asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will define the training areas or parts of training areas owned or controlled by him for the Army in Lincolnshire and Norfolk from which members of the public are totally excluded throughout the year, and in each case give the dates when the total exclusion of the public was authorised by him.

The general public are excluded from two areas where live firing takes place, namely, Beckingham ranges in Lincolnshire and Stanford principal training area, in Norfolk. The exclusion of the general public goes back many years; since the second World War at Stanford and from at least 1951 at Beckingham, and is for reasons of safety. Small parties of naturalists have visited Stanford on escorted tours at weekends.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many slaughterhouses in Wales were closed in 1978; and if he will make a statement.

Eight.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money was made available to Welsh borrowers from building societies during 1978; and if he will make a statement.

This information can be obtained from the Building Societies Association Bulletin, April 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, following the recent cuts in public expenditure, if he will list any changes in the proposed start dates of major road improvements on the main A40 road, along a stretch some six miles East and West of the market town of Whitland.

No such changes are proposed as a result of the Budget.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what assistance he is making avail-able from his disaster unit to Jamaica, following the very serious floods there.

The disaster unit has helped to co-ordinate a British response. Two consignments of urgently needed medical supplies have already been flown out. In addition, at the request of the Jamaican Government, a Ministry of Defence aircraft from the United Kingdom stopped over in Belize, collected British services personnel with vital equipment and then transported them to the flood-hit areas. It is expected they will remain in Jamaica for some 10 days to provide urgent assistance. The total cost to the disaster unit will amount to some £35,000. The disaster unit is ready to consider any further requests for immediate help which may be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beef cows in Scotland were eligible for the hill livestock compensatory allowances in each year since 1975.

The details are as follows:

1975	478,436
1976	457,090
1977	451,201
1978	441,171

The 1979 figures are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, as a means of assisting in the emergency saving of fuel oil, he will institute a campaign to promote coal-fired and gas central heating installations; and if, in support of such a campaign, he will take steps to ensure that the installation of such systems will not increase the rateable value of the houses where such installations are made.

The choice of heating systems in housing is primarily a question for the individual householder or owner, who will, I have no doubt, take due account of the matters referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question. Under the provisions of section 21 of the Local Government Act 1974, the installation of a central heating system would not involve any change in rateable value until the next general revaluation for rating purposes. We see no case, however, for any more permanent departure from the normal rating principles for this particular form of improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the appeal for a 5 per cent. reduction in the use of fuel has been implemented by the Government so far as the use of their cars and vehicles is concerned; and whether this has been applied to ministerial cars and to those used by the few ex-Prime Ministers.

Instructions have already been issued to achieve this saving, including the Government car service which provides cars for Ministers, ex-Prime Ministers and officials.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent he estimates that a 5 per cent. cut in the use of petrol would reduce the average cost of each Government pool car per car per annum and the total expenditure for the stated number of cars now in the Government pool.

By about £25 out of a total cost of some £3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to bring forward proposals for a special scheme to insulate the homes of the elderly, the disabled and those suffering financial hardship, under the terms of the Homes Insulation Act 1978.

We shall be considering this question in the light of the results of the operation of the first scheme during last winter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the interests of conserving all forms of energy, he will now take steps to make 100 per cent. grants available to all householders who install double glazing and roof insulation of their domestic premises.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to publish the report commissioned from the National Building Agency on improved insulation standards in the houses of elderly people;(2) when he expects to publish the results of research on the impact of differing insulation standards on the fuel bills of the elderly.

No final decision has yet been taken on what material might be made available from the internal working documents commissioned from the NBA on these subjects or how this could best be done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the criticisms of present procedures made by the Council for Science and Society, the Outer Circle Policy Unit, and Justice, he will bring forward proposals for reform of the rules for public inquiries on matters of major public controversy such as motorway schemes and the siting of nuclear plant.

The interesting proposals which have been put forward are for a non-statutory preliminary investigation of projects with major national implications. They will be carefully studied.The procedures for trunk road, including motorway, inquiries were reviewed jointly with the Council on Tribunals and new arrangements introduced last year. I am glad to say that they are working well, but they are being kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what supervisory powers he exercises over the planning decisions of the Leeds city metropolitan council to ensure they comply with all requirements of Public Health Acts and Town Planning Acts.

The Secretary of State has default powers which he rarely exercises. He also has the power to decide appeals against authorities' planning decisions, and the power to call in planning applications for his own decision. In addition he has a number of powers to confirm orders and directions made by the authority, including orders to revoke, modify or discontinue planning permissions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Government's intentions with regard to the general rating revaluation for England and Wales for 1982.

The Government have decided to cancel the rating revaluation currently in progress. The necessary legislation will be introduced in the autumn. Meanwhile no further evidence will be sought from the public by the Valuation Office, and my advice to people who have received questionnaires about their property for the revaluation is to tear them up.Cancellation of the revaluation will provide the opportunity for the Government to sort out the longer-term future of the rating system. It will also lead to significant manpower economies in the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue and will save about £5 million of public expenditure over the next three years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his estimate of the number of users of citizens' band radios in the United Kingdom;

We have no information on which to base a reliable estimate of the number of people using citizens' band radios. The investigation of all forms of illicit use of radio is undertaken by the Post Office radio interference service, whose main task is the investigation of complaints of interference. No members of the service are employed primarily on investigating illicit use of citizens' band equipment. If illegal importation of equipment is suspected, officers of HM Customs and Excise may also be involved. The investigating staff do not require prior authority from the Home Office before interviewing suspected offenders. Since the beginning of this year, prosecution proceedings have been initiated against 37 persons suspected of installing or using citizens' band radios.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 so as to legalise the use of citizens' band radios.

No amendment would be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, from 18 June, taxi drivers and owners in the Carlisle area are able to charge the new VAT increases to their customers without having to apply to the local authority.

No. Fares and charges for the hire of taxis in the Carlisle area are controlled by bye laws made by the district council and it would be an offence for a driver to demand or take any additional sum by way of a charge.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will give the number of boys and girls sentenced to borstal training in each of the last three years;

The number of males and females aged 14 and under 17 sentenced to borstal training is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (Table 5(c) of the volume for 1977, Cmnd. 7289). The figures for individual ages within this age group could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information on the number of males and females of each age received into custody under sentence of borstal training is published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales" (Table 3.1 of the volume for 1977, Cmnd. 7286), but these figures are on a different counting basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of boys and girls in the age groups 14 years old, 15 years old and 16 years old, sentenced to borstal training in each of the last three years.

The average length of time spent in custody after sentence by those discharged from borstals in England and Wales during 1977 was about 9¼ months for male trainees and about 7¼ months for female trainees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of employment projects in each of Her Majesty's prisons in England and Wales and the total number of prisoners who are employed in such projects.

Employment for prisoners takes many forms and I am not clear which of them the hon. Member has in mind. If he will let me know I shall consider what information is readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of men and women at present serving prison sentences who are classed as category "A" prisoners.

On 31 March 1979, 252 males and 5 females classed as category "A" prisoners were serving sentences in prison department esabtlishments in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of men and women serving prison sentences under the category of young person for each of the last three years.

The average daily population of males and females classified as young prisoners, serving sentences of imprisonment in prison department establishments is published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales" (Table 1.2 of the volume for 1977, Cmnd 7286).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date he expects to receive Mr. Justice May's report into the prison service.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 18 May to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet).—[Vol. 967, c. 10.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the existing immigration detention arrangement at London Heathrow and Harmondsworth; and if he will make a statement.

I am considering the recommendations on immigration detention arrangements made last Session by the Education, Arts and Home Office Sub-Committee of the Expenditure Committee. I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present number of people who can be held in detention at the Harmondsworth detention centre.

The present aim is that the number of persons detained should not exceed 70 at any one time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent in each of the last three years in improving the existing buildings at the Harmondsworth detention centre.

I understand that the Property Services Agency has spent the following sums in the last three financial years: 1976–1977 £35,500; 1977–1978 £12,000; 1978–1979 £19,500.These figures exclude expenditure on maintenance, repairs and furnishings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make the order for the redistribution of the wards in the Leeds metropolitan district council.

I have not yet received the report of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England proposing new electoral arrangements for the Leeds metropolitan district. I cannot therefore say when I shall make the order providing new wards and other arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to continue the Enterprise Workshop scheme currently operating under the special temporary employment programme; and if he will make a statement.

Sponsor					Maximum MSC Grant (provisional)	Jobs	Activity
					£
Fifty products Ltd		…	…	…	132,000	30	Manufacture of children's furniture
Telegraph Hill Neighbourhood Co-operative	…	…	…	…	140,240	36	Manufacture of ladies' clothing.

Neither scheme is yet ready to start. Funding will be for one year initially but, where required, a further period of funding of up to one year may be granted provided satisfactory progress is being made towards becoming self-financing and providing permanent jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the annual cost of staffing the industry division and the training directorate of the training services division, including pension provision, expenses and other related overheads.

I am informed by the MSC that the cost in 1978–79 of staffing

The Manpower Services Commission is at present accepting applications for funding enterprise workshops under the special temporary employment programme in special development areas, development areas and designated inner urban areas. The future of such schemes is to be reviewed later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications have been received under the special temporary employment programme for the funding of co-operative workshops since 26 January; and how many have been approved, giving details of the name of the sponsor, the amount of grant, the number of jobs created, the nature of the project and the period of funding, indicating those approved since 3 May.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that since 26 January 1979 applications for funding under the special temporary employment programme have been received for nine co-operatively run enterprise workshops.The following schemes have been given approval in principle during the same period, both since 3 May:the industry directorate and the directorate of training, including salaries, superannuation and associated general administrative costs and overheads was £1·3 million and £1 million, respectively

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many staff posts in the industry division and the training directorate of the training services division are to be eliminated this year; and what is the projected reduction for 1980–81.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it is not yet possible to say to what extent the Government's plans to reduce the size of the Civil Service will affect the staffing levels of the+ industry directorate and the directorate of training of the training services division.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current annual cost of the provision of jobcentres in Scotland.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which areas will be affected by the £9·8 million cut in Manpower Services Commission expenditure in relation to industrial training.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, of the saving of £9·8 million to be made in MSC expenditure on industrial training in the current financial year, it is expected that just under £9 million will come from reduced MSC support for the ITB Sector. The remainder will be found by reducing MSC expenditure in the non-board sector and on multi-industry items.ITBs have been notified of the revised cash limits which now apply and are currently considering the necessary changes in their programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his attitude to the United States of America/French proposals for imposing some restrictions upon companies' operations on the Rotterdam spot market.

I discussed these matters with my colleagues in the EEC Energy Council on 18 June. I pointed out that prices for transactions on the Rotterdam spot market, which account for only a few per cent. of world oil supplies, were a sympton, rather than a cause, of the present difficult oil situation. I undertook nevertheless to examine carefully proposals aimed at improving the transparency of the Rotterdam market.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much secondary refining capacity would be required to accommodate United Kingdom North Sea production; and what is the amount of such capacity (a) on stream, (b) under construction and (c) projected.

The amount of North Sea crude oil which our refineries can use depends on a wide range of factors including its price relative to other crudes, the availability of other types of crude with which it is mixed, the products desired and the refinery plant. It is not therefore possible to give a figure for the amount of secondary refining capacity required to accommodate our North Sea production. At present United Kingdom refineries have secondary con-version (cracking) capacity to process about 16 million tonnes of feedstock annually. This is expected to increase to 24 million tonnes by the early 1980s and further projects are expected to come forward beyond this.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, if in money terms the 1973 price of crude oil was set at 100 and that in April 1979 at 570, what would be the comparable figures in real terms for 1973 and June 1979.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the written answer given by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mr. Craigen) on 24 May 1979—[Vol. 967, c. 188]. Setting January 1973 at 100 the average price of our imports of crude oil is estimated to be 632 in May 1979. On the same basis the retail price index on May 1979 was 242. Adjusting the increase in money oil prices by the in-crease in the RPI yields an index of real oil prices for May 1979 of 261.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy at what price in dollars per barrel he estimates the equilibrium between supply and demand for crude oil will be established.

The object of the IEA and EEC 5 per cent. oil demand restraint commitments entered into in March was to bring supply and demand into balance at the then current price levels. These savings have taken longer than expected to work through on a global scale with consequent pressure on prices. However, the basic IEA figuring has not been challenged. Obviously if the full savings cannot be achieved, or if the supply position were to deteriorate further, the equilibrium point would be at a higher price level, but it is not possible to estimate that level now.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what special steps he is proposing to take to meet the exceptional petrol demand of the private motorist, in particular, in towns in the North-West likely to occur at the commencement of Wakes Weeks holidays.

Distribution of fuel supplies and allocations of quantities are based on equivalent periods last year and the seasonal variations should be reflected in these allocations.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in the light of the acute shortage of petrol and diesel fuel in parts of Liverpool including Edge Hill, what steps he will take to remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement.

If specific instances with details of allocations and previous usage are reported to my Department I undertake to investigate these matters. Our supply liaison unit has not received any reports suggesting an unusual state of affairs, so far as fuel supplies are concerned, in that part of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if any priority will be given to public transport services if the fuel shortage worsens; and whether any contingency plans have been made to reserve stocks for such an outcome.

A scheme of Government-organised priorities would not be justified by the present level of shortfall in oil supplies. It is, however, conceivable that such a scheme would be needed if the fuel shortage was to worsen significantly. In this situation, the Government would certainly give careful consideration to the needs of public transport services.There are no contingency plans to reserve stocks for such an outcome. A priority scheme would require companies to sustain supplies to designated categories of customer, cutting back others as necessary in consequence.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimate has been made of the amount by which fuel charges will increase as a result of the £320 million savings announced in the Budget in the finance for the British National Oil Corporation and the electricity, gas and coal industries.

In the case of BNOC, nil. In the case of coal, only a small proportion of the price increases recently announced can be attributed to the Budget. The main cause was the need to meet the cash limit announced by the previous Government. In the case of gas and electricity, I understand the industries have yet to decide finally how they will make the savings requested of them. They have however been asked to avoid as far as possible increases in fuel charges beyond those required to meet the cash limits announced by the previous Government, taking into account any increases in their own costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the recent meeting of the Energy Council.

The third EEC Council of Energy Ministers under the French Presidency met in Luxembourg on 18 June. The Council discussed the Community approach towards the current oil situation in preparation for the European Council and the Tokyo summit.The Council reaffirmed the urgent need for member States to adopt demand restraint measures to achieve the March European Council's objective of reducing Community oil imports in 1979 by 5 per cent. to 500 million tonnes. Member States confirmed their readiness to study whatever additional measures seem necessary to tackle the current serious oil situation, and to keep the possibility of further action under close review.The Council invited the Commission to discuss with the oil companies improving market information by including crude oil as well as petroleum products in the Rotterdam check run. They also agreed to discuss at the Tokyo summit, without commitment at this stage, other possibilities for improving the transparency of the market.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which other countries use M3 as the definition of money for money supply purposes; which definitions are used by the United States of America, West Germany and Japan; and why he uses the M3 definition in preference to any other.

International comparisons are complicated by differences in the way in which different banking systems operate and by differences of nomenclature. It is usual, however, to distinguish between targets relating to narrow definitions of money which essentially seek to measure money held for transactions—M1 in the United Kingdom—and broad definitions which include a wider range of bank deposits. Among the countries which have set a target for broad money are the United Kingdom, the United States of America—which also sets a target for narrow money—West Germany, France, Spain and Australia, while Japan, which does not have a formal monetary target, has published a projection for broad money.The United States publishes annual targets for M1, M2 and, although it is perhaps of less operational relevance, M3: M1 is defined as the total of private demand, or checking account, deposits at commercial banks plus cash in circulation; M2 consists of M1 plus time and savings deposits at commercial banks except those represented by large negotiable certificates; M3, which is a wider aggregate than the United Kingdom's £M3, consists of M2 plus deposits of mutual savings banks, savings and loan shares, and credit union shares. The United States is however reconsidering its definitions since changes in the law which took effect last November have affected the hitherto clear distinction there between transactions accounts and other accounts. West Germany sets a target for central bank money which is defined as notes and coins held outside the banking system plus deposits with the central bank calculated in accordance with constant—1974—but different, reserve ratios for sight, time and savings deposits. M2 in Japan is defined as currency, demand, time and savings deposits.No one monetary aggregate can fully describe monetary conditions and the Government take account of movements in a range of monetary aggregates including M1, £M3 and DCE in reaching policy decisions. £M3 is currently preferred as the aggregate to which a specific target relates, partly because it is directly linked to other variables in the economy to which Government policy may be directed, including the PSBR, sales of gilts, bank lending to the private sector and the extent of official intervention in the foreign exchange markets. A target for £M3 therefore expresses the Government's intentions as to how a range of policies will affect the monetary system. M3 was also the most widely understood aggregate in financial markets when targets were first set in 1976.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects (a) to pay out the last prizes of premium bonds due to the industrial action and (b) to begin to pay out a level of prizes equal to the revenue which would be gained if the value of bonds were lent at bank rate.

The temporary changes to the prize structure which I announced in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Horsham and Crawley (Mr. Hordern) on 25 May [Vol. 967, c. 304–5] should enable the work of processing premium savings bond prizes to be brought up to date by the end of the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals in 1978–79 had total gross incomes from employment of (a) less than £4,000, (b) between £4,000 and £5,000, (c) between £5,000 and £10,000, (d) between £10,000 and £20,000 and (e) more than £20,000.

I will let the right hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ask the United Kingdom representative on the International Monetary Fund to call for a reconsideration of the decision by the International Monetary Fund to grant credit to the Nicaraguan Government, in view of the worsening situation in that country.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount of capital that will leave the United Kingdom in a full year as a result of the recent relaxation of exchange control.

I will let the right hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much income tax, assuming a 25-year building society mortgage of £10,000 at 11¾ per cent. interest, would have been paid in respect of the year 1978–79 by a married couple with a total gross income, all from employment, of £5,000; and what will be the corresponding figure for 1979–80;

I will let the right hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount, for the latest available year, of the net taxed earnings of the overseas subsidiaries of United Kingdom companies.

I will let the right hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of profits, in the latest available year, remitted by the overseas subsidiaries of United Kingdom companies.

I will let the right hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Council of Ministers (Agriculture) meeting in Luxembourg on 18–19 June.

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what interest the British Steel Corporation has in the manufacture of umbrellas; what profit or loss was made in the operations in the latest year for which figures are available; and what plans he has to sell the interest to the private sector.

None. The subsidiary of BSC—Samuel Fox, which is now BSC Stocksbridge—sold its interests in umbrellas in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what plans he has for the denationalisation of Vosper Thornycroft. Southampton.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is reviewing all the possibilities for reducing the extent of State ownershrip in the industries for which I am responsible. Decisions will be taken when the facts about the industries have been fully assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he intends to sell off any part of British Aerospace Dynamics Division, Lostock.

No decisions about any offer for sale of any part of British Aerospace have yet been taken. Government policy will be determined when the facts about the industry have been fully assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will issue a general directive to the Post Office to show directly in its accounts the cost of official paid stationery.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 19 June 1979], gave the following answer:No. Payments to the Post Office by Government Departments for use of official paid envelopes are assessed on the basis of normal public tariffs. Mail or Post Office business is charged to the various postal, telecommunications or girobank services which originate it.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are his proposals to promote industrial development in the area of the Leeds city metropolitan council; and whether the present grants for industrial building and developments will continue.

My right hon. Friend is currently reviewing the arrangements for assisting industrial development throughout the country, and a statement will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are currently serving prison sentences in connection with terrorist activities relating to the Northern Ireland situation; and what is the approximate cost per week of keeping these prisoners in gaol (a) in Her Majesty's Prison, Crumlin Road, (b) the Maze Prison, (c) Magilligan Prison and (d) prisons in Great Britain.

The information sought in the first part of the question is not avail-able as statistics of the Northern Ireland prison population are not compiled on this basis. The total sentenced population on 10 June 1979 was 2,253, of whom 547 were special category prisoners.It would not be possible, without unjustifiable expense, to extract information about costs in the precise form in which the hon. Gentleman seeks them. The estimated weekly cost of keeping a prisoner in custody in Northern Ireland in 1978–79 was of the order of £190.Questions as to the cost of keeping prisoners in Great Britain are for the Secretaries of State concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will have discussions with the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland at their next weekly meeting to ensure that the Army is prepared to give hot pursuit to terrorists attempting to seek the safety of the Republic of Ireland after a terrorist incident in Northern Ireland.

The Irish Republic is an independent sovereign state and its territory may not be entered by the security forces as part of their antiterrorist operations. I have, however, regular contacts with the Chief Constable and the GOC Northern Ireland about matters of security policy, and I hope shortly to have an opportunity of discussing issues of cross-border security co-operation in the broadest way with the Irish Government.

asked the Minister of Trans-port what proportion of the annual revenue from all forms of motoring and vehicle taxation is spent on road construction and maintenance; and if he has any plans to increase this proportion.

Revenue in 1978–79 from motoring and vehicle taxation—including VAT on relevant items—is estimated to be £4,515 million. This was made up of:

	£ million
Vehicle Excise Duty	1,090
Excise Duty on petrol	1,665
Excise Duty on DERV	555
Car Tax	380
VAT on road fuels, cars repairs and servicing	825

Provision was made by the last Administration for central and local government expenditure in 1978–79 on road construction and maintenance of £1,330 million—at 1978 survey prices. This represented a reduction in expenditure in real terms of almost 23 per cent. over 1974–75 levels. The Government's future expenditure plans will be announced in due course.

asked the Minister of Trans-port if he will compare the current position on axle weights in the several States of the EEC; and what steps have been taken to harmonise the position.

The maximum weight allowed for any single axle of heavy road vehicles in general use in EEC member States is as follows: 10 tonnesGermany, Holland, Denmark.10·16 tonnesUnited Kingdom, Ireland.12tonnesItaly.13tonnesFrance, Belgium, Luxembourg.

asked the Minister of Trans-port what are the dates for the several stages in the progressive implementation of the tachograph in the United Kingdom; and what is the expected date for its final implementation.

As announced, I shall be having talks with both sides of the industry about this during the next two weeks with a view to laying the necessary regulations before the House as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Trans-port what is his attitude to the EEC proposals for annual national examination of commercial vehicles.

Council directive 77/143 EEC requires goods vehicles and trailers exceeding 3·5 tonnes laden weight, and vehicles with seats for more than 8 passengers, taxis and ambulances, to under-go a roadworthiness test one year after their first use and annually thereafter to a standard similar to that now applying to goods vehicles in this country. The United Kingdom took an active part in preparing the directive, which is due to come into force not later than 1 January 1983. This is a contribution towards road safety and I envisage no difficulty in applying its provisions by then to the other classes of vehicle mentioned.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the current total of new driving examiners recruited as part of the recruitment drive launched by his Department last autumn; and what is the estimated deficit;(2) whether he is satisfied with the efforts being made by his Department to recruit more driving examiners; and if he will make a statement.

Since October 1978, 164 new driving examiners have been recruited and 50 more have been offered posts or are awaiting training places. This will not be sufficient substantially to reduce the present backlog and to cope with expected demand. My right hon. Friend therefore intends to give priority to recruiting more examiners, and they have been exempted from the Government's general ban on recruitment in the Civil Service. Other possible ways of reducing waiting times are also being examined.

asked the Minister of Transport how many driving examiners are employed at the Scunthorpe driving test centre.

Five.

asked the Minister of Transport when a start is to be made on the Ormskirk bypass.

Subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of funds, work will start in 1982 on the Bicker staffe to Bretherton section of the A59 which will bypass Ormskirk.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average waiting time for driving tests at driving test centres in the United Kingdom; and what is the average waiting time at the Med-way driving test centre.

The average waiting time in Great Britain is estimated at 26 weeks. The average at Gillingham is 38 weeks. We are urgently reviewing the position and recruiting more examiners, but improvement will take time. Meanwhile, examiners from other centres are detached to assist at Gillingham as opportunity permits.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average waiting time for driving test applications at the Scunthorpe driving test centre.

23 weeks. This compares with an average waiting time in Great Britain of 26 weeks and in the East Midlands of 26½ weeks. We are doing all we can to recruit more examiners and so eventually to reduce waiting periods.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the pass and failure rates for driving tests at the Scunthorpe driving test centre.

The pass rate during the period 1 January-31 May 1979 was 51·5 per cent.

asked the Minister of Transport how many people have had their driving tests cancelled at the Scunthorpe driving test centre during the last four months.

380 tests have been cancelled.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average waiting-time for driving tests in (a) Great Britain, (b) Burton on Trent and (c) Uttoxeter.

The estimated average waiting time for "L" driving tests in Great Britain is 26 weeks. The average at Burton-on-Trent is 35 weeks. There is no driving test centre at Uttoxeter.My right hon. Friend is giving priority to recruiting more examiners and other possible measures to reduce waiting times are being urgently considered.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average waiting-time now for driving tests in the area of the Leeds metropolitan district council.

23 weeks.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total number of fatal road accidents in the Brigg and Scunthorpe constituency for each of the last 10 years.

Statistics of road accidents and casualties in local areas are a matter for the local authority concerned. I suggest that my hon. Friend gets in touch with Humberside county council, which is the local highway authority.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will review the existing arrangements for the periodic re-examination of driving instructors approved by his Department and on their register to reduce the frequency with which this is done.

Periodic re-examination of driving instructors is pro-vided for in legislation. The Department's general aim is to have each approved driving instructor accompanied once or twice a year while he or she gives instruction. An instructor whose continued performance is in doubt might be seen more frequently. The main objective is to help instructors to maintain and improve their standards and thus to en-sure that the overall quality of registered instruction is not reduced. I hope that my hon. Friend will agree that the objective is important. If, however, he will let me have his reasons for suggesting a review I shall consider them.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that on most motorways the fast lane drivers drive at a constant 80 m.p.h. and traffic in the central lane is mainly heavy lorries and drivers at 60 m.p.h. and that it is exceedingly dangerous particularly in wet conditions to keep moving from lane to lane, in which lane he would recommend drivers to drive.

The Highway Code advises that on a three-lane carriageway the normal "keep to the left" rule applies. A driver may, however, stay in the middle lane when there are slower vehicles in the lefthand lane, but he should return to the lefthand lane when he has passed them. The right-hand lane is for overtaking only. If a driver uses it, he should move back to the middle lane and then into the left-hand lane as soon as he can, but with-out cutting in.The normal speed limit on motorways is 70 m.p.h. The limit may be reduced in particular circumstances when driving conditions so demand, and drivers should in any event adjust their speed to take account of adverse conditions.

asked the Minister of Trans-port if he will make a statement on his proposals for improving facilities for cyclists.

We should like to see cycling made safer and more convenient. Most cycling is on local authority roads and we welcome decisions by local authorities to improve facilities for cyclists. The Department of Transport helps with technical advice and, in addtion to the normal grant arrangements, makes a contribution towards the cost of experimental schemes.

asked the Minister of Transport, on the basis of the last experience in reduced speed limits, what reduction of present national petrol consumption levels he would expect to achieve by reimposing the same reduced speed limits.

The fuel saving attributable to reduced vehicle speeds during the first six months of the last reduction of speed limits was estimated to be not more than 1 per cent. There are other variables, and it is difficult to say whether, if the same limits were introduced now, they would produce a similar saving, but they would probably be less than 1 per cent.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement about the commencement of the Worksop bypass on the A57.

We hope soon to announce a decision following the public inquiry held in May 1978. Subject to the satisfactory completion of the remaining statutory procedures and the availability of funds, it is now hoped to start construction in 1981.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the cost to the latest convenient date of the Humber bridge and its approaches; what is the estimated further cost to completion; when is the estimated date of opening for public use; and what proportion of costs are to be borne by the Government and local authorities.

The Humber bridge is the responsibility of the Humber bridge board. I understand that by 28 February 1979 some £58 million had been spent on the bridge and its immediate approach roads. The board estimates that on current prices a further £9·5 million will be needed to complete the project. The board's latest estimate of the opening date was March 1980. The bridge is being financed by loans, 75 per cent. from the Exchequer and the remainder from other sources, all to be repaid from toll revenue.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list the number of registered private cars in each of the vehicle licensing areas of the Greater Manchester county.

Local vehicle licensing offices do not deal with licensing of vehicles in specified areas as old local taxation offices did. There are therefore no "vehicle licensing areas". The number of private cars and private vans in Greater Manchester which were licensed on 31 December 1978 was 556,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many beds are available in the Sefton area health authority for psychogeriatric males;(2) if he is satisfied with the provision of beds for psychogeriatric males in Sefton area health authority; and what steps he is taking to provide more facilities.

There are at present 79 beds for elderly severely mentally infirm patients, 28 of them for men. Priorities in the development of services are primarily for the health authorities and the Sefton area health authority's plans provide for a substantial increase in beds for the elderly severely mentally infirm.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute a public inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the death of Mr. David Matheson at Essex county hospital on 20 December 1977.

I was deeply sorry to learn of the tragic death of David Matheson and extend my sympathy to his family in their sad loss. I do not, however, consider that I would be justified in re-opening this case. The complaints against two general practitioners were investigated by Essex family practitioner committee and the right hon. Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Ennals), the former Secretary of State, did not allow Mr. Matheson's appeal against the decision. I have studied the Essex area health authority's report on its investigation into complaints against an ambulance crew and hospital staff and do not dissent from my predecessor's view that the ambulance crew and hospital staff concerned acted promptly and with the patient's best interest in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to publish a consultative document on alcoholism.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Essex, South East (Sir B. Braine) on 25 May.—[Vol. 967, c. 331–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of births in England and Wales for each of the last 10 years has been to mothers born in the New Commonwealth and Pakistan; what additional proportion of births has been to mothers of New Commonwealth and Pakistan origin but who have themselves been born in the United Kingdom; and what projections have been made for the future.

Annual estimates of live births occurring in Great Britain to overseas-born parents of New Common-wealth and Pakistan (NCWP) ethnic origin have been made on the basis of information collected at birth registration since April 1969, as follows:

per cent. of all live-birth in Great Britain
Year
Mid 1969–70	6·0
Mid 1970–71	5·9
Mid 1971–72	5·9
Mid 1972–73	6·0
Mid 1973–74	6·1
Mid 1974–75	6·3
Mid 1975–76	6·8
Mid 1976–77	7·5
Mid 1977–78	7·8

The above figures include births of mixed ethnic origin, that is with only one over-seas-born parent of NCWP ethnic origin, including births to NCWP fathers and mothers of indigenous origin. Births of mixed origin are estimated to have amounted to between 1 and 1·5 per cent. of the annual number of births in Great Britain over the period covered.The information collected at birth registration does not distinguish births to United Kingdom-born parents of NCWP ethnic origin. The age structure of the population of NCWP ethnic origin born in this country is such that at the beginning of the 1970s very few had reached childbearing age. It is estimated that births to this population would have accounted in the year ended mid 1978 for ¾ to 1 per cent. of the total number of births occurring in Great Britain.A discussion of possible future trends in births in the population of NCWP ethnic origin was included in an article in Population Trends No. 16, the quarterly journal of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, published on 19 June.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) further to his reply to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field), Official Report, 24 May, c. 214, what is his estimate of the reasons why only 240,000 families had theoretical marginal tax rates in 1976 of between 50 per cent. and 75 per cent., whereas about 1·1 million people were drawing rent rebates or allowances and a further 2·6 million were receiving rate rebates, both of which benefits are adjusted as soon as earnings increase;

Since these estimates refer to families in which the head was a full-time employee or self-employed, no question of amended figures arises.Relatively few recipients of rent re-bates and allowances were in full-time work in 1976. It follows that the numbers theoretically liable to marginal tax rates of 50 per cent. or more must also have been comparatively low.The loss of rate rebates coupled with increased tax and national insurance contributions could not in itself have given rise to a marginal loss of 50 per cent. or more.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have been successfully convicted of social security fraud since 1 January.

Records are not kept in such a form as to readily identify successful prosecutions for social security fraud since 1 January 1979. However I am able to inform my hon. Friend that, in the statistical year ended 20 February 1979, there were 28,002 prosecutions, of which 27,430 resulted in convictions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the mileage allowance payable to community nursing staff;(2) when the last increase in mileage allowance was payable to community nursing staff;(3) if he has any plans to review the mileage allowance payable to community nursing staff.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighouse and Spenborough (Mr. Weller) on 18 June.—[Vol. 968, c. 426.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of assisting those community nursing staff who need to use their own vehicles in the course of their work; and what proportion of the actual cost of such use is borne by the staff themselves.

Statistics detailing the cost to employing authorities of NHS mileage allowances are not held centrally. The rates of allowance, which are negotiated between the staff and management sides of the General Whitley Council and are based upon the Automobile Association schedule of estimated standing charges and running costs, are designed fully to reimburse to staff the costs incurred in travelling in their private cars on official business. A survey is currently being undertaken on behalf of the council into current pat-terns of usage by staff of private cars on official NHS business and the results, expected later this year, will enable the council to review the present system of calculating mileage allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases the families of strikers were in receipt of social security benefit during the past six months or to the nearest date.

30,208 strikers received supplementary benefit for their families in the 24 weeks up to 15 May.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the great shortage of regular chiropody services, particularly to the elderly, within the National Health Service, what is his policy on the introduction of the Chiropody Act similar to the one introduced for the dental profession in 1921 and ophthalmic opticians in 1958, with a view to ensuring that all chiropodists qualify to appear on a State register, subject to a test of competency, and that non-State registered chiropodists with less than five years' regular practice could only apply after this period and that further training should then be carried out as approved by the registration board at fully recognised centres.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Anglesey (Mr. Best), on 11 June.—[Vol. 968, c. 96.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce legislative proposals to place a duty on social services authorities to give financial assistance towards the cost of television licences for retirement pensioners resident in their areas, other than those who live in sheltered accommodation or are disabled or handicapped.

Local authorities al-ready have power to help elderly people with the provision of a television set and with the licence fee. There are at present no plans to extend this legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects work to start on the additional 25-bedded surgical ward planned for the Brook Hospital, Woolwich, as a result of the removal of acute services from St. Nicholas' Hospital, Plumstead.

Regional health authorities are responsible for the allocation of funds for capital developments and the hon. Member may like to contact the South-East Thames regional health authority direct.

Lewis asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that many retirement pensioners and others on limited incomes use paraffin heating oil stoves and that the cost of the oil is becoming prohibitive, whether he will take action to ensure that these poorer sections of the population are able to obtain such oil at lower prices.

I have been asked to reply.I share the hon. Member's concern about the need to maintain supplies of premium paraffin to retirement pensioners and others on limited incomes. With this objective in mind, I am considering the effect of current retail price controls over paraffin on the willingness of suppliers to continue in business. In view of the increase in crude oil costs this year, I believe that paraffin prices will need to increase if continuation of supplies is to be assured.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on Motability's decision to cease trading.

Motability is a voluntary body, independent of Government, which operates a car leasing scheme for disabled people. Under the scheme, a disabled person who receives mobility allowance may lease a car, maintenance and repairs included, in return for the mobility allowance. The lessee has to pay for petrol and insurance, and to pay an advance rental which varies according to the car chosen and the type of adaptations needed, if any. Motability is in the process of raising charitable funds in order to help applicants who find it impossible to find the advance rental from their own resources.My understanding is that rising car prices resulted in a situation in which the advance rentals would need to be in-creased. I understand that for this reason Motability ceased some weeks ago to issue new leases, until they could assess the implications for their scheme of the Budget Statement. Although the increase in mobility allowance from £10 to £12 a week in November will help, Motability's assessment is that the net effects of the measures are such that the advance rentals will still need to be increased substantially over previous levels, and they have decided to continue to suspend the issue of new leases.Motability have asked the Government to examine the implications of the Budget measures and to consider relieving the organisation of value added tax. This is being urgently considered at present by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.The Government support the excellent work which Motability does for disabled people and are of course looking at its problems with sympathy.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress he has made with reciprocal pension arrangements with Canada.

Any reciprocal agreement aimed at raising United Kingdom pensions paid in Canada to the rates payable in the United Kingdom after November 1979 would require additional United Kingdom expenditure of over £14 million a year. In view of the constraints on public expenditure, no financial pro-vision for this amount has been made and no discussions are in progress at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to establish how much an independent contractor would charge for pro-viding schools meals to the value of 17p worth of food on the plate; and if he will make a statement.

There is no evidence to suggest that an independent contractor could provide school meals as economically as at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether there is a pension scheme for kitchen staff preparing school dinners; if it is indexed; and what is the cost.

I have been asked to reply.All non-teaching schools staff, including members of the schools meals service, are at present eligible to become members of the local government superannuation scheme if their contractual minimum hours of employment regularly or usually amount to 30 hours or more in each week. Amending regulations in the course of preparation would enable all such staff to join the scheme in due course, irrespective of their weekly hours of employment. Pensions payable to members of the local government superannuation scheme are subject to annual review under the pensions increase legislation. I regret that it is not possible to isolate the cost of providing pensions for this group of staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the number and percentage of pupils in the city of Liverpool gaining five or more O-levels and two or more A-levels for each of the past five years; and how many subsequently went on to universities, polytechnics and colleges; and how this compares with other cities during the same period.

I regret that all the information is not readily available. Statistics of achievements of school leavers collected by my department are based on a 10 per cent. sample. Detailed information in respect of local education authorities there-fore can be subject to relatively large sampling errors and would not be reliable. Some limited information for the larger authorities will be published for the first time in the next issue of Statistics of Education volume 2, and I am placing an advance copy of the relevant table in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list for all the member countries of the European Economic Community details of the measures in force in each country aimed at regulating or reducing prices.

Comprehensive information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to public funds. The following notes, however, summarise the position in each member State in general terms:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if the present radio communications responsibility at Rame Head will be moved to Falmouth whilst a full complement of regular officers re-main at Rame Head.

It is the intention to transfer the existing VHF radio communications responsibility at Rame Head to the Marine Rescue co-ordination centre at Brixham when the installation of new equipment is completed and tested later this summer. A full complement of regular officers will remain at Rame Head at least until this transfer is effected.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the cost estimated for the new remote aerial land lines and additional equipment required to operate Rame Head communications from Falmouth rescue headquarters.

VHF radio equipment at Rame Head will be operated from the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Brixham. The estimated cost of operating the new VHF site at Rame Head is as follows:

	£
Equipment and installation	10,000
Annual rental of landlines	2,000

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what percentage of casualties Rame Head has handled, including ones that Brixham rescue head-quarters has passed to Rame Head during the period from 1 January to the latest available date in comparison with the rest of the southern division.

During the period 1 January 1979 to 19 June 1979, Rame Head handled 6·6 per cent. of the total number of casualties recorded in the Brixham search and rescue region. Southern Division ceased to exist on 1 September 1978 on the implementation of HM Coastguard regional re-organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will introduce legislation to prevent the sale of fire-works to individuals.

I have no such intention at present. However, I am studying the firework injury statistics for recent years and shall be considering what action is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from the English tourist board, the North-West tourist board, and the tourist industry in the North-West regarding the effect of petrol supplies on tourism and the possible collapse of large sections of the tourist industry should those supplies fail to meet demand.

I have received no representations from the North-West tourist board or the tourist industry in the North-West about the fuel shortage. How-ever, I am aware that in other parts of the country the industry is worried about loss of business caused by people's fears that they will be unable to obtain petrol at their holiday destination. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy announced on 11 June, he has asked the oil companies to try to achieve a more equable distribution. I hope this will help to dispel the worries of holiday-makers. Since there is a shortfall every-one must make some small economies. I have discussed the problem with the chairman of the English Tourist Board; he has appointed a liaison officer who is monitoring the problems, and the board has already been able to ease the difficulties which existed in some areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his forecast of the increase in import penetration in each manufacturing sector over the next year.

Forecasts of import penetration ratios are not published. However, in view of our trade performance last year and so far in 1979, it seems likely that import penetration will continue around the level of recent years.