Written Answers

Written Answers To Questions

Monday 16 July 1979

Trade

Electronic Components

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the latest import and export figures on electronic components.

In the first five months of 1979, imports of radio and electronic components were valued at £263 million cif, and exports at £278 million fob.

Coastguard Service (Seahouses)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what plans he has for the future use of unoccupied coastguard houses in Seahouses.

There are four unoccupied coastguard houses at Seahouses. Three of the houses are surplus to the requirements of Her Majesty's Coastguard and are being returned to the Property Services Agency for disposal. The fourth house will be occupied by a coastguard officer.

Third London Airport

Johnson Smith asked the Secretary of State for Trade if a second terminal is built at Gatwick airport for how long this would delay the need for a third London airport on current traffic forecasts.

On the basis of current air traffic forecasts, the provision of a second terminal at Gatwick could provide capacity for about three years' growth of traffic in the London area.

British Airways (Gibraltar-Madrid Air Service)

asked the Secretary of State for Trade why British Airways has ceased to operate the Gibraltar-Madrid service since 1st April.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13th July 1979; Vol. 970 c. 347], gave the following answer:This is entirely a matter for British Airways but I understand that its decision to cease operating its Madrid-Gibraltar service was taken on purely economic grounds. The link was a sector of its London-Gibraltar service, but since very little traffic was carried between Madrid and Gibraltar it resulted in a loss estimated at over £100,000 a year. The London-Madrid traffic has been easily accommodated on British Airways' other services to Madrid, and the elimination of the stop at Madrid has released much-needed capacity for London-Gibraltar traffic.

National Front

asked the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to prosecution under the Race Relations Act the activities of the National Front in the West Midlands against Vietnamese refugees.

Neither I nor the Director of Public Prosecutions has received any complaints about these alleged activities.

Defence

Service Widows

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the annual cost of allowing an officer's widow to take up again, on the decease of her second husband, a premium forfeited by a second marriage, where the second marriage is to a serving officer whose rank is inferior to that of her first husband.

An officer's widow's pension may be restored on second widowhood, in whole or in part, if she is left inadequately provided for. In cases where the second husband was also an officer in one of the Services the widow may on second widowhood be awarded either the amount to which her original pension would be restored or the widow's pension deriving from her second husband, whichever is the greater. It would not be possible without a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort to estimate the cost of the restoration of the first pension in full irrespective of the provision made for her by her second husband.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the annual cost of allowing an officer's widow to take up again, on the decease of her second husband, a pension forfeited by a second marriage, where the second marriage is to a former serving officer whose pension rights did not include widow's benefit.

An officer's widow's pension may be restored on second widowhood, in whole or in part, if she is left inadequately provided for. It would not be possible without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and effort to estimate the cost of the restoration of the widow's pension in full in those cases where the widow had been left adequately provided for by her second husband.

Royal Naval Dockyard, Portsmouth

Griffiths asked the Secretary of State for Defence if recruitment into the work force at the Royal Naval dockyard, Portsmouth, will be sufficient to replace the projected rate of retirement over the next five years so that a sufficient and balanced work force can be maintained to meet the needs of the Royal Navy.

It is expected that recruitment into the industrial work force at Her Majesty's dockyard Portsmouth will be sufficient to offset retirements over the next five years. However, losses due to other causes—principally voluntary resignation—have been greater in recent years, and, despite intensive recruiting drives, it has not been possible to make good those losses in the required trade balance. The high rate of voluntary resignations has been due primarily to dissatisfaction over pay, which is currently under negotiation.

Home Department

Broadcasting Media (Access)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will put before the House measures to prevent traitors and other people who are at war with the United Kingdom from having access to the broadcasting media.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General is considering the application of the law to the making of the particular programme which has no doubt prompted my hon. Friend to ask this question. I make no comment on that matter.It is a principle of long standing, and a good principle, that the broadcasting authorities should have editorial responsibility, subject to the law and within the general rules prescribed by charter and licence for the British Broadcasting Corporation or by Act of Parliament for the Independent Broadcasting Authority, for the content of their programmes. In the exercise of that responsibility they are bound on occasion to put out programmes of which some viewers and listeners will disapprove.As my predecessors have recognised, once a Home Secretary, with his special responsibilities for broadcasting, finds himself in the position of saying whether he approves or disapproves of a particular programme, he is on dangerous ground. I do not want to comment in detail on the BBC programme in question. The director general has made it clear that the BBC accepts that it seriously misjudged the emotional impact of the programme. He has also publicly set out the arguments of journalistic principle on which the BBC justifies its decision to broadcast the programme. I know that the governors of the BBC, who are appointed to be the guardians of the public interest in these matters, are considering new guidelines for such broadcasts. I think it right to await the result of that consideration. I am sure that the governors will take note of the feelings expressed in this House and elsewhere in relation to it.On the general question of broadcast interviews with self-confessed terrorists or their spokesmen, whatever organisation or cause they claim to represent, I would say only this, as a consideration which I hope the broadcasting authorities will weigh in the balance together with the journalistic principles to which the director general has referred. Terrorists and terrorist organisations seek and depend on publicity. A principal object of their acts of violence is to draw attention to themselves and gain notoriety. They fail or do not choose to promote their causes by the acceptable and time-honoured means of reasoned argument and the democratic process. Instead, they bomb and murder their way into the headlines. In doing so they make war on society and outlaw themselves from its privileges. The broadcasting authorities owe them no duty whatever, and can owe society itself no duty whatever, gratuitously to provide them with opportunities for the publicity they want. That is simply to play into their hands.Finally, the House will know that since 3 July the so-called Irish National Liberation Army, like the so-called Irish Republican Army, has been proscribed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, in Great Britain as well as in Northern Ireland. I agree with my predecessors in regarding a broadcast with a member of an organisation that has been proscribed as wholly inappropriate.

Location Of Prisoners

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that prisoners should be located in a prison as near as possible to their homes and families.

The need to keep prisoners as near as possible to their homes and families is one of a number of important factors which are taken into account when deciding upon their final allocation.

Female Earnings

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the relationship between the recent relative change of female earnings against that of males and the activities of the Equal Opportunities Commission.

None. Relative earnings are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

Ld50 Test

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take action to stop the LD50 test.

No. The advisory committee on the administration of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 concluded that the test should be allowed to continue but made recommendations relating to its use which I have accepted in principle.

Vietnamese Refugees

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the number of Vietnamese refugees correctly allowed into the United Kingdom on humanitarian grounds will count towards the total quota of immigrants for the current year.

I intend to maintain the strictest control on immigration to this country for settlement and will announce measures to strengthen that control in due course. This policy will be pursued irrespective of any concessions made on humanitarian grounds in favour of refugees. There is at present no quota system for immigrants.

Liquor Licences

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to remove the need to possess a licence to sell liquor at occasional and casual dances and other functions where fewer than 100 people are present and where an admission charge has been paid.

I have no plans for legislation on these lines.

Indo-Chinese Refugees

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made for the reception and permanent resettlement of Indo-Chinese refugees; how many those with responsibility for resettlement can cope with now and in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement.

Arrangements for the reception and resettlement of these refugees are currently being made by the voluntary refugee organisations, to which the Government have made available financial and other assistance and which are looking after about 1,800 refugees in their reception centres at the present time. The factors which determine the ability of these organisations to handle the flow of refugees are too various to permit any reliable forecasts.

Taxi Fares

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake that in any future reviews of taxi fares in the London area he will not do away with the tariff surcharge payable on journeys beyond six miles.

I have no plans to do away with a tariff surcharge on such journeys.

Overseas Development

Ocean Island

asked the Lord Privy Seal, what survey will be made of Ocean Island with a view to restoring the ravages of phosphate mining.

We are arranging for a small team of specialists, including a Banaban representative, to make a brief appraisal visit to Banaba (Ocean Island) before the end of this year.The team will assess the fields of study to be covered by any full resources survey, make recommendations on the type and amount of expertise required and advise on the facilities that would be needed.

Salt Ii

asked the Prime Minister if she will convey to Washington the message that she welcomes the Salt II agreement and hopes it will soon be ratified.

I have already discussed the SALT II agreement with President Carter and he is well aware of the position we have taken.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Livestock (Transport)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will now announce the formation of an advisory committee on the transport of live farm animals;

(2) whether he will list the organisations with which discussions are being held concerning the export of live farm animals for slaughter or further fattening;

(3) whether he proposes to consult the farm animal welfare co-ordinating executive during his discussions about the export of live farm animals for slaughter or further fattening.

The export of farm animals and other animal welfare matters have been discussed recently with representatives of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Association, the National Farmers' Union and the British Agricultural Export Council. Consultation with other bodies is not at present in prospect.An announcement of the Government's main policy on animal welfare will be made shortly.

Poultry Meat (Inspections)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to persuade EEC Ministers to establish the same standards for poultry meat inspections as are required in the United Kingdom thereby achieving parity in costs to the poultry industry throughout the community.

Responsibility for ensuring that Community directives are properly implemented by all member States lies with the EEC Commission. Commission officials are at present making arrangements to check in detail how each member State is implementing the Community legislation on poultry meat hygiene. We favour this development as a step towards ensuring that the legislation is applied to a similar standard throughout the Community.

Aujesky's Disease

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now consider introducing a slaughter and compensation policy for Aujesky's disease, in view of the substantial risk of the disease spreading to epidemic levels as a result of a vaccine policy.

We shall decide what action to take in the light of the information received as a result of making the disease notifiable and from the comprehensive surveys which are being undertaken.No plans have been formulated to introduce a vaccination policy. The veterinary service is considering the experimental use of inactivated vaccine under rigidly controlled conditions as one of the means of controlling the disease.

Arts Council

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects next to meet the chairman of the Arts Council.

I meet the chairman of the Arts Council frequently to discuss matters of mutual interest. The next such meeting will be on 27 July.

Welsh Arts Council

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to meet the chairman of the Welsh Arts Council.

I last met the chairman on 30 May, and expect to meet her again in due course as the need for meetings arise.

Arts (Private Patronage)

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has to encourage the private patronage of the arts.

The changes in personal taxation now being made give scope for a substantial increase in private patronage of the arts. I am encouraging the public bodies concerned with the arts to take full advantage of this opportunity in developing their own policies.

House Of Commons

Parliamentary Questions

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage rise in parliamentary questions, written and oral, there has been since parliamentary research assistants were introduced for hon. Members.

Public funds were made available to provide research assistance for hon. Members on 1 January 1972. The average number of questions tabled on each sitting day in each Session from 1971–72 is as follows:

Session	Oral	Written
1971–72	84	82
1972–73	57	101
1973–74	51	103
1974	51	139
1974–75	48	141
1975–76	54	168
1976–77	50	164
1977–78	53	170
1978–79	55	153
1979–80 (to date)	37	150

At the beginning of Session 1972–73 the daily ration for oral questions was reduced from three to two, and Members were debarred from tabling more than one question for oral answer to the same Minister on the same day. This inevitably changed the balance as between oral and written questions, and 1972–73 has therefore been taken instead of 1971–72 as the point of comparison with the present Session. As between Session 1972–73 and the present, the number of oral questions tabled per day has fallen by 54 per cent., while the number of written questions has risen by 49 per cent.

Vietnamese Refugees

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what evidence he has to substantiate the views he expressed to the House on 12 July regarding the national conscience and the admission of additional Vietnamese refugees to the United Kingdom.

Apart from press reports and representations I have received from hon. Members and from members of the public, I have the evidence of early-day motion 65, which has been signed by right hon. and hon. Members.

Industry

Industrial Development (Inner London)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proposals he has to promote industrial development in inner London.

The Government have been reviewing the assistance at present available to industry. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State intends to make an announcement tomorrow. Our policies will be designed to create a proper climate in which commerce and industry can flourish. This will encourage industrial development in inner London and elsewhere.

British Shipbuilders

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the present state of the order book for British Shipbuilders.

This is a matter for British Shipbuilders.

National Enterprise Board

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when next he will meet the chairman of the National Enterprise Board; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend sees the chairman frequently; he intends to make a statement later this week.

Advance And Nursery Factories (South-West Durham)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will allocate a further advance and nursery factories to southwest Durham.

The needs of the area will be taken into account when future factory building is considered.

Foundry Industry

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list all the various financial schemes offered over the last five years to the foundry industry and the foundry industry training committee, and the actual financial support paid out.

Under section 8 of the 1972 Industry Act selective financial assistance has been offered to the ferrous foundry industry under the ferrous foundry scheme for approved project expenditure in the period August 1975 to August 1980. The amount paid out in grants up to May 1979 was £25 million. Similarly, assistance was and is being offered to the non-ferrous industry for approved project expenditure in the period January 1977 to March 1981, and grants paid out up to May 1979 amount to nearly £3 million.I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment that the public funds offered to the foundry industry training committee in each of the last five financial years and the amounts paid to the committee during that period were as follows:

	1975–76		£
	Offered	Paid	£
A.	595,000	558,624
B.	178,000	139,095
C.	521,225	220,125
Totals	1,294,225	917,844
	1976–77		£
	Offered	Paid
A.	706,000	614,715
B.	199,000	139,430
C.	459,500	542,400
Totals	1,364,500	1,296,545
	1977–78		£
	Offered	Paid
A.	782,680	750,124
B.	155,000	151,975
C.	658,750	551,200
Totals	1,596,430	1,453,299
	1978–79		£
	Offered	Paid
A.	934,600	814,543
B.	146,000	94,720
C.	765,000	629,350
Totals	1,845,600	1,538,613
	1979–80		£
	Offered	Paid
A.	939,000	Not yet known
B.	310,000	Not yet known
C.	—	Not yet known
Totals	1,249,000	Not yet known

A. Operating expenses.
B. Key Training Grants.
C. Special Training Measures during recession.^*
^* The offers in respect of Special Training Measures were not made on a financial year basis.

Post Office (Productivity)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action he intends to take in the light of the decline in productivity in the Post Office as set out in the answer to the hon. Member for Northampton, North on 6 July.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already made it clear that he considers there is considerable scope for improvement in the efficiency and productivity of the postal business, and is in touch with the chairman of the Post Office on these matters.The specific measures that should be taken to effect improvements, however, are a matter for the chairman himself.

Aircraft Development (Fuel Economy)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had with British Aerospace and Rolls-Royce about the development of aircraft which are more economical in the use of fuel.

Location	No. and size of factories (sq. ft.)	Present position
Liverpool (King Edward St)	3 x 3,300	1 unit offered to an applicant; applications for the other 2 are under consideration.
Liverpool (King Edward St)	6 x 7,000	1 unit offered to an applicant; applications for the other 5 are under consideration.
Liverpool (Sandon Way)	6 x 2,500	applications for all 6 units are under consideration.
Newcastle (Walker)	1 x 10,000	offered to an applicant.
Newcastle (Walker)	6 x 5,000	1 unit offered to an applicant, an application for 1 other is under consideration and Tenants are being sought for the remaining 4.

The success of the Department of Industry's efforts to find suitable potential purchasers or tenants is encouraging, and they will continue.

Videotape Recorders

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action he is taking to encourage British electronic firms to capture a larger share of the rapidly expanding videotape recorder market.

There is currently no manufacture of videotape recorders in the United Kingdom. The Department of Industry has urged both British and foreign firms operating in the United Kingdom to start manufacturing in the United Kingdom as soon as both market and technological developments make such a proposition commercially justifiable.

Robot Technology

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his policy on

The development of fuel-efficient aircraft is a matter primarily for British Aerospace and Rolls-Royce.

Factory Units

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will detail in the Official Report the 22 factory units which have recently been completed in the partnership areas, and which currently remain empty, citing the location of each, their square footage, and what steps have been taken to let them.

The position is as follows:robot technology and what role in this industry he envisages for British electronic companies.

The Department is examining in depth the present use of robots in the United Kingdom and overseas and forecasts of future use. The role of British electronics companies, among others, in the development of robots and their applications is part of this study.

Postal Services

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many employees of the postal services of (a) France, (b) Germany, (c) Italy, and (d) the United States of America there were in each year from 1950 to 1978; and how many letters and parcels they handled in each of those years;(2) how many employees of the Post Office are employed in the postal service; and how many letters and parcels were handled in each year from 1950 to 1978.

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

Steel Manufacture (International Comparisons)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many man-hours it took for steel workers to manufacture one tonne of steel in (a) Germany, (b) France, (c) the United States of America and (d) Great Britain, in 1978 or the latest year for which figures are available.

The following is the information:

MAN HOURS WORKED PER TONNE OF CRUD STEEL PRODUCED
	1977	1978
West Germany	6·5	5·9
France	7·2	6·4
United States of America	7·7	na
United Kingdom	11·9	10·9

Sources:

Statistical Office of the European Communities United Nations, Economic Commission for Europe.

Motor Vehicles (Imports)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of new motor vehicles sold in the United Kingdom for each year from 1950 to 1978 were imported.

The following is the available information:

	Cars	Goods vehicles
	(%)	(%)
1965	5·1	not available
1966	6·4	"
1967	8·3	"
1968	8·3	2·0
1969	10·4	2·6
1970	14·3	4·0
1971	19·3	6·4
1972	23·5	not available
1973	27·4	13·7
1974	27·9	13·8
1975	33·2	11·2
1976	37·9	13·9
1977	45·4	16·5
1978	49·3	21·8

Source:

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

Shipbuilding

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of the world order book for shipbuilding was placed with United Kingdom shipbuilders for each year from 1950 to 1978.

The following is the available information:

UNITED KINGDOM PERCENTAGE SHARE OF WORLD TOTAL
MECHANT SHIPS (100 GROSS TONS AND OVER)
Under construction at end year
	Per cent
1950	42·4
1951	40·2
1952	35·1
1953	34·5
1954	36·6
1955	33·7
1956	26·5
1957	23·6
1958	22·3
1959	21·2
Order book at end year
	Per cent.
1960	13·6
1961	10·1
1962	10·6
1963	10·0
1964	10·1
1965	10·3
1966	7·0
1967	5·9
1968	7·8
1969	8·5
1970	6·4
1971	5·9
1972	4·9
1973	5·8
1974	5·1
1975	6·0
1976	5·3
1977	6·0
1978	4·8

Regional Development Grant (Jarrow)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the number of firms in the Jarrow constituency which have received regional development grants since 1974.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 240], gave the following answer:The statistical records and files of the RDG scheme do not identify the total grant paid in relation to parliamentary constituencies. Information on grants paid is generally regarded as confidential between the applicant and the Department but since 1 October 1974 particulars have been published in

Trade and Industry of grant paid exceeding £25,000. Details of these payments from 1 October 1974 to 31 March 1979 in the employment office areas of Jarrow and Hebburn and East Boldon, which comprise the Jarrow constituency, are set out below. This information neither provides a total of grant paid

nor does it necessarily cover all applicants within the constituency.

Jarrow and Hebburn	Total Grants
Employment Office Area	of Over £25,000
	(£'000s)
Allen Bradley Electronics Ltd.	260
Baker Perkins Ltd.	95
British Steel Corporation	40
Cigarette Components Ltd.	454
GKN Steelstock Ltd.	29
John Knox and Co.	91
Melinate Products Ltd.	65
Midland Montagu Leasing Ltd.	30
National Smokeless Fuels Ltd.	37
Reyrolle Parsons Ltd.	25
Rohm & Hass (UK) Ltd.	483
Swan Hunters Shipbuilders Ltd.	1,368
Thomas Eyres & Denny Mott Ltd.	30
Verichrome Plating Services Ltd.	26
East Boldon Employment Office Area
National Coal Board	347

Regional Development Grant And Aid

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what sums of regional development grant were paid in 1972–3, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78 and 1978–79 to (a)s special development areas, (b) development areas and (c) intermediate areas, at 1978 survey prices;(2) how many firms were in receipt of

(a) regional development grant and (b) selective assistance to individual industries, firms and undertakings, in 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, and 1978–79; and how many jobs are estimated to have been saved or created in each of these years by (i) payment of regional development grant and (ii) payment of selective assistance to individual industries, firms and undertakings;

(3) how many United Kingdom firms employing fewer than 200 people, were in receipt of (a) regional development grant and (b) selective assistance to individual industries, firms and undertakings, in 1972–73, 1973–74. 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, and 1978–79; and how many firms employing fewer than 200 people there were in the United Kingdom in each of those years.

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

Crocidolite

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much crocidolite was used in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available; and in what products it was used.

pursuant to his repy [Official Report, 13 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 326], gave the following answer:United Kingdom import and use of raw crocidolite fibre ceased in 1970, by which year imports had fallen to 635 tons. The use of this fibre was as a reinforcement in plastic battery cases. Although separate figures are not available for the import of the fibre other than in its crude form, it is thought that a very small amount of finished and semifinished products containing crocidolite is still imported, mainly yarn for use in packings.

National Finance

Investment Surcharge

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about removing or reducing the investment surcharge for persons who reach State retirement age; and if he will make a statement.

I have recently received representations from various organisations about the impact of the investment income surcharge on those who have reached retirement age. My right hon. and learned Friend acknowledged in his Budget Statement that the tax falls with particular severity on those who have had to provide for their retirement out of savings and have no occupational pension to fall back on. He took immediate steps to lighten this burden.

Tax Revenue

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount the difference between the estimated tax revenue in 1979–80 and actual tax revenue in 1978–79 exceeds or is less than the total amount raised in domestic rates by local authorities in 1978–79.

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

Lower Incomes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update tables Q2 and Q3 of the Royal Commission on the distribution of income and wealth's report " Lower Incomes ".

The figures are as follows:

CHANGES IN THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN VARIOUS TAX THRESHOLDS
Changes in relativities as between various tax allowances and the married allowance; as between the non-pensioner and pensioner allowances for a single person, and as between the married and single pensioner allowances
United Kingdom	Index numbers
					Married allowance=100					Single allowance=100	Married age exemption/ allowance=100
					Married with	Married with	Married with
			one child	two children	three children					Single age	Single age
			aged over 11	aged over 11	aged over 11	Age exemption/allowance				exemption/	exemption/
Tax year			Single	Married	and not over 16	and not over 16	and not over 16	Single	Married	allowance	allowance
(1)			(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)	(8)	(9)	(10)
			Index	Index	Index	Index	Index	Index	Index	Index	Index
1978–79	…	…	64	100	109	118	126	84·7	135·2	132·0	62·6
1979–80	…	…	64	100	100	100	100	84·8	135·3	132·2	62·7

CHANGES IN THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AVERAGE GROSS EARNINGS AND VARIOUS TAX THRESHOLDS
Various tax thresholds expressed as percentages of average annual (gross) earnings
United Kingdom	Percentages
					Allowances expressed as percentages of average annual (gross) earnings
						Married	Married	Married
						allowance plus	allowance plus	allowance plus
			Annual rate			allowance for	allowance for	allowance for
			of average			one child	two children	three children	Age exemption/age allowances
			earnings (gross)	Single	Married	aged over 11	aged over 11	aged over 11	Single	Married
Tax year			in October (a)	allowance	allowance	and under 16 (b)	and under 16 (b)	and under 16 (b)	allowance	allowance
(1)			(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)	(8)	(9)
1977–78	…	…	3,790	24·9	38·4	44·5	49·9	55·3	33·0	52·1
1978–79	…	…	4,342	22·7	35·4	38·5	41·6	44·7	29·9	47·8

The figures in tables Q2 and Q3 exclude the effect of both family allowance and child benefit, and for assistance the updated figures are on the same basis.

Heathrow (Customs)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the difficulties caused to importers by the strike of staff operating the computerised Customs clearance system at London Heathrow airport in terms of delays and of additional expense necessitated by the storage of goods prior to clearance, if he will make a statement.

The LACES system is operated by the Post Office on behalf of the Customs and Excise, the airlines and the Customs agents at Heathrow and Gatwick and is thus not exclusively a Customs service. It was withdrawn from use on 19 April as a result of industrial action by National Data Processing Service staff. Since then, Customs and Excise has instituted fallback procedures for the manual processing of import entry documents. Regrettably, it is not possible to match the speed of the computer system, but urgent consignments are being cleared within a few hours and the great majority of goods within a day. Since the computer system covers functions other than Customs clearance, I understand that its absence is causing separate difficulties for airlines and agents, leading to delays in the delivery of goods.The Government hope that the Post Office and the unions concerned will speedily resolve this dispute.

Works Of Art (Public Access)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his reply of 3 July 1979 to the hon. Member for Warley, East concerning alternative ways in which the reasonable public access requirements of section 77(2)(b) of the Finance Act 1976 are regarded as having been met, if he will specify in detail in the Official Report the full explanations as supplied to persons seeking exemption which set out the number of alternative ways to which he refers whereby publicity may acceptably be given, other than by entry in the Victoria and Albert Museum list, under the alternative (d) in his reply while duly preserving in all cases the con- sideration to which he attaches importance of not impairing the security of exempted objects.

The ways in which the reasonable public access requirement of section 77(2)(b) of the Finance Act 1976 can be satisfied under alternative (d) as set out in my reply to the hon. Member on 3 July 1979 must depend on the particular circumstances of the individual case; flexibility is essential. Accordingly, when a person claiming conditional exemption from capital transfer tax in respect of a work of art proposes to meet the public access requirements under alternative (d), he is invited to submit his own proposals for giving appropriate publicity etc. and the proposals are considered in the light of the particular case. Claimants would be told that one possible way of publicising would be the inclusion of an entry in the list kept by the Victoria and Albert museum.

Luncheon Vouchers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from Mr. Roy Grantham, the general secretary of the Association of Professional, Executive and Clerical and Computer Staff, concerning luncheon vouchers; what reply he is sending; and if he will make a statement.

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

Economic Forecasts

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he has revised his estimates of inflation, unemployment and changes in gross domestic product over the next 12 months, in the light of the most recent oil price increases and the decisions made by the world leaders in Tokyo.

While recent events affect economic prospects in the world and in the United Kingdom it is not proposed to publish another forecast at the present time.

Income Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the effective rate of income tax plus social security contributions for a married couple—single wage—with two children and on average earnings, in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States of America and Japan.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 10 July 1979; Vol. 970. c. 155],gave the following answer:Information on national average earnings in France, Germany, the United States of America and Japan is not available. A comparison can, however, be made on the basis of the income of an average production worker. This is given in the table below:

EFFECTIVE RATE OF INCOME TAX PLUS SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS FOR A MARRIED COUPLE WITH TWO CHILDREN
	APW's earnings £ sterling	Effective rate Per cent.
United Kingdom	4,940	16·3
France	4,880	4·9
Germany	7,270	21·4
USA	6,210	13·8
Japan	7,900	11·1

Notes:

1. The figures for France, Germany, USA and Japan are United Kingdom Treasury estimates of APW earnings levels as at 1 April 1979 based on the latest—1977—OECD figures for earnings of an average production worker. The figure for the United Kingdom is an estimate of the average wage of a male manual worker in manufacturing industry for March 1979.

2. All figures relate to the tax year 1979 or 1979–80, except for France—1978—whose income tax rates are fixed in arrear, and the California State income tax—1978—for the USA. The United Kingdom figures take account of the changes proposed by the Chancellor in his Budget.

3. All income is assumed to be employment income of the husband.

4. In computing tax liabilities, account has been taken of personal allowances and reliefs, employment income reliefs, minimum deductions for expenses, deductible social security contributions and any other flat rate relief against employment income.

5. Any child benefit receivable has been set off against income tax, and the resulting net figure expressed as a percentage of gross employment income. This accords with OECD practice.

6. Currency conversions were made at the exchange rates prevailing on 6 July 1979. The exchange rate between the United Kingdom and overseas countries may not fully reflect differences in consumers' purchasing power between the United Kingdom and those countries.

National Savings

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the backlog of repayments of premium savings bonds caused by industrial action of computer operators in the Civil Service to be completed.

There is now no delay in repayments of premium savings bonds except where a bondholder has died. It will take some three to four months to overcome this particular backlog.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now publish details of the compensation to be paid to people who have incurred loss as a result of industrial action in the Department for national savings.

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

Environment

Departmental Land

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he has made in the procedure for the disposal of surplus land in the ownership of Government Departments, nationalised industries and other public bodies.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 13 June to my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Shelton)—[Vol. 968, c. 255].

Rating

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give the Government's reasons for their decision to cancel the 1982 rating revaluation.

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

Rent And Rate Rebates

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures for each year since the schemes started, showing the total number of recipients of rent rebates and allowances, and of rate rebates, and distinguishing between recipients in full-time work and those dependent on social security.

The latest available information is as follows:

RENT REBATES, RENT ALLOWANCES AND RATE REBATES NUMBERS GRANTED IN ENGLAND AND WALES
(Thousands)
Rent assistance—direct recipients					Rent assistance—direct recipients					Rate Rebates (all classes of recipients)
(Mainly tenants not receiving supplementary benefit)					(Tenants receiving supplementary benefit)
Date			Rent	Rent	Financial year			Rent	Rent
			Rebates	Allowances	ending			Rebates	Allowances
					March 1967	…	…	—	—	896
March 1968	…	…	360	—	March 1968	…	…	—	—	786
March 1969	…	…	350	—	March 1969	…	…	—	—	792
March 1970	…	…	350	—	March 1970	…	…	—	—	808
March 1971	…	…	350	—	March 1971	…	…	—	—	795
March 1972	…	…	270	—	March 1972	…	…	—	—	806
					March 1973	…	…	—	—	905
May 1973	…	…	1,600	130	March 1974	…	…	—	—	910
April 1974	…	…	840	130	March 1975	…	…	950	190	2,300
March 1975	…	…	870	160	March 1976	…	…	930	210	2,580
April 1976	…	…	970	200	March 1977	…	…	1,030	380	2,670
April 1977	…	…	1,000	210	March 1978	…	…	1,070	370	2,700
April 1978	…	…	995	210	March 1979	…	…	1,100	350	N.A.
April 1979	…	…	975	200
It is estimated that in 1978 about 15 per cent. of direct recipients of rent rebates and rent allowances and about 15 per cent, of rate rebate recipients were working full-time. The work required to estimate these proportions for the previous years would not be justified.
Notes:
1. The estimates for indirect recipients cover only those tenants for whom local authorities have since April 1974 reimbursed DHSS in respect of the rent rebate—allowance element of the supplementary benefit payment. The estimate for direct recipients at May 1973 figures includes tenants who were on supplementary benefit but who at that time received rent rebates—allowances separately from their supplementary benefit payment.
2. Mandatory schemes for rent rebates and rent allowances were introduced in 1972 and 1973 respectively. Figures are also quoted for rent rebate schemes previously operated by some local authorities but are not available before 1967–68.
3. A more generous rate rebate scheme was intorduced in 1974.
4. Householders on supplementary benefit do not qualify for rate rebates either directly or indirectly.

Rate Support Grant

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review the present basis of allocation of rate support grant.

We are at present considering the future distribution arrangements for the rate support grant.

Housing (Maintenance Grants)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to adopt the recommendations submitted by 13 housing organisations in February and provide for (a) repair only grants available throughout the United Kingdom, (b) 75 per cent. grants for all houses lacking basic amenities and (c) 90 per cent. grants for people in financial hardship.

Proposals for changes in the present system of house renovation grants will be included in the Housing Bill which will be introduced later in this Session. We cannot at this stage say whether all or any of the recommendations referred to will be included.

Local Government Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is able to announce the Government's detailed plans for cuts in local government expenditure; and how such proposals are likely to affect the London borough of Newham.

The Government have asked local authorities to make a reduction of around 3 per cent.—£360 million—in the level of current expenditure envisaged in the rate support grant for this year. No decision has yet been taken on the level of reductions to be achieved in 1980–81 and later years. It is for individual authorities to decide, in the light of their own needs and priorities, how best to achieve the necessary savings.

Departmental Grants And Loans

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names of voluntary organisations to which grants or loans are made by his Department, together with the amounts for the latest period if such information is available.

Departmental grants awarded to voluntary organisations, other than housing associations, for the financiel year ending 31 March 1979 are listed below. It is not the Department's normal practice to make loans to voluntary bodies.

	£
After Six Housing Advisory Service	23,000
Ancient Monuments Society	4,000
Association of London Housing Estates	4,850
Association for Neighbourhood Councils	9,000
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers	24,200
Civic Trust:
Project development	11,480
Administration	10,000
Heritage Education	23,000
Civic Trust for the North East	6,362
Community ServiceVolunteers	4,474
Council for British Archaeology	21,500
Council for Environmental Education	12,000
Council for Urban Studies Centres	2,500
East Anglian Gypsy Council	500
Georgian Group	4,000
Gingerbread	3,750
Historic Houses Association:
Advisory Officer	2,250
Education	2,500
Inter-Action Trust Ltd.—City Farm Advisory Service	22,000
Keep Britain Tidy Group	275,000
Mutual Aid Centre Ltd.	5,775
National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders	5,500
National Association of Youth Clubs	6,000
National Council of Social Service Inner City Advisory Officer	11,550
National Federation of Housing Associations	15,000
National Gypsy Council	6,300
National Trust Acorn Camps	6,800
Romany Guild	1,750
SHAC (The London Housing Aid Centre)	71,250
Shelter National Housing Aid Trust	14,250
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings	4,000
Town and Country Planning Association Planning Aid Service	3,750
Tree Council	8,750
Victorian Society	4,000
Yorkshire and Humberside Council for the Environment	5,000
Youth Environmental Action	425
Total	636,466

Council Housing (Security Of Tenure)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to introduce proposals for a tenant's charter for council house tenants; and if it will contain provision for security of tenure.

A tenants' charter will form part of the housing legislation which the Government intend to introduce in this Session of Parliament. It will include provisions on security of tenure.

Construction Industry Manpower Board

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his proposals for the future work of the construction industry manpower board; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is reviewing the role of the board, and will announce his decision as soon as possible.

Thermal Insulation

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has further to reduce the thermal transmittance coefficient for external walls, known as " u-value "; what consultations are currently taking place in this regard; and whether he is satisfied with the adequacy of his legal powers under section 61 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in this regard.

New standards of energy conservation and thermal insulation for buildings other than dwellings came into force in June this year. Higher standards for the thermal insulation of new dwellings are being considered, but there are technical problems which must be resolved, and the building regulations advisory committee has been consulted. We are satisfied that the powers contained in section 61 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 are adequate in this regard.

Rate Support Grant (Wales)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what total amount the rate support grant for Wales will be abated in the current year after it has been increased to take account of pay settlements.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) on 18 June.

Water Rates

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to enable water authorities to introduce a monthly payment scheme as for domestic rates.

None. This is a matter for individual water authorities. They already operate instalment schemes, with payment in either four or eight instalments, where customers are billed direct. In cases of genuine hardship all water authorities are prepared to make special arrangements.

Rental Purchase Agreements

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on rental purchase agreements.

Genuine rental purchase agreements provide people with a means of buying property by instalments. We are aware that bogus agreements have been used in attempts to evade the Rent Acts and in such cases the appropriate remedy is through the courts.

Rent Increases

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on rent increases in the public sector.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on Thursday 12 July, in which I explained that local housing authorities already have discretion to fix their own rent levels. The same applies to new towns. Registered housing associations are limited to fair rents set by the rent officer.

Mixed Use Properties

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to enable housing associations to take over mixed use properties.

We are considering this question.

Northcote Road, Walton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will reconsider his decision to confirm a compulsory purchase order for Northcote Road, Walton, Liverpool, in view of the feeling of local residents that there should be greater flexibility in this matter, and their wish to retain one row of terraced houses so that they can be modernised and not pulled down.

No. Once the decision on a compulsory purchase order has been issued the Secretary of State has no further jurisdiction in the matter.

Mixed Use Properties

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what help he will give to a local authority seeking to take over mixed use properties; and if he will make a statement.

Local authorities seeking to acquire houses or mixed use properties require borrowing approval and my right hon. Friend is pre-

Summary of expenditure			Direct expenditure by Commission (including grants to local 'minorities from 1974–75)
Civil estimate year			Salaries and administrative expenses	Research and experiment	Information and visitor services	Grants (or loans)	Miscellaneous	Total columns 3–6
			£	£	£	£	£	£
(1)			(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)
1977–78	…	…	826,127	303,776	695,501	2,392,582	19,279	3,411,138
1978–79 (estimate)		…	957,000	380,000	730,000	2,873,000	30,000	4,013,000

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the eleventh report of the Countryside Commission will be published.

I understand that the Countryside Commission expects to publish its 11th annual report on or about 25 July 1979.

Education And Science

Student Grants

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in the light of the new arrangements for replacing tax relief on life insurance premiums, such premiums will be a permitted deduction from parental income for the purposes of assessing parental contributions to students' grants; and, if so, whether premiums will be deductible at gross value or net of the 17½ per cent. deduction.

The gross value of life assurance premiums will continue to be allowed against the gross income of the parent in assessing contributions towards mandatory grants for 1979–80.

pared to give this only in exceptional circumstances. We have now brought to a halt the indiscriminate and wasteful municipalisation of the housing stock.

Countryside Commission

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the summary of expenditure of the Countryside Commission for 1977–78, and the estimate for 1978–79 in the same form as that contained on page 68 of the tenth report of the Countryside Commission (H.C. 273).

I understand that the Commission will be publishing the required information in its 11th annual report as follows:

School Meals

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which member countries of the European Community provide school meals.

My information is that, in addition to the United Kingdom, Belgium and Eire have national school meals services and that meals are provided in some schools in France and Italy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much public expenditure would be reduced if parents accepted the full cost of school meals.

If parents of the 4 million children in England and Wales who now pay for their school meals were to pay an economic charge, the reduction in public expenditure would be of the order of £200 million annually.

Local Authority Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Government intend that the positive measures against individual local authorities which do not observe the Government's call for cuts will apply to education authorities.

The Government expect local authorities to make a reduction of around 3 per cent. in the level of current expenditure envisaged in the rate support grant settlement for 1979–80. Any more positive measures to reduce expenditure would apply to education as to other authorities.

Universities (Full-Time Undergraduates)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many full-time undergraduates are presently attending university.

The available information for undergraduates attending universities in Great Britain is as follows:

ACADEMIC YEARS
1977–78
full-time	217,721
sandwich	13,933
1978–79
(provisional)
full-time and sandwich	239,600

Educational Standards

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is planning to increase the annual block grant expenditure to local authorities in order to enable headmasters of schools to meet the cost of postage of communications sent by them to parents regarding their views on the impact of Government policy on educational standards.

No.

Computers (Wolverhampton Schools)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money he is allocating to schools in the Wolverhampton area over the next five years to enable them to buy or use computer facilities.

The allocation of money to schools in Wolverhampton is a matter for the Wolverhampton local education authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in the Wolverhampton area have computer facilities; what percentage this represents of the total number of schools; how many schools in this area will have computer facilities by 1984; and what percentage this will be of the total.

My Department does not normally collect information of this kind. The provision of computer facilities for schools is a matter for individual local authorities and the schools themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers are currently teaching computer studies in Wolverhampton area secondary schools; and how many he estimates will be doing so in five years' time.

The Department does not routinely hold information of this sort. However, I am informed that there are currently 14 teachers of computer studies in Wolverhampton schools and that a significant number of the 22 secondary schools in the area have micro-computers and plan to run courses. Students from those that have not will be encouraged to attend link courses at local FE colleges. I am not able to predict the numbers in five years' time, which will depend on decisions still to be taken by the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils in the Wolverhampton area sat O-level or CSE examinations in computer studies in 1978; and what percentage of the current secondary school population in this area is currently studying this subject.

I regret that this information is not available.

Student Unions

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he is satisfied with the present system of student union financing;(2) if he will bring forward proposals to provide that there shall be no compulsory requirement for students at any institution of higher education to join the students' union.

My right hon. Friend is considering this matter and will take into account the views of the interested parties.

Energy

Energy Commission

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what he proposes to do with the Energy Commission; whether he contemplates a change in composition to provide for fairer representation from the energy industries.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Rost) on 12 June.—[Vol. 968, c. 39.]

Public Utilities (Advertising)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in the light of the Government's policy of reducing public expenditure and reducing prices to

UNITED KINGDOM DELIVERIES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS FOR INLAND CONSUMPTION^*
									Million tonnes
Category of consumer					1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
Fuel producerst		…	…	…	25·4	19·4	16·8	17·0	18·2
Industry	…	…	…	…	23·8	21·2	21·0	21·0	20·6
Transport	…	…	…	…	27·9	27·6	28·6	29·4	30·9
Domestic	…	…	…	…	3·4	3·3	3·3	3·3	3·2
Other energy use		…	…	…	7·9	7·9	8·1	8·6	8·3
Non-energy use		…	…	…	11·9	9·4	10·1	9·7	9·4
Total	…	…	…	…	100·3	88·8	87·9	89·0	90·6
									Percentage
Category of consumer					1974	1975	1976	1977	1978
Fuel producers†		…	…	…	25·3	21·9	19·1	19·1	20·0
Industry	…	…	…	…	23·8	23·9	23·9	23·6	22·8
Transport	…	…	…	…	27·8	31·0	32·5	33·0	34·1
Domestic	…	…	…	…	3·4	3·7	3·7	3·7	3·6
Other energy use		…	…	…	7·9	8·9	9·3	9·7	9·1
Non-energy use		…	…	…	11·8	10·6	11·5	10·9	10·4
Total	…	…	…	…	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0	100·0
^ Source:* Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics.
†Including refinery fuel.

Electricity (Unit Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the relative unit costs of electricity supplied to the national grid from nuclear power stations, coal-fired power stations, oil-fired power stations and hydro power stations.

Information on generating costs in 1977–78 at CEGB power stations commissioned in the previous 12 years was given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd) on 24 May 1979 [Vol. 967, c. 187.] Figures for 1978–79 are currently being prepared and the the consumer and the monopoly position of those concerned, he will issue a general direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board and the Gas Council to prevent them spending large sums of money on advertising through the various sections of the media.

No. The advertising policies of the nationalised industries are a matter for their commercial judgment.

Oil Usage

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the volumes and proportions of oil usage by category of use within the United Kingdom over the past five years.

The figures requested are tabulated below.CEGB expects to publish them before the end of July. Electricity generation in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right, hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

Power Stations

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list, station by station, all the power station starts approved since 1960, giving for each (a) the original estimated cost and actual final cost, (b) the original estimated date of first supply to the national grid and the actual date, (c) the original estimated date for the full load supplied to the national grid and the actual date and (d) the original design capacity and the current output capacity.

I am asking the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board to write to the hon. Member.

Fast Breeder Reactor

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the remaining difficulties in the way of authorising the construction of a commercial scale fast breeder reactor.

I am awaiting proposals from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the nuclear and electricity supply industries on the future development of fast reactor policy, including the possibility of constructing

STATIONS IN OPERATION
Station				Type			Declared net capability (MWso)	Date of commissioning	Average load as percentage of average net capability 1978–79
Berkeley	…	…	…	Magnox	…	…	276	1962	57·6
Bradwell	…	…	…	Magnox	…	…	250	1962	69·9
Dungeness A		…	…	Magnox	…	…	410	1965	64·1
Hinkley Point A		…	…	Magnox	…	…	430	1965	85·1
Hinkley Point B		…	…	AGR	…	…	800	1976	63·8
Oldbury-on-Severn			…	Magnox	…	…	416	1967	83·5
Sizewell A	…	…	…	Magnox	…	…	420	1966	91·9
Trawsfynydd		…	…	Magnox	…	…	390	1965	76·7
Wylfa	…	…	…	Magnox	…	…	840	1971	53·5

STATIONS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Station				Type				Specified rating of turbo-generators (MW Gen.)	Estimated date for completion of commissioning
Dungeness B	…	…	…	AGR	…	…	…	1,320	1981
Hartlepool	…	…	…	AGR	…	…	…	1,320	1981
Heysham	…	…	…	AGR	…	…	…	1,320	1981
Investment approval has been granted for a further 1,320 MW AGR Station at Heysham.
Power stations in Scotland are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Oil And Petroleum Products (Exports)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much oil and petroleum products have been exported from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland during the past five years.

I have been asked to reply.Following are details of United Kingdom exports to the Irish Republic of petroleum and petroleum products (including petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons): a commercial demonstration fast reactor in this country Any decision to build a CDFR will be subject to a full public inquiry.

Nuclear Power Stations

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report all civil nuclear power stations currently supplying electricity to the national grid, stating their technical type, their electrical capacity, the date of their construction and their average utilisation in 1978; and how many nuclear power stations are currently under construction, stating their technical type, their electrical capacity and the date of their completion.

The information on nuclear power stations operated by the CEGB is as follows:

	Thousand tonnes
1974	3,199
1975	3,046
1976	3,786
1977	3,197
1978	3,436

Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK (SITC(Rev 2) Division 33 and Sub-groups 341.3 and 4.)

Teversal Colliery

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in view of the energy crisis, he will decline to give his approval to the proposal of the National Coal Board to close the Teversal colliery in Nottinghamshire.

No. My approval is not required. Colliery closures are a matter for the National Coal Board after consultation with the mining unions.

Coal (Exports)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much coal has been exported from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland during the past five years.

I have been asked to reply.Following are details of United Kingdom exports of coal to the Irish Republic:

	Thousand tonnes
1974	113
1975	179
1976	94
1977	165
1978	202

Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK (SITC(Rev 2) Sub-groups 322.1 and 2.)

Deep Sea Drilling

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the value to Great Britain of the $1 million payment from the United Kingdom to the United States drilling vessel " Glomar Explorer ".

I have been asked to reply.The United Kingdom is one of several countries participating in the international phase of ocean drilling of the American deep sea drilling project, for which the vessel being used is the " Glomar Challenger ". As a result United Kingdom scientists gain access to the advanced technological facilities of the drillship, to the scientific planning and operations of the project and to recovered core material from the deep oceans. The cost of the United Kingdom contribution is divided between the Natural Environment Research Council, the Department of Energy and—up to 31 March 1980—the Department of Industry.I am writing to the hon. Member.

Scotland

Departmental Grants And Loans

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of voluntary organisations to which grants or loans are made by his Department, with the amounts for the latest period if such information is available.

Grants paid to voluntary organisations by my Departments in the year ended 31 March 1979 are shown below.

SCOTTISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Grants paid to voluntary organisations under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968
Revenue	£
Scottish Council for Spastics	13,500
Disablement Income Group	600
Cross Roads Trust	5,000
Braille Press	600
Scottish National Federation for the Welfare of the Blind	250
Age Concern Scotland	30,749
St. Vincent's Centre for the Deaf	3,515
Samaritans	4,500
Area 5 Action Group	1,295
Scottish Association for Mental Health	7,500
Garvald Training Centre	4,660
Scottish Society for Autistic Children	1,168
Barony Housing Association	4,744
Talbot Association	10,823
Scottish Catholic Marriage Advisory Council	1,486
Scottish Marriage Guidance Council	17,252
Scottish Council for Single Parents	8,324
Gingerbread	2,250
YWCA	204
Scottish Women's Aid Federation	7,740
Community Service Volunteers	4,650
Voluntary Organisations Regional Advisory Group—Fife	2,818
Voluntary Organisations Regional Advisory Group—Lothian	923
St. Euphrasia's	62,081
Glasgow Volunteer Bureau	6,909
Scottish Council for Single Homeless	3,240
Scottish Association of Citizen's Advice Bureau	1,860
Scottish Council of Social Service	275,384
Local Councils of Social Service	79,424
Scottish Pre-School Playgroups Association	32,737
Scottish Association of Voluntary Child Care Organisations	8,478
Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children	49,531
International Year of the Child	2,500
Guild of Service	1,737
Iona Community	3,276
Adventure Sailing Trust	3,600
Canongate Youth Project	14,448

Scottish Association of Boys Clubs	23,219
Six Circle Group	7,069
Pilton Youth Programme	9,935
Seal Association	862
Grampian Allelon Association	3,264
Edinburgh Cyrenians	2,421
Scottish Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders	47,516
Catholic Child Care Office	8,379
Church of Scotland Committee on Social Service	6,560
Aberdeen Association of Social Service	4 854
Northern Counties Institution for the Blind	761
Quarriers Homes	4,195
The Salvation Army	1,624
Edinburgh Cripple Aid Society	2,283
Dr. Barnardo's	17,065
Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children	18,932
Glasgow and West of Scotland Society for the Deaf	1,685
Tayside, Highlands and Islands Association for the Deaf	1,068
Edinburgh and East of Scotland Society for the Deaf	6,485
Church of Scotland	8,036
Catholic Child Care Office	1,582
Scottish Pre-School Playgroups Association	688
Barony Housing Association	3,384
Brook Advisory Service	394
	862,017

Capital Grants	£
Area 5 Action Group	10,000
Garvald Training Centre	377
Dr. Barnardo's	4,958
Buchan Foundation Council	36,000
Scottish Marriage Guidance Council	397
Scottish Pre-School Playgroups Association	366
Scottish Council for Single Homeless	350
Craigmillar Festival Society	406
Local Councils of Social Service	2,084
Pilton Youth Programme	3,723
Gibshill Youth Project	2,850
Iona Community	1,008
Canongate Youth Project	900
Seal Association	630
	64,049

Grants paid under section 75 of the Further Education (Scotland) Regulations 1959
Revenue	£
Abernethy Outdoor Centre	480
An Comunn Gaidhealach	37,708
Army Cadet Force Association	2,715
Boys' Brigade	20,200
British Red Cross Society	2,280
Church of Scotland Committee on Parish Education	12,075
Community Service Volunteers	16,350
Conservation Corps	4,130
Co-operative Union	2,400
Crusaders' Union	450

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme	10,200
Episcopal Church Youth Committee	1,390
Girls' Brigade	3,595
Girl Guides Association	7,500
Girls Nautical Training Corps	555
Iona Community	1,070
Loch Eil Outward Bound	13,355
Sabhal Mor Ostaig	7,930
Sea Cadet Corps	450
Scottish Amateur Music Association	1,530
Scottish Association of Boys' Clubs	37,950
Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs	14,470
Scottish Association of Youth Clubs	36,230
Scottish Chess Association	5,108
Scottish Community Education Centre	83,648
Scottish Council of Social Services	1,430
Scottish Girls Training Corps	10,480
Scottish Joint YM/YWCA Committee	120
Scottish National Camps Association	52,000
Scottish National Council of YMCAs	30,110
Scottish Pipe Band Association	6,766
Scottish Schoolboys Clubs	3,748
Scottish Standing Conference of VYOs	13,090
Scottish Women's Rural Institutes	21,083
Scottish Youth Hostels Association	3,525
Scripture Union	2,580
The Scout Association	17,250
West Highland School of Adventure	4,365
YWCA of Great Britain	21,830
YWCA of Scotland	1,310
Scottish Community Drama Association	20,000
Scottish Field Studies	3,330
Scottish Centre for the Tuition of the Disabled	1,340
	538,126

Capital
	£
^*These are grants paid to organisations such as village hall committees and a separate list of these is not maintained.	^*385,000

SCOTTISH HOME AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Grants paid to voluntary organisations under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968
Revenue	£
Scottish Catholic Advisory Council	294
Scottish Council for Alcoholism	25,000
Family Planning Association	6,550
Community Service Volunteers	7,418
Chest Heart & Stroke Association	1,142
Action on Smoking and Health	1,442
Scottish National Blood Transfusion Association	1,219
Scottish Council on Disability	18,283
Royal Sanitary Association	705
RSSPCC 'Battered Child' Unit	12,133
Arthritis & Rheumatism Council	4,987
Scottish Association for Mental Health	1,957
Age Concern	2,711

Scottish Pre-School Playgroups Association	4,669
Natural Family Planning Group	117
National Association Welfare of Children in Hospital	211
British Association of Immediate Care Schemes	250
One-to-One	2,000
Brook Advisory Service	540
Red Cross Cosmetic Camouflage Service	303
	91,931

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES FOR SCOTLAND
Grants paid to voluntary organisations
	£
1. Under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act 1911 Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society Ltd	58,500
2. Under the Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948 Fox Destruction Clubs	14,000
3. Under the European Economic Community Regulations No. 100/76 Scottish Fisherman's Organisation Ltd	10,000
Aberdeen Fish Producers Organisation Ltd	5,460

SCOTTISH DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Grants paid under section 13 of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977
	£
Scottish Council for Single Homeless	8,800
Scottish Women's Aid	3,150
Grants paid unded section 5 of the Housing Financial Provisions (Scotland) Act 1978
	£
Scottish Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaux	10,000

Port Of Leith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, when he next visits the port of Leith, he will discuss the problems of the area with local representatives.

	(a)	(b)	(c)
School	Estimated cost of fire damage re-instatement £000	Extent of damage	Period between fire and completion of building project
Morgan academy, Dundee	175	Wing of building	Not available
St. Mungo's academy Annexe, Glasgow	341	Main block	Not available
St. Saviour's high, Dundee	35	Rector's office and adjacent corridor.	4 months
Warout primary, Glenrothes	137	Not available	21 months
St. Aidan's secondary, Wishaw	864	Wing of building	Not yet recorded as completed
Holy Family primary, Kirkintilloch	220	Not available
Garthamloch secondary, Glasgow	300	Science wing

I would certainly be glad to consider discussions of this kind in any such visit.

Council Houses (Sale)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he intends to have regarding his intentions to legislate on the right of council house tenants to purchase their council houses.

The broad principles of our legislative proposals are clear and consultation is not necessary. However, there are a number of points of detail concerning the proposals on which the views of housing authorities and others would be helpful and I intend to seek such views where appropriate. As part of this process I shall be meeting representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in the near future.

Schools (Rebuilding)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give (a) the estimated cost to rebuild, (b) the extent of the damage and (c) the time taken to complete the rebuilding of the following schools damaged by fire: Morgan academy, Dundee, damaged by fire in 1972, St. Mungo's academy (annexe), Glasgow, damaged by fire in 1975, St. Saviour's high school, Dundee, damaged by fire in 1977, Warout primary, Glenrothes, damaged by fire in 1977, St. Aidan's secondary, Wishaw, damaged by fire in 1978, Holy Family primary, Kirkintilloch, damaged by fire in 1978, 3arthamlock secondary, Glasgow, damaged by fire in 1979.

The following is the information available centrally:

Tenants' Charter

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present position regarding consultations on the documents on a tenants' charter issued by his Department in January; and when he expects them to be completed.

The consultation documents were, of course, issued by the previous Administration and do not necessarily reflect our own views on the various elements of a tenants' charter. However, we consider that the responses submitted to the documents by various bodies will provide a useful input to the consideration of our own proposals. It is not proposed to embark upon a fresh round of consultation but we shall discuss our proposals with the parties concerned, as necessary, throughout the period prior to the introduction of legislation and, where relevant, we shall take their comments on the consultation documents as a starting point for such discussions. In particular, I shall be meeting representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in the near future to discuss their views.

Rabbits (Damage)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost of the damage done by rabbits in Scotland for each of the past three years and give an estimate for the current year.

I regret that it is not possible to make reliable estimates. Damage to agriculture by rabbits varies widely from area to area and is very difficult to distinguish from damage by disease, other pests or weather.

Wales

Welshpool Bypass

4.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will have early discussions with Powys county council, Montgomery district council and Welshpool town council on the proposed Welshpool bypass.

Arrangements are being made for representatives of these authorities to meet officials of the Department later this month.

Departmental Grants And Loans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names of voluntary organisations to which grants or loans are made by his Department, together with the amounts for the latest period if such information is available.

Grants paid by the Welsh Office in 1978–79 were as follows:

Voluntary Organisations	Grant
	£
Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin	80,000
Pre-school Playgroups Association (Wales)	56,000
Welsh Women's Aid	8,000
Age Concern (Wales)	12,500
Wales Council for the Blind	4,657
Wales Council for the Disabled	20,000
Council of Social Service for Wales	62,500
National Association for Mental Health (MIND)	17,500
National Council on Alcoholism	30,000
South Wales Council on Alcoholism	36,250
Swansea Association for the Single Homeless	9,106
St. John's Ambulance Brigade	3,946
Family Planning Association	6,250
Action on Smoking and Health	1,000
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents	60,149
Civic Trust for Wales	2,000
National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs	11,309
National Gypsy Council	700
Girls Venture Corps (Wales)	1,573
Welsh Association of Youth Clubs	29,292
Boys Clubs for Wales	44,212
Girl Guides Association (Wales)	4,165
Presbyterian Church of Wales	963
Church in Wales Provincial Youth Council	4,501
Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services	15,001
Welsh National Council of YMCAs	14,583
Urdd Gobaith Cymru	56,673
South Wales Federation of Gateway Clubs	1,000
Welsh Scout Council	2,712
Toc H	521
North Wales Workers Educational Association	54,210
South Wales Workers Educational Association	78,390
Royal National Eisteddfod	275,000
Rural Councils, and Voluntary Service Councils	149,555
Voluntary bodies aided by the Development Board for Rural Wales	200,373
Voluntary bodies aided by the Sports Council for Wales	277,545

Capital grants totalling £141,002 were also made to local voluntary organisations towards the cost of providing or maintaining local youth facilities, community centres or village halls.

During 1978–79 the Sports Council for Wales made loans totalling £21,000 to voluntary bodies.

Bangor (Training Centre)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to establish a training centre in Bangor; and if he will make a statement.

The Manpower Services Commission has before it a proposal to fund an extension to the Gwynedd technical college at Bangor. I understand that this proposal falls within a review which the Commission is conducting of its capital programme.

Prince Of Wales Orthopaedic Hospital

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to close the creche and pathology laboratory at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital; and if he will make a statement.

The decisions to close the creche and pathology laboratory at the Prince of Wales hospital have been taken by the South Glamorgan health authority, which is responsible for the management of the health service in the area.

A465 (Glynneath—Aberdulais)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest position in respect of the construction of the Glynneath to Aberdulais section of the A465 trunk road; and if he will make a statement.

A major soil survey is at present in hand to enable more detailed planning to proceed. My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to publish formal proposals by way of draft orders under the Highways Acts next spring.

Forestry Commission

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the Government's expenditure cuts are to be applied to the Forestry Commission in Wales; and, if so, if he will give details of the projects by the Commission in Wales which are to be affected.

The Forestry Commission, like other Departments, will be affected by cuts in public expenditure, but final decisions on their detailed application have still to be reached.

Northern Ireland

Crossmaglen (Bomb Incident)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the bomb incident in Crossmaglen, County Armagh, on 7 July which led to the death of a young soldier; whether this type of detonation had been used before; and from where the components originated.

Shortly before 11 a.m. on Saturday, 7 July, an explosive device placed behind the front door of a derelict property in Market Square, Crossmaglen, detonated as a four-man Army patrol was passing. One soldier sustained serious injuries and another was slightly injured. Both men were flown to hospital in Belfast, where the more seriously injured man died on 8 July. The device was detonated by radio control, a technique which has been used by terrorists in the past. The origin of the components used in the device is unknown. The Provisional IRA has admitted its guilt for the murder and police inquiries aimed at apprehending those responsible are continuing.

Transport

Coaches (Retarders)

asked the Minister of Transport what further consideration his Department has given to retarders being fitted in coaches; and whether he will make a statement.

Proposals are being considered for requiring compliance with new braking standards laid down in EEC directives. The standards are more comprehensive than those in our present regulations and would require coach manufacturers to design braking systems in a way that would reduce the risk of brake fade, but the use of retarders would not be compulsory. In some cases retarders may well be an effective supplementary device to improve braking performance, but they are not essential in all cases to achieve high standards, and they are no substitute for an efficient conventional system of frictional braking.

Petrol (Lead Content)

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the findings of the working party studying the blood lead levels of children in city day nurseries in Birmingham, he will consider bringing forward to January 1980 the further reduction in the lead content of petrol due in January 1981.

These findings will be considered in the wider review which is now taking place of the health effects of lead from all sources. But I do not at present see any justification for bringing forward to January next year the further reduction prescribed in the limit on the lead content of petrol.

Benefit	Latest date for which figures are available	Number of beneficiaries receiving less than standard rate	(3) as a percentage of total number of beneficiaries
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
(a) Maternity allowance	March 1977	4,100	5·1
(b)Unemployment benefit	May 1978	25,000^*	4·7^*
(c)Sickness benefit	June 1977	10,200	2·3
(d)Retirement pensions (excluding age related widow's retirement pension)	November 1978	434,000	5·2
(e)Widows' pensions (excluding agerelated)	November 1978	14,500	6·5
(f)Widowed mother's allowance	November 1978	21,000	17·3
(g)All age related widows' benefits	November 1978	12,500	11·0
^* An estimate which includes benefit paid at less than the standard rate because of the payment of an overlapping benefit.

Family Planning

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the grants made by his Department to the Family Planning Association and the Albany Trust for the current financial year, together with the purposes for which these grants were made; and whether any undertaking has been given to these bodies in respect of continuing financial assistance in future years.

The Department funds half the net expenditure of the eight regional centres of the Family Planning Association in England. The grant for 1979 will be £50,000 and is in support of the general aims of these centres, which are to promote and publicise local family planning services.The Health Education Council receives a grant of £200,000 a year in respect of the family planning information service, which is jointly managed by

Social Services

Benefits

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for each main category of national insurance beneficiaries the number and percentage in each category who were drawing less than the full national insurance benfit for the latest available date.

I regret that information is not available in the form requested. The numbers and percentages of beneficiaries receiving less than the standard rates of national insurance benefits because of insufficient contribution are as follows:the Council and the Family Planning Association.The two grants were initially for a period of three years starting on 1 January 1976 and therefore subject to review at the end of this year.In addition, the Department sponsors courses run by the education unit of the Family Planning Association for health and social work professionals. The estimated cost of courses sponsored in the current financial year is £45,000. Each application to fund courses is considered on its merits.In recent years a grant has been made to the Albany Trust by the voluntary services unit of the Home Office. The question of a renewal of this grant for the present financial year is now however the responsibility of this Department and is at present being considered; no conclusion has yet been reached. In the meantime, in order to avoid financial difficulty for the Trust, a payment of £3,750, equivalent to one quarter of the previous level of grant, has so far been made in this financial year in respect of the first quarter.

Hospitals (Mentally Iii Patients)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds in National Health Service hospitals which would otherwise be available for the treatment of mentally ill and mentally handicapped patients are presently unavailable due to staff shortages.

This information is not available centrally.

National Health Service Dentists

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of National Health Service dentists, full-and part-time, respectively, in each of the last 15 years.

The information is as follows:

(1)	(2)
Year	Dentists
1964	9,991
1965	9,988
1966	9,948
1967	10,040
1968	10,182
1969	10,250
1970	10,426
1971	10,527
1972	10,750
1973	10,886
1974	11,023
1975	11,206
1976	11,503
1977	11,784
1078	11,919
(1) Figures for 1964 are as at 31 December and thereafter 30 September.
(2) Dentists in England providing National Health Service general dental services excluding dentists employed by health authorities. They are independent contractors whose work patterns cover a wide range not readily divisible into full and part-time.

Medical Certificates

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will arrange for the provision of non-diagnostic national insurance medical certificates.

No. Information about the diagnosis is required to give the independent adjudicating authorities a professional opinion that a specific condition is the reason for the absence from work. It is also helpful in our procedures for controlling claims and in compiling national morbidity statistics. Arrangements are available to deal with the situation in which the doctor believes it would not be in his patient's best interests for him to know the diagnosis of his complaint.

Vehicles For The Disabled

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the United Kingdom is in receipt of any EEC grant for promoting a specialised vehicle scheme for the disabled; and if such a grant is available.

Before mobility allowance was introduced, the Department's main help with mobility was the invalid vehicle scheme. Because benefits under this scheme were in some cases linked to employment, applications were made for grants from the EEC European social fund. All were unsuccessful. As the social fund is primarily directed to training for open employment, a current application would be unlikely to receive favourable consideration. I know of no other EEC provision.

Health And Personal Services (Coventry)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to ascertain how much per 10,000 population was spent by the local authority on health and personal services in Coventry for the years 1977 and 1978.

Full information about the total and breakdown of expenditure by local authorities is contained in the publications of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's statistical information service, copies of which are held in the Library.

Pharmacists (Remuneration)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the progress of discussions on remuneration of National Health Service pharmacists.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 21 June to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) concerning the work of the independent panel, which has held a further meeting since that date.—[Vol. 968, c. 656]. In addition, I myself will shortly be meeting representatives of the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee at their request.

Family Allowance Centre, Newcastle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make a statement on the backlog of work at the family allowance centre, Newcastle; how far work is behind; what is the average delay for books being sent to Newcastle for alteration; how many complaints his Department has received about the delay in correcting of family allowance books and the return of them to mothers; if he will take steps to mitigate the considerable hardship to the families involved; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether to overcome any backlog of work at the family allowance centre at Newcastle he will employ extra civil servants to deal with the problem.

Because of the effects of industrial action at the child benefit centre, Washington, there are delays in the issue of some child benefit order books.It is not possible to determine without disproportionate time and expense the average delay for those claims in which an order book has been returned for the issue of a further order book for a different amount. However, the child benefit centre is giving priority to those claims in which a mother is without an order book and any cases of hardship caused by the absence of an order book should be taken up with the local office of the Department of Health and Social Security.Complaints received at the child benefit centre are not analysed to show how many relate to the re-issue of order books. Letters of complaint addressed to me or my ministerial colleagues usually average about 0·02 per cent, of the cases handled each year but the level of complaints has been higher recently.

Earnings Rule

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to phase out the earnings rule for retirement pensioners.

I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for St. Pancras North (Mr. Stallard), on 26 June.—[Vol. 969, c. 118.]

Children (Employment)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what consultations have taken place with local authority associations on the implementation of regulations for the employment of children under the 1973 Act, and what plans he now has to introduce such regulations;(2) if he will issue advice to local education authorities to circulate schools in their area, giving guidance on reasonable conditions for the employment of school children.

Consultations with local authority associations took place in September 1975, as a result of which it was decided to defer making regulations for two years. At the end of 1977, the associations were consulted again. My right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales concluded that they would not be justified in introducing regulations at this stage. Local authorities are already aware of the contents of the proposed regulations and are free to make or amend byelaws accordingly. I am considering whether any further guidance to authorities is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of schoolchildren in recent years killed and injured as a result of their employment; and if he will give a breakdown in the Official Report.

I regret that this information is not available.

Departmental Expenditure

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated effect on his Department's budget of the increase in value added tax announced in the Budget; and what is the net increase in his Department's expenditure proposed for the current year.

The Department's Votes for 1979–80 are estimated to have to bear an additional cost of some £45 million arising from the increase in the rate of value added tax. There is to be no increase in the cash limits for this.

War Pensioners (Car Allowance)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to increasse the war pensioners' car allowance in the light of increased motoring costs.

Although my right hon. Friend has no plans at present to announce an increase, this allowance, in common with others, is kept under review in the light of available resources and other competing claims upon them.

Area Health Authorities (Expenditure)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how he intends to reimburse area health authorities in England for the extra £45 million they will have to pay for supplies in the current year as a result of the increase in value-added tax.

I have no such intention. In any event, the figure of £45 million refers to the estimated cost for the NHS as a whole, including centrally financed services, not just for area health authorities.

Family Courts

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to implement a system of family courts in Line with the Finer committee recommendation.

I have been asked to reply.The Government are considering the various proposals which have been made for family courts but in view of resource constraints and the implementation of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Act 1978 that is now proceeding it would not be right to enter now into any particular commitment on the matter.

Employment

Nationalised Industries

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in (a) the steel industry, (b) the coal industry, (c) the gas corporation, (d) the electricity corporation and (e) the shipbuilding industry.

Provisional estimates of the numbers of employees in employment in Great Britain, analysed according to the minimum list headings—MLH—of the standard industrial classification, are made monthly for the industries specified and the following table gives information for April 1979.

	(thousands)
Iron and steel (MLH 311 and 312)	259·9
Coalmining (MLH 101)	286·8
Gas (MLH 601)	104·8
Electricity (MLH 602)	176·7
Shipbuilding and marine engineering (MLH 370)	168·4

Training Allowance

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider extending payment of training allowance to bona fide trainees outside the training opportunities scheme.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that since the introduction of TOPS in 1972 it has operated within a framework of rules designed to enable it to concentrate on providing training in needed skills for adults who are unemployed or changing their jobs; and to avoid supplanting established arrangements for the initial training of young people and further training of existing employees. In its recent review of the scheme, MSC proposed that these rules should continue subject to certain modifications. These would include provision for selective relaxation of the normal TOPS ban on training for a specific employer, chiefly to enable payment on a selective and discretionary basis of training allowances for a period of on-the-job training or further experience for employees recruited from TOPS courses. Plans are in hand to implement this recommendation; the rate of progress is subject to the current review of MSC expenditure.

Children (Employment)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will carry out a study into the part-time employment of schoolchildren under 16 years of age with the aim of preventing their exploitation; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is not convinced that a study of the wages paid to schoolchildren under 16 years of age in part-time employment is warranted at present. Questions about hours or other conditions of employment of school children under 16 years of age should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to oblige employers of schoolchildren to give details of their employment to local offices of his Department.

The hon. Member asked this question of the previous Administration last year, and my reply is the same as that given by the Undersecretary of State for Employment on 2 August. My Department is not responsible for matters relating to the employment of schoolchildren aged under 16. The Employment of Children Act 1973 enables the Secretary of State for Social Services to make regulations governing the employment of schoolchildren but no such regulations have yet been made. In the meantime, local authority byelaws on the employment of schoolchildren continue to operate.

Manpower Services Commission

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what calculations have been made by his Department of the balance of financial advantage between retaining the Manpower Services Commission in London and moving it to Sheffield.

Both the costs and savings which can be quantified in money terms and the costs and benefits which, while real and important, cannot be quantified in this way have been taken into account in considering whether this dispersal project should proceed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many members of the Manpower Services Commission are currently employed in the training centre at Ranmoor Hall in Sheffield.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there are 51 members currently employed by it in the training centre at Ranmoor Hall in Sheffield.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what compensation will be payable to members of the staff of the Manpower Services Commission who have bought new homes in Sheffield, or have signed contracts to purchase houses there, if the Manpower Services Commission does not move to Sheffield;(2) how many wives or husbands of staff of the Manpower Services Commission have given up employment in London in preparation for the move to Sheffield;(3)what representations have been made to him about the schooling of children of staff of the Manpower Services Commission who will be moving to Sheffield.

The proposed move by the Manpower Services Commission to Sheffield is included in the Government reappraisal of dispersal announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department, on 11 June.Staff have been advised that a review is under way and that they should not enter into or finalise commitments until the outcome is known. I recognise that some anxiety will exist during the period of the review.A decision on the review has still to be taken and we should await the outcome. If the need should arise, the question of compensation would be for consideration by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department.Notification about spouses' employment is not required in the Civil Service, and although the Manpower Services Commission is aware of two husbands and six wives who have given up employment in London in preparation for the move to Sheffield, there could be other cases of which it is unaware.Representations about the effect of the dispersal review on the schooling arrangements for children of the staff of the MSC were received on the occasion when I met representatives of the recognised trade unions for the staff involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many separate buildings are currently occupied in London by the Manpower Services Commission;(2) what are the terms of the leases of the buildings occupied in London by the Manpower Services Commission; and when these fall due for renewal.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that its head office currently occupies space in 13 separate buildings in London.For commercial reasons it is the practice of the Manpower Services Commission and the Secretary of State for the Environment not to divulge the terms of individual leases.The 13 buildings currently occupied either wholly or in part by the Manpower Services Commission head office in London are held under the terms of nine leases with commercial landlords, two letters of agreement with the Crown Estates Commissioners and eight memoranda of terms with the Secretary of State for the Environment.Of these 19 contractual agreements:

Renewal Dates
1	1979
2	1980
1	1981
1	1982
3	1983
3	1985

Eight may be terminated with six months' notice from either party to the memorandum of terms. The leases in respect of these buildings are held by the Secretary of State for the Environment under the terms of 11 leases of which:

Renewal Dates
1	1979
1	1980
3	1981
2	1988
1	1989
1	1992
2	1994

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what compensatory steps he will take to remedy the unemployment situation of husbands and wives of Manpower Services Commission staff who have given up their London jobs to accompany their spouses to Sheffield as part of the dispersal exercise if dispersal is now abandoned;

(2) what compensation he will offer to Manpower Services Commission staff who have bought houses in Sheffield as part of the dispersal exercise if the plans are dropped;

(3)what arrangements he will make to ensure the adequate rehousing of Manpower Services Commission staff who have given up their London homes, whether rented or purchased, in anticipation of dispersal to Sheffield, if dispersal is now abandoned;

(4)what compensatory steps he will take in respect of the children of Manpower Services Commission staff due to move to Sheffield as part of the dispersal exercise who may be disadvantaged by not retaining places at their present schools if dispersal is now abandoned.

The proposed move by the Manpower Services Commission to Sheffield is included in the Government reappraisal of dispersal which was announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department, on 11 June.Staff have been advised that a review is under way and that they should not finalise commitments until the outcome is known. I recognise that some anxiety will exist during the period of the review.A decision on the review has still to be taken and we should await the outcome.If the need to obtain employment in London should arise the full services of the employment services division of the Manpower Services Commission will be available to help the spouses of the staff involved.Staff who have already bought houses in Sheffield are entitled to the refund of expenses and the grant of allowances in accordance with the Civil Service pay and conditions code. If the plans are dropped and it is necessary for staff to return to London the same provisions will apply.I recognise that the future education of heir children is of great concern to some of the staff involved. However, the nature and extent of the problem of retaining school places has not yet been established. If the problem arises I should wish to discuss the educational aspects with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.The question of any financial compensation in the above circumstances, including assistance with house search, is a matter for discussion with my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department, who will no doubt wish to take into account the representations of the appropriate trade unions.

International Labour Organisation (Conference)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if a Minister represented the United Kingdom during the 1979 International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva; and if he will make a statement concerning the United Kingdom contribution to that conference.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 243], gave the following answer:The United Kingdom was represented at the 1979 International Labour Organisation conference by my noble Friend Lord Gowrie, the Minister of State in my Department, and as usual by a tripartite

Scheme	No. currently being supported	Area
Job release scheme	28	Employment office areas of Jarrow and Hebburn and East Boldon
Small firms employment subsidy	20
Job introduction scheme for disabled people	1
Adult employment subsidy	137	South Tyneside TTWA
Community industry	160	South Tyne
Youth opportunities scheme	2,688^*	South Tyneside local authority district
Special temporary employment programme	293^*	South Tyneside local authority district
Temporary employment subsidy	2,500	Northern region
^*Numbers helped since scheme began.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the area covered by Jarrow and Hebburn employment exchange have taken advantage of the job release scheme since its introduction.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 244], gave the following answer:Up to 27 June, 63 applications under the job release scheme had been accepted in the Jarrow and Hebburn area.

Cancer Agents

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Health and Safety Executive will publish immediately a full list of known and highly suspect cancer agents similar to the list of 269 such chemicals published by the United States Department of Labor; and if information can be published to enable delegation which enabled the United Kingdom to participate fully in all the committees. In particular, the offices of chairman of the committee on the application of conventions and recommendations, the vice-chairman of the selection committee and the rapporteur of the committee on safety and health in dock work were filled by representatives from the United Kingdom.

Jarrow

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs in the Jarrow constituency are being supported by employment subsidies.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 244], gave the following answer:Information about all the special measures is not maintained in the precise form requested by the hon. Member. The following table gives the information which is available:the potency of the chemicals concerned to be compared on experimental evidence and also on the basis of practical aspects of production and use.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970. c. 244], gave the following answer:I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive has no plans to publish any such list or information.

Disabled Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of disabled people registered with his Department are employed in firms which employ 20 or less people.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 244], gave the following answer:

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that it is not possible to provide this information. Only organisations which employ 20 or more workers are subject to the quota provisions of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944, and are requested to furnish information relating to their employment of registered disabled people.

Youth Unemployment

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish for the United Kingdom and for each Manpower Services Commission special development area the average number of young unemployed during those months when the unemployment register was at its lowest for 1977–78 and 1978–79.

					July	October	January	April
Special Development Areas					1978	1978	1979	1979
Falmouth	…	…	…	…	481	413	469	387
Merseyside	…	…	…	…	48,050	39,947	37,839	33,054
North-East	…	…	…	…	42,628	32,350	30,018	26,061
West Cumberland	…	…	…	…	2,385	1,667	1,708	1,546
North-West Wales	…	…	…	…	2,190	2,128	2,082	1,713
South Wales	…	…	…	…	11,083	8,919	8,598	7,476
Dundee and Arbroath		…	…	…	4,240	3,746	4,081	3,831
Girvan	…	…	…	…	107	130	129	127
Glenrothes	…	…	…	…	838	478	676	547
Leven and Methil		…	…	…	765	446	713	533
West Central Scotland		…	…	…	47,178	38,228	39,568	35,539
Livingston	…	…	…	…	909	659	821	776
United Kingdom		…	…	…	710,492^*	552,201^*	524,724	451,371
^* Includes estimated figure for Northern Ireland.

Occupational Cancers

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what research is currently undertaken or proposed into the incidence of occupational cancers in Scotland.

pursuant to his reply, [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 243], gave the following answer:I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive is carrying out a mortality study of workers in steel foundries in two Scottish towns following a report which suggested that there was an increase in the incidence of lung cancer due to atmospheric pollution in the area around one of the foundries. This is in addition to a number of surveys concerning occupational cancers throughout Great Britain.

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 244], gave the following answer:The unemployment register for the United Kingdom was at comparatively low points in May each year, and at December 1978, for seasonal reasons. However, during the period specified, the only dates for which analyses of the unemployed by age have been compiled for the special development areas are July 1978—when the register was high because of the inclusion of large numbers of summer school leavers—October 1978, and January and April 1979.Earlier figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following information relates to young people under 25 years of age:

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Turks And Caicos Islands

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether agreement has been reached with the United States Government on the financial terms for the maintenance of their facilities in the Turks and Caicos.

Agreement has not yet been reached, although I hope that negotiations can be concluded shortly.

Germany

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the Government's policy towards the partition of Germany.

Her Majesty's Government, in common with the Governments of the other member States of the Atlantic Alliance, continue to support the policy of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany to work towards a state of peace in Europe in which the German people regains its unity through free self-determination.

Kiribati

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps will be taken to guarantee the rights of the Banaban people within the new Kiribati Republic.

I refer the hon. Member to the report of the Gilbert Islands constitutional conference (Cmnd. 7445), and my speech on the Committee stage of the Kiribati Bill on 11 June.—[Vol. 968, c. 67.]

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will take steps to appoint an international commission to review the safeguards offered to the Banaban people within the Kiribati Republic.

The Kiribati constitution provides that the Government of Kiribati shall, at the expiration of a period of three years after independence day, appoint an independent commission of inquiry, which shall review the operation of provisions relating to the Banabans.

Anatoly Shcharansky

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in the light of the Helsinki Final Act, he will make representations to the Soviet Government about the continued imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky, the Soviet dissident, and his state of health.

The Government will press for the implementation of the Helsinki Final Act. We shall also make representations to the Soviet Government about individual human rights cases where there is a direct connection with the United Kingdom. In cases like Mr. Shcharansky's, where there is no direct connection, we shall make decisions about representations on a case by case basis, and, among other considerations shall bear in mind health questions.

North Sea Oil (Exports)

asked the Lord Privy Seal what special arrangements have been made to ensure that none of the BP oil from the North Sea to be exported to South Africa under the recently announced swap will go to Rhodesia; and if he is satisfied that this object can be achieved in the light of the South African law which prevents the disclosure of information on oil movements.

The Government have not agreed to the export of North Sea oil to South Africa. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy made clear on 24 May in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for New Forest (Mr. McNair-Wilson) that in the present difficult market situation the Government continued to expect companies exporting North Sea oil to do so in the markets of our International Energy Agency or European Economic Community partners.—[Vol. 967, c. 185–6.]British Petroleum has made clear that the assurances which it gave to the previous Government and which cover its South African subsidiary as well as the BP Group as a whole, about non-involvement in the supply of oil to Rhodesia, either directly or indirectly, or through marketing arrangements related to the supply of oil by others to Rhodesia, remain valid and are regularly updated. BP has undertaken to inform the Government immediately if it has any difficulty in maintaining these assurances.

Gibraltar

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representation he has made to the Spanish Government concerning the the continued restrictions upon Gibraltar which deny to the people of Gibraltar fundamental human rights.

No formal representations has been made as yet. The Spanish Government are, of course, well aware that the British Government seek the removal of all restrictions imposed on Gibraltar.

San Salvador

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has been satisfied with the assurances given by the Salvadorean authorities regarding the safety and security of United Kingdom diplomatic staff in San Salvador; and whether, in the light of recent events, he will seek fresh assurances in this respect in order that United Kingdom staff may be able to fulfil their full diplomatic functions.

The Salvadorean Government have assured us that it is their constant preoccupation to guarantee the safety and security of United Kingdom diplomatic staff in San Salvador, but it is evident that, in the current situation, their ability to do so is strictly limited. Fresh assurances, under these circumstances, would be worthless.

British Citizens (Chile)

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) whether he has received since 3 May a satisfactory response from the Chilean authorities to representations concerning the torture of a British citizen, Mrs. Sheila Cassidy;(2) whether he has received since 3 May a satisfactory explanation from the Chilean authorities about the disappearance of Mr William Beausire, a British citizen.

My requests to the Chilean Charge d'Affaires on this matter have not yet met with a reply.

Chile

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government will maintain the embargo on arms sales to Chile.

We have no plans at present to change existing policy.

European Community

European Conventions And Agreements

asked the Lord Privy Seal if Her Majesty's Government will place on the agenda of the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe proposals to ensure more regular consultation of the Parliamentary Assembly on draft European conventions and agreements drawn up by the Council.

No. Her Majesty's Government recognise the valuable role the Parliamentary Assembly has played and continues to play in providing a stimulus by its discussions and through its recommendations, but consider that decisions with regard to the content of conventions, their negotiation and accession should remain a matter for national Governments in accordance with national policies.

Council Of Europe

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards Council of Europe resolution 693—direct elections to the European Parliament and the role of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The Government share the view expressed in the resolution that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will continue to have an indispensable role to play and agree also on the importance of close working relations between the Assembly and the European Parliament. But the way in which co-operation can be enhanced must be for the bodies themselves to determine.

Civil Service

Institution Of Professional Civil Servants

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he has replied to the Institution of Professional Civil Servants letter of 4 July regarding the advice of a third party in the present pay dispute of the professional and technical officer grades.

The letter was addressed to the head of the Home Civil Service, Sir Ian Bancroft. A reply has been sent by him today.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he last met the representatives of the professional and technical officer grades in the Institution of Professional Civil Servants; and if he will make a statement on the offer placed before them.

I last met representatives from the IPCS to discuss professional and technology group pay on Thursday 28 June. The offer which has seen made for these grades is based on evidence from the Pay Research Unit interpreted in exactly the same way as hat for other grades in the Civil Service. It is my aim that all civil servants should be treated equally and fairly, and this offer does just that. I hope that on reflection the IPCS will accept the offer; if not I urge it to refer its claim to the independent Civil Service arbitration tribunal, whose findings the Government will accept.My right hon. and noble Friend the Lord President of the Council and I are to meet the IPCS on Friday 20 July.

St Stephen's Press

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will publish in the Official Report the pay and conditions of the printing staff at St. Stephen's Press, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, at present in dispute.

The staff in St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press involved in the current pay dispute are non-industrial

	1 April 1978		1 January 1980		Percentage increase (to nearest-1)
	Minimum	Minimum	Minimum	Minimum	Minimum	Minimum
	£	£	£	£
(a) Printing Officer (Main Scale)	3,934	4,326	4,592	5,050	16·7	16·7
(b) Technical Officer	4,117	4,922	4,771	5,916	15·9	20·2
(c) Works Overseers:
Grade I	5,739	6,545	7,100	7,668	23·7	17·2
Grade II	5,039	5,739	6,242	6,675	23·9	16·3
Grade III	4,435	5,039	5,000	6,242	12·7	23·9
Grade IV	3,774	4,435	4,331	5,071	14·8	14·3
Night Allowance (all grades)	1,663		1,902		14·4

All these grades working at St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press receive an additional £524 per annum inner London weighting allowance. All pay and allowances are reckonable for the calculation of superannuation benefits.

Pay (Independent Conciliator)

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will consider introducing an independent conciliator to bring the parties together in the present pay dispute of the professional and technical officer grades.

No. The pay claim made by the Institution of Professional Civil Servants on behalf of professional and technical staff falls wholly within the terms of the Civil Service arbitration agreement, which provides for pay disputes to be referred to the independent Civil Service arbitration tribunal. This machinery has operated successfully for over 50 years in resolving differences over Civil Service pay claims, and is entirely appropriate in this case. I have therefore urged the institution to take its claim to the tribunal if it cannot accept the official grades represented by the Institution of Professional Civil Servants, in the departmental grades of printing officer, technical officer and works overseers; their pay is linked to that of the professional and technology group of the Civil Service. These grades have the same conditions of service as their counterparts in the general service grades in the Civil Service, except that some works overseers have more advantageous terms in respect of overtime payments, night and shift allowances.The minimum and maximum of the respective salary scales in 1.4.78 and 1.1.80 terms—the latter calculated based on the official side's offer for the professional and technology group—are as follows:side's offer, and I have confirmed that the Governent will accept the award of the tribunal. I very much regret that it has chosen instead to take industrial action for which there can be no possible justification. There are no grounds whatsoever for departing from the established machinery in this case.

Manpower Services Commission

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will publish in the Official Report the estimated costs of transferring the staff of Manpower Services Commission from London to Sheffield, as set out by his Department in 1977; and what the actual cost now is for the work completed to date and the extrapolated figure for the final cost of the transfer based on the interim figures.

The costs and savings announced in July 1977 related to the dispersal programme as a whole, and therefore I cannot give the information asked for in the first part of the question. The cost of the new Crown building at Sheffield is approximately £4 million to date.

Volume 970: debated on Monday 16 July 1979

Written Answers To Questions

Trade

Electronic Components

Coastguard Service (Seahouses)

Third London Airport

British Airways (Gibraltar-Madrid Air Service)

National Front

Defence

Service Widows

Royal Naval Dockyard, Portsmouth

Home Department

Broadcasting Media (Access)

Location Of Prisoners

Female Earnings

Ld50 Test

Vietnamese Refugees

Liquor Licences

Indo-Chinese Refugees

Taxi Fares

Overseas Development

Ocean Island

Salt Ii

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Livestock (Transport)

Poultry Meat (Inspections)

Aujesky's Disease

Arts Council

Welsh Arts Council

Arts (Private Patronage)

House Of Commons

Parliamentary Questions

Vietnamese Refugees

Industry

Industrial Development (Inner London)

British Shipbuilders

National Enterprise Board

Advance And Nursery Factories (South-West Durham)

Foundry Industry

Post Office (Productivity)

Aircraft Development (Fuel Economy)

Videotape Recorders

Robot Technology

Factory Units

Postal Services

Steel Manufacture (International Comparisons)

Motor Vehicles (Imports)

Shipbuilding

Regional Development Grant (Jarrow)

Regional Development Grant And Aid

Crocidolite

National Finance

Investment Surcharge

Tax Revenue

Lower Incomes

Heathrow (Customs)

Works Of Art (Public Access)

Luncheon Vouchers

Economic Forecasts

Income Tax

National Savings

Environment

Departmental Land

Rating

Rent And Rate Rebates

Rate Support Grant

Housing (Maintenance Grants)

Local Government Expenditure

Departmental Grants And Loans

Council Housing (Security Of Tenure)

Construction Industry Manpower Board

Thermal Insulation

Rate Support Grant (Wales)

Water Rates

Rental Purchase Agreements

Rent Increases

Mixed Use Properties

Northcote Road, Walton

Mixed Use Properties