide immediate expert advice and assistance in cases involving radioactivity. Consideration is being given to the provision of further guidance on contingency arrangements to deal with incidents involving nuclear-powered space satellites.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has to meet trade union leaders in Wales.

I hope to meet the Executive Committee of the Wales TUC on 1st March.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make an official visit to Dorrington.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list the responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Energy.

The Secretary of State for Energy is responsible for policies in relation to all forms of energy, including energy conservation and the development of new sources. He is responsible for the Government's relationships with the nationalised energy industries, the British National Oil Corporation and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, in addition to the sponsorship of the nuclear power construction industry and the oil industry.The Secretary of State is responsible for the Government interest in the development of the oil and gas resources on the British sector of the Continental Shelf and for the Offshore Supplies Office in its role of developing the ability of United Kingdom suppliers to meet the needs of the offshore operators. He is the chairman of the ministerial negotiation team on the North Sea and is in charge of participation talks with the oil companies licensed to operate offshore.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the present level of co-ordination between the Social Services and Environment Departments in the provision of services and facilities for the elderly.

Yes. The Department of Health and Social Security and the Department of the Environment are in close touch about the provision of services and facilities for the elderly, and are at present jointly preparing a circular to housing, health and social services authorities on the co-ordination of housing and other services for old people.

asked the Prime Minister what reply he has sent to the letter dated 7th December 1977 addressed to him by the Chairman of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration.

I wrote to Sir Ernest Woodroofe on 22nd December 1977 thanking him for the review body's interim report of 7th December. The Government now await the review body's April report.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his own personal decision not to use No. 10 Downing Street for a personal residence, showing that a Minister does not have to live on the premises, and in view of the need to restrict public expenditure and to limit incomes in cash and kind to the 10 per cent. guidelines, he will take action to ask all Ministers with houses and flats being kept at taxpayers' expense to vacate them.

I refer my hon. Friend to the replies which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment—the Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks)—gave to him earlier today and on 30th November last.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a report from Mr. Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law; and if he will make a statement.

The recommendation of the conference on the number of parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland is contained in a letter from Mr. Speaker dated 13th February 1978, which has been published today as Command Paper 7110. The Government are now considering this recommendation.

asked the Prime Minister if the matter of the loss of a file concerning the national insurance record of Mr. Norman Scott contained in the book "The Pencourt File" was amongst the matters which he described in his Answer, Official Report, 14th February, column 239, as having been thoroughly investigated.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister what changes have been made in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.

I have appointed the hon. Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) as a full Member in place of the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr). I have also appointed the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Kershaw) as a substitute Member.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what rules apply to civil servants concerning their appearance on television and radio programmes, both anonymously and officially.

The rules governing participation by civil servants in television or radio broadcasts are set out at paragraphs 9904–9912 of the Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code, a copy of which is in the Library. The rules apply whether civil servants are named or participate anonymously.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what is the number of employees in Warethorn Properties Limited; and whether they come within the scope of the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill;(2) what is the number of employees in William Squires Merchants Limited; and whether they come within the scope of the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill;(3) what is the number of employees in Mirmakin Limited; and whether they come within the scope of the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill;(4) what is the number of employees in Mastlake Limited; and whether they come within the scope of the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill;(5) what is the number of employees in Yawbrook Limited; and whether they come within the scope of the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill;(6) what is the number of employees in Lintspress Limited; and whether they come within the scope of the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill;(7) what is the number of employees in Bartram and Son Limited; and whether they come within the scope of the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill;(8) what is the number of employees in Barclay Curie and Company Limited; and whether they come within the scope of the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill;(9) what is the number of employees in Hobbs and Smith Limited; and whether they come within the scope of the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill.

I understand from British Shipbuilders that Barclay Curle & Co. Ltd. employs 346 people and that the companies referred to in the other Questions have no employees. All are within the definition of "relevant company" in the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill. The eligibility of their employees to benefit under the Bill will depend on the terms of the order.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how he was able to arrive at an average figure of £1,500 per person for payments under the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Bill if, with regard to the major benefit of length of service payments, the range of entitlement is not yet decided as notified to the hon. Member for Tynemouth on 15th February.

The illustrative cost estimate given in my reply to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop) of 7th February [Vol. 943, c. 475–8] is based, inter alia, on the likely average entitlement within the overall range given in paragraph 5 of the preliminary outline of the schemes of which I notified the House in that answer.The details of the progression within the range have not yet been decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry why in the Small Firms' Counselling Service advertisements in the Newcastle papers three of the six managerial business men shown as available to help those running businesses were shown as being available for consultation in Cockermouth, which is 80 miles from Newcastle.

The Small Firms' Counselling Service is now operating throughout the Northern Region, including Newcastle and Cockermouth, and Press publicity has been undertaken in the major regional newspapers. As coverage by Newcastle newspapers extends into Cumbria, it was decided to give publicity to the availability of counsellors in Cocker-mouth for the benefit of those firms whose owners might find it equally convenient to visit the area counselling offices in either Newcastle or Cockermouth.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the book value at the date of nationalisation of the net assets of each of the 19 companies to whom a total of £21·96 million has been paid on account of compensation; and, in each case, how this compares with the sum paid on account of compensation and what percentage the payment on account bears to the net asset value.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will describe the principal activities of Systems Programming Holdings Ltd., in which the National Enterprise Board has invested £600,000.

The company develops and produces computer software.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will describe the principal activities of Francis Shaw and Co. Ltd., in which the National Enterprise Board has invested £546,000;(2) if he will describe the principal activities of Systems Designers International Ltd., in which the National Enterprise Board has invested £184,000;(3) if he will described the principal activities of Systime Ltd., in which the National Enterprise Board has invested £504,000.

My right hon. Friend's approval was not required for these investments and these are therefore matters for the Board.

Under the provisions of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act the compensation for these companies is not related to their net assets at their respective vesting dates. The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether, in view of the fact that the safeguard regulations have obliged the Price Commission to allow Allied Breweries to increase the price of its beer by 2p a pint and that similar increases are being implemented by other major brewers, any of the brewers have indicated for how long they intend to hold these increased prices; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that, in the absence of exceptionally large unforeseen cost increases or changes in indirect taxation, Bass Charrington has offered to hold the prices of its beers for a year after the increases to be implemented later this month; similarly, Courage and Scottish & Newcastle have both offered to hold their recently increased prices until at least October. I welcome the willingness of some brewers to reduce the frequency of their price increases, compared with the last few years, and I hope that others will follow their example.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report those local authorities which have exercised their powers under the Community Land Act, detailing the amount in each case, since the passing of the Act.

For the period 1st September 1976–31st March 1977 the information is as follows. Acquisition costs are subject to confirmation from audited accounts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which regional authorities specify as a conditon of appointment to teaching posts that the candidates must have been trained at a college within the region.

The criteria to be adopted in the selection of candidates for appointment to teaching posts are a matter for the authorities themselves, but my right hon. Friend does not know of any authority which specifies that candidates must have been trained at a college of education within the region.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many evictions and warrant sales have occurred in each year over the past five years; and how many cases there have been of rent arrears outstanding in the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee in that period;(2) how many local authority arrestments of wages or social security payments in Scotland there have been in each of the past five years.

It is the management responsibility of local authorities to take measures to deal with rent arrears. Information on arrears and ways of dealing with them is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of planning applications submitted to his Department and decisions taken in each year over the past five years.

Planning applications are submitted to my right hon. Friend for decision only in accordance with directions given under Section 32 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972, normally where an issue of special importance arises. The numbers involved are as shown in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public investment in industry has taken place in Scotland over the past year.

Identifiable gross fixed capital formation by the nationalised industries in Scotland is estimated to have been £453·4 million in 1976–7, the latest year for which information is available. In addition, identifiable gross fixed capital formation by the public sector on the trade, industry and employment programme is estimated at £21·5 million. These figures do not include Government grants or loans which may have facilitated private sector investment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to place a contract for the completion of the Aberdeen—Commachmore A92 dual carriageway; when he expects work to start; and when he expects the contract to be completed.

The selection of contractors to be invited to tender for this scheme is at present in hand. I hope that the contract will be placed this summer, with a start on site soon thereafter and completion late in 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of registered disabled persons is in full-time employment in Dundee.

Information is not available in the precise form requested. At the latest count, in April 1977, 2,954 people were registered as disabled in the area of Dundee employment office, and of these 435 were registered as unemployed. Most of the remainder would be in employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what his proposals are for dealing with the inadequacies of Glasgow Sheriff Court.

I have approved plans for the building of a new sheriff court house. This project has been under examination for many years and in deciding now that it should go ahead I have agreed to a programme beginning with work on site preparation by the end of this year with construction thereafter extending to early 1985 at an estimated cost of £16·6 million. The building will meet the needs of the business of the court and its users. I fully recognise the shortcomings of the present accommodation and have in hand a number of measures which should afford substantial relief in the interval before the new building is available.First, two criminal jury courts will be brought into operation in the nearby Lanarkshire House in March. These will expedite the hearing of jury trials and will relieve the pressure on detention, jury, witness and other accommodation in the main court house building. Secondly, I have commissioned the adaptation of premises in George Street with a view to providing three summary criminal courts there in about 12 months' time. Thirdly, work is proceeding at the old Custom House to provide offices for many of the staff of the procurator fiscal who are at present accommodated in the main court house.These developments will provide much-needed relief in the central building and, I am sure, will enable the court to deal expeditiously with the business coming before it until such time as the projected new building becomes available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will institute an inquiry into the organisation of the wheelchair service in Scotland.

I have arranged for this subject to be referred to the next meeting, on 28th February, of the committee of the Scottish Health Service Planning Council concerned with aids for the disabled and to let me have a report later this year. The Committee will be asked to review the current arrangements for the recommendation, prescription, supply, repair and maintenance of wheelchairs, having regard to public expenditure constraints. The review will cover not only the arrangements for the recommendation, prescription and supply of standard wheelchairs but those for special or adapted wheelchairs for patients who are unable to benefit from standard wheel-chairs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as he is not able to give any details of the number of men in the United Kingdom whose religious beliefs and native customs entitle them to have four wives, who have brought into Great Britain more than one wife and their children, he will take action to try and obtain such information or arrange to collate it with regard to future entrants.

Collection of the information specified would be technically difficult and involve disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that it is possible for a man to bring into Great Britain four wives by claiming that his religion permits him to do this; and what check is made to prevent any man claiming that this is his religious belief when there may be strong evidence to the contrary.

Any claim to bring in a wife or wives to join a man settled in this country is based not on religious belief but on the Immigration Act and Rules and on the marriage laws.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of American citizens admitted into the United Kingdom for the longest and most convenient period of time for permanent residence and for temporary stay; in the latter case, what were the reasons for such temporary stay; and what action he has taken, or intends taking, to ensure that these citizens return when their temporary permits have expired;(2) what was, for the longest and most convenient period of time, the total number of Iranian citizens admitted into Great Britain on a permanent and temporary basis and, in the latter instance, what were the reasons and objects of their visits; and what action has been, or will be taken, to ensure that they return in accordance with their conditions of entry;(3) what was, for the latest and most convenient date, the actual or estimated number of Arabs in the United Kingdom, their countries of origin, the number that have been admitted permanently and on a temporary basis and, in the later case, the reasons and objects of their temporary stay; and what action has been, or will be taken, to ensure that these return in accordance with their temporary entry permits.

The number of passengers admitted to the United Kingdom in 1976 is given, by nationality or citizenship and by purpose of journey, in the Control of Immigration Statistics 1976 (Cmnd. 6883). Consequently figures for Arabs in the United Kingdom are not available. Selective checks are made to ensure that persons have left at the end of their permitted stay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the amounts of financial aid given to the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service in each year since its inception and, as immigration is being drastically reduced, why the 1977–78 figure has risen to £27,000; and what action is contemplated in reducing this amount, in view of the fall of immigration.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient period of time, the number of ferry boats landing at British ports of entry and the number of aliens and British passport holders admitted temporarily and permanently; and how many immigration officers were on duty to handle these entrants;(2) whether he will list in the

A count of the number of ferry boats arriving at United Kingdom ports is not kept for immigration purposes. In 1976, 3,832,870 passengers subject to immigration control were given leave to enter at United Kingdom sea and hoverports, and 6,821,806 at United Kingdom airports. The seaports, hoverports and airports specified as ports of entry for the purposes of the Immigration Act 1971 are listed in the Immigration (Ports of Entry) (Amendment) Order 1975 (S.I. 1975 No. 2221). On 31st December 1977 there were 1,144 immigration officers on the strength of the Immigration Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the growing practice of the BBC of selecting a few Members of Parliament to act as commentators and to take part in programmes which give them an unfair political advantage over their political adversaries; and whether he will, in accordance with the BBC charter, take steps to see that the tendency towards political bias is ended.

The incidence of hon. Members' participation in broadcast programmes is not a matter for me. The BBC assures me, however, that invitations to hon. Members to take part in programes take full account of its acknowledged obligation to ensure as far as practicable due impartiality in its broadcast programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants were detected as entering the United Kingdom during 1977.

Between 1st January and 15th February 1978, 146 persons were detected as having entered the United Kingdom illegally during 1977. 51 were citizens of New Commonwealth countries, 21 nationals of Pakistan and 74 nationals of other foreign countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many closed circuit television cameras are in operation in London other than those solely devoted to central integrated traffic control; where these cameras are located: whether they are in constant operation and if not on what occasions they are used; what is the cost of using the cameras; what kind of equipment is used; what type of lenses are used; what happens to the film which is taken; and if he will list the occasions when these cameras have been used from 1st January 1977 to date.

My Department has no information about the use of such equipment where it is privately owned or used by public services for which I have no responsibility. So far as the Metropolitan Police are concerned, the Commissioner informs me that nine closed circuit television cameras are available in London in addition to those primarily intended for central traffic control. They may be installed on fixed or temporary sites and are used as occasion arises to facilitate crowd and traffic control. Any film taken may be used subsequently for training purposes. The equipment and lenses are chosen from models that are commercially available. The annual cost of maintenance is approximately £6,500. Closed circuit television is also used in Metropolitan Police training establishments. A comprehensive list is not available of all the occasions on which such apparatus has been used.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it remains his intention to leave the decision-making in respect of meetings and demonstrations likely to provoke racial hostility in the hands of local chief constables or whether he intends to assume such powers.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave to Questions by the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Silvester) on 17th November and by my hon. Friend, the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) on 15th December.—[Vol. 939, c. 752 Vol. 941, c. 892.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people, including dependants, emigrated to the United Kingdom from the New Commonwealth and Pakistan in 1977.

The available information relates to the citizenship or nationality of those admitted to this country and not to the country from which they arrived.For acceptances of citizens of the New Commonwealth countries and Pakistan I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Horsham and Crawley (Mr. Hordern) on 3rd February.—[Vol. 943, c. 339–40.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the existing office and facilities available within the Premium Bond scheme, he will now take steps to initiate a national weekly lottery to absorb surplus money and assist in combating inflation and to reduce general taxation.

No. The Government would wish to have the report of the Royal Commission on Gambling, expected later this year, before considering any new arrangements for lotteries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Mr. Sever) Official Report, 19th January, column 284, on deportation, when he expects final figures for the number of deportation orders made and illegal immigrants removed in 1977 to be available.

The final figure for deportation orders made during 1977 is 1,153. The final figure for illegal entrants removed is not yet available, but will be given with the control of immigration statistics for the quarter ended 31st December 1977, which will be published next month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to the Written Answer to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Arnold) Official Report, 8th February, column 565, on immigration, if he will institute an investigation designed to quantify so far as may be the various factors which bear on the accuracy of estimates of numbers of dependants of immigrants entitled to take up residence in the United Kingdom.

The investigation carried out at my predecessor's request by the Parliamentary group under Lord Franks's chairmanship went into this matter, and I would refer the hon. Member to its valuable report published in February last year (Cmnd. 6698).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to facilitate the availability of statistics of orders for foreign manufactured cars by police forces in England and Wales.

My right hon. Friend does not propose to ask police forces to notify orders for, as well as acquisitions of, foreign cars. The number of such cars in police fleets is published annually in the report, which is laid before Parliament, of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign manufactured cars have been acquired by constabularies throughout the United Kingdom in January 1978; and if he will list the constabularies concerned.

No such acquisitions have been notified to the Home Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign manufactured motor bicycles have been acquired by constabularies throughout the United Kingdom in the last 12 months; how the figure compares with comparable periods over the past four years; and if he will list the constabularies concerned.