asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received concerning the importation of monochrome portable television receivers into the United Kingdom from Thailand; and what progress he has made in his investigation of this matter.

Several hon. Members have made representations. I have had two meetings with management and trade unions in the electronics industry as a result of which we have pressed our points with the Thai authorities both in London and Bangkok, stressing our serious concern and the need for action. My Department is continuing to monitor closely the rate of importation and is considering with the European Community Commission the possible courses of action.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what representations he has made to his colleagues in the EEC with regard to the importation into the EEC and particularly into the United Kingdom of PVC-coated fabrics from South Korea;(2) whether he will ban the importation into the United Kingdom of PVC-coated fabrics from South Korea for the remainder of 1980.

The Government are consulting the industry on the preparation of a request to the European Community Commission to negotiate a quota on these imports.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will ensure that full duty is imposed upon all imports of PVC-coated fabrics from South Korea.

The full duty was reimposed on imports of this product from South Korea on 18 April.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many anti- dumping orders have been made in relation to cotton and man-made fibre textiles in the years 1974 to 1979 inclusive.

The existence of agreements under the multi-fibre arrangement between the Community and the majority of low cost suppliers together with voluntary restraint arrangements with the major non-EEC Mediterranean suppliers have had the effect of reducing the need to take anti-dumping action on behalf of the Community's textile producers. However, in relation to cotton and man-made fibre textiles two anti-dumping duties were imposed during the period 1974–1979. In addition, the European Commission has accepted voluntary undertakings from some exporters of high tenacity yarn and of acrylic fibre not to export to the Community at a dumping price.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied that present EEC regulations with regard to the dumping of imported goods into the Community are satisfactory; and whether they act quickly enough to protect the Community's industry from harm.

Yes. The appropriate EEC regulations reflect the provisions of the GATT anti-dumping code which was revised last year as part of the multilateral trade negotiations. The regulations allow the European Commission to take immediate provisional anti-dumping action in appropriate cases to prevent serious injury to a Community industry whilst a complaint is being investigated. The Commission has shown it is ready to take such action where this has proved necessary, and we shall continue to press them to deal speedily and effectively with complaints from the United Kingdom industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what the Government intend doing to increase the effectiveness of the recently formed Packaging Council.

I do not plan to intervene in the affairs of this independent body.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what measures are being taken to secure economies in the use of aviation fuel, with particular reference to the adjustment of air traffic control procedures.

Fuel economy in airline operations lies largely in the hands of the operators by the choice of aircraft and by improvements in aircraft operating procedures. The national air traffic services of the United Kingdom are acutely aware of the importance of fuel economy and give it careful attention when planning controlled airspace.The extent and use of military danger areas is now under review to try to improve airspace sharing and direct routing. Changes are planned in the London terminal area in order to reduce mileage and restrictions, and improved take-off and landing procedures are being developed at several aerodromes. One direct fuel-saving international route between Cork and the Brussels upper information region boundary on the route upper Lima I has been agreed on a trial basis and others are being examined.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will ensure that a state of the art defence will be acceptable in the draft European Economic Community directive on product liability.

My Department is now considering the views of the interested parties whom it consulted last year about the draft directive. A number of these bodies have urged the need for a state of the art defence to be added to the draft. The Government will, of course, take account of these and all other views expressed when deciding its attitude to the draft.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in the light of the changes in the arrangements for Government refinancing of fixed rate export credit which he announced on 13 February, the policy of requiring the use of currencies other than the £ sterling for Export Credits Guarantee Department supported fixed rate export finance for large export contracts is being reviewed.

The Government have reviewed the policy operated by the Export Credits Guarantee Department of requiring fixed-rate export finance for large export contracts to be provided in currencies other than sterling. When it was introduced three years ago, this policy had a number of advantages. Particularly important were the public expenditure savings achieved by reducing the amount of sterling refinance that the Government had to provide. As my hon. Friend notes, I recently announced the withdrawal of this refinancing facility for new sterling business so that there is now no public expenditure argument for requiring exporters to finance in foreign currency.The Government have, therefore, concluded that a mandatory policy for foreign currency financing need not be maintained. In consequence, ECGD will henceforth no longer require exporters to finance large export contracts in foreign currency.Nevertheless, ECGD facilities in support of foreign currency financing will still be available and I hope that exporters will continue to use these to the full. As many exporters have discovered, financing in foreign currency frequently offers important competitive advantages. I feel sure, therefore, that it will continue to play an important role in our export effort.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on Armed Forces' pay.

The Armed Forces Pay Review Body has submitted its ninth report on Armed Forces' pay. Copies are available in the Vote Office and I will arrange for it to be published as a Command Paper as soon as possible. The report covers the pay of all ranks up to and including brigadier except Service doctors and dentists.The Government have accepted the Review Body's recommendations in full in line with the commitment they made last year to maintain the pay of Service men at the levels of their civilian counterparts. The Government wish to express their thanks to the Review Body for its continuing valuable work.The detailed increases in the military salary range between 14½ per cent. and 20 per cent. There are also increases in length of Service increments, Northern Ireland pay, separation allowance and various forms of additional pay. The Review Body has proposed a significant improvement in the pay of part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and a restructuring of their training bounties.The Review Body also recommends appropriate increases in food and accommodation charges for all members of the Armed Forces. Following the examination of the basis for accommodation charges which was started in 1978, the Review Body recommends an important change in the way in which accommodation charges should be assessed in future which takes account of the differences in Service tenancies compared with local authority tenancies. As a result there will be small increases only in accommodation charges.The total cost of the Review Body's recommendations represents an increase of 16·8 per cent. over current cost. The Government will ensure that the cost of this settlement is not at the expense of other parts of the defence programme. The consequences for the cash limit are being considered and an announcement will be made in due course.The effective date for the increases in pay and charges is 1 April 1980.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

Ross asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will give her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official duties for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 April.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 April.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor).

asked the Prime Minister if she will invite President Carter to visit London.

I have invited President Carter to visit this country and he has accepted. No dates have yet been fixed.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the light of the fact that during the past year the average company executive has had pay increases of 22 per cent. taking his average pay above £10,000 per annum and a company car and bonuses worth about a month's additional salary, she will include, in her appeal for workers to restrict their wage demands, an appeal to these higher-paid workers also to restrict their incomes.

The faster those involved in pay negotiations adjust their expectations to the permitted increase in the money supply, the more the reduction in the rate of inflation will take place without bankruptcies, loss of output and increased unemployment.This means that pay increases must reflect performance in all areas of the economy, and at all levels. But it is important to restore and maintain adequate differentials to reward properly the exercise of responsibility and initiative. It is up to individual organisations to ensure the right balance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what Government guidelines the Clegg commission took into account when preparing its report on National Health Service professions supplementary to medicine.

The previous Administration, with the agreement of the parties, gave the commission the terms of reference for its study of the professions supplementary to medicine. These are published in the commission's report (Cmnd 7850, para 1). This Government submitted general evidence to the commission, which was laid before the House on 9 November 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present work force employed in the radar production industry of the United Kingdom; and if he will list British firms employing such people.

I regret that the information is not available.This Department's employment statistics are analysed according to the minimum list headings of the standard industrial classification (1968 edition). This does not identify separately the manufacture of radar equipment which is included with alarms and signalling equipment, radio transmitters and receivers and electronic capital goods in heading 367—radio, radar and electronic capital goods.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of unemployed people in the Manchester district; and how many are under 20 years of age.

At 10 January, the latest date for which an age analysis of the unemployed is available, 20,281 people, of whom 3,557 were under 20 years of age, were registered as unemployed in the employment office areas of Manchester, Didsbury, Levenshulme, Moss Side, Newton Heath, Openshaw and Wythenshawe which, together, closely correspond to the Manchester metropolitan district.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many homeworkers are registered under section 133 of the Factories Act 1961 in London boroughs and nationally, excluding London boroughs.

I regret that this information is not available centrally and could be obtained from local authorities only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many homeworkers were examined by the Wages Inspectorate in (a) 1977 and (b) 1979, excluding those examined in the special drive in South London and the Midlands.

The number of home-workers whose earnings were examined by the Wages Inspectorate excluding the special drive, were 1,595 in 1977 and 3,337 in 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of the Home-working Advisory Committee.

The future of the committee is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if any prosecutions took place in 1978 and 1979, respectively, of employers for failing to register their outworkers under section 133 of the Factories Act 1961.

No such prosecutions are known to have taken place in 1978 or 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has had from disablement organisations about the future of disablement advisory committees; whether they favour integration with manpower committees; and when he expects to make a final decision on the future of the disablement advisory committees.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people have been assisted by the business on own account scheme for each year since it began; and what has been the average value of the grant.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information requested is not readily available before 1969 and could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.The number of disabled people helped under the business on own account scheme each year and the average amount of assistance given since 1969 is set out in the table below and relates to the financial years ending 31 March.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what alternative employment schemes to the special temporary employment programme are now available to assist disabled people; how many registered disabled people have found employment through these schemes; and how many disabled school leavers have found employment through these schemes;(2) how many registered disabled people have found employment through the Professional and Executive Recruitment Service.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered disabled people have been provided with employment under the special temporary employment programme since it began.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that 1,296 registered disabled persons are known to have been provided with employment under the special temporary employment programme. This represents 4·6 per cent. of all participants in the programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the disappointing take-up by employers of grants for adaptations and aids for disabled workers, what incentives he will give to encourage employers to install electronic aids, as happens in the United States of America, so that disabled workers can benefit from advances in technology through more jobs and greater opportunities for promotion.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) when he last received written advice from the Toxic Substances Advisory Committee; and what action he has since taken as a result;(2) when he last received written advice from the Special Programmes Board; and what action he has since taken as a result;

I shall reply to my hon. Friend Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons had been unemployed for three months or less at the latest available date.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list in the Official Report the percentage wage settlement in each of the major groups of industrial workers and workers in transport and distribution in the period from 1 August 1979 to 29 February 1980, making allowance so far as is practicable for the incremental effect of bonus and productivity agreements;(2) if he will list in the

[pursuant to his reply, 21 April 1980, c. 1–2]: The information is not available to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of employees in employment in each of the standard industrial classification cate- gories from I to XXIV in mid-1966, mid-1971 and mid-1976 and at the latest available time.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the average level of employment for each year since 1945.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 April 1980, c. 291]: Consistent estimates of the numbers of employees in employment are available only from 1948. Following is the information for Great Britain for each mid-year from 1948 and for December 1979, the latest date for which information is available:

[pursuant to his reply, 25 April 1980, c. 205]: Following is the information for Great Britain:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed workers aged 19 years and under there have been in each year since 1970; what are the individual figures for (a) London and (b) Merseyside; and if he will present these data as percentages of all workers aged 19 years and under.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 April 1980, c. 291]: The following table gives the information, where available, for January and July each year. The July figures for recent years include considerable numbers of unemployed school leavers not present in the figures for January. Unemployment rates for age groups can be calculated only for the whole of Great Britain and are available

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East on 7 March, who appoints the doctor to carry out initial medical and blood examinations for all persons designated for employment as classified workers at licensed nuclear sites; what tests the doctor gives; what opportunities there are for the appointed doctor to examine any person employed on the site who may have been exposed to radiation without prior consultation with the managers of licensed nuclear sites; and who decides whether an employee

[pursuant to his reply, 21 April 1980, c. 3]: The doctors in question are appointed by the licensees of nuclear sites. Appointments are subject to approval by the Health and Safety Executive under licence conditions. Tests carried out are a matter for the appointed doctor's discretion, relevant factors being the previous occupational history and medical condition of the person being examined and the examination may include, for example, appropriate biological tests. In addition to the routine annual medical and blood examinations for classified workers the appointed doctor may at any time and entirely at his discretion examine any person employed on the site who may have been exposed to radiation.Under the licence conditions licensees are required to ensure that exposure of all persons to radiation resulting from their operations is kept as low as is reasonably practicable, and in any event is not in excess of the limits set out in licence conditions based on those recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. In particular, licensees are required to make arrangements and to provide suitable equipment for monitoring and measuring the exposure or potential exposure to radiation of persons on the nuclear site. The appointed doctor has unrestricted access to the resultant exposure records. Licensees are responsible for notifying an appointed doctor whenever the above limits are exceeded.At other establishments not subject to licensing, responsibility for carrying out regular monitoring of employees designated as classified workers rests with the occupier.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he proposes to publish the report of the factory inspector into the explosion in Barking on 21 January.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 April 1980, c. 328]: The report is now in an advanced stage of preparation and it is hoped that it will be made available in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on smoking and health.

Cigarette smoking is the major cause of preventable disease and premature death in Britain.While we recognise that whether to smoke or not is a matter for individual decision, it is our purpose, by alerting the public to the dangers of smoking and by taking other measures, to reduce the incidence of smoking-related disease.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to raise the level of radiographers' pay for emergency duties to a realistic level following the publication of the Clegg commission report on National Health Service professions supplementary to medicine.

The House will be pleased that the Whitley council has been able to agree a settlement on the Clegg award to radiographers, and that the staff side have ceased their industrial action. As part of the settlement, the council agreed to increase the on-call and standby allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect the Clegg commission's proposal for an increased working week for radiographers and speech therapists is likely to have on wastage and retirement in those professions.

The recent agreement of the professional and technical 'A' Whitley Council does not increase the working week for these professions. The council has agreed to move towards a common working week as a longer-term commitment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the considered views of the North-West Thames regional health authority on the future of the cardiac surgery unit at Harefield hospital.

I understand that the North-West Thames regional health authority will be considering this on 2 June when it discusses the reports of the London health planning consortium and the Flowers working party.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will include in the terms of reference of the advisory group on London health a requirement to ensure that there shall be no reduction in the acute hospital services following the recommendations of the London Health Planning Consortium.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the amount of the current section 64 grant made by his Department to MIND; and when it will be reviewed next.

An application for a section 64 grant to MIND for the current financial year is now with the Department and is currently under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in persuading the EEC to extend medical cover to all children born in an EEC country to parents permanently resident there.

Entitlement of a child to medical cover is, under the EEC social security regulations, at present related to the entitlement of the person upon whom the child is considered to be dependent. As regards extension of these regulations, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to her on 25 March.—[Vol. 981, c. 482.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what support he is prepared to give to the promotion of jointly funded projects with local authorities, particularly those in the area of community care of the handicapped.

I have recently notified health and local authorities of the amount allocated for the joint financing of such projects in 1980–81. The sum available will be £61 million, which represents a 15 per cent. increase in real terms on last year's allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the last three regional health authorities to submit plans for regional secure psychiatric units.

I am aware of work which is being carried forward in these three regions. The position varies among the three and I cannot yet be sure when their plans for regional secure psychiatric units can be submitted to the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will have discussions with the Hampshire area health authority concerning provision for the younger disabled.

It is for the Hampshire area health authority (teaching) and Hampshire county council to determine the level of services to be provided for the younger disabled in Hampshire and to establish local priorities. As foreshadowed in Hampshire AHA's strategic plan 1978–79 to 1987–8, a joint care planning team sub-group was set up and has issued a report on services for the physically handicapped in Hampshire. The guidelines in this report have recently been recommended by the area health authority as a basis for future planning and I would not wish to intervene. Officials of the Department are having discussions with the Wessex regional health authority about the overall planning of services for the younger disabled in Wessex and I would expect the results of these discussions to be reflected in due course in the regional strategic plan.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for altering the conditions of eligibility for unemployment benefit.

Under the Social Security (No 2) Bill, we propose, in clause 3, to reduce to six weeks the maximum time which may elapse between claims for national insurance short-term benefits and invalidity benefit without starting a new period of interruption of employment; and, in clause 5, to abate unemployment benefit for people over 60 who receive an occupational pension of over £35 a week.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to bring family practitioner committees within the scope of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

The Act applies to health authorities but not generally to committees set up by them. Much of the work of family practitioner committees consists of matters, affecting individual family practitioners and patients, of a kind that have normally been considered in private since the inception of the National Health Service. Although, before 1974, executive councils were subject to the Act, this was only in respect of their executive functions and, even when discussing matters falling within the executive functions, they could by resolution exclude the press and public. I am not convinced that any useful purpose would be served by suggested legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect the salary levels recommended by the Clegg commission for the professions supplementary to medicine is likely to have on wastage rates among those al ready in the professions, and on the rate of recruitment.

Increases in pay averaging 154 per cent. over April 1979 levels should have a beneficial effect on recruitment and wastage, particularly since further increases in salary are also due to be negotiated as part of the 1980 pay round.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Clegg commission, in preparing its report on National Health Service professions supplementary to medicine, did not carry out paragraph (IV) of its terms of reference, on consultation of the parties to the agreement on how the results of the comparisons of terms and conditions could be embodied in the relevant collective agreements.

The way in which the commission carried out this reference is a matter for the commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are currently in receipt of invalidity benefit.

On3 June 1978, the latest date for which statistics are available, 557,200 people were receiving in validity benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the effect on postgraduate medical institutions of the Government's proposals on overseas students' fees.

I met the hon. Member and representatives of the postgraduate medical institutions in London earlier this year. I have also received written representations from many people who are concerned about the problem. I am in communication with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Education and Science on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from retirement pensioners' organisations concerning the frequency of payment of cost of living increases in respect of State retirement pensions; what reply he sent; and if he will make a statement.

From time to time organisations representing pensioners have asked that State retirement pensions should be up-rated more frequently—twice yearly is the most common suggestion. Considerations of cost, however, both in respect of benefit and administration, preclude this.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will reconsider the decision of the Central Council for Education in Social Work to phase out the diploma in the training of further education of mentally handicapped adults, and to replace it by the general certificate of social service; and whether he will make a statement.

No. The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work is a statutory body independent of Ministers on matters of policy. It has given the issue long and careful thought, and has assured me that it will maintain standards of training for mental handicap care within the certificate of social service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Preston, North 25 March, if he is now ready to make a statement about the abuse of the National Health Service by tourists.

I cannot as yet add anything to my right hon. Friend's reply of 4 February.—[Vol. 978, c. 70.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for the treatment of kidney patients within the National Health Service.

Facilities for treating chronic renal failure have expanded rapidly in the past decade but there is still a substantial shortfall against the known needs, particularly as regards older patients. I am not satisfied with this situation, but there is a limit to the rate at which the NHS can increase provision, given the many calls on its limited resources. Much valuable work is being done by the voluntary organisations to supplement the resources of the National Health Service. This partnership between the public sector and individual generosity is something I am seeking to encourage and foster as part of our general strategy for expanding the services for these patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when Sheffield city council will be informed of its social services capital allocation for the current financial year.

Details of the social services capital allocations for the current financial year were sent to local authorities on 14 April.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning his future proposals for changes in child care legislation.

A number of representations on possible changes in child care legislation have been received, including suggestions which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and I are discussing for amending the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps where feasible to bring into line at the better level concessions and benefits for the elderly and the disabled.

No. In the Government's view, the choice and level of concessions for the elderly and disabled provided by local authorities should remain a matter for the discretion of those authorities, so that the concessions can be tailored to suit local needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with co-ordination between his Department and area health authorities and local councils in the provision of daycare and other facilities for the mentally and physically handicapped, with particular reference to adults.

I believe that local and health authorities are already well aware of the need for close co-ordination and co-operation in carrying out their responsibilities for making appropriate provision for these services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take further steps to ensure the safety of medical drugs.

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's reply to him of 25 March.—[Vol. 981, c. 485.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when next he will meet representatives of the community health councils.

I have no plans to do so at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he proposes to make it his practice in future determinations of the pay of nurses and midwives to link increases to comparability studies such as those used by the Clegg Commission.

The appropriate forum for negotiating the pay and conditions of service of nurses and midwives is the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council. I have no proposals at present for relating the pay of nurses and midwives to comparability studies on a regular basis. I understand the Standing Commission on pay comparability intends to comment in a report later this year on the question of longer-term arrangements for groups such as nurses. I shall be ready to consider any views from the Whitley Council on the report by the commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice is available to doctors to assist them with prescribing drugs and medicines.

I refer the hon. Member to my replies to him on 3 April—[Vol. 982, c. 385–6; Vol. 982, c. 389]—concerning measures the Department is taking to provide doctors with information on prescribing questions.Advice is also available from the drug advisory centres run by the regional health authorities, and from the Department's own regional medical officers in the course of their regular routine discussions with general practitioners about all aspects of general practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given recently to regional and area health authorities over the provision of health centres.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) on 17 March.—[Vol. 981, c. 38.]

asked theSecretary of State for Social Services when last he met the chairman of the South-East Thames regional health authority.

I last met Sir John Donne on 29 February.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is still his estimate that the retail price index will show a 16½ per cent. increase from November 1979 to November 1980;and, if it is a higher figure, whether he will increase the long term benefits based on a 16 per cent. increase and the short term figures based on 11½ per cent.

As the right hon. Gentleman is well aware, for the purpose of the November 1980 up-rating of benefits, it was necessary at the time of the Budget in March to estimate the likely movement of prices over the period between the November 1979 and November 1980 up-ratings. Until the actual movement of prices over that period is known, we shall not be in a position to judge the accuracy of that estimate, but if in the event the actual movement of the index differs from the estimated movement, the Government will then consider what action is appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to implement the recommendations of the report by the town clerk and chief executive of the London borough of Brent relevant to the fatal fire which occurred at a Kilburn hostel for single homeless people on 18 March, a copy of which has been sent to him by the right hon. Member for Brent, East, with particular regard to the need for increased modern hostel provision for such people.

I am studying the report and will be discussing it with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Home Department and Environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the insurance officer continues to force Mr. Gardham, of 127 Forest Road, St. Helens, to sign the register for employment while still suffering from a severe cardiac disease, and bedfast as a result of further heart attacks; and what is the name of the officer.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to him on 26 February 1980.—[Vol. 979, c. 1127–8.] Since 5 March this year, Mr. Gardham has claimed and received unemployment benefit for which a condition of entitlement is registration for employment. However, in view of the suggestion that Mr. Gardham's position has deteriorated, the Department's regional medical service has been asked for a further opinion on his fitness for work.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what monitoring of women who have been fitted with intrauterine contraceptives is carried out by his Department; what funds are allocated for this purpose; if he is satisfied that sufficient follow-up checks are done on women who have been fitted with such devices; and if he will make a statement;(2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East on 4 February, how many Dalkon shields he estimates were fitted since 1974; and if he is now able to give better estimates of the number of women who are still using the Dalkon shield;(3) if he will reconsider his decision not to launch a publicity campaign for the recall of the Dalkon shield;(4) if he will undertake a nationwide survey of all those women known to have been fitted with a Dalkon shield from the date of its manufacture;(5) if he is satisfied that those women who are still using the Dalkon shield are not likely to suffer adverse effects; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the dangers associated with the Dalkon shield, the numbers of women still using it, the numbers fitted with it since 1974 and the risks of septic abortion and infected pregnancy associated with its use, in the light of the evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Lewisham, West.

The frequency of follow-up of women who have been fitted with an intrauterine device (IUD) is a matter for the clinical judgment of the doctor who has fitted the device. If a woman is in any way concerned about the particular device she is wearing, she should consult her general practitioner or the local family planning clinic. Sufficient information has been made available to make doctors aware of potential problems associated with use of the Dalkon shield and I would expect doctors to discuss with any of their patients who still use this device whether there may be indications to change the device or adopt a different method of contraception. I am advised that it is now customary to remove an IUD in early pregnancy. However, published reports show that even where an IUD is not removed, the risk of a septic abortion or infected pregnancy is low.I have nothing to add to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 4 February—[Vol. 978, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost per delivery of babies born in general practice maternity units and in special maternity units, respectively, within the National Health Service.

I regret that the costs per case for general practitioners and consultant maternity units are not separately

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will investigate the necessity and effectiveness of the scheme whereby entry into general practice is mandatory after 16 February 1981, and after February 1982 is open only to available. However, in specialist NHS maternity hospitals in England, the average cost per case in 1977—78 outturn prices was £253·31.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the (a) capital and (b) current expenditure of each of the four special hospitals, respectively, was increased over each of the years 1975 to 1979; and by how much it is expected to increase over each of the years 1980 to 1984.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the expenditure on drugs in each of the four special hospitals, respectively, increased in each of the years 1975 to 1979; by how much it is expected to increase over each of the years 1980 to 1984; and whether such expenditure is accounted for centrally or through the relevant area health authority.

Information in the form requested is not readily available. The total expenditure on all medicines and surgical equipment in each of the four special hospitals was as follows:registered doctors having completed three years' prescribed experience.

I am satisfied that the arrangements covered by the National Health Service (Vocational Training) Regulations 1979 will contribute to the improvement of primary health care. They were drawn up in agreement with, and with the co-operation of, representatives of the medical profession and of the educational bodies concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the view of his Chief Medical Officer on the findings of Peacock et. al. reported in the BritishMedical Journal of 24 November 1979, namely, that s/monitoring blood glucose concentrations at home produces greater understanding and motivation among patients, improves control early in pregnancy, and shortens time spent in hospital; if he is satisfied with the availability of blood glucose measuring machines available for pregnant diabetics through the National Health Service; and if he will publish in the Official Report estimates of the proportion of the total number of blood glucose monitoring machines that have been purchased by the National Health Service.

The Department accepts the evidence that good control of diabetic patients reduces the likelihood of complications, including a reduction in maternal, foetal and neo-natal morbidity and mortality in the case of pregnant diabetics. The way in which this control is achieved is a matter for the clinical judgment of the doctor in charge. At a recent conference, in which officials of the Department participated, evidence was presented that this could be done by the use of home blood glucose monitoring, but it could also be done by reading reagent strips by eye, by sending samples of post for analysis in the laboratory or by more frequent out-patient or domiciliary contacts between the patient and the diabetic unit. Research is continuing on the advantages and drawbacks of the different methods. Blood glucose monitors may be made available by area health authorities to patients on the prescription of a hospital consultant. It is for the area health authority to decide in the light of local priorities and resources how many machines may be so provided. Information is not available on the proportion of blood glucose monitors purchased by health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list in the Official Report the names and locations of specialist spinal units for each English health region; and how many beds each such unit provides;(2) if he will list in the

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 20 November 1979—[Vol. 974, c. 135]. Spinal units provide a supra-regional service and they have no specific catchment area. It is not, therefore, possible to enumerate the total populations they serve and it would be inappropriate to express the number of beds in spinal units in terms of the population of individual health regions. Arrangements for transferring individual patients to a spinal unit are the responsibility of the doctor concerned.Units are at:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total payable in the current financial year in respect of the 25p age addition to retirement pensioners over 80 years; and what is the cost of administering this.

£20 million; the payment is an integral part of the pension and there is minimal additional administration cost involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he is satisfied with the speed at which appeals under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act are being heard; if he will increase the number of tribunals in order to reduce the strain on the families involved; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many medical tribunals are hearing appeals under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act; what is the situation of each; how many hours a week each sits; how many appeals are pending at each tribunal; when he expects each to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement.

I recognise that the time taken over reviews is causing anxiety to parents, but I am afraid that the speed at which cases can be handled is limited by the need for specialist medical representation. While I hope that cases will be