asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had from Professor Peter Mittler of the Hester Adrian research centre further to their meeting on 3 March; what reply he has sent or will be sending with regard to the assurance asked for; and if he will make a statement.

Professor Mittler wrote to my right hon. and learned Friend on 17 March seeking an assurance that the Government had not changed their policy on special education since their meeting on 3 March and he is replying to Professor Mittler reassuring him on that point. As allowed for in their expenditure plans—Cmnd. 7841—the Government's policy is to maintain expenditure on special education at broadly its current level.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what basis he estimates that the completion of the work of the committee of inquiry into the education of children from ethnic minority groups will save £12,000 per annum.

Expenditure incurred by the committee in carrying out its work—including the travel and subsistence costs of members—is estimated to be £12,000 for each of the financial years 1979–80 to 1982–83. On submission of the committee's main report this expenditure will cease.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in which local education authority areas the needs of academically-able children are not fully provided for by the local authority and voluntary aided schools.

It would be misleading and unfair to local education authorities to attempt to categorise their areas in these terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what powers the Manpower Services Commission exercises in relation to the creation of permanent jobs either via the Special Programmes Division or the Disablement Resettlement Service or in other ways.

The Manpower Services Commission does not have powers to create permanent jobs, but, under the special programme it operates for the unemployed, provides work experience and training opportunities for unemployed young people and temporary jobs for the long-term unemployed. In addition, as agent of the Secretary of State for Employment, the MSC makes capital and revenue funds available under the Disabled Persons Employment Acts, 1944 and 1958 for the provision of sheltered employment in Remploy factories and in sheltered workshops and sheltered industrial groups run by local authorities and voluntary bodies. The employment and training services operated by the commission can also assist the Government's economic, industrial and regional policies, but while they help people into permanent employment they cannot of themselves create jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received asking him to launch an investigation into the alleged misuse of the "Grunwick" strike fund.

As my hon. Friend is aware, some hon. Members have shown interest in this subject; I am not, however, aware of any such representations having as yet been directed to my Department by any member of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to increase the grants and allowances which are available under the employment transfer scheme and the job search scheme.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the grants and allowances available under the employment transfer and job search

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current youth employment rate at local employment offices serving the Wythenshawe constitutency of Manchester.

The information asked for is not available. Information on the age of those in employment is available from the biennial labour force survey at the national and regional level, but not for smaller areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places he estimates will be lost on the preparatory

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it does not expect that the cuts in expenditure will lead to any reduction in the provision of TOPS preparatory courses in this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what studies are being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive as regards the safety of liquefied natural gas tankers discharging at British ports; whether steps are being taken to ensure that no liquefied natural gas tanker of the kind recently found to have developed design faults is allowed to discharge at any British port or to be brought to Canvey Island for testing; and what instructions have been issued to ensure that no risks are taken by allowing such vessels into British coastal waters.

I am consulting my colleagues in the Departments of Transport and Trade who have an interest in the matter and I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what study his Department has made of the effect of the community industry programme in helping handicapped and other disadvantaged young people in Manchester; if consideration is being given to increasing the number of places available; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking to ensure that Manchester will secure the proposed new skillcentre at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that no decision has yet been taken on the proposed new skillcentre in Mancheser. It accepted in January that the skillcentre network should be rationalised and improved, but is still considering the various proposals relating to existing and proposed centres in the light of consultations with regional and local interests. The commission will take its decisions in April.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ask the Health and Safety Commission to hold a public inquiry into the fire and explosions at the warehouse of Permaflex Ltd., Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, in view of the widespread public concern and dissatisfaction which continues to be expressed.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make available in the Library a copy of the Hay report, commissioned by the Clegg Commission, on the medical profession.

Work undertaken by consultants for the commission is confidential to the commission. Copies of the commission's report on the professions supplementary to medicine—to which I assume the hon. Member is referring—were placed in the Library of the House on 10 March 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the presence of radon gas at South Crofty tin mine, Cornwall, on the investigations that have been carried out and on any interim findings and recommendations.

[pursuant to his reply, 27 March 1980, c. 532]: The Mines and Quarries Inspectorate is aware of the problem of concentrations of radon and its daughter products at South Crofty tin mine and has advised the mine management and workpeople on steps to reduce the concentrations. Much work has been done to improve the situation in the mine.Between 20 and 24 March 1980 a joint survey by the South Crofty mine ventilation officer and specialists from the Camborne School of Mines showed that about one-third of the measurements taken gave indications of levels which, if maintained throughout the year, would moderately exceed the upper exposure level recommended by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) of 4 WLM—working level months—per year. The current Euratom directive on radiological protection specifies an upper exposure level equivalent to 40 WLM per year; this directive is under review. The Health and Safety Executive has recommended that the exposure levels should be kept as low as practicable and should not exceed those recommended by the NRPB (4 WLM per year). Work to improve the ventilation at the mine is proceeding to achieve this end.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will estimate the value of British private sector investment in the developing world at 31 December 1978.

The latest available information is for 1974, when the book value of British net direct investment in developing countries was around £2,400 million. This excludes investments in oil, insurance and banking for which figures are not available. Figures for 1978 should be available later this year.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish a Green Paper indicating the general response of the Government to the Brandt Commission report and invite comment from interested bodies.

The Brandt Commission was an independent body which presented its report to the United Nations Secretary-General. We should wish to complete our study of the report before deciding what response we should make. But we have already given our preliminary views both here and in another place.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he proposes to take, in conjunction with his European Economic Community colleagues, to implement recommendations of the Brandt Commission regarding overseas aid.

We have yet to form any final view. Within the Community substantial and increasing contributions to help developing countries are being made through the European development fund and the other Community aid programmes. Our economic circumstances preclude the possibility of an early increase in our aid programme.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take an initiative, together with the other European Economic Community countries and the Commonwealth, to implement recommendations of the Brandt Commission report.

We should wish to complete our study of the report before deciding what response we should make. We shall undoubtedly be discussing the report in the course of our normal exchanges with our Community and Commonwealth partners.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what proportion of overseas aid will be allocated to multilateral agencies and to continuing capital development projects, respectively, for 1980–81 and 1981–82.

Provision for multilateral aid in the Supply Estimates for 1980–81 amounts to just over 27 per cent. of the gross aid programme, but the eventual proportion could be somewhat higher. Because of inherited commitments the share in 1981–82 is likely to increase. Bilateral aid including continuing capital development projects will absorb a smaller share than at present.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make assistance available to Kwa Zulu, in particular for educational purposes.

Last November we began a small programme of educational assistance to black South Africans in general, including people from Kwa Zulu. Officials are currently considering detailed proposals for the 1980–81 programme which will be directed mainly at English language, mathematics and community development training.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the European development fund is delaying seven million European units of account for the permanent site of the university of Juba, following its first agreement in principle in 1977.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Lambeth, Central (Mr. Tilley) on 28 March.—[Vol. 981, c. 692.]

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement regarding future aid to Zambia.

As my hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Gentleman's question of 13 February—[Vol. 978, c. 1528–29]—a £10 million agricultural project loan to Zambia was signed on 24 January. Other substantial aid to Zambia pledged in the past has still to be spent. My hon. Friend has no further statement to make at present.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what grants his Department makes to Christian Aid; and for what purposes.

£200.000 was allocated to Christian Aid under the joint funding scheme in the year 1979–80, for grants towards the cost of specified development projects in developing countries, principally in the fields of health, agriculture and non-formal education.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what discussions he has had with the Turkish Government regarding financial and other assistance.

We have been in close touch with the Turkish Government in recent weeks about Turkey's economic situation. The main international effort to help Turkey is being coordinated in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, whose pledging meeting in Paris on 26 March adjourned to 15 April.The British Government are ready to take part in this international effort by providing a further programme aid loan in addition to the £15 million loan agreed in 1979, by participating in further negotiations for the rescheduling of Turkey's official debts and by discussing with our Community partners what further assistance the European Community might give.

asked the Attorney General how many cases were brought in small claims courts in 1979; what was the approximate average charge made by the court; whether any estimate can be made of the court charge as a proportion of the sum recovered; and whether he is satisfied with the working of these courts and with the present limit of their jurisdiction.

In 1978, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,692,211 proceedings were commenced in the county courts, of which 11,842 resulted in judgments following arbitration before a registrar—which is often called the small claims court.A fee is taken on the issue of a county court summons based on the amount claimed; the current fee is 10p for every £1 claimed, subject to a minimum of £2·50 and a maximum of £24. The approximate average fee taken in 1978 was £9·50. No estimate can be given of the average charge made by the court as a proportion of the sum recovered.Following the National Consumer Council report "Simple Justice", proposals are currently under consideration for further improvement and extension of the arrangements for arbitration in county courts.

asked the Attorney-General if he plans to publish a White Paper outlining the Government's proposals to reform the law of contempt of court.

The Lord Chancellor intends to announce the Government's proposals in another place in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that, in the operation of the retail commitment for the footwear industry, the obligations given to the Price Commission have been met.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in the light of the report on the operation of the retail commitment for the footwear industry, he is satisfied that the obligations given to the Price Commission have been met.

The Price Commission is not responsible for monitoring the retail commitment. Following the Commission's report in 1978, certain footwear distributors gave assurances to the previous Secretary of State that they would adhere to the Retail Commitment and that they would support the establishment of machinery to monitor compliance with that Commitment. The Footwear Industry Economic Development Committee plays an active part in supervising the Commitment.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action is proposed by his Department to increase the prospects for free and fair trading in footwear.

I am very much aware of the difficulties facing the footwear industry in competing for export markets. My Department is continually working, both bilaterally and through the EEC Commission, to seek a reduction in the barriers to our exports. My right hon. Friend raised the issue during his recent visit to South Korea and will continue to do so as opportunity arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report details of applications made in the last six months by the British footwear manufacturing industry for the imposition of anti-dumping duties; and what were the results of each application.

There have been no applications from the British footwear manufacturing industry for the imposition of anti-dumping duties during the past six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the countries which exercise restraints on the imports of footwear and house footwear.

Virtually all countries outside the European Community and EFTA maintain tariffs on imports of footwear and many impose quantitative restrictions as well. On the other hand, over a quarter of our footwear imports are subject to some form of restraint.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what effect any United Kingdom Government or European Economic Community representations have had on the restrictions imposed on the import of footwear into Canada; and what restrictions now exist.

We believe that the representations made by the European Community influenced the Canadian Government to grant some concessionary access for certain specialised types of footwear. The Canadian global footwear quota is administered on a non-discriminatory basis at 32·5 million pairs per year and is due to expire at the end of November 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take action to strengthen the trading prospects of the United Kingdom footwear industry.

I press continuously, both bilaterally and through the EEC Commission, for the reduction of barriers against United Kingdom exports of footwear. There are a number of restrictions on imports from low-cost sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to receive the report of the European Commission into the dumping of cross-ply and fabric-braced radial car tyres on the European Economic Community market.

I understand that the Commission is in the final stages of its work and expects to announce the outcome shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when next he intends to meet the European Economic Community Trade Commissioner.

My right hon. Friend or I normally meet the Commissioner responsible for external affairs, including trade, at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. The next meeting of this Council will be on 21–22 April and either my right hon. Friend or I expect to attend if trade matters are on the agenda.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what raw materials, excluding food, the United Kingdom imports from other members of the European Economic Community; and what per centage these form of total raw material imports, excluding food.

Imports consigned from the Community accounted for 17 per cent. of total imports of raw materials in 1979. With permission I will circulate the remaining information in the Official Report. The raw materials of which the highest proportion of our imports come from other members of the European Community are animal and vegetable oils and fats, crude and processed, other crude vegetable and animal materials and synthetic rubber.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give his estimate of the growth of exports of manufactured goods as compared with the import of such goods in the coming year.

No. I prefer not to make such estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his policy on future quotas in respect of American carpet imports.

The EEC Commission rejected our application for a quota but recognises the need for safeguard action should present import trends continue and cause damage to our industry. I shall continue to monitor the situation very closely in the light of this undertaking.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he plans to make a further statement on metrication.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he plans to make a further statement on metrication.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Faversham (Mr. Moate) on 14 November 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the latest estimate of the likely trade deficit with the European Economic Community in manufactured goods and other goods and services, respectively, for 1979–80 and 1980–81.

Official forecasts of this kind are not available. The latest available data show crude deficits on our trade with the Community in 1979 of £2·7 billion for manufactures and £0·3 billion for other goods, and a balance of payments deficit for services, which includes substantial Government military expenditure overseas, of £0·1 billion in 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in the light of the Brandt Commission report, he will review tariff and other trade barriers against developing countries.

The Government are examining the report of the Brandt Commission with great care but have reached no conclusions upon it. General reductions in barriers to trade and special and favourable treatment for developing countries were agreed in the recent multilateral trade negotiations and a review of the longer term structure of the European Community's generalised system of preferences after 1980 is already under way.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied with the working of the international consensus on interest rates for export credit.

There is room for improvement but I am satisfied that the consensus is performing a valuable function in limiting self-defeating and wasteful competition over credit terms in international trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what evidence he has that British manufacturers are being subjected to unfair competition from their foreign competitors, both in the domestic and export markets.

I am very ready to take up cases where evidence of unfair trading practices can be produced.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade it he has any plans to meet representatives of the insurance companies in the near future.

I have no present plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the current level of price inflation.

The retail price index increased by 19·1 per cent. in the 12 months to February.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that the meaures so far taken by the Commission of the European Communities adequately protect British industries from foreign dumping.

Yes. My right hon. Friend and I visited Brussels last year to impress on Commission officials the importance we attach to the efficient opera- tion of anti-dumping procedures. We were given evidence that the Commission are very conscious of the need to defend a Community industry quickly and effectively where anti-dumping or countervailing action is justified, and we received assurances that they would continue to do so.My Department retains an anti-dumping unit to advise and help United Kingdom industry in the preparation of its cases, and I have also issued a booklet to given guidance to British industry on the procedures to be followed in putting up cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what were the volumes of imports from Comecon countries in 1970 and 1979 of the following types of vehicles (a) passenger cars and estates, (b) four wheel drive vehicles and (c) commercial vehicles.

The available information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what information he has about the profitability or otherwise of municipal airports; and if he will place in the Library details of the accounts of each which are available to him.

I refer my hon. Friend to the publication of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy entitled "Accounts and Statistics of Local Authority Airports 1978/79 and 1979/80 (estimated)" a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what bulk chemicals are used in the manufacture of man-made fibres; and to what extent these chemicals are on offer from the United States of America at a landed price, including duty, which is less than the price at which the same chemicals are available in the United States of America.

The chief bulk chemicals used in man-made fibre manufacture are:

• Nylon 6—Caprollactam,
• Nylon 66—Cyclohexane, Ammonia, Hydrogen,
• Polyester—Ethylene Glycol, Terephthalic Acid,
• Acrylic—Acrylonitrile.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how much sperm whale oil, by weight and by declared

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the practice of certain major oil companies in terminating, or threatening to terminate, tenancies of petrol stations in order that they can run these stations as company-owned and managed operations.

Monopoly references are normally made by the Director General of Fair Trading. The 1979 report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission considered the effects of company ownership of retail sites and concluded that the 1977 level of company-owned sites, whether directly managed, tenanted, or licensed, did not operate against the public interest and that there was no specific evidence that managed outlets were used aggressively or unfairly in local competition. As the Commission suggested, the Director General is keeping

Details of imports of sperm oil in these years were given to my hon. Friend on 14 June in my reply to two previous questions on this subject [Official Report, Vol. 968, c. 297.] The countries of origin of imports of 50 tonnes or more of oil in 1977 were Australia, the Netherlands and Norway and in 1978 Australia and Norway.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the total value of seal skins imported to the United Kingdom in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures in each of the previous five years.

Information is available only from 1976 onwards and is as follows:the level of company ownership under review. In the light of this review the Director General will decide whether or not a further reference is justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will refer the common price fixing agreements of building societies to the Monopolies Commission.

No. References to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission are normally made by the Director General of Fair Trading. I understand that he has no current plans to make a reference of the building societies' agreement on interest rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action his Department is proposing to take with regard to banning the import of products from the culling of baby seals.

None. An import ban would be inappropriate but consumers should be given the opportunity of deciding for themselves whether or not to purchase goods made from seal skin. As a result of the deep and widespread concern within Parliament, which has been endorsed by the volume of letters received by my Department on the subject of baby seals, I and my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade have decided that consumers do need this information.I intend, subject to the necessary statutory consultation and notices, to use my powers under sections 8 and 9 of the Trade Descriptions Act to require all such goods offered for sale to indicate that they are made from seal skin and where the skins come from. I propose to publish a draft order, and as a matter or urgency to

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what measures he intends to propose to the Council of Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation to ensure the more effective enforcement of both anti-pollution and supply measures agreed by the organisation and accepted by member countries.

The ratification, implementation and enforcement of the various marine safety and pollution prevention conventions developed under the auspices of IMCO are primarily matters for individual governments. We shall continue to do what we reasonably can nationally to secure early and effective implementation of those conventions and, both

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is his Department's estimate of the number of people living within the 95 PNdB noise contours around Heathrow in respect of the following aircraft: Concorde, Boeing 707, Boeing 737, Tristar, A300 Airbus, Boeing 757 and Boeing 767.

The following table shows the estimated populations living within the 95 PNdB contours around Heathrow for six of these aircraft. I regret that similar information in respect of Concorde is not available.inside and outside INCO, to urge others to do likewise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the operation of the Price Marketing (Food and Drink on the Premises) Order 1979; and if he will seek to discuss the matter with representatives of the hotel and catering industry at an early date.

I have received very few complaints about the order. I shall, of course, be glad to arrange for my officials to discuss with representatives of the hotel and catering industry any problems arising from the operation of the order.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Keighley of 25 March, if he is satisfied that the EEC-Romania bilateral agreement provides adequate protection against the import of cheap suits which are priced at a level which fails to cover the cost of materials for United Kingdom manufacturers.

The price clause in the EEC-Romania bilateral agreement provides an important supplement to the normal anti-dumping procedures in guarding against uneconomically priced imports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress has been made in investigating the complaint by the United Kingdom clothing industry lodged under the price clause of the Romanian multi-fibre arrangement agreement.

The European Commission is still considering the evidence presented by the United Kingdom and other member States.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the total value of trade between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the 12 months ended February 1980.

The provisional figure is £1,362 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many employees of his Department ensure that import quotas of textile goods are complied with; and how many prosecutions have been undertaken during 1979 and in the current year to the most recent practicable date for breaches of quotas.

Of the 75 staff referred to in the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for Consumer Affairs gave the hon. Member on 25 March [Vol. 981, c. 542], 66 are concerned with import licensing in respect of textile quotas. No prosecutions in relation to breaches of quotas have been undertaken by my Department during the period in question. Where offences in relation to importing occur, any question of prosecution would be a matter for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to prevent the United Kingdom clothing and textile industries from being disrupted by imports from countries which do no allow the United Kingdom open markets; and if he will make a statement.

Some developing countries maintain restrictions on trade for legitimate balance of payments and other reasons, and these restrictions are sanctioned under the GATT. But we are continually seeking, both bilaterally and through the European Community, to persuade the more advanced developing countries to reduce their barriers. Imports of clothing and textiles from these countries into the United Kingdom are already subject to strict controls under the multifibre arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the amount of finished manufactures imported in each month since June 1979; and what is the amount exported of finished manufactures each month since June 1979.

The information requested up to January 1980 is available in tables C1 and B1 of the February issue of the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, a copy of which is in the Library. Corresponding figures for February 1980 are imports £1,643 million and exports £1,814 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will list in the Official Report the number of new multi-fibre arrangement quotas negotiated in 1979; how many of these quotas were triggered in 1978; and if he will give full details of these; how many of these new quotas exceed the trigger level; if he will give full details of these; and if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in this matter;(2) why his Department permitted the EEC Commission at the request of third country suppliers to agree an increase in United Kingdom quotas under the multi-fibre arrangement in the following cases (

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if the EEC Commission is able to seek to negotiate reductions in quotas under the multi-fibre arrangement and, if so, if he will urge this action when next discussing the multi-fibre arrangement at a Council of Ministers meeting.

This would not be practicable and would be contrary to the Community's international obligations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the new standard on current cost accounting.

Her Majesty's Government have followed with close attention the work in the inflation accounting steering group under the chairmanship of Mr. D. S. Morpeth and in the accounting standards committee under the chairmanship of Mr. T. R. Watts, which has led to the adoption by the accountancy bodies of a statement of standard accounting practice on current cost accounting.We warmly welcome this standard and the progress it represents towards realistic financial reporting. We welcome in particular the fact that the standard will leave companies free to adopt current cost accounting for the statutory accounts prepared under the Companies Acts and will not require the current cost information to be merely supplementary to historical cost accounts.Her Majesty's Government note that SSAP 16 is addressed only to listed companies and large unlisted companies—excluding companies operating in certain specialised fields—and that the accounting standards committee envisages a period in which both current cost and historical cost accounting will be used by companies in a variety of modes. Her Majesty's Government also note the ASC's intention to issue guidance notes for small firms to adopt the standard on a voluntary basis, and endorse the encouragement thus to be given to such businesses to avail themselves of the advantages of CCA.Whilst recognising the need for a familiarisation period, the Government hope that this need not be unduly protracted and that, meanwhile, users of accounts will make the fullest use of current cost information in their decisions and in assessing company performance. The Government are pleased to note that arrangements are being made by the accounting standards committee to monitor progress and prepare for further developments in the light of experience.The new standard will apply to the accounts of the nationalised industries. The Government's position on the application of the gearing adjustment to the nationalised industries was set out by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary in a reply on 21 December 1979 [Vol. 976, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what consideration he is giving in the light of representations he has received from the British chemical industry for a Common Market feedstock equalisation tariff, particularly in relation to styrene and vinyl acetate, in the light of the United States two-tier gas pricing system; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 March 1980, c. 702]: I have received no such representations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his intentions towards the reports of the Munn and Dunning committees.

I have today published a paper, "The Munn and Dunning Reports: The Government's Development Programme", setting out my intentions towards the recommendations of the two committees. Copies have been placed in the Library.My paper outlines a programme of development work to establish the requirements of a revised curriculum and assessment system. The programme will begin immediately and will take a minimum of three years to complete. The results obtained should enable me to reach a decision in 1983 on whether to introduce new syllabus and assessment arrangements in certain subjects from 1984, leading to corresponding awards at foundation, general and credit levels in a national certificate from 1986. That decision will, of course, need to take account also of the public expenditure and other circumstances then prevailing.The programme reflects important principles. First, I consider it vital that all pupils should have the opportunity to realise their full potential. Differentiation into three syllabus levels, namely, foundation, general and credit, is, in my view, the best way to achieve this, but the programme will need to pay particular heed to establishing links between adjacent levels.Secondly, I consider that all pupils should be given worthwhile goals. Thus the programme will aim to elucidate some of the different issues involved in establishing assessment and certification arrangements which will enable pupils of all levels of ability to receive an appropriate level of award in a national certificate.Thirdly, I regard it as vital that the standards of the national examination system should not be compromised by any changes which may come to be made. The development programme will, accordingly, proceed on the basis that, at foundation level, syllabuses and assessment will contain both internal and external elements but that at the general and credit levels syllabuses and assessment will be mainly external in accordance with current O-grade practice. I do not consider that a move towards significant internal elements at the credit and general levels can be justified in terms of either the potential educational benefits or the need to maintain standards.Fourthly, new syllabuses and assessment arrangements cannot be developed outside the context of an agreed framework for the curriculum. I consider that the eight modes of study proposed by the Munn committee provide such a framework. I do not intend to stipulate a precise pattern for the curriculum which individual schools should adopt; it will be for education authorities and schools to establish the curriculum which, though based on the eight modes of study, best suits their particular circumstances and the needs of their pupils. The Government consider it essential that all pupils in the later stages of compulsory education should study English, mathematics and science.My Department will take the lead in the development work but will work in close consultation with local authorities, the Consultative Committee on the Curriculum and the Scottish Certificate of Education Examination Board. Other educational bodies and parents have a right to be kept in touch with what is happening and my Department will therefore publish progress reports from time to time. I shall undertake consultations where appropriate during the course of the programme, and the conclusions reached as a result of it will also be the subject of consultation prior to my taking the decisions on subsequent implementation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the percentage increase in relevant revenue expenditure in Scotland for rate support calculations, for each of the years from 1975–76, to the estimates for 1980–81, including increases due to price changes.

I shall write to the right hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to propose a statutory instrument for Scotland similar to the Building (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 1980 (S.I., 1980, No. 286), which was laid before Parliament on 11 March; and what discussions he will have with interested parties before instigating the procedure.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 28 March.—[Vol. 981, c. 706.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will rectify the anomaly whereby English art students can begin training as art teachers at 16 years of age with a foundation course, whereas the Scottish students cannot begin training as art teachers until they are 17 years of age.

Arrangements for education in art and design differ in England and Scotland as they do for other subjects. In England, entry to a first degree course in art and design is normally after successful completion of a one-year foundation course. In Scotland, there is no tradition of foundation courses and entry to first degree or diploma courses is normally made direct from school with higher-grade qualifications. Entry requirements to these courses are primarily the responsibility of the institutions concerned.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants of senior rank have left their employment since 3 May 1979 to take up jobs in industry in an area of activity covered by those Departments.

My Department has no information about jobs actually taken up by former civil servants. Applications for the Government's assent to take up jobs are received in accordance with the business appointments rules. Since 3 May 1979, four such applications have been considered and approved from serving or retired members of the Home Civil Service of the rank of under-secretary and above to take up jobs in industry in an area of activity covered by the Departments in which they served.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to ensure that Government Departments purchase computers made by British manufacturers wherever possible; and what is defined as a British manufacturer in this context.

There has been no change in Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the purchase of computers for Government Departments. This was fully set out by my predecessor on 27 July 1977.—[Vol. 936, c. 227.] Neither in acquiring large computers by single tender from ICL nor in seeking to include a system manufactured in the United Kingdom among competitive tenders is it necessary to define a British manufacturer. This policy is under review in the light of the EEC and GATT rules which will apply from next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions within the last period for which figures are available a prisoner has been granted (a) compassionate leave or (b) early release on compassionate grounds by him or his predecessors; and on how many occasions such leave or release has been refused.

Between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 1979, 58 prisoners were granted early release on compassionate grounds by the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy. None of the other information requested is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the security of embassies and consulates in London, in the light of the recent bomb attack at the Italian Consulate.

Arrangements for the protection of diplomatic premises in London are an operational matter for the Commissioner, and it is not the practice to disclose details. I understand that the Italian Ambassador is satisfied that proper protection is being given to Italian diplomatic premises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his review of the instructions to immigration officers in respect of non-professional seamen; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to questions the hon. Member for Southall (Mr. Bidwell) on 18 March.—[Vol. 981, c. 117–20.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on his plans for a revision of the prison system; and to what extent he estimates such plans will increase or reduce Government expenditure.

I intend to announce my decisions on a number of issues arising from the report of the May committee after Easter. Those decisions will be taken in the context of the Government's general policy on public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the replies I gave to questions by the Oldham, West on 17 March, if he will ascertain from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis why it would be disproportionately costly to provide the information on arrests under the "sus" laws.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that information concerning arrests followed by no further action is not collected centrally in the Metropolitan police district and to obtain it would require an extensive manual examination of the entries in a large number of registers held at individual police stations. Such a procedure would be extremely costly, and as some entries may not be sufficiently detailed any resultant statistics could be unreliable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the voting rights in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of citizens of the Republic of Ireland; and how they compare with the voting rights of United Kingdom citizens in the Republic of Ireland.

Citizens of the Irish Republic who are registered for electoral purposes in the United Kingdom may vote at Westminster and European Parliament elections throughout the United Kingdom, but at local elections in Great Britain only.I understand that United Kingdom citizens who are registered for electoral purposes in the Irish Republic may vote at local elections and at elections of Irish representatives to the European Parliament, but not at elections to the Dail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the grants paid by the voluntary services unit to voluntary organisations in 1979–80, and the estimates for 1980–81.

The following grants were agreed in 1979–80:

asked the Prime Minister if she will undertake to resolve on its own 28,400 merits the United Kingdom's long-term 5,000 and short-term budget deficit problem with the European Economic Community without reference to, and in advance of, decisions on other major community issues, such as fish, oil and the common agricultural policy.

I made clear to the House on 20 March that we shall continue to treat major outstanding issues facing the Community on their merits.

asked the Prime Minister if she will undertake to seek the approval of the House for the outcome of Her Majesty's Government's negotiations on the budget deficit problem with the European Economic Community.

The House has already given me its support in my efforts to secure agreement at the next European Council to action which will bring about a substantial, immediate and lasting reduction in the United Kingdom's net contribution to the Community budget. I shall report the outcome of the Council to the House in the usual way.

asked the Prime Minister what are her plans regarding recommending to Her Majesty the Queen the conferment of further hereditary peerages and baronetcies on distinguished citizens.

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the House on 26 November 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many options to purchase Concorde are now outstanding.

None. The remaining options held by Iran Air, and by Machimpex on behalf of the Chinese national airline, were cancelled in 1979 and their deposits returned.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how long it is taking to process applications relating to microprocessor application projects; and what can be done to speed up the grant of approval for registered Mapcon consultants.

Time taken to process microprocessor application projects varies. Some take four weeks; when the financial and technical appraisals are more complex, the timescale can lengthen. Where a MAPCON consultant has a client in view, his application for registration should not exceed six weeks. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, perhaps he would write to me with the details.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the terms and conditions under which a deputy secretary, J. Lippitt of his Department is now joining the General Electric Company Ltd.: what area of work was covered by Mr. Lippitt; what activity he will be undertaking in the General Electric Company Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lippitt was formerly the Deputy Secretary in this Department responsible for industrial and commercial policy. No conditions have been placed on his taking up an appointment as group director for exports at GEC. This reflects the Government's view that Mr. Lippitt can make a greater contribution to the country's interests in his new capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much money from European Economic Community funds was paid for the conversion of disused industrial premises for each of the last five years.

No money from European Economic Community funds was paid specifically for the conversion of disused industrial premises, but some industrial projects in respect of which aid from the European regional development fund quota section has been given may have involved the conversion of such premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much was paid from European Economic Community funds in each of the last five years for the promotion of industrial innovation.

No Community financial aid has been directed specifically towards the promotion of industrial innovation. Community funds are available for such purposes as research and development, demonstration projects in the fields of alternative energy and energy conservation, and support for data processing that in a broad sense may be regarded as contributing to industrial innovation, but it is not possible to distinguish accurately the elements of the aid that contribute directly.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will raise at the next meeting of Ministers of Industry the need for each member State to honour to the letter the full meaning of sub-paragraph (f) of article 3 of the Treaty of Rome or the European Economic Community, and report thereon to the House of Commons at the earliest possible date.

The Council of Ministers programme of meetings does not include one for Industry Ministers of the member States. Besides the terms of article 3(f), there are other provisions of the Treaty of Rome, and implementing regulations which established procedures to be followed by member States in respect of the Community's rules of competition. The EEC Commission has the responsibility of ensuring that these procedures are respected.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Paddington's question of 21 January, if he will now report on the outcome of consultations with regard to the outstanding rates of £324,000 in respect of Rhodesia House; and when the money will be paid to the City of Westminster council.

Following a meeting on rating questions with the chief executive and other senior officials of the Westminster city council, we have reminded Rhodesian officials and representatives of the incoming Government of the the need to settle the account for arrears of rates on Rhodesia House. I understand that Rhodesian representatives have recently been in touch with the Westminster city council about the outstanding rates.

asked the Lord Privy Seal which cities in Great Britain have consulates representing South Africa and Chile.

Representation is as follows:

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list the consulates in Dundee.

The following countries have consular offices in Dundee:

• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Italy
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Sweden

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in the light of the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2145 of 1966, the Security Council Resolution 269 of 1969 and the United Nations Decree No. 1 of 1974, United Nations member States are entitled to seize cargoes of uranium from Namibia en route to Great Britain.

No. The Security Council cannot take decisions that are generally binding on member States or that entitle them to take action which is in the nature of sanctions, unless there has been a determination under article 39 of the United Nations Charter of the existence of a threat to peace, a breach of the peace or an act of aggression. There has been no such decision over Namibia.The United Nations Charter confers upon the General Assembly powers which, with certain exceptions of very limited scope, are recommendatory. Neither it, nor a subordinate body, in this case the Council of Namibia, was competent to take executive or legislative decisions of the kind in question.Successive Governments have maintained, therefore, that these provisions do not oblige member States to refrain from importing uranium from Namibia, nor do they entitle member States to seize cargoes of uranium from Namibia en route to this country or elsewhere.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is considering supplying cash or military aid to help the State of Somalia.

Her Majesty's Government are providing economic aid to Somalia and, through the international organisations, have contributed support for the provision of humanitarian aid to Africa, including Somalia.We do not give military aid to Somalia. We are, however, prepared to consider applications from United Kingdom suppliers for the sale of licensable equipment to Somalia according to the standard criteria.