asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the function, location and cost of Strategic Command—Stratco—Army headquarters; who is the commander of strategic command—Stratco—and to whom he is accountable;(2) whether there is a command for the other armed services parallel to strategic command—Stratco—of Army headquarters, or whether other arrangements exist for liaison between it and the other armed services;(3) which section of the defence White Paper and Defence Estimates relate to Army Strategic Command—Stratco.

Headquarters Army Strategic Command closed on 1 April 1972. Its functions were assumed by Headquarters United Kingdom Land Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the objections being made to the proposed deployment at United States bases in East Anglia of more modern nuclear weapons designed to prevent war, if he is satisfied with the safety arrangements at these and Royal Air Force air bases, taking into account incidents such as that which occurred in 1956 at RAF Lakenheath when burning fuel from an aircraft may have come into close proximity to a bomb store containing nuclear weapons.

No final decisions have been taken by NATO on a programme to modernise the Alliance's long-range theatre nuclear forces or on where any new systems might be based.So far as the incident at RAF Lakenheath in 1956 is concerned, the United States authorities have already stated that no nuclear materials were involved either within the crashed aircraft or in any buildings affected by the resulting fire.The storage of all nuclear weapons in this country is and will continue to be governed by standards prescribed by United Kingdom authorities, and I am entirely satisfied with our present arrangements. I can assure my hon. Friend that storage arrangements are designed to reduce to the absolute minimum any risks of damage to weapons by fires or other incidents and that nuclear weapons include safety features which make nuclear accidents virtually impossible and extreme precautions are taken. None the less, plans exist, and are exercised regularly, to protect the civil population from any hazard.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the figure of current expenditure on the Territorial Army and express it as a percentage of total defence expenditure.

Expenditure on the TA was estimated at the start of the year at £95 million at forecast outturn prices, which represents 1·1 per cent. of the Defence budget.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Chilean Service men are at present receiving training in Great Britain.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

The Government's policy is to disclose information where this can be done without jeopardising essential defence interests. The topics on which it is not the practice to provide information are as follows:

Details of arms sales, operational matters, details of research and development, the numbers of foreign forces training in the United Kingdom and accident rates for individual military aircraft types.

The policy regarding disclosure of equipment cost information, including details of procurement contracts, remains

as set out by the previous Administration. [Vol. 965, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

It is my practice to be as helpful as possible, consistent with the need to protect personal and commercial confidentiality, and security. It is not possible to provide a definitive and exhausive list of questions which I would exceptionally decline to answer other than on grounds of cost—in which I am sure the hon. Member would expect me to consider the expense to the taxpayer nationally and in his constituency. But, by way of an example, I would decline to answer questions seeking information relating to individual firms or persons given in confidence to officers of my Department in the course of discharging their functions. As far as I am aware, there are no changes in practice since 3 May.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Government have submitted evidence to the Standing Commission on pay comparability.

The Government submitted general evidence to the Standing Commission on pay comparability on 28 September. A copy has been deposited in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the public sector bodies such as the Co-operative Development Agency, or projects such as those sponsored by the Manpower Services Commission, which are empowered to finance persons employed in, or expenses incurred in, co-operatives designed to provide community newspapers.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

It is not possible to provide a definitive and exhaustive list of questions which I might exceptionally decline to answer on grounds other than cost. There are occasions when information is withheld for security reasons, but each question will continue to be considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to publish the consultative document which is to act as the basis for the proposed conference of the four major parties in Northern Ireland, which he announced in the House on 25 October; and if he will make a statement.

I shall publish it soon. I have no statement to make about it at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his quarterly security return now due is yet available.

Yes. In addition to the quarterly security statistics for the first three quarters of 1979, I am also taking this opportunity to publish details of convictions obtained during the period January-June 1979. Following is the information:

STATISTICS ON SECURITY

PART I—Statistics of Terrorist Activity

Yearly totals for 1971–78.

Quarterly totals for the first three quarters of 1979.

Statistics for terrorist activity comprise the following:—

(i) Number of shooting incidents.

(ii) Number of explosions.

(iii) Number of bombs and devices neutralised.

(vi) Weight of explosives in bombs and devices neutralised.

(v) Number of malicious fires.

(iv) Number of armed robberies and amount stolen.

(vii) Number of deaths and injuries of RUC/RUC "R" Army and civilians (including sectarian, interfactional and intra-factional assassinations).

PART II—Statistics of Security Forces' Activity

Yearly totals for 1971–78.

Quarterly totals for the first three quarters of 1979.

Statistics for Security Forces' Activity comprise the following:—

(i) Number of houses searched.

(ii) Number of weapons, pounds of explosives and rounds of ammunition found.

(iii) Number of people charged with serious security type offences: (murder, attempted murder, explosives offences, firearms offences, armed robbery, and other offences relating to the security situation e.g. arson, membership of illegal organisations etc.).

STATISTICS ON SECURITY—PART I
	Yearly figures								1979 quarterly figures
									January-March	April-June	July-September	October-December
	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1979	1979	1979
Shooting incidents	1,756	10,628	5,018	3,206	1,803	1,908	1,081	755	189	171	192
Explosions	1,022	1,382	978	685	399	766	366	455	90	166	98
Bombs neutralised	493	471	542	428	236	426	169	178	35	40	36
Weight of explosives (in lbs.)*
In explosions	10,972	47,462	47,472	46,435	13,753	17,596	2,839	5,443	2,015·5	2,613·75	3,167
Neutralised	3,001	19,978	32,450	27,094	11,159	16,252	2,188	5,860·5	659·5	1,990	596·75
Armed robberies	437	1,931	1,215	1,231	1,201	813	591	439	132	89	92
Amount stolen (£)	303,787	790,687	612,015	572,951	572,105	545,497	446,988	231,250	64,445	113,697	246 222
Malicious fires†	—	—	587	636	248	453	432	269	58	53	145
Deaths: Civilians (Sectarian,	115	322	171	166	216	245	69	50	8	10	15
interfactional and intrafactional assassinations shown in brackets)†	—	(122)	(87)	(95)	(144)	(121)	(42)	(14)	(2)	(6)	(10)
Deaths: Army/UDR	48	129	66	35	20	29	29	21	3	13	21
Deaths: RUC/RUC "R"	11	17	13	15	11	23	14	10	—	10	2
Injuries: Civilians	1,838	3,813	1,812	1,680	2,044	2,162	1,027	548	113	133	170
Injuries: Army/UDR	390	578	548	483	167	264	188	117	22	34	60
Injuries: RUC/RUC "R"	315	485	291	235	263	303	183	274	51	30	43
* Estimated weight only.
† Consolidated figures not available for earlier years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to reply to the letter addressed to him and dated 15 September, from the hon. Member for Denbigh, concerning his decision not to devote the fourth television channel to broadcasting in the Welsh language.

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State replied on 1 November to the letter dated 15 September and a further letter dated 27 September from my hon. and learned Friend. The second letter from my hon. and learned Friend enclosed a constituent's letter written in Welsh, which required translation. I am sorry for the delay which occurred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the amount of loss in terms of life, injury and damage to property as a result of fire in each of the past five years.

Information on casualties from fires reported as attended by local authority fire brigades is published annually in "United Kingdom Fire Statistics"—table V of the volume for 1977. Estimates of the cost of fire damage are published by the British Insurance Association in "Insurance Facts and Figures 1977". Copies of both publications are in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the principal causes of reported fires in each of the past five years.

Information on the principal sources of ignition of fires in occupied buildings and in certain outdoor locations reported as attended by local authority fire brigades is published annually in "United Kingdom Fire Statistics"—tables II and 32 of the volume for 1977—but figures for certain outdoor locations are available on this basis only for the years 1974, 1976 and 1977. Copies of these publications are in the Library of the House. Information on the sources of ignition of fires in other types of location could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been convicted of arson and malicious damage to property in each of the past five years; and what were the ages of the convicted persons.

The information is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—tables 10(a) and 10(b) of the volume for 1978, Cmnd. 7670).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he is giving to compensating those imprisoned as a consequence of a miscarriage of justice.

There are long-established arrangements under which, in appropriate cases, the Home Secretary may authorise an ex-gratia payment from public funds to persons who are found to have been wrongfully imprisoned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will initiate discussions with the United Kingdom's partners in the EEC to harmonise data protection legislation within the European Economic Community;(2) if he will dissociate the United Kingdom from article 3 of the Council of Europe draft Convention on Data Protection—24 May 1979; and if he will urge his counterparts in the EEC to co-operate in re-defining the concept of privacy of a legal person as defined therein;(3) if he will introduce legislation to establish a data protection agency as recommended by the Lindop report.

It would not be appropriate for the United Kingdom Government to take an initiative in the European Economic Community on the subject of data privacy or to express a final view on article 3 of the Council of Europe draft convention on data protection until they have reached their conclusions on the report of the data protection committee under Sir Norman Lindop. As I stated in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Thurrock (Dr. McDonald) on 25 July, I shall be considering the recommendations made by the committee in the light of the outcome of the consultations initiated by my predecessor.—[Vol. 971, c. 251.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what actions he intends to take to remedy the present shortage of cell accommodation in Her Majesty's prisons.

Shortage of cell accommodation has been a long-standing problem, and the present building programme will provide at least 5,000 new places by the end of the 1980s. The Government are now studying the May committee recommendation for an expanded building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

There has been no change in practice since 3 May. It would not be possible for me to give a definitive and exhaustive list of the topics on which I might judge it right not to give information in reply to a particular question; the prevention and detection of crime, the security of the State, and privacy and commercial confidence are among the relevant considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet received the report of the Local Government Boundary Commission on the rewarding of the metropolitan districts of St. Helens and Knowsley; and when its recommendations will be published.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England submitted its report on future electoral arrangements for St. Helens on 4 August and on 24 October my right hon. Friend made an order implementing the Commission's proposals in full. I understand that the Commission will submit its report proposing new electoral arrangements for Knowsley as soon as the borough council has made a parish warding order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the fifteenth report of the Expenditure Committee on the reduction of pressure on the prison population.

The Expenditure Committee's recommendations are being considered in the light of the report of the committee of inquiry into the United Kingdom prison services—Cmnd. 7673.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Northamptonshire upon the police control exercised at Corby during the demonstration on 1 November; how many policemen were involved; what was the cost; and whether the whole cost will be borne by the police authority.

No. The policing arrangements were an operational matter for the chief constable. The cost will be approved expenditure and rank for grant in the usual way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the proportion of marriages contracted between foreign-born husbands and fiancés and women who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies with the right of residence in the United Kingdom which break up in the first year of marriage;(2) what evidence he possesses concerning the incidence of the break-up of marriage between foreign-born husbands and fiancés and women who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies with the right of residence in the United Kingdom;(3) how many foreign-born husbands or fiancés have been refused entry certificates to the United Kingdom for the years 1977, 1978 and up to October 1979 because his Department and British High Commissions abroad determined that the marriage or proposed marriage was merely one of convenience;(4) how many foreign-born husbands have been sent back home because their marriages failed in the first year; and how many of the cases involved representation by hon. Members.

At least 356 applications to enter or remain on the basis of marriage to a woman settled in the United Kingdom were refused in the two years ending 31 March 1979, but some refusals may not have been recorded. The other information requested by the hon. Member could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how he intends to establish a priori whether or not a marriage between a foreign-born husband or fiancé and a woman of United Kingdom and Colonies citizenship with the right of residence in the United Kingdom is one of convenience;(2) how he intends to establish that one of the parties in a marriage between a foreign-born husband or fiancé and a woman who is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies with the right of residence in the United Kingdom does not intend that the couple should live together permanently as man and wife.

Amendments to the immigration rules made by the last Administration introduced the tests of the marriage being one of convenience, and of the intention of couples to live together permanently as man and wife. These tests have been operated since March 1977 and have helped to prevent abuse.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps Her Majesty's Government will take to protect Chilean refugees resident in Great Britain from the threat of terrorist reprisal by agents of the present Chilean Government.

Anyone resident in this country who feels his personal safety is threatened should get in touch with the police. Decisions about what police measures are necessary to protect individuals are a matter for chief officers of police.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

It is not possible to provide a definitive and exhaustive list of questions which my right hon. Friend might decline to answer on grounds other than cost. Each question will continue to be considered on its merits, but, by way of example, the following questions would fall into this category:

Details of financial assistance to individual companies except to confirm details of regional development grant and selective assistance published in Trade and Industry;

Commercially confidential matters including, for example, statistical information about individual businesses;

Individual applications for industrial development certificates;

Matters which are the responsibility of public bodies, i.e. day to day matters, including statistics other than national;

Confidential details of research contracts;

Matters under negotiation with other countries in multi-national fora.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had with the motor car industry regarding energy saving; if his Department is making any financial contribution to research into energy saving in the motor car industry; what developments are taking place with regard to petrol-driven car engines to give greater miles per gallon; what attempts are being made to develop battery-powered vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Ministers and officials at all levels are in touch with representatives of the motor car industry, and the currently important subject of energy saving is one of many which are discussed. The Department supports research development and demonstration projects undertaken in co-operation with the motor car industry and most of these have energy-saving implications. The majority of developments, including those related to the petrol driven car engine are undertaken with commercial aims by industrial companies.The Department is also supporting work of a longer-term nature related to the development of batteries and to the vehicles they are intended to power. I am encouraged by progress I saw on a recent visit to establishments using electrically-powered vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry 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.

The approximate proportions of purchasing contracts placed by my Department in 1978–79 were:

(a) Selective tender	30 per cent.
(b) Open tender	Nil
(c) Single tender	70 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

It is not possible to provide a definitive and exhaustive list of questions which I might exceptionally decline to answer on grounds other than cost. Where this issue arises, I consider each question on its merits, but I can instance the following subjects as being among those which would fall into this category:

matters within the statutorily prescribed or delegated authority of nationalised industries or other public bodies;

matters of commercial confidence or national security;

personal clinical details of individual patients;

personal or private information in connection with the granting of allowances to students distinction awards or appointments of individuals to public office;

private information about individuals employed in Departments for which I am responsible.

I have not instituted any changes in practice since 3 May.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy concerning the future of smallholdings belonging to his Department, with particular reference to sales of land.

I am considering whether further encouragement should be given to the tenants concerned to take advantage of their statutory rights to purchase their holdings. I shall announce my conclusions as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport when, on what dates, and in what manner railway staff, hospital staff, fire and council emergency services have been trained and taught what to do if the flasks containing nuclear waste were blown up at Stratford railway station; what discussions have ensued with the trades unions concerned on this and related subjects; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend's responsibility is to ensure that these materials are transported only in accordance with very high international safety standards. These standards are designed to prevent leakage of radioactive material from the flasks used even in a very serious accident. I assume that the question refers to deliberate and determined attack on the flasks, since irradiated nuclear fuel is not transported under conditions which might lead to it "blowing up". The massive structure of the flasks would make them highly resistant to terrorist attack.Flasks are carried by British Railways in accordance with their own well-proven standards of safe operation. Their safety arrangements are the subject of continuous discussions with the unions. The railway staff concerned have their instructions on procedures to follow in an emergency. Emergency procedures to cope with transport accidents involving radioactivity are tested from time to time by exercises held jointly between BR, CEGB and the emergency services. The last such exercise was on 27 September.Over and above these, there are national contingency arrangements for dealing with major disasters of any kind, including those involving radioactivity.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) on what date he received a communication from the chief executive of the London borough of Newham regarding the transport of nuclear waste through Stratford E.15; what was the complaint and request made by the chief executive; what action he has taken or intends taking to deal with the council's complaints; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he will agree to meet a deputation led by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West of local residents and councillors of the London borough of Newham who wish to express their concern and discuss matters connected with the movement of nuclear waste through Stratford, East London.

A letter from the chief executive was received in my Department on 16 October. It registered the concern of the council and residents of the borough of Newham about the carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel by rail through Stratford and requested that such operations should cease, pending an inquiry into the safety of existing arrangements and consideration of alternative means of transport.I am satisfied that the present arrangements do not involve any significant risk to the public and that the cessation of these movements is not justified. Nevertheless, I have written to the hon. Member agreeing to his request to meet him and a deputation from the borough to discuss this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered US Department of Transport regulations issued on 2 July 1979 regarding provision for disabled elderly people, with a view to their applicability in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

I understand these United States requirements involve very large capital outlays and annual running costs. While I shall watch with interest how the American ideas work out, I believe it is possible for public transport operators and manufacturers and local authorities to help many disabled people at much less cost, and my Department has made advice available.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

I answer only those questions for which I have Ministerial responsibility. There are no topics within that responsibility where I have a "practice" of declining to answer, on grounds other than cost. I would not expect to comment on matters which come within the day-to-day management responsibility of the nationalised transport industries because those matters are not within my ministerial responsibility.

asked the Minister of Transport if the building programme of the M25 is affected by reductions in Government expenditure.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, Official Report, 22 October, column 81, the Perry Beeches and Great Barr areas of Birmingham will be included in his legislative proposals for amending the Land Compensation Act 1973 in respect of a closing date for making claims.

As my right hon. Friend announced on 22 October, the Government propose to seek powers as soon as possible which would enable the Minister of Transport to make payments to people who failed to submit part I claims within the time limit specified by the Land Compensation Act 1973, but who would otherwise have been eligible for compensation for the effect of a trunk road on their property, in cases where, in his view, the publicity of the right to claim was inadequate. It is also proposed that the time limit on making claims should be removed in the case of claim periods ending on or after the new enactment comes into force.These proposals have been made in response to criticism of publicity in respect of certain specific road schemes by the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. If enacted, they would enable my right hon. Friend to consider representations that the publicity in respect of any trunk road scheme including those in the hon. Member's constituency was inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

It is not possible to provide a meaningful list of questions which I might decline to answer on grounds other than cost. Each question

£ million at 1979 survey price
	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81
Current expenditure	106·4	105·0	98·5	103·0	102·8
Capital expenditure	162·7	120·7	113·7	120·6	103·0
Total	269·1	225·7	312·2	223·6	205·8

Full details of the distribution for 1980–81 are not yet available. However, the local authority capital provision will enable councils to maintain their new house-building programme in 1980–81 at the levels achieved in both 1977 and 1978 and estimated for 1979. This will mean about 3,500 completions and 3,300 tender approvals in 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to issue guidance that where parents in Wales wish for the name signs outside Welsh language schools to be bilingual, local will continue to be considered on its merits, but, by way of example, I would not be prepared to give commercial information which had been provided to my Department on the understanding that it would be treated as confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing details of housing expenditure proposed in Wales for 1980–81 compared with similar expenditure in the past four years;(2) what is the estimated number of improvement grants made to owner occupiers assumed in the White Paper on public expenditure, Cmnd. 7746; and how this compares with the expected figures for 1979–80;(3) what is the estimated number of the dwellings improved by local authorities in 1980–81 assumed in the Government's White Paper on public expenditure, Cmnd. 7746; and how this compares with the number for 1979–80;(4) what is the estimated number of completions of, and approvals for Welsh local authority house building in 1980–81 assumed in the Government's White Paper on public expenditure, Cmnd. 7746.

For the years 1976–77 to 1980–81, the Welsh housing component of Cmnd. 7746 is made up as follows:authorities should respond sympathetically to such requests.

No. These are matters for local determination.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide a detailed table breaking down the figure of £64 million for 1979–80 estimated to be spent in Wales on trade, industry and employment and a comparable table for the figure of £48·3 million for 1980–81, both figures published in the Welsh Office press release issued in connection with the White Paper on public expenditure, Cmnd. 7746, dated 1 November 1979.

Final details of the distribution of the planned provision for 1980–81 have not yet been decided. The breakdown of the figure of £64 million for 1979–80 is as follows:

£ million at 1979 survey prices
Selective financial assistance	5·6
Development Board for Rural Wales	9·4
Welsh Development Agency	45·0
Wales Tourist Board	3·3
Employment; central & misc. services	0·7
	64·0

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many teachers were employed in Wales in 1978–79; and how many are expected to be employed in 1980–81 based on the assumptions underlying the White Paper on public expenditure, Cmnd. 7746.

The number of teachers on a full-time equivalent basis employed in the maintained sector in Wales in January 1979 was as follows:

Nursery, primary and secondary sector	29,785
Special education establishments	804
Further education establishments	3,806
	34,395

It is for individual authorities to decide how to allocate their financial resources among the various services they provide, including the employment of teachers. It is not possible, therefore, to say how many teachers will be employed in 1980–81.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what action he has taken regarding the provision of relief for those suffering in Cambodia; if he will indicate what representations he has made; and if he will make a statement.

On 6 October the Secretary of State announced the Government's decision to provide famine relief for Cambodia, including an airlift, food supplies and financial assistance to the international relief agencies.An RAF Hercules aircraft was put at the disposal of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and made its first flight into Phnom Penh on 13 October, carrying Land-Rovers and a fork lift truck. That aircraft has since been making regular flights from Bangkok to Phnom Penh with more vehicles and other supplies; and these flights will continue on a daily basis until about 18 November.Another aircraft was chartered, and on 26 October flew relief supplies provided by the British voluntary agencies from Britain to Cambodia. At least 1,800 tons of rice is being given as soon as possible, through the agency of the World Food Programme, for distribution in Cambodia under the auspices of the ICRC/UNICEF relief programme.At the pledging conference in New York on 5 November, convened by the United Nations Secretary-General, I made it clear that the Government are seriously concerned about the situation in Cambodia, keen for the pledging conference to succeed, and anxious that all the aid promised should be effectively delivered to the people who most need it. I announced that, subject to parliamentary approval, the British Government would give the equivalent of US$ 4 million jointly to ICRC and UNICEF and the equivalent of US$ 1 million to British voluntary agencies to support their relief efforts for Cambodia.The total cost of this direct relief programme is more than £3·5 million. That is in addition to our indirect contributions through aid being provided by the European Economic Community as a group. Britain's share of the cost of the present firm EEC commitments, exclusive of food aid already pledged, will be about £3·5 million.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many Chileans are at present studying in Great Britain on British Council grants and ODM technical assistance grants; and what plans exist for this programme.

Two Chileans are here on British Council grants and 24 on technical assistance grants under the aid programme. Both schemes will be reduced next year.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why Her Majesty's Government are cutting off aid provided through British charities for poverty-directed projects in Chile; and what other forms of aid are at present being provided to Chile.

The present programme was to provide up to £400,000 a year for two years, ending on 31 March 1980, and for financial reasons I cannot renew it. Other forms of aid are the Government training programme—£170,000 in 1979–80—which was not discontinued by the last Government, and the refugees' study awards programme—£2 million in 1979–80—which now covers 575 students.

asked the Lord Privy Seal which overseas aid projects will be affected by the reductions in the expenditure previously proposed for overseas development.

Discussions are still in progress with some of the overseas Governments concerned. It would in any case be impracticable to list projects affected by a reduction in planned aid expenditure, since this is only one of a number of factors affecting the rate of expenditure on individual projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals have been made for the transport of plutonium by sea between Dounreay and Windscale; what ports will be used; what safety precautions have been taken; if he will publish them; and what consultation has taken place with the local authorities whose coasts could be affected in the event of shipwreck or accident.

In connection with the Dounreay prototype fast reactor development programme, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority proposes moving plutonium nitrate by road and sea from Dounreay to Windscale, via the seaports of Scrabster and Workington. The Government are considering the UKAEA's proposals together with a report by the Health and Safety Commission on the overall safety of the proposed arrangements. The Commission's report will be published, and the Government's decision announced, in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

It is not possible to provide a definitive and exhaustive list of questions which I might exceptionally decline to answer on grounds other than cost. Each question will continue to be considered on its merits but, by way of illustration, I would decline to answer where confidential, commercial, or security information arises; and on matters which are the responsibility of public bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will undertake to ensure that no British nuclear technology will be exported to Chile.

There are no requests at present under consideration for the export of British nuclear technology to Chile. Any such request would be given very careful consideration, taking all aspects into account, including the Government's non-proliferation policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future use of the oil platform construction yard at Portavadie, Argyll.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's attitude to EEC proposals for an amending regulation on the common organisation of the market in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin and laying down additional provisions for certain products containing ethyl alcohol as set out in EEC document COM (79) 237 final.

The amendments contained in COM(79)237 final are still being clarified at technical level by a working group in Brussels. This group has not yet submitted its report to the Council of Ministers, and in these circumstances it is premature to express the Government's attitude.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has received any proposals from the European Commission for the EEC sugar regime for 1980–85; if not, when he expects to receive such proposals and if he will make a statement.

The Commission has not so far put forward proposals, but is expected to do so in the near future. In the absence of such proposals, I cannot make detailed comment. In general, however, I shall be aiming to secure a reduction in Community surplus production, and fair treatment for United Kingdom sugar producers and ACP cane sugar suppliers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

It is not possible to provide a definitive and exhaustive list of questions which I might exceptionally decline to answer on grounds other than cost. It is my practice to consider each question on its merits, which I believe follows the approach adopted by my predecessors. I have not refused to answer any question since the present Government were formed.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the salary scales and the average salary paid for each of the following posts (a) assistant secretary, (b) under secretary, (c) deputy secretary and (d) permanent secretary.

The current national rates in payment are as follows:

	£
a. Assistant Secretary	11,449 to 13,991
b. Under-Secretary	16,714
c. Deputy Secretary	20,314
d. Second Permanent Secretary	23,811
Permanent Secretary	25,886
Head of Civil Service, Permanent Secretary to Treasury, Secretary to Cabinet	28,211

Under-secretaries, deputy secretaries and permanent secretaries are paid flat rates and the average salary paid is the same as the flat rate. The average salary paid to assistant secretaries is currently £13,431.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he proposes to publish the results of the review of the future of the Civil Service college.

The Government are at present reviewing critically all the functions of central Government. Decisions will be announced when they are taken. Perhaps the hon. Member would write to me if he is interested in any particular aspect of the Civil Service college's activities.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.

It is not possible to provide a definitive and exhaustive list of topics on which I might exceptionally, on grounds other than cost, decline to answer questions. But, by way of example, I would decline to answer questions which would entail disclosure of personal confidential information, or information supplied by outside organisations on a confidential basis. I shall continue to consider each question carefully with the intention of being as helpful as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's stall who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of staff who are responsible to him in his various capacities who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of staff in the Departments responsible to him who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Attorney-General if he will list in the Official Report the number of staff in his Department and that of his noble Friend who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Paymaster General if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of his Department's staff who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if he will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list in the Official Report the numbers of staff in No. 10 Downing Street who will be made redundant by cuts in the establishment of (a) 10 per cent., (b) 15 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent.; and if she will subdivide these data to distinguish between the numbers of (i) assistant secretary rank and above and (ii) all other staff.

I have been asked to reply in view of my Department's overall responsibility for Civil Service manpower. The Government intend to reduce the size and cost of the Civil Service, and are reviewing activities to that end. No decisions have yet been taken. The Government cannot give an absolute pledge that there will be no redundancy, but prefer to achieve their objectives through natural wastage. Numbers of staff by grade for each Department are published in the "Civil Service Statistics", a copy of which is available from the Library.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of Antarctic Treaty Powers held in Washington last month; and whether he will make available any agreements made at that meeting.

The Government regard the outcome of the wide-ranging Antarctic discussions in Washington as broadly satisfactory. A living resources conservation agreement is likely to be concluded next year and there was a thorough discussion of what might constitute an agreed approach to the exploration and exploitation of Antarctic minerals.I have arranged to place in the Library of the House a copy of the final report of the meeting.