asked the Lord Privy Seal what allowance he has made for inflation in fixing the amount to be spent on overseas aid.

The agreed figure of £782 million net for overseas aid in 1980–81 is at 1979 survey prices. The revaluation into 1980–81 prices will take account of inflation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the Government's intention with regard to aid to Bolivia to improve that country's mining industries, following suspension of such aid by the previous Administration.

The COMIBOL aid project is under close consideration but a final decision has yet to be taken.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will provide a full list of current aid projects which the United Kingdom supports in Guyana, giving the cost of the British contribution in each case.

The projects and the total—not annual—British contributions—all in the form of loans—are:1. Tapakuma—£2·97 million. A large-scale irrigation project to increase rice production, co-financed with the World Bank and other donors.2. Essequibo sea defences—£3·3 million. A project for reconstruction of the sea defences fronting the Tapakuma area.3. Austin/Bedford repair programme—£0· million. Spare parts for vehicles operated by the Guyana Ministry of Works: two British mechanics are supervising the operation.4. Pilot vessels—£0·675 million. Two vessels for the Georgetown pilot service.5. Dredging equipment—£0·620 million. A tug and two split barges for the transport and harbours department, primarily for dredging in Georgetown harbour.6. Miscellaneous capital goods. £6·5 million, allocated in April 1978, for the supply of various items of capital equipment incluuding two gas turbine generators, a Skyvan aircraft and components for the Demerara bridge.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with the trades unions concerning future manpower levels in the Civil Service.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what recent discussions he has had with trades union leaders regarding staffing levels.

My right hon. and noble Friend the Lord President of the Council and I met representatives of Civil Service trades unions at their request on 11 September. The Government will take full account of the views expressed in reaching their decisions on future manpower levels in the Civil Service.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made towards a settlement in the pay dispute of the industrial Civil Service.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the pay settlement in the industrial Civil Service.

A settlement was reached on 18 October, when the trade union side accepted the pay offer made to it in August of improved rates of pay and conditions of service based on comparability, subject to implementation by stages over nine months.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the pay dispute with the professional and technical civil servants.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Fareham (Mr. Lloyd).

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what measures the Government are taking to improve general efficiency in the Civil Service.

All Ministers are committed to the search for greater efficiency and have in hand the first of a series of selective examinations of their functions, in collaboration with Sir Derek Rayner. Departments have already been required to make a cut of 3 per cent. in their staff costs this year and Ministers are currently examining options for further savings in later years.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when next he expects to meet representatives of the Civil Service trade unions.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw).

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether investigation has been carried out to establish the adequacy of housing and school accommodation to meet the needs of persons affected by the proposed dispersal to Bootle of elements of the Health and Safety Executive; and whether he is satisfied as to such adequacy.

As I told the House last July, the composition of the dispersal to Bootle has not yet been settled.—[Vol. 971, c. 902–3.] The Government hope to make an announcement about this shortly.When this dispersal was first planned by the previous Administration, I understand that discussions were held by the Health and Safety Executive with the local authorities concerned in Merseyside on a wide range of subjects, including housing and education. The local authorities made it clear that they were ready to co-operate and provide necessary assistance in the event of civil servants moving into the area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding a code for the protection of immigrant children; and what changes he contemplates making in the treatment of immigrant children regarding (a) their detention at Harmondsworth detention centre. (b) X-ray examinations for non-medical purposes and (c) the interviewing of children without their parents being present.

I have received a copy of the pamphlet circulated with the letter of 1 October 1979 by the director of the United Kingdom association for the international year of the child, and a number of hon. Members have written to me about it. The replies to those who have written will deal with the proposals made by the association. No immediate change in procedure is in prospect as a result of the correspondence, but, with regard to X-ray examinations, account will be taken of the review currently being made in consultation with the chief medical officer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he will take against local authorities which fail to carry out their statutory duties in law enforcement and after-care services as a result of making cuts in public expenditure.

I would not expect local authorities to fail to carry out their statutory duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's policy on removing mentally disordered offenders from prison, as recommended in the report of the May committee.

The mentally disordered offender presents very real problems which closely involve my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. Both he and I accept that it is undesirable to detain in prison prisoners whose mental disorder permits them to be detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act. It is estimated that at any one time some 200 sentenced mentally ill prisoners fall into this category. We shall continue our efforts to have such people transferred to hospitals with appropriate levels of security.There are, however, a large number of offenders serving prison sentences who exhibit disturbed behaviour but whose mental disorder does not permit their detention in hospital under the terms of the Mental Health Act and I recognise that we must make adequate provision in the prison system for them, just as the National Health Service must make psychiatric care available to them after they are released.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he has given to ensuring that the constitution of the Burnham committee more closely reflects the membership strengths of the representative unions; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend announced his intention to carry out a review of the constitution of the Burnham primary and secondary committee in his reply to a question on 23 October from my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert). The review is to be completed by September 1980. I must emphasise that numerical strength will not be the sole criterion for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the need to alter the constitution of the Burnham committee.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received 120 letters from hon. Members seeking advice on behalf of the Professional Association of Teachers, which is asking for admission to the Burnham primary and secondary committee. He has also met representatives of the association.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will continue to recognise jazz bands as a useful youth activity; and what plans he has for increasing the grant to jazz bands.

The only organisation of jazz bands aided by the Department of Education and Science is the United Kingdom Federation of Jazz Bands. As a national voluntary youth organisation, it has received a grant towards its headquarters administrative expenditure for the financial years 1978–9 and 1979–80. These grants are reviewed annually. The federation has not yet applied for continuation of the grant for the financial year 1980–81; if an application from it is received, it will be considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he will take against local authorities which fail to carry out their statutory duties under the Education Acts as a result of making cuts in expenditure.

I would not expect local authorities to fail to carry out their statutory duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the numbers, specifying continents of origin, of overseas students undergoing further education in England and Wales for each of the years 1974 to the last year for which figures are available; and by how much he calculates that these will be reduced as the result of charging fees at full economic cost.

The table below shows the number of overseas students enrolled at further education establishments in England and Wales:

						1974	1975	1976	1977
November—
Europe	…	…	…	…	…	4,390	4,830	4,820	4,820
Australasia	…	…	…	…	…	270	320	300	340
Africa	…	…	…	…	…	8,500	10,620	11,280	11,140
America	…	…	…	…	…	2,020	2,560	2,920	2,780
Asia	…	…	…	…	…	17,530	24,220	28,240	29,300
Stateless or unknown			…	…	…	130	90	90	90
TOTAL		…	…	…	…	32,840	42,640	47,650	48,460

No estimate can be made at this stage of the effect, if any, on overseas student numbers of the introduction of full cost fees.

asked the Secretary of State far Defence if he will make a statement on the pay and conditions of industrial civil servants working in Her Majesty's dockyards.

Industrial civil servants working in the Royal dockyards form part of the so-called "JCC-group" of the industrial Civil Service. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, East (Mr. Bright) by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department about the current position for this group.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent industrial action by industrial civil servants in the dockyards.

The major cause of recent action by industrial civil servants in the Royal dockyards has been the dispute over the pay settlement due to the whole industrial Civil Service from 1 July. This has now been resolved and I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, East (Mr. Bright) by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department for details.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of the present British military exercises in St. Kitts.

As part of our programme of routine assistance to dependent territories and associated States in the Caribbean, a five-man training team visited St. Kitts from 27 to 31 Octobe to give basic infantry training to the St Kitts defence force.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will consider applying similar rules to the sale of former Ministry of Defence houses to Service men according to length of service as are now being proposed for council house tenants.

Yes, we are currently considering a scheme to sell surplus married quarters to Service men on preferential terms, but it is too early to say what form such a scheme might take.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if it is his intention to seek the repeal of the Act which restricts employment of male workers on continuous night baking.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the baking industry should be subject to restrictive legislation about regular night-work, in contrast to the position in other industries; what representations he has received urging the repeal of the Baking Industry (Hours of Work) Act 1954; and if he will make a statement of his policy in this matter.

I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 22 October to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Brown).—[Vol. 972, c. 25.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the wages councils, stating in each case whether or not they may impose a statutory minimum wage.

The following is a list of the wages councils. Each of them may fix a statutory minimum wage for workers it covers.

Aerated Waters Wages Council (England and Wales)

Aerated Waters Wages Council (Scotland)

Boot and Shoe Repairing Wages Council (Great Britain)

Button Manufacturing Wages Council (Great Britain)

Coffin Furniture and Cerement Making Wages Council (Great Britain)

Corset Wages Council (Great Britain)

Cotton Waste Reclamation Wages Council (Great Britain)

Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing Wages Council (England and Wales)

Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing Wages Council (Scotland)

Flax and Hemp Wages Council (Great Britain)

Fur Wages Council (Great Britain)

General Waste Material Reclamation Wages Council (Great Britain)

Hairdressing Undertakings Wages Council (Great Britain)

Hat, Cap and Millinery Wages Council (Great Britain)

Lace Finishing Wages Council (Great Britain)

Laundry Wages Council (Great Britain)

Licensed Non-residential Establishment Wages Council (Great Britain)

Licensed Residential Establishment and Licensed Restaurant Wages Council (Great Britain)

Linen and Cotton Handkerchief and Household Goods and Linen Piece Goods Wages Council (Great Britain)

Made-up Textiles Wages Council (Great Britain)

Ostrich and Fancy Feather and Artificial Flower Wages Council (Great Britain)

Perambulator and Invalid Carriage Wages Council (Great Britain)

Pin, Hook and Eye and Snap Fastener Wages Council (Great Britain)

Ready-made and Wholesale Bespoke Tailoring Wages Council (Great Britain)

Retail Bespoke Tailoring Wages Council (Great Britain)

Retail Food and Allied Trades Wages Council (Great Britain)

Retail Trades (Non-Food) Wages Council (Great Britain)

Rope, Twine and Net Wages Council (Great Britain)

Rubber Proofed Garment Making Industry Wages Council (Great Britain)

Sack and Bag Wages Council (Great Britain)

Shirtmaking Wages Council (Great Britain)

Toy Manufacturing Wages Council (Great Britain)

Unlicensed Place of Refreshment Wages Council (Great Britain)

Wholesale Mantle and Costume Wages Council (Great Britain)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the estimated number of factory inspectors he hopes to employ in 1980;

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will discuss with the Manpower Services Commission the shortcomings and omissions in the Manpower Services Commissions quota scheme for the employment of disabled persons alleged in the recent OUTSET document; and if he will ensure what the Commission circulates additional information to allow resubmission of evidence.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it has received representations from OUTSET which attempt to show that in certain respects the discussion document, which was issued by the MSC in May to prepare for its review of the quota scheme, needs to be supplemented by additional information to enable interested parties to express their views properly. The MSC has considered these representations but is of the opinion that there are no significant shortcomings or omissions in the background information given in the discussion document which might distort the views of interested parties on the future of the quota scheme or alternative to it. The MSC does not therefore propose to circulate information additional to that already provided, but MSC officials will be replying shortly to the points which OUTSET had made.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have gained employment under (a) the job rehearsal scheme and (b) job introduction scheme for each since the schemes inceptions.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what private sector settlements have so far been reached in the current year's wage round; and what the percentage increase has been in each case.

The information required is not available to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make an early statement to confirm the settlement of the Hunterston port dispute and certify that he will bring the port within the dock scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the implications for employment and productivity at other non-registered ports, and for costs at Hunters-ton, he will reject the request from the Trades Union Congress to institute procedures to subject the Hunterston ore terminal to registration.

I announced yesterday that the Government would set in motion the statutory procedure for designating Hunterston a scheme port under the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act 1946. This followed a request by the TUC and the two unions which will operate the terminal—the TGWU and Iron and Steel Trades Confederation—which was fully supported by the Clyde port authority and the British Steel Corporation.The unions concerned have assured me that they are concerned exclusively with the special circumstances of Hunterston and that their request has no implications for other ports.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to give further details of the Government's plans for the sale of State-owned assets.

As part of the programme for the disposal of £1 billion public sector assets in 1979–80, which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget speech, the Government have sold their holding of 710,150 French franc shares in the Suez Finance Company to the Banque de l'Indochine et de Suez. The sale has been arranged by the Bank of England. A token Estimate will be presented to the House in due course to provide for the expenses of the sale. Net proceeds from the disposal amount to some £22 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will review the income limits which govern the Inland Revenue's practice for remitting arrears of tax which have arisen through official error.

Yes. The practice adopted by the Inland Revenue of remitting arrears of tax which have arisen through official error is set out in a White Paper of July 1971—Cmnd. 4729. As a result of revisions in 1974 and 1977 of the income limits which were fixed at that time, the current practice is that where the taxpayer's gross income is less than £3,000 a year no attempt is made to recover the arrear of tax. Where it is above that figure but is less than £6,000, only one half of the arrear is collected unless there is investment income of £500 or more, when the whole of the arrear is normally collected.I have decided that the income limits governing the practice should be raised and extra steps introduced into the graduation. With these alterations the practice will be that where the taxpayer's gross income is less than £4,000 no attempt will be made to recover the arrear of tax. Where it is £4,000 or more but less than £6,000 only one quarter of the arrear will be collected; if £6,000 or more but less than £8,000, one half of the arrear will be collected; and if £8,000 or more but less than £10,000, three quarters of the arrear will be collected; where the taxpayer's gross income is £10,000 or more there will normally be no remission. It has also been decided to make the practice rather more generous by dropping the investment income test.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the public sector borrowing requirements of each of the following countries: the United States of America, Japan, West Germany and France; if he will express each of these figures in £ sterling at current exchange rates; and if he will express each of these figures in sterling per head of population.

The public sector borrowing requirement, a measure of the public sector's call on financial markets, is not generally compiled by other countries and the data are not available from international sources. The most similar measure available on a consistent basis for all the countries in question is the general Government financial deficit—general Government being central Government plus State and/or local authorities. The latest figures, which are for 1977 and are converted into sterling at the average rates of exchange for 1977, are given below.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL DEFICIT 1977
	Total (£ million)	Total per head
United States	3,455	16
Japan	15,447	136
West Germany	7,553	123
France	2,733	51

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of families claiming family income supplement who will be liable to pay income tax during the current financial year; and how this figure compares with the number liable during the previous financial year.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 26 July 1979.—[Vol. 971, c. 418–19.] The information given there is the latest available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, further to his written answers to the hon. Member for Warley, East, Official Report, 21 June, column 682, and Official Report, 3 July, columns 551–52, he will now provide for Inland Revenue form 700A to be issued in revised form; whether the existence of the Victoria and Albert museum register will be made clear therein; and whether the Law Society will be informed of this, in view of its representations to the previous Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of form 700A.

A revised version of form 700A will be issued in conjunction with an updated version of the Treasury memorandum "Capital Taxation and the National Heritage", which it is hoped to issue next year. The existence of the Victoria and Albert register will be made clear in the revised version of this form; and the Law Society will be informed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons of policy pension payments made under a permanent health insurance contract are regarded as investment income, whereas ordinary pension income from an occupational fund is treated as earned income; and if he will seek to amend the law so as to treat the first class of pension payments as earned income.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the London pay-as-you-earn offices have moved from Bootle to Shipley; and why the new envelope in which employers send in their payroll deductions is half as large again as the old envelope.

The work previously carried out at the London PAYE accounts office, Bootle has been transferred to the accounts office, Shipley as part of the programme of centralising the collection of PAYE into two computerised offices, of which one is at Shipley.The envelope supplied to employers for sending remittances in respect of PAYE deductions from their employees has been increased in size so that it will not normally be necessary to fold cheques which have to be passed through automated sorting equipment.

asked the Chancelor of the Exchequer what is the registration level for value added tax in respect of taxable supplies made by nonresidents.

The limit for registration of £10,000 a year, with the associated quarterly limits as set out in the Finance Act 1972 schedule 1—as amended—applies to all persons making taxable supplies in the United Kingdom whether resident or non-resident.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the purchasing contracts issued by his Department in 1978–79 were by means of (a) selective tender, (b) open tender and (c) single tender.

Only one contract was let by the Treasury in 1978–79. This was by means of selective tender.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the coal mines in the East Midlands area scheduled for closure during the next decade, giving present output, remaining reserves, manpower and the reasons for the closure of each.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board, and I am asking the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the effects the Government's reduction in public expenditure will have on the pattern and level of United Kingdom energy consumption.

The impact of public expenditure plans for 1980–81 on energy consumption will depend on numerous factors, including decisions to be taken by local and public authorities on allocation of the resources at their disposal. I am not able to make a precise estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his policy towards transport users' consultative committees.

The role of the transport users' consultative committee in protecting the consumer interest is currently under review, but no decision on its future has yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the sale, export and import of human remains.

The sale of human remains breaches most people's concept of decency and good taste and offends against many people's religious principles. I hope that legislation will not prove necessary to stop such a reprehensible practice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study he has made of the risk to human or animal health from the emissions and their bacterial content from intensive poultry or animal rearing establishments; and what consultations he has had with public health authorities on this matter.

My Department has commissioned research work with the Agricultural Research Council on the risks to human and animal health of spreading cattle and pig slurry and, in the same context, ventilation, dust and odour problems in intensive pig units. Work related to the treatment of slurry to reduce both the organic content and smell is also in hand.There are standing arrangements which ensure that those concerned, including public health authorities, consult each other about these problems.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what EEC powers exist and have been exercised with regard to the control of the import of southern hemisphere apples, resulting in the delayed arrival of such imports into the United Kingdom.

The European Commission has the power to suspend or limit imports of apples from third countries to safeguard the Community market. Such action was taken this year against Chilean apples, whose import was suspended between 25 April and 15 August. In view of the state of the Community market, other southern hemisphere suppliers agreed to limit their exports to the Community during their season. I am not aware that these actions to safeguard Community producers resulted in any delayed arrivals of such imports into the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the reasons for the intervention system with regard to apples and pears being applicable only to co-operatives.

The Community gives grant-aid to encourage the setting up and running of producers' organisations as a contribution to achieving the objectives of the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables. The arrangements for withdrawing from the market certain fruits and vegetables, including apples and pears, by producers' organisations offers an added incentive to producers to market their produce through such groups.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the marketing of Continental apples at prices below the economic cost of production; what sanctions exist to prevent such practices if proven; and if he has the means to investigate allegations of subsidised interest rates and promotional assistance given to French growers.

We have received a number of representations on behalf of growers. If any evidence of unfair aids or unfair trading were forthcoming, my right hon. Friend would immediately consider it and, if appropriate, take it up with the European Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the current operation of the EEC intervention system with regard to dessert apples, indicating the intervention price and the quantities being taken into intervention, stored or destroyed, in the United Kingdom and separately, in the rest of the EEC.

Community support arrangements for fresh fruit and vegetables do not provide for the usual form of intervention buying or storage of produce. Producers' organisations withdrawing produce from the market when prices fall to low pre-determined levels may obtain compensation from Community funds if certain conditions are met. These include disposal through approved outlets—charities and schools and for animal feed—if such outlets can be found. The compensation varies during the season—1 August to 31 May—and according to variety, size and other factors: it currently stands at between about 1p and 3p per lb. Withdrawals of apples notified in the United Kingdom up to 31 October 1979 amounted to 2,310 tonnes, of which 16 tonnes have been used for animal feed and 1,165 tonnes destroyed; the remainder has yet to be accounted for.Full detailed information on withdrawals of apples in other member States is not available. Provisional withdrawals so far reported to the Commission are: Belgium, 680 tonnes; France, 165 tonnes and the Netherlands, 12,350 tonnes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total tonnage of apples imported into the United Kingdom from France in 1978 compared with the year immediately prior to Great Britain's entry into the EEC.

In 1978, 191,388 tonnes of apples were imported into the United Kingdom from France, compared with 79,444 tonnes in 1972.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, from the information available to him, he will publish a table showing the figures for total dessert apple production in each of the EEC countries, for the last convenient period; and if he will state whether the total acreage in France has increased or diminished in recent years.

The information requested is given below:

EEC Table apple*production, 1976–77 (the latest date for which official statistics are available)
	'000 tonnes
Benelux	237
Denmark	65
France	1,477
Germany	838
Ireland	13
Italy	1,961
Netherlands	380
United Kingdom	331 (197)†
Total	5,302
* Member States other than the United Kingdom do not distinguish between eating apples and culinary varieties.
† Dessert apples.

Total area in France under apples has declined from 74,083 hectares in 1972 to 65,814 hectares in 1977.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek powers to require the baking of bread with less chemical adulteration; and what plans he has to raise the food quality of the standard white loaf.

The composition of bread is controlled by the Bread and Flour Regulations 1963, as amended. The provisions of these regulations are currently being reviewed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is available to his Department into the food standards of the basic white loaf of bread.

My Department and its expert advisory committees have access to research undertaken by Government Departments, research institutes, and in particular research commissioned at the Flour Milling and Raking Research Association.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current position regarding the importation of liquid milk into the United Kingdom from other EEC countries; if he anticipates any circumstances in which the present regulations would be altered; and if he will make a statement of his policy on this matter.

All imported liquid milk is subject to animal health controls and to public health provisions, which lay down strict standards for its hygienic production, packaging and heat treatment. I do not at present see any occasion to alter these regulations, which I believe have contributed greatly to the high standards of public and animal health which we enjoy in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the approximate number of visits made by United Kingdom-based officials of his Department to EEC meetings for each of the months from January to September in the current year.

The number of visits is as follows:

1979
January	163
February	192
March	248
April	144
May	244
June	206
July	192
August	31
September	159
	1,579

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current state of EEC negotiations concerning United Kingdom fishing rights in the waters of non-EEC States.

United Kingdom vessels are currently permitted to fish in Norwegian and Faroese waters in accordance with reciprocal Community agreements with those countries for 1979. These agreements were apporoved by the Council of Ministers in March this year. In February the Council agreed to signature of a short-term framework agreement between the Community and Canada, opening the way to fishing by United Kingdom and other member States' vessels in Canadian waters in 1979.Consultations with Norway, the Faroes and Canada about fishing rights in 1980 are due to take place during November and December.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next proposes to meet representatives of the British fishing industry.

Today I begin three days of meetings with representatives of the fishing industry in the South-West of England.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to take further steps to safeguard fish stocks in United Kingdom waters; and if he is satisfied with existing regulations for the conservation of fish stocks.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 5 November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vessels and aircraft are specifically and permanently assigned to fisheries protection and surveillance duties in the United Kingdom waters; and to what extent these could be supplemented immediately, but temporarily, by other vessels and aircraft if the need should arise.

Five Royal Navy Island class vessels and three vessels operated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland are deployed on fisheries protection duties in offshore waters. They are supported by RAF Nimrod aircraft, which fly approximately 180 hours a month on surveillance duties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels of 140 ft and over were actually engaged in fishing, registered in and sailing from United Kingdom ports as at 1 July and at the same date for the preceding four years.

Figures are available for the number of active fishing vessels of 140 ft. and over registered at United Kingdom ports as at 30 June each year. They are as follows:

1979	68
1978	86
1977	103
1976	116
1975	148

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report the total tonnage of fish caught by United Kingdom vessels outside the waters of EEC countries for the latest convenient year and for 1974.

The total tonnage of fish live-weight caught by United Kingdom vessels outside the waters of EEC countries was as follows:

1978	59,000 tonnes
1974	329,000 tonnes

In addition some 40,000 tonnes were taken in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea in 1978, compared with 53,000 tonnes in 1976, the earliest year for which statistics are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the tonnage and the value of fish imported into, and exported from, the United Kingdom for the years 1975 to 1978 inclusive, and for 1979 to date.

The information requested is as follows:

UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF FISH 1975–78
	1975		1976		1977		1978		1979 January to August
	M tonnes	£'000	M tonnes	£'000	M tonnes	£'000	M tonnes	£'000	M tonnes	£'000
IMPORTS
Fish—Fresh, chilled or frozen	113,469	54,653	114,471	78,459	119,748	95,748	183,267	143,775	149,388	117,269
Fish—Dried, salted or in brine, smoked fish	1,195	668	2,274	1,346	3,058	2,086	4,194	2,943	2,530	1,842
Crustaceans and molluscs—Fresh, chilled or frozen in brine or dried, in shell, or boiled in water	7,628	8,589	9,495	14,902	8,530	13,378	15,522	20,971	11,125	19,293
Fish, crustaceans and molluscs prepared or preserved	72,730	72,608	75,304	96,453	70,794	98,772	56,380	93,142	38,886	61,793
Total fish, crustaceans and molluscs, and preparations thereof	195,022	136,518	201,544	191,160	202,130	209,984	259,363	260,831	201,929	200,197
EXPORTS
Fish—Fresh, chilled or frozen	92,213	26,589	96,096	36,552	111,253	49,608	304,317	72,806	255,816	47,589
Fish—Dried, salted or in brine	25,376	8,022	23,840	9,878	20,185	13,716	16,389	14,308	4,688	5,990
Crustaceans and molluscs—Fresh, chilled or frozen in brine or dried, in shell, or boiled in water	14,163	14,137	18,916	23,852	24,429	28,292	24,175	38,348	13,318	25,320
Fish, crustaceans and molluscs prepared or preserved	12,154	9,012	12,038	10,877	12,488	15,674	13,561	18,689	8,494	13,616
Total fish, crustaceans and molluscs and preparations thereof	143,906	57,760	150,890	81,159	168,355	107,290	358,442	144,151	282,316	92,515

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the total fish catch by EEC member States is caught within the United Kingdom's 200-mile limit.

I regret that information is not available in the form requested. However, scientists in my Department estimate that, in 1975, 62 per cent. of all countries' catches—including those of the United Kingdom—in waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of member States, except in the Baltic and around Greenland, were taken from within the United Kingdom's 200-mile zone.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the officials for whom he is responsible have the power to enter premises, subject to statutory conditions; and if, in each case, he will indicate the statutory authority under which such power is exercised.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 October 1979, c. 280]: The statutory authorities under which officials of my Department in England and Wales have the power to enter premises and the number of officials who are authorised to exercise such powers are given in the attached schedule. Many of the officials are authorised under more than one of the statutory authorities listed. They have been included in the numbers against each of the relevant headings.

MAFF OFFICIALS WITH POWER OF ENTRY TO PREMISES
Statutory Authority	Number of Officials
1. Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932. Mink (Keeping) Regulations 1975	59
2. Diseases of Fish Act 1937	8
3. Sea Fishing Industry Act 1933 S.4 (6) as substituted by Sea Fish Industry Act 1938 s 38	29
4. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1941. The Foul Brood Disease of Bees Order 1967	2 (a)
5. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1943	335
6. Hill Farming Act 1946 and Livestock Rearing Act 1951. Control of Rams Regulations 1952	2
7. Agriculture Act 1947. Pests Act 1954	59
8. Agricultural Wages Act 1948	26
9. Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949	45
10. Diseases of Animals Act 1950	612

11. Food and Drugs Act 1955	506
12. Agriculture Act 1957
(a) The Potatoes (Protection of Guarantees) Order 1959	16
(b) The Fat Sheep (Protection of Guarantees) Order 1976	19
13. Horse Breeding Act 1958	24
14. Weeds Act 1959	(b)
15. Radioactive Substances Act 1960	9
16. Water Resources Act 1963	40
17. Agriculture and Horticulture Act 1964 (As amended by Paragraph 3 of the Grading of Horticultural Produce (Amendment) Regulations 1973)	129
18. Emergency Laws (Re-enactments and Repeals) Act 1964	16
19. Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964	67
20. Forestry Act 1967	100
21. Plant Health Act 1967	219
22. Slaughter of Poultry Act 1967	389
23. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968	389
24. Medicines Act 1968	156
25. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1972	596
26. European Communities Act 1972
(a) Eggs (Marketing Standards) Regulations 1973 as amended by SI 1248 of 1978	39
(b) The Beef Premiums (Protection of Payments) Order 1978	24
(c) The Common Agricultural Policy (Agricultural Produce) (Protection of Community Arrangements) (No. 2) Order 1973	37
(d) The Common Agricultural Policy (Protection of Community Arrangements) Regulations 1973	37
(e) The Common Agricultural Polcy (Wine) Regulations 1979	16
(f) Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances Regulations 1975	(b)
(g) Non-Marketing of Milk and Milk Products and the Dairy Herd Conversion Premium Regulations 1977	(b)
(h) The Dairy Herd Conversion Premium Regulations 1973	(b)
27. Slaughterhouses Act 1974	318
28. Dumping at Sea Act 1974	22
29. Diseases of Animals Act 1975	596
30. Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975	3
31. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976	632
(a) In addition extra short-term bees officers are appointed as required each year.
(b) The power to enter premises is authorised only as and when necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance he is proposing to give to the British fishing industry to research the potential of new species, such as blue whiting and house mackerel.

The possibility of contributing to the cost of exploratory voyages in non-traditional fisheries is being considered in the context of the Government's general policy on public expenditure. My right hon. Friend hopes to announce a decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the rate of return on capital employed in Rolls-Royce (1971) in each year since nationalisation.

The rate of return on capital employed in Rolls-Royce Ltd. for the years 1976 to 1978, as defined by the NEB in its annual reports, was as follows:

	per cent.
1976:	-6·8
1977:	11·9
1978:	9·0

Figures for years prior to the transfer of the company's shareholding to the NEB can only be derived from Rolls-Royce's annual reports and are not strictly comparable with the basis used in the NEB reports. However, by using a definition of return on capital employed as the company's profits before interest and tax as a percentage of net assets employed, plus bank loans and overdrafts and short-term loans, the figures for the years 1971–1975 are as follows:

	per cent.
1971 (23 Feb-31 Dec):	4·9
1972:	11·9
1973:	18·7
1974:	13·0
1975:	4·1

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a date for the construction of the Long Sutton bypass.

Construction of the bypass is expected to start in 1983, subject to satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and availability of funds.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will relax the cash limits applied to British Railways.

I have no plans to change the limits for this year. I expect the Board to take the necessary action to keep within them.

asked the Minister of Transport when he intends to have discussions with the chairman of British Railways.

asked the Minister of Transport when next he proposes to meet the chairman of British Railways.

I meet him frequently and expect to see him again soon.

asked the Minister of Transport how soon he expects to be able to make a decision about further electrification of the British Railways network.

I hope to receive the final report of the joint steering group conducting the electrification review by early spring. I shall then aim to reach decisions on it as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on future investment in British Railways.

In their recent public expenditure White Paper the Government have maintained provision for BRB investment for 1980–81 at the level set by the last Administration. Future years are subject to review.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has with regard to the Channel tunnel.

The Railways Board has put to me a preliminary study of a cross-Channel rail tunnel. Together with French Railways it is now preparing more detailed proposals. In the meantime I have asked Sir Alec Cairncross to advise me on the economic aspect of the BR proposal.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the terms of reference he has given to the consultants appointed to advise him on the British Railways new Channel tunnel proposals allow them to consult the local authorities, trade organisations, trade unions, and other interested bodies.

I have appointed Sir Alec Cairncross to advise me on the economic aspects. He will certainly be free to consult whoever might help him in this.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the British Transport Docks Board has informed him of any proposals to store radioactive nuclear waste at Barrow docks in connection with the expansion of fuel processing at Wind-scale by British Nuclear Fuels Limited; and whether such a proposal has been approved.

No, it has not. The traffic through Barrow docks is, in any event, spent irradiated fuel and not nuclear waste, but there are no proposals to establish storage facilities at Barrow docks for this or any other radioactive material.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to improve the present road system between South Yorkshire and Manchester.

The current road programme includes schemes to improve the A616/A628 route with bypasses of Stocksbridge to the east of the Pennines, and Mottram, Hollingworth and Tintwistle to the west. Limited improvements are also being made to the central section within the Peak District national park.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from motoring organisations and other interested parties on his proposal to relax the existing detailed restrictions placed upon the operators of motorway service areas.

Reaction to the Government's proposals has been very encouraging. I shall be opening negotiations on the sale of the Government's interest with the operators and other interested parties very shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a further statement on his recently announced policy on motorway service areas.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement on his announcement on 22 October about future arrangements for motorway service areas.

As I announced on 22 October, I have decided to offer for sale on new long leases the major part of the Government's interest in motorway service areas in England.—[Vol. 972, c. 80]. I believe that this will give motorway service area operators the incentive to offer a better and more varied service to their customers. I shall be opening negotiations with the operators and other interested parties very shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on plans to reform the traffic commissioner licensing system.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any plans to reform the traffic commissioners licensing system.

A Transport Bill will be published in a few weeks' time which will remove unnecessary licensing and other restrictions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on his plans for the future of the National Freight Corporation.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) and the hon. Members for Glasgow, Central (Mr. McMillan) and for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cowans).

asked the Minister of Transport what was the waiting time for driving tests as at the latest available date.

The waiting period for L-driving tests at 19 October was about 28 weeks. That is too long, and we are recruiting more examiners as quickly as we can.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of plans for the reorganisation of the Port of London.

I expect to make a statement in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration is being given to building a second Severn bridge to improve road traffic between England and Wales.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Mr. Benyon) on 26 October.—[Vol. 972, c. 324.]

asked the Minister of Transport what measures he intends to relieve local shoppers' and community buses from the restrictions laid upon operators who charge fares in the normal manner.

My right hon. Friend will shortly be introducing legislation making it easier for all operators to obtain road service licences. Such licences will continue to be required, except in certain trial areas, for stage carriage services where separate fares are collected. However, any operator of shoppers, community and other buses who is aggrieved by restrictions laid upon his road service licence is and will continue to be able to appeal against the traffic commissioners' imposition of such restrictions to the Minister.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will encourage innovations in rural transport; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The Government's response to the eighth report from the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries on innovations in rural bus services, published on 1 November, makes it clear that the Government intend to encourage innovations and improvements in rural transport. That is also one of the aims of the legislation on bus licensing which I shall be bringing forward in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the latest estimated cost and completion date of the Humber bridge.

The Humber bridge board's latest published estimate of cost is £67·8 million. It expects the bridge to open towards the end of 1980.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has, and what initiatives he is prepared to take, to improve commuter services on British Railways.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend for Wellingborough (Mr. Fry).

asked the Minister of Transport when the next roads White Paper will be published.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) on 18 July.—[Vol. 970, c. 1769.]

asked the Minister of Transport what is his policy towards fare increases on British Railways.

It is for the Railways Board to decide on the appropriate level of fare increases.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied with existing arrangements for motor cycle training.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 30 October to my hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall. North (Mr. Neale).—[Vol. 972, c. 482.]

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a further statement on the Blennerhasset committee's report on drinking and driving.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Essex, South-East (Sir B. Braine) and Montgomery (Mr. Williams).

asked the Minister of Transport what is his policy towards provincial rail services.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Swansea, East (Mr. Anderson).

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the proposed development of the A32 trunk road between Gosport and Fareham.

As it is not a trunk road, any statement about the general development on the A32 would be the responsibility of Hampshire county council. The inspector's report on objections to statutory orders into the Town Quay to Salterns Lane, Fareham, scheme is being considered and an announcement will be issued shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to increase the amount of freight to be transported by water.

I am keen that we should do all we can to increase trade between our estuarial waterways and the internal waterways of Europe. I referred to this matter in my address to the Chartered Institute of Transport yesterday.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any proposal from the British Railways Board for the closure of the Sheffield-Manchester line via Woodhead.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received representations from the British Railways Board for a proposed closure of the Manchester-Sheffield railway via Woodhead.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) and Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery).

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to announce a decision on the proposed changes in the speed limit on the A456 through the village of Blakedown in the district of Wyre Forest, Worcestershire.

We are consulting the county council and the police on the possibility of introducing the proposed changes in the speed limits for an experimental period. My right hon. Friend will announce his decision following these consultations.

asked the Minister of Transport in what way and with what legal status tachograph charts will be admissible as evidence after accidents.

It is open to the courts to accept tachograph records in evidence in any proceedings arising from an accident. Expert analysis of tachograph charts, using powerful magnifying equipment, can provide detailed information about vehicle speed and rates of acceleration or deceleration over precise distances before an impact.