asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to ensure that the work of the House proceeds as normal on 14 May.

I understand that the authorities of the House are taking steps to ensure that sufficient staff are present so that the work of the House may proceed.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the date in June when the change of rules governing the booking of private dining rooms was made; and when the change was notified (a) to the Catering Sub-Committee and (b) to the House.

I have been asked to reply.The revised regulations were agreed to by the Catering Sub-Committee on 20 May 1975, and by the full Services Committee, as shown in the published minutes of proceedings, on 17 June 1975. The regulations came into force after Mr. Speaker had signified his approval on 20 June 1975.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will now ensure that bookings of private dining rooms are published.

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 2 July 1979.—[Vol. 969, c. 393].

asked the Prime Minister if she will define the vital interests of British fishing without the protection of which she specified that no common fisheries settlement was acceptable at the European Council meeting.

The United Kingdom's aims in the negotiations towards a revised common fisheries policy are an adequate zone of exclusive access and preferential arrangements beyond; satisfactory quotas; a comprehensive and effective Community conservation policy; and a control system which enables us to police our own waters.

asked the Prime Minister if she will set out full details of the discussions she had on fishing at the European Council meeting.

The Presidency conclusions issued at the end of the meeting of the European Council in Luxembourg stated that the Council:

" while noting that an agreement existed on the need for adoption as swiftly as possible of the decisions necessary for the introduction of a common fisheries policy together with a number of basic features of such a policy found that there was still disagreement on the questions concerning the principle of equal access. It agreed that the examination of this matter would be resumed by the Council composed of Ministers for Fisheries."

Beyond that I have nothing to add to the statement I made to the House on 29 April.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if the French and Italian Governments subsidise their exports, specifically vehicles and caravans; and by how much.

I have been asked to reply.I am not aware of the existence of any export subsidies covering vehicles and caravans, which, if they affected trade between member States of the Community, would be contrary to article 92 of the Treaty of Rome. If my hon. Friend has evidence of the existence of such subsidies, I should be grateful if he would refer his information to my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing the cost of the clerk's function in the local valuation panel service for each of the eight counties of Wales for each year since 1974.

The present structure of local valuation panels was

Panel						1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80
						(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)
Clwyd	…	…	…	…	…	14,430	18,962	22,240	24,374
Dyfed	…	…	…	…	…	16,052	17,497	19,185	21,175
Gwent	…	…	…	…	…	18,259	20,744	23,295	25,944
Gwynedd		…	…	…	…	7,175	8,705	9,577	10,180
Mid Glamorgan*			…	…	…	24,305	27,268	30,413	34,168
South Glamorgan*			…	…	…
Powys	…	…	…	…	…	12,526	13,087	13,661	15,640
West Glamorgan			…	…	…	17,037	16,373	19,708	20,290
* The Mid and South Glamorgan Panels are served by a joint clerk.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the operation of the Trade Descriptions Act as it applies to notices in railway timetables that a buffet will be part of a particular train when no such buffet is provided.

Although I sympathise with the plight of travellers who find themselves on a train where catering services have been cancelled without warning, I believe this type of problem is at present better dealt with through the nationalised industry consumer council arrangements. Indeed, train catering services have been looked at by the Central Transport Consultative Committee for Great Britain which has recommended that stations should clearly show when catering services are not going to be provided so that passengers can obtain refreshments from alternative facilities.

THE PILOTAGE COMMISSION
Dr. Denis Rebbeck, C.B.E.				…	…	…	Company Director
Mr. G. W. Brimyard			…	…	…	…	No full-time employment
Captain A. F. Dickson			…	…	…	…	Retired from full-time employment
Mr. G. S. C. Clarabut, D.S.O., D.S.C.					…	…	Chairman and Managing Director, Crescent Shipping
Mr. K. Cooper		…	…	…	…	…	Chief Executive, Med way Port Authority
Mr. J. P. Davidson		…	…	…	…	…	Chairman, Clyde Port Authority
Captain P. F. Mason			…	…	…	…	Elder Brother, Trinity House
Mr. B.I. Evans		…	…	…	…	…	Self-employed marine pilot
Mr. H. Frith	…	…	…	…	…	…	Self-employed marine pilot
Mr. N. C. Walker		…	…	…	…	…	Self-employed marine pilot
NATIONAL METROLOGICAL CO-ORDINATING UNIT
County Councillor Dr. P. C. Price (Stockton-on-Tees)							Research Consultant
County Councillor P. H. Duggan (Didcot)						…	Marketing Officer, British Rail
Councillor P. Cather (London)				…	…	…	Printer
County Councillor G. C. Waterer (Essex)						…	Farmer
Councillor M. E. Kerry (Leamington Spa)						…	Retired from full-time employment
Councillor Y. B. Jackson (Mrs.) (Leeds)					…	…	Housewife
Councillor A. Hope (Sutton Coldfield)					…	…	Company Director
Councillor J. Jennings (Kilbirnie, Ayr)					…	…	Employment at British Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the committees, councils, commissions, and other official bodies to which he has appointed members other than civil servants that have been established by him since May 1979, and state in each case the names and full-time employments of those appointed.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 May 1980, c. 614]: Since May 1979 the following bodies have been established:

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has made concerning the low proportion of contracts financed by the European development fund, which are awarded to British industry.

The Government are much concerned about this question and have drawn attention to it within the machinery of the Council of Ministers. There have been frequent discussions with the European Commission, which is very sensitive to the present imbalances, about the reasons for our relatively small share of EDF procurement. This is an essential first step towards identifying corrective action. Secondly, there is a need to stimulate greater interest on the part of British industry and to ensure that firms are fully aware of the opportunities available. To this end, action is being taken by my right hon. Friends at the Department of Trade and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

asked the Lord Privy Steal what savings in public expenditure he estimates will result from the decision to disperse part of the overseas

Development divisions						Minister	Civil servants
						£	£
South East Asia Development Division	…	…	…	…	…	600	46,250
Middle East Development Division	…	…	…	…	…	700	30,150
East Africa Development Division	…	…	…	…	…	5,800	39,600
British Development Division in Southern Africa			…	…	…	—	15,500
British Development Division in the Caribbean		…	…	…	…	—	17,700
						7,100	149,200

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list the multilateral commitments for 1980–81 from the aid programme, in both cash and constant price terms.

Provision totalling £248·3 million for multilateral commitments—including £50 million non-voted attribution for certain European Community aid to developing countries—is taken in the 1980–81 Supply Estimates: development administration to East Kilbride.

The cost of dispersal is likely to be approximately £4·4 million in the period to 31 March 1982; the break-even point is expected to be achieved by 1990, and thereafter there are estimated annual savings of £¾ million.All estimates are at 1979 survey prices.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the cost of travel by officials in each development division, in the course of supervising and advising on the British aid programme for the year to the latest convenient date.

The information requested will take a little time to assemble, but I shall publish it in the Official Report as soon as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the separate travel costs from London of Ministers and civil servants supervising the British aid programme for each of the areas covered by the development divisions for the year to the latest convenient date.

The information for 1979 is as follows:HC 470.II contains full details. This is equivalent roughly to £228 million in 1979 survey prices. The provisions for 1980–81 may be subject to change during the course of the year; approval will be sought, as necessary, in Supplementary Estimates.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list the contributions, in cash terms and in constant prices, to the various agencies of the United Nations, for 1978–79, 1978–80, and those proposed for 1980–81.

Contributions to the United Nations and specialised agencies charged to the aid programme in 1978–

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROGRAMMES OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND AGENCIES
										£ million
								1978–79 Actual expenditure	1979–80 Provisional expenditure	1980–81 Main estimates provision
UNDP	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	26·750	19·000	17·000
UNHCR—
General programme			…	…	…	…	…	1·000	6·000	4·750
Special appeals*			…	…	…	…	…	4·836	0·800	1·000
UNRWA	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	6·262	2·200	4·500
UNICEF	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	5·164	7·601	5·806
UNFPA	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	3·750	2·000	2·000
World Food Programme			…	…	…	…	…	3·933	4·952	3·900
UN University		…	…	…	…	…	…	1·000	1·000	—
UN Industrial Development Fund					…	…	…	0·120	0·026	0·300
UNDRO	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·100	—	—
UNETPSA		…	…	…	…	…	…	0·090	0·100	0·100
UN Trust Fund for South Africa					…	…	…	—	0·050	—
UN Centre on Transnational Corporations						…	…	0·100	0·100	—
UNESCO subscription			…	…	…	…	…	2·610	2·969	3·283
ICCROM subscription			…	…	…	…	…	0·026	0·031	0·030
FAO subscription		…	…	…	…	…	…	3·016	2·623	3·540
FAO fertiliser programme				…	…	…	…	0·327	0·106	0·580
FAO International Fertiliser Supply Scheme						…	…	3·820	1·386	—
FAO Post-harvest losses fund				…	…	…	…	0·250	—	—
FAO World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development								—	0·020	—
FAO Boyd-Orr Library			…	…	…	…	…	†	0·002	0·002
WHO Human reproduction research programme							…	1·500	1·600	1·500
WHO tropical diseases research programme						…	…	0·100	0·576	0·800
WHO onchocerciasis programme					…	…	…	0·629	0·632	—
WHO immunisation programme					…	…	…	0·146	—	—
WHO cold-chain support unit				…	…	…	…	0·043	0·055	0·049
UNICEF/ICRC joint appeal for Cambodia						…	…	—	1·933	—
Total		…	…	…	…	…	…	65·772	55·762	49·140
Total in 1979 survey prices					…	…	…	72·595	55·762	45·500
*UNHCR special appeals
Thailand			…	…	…	…	…	1·986	0·001	—
Horn of Africa			…	…	…	…	…	0·750	—	—
Bangladesh			…	…	…	…	…	0·750	0·650	—
Cyprus		…	…	…	…	…	…	0·500	—	—
Zaire		…	…	…	…	…	…	0·250	—	—
Southern Africa/Rhodesia					…	…	…	0·600	0·149	1·000
† Expenditure less than £1,000.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give the latest available figure on the relative proportions of multilateral and bilateral development assistance within the aid programme.

In 1978 multilateral aid was 25 per cent. of total gross aid programme expenditure. The provisional figure for 1979 is 28 per cent.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the percentage of the 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81 aid programme, made available to the aid-trade contingency fund; and what were the amounts spent in 1978–79 and 1979–80.

The percentage of the gross aid programme allocated to the aid and trade provision at the beginning of the financial years 1978–79 and 1979–80 was 3·22 and 4·25, respectively.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list commitments made

Country

Project

Aid/trade provision

£ million

Belize

…

…

…

…

…

Telecommunications

…

…

…

…

0·688

Burma

…

…

…

…

Gas Turbines

…

…

…

…

…

3·201

Egypt

…

…

…

…

…

Draglines

…

…

…

…

…

2·6

Egypt

…

…

…

…

…

Switchgear

…

…

…

…

…

7·5

Egypt

…

…

…

…

…

Generating Equipment

…

…

…

10

Kenya

…

…

…

…

…

Soda Ash Wagons

…

…

…

…

3·9

Malaysia

…

…

…

…

Submarine Cable

…

…

…

…

9·375

Pakistan

…

…

…

…

Ships

…

…

…

…

…

…

9·6

Philippines

…

…

…

…

Rural Electrification

…

…

…

…

4·59

Tanzania

…

…

…

…

Railway Bogies

…

…

…

…

…

0·2

Tanzania

…

…

…

…

Bus Chassis

…

…

…

…

…

0·48

In addition, since May 1979 approval has been given to eight new offers of support from the ATP, totalling £25·15 million, for projects in Burma, Colombia, Cyprus, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Mexico. These, and a further 12 offers approved before May 1979, are still under consideration by the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what estimate he has made of skilled manpower needs of the engineering, foundry, and engineering construction industries over the next five years; how this compares with the number of training places that will be available; and if he is satisfied that supply and demand of skilled manpower will be in balance;(2) if he will list the manual occupations in the engineering and allied trades which his Department classifies as skilled;(3) what is the level of financial support from his Department for the training activities of the engineering industry training board; and how this compares with each of the last five years;(4) if he will list the remuneration of each of the chief executives of the industrial training boards;(5) how many persons are at present in apprenticeships in the engineering, foundry

Since May 1979 overseas Governments have accepted 11 offers of assistance under the aid and trade provision (ATP) leading to the following new commitments:dry and engineering construction trades; how many of these are supported by Government grants or awards; and how these numbers compare with each of the last five years;(6) how many women and girls are at present in apprenticeships in the engineering, foundry, and engineering construction trades.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present number of inspectors in each of the inspectorates of the Health and Safety Executive; and how this compares with each of the last six years.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of staff employed to service the Clegg Commission; how many are full-time; how many are part-time; what is their status; and what is his estimate of the annual cost to public funds of the commission.

The Standing Commission on pay comparability is serviced by the Office of Manpower Economics (OME) which also services a number of other bodies. Nine staff work full-time and one part-time on the commission's work. They are all civil servants. The commission also uses the statistical and other general supporting services of the OME. In the year ending 31 March 1980 the estimated cost of the commission, including that part of the OME's work clearly attributable to it, was about £700,000. This includes work undertaken by management consultants and the Civil Service pay research unit on the commission's behalf.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will detail the number of references which have been made to the Clegg commission, stating the terms of reference for each, since its inception.

References have been made to the commission in respect of 27 groups of workers. The terms of reference for those groups on which the commission has already reported are set out in the published reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. I am also placing in the Library copies of the terms of reference for groups who are still awaiting reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many references to the Clegg commission are pending, no report having been made.

The commission has references outstanding on 13 groups of workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total expenditure incurred in travelling expenses by the Health and Safety Executive in the year ended 31 March 1979; and what proportion of this was spent on travel to Brussels for European Economic Community discussions.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1980, c. 322]: The total expenditure incurred on travel and subsistence expenses for staff of the Health and Safety Executive, which includes the six inspectorates, in the year ending 31 March 1979 was £2,248,000, of which £176,000 was for overseas travel. It is not possible to distinguish the cost of travel to Brussels on EEC business—most of which is reimbursed by the European Commission— from the cost of other overseas travel without undue expenditure of staff time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to amend part of section 24 of the Agricultural Holdings Act 1948 so as to specify in the notice to quit under common law that the notice must be disputed within 28 days of its receipt by the tenant.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the launch of the latest Soviet space satellite; and if he considers its launch to have any implications for United Kingdom defence.

The Soviet Union has a large space satellite programme. In 1979 it launched more than 100 satellites, most of which were communications, navigation and surveillance systems with a military connotation. On 18 April the Soviet Union launched a satellite with the apparent aim of trying to intercept another of their satellites. Such satellite interceptor tests, and the Soviet space programme in general, do, of course, contribute an important element to overall Soviet military capabilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that 74 fighter aircraft are sufficient for the air defence of the United Kingdom.

I refer my hon. Friend to paragraphs 341 to 343 of the statement on the Defence Estimates 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions the Army in Northern Ireland has to deal with persons failing to stop at a vehicle check point; and what action they are instructed to take if persons abandon a vehicle within sight of a check point and attempt to make a getaway by foot.

The Northern Ireland Emergency Provisions Act 1978 allows soldiers to stop and search any person or vehicle. Anyone who refuses to stop or submit to a search when asked to do so commits an arrestable offence. Soldiers' training and instructions are clear that, in making an arrest, they must use no more than the minimum force necessary. It would not be helpful to make public the detailed orders given to soldiers mounting vehicle check points or indeed engaged in any other kinds of operations aimed at preventing terrorism.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the cruise missiles

			United Kingdom-based	ROF	Locally-engaged civilians	Total
1975	…	…	247,900	18,600	50,100	316,600
1976	…	…	247,100	21,200	47,300	315,600
1977	…	…	238,500	22,700	42,700	303,900
1978	…	…	230,000	23,100	40,500	293,900
1979	…	…	225,500	23,100	39,500	288,100
1980	…	…	220,200	21,500	37,000	278,700

Further reductions will be made in 1980–81 to enable us to achieve the 2½ per cent.ash savings required in connection with this year's Civil Service pay settlements and a recruiting ban is in force. In addition, in the period up to 1982 savings of 7,500 will be made as a result of the measures announced by the Minister of State, Civil Service Department on 6 December 1979. Beyond that, studies into the Royal dockyards, research and development and supply management may reveal scope for further savings. We are also participating in studies commissioned by Sir Derek Rayner and there is a continuing process of review to cut out waste and to improve efficiency. No breakdown of the projected savings is possible, but it must be remembered that our present civilian work force covers a wide range of specialisations and skills including craft and non-craft industrials. Only 4 per cent. are employed on administrative and executive work.

The hon. Gentleman is mistaken. Operational military missiles cannot be recalled once they have been launched.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the number of civil servants at his Department on 1 January 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980; and what plans he has for reductions in numbers during 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983.

The number of civilian staff, showing the Royal Ordnance Factories and locally-engaged civilians overseas separately, employed by the Ministry of Defence at 1 January each year from 1975 is shown below:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people joined the volunteer reserves of the Royal Air Force in May 1979 and every month up to the latest for which figures are available.

Recruitment to the volunteer reserves of the Royal Air Force including the Royal Auxiliary Air Force for the months May 1979 to March 1980 was as follows:

May 1979	1
June	2
July	5
August	Nil
September	3
October	130
November	52
December	8
January 1980	22
February	11
March	48

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the French Atlantic Fleet and French forces in Germany have been included in figures 4 and 5 of the Defence White Paper as part of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces; and what assurances have been received from the French Government that these forces would be fighting alongside British forces in the event of conflict with Warsaw Pact countries.

France withdrew from the integrated military structure of the North Atlantic Alliance in 1966 and since then French forces have not been assigned to NATO. Nevertheless, France is a party to the North Atlantic Treaty, article 5 of which states that an armed attack on one member will be considered an attack on all. The Soviet Union would, therefore, have to take account of French forces in weighing up the risks of attempting to use its military power.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many signalmen of British Armed Forces and general Army personnel were present on the Anglo-American base at Diego Garcia on Thursday 24 April.

The only British forces on Diego Garcia island on 24 April were the 25 members of the naval party referred to by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal in his reply of 29 November—Vol. 974, c. 1495–96—and one additional petty officer, by whose post the previous establishment had been increased. These personnel are permanently stationed at Diego Garcia, and they include eight radio operator and communications engineers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study he has made of the paper prepared by the National Union of Students on provision for handicapped students in colleges and universities, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

The paper my Department has recently received is a revised version of the list mentioned in the answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on Tuesday 4 March of establishments which can offer residential facilities to those with mobility problems. As I said on that occasion, such matters are within the discretion of individual establishments and I am glad to see that those listed are able to make some provision. I remain confident that more, if approached, will continue to consider whether they can, within the available resources, offer appropriate residential, teaching and communal facilities for handicapped students.—[Vol. 980, c. 165–66.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many representations he has now received about Wandsworth council's proposal to take over responsibility for education in its area from the Inner London Education Authority; how many of these representations have been for and against the the proposal, respectively; and by whom they have been made;(2) how many representations he has now received, other than from Wandsworth, about the transfer of educational responsibility from the Inner London Education Authority to the London boroughs; who made these representations; and how many have been for and against the proposal.

I shall write to the hon. Member shortly giving the information requested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it was decided that lorry drivers would claim an allowance against income tax for the cost of meals during working hours; and how many district tax inspectors have accepted a standard formula for calculating the sums due for past years.

The Inland Revenue agreed in 1977 that lorry drivers who are required to travel during the course of work as part of their duties could get tax relief in respect of extra expenses necessarily incurred on meals taken in the course of performing their duties. Claims for expenses must be substantiated by some form of evidence that they have actually been incurred, but this will vary according to circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to widen the scope of goods available in exchange for luncheon vouchers.

The tax concession is confined to vouchers used for meals only. We have no plans to extend its scope to other goods or services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if contributions by an employer to a strike indemnity fund will be allowed for offsetting against tax liability.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many organisations having a turnover of £100,000 or less are registered for VAT; and what is the proportion they represent of all the organisations so registered, the amount they pay in value added tax and the proportion that represents of the total amount of value added tax collected.

I shall let my right hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now revise the Treasury memorandum 1977 on capital taxation and the national heritage.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, with reference to his written answer to the hon. Member for Warley East, Official Report, 15 April, c. 615, it is a fact consequent upon that answer that the Commissioners of Inland Revenue are financially advantaged in so far as they withhold from tax debtors, by means of the application of an administrative accounting practice, a proportion or percentage of the benefit of the tax exemption which is provided for without qualification under statue, in respect of objects so exempted which are accepted by those Commissioners for the purpose of satisfying tax debts payable on other property;(2) whether, with reference to his written answer to the hon. Member for Warley East,

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now revise Treasury form 700A, bearing in mind the recommendations of the Select Committee on the National Land Fund.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the case that two payments from the Consolidated Fund, namely class VIII vote 6, subhead D2 and class X, vote 32, subhead C2, constitute accounting events which form part of a closed cycle of transactions internal to Government, at no stage of which any actual transfer outside the public sector of voted money in fact takes place.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the committees, councils, commissions, and other official bodies that have been established by him since May 1979 to which he has appointed members other than civil servants; and in each case what are the names and full-time employments of those appointed.

[pursuant to his reply, 1 May]: There have been no such bodies established.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will issue instructions that all furniture in floating hotels should be bolted down.

A great deal of the heavier furniture is already fixed in position. It may not be practical to secure all furniture. For instance, chairs in mess rooms may have to be moved for cleaning. However, the whole question of flotels is at present under close review and consideration will be given to hazards presented by unsecured articles.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in view of the higher survival rate among trained oil company employees on the " Alexander Keilland " as compared with employees of contractors and visitors, he will review the requirements for survival training on all North Sea structures.

We do not yet know the relative experience and training of survivors of the " Alexander Keilland " disaster, although this is one of the subjects under discussion with the Norwegians.There are regulations in force requiring muster and abandonment drills on installations. Regular workers experience these drills and are usually given some survival training. Occasional visitors on board only for a short while are normally in the charge of a member of the regular offshore staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in view of his answer to the hon. Member for Grimsby on 21 April, he will require reserve buoyancy to be built into floating structures to ensure that they do not sink in the event of catastrophic structural failure.

British requirements for damaged stability of floating installations are among the most stringent known. It is impractical or even impossible to build in sufficient reserve buoyancy to cater for every catastrophic structural failure and a better way to enhance safety may be to require more structural redundancy. Relative requirements for redundancy and watertight integrity will be carefully reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what mechanism there is to ensure that oil companies do not export North Sea crude oil to South Africa.

The companies are fully aware of the Government's policy on the export of North Sea oil, of which I informed the House on 24 May 1979—Vol. 967, c. 185—and which remains unchanged. The Government have regular discussions with companies about the disposal, including the export, of their North Sea oil.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if there is an embargo on the export of British refined oil products to South Africa.

There are no destination restrictions imposed on the export of refined petroleum products.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether oil companies, engaged in exporting North Sea crude oil, exchanged some of these supplies for non-embargoed third country oil for supply to South Africa since July 1979.

The Government's policy on the export of North Sea oil was made clear in my statement of 24 May 1979—Vol. 967, c. 755. The Government do not have comprehensive information on the details of commercial arrangements made by companies outside the United Kingdom.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the text of the convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources which is currently being discussed envisages any restrictions on which nations may participate in decision-making and voting; and what form of voting procedure is envisaged.

The draft convention provides that the commission shall reach its decisions on matters of substance by consensus. Membership of the commission will be made up of the contracting parties which joined in the negotiation of the convention and any acceding party that engages in research or harvesting related to the resources to which the convention applies.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the United Nations environmental programme has been invited to attend the meeting in Canberra at which it is hoped to conclude agreement on a convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.

The United Nations environmental programme has not been invited to attend the Canberra meeting. We are not aware that it has asked to be represented.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements have been made for the accredition of the Antarctic and Southern Oceans Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations and of other non-governmental organisations as observers at the meeting in Canberra at which it is hoped to agree a convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has been invited to send an observer to Canberra as being representative of the views of international non-governmental organisations.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied that the present draft of the convention for the conservation of Antarctic living marine resources will operate effectively as a vehicle for the conservation of the area in question, although it ties member States to certain aspects of the Antarctic treaty, restricts membership and operates on the basis of a consensus voting system.

The convention, as drafted, will be an effective conservation measure so long as the States involved develop any fishery cautiously within the convention framework. Ties with the Antarctic treaty ensure that the States active in the area are subject to similar obligations. We do not regard the membership and voting provisions as weaknesses in the convention.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is satisfied that the draft convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources can be used by member States to achieve a level and distribution of krill catches that will not jeopardise already endangered whale species, nor cause depletion of other species that feed on krill.

Yes. The approach to conservation adopted in the draft convention provides a means for the restoration of depleted species and for the maintenance of the ecological relationships between harvested, dependent and related species.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the secretariats of the International Whaling Commission, the Convention on international trade in endangered species and the Bonn convention on migratory species have been invited to the meeting in Canberra.

An invitation has been extended to the International Whaling Commission. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources—IUCN—which has been invited to send an observer to Canberra, provides secretariat services on behalf of UNEP for the endangered species convention. Secretariat services for the migratory species convention are provided by the Federal Republic of Germany, which is attending the meeting.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

A revised version of the usual written forecast of Community business was deposited on Friday 2 May. At present five meetings of the Council of Ministers are proposed for May.The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 5–6 May and will discuss any necessary follow-up action to the Luxembourg European Council. Ministers are also expected to discuss the shortlist of developers and projects to construct a new Council building; resolutions adopted by the European Parliament at its session 14–18 April; the outcome of the ministerial meeting on 5 May with the Andean Pact countries; preparations for the annual Community-ACP Council of Ministers to be held in Nairobi on 8–9 May; progress in negotiating the relaunched association agreement with Turkey; revised procedures for the suspension of free circulation under article 115 of the Treaty of Rome. We intend to raise the question of sales of butter to the USSR.The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 6–8 May, to continue discussion of the Commission's proposals on CAP prices for 1980–81 and economies in the CAP to help balance the markets and streamline expenditure, together with related measures. Discussion is also expected to resume on the common organisation of the market in mutton and lamb and on monetary matters in the agricultural sector.The Energy Council is expected to meet on 13 May and will discuss the world energy situation in the light of discussion at the European Council. Ministers will also resume discussion of the energy objectives of the Community for 1990; short-term oil supply problems and the future direction of Community energy policy. There may also be discussion of the draft resolution on the new lines of action by the Community in the field of energy savings, on means of improving oil market information, and on recent oil market developments.The Fiscal Questions Council may meet on 19 May to discuss the basis for harmonising the structure of excise duties on alcoholic beverages and to consider draft directives on the harmonisation of tax reliefs for certain means of transport temporarily imported and for permanent imports of personal property from one member State to another. Ministers may discuss proposals for a seventh VAT directive covering used goods, works of art, antiques and collectors items and the proposed directive on the tax treatment of mergers and divisions between companies of different member States.The Fisheries Council may also meet in May, on a date to be arranged, to discuss national quota allocations and the related issue of access preferences; fisheries relations with non-member States; technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources and interim structural measures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why prison standing orders lay down that letters from prisoners to their Members of Parliament have to be read by the censor; and what assessment he has made of the possible damage to the security and safe imprisonment of the prisoner which otherwise would occur if letters of an uncensored nature were permitted to be sent.

Letters to Members of Parliament are read to ensure they contain no grievances about treatment or complaints against prison staff which have not been raised or considered through the normal internal procedure for the investigation of complaints. The purpose is not to prevent the prisoner from ventilating his grievance, but to give the prison administration a proper opportunity to provide a remedy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the Independent Broadcasting Authority about coverage by independent television companies of the Moscow Olympics; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) on 28 February. A joint statement was issued by the broadcasting authorities on 17 April to the effect that the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Broadcasting Authority in consultation with the independent programme companies had jointly confirmed that they would not go ahead with the full live coverage of the Olympic Games as formerly intended and that there would be further discussions as the situation developed about the precise form and extent of the reduced coverage to be given to the Games.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as Operation Countryman began in August 1978, he will request the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to take whatever action may prove necessary to expedite the conclusion of these investigations before people die and the persons concerned are unable to remember what happened two to three years ago.

The Commissioners of the Police of the Metropolis and for the City of London, and the officers undertaking the investigations, are fully aware of the need to complete them as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to levy a charge on local authorities for 15 and 16-year-old children currently serving borstal or detention centre sentences as alternatives to community homes.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why prisoners at Armley prison are engaged in the manufacture of anti-radiation suits; and what is the purpose of the task and the product.

The items produced are carbon-bonded suits made under contract for the Ministry of Defence. The contract provides employment for prisoners. The purpose of the suits is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the case of Peter Lamb of Withington, Manchester, whose appeal against conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal after he had been convicted on the basis of identification evidence alone, if he is satisfied that current guidelines to the police on identification are sufficiently stringent; and if he will institute a thorough reappraisal of identification evidence.

The law and procedure relating to identification evidence were thoroughly reviewed by the departmental committee on evidence of identification in criminal cases—the Devlin Committee—published in April 1976 (HC 388). We see no need for a further special review of these issues or for any revision of the present rules and administrative guidance on the conduct of identification parades and the use of photographs for identification, which were formulated in the light of the committee's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been held in police cells since 27 March; what was the average length of time spent there; what types of prisoner were held; and for what reasons they were detained.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind persons remanded into, or sentenced to, prison department custody. Figures are not kept of prisoners on remand or just sentenced who are kept overnight in police cells for normal operational reasons, such as the distance of the court from a prison or remand centre. Otherwise, from 28 March to 30 April 1980, 13 sentenced young prisoners had been held in police cells for periods up to 24 hours because of the likelihood of industrial action at Wormwood Scrubs. In addition, one sentenced male adult prisoner had been held in police cells since the beginning of 1980 in the interest of justice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, on 28 April if he will now publish the report on the fire at Woolworth's store in Piccadilly, Manchester, in May 1979, which was remitted to the joint fire prevention committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council at its meeting on 29 April; and on what date he will be commenting on the circumstances and implications of the fire.

We shall determine what further action may be appropriate when we have had an adequate opportunity to consider the committee's findings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long defendants tried in the Crown court spend awaiting committal for trial following their first appearance in a magistrates' court; and if he will express the answer in percentages per number of weeks of waiting for each year since 1971.

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress his Department has made in the preparation of the installation of automatic traffic signals at the junction of Weetwood Lane and Long Causeway, Leeds outer ring road, A6120; and when the signals will be installed and in use in view of the constant accidents at that junction and the recent double fatality in an accident in April of this year.

I am aware of the accident problems at this junction on the Leeds outer ring road and from the information now available it seems likely that traffic signals would be the answer. A scheme is now in preparation and, if this is practicable, and funds are available, I hope work can start in the spring of 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Wildlife and Countryside Bill will be presented; and if he intends to improve the protection afforded to rural environment in respect of preservation of hedgerow trees and hedgerows within the proposed legislation.

It remains the intention of my right hon. Friend to introduce the Bill as soon as parliamentary time permits.I am satisfied that the protection given by the provisions of the current tree preservation order legislation is adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a breakdown of the extra items and work which increased the estimate on 14 January for the conversion of existing accommodation into five Committee Rooms on the Upper Committee Corridor from £375,000 to £475,000.

The main factors which have contributed to the increased estimated cost of the new Committee Rooms on the Upper Committee Corridor are:

i. Redesign of the lighting and ventilation systems to minimise interference with the ceiling panels, at the request of the Department's historic building advisers of the Palace of Westminster. The urgency of the requirement caused assessments to be made at the outset which had to be changed after detailed studies.

ii. Replacement of a large number of ceil-ling panels which were unavoidably damaged during the installation of the lighting and ventilation. Many of these panels were found to be sub-standard replacements of the original ceiling panels—a fact not revealed during the design survey.

iii. Unforeseen structural work to some of the ceilings which were found to be partially supported by non-load bearing partition walls. This had resulted from structural movement within the building after the partitions were originally installed.

iv. The need to adopt exceptional contractual procedures and to introduce more overtime working than foreseen to complete the work to a time scale dictated by the House's requirements.

I am advised that it is not possible at this stage to attribute specific amounts of the estimated increase to each of these factors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of the lighting in the five Committee Rooms on the Upper Committee Corridor; and what was the cost of the wall lights.

The cost of the lighting was approximately £24,000. The wall lights cost £8,280.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give detailed particulars with price of the furnishings costing £84,000 for the five

Work							Labour	Materials	Total
							£	£	£
Building and Civil Engineering			…	…	…	…	159,000	79,000	238,000
Mechanical and Electrical
(i) Tannoy	…	…	…	…	…	…	31,000	17,500	48,500
(ii) Electrical		…	…	…	…	…	35,750	52,750	88,500
(iii) Ventilation		…	…	…	…	…	60,000	40,000	100,000
									475,000

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many long leases of dwelling houses have been granted since February 1966 under which, but for the cut-off date in section 1(5) of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967, as amended by the Housing Act 1974, the lessees would have been able to enfranchise the freehold interest in the same way as lessees of underleases granted before February 1966 are so able to enfranchise.

I regret that information about the number of long leases of houses granted in the private sector since February 1966 or any other date is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the details of his consultations with each of the governing bodies he has met new Committee Rooms on the Upper Committee Corridor.

The furnishings—which were approved by the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee—comprise:

	£
60 (Oak Pugin style) tables	40,500
144 Chairs (House of Commons green leather)	26,300
120 Other chairs	8,200
Carpets and underlay	9,000

Costs include VAT and PSA Supplies oncosts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a financial statement in the Official Report itemising the cost of conversion of the additional five committee rooms.

A breakdown of the current cost of the conversion work is given below:about alternatives to the Olympic Games as described in his reply to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Small Heath, on 28 April, including the date of each such meeting and the names of the administrators who were present or consulted.

Consultations with governing bodies of sport about compensatory events have necessarily been of a somewhat confidential and sensitive nature. The rapidly changing scene has sometimes meant discussions being arranged at very short notice. Not all are recorded. I do not, therefore, regard it as appropriate to provide the information called for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Small Heath, Official Report, 28 April, column 353, why he has not consulted the Sports Council about the arrangements and financing of events which the Government are encouraging as an alternative to the Olympic Games; why he has not consulted the Central Council for Physical Recreation; and by what channel, other than the Sports Council, he has informed governing bodies that they should now deal direct with Ministers.

The Sports Council is aware that arrangements for compensatory events are still very tentative and involve confidential discussions between some of our governing bodies and their counterparts in other countries. This unusual situation in no way prejudices the usual channels of communication between Ministers and governing bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Small Heath, Official Report, 28 April, column 352, when he expects to be able to answer the questions concerning the administration and statutory basis of provision of funds for alternative events.

The Government's contribution towards the financing of these events, should they take place, will not be met from the Sports Council's current grant-in-aid. Additional funds will be made available. The Sports Council chairman has agreed that the council would act as the vehicle for channelling these additional funds to the relevant bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland where the 203 dwellings under construction in the Housing Executive's district 2 area are to be built.

Investigation has shown that 208 dwellings are in fact under construction as follows:

Area	No. of units
Redevelopment Area 24	88
Gladhus	50
Redevelopment Area 28	14
Redevelopment Area 32	37
*Holywood Road	19
TOTAL	208
* for the James Butcher Housing Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to increase the number or size of police stations and police centres in Northern Ireland in the next 12 months.

The provision of accommodation for the Royal Ulster Constabulary is the responsibility of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland. I understand that, under its building programme, five major building projects for police stations or extensions should be completed in the next 12 months, during which time it is planned that a further four such projects will be started.One new local police centre will be opened in the near future, and the need to open others is kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many letters the Government and Her Majesty's representatives overseas received in 1979 alleging violation of human rights in Northern Ireland; and what is the usual form of reply.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations, if any, he has had with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland concerning plans by the Republic of Ireland's television service to beam its programmes into Northern Ireland via a transmitter on the Louth-Armagh border at Claremont Cam; and what action he will take.

I have been asked to reply.The Republic of Ireland has notified the United Kingdom Administration of its proposal to increase the power of its Carlingford transmitter at Claremont Cam. Officials of the United Kingdom and Irish Administrations are examining the technical problems of reconciling the Irish proposal with the United Kingdom's requirement for the power transmitted in the direction of Northern Ireland to be restricted in order to protect the development of the United Kingdom's UHF television coverage there.

asked the Attorney-General, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Antrim, North, Official Report, 17 April, column 701, what is the present location of the magistrates' court serving the borough of Castlereagh; what proposal he has to change this location to within the council; what consultation he has had with the district council concerning a change of location; and if alternatives have been suggested by that council.

The magistrates' court serving the Castlereagh district is at present located temporarily in Newtownards court house pursuant to a direction of the resident magistrate given under section 13(1) of the Administration of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1954. A search for suitable accommodation within the district commenced in October 1979 and is still continuing. There have been no consultations between the Northern Ireland court service and the council, but the town clerk was informed of the recent direction for the temporary transfer of sittings. The council suggested two alternative locations for the court and these are being considered.

asked the Attorney-General when the Greater London Council first submitted estate plans for the Windrush area of Thamesmead to Her Majesty's Land Registry; why there has been a lengthy delay in approving the plans; and when approval is now expected.

The Land Registry is not aware of any outstanding approval in this area. If the hon. Member can identify the particular cases to which he is referring, further inquiries will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what drugs are purchased by the National Health Service from the Soviet Union and Soviet satellite countries; and if he will review the policy of purchasing drugs from these countries.

The information requested is not held centrally and would be costly to obtain. However, imports of human and veterinary medicinal and pharmaceutical products from the Soviet Union, East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Rumania and Bulgaria totalled £1·2 million in 1979, representing 0·55 per cent. of the total imports of these products into the United Kingdom.My right hon. Friend is in process of setting up a supply council to review NHS purchasing policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement regarding the extent and distribution of representations received by his Department, regarding delay in the implementation of back pay to August 1979 for the nursing profession, as recommended in the Clegg commission report.

Arrangements for implementing pay awards are the responsibility of individual NHS authorities. The standing commission's report on nurses' pay was published on 4 January. Following detailed discussions in the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council, a letter authorising payment of the commission's award was issued to NHS authorities on 31 January. It was then expected that most authorities would be able to implement the new pay scales at the end of February and pay back pay at the end of March. I understand that, generally, these dates were achieved.I have identified one letter dated 30 January from an hon. Member concerning implementation of the award and two other letters from hon. Members received during March complaining that back pay had not been received at the end of February. The Department does not keep detailed records of the subject matter of correspondence from individual NHS employees or members of the public, but there has not been any significant volume of correspondence on this question. Responsibility for the National Health Service in Wales rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will publish new guidelines on health centres to regional and other health authorities; and if he will consider allowing family medical practitioners to work from such health authority-built centres, even though the locality may not be inner city or otherwise acutely difficult areas.

The new policy guidance will be issued in the next four to six weeks. Although this will introduce fresh criteria for considering health centre schemes, it will not limit future building to particular types of area.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated total annual cost for the past two to three years to the National Health Service of the diagnostic radiology service; and if he will carry out an investigation into the possible over-use of X-rays.

The total revenue cost of radiodiagnostic departments in the National Health Service in England for the past three years was: 1976–77 £56·1 million; 1977–78 £630 million; 1978–79 £71·1 million. Full capital costs are not available, but the approximate annual total of capital expenditure by the National Health Service in England and Wales on new diagnostic X-ray equipment was: 1976–77 £15·5 million; 1977–78 £17·0 million; 1978–79 £18·3 million.The National Radiological Protection Board has recently completed a frequency survey of diagnostic radiological examinations carried out in NHS hospitals in Great Britain in 1977. The use of X-ray examinations is a matter of clinical judgment within the resources available. The Royal College of Radiologists is already undertaking studies into the usefulness of particular categories of X-ray examination with financial assistance from the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why it took until 19 March to give a decision on the Coventry community health council oral hearing which took place on 22 October 1979.

The case concerned an appeal to my right hon. Friend from a decision of the medical service committee of the Coventry family practitioner committee under the National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) Regulations 1974. In such cases, when the report made by the persons appointed to conduct the oral hearing of the appeal has been received, it has to be carefully considered in the light of medical and legal advice. At present, the time being taken is longer than is desirable because of the pressures of a recent high incidence of cases on the staff available for this work, but efforts are being made to complete cases more quickly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of the discontent expressed at various conferences of those working in the National Health Service called to discuss " Patients First ", if he will make a statement on the issue of staff job protection because of the lack of information on the effect health service reorganisation will have in this matter.

I hope that it will soon be possible for negotiations to start on our proposals for a premature retirement scheme and protection terms for any staff obliged to move to a lower graded post. Together with natural wastage, these proposals should enable changes in the management of the NHS to take place with few, if any, compulsory redundancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the future of nursing education was omitted from his consultative document " Patients First "; and if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in this area.

Nurse education is mentioned in paragraph 22(b) of the consultative document "Patients First", as an example of a service which is at present provided at area but which it may be right to organise on a district basis. The document suggests that decisions about how facilities for nurse education should be provided would be a matter for the shadow district authorities and the regional health authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there is any reason, other than cash limits, why he regards the possession of a degree as an essential qualification for a grant in respect of courses leading to the certificate of qualification in social work.

A degree is not generally an essential qualification for grant-aided students aiming at the certificate of qualification in social work, and about half of CQSW course places are for non-graduates. The Department awards grants to graduates on suitable courses. Non-graduates can apply for grants to their local education authorities. In addition, a significant number of both graduates and non-graduates are supported through secondment from their employers.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the gross cost to public funds of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 in its first 10 years; what estimate he has made of the net cost of the Act allowing for the savings that have accrued from the new emphasis on community care as compared with hospital and other institutional care; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure the further implementation of the Act.

Costs arising from particular enactments are not recorded separately and it would not be possible to provide such estimates. Implementation of the main provisions of the Act is the responsibility of individual local authorities which must naturally have regard to the totality of needs falling to be met in their areas and adjust their priorities accordingly. I have already made clear that I expect priority to be given to the needs of the seriously disabled, even at a time of great financial stringency.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the numbers of hospital patients treated per hospital bed for (a) the Northampton district, (b) the 10 districts of highest turnover and (c) the 10 districts of lowest turnover.

The number of patients treated in hospital per available bed at 31 December 1978, the latest date for which figures are available, are as follows:

Northampton District	15.4
Districts with the highest turnover
1. Central Manchester	34·7
2. Central Sheffield	34·0
3. Central Birmingham	31·7
4. South Bedfordshire	28·7
5. Medway	27·4
6. High Wycombe	26·7
7. Scarborough	26·2
8. Harrow	26·0
9. South Camden	25·8
10. North Hammersmith	25·8
Districts with the lowest turnover
1. Holton	3·5
2. Northumberland	5·8
3. Mid Surrey	5·9
4. Ealing	6·0
5. South Sheffield	6·0
6. South West Hertfordshire	6·2
7. Warrington	6·4
8. South West Durham	6·5
9. East Surrey	6·7
10. Frenchay	6·7

These figures are significantly affected by the different mixture of cases treated in different districts. Those with lower turnover have a larger proportion of long-stay cases, including long-stay psychiatric cases.