Written Answers

Written Answers To Questions

Wednesday 11 July 1979

Easington

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Easing-ton.

I have no plans to do so.

Home Department

European Parliament

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the term of office of those elected on 7 June to serve as United Kingdom representatives to the European Parliament begins and ends; when their salaries become payable; and when their first salary payment will be made.

Article 3 of the decision of the Council of Ministers relating to direct elections to the European Assembly provides that the term of office of representatives will begin at the opening of the first session of the Assembly and end five years later. The first session of the directly elected Assembly commences on 17 July and the European Assembly (Salaries and Pensions) Bill now before Parliament provides that the salaries of representatives shall be payable from that date. The first salary payment will be made at the end of July.

Skylab

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans have been made to deal with the effect of any debris from the space station Skylab falling on the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar

Name of body						Grant for 1979–80
£
United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service	…	…	…	…	…	425,000
International Social Service of Great Britain	…	…	…	…	…	145,000
National Marriage Guidance Council	…	…	…	…	…	418,000
Catholic Marriage Advisory Council	…	…	…	…	…	62,000
Institute of Marital Studies	…	…	…	…	…	130,000
Family Welfare Association	…	…	…	…	…	10,000
Jewish Marriage Education Council	…	…	…	…	…	3,000

question by my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Mudd) on 5 July.

Gay Pride Week Festival (Police Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were mobilised, and at what total cost, for the Gay Pride Week carnival on Saturday 30 June; and how many incidents associated with the carnival were reported by the police.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that 1,474 police oflicers were deployed on the occasion of the Gay Pride march, from Temple Place to Hyde Park on 30 June. The cost of the police deployment is not available. The march occasioned no disorder and there were no arrests.

Vehicle Excise Duty

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted for not displaying a tax disc—vehicle excise duty—for the past three years for which figures are available; and if there is any other motoring offence in any of those years for which more people were convicted.

The information requested is published annually in "Offences relating to motor vehicles"—table 4, offence group 10, of the volume for 1977—(Cmnd 7349).

Departmental Funds

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bodies on which he has no appointtees are in receipt of funds from his Department; and if he will list them together with their annual grant.

The information is as follows:

Name of body					Grant for 1979–80
£
Bulldog Manpower Services Ltd.	…	…	…	265,000
British Council for aid to Refugees	…	…	…	^*	(168,613)
Joint Working Group for Refugees from Latin America	…	…	…	^*	(138,970)
The Ockenden Venture	…	…	…	^*	(35,167)
Save the Children Fund	…	…	…	^*	(Nii)
Action Resource Centre	…	…	…	20,000
Avec	…	…	…	^*	(3,000)
British Association for Counselling	…	…	…	12,000
British Association of Settlements	…	…	…	^*	(21,138)
Brixton Neighbourhood Community Association	…	…	…	^*	(43,605)
Community Service Volunteers	…	…	…	^*	(315,880)
Community Transport	…	…	…	29,825
Design Resource Association	…	…	…	15,000
Family Day Centre Projects:
1. Aide A Toute Detresse	…	…	…	42,326
2. Cambridge House and Talbot	…	…	…	24,454
3. Camden Family Service Unit	…	…	…	14,080
4. Croydon Gingerbread	…	…	…	13,404
5. Defoe Day Centre	…	…	…	42,679
6. Liverpool Personal Service Society	…	…	…	14,180
7. London Voluntary Service Council	…	…	…	38,394
8. Institute of Community Studies	…	…	…	14,048
Fair Play for Children Campaign	…	…	…	29,100
Gamblers Anonymous	…	…	…	500
Girls Alone in London Service (GALS)	…	…	…	13,020
Govan Resource Centre	…	…	…	^*	(40,968)
Greater Manchester Council for Voluntary Service	…	…	…	7,700
International Voluntary Service	…	…	…	^*	(26,000)
International Year of the Child	…	…	…	27,175
London Voluntary Services Council (Community Work Resource Unit)			…	57,840
Melting Pot Foundation	…	…	…	^*	(22,616)
Merseyside Council for Voluntary Service	…	…	…	7,700
National Association for Asian Youth	…	…	…	^*	(27,949)
National Council of Social Service (Consolidated grant)	…	…	…	412,248
National Council of Social Service (Community Development Officers)	…	…	…	^*	(30,661)
National Council of Social Service (Festival Welfare Service)	…	…	…	^*	(7,500)
National Council of Social Service (Management Training)	…	…	…	4,000
National Playing Fields Association	…	…	…	^*	(50,000)
National Youth Bureau:
National Association of Young People's Counselling and Advisory Services				^*	(10,841)
Young Volunteer Resource Unit	…	…	…	61,823
Voluntary Service Opportunities Register	…	…	…	5,765
Newham Community Renewal Programme	…	…	…	30,500
Newham Homeless Young People's Project	…	…	…	^*	(16,750)
Northern Association for Co-operative Community Care	…	…	…	^*	(35,000)
Onward Industries (NACRO)	…	…	…	^*	(44,000)
Outset	…	…	…	^*	(15,550)
Princedale Trust (Release)	…	…	…	^*	(42,000)
Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation	…	…	…	9,000
Runnymede Trust	…	…	…	^*	(13,000)
Scoutreach Nottingham	…	…	…	3,500
South Wales Anti-Poverty Action Committee	…	…	…	^*	(55,320)
Student Community Action Resources Project	…	…	…	^*	(14,898)
Task Force	…	…	…	59,206
Time for God	…	…	…	3,000
Volunteer Centre	…	…	…	^*	(265,600)
Media Project (VC)	…	…	…	^*	(18,750)
Wales Playing Fields Association	…	…	…	^*	(8,600)
West End Co-ordinated Voluntary Services	…	…	…	67,216
Police Complaints Board †	…	…	…	457,000
^* Grant level not yet approved—1978–79 grant shown in brackets.
† Under the Police Act 1976 members of the Police Complaints Board are appointed by the Prime Minister.
The list does not include local authorities or bodies on whose management committees representatives of statutory local services sit.

Driving Documents

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of requests for driving docu- ments under the HORT 1 procedure based in the area of Harrow Road police station were returned to the responsible officer or force as being untraceable.

The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Uninsured Drivers (Convictions)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of those convicted of driving without insurance in each year from 1968 to 1978 inclusive were under the age of 25 years;(2) how many people were convicted of driving without insurance for each year from 1968 until 1978 inclusive.

Numbers of findings of guilt for offences of using a motor vehicle uniusured against third party risks are published annually in "Offences relating to motor vehicles"—table 4, offence group 9, of the volume for 1977—(Cmnd 7349). Information on the proportion of cases in which the offender was under the age of 25 years is not available.

Overseas Development

Vietnam

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the level and type of financial support from the United Kingdom and the EEC to Vietnam currently; and what it has been over the past four years.

£ thousands
				1975	1976	1977	1978
United Kingdom Expenditure—
Technical co-operation	…	…	…	75	26	99	172
Food aid	…	…	…	—	—	1,089	1,283
British hospital in Vietnam	…	…	…	—	—	25	—
Grant for UNICEF for work in Vietnam	…	…	…	—	—	500	—
Electricity and water supplies	…	…	…	31	—	—	—
Her Majesty's discretionary fund	…	…	…	7	—	—	—
Total United Kingdom	…	…	…	113	26	1,713	1,455
EEC expenditure	…	…	…	4,636	3,155	7,963	Not available

House Of Commons

Snuff

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the estimated annual cost to public funds of the snuff which is provided for hon. Members outside the Chamber of the House.

The estimated annual cost is approximately £6·50.

Current British aid commitments, carried over from the previous Government, are to meet, by agreed instalments, the remaining £2·3 million of the total grant to support the sale of four British-built cargo vessels to Vietnam and to complete the courses of English language training in Britain for Vietnamese teachers, estimated to cost £190,000 in 1979.Earlier this year the previous Government had paid a grant of £2·9 million towards the cost of British-made gas turbines for Vietnam and instalments totalling £2·2 million from the grant for the ships; and provided 4,750 tonnes of wheat flour as emergency aid.The European Community had included the following for Vietnam in its programme of food aid for 1978–79: 86,000 tonnes of cereals, 15,000 tonnes of dried skimmed milk, and 4,000 tonnes of butter-oil. None of this has yet been delivered; and we are discussing with our Community partners and with the Commission the feasibility of diverting this aid elsewhere in South-East Asia to help the refugees.Figures available of expenditure in each of the past four calendar years follow. All this expenditure was made as grants.

Hansard

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the proportion of days on which the daily Hansard appeared in the approved format and at the due time in each of the past 10 years, and in the current year to date.

The following table sets out the information required:

Session			1969–70	1970–71	1971–72	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979 to 10 July 1979
Number of Official Reports	…	…	122	206	182	164	147	199	191	150	169	87	34
Members and House copies delivered by due time (7.20 a.m.)	…	…	119	202	160	116	103	168	169	129	136	78	18
Delivered late on due day	…	…	—	3	21	31	15	31	14	11	7	6	—
Delivered on subsequent days	…	…	3	1	1	17	29	—	8	10	26	3	16
Percentage delivered by due time	…	…	98	98	88	71	70	84	88	86	80	90	53

Employment

Training Opportunities Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give for each TSD region the percentage of total training opportunities scheme completions for 1978.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the total number of adults completing TOPS courses during the financial year 1978–79 was 70,187. The number of completions in each TSD region, expressed as a percentage of the total, is as follows:

	Per cent.
Scotland	12·8
Northern	7·4
Yorks and Humberside	7·4
North-West	16·3
Midlands	12·8
Wales	5·9
South-West	6·3
South-East	15·2
London	15·9

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give for each TSD region (a) the original planned training opportunities scheme completions for 1979, and (b) the revised planned training opportunities scheme completions for 1979 in the light of the decision to reduce training opportunities scheme expenditure by £22·3 million in the current year.

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that the number of TOPS completions originally planned for the 1979–80 financial year was 79,918. Revised completions arising from the expenditure cuts will be approximately 71,900. This compares with 70,187 completions in 1978–79. The table below shows, by TSD regions, the original completion targets—column A—and approximate estimates of the revised targets—column B.

	A	B
Scotland	9,650	8,900
Northern	6,182	5,500
Yorkshire and Humberside	6,014	5,700
North-West	13,000	12,000
Midlands	10,524	9,300
Wales	4,747	4,300
South-West	5,230	4,700
South-East	12,071	10,200
London	12,500	11,300

Retail Price Index

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for changing the index for cost of living measurement; if he will ensure that whatever changes are made he will still make available each month a retail price index based on the existing system of calculation; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to change the coverage or method of compilation of the retail prices index and the index will continue to be published in its present form. The Government recognise, however, that the purchasing power of people's earnings is affected not only by the increase in prices but by direct taxation and they are actively considering the most appropriate statistical presentation of these effects. The Government will set out their proposals in due course.

Hotel And Catering Training Board

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total expenditure on training undertaken by the hotel and catering training board.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that in 1978–79 expenditure by the hotel and catering industry training board on training in the industry amounted to £6·57 million, most of which is raised by levy on employers in the industry. In addition, the operating costs of the board, including its training advisory services, which are met by the MSC, amounted to £2·38 million.

Industrial Disputes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many official trade union-backed strikes, in 1974 and each subsequent year to the latest available date, were settled within one week, within one to two weeks, within two to three weeks, within three to four weeks and after more than four weeks, respectively;(2) how many unofficial strikes, in 1974 and each subsequent year to the latest available date, were settled within one week, within one to two weeks, within two to three weeks, within three to four weeks and more than four weeks, respectively.

Analyses of the duration of stoppages are not separately made for

Length of stoppage in working days^*
Year in which stoppages commenced			1–6	7–12	13–18	19–24	Over 24	Total	Of which, known official†	Other †
1974	…	…	1,877	508	230	116	191	2,922	125	2,797
1975	…	…	1,403	432	180	99	168	2,282	139	2,143
1976	…	…	1,375	337	122	63	119	2,016	69	1,947
1977	…	…	1,682	519	188	104	210	2,703	79	2,624
1978	…	…	1,561	410	166	114	220	2,471	82‡	2,389
Source: Annual articles on industrial stoppages in Department of Employment Gazette.
^* The analyses are not available in terms of week, since the working week varies in different employments.
† The division of the totals between known official trade union-backed strikes and others is made so far as the information is available. There are various borderline cases and possibly unreported official stoppages included in the remaining category "Other".
‡ Provisional.

Factory Inspectors

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are being taken to fill the 60 vacancies, as at 1 April, for factory inspectors.

I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that since 1 April 1979, 42 recruits have joined Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate from the open competition held in autumn 1978. The spring 1979 competition is not yet completed but should provide a further substantial number of candidates. Other competitions are currently being organised to fill the balance of vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list by region

Area						April 1977	April 1978	April 1979
South-West	…	…	…	…	…	26	29	34
South	…	…	…	…	…	26	22	28
South-East	…	…	…	…	…	25	24	23
London North-West	…	…	…	…	…	25	28	31
London, North-East	…	…	…	…	…	25	24	24
London South	…	…	…	…	…	28	29	31
East Anglia	…	…	…	…	…	25	26	27
Northern Home Counties	…	…	…	…	…	23	25	26
East Midlands	…	…	…	…	…	27	27	29
West Midlands	…	…	…	…	…	44	46	38
Wales	…	…	…	…	…	30	35	32
Manchester	…	…	…	…	…	24	30	28
North Midlands	…	…	…	…	…	26	27	29
South Yorkshire and Humberside	…	…	…	…	…	33	35	33
West and North Yorkshire	…	…	…	…	…	40	37	35
Greater Manchester	…	…	…	…	…	36	37	37
Merseyside	…	…	…	…	…	30	30	29
North-West	…	…	…	…	…	25	30	30
North-East	…	…	…	…	…	38	33	36
Scotland, East	…	…	…	…	…	30	33	31
Scotland, West	…	…	…	…	…	31	32	37
						617	639	648

known official and other stoppages. The information so far as it is available is given in the following table; the further breakdown requested could not be made except at disproportionate cost.the number of factory inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive for each of the years 1976–77, 1977–78 and to date in 1979; and what increases he expects in the inspectorate over the next five years.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 4 July 1979; Vol. 969, c. 607], gave the following answer:Following is the information for the beginning of April in each of the years 1977–79 inclusive.The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that present forward plans provide for an increase of about 200 factory inspectors over the next five years.

						April 1977	April 1978	April 1979
Field Consultant Groups^*	…	…	…	…	…	—	77	111
Headquarters†	…	…	…	…	…	254	195	193
Grand Total	…	…	…	…	…	871	911	952
^* Work on setting up these groups was going on during 1977. The 1977 HQ figure includes specialist inspectors on field consultancy work who later transferred to these groups.
† The headquarters figure includes inspectors in F1 HQ, F1 consultant sections and in the HSE secretariat.

Manpower Services Commission

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish full details, by activity, of the cuts in the budget of the Manpower Services Commission in Wales in the present financial year.

£ million
				Original estimate	Cut	Reduced estimate
Employment services	…	…	…	6·545	-0·052	6·493
Training services	…	…	…	13·400	-1·222	12·178
Special programmes	…	…	…	16·467	-2·500	13·967
				36·412	-3·774	32·638

Scotland

Nuclear Waste

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, providing Ordnance Survey references for each, the sites selected for test borings into geological formations as part of the research programme into the disposal of high level radioactive nuclear waste; and if he will indicate in each case whether a planning application has yet been made, and what the result of that application has been.

This is a matter for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, whom I have asked to write to the hon. Member.

Agricultural Marketing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Government advisory services exist for improving the marketing of agricultural products in Scotland; what is their annual budget; and if he has plans to extend these facilities.

The three Scottish agricultural colleges provide advice and information on techniques and opportuni-

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 76], gave the following answer:I am informed by the Manpower Services commission that the estimate for services in Wales has been reduced by £3·774 million at survey prices in the present financial year.The cuts involve the following activities:ties for the marketing of agricultural produce as part of their comprehensive advisory service. Government-sponsored bodies such as the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operation and also the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society are actively engaged in promoting improved marketing. Total spending on marketing advice could not readily be separated. I have no plans to extend these activities.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Cyprus

7.

asked the Lord Privy Seal which Ministers in his Department have visited Cyprus since 4 May.

None.

Chile

9.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on British relations with Chile.

23.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the present regime in Chile.

27.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the Chilean junta.

We are giving careful consideration to relations with Chile, but my right hon. Friend has nothing further to add at this stage.

South West African People's Organisation

14.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations have been made by the five Western Powers to the Government of South Africa about the mass arrests of members of the South West African People's Organisation—SWAPO—by the illegal Administration in Namibia.

According to South African reports, the detention of some 1,500 people in Windhoek on 26 June was unconnected with the South West African People's Organisation or political activities. However, I understand that all those detained have been released. No representations were made by the five Western Powers.

Pakistan

15.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will raise in the United Nations Security Council as a threat to world peace the development of nuclear weapons by Pakistan.

We view very seriously reports that Pakistan has started to construct unsafeguarded uranium enrichment facilities which could produce material for a nuclear explosive device. We do not, however, believe that recourse to the Security Council would be the best way of tackling this problem.

Disarmament

17.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding disarmament; and what proposals he intends to submit to the United Nations on the matter.

The Government will continue to work for agreement on balanced and verifiable arms control measures which maintain security at a lower level of risk and military expenditure. We shall play our part in disarmament discussions in the United Nations and elsewhere.

Helsinki Agreement

16.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what recent discussions he has had with the Soviet authorities regarding the implementation of the Helsinki agreement.

Progress on implementation of the Helsinki Final Act was discussed most recently last month during the visit to the United Kingdom of the Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Zemskov. The Soviet Government are, thus, well aware of our views.

Rhodesia

20.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what action is proposed regarding sanctions against the Rhodesian regime.

21.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on Rhodesia.

24.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on Rhodesia.

26.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the continuing negotiations and discussions with a view to ending sanctions on Rhodesia, in particular, with Mr. Andrew Young and Bishop Abel Muzorewa.

34.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on Lord Harlech's visits to African countries.

I refer hon. Members and my hon. Friends to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead).

28.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements he has made to consult the United Kingdom's European partners on their attitude towards the Government of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.

We are in close touch with our European partners, both bilaterally and within the framework of political co-operation, about our approach to the Rhodesian problem.

Salt Ii

18.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the recent SALT II treaty in so far as it affects the interests of Her Majesty's Government.

The Government are satisfied that the agreement will not interfere with continued nuclear and conventional co-operation between the United States and its allies, and that the essential security interests of the Alliance are safeguarded.

19.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what support he has given to the SALT II agreement; and if he will now make a statement about his proposals for SALT III, in so far as it affects the interests of Her Majesty's Government.

The Government have welcomed the SALT II agreement. We shall support efforts in SALT III to negotiate further limits on strategic arms provided the essential security needs of the Alliance are respected. We are considering with our Allies whether nuclear weapons not at present covered in SALT should be included in future arms control negotiations.

Middle East

25.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government propose any new initiative towards a permanent settlement in the Middle East.

The Government remain ready to contribute, with their partners in the Nine, to the achievement of a comprehensive settlement, without which there can be no lasting peace in the Middle East.

Latvia, Lithuania And Estonia

29.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what diplomatic courtesies are accorded to the Governments-in-exile of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Diplomatic courtesies, which include exemption from customs duties and relief from certain taxes, are extended on a personal basis to the two remaining persons who were members of the former diplomatic missions of Latvia and Lithuania in this country. There is no Estonian representative to whom any diplomatic courtesies are extended.

Seabed Resources

22.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the latest position of the United Nations Conference of the Law of the Sea in relation to international agreement on the exploitation of seabed resources, particularly the establishment of consortia working on plans for mining manganese nodules.

The resumed eighth session of the conference, from 19 July to 24 August, will attempt to reach agreement on an internationally acceptable regime for the exploitation of deep seabed resources. Such a regime would give assured access to manganese nodules for private companies and consortia, among others. Three British companies are members of one of these consortia.

Uganda

30.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will seek to visit Uganda.

I have at present no plans to do so.

Namibia

31.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on progress being made towards an internationally recognised settlement for Namibia.

On behalf of the five Western countries my right hon. and noble Friend and I discussed with the South African Foreign Minister in London on 20 June possible ways to reach agreement on an internationally recognised settlement for Namibia. It was agreed that there should be further exchanges.

France And West Germany (Foreign Ministers)

32.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when next he will meet the Foreign Ministers of France and West Germany.

I expect to see them at the next meeting of the EEC Council of Ministers on 24 July.

Indonesia

33.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is continuing the policy of relating the aid given to Indonesia to the expedition of the release of political prisoners.

The Indonesian Government's implementation of their programme of releases is one of the factors affecting our relationship with Indonesia.

Defence

Hms "Warrior"

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plan he has for ensuring the future of HMS "Warrior", having regard to her unique historical value.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 12 June 1979.—[Vol. 968, c. 158–9.]

Social Services

Mental Illness And Handicap

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many beds in the North-East Thames region hospitals which would otherwise be available for the treatment of mentally ill and mentally handicapped patients are presently unavailable due to staff shortages;(2) how many beds in Chase Farm hospital, Enfield, which would otherwise be available for the treatment of mentally ill and mentally handicapped patients, are presently unavailable due to staff shortages;(3) what percentage of the number of beds made available for the treatment of mentally ill and mentally handicapped patients are presently unavailable due to staff shortages in all National Health Service hospitals, all North-East Thames region hospitals and Chase Farm hospital, Enfield, respectively.

The information requested is not held by the Department and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, my hon. Friend may like to approach the health authorities direct for information on local figures.

Benefits

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of claimants having national assistance or supplementary benefit who were also drawing a national insurance benefit for each year since 1948; and if he will present this data as a percentage of the total number of claimants.

The information is in the following table:

Year	Number having National Assistance or Supplementary Benefit and a National Insurance Benefit^ (thousands)*	Column (2) as a percentage of all claimants
(1)	(2)	(3)
1948	675	67
1949	767	66
1950	925	69
1951	1,007	69
1952	1,148	69
1953	1,230	70
1954	1,262	70
1955	1,096	68
1956	1,144	69
1957	1,198	70
1958	1,119	68
1959	1,221	69
1960	1,322	71
1961	1,312	71
1962	1,451	72
1963	1,406	71
1964	1,435	73
1965	1,477	74
1966	1,922	77
1967	1,930	75
1968	1,986	75
1969	2,014	75
1970	2,050	75
1971	2,160	74
1972	2,096	72
1973	1,970	74
1974	1,920	72
1975	1,832	66
1976†	—	—
1977	1,861	62
1978	1,812	62
^* Includes all retirement pensions (although some may be non-contributory) but excludes non-contributory invalidity benefit.
† Not available due to industrial action

Supplementary Benefit (Industrial Disputes)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total amount of supplementary benefits paid, in 1974 and each subsequent year to the latest available date, to strikers and their families for official trade union-backed strikes lasting less than one week, between one and two weeks, between two and three weeks, between three and four weeks, and over four weeks, respectively;(2) what was the total amount of supplementary benefit paid, in 1974 and each subsequent year to the latest available date, to strikers and their families for unofficial strikes lasting less than one week; between one and two weeks, between two and three weeks, between three and four weeks, and more than four weeks, respectively.

This information is not available. The statistics of supplementary benefit payments to strikers do not differentiate between official and unofficial strikes, or between strikes of varying length. It is, however, unlikely that payment would be made in a dispute lasting less than two weeks since this period is usually covered by final earnings.

Cancer (Terminal Patients)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds are currently available to Enfield and Haringey area health authority for the treatment of terminally ill cancer patients.

The information requested is not held by the Department. My hon. Friend may like to approach the health authority direct for information on local figures.

Ancillary Workers (Car Allowance)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pending their review of the adequacy of present arrangements, he will instruct the Whitley Council to make an interim increase in the car allowance paid to health visitors, community nurses and community midwives.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with present

						1974	1975	1976	1977
Northern	…	…	…	…	…	16	16	14	12
Yorkshire and Humberside	…	…	…	…	…	20	18	17	16
North-West	…	…	…	…	…	17	18	18	18
East Midlands	…	…	…	…	…	12	15	14	12
West Midlands	…	…	…	…	…	20	18	18	17
East Anglia	…	…	…	…	…	6	8	6	5
South-East	…	…	…	…	…	18	18	18	16
South-West	…	…	…	…	…	10	11	10	8
Wales	…	…	…	…	…	16	16	13	13

arrangements for reimbursement to National Health Service employees of motoring costs; and whether he intends to take action in this matter.

I refer the hon. Members to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Aspinwall) on 5 July.—[Vol. 969, c. 712.]

Sickness Certificates

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the certificate given by a general practitioner to a patient for the purpose of showing sickness to an employer is chargeable by a fee to the patient.

If the doctor issues a private medical certificate for an employer, he is entitled to charge a fee for it. If, however, the medical certificate is reasonably required for national insurance purposes, the doctor may not charge a fee even if the patient wishes to show it to his employer before sending it to the local social security office.

Private Health Insurance

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will place a copy of the Lee Donaldson Associates report on the extent of private health insurance schemes in the Library.

Yes. A copy has been placed in the Library.

Tuberculosis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the incidence of cases of tuberculosis reported in each standard region of the United Kingdom for each year since 1974.

Notification rates per 100,000 population in England and Wales for tuberculosis of the respiratory system are given below. The figures for 1978 are not yet available.

The national rates for England and Wales during the four years were 16, 17, 16 and 14 per 100,000 of the population respectivly.

Death Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if in the proposed White Paper on the elderly he will be dealing specifically with the Government's policy on the death grant.

My right hon. Friend will be considering this possibility.

Prescriptions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the increases in National Health Service prescription charges, he will consider extending the provision of free prescriptions to young people who are over the age of 16 years but still receiving full-time education.

My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present. However, many young people over the age of 16 in full-time education can claim exemption from these charges on low income grounds in their own right, irrespective of their parents' income.

Family Income Supplement

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will state the number of families expected to be eligible for family income supplement—on the basis of the November uprating—in November 1979.(2) how many families were estimated to be eligible for family income supplement in November 1978 and July 1979.

I regret that information is not available in the form requested. The hon. Member may, however, find it helpful to refer to table 32.16 in "Social Security Statistics 1977" published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, which gives the most recent reliable estimates of eligibility for, and take-up of, family income supplement—FIS. It is hoped that the family finances survey, now in progress, will yield better information on eligibility for FIS, based on a much bigger sample of low-income families with children than is available from the family expenditure survey—the source of table 32.16. It is estimated that, at the end of November 1978, there were 82,200 families in receipt of FIS in Great Britain; and it is forecast that, following implementation of our proposals for the November 1979 uprating of FIS now before the House, the number of families on FIS will rise to a peak of 87,000 in 1979–80.

Budget (Family Impact)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when he intends to publish a family impact statement on this year's Budget;(2) when he intends to begin publication of family impact statements on each main area of Government policy.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 10 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 163], gave the following answer:I have been asked to reply.I gave a broad indication of the effects of my tax proposals at different income levels in my Budget Statement. The Central Statistical Office publishes each year in

Economic Trends statistics of the effect of taxation and benefits on a wide range of household types at different income levels.

Trade

Balance Of Trade

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will circulate in the Official Report figures of imports and exports from the EEC Eight and EEC Six of (a) total visible trade less crude oil and precious stones and (b) manufactures less precious stones, together with the trading balance and the rates of imports to exports, for each of the years 1970 to 1978 and the first five months of this year at an annual rate.

The available information is given in the following table. However, because of the distortions to the trade figures so far this year—see note (3)—conversion to an annual rate is not meaningful, and the table therefore gives the actual figures for the first five months.

								OTS Basis £ million
	(a) Total trade (0–9) less crude oil(1) and division 66(2)				(b) Manufactures (5–8) less division 66(2)
	Exports	Imports	Crude balance	Import/Export ratio percentage	Exports	Imports	Crude balance	Import/Export ratio percentage
				EEC (8)
SITC(R)—
1970	2,202	2,347	-145	107	1,767	1,420	+347	80
1971	2,392	2,716	-324	114	1,927	1,692	+236	88
1972	2,733	3,382	-649	124	2,180	2,225	-45	98
1973	3,704	5,031	-1,327	136	2,897	3,347	-450	116
1974	5,155	7,322	-2,167	142	3,969	4,752	-783	120
1975	6,030	8,316	-2,286	138	4,557	5,235	-677	115
1976	8,472	10,772	-2,301	127	6,508	7,242	-734	111
1977	10,718	13,364	-2,646	125	8,319	9,289	-970	112
SITC (Rev 2)—
1977	10,803	13,491	-2,688	125	8,413	9,383	-970	112
1978	12,552	15,711	-3,159	125	9,552	11,544	-1,992	121
January-May 1979	5,906	7,943	-2,037	134	4,605	5,891	-1,286	128
				EEC (6)
SITC(R)—
1970	1,638	1,765	-127	108	1,337	1,234	+103	92
1971	1,792	2,046	-254	114	1,473	1,459	+14	99
1972	2,074	2,633	-559	127	1,684	1,941	-257	115
1973	2,788	4,078	-1,290	146	2,221	2,965	-744	134
1974	3,959	6,101	-2,142	154	3,144	4,266	-1,122	136
1975	4,747	6,893	-2,146	145	3,657	4,721	-1,064	129
1976	6,657	9,148	-2,491	137	5,244	6,582	-1,338	126
1977	8,420	11,371	-2,951	135	6,695	8,407	-1,712	126
SITC(Rev 2)—
1977	8,493	11,481	-2,988	135	6,772	8,485	-1,712	125
1978	9,873	13,318	-3,445	135	7,615	10,510	-2,896	138
January-May 1979	4,632	6,890	-2,258	149	3,690	5,403	-1,713	146
NOTES: (1) Crude oil defined as SITC(R) 331.01; SITC(Rev 2) 333. (2) Full details of trade in precious stones are not available, but they form about 80 per cent of Division 66 (Non-metallic mineral manufactures) trade with EEC(8). (3) The trade figures for the first five months of 1979 have been distorted by disruptions to the flow of information on which they are based and by the effect of the road haulage dispute. The distortions have reduced both exports and imports, with imports likely to have been the more affected. An explanation of the distortions was given in the Press Notice on the overseas trade figures for May, issued on 19 June

Company Accounting

asked the Secretary of State of Trade when he intends to institute a logical system of company accounting which recognises the effects of inflation and allows for the fact that the wide variation in types of business and company activities is affected in different ways.

Accounting standards are promulgated by the professional accounting bodies. The Government's policy towards the current exposure draft of a standard on current cost accounting is set out in the answer which my right. hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) on 19 June 1979. The consultative process therein referred to is in progress.

Holiday Caravan Sites

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress is being made towards bringing about an effective code of practice for holiday caravan sites.

Following my recent meeting with representatives of the appropriate trade organisations, to which I referred in a previous answer on 26 June, I am pleased to announce that those organisations have agreed to participate in discussions with my Department to establish an acceptable code of practice for holiday caravan sites. I am looking forward to continued good progress in these negotiations and the speedy conclusion of the code of practice.

Petrol Price Displays

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take the necessary steps to stop petrol station owners displaying petrol priced at fractions of less than 0·5 of a penny.

No, because I understand this practice is becoming rare and there are a number of significant technical difficulties which preclude such action at present. However, I shall keep the situation under review.

Heathrow And Gatwick Airports

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the current state of the nego- tiations for the transfer of Iberian and Canadian air services from Heathrow to Gatwick

Following the discussions with the Spanish, Portuguese and Canadian Governments and others concerned I am considering what the next steps should be in relieving congestion at Heathrow and building up traffic at Gatwick.

Pakistan

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, in view of the fact that, contrary to assurances given earlier, one-third of the total order for inverters from Emerson's Electric Company for use in a nuclear weapon was shipped to Pakistan before the order was stopped, and that as the rest of the order has been completed and is still in the factory, if he will take additional precautions to prevent its being exported to an intermediary.

Inverters—frequency changers—having a multi-phase electrical output of 600–2,000 Hz were brought under control on 9 November 1978. Licences are required by anyone in the United Kingdom wishing to export such goods. Applications to export these items to any destination are considered carefully in accordance with our non-proliferation policies. Export without a licence would be an offence. Control over exports is exercised at the ports.

Wales

Queensferry Flyover

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the Queensferry flyover will be open for traffic; and if he will make a statement.

The Queens-ferry flyover will be opened on Friday 20 July, some six months ahead of schedule. Remaining work on the new roundabout and approach roads will be completed later this year.

Education And Science

Expenditure (Wolverhampton)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the consequences to teacher numbers in Wolverhampton of the cuts in public expenditure imposed by the Budget.

This will depend on decisions taken by each local authority about the way in which economies can be realised.

Northern Ireland

Nuclear Waste

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list, providing Ordnance Survey references for each, the site selected for test borings into geological formations as part of the research programme into the disposal of high-level radioactive nuclear waste; and if he will indicate in each case whether a planning application has yet been made, and what the result of that application has been.

No such sites have been selected in Northern Ireland nor planning applications made.

Prisoners (Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the date of conviction of John R. McKay, Douglas Murphy, Jene A. I. Palmer, Thomas W. Woods, and Ronald Martin at Belfast city commission; what sentence each received; where each served his sentence; on what date each was released from prison; how many days parole each received between conviction and release; and for how many days each was in military custody.

The persons referred to were convicted on 4 February 1977. McKay was sentenced to 15 concurrent terms of five years' imprisonment; Murphy received three concurrent sentences of one year's imprisonment; Palmer received nine concurrent sentences of three years' imprisonment; Woods was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and Martin was sentenced to five concurrent terms of two years' imprisonment. Palmer, Woods and Martin, who were serving soldiers when charged, spent the period on remand and awaiting trial in military custody, as is the usual practice. This period amounted to 109 days. McKay and Murphy, who were not serving soldiers when charged, were not held in military custody over that period. All five prisoners were transferred at their own request on conviction to a prison in Scotland. The remaining matters in the question are therefore for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Industry

National Enterprise Board

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list for each of the National Enterprise Board's subsidiary companies, associated companies, and other companies in which the National Enterprise Board has investments (a) the total number of people employed, and (b) the total number of those employed in Scotland.

This is a matter for the Board.

Company Cars

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action he is taking to get companies in the United Kingdom to purchase British manufactured cars for their employees rather than foreign imports.

I take appropriate opportunities to stress to British industry the importance of buying British manufactured goods, including cars, where it makes commercial sense to do so. The Government, however, have no power of compulsion in this matter.

Shipbuilding (Labour Force)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the percentage contraction in the labour force of British Shipbuilders since nationalisation; and what has been the corresponding figure for the contraction in the shipbuilding labour force in each of the member countries of the European Community over the same period.

From July 1977 to March 1979 British Shipbuilders' total employment on merchant and naval work in merchant yards contracted by 5 per cent., while employment on merchant shipbuilding fell by 25 per cent. Comparison with contraction in other EEC member States is difficult, because of different methods of compiling statistics. However, the table below sets out the percentage contraction in other member States, based upon OECD figures for labour directly employed by merchant shipbuilding yards. Unless otherwise stated the period of contraction is from June 1977 to March 1979:

	Per cent
Belgium	11
Denmark	10^*
Federal Rep. of Germany	32^*
France	17
Italy	21
Netherlands	7†
^* From December 1977.
† From December 1977 to December 1978. Includes warship builders.

Energy

Oil Supplies

47.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest attitude of the Council of Ministers of the European Communities to the growing oil shortage in the West.

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 26 June 1979 and my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Budgen) on 22 June 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to ensure oil supplies for those schools in the Birmingham area with oil-fired central heating.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in order to safeguard supplies of oil to schools with oil central heating and thereby prevent possible closures, he will have further talks with the oil companies with a view to earmarking adequate supplies of heating oil for schools.

I have regular discussions with the oil industry about the oil supply situation. On present indications, United Kingdom supplies this winter will be adequate to meet demand provided we can achieve an overall saving of at least 5 per cent. I shall continue to keep a close watch on the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will have dis- cussions with the major oil companies with a view to insuring that key industries, such as the tourist industry, which contribute significantly to the balance of payments are not unduly damaged by the shortages of petrol;(2) whether he has had discussions with the major oil companies about any system of priority for the supply of petrol; and if he will make a statement about the extent to which the needs of the tourist industry were taken into account.

The allocation systems which the oil companies are generally operating are based on supplies in the corresponding period of last year and therefore take account of seasonal increases in demand due to tourism or other factors.

Chemical Industry (Supplies)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what he estimates to be the current shortfall in fuel and feedstock supplies for the chemical industry.

There is a current shortfall of supplies of all oil products, including fuel and feedstock for the chemical industry, which averages about 5 per cent. Provided all consumers, including the chemical industry, exercise reasonable economies in their use of oil, this level of shortfall should not affect industrial output.

Paraffin

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on the availability of supply of paraffin oil for domestic use in the Bristol area.

We are, of course, concerned that adequate stocks of paraffin should be built up against next winter's demand in Bristol as elsewhere, and shall be keeping a close watch on the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the outcome of his review of price controls over premium paraffin.

I have now completed my review of the effect of price controls over premium paraffin and the willingness of suppliers to continue in business. To ensure continuity of supply I have decided to discontinue price controls forthwith and an order revoking the Paraffin (Maximum Retail Prices) Order 1976 and its amending orders has been laid before the House today. There will, inevitably, be an immediate increase in the price of this fuel to reflect recent increases in OPEC prices. But I have received assurances from the companies who manufacture this fuel that their prices will reflect only the additional cost of supply over the standard grade of burning oil.

Gas Contracts

asked the Secretary of State for Energy why long-term gas contracts available to chemical manufacturers on the Continent cite gas at 12 to 14 pence per therm compared with 25 pence in the United Kingdom; and whether he is prepared to take steps to match the European advantage.

The question of contract prices is a matter for the British Gas Corporation and I am, therefore, asking the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

Electricity Generation

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in the light of the concern expressed by the Electricity Consumers' Council on 5 July that the Electricity Council intends to increase the planning margin of reserve capacity over and above peak demand to 35 per cent., whether the intention to increase the margin results from concern over the unreliability of nuclear advance gas-cooled reactors; and what response he intends making to the Electricity Consumers' Council's statement.

The electricity industry's view is that the planning margin should be 28 per cent. There is no intention to increase the margin.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the proportion of electricity generated in the United Kingdom by coal, oil, nuclear, hydro and other sources; and what is the cost per unit of the electricity generated by each source.

It is not possible to obtain precise figures of electricity generated from coal or oil, but the follow- ing figures are based on estimates made by the generating boards:

United Kingdom public supply power stations Proportions of electricity generated in 1978 (per cent.)
Coal	67·9
Oil	17·0
Natural Gas	0·9
Nuclear	12·5
Hydro—excluding pumped storage	1·3
Pumped storage	0·4

The readily available information on generation costs relates to CEGB power stations—that is England and Wales only—and was given in answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd) on 24 May.—[Vol. 967, c. 187]. The CEGB is preparing updated figures and expects to publish them before the end of July. Electricity generation in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

Coal And Nuclear Power Industries

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give details in the Official Report of the total amount of money which the coal industry and the nuclear power industry have received from various Governments since 1955.

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

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

European Community (Budget)

48.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the effect on the United Kingdom contribution to the EEC budget of the recent agreement on agricultural prices.

49.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the increase in the United Kingdom contribution to the EEC budget as a result of the agricultural prices agreement recently announced.

50.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total increase in EEC budget expenditure resulting from the decisions taken at the meeting of EEC Agriculture Ministers on 21 June.

The latest revised figures given by the Commission as to the cost of the CAP prices settlement are as follows:

	£ million
the 1½ per cent. price increases plus the changes in the German and Benelux green rate	63
the 1½ per cent. green franc devaluation	51
increase in milk powder subsidy	44
increased butter subsidy	182
other changes in the milk sector, such as school milk	8
other increases mainly on aids on processed fruit and vegetables	24
	372
the 5 per cent green pound devaluation	-74
	298

Britain will have to meet 16½ per cent. of this total which is its marginal contribution to the CAP, which will amount to £49 million.The benefits to the United Kingdom in financial terms will be:

	£ million
the butter subsidy	65
school milk subsidy	4
extra receipts due to the Green Pound devaluation	14
	83

National Finance

European Community

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the European Economic Community Council of Ministers will next discuss the future of the European Economic Community budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals the Government are making to reduce the cost to the United Kingdom of EEC membership.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister reported to the House on 26 June, she took the opportunity of the European Council in Strasbourg on 21–22 June to stress to her Community colleagues her view that the United Kingdom's present and prospective net contribution to the EEC budget is quite un- justly high. The European Commission now has instructions to examine the matter and to make proposals for solving the problem. The European Council has asked that these proposals should be available in good time for it to take decisions at its next meeting in November.This is very good progress. I hope that the Commission will have got far enough with its work for Finance Ministers to have a worthwhile discussion at their September Council. It will be for the Commission to propose practical remedies. But the Government will continue to make it clear that we need rapid and lasting corrective action.

53.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the full effect when the transitional arrangements of British involvement in the EEC end in 1980.

The only transitional arrangements still applying to the United Kingdom are those laid down in articles 129 to 132 of the Treaty of Accession in respect of our contribution to the Community budget. We have received partial refunds amounting to £326 million, in respect of our gross full own resources contribution to the 1978 budget; refunds for 1979, the final year covered by the transitional arrangements, are expected to be something more than £250 million.

Higher Civil Servants

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the chairman of public boards and top paid civil servants covered in the Boyle report are in addition to their salary increases of many £1,000s last April, to receive the equivalent of a further £2,000 to £7,000 per year increase as a result of the Budget tax concessions, whether he will bear this in mind when making appeals for wage restraint by lower-paid workers.

The Government's policy is that wage increases for any group of workers should be determined by what the organisation concerned can afford to pay in the light of the Government's fiscal and monetary policies. Generalised appeals for wage restraint to lower-paid workers are not relevant to this policy: but nor are the increases paid to the groups covered by the Top Salaries Review Body, or the benefit these groups received from changes in direct taxation in the Budget, relevant to pay claims by other groups, including the lower-paid.

Tap Stock Issues

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, further to his answer of 4 July to the hon. Member for Dorking, a proportion of future tap stock issues will be made on lower interest, shorter redemption terms; and why it would be inappropriate in relation to the general structure of corporation tax to treat interest on such tap stock issues as franked investment income given that, whilst to do so would not necessarily reduce the cost to the Exchequer of related borrowing, such cost would not, under normal circumstances, be increased.

The Government remain ready to issue short-dated stock in circumstances in which it is deemed appropriate to do so on cost or other grounds. To treat interest on gilt-edged stocks as franked investment income would be to treat them as dividends. Dividends received by a company are not normally subject to corporation tax, on the ground that they are paid out of profits which have already been so subject. It would be inappropriate to treat gilt interest in this way, and there would be no certainty that the consequent revenue forgone would be matched by the savings to debt interest costs arising from the opportunity to issue stock on more favourable terms. Total Exchequer borrowing costs might therefore be increased.

Value Added Tax (School Uniforms)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to zero rate school uniforms; and if he will make a statement.

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

Subcontractors (Income Tax)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances a contractor can be forced to pay to the Inland Revenue tax he has failed to deduct from a payment made to a subcontractor unless the Revenue has already secured the tax from the contractor; what are the reasons for this practice; and whether he will instruct the Revenue to cease the practice forthwith.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

Trade-Weighted Exchange Rate

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the appreciation in the trade-weighted exchange rate since the Financial Statement was prepared; what estimate he has made of the impact which this change will have on the retail price index and when; and if he will now publish a revised version of table 3 to take account of this change.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

Exchange Rates

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what in his view are the advantages of a strong £ sterling vis-à-vis the United States of America dollar and other countries.

A strong £ sterling has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages, about which my hon. Friend is inquiring, are that it helps to restrain the increase in domestic costs and reduce the rate of inflation by lowering the cost of imported raw materials.

Government Shareholdings

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list, for each enterprise in which the Government have shareholdings, the total number of employees of those companies and the percentage employed in Scotland;(2) if he will publish the current list of the Government's shareholdings apart from those held by the National Enterprise Board, Scottish Development Agency and Welsh Development Agency, stating the date the shares were purchased, the name of the company, the total number of shares held, the percentage that these shares represent of the equity capital of the company and the costs of the acquisition of the shares.

The following is the information in so far as it is readily available:

Date of first acquisition		Company	Number of shares held	Percentage of issued share capital held by the Government	Cost of acquisition £	Number of United Kingdom employees	Percentage of employees in Scotland
July 1968	…	Beagle Aircraft Ltd. (in liquidation)	1,000,000 £1 ordinary shares	100	1,142,490	—	—
March 1975	…	British Channel Tunnel Company Ltd.	3,652,174 £1 ordinary shares	100	8,505,000	—	—
			1,086,957 £1 ordinary founders shares	100	8,505,000	—	—
April 1971	…	British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.	32,668,224 £1 ordinary shares	100	32,668,224	13,534	4·5
May 1974	…	British Petroleum	197,124,223 £1 ordinary stock units of which 77,817,507 are held by the Bank of England; and 1,000 £1 8 per cent, cumulative first preference stock.	51 (including the proportion held by the Bank of England)	180,980,226 (a)	38,550	18·2
1936	…	British Sugar Corporation	14,500,000 50p ordinary shares	24·18	(b)	5,953	N/A
						2,478	N/A
August 1976	…	Drake and Scull Holdings Ltd.	598,166 £1 8·4 per cent. "E" preference shares.	7·76	598,166	—	—
July 1971	…	Harland and Wolff	10,996,082 £1 ordinary shares	100	4,604,000	7,800	—
December 1976	…	John Hastie of Greenock (Holdings) Ltd.	40,000 £1 "B" redeemable participating preference shares and 310,000 £1 "C" redeemable preference shares.	47	350,000	180	100
August 1976	…	Kearney and Trecker Marwin Ltd.	800,000 13½ per cent. £1 "B" cumulative preference shares.	26·46	900,000	1,056	N/A
			100,000 13½ Per cent. £1 "D" cumulative preference shares.	26·46	900,000	1,056	N/A
August 1974	…	KTM Machine Tools (Holdings) Ltd.	338,141 £1 ordinary shares, 950,000 redeemable convertible £1 "A" preference shares and 3,222,200 reedemable £1 "B" preference shares.	77·78	4,510,341	—	—
August 1965	…	Kintyre Farmers Ltd.	5 £1 ordinary shares	0·002	5	—	—
December 1974	…	Marathon Shipbuilding Co. (UK) Ltd.	32,000 7½ per cent, redeemable cumulative £100 preference shares.	62·34	3,200,000	1,000	100
March 1974	…	Mersey Docks and Harbour Co.	4,137,265 10p ordinary shares	20·67	(c)	8,094	—
July 1973	…	National Nuclear Corporation	3,500,000 £1 ordinary shares	35	3,685,000	2,360	8·47
July 1973	…	Norton Villiers Triumph	1,000,000 £1 "A" redeemable preference shares.	21·56	2,372,000	530	—
			1,372,000 £1 "B" convertible redeemable preference shares.	21·56	2,372,000	530	—

Date of first acquisition		Company		Number of shares held	Percentage of issued share capital held by the Government	Cost of acquisition £	Number of United Kingdom employees	Percentage of employees in Scotland
April 1971	…	Radiochemical Centre Ltd.	…	6,266,783 £1 ordinary shares	100	6,266,783	1,337	—
1936	…	Short Bros Ltd.	…	3,600,000 £1 ordinary shares	100 (d)	17,810,000 (e)	6,000	—
				7,710,000 £1 "A" preference shares
				8,000,000 £1 "B" preference shares
1943	…	SB (Realisations) Ltd.	…	42,050 £1 5 per cent, redeemable cumulative preference shares.	100	1,262,170	—	—
				581,302 25p ordinary shares
				250,000 25p "A" ordinary shares
1979	…	St. Vincent Drilling Ltd.	…	1 £1 ordinary share	50 (f)	1	—	—
1876	…	Suez Finance Co. Ltd.	…	710,125 FF100 capital shares	7·67	(g)	—	—
September 1963	…	Toplis and Harding (Middle East Ltd. (in liquidation).		998 50p shares	99·8	—	—	—
May 1975	…	Triang-Pedigree (1971) Ltd.	…	25,000 £1 ordinary shares and 100 £10,000 redeemable preference shafes.	95	1,025,000	—	—
August 1969	…	Upper Clyde Shipbuilders (in liquidation).		875,000 £1 ordinary shares and 12,000.000 25p ordinary shares.	48·4	3,530,000	—	—
May 1978	…	Standard Mill (Rochdale)	…	300,000 £1 preference shares	56·81	300,000	220	—
September 1973	…	West Highland Crofters and Farmers Ltd.		10 £1 ordinary shares	0·017	10	—	—
February 1977	…	Wolverhampton Industrial Engines Ltd.		50,000 10p "A" ordinary shares	2·4	5,000	176	—
Notes:
(a) Made up of £2,000,000 in 1914 and £178,980,266 in 1975. The total represents the cost to the Government of its shareholding prior to the sale of 66.785,591 shares in June 1977: proceeds from that sale (which reduced the Government's shareholding to 51 per cent.) were £570·5 million.
(b) Shares were awarded to the Government on redemption of Government loans through the Trade Facilities Act 1921.
(c) The Government's shareholding represents partial compensation for the loss suffered by the Government on the collapse of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board in 1970. The loss (£10·206 million) was equivalent to 60 per cent, of the £17·01 million Government loans outstanding before the collapse. The shares were acquired at the capital reconstruction of the undertaking in 1974.
(d) Of which 8·49 per cent, held on behalf of the Government by SB (Realisations) Ltd.
(e) Cost relates only to shares acquired since 1936.
(f) The other £1 share is held by BNOC.
(g) The Government acquired shares in 1876 at a cost of about £4 million.
(h) The Inland Revenue from time to time have miscellaneous holdings of shares which have been acquired under arrangements to meet tax liabilities, but such shares are disposed of as early as practicable.

European Community (Mutual Assistance)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in amending the EEC mutual assistance directive No. R/1123/78 to meet the views expressed by hon. Members in the debate on 15 November 1978.

I have instructed officials to discuss with representatives of other member States a possible amendment to the draft directive to provide that the Commissioners of Customs and Excise or their authorised representative should be the competent authority for the United Kingdom for providing mutual assistance only for questions relating solely to value added tax; and that for all other questions under the directive the competent authority would be the Commissioners of Inland Revenue or their authorised representative. This should ensure that information which may not be in the possession of Inland Revenue is not used for direct tax purposes in other member States.

Expenditure (Wales)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the full details of the cuts in public expenditure as they affect Wales—at 1979 public expenditure survey prices—under the following headings: electricity, roads and transport, education, health and Manpower Services Commission—assessed Welsh share.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 33], gave the following information:

	£ million
Electricity	1·6
Roads and transport	Nil
Education	1·3
Health and personal social services	1·6
Manpower Services Commission	3·8

Excise Duty

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the price of a bottle of whisky, a pint of beer, and 20 cigarettes, if the duties were increased in line with (a) the retail price index, and (b) the index of average earnings, since 1960; and how much extra revenue would thus accrue.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 34], gave the following answer:Prices of these kinds of goods vary but typical prices of popular brands might be:

	(a)	(b)
Bottle of whisky (26⅔ fluid ounces)	£7·35	£10·50
Pint of beer (at 1037 degrees of gravity)	43p	50p
20 standard tipped cigarettes	80p	£1·10

The extra revenue would be about

(a) £1,250 million and (b) £2,750 million, respectively, in a full year.

The figures have been prepared by applying the appropriate indices to the rates of duty in 1960. They make no allowance for the abatement of the duties which took place when VAT was introduced in 1973; and accordingly they overstate the amounts needed to restore the real value of the taxation of these goods.

Personal Taxation (Budget Changes)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he is making to implement the personal tax changes introduced in his Budget; and what will be the effect on the pay packets of people earning £60, £100 and £150 a week.

For the great majority of PAYE taxpayers the benefit of the improvements that my right hon. and learned Friend has made in personal tax allowances will be reflected in the first pay packets they receive after 12 July. The further benefit from the reduction in the basic and higher rates of tax will be felt in pay packets received after 6 October. The following table shows the effect of these changes on the levels of PAYE tax deduction and the rebates to be received:

PAYE—1979–80 TAX DEDUCTIONS AND REBATES
	Weekly pay	Weekly tax 6 April to 12 July	Rebate on first pay day after 12 July	Weekly tax 13 July to 5 October	Rebate on first pay day after 5 October	Weekly tax after 5 October
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Single person	60·00	12·40	17·10	11·30	18·80	10·60
	100·00	25·60	17·10	24·50	51·20	22·60
	150·00	42·10	17·10	41·00	91·70	37·60
Married couple (wife not working)	60·00	8·90	26·70	7·10	8·60	6·80
	100·00	22·10	26·70	20·30	41·00	18·80
	150·00	38·60	26·70	36·80	81·50	33·80
NOTE: Rebates include the reduction in tax in the pay week together with the back repayments due from previous weeks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the net effect of his tax cuts on a family earning £10,000 a year will now be, taking into account a 17·5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage;(2) what the net effect of his tax cuts on a family earning £150 a week will now be, taking into account a 17·5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage;(3) what the net effect of his tax cuts on a family earning £80 a week will now be, taking into account a 17·5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage;(4) what the net effect of his cuts on a family earning £70 a week will now be, taking into account a 17·5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage;(5) what the net effect of his tax cuts on a family earning £60 a week will now be, taking into account a 17·5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage;(6) what the net effect of his tax cuts on a family earning £30,000 a year will now be, taking into account a 17·5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage;(7) what the net effect of his tax cuts on a family earning £12,500 a year will now be, taking into account a 17·5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage;(8) what the net effect of his tax cuts on a family earning £15,000 a year will now be, taking into account a 17·5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage;(9) what the net effect of his tax cuts on a family earning £20,000 a year will now be, taking into account a 17–5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage;(10) what the net effect of his tax cuts on a family earning £25,000 a year will now be, taking into account a 17–5 per cent. inflation rate and a 13 per cent. mortgage rate on a standard 25-year £10,000 mortgage.

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

Sterling (Buying Power)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what percentage he estimates the buying power of the £ sterling will have diminished by the end of the six-month period commencing on 5 May.

I shall let the hon. and learned Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Personal Incomes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the real weekly net income of a single person, married couple, married couple with one, two, and four children earning (a) half, (b) two-thirds, (c) average and (d) five times average earnings for each year since 1974; and if this data could be presented as an index with 1974=100.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 21 June 1979; Vol. 968, c. 674], gave the following answer:The average earnings figures are the averages of the New Earnings Survey estimates of the average weekly earnings of full-time adult male employees in all occupations, manual and non-manual, at the April or the beginning and end of each year. For 1978–79 and 1979–80 the assumed level of earnings for October 1978 and March 1979—the latest available average earnings figure—were used. They were obtained by updating the New Earnings Survey estimate of average earnings of full-time adult males in April 1978 taking account of movements in a centred three-month moving average of the whole economy index of average earnings of all employees.Net income is earnings less tax and national insurance contribution plus family allowance or child benefits where appropriate.The March 1979 figures are calculated at proposed 1979–80 tax rates, tax allowances, and child benefit rates.The prices index used to express net income at constant 1974–75 prices is the general index of retail prices for all items averaged over the year.

REAL WEEKLY NET INCOME INDEX 1974–75=100
			Single	Married	Married with one child under 11 years	Married with two children under 11 years	Married with two children under 11 and two between 11-16 years
1974–75—
½ × average earnings	…	…	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0
Average earnings	…	…	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0
5 × average earnings	…	…	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0
1975–76—
½ × average earnings	…	…	95·5	95·7	95·1	95·4	99·2
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	95·3	95·5	94·9	95·3	95·3
Average earnings	…	…	95·1	95·2	94·9	95·1	95·1
5× average earnings	…	…	86·9	87·2	87·3	87·3	87·3
1976–77—
½ × average earnings	…	…	93·0	94·0	93·9	94·5	98·3
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	92·9	93·7	93·6	94·2	94·4
Average earnings	…	…	92·8	93·4	93·4	93·8	94·0
5 × average earnings	…	…	81·6	82·3	82·6	82·9	83·3
1977–78—
½ × average earnings	…	…	94·1	96·9	96·5	95·9	97·1
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	93·7	95·9	95·6	95·3	93·8
Average earnings	…	…	93·2	94·8	94·7	94·4	93·4
5 × average earnings	…	…	82·7	84·0	83·8	83·7	83·3
1978–79—
½ × average earnings	…	…	99·7	101·7	102·9	102·6	104·4
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	99·0	100·7	101·6	101·6	100·5
Average earnings	…	…	98·3	99·5	100·2	100·2	99·6
5 × average earnings	…	…	89·1	90·2	89·8	89·5	88·6
1979–80 (March 1979, but with Budget tax rates and allowances)—
½ × average earnings	…	…	103·9	105·9	108·2	109·1	112·6
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	103·7	105·3	107·2	107·9	107·4
Average earnings	…	…	103·3	104·5	105·9	106·5	106·3
5 × average earnings	…	…	111·8	112·0	111·1	110·2	107·9

REAL WEEKLY NET INCOME AT 1974–75 PRICES
			Single	Married	Married with one child under 11 years	Married with two children under 11 years	Married with two children under 11 and two between 11–16 years
1974–75—
½ × average earnings	…	…	20·40	21·90	23·40	25·20	28·30
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	26·00	27·50	29·00	30·80	35·00
Average earnings	…	…	37·10	38·60	40·20	42·00	46·10
5 × average earnings	…	…	142·00	145·10	148·30	151·40	158·60
1975–76—
½ × average earnings	…	…	19·50	21·00	22·30	24·10	28·00
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	24·70	26·30	27·50	29·30	33·30
Average earnings	…	…	35·30	36·80	38·10	39·90	43·90
5 × average earnings	…	…	123·30	126·60	129·40	132·10	138·50
1976–77—
½ × average earnings	…	…	19·00	20·60	22·00	23·80	27·80
⅓ × average earnings	…	…	24·10	25·80	27·20	29·00	33·00
Average earnings	…	…	34·50	36·10	37·50	39·30	43·40
5 × average earnings	…	…	115·90	119·40	122·40	125·40	132·20
1977–78—
½ × average earnings	…	…	20·00	21·20	22·60	24·20	27·50
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	24·30	26·40	27·70	29·30	32·80

For 1979–80 the March 1979 figure has been used.

			Single	Married	Married with one child under 11 years	Married with two children under 11 years	Married with two children under 11 and two between 11–16 years
Average earnings	…	…	34·60	36·60	38·00	39·60	43·10
5 × average earnings	…	…	117·40	121·90	124·30	126·70	132·10
1978–79—
½ × average earnings	…	…	20·30	22·30	24·10	25·90	29·50
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	25·70	27·70	29·50	31·30	35·20
Average earnings	…	…	36·50	38·50	40·30	42·10	45·90
5 × average earnings	…	…	126·40	130·90	133·20	135·40	140·50
1979–80 (March 1979, but with Budget tax rates and allowances)—
½ × average earnings	…	…	21·20	23·20	25·40	27·50	31·80
⅔ × average earnings	…	…	26·90	28·90	31·10	33·30	57·60
Average earnings	…	…	38·40	40·40	42·50	44·70	49·00
5 × average earnings	…	…	158·80	162·50	164·70	166·80	171·10

Transport

Schoolchildren (North-West)

asked the Minister of Transport if it is his intention to direct the traffic commissioners in the North-West to issue licences for the carrying of schoolchildren, irrespective of the safety precautions and standards required to protect passengers under existing legislation.

I have no power to intervene in the decisions of traffic commissioners except in relation to a properly constituted appeal.

Mileometers

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the widespread practice of second-hand car

PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLE^* USER CASUALTIES, GREAT BRITAIN
			Drivers	1977 Passengers	All users	October 1977–September 1978† All users
Killed	…	…	8	56	64	70
Seriously injured	…	…	96	1,173	1,269	1,250
Slightly injured	…	…	588	10,454	11,042	10,800
All severities	…	…	692	11,683	12,375	12,100
^* Public service vehicles include buses and coaches.
† Estimated from incomplete data. The figures have been rounded thus the sum of the constituent items may differ from the total shown.

asked the Minister of Transport what research his Department has carried out into the saving of life that would be achieved by the compulsory fitting—and wearing—of seat belts in motor coaches.

salesmen of winding back mileometers, he will take steps to ensure the fitting of tamper-proof mileometers on all new cars.

I have no proposal for introducing regulations to this effect. However, tamper-resistant odometers are now becoming available, and the falsifying of readings is already an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.

Motor Coaches

asked the Minister of Transport how many passengers in road accidents involving motor coaches were killed or injured over the past 12 months.

I regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested. The following is available:

Research carried out on behalf of my Department did not show that the wearing of seat belts in coaches would make a substantial contribution to safety in the event of an accident.

asked the Minister of Transport how many motor coaches are fitted with seat belts.

I understand that very few motor coaches are fitted with seat belts. However, in the case of minibuses which have a seating capacity of up to 12 excluding the driver, it is a legal requirement for seat belts to be provided for the driver and the front seat passenger.

Vehicles (Optimum Speed)

asked the Minister of Transport what is the most economic speed in terms of fuel consumption for cars and lorries; if he will list these speeds tabulated against engine size, and differentiate between vehicles using petrol and those run on diesel oil; and if he will give the research basis for his figures.

Studies carried out by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, including assessment of the effects of road and traffic conditions, suggest that the most economic average speed in terms of fuel consumption is in the range of 35–45 m.p.h. for petrol engined cars and approximately 40 m.p.h. for diesel engined lorries. Differences in engine size do not in themselves seem to have a significant influence on consumption.

Concessionary Fares

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to remove the anomalies in concessionary fares schemes operated by different local authorities.

As my right hon. Friend told my hon. Friend on 23 May, we are considering how far the variety of schemes operated by local authorities is creating avoidable difficulties.—[Vol. 967, c. 136.]

Provisional Driving Licences

asked the Minister of Transport (1) how many 16-year-old provisional licence holders of moped licences took the driving test within two years of being issued with their first licence in 1978; and what were the figures for the previous two years;

(2) how many provisional licence holders of moped and motor cycle licences took the driving test within 12 months of the issue of their licence in 1976, 1977 and 1978; and what percentage this was of all such licences issued.

I am afraid that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport how many provisional driving licences were issued to 16-year-olds in 1978 and in the previous three years.

Following is the information:

1978	147,467
1977	139,841
1976	147,899
1975	137,916

Bicycles (Reflectors)

asked the Minister of Transport if he intends to introduce regulations to legalise the use of spoke reflectors on bicycles; and if so, when.

Regulations have been made to amend the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1971 to permit the use of spoke reflectors and other similar devices. The amending regulation will be laid before the House next week.

Motor Cyclists (Accidents)

asked the Minister of Transport how many 17-year-old motor cyclists were involved in accidents riding machines of 150 cc or more in 1976, 1977 and 1978; and what percentage this was of total motor cycle accidents.

I regret that this information is available only up to 1976. In 1976 there were 6,323 17-year-old motor cycle riders—excluding mopeds—involved in injury accidents, including some who were not themselves injured. This represented 13 per cent. of all such motor cycle riders that year.

Environment

Nuclear Waste

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, providing Ordnance Survey references for each, the sites selected for test borings into geological formations as part of the research programme into the disposal of high level radioactive nuclear waste; and if he will indicate in each case whether a planning application has yet been made, and what the result of that application has been.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes) on 13 June.—[Vol. 968, c. 255.] Map references for the two sites in Northumberland can be obtained from the

NEW LETTINGS ARISING FROM DEATH OR REMOVAL OF PREVIOUS TENANT: LOCAL AUTHORITIES: ENGLAND 1973–77
	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
Number—000's	110	100	130	150	170
As percentage of total local authority lettings	57	49	50	55	60
Note: Transfers within the stock of local authority dwellings are excluded.
Source: DOE annual relets inquiry.

Greater London Council (Planning Decision)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will call in for his consideration as a substantial departure from the development plan the recent decision by the Greater London Council to provide offices instead of homes in buildings it owns in James Street, Covent Garden.

No. It is for the Greater London Council, as local planning authority for the Covent Garden action area, to consider whether its development proposals in this area conflict with or prejudice the implementation of the Covent Garden action area plan and whether they need to be referred to the Secretary of State. The Council decided that, in the context of several other proposed developments in the area, its proposals for 25–31 James Street did not require submission to the Secretary of State. We have found no reason to doubt the GLC's competence to make this decision.

Turner Gallery

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to establish Somerset House as the Turner gallery; and if he will make a statement.

I am anxious that Somerset House should be put to proper use and am of the opinion that it should United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

Local Authority Lettings

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what number and proportion of new lettings by local authorities has been of accommodation vacated by death or removals in each of the past five years.

The available information is:house a major art collection. I have opened discussions with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Community Land Act 1975

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his intention, in repealing the Community Land Act 1975, to include the repeal of part IV of that Act, which deals with the compulsory purchase of empty office blocks, in view of the fact that these powers have never been used.

Yes.

Building Control Act 1966

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether in his forthcoming local government Bill he will include a provision to repeal the Building Control Act 1966, in view of the fact that the powers in the Act to license building construction have remained unused for 10 years.

I am considering this. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

Local Authority Tenants

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will amplify the information given in table iv.28 of technical volume 1 of the housing policy review—relating to the rents and incomes of local authority tenants—to indicate the proportions of local authority tenants with incomes falling within each band; and whether he has and will publish any more recent information as to the income distribution of local authority tenants.

Following is the information:

INCOMES DISTRIBUTION: LOCAL AUTHORITY TENANTS WHERE THE HOUSEHOLD HEAD IS ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE: ENGLAND AND WALES: 1975 AND 1977
Head and wife income	1975 (per cent.)	1977 (per cent.)
Up to £1,049	2·3	6·1
£1,050–£1,549	5·9	6·1
£1,550–£2,099	10·2	6·6
£2,100–2,599	12·7	7·0
£2,600–£3,099	14·5	10·2
£3,100–£3,599	15·3	11·2
£3,600–£4,099	13·2	11·3
£4,100–£4,599	10·0	10·3
£4,600–£5,199	8·2	13·0
£5,200–£6,199	7·6	14·5
£6,200–£6,799		4·7
£6,800 and over		5·2
ALL HOUSEHOLDS	100·0	100·0

RENTS AND INCOME: LOCAL AUTHORITY TENANTS, ENGLAND AND WALES 1977 WHERE THE HOUSEHOLD HEAD IS ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE
REBATED RENT (£ a year)
Head and wife income	Lower quartile	Median	Upper quartile
Up to £1,549	115	234	290
£1,550–£2,099	177	239	300
£2,100–£2,599	169	260	303
£2,600–£3,099	230	267	312
£3,100–£3,599	236	277	332
£3,600–£4,099	250	289	320
£4,100–£4,599	249	288	347
£4,600–£5,199	269	299	349
£5,200–£6,199	258	296	344
£6,200–£6,799	285	317	384
£6,800 and over	272	316	356
ALL HOUSEHOLDS	237	285	329

Housing Cost Yardsticks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the result of his review of housing cost yardstick, which was due to have been announced on 24 June.

The date of the announcement of the results of reviews of the levels of the housing yardstick is not fixed although, in recent years, it has usually been towards the end of each quarter.A circular giving the results of the latest review will be published shortly. It will show that the percentage increase to be applied to the sum of the basic cost, yardstick allowances and regional variations in circular 24/78—Welsh Office circular 40/78—and ad hoc allowances where they apply is now 20 per cent. instead of the 16 per cent. provided for in circular 12/79—Welsh Office circular 24/79. Where the cost yardstick has already been approved, the council may apply the increase itself. The increase applies to all schemes with tenders for erection accepted by formal resolution of the council on or after 1 July. The local authority associations have been advised of this today.

Regional Planning

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present status and validity of each of the regional planning strategies; and whether it remains his policy that county structure plans should be prepared within the policy assumptions of the strategies.

We are not bound by the regional strategies of previous Governments but we shall take note of them before approving structure plans and we shall in due course arrange for the provision of whatever new or amended regional guidance may be needed as a framework for structure planning.

Local Authorities (Planning Applications)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, pending the repeal of the Community Land Act, it is his policy that local authorities should determine planning applications along the lines recommended in annex A to DOE circular 122/73; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes, although the advice on "white" land automatically ceases to apply as structure and local plans come into operation. Repeal of the Community Land Act will not affect this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will set out in tabular form for each of the years 1977 and 1978 the number of applications for costs against local planning authorities made by successful applicants against refusal of planning permission, failure to determine the application or the imposition of unsatisfactory conditions; and in how many cases these applications for costs were approved.

Figures are available only in respect of applications for costs deci

				1977		1978
				Number decided	Number approved	Number decided	Number approved
Costs applications by successful appellants against:
1. Refusal of planning permission	…	…	…	57	17	41	13
2. Failure to determine application	…	…	…	13	4	6	5
3. Imposition of conditions	…	…	…	3	1	3	2
4. Total	…	…	…	73	22	50	20

Heathrow Airport

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received the inspector's report on the inquiry into the fourth terminal at Heathrow; and when it will be published.

The report has been received and is under consideration. I have arranged for it to be printed and made available at the same time as the announcement which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and I will make of our decision on the inspector's recommendations. I hope that this will be as soon as possible.

Ordnance Survey

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current financial trading and pricing policy of the Ordnance Survey.

My right hon. Friend will be considering his policy for the Ordnance Survey in the light of the report of the Ordnance Survey review committee, which he expects to receive shortly. For the meantime, the Ordnance Survey is working to the interim objectives approved on 6 May 1977 by the right hon. Member for Stepney and Poplar (Mr. Shore). These objectives are:

"as soon as possible over the next five years, the Ordnance Survey will endeavour to:
(a) increase from one-fifth to about one-quarter the proportion of costs recovered on large-scale information and on the 1:25,000 series;
(b) achieve full cost recovery, including servicing of capital, on the small scale map and survey information.

The achievement of these objectives, which will be subject to annual review, would decrease the proportion of costs borne by the Exchequer from the present 65 per cent, to between 55 per cent, and 60 per cent. The prices will, of course, be subject to commercial considerations and to Government pricing and charging policies".

ded in 1977 and 1978. These are given in the attached table.

Rating Revaluation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement explaining the reasons for his decision to cancel the 1982 rating revaluation.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 22 June to my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford (Mr. Patten.)

Rating System

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received a copy of a pamphlet issued by the Rating and Valuation Association entitled "Information about the Rating System", and if he will make a statement about his policy on the rating system in the light of it.

I have seen a copy of the pamphlet. It is a thorough review of rating, written from the point of view of the rating profession. Most ratepayers, however, would consider that it greatly understates the unfairnesses in domestic rating. As to the Government's policy on the rating system, I have nothing at present to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester South (Mr. Marshall) on 27 June.

Civil Service

Non-Home Department Police Forces

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he is now in a position to state his reaction to the Wright committee report on non-Home Office police forces.

As I said in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Bendall) on 10 July, the Government have accepted the recommendations of the Wright committee of inquiry into the pay of the non-Home Department police forces. The report was published on 10 July and copies have been laid before Parliament. Typescript copies are also available in the Library. Printed copies will be available as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he expects to have made a final decision on the Wright committee investigation into pay levels for all non-Home Office police; and whether he will make a statement as soon as possible.

As I said in the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Bendall) on 10 July, the Government have accepted the recommendations of the Wright committee of inquiry into the pay and conditions of the non-Home Department police forces. The report was published on 10 July and copies have been laid before Parliament. Typescript copies are also available in the Library. Printed copies will be available as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what discussions he has arranged with representatives of ministerial Home Office police on the implementation of their salary increase; when he expects to announce a decision; and if he will make a statement.

As I said in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Bendall) on 10 July, the Government have accepted the recommendations of the Wright committee of inquiry into the pay and conditions of the non-Home Department police forces. The report was published on 10 July and copies have been laid before Parliament. Typescript copies are also available in the Library. Printed copies will be available as soon as possible.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Warsaw Pact Countries (Diplomats)

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total number of diplomats in the United Kingdom repre- senting the Warsaw Pact countries; and if he has any plans to seek to reduce this number.

The number of diplomatic staff at the embassies of Warsaw Pact countries is as follows:

Country and Number of Diplomats
Bulgaria	13
Czechoslovakia	15
GDR	17
Hungary	14
Poland	27
Romania	11
Soviet Union	45
	142

Ceilings are imposed unilaterally on the number of diplomats at the embassies of the Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic. The Government have at present no plans to limit these numbers further nor to limit or reduce the number of diplomats at the embassies of other Warsaw Pact countries.

Vicuna Culling

asked the Lord Privy Seal what report he has received from the chief welfare officer of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, following his visit to Peru, commencing 18 June, to look into the circumstances of vicuna culling.

The chief welfare officer of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals visited Peru to express the concern of British conservation groups over vicuna culling. Her Majesty's Government have not yet received a report of his visit.

Skylab

asked the Lord Privy Seal what contacts there have been between the Governments of the United States of America and the United Kingdom about the fall of debris from the space station Skylab; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 25 June to the hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams). Her Majesty's Government have been in regular contact with the United States authorities about the reentry of the Skylab space station into the earth's atmosphere. The United States authorities have provided constant information on the times and dates of re-entry.The United States' estimates are continually being revised but at present indicates that Skylab will re-enter the earth's atmosphere today, 11 July. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said, the chances of any fragments of Skylab landing in Britain are statistically remote. But if there is any likelihood that debris will fall over Britain or over any other inhabited area, the United States authorities will attempt to delay the satellite's re-entry so that it falls over the ocean.The United States Government have accepted liability for damage by debris from Skylab under the 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects.

Gibraltar

asked the Lord Privy Seal what were the results of his discussions with the Chief Minister of Gib- raltar on 6 July; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and noble Friend and I took advantage of a private visit to this country to have a first meeting with the Chief Minister. We had a general discussion prior to the visit which I plan to make to Gibraltar on 15 to 17 July.

Rhodesia

asked the Lord Privy Seal what consultations he is having with Commonwealth Foreign Ministries regarding recognition of Bishop Muzorewa's Government in Rhodesia.

My hon. Friend will be aware that my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Harlech has had consultations with leaders of the Commonwealth African countries most closely concerned with Rhodesia. We are in touch with all other Commonwealth Governments on this question. The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Lusaka will form part of this process of consultation.

Volume 970: debated on Wednesday 11 July 1979

Written Answers To Questions

Easington

Home Department

European Parliament

Skylab

Gay Pride Week Festival (Police Costs)

Vehicle Excise Duty

Departmental Funds

Driving Documents

Uninsured Drivers (Convictions)

Overseas Development

Vietnam

House Of Commons

Snuff

Hansard

Employment

Training Opportunities Scheme

Retail Price Index

Hotel And Catering Training Board

Industrial Disputes

Factory Inspectors

Manpower Services Commission

Scotland

Nuclear Waste

Agricultural Marketing

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Cyprus

Chile

South West African People's Organisation

Pakistan

Disarmament

Helsinki Agreement

Rhodesia

Salt Ii

Middle East

Latvia, Lithuania And Estonia

Seabed Resources

Uganda

Namibia

France And West Germany (Foreign Ministers)

Indonesia

Defence

Hms "Warrior"

Social Services

Mental Illness And Handicap

Benefits

Supplementary Benefit (Industrial Disputes)

Cancer (Terminal Patients)

Ancillary Workers (Car Allowance)

Sickness Certificates

Private Health Insurance

Tuberculosis

Death Grant

Prescriptions

Family Income Supplement

Budget (Family Impact)

Trade

Balance Of Trade

Company Accounting

Holiday Caravan Sites

Petrol Price Displays

Heathrow And Gatwick Airports

Pakistan

Wales

Queensferry Flyover

Education And Science

Expenditure (Wolverhampton)

Northern Ireland

Nuclear Waste

Prisoners (Statistics)

Industry

National Enterprise Board

Company Cars

Shipbuilding (Labour Force)

Energy

Oil Supplies

Chemical Industry (Supplies)

Paraffin