asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the reason for excluding nationals of Japan from the scope of paragraph 26 of Cmnd. 7750.

The au pair arrangement has been abused by girls from more distant countries seeking to settle or to obtain employment in the United Kingdom, and in order to prevent this abuse the arrangement is to be confined to nationals of Western European countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in relation to the murder of Carl Bridgewater on 19 September, whether any of the accused in the subsequent trial legitimately possessed either a firearm or a shotgun certificate; who owned the shotgun used in the incident; from whom the shotgun was obtained; whether that person was a registered firearms dealer; and whether any action is being taken against the seller of the firearm under the Firearms Act 1968.

The Chief constable of the Staffordshire Police tells me that none of the accused possessed either a firearm or a shotgun certificate; the shotgun used in the incident was never positively identified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations he proposes to hold on the recommendations of the May committee to improve the morale and efficiency of the prison service; and with whom;(2) when he proposes to implement measures to give effect to the May committee's concept of positive custody; and what are those measures;

I have nothing to add at present to the statements I made to the House on 31 October when the report was published. The committee's many findings and recommendations are being studied by the Departments concerned and the staff associations and, as I made clear, there will be appropriate consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the likely lack of fire protection cover which would result from the closing of the Dunkirk fire station in Nottingham, he will, under the Fire Services Acts, call for a local inquiry prior to permitting the phasing out of this station.

No. I have recently received proposals from the Nottingham- shire county council for varying the establishment scheme of the county fire brigade, which I have under consideration. These do not include the closure of Dunkirk fire station.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department where the Metropolitan Police's emergency holding centre, capable of housing 250 people and built to replace the unit at Rochester Row, is situated; how much it cost; under what circumstances he expects it to be used; if lawyers will have access to those who are detained there before they are taken to court; if visitors will have access to those who are detained there; and how long people will be held there before and after they have been taken to court.

I take it that the hon. Lady is referring to the cell block interchange unit. I understand from the Commissioner that this unit has been in use since 1974. It is situated within Lambeth support headquarters, 109 Lambeth Road, and the cost of construction could not be identified separately from that of the headquarters without disproportionate effort.The unit's primary function is to provide temporary accommodation for the substantial numbers of people in custody who are taken each day from prisons to courts and vice versa. The need for such accommodation arises because a single central unit enables the most efficient use to be made of transport.In the normal course those in custody spend less than two hours at the unit awaiting transport to the appropriate court or prison. In exceptional circumstances, for example when there has been industrial action by prison officers, it has sometimes been necessary for those concerned to remain there for longer periods. On a few occasions, when facilities in local police stations have been insufficient to meet demand, I understand that the unit has been used either as a charging centre or to detain people briefly until arrangements could be made for them to be charged elsewhere. Access by legal advisers and other visitors is allowed on the usual basis for anyone not held purely in transit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish any contingency plans he has to safeguard prisons from the worst effects of any protest action by prison staff; in what circumstances the contingency plans would be used; and if he will make a statement.

While I hope that there will be no disruption of this vital public service, necessary plans exist to minimise so far as possible the impact of industrial action on prisoners themselves, the courts and the safety of the public. The plans will be announced if and when they are needed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Greater Manchester concerning an incident in which a Mr. Horrocks, while picketing the Bessemer Street works of the direct works department of Manchester, in the presence of the police, was seriously injured by a motor vehicle.

No. The chief constable, who is responsible for the investigation of alleged offences, is examining this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what latest monthly figures he has, over a 12-month period, for catches by British vessels in Faroese waters and of catches by Faroese vessels in British waters, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

The most recent full year for which figures are available is 1978 when, under an EEC-Faroes reciprocal agreement, United Kingdom vessels caught 7,017 tonnes of demersel species and 5,740 tonnes of blue whiting in Faroese waters. During the same period Faroese vessels took fish from Greenland waters and from the Skagerrak, and also the following quantities from member States' waters in the North Sea and West of Britain:

35,700 tonnes of mackerel and sprat

57,500 tonnes of Norway pout, sandeel, and blue whiting

1,500 tonnes of demersal species.

I regret that separate figures for catches within the British 200-mile fishery limits are not available.I am aware that British fishermen have faced difficulties in maintaining a viable presence in Faroese waters this year. The Government will look closely at the balance of advantage in any provisional deal negotiated by the EEC Commission for fishing rights in 1980.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider assuming responsibility for the Decca navigation chains which have been laid in British waters and thus relieve the fishing industry of the increasing costs for the maintenance of these chains.

My right hon. Friend does not consider that it would be appropriate for him to assume responsibility for this commercially operated system, which is used by many vessels other than fishing boats. It must be for the individual fishing boat operator to decide, in the light of his particular circumstances, whether use of the system is worth while.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what level the dog licence fee would need to be raised to retain the same value in real terms, as at its inception.

Charges for keeping dogs were levied at various rates between 1796 and 1867, when the present flat rate excise duty was introduced at an initial level of 5s.—25p—per dog. In terms of purchasing power, the corresponding amount today might lie in the range of £4 to £5.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to provide further funds to the White Fish Authority for the boatbuilding industry.

The Government propose shortly to seek the approval of Parliament to continuing to provide finance through the White Fish Authority in the financial year 1980–81 for assisting the fishing industry to purchase new vessels or improve others.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what assumptions about Civil Service manning levels (a) in his Department and (b) in other Government Departments in Wales were made in compiling the White Paper on public expenditure for 1980–81.

I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 15 of the White Paper, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made in getting access agreements to allow walkers and climbers on to the Arans in Mid-Wales.

No proposals have been made to my right hon. Friend, but I understand that the parties concerned are currently in discussion and it is hoped that this will lead to agreement in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the right of privacy is sufficiently protected in the present law in so far as it permits officials to enter premises under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what meetings he has held with bodies representing small firms during the last six weeks; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the percentage increases in minimum wages for the different categories of persons involved proposed by the Retail Trades (Non-Food) Wages Council (Great Britain) under the order dated 19 October; and what impact upon the rate of inflation such increases are likely to make.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in the light of the forecast made in the House by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury that unemployment may increase by 300,000 in 1980, if he will take steps to strengthen the special temporary employment programme; and if he will mae a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the lowest level of noise considered by his Department to constitute a serious threat to hearing; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 November 1979]: Guidance on levels of noise exposure which are regarded as a serious hazard to hearing is contained in the code of practice for reducing the exposure of employed persons to noise. The code, whilst recognising that, because of the large inherent variations of susceptibility between individuals, these levels do not remove all risk of damage, recommends an upper limit of 90dB(A) for eight hours per day, or an equivalent exposure, for workers not wearing ear protection and that sound should be reduced to lower levels where reasonably practicable.

asked the Attorney-General if any persons other than Mr. Anthony Blunt have been granted immunities, waivers or concessions of any kind in connection with the defection of Burgess and Maclean.

No.

asked the Attorney-General if he will specify under what legal provisions Anthony Blunt was given immunity from prosecution; and whether there is any power to revoke this decision at a later date.

The undertaking to Mr. Blunt that he would not be prosecuted was given on the authority of the then Attorney-General, who, as the principal Law Officer of the Crown, had wide powers under statute and the common law both to prevent the institution of certain criminal proceedings and to terminate criminal proceedings on indictment. Such decisions are for the Attorney-General alone, and the extent to which successive Attorneys-General honour the undertakings of their predecessors are matters for Attorneys-General themselves. But in any event, confessions obtained as a result of such undertakings would, by virtue of the inducement given, be inadmissible as evidence in any prosecution.

asked the Attorney-General, following the Prime Minister's statement regarding Anthony Blunt, whether any other persons connected with the Burgess Maclean case have been given concessions or immunities from prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act; and if he will list the names.

Mr. Blunt is the only person to whom an immunity has been given on the authority of the Attorney-General.I understand that in a few cases in interviews with other persons inducements were offered which might have rendered any statements made as a result of the inducement inadmissible in any subsequent criminal proceedings.In my view it would not be in the public interest to give further details.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the quantitative impact of the National Enterprise Board on jobs lost or gained in industry, including indirect employment in its suppliers, from its introduction until 1979.

Any estimate could be provided only at disproportionate cost and would entail the adoption of a number of assumptions—different in case—including allowance for the two types of displacement effects on employment, all of which would necessarily be subject to great uncertainty.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry by how much labour productivity would have to be increased in the United Kingdom chemical industry to enable prices to be reduced by 10 per cent.; and what is his estimate of the effect on imports and exports of such a reduction in prices.

As labour costs account for only about 13 per cent. of the value of the United Kingdom chemicals industry's total sales, the increase in labour productivity necessary to bring about a 10 per cent. reduction in prices would be so large as to be of no practical significance. Estimates of the likely effect of such a reduction in prices on imports and exports are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the increase since the first quarter of 1974 in the ex-factory price of domestic sewing machines produced in the United Kingdom; what is the corresponding figure for imports and exports; how these figures compare with the corresponding figures for engineering products less vehicles; and what increase in labour productivity would be required to enable the United Kingdom sewing machine industry to reduce prices to the level required to restore the margin of competitiveness to what it was in the first quarter of 1974.

Information on changes in the ex-factory price of domestic sewing machines produced in the United Kingdom is not available. The other data requested concerning price movements are given below. The proportion of ex-factory prices attributable to labour costs for the United Kingdom sewing machine industry is not available and therefore it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the effect that changes in labour productivity would have on the selling price.

PRICE MOVEMENTS BETWEEN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1974 AND THE PERIOD JANUARY TO AUGUST 1979
Domestic sewing machines (including sewing machine heads)
	per cent.
Import prices (a)	+132
Export prices (a)	+136
Engineering goods (less vehicles)
Wholesale prices for United Kingdom manufacturers (b)	+118
Import prices (c)	+100
Export prices (c)	+140
(a) Based on average price per unit.
(b) Coverage is that given by orders VII, VIII and IX of the Standard Industrial Classification (that is mechanical, instrument and electrical engineering).
(c) Coverage is that given by divisions 71 and 77 of the Standard Industrial Trade Classification (Rev. 2) which approximate to "engineering goods". Data are based mainly on average price per unit of weight.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what studies the tripartite NEDC plastics processing sector working party has made of the prospects for the plastics industry in Scotland in view of the supplies of feedstock available from Scottish gas.

None. Nor was this issue raised by Scottish processors at the meeting held by the NEDC plastics processing sector working party in Glasgow last month.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what share of tonnage of special and tubular steels, other than submarine pipelines, has been taken up by the British Steel Corporation in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively, in relation to offshore oil and gas developments.

In 1978 the Corporation continued to supply about three-quarters of the tonnage of tubular steels—other than submarine pipelines—used in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea, and supplied an estimated nine-tenths of the requirement for well casing tubes. BSC also supplied about three-quarters of the high strength plate required for offshore platforms. The majority of all this steel was produced in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are his proposals to promote the building of additional petrochemicals and plastics plant in Scotland and what attitude has been taken to additional capacity by the EEC Commission.

Officials of this Department in consultation with those at the Department of Energy and the Scottish Economic Planning Department are actively pursuing the possibilities for additional petrochemicals and plastics plants in Scotland which would use feedstock derived from North Sea oil and gas. Decisions to build additional plant are primarily a matter for the commercial judgment of the companies though they will no doubt take account of any available Government assistance.No comment has been received from the EEC Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report what contacts his Department has had with merchant banks and other City institutions regarding the Government's proposals to sell off public holdings.

My right hon. Friend has appointed the following institutions to work on the proposed sale of shares in the company in which the present undertaking of British Aerospace will vest under the British Aerospace Bill: the Bank of England will manage the issue in conjunction with Kleinwort, Benson Limited, which has been engaged to act as merchant bank advisers to the Department.The Department has also had advice from many sources including merchant banks and institutions on a confidential basis in connection with the Government's proposals to reduce the extent of State ownership.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had, and with whom, concerning the creation of an independent body to set and administer the standards and qualifications of professional engineers and to register those who qualify.

These matters are among those which were considered by the committee of inquiry into the engineering profession chaired by Sir Monty Finniston. Pending receipt of Sir Monty's report I have had no discussions with the various parties concerned with the qualifications and registration of engineers. I intend to hold such discussions after the report is published.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he intends changing the functions of the requirements boards for engineers to ensure greater emphasis on research and engineering design.

The main tasks of the Department's requirements boards already include the encouragement of improved engineering design. In particular, the mechanical engineering and machine tool requirements board already supports research and development aimed at helping good design practices.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many small businesses feature on the approved list of suppliers maintained by his Department for purchasing contracts by means of selective tender.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 15 November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to form a new reserve for the Fleet Air Arm; what is to be its role and strength and where it is to be based.

A Royal Naval Reserve—Air—Branch is to be formed, as part of the Royal Naval Reserve, commencing in 1980. The role will be twofold; to augment front-line squadrons, and increase the pool of expertise for communications flying in support of other Royal Naval activities. Initially up to 40 pilots and observers will be recruited, possibly increasing to 60 in 1982–83. The Reserve will be open to experienced, qualified officers under age 33 who have left the Royal Navy within the past five years; their Reserve training will be on a flying refresher basis with retention dependent upon maintaining satisfactory standards.The front-line training will be carried out with disembarked squadrons and the support role flying training will be based on Lee-on-Solent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the development of the various aircraft types scheduled to replace the aircraft previously in use in the Royal Air Force.

If I declared myself completely satisfied with the progress of any project intended to improve the capability of the Royal Air Force I should almost certainly deserve to be accused of complacency; but I am generally content with the aircraft development programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence at what stage any version of the Tornado can be sold abroad.

Other countries continue to be interested in the Tornado project, but as yet no firm orders have been placed. We support industry in its efforts to identify new markets for the Tornado, but any prospective orders would have to be agreed by all the nations involved in the project.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, for the most convenient available date, he will give the total number of persons employed by his Department in each of the three Services; how many of these are on active service; how many are on reserve service; and how many are civilians.

The strengths of the Regular and Reserve Forces and the civilians supporting

				RN/RM	Army	RAF
Regular personnel	…	…	…	71,600	168,200	87,400
Reserve personnel	…	…	…	35,500	197,300	28,500
Civilians	…	…	…	71,700	88,400	29,300

The figures are for the latest available dates—generally 30 September 1979. They include Gurkhas, locally entered Service personnel and civilians engaged locally overseas. Reserve strengths include both ex-Regulars with a Reserve liability and volunteers. In addition to the civilians shown there are some 90,700 employed in central staffs, the procurement executive and the Royal Ordnance Factories.

asked the Secretary of of State for Defence if he will give the most recent estimates of arms stocks held by NATO and the Warsaw Treaty Organisation, both conventional and nuclear for 1979; and if he will indicate what the projected estimates of arms stocks are for both organisations.

It is not the practice to provide such information.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total amounts of arms sales in 1978; what proportion of these sales was by his Department and what proportion by private companies; which firms were granted export licences in that year; and if he will list them.

The provisional figure for United Kingdom arms sales in the financial year 1978–79 is about £900 million, of which a third is attributable to the Ministry of Defence and the remaining two-thirds to the private sector of industry. The grant of export licences is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade, but it is not the practice to disclose the information requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total military expenditure for 1974 to 1979

The table below shows defence budget estimates since 1974–75 at constant 1979 survey prices. A defence budget figure for 1983–84 will not be available until the conclusion of the present public expenditure survey:

	Defence Budget Estimates (£M)
1974–75	7,760
1975–76	7,949
1976–77	7,981
1977–78	7,719
1978–79	7,666
1979–80	7,900

During this period approximately 90 per cent. of defence expenditure has been devoted to our forces deployed in the NATO area and about 5 per cent. to our forces stationed elsewhere. The balance of expenditure is for Service pensions, which does not relate to the current defence effort and cannot, therefore, be realistically allocated between NATO and non-NATO forces. Over the same period between 1 per cent. and 1½ per cent. of defence expenditure has been devoted to running the nuclear strategic force.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was Great Britain's military research and development spending for 1974 and 1979; and what is the estimated spending for 1983 at constant prices.

Provision for research and development in the 1979–80 defence estimates was £1,081 million. The corresponding figure for 1974–75 at the same price base was £985 million. Both figures are at 1979 survey prices. An estimated figure for 1983–84 will not be available until closer to that year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what sums were spent on advertising for recruits for the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years and the current year to the latest available date.

The information requested is as follows:

	£
1976–77	7,868
1977–78	11,606
1978–79	22,648
1979–80 estimated	18,600

In addition, Territorial Army recruitment in Northern Ireland benefits from the expenditure on advertising in national daily newspapers which are available throughout the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will estimate the average age of Territorial Army vehicles in Northern Ireland;(2) what sums were expended on the provisions of vehicles for the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years and the current year: and how many vehicles and of what types the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland now possesses;(3) if he will estimate the average age of Ulster Defence Regiment vehicles in Northern Ireland;(4) what sums were expended on the provision of vehicles for the Ulster Defence Regiment in each of the past three years and the current year; and how many vehicles and of what types the Ulster Defence Regiment now posseses.

The required information is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the quality of vehicles and other equipment at present operated by the Ulster Defence Regiment; and what plans he has to upgrade it.

The equipment and vehicles issued to the Ulster Defence Regiment are entirely satisfactory; they are of the same standard as those of the Regular Army and the scale of issue is appropriate to the role and tasks of the regiment. Equipment scales are kept under constant review and are amended as necessary to meet specific requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what sums were spent on advertising for recruits for the Ulster Defence Regiment in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years and the current year to the latest available date.

The information requested is as follows:

	£
1976–1977	82,644
1977–1978	175,257
1978–1979	136,794
1979–1980 estimated	152,465

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will convene a conference of the chairmen of local education authorities to consider expenditure plans for the coming financial year.

No. I keep in touch with the views of local education authorities by meeting members of the local authority associations. I have met them on six occasions since May. The staff of my Department also keep in close touch with officers of the associations: they are holding a joint meeting next week to consider the Government's spending plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his latest estimate of the total cost of public expenditure allocated to education services for 1979–80; and what was tilt total cost for 1978–79 at that year's prices.

In 1978–79 expenditure on education in England and Wales—with universities in Great Britain—was about £7,900 million at outturn prices for that year. For 1979–80 the impact of the Government's request for savings on local authority expenditure on the total planned expenditure for education of £8,030 million at November 1978 prices cannot yet be estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has now received against the reductions in expenditure on education.

I have received representations from many interested organisations and individuals.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reply he has sent to the acting chairman of Wiltshire education committee to her letter to him of 26 October regarding the effects of expenditure cuts in the education service.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the Government's expenditure plans as they relate to capital expenditure for school improvements, under-fives and further and higher education.

Building starts programmes—for England only—for 1980–81 are as follows:

	(£million at 1979 Survey Prices)
School improvements	12·1
Special schools	5·3
Nursery schools	1·9
Higher and further education—including universities in Great Britain	25·4

Under the Government's energy conservation programme, additional allocations will be made of £12·4 million for schools, and £7·5 million for higher and further education—including universities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when next he expects to meet the trade union leaders of those organisations affected by education cuts; and if he will make a statement.

I have already met representatives of many of the trade unions who have members working within the education service. I have also met the TUC, which I expect to see again in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the current subsidies on (a) school meals, (b) school transport, and (c) school milk in Cambridgeshire.

The net cost to public funds of these services in 1978–79 was £3·7 million, £1·9 million and £0·1 million respectively. In total, these subsidies represent more than 8 per cent. of the authority's expenditure on the education service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance he has given local education authorities about the scale of charges for use of school premises by voluntary organisations.

My right hon. and learned Friend has not issued any guidance to local education authorities about the scale of charges for use of school premises by voluntary organisations.The use of county school premises outside normal school hours is a matter for local education authorities, subject to any powers delegated to the managers or governors under the articles of government. In the case of voluntary schools the managers or governors are entitled to control the occupation and use of school premises, subject to the provisions set out in section 22 of the Education Act 1944.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidelines on giving grants to those who have gained a place on a higher or further education course are given by his Department to local education authorities.

My Department issues guidance to local education authorities relating to mandatory awards, which are governed by statutory regulations made by my right hon. and learned Friend. Other awards are made by local education authorities at their own discretion and it would not, therefore, be appropriate for my right hon. and learned Friend to issue detailed guidance.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made in the mounting of trial schemes using education vouchers.

My right hon. and learned Friend understands that the Kent local education authority intends to mount trial voucher schemes in primary and secondary schools in the next few years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many overseas students are at present in (a) United Kingdom universities and (b) other areas of higher education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many overseas students he expects will be being educated in United Kingdom institutions of higher and further education in the next five years.

In 1978–79 the latest year for which information is available, there were in Great Britain 36,500 overseas students in universities and almost 22,000 on advanced courses in maintained, assisted and grant-aided establishments of further education. I cannot at this stage predict how many overseas students are likely to attend United Kingdom institutions of higher and further education in the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of children is taught mathematics and science with imperial measurements, what proportion with metric measurements and what proportion is taught using both systems of measurement.

This information is not available. The DES issued advice in 1974 that teaching should be conducted principally in metric terms while maintaining general familiarity with imperial units, and this still stands.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, whether he has reached a decision on the proposal to break up the Inner London education authority.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received any recent communication from the Kirklees metropolitan district council regarding its intention to proceed with the reorganisation of its secondary schools on a comprehensive basis.

On 20 July 1979 the Kirklees metropolitan district council submitted proposals to my right hon. and learned Friend and on 13 September 1979 it published notices, in accordance with section 13 of the Education Act 1944, of its intention to reorganise secondary education in Batley, Heckmondwike and Liversedge on comprehensive lines.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about parental access to school records.

We attach considerable importance to the rights of parents in educational matters, but in the complex issue of access to school records we wish to take account of consultations which are already in hand, including those relating to local education authority arrangements for the school curriculum.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many representations he has received concerning the new proposals on school meals, milk and transport in the Education (No. 2) Bill.

So far I have received more than 600 letters about school meals, five about school milk and over 3,000 about school transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to meet the leaders of the main teachers' unions in the near future.

I have no meetings arranged with the main teachers' unions in the immediate future.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the activities of his Department's assessment of performance unit.

The APU surveys being carried out this month bring the total number so far undertaken to six, four in mathematics—two each at primary and secondary level, and two in English language—one at primary and one at secondary level. The assessment of performance in science will begin in 1980.The first survey report, on mathematics at primary level, is expected to be published early in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied that the syllabus for mathematics and applied science in secondary schools provides an adequate training in basic numerical skills for potential students of mechanical and engineering subjects.

My right hon. and learned Friend believes that there is room for improvement. This will be one of the considerations underlying the consultations early next year on a framework for the school curriculum. The forthcoming report of Her Majesty's inspectorate's national secondary school survey will also comment on mathematics provision in schools, and the Cockcroft committee is considering the mathematics needed to prepare pupils for further and higher education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools in England and Wales.

In January 1979, the average ratio within maintained primary schools in England was 23·1 pupils per qualified teacher. Statistical information for schools in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what variation has occurred in the pupil-teacher ratio since 1970 in secondary schools in England and Wales.

The average ratios of pupils per qualified teacher within maintained secondary schools in England from January 1970 to January 1979, the latest date for which information is available, are given below. Statistical information about schools in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

January	Pupil-teacher ratio
1970	17·7*
1971	17·9
1972	17·6
1973	17·1
1974	17·5
1975	17·2
1976	17·0
1977	17·0
1978	16·9
1979	16·7
* Including unqualified teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assumptions are made in education spending plans over the next three years for pupil teacher ratios.

It is estimated that the overall pupil-teacher ratio, 18·9:1 in 1978–79, will improve to 18·7:1 in 1980–81. The Government have not yet announced their expenditure plans for years after 1980–81.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the position on the salary claim of university teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the reasons for the delay in responding to the proposals of the Association of University Teachers on the salaries of academic staff.

The university teachers' salary claim has necessarily to be considered in the light of cash limits for universities and the Government's general plans for public expenditure. A meeting of the negotiating committee will be arranged as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding the settlement of the university teachers' pay claim; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received 391 letters on this subject. A response to the university teachers' salary claim has to be considered in the light of the Government's general plans for public expenditure and, in particular, the proposed cash limit for universities. A meeting of the negotiating committee is being arranged as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from Roman Catholic organisations and individuals about school transport.

Representations against the transport proposals in the Education (No. 2) Bill have been made by the Catholic Education Council and over 1,000 individuals who have written as members of the Roman Catholic Church.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will seek to ensure that suitable adjustments are made in the rate support grant settlement to take into account the extra cost of school travel in rural counties.

Account is taken of the cost of school transport—as of other local authority services—in the calculation and distribution of rate support grant. The settlement for 1980–81 announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 16 November halted the drift in grant from the shire counties which has taken place over recent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has had with regard to changes he proposes in the statutory requirement on local education authorities to provide free school transport to children who live beyond walking distance to school.

The proposals have been discussed with representatives of the local authority associations, teachers' organisations, the churches and the TUC.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many places have been provided in nursery schools in South Yorkshire during each of the past five years; what has been the cost in each year; and if he will make a statement about the present and future programme.

My Department cannot provide information in precisely the form requested, but the following tables show the nursery education building programme allocations made to South Yorkshire; how far they were taken up; and the net increase in places and pupils in nursery schools and nursery classes in primary schools in South Yorkshire, for each of the past five years.

NURSERY EDUCATION BUILDING PROGRAMME
(£000s)
	Allocation	Take-up
1974–75	935·5	935·5
1975–76	526·4	505·6
1976–77	267·0	152·0
1977–78	115·0	115·0
1978–79	386·4	386·4

NET INCREASE IN PUPILS AND PLACES IN NURSERY SCHOOLS AND CLASSES BY FINANCIAL YEAR
	Nursery Schools
	Places	Pupils
1974–75	46	106
1975–76	25	33
1976–77	6	Nil
1977–78*	Nil	Nil
1978–79	Not yet known	Not yet known

	Nursery Classes
	Places	Pupils
1974–75	438	902
1975–76	361	729
1976–77	831	1,609
1977–78*	285	480
1978–79	Not yet known	Not yet known
* Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to introduce legislation to raise the start of compulsory full-time education from 5 years to 6 years in order to allow universal part-time education to commence at 4 years, thus in part solving the present shortage of nursery provision; and if he will make a statement.

No. My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to change the lower age limit of compulsory education. Lack of resources prevents rapid expansion of nursery education for the time being, but we would not wish to seek an improvement at the expense of full-time education for children over 5.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what allocation for the school building programme he has made for Wolverhampton for the next financial year.

£399,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what improved educational provision he is making for the unemployed 16 to 19year-olds in the immediate future.

The provision of education is the responsibility of the local education authorities and of the institutions which they maintain. Colleges of further education are already making available a variety of courses for unemployed young people, including the further education component in many schemes initiated by the Manpower Services Commission as part of the youth opportunities programme. I am confident that the education service will continue to offer unemployed young people who want to continue their education the facilities to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimates he has made of the numbers of children who will either cease to qualify for, or cease to have provided for them, free school meals under his Educa tion (No. 2) Bill and forecast public expenditure in Cmnd. 7746.

The estimates assume that about 250,000 fewer pupils will take free school meals in 1980–81 than would do so under the existing arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many representations he has received concerning the Government's proposals to amend regulations concerning the provision of school meals.

I have received over 600 representations concerning the provision of school meals.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is his intention to review his Department's circular 16/68 dated 15 August 1968 entitled "The Teachers and the School Meals Service".

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. McKay) on 8 November.—[Vol. 973, c. 239.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities operate schemes of financial assistance to school pupils over statutory leaving age.

This is a matter for local authority discretion, and the Department does not require LEAs to provide details of how they use their powers; incomplete information available to the Department about 60 LEAs indicates that all operate schemes of financial assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many assisted places are provided by the metropolitan district of Stockport to send children to schools outside the State system; and how this figure compares with the number of places granted by other authorities in Greater Manchester.

The metropolitan borough of Stockport was assisting 1,658 pupils attending non-maintained schools in January 1979. The number of pupils assisted by other education authorities in Greater Manchester was as follows:

Bolton	…	…	…	1,594
Bury	…	…	…	866
Manchester	…	…	…	398
Oldham	…	…	…	307
Rochdale	…	…	…	411
Salford	…	…	…	95
Tameside	…	…	…	400
Trafford	…	…	…	1,801
Wigan	…	…	…	329

I have no information on the number of children assisted by the Greater Manchester county council, which is not an education authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give guidance to local authorities on size of classes, teacher-pupil ratio and capital tion allowance for primary and secondary schools.

No. It is for local authorities to decide how they will deploy the resources at their disposal in the light of their individual circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children in Durham county were in attendance at school at the last count; how many and what percentage of the number present had a school meal; how many and what percentage of those taking meals were free; and if he will give comparable figures for the county of Surrey.

On a day in October 1978, the latest date for which figures are available 107,140 children attended maintained schools in county Durham. A total of 75,539—7 per cent. of those present—took the school meal. Of these, 19,003—25 per cent., or 18 per cent. of those present—received it free of charge. Comparable figures for Surrey were 143,084 pupils present, 92,852 taking a meal—65 per cent. of those present—and 10,395 receiving it free—11 per cent., of those taking a meal, or 7 per cent. of those present.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what size of primary school rebuilding programme he has in mind for 1980–81, bearing in mind the Government's expenditure plans, announced on 1 November.

The primary and secondary school building programme for 198081 will total nearly £115 million. The figure includes £12·1 million for primary and secondary replacements and improvements. It is for individual authorities to decide within the limits of their allocations how much to spend on primary school rebuilding.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the effect of cuts in public expenditure by his Department in 1980–81 on staff-student ratios in the universities.

It is not possible at this stage to predict accurately the effect on staff-student ratios in universities of the constraints on public expenditure in 1980–81. The subject is one which will be kept under close review by my Department and the UGC.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if it is his policy to maintain and increase the choice of subjects available to pupils in State-owned secondary schools.

My right hon. and learned Friend wishes to ensure a satisfactory curriculum for all pupils, and this will be one of the objectives in the consultations to follow the recent publication of my Department's report on local authority arrangements for the school curriculum.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest numbers of students taking adult education classes in schools and colleges; and what steps he is taking to increase the numbers of students in adult education and the number of available courses.

In November 1978, the latest date for which figures are available, there were just over 2 million enrolments at adult education centres administered by local education authorities in England and Wales. In addition, it is estimated that there were a further half a million enrolments on comparable courses at maintained, assisted and grant-aided further education establishments. It is for local education authorities to determine, in the light of local needs, priorities and available resources, what provision of this type can be made in their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce his detailed proposals for the publication of examination results for individual schools.

Regulations specifying the details to be made available on individual schools cannot be published before the Education (No. 2) Bill receives the Royal Assent, and will be preceded by the necessary consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is now taking to ensure that adequate supplies of basic educational equipment are provided by local education authorities to schools.