Written Answers To Questions
Friday 15th February 1980
Education (Tayside)
asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the severe effects to education in Dundee, including the effects of the dismissal of 130 teachers in the Tayside region, she will reconsider the education policy of Her Majesty's Government; and what steps she proposes to take to fulfill the commitment in the Gracious Speech to maintain and improve the quality of education, so far as the Tayside region is concerned.
No. The Government's policy is designed to protect the quality of education. On the basics of education—the classroom work in primary and secondary schools—we have allowed for an increase in expenditure per pupil from £538 in 1979–80 to £548 in 1980–81.
Soviet Union
asked the Prime Minister (1) if, in the light of her speech of 28 January setting out the Government's policy of restriction on contacts with official representatives of the Soviet Union, and on restriction on the exchange of scientific information with the Soviet Union, she is satisfied that the attendance by a British delegation, including a representative of the Foreign Office, at the scientific forum, convened under the Helsinki agreement, at Hamburg on 18 February and subsequent days, for the purpose of exchanging scientific information, is in accord with that policy;(2) in the light of Government policy as set out in her speech in the House on 28 January on relations with the Soviet Union, if she will ensure that the British delegation to the scientific forum, convened under the Helsinki agreement, which will meet on 18 February and subsequent days in Hamburg, for the purpose of exchanging scientific information, will raise with the Soviet delegation to the scientific conference the treatment by the Soviet authorities, in contravention of the Helsinki agreement of dissident Soviet scientists, such as Professor A. Sakharov and Mr. Y. Orlov.
The Government have already deplored the actions of the Soviet Government against Dr. Sakharov and other scientists, which are inconsistent both with the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and with the aims of the Hamburg scientific forum. I feel sure that the Government's views will be taken into account by the British scientists attending the forum, which flows from the Helsinki Final Act.
United Kingdom Information Service
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the combined total amount of money is from public sources paid in each year to the United Kingdom Information Service, previously called the Chemical Society Research Unit in Information, Dissemination and Retrieval.
The following are the sums which have been awarded to the United Kingdom Chemical Information Service by the former office of Scientific and Technical Information and by the British Library, of which that office has been part since 1973. They relate to research by the service itself and its technical support to other research. I cannot answer for other possible sources of public funds.
| £000 | |
| 1966–67 | 6·7 |
| 1967–68 | 56·0 |
| 1968–69 | — |
| 1969–70 | 20·5 |
| 1970–71 | 137·1 |
| 1971–72 | 55·0 |
| 1972–73 | 164·4 |
| 1973–74 | 43·7 |
| 1974–75 | 11·5 |
| 1975–76 | 14·7 |
Algardi Bust
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is satisfied that the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art were aware of the syndication of ownership of the bust of Algardi when an export licence was originally sought.
The proceedings of the reviewing committee, and all information supplied to it, are confidential.
Education And Science
Space Research
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list the space research projects which his Department sponsors both within the United Kingdom and with the European Space Agency; and how much is being spent on each of these in the financial year 1979–80.
| £'000 | £'000 | ||||||||
| (i) NATIONAL AND COLLABORATIVE MISSIONS | |||||||||
| Satellites in orbit— | |||||||||
| ARIEL V (United Kingdom satellite) | … | … | … | 30 | |||||
| ARIEL VI (United Kingdom satellite) | … | … | … | 354 | |||||
| IUE (international ultraviolet explorer) | … | … | … | 60 | |||||
| Satellite in preparation (in collaboration with NASA and the Netherlands)—IRAS (infra-red astronomy satellite) | … | 628 | |||||||
| Studies of future projects | … | … | … | … | … | 61 | |||
| Sounding rockets | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | 1,121 | |
| 2,254 | |||||||||
| (ii) OTHER MISSIONS CARRYING UNITED KINGDOM EXPERIMENTS | |||||||||
| ESA mission— | |||||||||
| GEOS 1 | |||||||||
| ISEE-2 | |||||||||
| GEOS 2 | |||||||||
| EXOSAT | |||||||||
| ISPM | |||||||||
| NASA missions— | |||||||||
| SMM | |||||||||
| SPACELAB | |||||||||
| NIMBUS | |||||||||
| PIONEER | |||||||||
| VOYAGER | |||||||||
| ARIES | |||||||||
| COPERNICUS | |||||||||
| EINSTEIN OBSERVATORY | |||||||||
| These experiments are funded by research grants to universities by the Science Research Council (£1,512,000) and by expenditure in Science Research Council establishments (£274,000) | 1,786 | ||||||||
| (iii) UNITED KINGDOM CONTRIBUTION TO THE ESA SCIENCE PROGRAMME | 8,029 | ||||||||
| Total | 12,069 | ||||||||
Defence
Royal Air Force (Aircraft)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish details of the total numbers of Royal Air Force aircraft on charge in each of the years since release of the previous figures to Parliament in December 1976, using the same basis of calculation as that given in the answer to a parliamentary question on 2 July 1968.
My Department's funds support, through the Science Research Council, (i) projects in which the funds are used to provide all or, in collaboration with other nations, part of the vehicle or ground control installation; (ii) projects in which involvement is limited to the provision of such experiments—mainly by university researchers—as are accepted for flight on European Space Agency (ESA) or United States National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) vehicles; (iii) the United Kingdom contribution to the science programme of the ESA. For the year 1979–80 the expected expenditure on these activities is:
The figures for 31 December in each year are as follows:
| 1977 | 1421 |
| 1978 | 1458 |
| 1979 | 1493 |
Aircrew Wings
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will allow aircrew wings to be worn on woollen pullovers now that they are regarded as part of standard working dress.
This question is currently under study. The views of the Service at large will be an important consideration.
Battle Tank
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with the French and German Ministers of Defence about the joint development and production of a new battle tank; and why he has in consequence decided that the procurement of a new tank for the British Army should proceed unilaterally.
Discussions with the FRG on a possible collaborative future main battle tank broke down in 1977 after several years of negotiations. Since then work has been proceeding on project definition studies for a new main battle tank, MBT 80, which, when it enters service in the late 1980s, will fully match the Soviet threat. This is considered the most appropriate eventual replacement for Chieftain though, in the meantime, we
| NATIONALISED INDUSTRIES | ||||||||
| Subsidies compensation and other payments made in the period April 1974 to March 1979 £ million | Capital debt and revenue deficits written-off in the period April 1974 to January 1980 £ million | |||||||
| Outturn prices | 1979 survey prices | Outturn prices | 1979 survey prices | |||||
| National Coal Board | … | … | … | 622·6 | 846·3 | — | — | |
| Electricity (England and Wales) | … | 526·7 | 792·0 | — | — | |||
| Electricity (Scotland) | … | … | … | 114·2 | 148·7 | — | — | |
| British Gas Corporation | … | … | 70·6 | 112·5 | — | — | ||
| British National Oil Corporation | … | — | — | — | — | |||
| British Steel Corporation | … | … | — | — | 155·4 | 174·8 | ||
| Post Office | … | … | … | … | 439·8 | 659·3 | 29·7 | 41·5 |
| British Airways Board | … | … | … | — | — | —* | — | |
| British Airports Authority | … | … | 22·7 | 29·8 | — | — | ||
| British Railways Board | … | … | 2,417·0 | 3,129·3 | 188·7 | 330·8 | ||
| British Transport Docks Board | … | — | — | — | — | |||
| British Waterways Board | … | … | 64·2 | 77·7 | — | — | ||
| National Freight Corporation | … | 82·2 | 95·3 | 53·1 | 53·1 | |||
| National Bus Company | … | … | 72·4 | 88·2 | — | — | ||
| Scottish Transport Group | … | … | 32·5 | 39·7 | — | — | ||
| British Aerospace | … | … | … | 50·0 | 50·0 | — | — | |
| British Shipbuilders | … | … | … | 38·4 | 40·9 | — | — | |
| Totals | … | … | … | … | 4553·3 | 6,109·7 | 426·9 | 600·2 |
| The above totals represent about £250 (£335 at 1979 survey prices) per United Kingdom household. | ||||||||
| * A Bill is before the House providing for the write-off of £160 million of British Airways public dividend capital. | ||||||||
| A Bill is before the House providing for the cancellation of Government investment in British Aerospace; and the Government have also announced that the British Shipbuilders commencing capital debt will be set at zero. The precise amounts of the write-offs involved have yet to be determined | ||||||||
are studying further ways of improving our armoured capability in the short term. We are, nevertheless, contiuing to keep in close touch with our Allies, including the United States, in the search for common elements of a new tank. We shall take their plans into account when we make a decision on whether to proceed with full development on MBT 80 towards the end of this year.
National Finance
Nationalised Industries
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost of public funds between 1974–75 and 1979–80, or the latest year for which figures are available, of subsidies, writings-off actual or prospective, and other losses for each nationalised industry (a) in money terms and (b) in 1979 survey prices; and what was the total cost of the above, in money terms and at 1979 survey prices; per family in the United Kingdom.
Following is the information:
Fishermen (Income)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will grant fishermen the same rights as given to farmers to average out their income for tax purposes over a two-year period.
I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.
Departmental Expenditure
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for each Department for 1978–79, what was the proportion of public expenditure taken up by (a) wages, (b) salaries, (c) pensions and (d) national insurance contributions; and what were the comparable figures for 1968–69.
The following table provides, for major Government Departments, expenditure on wages and salaries and employers' national insurance contributions and, separately, civil superannuation in 1978–79 as a percentage of total public expenditure in that year excluding debt interest and as defined in Command 7746. Wages and salaries etc. have been defined as including those of local authorities, Armed Forces and the National Health Service and attributed to the relevant sponsor Department.
| Department | Expenditure on wages and salaries etc. as a percentage of total public expenditure % |
| Ministry of Defence | 4·7 |
| Department of Education and Science | 7·1 |
| Scottish Education Department | 0·9 |
| Department of the Environment | 2·7 |
| Department of Health and Social Security | 6·3 |
| Home Office | 2·3 |
| Scottish Home and Health Department | 0·9 |
| Inland Revenue | 0·5 |
| Department of Transport | 0·5 |
| Welsh Office | 1·0 |
| Other departments | 2·9 |
| Total wages and salaries and national insurance contributions | 29·8 |
| Civil superannuation | 0·6 |
| Grand total | 30·4 |
Capital Gains Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to amend section 399 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970, as amended by paragraph 42 of schedule 6, Finance Act 1971, so that the happening of a chargeable event is deemed to be a capital gain and not part of an individual's income for income tax purposes.
Section 399 forms an integral part of provisions designed to prevent abuse of the tax advantages associated with life assurance policies. I do not think it would be right to treat the gains with which it is concerned as capital instead of income; that would greatly detract from its effectiveness.
North Sea Oil Industries (Foreign Nationals)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Americans and other foreign nationals employed in North Sea oil industries, directly or indirectly related, are able to have their earnings remitted to accounts in Jersey for income tax purposes; and if so, why.
There is nothing to prevent Americans and other foreign nationals employed in the North Sea oil industry from arranging to have their earnings remitted to accounts in Jersey, but this does not affect their liability to United Kingdom income tax.
Tax Evasion
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in 1979 were detected in evading value added tax and income tax; what was the total amount involved; and what is the estimate for the loss of revenue by these frauds.
The Inland Revenue estimates that in the year to 31 October 1979 the yield of tax, interest and penalties arising from the detection of evasion amounted to about £91 million in about 54,000 cases. Customs and Excise dealt with 563 cases of VAT evasion during 1979 involving 772 person or firms. The total amount of VAT involved was £3·9 million. A proportion of the evaded VAT was recovered as a result of the investigations but it would not be possible without disproportionate expenditure of resources to estimate the amount of revenue finally lost.It would be noted that the figures for the two Departments are not directly comparable. Customs and Excise also recovered about £75 million VAT arising from 138,000 cases of underpayment discovered on control visits.
Value Added Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average length of time taken by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to process claims for the repayment of value added tax; and how this compares with the position in the five previous years.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Personal Allowances
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of additional personal allowances currently claimed by (a) single parents and (b) married men whose wives are totally incapacitated and who receive child allowance for a child living with them.
About 425,000 lone parents benefit from the additional personal allowance in 1979–80. A further 10,000 or so married men also benefit from the additional personal allowance since their wives are totally incapacitated by physical or mental infirmity and they have dependent children resident with them. It is no longer possible to claim a child tax allowance for a child residing with the claimant except in the case of a very small number of children who are students.
European Community Finance Council
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the meeting of the European Economic Community Finance Council in Brussels on 11 February.
:The EEC Finance Council met in Brussels under Italian presidency on 11 February.
The Council had a brief exchange of views on the latest Commission communication of 5 February 1980 entitled "Convergence and Budgetary Questions", in which I re-emphasised the need for an adequate and lasting solution to the United Kingdom's net contribution problem. I welcomed the demonstration in the Commission's communication that the Community should have no difficulty in finding a way of implementing such a solution. The president concluded by inviting delegates to consider the communication further with a view to resuming discussion at a later stage.
As requested by the European Council last December, the Council examined the financial implications of the package of economy measures which had been proposed by the Commission as a means of curbing the growth of expenditure on the common agricultural policy. The Council endorsed the need for economies of the order proposed by the Commission but, at my insistence, made it clear that the overall objective of these proposals could be secured only if the Community adopted a prudent policy for agricultural support prices. There will be another discussion of this issue in the Finance Council following further technical exchanges at official level.
The Council also discussed the latest developments in the economic situation in the Community and a proposal for an increase in the minimum interest rates which apply under the guidelines for officially supported export credits.
Rhodesia (Import And Exchange Controls)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will send a team of Treasury officials to Rhodesia to study its successful techniques of (a) import control, (b) import substitution, (c) exchange control and to report on their relevance to Great Britain.
No.
Personal Allowances
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instruction he has given to the Inland Revenue with regard to the level of personal allowances to be used in the preparation of code numbers for 1980–81.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 February 1980]: None; as in previous years, the Inland Revenue will use the present year's levels of personal allowances for 1980–81 PAYE codes until effect can be given generally to any changes in allowances resulting from the Budget.
Dundee
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is considering designating Dundee as a free enterprise zone.
I have nothing to add to the answer given to a similar question on October 31 1979 from the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun)—[Vol. 972, c. 575.]
Private Investment
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the total private investment funds available during the past five years has been invested outside the United Kingdom.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Eurobonds
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to change the status of interest on Eurobonds as a charge upon income.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Personal Incomes
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount per capita personal disposable income has risen since April 1979 in money terms, in real terms and in percentage terms on each basis.
[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1980]: Monthly figures of per capita personal disposable income are not available. The latest estimates on a quarterly basis, seasonally adjusted, up to the third quarter of 1979 are given on page 14 of the January 1980 edition of Economic Trends, in money terms—current prices—and real terms—1975 prices.
Overseas Aid
Developing Nations (Fishing Industries)
asked the Lord Privy Seal what amount of aid Her Majesty's Government currently are giving to assist the fishing industries of the developing nations; and to what countries.
Capital aid to the fishing industries of the developing countries is estimated at £2·3 million in the current financial year. The main countries involved are Burma, Gilbert Islands, Lesotho, Malawi, St. Helena, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Tanzania and Tuvalu. In addition, we provide technical assistance in various forms and I shall write to my hon. Friend forwarding additional details as soon as possible.
Food Aid
asked the Lord Privy Seal what criteria govern decisions taken by the EEC Commission to suspend food aid to any particular country.
The EEC Commission could be expected to suspend food aid if the conditions of the agreement under which it was being supplied were not being observed by the recipient country. In addition, the Council has suspended food aid where the internal circumstances of the country were such as to make it unlikely that the food would reach the intended beneficiaries.
Wales
Welsh Language
asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will be in a position to issue a statement as to the current evaluation of extra Government money to revive the Welsh langauge within communities.
My right hon. Friend proposes to make an announcement as soon as possible.
Housing Investment Programmes
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total spending by local authorities in Wales on the housing investment programmes for 1978–79.
£104·557 million, excluding the energy conservation measures on which £1·506 million was spent.
Wales Tourist Board (Bank Loans)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what he estimates the effect on the cost to public funds would be if bank loans guaranteed for up to 80 per cent. were made by the Wales Tourist Board.
The Wales Tourist Board has no powers to offer guarantees for bank loans, and it is not possible to estimate what the effect on public funds of such a scheme would be because of the difficulty of predicting the take-up of loans or the extent to which guarantees would be called upon.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Office
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Northern Ireland Civil
| Grade | Belfast | Her Majesty's Millisle | Prison/Borstal Armagh | Magilligan | |||||
| Chief officer class II | … | … | … | 1 | — | — | — | ||
| Principal officer | … | … | … | 4 | — | 1 | 1 | ||
| Senior officer | … | … | … | … | 13 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| Officer | … | … | … | … | … | 102 | 6 | 4 | 42 |
| Clerk class II | … | … | … | … | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Clerk class III | … | … | … | … | 4 | — | 3 | — | |
| Trades officer III | … | … | … | 5 | 1 | — | — | ||
| The staff complements at Her Majesty's prison, Maze, and Her Majesty's young offenders centre, Hydebank Wood, are currently under review and it is not possible to give any figures for prison officer acancies at those establishments. | |||||||||
Republic Of Ireland Residents (Benefits)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people who are residing in the Republic of Ireland are in receipt of United Kingdom retirement pensions, or other welfare benefits payable by the Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland; and what is the total amount payable.
A total of 2,165, to whom payments of about £42,000 per week are made.
Redevelopment (Belfast)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern. Ireland when construction will commence on new dwellings
Service are currently employed at the Northern Ireland Office; and what positions they held.
The number of Northern Ireland civil servants employed at the Northern Ireland Office, mainly on law and order functions, at the end of January 1980 was 1,313. This figure was made up as follows:
| Administration group | 492 |
| Civilian search officers | 318 |
| Typists | 141 |
| Scientific staff | 72 |
| Security guards | 65 |
| Law clerks | 57 |
| Other grades | 168 |
Prison Officers (Vacancies)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prison officer staff vacancies there are, by grade, in each prison in Northern Ireland.
As at 25 January 1980 vacancies in the prison officer grades of the Northern Ireland prison service were as follows:in redevelopment areas No. 19 and 22N, respectively; and how many dwellings will be involved in the first phase of each of those areas in Belfast.
These are matters for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I understand that the first phase of 19 dwellings in redevelopment area No. 22N is due to begin in August 1980. In redevelopment area No. 19 work is still progressing on the identification of a site for the first phase and a starting date has not yet been determined.
Monitor American Meats Company
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the amount of Government financial assistance given to the Monitor American Meats Company, enabling this company to establish
a plant in the Province, will be published in the appropriate section of annual Government expenditure; and, if so, why he will not disclose the sum now.
The total amount of assistance provided by the Department of Commerce to industry is included under Class 11 of the Northern Ireland Appropriation Accounts, but details of assistance to individual companies are not published.Details of investments by the Northern Ireland Development Agency are provided in their annual reports.
Multiple Sclerosis
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when construction will begin in respect of the new unit for multiple sclerosis sufferers in Northern Ireland; and what is the proposed location.
The Eastern Health and Social Services Board is taking a number of interim measures to improve facilities at Musgrave Park hospital. However, the nature of the accommodation makes substantial adaptations impracticable and consideration is being given to how best to provide care for these patients in the longer term.
Rent Arrears
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount of rent arrears owed by the tenants of Divis flats in West Belfast up to the latest possible date in 1979; and what is the number of dwellings in this complex.
This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand that there are 795 dwellings in the Divis complex and that the total rent and rate arrears—including past tenant arrears—at 31 January 1980 were £338,131.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount of rent arrears owed by the tenantts of Annadale flats in South Belfast up to the latest possible date in 1979; and what is the number of dwellings in this complex.
This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand that there are 464 flats and houses in the Annadale complex and that the total rent and rate arrears—including past tenant arrears—at 31 January 1980 were £38,452.
Knockeden And Flush Park Housing Estate
asked the Secretary State for Northern Ireland when the refurbishing programme will commence in respect of the Knockeden and Flush Park housing estate; and if he will give the commencement and completion dates for the flats and houses schemes separately.
This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I shall be asking the chairman of the executive to write to the hon. Member.
Property (Disrepair Certificates)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many certificates of disrepair have been issued, respectively, by each district council in Northern Ireland since the inception of the Rent Order (Northern Ireland) 1978 to the end of 1979; and how many certicates have been withdrawn because property owners have discharged their responsibilities in respect of the repairs.
The information is as follows:
| Council | Number |
| Antrim | 2 |
| Ards | 2 |
| Armagh | 5 |
| Ballymena | 1 |
| Ballymoney | 1 |
| Banbridge | — |
| Belfast | 1,878 |
| Carrickfergus | 1 |
| Castlereagh | 8 |
| Coleraine | 7 |
| Cookstown | — |
| Craigavon | 20 |
| Down | — |
| Dungannon | 2 |
| Fermanagh | — |
| Larne | 19 |
| Limavady | — |
| Lisburn | 22 |
| Londonderry | — |
| Magherafelt | — |
| Moyle | — |
| Newry and Mourne | 4 |
| Newtonabbey | — |
| North Down | 90 |
| Omagh | — |
| Strabane | — |
Fair Employment Agency
asked the Secretary of Sttet for Northern Ireland whether the functions of the Fair Employment Agency extend to employment by area boards.
Yes.
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many non-salaried members are involved in the Fair Employment Agency in Northern Ireland; and what is the total amount of allowances, travelling expenses and subsistence payments from 1 September 1976 to the latest possible date.
At present the Fair Employment Agency has 10 non-salaried members.Allowances and travelling and subsistence expenses paid to non-salaried members of the agency during the period from 1 September 1976 to 8 February 1980 amounted to £11,822.
Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether applicants for vacancies at the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast, are appointed without the Eastern Health and Social Services Board considering their religious and political affiliations.
Yes. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 18 January.—[Vol. 976, c. 871.]
Adoption
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) on how many occasions an adoption placement committee has been convened by the health and social services area boards in Northern Ireland which has drawn one or more members from the same district as the child whose adoption was being decided;(2) if it is Government policy that adoption placement committees should not include social workers from the same district of a given health and social services board from which the child whose adoption is being decided comes.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Housing Executive
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the expenditure for maintenance on Northern Ireland Housing Executive property undertaken by private building contractors in Northern Ireland during the year 1978–79;
This is matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I shall ask the chairman of the executive to write to the hon. Member.
Iveagh Special Care School
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will site the Iveagh special care school in South Belfast when it is moved from its temporary location at Finagh, and not return it to its former location in West Belfast.
No. Iveagh school will return to its original purpose-built premises at Broadway, Belfast and alternative accommodation is being sought for the social services staff at present occuping the Broadway premises.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Rhodesia
asked the Lord Privy Seal what complaints have been made in the Election Council in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia about the presence of armed men at election campaign meetings; and what is the outcome of the Governor's investigation of those complaints.
No specific complaints about the presence of armed men at election meetings have been made at meetings of the Election Council. However, most parties have complained at intimidation and harassment which in some cases have prevented the holding of election meetings by the political leaders.
asked the Lord Privy Seal how voters in the common-roll elections in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia this month will know when the mobile polling booths are to be at particular locations.
Detailed schedules of the stops and order of stops to be made by mobile polling stations will be published by posters and other means well in advance of the elections.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if the perimeters of any of the ceasefire assembly points in Rhodesia were mined before occupation.
No.
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any proposals to withdraw the Commonwealth monitoring force from Rhodesia before polling day or before the election result is declared.
Decisions on the timing of the monitoring force's withdrawal will be taken in the light of developments. The Government will announce their intentions in due course.
asked the Lord Privy Seal what measures he proposes to take to ensure that Rhodesian forces and the guerrilla forces are kept apart after polling day.
The Government expect that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire agreement. Decisions on the future of the armed forces will be for the newly elected, independent Government. We are pursuing arrangements for the Patriotic Front forces in the assembly places.
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any proposals to ask the Commonwealth for a larger force to maintain the peace in Rhodesia during the period immediately after the election.
No. It was made clear at the Lancaster House conference that we would not provide a peacekeeping force.
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will now set a date for the withdrawal of (a) the Governor and (b) the monitoring force, from Rhodesia.
Not yet.
asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements exist for a party in the Rhodesian elections to substitute another candidate for one suspended or prevented from standing by the Governor.
The Governor does not have the power to prohibit a candidate from standing in the election. He may suspend a candidate from further participation in the election campaign. The provisions for substitution of candidates—designed to cover those put forward without their consent—and late nominations—enabling those detained by ZANU (PF) in Mozambique to stand in the elections—expired on 11 and 12 February respectively. No arrangements for substitution can, therefore, now be made.
asked the Lord Privy Seal how many cars belonging to ZANU (PF) have been stopped at the Rhodesian border on the orders of the Governor; and why.
Eight vehicles belonging to ZANU (PF) are waiting at the Mozambique border for customs clearance. Special arrangements have been made to facilitate the clearance of election material, including vehicles for the political parties. The vehicles will be able to enter Rhodesia as soon as these arrangements have been complied with.
asked the Lord Privy Seal what procedures are in force to prevent guerrillas from leaving the assembly areas in Rhodesia; how such departures are monitored; and at what stage they will be allowed to leave.
Any ZIPRA or ZANLA personnel leaving the assembly areas are in breach of the ceasefire agreement, and have been warned of this. The monitoring force reports any departure to the police and to the Patriotic Front commander at the assembly area. A roll call is held every morning. Arrangements for the final winding up of the assembly areas have not yet been made.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give the numbers of guerrillas in the assembly points at the start of the assembly period and at the latest available date.
On 5 January, the first day after the agreed deadline for the assembly process, approximately 17,700 members of the Patriotic Front forces had assembled. On the morning of 12 February the figure was 22,162.
asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements are being made for guerrillas in the assembly camps to vote; and whether their votes will be counted in their home areas.
Arrangements are being made for those members of the Patriotic Front forces in the assembly places to vote. Their votes will be counted at the provincial capital of the electoral district in which the given assembly place is located.
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, after the election result in Rhodesia is announced, the Governor will act in an analogous role to that of a constitutional monarch on behalf of Her Majesty or whether he will be enabled to play an active part in possible negotiations for a coalition Government.
The Governor will act in accordance with the relevant constitutional provisions.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied with the number of breaches of the ceasefire reported in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia by the Ceasefire Commission; how many reports of breaches of the ceasefire in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia he has now received; and what further steps the Governor is taking to enforce its terms.
The Ceasefire Commission considers allegations of ceasefire violations submitted by its members; it does not, as a body, report them. The Commission has so far reached a decision on 159 breaches of the ceasefire. The Governor has recently invited the ZIPRA and ZANLA military commanders to broadcast a further order to those of their forces which have not assembled to report immediately to the assembly places, and to those already assembled not to leave the assembly places.
asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps the Governor is taking to combat the increase in intimidation in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia during the build-up to the election.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the right hon. Member for Stepney and Poplar (Mr. Shore) on 13 February.—[Vol. 978, c. 1530.]
asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements have been made for Members of Parliament to observe the elections in Rhodesia.
The Government have invited a number of Members of both Houses of Parliament to observe the elections in Rhodesia. They are leaving this weekend. The members of the all-party group are as follows:Geoffrey Rippon (Leader).Lord Chelwood.John Concannon.Peter Emery.Lord Fortescue.Russell Johnston.Joan Lestor.Ted Rowlands.Ivor Stanbrook.Lord Underhill.
Chile
asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the sale of arms to Chile; and if he will make a statement.
I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford (Mr. Churchill) on 17 January.—[Vol. 976, c. 1875.]
Falkland Islands And Antarctica
asked the Lord Privy Seal what research and development is planned for fisheries and associated industries in the Falkland Islands and Antarctica.
The White Fish Authority has produced a report for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on fishing opportunities in the South-West Atlantic, particularly the waters around the Falkland Islands. It will be published soon. The British Antarctic Survey is engaged in extensive research on the marine living resources in the Antarctic.
Scientific Forum (Meeting)
asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) if he will make a statement on the meeting of the scientific forum, beginning on 18 February, in Hamburg, convened under the Helsinki agreement;
Latest cash limit (£'000) | |||||
| Vote 1 Overseas representation: diplomatic and consular services. | 145,831 | Due to the continuing strength of sterling and increased passport receipts. | |||
| Vote 3 BBC: external services | … | … | 42,176 | Correction made for arithmetical error in previous calculation but the planned level of activity remains unchanged. | |
| Vote 4 British Council | … | … | … | 28,924 | |
| Vote 5 Foreign and Commonwealth Services. | 16,999 | Deferment of payment originally scheduled for current year. | |||
Energy
Gas Prices
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, following the proposed gas price increases, all gas
such as Professor A. Sakharov and Mr. Y. Orlov. in contravention of the human rights provisions of the Helsinki agreement.
Regarding the question of human rights, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Inverness (Mr. Johnston) on 29 January. The United Kingdom has, of course, discussed the forum with its partners in the Nine and in NATO in the context of its general approach to the CSCE process. Western reprsentation in Hamburg will be by leading personalities in science and will be non-governmental. The United Kingdom scientists attending the forum are listed below. The cost of the forum, as of all other CSCE meetings, to Her Majesty's Government will amount to 8·8 per cent. of the total expenditure incurred by the host Government, together with the travel and other expenses of the United Kingdom delegation.
United Kingdom Scientists Attending the CSCE Scientific Forum
Delegation Leader: Lord Todd, OM, FRS.
Deputy Leader: Sir Ieuan Maddock, CB, OBE, FRS.
Professor John Goodwin, MD, FRCP.
Professor Peter Hall, MA, PhD, FRGS.
Sir William Hawthorne, CBE, FRS.
Sir William Henderson, FRS.
Dr. Michael Stoker, CBE, MD, FRP, FRS.
Mr. Keith Wheeler, BSc, FRGS.
Cash Limits
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any changes have occurred in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office cash limits for 1979–80.
The cash limits published in Cmnd. 7604 have been revised as follows:prices throughout the United Kingdom will be based on a common tariff and regional variations will be abolished immediately.
The setting of tariffs in Great Britain is a matter for the British Gas Corporation. I shall ask the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.
Algardi Bust
asked the Attorney-General whether he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions the circumstances of the acquisition at auction of the bust of Algardi by three art dealers, and its proposed sale to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, with a view to prosecution under the Auction (Bidding Agreements) Act 1927.
No complaint has been made to me nor have I yet received any information which would justify my referring the matter to the Director. If the hon. Member has any which he would like me to consider I shall be pleased to receive it.
Social Services
Nursing Qualifications (European Community Directive)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the cost of the implementation of the European Economic Community directive on the harmonisation of nursing qualifications; and how many extra teaching courses, in, for example, English language, have had to be established.
It is not possible to identify a figure which can be described as the direct costs of implementing the directives, but I have no reason to believe that these costs will be significant. However, in deciding the planned level of expenditure within the National Health Service the directives are one factor which the health authorities will have taken into account. No information is collected centrally about these direct costs or concerning the number of training courses, including courses in English language.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many extra European Economic Community nationals must be employed in National Health Service hospitals to bring the present staff complement up to the level of the directive on harmonisation of nursing qualifications.
EEC directive—number 77/453/EEC—is concerned with the framework of common training necessary to secure freedom of movement in the community for the registered general nurse. This directive does not deal with hospital staffing complements and so the question of employing EEC nationals does not arise.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the effect on National Health Service staffing levels of the implementation of the European Economic Community directive on recognition of nursing qualifications; and how many European Economic Community nationals have been employed since it became law.
I understand from the General Nursing Council for England and Wales, which is the competent authority responsible for implementing the directives, that since June 1979 12 general nurses from EEC member states have been admitted to the register. It is not known how many of these nurses have found employment in the National Health Service. In any case recognition by the GNC does not guarantee employment in the NHS as employing authorities are free to select the most suitable candidate for any particular post.
Benefits
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in the light of the fact that a man with a wife and a mistress and 22 children is currently drawing £150 a week in social benefits, he is satisfied with the operation of the social security system.
If, exceptionally, a man claiming supplementary benefit has a wife and a mistress, both of whom have children by him, either the wife or the common law wife will normally live in a separate household. In such a situation, the woman with whom the man is not living is required to claim separately and her benefit is assessed and paid separately. I am not aware of any case where a man is himself drawing benefit of £150 for two families.
Nurses
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the number of hospital nurses per 1,000 population in the Greater Manchester region in the years 1977, 1978 and 1979; and how this compares with England and Wales over the same period;(2) what was the number of hospital nurses per 1,000 population in the Yorkshire region for the years 1978 and 1979; and how this compares with the numbers for England and Wales over the same period.
The information requested will take some time to collect and I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Benefits (Payment)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received regarding
| Year | Estimated Income | Estimated Expenditure | Estimated Surplus/Deficit | ||||
| 1979 | … | … | … | … | 12,047,000 | 12,691,000 | -644,000 |
| 1980 | … | … | … | … | 17,045,000 | 19,065,000 | -2,020,000 |
asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of driving examiners in Dundee in November 1979 and at the latest available date; how many new examiners have been recruited since November 1979 and are under training; and what other action has been taken to reduce the waiting lists.
There were five examiners at Dundee in November 1979. This has temporarly dropped to four, but a further examiner is due to take up post in March. Seventy-eight new examiners have been recruited nationally since 1 November 1979, of whom 26 are still under training.The key to reducing delays is to recruit sufficient examiners to meet the current demand for tests and clear the accumu-
the proposal to change the arrangements for paying social security benefits.
I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. McKay) on 14 February.
Transport
Driving Tests
asked the Minister of Transport what was the surplus income from driving test fees during 1979; and what is the estimated expenditure on driving test services during 1980, assuming that the driving test fee will be increases as proposed from £7·30 to £10·30.
Final figures for 1979 are not yet available, but the estimated income and expenditure for learner driving tests in 1979 and 1980 is as follows:lated backlog. There is already some improvement; the waiting time at Dundee is now 22 weeks compared with 26 weeks in November 1979.
asked the Minister of Transport what was the pass rate at the Dundee driving licence examination centre for 1979, in the following categories (a) males passing first time, (b) females passing first time, (c) males passing second time and (d) females passing second time.
This information is not available.The overall pass rate for L-test candidates at Dundee in 1979 was 46·5 per cent.Periodic surveys indicate that the national average pass rate for men taking their first test is about 48 per cent. and for women 34 per cent.
Seat Belts
asked the Minister of Transport, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West on 28 January regarding seat belt tests, if the two recent Transport and Road Research Laboratory studies investigated the quality and effectiveness of all brands of seat belts; and, if so, whether more tests will be made of the brand involved in the recently reported accident a month ago when a man wearing a seat belt was thrown through the car window in a crash and killed.
:The Transport and Road Research Laboratory report No. 811 concerned the effectiveness of seat belts in general and the accident sample on which it is based covered a wide cross-section of belts in use. TRRL report No. 882 was concerned solely with aspects of the performance of particular models.We are still evaluating the implications of what happened in the accident referred to.
Environment
Derelict Land (Exhibition)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to derelict land to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
I understand that arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for such an exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 18 to Friday 22 February.
"Aeolian Sky" (Wreckage)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he has undertaken to identify and dispose of the highly dangerous chemicals being washed ashore on the South Coast from the wreck of the "Aeolian Sky".
Identification and disposal of these chemicals is being undertaken by the local authorities concerned in accordance with their contingency plans for such incidents.Advice is available to them from the Chemical Industries' Association's "Chemsafe" scheme, and the Harwell hazardous materials service as well as from Government Departments. The authorities have been given details of the cargo from the dangerous goods manifest and the general cargo manifest is being checked for further information.
Housing Investment Programmes
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment by which date he intends to announce the housing in- vestment programme allocation for the city of Manchester for the year 1980–81.
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now announce the block allocation for the financial year 1980–81 to local authorities to cover new housing, improvement grants, housing associations and other related district council housing functions; and if he will make a statement.
Housing investment programme allocations will be made as soon as this is possible.
National Tenants Organisation
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial and other help his Department has given to the National Tenants Organisation in 1977, 1978 and 1979; and what help he intends to give to the National Tenants Organisation during the current year.
No financial or other help has been given by my Department to this organisation. My Department has explained to the National Tenants Organisation that current expenditure constraints preclude financial assistance.
Urban Development Corporations
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what salaries will be payable to the chairman of the proposed urban development corporations.
The salary for the London chairman will be £12,000 per annum, and for the Merseyside chairman £9,000 per annum. These salaries are calculated with reference to national scales appropriate to public appointments of this nature and take account of the fact that both chairmen will, in fact, be working for two days a week. Now that the House has agreed the Second Reading of the Local Government, Planning and Land (No. 2) Bill, the salaries and other shadow UDC expenses will be met from my Department's Administratioin Vote.
Cash Limits
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether further changes are being made to the cash limits set for his Department since those announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Cmnd. 7604.
[pursuant to his reply 8 February 1980, c.367–68]: My reply should have said that the resultant cash limit for Vote VIII, 7 is £101·435 million.
Scotland
Household Survey
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the latest available information on tenure by length of residence of head of household in Scotland, as prepared for the general household survey;
I refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Robertson) on 4 February.—[Vol. 978, c. 95–96.]
Borders Regional Council
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of headquarters administrative staff were employed by the Borders regional council during each of the last five years.
I do not possess this information.
Dundee
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when next he intends to visit Dundee to discuss with representatives of the trade union movement the problems of dealing with unemployment in the city.
My right hon. Friend has no present plans to visit Dundee, but he and I are fully aware of the city's employment difficulties. Our confirmation of the city's special development area status and the SDA's initiatives in the area will enhance its attractive- ness to potential investors, but a reduction in unemployment here, as elsewhere, can only be achieved on the basis of the sound and prosperous economy which our policies are directed to create.
Scottish Economy
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the growth rate in the Scottish economy in the coming year.
The official forecasts published in December 1979 under the terms of the Industry Act 1975 suggested that the United Kingdom gross domestic product might fall by 2 per cent. in 1980: this reflected both difficult world conditions and the competitive position of the United Kingdom. In such circumstances a fall in Scottish output would also seem likely over this period.
Adult Literacy
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which regions in Scotland run an adult literacy scheme; which have since discontinued the scheme; and at what date.
All the regional councils established adult literacy schemes in 1976, and these schemes are still in operation.
Remploy Ltd, Dundee
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many are employed by Remploy Ltd., in Dundee; and how many vacancies exist.
Remploy Ltd. currently employs 130 workers at its Dundee factory. There are no vacancies at present.
Disabled Persons, Dundee
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number and percentage unemployment rate of disabled registered in Dundee; and what is that rate expressed as a percentage of Dundee's percentage unemployment rate.
On 10 January 1980, 293 registered disabled people were also registered as unemployed in the Dundee employment office area—11·4 per cent. of the total number of registered disabled people in the area at April 1979 and 3·1 per cent. of the total number of people registered as unemployed in Dundee on 10 January 1980.
Home Department
Harmonsworth Detention Centre
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of people at present detained in the Harmonsworth detention centre; and for what period of time each person has been detained.
A total of 49 people were detained at Harmonsworth during the night of 7–8 February 1980. Their dates of admission are as follows:
| Date of Admission 1980 | No. of people |
| 5 January | 2 |
| 6 January | 2 |
| 13 January | 1 |
| 14 January | 1 |
| 26 January | 2 |
| 27 January | 2 |
| 31 January | 1 |
| 1 February | 1 |
| 2 February | 2 |
| 7 February | 35 |
| Total | 49 |
Nationality And Citizenship
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British nationality are under consideration by his Department on 1 February.
47,833.
Immigrants (Marriages Of Convenience)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many males who have entered the United Kingdom with a limited right of entry for the purpose of marriage have, thereafter, been deported on the ground that the marriage was one of convenience, expressed both numerically and as a percentage of the total number of males who so entered.
The only readily available information is that up to 30 September 1979, 472 applications to remain on the basis of marriage were refused under the changes in the rules introduced on 22 March 1977. Information relating to the numbers subsequently deported is not readily available. 15,757 men were allowed to remain during the same period, a rate of refusal of 2·9 per cent. The number who entered as fiances was 6,052 but the refusals did not necessarily relate to applications for further stay from them.
Prison Officers
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officer class civil servants have died in service during the last 10 years.
In England and Wales, 360.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what grade in the Civil Service the pay of prison officer is aligned.
The report of the Committee on Remuneration and Conditions of Service of Certain Grades in the Prison Services—Cmnd. 544—which was presented by Mr. Justice Wynn-Parry in 1958 recommended that movements in the pay of prison officer grades should be linked to the movements of pay of other civil servants in pay ranges similar to those for the officer grades. With the agreement of the Prison Officers Association the pay of the following civil service grades is taken into account for this purpose:—Clerical officer.Executive officer.Higher executive officer.Professional and technology officer grade II.Professional and technology officer grade III.Professional and technology officer grade IV.Scientific officer.Higher scientific officer.
Illegal Immigrants And Overstayers (Birmingham)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of detention in Winson Green prison, Birmingham, of suspected illegal immigrants or overstayers before a decision is reached on the merits of their case.
I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate expense.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many residents in the city of Birmingham have been detained or removed from the United Kingdom as illegal immigrants or overstayers in the last five years.
Information in this respect is not recorded by reference to locality.
Language Schools
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute a study into the operation of language schools with a view to monitoring the extent to which they are used as a means of entry prior to illegal staying.
Inquiries are made whenever there are grounds for suspecting that any educational establishment may be engaged in deliberately facilitating the admission of bogus students, and the immigration rules provide for appropriate checks to be made on the bona fides of individuals applying to enter or remain as students. The proposals in Cmnd. 7750 will make it easier to prevent short educational courses from being used to prolong stay indefinitely.
Parliamentary Boundaries (Birmingham)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the review of parliamentary boundaries in Birmingham to commence.
I understand that the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England is unlikely to publish its provisional recommendations for constituencies in Birmingham before the end of the year.
Firearms Certificates
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has issued to chief constables regarding the format of forms issued by them for the purpose of enabling applications to be made for the grant, renewal or variation of firearms certificates.
The Firearms Rules 1969 prescribe the form in which applications must be made. Advice has been given from time to time on the content of explanatory notes which are not part of the prescribed form.
King Hussein Of Jordan
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the number of visits made to Great Britain by King Hussein of Jordan, and the purpose of the visits.
Because it is not the practice to make public records of the movements of individuals unless there is some strong public interest overriding the entitlement of the indivdual to privacy.
Detained Persons
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) black and (b) white persons were, respectively, stopped and searched and later detained under (i) the drugs laws and (ii) the laws relating to being a suspected person, and so on, in each of the last five years.
I shall publish the available information in the Official Report as soon as possible.
Remand Centres
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to provide a new remand centre in North-West England; and if he will make a statement.
There are no such plans at present but I am reviewing the current prison building programme in the light of the May committee's recommendations.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted young persons, male and female, are serving the whole or part of their sentence in Risley remand centre.
On 31 January 1980 there were 18 young persons—15 males, 3 females—serving sentences of imprisonment in Risley remand centre. In addition there were 27 young persons—24 males, 3 females—sentenced to borstal training who were awaiting allocation to a training borstal.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he has had with the Risley branch of the Prison Officers Association and other appropriate trades unions about reducing on a permanent basis the number of males aged 17 years and over remanded to Risley remand centre;(2) which courts, which at present remand males over 17 years to Risley remand centre, he intends to instruct to send their remand cases to prison establishments other than Risley; and to which establishments such cases will be sent.
One option for affording permanent relief to Risley remand centre is the transfer of responsibility for serving the Greater Manchester courts from Risley to Manchester prison. This is being discussed with the Risley and Manchester branches of the Prison Officers Association and other staff associations affected will also be consulted. The stage of considering directions to courts has not been reached.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the reduction in staff, prison officers and auxiliaries, arising from his decision to reduce on a permanent basis the number of males aged 17 years and over remanded to Risley remand centre.
It is too early yet to say what the effect of a reduction in the male population at Risley remand centre would have on the complement for prison officers and prison auxiliaries. The planning of measures needed to achieve a reduction in population are still in progress. Discussions with the Prison Officers Association involving possible redeployment of prison officer grades are continuing.
"Protect And Survive"
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the document "Protect and Survive" lodged in the Library is not available to the public; why it may not be photographed or removed; how many copies are in circulation; and by whom they are held.
The reasons for its limited availability to date are given in the Home Office circular ES 9/76 lodged with the booklet. A total of 2,250 copies of the booklet were printed; most of these were distributed to Government Departments, local authorities, chief constables and chief fire officers. The question of making the booklet more widely available is one of the matters being examined in the current review of home defence arrangements.
Steel Industry Dispute (Pickets)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pickets have been sentenced to periods of imprisonment since the beginning of the steel strike.
The information requested is not available centrally.
National Tenants Organisation
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce his decision on the application from the National Tenants Organisation for three years' funding; and if he will take steps to ensure the organisation's survival.
The National Tenants Organisation was informed on 11 February that it was not eligible for financial assistance from the Voluntary Services Unit.
Nuclear Shelters
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the per capita unit cost of the provision of a nuclear shelter; how many people could be provided for; and which people would be given cover.
Costs would vary according to size, material, mode of construction and situation. Limited research on a reinforced concrete shelter, fully sunk, for a family of six, indicates an order of cost of £1,000 per head. That cost might be lower for a range of possible improvisations or for larger designs for public use. The question of shelter provision is being examined in my current review of home defence arrangements.
Agriculture Fisheries And Food
Herring
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has that immature herring are being landed illegally as part of sprat catches; and what steps he proposes to stop such landings.
It is normally not possible for fishermen entirely to avoid catching herring when fishing for sprat but regular checks on sprat catches are carried out both in ports and at sea; there is no evidence of any widespread abuse.
Dairy Farming
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any evidence that farmers who have accepted Government grants to switch from dairy farming to other forms of farming, have returned to dairying after the agreed five-year period is over.
Under the provisions of the EEC dairy herd conversion scheme recipients of grant were required to give up marketing milk and milk products for a period of four years. In England, Wales and Scotland 175 producers in the scheme, representing approximately 3 per cent. of the total number who received approval, are known to have returned to dairying. No figure is available for Northern Ireland.
| Quotas (tonnes | Voyages undertaken | Vessels employed | ||||||||
| North Norway/Svalbard* | … | … | … | … | 48,500 | 75 | 33 | |||
| Faroe | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | 21,700 | 151 | 38 |
| Canada | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | 1,100 | 1 | 1 |
| International waters n the Northwest Atlantic | … | 1,800 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 73,100 | 227 | 72 | ||||||||
| * Fishing in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea has not been included | ||||||||||
"Aeolian Sky"
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish details of the information which his Department has provided for the fishermen of Mudeford, relating to their concern over claims for damage and pollution caused by the "Aeolian Sky".
Advice was given on the safeguards which it was suggested might be taken by the fisher-
Fishing Fleet
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is proposing to take to prevent the disappearance of the British distant water fishing fleet.
As my hon. Friend knows, we are in close consultation with all sections of the fishing industry about the case they have made for new measures to help them meet the problems they face.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of British distant water fishing vessels that can fish outside the 200-mile exclusive economic zone under agreement with third countries such as Norway, Iceland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Faroes, all traditional British fishing grounds.
During 1979 British distant water vessels were able to fish in third country waters as follows:men. In addition, my Department has advised the Mudeford and District Fishermen's Association of the name and address of the "Aeolian Sky's" owners, which are understood to be the Proteus Maritime Company, c/o Ocean Freighters, 153 Kolokotroni Street, Piraeus, Greece.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements his Department has made, in respect of the fishermen of Mudeford and elsewhere, for obtaining compensation for damage to their gear, or pollution of their catches, caused by canisters from the "Aeolian Sky"; and if he will make a statement.
It is the responsibility of fishermen themselves and not of my Department to claim compensation from the vessel owners in such cases. However, my district inspectors of fisheries are always willing to give informal advice to fishermen on the procedures to be followed in pursuing claims.
Potatoes
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has received from the National Farmers Union and the Potato Marketing Board for a revised potato regime; what estimate he has made of the effect of proposed changes of raw material costs to the processors of dehydrated and French fried products; and if he will make a statement.
The National Farmers Unions and the Potato Marketing Board made joint proposals in 1977 for a market stabilsation arrangement to operate in the United Kingdom within the context of an EEC regime for potatoes. No agreement has yet been reached in Brussels on a potatoes regime and my
| Inquiries into capital expenditure and stocks:— | |||||||||||
| Wholesaling | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Annual | |
| Property | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Annual |
| Catering | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Annual |
| Road transport and other services | … | … | … | … | … | … | Annual | ||||
| Film exhibitors | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Annual | |
| Retailing inquiry (turnover, purchases etc.) | … | … | … | … | … | Annual | |||||
| Insurance companies and private pension funds assets and financial transactions | Annual and quarterly | ||||||||||
| Retail sales, stocks, HP, TV rental and relay | … | … | … | … | … | Monthly | |||||
| Finance houses and check trading | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Monthly | |||
| Finance houses assets and liabilities | … | … | … | … | … | … | Quarterly and annual | ||||
| Catering turnover | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Quarterly |
| Capital expenditure | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Quarterly |
| Investment intentions | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Four-monthly | |
| Consumer credit grantors | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Ad hoc | ||
| Wholesalers stocks | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Quarterly | |
| United Kingdom sea passenger movements inquiry | … | … | … | … | On arrival/departure | ||||||
| Computer services inquiry | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Quarterly | ||
| Overseas payments/receipts for film, TV material and programmes | … | … | Annual | ||||||||
| Earnings of United Kingdom insurance brokers on business written in overseas currency | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Quarterly |
| Overseas transactions | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | Annual/quarterly | ||
| Census of overseas assets and liabilities | … | … | … | … | … | … | Every 3 years | ||||
| Company liquidity (non-manufacturing) | … | … | … | … | … | … | Quarterly | ||||
| Company uses and sources of funds (non-manufacturing) | … | … | … | Quarterly | |||||||
Crude Oil And Gas
asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he has made any representations to the EEC Commission concerning the unfair trading situation which has arisen in liquid hydrocarbons and gases and feedstock for the chemical industry as a result of regulations imposed by the United States Government on the price of crude oil and gas, which has the effect of providing a considerable subsidy for United States' chemical products in European and world markets;
Department is continuing discussions with the interests concerned on the financial and practical implication of the NFU/ PMB proposals.
I am aware of the importance of the cost of raw materials to potato processors. Our marketing advisers will no doubt take account of this and all other relevant factors in their report on potatoes which we hope to receive in the fairly near future.
Trade
Departmental Surveys
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the statistical surveys at present operated by his Department.
The statistical inquiries, together with their frequencies, carried out by my Department in the distributive and service trades are as follows:
I am very aware of this problem. Formal discussions have already taken place between the EEC Commission and the United States authorities under article XXIII of the GATT on the question of synthetic textiles. I shall continue to monitor the situation carefully in respect of the chemical industry, and shall not hesitate to raise it in the EEC Council of Ministers should this appear to be necessary. The United States Government has annouuced its intention of phasing out controls on oil prices by September 1981 and on gas prices by 1985. The United States Government is aware of our view that these price controls provide sectors of United States industry with an unfair trading advantage.
Air Services (Licensing)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what savings in public funds he expects to result from the proposed changes under the Civil Aviation Bill to the Government's role in the licensing of air services.
The Bill does not change the Government's role in the licensing of air services, and therefore no savings in public funds are to be expected on that account.
European Community (Third Country Exports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in view of the Government's declared commitment to an effective multi-fibre arrangement, he will discuss with the other European Economic Community Trade Ministers the issue of licences relating to the volume of third country exports to the United Kingdom in order to permit free circulation above quotas in order to achieve an effective control and monitoring of all textile exports to the European Economic Community and the United Kingdom in particular.
Commission decision 80/47/EEC, adopted on 20 December 1979, allows the Commission to authorise a member State to continue to make imports of third country goods already in free circulation within the Community subject to the issue of an import licence where there is a danger that such imports could give rise to difficulties in the member State concerned. There are no plans for these new arrangements to be discussed by the EEC Council of Ministers.
Man-Made Fibres
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report a list showing which products imported from the European Economic Community enjoy a larger share of the United Kingdom market than the United States share of the United Kingdom market for man-made fibres.
To provide this information would entail undue cost.
Soviet-Registered Vessels
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the British ports at which Soviet-registered vessels made calls within the latest 12-month period for which figures are available, indicating the number of such calls during this period in each case.
The information for 1979 is as follows:
| Aberdeen | 11 |
| Ardrossan | 1 |
| Avonmouth | 30 |
| Ayr | 1 |
| Barry | 9 |
| Belfast | 40 |
| Blyth | 2 |
| Boston | 12 |
| Bristol | 3 |
| Burton on Stather | 1 |
| Cardiff | 21 |
| Creeksea | 22 |
| Dover | 2 |
| Dundee | 4 |
| Eastham | 10 |
| Ellesmere Port | 35 |
| Falmouth | 97 |
| Fawley | 9 |
| Felixstowe | 2 |
| Fowey | 16 |
| Garston | 23 |
| Glasgow | 4 |
| Goole | 43 |
| Grangemouth | 43 |
| Great Yarmouth | 5 |
| Greenock | 3 |
| Grimsby | 15 |
| Gunness | 34 |
| Hartlepool | 9 |
| Harwich | 1 |
| Heysham | 10 |
| Holyhead | 1 |
| Howendyke | 3 |
| Hull | 157 |
| Immingham | 48 |
| Inverness | 2 |
| Ipswich | 6 |
| Isle of Grain | 5 |
| Keadby | 5 |
| Kings Lynn | 29 |
| Kirkwall | 1 |
| Leith | 17 |
| Lerwick | 12 |
| Liverpool | 74 |
| London | 378 |
| Manchester | 10 |
| Margate | 1 |
| Mersey Bar | 3 |
| Methil | 3 |
| Milford Haven | 43 |
| Neaphouse | 5 |
| Newhaven | 8 |
| Newport | 31 |
| Nore Anchorage | 5 |
| Oakhamness | 6 |
| Plymouth | 10 |
| Portbury | 10 |
| Portsmouth | 10 |
| Preston | 11 |
| Rochester | 20 |
| Rochford | 1 |
| Runcorn | 3 |
| Saltend | 11 |
| Scapa Flow | 3 |
| Sharpness | 4 |
| Sheerness | 5 |
| Shellhaven | 3 |
| Shoreham | 36 |
| Southampton | 33 |
| Southend | 3 |
| Stanlow | 1 |
| Sunderland | 1 |
| Swansea | 10 |
| Tail of the Bank | 1 |
| Tees | 36 |
| Teignmouth | 1 |
| Torquay | 1 |
| Tyne | 19 |
| Warrenpoint | 1 |
| Whitstable | 1 |
Maritime Accidents
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the numbers of serious maritime accidents involving ships (a) registered in, (b) owned by and (c) with masters from, the following countries, for each of the last five years for which statistics are available: Greece, West Germany, the USA, Denmark, France, Holland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Sweden, Canada, the USSR, Spain and Portugal.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 February 1980]: The number of casualties to United Kingdom registered ships, excluding fishing vessels, involving total loss, constructive total loss, major damage, or any loss of life in the five years 1974–1978 were as follows:
| 1974 | 305 |
| 1975 | 239 |
| 1976 | 133 |
| 1977 | 46 |
| 1978 | 64 |
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list for each of the last five years the names of ships which have (a) been involved in serious collisions and (b) sunk in United Kingdom territorial waters, indicating (i) ownership, (ii) country of registration and (iii) nationality of master.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 February 1980): The names of United Kingdom registered ships, excluding fishing vessels, involved in serious collision or lost in United Kingdom territorial waters in the five years 1974–1978 are as follows:
| Serious Collisions (not involving loss) | Total Losses |
| 1974—Nil | 1974—3 |
| "Greta C" | |
| "Kaffir" | |
| "Medusa" | |
| 1975—1 | 1975—4 |
| "Masterman" | "Playfair Lady" |
| "Sinah" | |
| "Raylight" | |
| "Questing" | |
| 1976—1 | 1976—1 |
| "Instow" | "Wilmere" |
| 1977—Nil | 1977—Nil |
| 1978—Nil | 1978—7 |
| "Nova L" | |
| Leslie H" | |
| "Reseberry" | |
| "Margaret Smith" | |
| "Lee James" | |
| Gulliver" | |
| "Coastal Emperor" |
Strategic Metals
asked the Secretary of State for Trade which of the following metals or metal ores were imported from the Soviet Union in 1978 and 1979 and in approximately what quantities: titanium, zinc, nickel, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, chromium, platinum, antimony, copper, cobalt and uranium.
[pursuant to his reply, 7 February 1980, c. 299]: gave the following available information:
| I METAL, UNWROUGHT OR WROUGHT (AND ARTICLES THEREOF) | ||
| Tonnes | ||
| 1978 | 1979 | |
| Titanium | 118 | * |
| Nickel | 443 | 346 |
| Platinum | 0·05 | — |
| Copper | 100 | 28 |
| II. ORES AND CONCENTRATES | ||
| Tonnes | ||
| 1978 | 1979 | |
| Titanium | — | 175 |
| III. FERRO-ALLOYS | ||
| Tonnes | ||
| 1978 | 1979 | |
| Titanium | 261 | 18 |
| Chromium | 3,318† | 1,260† |
| Manganese | 517 | — |
| IV. OXIDES, HYDROXIDES, ASHES AND RESIDUES, ETC. (INCLUDING COMPOUNDS OF NATURAL AND ENRICHED URANIUM) | ||
| Tonnes | ||
| 1978 | 1979 | |
| Chromium | 192 | 500 |
| Uranium | — | 36 |
| * Details by individual country are currently not available for publication. | ||
| † Partial coverage only (details of ferro-silico chromium are not available for publication). | ||
| Details of natural uranium; unwrought chromium (other than chromium alloys containing more than 10 per cent. by weight of nickel) in 1979 only; and the ores and concentrates of platinum (including other platinum group metals and of silver), antimony and uranium (with a uranium content of more than 5 per cent. by weight) are not available for publication. These excepted, there were no other identifiable imports of these metals in the forms named from the Soviet Union in 1978 or 1979. | ||
Potatoes
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from the potato processors concerning alleged dumping of dehydrated potatoes from Canada and elsewhere; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.
There have been preliminary discussions between the industry and my Department on the possibility of an application to the European Commission for anti-dumping action against imports of Canadian dehydrated potato granules. We stand ready to give further help and advice in the preparation of an application.