asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with other members of the European Economic Community the formation of a common policy on (a) entry into European Economic Community countries from outside the European Economic Community and (b) movement between European Economic Community member countries, designed to prevent or discourage the attendance at Nazi style, Ku Klux Klan or similar rallies, by persons from outside the country in which the rally is to be held.

I will bear this suggestion in mind.

Short asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why Mr. Duke was allowed to enter the United Kingdom;(2) what action he intends to take to curtail Mr. Duke's stay;(3) why Mr. Duke's name was not on the list of undesirable aliens connected with the Ku Klux Klan to be refused entry in accordance with his undertaking to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East;(4) what action he has taken to ensure that no other members of the Ku Klux Klan or any of its breakaway organisations will be allowed to enter the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to inquire into the circumstances in which Mr. David Duke managed to enter Great Britain from the United States of America, despite the earlier assurance that he would not be allowed to enter, and into Mr. Duke's evasion of arrest at the Cunard Hotel on Saturday 5th March.

I stated in reply to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Lee), Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) and Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 16th February that I had made a personal direction under the Immigration Act 1971 that a Ku Klux Klan leader, Mr. Wilkinson, should be refused leave to enter if he attempted to come to the United Kingdom, and that cases of other members identified at the ports would be referred to the Home Office for consideration in the light of all the circumstances.—[Vol. 944, c. 291–2.] It would not be practicable to list all those in the United States of America who might regard themselves as members.Mr. David Ernest Duke arrived in the United Kingdom on 2nd March. There was nothing to identify him to the immigration officer as a member of the Ku Klux Klan or any similar organisation and he was given leave to enter.When his presence became known and it became clear that the purpose of his visit was calculated to foment racial disharmony I decided that it was undesirable for him to remain here. Accord- ingly, a variation order has been made under the 1971 Act requiring him to leave the country. This has been served on him together with an explanation of his appeal rights.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which of the nine closed-circuit television cameras referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Barking on 21st February—[Official Report, c. 578]—are at present installed on fixed sites;(2) if he will specify the manufacturers and models of the nine closed-circuit television cameras referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Barking on 21st February.—[

Eight of the nine closed-circuit television cameras used by the Metropolitan Police, including those installed on the roofs of the National Gallery and the Treasury, are on fixed sites. The cameras are Pye "Lynx" models.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been found guilty of offences under Section 3(4) of the Public Order Act 1936, in each year since 1945, relating to (a) Section 3(2) and (b) Section 3(3) of the Act.

The only information available relates to persons proceeded against under all sections of the Public Order Act 1936. That information has been published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"from 1949 and is to be found in Table I(a)(iii) of the 1976 volume.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that in the year 1976–77 the Voluntary Services Unit made a grant of £22,250 to the Brixton Neighbourhood Community Association, what have been the various grants to this organisation; and at what dates.

In addition to the grant for 1976–77 the Voluntary Services Unit has made the following grants to the Brixton Neighbourhood Community Association:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been made from community relations to stated organisations in the parliamentary constituency of Lambeth, Central for the longest period of time.

The information requested is not readily available in relation to constituency boundaries. Financial assistance given by the Community Relations Commission to local authorities and other organisations, including some wholly or partly within Lambeth, Central, is listed in the Commission's annual reports for 1967–76. Similar information for 1977–78 will be available in the Commission for Racial Equality's annual report later this year. Between 1st April 1967 and 31st March 1978 a total of about £755,000 was paid to Lambeth Borough Council under Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966.The Voluntary Services Unit has made grants to community organisations in the Lambeth area as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that his staff records do not indicate the ethnic origins of the staff employed in the Home Office and its various departments, how he ensures that a reasonable proportion of staff are from the various ethnic groups in the country, thus assisting in the proper establishment of a multi-racial society and staffing within his Department.

Government policy is one of equal opportunity for employment and advancement in the Civil Service on the basis of ability, qualifications and fitness for the work. As my hon. Friend already knows, however, we shall be considering how we can monitor equality of opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the countries of birth of the three police sergeants in the Metropolitan Police Force whose ethnic origin was not British; how long these officers have been in the force, and what action has been or is being taken to increase the total number of 82 police officers from the ethnic minorities and with what results.

The three sergeants were born in the West Indies, India and the United Kingdom; they have 11, seven and five years service respectively. In 1975 and 1976 there was Press advertising to encourage members of ethnic minority groups to consider a police career. Metropolitan Police careers and community liaison officers also attach considerable importance to presenting police career opportunities to suitably qualified members of these groups. Since the end of 1975, 64 coloured officers have joined the Metropolitan Police, and the total number serving has risen from 39 to 82.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that in the year 1976–77 £50,000 was granted by the Voluntary Services Unit to the Lambeth Community Trust, what other grants were made to this organisation at stated dates for the longest and most convenient periods of time.

The Voluntary Services Unit has made no other grants to the Lambeth Community Trust.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, as a means of combating crime, saving costs and having police stationed in areas vulnerable to crime, he will meet representatives of the banks and other large financial interests to see whether they would grant to the police officer or station facilities at their premises on a non-rental or low rental basis so that eventually in almost every major road or street a policeman would be stationed.

It is for chief officers of police to decide upon ways of providing most effectively for the deployment of their officers, and they may take into account any special local needs or facilities which may be available. While special police officers meet the local needs of some areas, their provision in every major road or street would be unlikely, even if practicable, to represent the most effective use of resources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take with a view to improving television reception in the Ceiriog Valley area of the county of Clwyd.

The BBC, which, with the IBA, is primarily responsible for

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give as much information as may be available showing to what extent the stated number of metropolitan police officers who have resigned over recent years have taken their pensions to enable them to take other jobs; and how and to what extent early resignation adversely affects their pension entitlement.

A police officer who resigns with at least five years' but less than 25 years' service is entitled to a deferred pension payable at the age of extending coverage of its UHF television services, tells me it has been reviewing the most suitable way of extending television coverage to the Ceiriog Valley area. Feasibility studies are continuing, but it is too early to give any firm indication of the likely prospects for that area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to meet representatives of the Church of Scientology to discuss the ban on foreign members of the Church entering the United Kingdom.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Gould) on 6th March.—[Vol. 945, c. 454.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the up-to-date figures for Birmingham regarding the recruitment, resignations and the total numbers of police as a comparison with the establishment figure.

The authorised establishment of the West Midlands Police is 6,509 and the strength at 28th February 1978 was 5,753. Details of recruitment and wastage are as follows:60. The information requested in the first part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time which elapses between the male New Commonwealth immigrant entering the United Kingdom and his wife joining him.

Information on which to base such an estimate is not available. It is likely that the average varies substantially for immigrants of different citizenship. Some limited information on dependants from the Indian Sub-continent suggests that over a half of the sponsors of dependants granted entry clearances for settlement in 1977 had been in the United Kingdom for 10 years or more. On the other hand, it is thought that wives of United Kingdom passport holders from East Africa often accompany their husbands or join them shortly afterwards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money and grants have been made for community relations to stated organisations in the county of Essex for the longest period of time.

In the administrative area of the county council of Essex, a grant of £50 for 1977–78 has been made by the Commission for Racial Equality to Basildon community relations council, and a grant of £2,000 to the AKLOWA project in Takeley.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from the West Mercia Police Authority about the present establishment of the force under that authority; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient forces are available to enable them to perform their statutory duties satisfactorily.

I have received a detailed report of a review of the establishment involving a total increase of 330. On the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his Question on 9th March.—[Vol. 945, c. 724–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the names and addresses of the last registered owners of those vehicles whose registration and licensing records were destroyed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre at Swansea were not put on the National Police Computer with the purpose of assisting the police in the tracing of crime.

The effort, time and cost involved would have been excessive when compared with the likely benefit to the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants by the name of Patel have been admitted to permanent residence into the United Kingdom for each of the years since 1971.

This information is not available because statistics relating to the control of immigration are not classified according to the immigrant's name.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why on 31st December 1977 the West Yorkshire constabulary was 485 men, that is to say, 9·56 per cent. below its authorised establishment;(2) why, on 31st December 1977, the Thames Valley constabulary was 309 men, that is to say 10·31 per cent. below its establishment;(3) why, on 31st December 1977, the strength of the West Midlands police force was 765 men, that is to say 11·75 per cent. below its authorised establishment;(4) why, on 31st December 1977, the Derbyshire constabulary was 220 men, that is to say 12·87 per cent. below the authorised establishment;(5) why on 31st December 1977, the South Yorkshire constabulary was 265 men, that is to say 9·62 per cent. below its authorised establishment;(6) why, as at 1st December, the City of London police were 192 men, that is to say 18·75 per cent., below establishment;(7) why, as at 1st December, the Metropolitan Police department was 4,616 men, that is to say 17·33 per cent., below its establishment.

I am well aware that there have been persistent high deficiencies in some areas, notably London, the West Midlands and South and West Yorkshire. An increase in authorised establishment can cause an immediate increase in the deficiency, as in the case of Derbyshire, but the main factor is the local balance between recruitment and wastage. This is influenced not only by pay and conditions of service applying nationally but also by local circumstances, including the employment situation in the area and working conditions in the force.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the actions taken during the past two years to protect the steel industry in general and the special steel industry in particular from unfair overseas competition.

Anti-dumping duties have been imposed on stainless steel bars from Spain and non-alloy light sections from Japan. Following other anti-dumping investigations, satisfactory asssurances were received from the Spanish Government on price and tonnage levels for reinforcing bars and non-alloy light sections and flats. Similar undertakings were given to the EEC Commission by the South African Government covering a wide range of steel exports to the Community and in particular reinforcing bars and non-alloy light sections and flats to the United Kingdom.An investigation into the dumping of tool steel bars from Sweden was terminated in the light of market developments and a further investigation on high speed and tool steel from Austria was also terminated following receipt of assurances satisfactory to United Kingdom industry.Imports of a wide range of iron and steel products from the USSR and Romania have been prohibited except under individual import licence. Discussions have taken place with Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary and Poland and I am satisfied that the level of deliveries of steel in 1978 will not cause difficulties to our industry.The Commission is now engaged in negotiations with all the major suppliers of steel to the Community about the price and volume of their exports in 1978 and agreements have already been reached with EFTA countries. Meanwhile, a wide range of provisional anti-dumping duties is in force.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress is being made on the complaint made to the European Commission alleging dumping of tissue paper from Spain into the United Kingdom; and whether the British Government support the complaint.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend gave on 6th March to the hon. Member for Faversham (Mr. Moate)—[Vol. 945, c. 463–4.] We support the industry's request for an investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether it is his policy that operations at Teesside Airport should be confined to third level services, as defined in the White Paper on Airports Policy.

No. The classification of airports in the White Paper should be interpreted flexibly, since individual airports have particular functions which might change over a period of time. The White Paper suggests that Teesside Airport has a significant future, and that it should provide a range of domestic services, as well as international short-haul services where there is sufficient demand.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what information he has collected from developers, the local authority and estate agents about industrial land and buildings for sale or rent in the Coventry Area.

I have been asked to reply.Information on availability of industrial and commercial land and premises within the Coventry area for sale or rent is supplied to the regional office in a bimonthly bulletin published by the city council's department of homes and property services in conjunction with estate agents, who also answer specific queries. No information is available direct from developers. In addition we are, of course, aware of the position at Red Lane depot.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a full investigation into the disappearance of Jesus Nazareth D'Cunha from the S.S. "Canberra" on 24th February; and if he will make a statement.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 61 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970, the disappearance of Mr. D'Cunha from S.S. "Canberra" has already been the subject of an inquiry held by a superintendent of the Australian Mercantile Marine Service at Sydney. A copy of the report, which found that Mr. D'Cunha was lost at sea, believed killed or drowned, has just been received at the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen in Cardiff. I shall let my hon. Friend have a copy of the report as soon as it reaches me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many EEC scholarships have been awarded to British architects, engineers, and town planners, to learn new techniques of art conservation at the College of Europe in Bruges.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is satisfied with the current level of research and development on very large-scale integration semi-conductor technology in the United Kingdom.

Our research in this field compares well in quality and range with that in most other countries. Nevertheless, I am concerned that our research and development shall be strengthened

One.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many EEC scholarships have so far been awarded to British craftsmen to work and study at the new European Centre for Training Craftsmen in Venice.

One.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the amount the Hong Kong Government intends to spend on social services during the forthcoming year; what that figure is as a percentage of total recurrent and capital expenditure; what percentage of the total budget will be spent on public works; how much will be spent on the rented housing programme; what is the size of Hong Kong's investment in major civil engineering works in 1978–79 and if he will publish Hong Kong's budget in the Official Report.

The information requested is as follows:in line with the objectives being developed for micro-electronics through the Government's industrial strategy. My Department is preparing for a programme of collaboration with industry in support of these objectives; it will include co-operation with the Science Research Council and with the Ministry of Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many inquiries his Department has received from industrial companies for industrial development certificates in the Coventry area since January 1975:(2) what efforts have been made to encourage industrial firms to establish themselves in the Coventry area since January 1975; and with what effect;

Since January 1975 no industrial development certificates have been refused in the Coventry area and 29 have been granted for projects estimated to provide 1,270 additional jobs. This figure does not take account of employment provided by firms setting up or expanding their operations in existing premises or new buildings below the IDC exemption limit, for which I regret that comprehensive up-to-date information is not available. Industry in Coventry is eligible for assistance under the various national schemes to promote investment and to help particular industries. Under these schemes, over £900,000 has been offered to firms in the Coventry travel-to-work area. In addition, the Government have provided substantial assistance to firms of importance to Coventry such as British Leyland, Chrysler and Alfred Herbert, in order to safeguard employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if the Government advise public agencies that, in the purchase or maintenance of lifts, any preference should be given to manufacturers in receipt of Government financial help and withheld from those who are not.

The policy of my Department in awarding contracts is to obtain wherever possible the best value for money. My right hon. Friend is not responsible for the purchasing policies of any public agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will arrange to publish in the Official Report the total of direct United Kingdom private investment in each of the other EEC member countries in each of the last five years for which statistics are available.

I have been asked to reply.The available information relates to United Kingdom net direct investment overseas, excluding oil, and the latest figures for individual countries are published in Table 3.1 of Business Monitor, M4, Overseas Transactions 1975, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will arrange to publish in the Official Report the total of direct private investment in the United Kingdom by the other EEC member countries in each of the last five years for which statistics are available.

I have been asked to reply.The available information relates to overseas net direct investment in the United Kingdom other than in oil and insurance, and the latest figures for individual countries are published in Table 4.1 of Business Monitor, M4, Overseas Transactions 1975, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will make a statement as to what progress in relation to matters under his responsibility was made at the second Liverpool Inner City Partnership Meeting, held on Friday 10th March; and what topics were discussed;(2) what conclusions on matters under his responsibility were reached at the second Liverpool Inner City Partnership Meeting, held on 10th March, with regard to the establishing of the priorities which should determine the selection of projects for Liverpool's inner city programmes; and if he will make a statement.

pursuant to Mr. Alan Williams answer [Official Report, 13th March 1978], gave the following information:The second meeting of the Liverpool partnership committee, which I attended, had a useful discussion of key issues and then decided to prepare a programme of action. The committee also made arrangements to ensure that local voluntary bodies, including representatives of trade unions and management, will be fully consulted and informed about this programme. The other items on the agenda were the urban programme for 1978–79, the Inner Urban Areas Bill, and proposals for new magistrates courts.An expression of concern at the amendment to exclude county representatives voted for largely by Conservative MPs on the Standing Committee was also raised.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she next expects to meet the Chairman of the Science Research Council.

I met the chairman in December and he and I visited CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, at Geneva together last month. I shall continue to see him as occasion demands.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to be able to publish the two surveys undertaken by Her Majesty's Inspectorate on the hand ling of disruptive children in schools; and if she will make a statement.

Reports on these two surveys are currently being prepared, and we intend to publish some information and advice on good practice for schools and local education authorities as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she has any proposals for the formation of a general teaching council.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made towards the establishment of a general teaching council.

My right hon. Friend remains ready to consider, in consultation with other interests, any agreed proposals which the teachers' organisations may put forward.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied that the objectives for religious education set out by the Minister of State in his speech of 23 rd February are being achieved in local authority schools.

The pattern of religious education depends on the agreed syllabuses and experience of individual teachers, but I am broadly satisfied that all those concerned in schools are seeking to achieve such objectives. Nevertheless, some concern has been expressed about arrangements for religious education in schools. That is why I included questions on this subject in Circular 14/77.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now set up an inquiry into the state of religious education in schools.

No. We have already asked local education authorities for information about religious education as part of the review of curricular arrangements initiated by Circular 14/77.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what she estimates will be the proportion of three-and four-year-olds receiving nursery education in 1981–82.

For the purposes of forward planning the participation rate for England and Wales has been estimated at 26 per cent. In addition to the under-fives in nursery education, about 22 per cent, of three-and four-year-olds are expected to be in other classes in primary schools in 1981–82.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to announce which of the options listed in "Higher Education into the 1990s" she will adopt.

Not today. It is the purpose of a discussion document to stimulate discussion before decisions are taken, not afterwards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on future planning in higher education.

I refer the hon. Member to the discussion document "Higher Education into the 1990s", published by the Department of Education and Science, jointly with the Scottish Education Department, on 23rd February, and to the reply given earlier today to a Question from the hon. Member for Ripon (Dr. Hampson).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she proposes to convene formal regional conferences to ascertain views of her discussion document on higher education into the 1990s.

My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the proportion of higher education students who are taking scientific and mathematical subjects.

My right hon. Friend has been pleased to note that the proportion of undergraduate new entrants taking science and technology in universities has been increasing since 1975–76. The absolute number of science and technology students in higher education as a whole has also increased steadily in recent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study her Department has made of the adequacy of mathematics teaching in schools in preparation for courses in science, engineering and mathematics in higher education.

Her Majesty's inspectors published an appraisal of problems in some key subjects, including mathematics, in 1977. I also refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's announcement today, in answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) of her intention to set up an inquiry into the teaching of mathematics in primary and secondary schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how she proposes to raise the general standard of careers guidance in schools.

By a variety of means. Her Majesty's inspectors, both in their visits to schools—often jointly with careers service inspectors—and in short courses, continue to encourage the development of effective careers education, while the fourfold increase in in-service courses for teachers envisaged in the Government's expenditure plans will provide many more opportunities for training in careers work. My Department is also sponsoring a number of research projects which are expected to contribute to developments in this field, and, finally, we have asked local education authorities to report on the ways in which they are facilitating careers education and guidance, in their replies to my Department's Circular 14/77 on curricular arrangements. My right hon. Friend will be reviewing the need for further departmental action in the light of responses to this circular.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what submissions she has received from the public about the proposal to close Chantry First and Middle School, Long Elmes. Harrow Weald, Middlesex.

During the statutory two-month period for objection, my right hon. Friend received 35 objections to the authority's proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further funds she will make available for Cambridgeshire Local Education Authority, in view of conditions at the Cambridge College of Further Education; and whether she has had discussions on this matter with the local education authorities.

In consultation with the local education authorities, my right hon. Friend has already provided increased resources for the further education building programme. I am ready to consider sympathetically for that programme a suitable project submitted by the Cambridgeshire Local Education Authority to improve conditions at the Cambridge College of Further Education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will withdraw her circular letter of 27th January concerning student awards.

No. I understand that local education authorities welcome the guidance it contains as generally helpful in considering applications for mandatory awards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has completed her consultations about the Taylor Committee's Report; and when she intends to announce the outcome of her consideration of the conclusions reached by the Committee.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) on 14th February. I expect to reach conclusions on the Taylor Committee's recommendations when there have been discussions with some of those who have been consulted about the Committee's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will set up an inquiry into the development of education and training for the 16- to 19-year age group.

Central and local government, the Manpower Services Commission and the many other bodies with major responsibilities for 16–19 education and training are devoting considerable attention to this area. I have no immediate plans to set up any general inquiry covering this age group.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will now establish an inquiry into the education of 16-to19-year-olds.

Central and local government and the many other bodies with major responsibilities for 16–19 education are devoting considerable attention to this area. I have no immediate plans to set up any general inquiry covering this age group.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations she has received concerning the reintroduction of free school milk for all primary school children.

So far this year my right hon. Friend has had representations on this subject from eight right hon. and hon. Members, the Milk Marketing Board, the Sedgefield District Council and one member of the public. She is aware also of Early-Day Motion No. 157, "Free Milk for Schoolchildren."

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what financial help is available from the EEC for the provision of milk in schools; and if she will make a statement.

An EEC subsidy is payable on milk supplied to schoolchildren provided the member State is itself making a contribution and EEC regulations can be satisfied. At present the EEC subsidy is about 3p per pint where the member State is contributing at least 1½p.My Department is making arrangements to enable local education authorities to claim the subsidy and local authorities supplying free milk to junior pupils under their free-rate powers will also be able to claim it. The EEC scheme will last for five years in the first instance.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance her Department has given to local education authorities concerning the use of educational buildings and facilities during out-of-school hours; and if she will make a statement.

Circular 2/70, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member, deals with the provision of facilities for the community in educational premises; "A Study of School Building" examines ways of making fuller use of the existing stock; and the Department's architects and building branch has given design guidance in a number of publications. Many schools are already used for a variety of community activities and it is a long-standing policy to encourage local education authorities to extend this practice wherever possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the Government's proposals to introduce a scheme of public lending right for authors.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Warley, East (Mr. Faulds) on 28th February.—[Vol. 945, c. 147.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements exist between her Department and local education authorities in arranging visits by police officers to schools.

None. Such arrangements are a matter for the local education authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science wrat progress has been made in the negotiations with teachers' organisations undertaken with a view to providing a system of early retirement in the profession.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she will publish the regulations on early retirement for teachers.

The general principles of a scheme of premature retirement were agreed with the teachers' organisations and the local authority associations prior to the issue in July 1977 of a departmental circular letter outlining the intended arrangements. Regulations providing for teachers of 50 and over who retire through redundancy or in the interests of the efficient exercise of the employer's functions to be paid accrued pension benefits are expected to become operational in April. Regulations providing for the discretionary enhance- ment of these benefits are in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a further statement on provision for adult literacy beyond March 1978.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedwellty (Mr. Kinnock) on 5th December last. I would add only that the head designate of the new adult literacy unit is already in post, that the unit's management committee held a preliminary meeting last month, and that bids have been invited from providers in both the maintained and voluntary sectors, seeking support from the unit's available funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she will next meet the principals of Scottish universities.

I am always ready to meet representatives of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, of which the principals of Scottish universities are members, and I do meet them from time to time. I have no immediate plans to meet them, nor have I been invited to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to be able to make a statement on a proposed settlement relating to university teachers' salaries.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Mr. Litterick).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to receive the report on school transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to be able to make a statement on the Government's policy on school transport.

I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the answer that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bromsgrove and Red-ditch (Mr. Miller) and my. hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice she has issued to local authorities on appointments procedures for head teacher posts.

Authorities have been requested, in the Government's Green Paper "Education in Schools" (Cmnd 6869) to consider whether their present arrangements are securing the best possible appointments of head teachers, and also whether they are doing enough by way of training to foster the qualities of leadership and management that headships require.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current position on the supply of specialist trained teachers, for the short age subjects of crafts, science, mathematics and religious education.

Information about the shortage of teachers of these subjects in the current school year will become available in the autumn. In the meantime, 285 additional teachers of craft, design and technology, 170 additional teachers of the physical sciences and 450 additional teachers of mathematics are being trained under the special programmes launched last year. My Department has asked the teacher training institutions to give particular priority to the recruitment of intending teachers of mathematics and craft, design and technology, and to safeguard that of intending teachers of the physical sciences and religious education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the grants made by her Department towards research work is paid to work undertaken in Wales.

About 5 per cent.—£18 million—of my Department's expenditure on research and development in 1976–77 was undertaken in Wales. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has his own programme of educational research covering the primary and secondary sector of education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the cost of an intercalated year of study is paid for students reading for degrees in human medicine by the Medical Research Council yet no such arrangements exists for students taking degrees in veterinary medicine.

The normal arrangement is that undergraduates who intercalate a year of study receive support for that year at the discretion of their home local education authority. For many years the Medical Research Council has operated a special arrangement whereby it reimburses the cost of local authority support for selected medical and dental students of high potential because this is considered necessary to ensure an adequate supply of future academic or research workers in the medical and dental fields. I understand that the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is considering whether there is a case to be made to the Agricultural Research Council for comparable treatment of veterinarians.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action has derived to date from the "great debate" on education initiated by the Prime Minister.

In July 1977 my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I published a consultative document "Education in Schools" (Cmnd. 6869), and in November issued a joint circular inviting local education authorities to undertake a review of their curricular arrangements. There have been many other developments related to aspects of the debate. For example I established a steering committee in March 1977 to study the implications of a common system of examining at 16-plus, and I shall shortly make an announcement about the membership of a working group on the proposed Certificate of Extended Education. The phasing out of the Certificate in Education course after 1979 was announced last year. A draft circular on introducing a minimum of two A-levels together with O-level passes in English and mathematics for those wishing to train as teachers is now under discussions. A circular on information about schools for parents has been issued and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and I have issued a circular letter to local authorities about the co-ordination of provision for under-fives. The Government's expenditure plans make provision for a fourfold increase between 1977 and 1981 in the number of teachers released for in-service and induction training. One-year crash courses for qualified teachers in the shortage subjects of mathematics, science and technology have been established, and some 900 additional teachers of these subjects are now being trained. In addition, there have been developments in the work of the assessment of performance unit and the Inspectorate's work programme takes account of the major concerns arising from the "great debate."

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when, and in what manner, she expects to publish any conclusions reached by the conference at York concerning comprehensive secondary schools.

I refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Sutton, Carshalton on 17th January.—[Vol. 942, c. 242–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to publish her White Paper in response to the Expenditure Committee Report "The Attainments of the School Leaver ".

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence she has that fewer school children are now learning to swim due to some local authorities having imposed a charge on normal school visits to the local swimming baths.

No evidence on this matter is available to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effects she expects the paying of a weekly allowance of £19·50 to young people undertaking training courses as part of the youth opportunities programme to have upon the numbers of young people who would normally apply for further education courses which fall within the discretionary grant system; and if she will make a statement.

It is too early to say what effect the allowances to be paid under the youth opportunities programme may have on the numbers of young people continuing their full-time education beyond minimum school leaving age. I know that many people are concerned that the comparison between the level of discretionary awards available to these young people and the YOP allowances may lead to some who might have stayed on in full-time education deciding not to do so. On the other hand, the YOP is aimed at a different group of young people from those who normally remain in full-time education and this is reflected in the nature and scale of the programme. I shall be keeping a close watch on the trends in participation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will approve a pay settlement for teachers within the 10 per cent, guidelines, but with a productivity addition of 2½ per cent, on criteria agreed by the employing authorities and the teachers' negotiating bodies.

It is open to negotiators to consider any basis for a pay settlement that they believe to be relevant to their circumstances and consistent with the Government's pay policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the refusal of Cambridge County Council to carry out her decision under the Education Act 1976, to cease giving financial support to further places at independent schools, she will now seek an order to mandamus requiring the local education authority to perform its legal duty.

I have seen Press reports of a decision by the county council on 28th February to challenge my decision, but I have received no official communication from the council. I am sure that it will not contemplate acting unlawfully.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many special school places are currently available in Inner London for secondary school pupils found to be disruptive; and what proposals have been put forward for increasing the provision.

I am advised by the Inner London Education Authority that in helping this particular category of pupils its main concern is with needs rather than with numbers. As a consequence the authority operates a variety of arrangements some of which, but by no means all, are school-based. In about 45 secondary schools there is a "sanctuary" where, in appropriate instances, a direct effort to improve educational performance may re-establish a young person's connection with the normal work of a school. Education guidance centres have also been established. These take a total of 120 pupils usually for one term. For the more severely disruptive child the authority at present provides two units at Finsbury and Bradmede. These arrangements have recently been reviewed and the authority has set aside a sum of £1 million to meet the cost of extending them.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received during the past six months from the National Association of Schoolmasters concerning the availability of confidential files on schoolchildren for parental inspection.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much it would cost to restore the real value of the Houghton pay award of 1974 to teachers.

The cost of increasing the present salaries of primary and secondary teachers in England and Wales in proportion to the increase in the retail price index since the effective date of the Houghton award would be about £728 million, an increase of nearly 34 per cent. This does not include the extra cost to the employers of increased superannuation and national insurance contributions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give an assurance that the Warnock Committee has re-examined the definition of maladjustment in children, and has taken adequate evidence from the schools' educational psychological service which, under Circular 2/75, has the responsibility of applying the definition.

The classification of handicap was among the subjects on which the Warnock Committee invited evidence and submissions were made to the Committee by the main associations for psychologists in the school psychological service. Circular 2/75 stressed the need for close collaboration between educational psychologists and other professionals in the assessment of children's special needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what remedial provisions are being made for maladjusted children not attending boarding schools.

In January 1977, the latest date for which figures are available, 7,781 maladjusted pupils were receiving special education on d daily basis in special schools, hospital schools and independent schools, and in special classes in ordinary schools. In addition, 2,600 maladjusted children were receiving education otherwise than at school.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what means the Department of Education and Science is monitoring and controlling fees, and fee increases, charged by private boarding schools taking maladjusted pupils.

My Department does not monitor or control the fees charged by independent schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many foreign students at institutions of higher and further education are in receipt of grants from public funds;(2) what grants or other publicly-funded awards are available to students at institutions of higher and further education who are citizens of countries other than the United Kingdom.

My Department does not collect the statistical information requested since the awards for which my right hon. Friend is responsible do not depend on nationality. Mandatory awards are available to all eligible applicants who have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years before the first year of their course. Local education authorities have discretionary powers to make other awards for which they determine their own conditions of eligibility. Subject to the three-year residence rule, foreign nationals may compete for my Department's awards for postgraduate awards, and I understand the practice of the research councils is similar.Assistance is also available under the technical co-operation training programmes which are financed by my right

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities there are in England and Wales.

One hundred and five.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many people are currently employed by her Department of the rank of clerical assistant and above.

The number of non-industrial staff in my Department at clerical assistant and equivalent level and above at 1st March was 2,513.This figure includes staff at the University Grants Committee but excludes those at the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage of those on the electoral register in each Scottish region and in the Islands areas who (a) voted Yes, (b) voted No, and (c) abstained in the June 1975 referendum on European Community membership.

On the basis of the number of names on the electoral registers, excluding Service voters, the information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what advice he gives to local authorities on providing houses to officers in the Prison Service on retirement;(2) what advice he gives to local authorities on providing houses to personnel in the Armed Forces on the conclusion of their service.

Local authorities have been asked to assess sympathetically applications for housing from personnel, especially family men, when they leave either the Armed Forces or the Prison Service. The Green Paper "Scottish Housing" (Cmnd. 6852) sets out proposals for a major study of allocation policies and practices which I would expect to examine the special problems faced by all those in tied accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the amount collected in rates in each region during 1977.

The estimated amounts to be collected from ratepayers, excluding domestic water rates, in respect of the financial year 1977–78 in each region and islands area, including district council rates, are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of collecting rates in each region during 1977.

The estimated net cost, at November 1976 prices, for each regional and islands council for the financial year 1977–78 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of assessing property for rateable purposes in each region in 1977.

The estimated net cost, at November 1976 prices, for each regional and islands council for the financial year 1977–78 is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the status of the Moss Morran project in Fife which has been designed to use feedstock from the North Sea for petrochemical production.

Planning applications were lodged last year. In view of the national importance of the proposals, I called in the applications and am now considering the report of the public inquiry held into them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now issue to local authorities a suitably amended version of the Department of the Environment's circular of guidance on the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act in addition to the shortened version he has already sent out.