asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he last met the chairman of the National Enterprise Board.

My right hon. Friend last met the chairman of the National Enterprise Board on 25 October.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement, giving full details, of the plans which he has submitted to the British Steel Corporation for the hiving off of profitable sectors belonging to the Corporation.

My right hon. Friend has submitted no such plans. The future of individual sectors or subsidiaries is a matter for the British Steel Corporation, taking into account the future of its mainline business and the need for the Corporation to operate efficiently and commercially.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many enterprises have been assisted by the Co-operative Development Agency since the Co-operative Development Agency Act was passed; how many of these enterprises are still in operation; and what is the total number of jobs in these enterprises.

This is a matter for the Agency itself. However, the Agency informs me that it has given advice or assistance to five existing co-operatives, 54 prospective co-operatives and seven companies. One of the existing co-operatives is no longer trading, and the other four employ some 130 people. Of the prospective co-operatives, four are now set up, employing some 30 people; six are being set up and should employ some 80 to 90 people; and the Agency expects several others to be set up. Of the seven companies, the Agency hopes that three can be converted to co- operatives, safeguarding some 350 jobs. The consequence for employment of advice given to other bodies, and in particular to local authorities, cannot be quantified.

asked the Secretary or State for Industry what steps he has taken to respond to the Points made by the Wales Trades Union Congress deputation in the meeting held at 10 Downing Street on 29 October.

Members of the Government welcomed the opportunity of discussions with the Wales TUC on 29 October, and have taken careful note of all points made at that meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what were the annual profits of Ferranti Ltd. in each of the last two financial years prior to the National Enterprise Board acquiring a shareholding in the company; what have been the profits in each year since then; and what is the value of each of these annual profits expressed at 1977 price levels.

These are matters for the company and the NEB.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many workers have been declared redundant in the textile industry in the Northern region during the last 12 months; what proposals he has to halt the decline in the industry; and if he will make a statement.

According to the available information, in the 12 months to 30 September 1979 2,400 jobs were lost in the textile and clothing industry in the Northern region, mainly in textiles. The Government are taking such steps as are open to them in the context of their economic policies and the multifibre arrangement to secure a framework within which individual companies may, through their own endeavours, operate profitably.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will reintroduce industrial development certificates for factories of less than 50,000 sq. ft.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the local authorities which have made representations regarding the siting of the Inmos project.

So far as I can ascertain in the time available the authorities listed below have made representations to my Department. Other authorities may have made representations to the National Enterprise Board or the company, but that is not a matter for me.

• Thornaby on Tees
• Cardiff
• Merseyside
• Harrogate and Knaresborough
• Tayside
• Dundee
• Greater Manchester
• Carrick
• Plymouth
• Strathclyde
• Avon
• Tyne and Wear
• Durham County
• Greater London
• Blaeneau Gwent
• Salford
• Skelmersdale
• Trafford
• Southampton
• Sunderland
• West Yorkshire
• Corby
• Barnsley
• Aberdeen
• Yorkshire and Humberside
• Norfolk
• Manchester City

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the Meriden motor cycle co-operative has paid the interest amounting to £1¼ million due to Her Majesty's Government on 30 June.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proposals he has to reduce the number of industrial advisory and development bodies to which he appoints members; and what consideration he has given to transferring the patronage and cost of those that remain to the industries concerned.

[pursuant to his reply, 31 October 1979, c. 548]: I expect the number of these bodies to be reduced by three or four within the next few months. The transfer of patronage and cost to industry is being considered where this is a relevant possibility.

asked the Attorney-General if he is satisfied with the resources available to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he considers that an increase in those resources would speed up consideration of the Bingham report.

The resources of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a matter which I keep under continuous review. The consideration of the Bingham report would not be speeded up by any increase in them.

asked the Attorney-General how long in total he expects the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider the evidence from the Bingham report before deciding whether or not to recommend prosecution.

I am unable to estimate how long it will take the Director to conclude his consideration of matters raised in this long and complex report.

asked the Attorney-General when he intends to legislate on the law of contempt.

As stated in the Queen's Speech, the Government intend to introduce a Bill during this Session. It is not yet possible to estimate precisely when the Bill will be ready for introduction.

asked the Attorney-General how long the Director of Public Prosecutions took to consider the evidence in the case of each of the following companies found guilty of breaches of Rhodesian sanctions orders: Superheaters Ltd., Frank Knowles & Co. Ltd., Leesona Ltd., Priest Lindley Ltd., James Mackie and Sons Ltd., Taylor and Hargreaves, Lustre Fibres Ltd., Vapormatic Ltd., Platt Bros., Ellisons Tufting Machinery Co., CZ Scientific Instruments Ltd., Compair Industrial Ltd., and Beck and Co.

The value of information of the type requested would not be commensurate with the cost and use of manpower involved in obtaining it.

asked the Attorney-General what estimates he has of the number of eviction orders granted against squatters in each district of Belfast in 1978; and what is the number of those orders which were executed.

It is not clear from the question what figures the hon. Member is seeking. I have therefore, dealt with the question on the basis of the number of possession orders granted by the enforcement of judgments office following lodgement of application for enforcement of warrants.The figures are as follows:

	1978
District	Possession Orders made	Evictions carried out
North Belfast	1	1
South Belfast	2	1
East Belfast	0	0
West Belfast	3	2

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what proportion of the purchasing contracts issued by his Department in 1978–79 was by means of (a) selective tender, (b) open tender and (c) single tender.

Details of contracts for computer equipment and services awarded by the Civil Service Department in 1978–79 are as follows:

	Proportion
	By number	By value
(a) selective tender	32·8%	16·1%
(b) open tender	—	—
(c) single tender	67·2%	83·9%

Details of purchasing contracts awarded by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, for which I am also responsible, in 1978–79 are as follows:

	Proportion
	By number	By value
(a) selective tender	86%	74%
(b) open tender	—	—
(c) single tender	14%	26%

asked the Minister for the Civil Service, how many persons are employed in the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and how many are qualified chartered accountants.

The present strength of Exchequer and Audit Department is 672, of whom 574 are audit staff and the remainder are clerical, typing and other supporting staff. Since 1975 all new recruits have been required to qualify as members of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy whose courses and examinations are particularly relevant to the accounting and audit requirements of the public sector. All new entrants are graduates. At present, the Department has one chartered accountant and 13 other staff who are qualified members of a professional accountancy body or the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators. A further 170 are at various stages of training for such qualifications. Prior to 1975 all audit staff had to pass external examinations following a comprehensive training programme specially designed to meet the Department's needs but not leading to a recognised accountancy qualification.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 18 June, he will now seek to obtain from each local education authority information on its capitation allowance, for pupils both at primary and secondary schools in England and Wales; and if he will list it in the Official Report.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science

		1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979
per cent.
One child family
Gross earnings	…	36·7	42·6	41·7	39·3	37·5	39·6	40·3	49·9	46·2	40·8
Net earnings	…	46·8	54·0	52·3	50·5	49·8	54·3	55·3	67·1	62·7	54·5
Two child family
Gross earnings	…	45·3	52·6	51·3	48·2	45·9	48·5	49·3	59·7	55·3	48·3
Net earnings	…	56·4	64·6	62·7	60·5	59·3	65·2	65·9	78·3	73·9	65·2
Three child family
Gross earnings	…	53·8	62·5	60·9	57·2	54·4	57·5	58·3	69·4	64·3	56·8
Net earnings	…	66·3	75·2	73·0	70·7	68·7	75·9	76·2	89·3	85·2	75·9
Four child family
Gross earnings	…	62·4	72·5	70·5	66·1	62·8	66·4	67·3	79·1	73·3	64·8
Net earnings	…	74·7	84·3	82·0	79·6	76·9	85·5	85·3	99·3	95·6	86·5
Notes:
1. The qualifying levels for free school meals are those laid down in the Department's Provision of Milk and Meals Regulation 1969 as amended.
2. Gross earnings for all years up to and including 1978 are the mean of the New Earnings Survey estimates of average earnings of full-time adult male manual workers for the April of each year and the April of the following year. The figure for 1979 is the April 1979 NES figure updated to July 1979 by the monthly index of average earnings. This is the latest available figure. It is not possible to provide an estimate for September and the final column is not comparable with the rest of the table.
3. Net earnings up to 1976 have been taken as "gross earnings" less income tax and national insurance. The income tax calculations assume that the families were collecting family allowance but these payments have not been included in the figures for gross or net earnings. Nor have child benefit allowances been included in gross or net pay for 1977 and later.
4. For the purposes of calculating income tax the ages of the children have been taken as:
One under 11;
One under 11 and one between 11 and 16;
Two under 11 and one between 11 and 16;
Two under 11, one between 11 and 16 and one over 16.
5. The percentages are based on the point on the school meals remission scale at which the parent is no longer entitled to free school meals for any child.
6. The figures for years up to 1975 differ slightly from those given in a written answer on 5 July 1979 in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field)—[Vol. 969, c. 651–52.] The present figures embody minor revisions of previous data.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research the Medical Research Council has carried out into the risks involved in using powdered baby milk when there

The Government have taken no decision on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the qualifying levels for free school meals as a percentage of (a) gross and (b) net average earnings, for families with one, two, three and four children, and for each year since 1970, including an estimate for September.

The information is as follows:are inadequate water storage and refrigeration facilities available.

The Medical Research Council has conducted research into the bacterial contamination of traditional weaning foods compared with powdered baby milk in a rural environment in West Africa. The risk of contamination was found to be similar for each type of food. A study revealed the primary problem to be the quality of the water supply and the prevailing state of hygiene, not the nature of the food.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the present level of civil defence in the United Kingdom.

I am considering how present arrangements might be improved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consult Commonwealth countries before proposing any changes to the existing immigration rules.

While I have no plans for formal consultations, my hon. Friend the Minister of State and I are always ready to meet Ministers in the Governments, and diplomatic representatives, of the countries mainly concerned, and frequently do so. My hon. Friend has recently returned from a visit to the Indian sub-continent in which a number of useful discussions took place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the consequent interference to television reception over a wide area, he will introduce legislation to prohibit oil rig platforms from lying offshore in coastal waters for long periods after overhaul.

The BBC and IBA tell me that they are not aware of any television reception problems arising from this source. If my hon. Friend will send me details of any complaints he has received, I will arrange for them to be investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the locations of his Department's forensic science laboratories and the geographical areas they cover.

There are six Home Office forensic science laboratories located at Aldermaston, Birmingham, Chepstow, Chorley, Nottingham and Wetherby which serve those police forces in England and Wales outside the catchment area of the Metropolitan Police laboratory. In addition, there is a Home Office central research establishment at Aldermaston which provides specialised services for all laboratories. The table below shows the police force areas served by each laboratory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what geographical areas are covered by the Metropolitan Police forensic science laboratory; what is the annual cost of the operation; and if any part of this is met by his Department or forces outside the metropolitan area but serviced by the laboratory;(2) if he is satisfied with the operation of the fire investigation unit of the Metropolitan Police forensic science laboratory; and if he has any plans to devolve the work of the unit;(3) if he has any plans for devolving the work of the Metropolitan Police forensic science laboratory; and if he will make a statement;(4) if he is satisfied with the performance of the Metropolitan Police forensic science laboratory; and if he will make a statement.

The Metropolitan Police forensic science laboratory serves, in addition to the Metropolitan Police district, the areas covered by the City of London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire constabularies. In addition, work is carried out from time to time at the request of central Government Departments and of British Protectorate police forces. In 1978–9, the cost of the operation was £3,215,014, of which £1,013,710 was borne on behalf of the Home Counties' forces by the Home Office under common police services arrangements.The Commissioner has decided to relieve the Metropolitan Police forensic science laboratory of responsibility for providing a service to police forces in the Home Counties of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Essex and Hertfordshire. This work, including the relevant part of the work of the fire investigation unit, will be transferred over a period to the laboratories of the Home Office forensic science service. The Commissioner regards the performance of the Metropolitan Police forensic science laboratory, including that of the fire investigation unit, in providing a technical support service to the police as excellent and wishes me to place on record his appreciation of the high standard of work carried out by the laboratory's staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is given to officers in his Department and in public bodies ultimately answerable to him, who have powers of search and entry, with regard to surveillance techniques and methods of gaining entry into premises.

Surveillance techniques are not used by the Home Office officials mentioned in the answer which I gave to a question by my hon. Friend on 25 October, and the manner in which their powers of entry are exercised is not such as to require special training.—[Vol. 972, c. 249–50.]I understand that appropriate training in radio surveillance techniques and the execution of search warrants is given to Post Office officials who act as my agents under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, and that the Gaming Board for Great Britain provides appropriate training to its inspectors who have certain powers to enter and inspect premises under the Gaming Act 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a complete list of the regulations, laws and statutory instruments which give rights of entry over private land and buildings as well as shops, offices and other buildings for the purposes of search and seizure to Government inspectors and officials and others employed in local government and statutory undertakings.

I refer my hon. Friend to the information contained in appendix F to memorandum No. 111 of the Home Office evidence to the Royal Commission on criminal procedure, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions he has come to regarding the 161 Latin American refugees who have applied for visas and concerning whom representations have been made to him by the Chilean human rights committee; and if he will make a statement.

The number of applications still outstanding on 31 October 1979 was 125. These will be considered under the criteria for Latin American refugees obtaining before my announcement of 29 October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the light of redundancy plans currently being prepared by local fire services, if he will issue a circular advising fire authorities that they should consider any reduction in their work force only by voluntary redundancy and natural wastage rather than by compulsory redundancy.

No. I would expect any necessary advice to be issued by the local authorities conditions of service advisory board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will order a public inquiry into the use of the prison minimum use of force tactical intervention squad.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the guidelines on the handling of demonstrations and other acts of concerted indiscipline, including tactics and training in the use of minimum force, issued to governors and wardens of prison service establishments in February 1978.

No. This is confidential guidance relating to the security and control of prison service establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if male prison officers were used against women prisoners on 4 September 1979 when the prison minimum use of force tactical intervention squad was deployed; and, if so, how many were used, and on whose authority.

Yes. Five male prison officers removed a barricade which two female inmates, armed with a knife, had erected on 3 September and re-located the inmates. The officers acted under the authority of the acting governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give full details of the circumstances which led to the use of the prison minimum use of force tactical intervention squad at Gartree on 6 October 1978, Hull on 11 April 1979, Styal on 4 September 1979, Lewes on 1 November 1978, Camp Hill on 20 September 1979, and Brixton on 26 September 1979; how many prisoners were involved in each case; how many members of the minimum use of force tactical intervention squad were involved in each case and which prisons they came from; how many prisoners and prison officers were injured on each occasion; and how many needed medical or hospital treatment.

At about midnight on 5 October 1978, teams of prison officers equipped and trained in the use of minimum force to retain control of prison service establishments (MUFTI teams) sought to breach barricades erected in A, B and D wings of Gartree prison by inmates who were destroying furnishings and fabric and throwing missiles. No inmate was injured by the teams, who were unable to breach the barricades because of missiles and boiling water thrown by inmates. A record distinguishing among the officers injured at the prison those who were members of teams is not readily available.At Hull prison on 11 April 1979, 68 inmates in C wing began to destroy furnishings and fabric and throw missiles at staff, who were outnumbered and withdrew; 23 of the inmates, who wished to desist from indiscipline, were allowed to leave the wing. The remaining inmates dispersed to their cells when a MUFTI team of 22 officers from Hull succeeded, despite a hail of missiles, in breaching barricades. No officer or inmate was injured during the engagement.At Styal prison on 3 September 1979 two inmates armed with a knife barricaded themselves in an office, where they remained until the evening of 4 September when a MUFTI team of five officers from Manchester prison removed the barricade and relocated the inmates, without receiving or causing any injury.At Lewes Prison on 1 November 1978, 94 inmates began a sit-down demonstration in the dining hall which they continued into 2 November, when some sought unsuccessfully to gain access to the roof. The number of prison officers at the prison during the demonstration varied within a maximum of 134, including MUFTI teams of 26 and 10 from Brixton and Wandsworth prisons respectively. The demonstration ceased on 2 November without physical contact between prison officers and inmates, none of whom was injured.At Camp Hill prison on 20 September 1979, 46 inmates staged a sit-down demonstration in St. George's Hall. MUFTI teams totalling 20 officers from Albany and Parkhurst prison were deployed out of sight of the inmates. When other officers entered the hall, the demonstration ceased. No officer or inmate was injured.At Brixton prison on 26 September 1979, 22 inmates in the secure unit engaged in a sit-down demonstration. A MUFTI team of 20 officers from Brixton, and one of 24 officers from Wandsworth prison, were standing by. The inmates ceased their demonstration when asked to do so, without the teams entering the unit No officer or inmate was injured.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number and country of origin, of husbands and fiancés gaining entry to Great Britain lawfully whose wives or fiancées have (a) been born in Great Britain and (b) were born elsewhere, and the equivalent figures for wives and fiancées gaining entry, over each of the last 10 years, and what these numbers represent as a percentage of the immigrant population as a whole.

Information on acceptances for settlement by reason of marriage of men and women analysed by citizenship/nationality is published annually in "Control of Immigration Statistics—tables 3, 4, 12 and 13 of the issue for 1978, Cmnd. 7565. Information on the age, sex and ethnic group of the population of New Commonwealth and Pakistani ethnic origin is published in "Population Trends", No. 9, pages 4–7, but precise information by reference to the birth place of their spouses on those accepted for settlement on marriage is not available centrally.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received about cuts in Arts Council grants to the theatre.

I have received many representations about the level of central Government funds available to the Arts Council. It is for the Arts Council to decide how to allocate those funds.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action the Government are taking to encourage industrial, commercial and other private patronage of the arts.

Support from the private sector will become increasingly important and the key to development in the arts, while public support will of course continue. I have stated this view and have been impressed by the constructive response from companies and individuals on a number of occasions in which the tax changes in my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget have undoubtedly played an important part.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the present position regarding the all-party talks on Scottish affairs; and when he expects to make his first report to hon. Members.

I have invited the political parties which have Members representing Scottish constituencies to take part in talks, and I am waiting for their replies.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received from organisations concerned with education about lack of time between the publication of the Education Bill and the Second Reading debate; and what response he has made.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about future employment prospects in the Carmarthen Bay area.

I have not received representations about future employment prospects as such, but I have received representations about the future of the Carmarthen Bay power station.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what reply he gave to the Wales Trades Union Congress deputation on Monday 29 October at 10 Downing Street regarding steelmaking at Shotton.

I said that the Government were considering remedial measures for the Shotton area and would make an announcement after the British Steel Corporation had taken a final decision on the closure question. Earlier my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had made it clear that the future of steelmaking at Shotton was for the British Steel Corporation to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total cost each year of selective financial assistance granted in each Welsh county for the period 1976 to 1979.

The totals of selective financial assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 paid in each Welsh county during the financial years 1976 to 1979 are as follows:

Clwyd
Year Ending 31 March	Payment £'000
1976	672
1977	225
1978	660
1979	918
Gwynedd
Year Ending 31 March	Payment £'000
1976	262
1977	132
1978	95
1979	148
Powys
Year Ending 31 March	Payment £'000
1976	21
1977	45
1978	40
1979	74
Dyfed
Year Ending 31 March	Payment £'000
1976	733
1977	674
1978	1,026
1979	342
Mid Glamorgan
Year Ending 31 March	Payment £'000
1976	4,559
1977	2,261
1978	541
1979	739

South Glamorgan
Year Ending 31 March	Payment £'000
1976	978
1977	281
1978	707
1979	420
West Glamorgan
Year Ending 31 March	Payment £'000
1976	533
1977	90
1978	210
1979	164
Gwent
Year Ending 31 March	Payment £'000
1976	1,814
1977	2,203
1978	1,204
1979	1,216

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from local education authorities in Wales concerning cuts in the education services which they are obliged to impose because of Government cuts in public expenditure.

Both my right hon. Friend and I have discussed the implications of the revised expenditure limits for this year and next with representatives of the Welsh joint education committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what effect there will be on the time scale for the construction of the new A470 from Fiddlers Elbow to Merthyr Tydfil as a result of the proposed cuts in roads expenditure for Wales.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps as soon as possible to provide better accommodation and facilities for the blood transfusion unit now in buildings at Rhydlafar near Cardiff.

Short-term improvements in the existing blood transfusion centre at Rhydlafar are planned. My right hon. Friend intends that a new centre should be built when resources permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he proposes to take to improve the state of the building and construction industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Much of the construction industry operates on a United Kingdom basis and the steps taken by the Government to place the economy on a sound footing have benefits for the construction industry in Wales no less than for the country as a whole. In Wales these measures, combined with the Government's proposal for more flexible improvement and repair grants announced last week, should bring increased work to the smaller building firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to counter the anticipated sharp increase in unemployment in the Arfon area due to the culmination of work on the CEGB project at Dinorwig.

Employment at Dinorwig at present is just under 2,500 and is not expected to be substantially less until 1981. I am keeping the position under close review.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what precise locations in Wales are currently being considered as possible sites for a geological research programme into the possibility of disposing of radioactive waste underground.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 29 October.—[Vol. 972, c. 378.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many community psychiatric nurses are regarded by his Department as being the recommended national norm for 100,000 population in Wales.

There are no recommended national staffing norms for community psychiatric nurses.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many community psychiatric nurses are in post in Wales at present; and whether this reflects the need as assessed by his Department.

At July 1979 there were 106 community psychiatric nurses in post. It is for health authorities to assess their own staffing needs according to their circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will give an assurance that the Government have no current proposals to close any colleges of education in Wales.

My right hon. Friend has no such proposals in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each of the 37 district councils in Wales the proportion of the total housing stock represented by second homes.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what training is given to officers in his Department and in public bodies ultimately answerable to him, who have powers of search and entry, with regard to surveillance techniques and methods of gaining entry into premises.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will reconsider his rejection of the bakers' union's objection to night work on social grounds for women, and also to women starting work at 3 am, 4 am and 5 am;(2) if he will not accede to any representations from the Equal Opportunities Commission that a woman is being deprived by not being allowed, by present legislation, to commence work at the hour of 3 a.m.

I have asked the Health and Safety Commission to consider whether, in the light of the report of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the existing legislation on nightwork in industry needs amendment. I am awaiting its reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies have been notified in the Jarrow constituency since May; and when he anticipates those involved will find alternative employment.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the current surplus in the redundancy payments fund; how this compares with the surplus for each year since the fund's inception; and what he estimates will be the level of the surplus in the next accounting year;(2) if outgoings from the redundancy payments fund are treated as public expenditure;(3) when he proposes to lay the order to increase the redundancy payment rebate to employers.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will update the answer given to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) Official Report, 19 June 1978, columns 55–6, concerning the length of time for which disabled persons are unemployed.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to revise thoroughly the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act in relation to agriculture.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 October 1979, c. 400]: My right hon. Friend has no plans to revise the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 with regard to agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the standards and operation of the pressure vessels at the prototype fast reactor.

The only vessels of high pressure at the prototype fast reactor (PFR) are those associated with the conventional steam generating plant. I am assured that the standards and operation of all pressure vessels at the PFR are maintained within the requirements of the Atomic Energy Act, the Factories Acts, and the practices of the power industry. During the present shutdown of the PFR, statutory tests of the pressure vessels are being carried out as required by the Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he intends to introduce financial incentives for householders to instal equipment exploiting renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power.

No. In view of the current state of the technology involved and the need to reduce public expenditure, the Government do not intend to provide financial incentives for householders to instal equipment exploiting renewable sources of energy.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what measures he proposes to eliminate energy loss in plant and machinery in hard water areas.

Energy losses in plant due to hard water are mainly caused by scaling in heat exchanges and boiler. There are recommended practices on water treatment and descaling, and advice on these is already available from manufacturers, consultants and Government. Additional information will be given for example in proposed new fuel efficiency booklets on boiler plant.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much it costs to build one nuclear power station of each reactor type; how many he anticipates commissioning; and how much will be spent this year on the development of alternative sources of energy.

The Central Electricity Generating Board's estimates of the construction costs of future nuclear stations are based on updating the work done by the National Nuclear Corporation in the thermal reactor assessment—published in 1977. They indicate costs of £900–£1,000 million for an AGR of 1320 MW, and £1,400–£1,500 million for a PWR of 2200 MW—1979 price levels. In the assessment, station capacities were selected for the purposes of the cost estimate studies only.Announcements about future orders will be made as appropriate. The Department of Energy's expenditure on alternative sources of energy—solar, wave, wind, geothermal and tidal—is estimated to be about £7 million in the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the current state of progress in the development of his Department's policy for providing compensation for men who were obliged to commute claims for compensation for industrial diseases contracted in the coal mining industry under legislation which has now been superseded.

The conditions for benefit under the coal pneumoconiosis compensation scheme are a matter for the National Coal Board and the mining unions. I understand that men who commuted their benefit indemnified their employers against further liability and are therefore disqualified from benefit under the present scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what talks he has held with the petrol companies concerning their proposals to close all petrol outlets in rural areas of Wales which sell less than 75,000 gallons of petrol a year; and what action he intends to take.

I am not aware of any such plans by the oil companies. As I said on 1 November 1979 in reply to the hon. Member's related question—Official Report, c. 625—the oil companies concerned have given assurances that they will continue to supply small outlets who wish them to do so while alternative sources of supply are being sought. If filling stations are unable to find alternative suppliers, and other petrol stations are not available within a reasonable distance, the companies have indicated that they will be prepared to consider longer term arrangements to ensure reasonable availability of petrol supplies in rural areas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider a dispensation of the increased rate of value added tax on showground admissions in the special circumstances which apply to agricultural societies.

I regret that we cannot allow such a dispensation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the loss of value added tax resulting from strikes in British industry in the last 12 months.

It is not possible to make an estimate of the increase or decrease in VAT revenue. Value added tax is a tax on expenditure. The connection between variations in expenditure and variations from whatever cause in output and earnings is tenuous.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from representatives of the United Kingdom bloodstock industry about the imposition of value added tax upon sale of horses and the effect of this tax upon the industry; and whether he proposes to take any action in this matter.

On 2 July, I met a deputation representing the bloodstock interests, led by my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond, Yorks (Sir T. Kitson) and further written representations have since been received, expressing grave fears of injury to the industry as a result of the application of value added tax. Notwithstanding the success of the autumn sales of bloodstock in the United Kingdom, the Government recognise, and take very seriously, the competitive disadvantages suffered by the United Kingdom industry as a result of certain aspects of the VAT treatment of blood-stock and training fees in France and Ireland which are not in conformity with Community VAT law. As to the action we are taking, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann) on 2 November.—[Vol. 972, c. 637.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the taxation allowance made to transport drivers for being away from home for long periods of the day and overnight; if he will simplify the methods of claiming these allowances; and if he will make a statement.

Payments of a reasonable amount made to transport drivers for the extra expenses they incur in being away from home and their normal place of employment in the performance of their duties are not taxed. The Inland Revenue will consider any suggestions for simplifying methods of claiming tax relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representation he has received from the building and construction industry regarding the tax exemption certificates; and if he will make a statement.

A number of representations have been received about various aspects of the subcontractor deduction scheme, including the certificates. I propose to issue a consultative document in the near future setting out some possible changes to the scheme with a view to introducing amending legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present rate of interest charged on the balance of corporation tax which becomes payable from the reckonable date; and if there are any plans to increase it.

Interest on any balance of corporation tax paid after the reckonable date is charged at the current prescribed rate of 9 per cent. The rate of interest is kept under regular review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest estimated net receipts and contributions for each EEC country from or to the EEC budget for the last two full years; and what are the estimates for the next two full years.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies up until the end of October have applied to the Inland Revenue for permission to implement their own shares scheme under the 1978 Act; how many have been approved; how many are in the course of approval; and how many have been refused.

By the end of October, 170 companies had submitted profit sharing schemes to the Inland Revenue for approval under the Finance Act 1978 provisions; 55 of these schemes have been formally approved and the remaining 115 are still under discussion. In no case has approval been formally refused.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value of farmers' special tax arrangements in each year since 1969.

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

Asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what training is given to officers of the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise with regard to surveillance techniques and raids on business premises and private homes.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 November 1979, c. 637]:The information requested is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will institute an investigation by his Department into sheepmeat distribution margins.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence exists of foreign fishing boats fishing for herring in United Kingdom waters during the ban on herring fishing.

Regular patrols are undertaken by United Kingdom fishery protection vessels within British fishery limits. They have found no recent evidence of foreign vessels fishing for herring in those areas of United Kingdom waters where such fishing is banned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position, arising out of his talks on 29 and 30 October, to indicate when he expects to reach a final agreement with other member States in the EEC on the renegotiation of the common fisheries policy.

I hope that at the next meeting of the Fisheries Council on 3–4 December a fresh start will be made on negotiation of a revised common fisheries policy and that this can be completed in the course of 1980.

asked the Minister of State of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with existing United Kingdom regulations for the conservation of fish stocks and their effectiveness.

The Government stand ready to introduce further national measures to conserve fish stocks in United Kingdom waters if these should prove necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the working of the Agricultural Wages Board.

The Secretary of State for Wales and I are satisfied that the Board is fulfilling the statutory responsibilities placed upon it by the Agricultural Wages Act 1948.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what percentage of full-time agricultural workers earn (a) less than £40, (b) £40 to £50, (c) £50 to £60, (d) £60 to £70, (e) £70 to £80, (f) £80 to £90, and (g) above £90 per week; (2) what is the estimated value of (a) cheap or free food and (b) cheap or free accommodation given to agricultural workers.

The available information is that contained in "Agricultural Labour in England and Wales 1978" which is published by my Ministry, and a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of agricultural workers earn less than national average earnings (a) in England and Wales, (b) in Scotland, (c) in Northern Ireland and (d) in the United Kingdom.

Directly comparable information is not available. A comparison of data from the Department of Employment's annual survey of manual workers in industry in the United Kingdom and data from wages and employment enquiries into earnings in agriculture gives the following:

Percentage of whole-time agricultural workers with average weekly earnings below United Kingdom average weekly earnings of manual workers in industry
Country
England and Wales	88
Scotland	91
N. Ireland	94
United Kingdom	89

AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS OF FULL-TIME REGULAR MALE WORKERS IN 1977
					National currency	Pence	Month of survey
Denmark	…	…	…	…	26·80 DKR	248	October
Netherlands	…	…	…	…	10·45 HFL	242	October
Belgium	…	…	…	…	137·61 BFR	220	October
West Germany	…	…	…	…	8·48 DM	209	September
France	…	…	…	…	11·93 FF	139	October
Italy	…	…	…	…	1,832 LIR	119	September
Luxembourg	…	…	…	…	72·40 LFR	116	September
United Kingdom	…	…	…	…	1·11 UK£	111	October
Irish Republic	…	…	…	…	0·99 IR£	99	November

The data have been converted from national currencies into sterling at the exchange rate prevailing during the month of the survey. Care is needed in interpreting these figures because of differences

					Minimum weekly rate	Standard weekly hours
					£
England and Wales (Ordinary grade)	…	…	…	…	48·50	40
Scotland (General worker)	…	…	…	…	49·00	40*
Northern Ireland (All workers)	…	…	…	…	48·50	40
* Annual average figure.
Comparable rates in other member States are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much (a) average earnings for agricultural workers and (b) average farm incomes have risen in each year since 1969.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what are the current (a) average earnings and (b) basic wages for agricultural workers in each of the nine member States of the Community.

The most recent data from the statistical office of the European Community giving average earnings in agriculture on a comparable basis in the EEC member States relate to autumn 1977 and were as follows:in the levels of national prices and fluctuations in exchange rates.The current prescribed minimum rates for whole-time adult workers aged 20 years and above in the United Kingdom are as follows:

The following table shows for England and Wales the annual change in average annual earnings of whole-time hired male agricultural workers between 1969 and 1978, and the annual change in net income of farmer and spouse on full-time farms averaged over all types of farms (excluding horticulture) between 1971–72 and 1977–78:

AVERAGE TOTAL EARNING OF WHOLE-TIME HIRED MEN AGED 20 YEARS AND ABOVE*
Calendar	Change in average total earnings over previous year
years	£ per year	Per cent.
1970	+67·08	+7
1971	+127·40	+13
1972	+135·72	+12
1973	+205·40	+17
1974	+358·80	+25
1975	+448·76	+25
1976	+382·20	+17
1977	+225·68	+9
1978	+361·92	+13

ENGLAND AND WALES; AVERAGE NET INCOME OF FARMER AND SPOUSE PER FULL-TIME FARM (EXCLUDING HORTICULTURE)†
March-February	Change in net farm income over previous year
years	£ per year	Per cent.
1970–71	Figure not available on comparative basis
1971–72
1972–73	+1,177	+33
1973–74	+1,519	+31
1974–75	-585	-9
1975–76	+2,691	+46
1976–77	+543	+6
1977–78	-553	-5
1978–79	Not yet available
*Source: Wages and employment inquiry. Average total earnings including payments in kind.
† Farm management survey: Net income is the return to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and the return on their tenant-type assets; it excludes stock appreciation of breeding livestock. Interest on farm borrowings has not been charged. Changes have been prepared from two-year identical samples.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the gap in terms of cash, between the average earnings of agricultural workers and average industrial earnings in each year since 1969.

Directly comparable information is not available. A comparison of data for male workers aged 21 years and over from the Department of Employment's annual survey of manual workers in industry in the United Kingdom and data relating to male agricultural workers aged 20 years and over from the Ministry's wages and employment inquiry gives the following cash differences for the years requested:—

	£
1969	7·22
1970	8·81
1971	9·39
1972	11·49
1973	11·71
1974	12·12
1975	14·06
1976	15·39
1977	16·61
1978	19·65

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the value of public expenditure in the agriculture industry in each year since 1969 (a) at current prices and (b) at constant 1979 survey prices.

Public expenditure on agriculture from 1969 to date at 1979 survey prices is as follows:

	£m
1969–70	825
1970–71	836
1971–72	943
1972–73	831
1973–74	1,111
1974–75	1,205
1975–76	1,172
1976–77	697
1977–78	639
1978–79	746
1979–80	896

Some of this expenditure, e.g. monetary compensatory amounts, benefits consumers and overseas exporting interests rather than producers. To extract comparable figures at current prices would involve disproportionate cost.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to make any cuts in the level of public expenditure for the agriculture industry: and, if so, in which specific areas.

The White Paper "The Government's Expenditure Plans, 1980–81"—Cmnd. 7746—shows that the expenditure provision for agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry will rise from £986 million in 1979–80 to £993 million in 1980–81. These figures include an increase in the net provision for agricultural expenditure. They allow for a rise in expenditure on EEC-financed market support policies and for savings from sales of land, from a decline in the uptake of some grants and subsidies—eg expenditure on brucellosis eradication as the eradication campaign nears completion—and from economies in some services such as research and development.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the purchasing contracts issued by his Department in 1978–79 was by means of (a) selective tender, (b) open tender and (c) single tender.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could not be provided without incurring disproportionate expense.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to have meetings with the representatives of the dairy and sugar industries with a view to curbing the possibility of surpluses in the EEC which could have serious consequences for these industries in the United Kingdom.

I maintain frequent contact with representatives of the dairy and sugar industries on a wide range of questions which concern them, including the implications of curbing EEC surpluses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what training is given to officers in his Department and in public bodies ultimately answerable to him, who have powers of search and entry, with regard to surveillance techniques and methods of gaining entry into premises.

This information is being obtained and I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making to improve the defence against air attacks of United States and Royal Air Force air bases in the United Kingdom.

On 27 July I announced the formation of an additional Lightning squadron, the arming of a substantial number of Hawk training aircraft with air-to-air missiles—Sidewinder AIM 9L—and improvements to the Phantom's weapon control system. These measures will directly enhance our ability to withstand air attacks, including those upon USAF and RAF bases in the United Kingdom, and the scope for further improvements is now being considered.In addition, a considerable range of measures is already under way or planned. Over the next few years these will include extension of the coverage of the Bloodhound system in the United Kingdom through the redeployment of the squadron currently in Germany, the formation of a new squadron of VC10 tankers to increase the RAF's air-to-air refuelling capacity, and the equipment of the Phantom with more advanced air-to-air missiles. During the mid-1980's, more sophisticated airborne radars will be introduced, and the modernisation of the ground radar chain, the programme of hardened aircraft shelter construction and other passive defence measures now under way, and in which the USAF fully participates, will be brought to completion. Also, the USAF is now most earnestly considering the case for deploying units of Rapier surface-to-air missile units at its airfields in the United Kingdom.In the longer term, the powerful Tornado F2 will replace the present force of Lightning and Phantom fighters. Taken together, these measures and the ones announced in the summer will bring about a very significant increase in our air defence capability in the course of the next decade.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of the crash of a Dan-Air 748, the civil version of the Andover, in July, he is satisfied with the safety of the Queen's Flight.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the results of the safety checks on the Andover aircraft of the Queen's Flight, following the Shetlands crash of a Dan-Air 748 in July.

Checks on certain points of the flying controls of all RAF Andovers, including those of the Queen's Flight, were carried out in conformity with the mandatory check bulletin issued by the manufacturers after the Dan-Air accident. No defects were found.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now consider replacing the Andover aircraft of the Queen's Flight.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thanet, East (Mr. Aitken) on 10 July—[Vol. 970, c. 123.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado multi-role combat aircraft are on order for the Royal Air Force.

Orders have been placed for the first three batches of Tornado production aircraft. The United Kingdom share of these batches comprises 146 aircraft for service with the RAF. The total United Kingdom requirement is for 385 aircraft, of which 220 will be the GR1—strike—variant and 165 the F2—air defence—variant.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of the booklet "Britain and NATO" have been produced; to whom they have been sent; at what cost; and for what purpose.

Some 18,000 copies of the booklet have been produced to date. These have cost approximately £10,000 to design, print and distribute. Copies of the booklet have been sent to a wide range of addresses, including various civilian and military educational establishments, industry, foreign embassies in London, British embassies and defence attachés round the world and a range of public bodies, libraries and private individuals. Copies of the booklet have also been placed in the Library of the House. The purpose of the booklet is to mark the 30th anniversary of NATO, to enhance the public's knowledge of NATO, and to explain why the United Kingdom attaches great value to its membership of the Alliance and how NATO contributes to guaranteeing peace and security in the Western World.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that he will not, over the next five years, change the system of employing retired officers within his Department; and if he will ensure that there will not be a significant change in the numbers so employed.

There are no plans to change the system of employing retired officers within the Ministry of Defence, but the numbers so employed must be subject to normal complementing criteria and to the constraints placed upon civilian manpower as a whole.