asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy that marriage between parties who do not know each other, or as a means of gaining entry to the United Kingdom, should not necessarily confer right of residence, in order to make clear who may, and who may not, enter the United Kingdom on marriage or as a fiancé.

A White Paper containing proposals for a revision of the immigration rules will be published shortly. Under these proposals a husband or fiancé will not be allowed to settle in the United Kingdom if the primary purpose of the marriage is to obtain admission to this country, or if one of the parties does not intend that the couple should live together permanently as man and wife, or if the parties have not met. In other cases the man will have no claim to settle here, but may be allowed to do so if the woman is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by birth in the United Kingdom.It is certainly not my intention to keep out of the United Kingdom the husband or fiancé of a woman who was born in this country and who has contracted or is about to contract a genuine marriage. Nor have I overlooked the fact that girls will have been born abroad because their United Kingdom-born parents were temporarily out of the country at the time of their birth. It will be my intention to consider such cases sympathetically for favourable treatment outside the rules.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the concern expressed by local residents regarding proposals to extend the use of facilities at the Kew bail hostel, and that such action will be in breach of assurances given by the probation service at the public inquiry, he will instruct the probation service that it should restrict the use of the bail hostel to the limits agreed when the original assurances were given to local residents.

This is a matter for the South-West London probation and aftercare committee, which is entirely responsible for the management of the hostel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of civil servants working on applications for citizenship; what were the numbers at comparable dates in 1977 and 1978; why there are delays in processing applicants; and what notification of the reasons for delays is given on form N428 issued to applicants.

At the end of October 1979 there were 194 staff in the Home Office nationality division; in the same month in 1977 and 1978 the figures were 186 and 190 respectively. Delays in processing applications for citizenship arise mainly because substantial increases in the numbers of applications for citizenship over the last two years have coincided with a period of restraint on Civil Service resources and manpower. The leaflet N428 explains this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken to process applications for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies; and what was the average time in 1974, 1969 and 1964, respectively.

Applications for citizenship are of different types, some needing more inquiries and consideration than others. The average length of time is about 15 to 16 months, but some applications take considerably longer, and many of the more straightforward ones are dealt with in six to nine months. Comparable figures for 1974, 1969 and 1964 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he began the practice of returning immediately the passports of applicants for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies because of the long waiting time in dealing with such applications, and when he expects to end this practice.

30 July 1979. I do not at present foresee an end to this practice; it is designed to cause the minimum of inconvenience to applicants who at times when applications are subject to lengthy delays would otherwise be without their passports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many current applications for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies have been waiting (a) more than two years, (b) more than one year and (c) more than six months for a decision.

This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies are currently awaiting attention and decision; and what was the figure for the same date in 1978 and 1977.

At the end of September 1979 the number of applications for citizenship at varous stages of consideration was 40,075: in the same month in 1977 and 1978 the numbers were 27,207 and 32,076 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if citizens band radio can be regulated using the existing monitoring services of the Post Office; and, if not, what additional expenditure this would involve;

(2) if he will estimate the net benefit in the first 12 months of operation to the Exchequer of imposing a £5 annual citizens band radio licence;

(3) what estimate he has made of the home market for the British electronics industry if citizens band radio were legalised;

(4) what alternatives to the 27MHz radio band he is considering for citizens band radio.

The possible frequency bands which could be used for citizens band radio if it were to be introduced, the likely level of demand for the facility and the administrative, regulatory and expenditure implications of its introduction, are all matters to which we are giving attention. However, as my right hon. Friend indicated in his reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Brown) on 22 October—[Vol. 972, c. 7.]—it is too soon to say what the outcome of our review of this issue will be or when we shall be in a position to make an announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences occurred against the broadcasting regulations in 1978; and what measures he is taking to control such offences.

It is impossible to estimate the number of such offences. Incidents involving the unlicensed use of radio transmitters are investigated by the Post Office radio interference service acting as our agents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the number of illegal radios currently operating in the United Kingdom;(2) what is his estimate of the number of private radio transceivers entering Great Britain each week.

I have no reliable information on which to make such estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints he received in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 of private radio interference with television reception, blocking of radio channels by high-powered emissions and other forms of interference, including deliberate jamming.

Information in the form requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for illegal radio transmissions there were in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978; and what was the average penalty imposed.

The number of persons convicted of making unlicensed radio transmissions were as follows:

1975	111
1976	57
1977	61
1978	47

The average fine imposed was £50.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the prison MUFTI squad was formed; what is the number of officers involved and the nature of the training they receive; on what occasions it has been used; and on whose authority.

Guidance on the handling of demonstrations and other acts of concerted indiscipline, including tactics and training in the use of minimum force to retain control of prison service establishments, was issued to governors and wardens in February 1978. The aim is to provide that all members of the governor and prison officer grades—except hospital officers—who are medically fit are trained, and training has so far been undertaken at 73 establishments. The training is designed to ensure that staff operate effectively in disciplined bodies, under firm leadership, and includes instruction in the wearing of protective equipment and restrictions on the use of force, and practice in basic drills, manoeuvres and tactics. Teams of trained officers were deployed at Gartree prison on 6 October 1978; at Wormwood Scrubs prison on 31 August 1979; at Hull prison on 11 April 1979; at Styal prison on 4 September 1979; at Lewes Prison on 1 November 1978; at Camp Hill prison on 20 September 1979; and at Brixton prison on 26 September 1979. On each occasion the decision to deploy the officers was made by the governor in accordance with the provisions of the guidance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all those penal institutions that have been the subject of industrial action so far in the current year, indicating in each case the date, nature and duration of the dispute.

It would not be practicable to provide the information in the precise form which the hon. Member has requested without disproportionate cost, but the general position is that industrial action has been taken in the following establishments:

• Albany
• Ashford
• Blundeston
• Bristol
• Brixton
• Feltham
• Gartree
• Hatfield
• Highpoint
• Hull
• Leeds
• Leicester
• Liverpool
• Long Lartin
• Lowdham Grange
• Low Newton
• Maidstone
• Manchester
• Northallerton
• Northeye
• Norwich
• Onley
• Oxford
• Pentonville
• Preston
• Pucklechurch
• Ranby
• Risley
• Rochester
• Stafford
• Styal
• Stoke Heath
• Thorp Arch
• Wakefield
• Wandsworth
• Wellingborough
• Werrington
• Wormwood Scrubs
• Wymott

The reasons for the industrial action have included disputes about manning levels, staff facilities at establishments and the courts, staff quarters, duty systems, escort vehicles, and various aspects of allowances, pay negotiations, and discipline.The duration of the disputes has varied from a single day to nearly 12 months, and a number are still unresolved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much the £7 million annual expenditure of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission would be reduced if their functions were limited to the provision of advice to members of the general public on request.

This would depend on the nature and scope of the advice to be given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will place in the Library a copy of the paper on time limits on detention in police custody which his Department has recently submitted to the Royal Commission on criminal procedure.

I have done so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to publish a White Paper on the Government's intentions regarding new British nationality law.

I am considering the possibility of doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive from the Boundary Commission its recommendations for Cambridgeshire.

We expect to receive the report of the parliamentary Boundary Commission for England on its general review of constituencies, including those in Cambridgeshire, in mid-1982.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications from immigrants already settled in Great Britain he has received for dependants to join them here since 4 May 1979; and how this figure compares with the same period in 1978.

Information is not available in the form requested. The available information relates to the number of applications made to the British representatives in the Indian Sub-continent for entry clearance, which is mandatory for immediate settlement by dependants and others. Quarterly figures up to 30 June 1979 were published on 21 September 1979 in Home Office statistical bulletin, Issue No. 9/79.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the powers vested in Metropolitan police authorities, and those powers vested in chief constables under the Police Act 1964.

Under the Police Act 1964 a police authority constituted under that Act with the duty of maintaining an adequate and efficient police force for a police area has the following powers, certain of which are exercised subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. It determines the establishment of the force; is responsible for the appointment and discipline of the chief constable and other chief officers of the force; may in the interests of efficiency retire such officers; may provide and maintain buildings, vehicles and equipment required for police purposes; may employ civilians for police purposes; may require the chief constable to submit a report on matters connected with the policing of the area; and keeps itself informed as to the manner in which complaints from members of the public against members of the force are dealt with by the chief constable. Except where it is a committee of one of the constituent county councils, a combined police authority, responsible for maintaining a police force for an area comprising two or more counties, has certain additional powers in respect of finance and land acquisition.The Police Act 1964 places police forces maintained under the Act under the direction and control of their chief constable. He is responsible for appointments and promotions and discipline in respect of all ranks below assistant chief constable; causes all complaints from members of the public against a member of the force to be investigated; may request another chief officer to provide an investigating officer for that purpose; may, with the agreement of his police authority, make collaboration agreements with other forces; may provide assistance to other forces; may, subject to payment of charges determined by the police authority, provide special police services at places within the force area; and may appoint special constables and police cadets.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how long each of those 34 schoolboys held on remand in 1978 and eventually found not guilty were held, and where;(2) how many of the 813 schoolboys remanded in custody in 1978 and eventually given a non-custodial sentence were held (

The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

ACCIDENTS IN AGRICULTURE IN GREAT BRITAIN INVOLVING BULLS
JANUARY 1976-DECEMBER 1978
		Fatal Accidents		Non-Fatal Accidents
Year	Farmers	Farmworkers	Totals	(Farm Workers only)
1976	—	1	1	50
1977	—	—	—	28
1978	2	2	4	34
Totals	2	3	5	112

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) on whose authority binoculars were issued to investigators in his Department; how many have been issued; what was their total cost; by whom they are used and for what purpose; and if there are any guidelines as to their use;

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 14 to 16-year-olds (a) boys and (b) girls remanded in custody in 1978 were held in local prisons.

Information is not available in the form requested. However, of the boys and girls aged 14 to 16 received on remand into prison department establishments in England and Wales in 1978, 168 boys and 104 girls were received into a local prison on initial remand or were discharged from a local prison at the end of their period of remand in custody.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were killed by bulls during each of the last three years for which figures are available; how many people were injured by bulls during the same period; and, of those injured or killed, how many were farmers or farm workers.

Information about accidents involving bulls is available only in respect of those accidents which occur during the course of agricultural operations and which are reported to Her Majesty's Agricultural Inspectorate. For the period January 1976 to December 1978 the following table shows that two farmers and three farm workers were killed and 112 farm workers injured in accidents involving bulls:(2) if he will prohibit the use of binoculars by members of his Department when used for spying on claimants.

[pursuant to his reply, 31 October 1979]: My Department acts as agents for the Department of Health and Social Security in all matters relating to the administration of unemployment benefit, including the investigation of suspected fraud. I therefore refer the hon. Member to the answers given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services for the general policy aspects. It is the policy of this Government, as it was that of the previous Government, to investigate fraud vigorously, and to equip investigators properly for that purpose. My Department is to issue two pairs of binoculars to each of our nine regions at a total cost of £385.56 for use by special investigators working from those regional offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will name those schemes now funded through the special temporary employment programme of the Manpower Services Commission whose funding will cease during the current financial year as a result of the cuts that have been made in the special temporary employment programme.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to continue the system of allowances paid to people going on employment rehabilitation courses; and whether he intends to increase the allowance in line with inflation.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 October 1979, c. 470–71]: I am pleased to announce that rehabilitation allowances will be increased from 15 November 1979 in line with the increase in prices; thus maintaining their existing relationship with unemployment benefit.As a long-term exercise the Manpower Services Commission is reviewing the scope and structure of allowances for all its various programmes, including employment rehabilitation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what decisions he has taken concerning the continuation of the quota scheme for employment of disabled people; whether he has taken representations made in response to the Manpower Services Commission's consultative document on the quota into account in making and decisions about the future of the scheme; and whether he is satisfied with the presentation of the background information in that document.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 October 1979, c. 467–68]: No decisions have yet been taken on the future of the quota scheme, the deadline for responses to the MSC's document being the end of this month. All responses will be considered during the coming months by officials and by the national advisory council on employment of disabled people and it is expected that the Manpower Services Commission will be making recommendations to Ministers in the latter half of 1980.I am satisfied with the presentation of the background information in the discussion document.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many grants have been made to employers towards the cost of adaptations to premises or equipment to enable disabled people to obtain or retain employment since October 1978; and whether he intends to expand the provisions of the scheme.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 October 1979, c. 467–68]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that since 1 October 1978 approval has been given for 68 adaptations to premises or equipment.Greater use of the scheme is being encouraged through general publicity, the mobile train exhibition and the "Fit for Work" campaign, which have already had the effect of increasing the number of applications made. There is no intention to expand the existing provisions of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what tuition fees will be payable by overseas students entering courses in the academic year 1980–81.

The effect of the decision regarding overseas students, set out in today's announcement about the Government's expenditure plans for 1980–81, is that public funds will not be available to subsidise students from overseas beginning courses in September 1980, other than funds made available through overseas aid programmes. The fees of students already on course will not be affected by this. As regards the annual fees for new entrants for the academic year 1980–81, I have consulted the university grants committee and the local authority associations, which will be issuing recommendations to the universities and local education authorities respectively. These will be as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to be in a position to reply to the proposals of the Association of University Teachers with regard to the salaries of university academic and related staff.

I have nothing yet to add to the answer I gave on 25 October to a similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Mr. Rhodes James).—[Vol. 972, c. 255.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the impact on standards in schools of the Government's plans for public expenditure in 1980–81; and if he will make a statement.

Expenditure on education in England and Wales—with universities in Great Britain—is expected to fall in real terms from £7,965 million in 1978–79 to £7,685 million in 1980–81, that is by £280 million or about £3½ per cent. Current expenditure by local authorities accounts for about four-fifths of the total.The Government's aim is to stabilise the total volume of public expenditure. Our objectives for education are to maintain and improve its quality and to promote higher standards of achievement. Accordingly my intention is that the bulk of the required reduction in expenditure should be made in areas not directly concerned with teaching in the classroom. Of the fall of £280 million between last year and next, the aim is that about 80 per cent. should be found from school meals, milk and transport areas, in which local authorities will be given much greater discretion under the Bill which I have just presented to Parliament.It is for local authorities to decide precisely how to implement these changes in expenditure. Nationally the overall pupil-teacher ratio should remain at its best-ever level of 18·7:1, the figure estimated for the current year, compared with 18·9:1 in 1978–79, since I have taken some account of the unavoidable diseconomies of staffing as pupil numbers fall by 4·7 per cent. between 1978–79 and 1980–81. Government plans mean that over the same period the teacher force should fall by 3·7 per cent., from nearly 471,000 to 453,000. But, since natural wastage averages about 30,000 a year, I see no need for significant numbers of teachers to be made redundant.Similar allowance for diseconomies has been made for other expenditure in schools where it should be possible also for standards of provision per pupil to rise by 2 per cent. compared with 1978–79. But it will be necessary to step up the rate at which surplus school places are taken out of use.School building programmes in 1980–81 will total nearly £120 million, compared with £126 million this year.The maintenance of quality depends on the way in which resources are used as well as on the actual level of resources. I am confident that these expenditure plans give us scope for achieving our objectives set out above.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of local education authorities which intend to invite parents to contribute to the cost of covering basic classroom materials for their children.

I am not aware that any local education authority has decided to invite parents to contribute to the cost of covering basic classroom materials for their children. Parent-teacher associations do, however, on their own initiative, make funds available to schools for specific purposes and in consultation with the teaching staff.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her engagements for Thursday 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her engagements for 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her engagements for 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her engagements for 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her engagements for Thursday 1 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her engagements for 1 November.

I refer my hon. Friends and hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridlington (Mr. Townend).

asked the Prime Minister whether any of the engagements in which she participated today, 1 November, resulted in any decisions of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister what effect the Government's decisions on shipbuilding have had and are planned to have on employment in shipbuilding on the Tyne, Wear and Tees, respectively.

asked the Prime Minister what effect the Government's policies on shipbuilding will have had on shipbuilding employment in Scotland by 4 May 1980.

Our policy is to continue financial support for British Shipbuilders for a period of two years while it takes the measures necessary to achieve viability. Employment prospects in the shipbuilding industry will depend on its success in doing so.

asked the Prime Minister what effect she expects the overall industrial and economic strategy of the Government to have on the performance of British industry; and at what level of growth and unemployment she would feel it necessary to change her policies.

The Government's industrial and economic strategy is designed to create the conditions in which British industry can grow and prosper and new small businesses flourish; and we shall not change those objectives. I am confident that British industry will respond to the challenge and grasp the opportunities it is being given.

asked the Prime Minister what progress the Government are making with the disposal of shares in British Aerospace.

Legislation will be introduced shortly to enable British Aerospace's business to be transferred to a limited liability company, shares in which will be offered for sale.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government have given up their direct attempt to reduce Great Britain's contribution to the EEC budget.

No. We have made it absolutely plain to our Community partners that the United Kingdom's prospective net contribution to the EEC budget is manifestly inequitable and in need of urgent correction. I believe that the European Council will recognise this when it comes to decide on a solution to the problem at its next meeting in Dublin on 29 and 30 November.

asked the Prime Minister what consultations she has had since 27 July concerning United Kingdom membership of the European monetary system.

The question of sterling's participation in the EMS exchange rate arrangements has arisen in my bilateral meetings with other EEC Heads of Government and the President of the Commission.

asked the Prime Minister when she expects next to meet the Confederation of British Industry.

No dates have been arranged.

asked the Prime Minister when she plans next to visit Yorkshire.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards rural areas.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eye (Mr. Gummer) on 26 July.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with co-ordination between the Home Department and the Department of Health and Social Security regarding the treatment of those addicted to hard drugs.

Yes. The relationships between supply and demand, prevention and treatment, are recognised, and current interdepartmental liaison includes co-operation to improve information nationally and locally about the nature, extent and trends of drug misuse.

asked the Prime Minister what is her current estimate of the rate of inflation at 31 December.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 23 October 1979.

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Bodmin; and if she will make a statement.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she plans to make an official visit to Dartford.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what proposals the Government have for restructuring the electricity supply industry.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy is currently considering the organisation of the electricity supply industry in England and Wales. The Government's proposals will be announced in due course.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement upon her recent visit to Italy.

I paid an official visit to Rome on 4 and 5 October at the invitation of the Italian Prime Minister Signor Cossiga, accompanied by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. In the course of wide-ranging discussions in international issues we covered a number of European Community questions; in particular I raised the problem of the disproportionate United Kingdom net contribution to the EEC budget, on which I underlined the necessity of reaching a satisfactory solution at the meeting of the European Council in Dublin on 29 and 30 November.

asked the Prime Minister what she proposes to discuss at the European Economic Community Heads of Government meeting in Dublin in November.

I shall be pressing for action to reduce the United Kingdom's disproportionate net contributions to the Community budget. Other subjects likely to be discussed include the economic and social situation in the Community and the report of the committee to review Community institutions.

asked the Prime Minister if she will seek to place on the agenda at the next meeting of the EEC Heads of Government the matter of the relative contributions of the member States to the common agricultural policy.

The next meeting of the European Council will be considering member States' contributions to the EEC budget as a whole, including expenditure on the common agricultural policy, which accounts for over 70 per cent. of the total.

asked the Prime Minister whether in her discussions with Chairman Hua she will discuss the plight of the Vietnamese boat people and the Kampuchean situation, particularly with reference to the withdrawal of recognition from the Pol Pot regime.

The plight of the boat people and Cambodia were among matters I discussed with Premier Hua Guofeng.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Scunthorpe.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when she last met the Taoiseach.

On 5 September, in London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his plans to return the needs element of rate support grant which in past years has been removed from counties like Kent.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Rippon) on 24 October 1979.—[Vol. 972, c. 197.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ban the importation of the common tortoises Testudo Graeca and Testudo Hermann.

Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 the importation of all tortoises is subject to licence. Testudo Graeca and Testudo Hermann, the species most commonly in trade, are not listed as endangered under the Washington convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora. As long as the countries of origin of the tortoises are satisfied and prepared to issue export licences, a ban on their importation cannot be justified under the Washington convention. The Department has, however, obtained the agreement of representatives of the tortoise trade to operate a voluntary quota system which limits the total imports annually to not more than 100,000. This has, this year, brough about a marked reduction in the level of tortoise imports compared with previous years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is intended to reimburse local authorities which have accumulated deficits on their land accounts as a result of complying with the Community Land Act.

The arrangements for closing the land accounts are under discussion with the local authority associations. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many projects are under way between the Development Commission or the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas and local authorities, or planned to start in each of the next three years; how much investment by the Development Commission or COSIRA is involved; how many jobs are estimated to result from projects under way or planned; and if he will issue a full statement indicating what role is anticipated for the Development Commission and COSIRA.

There are 134 factory projects where contracts have been placed, but work has yet to be completed. The estimated cost is about £7·7 million and about 1,200 jobs will be provided. The numbers of factories to be started in the next three years has not yet been decided.The functions of the Development Commission and COSIRA are currently under review by an inter-departmental group of officials.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he took following the meeting held with the hon. Member for Midlothian relating to the firm Diversified Insulation; and when the hon. Member may expect a more detailed reply from Her Majesty's Government.

I am considering the issues raised at the meeting to which the hon. Member refers and shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, as an interim measure pending the abolition of the rating system, he will consider changing the rates levied per household by introducing a factor related to, but not necessary identical with, the number of persons on the electoral roll for each household.

I am currently considering a number of alternatives to the rating system and will bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are currently on waiting lists for council housing in the Greater London area; and how this figure compares with six months and 12 months ago, respectively.

This information is not available in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to amend the Town and Country (Use Classes) Planning Order 1972 so that sex shops will no longer fall within class (i).

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Armitage report on future energy forecasts will be available.

I have been asked to reply. I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking or is proposing to take to reduce the average waiting time for a driving test at the Dundee test centre.

I am recruiting more driving examiners nationally to reduce the present waiting times. An additional examiner is to be posted to Dundee as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the distance used for the eyesight test, recognition of number plates, in the driving test; and what are the reasons for it.

Driving test candidates, and indeed anyone driving an ordinary vehicle, must be able to read, in good daylight and with glasses or contact lenses if worn, either a number plate with symbols 3½ in. high at a distance of 75 ft. or one with symbols 3⅛ in. high at 67 ft.Anyone who cannot do this cannot legally drive or hold or obtain a licence. The test is simple to understand and easy to apply by drivers themselves and by driving examiners and the police. Recent research has established that the test requires a relatively high standard of visual acuity which compares well with standards demanded in other countries.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average length of time learner drivers who apply for driving tests are having to wait before they are tested in Bury St. Edmunds; why there is a shortage of examiners at this centre; and if he is satisfied that the present system of testing is in all respects satisfactory and cost-effective.

31 weeks, which I accept is unsatisfactory. The situation at Bury St. Edmunds is a particular example of what has been permitted to happen over the country as a whole; the examiner-force was not allowed to keep pace with the demand for tests; and we are now having to recruit more staff as quickly as we can. That apart, I am satisfied with the working of the driving test organisation. But I have noted the above-average wait at Bury St. Edmunds and we will post additional staff there as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in the light of information contained in his letter dated 23 October, he is prepared to allow the Harborough Magna motorway service area site to return to agriculture and invite tenders for this purpose.

As I explained to my hon. Friend in my letter of 23 October, I would not rule out the possibility of offering Harborough Magna for development if I felt at any time that additional services there would benefit travellers on the M6. In the meantime, part of the north side of the site is being used by the county council. My Department is issuing an agricultural licence for the remainder of the north side and is renewing one for the south side. Both licences become operative from today.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement about the future of a new bus grant.

The Government's strategy of stabilising public expenditure means that support to transport from public funds must be limited. The last Government announced their intention to phase out new bus grant after the present powers expire in 1980. As the Government's response published today to the eighth report from the Select Committee on nationalised industries on "Innovations in Rural Bus Services" makes clear, we see no reason to dissent from that general conclusion. The grant will therefore be phased out in stages by 31 March 1984. This will allow those concerned time to adjust. My Department will be consulting the industry about the details of these arrangements.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants (a) currently in post and (b) now retired are affected by the rule that temporary service prior to 14 July 1949 counts as to one-half in the calculation of their pensions, distinguishing between industrial civil servants and non-industrial civil servants.

Precise figures are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. It is estimated, however, that some 100,000 serving civil servants, of whom about a quarter are in industrial grades, are affected by this rule. The number of pensioners—including widows—is probably rather more than 150,000. These figures do not include Post Office staffs and pensioners and others who have reserved rights to Civil Service superannuation terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the total estimated cost to his Department of retaining private management consultants to advise on the style of forms issued by his Department; when the consultants started work; how many forms they have considered and in how many cases recommendations made by the consultants have been accepted and implemented; if he will place in the Library copies of all forms where changes in style have been made or recommended, indicating what changes have been made or recommended and why; and if he will issue a full report indicating the cost effectiveness of this project.

The firms of consultants engaged jointly to consider the administrative forms issued by my Department started work on 20 August. The total estimated cost of their fees—including VAT—is around £25,000. I expect to receive their report shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade why he has issued a directive to the Civil Aviation Authority that applications for reduced rate fares to Scandinavian destinations should not be heard at present; and if he will confirm that this does not represent a general change of policy in relation to Civil Aviation Authority decisions on similar hearings involving other European destinations.

The direction, which does not represent any general change in policy, applies only to services between Gatwick and Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm. It was issued because under our civil aviation arrangements with the Scandinavian countries we saw no prospect of being able to secure the necessary traffic rights for these services had licences been granted, irrespective of the fares to be charged. It is wasteful to allow time and money to be spent on hearing applications for services which cannot in practice be operated.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are his proposals for expenditure by his Department in 1980–81.

Detailed Estimates for Department of Trade programmes will be published in the normal way after the New Year.The White Paper on public expenditure in 1980–81, published today, provides for Department of Trade expenditure to be reduced from the level—£199 million—envisaged in the previous Government's plans to £184 million, that is by £15 million—at 1979 survey prices. The greater part of this £15 million comes from carrying forward the 1979–80 savings announced on 12 June. These include the abolition of the Price Commission and the discontinuing of support for consumer advice centres and local price surveys, which will save about £11 million in the full year 1980–81. There will be a small reduction in real terms in expenditure on tourism and export promotion, with a reduction, in accordance with the guidelines already issued by the Secretary of State for the Environment, in local authority expenditure imputed to the Department. There will be some increased expenditure on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.In relation to tourism, there will be no change in the present scope of section 4 assistance, which will continue to be available in the assisted areas; we shall, however, need to consider whether changes will be necessary when the assisted areas boundaries are redrawn in 1982.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the chairman of the Milk Marketing Board.

I am in frequent contact with the chairman of the Milk Marketing Board but I have no specific plans for a meeting at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the president of the dairy trades federation.

I am in frequent contact with the president of the dairy trades federation but I have no specific plans for a meeting at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current cost of fuel to British glasshouse growers and the effects on their ability to compete with growers in the EEC.

Most British growers use oil, the price of which does not vary greatly between countries in the EEC.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further discussions he has had with regard to EEC Council of Ministers on the common agricultural policy.

The Council of Ministers discussed the common agricultural policy informally on 26 September and 29 October. I made it clear that the main aim must be to reduce the surpluses by cutting the level of support in real terms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action has been taken to reduce the United Kingdom's contribution of £1,146·25 million to the common agricultural policy of the EEC; and if he will make a statement.

Reducing total EEC expenditure on agriculture mainly means reducing the surpluses. The decision last June to freeze the price of milk and to allow only very small price increases for other CAP products was a first step in this direction and I am considering what further action might be taken. The United Kingdom's contribution to EEC expenditure is a separate issue which is to be discussed by Heads of Government later this month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a progress report on the negotiations regarding the reform of the common agricultural policy.

The freeze in the milk support prices for 1979–80 and the very low increase for other products was a good start. I shall be looking for further improvements in the context of the renegotiation of the sugar arrangements and the fixing of prices for 1980–81.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to promote forestry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to increase the hectarage to be forested by the Forestry Commission and private owners in the next five years.

These are among the topics we shall be reviewing with the Forestry Commission during the next few months. In doing so we shall have regard to proposals we expect to receive from the Commission arising from its consultative document "The Wood Production Outlook in Britain" and other relevant studies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future level of Government financial support for research, development and advisory work in agriculture.

As yet my right hon. Friend has taken no decisions on the future level of the Department's financial support for research, development and advisory work, which is being considered in the context of the Government's general review of public expenditure, and of the review of functions of the Department currently in train.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current state of the green pound.

The present rate of the green pound is 1·70148 European currency units, giving a current United Kingdom MCA of 8·9 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the chairman of the food and drink industries council.

My right hon. Friend saw the chairman of the food and drink industries council on 23 October. No firm date has been set for their next meeting.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the chairman of the central horticultural committee of the National Farmers Union.

My right hon. Friend the Minister has, at present, no plans to do so, but my noble Friend, the Minister of State is meeting the chairman of the central horticultural committee of the NFU today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the president of the National Farmers Union of Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the president of the National Farmers Union of England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he intends to meet the National Farmers Union.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the president of the National Farmers Union of England and Wales.

This afternoon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the president of the British Fishing Federation.

My right hon. Friend and I met representatives of the national fish catchers organisations including the president of the British Fishing Federation on 25 October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet the Council of Agriculture Ministers of the European Economic Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he expects to meet his EEC counterparts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will be attending a meeting of the Agriculture Ministers of the European Community.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when next he will meet Commissioner Gundelach of the European Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet Commissioner Gundelach of the European Commission.

On 12–13 November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to reduce the agricultural budget payments to the EEC.

The United Kingdom's contribution to the EEC budget as a whole, over 70 per cent. of which goes on agriculture, will be discussed at the meeting of Heads of Government later this month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in formulating a Community policy towards hill farms.

The Community's policy for mountain and hill farming and farming in other less-favoured areas has been established under Council directive 75/268/EEC of 28 April 1975. Proposals made by the EEC Commission for amendment of certain details in the directive are currently under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further discussions he has had in relation to the future of the EEC sugar regime.

My right hon. Friend and I have met representatives from the interested parties in the United Kingdom, including beet producers and processors, cane sugar refiners, food manufacturers and trade unions. The EEC Commission is expected to put forward in the near future proposals for a revised regime.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet EEC Ministers to discuss the future export of live animals from the United Kingdom for slaughter.

My hon. Friend the Minister of State pressed on 18 September in the Council of Ministers for a 12-hour limitation on the actual journey to the slaughterhouse. Since then, this and other matters have been vigorously pursued in detailed discussions at official level in Brussels. More work has yet to be done before proposals will be ready for the Council to consider.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current EEC consumer tariff on hard wheat in £ sterling per tonne and on butter in pence per pound.

There is no EEC consumer tariff on butter or on hard wheat.On 31 October, the net levies, after taking account of monetary adjustments, applied to the United Kingdom on imports of butter from all countries other than New Zealand, and hard wheat, were 60·7p per lb and £38·87 per tonne respectively. A special rate of levy of 18·7p per lb is applied in respect of butter imported from New Zealand.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when next he will meet the president of the Country Landowners' Association.

My right hon. Friend and I met the outgoing and incoming presidents of the Country Landowners' Association on 22 October. My right hon. Friend will be meeting the new president again on 5 February 1980, if not sooner.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the chairman of the bacon and meat manufacturers association.

My right hon. Friend will be meeting the chairman again on 9 November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the Commission of the EEC and to the Council of Ministers, respectively, about the sale of surplus butter to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at prices below the market price.