asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of school leavers in the Northern region remain at school after the statutory school leaving age; and what are the comparative figures for the other regions in England.

The percentage of leavers from maintained schools in the Northern region in 1976–77, the latest year available, who remained at school after the statutory school leaving age^* was 44·2.Comparative figures for other regions were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will list any special educational facilities provided by each local education authority to provide for the educational needs of gipsies and other travellers and their families;(2) what statistics are available on the literacy of gipsies and other travellers.

My Department does not collect these items of information.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) Official Report 22 May, column 73, as part of his review of the education and training of the 16 to 18 year olds, he will initiate consultation with all those concerned in order to rationalise the differing rates of income maintenance paid for young people, to encourage as many as possible to acquire further education and technical skills, and to ensure that they are not paid for doing nothing.

The various allowances and benefits paid to young people not in work are paid for different purposes and in different circumstances. My right hon. and learned Friend is responsible for education allowances only. We have made it clear that we do not intend to initiate action in that area in isolation from more general issues of education and training opportunities for the age group.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will alter the regulaions in order to allow the purpose-built school buildings serving Clay-penny hospital for mentally handicapped at Easingwold, Yorkshire, to be kept open at weekends and for longer than the conventional school year; and if he will make a statement.

The Handicapped Pupils and Special Schools Regulations 1959—as amended—do not preclude the school being kept open at weekends and for longer than the conventional school year. The premises are leased to the North Yorkshire local education authority by the area health authority and their use for school or other purposes is a matter for agreement between the two authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many school pupils are recorded as suffering from dyslexia in the counties of Clwyd, Gwynedd, Chester and Somerset, respectively.

Neither my Department nor the Welsh Office collects information of this kind. I suggest that my hon. and learned Friend gets in touch with the LEAs concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps his department is taking to assist school pupils suffering from dyslexia.

Responsibility for assisting pupils who have specific difficulties in reading, writing and spelling rests with individual local education authorities. My Department is, however, currently funding several research projects into the identification, assessment and education of children with difficulties of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the gross annual remuneration of a member of the University Grants Committee.

A total of 15 academic members receive an honorarium of £990 per annum while 5 non-academic members receive a daily fee of £19·50.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has made to the Government of Czechoslovakia about the recent arrest and impending trial of 10 human rights campaigners.

My right hon. Friend shares the widespread concern at the arrest on 29 May and detention of signatories of Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia. With our partners in the Nine we are considering representations to the Czechoslovak Government.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the termination of the status of association between St. Vincent and the United Kingdom.

The Government have decided to recommend to Parliament that the status of association be terminated by Order in Council under section 10(2) of the West Indies Act with effect from 27 October 1979. Copies of the proposed independence constitution are being made available in the Library of the House.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, in the light of the further escalation of the civil war in Nicaragua and the brutal bombing of areas of the capital city, Managua, by the forces of the Samoza regime, whether he will reconsider his decision not to bring the matter before the Security Council of the United Nations; and whether he will make an immediate approach to the International Monetary Fund to suspend the$66 million credit to the Government of Nicaragua, approved without British dissent on 14 May.

Since the Organisation of American States is seized of the issue, it would not be appropriate for the United Kingdom to take the issue to the United Nations Security Council.The recent International Monetary Fund decision on Nicaragua was taken as on previous occasions on technical and economic grounds alone. The first tranche of 8·5 million SDRs has already been drawn. The fund will be taking a close look at whether the undertakings by the Nicaraguan Government set out in their Agreement with the International Monetary Fund are being fulfilled before the fund allows any further drawings.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the expected date of completion of each of the remaining stages of the M4.

I expect the Castleton-Coryton section to be opened next spring and the Bridgend northern bypass at the beginning of 1981. Completion of the remaining section—between Baglan and Lon-las—will depend on statutory procedures and availability of funds and I do not at present expect this section to be opened before 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will consider the provision of a bridge, or alternatively an underpass for cattle, or, in the further alternative, a crossing-place with gates, in order to connect the two detached portions of Hendre Fawr farm, Abergele, Clwyd, which are separated by the A55 trunk road.

No. Compensation terms have been settled on the basis that an overbridge would not be provided for the severed fields. A gated crossing would not comply with the design and safety criteria for this high speed dual carriageway road.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to introduce proposals to amend the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.

The Government are considering the best way of amending the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, in order to strengthen the powers of the courts, but it is too early to say how and when this will be done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to meet the chairman of the BBC.

I last met the Chairman of the BBC, and members of the board of governors, on 14 June. I have no immediate plans to meet him again, but will do so whenever necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the BBC about future expenditure requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the BBC about its future expenditure requirements.

I have had some general discussions with the governors of the BBC. My Department expects to receive the BBC's estimates of its future expenditure requirements shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy towards the use of live animals for experimental purposes.

We intend to update the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 and to reconstitute the advisory committee on the Act with wider terms of reference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for changes in the immigration laws.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's immigration policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the immigration policy of her Majesty's Government.

We shall make a statement on these matters as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce an order extending the operation of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 to nursing homes registered under the Nursing Homes Act 1975 and to disabled or old persons' homes registered under the National Assistance Act 1948.

My right hon. Friend intends to consult shortly with colleagues about possible further designations under the Fire Precautions Act 1971, in the health and social services sector.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received expressing concern about possible changes in the immigration rules and in immigration practice.

By 18 June, representations had been received from some two dozen organisations and members of the public expressing concern about possible changes in the immigration rules.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest figure of the number of people at present held in detention pending decision on admission to the United Kingdom.

Comprehensive information from the more than 50 ports of entry could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, but on the night of 17 and 18 June, 49 people were detained at the detention centre at Harmondsworth and 10 at the Queens Building.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will initiate an accurate costing of the annual expenditure on the detention of aliens at airports and ports of entry.

I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to provide the courts with suitable alternatives to imprisonment for persistent alcoholics and drug addicts.

The full range of non-custodial penal measures available to the courts—including the probation order—can at present be deployed in the sentencing of persons convicted of criminal offences who are alcoholics or drug addicts. The provision of facilities for the treatment outside prison of these conditions as such is not primarily my right hon. Friend's responsibility. Further studies are taking place of possible ways in which petty persistent offenders might be diverted from prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on his proposals for dealing with vandalism and malicious damage.

I propose to approach this problem by strengthening the police, strengthening the powers of the courts in relation to young offenders and juveniles, and by seeking to obtain the wholehearted support of the public in the fight against vandalism and malicious damage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to chief constables regarding the exercise of the discretionary powers of the police to supply information from police records.

Circulars reflecting agreed practices have been sent to chief officers of police on this topic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the reception of BBC Radio Birmingham.

Following site tests earlier this year, the BBC's proposals to transmit its Birmingham local radio service on a new medium frequency from the IBA's existing site at Langley Mill and to provide a new low-power medium frequency relay station near West Bromwhich have been approved in principle.The implementation of the new arrangements rests with the BBC. The usual national and international site clearance procedures will be put in hand as soon as the necessary information is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his current estimate of the first transmission date for ITV 2.

I am not yet able to give an estimate for the starting date for the fourth channel service announced in the Queen's Speech. It will depend not only on the passage of the legislation which we are to introduce but also on the rate of progress that can be made with the necessary engineering work and subsequently with the organisational arrangements and the preparation of programmes.

asked the Secretary of state for the Home Department what are his plans to alleviate the serious overcrowding that now exists in Her Majesty's prisons; and if he will make a statement.

The Government await the report of the inquiry into the United Kingdom prison service which was asked to take account, among other things, of the size and nature of the prison population and the capacity of the prison services to accommodate it. Some relief from overcrowding may be expected from building schemes already in progress which the expenditure plans published in Cmnd. 7439 envisaged would produce an increase of 3,200 inmate places by 31 March 1983. The Government are reviewing the requirements for further prison building in the light of its developing strategies for law and order and will take into account the report of the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on conditions in Her Majesty's prisons.

Conditions vary, but the deficiencies in the system are well known. The Government are awaiting the report of the committee of inquiry into the United Kingdom prison services and will consider how to support and improve the prison system in the light of the committee's report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will review existing legislation concerning the sale and use of airguns.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to make any changes in the present regulations governing the issue of licences for firearms.

We have no changes in mind at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the operation of the Bail Act 1976.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 21 June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's policy towards the voluntary services unit; and what is the future role planned for it.

The role of the voluntary services unit will continue to be to serve as a focal point in Whitehall for the voluntary movement and as a source of financial support for voluntary organisations whose work spans the responsibilities of several Government Departments.This role will be kept under review in the light of consultations which are proceeding on the report of the Wolfenden committee on the future of voluntary organisations and of the Government's general policies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the monitoring of drugs in prisons.

All Prison Service establishments are now making returns of the medicines and drugs prescribed for inmates in the previous three months. The first returns, covering the period 1 January to 31 March 1979, are now being collated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes in the entry of wives and children from the Indian sub-continent he now proposes.

The measures for the control of immigration which were referred to in the Gracious Speech will be announced in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to remedy the deficiencies of section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to his question on 12 June.—[Vol. 968, c. 161.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to introduce legislation to enable those on holiday at the time of a parliamentary election or by-election to vote by post or proxy.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mr. Pawsey) on 11 June.—[Vol. 968, c. 9.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the Minister of State's recent visit to Walton Prison, Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

The visit was one of a series made to see how establishments holding young offenders operate. The Government will make known their proposals relating to young offenders when these have been formulated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will present proposals for the reorganisation of parliamentary constituency boundaries.

As soon as we have considered the reports of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England and for Wales on its general reviews of parliamentary constituencies. I understand that my right hon. Friend is unlikely to receive these reports before mid-1982.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to alter the present method of calculating prison officers' overtime rates.

This is a matter within the terms of reference of the committee of inquiry into the United Kingdom prison services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the current state of morale and staffing in the probation service; and whether he will make a statement on probation officers' pay.

The staffing of the probation service is, at present satisfactory. Wastage over the past 12 months was low, but there are indications that it is now rising and we are anxious that this trend should be reversed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report of the police inquiry into the killing of Mr. Blair Peach.

The report of the investigation by Commander Cass into the circumstances of Mr. Peach's death will be made to the coroner and to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent unlit, or poorly lit streets, are responsible for traffic accidents which involve pedestrians, and the more serious crimes of violence including burglaries.

The first part of the question relating to traffic accidents is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. On the question of the effects on crime of street lighting, research has not been conclusive; but it is considered that good lighting in streets and elsewhere can have a deterrent effect on criminals, particularly burglars.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend section 9 of the Representation of the People Act 1969 so as to end the right of one candidate to prevent a broadcast being made by withholding his consent.

I have no present plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the introduction of citizens' band radio in the United Kingdom; what consideration he is giving to the matter; and when he expects to announce any policy decisions.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to Questions by my hon. Friends, the Members for Rochester and Chatham (Mrs. Fenner) and Lewes (Mr. Rathbone). In addition to several questions from Members about the Government's policy, we have so far received about 60 items of correspondence about citizens' band radio. These include correspondence forwarded by Members, representations from the Citizens' Band Association and its members and letters from other members of the public. Most of the correspondence has been in favour of the introduction of the facility.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of men and women at present serving prison sentences from three to five years, five to eight years, eight to 12 years, 12 to 15 years, 15 to 20 years and the number serving life imprisonment with no recommendation as to the period that should be served.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were sent to prison in each of the past three years for the nonpayment of fines.

Information on the number of people received into prison in default of payment of a fine is published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales"—table 7·2 of the volume for 1977, Cmnd. 7286.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Boundary Commission to report on county council ward boundaries in Bedfordshire.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is statutorily precluded from commencing its initial review of a county's electoral arrangements until orders have been made providing new electoral arrangements for every district in the county. In the case of Bedfordshire, I have not yet received the Commission's report proposing new arrangements for the borough of North Bedfordshire and it is therefore not possible for me to say when the Commission is likely to report on new arrangements for the county.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of secure remand units in England and Wales.

Secure remand accommodation is available at the 25 local prisons and 11 remand centres listed in appendix No. 3 to the annual report for 1977 on the work of the prison department. In addition, facilities are available at Camp Hill prison for adults remanded in custody by the Isle of Wight courts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people classed as alcoholics were sent to prison in each of the past three years, and what was the average sentence imposed.

Record of prisoners who are alcoholics are not kept centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prostitutes were sent to prison in each of the past three years.

Information in the form requested is not available. Information on those received into prison department establishments for offences relating to prostitution is published annually in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales"—tables 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1 of the volume for 1977, Cmnd. 7286. These figures include those sentenced to imprisonment, borstal training and to a detention centre and show separately those imprisoned in default of payment of a fine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Humberside on the steps being taken to protect Mr. Cyril Nottingham from the harassment and threats to which he has been subjected since the general election.

Arrangements for police protection are operational matters for the chief officer of police, and it is not the practice to disclose them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are any plans to increase the number of staff employed by the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England.

I know of no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to curb provocative marches and meetings by racist organisations.

I refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 23 May.As I made clear in my statement yesterday on the Southall disturbances, the Government are undertaking a review of the Public Order Act 1936 and related legislation.—[Vol. 967, c. 141.]

asked the Prime Minister when last she met the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when last she met the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when last she met the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when last she met the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when last she met the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when last she met the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when last she met the TUC.

asked the Prime Minister when she last met the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Prime Minister when last she met Trades Union Congress representatives.Q38. Mr. Cartwright, asked the Prime Minister when last she met the Trades Union Congress.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend met the economic committee of the TUC last Monday.

asked the Prime Minister what plans she has to meet the regional organisations of the Confderation of British industry and Trades Union Congress.

I have been asked to reply.No meetings have been arranged.

asked the Prime Minister when she expects to hold discussions with the Trades Union Congress.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Robertson) on 26 June.

asked the Prime Minister when she expects to have further discussions with the President of the EEC Commission.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend will be meeting the President of the EEC Commission at the economic summit in. Tokyo.

asked the Prime Minister if she will dismiss the Secretary of State for Energy.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead) on 26 June.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will appoint a Royal Commission into the administration of the immigration service and the responsibilities of the Home Office, Department of Employment and the Foreign Office for immigration control.

I have been asked to reply.No.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her engagements on 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will state her public engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 28 June.

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friends and hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers).

asked the Prime Minister when she expects next to take the chair at a meeting of the National Economic Development Council.

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) on 12 June.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will pay an official visit to Egypt.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is her intention to proceed with the setting up of the council for animal welfare recently announced by the previous Prime Minister.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 23 May.

asked the Prime Minister when she plans to meet the President of the Commission of the European Community.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Openshaw (Mr. Morris).

asked the Prime Minister if she will seek to ensure that the next elections for the European Assembly are held at a time during the year less likely to coincide with a peak holiday period and the immediate aftermath of a general election, namely September.

I have been asked to reply.No. The timing of these elections was the result of careful consideration of the differing holiday periods and public holidays in the member States of the European Community.

asked the Prime Minister when she intends next to visit the city of Liverpool.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will visit Ince.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what recent communications she has received from the African frontline Presidents regarding Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.

I have been asked to reply.I have received a letter from President Kaunda. Since it was written, Lord Harlech has had useful discussions with President Kaunda, as well as with leaders of the other front-line States.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will move to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate all aspects of the present system of awarding public honours with a view to making the procedure more democratic and in tune with the practices of the twentieth century.

I have been asked to reply.No.

asked the Prime Minister if she has discussed with President Carter the implications of SALT II for the United Kingdom and the other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is now in Tokyo where she will have discussions with President Carter on a range of subjects which will include SALT II.

asked the Prime Minister, what consideration she has given to the recommendations of the report of the Pearson Commission; what action the Government will be taking; and if she will make a statement.

My colleagues will be examining those aspects of this wide ranging and important report for which they are responsible. In particular, consideration is being given to the implications of the Pearson Commission's recommendations for the industrial injuries scheme. The Government are also studying the recommendations for the introduction of strict liability for defective products, having particular regard to the proposals by the EEC Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the fuel crisis he will consider the possibility of lifting the weight restrictions on large lorries from 32 tons gross to 38 tons, as in Europe, in order to conserve fuel.

Such a change could not make an immediate or significant contribution to the current shortage of diesel fuel. For the longer term, the relationship between lorry weights and fuel consumption is one of the matters which I have no doubt will be covered by the inquiry into lorries and the environment which I announced on 22 May.—[Vol. 967, c. 108.]

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the waiting times for driving tests at the test centres in Birmingham.

Waiting times are:

asked the Minister of Transport what is his estimate of the number of lives that would be saved and serious or lesser injury that would be prevented if the wearing of seat belts in cars were made compulsory.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on Wednesday 27 June.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to conclude his consideration of the inspector's report of the public inquiry held in December 1978 relating to the extension of the M180 motorway from Barnetby Top to Grimsby.

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Transport are bound to consider all the objections and representations, together with the inspector's report, before reaching a decision. The proposals dealt with over 14 miles of new road and the considerations are complicated. The urgency for a decision is appreciated and I hope that it will be possible to make an announcement this summer.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he intends to repeal that part of the Road Traffic Act 1972 dealing with the compulsory disqualification of persons convicted of three endorsable offences within three years preceding the last endorsement; and, if so, what is a possible date for the Bill.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Dickens) on 24 May—[Vol. 967; c. 239.]

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will list in the Official Report the number of houses owned by his Department which are rented to members of the public;(2) how many of the houses owned by his Department are to be offered for sale to tenants;(3) what discount will be offered to tenants renting houses from his Department who wish to buy their homes.

A total of 1,306 houses and other dwellings acquired by my Department for highways purposes are let direct to members of the public until they need to be demolished for road-works, and 1,588 to local authorities, housing associations and other Government Departments who in turn let them to tenants. However, 344 of the houses let directly are now unlikely to be needed because of changes in road plans; their tenants will have an opportunity of buying them at sitting tenant value, which involves a substantial discount on market value. Other surplus properties are normally offered to the organisation currently renting them and sales to the tenants are a matter for them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied with the present regulations regarding permitted levels of noise emitted from motor cycle exhausts or whether he is planning any change in the near future.

We propose to introduce stricter noise limits for new motor cycles in accordance with an EEC directive adopted last year. Interested bodies will shortly be consulted.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects the pay and allowances of British Transport police serving in London to be increased in line with the current pay and allowances of the Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement.

As the hon. Member, knows the pay and conditions of service of the British Transport police and other non-Home Department police forces have been the subject of a committee of inquiry set up under the previous Administration. The committee has just reported to the Lord President of the Council and its findings are now being considered by the Government. An announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what advice he is giving to local authorities and Government Departments on possible fuel savings.

I have written to Ministers in charge of Departments asking them to re-examine their own oil requirements and to approach the various industries and public sector bodies which they sponsor. Specific advice on oil saving, prepared by the Property Services Agency in conjunction with my Department, has been given to all Departments. My officials, together with officials from other interested Departments, will shortly be meeting the local authority associations to discuss the contribution they can make. There is in addition a wealth of material published by Government and others which public sector bodies can draw on in making economies in their fuel use. My officials are prepared to supplement this with assistance and advice as required, but, in general, it is the people on the spot who are in the best position to identify how particular savings can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he and his officials are having with the car industry over improving the miles per gallon ratings of car models with the object of reducing petrol consumption.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Ancram) on 27 June 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will commence discussions with a view to encouraging and part financing the conversion of existing district oil heating schemes to solid fuel or gas; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mr. Craigen) on 19 June 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he will take to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available to those involved in the production of food.

The oil companies and distributors are in the best position to ensure that fuel supplies to the food industry are maintained. Where the oil companies' appeal procedures fail to resolve a genuine supply problem, or where they appear to reveal inequity of treatment by the supplier, my Department's small supply liaison unit is prepared to investigate and has, in fact, already been able to help in a number of cases.Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are also monitoring the situation and are in close contact with my Department's supply liaison unit so as to ensure that particular problems are identified at an early stage.I emphasise, however, that those involved in the production of food, like everyone else, must be prepared to make economies in their use of oil.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will introduce guaranteed supplies on a priority basis in regard to the supply of fuel oil for essential work and services and domestic district heating schemes in view of the recent interruption of deliveries by leading oil companies particularly to hospitals and blocks of flats.

The overall shortfall in oil supplies is relatively small. Rationing, or a Government-directed priority scheme, would not therefore be justified at present. It would be an expensive way of allocating supplies and would lack the flexibility to respond to genuine needs. In my discussions with the oil industry, I have stressed the need to maintain fuel supplies to essential services and to meet particular difficulties as a matter of urgency where customers are threatened with real hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will arrange to investigate the reduction in the supplies of fuel by 40 per cent. to hospitals and ambulances in the Durham area health authority.

I am informed that fuel supplies to hospitals and ambulances in the Durham area have been only slightly reduced and that no problem exists at present. It is true that one hospital was faced with a possibility of a reduction of 40 per cent. in fuel supplies, but in practice the reduction has been around 5 per cent. Officials from the Department of the Environment and the Department of Health and Social Security are in touch with suppliers about the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the level of coal stocks and with coal output levels; and if he will make a statement.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27 June 1979], gave the following further answer:I have no present intention to change the existing statutory provisions that the National Coal Board may grant a licence for the working and getting of coal in a mine where the number of persons to be employed below ground is at no time likely to exceed, or greatly to exceed 30, or which is to be worked by opencast operations where the amount is not likely to exceed, or greatly to exceed, 25,000 tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he plans to seek to alter the number of statutory bank holidays for 1980.

The Government have no evidence of any general desire for a change in the number of public holidays and no plans for an immediate change.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the size of the Government subsidy to Remploy in the current financial year and over the last five years, and the number and composition of Remploy employees with psychiatric disabilities in each of these years;(2) by how much Government expenditure on sheltered employment facilities for, respectively, the mentally ill and the physically and mentally disabled will be reduced in 1979 and 1980 as a result of respectively, the announced £32 million cut in the Manpower Services Commission training programme and other cuts in public expenditure planned by the Government.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the reduction in financial assistance from the Manpower Services Commission to the Engineering Industry Training Board at June prices.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that information is not available at the price date requested. A reduction of £2·38 million has been made in the funds provisionally offered to the Engineering Industry Training Board amounting to £18·31 million in the 1979–80 financial year. The offer was made at April 1978 prices except in respect of some grant funded activities which were on a fixed price basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what will be the impact on the training of professional engineers following the cuts in grants from the Manpower Services Commission to the Engineering Industry Training Board.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the Engineering Industry Training Board has yet to decide what activities will be affected by the reduction in financial support from public funds in the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether the Manpower Services Commissioners were consulted in respect to the cuts in financial assistance for the Engineering Industry Training Board before they were notified;(2) what consultations took place with the Manpower Services Commissioners before the Government decided to cut its expenditure on industrial training.

My right hon. Friend did not consult the whole of the MSC before the cuts were made, but he asked the chairman to carry out what consulta- tion he could at short notice. The distribution of the cuts was made in such a way as to have the least damaging effects on MSC programmes.My right hon. Friend and I have since had a meeting with the full Commission to discuss its manpower programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what was the total number of participants in the youth opportunities programme from 1st April 1978 to 31 March 1979; and what proportion of participants progressed to a second module of the programme;(2) if he will publish in the

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proposals he has for improving existing regulations following his examination of "Fatal Accidents in Construction 1977";(2) whether he has received any proposals on legislation from the Health and Safety Commission following publication of "Fatal Accidents in Construction 1977"; and, if not, whether the Commission has indicated that they intend to make proposals.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 25 June 1979], gave the following answer:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment approximately what percentage of those unemployed for two years live in areas where the unemployment rate is greater than (a) 5 per cent., (b) 10 per cent., (c) 15 per cent. (d) 20 per cent., (e) 25 per cent., and if he will give the numbers in each category.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27 June 1979], gave the following answer:The following table gives the information based on the numbers unemployed and the unemployment rates in counties. Figures based on smaller areas could be provided only at disproportionate cost.