asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will announce his decision on the recommendations made to him by the Office of Fair Trading in respect of the proposed purchase of Furness Withy by Hong Kong shipping interests.

My right hon. Friend will announce his decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the latest available figures for (a) the volume of British exports by value to Iran and (b) the volume of imports by value from Iran.

Details of the United Kingdom's trade with Iran are published in tables II (imports) and V (exports) of the monthlyOverseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom,copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what analysis he has made of the trends in trade in manufactured goods between the United Kingdom and the EEC and the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.

[pursuant to his reply,21 April 1980. c.27: My Department monitors these trends continually and undertakes more detailed studies from time to time

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how much sperm whale oil by weight and by declared value was imported in 1979; and what where the principal countries of origin.

[pursuant to his reply,18 February 1980, c.44]: I must advise my hon. Friend that the attribution of the Canary Islands as a source of our imports of sperm oil in 1979 has been discovered to be incorrect due to a recording error. The countries of origin of our imports of sperm oil in 1979 were France, Iceland, Norway and Peru.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies were reported to his Department during 1979 and up to the latest date for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the number of redundancies notified as due to occur during 1979 and up to 31 March 1980 was 267,121.The temporary short-time working compensation scheme is available to employers to encourage them to avoid impending redundancies by introducing short-time working arrangements. Where redundancies do occur, the Manpower Services Commission will continue to do all it can to help the workers concerned find new jobs or train for fresh employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any further proposals to reduce youth unemployment in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend announced on 14 February 1980 we have agreed to the proposal of the Manpower Services Commission to increase the size of the youth opportunities programme from 210,000 entrants in 1979–80 to 250,000 to 260,000 entrants in 1980–81. This will enable the Commission to continue to operate under the programme its undertakings to unemployed school leavers and young people unemployed for 12 months or more. Both the YOP and the two undertakings will continue to cover both rural and urban areas and will make a major contribution to countering youth unemployment throughout the country.[Vol. 978, c. 1755–66.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the prospects for youth employment in the autumn of the current year.

The Government do not forecast future employment prospects for young people, although I recognise the seriousness of the present situation. That is why the Government have agreed to proposals from the Manpower Services Commission to expand the youth opportunities programme by 25 per cent. in 1980–81 and have renewed the undertakings to unemployed school leavers and the long-term young unemployed, that they will be offered places in the programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to complete his consultations on possible additions to the Employment Bill now being considered by the House.

My right hon. Friend has completed consultations on his proposals for restricting secondary industrial action and he has tabled a new clause to the Employment Bill which was discussed by the House last week.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Government are considering any further amendments to the Employment Bill.

My right hon. Friend has tabled a number of amendments to the Employment Bill, which are currently being considered by the House on Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps the Government have taken within the Council of Ministers to ensure the harmonisation of industrial relations law within the member States of the EEC.

No specific steps have been taken by the Government since they took up office.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the most recent unemployment trends in the United Kingdom.

Unemployment in the United Kingdom has been increasing since September 1979. The steel strike may have caused the greater increases experienced in the last few months as it will have made employers more cautious in recruitment.

asked the Sec retary of State for Employment if he will initiate a study of the high levels of un employment in areas such as South Staffordshire which border major conurbations, such as the West Midlands; and if he will take steps to reduce the un employment problems of these border areas.

The Government are very much aware of the unemployment problems of areas such as South Staffordshire. Our policies to encourage the expansion of economic activity, and thereby the creation of new jobs, will benefit these border areas as well as the neighbouring conurbations.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now announce what new measures he in tends to introduce with regard to training, including the training of the unemployed.

The Government support the MSC's efforts to increase the economic relevance and cost effectiveness of the TOPS scheme, which trained an estimated 40,000 unemployed people last year. My right hon. Friend is awaiting the report of MSC's review body set up to consider the working of the Employment and Training Act, so far as it relates to training for employment. The report is expected in July.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to increase employment in the Northern region.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 19 February 1980.[Vol. 979, c. 120.)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to assist the creation of new jobs for highly skilled and unskilled workers in mainly rural areas.

Employment prospects in all areas, including rural areas depend largely on the success of the Government's economic strategy. In addition, I understand that the work of the Development Commission in England and the development agencies or boards in Scotland and Wales provide special assistance for employment in rural areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to meet the Trades Union Congress.

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to meet the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest unemployment rate in Birmingham.

At 10 April, the provisional unemployment rate in the Birmingham travel-to-work area was 6.8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the method of forecasting unemployment in the short and medium term.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what further representations he has received about creating a right to a ballot before strikes are called.

Since my hon. Friend asked me on 7 November last year about the proposals in the Employment Bill for the financing of trade union ballots, I have received representations on this subject from a small number of organisations, most of which have supported the Government's proposals.[Vol. 973, c. 129–30.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate has been made of the change in the level of unemployment as a result of the Budget proposals.

It is not the practice of this Administration, nor of previous Administrations, to publish official estimates of future unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with progress in relation to the Government's employment objectives.

I am of course concerned about the rising trend in unemployment. Progress in reversing this trend depends largely on the speed with which inflation is brought under control.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that sufficient training is taking place to ensure that the requisite number of personnel are trained to cope with the future needs of the microelectronics industry.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission (MSC) that the main role in identifying and meeting training needs in the field of microelectronics lies with industry, but MSC is giving high priority to supporting industry's effort.The commission has for instance, under its training for skills programme asked industrial training boards (ITBs) and other national training organisations to help spread awareness of microelectronics, to analyse training needs and to secure adequate provision and content of training and to encourage adequate throughput of trainees. For 1980–81 MSC is giving expenditure on microelectronics and computing priority and substantial funds are being made available to help industry meet key objectives.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the estimated savings expected from putting back the age at which men are eligible to apply under the job release scheme from 62 years in 1979–80 to 64 years in 1980–81.

The savings in the current financial year are estimated as about £50 million gross, or roughly half this figure on a net basis. There will also be savings in subsequent years, since men joining the scheme at the age of 62 could have received payments of job release allowance for periods of up to three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has made any representations to the Trades Union Congress concerning the " Day of Action" on 14 May.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those local education authorities which do not employ specialist careers officers.

On 1 April 1979, the latest date for which information is available, all local education authorities employed specialist careers officers, either to work with handicapped young people, those from ethnic minorities, the academically gifted and other special cases or, under the scheme funded by my Department, to work with unemployed young people.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, when the earnings-related supplement on maternity allowance is abolished in 1982, he will seek to amend the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978, to provide for six weeks' maternity pay at 100 per cent. of an entitled woman's usual weekly wage instead of 90 per cent, as at present; and if he will make a statement.

We are considering the implications of the proposed changes in earnings-related supplement on maternity allowance for the calculation of maternity pay under section 35 of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to the letter of the Under-Secretary of State of 4 February to the hon. Member for West Lothian, about the use of laser beams at fashion shows and places of entertainment, he will now publish the draft guidelines, giving users of lasers a clear understanding of how to operate them in conformity with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, particularly in view of the recent outbreaks of teenage violence on late night transport.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the draft guidance note. The Health and Safety Executive has nearly completed discussion of this text with representatives of the authorities responsible for enforcement on safety requirements in exhibition premises and places of entertainment. Subject to copyright clearance being secured for technical annexes it is proposed to publish the guidance note in substantive form as soon as possible thereafter. Meanwhile the executive's inspections and inquiries throughout Great Britain have brought to the attention of operators the main safeguards which are called for.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list in theOfficial Reportthe number of women in employment in the Sheffield travel-to-work area in each of the years from 1974 to 1979, quoting the peak figure for each year;(2) if he will list in the

[pursuant to his reply,21 April 1980, c. 1]: The following table shows the numbers of male and female employees in employment in the Sheffield travel-to-work area at June 1973, 1975, 1976 and 1977, the latest date for which these local area figures are available. Employment figures for local areas are compiled from information collected in the June censuses of employment. Figures for June 1974 are not available because of difficulties in obtaining complete details which arose from the reorganisation of local government.SHEFFIELD TRAVEL-TO-WORK AREA (SHEFFIELD, CHAPELTOWN, DINNINGTON, FIRTH PARK AND WOODHOUSE EMPLOYMENT OFFICE AREA)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for help under the short-time working scheme have been made by firms in the Grimsby area; and how many have been granted.

[pursuant to his reply,21 April 1980, c. 2]: Four firms in the Grimsby area have made an application under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme. Two have been approved for payment and one is currently under consideration. The other application was withdrawn by the employer.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of trainees completing training opportunities scheme training have obtained work using their new skills; and whether he is satisfied with progress.

The Manpower Services Commission conducts quarterly surveys of one in six samples of people completing TOPS training to determine how many are in work three months after completing training and how many are making use of the skills they have learnt. The following table shows for each quarter since April-June 1977 the proportion of people in work and using their skills.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in the United Kingdom tyre industry at the current time—and how this compares with the figures for each year since 1970.

[pursuant to his reply,21 April 1980, c.2]: The precise information is not available. Employment estimates are made for complete minimum list headings (MLHs) of the standard industrial classification and rubber (MLH 491) includes, in addition to the manufacture of tyres and tubes, other rubber goods. The following table gives, for MLH 491, the estimated numbers of employees in employment in the United Kingdom at June each year from 1970 to 1979 and at January 1980, the latest date for which estimates are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will compare the cost, as at October 1979, of the following items with that 12 months before as a percentage of the average wage in each case; pint of beer, bottle of whisky,

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which labour exchanges in the city of Manchester he proposes to close; and where jobcentres will be opened.

[pursuant to his reply,21 April 1980, c. 2]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for the public employment service, that it plans to vacate its holdings in the employment office buildings at Levenshulme, Openshaw and

[pursuant to the reply,3 April 1980, c. 433]: I have been asked to reply.Assuming the worker to have gross weekly earnings equal to the average for all full-time manual men and after allowing for deductions for income tax and national insurance, and for receipt of child benefits appropriate to a married man with two children under the age of 11, the information is as follows:Newton Heath and replace these with jobcentres at Longsight, Beswick, Droylsden and Newton Heath.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospitals have been closed in Scotland since May 1979; what notification the Scottish Home and Health Department has had of impending closures; and if he will give the reason in each case.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many person were murdered in each of the years 1952 to 1979 inclusive in Scotland.

The information re-quested is set out in the table below:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Newham, North-West wrote to him on 20 February concerning the Government proposals on school transport charges and that it was not until 12 April that his Minister of State replied, referring to his statement in the House on 18 March; why it took almost two months to send this reply; and whether he will expedite replies to his correspondence in the future.

A reply which had been prepared to the hon. Member's letter of 20 February was overtaken before it had been dispatched by a decision taken in another place on 13 March. Following my right hon. and learned Friend's statement in the House on 18 March, all outstanding correspondence on school transport was then dealt with as quickly as possible. My right hon. and learned Friend regrets any inconvenience that this delay may have caused.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department despatches books entitled "Long Courses for Teachers" and "Short Courses for Teachers " in separate envelopes at separate costs to the identical list of teachers; what is the cost of circulating each booklet in this manner; and what consideration has been given to more expeditious and cost-effective methods of distribution, such as delivery in quantity to education authorities or schools or placing both booklets in the same envelope.

My Department makes no distribution of these publications to individual teachers. Supplies are sent in quantity to local education authorities for distribution to maintained schools. In addition, copies are sent to universities, establishments of further education, direct grant and independent schools, and various professional and educational bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many copies of his Department's red book entitled "Long Courses for Teachers 1980–81 " were printed; and what was the total cost.

" Long Courses for Teachers 1980–81 " was published jointly by the Department of Education and Science and the Welsh Office. A total of 45,500 copies was printed at a cost of £30,170.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many copies of the red book entitled " Long Courses for Teachers 1980–81 " were despatched to teaching staff in England; and how much of the cost of distribution derived from (a) administration, (b) postage and (c) the production of the books.

No distribution was made by my Department to individual teachers in England. Carriage and postage for the distribution to local education authorities and educational establishments in England and Wales cost £3,140 and production £30,170. The cost of administration cannot readily be estimated as the work was undertaken by staff of my Department in conjunction with other duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many copies of his Department's book of " Short Courses for Teachers 1980–81 " is to be published; to whom they are going; how much of the cost of distribution will go towards (a) administration, (b) postage and (c) the production of the books; and when they will be dispatched.

" Short Courses for Teachers 1980–81 " was published in November 1979. A total of 46,000 copies was printed for England and Wales. Supplies were sent in bulk to local education authorities in England for their own use and for distribution to maintained schools. Copies were also sent to universities, establishments of further education, direct grant and independent schools, and various professional and educational bodies. The cost of production was £5,435 and of carriage and postage—including despatch to the Welsh Office of copies for distribution in Wales£1,690. The cost of administration cannot readily be estimated as the work was undertaken by staff of my Department in conjunction with other duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the proposed reductions in the number of civil servants employed in his Department; and what reductions so far have been carried out.

My Department's authorised staffing level will have been reduced from 2,736 in May 1979 to 2,428 by 1 April 1982. The number of staff actually in post fell from 2,678 on 1 May 1979 to 2,602 on 1 April 1980.

asked the Prime Minister when next she intends to make an official visit to Belgium.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagets for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engageits for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will state her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 April.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow).

asked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the implementation of the recommendations of the Fulton committee on the Civil Service.

The main aim of the Fulton committee was to maintain a Civil Service equal to the tasks of modern government with particular emphasis on economy and efficiency. I agree with this emphasis and am determined that further efforts to improve on present achievements should continue during the lifetime of this Parliament.

asked the Prime Minister what items she will seek to place on the agenda for the European Economic Community Heads of Government at their next meeting.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make statement concerning the agenda of the next Heads of Government meeting of the EEC.

There is no fixed agenda. I shall be pressing for an acceptable and lasting solution to our budget problem. We shall also discuss major current international issues, both political and economic. Heads of Government are free to raise any subjects of concern to them.

asked the Prime Minister when she expects the next European Economic Community summit meeting to take place.

The European Council will now be held on 27 and 28 April in Luxembourg.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the promotion and co-ordination of the Government's information services on matters which apply wholly to Scotland.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister when she plans to visit Gwynedd.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what instructions she gave the Standing Commission on pay comparability regarding the completion of its seventh report on teachers; and if she knew that the time scale available to the commission would result in its failing to complete its report in respect of teaching staffs in Scotland.

The Government gave the commission the terms of reference for its study of teachers on 26 July 1979, at the request of both sides of the relevant negotiating committees. The terms are published in appendix 1 of the commission's report on teachers. In transmitting them, the Government asked the commission to report as soon as possible The commission decided its timetable for reporting on teachers in the light of the desire of the parties for an early report. I am not aware that the commission failed to fulfil its terms of reference.

asked the Prime Minister what has been the cost of producing the seventh report of the Standing Commission on pay comparability on teachers; and what was the cost of the part of the study that concerned Scotland.

The estimated cost was about £170,000. It is not practicable to separate the cost of that part of the report which concerned Scotland.

asked the Prime Minister when she expects to be able to announce the names of the trustees of the national heritage fund; and if she will make a statement.

The appointment of Lord Charteris of Amisfield as chairman of the trustees was announced on 16 April. I hope to be able to announce the names of other trustees very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names of the new town corporations; and whether they have achieved their population targets.

The Cwmbran development corporation is the only new town corporation in Wales. The development of Newtown, Powys, forms part of the responsibility of the Development Board for Rural Wales. Neither Cwmbran nor Newtown has reached its population target.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department dispatches books entitled "Long Courses for Teachers", and "Short Courses for Teachers", in separate envelopes, at separate cost to identical lists of teachers; what is the cost of circulating each booklet in this manner; and what consideration was given to more expeditious and cost-effective methods of distribution, such as delivery in quantity to education authorities or schools or placing both booklets in the same envelope.

The Welsh Office despatches "Short Courses for Teachers " in Wales but " Long Courses for Teachers " is distributed throughout England and Wales by the Department of Education and Science. The booklets are sent out separately because of their different publication dates. Copies of "' Short Courses for Teachers " are not sent to individual teachers. There is a bulk despatch to local education authorities of sufficient copies for each maintained school to have one. Copies are also sent to major establishments of further education, independent schools and certain other bodies. The arrangements for despatch are kept under regular review.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many copies of his Department's book of " Short Courses for Teachers 1980–81 " is to be circulated by his Department; to whom they are going; how much of the cost of distribution will go towards (a) administration, (b) postage and (c) the production of the books; and when they will be dispatched.

About 2,900 copies of the booklet " Short Courses for Teachers in 1980–81 " were distributed by the Welsh Office in November 1979. Enough were sent in bulk to local education authorities in Wales for each maintained school to have one. Copies were also sent direct to independent schools, major establishments of further education, teachers' centres, libraries, teachers' associations and a few other bodies. The estimated cost of postage was £120; administrative costs cannot be identified; production costs of this joint booklet where borne by the Department of Education and Science.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many copies of the red book entitled " Long Courses for Teachers 1980–81 " were despatched to teaching staff in Wales; and how much of the cost of distribution derived from (a) administration, (b) postage and (c) the production of the books.

The booklet in question was distributed on an England and Wales basis by the Department of Education and Science which bore the administrative, postage and production costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the longest period of time that a prisoner, currently in Winson Green prison has been on remand; and what is the offence with which he is charged.

I assume the question relates to time held on remand in custody. The longest period for which any person held on remand in custody in Birmingham prison on 29 February 1980 had been so held was 325 days. The man concerned had been charged with robbery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the longest period of time that a pensioner currently in Risley remand centre has been on remand; and what is the offence with which he is charged.

I assume the question relates to time held on remand in custody. The information is held in such a way that to identify the relevant prisoner amongst those held in Risley remand Centre would involve disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the number of terrorist activities during the past few years in which Libyan citizens have been involved or suspected of being involved, he will drastically tighten up the immigration controls on those from the Arabian States in general and Libyans in particular.

Where there is information that an individual of any nationality who is subject to immigration control may be involved in terrorism the powers under the Immigration Act 1971 are used to the full.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since the commencement of the Immigration Act 1971 he has used the power under section 21 of the Act to refer cases to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal for further consideration.

No records have been kept, but it seems very probable that no such cases have been referred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his practice to sign a deportation order where he has knowledge that the proposed deportee has left the United Kingdom and Islands.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of his advisers to whom representations can be made following his decision to vary leave or to deport on security grounds.

The chairman is Sir Derek Hilton and the other members are Sir Richard Hayward and Sir Clifford Jarrett.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the monthly total of persons refused admission at all ports of entry in each month from January 1978 to the latest available date.

The information requested is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the longest period of time a prisoner currently in Leeds prison has been on remand; and what is the offence with which he is charged.

I assume the question relates to time held on remand in custody. The longest period for which any person held on remand in custody in Leeds prison on 29 February 1980 had been so held was 269 days. The man concerned had been charged with three offences of burglary and one of taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what factors he attributes the apparent under-use of facilities for the provision of medical reports on an out-patient basis at Holloway, Brixton and Durham prisons and Risley remand centre.

We have no evidence on which to assess the reasons for the courts' level of use of these facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will undertake a study of adopting a system of indelible dye spray water hoses to be used against those persons who deliberately cause riots and disorders, so that the authorities will have the opportunity of marking those responsible or who fail to withdraw when ordered to do so.

No. I do not believe, nor, so far as I am aware, does any chief officer of police, that such a study would materially assist the poice in maintaining order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute an impartial, independent investigation into the deaths of people while in police custody and into assaults by police officers on those held in custody.

The existing procedures already provide for the impartial and independent examination in individual cases of deaths in police custody and allegations of assault by the police. We shall await the report of the Home Affairs Committee of this House and the triennial review report of the Police Complaints Board before considering what further action, if any, may be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place to consider possible ways to assist justices of the peace and others who, because of public service, sacrifice future pension entitlements when employers do not supplement normal pension rights during absence.

Officials of the Home Office and other interested Departments have discussed the effects that long-term service might have on a justice's future State pension. Preliminary work is in hand to assess the scale of the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount of fines outstanding at 30 September 1979 in the inner London area; how much of the amounts outstanding in inner London and of the £25,691,423 fines outstanding in England and Wales, respectively, still had time for payment; and how much was outstanding after the last date ordered for payment.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make more effective provision for the recovery of fines, in view of the large number of unpaid fines.

We have no plans for legislation at present, but we keep this matter under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the date when Mr. Mustafa Ramadan, a Libyan journalist, was first allowed to enter Great Britain; for how long and for what purpose; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ramadan was first admitted to this country on 3 October 1966 as a work permit holder for six months. Subsequent extensions of stay were granted until he was granted permanent residence on 7 December 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, when making fresh appointments to the Commission for Racial Equality, he will ensure that all of the ethnic groups have a representative, including one of the Greeks, Cypriots, Italian, Polish and those with known large populations of immigrants settled in the United Kingdom from countries overseas.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the reasons why, in making dismissals from the Commission for Racial Equality, he dismissed half the black members of the Commission and only one of the white members.

No members of the Commission for Racial Equality have been dismissed. The terms of appointment of all but one of the commissioners expire on 28 April, eight of them having been offered a further term by me last year.My right hon. Friend's concern has been to achieve a strong and well-balanced commission, and he believes that when the full list of members is announced this will be seen to have been achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whom he now intends to appoint to the vacancies in the Commission for Racial Equality.

We hope to announce the names of the new members of the commission in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not restrict the activities of the Commission for Racial Equality to the strategic investigation of racial discrimination.

We believe that the commission should continue both to work towards the elimination of racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will dismiss Mr. David Lane from the chairmanship of the Commission for Racial Equality.

No. I am glad to say that Mr. Lane has accepted my right hon. Friend's invitation to continue as chairman for a further two years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ascertain the number of Iraq Ba'athist Party agents placed in British universities, particularly in Scotland and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have made it clear that they will not tolerate acts of terrorism in this country from whatever source. The police will investigate any firm evidence of alleged threats to Iraqi students here. I understand that no substantive complaints or information tending to support such threats have been received. Anyone who has reason to believe himself threatened or has information to offer should contact the police immediately.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Lancashire regarding the events surrounding the National Front march and counter-demonstrations in Oldham on 12 April; in particular, how many arrests were made; what was the reason for each arrest; how many policemen were on duty; how many were drafted in from other areas; how many were injured; and what was the nature of each injury sustained.

I understand from the chief constable of Greater Manchester that on the occasion of this march and counter-demonstration 33 people were arrested for offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace, assaulting and obstructing the police, and possessing an offensive weapon. 402 police officers, all of the Greater Manchester force, were on duty, six of whom suffered bruising and other minor injuries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many citizen's arrests were made in England and Wales in each year since 1970; how many arrests resulted in conviction; what was the sentence or fine imposed in each case of conviction; and what was the offence.

Information on citizen's arrests is not collected centrally and any resultant court proceedings cannot be separately identified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in his capacity as Police Authority for the Metropolis, what is his policy towards the decision by the London borough of Lewisham to withhold part of its financial contribution to the Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement.

The council has expressed an intention to withhold precept in 1981–82. We deplore this unwarranted gesture. The law requires the council to meet the precept towards the costs of the Metropolitan Police, and we trust that when the time comes it will fulfil this obligation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will name the two suppliers and their wives who were entertained to dinner by the Refreshment Department General Manager of the House on 14 November 1979; which room was the venue for the dinner; and what was the total cost, including wines, liqueurs and cigars;(2) how many hon. Members were entertained to dinner by the Refreshment Department General Manager on 14 November 1979 when two suppliers and their wives were present; what was the total cost of the dinner, including wine, liqueurs, cigars and the hire of the room; what was the reason for the special function; and who paid the bill.

I have been asked to reply.On the occasion when, in accordance with normal commercial practice the General Manager entertained four guests to dinner in Terrace Dining Room C, the full selling price of £47.29 was charged against the Refreshment Department's entertainment allowance, the actual cost to the Department being £24. No Member was present, and liqueurs and cigars were not served. I authorised this expenditure.The Refreshment Department, like all other organisations involved in commerce, does not disclose the names of suppliers.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will conduct an investigation into financial control and propriety of behaviour in the Refreshment Department; and if he will place a copy of his report in the Library; (2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Keighley of 17 April, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on the investigations conducted into alleged irregularities in the Refreshment Department.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by the Chairman of the Catering Sub-Committee to the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. McQuarrie) yesterday. I mentioned no report in my reply on 17 April and stated that the situation had been thoroughly investigated by my hon. Friend the Chairman of the Catering SubCommittee.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much money was authorised to be spent on entertainment and travel by the General Manager of the Refreshment Department in 1979–80; what was the allocation of this money under the main headings; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what rules govern the acceptance of tenders for the supply of goods to the Refreshment Department.

I have been asked to reply.The procedure for ordering non-perishable goods is laid down in the second report of the Services Committee of 1975–76, and will continue to be observed by the General Manager of the newly constituted Refreshment Department. Since 1975–76 two alterations have been made in the procedures. First, the sum of £250 mentioned in paragraph 5 (c) of the report has been replaced by £1,000. Second, I am consulted at an earlier stage—that is, before tenders are invited for orders in excess of that amount and not merely just before the order is placed.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the loss sustained during 1979 from the operation of the private dining rooms in the House.

I have been asked to reply.The loss during the financial year 1978–79, the latest year for which figures are available, was £110,743. Since its appointment in June 1979, the Sub-Committee has taken steps to reduce this figure substantially.

asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement concerning the dismissal of Mr. George Williams from the post of Financial Controller of the Refreshment Department.

The Commission decided on 16 July 1979 that it would not be prepared to answer questions dealing with individual members of the staff of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had with EEC members concerning the ending of Community support arrangements for tobacco.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of the EEC budget was spent on support arrangements for tobacco in 1979; and how this compares with the percentages for each of the past five years.

The percentages of the EEC budget spent on tobacco support in 1979 and the previous five years were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the latest estimate of the cost of the EEC tobacco regime; and how this compares with the figures for each of the previous five years.

The latest estimate of the cost of the EEC tobacco regime in 1980 is given below together with the figures for the previous five years: