asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount spent in 1979 on the Territorial Army Reserves; and if he will give details of the expenditure.

It is not possible to give figures for the actual outturn of expenditure on the TA in 1979–80 as the Defence Vote system monitors expenditure on a commodity rather than a functional basis. The best available assessment of expenditure on the TA in 1979–80 is £105·5 million. This can be broken down as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute an inquiry into the detonation of a shell on the beach at Newburgh in the East Aberdeenshire constituency at 1400 hours on 12 May, which caused fear and concern to lieges in that village; and if he will make a full statement on the reason for this explosion and give an assurance that adequate safety precautions and prior warnings will be given should such an incident occur in the future.

On 12 May the Army explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) detachment from Edinburgh received a request from the police to dispose of an old wartime shell discovered by the police in the Forvie nature reserve. The EOD team removed the shell to a selected safe, remote site adjacent to the beach near Newburgh, where it was destroyed.In this instance, on the basis of police advice, no warnings were given; to have done so would have attracted a number of spectators with the consequent need for a greater number of police and Army personnel to man a safety cordon. However, full safety precautions were taken and at no time was there any danger to any members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any consultations regarding the efficiency of cruise missiles were held with the United States of America Government prior to the decision to instal them in East Anglia.

Detailed discussions have, of course, taken place on all aspects of the planned deployments, and the United States is continuing to keep the Alliance informed on progress in the development programme. My latest information is that test firings of the Tomahawk cruise missile from a variety of platforms have achieved a success rate of the order of 80 per cent., which is particularly good for a missile at this stage in its development programme. As I have repeatedly made clear to the House, we have not yet decided where in the United Kingdom the United States ground-launched cruise missiles will be based.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the answer given to the hon. Member for Oldham West, (Mr. Meacher) Official Report, 18 December 1979, c 133, before giving any further consideration to the question of Great Britain joining the European monetary system, in view of the high level of unemployment and the deteriorating economic situation in the North-East of England, if he will undertake to have a detailed investigation into the likely economic effects that the European monetary system would have in the North-East and other assisted areas of the United Kingdom.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the position of Her Majesty's Government in respect of the sale in 1975 by Burmah Oil of its British Petroleum shareholding to the Bank of England; whether he plans to provide any public funds to procure a settlement: and what were the reasons for his decision including the legal position.

The Burmah Oil Company Ltd. has instituted legal proceedings against the Bank of England for relief in respect of this sale. The Government would not consider it proper to intervene between the parties to these proceedings, which should be allowed to run their course in the normal way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the complexity of the present regulations and the confusion that exists among those directly concerned, he will hold urgent discussions with a view to introducing a general exemption on value added tax on the purchase of any item which enables a registered handicapped person to lead a normal life.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has completed his review of the future of the Exchange Control Act 1947; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. The House was told on 6 November last that, following my decision, announced in October, to abolish exchange controls, I would be reviewing the future of the Exchange Control Act 1947. I have now decided that, at least for the time being, the present Act should be retained.I regard the 1947 Act as unsatisfactory in a number of ways, notably in the wide extent of its powers and in its bias, natural enough when it was introduced, towards the control of outflows. I see no prospect of time being made available in the legislative programme for the early replacement or substantive amendment of the Act; and simple repeal would not be compatible with our Treaty obligations.I do however envisage that ultimately, and probably most conveniently in several stages, changes in the law will be sought with the objectives of making the powers available in this area less draconian and more symmetrical as between control of outflows and of inflows.In the meantime, the Act needs to be kept in being because the United Kingdom Government are required, under the European Community Council Directive 72/156 of 21 March 1972, to have available certain instruments for effective regulation of international capital flows and for neutralising those effects of such flows on domestic liquidity which are considered undesirable. The directive also requires that these instruments may be able, where necessary, to be put into operation without further enabling measures. The Exchange Control Act 1947 is the only current legislative authority in the United Kingdom under which the Government could take such action.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the annual running costs of (a) the United Kingdom Parliament and (b) the United Kingdom's share of the European Assembly, on the same bases of calculation.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 May 1980, c. 655]: About £30 million has been included in the 1980–81 Estimates for the running of the United Kingdom Parliament. The 1980 Community budget provision for the European Parliament is about £100 million, of which the United Kingdom's share would be about 21 per cent. The cost of Members' salaries, allowances and expenses has been excluded from both figures.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the number, respectively, of permanent secretaries, deputy secretaries, under-secretaries, assistant secretaries and principals employed in the Civil Service each year since 1945; and what was the average salary in each grade for each of these years.

The table below gives the information required from 1965, the earliest year for which consistent figures for the specified grades are held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to his reply dated 15 November 1979 concerning the production and export of motor cars, whether he will now provide figures for the calendar year 1979 for each country.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the name of the present occasional consultant on European planning questions employed by his Department; and at what institution he or she teaches at present.

The consultant in question is Dr. D. Green, who teaches at the City of London Polytechnic.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what decisions he has reached about the promotion of baby foods in developing countries; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.

The matter is currently being discussed in detail at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. We expect a full report shortly and will consider what action might be taken after that report is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money is being made available to voluntary organisations to deal with drunks in (a) England and Wales, (b) Greater London and (c) the South Eastern area, in the year 1980–81.

I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to his questions on 9 May.—[Vol. 984, c. 295.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children were detained under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 in each year since 1970.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the interest of curbing crimes of violence on transport undertakings, he will negotiate access to the police national computer by members of the British Transport police.

We have no present plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 13 applications which he has received for community-based radio stations to be run on low power off air.

The applications were from:Aycliffe Community Radio.Community Radio Milton Keynes.East London (Community) Radio Campaign.London Hospitals Broadcasting.The Mutual Aid Centre.Northampton general hospital.Pathfinder Radio Group.Radio Basildon.Radio Thamesmead.Sunshine Radio, Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool.The West Wiltshire Hospital Radio Service.W.S.M. Community Radio Telford.There has also been one individual applicant.Since my reply to a question from the hon. Member on 20 March a further application has been received from Greenwich Sound.

asked the Prime Minister what representations she has received from the chairman of the Association Civil Defence and Emergency Planning Officers; what reply she has made; and if she will publish her reply in the Official Report.

I received a letter from the chairman of the Association of Civil Defence and Emergency Planning Officers on 10 May. A reply will be sent in due course.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will introduce new legislation to establish a retiring age for the Master of the Rolls.

No.

asked the Prime Minister what is the salary of the Master of the Rolls; what was the date and amount of the last increase (a) in money terms and (b) in percentage terms; and whether this increase was in line with the rate of inflation.

From 1 April 1980, £34,000 a year, the rate recommended by the Review Body on Top Salaries as appropriate at 1 April 1979. This rate was applicable in full for pensions purposes from 1 April 1979; but the salary in payment from April 1979 to March 1980 was £30,261. The increase in salary was 12·4 per cent., while the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices in the 12 months to March 1980 was 19·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the average level of unemployment for each year since 1970 in (a) total numbers of unemployed and (b) percentage unemployed.

Following is the information for Great Britain:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a further statement about the role of the Professional and Executive Recruitment, in particular during the period up to September 1981; if the policy is to concentrate on helping employers fill vacancies, or on helping unemployed professionals and executives; how far information about the numbers of unemployed in various categories on Professional and Executive Recruitment registers is to be used to influence training and educational policy, and how far Professional and Executive Recruitment will have to be financed from income for its services.

Further to my reply to the hon. Member of 22 April.—[Vol. 983, c. 211]—I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that satisfactory progress is being made on the restyling of the service which it is planned to have in full operation by the end of the year. The re-styling will not change the two main aims of PER which are to provide recruitment services for employers seeking staff at the professional and executive levels, and information and support services to help individuals seeking jobs at that level with their own job hunting efforts.The planning of course provision under the training opportunities scheme (TOPS) takes account of labour market information including unemployment and

vacancy statistics. More especially following a recent internal review of TOPS management training carried out in consultation with PER amongst others, the MSC propose to shift the balance of TOPS provision away from long general management courses towards (

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will discuss with the teaching unions ways to give one-teacher schools the widest variety of voluntary help to add to the educational opportunities they offer.

My right hon. and learned Friend is sure that voluntary help can add much to the life and work of all types of schools—including those with one teacher—but believes that this must be a matter for local initiative and decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recommendations of the Warnock report on special educational needs have already been implemented; and what recommendations have been accepted in principle but are not yet implemented in practice.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on the Warnock Report on 3 March. The Warnock Report is essentially developmental in character with short and longer-term recommendations of both a specific and general nature variously addressed to central and local government and the different professions involved in aspects of special education. It is not possible to quantify the progress made on each of the 225 recommendations, some of which emanated from examples of existing good practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has information on the percentage of entrants to Scottish universities who had been educated at Scottish independent, grant-aided and State schools, respectively; and if he has comparable figures for each of the previous 10 years.

Yes. Of the total entrants to Scottish universities for the academic year 1978–79, about 3 per cent. had been educated at Scottish independent schools, 7 per cent. at Scottish grant-aided schools and 46 per cent. at Scottish state schools. The remainder came from overseas, from English schools, or were mature entrants. Information is not available for earlier years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the letter of 9 January to the hon. Member for Caernarvon concerning the problems of his constituent from Porthmadog, addressed to the Secretary of State for Education and Science, was not acted upon nor transferred to the Welsh Office until 28 April.

I much regret the delay that occurred in this case. The correspondence was mislaid, but was transferred to the Welsh Office as soon as the oversight was discovered.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the current system whereby teachers who accept early retirement receive a payment under the Redundancy Payments Act, a pension and a lump sum under the teachers' superannuation regulations, have their reckon-able service enhanced up to a maximum of 10 years and then are able to take further employment by Government sponsored organisations, so enhancing their personal financial circumstances and increasing public expenditure.

A teacher aged 50 or over, whose employment is terminated by reason of his redundancy or in the interests of the efficient discharge of his employer's functions, becomes entitled to receive his accrued superannuation benefits. The employing authority has discretion to enhance—from its own funds— those benefits by payments made in proportion to notional additional years of service.Those notional—or compensatory—added years are restricted by various formulae based on age and length of service but 10 years are the maximum possible under the arrangements. Where more than 6⅔ added years are awarded to a teacher who receives a redundancy payment, however, a reduction must be made to the lump sum payable and, in some instances, to the amount of annual compensation.The teacher is also required to declare any income he subsequently receives on re-employment as a teacher—or on any post where he would contribute to a pension in the teachers' superannuation scheme—and this would result in abatement of the supplementary annual compensation and possibly the normal pension already in payment. These principles apply generally to compensation schemes throughout local government service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will outline the procedure by which submissions may be given to the team inquiring into the Inner London Education Authority; and if he will announce the deadline for such submissions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest date on which representations can be made to the internal Government inquiry into the future of educational arrangements: in inner London.

Written representations on this matter should be sent to me at the Department of Education and Science. It will be helpful if all representations are made as soon as possible, and in any event not later than the end of June.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will be in a position to make a decision on the Finniston report, in view of the concern at all Scottish universities on the impact of that report; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Carlisle) on 1 April—and would add that Scottish interests are, fully represented in our consultations.—[Vol. 982, c. 168–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total annual cost of running the Land Authority for Wales.

The total cost of the authority's administration for 1979–80 is expected to have been of the order of £800,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the current annual emoluments received by individual members, other than the chairman, of the Land Authority for Wales; and how much time per week each member, other than the chairman, is expected to devote to his, or her, work.

The deputy chairman of the Land Authority for Wales is paid a salary of £6,274 per annum and is expected to devote two days per week to his duties; members receive £2,250 and are expected to devote approximately one day per week to the affairs of the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will seek powers to impose standards directly similar to British Standards on all gas and pressure fittings imported into the United Kingdom.

Gas and pressure fittings are used in a very wide range of industrial plant and products. I am satisfied that existing legislation relating to the safety of such fittings provides adequate powers to impose technical requirements; these can be implemented by reference to British Standards.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to receive the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on full-line forcing and tie-in sales.

My right hon. Friend expects to receive the report before the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the value of frozen cod fillets imported into the United Kingdom in the years 1978 and 1979 and in the first quarter of the current year, showing the comparable values for each of these periods in cash percentage terms of lower, higher or equal values.

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

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will withdraw the United Kingdom ambassador in Argentina in the light of the recent Organisation of American States report on human rights in Argentina.

No. The presence of an ambassador does not constitute support or approval for a particular regime or for its policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were admitted or readmitted to hospitals in Northern Ireland for treatment of alcoholism in 1979.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. Robinson) on 30 April 1980. Figures are not yet available for 1979.—[Vol. 983, c. 471].

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the amount of damage caused by vandalism to public housing in each housing region in Northern Ireland in the past year.

This information is not available from police records, but I am asking the chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what studies have been undertaken for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive into the cost of heating homes by different methods; and what is the result of these studies.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and I am asking the chairman of the Executive to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is intending to allow any exemptions from the payment of dog licences under the scheme announced on 14 January.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether the Northern Ireland Housing Executive sought grant-aid from the historical monuments and buildings branch of the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) for the repairs undertaken in respect of Shrigley monument in County Down;(2) whether the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) was involved in the decision which resulted in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive undertaking the repair of Shrigley monument in County Down;(3) under which housing provisions the Northern Ireland Housing Executive undertook the repair of Shrigley monument in County Down; and what audit procedures will be applied for the expenditure involved;(4) whether he is satisfied that no private interest was being furthered by the action of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in repairing the Shrigley monument;(5) what is the estimated cost of the repair of Shrigley monument, County Down.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 233]: This monument is the property of the Housing Executive. It was listed as a building of special architectural or historical interest in 1976.No formal application by the Executive for grant aid has been made for its restoration although there were discussions with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland before repairs to the monument were undertaken. It is, however, the policy to encourage public bodies receiving substantial financial aid from public funds to bear the full cost of maintaining listed buildings.The repairs were undertaken by the Executive under the provisions of section

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many foreign firms have invested in Northern Ireland in each year since 1960; and what has been the nature of each investment and the total amount of that investment.

The total amount of investment by foreign firms in Northern Ireland since 1960 is some £280 million. The number of firms investing in each year, and the nature of their investments, are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the recreational projects planned for redevelopment areas 22N and 19 Donegall Pass, and also the Sandy Row-Donegall Road area.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 233]: I understand that a small play area and a new youth club have already been provided in Donegall Pass and that efforts are continuing to find a suitable site for a sports hall/outdoor facility. In comprehensive development area 21 (Donegall Road), it is proposed to provide a major open space area and a play area. A youth club is to be provided in Sandy Row. A new leisure centre at Bog Meadows will also serve the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Advisory Committee for Agricultural Training; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: This advisory committee does not provide written advice. The conclusions of the last meeting in September 1979 are being taken into account as part of the regular review of agricultural training programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Youth Opportunities Programme Monitoring Committee; and what action has he taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The Youth Opportunities Programme Monitoring Committee does not directly advise the Secretary of State. It exists to advise the Department of Manpower Services for Northern Ireland on the Northern Ireland youth opportunities programme.Written advice is not tendered by that committee, but its recommendations are recorded in the minutes of its meetings. It last met on 8 January 1980 and its views are being taken into account by the Department in the operation and development of the youth opportunities programme in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Youth Committee for Northern Ireland; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237): On 6 May 1980 the committee submitted recommendations on the time-table for the establishment of the Northern Ireland youth forum. These are currently being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the the Youth Careers Guidance Committee and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237): The Youth Careers Guidance Committee does not directly advise the Secretary of State. It is a statutory committee established by article 7 of the Youth Employment Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1974 to advise the Departments of Manpower Services and Education on careers guidance in schools, placement in employment of school leavers and related matters.The two Departments are considering the committee's last written advice, about the need for craft education and workshops in grammar schools, which was tendered on 29 January 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when last he received written advice from the UNESCO Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The last written advice received from the Northern Ireland UNESCO Committee was a proposal in July 1979 to extend the role of the committee by the formation of a more broadly based body to promote development education in Northern Ireland in addition to furthering the aims and ideals of UNESCO. The committee has been advised that it is not possible to provide additional financial resources for this purpose.The committee continues to play an important role in Northern Ireland in the promotion of international understanding.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Therapeutic Paramedical Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: This committee last met on 25 March 1980, when it provided advice to the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland on accommodation in health service facilities, which is to be incorporated in a Departmental review of the health centre design guide.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Teachers' Negotiating Machinery for Salaries and Conditions of Service; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The three negotiating committees on salaries and conditions of service of teachers in Northern Ireland communicate their decisions as appropriate to the Department of Education and the teachers' or employers' organisations for implementation. The last decision was by the Teachers Salaries Negotiating Committee (Schools) at its meeting on 7 February 1980 which agreed an increase of 7½ per cent. on the salary scales with effect from 1 January 1980. It has now been implemented.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The last written advice from the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights was contained in the commission's fifth annual report published on 6 March this year. The report was laid before Parliament on the day of publication. The commission's advice will be given careful consideration in the formulation of Government policy and, in particular, its recommendations for changes in the law relating to terrorism will be taken fully into account before the forthcoming renewal of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Postgraduate Advisory Board; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The most recent advice from the Postgraduate Advisory Board was contained in the minutes of the board's meeting of 14 February 1980. That advice, which related to the allocation of postgraduate awards in 1980–81 between institutions of higher education, has been accepted in full.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Poisons Board; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The board last provided advice in January 1978 and action has been taken accordingly on several matters. Advice on amendments to poisons legislation is being incorporated in regulations now being drafted.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Water Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The Northern Ireland Water Council does not usually offer advice in written form. It last gave oral advice in March 1980, when officials from the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture discussed a number of associated matters connected with Lough Neagh. The council endorsed the objectives of both Departments, including a proposed programme aimed at reducing the amount of phosphate discharged from sewerage treatment works into the Lough.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Training Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The Northern Ireland Training Council's advice on training matters is provided through discussion with the Department of Manpower Services for Northern Ireland rather than through written advice to the Secretary of State.At its last minuted meeting on 22 January 1980, training in marketing was discussed. As a result a range of seminars on the subject is to be undertaken and the Department is to introduce a specific training scheme for marketing managers.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Medical Manpower Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The last meeting of this committee took place on 30 April 1980 and the Department of Health and Social Services is now considering the recommendations made at that meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Housing Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland regularly receives advice, views and comment from the Northern Ireland Housing Council on a wide range of housing matters. The most recent advice was received on 25 March 1980. The advice received influences many decisions taken by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Department of the Environment.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The council last met on 6 February 1980 when it provided advice to the Department of Health and Social Services on the allocation of capital and revenue funds to health and social services boards for 1980–81. Funds have been allocated for that year on the basis of that advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Economic Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: On 26 March The recommendations and suggestions contained in that report are still being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Drainage Council and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The business of the Northern Ireland Drainage Council is conducted at bi-annual meetings at which drainage issues raised both by the Members and the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland are discussed. Decisions or advice given are recorded in the minutes and subsequently considered by the Department. The last meeting took place in November 1979, and as a result of this, officials have, amongst other things, progressed matters in relation to further improvement schemes and maintenance of designated water courses.Apart from giving general advice the council has been responsible for designation of some 6,000 km. of rivers which has led directly to improvement and maintenance works being carried out by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Consumer Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The Northern Ireland Consumer Council was set up by the Government to advise on consumer matters and to represent consumer interests in Northern Ireland. Its most recent advice was on the carriage and delivery of liquid fuel by road tankers and this has been taken into account in the relevant subordinate legislation made on 14th April 1980. In addition, its views on the enforcement of those regulations are currently under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Construction Industry Advisory Council and what acton he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The council, of which I am the chairman, advises the Government on matters affecting the building and civil engineering industry in Northern Ireland. Advice from council members is usually given orally and recorded in agreed minutes of meetings. The council last met on 29 April 1980 when matters dealt with included the implications for the Northern Ireland construction industry of the Government White Paper on Public Expenditure and the problems of the cement industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Northern Ireland Business Education Liasion Committee and Technical Education Council; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: These committees provide links between Northern Ireland interests and the Technician Education Council and the Business Education Council in Great Britain. The latest advice, in letters dated 25 April from their specialist sub-committees, concerned course proposals submitted by technical colleges in Northern Ireland. This advice is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last received written advice from the Legal Aid Advisory Committee and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The report of the Legal Aid Advisory Committee on the thirteenth report of the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland on the Legal Aid Scheme (1977–78) was received by my right hon. Friend on 11 March 1980 and was laid before Parliament on 1 May 1980. The recommendations made by the Committee are now being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Laying Test Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The committee last met in September 1979 when the members discussed the running of the egg-laying test with officials. No written advice was tendered, the normal practice being for advice to be communicated orally at the meetings with officials. A recommendation by the committee on the side of eggs produced at test stations has been adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last received written advice from the District Disablement Advisory Committees; and what action has he taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The Department of Manpower Services for Northern Ireland last received advice on 7 March 1980 in respect of participation in the international year of disabled persons in 1981, which the Department is currently considering.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last received written advice from the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: This is a statutory committee which the Department of Finance for Northern Ireland is required to consult when considering amendments to the Northern Ireland building regulations. Its advice is given orally and is recorded in agreed minutes. The committee last met on 19 February. Its advice on a wide range of topics is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received advice from the Hotel Grants Advisory Committee and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The Hotel Grants Advisory Committee advises the Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland on applications for grant and loan towards the capital cost of developing various categories of overnight accommodation for tourists. The committee last met on 25 April, when it dealt with a total of 30 such applications. The Department is now acting on the advice given.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Distinction Awards Committee for Northern Ireland, and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: This committee advises the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland on which consultants employed in the Northern Ireland health services should receive awards. The last advice was given on 20 March and has been fully implemented.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Council for Continuing Education; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The last advice was contained in the minutes of the council's meeting of 27 March 1980. This consisted of proposals for publicising continuing education opportunities in Northern Ireland, measures to assist in the preservation of locally produced historical material and proposals for research into techniques of documenting resource material. The proposals concerning publicity have been agreed and the Department of Education is currently considering the other proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Charities Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The committee does not directly advise the Secretary of State. It was established by section 25(10) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 to advise the Department of Finance for Northern Ireland on the investment of the central investment fund for charities. The committee last met on 7May 1980 and its views, as on earlier occasions, will be taken into account in determining investment activities of the central investment fund for charities.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The last written advice received from the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland was on 10 June 1969 when it submitted its re porton the second general review of parliamentary constituencies. This report was laid before Parliament with the draft of an Order in Council giving effect, with out modification, to the recommendations contained in the report.The Boundary Commission gave notice on 16 February 1976 that it intended to commence its third general review. It published its provisional recommendations on 8 January 1980 and will in due course submit a report.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Advisory Committee on the Supply and Training of Teachers; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The most recent written advice from this committee was in a letter of 30 April, which concerned possible future arrangements for the induction of newly qualified teachers in their first year of teaching and the development of programmes of in-service training for experienced teachers. Officials will discuss this advice with the committee, and it is intended that the committee's views will be taken into account in whatever arrangements may be introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when last he received written advice from the Advisory Committee on Health Education; and what action he has taken as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 237]: The Advisory Committee on Health Education last provided advice in October 1979 in connection with the discouragement of tattooing. As a result the Department of Education issued a circular to education and library boards, schools and colleges commending the committee's recommendations for young people to be educated in the possible dangers and consequences of tattooing; the Department of Health and Social Services asked staff of health and social services boards to include the subject in their health education activities; and the Department of Manpower Services was alerted to the question of safety and hygiene in tattooists' premises in relation to its powers under the health and safety at work legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many wet shelters there are available currently in Northern Ireland.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 May 1980, c. 378]: None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how long the moratorium on expenditure on new gipsy caravan sites is going to continue.

During a recent review of the levels of expenditure on gipsy sites in England, I instructed the Department to avoid any further financial commitments. We have now decided that new schemes will be considered subject to a continued rigorous review of costs, but with a clearer order of priority for long-stay residential sites over any transit or emergency proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current annual emolument received by a member of the British Waterways Board; and how much time per week each member is expected to devote to his, or her, work.

Apart from the chairman and vice-chairman, members of the British Waterways Board receive a salary of £2,250 per annum. They are expected to give such part-time service to the Board as in the Secretary of State's opinion, after consultation with the chairman of the Board, is necessary. They attend monthly Board meetings, Board committee meetings, make visits to parts of the undertaking and represent the Board at official inland waterway functions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many statutory and private allotments have been lost in the period 1969 to 1979.

In the period 1969–77 (the latest date for which figures are available) there has been a net loss of some 62,000 allotments. There has been an increase of 2,000 statutory allotments and a decrease of 7,000 temporary and 57,000 private allotments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities keep allotment waiting lists.

This information is not available. It is for each local authority to decide whether or not to maintain a list.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in 1979, how many applications for consent to the disposal of statutory allotment land were received by the Government.

50.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dwellings have been provided with noise insulation under the Land Compensation Act 1973 in each of the years since the Act came into force; and what was the cost to public funds in each year.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles there are of motorist-free zones in the United Kingdom; and if he will list them in terms of regional authorities.

This information is not available, but in England some 650 orders have been made extinguishing vehicular rights over highways under the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, and some 60 order, since 1974, under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967, prohibiting access by vehicles for more than eight hours in every 24. I will be sending the hon. Member a list showing the towns and streets in respect of which orders have been made in each category.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the A27-M27 in the Worthing area.

Following a review announced in January 1978 I have decided that the cost of a new route could not be justified in the present economic climate. I am satisfied that with certain junction improvements the existing A27 trunk road can continue to provide a reasonable level of service for at least the next decade. In these circumstances it would be wrong to allow the present blighting effect of the preferred route on property in the area to continue.The existing " protection " announced in June 1977 will, therefore, be removed and all the properties which the Department had acquired under the planning blight provisions will be sold as soon as it is practicable to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received in relation to the high speed train service to North-East Scotland; when it is intended to have this service in operation, in view of the Grampian region's importance to the national economy with the location of the major oil and gas industries in that area; and if he will make a statement.

The Grampian regional council has asked me about the high speed train service to North-East Scotland, which was first introduced in August 1979. Although I appreciate the Grampian region's importance to the national economy, the responsibility for decisions on specific rail services lies with the Railways Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which health authorities are still using the family practitioner committee budget for out-patient prescribing; which area health authorities, if any, have had their allocations cut in consequence; and what further steps he proposes to take following the failure to end the practice.

I am aware that some health authorities or district management teams have been departing from current Departmental guidance which states that, where a hospital doctor bears the clinical responsibility for an out-patient, he should prescribe for the patient's needs. No health authority has had its allocation cut, but the Department has written to chairmen of area health authorities to remind them that NHS expenditure is at present allocated on the assumption that the guidance is followed and asking them to ensure that, where proper arrangements are not now in force, they are restored as soon as is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons were transferred from supplementary benefits to the rent and rate rebate scheme under its " better off" principle for each year since 1972.

Following a special scrutiny of supplementary benefit records between November 1974 and September 1976, 88,000 claimants were recorded as deciding to change to rate rebate and rent rebate or rent allowance. I regret that figures for other periods are not available. The Department's local offices normally try to advise new claimants whether they would be better off receiving housing rebates, but records are not kept of the numbers who decide to claim rebates instead of supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many youth treatment centres to accommodate children for long-term treatment in security have been opening since 1971; how many places are available in each one; and how many more he plans to build.

The St. Charles centre at Brentwood, Essex, opened in adapted premises in July 1971 and provides 33 places; the Glenthorne centre at Erdington, Birmingham, opened in February 1978 and provides 62 places, including eight in a hostel. A further 12 places are to be provided at St. Charles but my right hon. Friend decided recently not to proceed with a proposal for the provision of a third centre.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many secure places for children requiring treatment who have committed crimes were provided by local authorities in 1970 and for each year since; and what was the cost of such places in each year.

Secure accommodation is not provided for the treatment of children who have committed serious crimes but for the care and treatment of the more disturbed and disruptive children and those who persistently abscond from open community homes. The numbers of secure places provided by local authorities in community homes in the years 1973 to 1979 are listed below:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what proportion of children currently in youth treatment centres or local authority secure places between the ages of 10 and 17 years (a) have been convicted of serious crimes, (b) are disruptive, (c) have run away from other institutions and (d) have been detained for other reasons.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the two reports of the working parties which have examined secure accommodation for children.