asked the Minister for the Civil Service to what extent the Government's policies regarding the reduction of public expenditure will reduce the numbers of civil servants; and when he expects these proposals or plans to become effective.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 May to my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. Lewis).—[Vol. 967, c. 177.]

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will publish in the Official Report the number of industrial and non-industrial civil servants in post on 4 May for each Government Department.

The table below shows for each Government Department the number of industrial and non-industrial staff in post on 1 April 1979, the latest date for which figures are available.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the amounts spent on subsidising the arts in each standard region of the United Kingdom for the most recent available year, the portion of these amounts spent on music and, in particular, upon symphony orchestras.

The Arts Council holds detailed statistics on its clients' activities from which figures such as those the hon. Member seeks may be capable of being derived. If the hon. Member gets in touch with the Arts Council direct, I

Parliamentary salary	Operative date	Equivalent in April 1979 real terms (a)
£400	1 April 1911	£7,930
£600	17 July 1937	£7,470
£1,000	1 April 1946	£7,290
£1,250	24 May 1954	£6,290
(including sessional allowance)
£1,750	1 July 1957	£7,890
£3,250	16 October 1964	£12,480
£4,500 (b)	1 Janaury 1972	£11,630
£5,750 (b)	13 June 1975	£8,980
£6,062 (b)	13 June 1976	£8,320
£6,270 (b)	13 June 1977	£7,310
£6,897 (b)	13 June 1978	£7,490
(a) As measured by the movement in the prewar cost of living index up to 1938, the consumers' expenditure deflator for the period 1938 and 1946–62, and the general index of retail prices for 1962–79.
(b) Members' remuneration prior to 1972 contained an unquantifiable element to cover their expenses. Separate allowances for these expenses have been payable since 1972.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the total pay forgone during the last four years in gross income to an hon. Member which followed from the incomplete implementation of the Boyle committee recommendation in 1975.

The difference between the notional rate of parliamentary salary used for pension purposes and the salary actually in payment from 1975 to 1979 amounts in total to £8,600 in gross terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the transfer of staff from the Royal Aeronautical Establishment (Bedford) to Glasgow marks the rundown of operations at the establishment; how many people are involved; and what is the general nature of the work they have undertaken;

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will state the increases in remuneration for hon. Members since pay was introduced and the level of pay at the time of increase, giving the equivalent 1979 purchasing power.

The information is given in the following table:(2) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the Royal Aeronautical Establishment (Bedford) and the Royal Aeronautical Establishment (Cardington);(3) how many staff will continue to operate at the Royal Aeronautical Establishment (Bedford) following the completion of transfers of personnel to Scotland.

There are no plans to disperse any part of the work of the Royal Aircraft Establishments at Bedford or Cardington to Glasgow. Her Majesty's Government's policy is to continue to make the greatest possible use of the resources at these establishments in furtherance of their research and development programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the Government remain committed to the dispersal of civil servant jobs in his Department to Glasgow and the West of Scotland; if he will give the number of jobs being moved, their description and the site where they are to be located; and what is the expected timing of such moves.

In accordance with the undertakings given before the general election, we have instituted a review of MOD's plans for dispersal to Glasgow; it is too early yet to forecast the outcome of this review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his talks with NATO.

I welcomed the early opportunity to meet my NATO colleagues at the Eurogroup and defence planning committee meetings held between 14–16 May and was impressed by the Alliance's clear resolve to meet the challenges of the future. While noting with concern that many trends in the military balance of power continue to favour the Warsaw Pact, NATO defence Ministers welcomed the steps already taken to bring about improvements in the Alliance's defence and deterrent posture. It was recognised, however, that further efforts are required in strengthening NATO's collective defence.The full texts of the final communiqués of the Eurogroup and defence planning committee meetings have been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with NATO on the defence of Europe with long-range missiles; and if he has any plans to locate a new missile base in the United Kingdom.

These matters are under consideration but no decisions have been taken. The present position is set out in the communiqués of the Eurogroup and the defence planning committee, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the Territorial Army; and if he will make a statement.

The Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve has a crucial role to play in the successful execution of our defence policy. The Government will seek to maintain its efficiency, to improve its equipment and to encourage recruitment and prolongation of service. To this end, urgent consideration is now being given to the recommendations of the Shapland report.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to improve the contribution of the United Kingdom to the defence of the West; and if he will make a statement.

The Government believe that defence of the West can best be ensured through the collective security provided by the North Atlantic Alliance. We shall, therefore, seek to improve the contribution made by the United Kingdom to the Alliance's defence and deterrent posture, and shall do all we can to promote the objectives of the Alliance. In particular we have supported the call by NATO defence Ministers at our meeting earlier this month for 3 per cent. a year real increases in defence spending by member countries, and this is a factor we shall have very much in mind in considering what future defence budget levels should be.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the present level of recruitment to the Armed Forces; and if he will make a statement.

Although recruiting to the Armed Forces in the last financial year compared reasonably well with the achievements of recent years, all three Services failed to recruit the increased numbers of officers and Service men they required. This year's requirements are again high. However, I believe that now the Armed Forces have their fully comparable military salary, which will be maintained at the full levels of their civilian counterparts, recruiting rates will improve.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list (a) the numbers eligible and (b) the numbers claiming free school meals for each year since 1945; and if he will present the data on the numbers claiming as a percentage of those eligible.

The numbers of pupils in maintained schools in England and Wales taking a free school meal on the day of the autumn census, and the proportions of pupils present which these numbers represented are as follows:

Year*	Numbers receiving free school meals (thousands)	As a percentage of pupils present
1956	216	3·4
1957	218	3·5
1958	238	3·7
1959	254	3·9
1960	247	3·8
1961	238	3·6
1962	260	4·0
1963	289	4·5
1964	281	4·3
1965	308	4·6
1966	330	4·8
1967	404	5·8
1968	841	11·7
1969	594	8·0
1970	627	8·3
1971	805	10·3
1972	850	10·7
1973	795	9·7
1974	750	9·1
1975	784	9·3
1976	839	9·9
1977	997	11·9
1978	1,159	14·1
* Figures for years prior to 1956 are not available.

Figures for the number of children eligible to receive free school meals are not available. Estimates, based on family expenditure survey data, suggest that the take-up of entitlement in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976 was of the order of 80 per cent., 80 per cent., 70 per cent. and 80 per cent. respectively. An estimate for 1977 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in which of the member States of the European Community and Sweden there is statutory provision for a school meals service; and where school meals are provided, to what extent the service is subsidised by the taxpayer or ratepayer.

As well as in the United Kingdom, I understand that in Belgium, Eire, and Sweden there is statutory provision for a school meals service. In Eire and Sweden meals are free; in Belgium they are subsidised, but my Department has no information about the level of subsidy. In the United Kingdom, about 20 per cent. of meals served to pupils are free and on the remainder there is a subsidy to the paying pupil of about 50 per cent. of the cost of providing the meal.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage of secondary schoolchildren who are educated in comprehensive schools in England and Wales.

In January 1978, the latest date for which figures are available, 83 per cent. of pupils in maintained secondary schools in England, including those middle schools deemed to be secondary, were being educated in comprehensive schools. Schools in Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will reconsider the Liverpool city council's proposals to rationalise and reorganise secondary education in that city, following the decision of his predecessor to reject these proposals.

No. My right hon. and learned Friend can take no initiative on these particular proposals which were considered by his predecessor in March. It is, however, open to the authority to submit fresh proposals under section 13 of the Education Act 1944 for his consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes he proposes to make to the present system of maintenance grants for students in higher education.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans for major changes for the academic year 1979–80 beyond those already announced. He will be considering possible changes for the future in the course of the next 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes he proposes to make in the funding of students' unions in higher education establishments.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes he proposes to make to the present policy of restricting the number of overseas students in colleges of further and higher education.

None at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if any recommendations on the pay of teachers emanating from the Clegg commission will be fully subject to the application of cash controls on the rate support grant.

I refer my hon. Friend to what my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said on this subject in his speech on the Debate on the Address on 22 May.—[Vol. 967, c. 904–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had with the boards of the nationalised industries for which he is responsible, with a view to obtaining a speedier release of land owned by them but not presently used for operational purposes.

None. This is in the first instance a matter for the industries themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to discover how much of the 282,000 acres of land owned by electricity undertakings in England and Wales, gas under- takings, and the National Coal Board is surplus to requirements and is being offered for sale as development land.

This is in the first instance a matter for the industries themselves. I am assured that they keep their land holdings under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what flaring agreements have been reached since 2 May; what fields have been affected; and what will be the estimated daily quantity of gas flared in each field.

The Brent—430 mcfd—and Forties—110mcfd—gas flaring consents which expire on 31 May 1979 will be extended for one month pro rata to the expected oil production rates. Most other oilfields' gas flaring consents expire on 30 June 1979 and are being reviewed along with those for Brent and Forties. UKCS operators will be expected to maintain and, where there have been delays, hasten progress toward the sale and or injection of associated gas and NGLs.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to complete a review of the operations of the British National Oil Corporation; and whether he proposes to outline his legislative proposals in a White Paper.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brown-hills (Mr. Shepherd) on 24 May.—[Vol 967, c. 186.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what action he proposes to take to ensure that there will be an adequate reduction of oil consumption in the United Kingdom to enable stocks of products to be built up prior to next winter.

In addition to monitoring the reduction in the use of oil for electricity generation and the savings to be achieved by public sector authorities, there will be continuing close liaison with the oil industry concerning the allocation schemes, both as to their effect on reduction in demand and as to equity of treatment of their customers. It will be our aim to ensure that adequate stocks of oil will be built up again next winter while not reducing current supply to unnecessarily low levels.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what he estimates will be the supply position of central heating oils by October/November 1979.

Following the cold winter and the Iranian shortfall and the consequent need to rebuild stocks, the supply position will remain tight in the autumn. Demand restraint will therefore be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he recommends should be taken to mitigate the effects of Rotterdam spot prices on oil prices generally.

The Rotterdam market is a balancing market. Spot prices are not indicative of bulk trade in products. The real answer lies in moderating demand. At the IEA governing board meeting, which I chaired this week, it was confirmed that IEA countries will aim to reduce their demand for oil by 2 million barrels per day towards this end. It was also agreed that the IEA will undertake a study of the impact of the spot market on oil prices generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy on opencast coal mining; and whether his general policy involves a future increase in production from open-cast sources.

At present the National Coal Board is aiming for an output of 15 million tonnes annually, and any change in this level would be announced before implementation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what he proposes to do about the serious problem of diesel and petrol shortages in many parts of Scotland, particularly in East Aberdeenshire.

A number of filling stations in East Aberdeenshire and elsewhere in Scotland have been closed from time to time because of temporary shortages. The supply position of the oil company concerned should shortly be improved. Nevertheless, in Scotland, as elsewhere, all consumers should make every effort to reduce so far as possible their fuel requirements, since oil products will continue in short supply over the coming months.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any evidence of British companies securing consignments of oil under term contracts at standard rates and disposing of part of the cargo on the Rotterdam spot market at substantially advanced prices.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the recent rationing of fuel oil by oil exporting countries; and what steps he intends to take to ensure adequate supplies to essential industries, in particular the chemical industry.

The United Kingdom has joined with its IEA and EEC partners in an agreement to reduce oil consumption by 5 per cent. in order to restore a balance between world oil supply and demand. The measures taken by the United Kingdom to meet this obligation include reduced oil burn in electricity generation and economy measures within the public sector. Provided that these are accompanied by reasonable economies on the part of other consumers, United Kingdom users, including the chemical industry, should secure their reasonable requirements, although there will be difficulties from time to time for some consumers. The Government are keeping a very close watch on the position. If the situation worsens, we do not rule out Government action to ensure adequate supplies to essential users.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy for every month during the latest available six-month period, how many barrels of crude oil were (a) exported from and (b) imported into the United Kingdom; and what percentage in each case comprised heavy crude and light crude.

Definitions of "heavy" and "light" crude are relative terms, depending on origin, and there are no generally accepted universal standards.Because of industrial action, up-to-date data from the overseas trade statistics is not yet available. The following provisional estimates are based therefore on

CRUDE OIL (EXCLUDING PROCESS OIL)
			UK IMPORTS			UK EXPORTS
			Million (1) Barrels	34° API and below	Above 34° API	Million (1) Barrels	34° API and below	Above 34° API
				%	%		%	%
October 1978	…	…	46·1	65	35	16·2	1	99
November 1978		…	43·1	65	35	16·6	2	98
December 1978	…	…	40·1	60	40	19·7	2	98
January 1979	…	…	42·6	70	30	22·2	1	99
February 1979	…	…	36·0	60	40	23·2	1	99
March 1979	…	…	29·3	70	30	19·3	1	99
(1) Obtained by converting tonnes by an average factor of 7·35 barrels/tonne

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to publish the Marshall report on the combined production of heat and power from electricity generating stations.

I have now received the final report from Dr. Marshall, the chairman of the Combined Heat and Power Group. I am arranging for the group's report and an associated study of "Heat Loads in British Cities" to be published as energy papers as soon as possible. Other supporting studies will be made available to the public at the same time.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many electricity consumers have so far claimed discounts under the current scheme; at what total cost; what has been the average discount; and how these figures compare with those at the same period of 1978.

On the latest figures available, some 1·76 million consumers in England and Wales have so far claimed the discount, at a total cost of £13·35 million. The discount has averaged £7·58. The equivalent figures for the same period of 1978 when

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to resolve the difficulty of farmers in the Bristol area who are unable to get diesel oil because of shortage of supply and the industrial action at Avonmouth docks.

I am very concerned about the effects of this unofficial dispute, which has greatly added to the supply difficulties of consumers in the Bristol area. I understand that there is to be a further meeting between the company and the drivers tomorrow, and I hope that, with reasonable attitudes on both sides, this dispute will be then resolved.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the threat to oil supplies posed by the strike at Sullom Voe.

The strike by Shetlands Islands council workers led to a temporary halt in crude oil shipments from Sullom Voe. Normal shipments have now been resumed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from West Sussex county council concerning the need for a detailed study into the impact of the expansion of Gatwick airport on the local economy and environment; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received no such representations. We hope to make an announcement shortly on the Government's attitude to the planning applications which the British Airport Authority has made to the local planning authority involving the expansion of Gatwick airport.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is, for the latest and most convenient date, the number of ex-Ministers including Prime Ministers who are now supplied with a Government car and driver; and what are the total costs of these cars, including servicing, insurance and other costs.

Five. The cars are provided from a pool of cars available for use by Ministers and senior civil servants and individual costs are not kept. The current gross average cost of each car is estimated to be about £13,400 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the Churchill Street/Ellen Street, Heaton Norris, Stockport, compulsory purchase order to be confirmed; in view of the problems being caused to the local community, if he will do all in his power to expedite a decision; and if he will make a statement.

The metropolitan borough of Stockport—Churchill Street/Ellen Street—Heaton Norris compulsory purchase order 1978 was confirmed without modification on 24 April 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received the inspector's report following the public inquiry into the proposed fourth terminal at Heathrow airport; and if he will make a statement.

The report of Mr. Iain Glidewell QC, the independent inspector who conducted the inquiry, was received on 18 May 1979. The decision on the BAA's application for planning permission will be taken by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and Trade in the light of full consideration of this report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Ordnance Survey, when tendering for survey work in competition with privately owned organisations, bases its tender prices on direct costs plus an appropriate addition for overheads and profit.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of building Wymott prison.

The cost of building Wymott prison was £10·650 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is his intention to re-introduce the Caravan Sites Bill.

I am considering the need for legislation about the provision of accommodation for gipsies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is Government policy on the implementation in the United Kingdom of the sixth modification of the 1967 EEC directive on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances; whether United Kingdom legislation will be introduced to implement the directive; and whether it is his policy to press through the EEC for a mutual recognition accord with the United States Environmental Protective Agency.

The sixth amendment to the 1967 directive has yet to be agreed, but existing legislation provides adequate powers to introduce regulations to implement a scheme. Discussions on points of common interest are already taking place between the EEC and the United States, and both parties will be better able to identify and discuss specific issues when their respective regulations have been put into effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the hazard arising from concentrations of potentially dangerous metals on housing estates in Greenwich and elsewhere; what action he believes is necessary to protect the populations involved; how much such programmes should cost; and what asistance he will make available from central Government funds to assist local authorities which are involved.

Local authorities have statutory responsibilities for dealing with problems arising from the development of contaminated land; the Department provides technical advice where necessary, and is doing so for two sites in Greenwich. Costs of remedial action depend on the nature of the problem: where costs fall on local authorities' rate funds, these count as relevant expenditure for rate support grant purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is his intention to re-introduce the Countryside Bill during the present parliamentary Session.

I am aware of the interest in many quarters concerning the reintroduction of these provisions. I shall be giving them close attention, among the many urgent matters in my field, both in the light of the needs and of the legislative programme. I cannot anticipate our conclusions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take regarding the planning application in connection with the pro- posed erection of 500 houses in the parish of Anstey on the periphery of Coventry.

I understand that no application for planning permission has yet been received by the local planning authority.However, I shall shortly be considering the principle of large-scale housing development in this location in the context of proposals for modification of the Warwickshire structure plan. A copy of the eventual decision on the structure plan will be sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to introduce legislation for the restoration of powers to city authorities which were deprived of them in 1974.

No. But the Government ment are reviewing the Local Government Act 1972 with a view to eliminating unnecessary and wasteful duplication of services between counties and districts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will bring forward proposals to make water authorities accountable to customers and Parliament.

My right hon. Friend has no proposals at this time for altering the status or organisation of regional water authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he plans to increase improvement grants.

I am concerned about the low level of take-up of house renovation grants and am considering what changes might be made in order to increase the rate of improvement of substandard housing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an assurance to the South coast local authorities that his Department will continue to assist financially with the cost of mechanically clearing Japanese seaweed.

We can give no such assurance at this moment.A meeting has been arranged at which this Department's officials will be meeting the South coast local authorities on 6 June for an exchange of view. After that, a major report on the problem will be prepared, on the basis of which a decision of future funding will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average number of persons on the housing waiting lists in the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Bedfordshire.

The Department does not collect comprehensive information on the size of local authority housing waiting lists.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the use of meters for charges for domestic water supply.

My right hon. Friend would like to consider the full implications of such a change before taking a view on it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce rate rebate for water and sewerage charges.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has reached any conclusion on the proposals for the future organisation of the water industry contained in the White Paper "The Water Industry in England and Wales: the next Steps", Cmnd. 6876.

The Government are satisfied that the underlying philosophy of unified river basin management of water services is right and should remain. We are not however proceeding with the establishment of a national water authority as proposed in the previous Government's White Paper or the associated transfer to the water industry of the Central Water Planning Unit, which will accordingly be wound up. There is a range of other matters in the White Paper on which we have not yet taken a view, and these will be discussed in detail with the National Water Council and the other interests concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further plans he has to safeguard British shores against the dangers of oil spillage and pollution from tankers.

This Department, and those of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, are consulting the local authority associations about reviewing contingency plans for dealing with oil pollution of beaches. Contingency plans for dealing with oil spillages at sea are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the rating revaluation, which should have taken place in 1978 but which was postponed until 1982, will now take place in 1982 or if he will consider the matter afresh.

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to change the arrangements made by the previous Government for a revaluation to take place in 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the total number of manual workers employed by local authorities, and (b) the total number of non-manual workers employed by local authorities on 4 May.

The latest date for which information is available is 9 December 1978, when local authorities in England and Wales employed 1,127,085 manual and 1,533,250 non-manual full and part-time employees, including police forces.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the further atrocities committed by the Emperor Bokassa, he will break off all remaining diplomatic links with the Central African Empire.

No. I do not think that this would serve any useful purpose. There is no resident British diplomatic representation in the Central African Empire.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what discussions he has had with the Government of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and France as to the possible release from prison of Rudolf Hess; and if he will make a statement.

I have not had discussions with the other Governments who share with the United Kingdom the responsibility for Rudolf Hess. The Government maintain the position which successive British Governments have held, namely that Hess should be released from prison immediately on humanitarian grounds.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what pressures he intends to bring on the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in support of applicants for emigration to Israel and, in particular, in seeking the release of Igor Gudz to join his wife and baby who are already residents in the United Kingdom.

The Government have every sympathy with Jews and others who have been refused permission to leave the Soviet Union. Regular representations have been made to the Soviet authorities in cases where there is a family connection with the United Kingdom. I should be glad to consider this in Mr. Gudz's case, subject to confirmation that his wife and daughter are resident in the United Kingdom.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what was the total amount of aid given by the United Kingdom in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and if he will publish in the Official Report the amounts given to each recipient nation.

Gross public expenditure on aid in 1978 totalled £733 million. The amounts disbursed to each recipient were as follows:

GROSS DISBURSEMENTS OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON OVERSEAS AID—1978
Africa
	£'000s
Algeria	90
Angola	87
Benin	57
Botswana	5,639
Burundi	4
Cameroon	984
Cape Verde Island	960
Chad	CR 97
Congo	52
Djibouti	47
Egypt	3,673
Ethiopia	2,841
Gabon	X
Gambia	3,618
Ghana	4,459
Guinea-Bissau	1,897
Ivory Coast	1,234
Kenya	29,180
Lesotho	5,772
Liberia	172
Madagascar	165
Malawi	15,979
Mali	146
Mauritania	527
Mauritius	1,418
Morocco	31
Mozambique	5,831
Namibia	162
Niger	CR 67
Nigeria	9,811
Rhodesia	3,485
Rwanda	29
Senegal	755
Seychelles	4,866
Sierra Leone	1,344
Somalia	984
St. Helena And Deps	3,721
Sudan	7,086
Swaziland	8,700
Tanzania	10,363
Togo	25
Tunisia	241
Uganda	1,134
Upper Volta	26
Zaire	147
Zambia	33,316
Regional: Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland	116

£000's
Regional: East African Community	2,923
Regional: Sahelian Zone	44
Regional: Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia	25
Regional: Africa	596
TOTAL AFRICA	174,599

£'000s
£'000s
America
Anguilla	1,220
Antigua	734
Argentina	15
Bahamas	29
Barbados	313
Belize	3,871
Bermuda	13
Bolivia	1,062
Brazil	719
Cayman Islands	260
Chile	1,079
Colombia	863
Costa Rica	462
Dominica	2,603
Dominican Republic	107
Ecuador	1,795
El Salvador	413
Falkland Islands	2,121
Grenada	321
Guatemala	35
Guyana	6,395
Haiti	6
Honduras	313
Jamaica	19,559
Mexico	828
Montserrat	481
Nicaragua	186
Panama	78
Paraguay	226
Peru	820
St. Kitts-Nevis	721
St. Lucia	580
St. Vincent	1,845
Trinidad and Tobago	88
Turks and Caicos Islands	1,412
Uruguay	27
Venezuela	4
Virgin Islands (British)	554
Regional: West Indies	422
Regional: America	787
Total America	53,367

Asia
Afghanistan	929
Bahrain	451
Bangladesh	43,969
Bhutan	42
Brunei	8
Burma	1,374
Hong Kong	1,374
India	118,903
Indonesia	6,541
Iran	67
Iraq	32
Jordan	3,066
Kampuchea	X
Korea (South)	251

£'000s
Laos	912
Lebanon	334
Malaysia	1,500
Maldive Islands	52
Nepal	4,401
Oman	234
Pakistan	18,193
Philippines	220
Saudi Arabia	35
Singapore	1,506
Sri Lanka	8,318
Syria	37
Thailand	1,331
United Arab Emirates	5
Vietnam	1,454
Yemen Arab Republic	1,292
Yemen, Peoples Democratic Republic	1,590
Regional: Asian Institute of Technology	191
Regional: Laos and Vietnam	987
Regional: Mekong Valley	5
Regional: Persian Gulf	132
Total Asia	218,690

Europe
Cyprus	377
Gibraltar	1,947
Malta	3,783
Portugal	10,401
Turkey	574
Total Europe	17,082

Oceania
Cook Islands	1
Fiji	5,096
Gilbert Islands	3,514
New Caledonia	8
New Hebrides	7,551
Papua New Guinea	2,416
Solomon Islands	10,417
Tonga	252
Tuvalua	1,025
Western Samoa	14
Regional: University of South Pacific	129
Regional: Oceania	10
Total Oceania	30,433

Unallocable to individual countries	47,968
Total Bilateral Aid	542,134
Total Multilateral Aid	191,250
Total Aid (Gross)	733,384

asked the Lord 251 Privy Seal if he will make a statement of his policy with regard to aid to nations in Southern Africa.

The development needs of the countries of Southern Africa will be fully considered in the course of the Government's review of the overseas aid programme.

Technical Co-operation						1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
						£	£	£	£
Training in the United Kingdom					…	60,000	100,000	247,000	300,000
Cotton extension officers				…	…	15,100	21,000	10,000	—
Cotton ginnery consultancy				…	…	12,000	—	—	30,000
Cotton ginnery technical team					…	5,400	42,000	87,000	78,000
Cotton oil seed milling study				…	…	4,000	—	15,000	—
Cotton consultancy and advice					…	6,500	—	2,000	—
Oilseed agronomy consultant				…	…	2,500	—	—	—
Assistance to Customs			…	…	…	13,700	14,000	2,000	1,000
Fire service adviser			…	…	…	7,500	9,000	—	—
English language assistance				…	…	5,700	35,000	55,000	44,000
Grain consultancy			…	…	…	—	1,000	40,000	—
Agriculatural education consultancy and advice	…	…	…	…	…	—	1,000	4,000	15,000
Animal nutrition advice and equipment						—	1,000	3,000	—
Rural development training centre—advice	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	4,000	1,000
Sugar consultancy			…	…	…	—	—	3,000	—
Population training advice				…	…	—	—	—	20,000
Orthopaedic surgery advice				…	…	—	—	—	5,000
Total		…	…	…	…	132,400	224,000	472,000	494,000

					Disbursement
Capital Aid					1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
1974 Grant/Loan (£2·18 million) Cotton ginneries		…	…	…	82,000	437,000	71,000	525,000
1977 Grant (£0·18 million) Malaria control vehicles			…	…	—	—	Nil	90,000
1977 Grant (£6·0 million) Towards cost of development projects	…	…	…	…	—	—	Nil	Nil
Total	…	…	…	…	82,000	437,000	71,000	615,000

asked the Lord Privy Seal what assistance the British Government have given to the island of St. Vincent to help it overcome its recent troubles.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what aid Her Majesty's Government have given to the people and Government of the island of St. Vincent following the recent volcanic eruption; and what assistance is to be given in the near future.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list the aid provided to Afghanistan during the past four years.

The aid provided to Afghanistan during the past four years was as follows:

The British Government have provided immediate relief, including food and medical supplies and cash for the purchase of necessities locally, at a total cost of some £100,000.In addition we have sent two ambulances at a cost of £17,000 and financed the provision of seismologists and volcanologists from the Institute of Geological Sciences. We are considering with the Government of St Vincent the longer term problems of rehabilitation. My hon Friend the Minister of State the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) has just returned from a visit to the island.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take positive action to retain British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands in the face of continued Argentine claims.

Successive British Governments have left the Argentine Government in no doubt as to British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and their Dependencies.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will implement the economic development of the Falkland Islands in accordance with the report of Lord Shackleton in 1976.

The majority of the recommendations put forward by Lord Shackleton in his economic survey of the Falkland Islands have now been implemented. The Government will continue to maintain a close interest in the development of the Falkland Islands.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make an early policy statement in respect of the Falkland Islands.

We are looking closely at the problems of the Falkland Islands but no change of policy is currently planned. The House will be kept informed of all developments of interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement about the future of the Commission for Racial Equality;(2) if he will make a statement about the future of the Equal Opportunities Commission.

The Government are committed to the advancement of good race relations and of equal opportunities and recognise the part that the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission have to play in this Our detailed policies as they affect the two Commissions will be worked out in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to clarify the role of the Public Order Act and to strengthen and widen the scope of the Race Relations Act.

I attach the utmost importance to the maintenance of public order and intend to consider whether any changes in the law would be useful and desirable.

asked the Secretary of Stale for the Home Department what action he is taking, in view of the recent serious fires in Manchester and Sutton Coldfield, concerning the ignitability of polyurethane foam in upholstered furniture and the increasing hazard that this presents.

The appropriate subcommittee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Councils for England and Wales and for Scotland has already been asked to consider the implications of this development in the context of the operation of the Fire Precautions Act 1971.