asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on whose authority an immigration officer can submit a woman arriving at a port of entry as a would-be immigrant to a gynaecological examination, including a vaginal probe; what is the purpose of such examination; when the practice started and at what level in his Department it was known that it took place; in how many cases immigration officers have demanded such an examination during the last 12 months; what would be his attitude if such a case were referred to the European Commission of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what authority medical officers at ports of entry are empowered to undertake gynaecological examinations of immigrants; when this practice was begun; by whom it was authorised; whether he will direct that it should cease forthwith; and if he will make a statement.

The authority for the medical examination of any person subject to immigration control who seeks entry to the United Kingdom is contained in paragraph 2 of schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971. The practice to be followed by the immigration service is laid down in the Immigration Rules for Control on Entry—paragraphs 58 to 60 of the rules applying to Commonwealth citizens, and paragraphs 60 to 62 of those applying to EEC and other non-Commonwealth nationals.It is for the medical inspector or other qualified person to determine the extent of an examination, although the immigration officer may draw attention, for example, to a suspicion that a person suffers from a particular disease.Although it has not been their normal practice, immigration officers have on rare occasions asked the medical inspector for his opinion on whether a passenger had borne children. That question may sometimes be relevant to a decision whether a person should be allowed to enter. Having reviewed the recent case to which my hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Miss Richardson) has drawn my attention, I have now given instructions that immigration officers should not ask the medical inspector to examine passengers with a view to establishing whether they have borne children or had sexual relations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prospective women immigrants have been subjected to gynaecological examinations from each of the following countries of origin: Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Cyprus, India, Malta, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, Rhodesia and Spain.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought, in each of the past four years, for offences against the immigration laws in which bribery has been involved; how many of these prosecutions were successful; and what total sum has been recovered from fines on those concerned.

The information requested is not available. The Immigration Act 1971 does not distinguish between offences involving bribery and other offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussion he has had with the licensed trade and other organisations regarding amendments to the present licensing laws; and if he will make a statement.

I have had no such discussions regarding any general revision of the licensing law. There have from time to time been discussions with hon. Members and with interested organisations about minor amendments to the law, some of which have since been made in Private Member's Bills.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors have caused the delay in approval being given by the Boundary Commission to new ward boundaries which will prevent the introduction of many of them in time for local district council elections in the current year.

Following the High Court's judgment in January 1978 in a case brought by the London borough of Enfield, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England suspended work on its reviews of electoral arrangements in English districts. I similarly suspended consideration of reports already submitted by the Commission. Following its successful appeal in July, the Commission resumed work on these reviews, and I resumed consideration of its reports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has decided that all district councils which have not yet been able to introduce new ward boundaries should have new local government elections in 1980.

After consultations with the political parties and the local authority associations, I have decided that electoral arrangements orders made after 15 December 1978 should come into effect as soon as possible in order to avoid any undue delay in introducing new arrangements based on equality of representation. It does not follow that all such orders will provide for fresh elections in 1980. The number of orders likely to be made in time for elections to be held in 1980 depends largely on the number of reports proposing new arrangements submitted by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the district councils which have not been able to introduce new ward boundaries because they have not yet been approved by the Boundaries Commission.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra cost will have to be borne by district councils which have to have extra council elections in 1980 because new ward boundaries cannot be introduced before the 1979 election date.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had regarding special allowances in the 1981 rate support grant to cover the additional expenses incurred by district councils because of extra or more extensive council elections in 1980 due to the delayed introduction of new ward boundaries.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider postponing district council elections by one year in those council districts where new ward boundaries have not as yet been able to be introduced, or existing boundaries to be confirmed, in order to save the administrative time and the extra cost which would otherwise be incurred with elections in 1979 and 1980.

I have no power to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licences have been granted in Carlisle since the sale of the State management scheme; what is the yearly average; and if he will make a statement.

Between 1 July 1974 and 30 June 1977, 40 new licences for the sale of intoxicating liquor were granted in Carlisle, representing an annual average of 13.Detailed information on the premises licensed in Carlisle is published annually in "Liquor licensing statistics", a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of arrests of persons engaged in picketing by the Metropolitan Police during January 1979.

Four.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development when she expects to meet the European Economic Community Commissioners.

I shall be meeting Mr. Cheysson, the Commissioner for Development, on 8 February, together with my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. I have no plans to meet other Commissioners.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development when she anticipates commencement of a study of the cost of extending the Falkland Islands' runway; and when she will expect such a study to be completed.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hastings (Mr. Warren) on 11 December.—[Vol. 960, c. 34.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what representations she has received regarding her Department's commitment to take over pension arrangements for former civil servants in ex-colonial territories.

I receive a variety of representations.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if, in view of the uncertainty caused by her decision to move the Directorate of Overseas Surveys from Tolworth to Glasgow and the fact that staff are resigning at a high rate, she will take immediate action to reconsider her decision.

No.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what plans she has to co-operate with other EEC countries to enable co-ordination of aid projects in Zambia.

My Department is keeping closely in touch with the Commission of the European Communities about possible aid to the transport sector.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she is satisfied with the level of United Kingdom aid to Zambia; and what plans she has to increase it.

Yes. I am now considering further aid to the agricultural and transport sectors.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many United Kingdom-based staff are involved in United Kingdom aid projects in Zambia.

Our manpower assistance to Zambia is not related specifically to aid projects. During 1978, six wholly financed and 1,101 partly financed personnel were serving in Zambia under our technical co-operation programme.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will list those United Kingdom aid schemes now in operation in Zambia; what is the total

Per cent.
			1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
Capital aid	…	…	18·1	10·1	9·4	7·4	12·4
Technical co-operation	…	…	12·6	14·4	13·1	14·1	14·2

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will specify the terms and conditions of United Kingdom grant-in-aid and loans to Zambia in each of the past five years.

The 1976 grant of £5 million and the 1978 loans totalling £29·26 million are subject to the normal rules tying expenditure to United Kingdom goods and services. The loans are repayable over 25 years at 2 per cent. interest, with a seven year grace period before the first payment is due.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if, to mark the United Nations year of the child, she will extend the pound for pound schemes to include support for the provision of buildings to accommodate children in need.

Such projects in developing countries already qualify for help under the scheme, where they provide more than shelter—for instance suitable arrangements for education and training—and where running costs are provided for. I am very glad to receive applications.

Recent British financial aid to Zambia has been in the form of programme assistance. The amounts and expected dates for completion of expenditure are

1976 grant £5 million	…	1979
1978 loan No. 1 £9·26 million	…	1979
1978 loan No. 2 £20 million	…	1980

In addition, a short-term, interest-free loan of £20 million was provided in 1978 for the forward purchase of copper.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will list the proportion of the total grant-in-aid to African countries which has been extended to Zambia in each of the past five years.

The proportions of capital and technical co-operation were as follows. 1978 figures are not yet available.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will provide full details of the study of overseas experience of open government currently under way with reference to the repeal of section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 and the Freedom of Information Bill.

The fact-finding part of the study is now virtually complete. It is hoped that the results will be available for publication during February or March.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the Government's preferential procurement policy for computers and on the guidance given to the public sector in general.

The arrangements under which computers are currently purchased for central Government use were set out in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Dean) on 27 July 1977—[Vol. 936, c. 227–8]. This policy is followed also in respect of the universities and research councils and the National Health Service. The nationalised industries and local authorities, who determine their own course of action in these matters, have been asked to take account of Government policy when considering the purchase of computer equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what criteria he intends to use for the appointment of poll staff for the referendum on devolution in Wales, with regard to the possibility of such officials being members of organisations campaigning in the referendum.

The appointment of staff to polling stations is a matter for referendum returning officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the meetings he has had with organisations representing small firms in Wales during 1978; and if he will make a statement.

I have had several meetings or discussions with organisations concerned with small firms, including bodies such as the Welsh Development Agency and the Development Board for Rural Wales. Two small firms conferences organised by my Department also provided opportunity for discussions with Welsh Office and Department of Industry Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many loans were made in Wales in 1977–78 by building societies under the support lending scheme.

A total of 786 offers of loans were made. The available information does not include the number of offers actually taken up.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will seek to amend section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, in view of the possible misuse of ratepayers' money by county councils in Wales under the provisions of this section.

I am considering the working of the section.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans next to meet the Welsh Trades Union Congress and the Welsh division of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss economic and industrial problems in the Principality.

No immediate meetings are planned, but my Department at all times maintains contact with both organisations on such matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the effect of recent industrial disputes on the treatment of patients in hospitals in Wales; and if he will make a statement concerning the effects on patient care.

Industrial disputes are having significant effects on hospital services in Wales, although emergency cover is being maintained everywhere.I am particularly concerned about elderly patients and others who may not be receiving the care they need. I fear, too, that there will be a reduction in the standard of patient care over the months to come because the disruption caused by the industrial disputes will inevitably lengthen waiting lists.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement giving details, and his assessment, of the effects on the treatment of patients in hospitals within the South Glamorgan health authority's area.

Most of the hospitals in South Glamorgan are able to provide emergency cover only and, as in other parts of Wales, industrial action is depriving some patients of hospital care. Delays in the treatment of non-emergency patients and interruptions in the treatment of others such as elderly patients are a matter of grave concern to me, as they should be to those engaging in this industrial action.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement about his proposed visit to the People's Republic of China.

I have been invited and should like to visit China at a con-

I: TRADE WITH EEC EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL TRADE
					1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
Imports	…	…	…	…	33·2	36·3	36·5	38·3	40·5
Exports	…	…	…	…	33·2	32·2	35·6	36·5	37·7

II: TRADE WITH INDIA EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL TRADE
					1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
Imports	…	…	…	…	0·9	1·0	1·1	1·0	0·8
Exports	…	…	…	…	0·8	0·8	0·8	0·8	0·9

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what help he is giving Great Britain's software industry to sell its skills abroad.

My Department makes available through the British Overseas Trade Board a wide range of services to assist exporters market their goods, services and skills overseas. Software exporters made good use of these facilities, but no special help is given to them specifically.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will seek to amend the Companies Act 1948 so that the accounts of a company must be not only laid before the members of that company in general meeting but also the subject of a resolution that they be adopted if thought fit.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what proportion of visible exports did exports to India constitute in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what were the corresponding figures for exports to the European Economic Community;(2) what proportion of total visible imports did imports from India constitute in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what were the corresponding figures for imports from the European Economic Community.

Following is the information on the current basis of the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are his views on the level of imports of cheap foreign bicycles of questionable design and construction which emanate from countries where there appear to be hidden subsidies for such products; and whether, in the light of this threat to the British and European cycle industry, he proposes to press for an increase in EEC tariff levels.

I have received no complaints that imported bicycles might be subsidised, but I am always ready to consider any evidence which may be put to me. Responsibility for bicycle standards falls to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what tonnage of unprocessed asbestos has been imported into the United Kingdom in each year since 1963: and what safeguards apply to the importation of all types of asbestos.

The protection and safety of people at work are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment, but persons involved in the importation of asbestos or liable to be affected by such work activities are safeguarded by the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Imports of crude and waste asbestos have been as follows:

				Thousand tonnes
1963	…	…	…	160·1
1964	…	…	…	186·6
1965	…	…	…	178·9
1966	…	…	…	192·4
1967	…	…	…	170·0
1968	…	…	…	178·3
1969	…	…	…	179·9
1970	…	…	…	154·6
1971	…	…	…	167·8
1972	…	…	…	150·3
1973	…	…	…	198·1
1974	…	…	…	153·0
1975	…	…	…	139·2
1976	…	…	…	144·9
1977	…	…	…	127·2
1978	…	…	…	117·8

Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC(R1) Sub-Group 276.4 and SITC(R2) Sub-Group 278.4.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish a table showing, for each quarter of 1978, seasonally adjusted, and for the years 1975 and 1970, imports as a percentage of total United Kingdom sales for each of the following classifications: (a) all finished manufactures, (b) all industrial materials, (c) food, beverages and tobacco, (d) textile fibres, (e) chemicals and pharmaceutical products, (f) iron and steel, (g) motor vehicles, (h) industrial, office and metalworking machinery and equipment, (i) electrical and telecommunications equipment, (j) furniture, (k) clothing and (l) footwear.

Estimates of import penetration for the years 1970 to 1977 inclusive for a wide range of groups of industrial goods and materials were published in "Trade and Industry" on 3 November 1978. Information is not available for the year 1978 nor quarterly on a seasonally adjusted basis. Import penetration ratios for a limited number of industries in the form of four-quarter moving averages up to end-March 1978 appear in the March 1978 issue of Business Monitor M12 "Import Penetration and Export Sales Ratios for Manufacturing Industry".

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the total of British exports to Iran; and what proportion of this is represented by weapons and other military naval and aerospace equipment.

Questions relating to military sales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. The total and details of our exports to Iran in 1978 are published in Table V (page 25) of the December 1978 issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the Cinematograph Films Council has yet completed its review of the film exhibitors' quota.

Yes. The Cinematograph Films Council appointed a subcommittee to examine and report on this matter. Its report, which was accepted by a majority of members of the full council, recommended that legislation should be introduced to suspend quota and to permit its re-introduction if it proved necessary. I will wish to take all aspects into consideration—and possibly consult further with trade interests—before coming to a decision on whether to accept or reject this advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he plans to compensate Air Canada and Iberia for the loss of their investment at Heathrow should they transfer to Gatwick; what estimate of costs are involved; and if he will make a statement.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 1 February 1979; Vol. 961, c. 540], gave the following information:Investments at Heathrow, their extent and how they should be treated are one of the factors in the continuing discussions with the airlines concerned about the transfer of their services to Gatwick.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated increase in the number of civil servants employed by the EEC as a result of setting up the directly elected European Parliament.

Neither the Assembly nor the Commission has yet made proposals for any increase in their staff as a result of setting up the directly elected European Assembly. A proposal for a small increase in the staff of the Council secretariat will shortly be considered.All proposals for extra staff are subject to the normal budgetary procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sums of money from EEC sources are available to Her Majesty's Government for information regarding direct elections; how it is to be used, or distributed; what are the sums being made available from United Kingdom Government sources; and to whom these sums are being allocated.

As my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury told my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 17 January, some £1,264,000 is being made available from Community funds to the London offices of the Commission and the Assembly for a common programme of factual information about the Assembly and direct elections. This programme is independent of the Government who will consider at the appropriate time whether it should be supple mented.—[Vol. 960, c. 779.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the progress of re-negotiations for a new Lomé Convention.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on the 17 January to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith).—[Vol. 960, c. 1708.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will express the current level of expenditure on foreign affairs and overseas development in terms of expenditure per head of population.

On the basis of the White Paper on public expenditure published on 17 January 1979 and the latest population figures for the United Kingdom available from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, the figure is £19·64.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the departmental documents which have been withheld from the Public Record Office because they contain passing references to security but which are now to be released to the Public Record Office.

A very small proportion of the departmental records created in the years immediately following the 1939–45 war and selected for permanent preservation was withheld because they contained references to certain organisations. Where there is no other reason for withholding such documents which are outside the "closed" period for public records, they will be transferred to the Public Record Office for release. The documents themselves cannot be identified until the necessary reviewing arrangements can be completed which will be done as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether Her Majesty's Government have yet obtained from their official records information regarding the generous Banaban contribution to the British war effort in World War II; and what is the value of these contributions in present day currency;(2) whether Her Majesty's Government have yet obtained from their official records information regarding the generous contributions given by the Banabans to the war damaged cities of Plymouth and Portsmouth in 1947; and what is the value of these contributions in present day currency;(3) whether Her Majesty's Government have yet obtained from their official records information regarding the generous Banaban contributions to Great Britain's war effort in World War I; and what is the value of these contributions in present day currency.

I regret that no information is readily available from official records. But I have no reason to doubt figures of contributions brought to my attention by the hon. Member of £10,000 worth of copra in the first world war, £12,500 in the second world war and £1,000 shared between Portsmouth and Plymouth in 1947. At present day values these contributions would be worth about £126,000, £124,000 and £7,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have held consultations with the Rhodesian regime with regard to obtaining the release of the assets of United Kingdom citizens, not resident in Rhodesia, held in that country; and if he would he prepared if necessary to agree to a similar release of funds belonging to Rhodesian citizens currently frozen in the United Kingdom.

No consultations have been held with the Rhodesian regime on this matter. The right hon. Member's proposal would involve the release of funds blocked in Rhodesia which might then be employed, more profitably, for the benefit of the Rhodesian economy. This would be a breach of United Nations mandatory sanctions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Margaret Lewis of Thingwall Road, Itby, in Malta on 3 January on which an open verdict was recorded in the Manchester coroner's court.

It is of course for the Maltese authorities to conduct any investigation which may be necessary in Malta.An autopsy has been held there and I understand that the circumstances of Mrs. Lewis's death are the subject of a magistrates' inquiry in Malta, which is the equivalent of a coroner's inquest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the evacuation of British citizens from Iran.

The unsettled situation in Iran has reduced the British community from last year's peak of 10,000 to fewer than 2,000 at present. The great majority of these have returned to Britain under their own arrangements but on a number of occasions we have provided Royal Air Force or Royal Navy transport where no prompt or secure civil means were available. We are naturally watching the predicament of our community in Iran very closely and have their safety much in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will organise a meeting of all interested parties to work out a forest planting policy for the next 50 years aimed at substantially reducing imports by doubling the hectareage under woodlands in the United Kingdom.

As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Forestry Commission has undertaken a review of the wood production outlook in Britain to the middle of the next century. The review report was widely circulated as a consultative document and has stimulated a most useful debate on the future of forestry in this country. The Forestry Commissioners have received and considered views from some 100 interested parties. The majority of these favoured an expansion of afforestation as a prudent measure to relieve the country's large dependence on imported timber, although the scale of such expansion, and the effects on other land uses, will obviously need to be considered further. The Commissioners will be reporting their conclusions to my right hon. Friends the Minister, the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales later in the year when they are able to take into account certain other relevant studies, such as the one currently being undertaken by the centre for agricultural strategy under the title of "A Forestry Strategy for the United Kingdom". In these circumstances we do not think the time is yet appropriate to consider a meeting of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes he has now approved in the construction of the Thames flood barrier; and what effect these will have on the timing and cost of the project.

The major feature of the recently announced agreement between the Greater London Council and the barrier consortium, which the Government have approved, is that work on the northern half of the barrier is being brought forward. This should lead to a significant saving in construction time. As a result, there is now a good prospect of the barrier being ready for operation by December 1982. The revised programme is not expected to lead to any net increase in costs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why a surplus of commodity in EEC agricultural production is called a structural surplus.

The term "structural surplus" indicates that a commodity market is in a continuing state of over-supply. By contrast the term "seasonal surplus" is used when a market is over supplied due to temporary factors affecting the volume of production and/or consumption; such a surplus will disappear during the course of a marketing year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the inadequate staffing level at the British Approval Service for electrical equipment in flammable atmospheres, and the effect that this is having on export sales by United Kingdom companies; and what action he is taking to deal with this situation.

I have received a joint representation concerning delays in the processing of applications by the British Approvals Service for electrical equipment in flammable atmospheres from the chairmen of the sector working parties on automation and instrumentation and on industrial electrical equipment. In addition to this, I have received representations on this subject from three hon. Members, including the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow). Representations have also been made to the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission, including a report by the chairman of the Commission's BASEEFA advisory council, which represents the main interests concerned. This is a seri- ous matter and I understand from the chairman that it is under urgent and thorough review. I shall inform the hon. Member as soon as the current inquiries are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what reforms he expects to introduce in his Department's statistical collection techniques as a result of the findings of the recent report of IFF Research Limited, commissioned by the Social Science Research Council, into work place industrial relations in British manufacturing industry; and if he will make a statement.

My Department's statistics on aspects of industrial action, which involve methods and coverage which are very similar to those followed in most other industrial countries, are under consideration; but careful investigation is required before coming to decisions on possible changes. I shall want to avoid significant increases in costs of data collection, either to industry or the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of strikes he estimates his Department fails to record in its presentation of statistics relating to industrial relations in manufacturing industry.

My Department's statistics aim to cover all strikes other than those lasting less than a day, or involving fewer than 10 workers, except where the aggregate number of working days lost exceeds 100. No direct estimate is available of the shortfall in recording, but it is believed that, overall, only a relatively small proportion of strikes within this definition are missed. These are mostly the small-scale disputes which are believed to be more concentrated in some industries than others.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is his estimate of the percentage of British factories employing under 200 people that were strike-free during the latest 12-month period for which figures are available;(2) what is his estimate of the percentage of British factories employing over 200 people that were strike-free during the latest 12-month period for which figures are available.

The latest special analysis in this degree of detail relates to 1975 and shows that in respect of 89 per cent. of manufacturing plants with 200 or more employees and 99 per cent. of plants with 11–199 employees no strikes were recorded within our definitions.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any statistical evidence to suggest a direct relationship between the size of a manufacturing industry and its susceptibility to industrial disputes.

The evidence is that the susceptibility of industrial disputes is related to the size of the plant in manufacturing industry—the number of working days lost per 1,000 employees increases with establishment size—and not to the size of the industry itself. The information is set out in Department of Employment manpower paper No. 15 "Strikes in Britain", pages 54 to 63, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has now considered the paper from the Heatlh and Safety Commission which takes the view that amending legislation should be introduced to remove the Crown's immunity from enforcement and prosecution; and whether he will now take whatever action is necessary to secure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by all Crown bodies.

My right hon. Friend and other Ministers concerned have not yet completed their consideration of the Health and Safety Commission's paper.I can, however, assure my hon. and learned Friend that where action is necessary to secure compliance with the Act in Crown establishments, it will be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the meetings he has held with organisations representing small firms in 1978.

My right hon. Friend has had very many meetings throughout the year with organisations whose membership includes small firms, or who are concerned with the interests of small firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the organisations representing small firms which were consulted in the appointment of members of the Homeworkers Advisory Committee.

The employers' representatives were nominated by the CBI. I had no consultations with other employer organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the members of the Homeworkers Advisory Committee and their professions.

The members of the Committee are:Mr. R. Bruton, Industrial relations officer, Courtaulds Ltd.Mr. M. Burdon, Deputy director and secretary, South Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales Engineering Employers' Association.Mr. M. J. Heron, Director, employment policy, British Footwear Manufacturers' Federation.Mr P. H. Jones, Manager, Social affairs, legal and employment advisory services, Confederation of British Industry.Mr. D. Jordan, Research officer, the low pay unit.Mr. D. A. C. Lambert, General secretary, National Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers.Mr. J. Macguogan, General secretary, National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers.Mr. J. Monks, Secretary, organisation and industrial relations department, Trades Union Congress.Dr. O. Robinson, Senior lecturer in economics, university of Bath.Mr. J. Short, Campaign organiser, London homeworking campaign.Mrs. A. Spencer, Full-time officer, National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers Union.Dr. M. J. Stevenson, Lecturer in social administration, faculty of economics and social studies, university of Manchester.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the terms of reference of the Homeworkers Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement.

The terms of reference are:

"to monitor the work of the homeworking unit of the wages inspectorate and keep under review what further action may be needed to protect homeworkers—having regard to the responsibilities of the Health and Safety Commission in the field of health and safety".

I have already chaired two very useful meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of job vacancies his Department estimates is notified to its offices and jobcentres.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commisison, which is responsible for local employment offices—including jobcentres—that its staff conducted a special national survey of engagements and vacancies during 1977. The survey asked for details of all engagements made by a sample of employers over the period 7 April-8 July 1977, and of all vancacies with those employers which were unfilled on 6 May 1977.The results show that over the period of the survey about 38 per cent. of all vacancies were notified to the local offices of the MSC in areas served by Jobcentres and 31 per cent. in areas served by employment offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the construction industry in the Greater London area, in the light of record unemployment figures; and if he will make a statement.

The past 12 months have seen a welcome fall in unemployment in the construction industry in the Greater London area, although I accept that unemployment in the industry is still too high. The Property Services Agency has a number of projects, some already in progress, others recently approved, which together will provide considerable employment in the industry for some years ahead. Included among these projects are—cost is shown at September 1978 prices—

(i) New British library—the demolition contract for stage IA is about to be let. This stage will take about 10 years and will cost nearly £65 million.

(ii) International conference centre—approval has been given for a new centre on the Broad Sanctuary site opposite Westminster Abbey. This will be completed in the mid-1980s and will cost about £18 million.

(iii) Restoration of Richmond Terrace, Whitehall—approval has been given for the restoration of Richmond Terrace and the construction of offices behind its facade at a total cost of about £12 million.

(iv) HQ for International Maritime Consultative Organisation—this building is currently under construction and is due for completion in 1981–82. It will cost about £20 million.

In addition to these major schemes, a number of important refurbishment projects throughout London are in hand or in the planning stage, and PSA has a continuing programme of local office provision and maintenance.Further construction work will arise in the Greater London area under the inner cities programme under which the area received £33 million for the financial years 1977–78 and 1978–79 and will receive a further £30 million a year from 1979–80 onwards. It is expected that a large proportion of this will go towards capital expenditure including, but not necessarily confined to, construction projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many claims have been settled by the Central Arbitration Committee under schedule 11 of the Employment Protection Act; how many were contested by the employer and how many were unopposed; how many workers were involved; which were the six trade unions sponsoring the most claims; and what was the average amount of the awards made during the past 12 months for which figures are available.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 2 February 1979; Vol. 961, c. 584],gave the following reply:Up to 31 December 1978 my Department had been informed of 644 schedule 11 awards including 192 in which the claim was not established. Of the total number of claims on which awards were made, 210 were not contested by the employer and a further 92 were contested only in part. Some 105,000 workers benefited from awards; claims on behalf of a further 58,000 workers were rejected. The six trade unions making most use of the schedule were the Association of Professional, Executive, Clerical and Computer Staff, Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs, Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (Engineering Section), Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section), General and Municipal Workers Union and Transport and General Workers Union. An accurate assessment of the average amount of awards could not be calculated on the basis of information available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest up-to-date target figures set by the Manpower Services Commission for the youth opportunities and special temporary employment programmes; and what is the number of places which the Manpower Services Commission had expected to have had available 1 February, the number of actual places negotiated, and the number of places occupied, giving each figure under the respective sub-headings of the youth opportunities programme, namely work experience on employers' premises, training workshops, community service, and project-based work experience, with separate figures for the special temporary employment programme.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the position of Seel House Printing Co.; what help he proposes to offer it; and if he will encourage the creation of a worker co-operative with the help of the trades unions.

As my hon. Friend knows, my right hon. Friend has decided not to assist the proposed takeover of the central Liverpool division of the Seel House Group. I understand that this has now closed down and we are considering what action we should take in respect of earlier assistance to the group. I would be prepared to consider any application for assistance from a workers cooperative to preserve jobs at Seel House under the usual Industry Act criteria.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will estimate the effect of the current price of naphtha on the retail prices of plastic products such as low density and high density polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polystyrene.

I cannot estimate what the full effect of the recent increases in the price of naphtha will be on the retail prices of the products mentioned, but would expect it to result in some increase in retail prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many firms have so far applied for assistance in developing the use of microelectronics; and how many applications have come from the West Midlands and Walsall.

Consideration is being given to more than 220 formal applications under Part C of the microprocessor application project relating to project support, of which 33 have been given financial approval. Of these, 23 applications have been made by firms in the West Midlands, including Walsall, of which three have so far been approved.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will undertake that at least one of the four proposed INMOS microprocessor production plants will be located in the special development area in Wales; and if he will give particular consideration to Gwynedd, in view of the expertise in electronics at the University College of North Wales, Bangor.

I am very conscious of the benefits that an INMOS production facility could bring to the Welsh special development areas, and to the assisted areas in general, but the location of these facilities must be a matter for the NEB and the company. I understand INMOS has commissioned consultants to make an appraisal of potential sites in the assisted areas and an announcement will be made later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what he is doing to ensure that Great Britain maintains its lead in software skills.

My Department is helping to maintain the United Kingdom's lead in this field by supporting product development in British companies, particularly through the software products scheme, and by encouraging the overseas marketing activities of the Computing Services Association. The activities of the NEB and its INSAC subsidiary complement the Department's efforts in this sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the announcement by British Shipbuilders that it is its intention to close yards in Teesside and Falmouth.

There has been no announcement by British Shipbuilders about closure at either Teesside or Falmouth.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many jobs have been lost in shipyards, region to region, since the setting up of British Shipbuilders Ltd.; and how current employment figures compare with those of 1960, 1965, 1970 and 1975.

I understand that 3,231 employees of British Shipbuilders who were engaged in shipbuilding, ship-repair and marine engineering have been made redundant since vesting day. The regional breakdown of this figure is as follows:

Scotland	…	541
Northern England	…	1,819
North Western England	…	469
Yorkshire and Humberside	…	23
East Anglia	…	19
South Eastern England	…	274
South Western England	…	86

Employment figures for those companies which now comprise British Shipbuilders are not vailable for years earlier than 1976. In that year average employment, excluding non-marine activities was 79,477; in 1977 it was 78,145 and in November 1978, 77,100.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry on what date the National Enterprise Board acquired its shareholding in Burndept Electronics Ltd.; how many shares and what loan stock it holds; what the cost has been to the Board; and when he gave his approval to the acquisition.

My right hon. Friend gave his statutory consent on 20 December last to the Board acquiring more than 30 per cent. of the voting shares of Burndept Electronics Ltd, but I understand that the acquisition has not yet been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much development aid has been paid out of public money to International Computers Limited; and how much has been repaid up to 31 January 1979.

£13½ million was paid to International Computers (Holdings) Ltd. between 1968 and 1971. This was a non-recoverable grant.As decided by the previous Conservative Government, £40 million in development aid was paid between 1972 and 1976. This is recoverable by a formula based on profit in the seven company financial years ending on 30 September 1984. None has been recovered to date.In addition, ICL has received a number of shared cost development contracts under schemes which are open to the industry generally.It is not the practice to reveal payments made to individual companies, but over 20 per cent. has been recovered.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the names, dates of appointments and, where relevant, their dates of resignation of the Government directors appointed to International Computers Limited.

Mr. J. C. Duckworth was appointed to serve as Government director of International Computers (Holdings) Ltd.—now ICL Ltd.—on 22 May 1968. His appointment ended on 24 May 1976, when the Department of Industry's shares in the company were transferred to the National Enterprise Board, and the right to appoint a Government director ceased.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will lay a statement under section 9(4) of the Industry Act 1972 of the Industrial Development Advisory Board's view on further funds under sections 7 or 8 of the 1972 Act to the Kirkby Manufacturing (Engineering) Co. Ltd.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) of the European regional development grants announced on 31 January 1979, what grants were allocated to Kirklees metropolitan borough area;(2) of the European regional development grants announced on 31 January 1979, what grants were allocated to Oldham metropolitan borough area.

None.A list of the United Kingdom projects to which a fund contribution was approved will be published in

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to tighten up security regulations on North Sea oil rigs.

The access of personnel to offshore installations and the control and day-to-day security of personnel once offshore is primarily the operator's responsibility. However, in this as in wider security matters, the operators receive advice, guidance and, as appropriate, assistance and support from the police, the Armed Forces and the Department of Energy. If the hon. Member has a specific point in mind regarding the tightening up of security, it might be more appropriate for him to write to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what fresh initiatives for conservation of energy he is planning for 1979.

Our main objective for 1979 is to consolidate the wide range of measures already in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are his Department's latest estimates of the potential energy savings which could be made by the year 2000 in the domestic, commercial, industrial and transport sectors, respectively on the basis of present policies.

It is extremely difficult to estimate what potential energy savings could be made by the year 2000. The energy demand projections in the Green Paper on energy policy include an allowance of about 23 per cent. in heat supplied by the end of the century to cover the effects of higher energy prices and Government measures, including their impact on consumer reactions and improvements in appliance design. This allowance is additional to normal technological progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will seek to raise at the next meeting of the European Economic Community energy Ministers the question of banning from European Economic Community ports any tankers which are not fitted with the inert gas system.

Aspects of tanker safety have already been considered by the European Economic Community by the Ministers responsible—that, is the transport Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total amount paid in grants and subsidies from Government to the National Coal Board in 1978.

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 24 November last, the Government have now agreed, subject to parliamentary approval of Supplementary Estimates, a total of grants to the National Coal Board in this financial year of £124 million. In the year ended March 1978 the total of grants paid was £75 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will discuss with the National Coal Board its feasibility study of the Stirlingshire-Clackmannan coalfield.

The Board is currently drilling in the area but it will be some time before it is able to reach conclusions on the extent of the reserves or their possible development.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the cost to each of the member States of the European Commission's new five-year fusion programme; and if he will make a statement.

The new fusion programme proposed by the Commission has yet to be agreed by the Council. If it were adopted without amendment the cost to the Community budget over the five years 1979 to 1983 would be 348·7 meua—about £235 million—of which 131·7 meua—about £90 million—is the sum already agreed by the Council for the JET project. It is not possible to allocate these sums between member States, as member States contribute to the Community budget as a whole and not separately to individual parts.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has for the future of the construction site at Portavadie.

A group of professional consultants is at present engaged in examining the site's potential for alternative uses. It is expected to report to the Secretary of State for Energy and the Secretary of State for Scotland very soon. Its findings will then be considered as a matter of urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the tripartite committee dealing with the future of the South Wales coal industry.

I announced on 20 November last that a sub-committee of the coal industry tripartite group was to be established to study the problems and prospects of the South Wales coalfield. The sub-committee has now met four times, and will be meeting again this month to consider its report.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will give figures for the National Coal Board's output per manshift, both overall and at the face, in the full years 1977 and 1978.

These statistics were published in the January issue of the Department's statistical bulletin Energy Trends. For convenience, output per manshift overall and at the face at NCB collieries was 2·18 tonnes and 7·77 tonnes respectively in 1977; and 2·25 tonnes and 8·53 tonnes respectively in 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he remains satisfied after cases involving constituents in the Hallam Division of Sheffield, that gas cookers approved to BS 5258 Part 2 —the gas cooker safety standard—will not allow enough gas to escape to cause an explosion in the event of the failure of the automatic ignition.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the volume of coal production and consumption during the last quarter of 1978.

Coal production and consumption statistics for the period in question were published in the January issue of the Department's statistical bulletin Energy Trends. For convenience, the figures are: production—34·5 million tonnes; consumption—33·2 million tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to the extent to which retreat coal mining exacerbates subsidence.

This is a matter primarily for the National Coal Board and I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he considers it feasible to extract oil from depths on the continental shelf by operating in undersea tunnels rather than from production platforms about the sea level.

A feasibility study has indicated that there already exists the engineering means to construct such tunnels. However, there are many further problems to be considered before it can be concluded that they may be used to extract oil safely from depths on the continental shelf. Furthermore, costs will be high and the economics of such an operation need further study.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he is satisfied with the operation of the Government testing centres in monitoring petrol consumption figures; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he has received complaints from motor car manufacturers regarding the findings of the testing centres in respect of petrol consumption statistics;(3) if there is any evident variation in findings among the Government testing centres in different parts of the United Kingdom, regarding petrol consumption statistics.

There are no Government testing centres associated with the fuel consumption testing order. Responsibility for the tests lies with the manufacturers which must either carry them out themselves or commission agents to do so on their behalf. All tests must conform to the procedure specified, which follows an internationally agreed method and which was fully agreed with the motor industry. We have received no complaints from motor manufacturers.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent discussions he has had with the National Coal Board and the miners' unions.

On 31 January I chaired a meeting of the coal industry tripartite group, at which the chairman of the National Coal Board and the national officers of all the mining unions were present.