asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her statement of 13 May on Civil Service cuts, how these will affect ( a ) the nuclear installations inspectorate, ( b ) the local offices of the Department of Health and Social Services, ( c ) the Department of Industry and ( d ) the Department of Employment; and if she will state the specific reductions in each.

We intend to achieve a Civil Service numbering about 630,000 through a combination of savings which have already been announced and further reductions. The details of the savings announced by my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord President of the Council on 6 December were listed by Department in the Official Report .—[Vol. 975, c. 637—40.] Ministers are now drawing up their plans for further reductions and it is too early to give details of where these will fall.

asked the Prime Minister if the speech made by the Minister of Transport at the opening of the Royal Seaforth container railhead on Friday 16 May represents Government policy.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister which broadcasting authorities, national or international, she consulted on the technical feasibility and legal aspects in terms of international broadcasting agreements before announcing her proposals for a massive propaganda campaign, using powerful transmitters to beam television programmes to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I have not announced new proposals to launch a propaganda campaign on the Soviet Union. In a recent interview I merely drew attention to certain technical possibilities which could eventually be explored. The question of prior consultation with national or international broadcasting authorities did not therefore arise. The Government's policy remains to use means at their disposal, consistent with their international obligations, to ensure that Britain's voice is heard by the peoples of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is now the estimated average cost of answering an oral and a written parliamentary question, respectively.

The current estimated average cost is £50 for an oral answer and £30 for a written answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his estimate of the annual administrative cost of arranging for written answers to parliamentary question to be given during recesses.

No precise estimate is possible since the total cost would depend, amongst other things, on the number of such questions. But any such procedure would inevitably entail significant additional expenditure on staffing and parliamentary printing.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

The Office of Arts and Libraries was established on 1 September 1979.

The staff establishment as at 1 April 1980, as provided for in the Main Estimates, was 1,164, of which 40 were headquarters staff, 624 were Victoria & Albert museum staff and 500 were Science museum staff. The shortfall was 10, which was confined to the London area—South-East economic planning region—and occurred mainly in junior museum grades.

The figures exclude the Private Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

The number of Ministry of Defence civilians for whom provision was made in the Defence Estimates at 1 April 1979 was 263,300 compared with a strength at that date of 262,900. The corresponding figures for 1 April 1980 are 255,600 and 254,500. These figures exclude staff employed in Royal Ordnance factories; their costs are met by a trading fund. Information on the division of staff between home and overseas and the strength in United Kingdom regions is given in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1980 tables 5.4 and 5.5. I regret that a breakdown of these figures by grades is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many catering staff are employed by his Department; and how many he expects to replace by contracting out catering services.

There are some 11,000 complemented catering posts in MOD establishments throughout Great Britain, although because of various measures, including a current ban on Civil Service recruiting, the number of catering staff presently employed is lower than this. We are currently examining in detail the catering task at about 50 static establishments: these establishments together have about 1,650 catering posts. The exercise is still at an early stage; decisions will be taken on a case by case basis, and it is impossible as yet to say how many staff may be affected. Staff interests will be consulted before decisions are taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many cleaning staff are employed by his Department; and how many he expects to replace by contracting out cleaning services.

There are about 7,350 complemented cleaning posts in MOD establishments throughout Great Britain: because of the effect of a current Civil Service recruiting ban and other present measures not all these posts are presently filled. A preliminary survey has shown that contractors can generally offer a comparable service at lower cost, and we are currently examining in detail the relative costs and other implications of changing to contract cleaning; the first stage of this work is concentrating on the larger MOD establishments. Decisions will be made on the merits of each case where contract is shown to be cheaper. The exercise is as yet at too early a stage to say how many staff may be affected: we are committed to consulting staff interests before any decisions are taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost of contracting out cleaning services for defence establishments in the Bath area.

This information is subject to the normal conventions of commercial confidentiality, and I cannot therefore disclose the costs. Overall, the letting of new contracts at Bath will save 5 per cent. on the costs of directly employed labour, even including 15 per cent. VAT on the contractors' part. I am satisfied that contract represents a good deal for the Department and we are consequently proceeding at once to the issue of contracts and redundancy notices.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current cost of providing cleaning services for Ministry of Defence establishments in the Bath area.

The annual cost of providing cleaning services in all Ministry of Defence establishments at Bath is just over £299,700 at current prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many cleaning staff will be made redundant in defence establishments in the Bath area to allow the services to be contracted out; how many years they have worked on average for the Ministry of Defence; and what will be the cost of making them redundant.

Including supervisory staff, 67 people will be made redundant in MOD establishments in Bath with the change to contract cleaning. Their average length of service with MOD is four years five months. The amount of compensation due on premature retirement through redundancy is about £27,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of registered blind and partially-sighted persons in Scotland who are ( a ) in employment and ( b ) recorded as being unemployed.

Information is not available on the numbers of registered disabled blind or partially-sighted people in employment. In April 1979—the latest date for which information is available—87 blind and 297 partially sighted registered disabled people were on the unemployment register in Scotland. The results of the April 1980 analysis of unemployment among specific categories of registered disabled people are expected shortly and I shall write to the right hon. Member when they become available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost to the National Health Service in Scotland in 1980–81 of the doctors' pay award, what is the excess over the amount allowed for in the cash limits; and what increases he is now making in the cash limits.

I estimate that the total cost in Scotland in 1980–81 of the award to doctors and dentists will be £53 million. This consists of £28.9 million for doctors and dentists in the family practitioner services, which are not subject to cash limits, and £24.1 million for doctors and dentists in the hospital and community health services, which are subject to cash limits. The cash limits are not being increased and should be adequate to meet the awards.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Scottish Development Department has now received a submission from the Housing Corporation in respect of Loretto Housing Association Ltd's, sheltered housing project for the mentally handicapped at 2049 Maryhill Road, Glasgow; and what are the reasons for the delay in handling the project proposals which were submitted to the Housing Corporation on 19 December 1979.

Details of the association's proposals were received in the Department on 21 May. I have asked the chief officer for Scotland of the Housing Corporation to write to the hon. Member to explain the reasons for any delay which might have occurred in the corporation's processing of the association's submission.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

The Estimates provision for staff in the Scottish Office, excluding the prison service and the State hospital, was 8,422 and 8,148, respectively, at 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980.

The shortfall of staff in post at each of these dates was about 250 and 260 spread over some 100 grades.

Precise details of geographical location and grades could not be given without incurring disproportionate costs, but the vacancies in established complement lie mainly in the recruitment grades.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

The establishment of the Crown Office, including the Procurator Fiscal service, at 1 April 1979 was 750 and at 1 April 1980 was 813. The shortfall on each of these dates was one post; in 1979 this was a legal assistant post in Glasgow and in 1980 it was a typist post in Edinburgh.

The establishment of the Lord Advocate's Department was 23 at both 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980. The shortfall at both dates was one junior legal secretary, one personal secretary and one clerical officer, all in London.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will undertake not to make any sanctions orders against Iran during the adjournment of Parliament for Whitsun.

No. But in the timing of any sanctions order, full consideration will be given to the wish of the House to be able to debate the order at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when it is intended to lay any sanctions orders against Iran; how many orders he proposes to lay; what areas of trade the orders will cover; and what estimate he has of the amount of trade which will be affected by each.

The Government's intention is to make the necessary order or orders as soon as possible, and not later than the end of next week. The details are still being studied, in the light of the measures which our colleagues in the European Community are introducing.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in the light of the slide to military rule in South Korea, he will recall Her Majesty's Ambassador for discussions.

Her Majesty's Government are naturally watching developments in the Republic of Korea with concern but have no plans to recall Her Majesty's Ambassador for consultations.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will arrange to meet the Foreign Affairs Minister of South Korea in the near future.

My right hon. Friend hopes to have an opportunity to meet the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea before too long.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

The staff establishment of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Diplomatic Service—including the Overseas Development Administration—on 1 April 1979 was 12,405 and on 1 April 1980 was 11,880. The corresponding shortfalls were 366 and 315, mainly in the clerical and secretarial grades in London.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will state the current measures being taken by the Government in expressing their dissatisfaction with the Soviet Government over the invasion of Afghanistan.

Since my right hon. Friend made a statement to the House on this subject on 24 January—[Vol. 977, c. 655–660.]—we have with our partners tightened, on an interim basis, the operation of controls on the transfer of sensitive technology to the Soviet Union, and are continuing consultations about longer term arrangements. We have agreed with our partners not to offer credit below international consensus rates. We have maintained our pressure within the European Community for the abolition of subsidised sales of agricultural products. We have postponed or cancelled bilateral events which would have been inappropriate. We are also continuing to call on British athletes not to participate in the Moscow Olympics.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, with reference to his reply to the hon. Member for Westbury (Mr. Walters), Official Report , 25 April, column 277, how in future, for the purposes of legal proceedings, it may be ascertained whether, on a particular date, Her Majesty's Government regarded a new régime as the Government of the State concerned.

In future cases where a new régime comes to power unconstitutionally our attitude on the question whether it qualifies to be treated as a Government will be left to be inferred from the nature of the dealings, if any, which we may have with it, and in particular on whether we are dealing with it on a normal Government to Government basis.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service, in view of the fact that public transport and taxis pass the office doors of all of the London ministerial offices and the various railway stations, why top civil servants are permitted to use the Government car service to collect them from their offices and to and from the railway stations when starting and leaving their day's work; and whether, in support of the Government's economy cuts, he will cease this practice forthwith.

This facility which is available to only a minute proportion of civil servants saves time and contributes to efficient working. To withdraw it would not be a contribution to overall economy.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

The information required in respect of the four Departments for which I am responsible—the Civil Service Department including the Civil Service catering organisation, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, the Central Office of Information and the Government Actuaries Department—is set out in the table below.

1 April 1979 Estimate Provision 13,720 Staff in Post 13,110 Shortfall 610 1 April 1980 Estimate Provision 13,220 Staff in Post 12,640 Shortfall 580

The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

The geographical distribution and range of grades in which the shortfall occurs has not changed significantly over the past year. Vacancies remain predominately in the London and South-East region.

In the Civil Service Department some 60 to 65 per cent. of all vacancies are for grades below executive officer or equivalent.

The vacancies in CISCO and HMSO are mostly for industrial staff.

In the COI about 35 per cent. of the vacancies are for staff in the information officer class, about 50 per cent. are general administration staff and the remainder are industrial staff.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many members of Her Majesty's Civil Service are in receipt of remuneration contractually linked to movements in the retail price index; and what was, in each case, the date of the entry into force of such contracts.

None.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many of the non-industrial staff of his Department were absent without authority on 14 May; how many of these hold politically sensitive posts; and if he will take steps to transfer those officials in the latter category to work where opposition to Government policy does not matter.

There were 64 non-industrial staff in my Deparment absent without authority on 14 May, none of them in politically sensitive posts.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what response Her Majesty's Government are making to the latest United Nations appeal for humanitarian assistance for Cambodia.

I am glad to inform the House that we propose, subject to parliamentary approval, to make a further contribution of £1 million to the work of UNICEF and ICRC. We have also responded through the European Community which has agreed to contribute 20 million Eua of financial assistance plus rice to the value of 3.5 million Eua at current world prices. The United Kingdom share of this Community response—equivalent to about £14.4 million—will be approximately £3 million. Provision will be sought in the Summer Supplementary Estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which colleges of further education and other educational establishments provide places for courses leading to the radio amateurs' examinations which are required by the students wishing to obtain a radio amateur's licence; and how many places are provided at each separate establishment.

The examination concerned is the City and Guilds radio amateurs' examination (765). In 1978–79 77 colleges of further education and 18 other educational establishments offered part-time evening courses in preparation for that examination. The Department does not collect details on the provision of places at individual institutions, but in 1978–79 some 1,700 students were enrolled at these institutions. In addition, external candidates may take the examination after private study, assisted in some cases by lectures or voluntary evening classes arranged by local amateur clubs and societies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

The information is as follows:

1 April 1979 Staff establishments as provided for in Main Estimates 3,860 Shortfall 100 1 April 1980 Staff establishments as provided for in Main Estimates 2,620 Shortfall 20

The 1 April 1979 figure includes 1,100 members of staff who were transferred to the Office of Arts and Libraries on 1 September 1979. The shortfall which is confined to the London area—S.E. economic planning region—occurred in 1979 mainly in junior museum grades and in clerical and support staff: in 1980 in clerical and support staff only—responsibility for the Victoria and Albert museum and the Science Museum having been transferred to my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out in the Official Report the terms of reference, membership, deadline for receiving evidence and likely date of reporting of the current inquiry into the Inner London Education Authority.

This is an internal Government inquiry and will cover the local government arrangements for the provision, administration and financing of education in inner London. It will be helpful if all further written represenations on this subject are received by the end of June; the examination will then be completed as soon as possible, given the need for a thorough study of all the relevant issues.

Percentage increase in value 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 Imports of manufactured goods from EC ( a ) … +31 +27 +17 +27 United Kingdom demand for manufactured goods ( a, b ) … … … … … +22 +17 +10 +17 Total domestic demand (c) … … … +18 +13 +13 +16

Notes: ( a ) " Manufactured goods " refers to the products of Orders III to XIX of the standard industrial classification, 1968. ( b ) Suitable data on United Kingdom demand are not available for a few industries within manufacturing, which have therefore been omitted. ( c ) " Total domestic demand " refers to total final expenditure on goods and services, less exports thereof, at market prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will ask the Monopolies Commission to carry out an investigation into the Anglian water authority.

My right hon. Friend has already decided to refer the Severn-Trent water authority to the Commission. He has no plans to refer the Anglian authority in the immediate

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many suntan cream lotions currently on the market contain 5-methoxypsoralen or oil of bergamot.

This information is not available. Suppliers of cosmetic products are not generally required to specify the contents of their goods. However, I understand that one suntan product at least contains oil of bergamot, a natural product which in turn would contain a small amount of 5-methoxy-psoralen if the oil was not treated so as to remove the chemical.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the level of growth of manufactured imports from the European Economic Community in the past four years; and how that compares with the growth of United Kingdom demand for manufactured goods in each of these years with that of total domestic demand.

The information is as follows:

future. However, he intends to refer water authorities other than Severn-Trent to the commission in due course, and will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the import penetration into the United Kingdom in manufacturing industry in each year since 1973 as percentages for the following categories; food and drink, coal and petroleum, chemicals, metal manufacturing, mechanical engineering, instrument engineering, electrical engineering, shipbuilding, vehicles, metal goods nes textiles, leather and leather goods,

IMPORT PENTRATION ( a ) percent . 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Food and drink ( b ) … … … 20 21 20 19 19 17 17 Coal and petroleum products … … 17 16 14 15 14 15 15 Chemicals … … … … 22 27 23 25 27 29 30 Metal manufacturing … … … 21 24 23 24 24 24 25 Mechanical engineering ( b ) … … 26 28 27 29 29 31 32 Instrument engineering … … 46 50 51 54 54 56 56 Electrical engineering … … … 27 29 28 32 35 36 37 Shipbuilding ( c ) … … … 55 57 60 39 48 43 36 Vehicles … … … … … 24 24 26 29 34 36 41 Metal goods nes … … … 10 10 10 11 12 13 13 Textiles … … … … … 21 24 24 26 28 31 33 Leather and Leather goods ( b ) … 27 27 26 30 31 33 40 Clothing and footwear … … 18 20 22 26 25 26 30 Bricks, pottery, glass etc. … … 7 9 7 8 9 9 10 Timber, furniture etc( b ) … … 29 32 24 28 27 27 29 Paper, printing and publishing … 19 23 21 22 22 20 20 Other manufacturing … … … 15 16 14 15 17 18 19

Notes: ( a ) Import penetration is estimated as imports (cif) as a as a percentage of United Kingdom demand, where United Kingdom demand=manufacturers' sales plus imports (cif) less exports (fob). ( b ) Certain industries for which suitable data are not available have been omitted from these sectors ( c ) Imports component of the figures for shipbuilding includes an allowance for foreign-built ships delivered abroad to United Kingdom owners.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what were the levels of exports from the United Kingdom to the following places as percentages for the period 1973 to 1979: Commonwealth countries, the European Economic. Community, the European Free Trade Association, the United States of America and other places;

PROPORTION OF UNITED KINGDOM TRADE WITH PARTICULAR AREAS Per cent., OTS basis Commonwealth European Community EFTA United States of America Other Exports: 1973 … … 16 32 14 12 25 1974 … … 16 33 14 11 26 1975 … … 16 32 13 9 29 1976 … … 15 36 13 9½ 27 1977 … … 14 36 13 9½ 27 1978 … … 15 38 12 9½ 26 1979 … … 12 42 13 9½ 23 Imports: 1973 … … 17 33 15 10 25 1974 … … 14 33 13 9½ 30 1975 … … 14 36 13 9½ 28 1976 … … 13 36 12 10 28 1977 … … 13 38 12 10 27 1978 … … 11 40 15 10 23 1979 … … 11 43 15 10 22

clothing and footwear, bricks, pottery glass, and so on, timber, furniture and so on, paper, printing and so on, and other manufacturing.

The information is as follows:

(2) what were the levels of imports into the United Kingdom from the following areas as percentages for the period 1973 to 1979: Commonwealth countries, the European Economic Community, the European Free Trade Association, the United States of America, and other places.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value of imports by the following categories, to gross national product at UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS* AS A PROPORTION OF GNP 1975† CONSTANT PRICES Percentage 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Food Beverages and Tobacco … 4.3 4.2 4.3 4.2 4.2 4.0 4.0 Basic Materials … … … … 2.8 2.4 2.1 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.5 Minerals Fuels and Lubricants … 4.6 4.9 4.1 4.1 3.4 3.2 3.1 Semi-Manufactured Goods … … 5.9 6.4 5.7 6.0 6.2 6.6 7.5 Finished Manufactured Goods … 7.2 7.4 7.1 7.3 8.3 8.6 10.5 *Volume dataderived by deflating balance of payments figures by appropriate price indices. †At factor cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the annual United Kingdom consumption of paper and board in million tonnes for each year since 1965 up to 1979; and what percentage of the consumption for each year was met by imports.

The information is as follows:

PAPER AND BOARD* Home Consumption (Million tonnes ) Imports As % of Home Consumption 1965 6.4 31 1966 6.6 32 1967 6.7 36 1968 7.1 36 1969 7.4 36 1970 7.4 38 1971 7.1 41 1972 7.5 45 1973 8.1 44 1974 8.3 48 1975 6.3 46 1976 7.2 47 1977 7.2 47 1978 7.6 50 1979 7.9 51 Source: Business Monitor PM 481 * as defined by Minimum List Heading 481 in the Standard Industrial Classification (1968).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the United Kingdom's trade balance with newly industrialised countries in finished manufactures at current prices in 1978 and 1979.

Finished manufactures correspond to sections 7 and 8 of the factor cost, constant prices, for the period 1973 to 1979: food, drink and tobacco, raw materials, fuels, semi-manufactures and finished goods.

The information is as follows:

standard international trade classification, and details of the balance of trade in them with individual countries can readily be derived from tables II (imports) and V (exports) of the 1978 annual edition and December 1979 monthly edition of the Overseas Trade Statistics on the Kingdom . As there is no established definition of a newly industrialised country, my hon. Friend may like to consult the Overseas Trade Statistics on the countries which interest him. Alternaively, if the number of these countries makes this unduly laborious and he cares to let me know which they are, I shall be glad to reconsider his question.

asked the Secretary of Start for Trade what steps are being taken to compensate companies who are to be adversely affected by sanctions against Iran.

There is no precedent for compensation where sanctions are imposed in these circumstances. Furthermore, as my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal has announced, sanctions are not to be applied retrospectively. The exclusion of existing contracts should minimise the direct adverse effects of sanctions on companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what was the total value of exports to Iran in 1979, in January to March of the current year and April to the present date;

(2) if he will give a detailed breakdown of the goods exported to Iran in 1979 and so far during the current year; which areas in the United Kingdom were mainly involved in exporting to Iran; and how many employees were involved.

Details of our exports to Iran are published on page 25 of table V of the monthly Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom , copies of which are in the Library. As statistics of overseas trade are not collected on a regional basis, I cannot say which parts of the country accounted for these exports or how many employees were involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received regarding sanctions against Iran; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has received a number of representations, particularly

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COUNTRIES' TRADE WITH IRAN Million US $ ( not seasonally adjusted ) 1979 Year 1980 January 1980 February 1980 March Exports to Iran from Belgium-Luxembourg … … 138* Denmark … … … … 88 7 8 France … … … … 422 72 57 Federal Republic of Germany … 1,284 140 131 Ireland … … … … 15 Italy … … … … 412 Netherlands … … … 237 29 United Kingdom … … … 492 52 86 Imports from Iran into Belgium-Luxembourg … … 386 Denmark … … … … 120 1 1 France … … … … 1,034 154 133 Federal Republic of Germany … 2,321 376 357 Ireland … … … … 36 Italy … … … … 411 Netherlands … … … 946 123 United Kingdom … … … 517 67 12 36 * January-November 1979, latest available figure.

Sources: OECD—Statistics of Foreign Trade series A; Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom; German and Danish national sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give details of the goods exported to Iran by country of origin from other EEC countries.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COUNTRIES' EXPORTS TO IRAN BY BROAD PRODUCT GROUP 1978 Million US $ SITC No* 0+1 2+4 3 5 6 7 8 9 Total trade Belgium/Luxembourg 14 2 2 44 201 50 7 5 326 Denmark … … 43 2 — 4 4 35 3 1 92 France … … 115 7 4 55 183 478 45 2 889

from companies concerned about existing contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will ensure in the necessary orders that firms located in areas of above average unemployment are exempted from sanctions against Iran.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was, by country of origin, the amount of trade conducted by the other countries in the EEC with Iran compared to the United Kingdom during 1979 and during 1980.

The available information is as follows:

Information, in US dollar terms, for 1978—the latest year available —is given in the table below. For ease of comparison, dollar figures are also given for the United Kingdom.

Federal Republic of Germany … 50 33 16 253 671 2,195 116 45 3,381 Ireland … … 13 — — 10 2 4 1 — 30 Italy … … 3 12 7 108 313 556 71 — 1,069 Netherlands … 46 20 1 64 35 132 17 1 315 United Kingdom … 30 5 3 136 212 821 70 1 1,278

Source: OECD Microfiche.

*SITC 0+1 Food, drink and tobacco. 2+4 Basic materials. 3 Fuels. 5 Chemicals. 6 Other semi-manufactures. 7 Machinery and transport equipment. 8 Other finished manufactures. 9 Miscellaneous.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in respect of sanctions imposed on trade with Iran it is his policy to treat ( a ) contracts entered into since 4 November 1979 as existing contracts and ( b ) contracts renewed as existing contracts.

My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal informed the House on 20 May that sanctions are not to be applied retrospectively. The scope of the sanctions will be set out in orders which will be laid before Parliament and which the House will be able to debate fully.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement indicating what discussions have taken place with the Spanish aviation authorities about the Dan Air Boeing 727 air disaster which resulted in the loss of 146 British lives, at Los Rodeos airport on 25 April.

The team from the United Kingdom accidents investigation branch is participating in the Spanish investigation into this accident. The flight data recorder was read out in Madrid by the Spanish investigators assisted by an AIB specialist. The Spanish investigation commission permitted the cockpit voice recorder to be transcribed at the AIB replay facility at Farnborough with the participation of a member of the Spanish investigation commission.

In the initial stages of the investigation in Tenerife daily meetings were held with the Spanish investigation commission. A meeting is scheduled to take place in Madrid on 3 June in order to discuss the progress of the investigation particularly in respect of analytical work carried out on the data provided by the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.

asked the Secretary of Trade whether he will make a further statement on the Dan Air Boeing 727 air disaster at Los Rodeos on 25 April; what information he now has on the contents of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders; and what indication this gives upon the causes of the tragedy.

My Department has been in consultation with the Spanish authorities as to what factual information can be released without prejudice to the ultimate findings of the Spanish investigation commission. As soon as there is agreement on this point I shall provide the House with whatever information I can.

Good quality readouts have been obtained from both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder recovered from the wreckage. All the evidence related to this accident is now being evaluated by the accident investigators. An initial appraisal of this evidence indicates that, in due course, it should be possible to establish the causes of the accident. However, a great amount of painstaking work will be necessary before any unequivocal statement as to the causes can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade for how many works of art export licences have been issued since he took office; and what is their total value.

The information could be extracted only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

Main Estimates for 1979–80 and 1980–81 provided for staff totalling 7,806 at 1 April 1979 and 7,340 at 1 April 1980. The net shortfall on those two dates was 179 and 142 respectively.

My right hon. Friend is having details collected on the shortfall in terms of grades and geographical regions and will reply more fully as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what response he has received so far to the consultative document proposing the abolition of the Registry of Business Names, the abandonment of case-by-case vetting of companies' names and restrictions on public access to original documents filed at Companies House; and if he will make a statement.

Forty replies have been received. The consultative document asked for comments by 30 June so it would be premature to make a statement on the response.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has provided a reply to the letter from the Confederation of Wool Textiles Ltd., dated 13 May, expressing its disappointment at the Government's attitude; and if he will make a statement on the representations made by the confederation.

I replied to this letter on 22 May 1980. The confederation had repeated its concern at the current situation facing the wool textile industry; it had suggested a greater use of import controls, and a campaign to reduce other countries' barriers to our exports. I fully recognise the problems the industry faces. It is, however, not possible to insulate any sector of United Kingdom industry from present economic difficulties and a wider resort to import controls would not offer a solution to those difficulties. I accept the need to seek the reduction of other countries' barriers to our exports and the Government are doing all they can in this direction.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the trade deficit in textile goods for the United Kingdom in the first four months of 1980.

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

asked the Secretary of Stale for Trade what proposals he has so far received from private firms to take over the Registry of Business Names from the Department of Trade.

My Department has received approaches from five firms and is holding exploratory talks about the basis on which documents at the registry might be made available to the private sector following repeal of the statutory provision for registration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied that the shoe industry is not subjected to unfair competition from outside the United Kingdom.

My right hon. Friend is, of course, well aware that the footwear industry faces keen competition from imports and considers that many of these are unfair. He and his officials are always ready to examine claims by the industry of unfairness and, where these seem to be well founded, to seek appropriate remedies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will refer the Welsh water authority to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

My right hon. friend has already decided to refer the Severn-Trent Water Authority to the commission. He has no plans to refer the Welsh water authority in the immediate future, in view of the fact that it has recently been investigated by the Price Commission However, he intends to refer water authorities other than Severn-Trent to the commission in due course, and will bear the hon Member's suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many of the non-industrial staff of his Department were absent without authority on 14 May; how many of these hold politically sensitive posts; and if he will take steps to transfer those officials in the latter category to work where opposition to Government policy does not matter.

About 100 non-industrial staff were absent without authority on 14 May. No transfers will be called for as none of these officers occupy posts of political significance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the value of each of the following textile products that have been imported into the United Kingdom so far in the current year: trousers, jeans, shorts, men's and boys' shirts, blouses, other women's and girls' outer garments, knitted garments, jumpers, cardigans, pullovers, other outer garments and skirts.

[ pursuant to his reply , 13 May 1980, c. 406]: I assume that the information my hon. Friend requires is the following:

UK IMPORTS: JANUARY—MARCH 1980 Woven garments — £ million cif Trousers 15.8 Jeans 35.9 Men's and boys' breeches and shorts 1.3 Men's and boys' shirts 27.7 Women's, girls' and infants' blouses 12.3 Other women's, girls' and infants' outer garments (coats, jackets, suits, costumes, dresses, skirts, etc.) 51.6 Knitted or crocheted garments, not elastic or rubberised — Jerseys, pullovers, slip-overs, twinsets, cardigans, bed-jackets and jumpers 30.0 Other outer garments including knitted skirts and clothing accessories other than gloves, stockings, etc.) 30.0

Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics (SITC (Rev 2) Groups 843, 845 arid Sub-groups 842.3 and 844.1).

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has yet received the report, requested from the electricity supply industry last summer, on the possible beneficial effects of extending British summer time from October to April; and whether he will make a statement.

The electricity supply industry has further studied the effects of extending British summer time from October to April. Its studies confirm that there could be some reduction in daily peak electricity demand on the system arising from such a change. However, no overall energy savings would be likely to result and the balance of economic advantage is uncertain. The question whether British summer time should be extended does, of course, involve much wider considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his proposals for development of seasonal storage of natural gas; where the gas will be stored; what techniques will be deployed; and what is the projected cost.

The British Gas Corporation has a number of plans for developing seasonal storage for gas. I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member about them.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the discussions his Department is having at present with the Don Chemical Company Ltd. concerning its desire to build a gas splitter at East Nigg on the Cromarty firth.

Onshore facilities to handle natural gas liquids are one aspect of the BGC/Mobil study of a gas gathering pipeline, which I am now considering. Organisations with interests in matters which may be related to the study have on occasion discussed these matters in confidence with my Department

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to encourage the fuel industries to deal sensitively with the problems of poor consumers and to develop and extend easier payment systems

The fuel industries are aware of the need to deal sensitively with the problems of poor consumers while having regard to their wider responsibilities. They already, for instance, provide a wide range of "pay as you go " methods to help people spread the burden of high winter bills. The Government continue to encourage the industries to extend these and I am glad to say that considerable progress has been made. Most recently, the industries have announced the successful conclusion of negotiations with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters under which, from 2 June, the industries' electricity and gas savings stamps may be sold at sub-post offices. This will permit a considerable extension in the number of outlets from which consumers can buy these stamps, greatly improving accessibility, particularly in outlying areas where the industries do not have showrooms. I understand that the industries are also currently examining the possibility of accepting each other's stamps in payment of bills. This would provide a further valuable contribution to the payment options open to consumers and I hope agreement on this can also be reached soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

The number of staff provided for in Main Estimates on 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980 was 1,340 and 1,305, respectively. The number of staff actually in post on those dates was 1,267 and 1,263. All but a few of the vacancies were in the Department's London headquarters and were in the typing, clerical and petroleum specialist grades.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what were in each year between 1955 and 1979 ( a ) the output for each type of coal mined in Wales, ( b ) the percentage of each type of coal mined by opencast methods and ( c ) the numbers of miners involved in producing each type of coal.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board. I am asking the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many mines are engaged in the production of anthracite; what are the reasons for failure to meet demand; and what steps are being taken to match market requirements, particularly for the winter of 1980–81.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board. I am asking the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated ethylene requirement for the United Kingdom in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985; how much of this requirement can be met from existing plant; what schemes for the expansion of capacity have been discussed with his Department; and what action he is taking on these matters.

I have been asked to reply.

There are no official forecasts of the ethylene supply and demand balance and I have no access to those made by companies. My Department, in consultation with the Department of Energy and the Scottish Economic Planning Department, is presently considering the prospects for strengthening the petrochemical industry on the basis of North Sea gas feedstocks.

In this connection I have received representations from a number of companies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate allegations that eggs are being imported into the United Kingdom, re-packed and sold as English; and if he will cause urgent investigations to be made about the matter.

The present arrangements for the grading, packaging and labelling of eggs traded in member States of the Community are laid down in the EEC marketing regulations. If my hon. Friend has information which suggests that imported eggs are not complying with the regulations, I should be grateful if he would send it to me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the fact that placings of chickens hatched to lay eggs within the European Economic Community have increased in all countries other than the United Kingdom, which for the twentieth consecutive month shows a decrease, he will take further action to assist the egg production industry in the United Kingdom.

The common agricultural policy provides for a free market within the Community. The Commission is considering the possibility of improving the stability of the market, for example by the establishment of an interprofessional body. We should wish to consider its proposals in consultation with the United Kingdom interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the £3 million aid to the United Kingdom fishing industry announced on 13 March will be distributed; and how this will affect departmental cash limits for 1980–81.

A total of £2.1 million will be allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and £0.9 million to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. This will mean that the class III Vote 8 and class III Vote 6 cash limits will need to be increased by £2.1 million and £0.9 million respectively to £24.303 million and £47.160 million. Supplementary Supply Estimates will be presented in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Belfast. East (Mr. Robinson), Official Report , 3 April, c. 366, whether he has yet completed his review of the disclosure of details of assistance to individual companies in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

I have not yet completed my review on the policy relating to disclosure of details of Government assistance to individual companies in Northern Ireland, but hope to do so in the very near future. I shall inform the House of my conclusions.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about his recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Economic Council.

I met the Northern Ireland Economic Council on 9 May, when we had a useful exchange of views on a wide range of subjects, including public expenditure, the availability and use of EEC funds in Northern Ireland, energy and industrial development.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many local and United Kingdom firms have failed in Northern Ireland during the past 10 years; and how much public investment has been lost thereby.

The Department of Commerce records indicate that 87 firms of Northern Ireland or Great Britain origin in receipt of selective assistance under the industries development legislation closed during the years 1970 to 1979 inclusive; and that selective aid amounting to some £32 million was paid to these firms, of which recoveries have amounted to some £2 million. A number of the firms had provided employment for a substantial period prior to closure—many, indeed, were established Northern Ireland companies which had been assisted to expand—and I would find it difficult to accept that the public contribution in these cases was " lost ".

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish for each police division the number of times the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Army have been attacked and the nature of the attack for each of the past five years; and how may persons have been prosecuted successfully for each type of attack during each of the same five years.

The information is not available in the form requested. However, figures for deaths and injuries sustained by the security forces since 1975 are as follows:

DEATHS RUC/ RUC'R' Army UDR 1975 11 14 6 1976 23 14 14 1977 14 15 14 1978 10 14 7 1979 14 38 10 1980* 7 3 4 INJURIES RUC/ RUC'R' Army UDR 1975 263 151 16 1976 303 242 22 1977 183 172 15 1978 302 109 8 1979 165 132 21 1980* 28 22 10 * To 30 April

Information on the number of successful prosecutions arising from these incidents could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many buses have been robbed, hijacked and destroyed by terrorists during the past 10 years; what has been the total cost of the damage and losses; how many convictions have followed; and what penalties have been imposed.

The information is not available in the form requested and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost. However, the number of buses destroyed by terrorist activity during the past 11 years is as follows:

1969–71 119 1972 123 1973 49 1974 75 1975 5 1976 92 1977 100 1978 103 1979 74 1980 (to 20 May) 48 Total 788

Compensation paid to date in respect of damage and resultant consequential losses suffered in the last two financial years is as follows:

1978–79 £893,622 1979–80 £609,091

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number and location of terrorist incidents in which the terrorists used an M60 machine gun; and how many civilian and security personnel were killed or injured.

An M60 machine gun is known to have been used in 17 terrorist incidents in the cities of Londonderry and Belfast and in Counties Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Londonderry. In these attacks seven members of the security forces were killed; 12 members of the security forces and two civilians were injured.

It is not possible to establish whether all the injuries were caused by an M60 machine gun as other weapons were also used in the incidents.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many M60 machine guns have been brought into Northern Ireland by the Provisional Irish Republican Army; how many have been seized by the security forces; how many persons have been convicted in connection with possession or use of an M60; how many persons are to be prosecuted in connection with possession or use of an M60; and what are the charges.

It is not possible to state the number of M60 machine guns brought into Northern Ireland by the Provisional IRA, but two of these weapons have been seized by the security forces. In connection with possession or use of an M60 machine gun, one person has been convicted of murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms and ammunition with intent and possession of a prohibited weapon and four people have been charged with murder, possession of firearms and membership of a proscribed organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish full details of terrorist attacks on Northern Ireland railway stations, installations, rolling stock, bridges and the like in each of the past 10 years, the total cost of the damage, the number of persons convicted and the penalties imposed.

The information is not available in the form requested and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost. However, in the 10 years ending 31 December 1979, five Northern Ireland Railways' coaches were destroyed by terrorist action and a further 29 were damaged. The number of bomb incidents on the NIR system in the periods for which information is available was as follows: 1 Jan 1972–31 Dec 1972 27 1 Jan 1973–31 Dec 1973 24 1 Jan 1974–31 Dec 1974 28 1 Jan 1975–31 Mar 1975 4 1 Apr 1975–31 Mar 1976 9 1 Apr 1976–31 Mar 1977 24 1 Apr 1977–31 Mar 1978 9 1 Apr 1978–31 Mar 1979 18 1 Apr 1979–31 Mar 1980 10 1 Apr 1980–20 May 1980 3 TOTAL 156

Compensation paid to Northern Ireland Railways to date in respect of damage and resultant consequential losses suffered in the last two financial years, is as follows:

1978–79 £286,952 1979–80 £305,700

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of Sinn Fein and Provisional Sinn Fein have been arrested in connection with terrorist activity; how many have been prosecuted and for what offences; and how many have been convicted and for what offences.

This information is not available. Membership of these organisations is not an offence and details of membership would not appear in papers relating to arrests and charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many punishment shootings occurred in each of the past 10 years.

The number of woundings recorded annually as punishment shootings is as follows:

1973 74 1974 127 1975 189 1976 98 1977 126 1978 67 1979 76 1980 (to 30 April) 36

Information prior to 1973 is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to publish the recently completed review of the affairs of Harland and Wolff; and whether he will make a full statement about the future of the company.

The review includes much information which is commercially confidential and will not be published. I do, however, intend to make a statement about the future of the company shortly, and this will explain the considerations leading to the Government's decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the staff establishment of his Department on 1 April 1979 and on 1 April of the current year; and what was the shortfall on these figures, if any, and the grades and geographical regions where the shortfall occurred.

The staff establishment of the Northern Ireland Office as published in the Main Estimates for 1979–80 and 1980–81 was as follows:

Staff Establishment ( including UK and Nl Civil Servants and Prison Officers )

1 April 1979 4,650 1 April 1980 4,520

On the same dates there were 450 and 370 fewer staff in posts, respectively.

I am responsible also for the Northern Ireland Civil Service serving in the Northern Ireland Departments. The equivalent details for these are:

1 April 1979 31,010 1 April 1980 30,000

The staff in post figures were 800 and 720 respectively fewer than these.

The information requested about grades and geographical regions in respect of the shortfall is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost, though the great majority of the vacancies occurred, of course, in Northern Ireand.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the cost and circulation figures of Ulster Commentary and the principal areas of distribution.

Ulster Commentary is published 11 times a year. The cost in 1979 was £52,855, which includes printing and postage. The circulation figure for each issue is 65,000. The principal area of distribution is Northern Ireland; the magazine is also distributed overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many conversion schemes involving the replacement of electrical heating appliances of every kind by solid fuel burners are being undertaken by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in Northern Ireland; and what is the cost of each individual scheme.

[ pursuant to his reply , 19 May 1980, c. 83]: These are matters which lie within the day-to-day responsibilities of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. However, I am informed that since the programme for the conversion of all-electric dwellings to solid fuel was started in the summer of 1978, 43 contracts for this work involving 1,608 dwellings

have been placed by the executive. My Department has no precise costs for each individual scheme, but I understand that the total estimated expenditure to date on this work is approximately £2.03 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the expenditure made in 1979 on drugs in prisons in England; what is the breakdown of expenditure for each prison; and what was spent on psychotropic and medical drugs.

Information in the form requested is not readily available. The total expenditure by the prison service in 1979–80 on medicines, drugs, dressings and sundry clinical and pharmaceutical items was £621,000. An analysis of this expenditure to show each prison separately or to give separate expenditure figures for psychotropic and other drugs could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to monitor the use of psychotropic drugs in prisons.

While clinical decisions are matters for the doctors concerned, the medical services in all establishments are subject to inspectorial and advisory visits from supervising senior medical officers, regional principal medical officers, and doctors in headquarters and, where appropriate, there are discussions between the doctors concerned about prescribing matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions are imposed on a prisoner's medical records being seen by an independent doctor who has the prisoner's consent to see his records; and under what circumstances such restrictions would be lifted.

Prison medical records are the property of the Secretary of State, and it is for the Secretary of State to decide whether they should be disclosed.

Medical officers may disclose information from prisoners' medical records to medical practitioners who have a legitimate interest in obtaining that information, such as those who have assumed clinical responsibility for the prisoner. The most usual circumstances in which this is appropriate are when a prisoner is referred to an outside consultant, when he is transferred to an outside hospital or when he is discharged from prison into the care of his medical practitioner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons seeking voluntary repatriation have been granted assistance by the International Social Service of Great Britain in each year since its inception.

The numbers of such persons granted assistance by the International Year Preliminary inquiries which do not progress to formal applications for assistance Formal applications for assistance Total 1971–72 … … … … … — 1 1 1972–73 … … … … … 57 243 300 1973–74 … … … … … 271 238 509 1974–75 … … … … … 245 171 416 1975–76 … … … … … 274 181 455 1976–77 … … … … … 520 240 760 1977–78 … … … … … 493 207 700 1978–79 … … … … … 435 217 652 1979–80 … … … … … 273 132 405

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offices have been established by the International Social Service of Great Britain for administering the voluntary repatriation scheme other than its office in Brixton Road, London S.W.1.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average period of delay between the commission of alleged offences and trials at Crown courts in each of the years since 1974;

(2) how many trials at Crown courts took place more than one year after the alleged offences occurred in each of the years since 1974.

Social Service of Great Britain in each year since the inception of the scheme provided for under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971 were as follows

1971–72 1 1972–73 122 1973–74 277 1974–75 156 1975–76 221 1976–77 112 1977–78 130 1978–79 173 1979–80 124

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many approaches have been made to the International Social Service of Great Britain by persons seeking assistance with voluntary repatriation under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971 in each year since the inception of the scheme.

I understand from the International Social Service of Great Britain that the information is as follows:

The information requested is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total grant was to the Voluntary Services Unit in 1978 and 1979; and what organisations it supported and by how much.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for York (Mr. Lyon) on 2 July 1979 and to the reply by my right hon. Friend to a question from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythen-shawe (Mr. Morris) on 31 March 1980.—[Vol. 969, c. 387–8; Vol. 982, c. 31–2.]

In addition, the Voluntary Services Unit administers the grants-in-aid to the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations—previously the National Council of Social Service. Grant-in-aid to WRVS was £2,639,000 in 1978–79 and £2,860,000 in 1979–80; and to NCVO £392,000 in 1978–79 and £528,000 in 1979–80.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is Government policy to improve arrangements for assisted passages under the Immigration Act 1971, in order to help those who genuinely wish to leave Great Britain.

We are not aware of any need for changes in the present arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been spent in publicising the voluntary repatriation scheme; and what form the publicity has taken.

Information about financial assistance under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971 has been made available to local authorities, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Citizens Advice Bureaux, community relations councils and others. The cost of providing this information is not available.