asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide the monthly figures for boardings by British fishery protection vessels within Great Britain's 200-mile limit, and for successful prosecutions subdivided by the nationality and by the size of the vessels arrested for 1978, 1977 and 1976.

In 1976, United Kingdom fishery limits extended to only 12 miles and figures are not available for the number of boardings carried out that year either within the 12-mile limit or within the waters now covered by United Kingdom fishery limits.The following tables give monthly figures for boarding by United Kingdom fishery protection vessels within United Kingdom fishery limits in 1977 and 1978

CONVICTIONS FOR OFFENCES AGAINST UNITED KINGDOM FISHERIES REGULATIONS SHOWING NATIONALITY AND GROSS REGISTERED TONNAGE OF FISHING VESSELS CONCERNED
Fishing vessel's nationality		Gross registered tonnage 1976
		0–100	101–200	201–300	301–400	401–500	Over 500	Total
Denmark	…	—	1	—	—	—	—	1
France	…	—	2	—	—	—	—	2
Netherlands	…	—	—	—	1	—	—	1
Republic of Ireland	…	3	1	—	—	—	—	4
United Kingdom	…	3	—	—	—	—	—	3
USSR	…	—	—	—	—	—	2	2
		—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Totals	…	6	4	—	—	1	2	13
		—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Fishing vessel's nationality		Gross registered tonnage 1977
		0–100	101–200	201–300	301–400	401–500	Over 500	Total
Belgium	…	1	—	—	—	—	—	1
Denmark	…	—	3	2	1	—	—	6
Faeroes	…	—	—	1*	—	—	—	1
France	…	4	—	2	—	—	—	6
Netherlands	…	—	1	—	2	—	1	4
Republic of Ireland	…	8	—	—	—	—	—	8
Spain	…	1	3	10	1	2	—	17
Sweden	…	—	—	2	—	—	—	2
United Kingdom	…	28	—	—	—	—	—	28
USSR	…	—	—	—	—	—	1*	1
		—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Totals	…	42	7	17	4	2	2	74
		—	—	—	—	—	—	—
*Estimated tonnage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many arrests and successful prosecutions there have been for infringements of British national fishery conservation measures.

So far this year, 22 fishing vessels have been brought in by United Kingdom fishery protection vessels for further investigation. The skippers of all 22 vessels were subsequently convicted of offences against United Kingdom fishery regulations. The skippers of 24 other fishing vessels have been convicted during this year at the instigation of fisheries Departments of offences against United Kingdom fishery regulations following inspections carried out in port.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, further to the reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Winchester (Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles) on 6th November about representation on the Teachers Panel of the Burnham Committee, she will name the associations already represented to whom the Professional Association of Teachers is not acceptable.

My right hon. Friend has not put such a question to the associations already represented on the Teachers' Panel.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many places on the Burnham Committee's panel are allotted to each of the associations represented.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the teachers' panel of the Burnham Primary and Secondary Committee. The present allocation of places in that panel is as follows.

Association	No. of places
National Union of Teachers	16
National Association of Schoolmasters	3
Incorporated Association of Assistant Masters (AMA)	2
Incorporated Association of Assistant Mistresses (AAM)	2
Incorporated Association of Head Masters (HMA)	1
Incorporated Association of Head Mistresses (AHM)	1
National Association of Head Teachers	1
National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education	2

As the hon. Member is probably aware, the constitution of the panel is under review, partly by reason of the recent amalgamation of the AHM and HMA to form the Secondary Heads' Association, and of the AAM and AMA to form the Assistant Masters' and Mistresses' Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate her Department has made of the cost per hour of providing vocational training in colleges of further education; and what comparison has been made between high-cost and low-cost colleges.

To assist the committee on industrial training of the local authority associations to determine charges for providing training in colleges of further education in England and Wales, the Department undertakes an annual sample survey, covering 180 colleges, of the economic costs of training provided for certain industrial training boards and for the training opportunities scheme of the Manpower Services Commission. For example, the 1977 survey indicated that the average economic cost, adjusted to April 1978 prices, of providing integrated training courses for classes of 12 or more was £1.03 per student per hour in engineering and 80p per student per hour in commercial and clerical subjects.The annual survey is not designed to provide a detailed explanation of why costs vary among colleges, but it does indicate that differences in class size account for much of the observed variation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many meetings she has had with officers of the National Union of Students to date in the current year; who was present at each meeting; and what were the subjects discussed.

My right hon. Friend has not herself had meetings with officers of the National Union of Students in the current year, but there have been frequent meetings with myself, the latest being 8th November, and with officers of my Department, covering subjects which concern students such as awards, union financing and policy on overseas students.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the current numbers of full-time students taking sciences, engineering, arts and social science.

The information for full-time and sandwich course students at universities and at maintained, assisted and grant-aided establishments of further education in Great Britain in the academic year 1977–78 is as follows:

	Number of Students (000's)
Sciences	…	…	153
Engineering	…	…	128
Social science1	…	…	254
Other2	…	…	286
Total	…	…	821

1. Including architecture and vocational subjects.2. Including arts, teacher training, GCE, CSE and some non-advanced courses with unknown subject groups.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the ratio of probation officers to convicted offenders for the last 12 months for which figures are available.

In 1977 in England and Wales there were, on average, between two and a half and three probation officers in post for every 1,000 persons found guilty of indictable or non-indictable, including motoring, offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to institute the major review of salaries in the probation service which the Butterworth report, in August 1972, recommended should take place in about three years, using similar methods to that inquiry.

A working party comprising members from both sides of the Joint Negotiating Committee of the Probation and After-Care Service, appointed in 1977, is examining the pay structure of the service. Its terms of reference require it to take account of changes in the Service's functions, work and structure since the Butterworth inquiry and of relativities with other groups.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time which elapses in Coventry between the making of a charge and the full hearing of a case by the magistrates.

I am informed that, on the basis of a sample taken last month, the average time between a charge and full hearing by the magistrates in Coventry is about 44 days. The time in any individual case is naturally influenced by factors such as the nature of the offence, the plea, the readiness of the prosecution and defence to proceed, and the availability of witnesses.

the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the legislative provisions which cover applications by the police for adjournment of cases which are being heard in the magistrates' court.

The principal powers under which a magistrates' court may adjourn criminal proceedings in circumstances where applications might be made by the prosecution or the defence appear to be those contained in sections 6 and 14 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 and section 19 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what proportion of cases in the last 12 months for which figures are available requests by the police for cases to be adjourned, in the magistrates' court, were granted despite the objection of the defendant.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how long each of the 97 women held on remand in 1977 and eventually found not guilty or not proceeded against had been imprisoned;(2) how long, on average, the 1,288 women held on remand in 1977 and eventually given a non-custodial sentence had been imprisoned;(3) how long each of the 32 girls aged 17 to 20 years held on remand in 1977 and eventually found not guilty or not proceeded with have been imprisoned;(4) how long, on average, the 826 girls aged between 17 and 20 who were held on remand in 1977 and eventually given a non-custodial sentence had been imprisoned;(5) how long each of the 37 schoolboys first received in prison establishments as untried prisoners in 1977 and subsequently found not guilty or not proceeded against had been held on remand and where;(6) how long each of the 698 schoolboys received into prison establishments in 1977 and untried and who subsequently were given non-custodial sentences spent in prison and where;(7) how long each of the 333 schoolboys first received in prison as convicted unsentenced prisoners in 1977, and subsequently given non-custodial sentences had spent in prison and where.

I regret that the information requested could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 15 to 16-year-old girls are currently held on remand in prison whilst awaiting sentence.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave to his Question on 28th November. All five convicted unsentenced females aged 14 to 16 in prison department establishments in England and Wales on 30th September 1978 were aged 15 or 16.—[Vol. 959, c. 123.–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were in prison with their children at the latest convenient date; where they were held; how old were their children; how many other children each prisoner had and how they were being cared for; and for what offences the women had been convicted.

On 1st December 1978, 28 women were in custody with their children: 14 at Askham Grange, 6 at Holloway and 8 at Styal. Twelve of the children were under three months old; 8 were between three and six months; 3 between six and nine months; 1 between nine and 12 months; and 4 between 1 and 2 years. The principal offences for which the mothers had been convicted were theft–15, illegal importation of drugs–3, burglary—2, conspiracy to steal—2, affray–1, assault–1, criminal damage–1, criminal deception –1, robbery–1, and wounding–1. Information about the number of other children each of those women has and how they are being cared for is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women were in prison at the last convenient date for fine default; and on what fines they had defaulted.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long each of the 16 schoolboys and girls in prison for over 16 weeks on 30th September 1978 had actually spent in prison; what was their sex; and where were they located.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money is currently held in the county compensation funds.

The latest available returns from compensation authorities show that on 31st December 1977 the total amount held in the funds maintained under section 17 of the Licensing Act 1964 was £4,298,831·16.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the original offence and the age of each of the four men received into prison in 1977 in default of payment of a fine for drunkenness and kept in prison for between three to six months; and where they were held.

In 1977, four men were received into prison department establishments in England and Wales with a sentence of more than three months and up to and including six months in default of payment of a fine for drunkenness. Further details of their offences are not available. Their ages were 29, 30, 31 and 38. One was held for 61 days in Swansea, one for 72 days in Birmingham, and two for 23 days in Pentonville.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the ages and original offences of two women received into prison in 1977 in default of payment of a fine for drunkenness and kept in prison for two to three months; and where they were held.

In 1977 two women were received into prison department establishments in England and Wales with a sentence of more than two months and up to and including three months in default of payment of a fine for drunkenness. One, aged 20, spent one day in Holloway; the other, aged 54, was detained for 60 days in Risley and Drake Hall. Further details of their offences are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were (a) cautioned, (b) proceeded against and (c) imprisoned for drunken. ness at the last year for which figures are available; and how many of the latter category were women.

The number of occasions on which persons were cautioned or proceeded against for drunkenness is published annually in the"Criminal Statistics, England and Wales "—Offence Classifications 140 and 141, tables 1(a) and 30 of the volume for 1977, Cmnd. 7289. The number of receptions into prison department establishments in England and Wales under sentence for drunkenness is published annually in the"Prison Statistics, England and Wales 1977 "—Tables 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1 of the volume for 1977, Cmnd. 7286. Both these publications distinguished between men and women.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give an assurance that the Government will implement, on approval by the House of Commons, any report of the Boyle Committee on hon. Members of Parliament salaries &c. which may be published in the new year.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Privy Council Office on 28th July when he said on this matter:

" Obviously we shall be asked whether we can give an assurance that the Government will fully implement the resulting recommendations. My right hon. Friend "—

the Lord President—

asked the Lord President of the Council when the Government received the last report of the Boyle Committee on hon. Members' salaries, when he expects to implement it; and to what level the salary would have to be raised today to give the same purchasing value as the last recommended increase.

The last report from the Review Body on Top Salaries on Members' pay—report No. 7, Cmnd 6136—was implemented in restricted form with effect from 13th June 1975, the date it was received by the Government. Increasing the rate of parliamentary salary recommended in that report in line with the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices since June 1975 produces a figure of £11,760.

asked the Attorney-General if he will set up an inquiry into the feasibility of providing legal aid to interested parties to enable them to present their case at planning inquiries.

My hon. Friend has no plans for setting up such an inquiry. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is considering the implications of protracted inquiries and the costs that they impose on those taking part.

asked the Attorney-General how long the cases currently in the warned list of cases of motions for hearings in the Divisional Court of the Queen's Bench Division of appliction for judicial review or orders of certiorari, prohibition and mandamus, other than cases in the expedited list, have been, on average, waiting for hearing since leave to apply for such relief was granted; and how long the greatest delay has been to date in waiting for hearing of such a motion.

The average waiting time for the cases to which the hon. Member refers is approximately 11 months. The greatest delay to date has been 21 months. The court does, however, order expedited hearings in urgent cases.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many of the people recruited by Civil Service departments in Northern Ireland during the last 12 months for which figures are available were Catholics, Protestants or neither.

The Civil Service commission, which is responsible for all centrally run competitions, does not, nor do those Departments in Northern Ireland which recruit staff for the Home Civil Service under powers delegated by the Commission, ask a candidate to disclose his religious beliefs. Such information is unnecessary, since the selection of staff for appointment to the Home Civil Service is made on merit by fair and open competition. The information for which my hon. Friend has asked is not therefore available.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy why the review of the code of practice governing gas and electricity disconnections has been delayed; and when it is to be published.

Adequate time has had to be allowed for full consultations with all the organisations involved, particularly those concerned with the operation of the code. This has taken longer than I would have wished. These consultations are now nearly complete and an announcement will be made very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will give a general direction to all gas and electricity boards to provide statistics on the number of domestic consumers who remain disconnected for long periods as a result of the non-payment of accounts:(2) what estimate he is able to make of the number of domestic consumers of (

A general direction is not appropriate in these circumstances. Both industries provide information of disconnections either regularly or on request to their consumer councils at national area or regional level. I am asking the chairmen to write to the hon. Member about the detailed information he is seeking. I expect the independent study of the working of the code of practice which I announced on 1st August—[Vol. 955, c. 297-98]—to consider this issue among others.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what study has been made of the National Federation of Clay Industries' Paper on the need for a materials policy for energy conservation.

This paper, commenting on the paper"Energy Pricing Principles"which the Energy Commission discussed at its second meeting, is being studied by the Department and other interested organisations. The Energy Commission is expected to return to the question of pricin in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what detailed studies are being made in the United Kingdom or the EEC of the total energy content of different products as opposed to direct content.

The Department of Energy, together with the Department of Industry, is funding energy audit studies in 21 sectors of industry. These include an assessment of the total energy required, as distinct from the energy consumed directly during manufacture, and the scope for energy conservation. Three detailed reports on the iron casting, dairy and brick industries have already been published,and placed in the Library. In addition valuable work has been undertaken in universities and research organisations. Details of work undertaken in the EEC are not readily available, but the United Kingdom has participated in an international comparative study covering steel making, cement and plastics.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to encourage the use of indigenous energy-efficient materials to the exclusion of those which are oil-based.

The energy efficiency of a material relates both to the total amount of energy required for its manufacture and supply and to the lifetime energy efficiency of the material in its final user form and application. It is an objective of Government to encourage industry to develop materials with improved efficiency in both these contexts. This is being effected through energy audit studies, financial assistance provided by the energy research, development and demonstration schemes—details of which are given in the Department of Energy's paper No. 32, published on the 9th November 1973—and through the Department of Industry's research requirement boards and other sponsoring activities. In assessing projects, due weight would be given to any benefits accruing from the use of indigenous energy sources other than oil, but the choice of materials used in the United Kingdom will inevitably mainly depend on their overall economy and effectiveness in particular applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will give a general direction to all gas and electricity boards to employ welfare officers to assist domestic consumers with fuel debt problems.

The industries do give advice to consumers with payment difficulties and I understand that area electricity boards and British Gas regions have nominated officers whose names are known to the local social services and who liaise with them on the problems of consumers with fuel debts.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what research has been undertaken in the United Kingdom and the EEC into low energy consumption of ceramic materials.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23rd November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 677], gave the following further information:The Government's energy audit and industrial energy thrift series of studies include detailed assessments of the energy consumption and total energy content of different ceramic and other materials. An energy audit report on the building brick industry, including several recommendations which are being pursued by the energy technology support unit at Harwell has already been published and has been placed in the Library. A total of 21 industrial sectors are being covered and other audit reports including one on the refractories industry are in preparation.An industrial energy thrift report on the pottery industry will be published shortly and another on the bricks, fire-clay and refractory goods industry is expected in the New Year. Broadly similar, though less detailed, work is also being carried out by EEC member States, but we have no information on research contracts being placed by the European Commission, relating to the energy content of ceramic materials.The Government energy conservation demonstration project scheme, details of which are given in the Department of Energy's paper No. 32, as published on 9th November, and the Department of Industry's research requirement boards and other sponsoring activities provide for financial assistance to encourage the development and adoption of new technologies in order to reduce the energy used in the manufacture of materials including ceramics and also the development of improved ceramics which reduce energy consumption where ceramics are used in energy intensive processes such as metal-melting furnaces.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek further powers to regulate the removal of blue asbestos from buildings being abolished.

I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that proposals for regulations are being prepared to implement certain recommendations in the first report of the Advisory Committee on Asbestos, which deals with work on thermal and acoustic insulation and sprayed coatings. The removal of blue asbestos, if used for these purposes, would come within the scope of the proposed regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the targets, as at 1st October 1978, of jobs to be created under the special temporary employment programme and the youth opportunities programme; and what is the number of jobs created against those targets, as at 1st October 1978, under each of those programmes.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there are no targets for either programme which relate specifically to 1st October. The overall target for the youth opportunities programme is to provide, during the period September 1978 to August 1979, a maximum of 82,000 filled places enabling 187,000 young people to enter the programme during that time. The target for the special temporary employment programme is to have 25,000 continuously filled places and it is hoped that this will be achieved by end June 1979.At 1st October 1978, some 55,000 places for young people had been created under the youth opportunities programme and some 7,000 places for adults under the special temporary employment programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many (a) prosecutions (informations) and (b) convictions have been obtained by the Health and Safety Executive under section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, in each of the years 1975, 1976, 1977 and so far in 1978.

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that informations laid and convictions obtained by the Health and Safety Executive under section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act for each of the years 1975, 1976, 1977 and up to September 1978 were as shown in the following table:

	Informations laid	Convictions secured
1975	2	2
1976	18	14
1977	31	26
1978 (January to September)	34	31

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now abandon the regression analysis technique for the computation of the needs element of the rate support grant.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the rate support grant settlement for 1979.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Abertillery (Mr. Thomas) on 24th November—[Vol. 958, cols. 781–83.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received as to his decision on the rate support grant for 1979–80.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost to public funds of (a) the Unlicensed Place of Refreshment Wages Council, (b) the Retail Bookselling and Stationery Trades Wages Council and (c) the Retail Bread and Flour Confectionery Wages Council.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many schemes have been undertaken by the Manpower Services Commission from the public sector in Carlisle and Cumbria, respectively; and if he will give details.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 4th December 1978; Vol. 959, c. 475], gave the following information:

I received a number of representations in advance of the announcement of the settlement from local authorities expressing the view that they should not be adversely affected. In the event, no authority suffered excessive grant losses as a result of the settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to lay an order bringing into force section 12 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

I have agreed with local authority associations that sections 12 to 14 should be implemented on 1st April 1979 subject to funds being available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received the plans of the London borough of Brent to increase participation of the tenants and householders in managing their own homes; and whether he intends to approve them.

Yes. I am well aware of Brent's imaginative schemes for tenants' consultation, co-operatives, tenancy agreements and joint estate management. They are examples of what I would like other authorities to do. My Department issued a consultation paper last Friday about our forthcoming legislation to give tenants more say in the management of their homes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for widening the Operation Clean Up scheme to areas outside the inner city partnership and programme districts; and whether he will make a statement.

I have no plans for extending the scheme in this way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he rejected the advice of his own inspector who advised against planning permission for a container depot for British Railways at Feltham goods yard following the public inquiry.

The decision in this case was reached only after the most careful consideration of all the factors involved, and I cannot now discuss the reasons for that decision, which are set out in the decision letter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to announce his specific proposals for the organic changes in local government proposed in the Queen's Speech.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) and the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Morrison).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received concerning the mobile homes review.

Fifty-eight representations have been received on the report of the review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the difficulties of people on low incomes paying their water service charges; and what evidence he has from the water authorities about increased difficulties in collecting such charges.

I have received a number of representations on this, but I understand that the arrangements made by the water authorities to deal with cases of genuine hardship are proving very helpful.However, I have asked the National Water Council to investigate a more widespread and formal instalment system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the rise in domestic rates in 1979–80 as a result of his rate support grant settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much more the domestic ratepayer will have to pay on average in 1979–80 as a result of his rate support grant settlement.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Hove (Mr. Sainsbury) and Reading, North (Mr. Durant).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which district councils he considers too small to assume responsibility for services at present carried out by county councils.

That depends on the service in question. I propose to extend the planning responsibilities of all districts in relation to development control. The criteria for the transfer of the other functions are to be the subject of consultation; it has, however, been decided that for education consideration should be limited to the nine major non-metropolitan cities, and for personal social services to those districts with a population of over 100,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what practical outcome has resulted from the establishment of assisted area status for a number of urban authorities.

The Inner Urban Areas Act provides new powers to local authorities to assist industry and commerce in designated district areas, but they have not received assisted area status. Forty-three districts in England have been designated, 18 of them outside the assisted areas. Programmes of action for 1979–82, including the use of powers under the Act, have already been drawn up for the seven partnership areas and the 15 programme authority areas. A number of authorities are also actively considering the declaration of improvement areas under the Act. Some improvement areas have already been declared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been lent to Birmingham by the Government following the passing of the Inner Urban Areas Act.

Resources totalling £30 million have been allocated over the next three years from the urban programme for the Birmingham partnership. These will be used to implement the Birmingham inner area programme, and to meet applications for assistance under the Act in the partnership area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the considerable delays in carrying out home adaptations for the disabled.

I have received no such representations. I have, however, together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, issued a circular of guidance to local authorities on these matters. This I hope will enable help to be given without undue delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average mortgage interest rate being paid by borrowers on local authority home loan schemes.

The estimated average interest rate charged for new loans to private borrowers by English local authorities at the end of September 1978 was 10·7 percent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects next to meet his ministerial colleagues in the EEC.

I have no immediate plans to do so. I have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister of State to lead the United Kingdom delegation at the Council of Environment Ministers on 18th and 19th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage industrial building.

I have encouraged industrial building through the planning system, as part of the Government's policy on inner cities and through my responsibilities for the new towns and for sponsoring the construction industry. The principal measures I have taken are:

• i. I have advised local planning authorities in circular 71/77 to give first priority to applications for industrial development, as I do with applications which come before me for determination. A guide to the planning system has been prepared by the National Building Agency for issue to firms intending to develop.
• ii. The Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 gives certain local authorities a variety of powers to help industry, including loans for works on land and grants for converting or improving industrial buildings—I have recently designated 43 districts where these powers may be used.
• iii. The new towns corporations have a large programme for the construction of new industrial buildings.
• iv. I have supported the work to implement the recommendations in the report"Construction for Industrial Recovery"prepared by the building and civil engineering EDC's.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has fixed the date for the public inquiry regarding proposed new roads in the Ashton area of Preston.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has had both for and against extending the powers of local authorities to sell council houses to sitting tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received both for and against extending the powers of local authorities to sell council houses to sitting tenants.

We frequently receive representations on this subject which reflect various shades of opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration has been given to the areas of increasing population in the rate support grant settlement.

The needs assessments on which the distribution of needs element is based take account of the full range of expenditure needs of all areas. Where an area's population is increasing faster than its rateable resources, it will also attract additional resources element.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the amount of the needs element of the rate support grant payable in each financial year from 1974–75 to 1978–79, and an estimate for 1979–80 to Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool at current prices and the per capita sum these figures represent for each city in each of the years quoted.

The amount of needs element of rate support grant expressed at November 1978 prices payable in each of the years 1974–75 to 1978–79, and the latest figures available for 1979–80, in respect of Sheffield, Leeds Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool, together with the per capita sum these figures represent for each city in each of the years, is attached. Only the figures for the three years from 1977–78 are on a comparable basis as in the earlier years different grant percentages and resources/needs element ratios applied.

		Needs grant expressed at November 1978 prices £ million	Grant per capita at November 1978 prices £
Sheffield
1974–75	…	53·70	94·52
1975–76	…	55·40	98·70
1976–77	…	53·03	94·70
1977–78	…	52·94	95·32
1978–79	…	49·81	89·68
1979–80	…	49·18	89·85
Leeds
1974–75	…	71·19	95·38
1975–76	…	70·87	94·62
1976–77	…	66·54	88·94
1977–78	…	64·65	86·83
1978·79	…	63·16	84·84
1979–80	…	65·35	89·03
Newcastle
1974–75	…	35·94	118·69
1975–76	…	34·21	115·27
1976–77	…	32·08	108·29
1977–78	…	30·35	103·30
1978–79	…	29·75	101·25
1979–80	…	30·56	104·46
Manchester
1974–75	…	82·70	154·44
1975–76	…	77·70	151·25
1976–77	…	74·94	148·85
1977–78	…	75·99	153·17
1978–79	…	76·85	155·84
1979–80	…	80·05	162·84
Liverpool
1974–75	…	84·30	142·70
1975–76	…	81·80	145·90
1976–77	…	77·13	140·18
1977–78	…	79·35	146·37
1978–79	…	77·95	143·79
1979–80	…	79·39	147·88

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the nature and effect of the new support grant to be accorded to the county of Dorset; what estimate he has made of the percentage increase which this will occasion upon the assumption that services are unchanged; and if he will make a statement.

The Rate Support Grant Order now before the House envisages that Dorset will receive an estimated £34·480 million rate support grant needs element in 1979–80, £85,000 less than in 1978–79 in real terms. This is equivalent to a 0·1p rate. I cannot predict the actual increase in the county's rate next year since this depends not only on the services it provides and its grants but also on how it decides to use its balances. The House will have an opportunity to debate the settlement before Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the likely effect upon housing of the proposed tranfer of housing responsibilities from the Greater London Council to the London boroughs.

I have not yet received a submission from the GLC and the boroughs concerned setting out the proposed terms of transfer and the extent of stock to be transferred, and until the many remaining uncertainties have been resolved I am unable to say what the likely effects would be. However, I have made it clear to the GLC that any arrangements must protect the interests of the staff and tenants concerned and that tenant mobility, which the GLC estates have in the past provided, must be maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to improve the public accountability of regional water authorities.

Water authorities are accountable through Ministers to Parliament and their charges are subject to investigation by the Price Commission. Their accounts are open to appropriate audit. I propose to increase the number of members appointed to the authorities by local government and I am making progress in appointing consumer members.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has concluded his inquiry into the reports that the Greater London Council has made losses of £10 million on selling of council housing.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the inner area programme.

Liverpool's inner area programme for 1979–82 was agreed by the partnership committee on 11th September, and arrangements are in hand for its implementation from April 1979. In the meantime action is already being taken in Liverpool, and in all the partnerships, under the construction package and under the enhanced urban programme for the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to encourage local authorities to preserve historic buildings.

In a recent speech I reminded local authorities of the advice in my Department's circular 23/77, which asks them to make diligent use of all the powers available to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities are failing to operate the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act satisfactorily; and in what respects.

Parliament has entrusted local authorities with the responsibility of discharging their functions under the Act towards homeless people; we have made it clear that we expect authorities to exercise these responsibilities humanely and sensitively. Statistics published by the Department in monitoring progress under the Act indeed indicate the very substantial extent to which authorities are assisting homeless people. I recognise, however, that some authorities, and I believe they are a very small minority, have expressed opposition to the legislation notwithstanding that it had—and I trust still has—the support of all parties in this House. I look to authorities which take this view to carry out their responsibilities with full regard to both the letter and the spirit of this important Act and not, because of their views, to subject individuals or families to additional and avoidable distress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect the current shortage of copper tube has had on the building industry; what is the reason for this; and what steps are being taken.

Deliveries in the first 10 months of this year were 17 per cent. higher than in the same period of 1977 and production has been at record levels. Nevertheless, shortages have been reported in many parts of the country, and the position is currently affected by an industrial dispute. Officials are discussing their difficulties with the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people visited the 1939–1945 War Room in the basement of Storey's Gate between 1970 and 1978; what arrangements are made for the general public and tourists to visit it; and, in the light of the fact that only one telephone is available to make an appointment with the custodian and that this telephone, 233 8904, is manned only from 8–30 to 9–30 a.m. daily and is permanently engaged, if he will take immediate action both to improve and publicise visiting arrangements to this place of importance in the nation's wartime history.

The Department assumed responsibility for the 1939–1945 Cabinet War Rooms late in 1975 and I am unable to give the figures for the full period over which information is sought. Since that date an average of 100 people a week have been escorted round the rooms.The Cabinet War Rooms are situated in the basement of a Government building, which is in use as an office block. Means of access are very restricted, and the layout of the rooms is not suitable for large numbers of visitors at any one time. To make the rooms more accessible would not only involve expensive works but would affect the authenticity of the setting which is one of the principal attractions.The present arrangements allow a considerable number of people to see the rooms in the course of a year. Most of the visitors arrange to join one of the tours that are conducted each day by writing to the custodian.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to take into account the effect on rural areas of the increase in petrol prices to be introduced to compensate for his phasing out of the road fund licence in future determinations of the rate support grant.

There will be discussions with the local authority associations on the effects of phasing out the road fund licence. Any increase in local government expenditure arising from the change will be taken account of, in the total of local government expenditure analysed in the assessment of authorities' expenditure needs. It is not, however, possible to forecast in advance how much extra rate support grant authorities will receive as a result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the results since 26th October 1977 of monitoring by his Department of the response to design bulletin 32, following the recommendations of paragraphs 20 and 21 of the report of his environmental board about residential access roads and footpaths.

Information received by the Department's housing development directorate following the publication of design bulletin 32 in July 1977 suggests that highway authorities are becoming more flexible in the formulation and application of local standards and more receptive to innovations discussed in the bulletin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made in publishing a circular on design guides; and what is the reason for the delay in this matter, in view of the fact that it was in draft on 14th January 1977 and also on 26th October 1977.

A revised draft circular on design guidance was sent to local authority associations and other bodies earlier this year and there have been subsequent discussions. It is proving difficult to reconcile the conflicting comments received during consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken since 26th October 1977 to implement the recommendation of his Environmental Board that lengthy safeguarding of land for public development, including roads, should be reconsidered and reduced wherever possible to a foreseeable programme of action.

The White Paper"Policy for Roads: England 1978 ", Cmnd. 7132, announced a review of all schemes in the road programme including a reassessment of the timings. Other land for public development is safeguarded only when there is a firm expectation that development will take place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken since 26th October 1977 to implement the recommendations made by his Environmental Board that his Department should investigate methods of improving the level of technical awareness of design problems of elected members of local authorities.

The Department, with the advice of the Environmental Board, is still considering ways in which the recommendations might be put into practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will include the other public authorities in North East Lancashire, as well as Blackburn, in the inner cities Bill.

In drawing up the list of authorities to be designated under the Inner Urban Areas Act, I gave careful consideration to all cases put forward. Blackburn was an obvious case for designation in North-East Lancashire. I would not wish to depart from the general principle of designating only a limited number of authorities, which suffer the greatest concentration of problems and which must therefore receive the highest priority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current membership of his Environmental Board; and which of its members have practical experience of working as a contractor or developer rather than as a professional such as an architect, planner or surveyor.

The current membership of the Environmental Board is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the programme of work of his Environmental Board since the publication of its first report; and with what projects or fields of study it is currently involved.

Since publication of its first report, the Environmental Board has concentrated on infill development and new industrial development. Currently, the Board is concerned with aesthetic control, environmental education, the promotion of examples of good environmental practice, and developing its ideas on the management and maintenance of the built environment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he employs before deciding to revoke planning decisions granted in previous years by one of his predecessors; and what weight he gives to the recommendations of the Countryside Commission.

When deciding whether to confirm or make a revocation order my right hon. Friend examines the merits of the case: he has due regard to any recommendations by the Countryside Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many foreign-made motor cars it is expected that Her Majesty's Government will purchase (a) in the absence of sanctions against the Ford Motor Company Ltd. and (b) under the discretionary sanctions policy against that company.

I have been asked to reply.The Ministry of Defence expects to purchase up to 20 foreign made cars in 1979–80 for use in those countries where it is not practicable to operate British cars.The quantity of foreign made cars to be purchased to meet all other MOD requirements during the currency of stage 4 of incomes policy will depend upon the results of evaluation of suitable models.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Ford motor cars Her Majesty's Government are contracted to purchase at present; how many of these will be delivered; and how many will not be, as a result of the discretionary action to be taken against the Ford Motor Company Ltd.

I have been asked to reply.The Ministry of Defence has ordered from the Ford Motor Company Ltd. 927 cars which have not yet been delivered. 365 are for itself and 562 for other Government Departments. I know of no reason why all these vehicles should not be delivered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cars were purchased for the public service during 1977–78; how many are expected to be purchased during 1978–79; and in each case how many were manufactured by the Ford Motor Company Ltd.

I have been asked to reply.In 1977–78, 3,141 cars were purchased by the Ministry of Defence for Government Departments and some non-Exchequer bodies. 1,622 of these were manufactured by the Ford Motor Company Ltd.One thousand, seven hundred and ninety-nine have already been purchased in 1978–79 of which 1,015 were manufactured by the Ford Motor Co. Ltd. A further 2,501 are expected to be delivered by 31st March 1979 of which 902 will be Ford products.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his speech at Manchester in September represents his final conclusions on the subject of major planning inquiries, or if he is still prepared to consider variations such as those recently proposed by the Town and Country Planning Association.

I have reached no final conclusions on the procedure for major planning inquiries, but my speech set out the main lines along which my consideration of this procedure is developing and how I intend to proceed in the Belvoir inquiry. I welcome the interest shown by the TCPA and others and the ideas they have expressed about the further development of the system.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he now has for further reducing the amount of lead permitted in petrol; and if he will make a statement.

In accordance with an EEC directive agreed earlier this year, we propose to reduce the statutory limit on lead in petrol to 0·40 grammes per litre with effect from 1st January 1981. Consultations are now taking place on draft regulations. We are also having studies put in hand to estimate the costs of possible longer-term options for further reducing emissions of lead from petrol in case a need for such action should be substantiated by the further study and research which the Government are undertaking on the health effects of lead, particularly in young children.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, when the final link of the M18 is opened to the immediate east of the junction and bridge over the Al. what distances will be dual carriageway three-lane, what will be two-lane, and, of this, what readily convertible to three-lane.

The information is as follows:

M18 Motorway
Section	Length (miles)	Standard
Ml (Thurcroft) to A1(M) (Wadworth)	8¼	Dual 3-lane
A1(M) to M180 (Ings)	12	Dual 2-lane
Ml 80 to M62 (East Cowick)	6	Dual 3-lane

Of the dual two-lane section, lengths of one mile northwards from A1(M) to St. Catherines interchange and about 1,100 yards south of the M180 interchange can readily be converted to dual three-lanes because the necessary land has already been acquired.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what appointments he has recently made to the Port of London Authority under the Port of London Authority (Constitution) Revision Order 1975.

I am required by the provisions of the Port of London Authority (Constitution) Revision Order 1975 to appoint members to the board of the authority in rotation each year, after consultation with the chairman of the PLA. I have accordingly appointed Sir Robin Gillett Bt, GBE, DSc, Mr. H. W. Hinds, MA, and Mr. P. Shea to serve for three years from 1st January 1979 to 31st December 1981 and re-appointed Mr. D. J. Allison to serve for the same period. Additionally I have appointed Sir Derek Mitchell, KCB, CVO as a member until 31st December 1979 to fill a casual vacancy arising at the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the fact that a cylinder of liquid chlorine was lost recently in the North Riding/Durham area and it was a week before it was discovered, if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for the transportation of such highly toxic material; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the cylinder in question fell from a lorry but suffered only a slight dent; none of its contents escaped. The security of loads carried by road transport is covered by the Construction and Use Regulations. In practice, satisfactory arrangements are normally made for other aspects of the transport of chlorine, including the design and construction of cylinders. But these matters are not specifically covered by regulations, and I regard that as unsatisfactory.I am most concerned that the transport by road of all dangerous goods should be strictly controlled, and comprehensive regulations to this end are being prepared by the Health and Safety Executive.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what he estimates to be the remaining useful life of the three Andovers of the Queen's Flight;