asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to create a package of statutory tenants' rights for local authority tenants in the Principality.

The Government propose to introduce legislation covering a number of subjects arising from the Green Paper on housing policy, including a package of legal rights for public sector tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications for arbitration have been made in Wales under the succession of tenancies section of the Agriculture Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976; and what were the results.

There have been 55 applications to the Agricultural Land Tribunal for direction under Section 20(5) and (6) between 1st January 1977 and 31st May 1978. No information is available on the number of applications for arbitration because the parties can themselves agree on an arbitrator. No applications have been made to my right hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the future prospects of the United Kingdom turbine manufacturing industry.

Future prospects will depend on the level of home and export orders. At home the order for Drax B will be followed by orders for nuclear plant consequent upon the decision on thermal reactor choice. As regards exports the Government will continue to do all it can to help the industry win orders following those recently announced for Hong Kong and South Korea.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has received any further requests for support for new civil aircraft projects since that from British Aerospace concerning the HS146.

The proposal by British Aerospace regarding the HS146 is a request for approval of the project, not financial support. My right hon. Friend has received no proposals relating to other new civil aircraft projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, whether he will now announce the future of the HS 146 project; and, in particular, whether he contemplates international co-operation in aspects of production.

I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's comments during the debate on Community documents on the aeronautical sector on 28th June—[Vol. 952, c. 1463.]

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress he has made towards rationalising the shipbuilding industry; and if he will make a statement.

It is the responsibility of British Shipbuilders to produce a corporate plan for the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement on the future development of regional policy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his Question on 15th May—[Vol. 950, c. 15–17.]

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many firms have been financially supported by the National Enterprise Board; how much money was involved; how many firms have gone into liquidation; and how much money has been lost in those liquidations.

These are matters for the NEB; but the 1977 annual report, laid before the House on 4th May, gives a great deal of information.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress was made at the Council of Ministers meeting of 6th June on the non-national quota section of the European Regional Development Fund; and what was the policy of Her Majesty's Government in discussions on the future of the Fund.

At the Council of Foreign Ministers on 6th June, it was agreed that up to 5 per cent. of the money available for the European Regional Development Fund should be allocated outside the national quotas.The Government continue to support the Fund and the assistance which it is

	Members' expenses during 12 months to 31st March 1978 £	Other main constituent costs during the same period £
Advisory Committee on the Census of Production	95	112 (estimated)
Advisory Committee for the Paper and Board Industry Scheme.	90	(b)
Advisory Council on Calibration and Measurement	283	(b)
China Clay Council	Information not available: public funds.	no costs fall on
Clothing Industry Scheme Advisory Board	133	(b)
Committee for Industrial Technologies	138	1,430
Committee for Materials Handling	1,775
Corrosion Committee	2,968
Committee of Enquiry into the Engineering Profession	2,873	2,107
Cotton Industry War Memorial Trust	Information not available: no costs fall on public funds.
Design Council	Costs are met from a grant-in-aid which amounted to £1,982,000 in the financial year 1977–78. Members' expenses are a matter for the Council.
Design Council Scottish Committee
Electronic Components Instrumentation and Automation Industry Support Schemes Advisory Board.	74	51
Industrial Development Advisory Board	Nil	(b)
Industrial Technologies Education and Training Committee.	2,856	400
Information and Publicity Committee	Nil	Nil
Laboratory of the Government Chemist Requirements Committee.	(a)	(b)
Manufacturing Machinery Advisory Committee	185	(b)
Manufacturing Advisory Service Steering Committee	284	(b)
National Committee on Computer Networks	823	49,759
National Electronics Council	Nil	32,241
National Maritime Institute Board	Nil	(b)
Non-Ferrous Foundry Scheme Advisory Committee	155	(b)
Northern Industrial Development Board	2,645	(b)
North West Industrial Development Board
South West Industrial Development Board
Yorkshire and Humberside Industrial Development Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the bodies for which his Department is responsible which would fulfil all the criteria for inclusion in "A Directory of Paid Public Appointments Made By Ministers", produced by the Civil Service Department, except for the fact that those appointed are not paid; in respect of which of these bodies expenses are paid; what those expenses amounted to in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what were all the other main constituent costs.

The information so far as it is available is below. In principle all Members who my right hon. Friend appoints are entitled to reimbursement of expenses necessarily incurred in the course of carrying out the duties of their appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, taking into account the persistent high rate of unemployment in the Mexborough and district employment exchange area, if he will now give permission for another advance factory to be built.

Within the Mexborough travel-to-work area there are already two 15,000 sq. feet advance factories available at Goldthorpe and a 15,000 sq. feet terraced block and two 5,000 sq. feet factories are shortly to be built there. I will certainly keep the needs of the area under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what expansion he expects to provide for male employment opportunities in Consett and Stanley, County Durham, in the current financial year.

About 190 of the jobs forecast to be provided by regional selective assistance offered under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 are likely to be filled by men.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many applications for loans under the Industrial Common Ownership Act 1976 have been submitted to him; and how many have been approved.

The Act authorises the Secretary of State to make available up to £250,000 over five years to assist with the provision of small loans to worker-controlled enterprises. The scheme is administered by Industrial Common Ownership Finance Ltd. (ICOF), which has made five successful applications for funds to on-lend to co-operative and common ownership enterprises.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many persons in the United Kingdom are awaiting the installation of a telephone; and how long they have been waiting on average.

This is a matter for the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what procedure is followed to review the level of the cost-per-job limits imposed on any individual offer of regional financial assistance under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 in order to keep the ceiling on offers in line with inflation.

My Department is able to review and, with the agreement of the Treasury, to amend the cost-per-job limit when it is considered appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the cost-per-job limits imposed on any individual offer of regional selective financial assistance under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 were arrived at as a result of a bilateral negotiation with the European Commission or as a result of a general arrangement whereby similar limits were imposed on offers of regional aid by other EEC Governments.

United Kingdom regional aids, like those operating in other member States of the EEC, are required to conform to the provisions laid down in the "Principles of Co-ordination of Regional Aid Systems", R/650/75, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.This document was formulated by the Commission jointly with the member States.The cost-per-job limit conforms with the EEC requirements, although it was not a subject of negotiation as such with the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry why the Government regard the level of cost-per-job limits imposed on any individual offer of regional financial assistance to industry under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 as confidential.

It is not usually necessary to offer the maximum incentives available under selective financial assistance to persuade companies to implement their projects. Thus, the cost-per-job limit is confidential in order to retain flexibility in these negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the effect of public services of the strike by Post Office engineers.

The Post Office advises me that there is no general disruption of services but the industrial action already taken by the Post Office Engineering Union has had some effect on the provision of new telephone and telex services and its decision to ban overtime working is likely to delay the clearing of faults.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many motor cars were manufactured in Great Britain in each of the past 10 years; and how many of these were exported.

The information is as follows:

thousands
	Total cars produced in the United Kingdom	—of which produced for export*
1968	1,816	803
1969	l,717†	824
1970	1,641	723
1971	1,742	714
1972	1,921	613
1973	1,747	605
1974	1,534	596
1975	1,268	532
1976	l,333†	565
1977	1,316	563
* These figures may differ from exports recorded in the Overseas Trade Statistics because of differences in timing and coverage.
† 53 weeks' production.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the profit or loss of British Shipbuilders from its commencement of trading up to the latest date for which this information has been supplied to him.

British Shipbuilders has informed me that its accounts for 1977–78 will show substantial losses on contracts entered into before nationalisation covering tonnage delivered in 1977–78 and that still to be completed in the current and future years. The corporation's accounts will not be finalised for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, pursuant to evidence given by the Permanent Secretary of his Department to the Public Accounts Committee, what departmental machinery exists to ascertain whether civil servants profit from knowledge acquired during the course of their duties; when machinery was instituted; and if he will make a statement.

The Department's staff rules refer to the fact that commercially confidential information is held by the Department and stress that great care must be taken by staff to avoid even the suspicion of improper use of that information for private purposes. Staff are required under the rules to consult the Department's establishment division about the acquisition or retention of any shareholding which might cause legitimate public concern, and in particular to disclose their interest if they come into official contact with any matter concerning a business organisation in which they have an interest, for example, a shareholding. These rules are based on the general requirement that a civil servant must not make use of his official position to further his private interests, and are of very long standing.Any civil servant in breach of the rules would be liable to disciplinary action.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the net salary, assuming the post to be held by a married man with no dependent children, in real terms, of the managing director and other board members of Cable and Wireless Limited in 1972 and 1978, taking 1972 as the base year; and how many places on the board are currently unfilled.

The net salaries, assuming each post to be held by a married man with no dependent children, of the managing director and of a member of the board of Cable and Wireless Limited in 1972 were £6,906·81 and £5,684·72, respectively, the latter calculated from the average of the gross salaries of full-time members.The comparable figures for 1978 in real terms, using 1972 as the base year, are £3,643 and £3,247, respectively.There are two vacancies in the formal number—12—of board members.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the net salary, assuming the post to be held by a married man with no dependent children, in real terms, of (a) the chairman, (b) the deputy chairman and (c) other board members of the British Steel Corporation in 1972 and 1978, taking 1972 as the base year; and how many places on the board are currently unfilled.

Assuming each post to be held by a married man with no dependent children, the net salaries of the chairman, deputy chairman and members of the board of the British Steel Corporation in 1972 were £12,735·08, £10,615·06 and £9,420·50 respectively, the last figure being calculated from the average of the salaries of full-time members. The comparable figures for 1978 in real terms, using 1972 as the base year, are £5414, £5066 and £4863 respectively. The Iron and Steel Act 1975 lays down that the Corporation shall consist of a chairman, and not less than seven or more than 20 other members. At the moment there are nine members other than the chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many civil servants in his Department have travelled first class by air on official business in each of the past three years; what was the cost of theilr tickets; and how much would have been saved if they had travelled economy class.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what information he has on the level of utilisation of plant in the chemical industry.

The actual level of plant utilisation varies between companies and individual products, but I am aware that it is relatively low in some sectors.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if, in his recent successful negotiations with the Australian Government for the supply of uranium ore to the United Kingdom, he ensured that the Australian Government were aware of the relevant conditions imposed by the Euratom Treaty;(2) whether the agreement recently concluded between him and the Australian Government for the supply of uranium ore to the United Kingdom is compatible with the terms of the Euratom Treaty;(3) whether he has notified the European Commission of the terms of the agreement recently concluded between Her Majesty's Government and the Australian Government for the supply of uranium ore to the United Kingdom;(4) whether the safeguards to be applied to the uranium ore which will be supplied to the United Kingdom by the Australian Government following the recent agreement between the two Governments will be co-ordinated with the safeguard arrangements applied either by the International Atomic Energy Agency or by Euratom;(5) whether the safeguards to be applied to the uranium ore to be supplied by the Australian Government contain provisions for the free movement of the ore or any of its derivatives amongst the nine member states signatory to the Euratom Treaty;(6) if he will publish the terms of the agreement between the United Kingdom and Australian Governments for the supply of uranium ore in regard to the safeguards which the Australian Government are imposing on the use of the ore;(7) when he concluded the recent agreement with the Australian Government for the supply of uranium ore to the United Kingdom;

A nuclear safeguards agreement between the United Kingdom and Australia has been initialled by officials. Discussions on the terms of an exchange of notes between the United Kingdom and Australia on uranium supply are taking place and I hope will soon be successfully concluded. Information on these exchanges would then be made public. Any uranium supplied following these exchanges would be subject to the safeguards agreement.The Australian Government are aware of the conditions imposed by the Euratom Treaty on the supply of uranium to Community countries. The safeguards agreement that has been initialled contains specific provisions to meet the requirements of the Euratom Treaty. A copy of that agreement has been communicated to the Commission. Compliance with the agreement will be ensured by a system of safeguards applied by Euratom and the International Atomic Energy Agency in accordance with the Safeguards Agreement concluded on 6th September 1976 between the United Kingdom, Euratom and the Agency. Agency safeguards do not apply to uranium ores but commence at the stage of the fuel cycle where the material is of a composition suitable for fuel fabrication or isotopic enrichment. Euratom safeguards cover the whole fuel cycle including uranium ores.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what was the net salary, assuming the post to be held by a married man with no dependent children in real terms, of (a) the chairman, (b) the deputy chairman and (c) other board members of the Atomic Energy Authority in 1972 and 1978, taking 1972 as the base year; and how many places on the board are currently unfilled;(2) what was the net salary, assuming the post to be held by a married man with no dependent children, in real terms, of (

The information is being prepared and I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many civil servants in his Department have travelled first class by air on official business in each of the past three years; what was the cost of their tickets; and how much would have been saved if they had travelled economy class.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The only civil servants normally entitled to travel first class by air are those graded under secretary and above, and also those at assistant secretary level when making flights of at least four hours flying time without a break. Other civil servants are allowed to travel first class only if, for example, it is essential that they accompany a more senior officer who is himself entitled to first class travel.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will investigate the level of mortality among hon. Members since October 1974, compared with an analogous group in similar organisations, accounting for any differences.

I do not think that the number of deaths of hon. Members since October 1974 would provide a sufficient basis for comparison. Over the period 1945–78, however, the mortality amongst Members of Parliament has been at about the level experienced by similar occupational groups.

asked the Lord President of the Council if the use of House of Commons official paid envelopes to send to all hon. Members a document emanating from a body styled "Committee for the Release of Ida Nudel" was in accordance with Services Committee rules.

No. Official paid envelopes should not be used for circulars of any kind whatsoever.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further measures he proposes to take to conserve fish stocks in United Kingdom waters.

The Government have sought the Commission's approval, in accordance with agreed procedures, to the following measures which are necessary to conserve fish stocks within United Kingdom fishery limits:

(a) a ban on all direct fishing for herring within United Kingdom fishery limits off the West of Scotland—ICES area VIa—with the exception of the Clyde stock, to come into effect on 6th July 1978;

(b) a reduction in the maximum permitted by-catch of protected species in small-mesh fisheries from 20 per cent. to 10 per cent. by weight, with the exception of nephrops fisheries, to come into effect within United Kingdom fishery limits on 11th July 1978;

(c) an extension for the period from 1st October to 31st March of the Eastern boundary of the current prohibited area for Norway pout fishing from the Greenwich meridian to 2 degrees East in waters under United Kingdom sovereignty or jurisdiction; and

(d) the prohibition in all waters within United Kingdom fishery limits of the use of nets of less than 70-mm mesh for fishing for nephrops from 1st November 1978.

The Commission's approval may be sought for further measures considered by Her Majesty's Government to be necessary for the conservation of fish stocks in waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. In this context the Government are considering the need to strengthen existing provisions on the enforcement of the minimum mesh size regulations including carriage of nets of more than one mesh size and the need to regulate herring fishing in the Irish Sea.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total acreage of the 1978 potato crop; and what was the acreage in each of the last four years.

It is as yet too early to be precise, but the Potato Marketing Board now estimates that about 447,000 acres—181,00 hectares—have been planted by registered producers in Great Britain. The comparable figures in the years 1974 to 1977 were as follows:

1974	…	467,000 acres (189,000 hectares)
1975	…	445,000 acres (180,000 hectares)
1976	…	482,000 acres (195,000 hectares)
1977	…	491,000 acres (199,000 hectares)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the annual import of potatoes in each of the last five years; and what is his estimate of 1978 potato imports.

				1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
Seed potatoes	ߪ	ߪ	ߪ	2,904	3,901	4,636	2,335	10,526
New potatoes	ߪ	ߪ	ߪ	225,795	228,399	187,938	257,413	360,772
Other potatoes	ߪ	ߪ	ߪ	3,510	2,163	181,043	371,251	216,783

It is difficult at this stage of the calendar year to estimate total imports for the whole year, but on the basis of the figures so far the Potato Marketing Board's forecast is that imports of new potatoes will be between 330,000 and 350,000 tonnes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total value of food and feedstuff imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; what percentage of these annual amounts was in respect of indigenous food; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is as follows:

		Value of food and feed imports into United Kingdom in £million	Value of indigenous food as percentage of food and feed imports into United Kingdom
1973	…	2,710	58·7
1974	…	3,356	57·8
1975	…	3,920	63·5
1976	…	4,495	58·2
1977 (prov.)	…	5,383	54·0

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Fod whether other EEC countries collect charges for poultry meat inspection through a central Government tax or a tax levied through local authorities; and if EEC countries recover cost on a uniform basis or not.

We have only limited information on the extent to which charges are made for poultry meat inspection in other EEC countries and on how such charges are made. It is apparent,

Total imports into the United Kingdom in the last five years were as follows:—however, that charging practices vary from country to country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how costs of recruiting and training poultry meat inspectors, and of inspectors under the Poultrymeat Hygiene Regulations will be recovered before August 1979 and after August 1979.

For the phasing-in period for poultrymeat inspection, due to be completed in August 1979, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett) on 30th June. After the service is established, it is intended that the cost of maintaining it should be covered in the charges made by local authorities for inspection.

asked the Minister for Agriculture. Fisheries and Food how many civil servants in his Department have travelled first class by air on official business in each of the past three years; what was the cost of their tickets; and how much would have been saved if they had travelled economy class.

This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Minister or the Civil Service (1) what obligations there are on civil servants to declare shareholdings, directorships and other business interests held by their spouses, especially where those interests are directly relevant to the official duties of the civil servant; and if he considers such a register of business interests to be necessary;(2) what rules govern the holding of shares, or other financial interests, by spouses of civil servants; and if there are any particular rules applying to the spouses of civil servants engaged in duties relating to the issuing of public financial assistance to private companies.

It is a fundamental principle of the rules which govern these matters in the Civil Service that civil servants must not subordinate their duty to their private interests, neither are they to put themselves in a position where their duty and their private interests conflict, and they must not make use of their official position to further those interests. Moreover, an officer who comes into official contact with any matter concerning a business organisation in which he has an interest must disclose his interest to his Department. Subject to this, there are no specific restrictions on the outside business interests of civil servants. It is the implicit and well understood assumption that private interests may include those of a spouse The rules which are especially relevant are at paragraphs 9870, 9874 and 9876 of the Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code, a copy of which is in the Library. Given the clear requirement to disclose interests, I see no need for a general register of inter-

Department	Press	Television	Radio	Cinema	Posters
	£	£	£	£	£
1973–74
Ministry of Defence	2,892,000	1,250,500	5,800	3,000	119,600
Department of Education and Science	22,000	—	—	—	—
Department of Employment	342,900	—	—	—	1,200
Department of the Environment	962,100	1,630,900	15,200	31,800	293,200
Department of Health and Social Security	597,000	146,100	—	83,200	7,900
Home Office	977,100	427,500	—	—	10,800
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications	11,000	119,000	—	—	—
Scottish Office	157,000	258,000	—	—	—
Department of Trade and Industry	1,180,400	1,734,200	17,300	—	—
Treasury	71,600	—	—	—	—
Welsh Office	4,600	—	—	—	—
1974–75
Civil Service Department (Counter-Inflation Publicity Unit)	2,900	—	—	—	—
Ministry of Defence	2,873,900	1,313,300	7,000	4,100	12,900
Department of Education and Science	23,200	—	—	—	—
Department of Employment	741,100	13,500	—	—	9,500
Department of Energy	402,100	1,019,900	—	—	—
Department of the Environment	506,200	1,785,400	15,800	—	300,800
Department of Health and Social Security	646,800	80,600	2,000	102,200	17,700
Home Office	994,300	558,700	2,200	—	—
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications	1,900	—	—	—	—
Scottish Office	135,000	199,000	4,000	—	—
Department of Trade and Industry	508,400	—	—	—	6,600
Welsh Office	2,800	—	—	—	—

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many representations he has received in the current year on dispersal of civil servants.

I have received about 16 representations about the dispersal of Government work this year.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will give figures for Government advertising in each year since 1964, broken down by Department and type of advertising.

I regret that information in the form requested by the hon. Member could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, over the past five years the amounts spent on advertising by the main Government Departments were as follows:

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what effect cuts in the scientific manpower of the Civil Service have had an recruitment and promotion prospects.

In terms of the number of vacancies advertised, recruitment in 1976 and 1977 was reduced to 40 per cent. and 45 per cent. respectively of the 1975 level. Promotion rates also appear to have been significantly lower in the science group and others, as Departments have been adjusting to the cuts, but in the longer term this factor should not significantly affect prospects.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he is satisfied with the operation of the Public Appointments Unit.

Yes. Since it was set up three years ago it has made, and continues to make, good progress.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what action he is taking to prevent the loss by the Civil Service of experienced and skilled manpower resulting from provisions for compulsory retirement on the ground of age.

In the Civil Service there is a minimum retirement age of 60, at which time an officer may retire at his or her own wish or be retired at the instigation of the employing Department. Staff who are fit, efficient and wish to continue working, and for whom there are posts available, may be retained up to age 65 at the discretion of the head of each Department. As part of the Government's policy to reduce national unemployment, rules were introduced last year which require all civil servants to retire not later than age 65. Exceptions to this policy may be made to meet the overriding needs of the service, and staff may be retained until an appropriate replacement is available. The Civil Service retirement policy is sufficiently flexible to allow Departments to maintain continuity of experience and skills.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what inquiries are made into the business activities and interests of those who apply for appointment to the Civil Service prior to their appointment; and if these procedures have been in force since February 1975.

In any competition for permanent appointment to the Civil Service, the Civil Service Commissioners ask every candidate to give full details of his career history. Where appropriate, they also seek references from current and previous employers, and from personal nominees of the candidate. Unless their attention were to be specifically drawn to a candidate's business activities or interests, however, they would not normally investigate in detail the personal circumstances of that applicant.These procedures have been in force for a number of years.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants in his Department have travelled first class by air on official business in each of the past three years; what was the cost of their tickets; and how much would have been saved if they had travelled economy class.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The only civil servants normally entitled to travel first class by air are those graded under-secretary and above, and also those at assistant secretary level when making flights of at least four hours flying time without a break. Other civil servants are only allowed to travel first class if, for example, they necessarily travel in the company of a more senior officer who is himself entitled to first-class travel. I am, however, satisfied that the number of first-class air flights made by members of my Department is very limited.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many Government employees come within his responsibility, and how many do not.

The Minister for the Civil Service has a range of responsibilities in relation to expenditure on remuneration for Civil Service staff employed by central Government Departments and in relation to their terms and conditions of employment. The number of Civil Service staff in post on 1st April 1978, the nearest available date, was 735,700. However, the responsibilities of the Minister for the Civil Service extend in certain matters beyond the boundaries of the Civil Service itself. In some cases he has certain responsibilities for manpower numbers or pay or grading questions. He also has responsibilities in relation to superannuation, for example approving pension schemes which affect many employees throughout the public service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has given or will give the approval necessary to ensure that the new Coquet High School at Amble, Northumberland, will be ready to open in September 1980.

My right hon. Friend approved this proposal on 30th June.

				1975	1976	1977
Number of officials	…	…	…	10	8	6
				(17 journeys)	(32 journeys)	(20 journeys)
Cost First Class	…	…	…	£2,750	£3,760	£3,330
Saving by economy class	…	…	…	£920	£1,100	£1,115

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what account was taken of the additional financial burden that would fall upon parents of sixth formers now at Lytchett Minster comprehensive school if they were required to attend a sixth form college at Poole; and what figure was arrived at before the issue of the relevant Section 13 notice.

My right hon. Friend took account of all relevant factors before deciding not to approve the proposal to change the age range of pupils for whom education is provided at Lytchett Minster school from 11–16 to 11–18.As the school has never had a sixth form the question of additional travelling costs is hypothetical. Pupils wishing to continue their education beyond the age of 16 currently travel to Wimborne, which is further away than Poole.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what has been the ratio of teachers to administrative personnel in the education service for each of the past three years;(2) what has been the ratio of teachers to administrative personnel in North Yorkshire for each of the past three years;(3) what has been the ratio of teachers to administrative personnel in Cleveland for each of the past three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many civil servants in her Department have travelled first class by air on official business in each of the past three years; what was the cost of their tickets; and how much would have been saved if they had travelled economy class.

The information is as follows:

The information for individual local education authorities is not available. For England and Wales, the ratio of full-time teachers and lecturers to full-time non-manual, non teaching staff employed by local education authorities was respectively, January 1976, 4·85:1; January 1977, 4·85:1; 1978, 4·95:1. The latter include advisers, technicians, librarians and domestic staff. Numbers of administrative personnel are not separately available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total amount of moneys paid by all local authorities to universities, colleges and polytechnics for use by student unions in each of the last five years.

This information is not available. However, it is estimated that the total cost to public funds of student union membership fees for full-time students in the United Kingdom was about £13 million for the 1976–77 academic year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what has been the average expenditure per pupil in North Yorkshire for each of the past three years;(2) what has been the average expenditure per pupil in Cleveland for each of the past three years;

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Ripon, Official Report, 26th May, column 779, why no separate costing record is maintained for wider opportunities courses when unit costs are available for all other Manpower Services Commission schemes.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that a system for producing current costing information is being installed. Until then assessments are made of average place costs in arrears. The assessed cost of a wider opportunities course place, assuming full occupancy, for 1976–77 in skill-centres was £4,500 per annum. This includes the average trainee allowance of £1,900 per annum.I shall write to the hon. Member shortly about the number of persons completing wider opportunities courses with the estimated annual cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the bread strike in the West of Scotland.

I understand that the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has arranged discussions

The net institutional recurrent costs per pupil at maintained schools in England and Wales were as follows:between the parties under the independent chairmanship of Professor Ian Buchanan but that these have not so far led to a settlement. ACAS is continuing to maintain close contact with both sides.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much money has been allocated to the Manchester Area Board for (a) the youth opportunities programme, and (b) the special temporary employment premium; how it is expected that money will be spent; and whether he will make a statement.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that a total of £9 million has been allocated to the Greater Manchester and Lancashire Area for the youth opportunities programme and £2·9 million for the special temporary employment programme. Area boards will ensure that resources will be distributed in proportion to the numbers of unemployed people in each LEA area and are currently preparing final plans for the provision of opportunities under the programme. These plans will be considered by the Special Programmes Board at its next meeting on 24th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people he expects to be looking for work training in the Manchester area in the current year; and what are their prospects of obtaining regular work, training or a place on the youth opportunities programme.

It is estimated that this year approximately 34,000 young people will leave school at the statutory school leaving age in the Greater Manchester area. It is not yet possible to estimate the proportions who will go into further education, obtain regular employment or training or be offered a place on the youth opportunities programme. However, in 1977 83 per cent. of the school leavers in Greater Manchester who registered as unemployed in July had found employment or places in full-time education or training by December. It is the Government's firm intention that no Easter or summer school leaver who is still unemployed the following Easter should be without the offer of a place in the youth opportunities programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many awards have been made on claims for pay increases under the provisions of Schedule 11 to the Employment Protection Act 1975; how many workers have thereby had their pay increased; and by what average amount.

My Department has received details of 329 awards made up to the end of May 1978. In 240 the claim was established, either wholly or in part, and of these 180 were concerned solely with increases in pay rates. About 39,000 workers have been affected, of whom about 8,500 received marginal improvements in holiday entitlements. I regret that the information contained in published awards is not adequate to calculate the average amount of pay increases.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list the major claims made under Schedule 11 to the Employment Protection Act 1975 which have resulted in awards being made by the Central Arbitration Committee.

Trade unions making claims under the "general level" provision of Schedule 11 often do not quantify their claim. The numbers affected by individual claims also vary substantially. It is difficult therefore to distinguish "major" claims from others.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will carry out a study into the part-time employment of schoolchildren under 16 years of age with the aim of preventing their exploitation; and if he will make a statement.

I am not convinced that a study by my Department of the wages paid to schoolchildren under 16 years of age in part-time employment would be justified at present. Questions about the hours of employment of school-children under 16 years of age should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state what the figure for unfilled vacancies would have been in the last published unemployment statistics if all vacancies had been notified by employers to employment offices and job centres.

Vacancies notified to job centres and employment offices are estimated to be about one third of all vacancies but it is not possible to make a precise estimate of total vacancies on a month to month basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will encourage all public bodies to notify every job vacancy to their local employment office or job centre.

I and my colleagues are convinced of the importance of the MSC's employment service being notified of as many vacancies possible from both the public and private sector. The greater the range and number of vacancies available through the public employment service the greater is the scope to help unemployed job seekers. In our contacts with public bodies therefore we take the opportunity to encourage them to use the services provided by the MSC.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the latest comparable percentage figures for unemployment in each of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries for which adjusted unemployment rates are available from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development sources.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 26th June to the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Knox)—[Vol. 952, c. 393.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the major pay settlements reached in the past year in both the public and private sectors which are monitored by his Department, the details of which it would not be helpful to publish, as stated in his answer to the right hon. Member for Farnham on Tuesday 13th June, was: (a) above the approved guideline and (b) contained agreements regarding the minimum size of pay settlements to be granted after the current pay-round.

In terms of employees covered, the proportion of settlements since 31st July 1977 above the guidelines is less than 2 per cent.; no tally is kept of any agreements regarding increases after the current round, which, apart from those in which the Government have already taken decisions, will fall to be considered in relation to pay policy at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the total number of firms employing: (a) one to 99 employees, (b) 100 to 999 employees, and (c) over 1,000 employees, for each of the following years, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1978.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many civil servants in his Department have travelled first class by air on official business in each of the past three years; what was the cost of their tickets; and how much would have been saved if they had travelled economy class.

The records of reimbursement of travel costs incurred by civil servants in my Department do not differentiate between the various forms of transport used. I am, therefore, unable to give the information requested. The only civil servants normally entitled to travel first class by air are those graded under-secretary and above, and also those at assistant secretary level when making flights of at least four hours flying time without a break. Other civil servants are only allowed to travel first class if, for example, they have to accompany a more senior officer who is himself entitled to first-class travel.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what legislative proposals he has for increasing the fines on employers who refuse to make complete returns to local authorities about the number of workers they employ.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th June 1978; Vol. 952, c. 518], gave the following information:I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Commission is currently preparing new legislative proposals to replace Section 133 of the Factories Act 1961. It is usual for the enforcement provisions, including fines, of subordinate health and safety legislation to follow those in the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, some of which have recently been increased by the Criminal Law Act 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people were on the disabled persons register in May of each year from 1961 to 1978; how many were employed and how many unemployed; what percentage of the total working population was represented by the number registered; and what percentage of firms was satisfying the disablement employment quota at each date.

pursuant to his reply (Official Report, 29th June 1978; Vol. 952, c. 643], gave the following information:I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that no comprehensive information is available about the number of registered disabled people in employment. Theoretically it should be possible to obtain this information by subtracting the number of registered disabled people unemployed from the total number on the register. However, it is not possible to give a precise estimate because the register can never be fully

Year		Number on the register of disabled persons in April	Number of unemployed registered disabled people in May	Number of people on the disabled persons register as a percentage of the total working population	Number and percentage of firms fulfilling their quota as at 1st June
		(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
1961	…	666,454	51,880	2·69	40,260(61·4)
1962*	…	656,402	51,143	2·62	21,204(57·9)
1963*	…	653,362	61,034	2·59	20,458 (57·9)
1964	…	655,878	54,070	2·59	35,489(54·8)
1965	…	658,925	46,522	2·58	35,323 (53·2)
1966	…	654,483	43,956	2·55	33,915(51·7)
1967	…	655,379	57,808	2·58	31,156(47·7)
1968	…	654,788	64,907	2·59	29,584(46·3)
1969	…	645,545	67,611	2·55	28,152(44·5)
1970	…	634,336	71,847	2·52	27,168 (42·7)
1971	…	620,691	80,915	2·49	26,155(41·8)
1972	…	610,107	88,939	2·47	25,385(42·2)
1973	…	597,305	74,253	2·38	24,089(41·6)
1974	…	574,640	61,506	2·29	22,107 (40·0)
1975	…	557,217	66,771	2·21	20,747(39·1)
1976	…	543,064	75,280	2·13	19,632(38·7)
1977	…	532,402	74,113	2·07	18,696(37·1)
1978	…	494,877	69,577	†	†
* In 1962 and 1963 a survey was made in respect of all firms with more than 500 staff but only a selection of firms with less than 500 staff, but which nevertheless had a quota obligation. The figures in column 4 above, for the years 1962 and 1963, are therefore percentages based on the number of firms reviewed in those years and not on all firms subject to quota.
† Not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what guideline was used in imposing a 150 per cent. increase in the cost of renewing petroleum licences for small filling stations operated by self-employed persons.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 30th June], gave the following information:The increased scale of fees payable with effect from 1st July 1978 for petroleum licences under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 was designed to take account of the decrease in money values since 1968 when the fees were last fixed, and with a view to meeting the costs incurred by licensing authorities in issuing the licences. The scale of fees is related to the amount of petrol kept.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, whether it is the intention of the Government to agree that the EEC should, as a single entity,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 29th June 1978; Vol. 952, c. 645], gave the following information:The Government support the closest possible co-operation between the EEC and the ILO. Only States can be members of the ILO and the nine States of the EEC individually are long-standing members. A liaison agreement between the two organisations was concluded in 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants in his Department have travelled first class by air on official business in each of the past three years; what was the cost of their tickets; and how much would have been saved if they had travelled economy class.

I regret that this information is not readily available. The only civil servants normally entitled to travel first class by air are those graded Under-Secretary and above. This facility is also available to those at Assistant Secretary level when making flights of at least four hours flying time without a break. Other civil servants are allowed to travel first class only if, for example, they have to accompany a more senior officer who is himself entitled to first class travel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will elaborate his recent statement that proposals are being drawn up to change the disciplinary procedures relating to chief police officers.

I am not yet in a position to do so. But before the Summer Recess I hope to send to the local authority associations and the Association of Chief Police Officers a document setting out proposals for possible changes. Copies of the document will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are currently in prison; and how many of these are in for shoplifting offences.

Information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. On 30th April 1978 there were 1,057 women serving sentences in Prison Department establishments. Of these, about 180 were serving sentences for shoplifting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the escape of a prisoner on 19th June from High Point Prison, Suffolk, indicating how this man was able to get away; and what steps are being taken to prevent any further incidents of this kind.

On 19th June 1978 Anthony Hobb, a category D prisoner— that is, one who could reasonably be trusted to serve his sentence in open conditions—absconded from an outside working party at Highpoint Prison. Both his criminal record and his previous behaviour while in custody show that the decision to classify him as category D was a reasonable one. We are satisfied that the working party received the degree of supervision appropriate to category D prisoners; but various possible improvements in arrangements are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ensure that the United Nations standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners form part of the training of prison staff of all grades.

Considerable time is devoted in staff training programmes to the Department's own rules and instructions which reflect the United Nations standard minimum rules. A copy of the international rules would be made available to any officer wishing to study them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the population of prison service establishments for the years 1967 to 1977, inclusive;(2) how many adult women were received into prison for the years 1967 to 1977, inclusive;(3) how many non-criminal prisoners were received into prison for the years 1971 to 1976, inclusive;(4) how many people were received into prison for default of payment of a fine for the years 1967 to 1977, inclusive;(5) how many male young persons between 17 and 21 years were received under sentence in Prison Department establishments for the years 1971 to 1977, inclusive;(6) how many female young persons between 17 and 21 years were received under sentence in Prison Department establishments for the years 1971 to 1977, inclusive.

The information requested for 1967 to 1976 appears in "Report of the Work of the Prison Department 1976: Statistical Tables", Cmnd. 6884.The relevant tables are:

Table	1.4—prison population
"	5.5—adult females
"	6.2—non criminal prisoners
"	7.2—fine defaulters
"	3.5—sentenced prisoners aged 17 to 20

The information requested for 1977 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of persons currently detained as suspected illegal immigrants; how many of these are not the subject of court proceedings, either because of their having been detained at the point of entry on arrival or for any other reason; how many of those not the subject of court proceedings have been in detention for longer than 14 days; and what were the corresponding figures for 1976 and 1977.

On 31st May 1978 a total of 106 persons were detained as illegal entrants. Of these, 80 were detained solely on the authority of an immigration officer and were not the subject of court proceedings. These included 66 who had been in detention for longer than 14 days. Corresponding figures for 1976 and 1977 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the recent change of responsibilities for immigration matters among Ministers in his Department represent in any way a change of policy or emphasis on immigration by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.

The changes which I have made in ministerial responsibilities within my Department do not indicate any change in policy or emphasis on immigration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, when he has completed his investigation of the immigration status of the foreign members of the group known as the Hungarians, he will publish the report.

I shall consider in due course what action to take under the Immigration Act 1971 in each case. The question of publishing a report does not, therefore, arise, but I shall be glad to give details about these cases in the normal way in due course, if requested.