asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the release of Ronald Sailes from Broadmoor and the subsequent murder of Anita Quayle in Plymouth.

Ronald Sailes, who was recently convicted of the murder of a young girl last June, had for the preceding seven months been on leave from Broadmoor special hospital. Sailes, now aged 44, was admitted to Broadmoor in 1962 on an order under section 60 of the Mental Health Act 1959 following a conviction for rape. The court added a restriction order, under section 65 of the Act, for a period of 15 years. During this period any move from Broadmoor was subject to the consent of the Home Secretary. When the restriction order expired in June 1977, Sailes continued to be detained in Broadmoor hospital under section 60 of the Act as an " unrestricted " patient. The orders under section 60 run in the first place for one year, and then for two years and at the end of each period the order lapses unless renewed by the responsible medical officer (RMO). His discharge from detention could, however, be ordered at any time by his RMO, by the Department or by a mental health review tribunal. Discharge in such cases is unconditional—there is no authority to impose any conditions as to residence or the acceptance of supervision by social workers or probation officers.

The RMO may, however—under section 39 of the Act—grant leave to a detained patient subject to such conditions—if any—as he considers necessary in the interests of the patient or for the protection of other people. During a period of leave, the RMO may at any time revoke the leave and recall the patient to hospital, but a patient ceases to be liable to recall after six months unless meantime he has returned to the hospital or is deemed to be absent without leave.

During 1978 the hospital was considering whether Sailes needed to be detained in Broadmoor or whether he could be transferred elsewhere. In 1977 and 1978, Sailes applied to the mental health review tribunal for a discharge from detention under the Mental Health Act. In August 1977 and September 1978 the tribunal decided that he should continue to be liable to be detained under the Act. The tribunal's decision did not cover the question whether detention should continue to be in Broadmoor.

In the light of earlier consideration of the right future for Sailes, and of the tribunal's decision that the current order for detention should not be revoked, the RMO considered that Sailes should only be given trial leave, which would be subject to supervision and guidance. In consultation with the social worker concerned at Broadmoor, arrangements were agreed with a hostel in Plymouth and with the local probation service, and Sailes was granted leave. The initial period was four weeks from 20 November. The conditions were that the patient should reside at a hostel in Plymouth and should accept supervision from a probation officer. Sailes returned to Broadmoor at the end of this leave and in the light of the reports and his own assessment, the RMO authorised a further period of six months' leave, subject to the same conditions. At the end of this second period of leave, Sailes again returned to hospital on 20 May and was reassessed by the RMO in the light of all the reports. The RMO considered that, while the patient was doing well on leave and had obtained a job, he continued to need supervision and support and the RMO wished to be able to recall him to hospital should any untoward incident warrant this. The RMO therefore decided that the detention order, which was due to expire on 20 June, should be renewed but that Sailes should be granted a further period of leave. The murder occurred about three weeks later.

I am satisfied that the procedures adopted in this case were in accordance with statutory provisions and with current policies on arrangements for discharge and leave from special hospitals in respect of unrestricted patients. I have also confirmed that the arrangements were in line with the conclusions of the Butler committee on mentally disordered offenders. The committee advised that the decision whether to discharge " unrestricted' 'patients was a matter which should be left to the clinical judgment of the RMO, taking into account the view of other disciplines concerned. The committee also noted with approval the practice of sending patients out on trial leave subject to appropriate conditions, although they considered this should not normally exceed six months.

I recognise, however, that despite these careful arrangements and a period of over seven months apparently successful rehabilitation, this personal tragedy occurred and I extend my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Quayle and other members of her family. I am urgently considering, with the hospital, what lessons can be learnt from this case in a field where human behaviour can never be predicted with absolute certainty. The review will cover, among other items, the arrangements for trial leave and supervision and, in particular, whether police and other agencies should always be alterted to the presence in their area of a patient on leave from a special hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what plans he has to assist smaller businesses in the North-West of England to raise finance.

We have concluded an arrangement with Norwich Union Life Insurance Society whereby that company will consider making small business investments in the North-West on the basis of introduction and appraisal by the Department of Industry's small firms service counselling team. Investment decisions will be taken by Norwich Union alone and the terms and conditions of such investments will be strictly commercial. Our purpose is to enable the smaller business to compete more strongly in the market for institutional finance.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if any of the 1,290 staff savings in his Department announced on 6 December 1979 have yet been made; and, if not, when he expects them to be achieved and in what divisions, at what grades, and in which geographical regions.

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY—GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD OF STAFF SAVINGS TO BE MADE 1980–81 TO 1982–83 Grade South East Region North West Region North Region South West Region East Midlands West Midlands Yorkshire and Humberside Scotland Wales Open structure 5 — — — — — — — — Administrative, executive and clerical grades 108 48 31 3 4 1 10 17 105 Scientific, professional and technology grades 205 — — — — — — 38 — Other professional grades 16 1 — — — — — — — Supporting grades 45 2 5 — 1 — 1 5 — Industrial grades 65 — — — — — — 21 — TOTAL 444 51 36 3 5 1 11 81 105

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) on 16 May, when he proposes to consult the industries mentioned; and how long is likely to be taken for the completion of his inquiries.

Consultations with industry will begin this month and will if possible be completed before the end of the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry to which industries in the city of Leicester he anticipates giving assistance in the coming year.

Manufacturing industries in the city of Leicester are eligible for certain forms of Government

Of the 1,290 staff savings announced for the Department on 6 December 1979, some 340 have been achieved so far. Most of the remainder are due to be achieved by 1982–83. The savings are being made in industry sponsorship divisions, the regional organisation, research establishments and divisions and in private offices; also in the common service divisions which support both my own Department and the Department of Trade. Not all the savings have yet been identified in terms of particular grades. To the extent that this detail is at present available it is given in the following table.

assistance provided they meet the current criteria, but I cannot anticipate which industries will apply; nor can I predict the outcome of applications which have already been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the specification of a derelict land clearance area under section 8(6) of the Local Employment Act 1972 would confer eligibility for assistance under the European regional development fund.

Derelict land clearance areas have not been regarded as qualifying for assistance from the quota section of the European regional development fund. They might qualify for assistance from the non-quota section which currently amounts to 5 per cent. of the fund if suitable measures were proposed by the Commission and adopted by the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list those localities which have been designated as derelict land clearance areas under section 8(6) of the Local Employment Act 1972; and what were the dates of their designation.

The employment office areas listed below which are currently derelict land clearance areas, were designated under the following statutory instruments: ( a ) SI No. 309 of 1970 under the Local Employment Act 1970 Arnold Ashbourne (now part of Derby) Bakewell Basford and Bulwell Beeston Belper Biddulph Burslem Castle Donnington (now part of Long Eaton) Cheadle Derby Hanley Hucknall Ilkeston Kidsgrove Leek Long Eaton Longton Mansfield Matlock Netherfield Newark Newcastle under Lyme Nottingham Retford Shirebrook (now part of Mansfield) Stoke-on-Trent Stone ( b ) SI No. 691 1978 under the Local Employment Act 1972 Aldridge Aston Bilston Birmingham Brownhills Cannock Cradley Heath Darlaston Dudley Halesowen Handsworth Kingswinford Oldbury Small Heath Smethwick Stourbridge Swadlincote Tipton Walsall Washwood Heath Wednesbury Wednesfield West Bromwich Willenhall Wolverhampton

Parts of the Docklands of London in the London boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry why he has abandoned his £25 million programme to help business men insulate their buildings and improve their boilers.

The energy conservation scheme has not been abandoned. The scheme was announced in June 1978 as a two-year scheme and entry to it will close on 30 June.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will arrange for an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall by the Association of Consulting Engineers relating to the work of British consulting engineers throughout the world.

[ pursuant to his reply , 2 June 1980, c. 547 ]: Yes, arrangements have been made for such an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to take place from 9 June until 13 June 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many boys and girls entered recognised apprenticeships in each Department of Employment region in the United Kingdom during each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what percentages of school leavers these figures represent.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the results of his Department, after 13 months of the present Government, in achieving the policy programme which he set it on assuming office.

I have set no formal policy programme since assuming office other than the one laid down in the manifesto, but I am able to report the results of action in some key areas of my Department's activities.

The Employment Bill fulfils our commitments on industrial relations legislation; it deals with the provision of funds for secret ballots; provides protection for individuals threatened by closed shops and coercive union recruitment tactics; gives people remedies against secondary picketing and other secondary industrial action such as "blacking" and sympathetic strikes; and introduced reforms to employment protection legislation which experience has shown to be necessary. The Government's review of union immunities is continuing and later this year my Department will publish a Green Paper as the basis for informed public discussion on the subject. In addition, I shall continue to give every encouragement to closer involvement of people in the decisions which affect them at their place of work.

The programme of special employment measures has been pursued in line with the Government's policy of helping those groups hardest hit by unemployment and easing the necessary process of change. I am endeavouring to see that the provision of training concentrates on those skills in demand and the new skills needed as a result of rapid technological change. My noble Friend the Minister of State is discussing with companies and others how manpower policies can contribute to the more rapid spread of new technology following the report "The Manpower Implications of Micro-electronic Technology" published in December. This is also among the issues on which my Department has contributed to discussions in the National Economic Development Council.

A review of training is currently underway and I expect to receive a report on the subject from the Manpower Services Commission in July.

My Department has also made an important contribution to the Government's efforts to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the public sector. The Royal Commission on the distribution of incomes and wealth has been abolished. On expenditure, within the Department of Employment group, Cmnd. 7841 showed that budget cuts and cash limits restrictions saved some £200 million in 1979–80 and that the indicative plans for later years would increase these savings progressively.

In general terms I am content with the progress so far made by my Department in contributing to the Government's central objective of establishing a better framework for economic prosperity and social harmony.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will state the increase in percentage and actual terms in unemployment among ethnic minorities for the latest 12-month period for which figures are available, the comparable figures for the increase in total unemployment and the comparable figures for those regions which account for ethnic minority unemployment;

(2) what new special action has been taken in the 12 months to May to counter the increase in ethnic minority unemployment; and what new special action is currently under consideration;

(3) what talks he has had with the Manpower Services Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality about the problem of ethnic minority unemployment; and what proposals those bodies have made to him on the subject.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if any preference is given to those who have been on the unemployment register for a long time when considering which claimant to send for job interviews.

[ pursuant to his reply , 2 June 1980, c. 434 ]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission (MSC) that in submitting job seekers to available vacancies the public employment service takes account of their qualifications, experience and suitability for the jobs in question.

Priority is not afforded to long-term unemployed people when submitting registrants to vacancies other than under the MSC's special temporary employment programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of United Kingdom applications made to the European Economic Community social fund for the current financial year in respect of special schemes to benefit women workers.

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

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

[ pursuant to his reply , 2 June 1980, c. 439–40]: In the DE group the estimates provision at 1.4.79 and 1.4.80 was 54,789 and 52,415 respectively, the shortfalls at these dates were 1,240 and 1,712. About 80 per cent. of the shortfall at both dates was in the executive, clerical, typing and secretarial grades. The remainder included about 100 posts at both dates in specialist and professional classes. I regret that a geographical analysis is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if any of the 2,575 staff savings in his Department, the 3,400 in the Manpower Services Commission, the 260 in the Health and Safety Executive and the 100 in the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service have yet been made; and, if not, when he expects them to be achieved and in what divisions, at what grades, and in which geographical regions.

[ pursuant to his reply , 2 June 1980, c. 439 – 40 ]: To date savings in numbers and costs equivalent to some 2,525 staff have been made in the DE group, leaving a balance of about 3,810 to find, most of which will be achieved by 1 April 1982. These further savings will be made in the Department of Employment (1,100), Manpower Services Commission (2,500), Health and Safety Executive (160) and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (50). The details of how these further savings are to be achieved are still being worked out and it is therefore not possible to provide analyses by grade and region.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in which divisions, at what grades and in what geographical area the 3,605 posts by which the staff in post in his Department contracted between 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980 were employed.

[ pursuant to his reply , 2 June 1980, c. 439 – 40 ]: Between 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980 the number of permanent staff in the DE group fell from 53,605 to 50,701, a reduction of 2,904. The changes during this period in the various parts of the group were: Department of Employment Unemployment Benefit Service —2,252 Other functions —359 Total —2,611 Manpower Services Division Employment Services Division —177 Training Services Division —276 Special Programmes Division + 264 Total —189 Health and Safety Commission/ Executive —60 Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service —44 Grand Total 2,904 The grades mainly affected were Clerical/Executive Officer —2,623 Higher Executive Officer and above —47 Typing, Secretarial —40 Industrial —148 Others —46 Total 2,904

It is estimated that during this period the changes by economic planning regions were as follows: Northern —240 Yorkshire and Humberside + 60 South East —1,090 East Anglia —40 South West —220 Wales —60 East Midlands —160 West Midlands —210 North West —570 Scotland —370 —2,900

The figures for Yorkshire and Humberside and South East regions were affected by the transfer of some 350 staff to MSC's new head office in Sheffield.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a breakdown of family expenditure on items such as food, housing costs, and so

AVERAGE WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE Households with an employee head All households Manual Non-manual £ Per cent. £ Per cent. £ Per cent. Housing … 11.87 (14.8) 11.04 (12.7) 16.13 (15.7) Fuel, light and power … 4.76 (5.9) 4.71 (5.4) 5.24 (5.1) Food … 19.31 (24.1) 22.01 (25.4) 21.17 (20.6) Alcoholic drink … 3.92 (4.9) 5.10 (5.9) 4.36 (4.3) Tobacco … 2.72 (3.4) 3.82 (4.4) 2.12 (2.1) Clothing and footwear … 6.78 (8.4) 7.49 (8.6) 8.66 (8.4) Durable household goods … 5.66 (7.0) 5.97 (6.9) 8.54 (8.3) Other goods … 5.99 (7.5) 6.36 (7.3) 7.95 (7.7) Transport and vehicles … 10.90 (13.6) 12.44 (14.4) 15.29 (14.9) Services … 7.66 (9.5) 7.07 (8.2) 12.03 (11.7) Miscellaneous … 0.69 (0.9) 0.70 (0.8) 1.20 (1.2) All expenditure … 80.26 (100.0) 86.72 (100.0) 102.69 (100.0)

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if any of the 280 staff savings in his Department, the 140 in the Central Office of Information and the 900 in Her Majesty's Stationery Office, announced on 6 December 1979 have yet been made; and, if not, when he expects them to be achieved and in what divisions, at what grades and in which geographical regions.

The announcement on 6 December 1979 referred to the manpower reductions exercise which the Government set in hand shortly after coming into office. The announcement was a report on the progress that had been made up to that point, and said that the search for greater economy and efficiency would go on throughout the lifetime of this Parliament. Since then, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 13 May—[Vol. 984, c. 1050]—that the Government had decided to reduce the size of the Civil Service to around 630,000 by 1 April 1984. All Ministers are now engaged in drawing up detailed plans to achieve this objective, to which the original manpower reductions exercise, and the further cuts of 2½ per cent, in 1980–81 announced on 14 March, will make important contributions.

With regard to the original manpower reductions exercise, the position of the on; and if he will distinguish between manual and non-manual households.

[ pursuant to his reply , 2 June 1980, c. 435 ]: Following is the information, which is available from the 1978 family expenditure survey.

Central Office of Information, Civil Service Department and Her Majesty's Stationery Office is as follows: Central Office of Information Of the 140 Central Office of Information posts referred to, nearly half have now been saved. Half of the remaining savings are to be achieved by April 1981 and the rest by March 1982. The posts still to be saved, except for two posts in the East Midlands region, and one each in the Northern, North Western and West Midlands regions, are all in London. They comprise 21 information and other specialist grade posts, four industrial posts, and 49 administration and support services posts. Civil Service Department Of the 280 Civil Service Department posts referred to in the question, 22 have so far been given up. A saving of a further 45 posts will take place in 1980–81. At this stage, it is anticipated that, during 1981–82 at least a further 28 posts will be relinquished, and the balance thereafter. The majority of the savings will be in the South East region and will relate to some 18 different grades from typist to assistant secretary. Her Majesty's Stationery Office Of the 900 projected savings in Her Majesty's Stationery Office staff, 150 have been already achieved and a further 150 will be saved in 1980–81. The remaining 600 will be saved by the end of March 1984, but I expect that the major part of the saving will be made during 1982–83. It is not at present possible to attribute these savings precisely to grades or locations. But they will mainly fall in London and Norwich.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether, to save time and contribute to efficient working, he will extend the tax-free use of a Government car and driver to take them to their offices and railway stations when leaving and returning to their homes from the 12 top-paid civil servants either to the top-paid 500 civil servants or to all employed in Whitehall.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether statements by Mr. Ray Smith, of his Department, at the South Anglia local committee of the Eastern Gas Consumers' Council on Wednesday 9 April at Letchworth, details which have been supplied to him, were made with his authority.

No; improved arrangements are being made and steps are being taken to avoid a recurrence.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has now decided whether to refer the proposed takeover of the British Sugar Corporation by S. and W. Berisford to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

My right hon. Friend's decision will be announced as soon as is reasonably practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with Government assistance to exporters.

Yes. The Government provide a full range of services to exporters which are at least comparable to those offered by other countries, and these services are of course kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what effect the reduction of staff from the British Overseas Trade Board will have on the performance of Government assistance to exporters.

It is expected to bring about a more cost effective performance in support of exporters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when the investigation into the price of domestic gas appliances was referred to the Monopolies Commission; what were the reasons for the Monopolies Commission extending the period of investigation; and when the Monopolies Commission's report is due.

The supply in the United Kingdom of certain domestic gas appliances was referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation on 1 December 1977. The terms of reference, which was made by the Director General of Fair Trading, did not confine the commission to examining questions of price. The commission was granted an extension—to 31 May 1980—of the two-year period allowed for the investigation, following representations that the report could not be completed by the date originally specified. I understand that the main reason for this was to allow time for further hearings.

My right hon. Friend received the commission's report on 30 May. It will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many gallons of cream have been imported into the United Kingdom from the Republic of Ireland during the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

In the period October 1979 to March 1980 1,007 tonnes of fresh milk and cream, not concentrated or sweetened, and of a fat content exceeding 6 per cent. by weight, were imported into the United Kingdom from the Irish Republic. Details by volume are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in the light of the year that the Council of Ministers' working party has already taken to examine only six of the 37 articles of the proposed EEC directive regarding commercial agents, he is satisfied with the progress of this working party; and if he will take action designed to expedite its proceedings.

At its last meeting in May the Council working group reached article 15 in its consideration of this proposed directive. A further meeting is to be held later this month. The proposal is detailed and complex and the text requires very careful scrutiny. It is therefore inevitable that lengthy consideration and discussion is required, especially in view of the difference in member States' arrangements affecting commercial agents.

In these circumstances progress commensurate with the responsibilities involved has been made to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, since the Minister's reply on 15 February 1979 on the code of conduct, how many reports have now been made by companies with interests in South Africa, under the code of conduct; how far the reports now show that companies are implementing the code, and if he plans to take action against those companies which have declined to publish a report under the code.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish the names of the British companies which did not submit information to the Department of Trade on employment conditions as required by the European Economic Community code of conduct.

The information requested by the hon. Members in respect of reports made under the code for the 12 months ended 30 June 1979 was given in the written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, Central (Mr. Grant), on 16 April—[Vol. 982, c. 653 – 54 ]—and in the associated summary by the Department. Three more companies have subsequently published reports: Trusthouse Forte Ltd., Legal and General Assurance Society Ltd., and the Valor Co. Ltd.; copies of those reports are now available for inspection in the same way as those published earlier. The code is voluntary, and there can therefore be no question of coercing companies who decline to report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will publish the names of the 33 British companies paying African workers less than the poverty datum line;

(2) if he will publish the names of the approximately 50 companies paying African workers less than the minimum effective line.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 2 June 1980.

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.

[ pursuant to his reply , 23 May 1980, c. 400 ]: In the period January to April 1980 the crude deficit—exports valued fob minus imports cif—on trade in textile goods* was £213 million.

*SITC (Rev. 2) Division 65, Groups 266, 267, 268 part, 842 to 847.

asked the Prime Minister what discussions took place with the nurses on 29 May at 10 Downing Street; and if she will make a statement.

I met representatives of the staff side of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley council on 29 May. They asked for Government agreement to an increase in the general 1980–81 public sector cash limit increase figure of 14 per cent., within which negotiations had been taking place for the nurses' main 1980 pay settlement. They referred particularly to the Government's decision to implement the recommendations in the recent report by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body. I pointed out to the nurses' representatives that the Government have fully discharged the undertakings on pay which we gave to nurses when we arrived in office. Indeed, we have gone further, by making concessions on some minor points, and a major concession to allow a reduction in the working week. As a result, by the time the 1980 negotiations are completed, the total pay bill for nurses and midwives will have increased from £1,600 million to £2,400 million since we arrived in office, a 50 per cent, increase, almost all of which is for improvements in pay, allowances and conditions of service.

There has been no disparity of treatment overall between doctors and nurses. Since the catching-up process began for both groups in 1978 until the end of the current negotiations, the total nursing pay bill has increased by 65½ per cent., while doctors' total earnings have increased by 66 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of land in Scotland the Forestry Commission owns at present; how much land it owned on 3 May 1979; how much acreage it is expecting to purchase by 31 December 1980; what percentage of the acreage it owns at present is being used for the growing of trees; and what types of trees are being grown.

Statistics are maintained by financial years. The following is the available information for ScotlandAt 31 March 1980 the Forestry Commission's land holdings totalled 799,700 hectares; the corresponding figure at 31 March 1979 was 792,100 hectares. Between 31 March 1980 and 31 December 1980 it is expected that the purchase of 1,700 hectares will be completed, although this will be partly offset by the disposal of surplus assets. Of the Commission's total holdings, 62 per cent, is being used for growing trees and 8 per cent. is awaiting planting. The plantations are mainly coniferous, the principal species in order of importance being Sitka spruce, Lodgepole pine, Scots pine and Norway spruce.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of trees were felled in Scotland in 1979.

Precise figures are available only for the Forestry Commission's plantations and by financial years.

In the year ended 31 March 1980, the commission felled 1,600 hectares in Scotland. It is estimated that felling in private woodlands amounted to some 1,900 hectares in the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if there is at present a tree planting programme in operation for the national parks of Scotland; if not, if such a programme is planned; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy for the planting of trees in Scottish national parks;

(2) if he has any plans to announce the creation of any new national parks in Scotland;

(3) what are the present sizes in acres of every national park in Scotland; what was the grant to each park in 1979; and what is the grant for 1980 for each park.

There are no national parks in Scotland. National park direction areas exist, but these relate only to arrangements for development control, which we propose to revise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the total number of electricity showrooms in Scotland;

(2) what is the total number of persons employed in electricity showrooms and sales offices in Scotland;

(3) what are the total annual maintenance and running costs of electricity showrooms and sales offices in Scotland in terms of heating, lighting, rent, rates, wages, repairs, sales and marketing activities;

(4) what is the total number of electricity showrooms and sales offices owned under freehold in Scotland; and what is their estimated market value.

These are commercial matters for the Scottish electricity boards. I am asking the chairmen of the boards to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the length of time taken in the Glasgow area before applicants to be registered as blind persons can be dealt with through hospital services and/or home visits by an ophthalmologist.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many social workers to the blind there are in each region in Scotland; and how many advisers in the Scottish Office are concerned with the welfare of the blind.

This information is not available centrally for staff employed by local authorities and voluntary organisations.

In the Scottish Office two members of the central advisory service of the social work services group have specific responsibility for matters concerning physical handicap, including blindness.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the number of

( a ) ( b ) ( c ) GREATER LONDON Barking … … … 4,065 213 3,852 Barnet … … … 5,293 1,555 3,738 Bexley … … … 141 519 —378 Brent … … … 607 1,197 —590 Bromley … … 594 1,070 —476 Croydon … … 291 1,060 —769 Ealing … … … 1,702 1,156 546 Enfield … … … 15 870 —855 Haringey … … … 193 1,101 —908 Harrow … … … 309 944 —635 Havering … … … — 555 —555 Hillingdon … … … — 77S —775 Hounslow … … … 1,620 619 1,001 Kingston-upon-Thames … … … 4,046 595 3,451 Merton … … … 183 625 —442 Newham … … … 37 505 —468 Redbridge … … … — 809 —809 Richmond-upon-Thames … … … 1,134 711 423 Sutton … … … — 512 —512 Waltham Forest … … … 67 695 —628 INNER LONDON … … … 30,170 9,965 20,205 METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS Birmingham … … … 5,051 3,264 1,787 Coventry … … … 4,385 1,266 3,119 Dudley … … … 100 707 —607 Sandwell … … … 326 593 —267 Solihull … … … — 732 —732 Walsall … … … 475 817 —342 Wolverhampton … … … 3,417 981 2,436 Knowsley … … … — 475 —475 Liverpool … … … 7,084 1,999 5,085 St. Helens … … … 34 644 —610 Sefton … … … — 1,424 —1,424 Wirral … … … — 1,424 —1,424 Bolton … … … 1,296 1,020 276 Bury … … … — 660 —660 Manchester … … … 8,611 1,799 6,812 Oldham … … … 55 613 —558 Rochdale … … … — 664 —664 Salford … … … 744 710 34 Stockport … … … 324 1,294 —970 Tameside … … … — 522 —522 Trafford … … … — 952 —952 Wigan, … … … 9 876 —867 Barnsley … … … — 565 —565 Doncaster … … … 467 920 —453 Rotherham … … … — 592 —592

full-time students attached to centres of higher education for each local education authority area by (a) the local education authority in which he or she is studying, (b) the local education authority in which he or she is normally domiciled, and (c) the surplus or deficiency between the two.

The figures below show the number of enrolments as at November 1978 on full-time and sandwich advanced courses in maintained, assisted and grant-aided establishments for each local education authority in England and Wales, classified by (a) the local education authority in which the establishment is situated, (b) the " home " local education authority of the student, and (c) the difference between these.

( a ) ( b ) ( c ) Sheffield … … … 5,748 1,904 3,844 Bradford … … … 1,126 1,546 —420 Calderdale … … … — 665 —665 Kirklees … … … 3,433 1,323 2,110 Leeds … … … 5,746 2,437 3,309 Wakefield … … … 582 961 —379 Gateshead … … … 26 651 —625 Newcastle-upon-Tyne … … … 5,319 1,340 3,979 North Tyneside … … … — 874 —874 South Tyneside … … … 326 623 —297 Sunderland … … … 2,802 1,027 1,775 NON-METROPOLITAN COUNTIES Isles of Scilly … … … — 5 —5 Avon … … … 5,183 2,956 2,227 Bedfordshire … … … 2,060 1,528 532 Berkshire … … … 1,478 2,201 —723 Buckinghamshire … … … 950 1,882 —932 Cambridgeshire … … … 1,212 1,629 —417 Cheshire … … … 2,371 3,553 —1,182 Cleveland … … … 1,979 1,872 107 Cornwall … … … 310 1,200 —890 Cumbria … … … 326 1,635 —1,309 Derbyshire … … … 1,587 2,784 —1,197 Devon … … … 4,898 2,940 1,958 Dorset … … … 1,530 1,816 —286 Durham … … … 1,012 2,078 —1,066 East Sussex … … … 4,154 2,136 2,018 Essex … … … 1,610 4,833 —3,223 Gloucestershire … … … 1,648 1,712 —64 Hampshire … … … 8,313 5,232 3,081 Hereford and Worcester … … … 1,436 2,357 —921 Hertfordshire … … … 3,836 4,038 —202 Humberside … … … 1,968 2,518 —550 Isle of Wight … … … — 331 —331 Kent … … … 1,699 4,270 —2,571 Lancashire … … … 4,527 5,457 —930 Leicestershire … … … 4,952 2,960 1,992 Lincolnshire … … … 530 1,710 —1,180 Norfolk … … … 1,035 1,606 —571 North Yorkshire … … … 1,911 2,531 —620 Northamptonshire … … … 951 1,455 —504 Northumberland … … … 364 1,084 —720 Nottinghamshire … … … 6,054 3,041 3,013 Oxfordshire … … … 2,666 1,639 1,027 Salop … … … 392 1,218 —826 Somerset … … … 39 1,208 —1,169 Staffordshire … … … 3,208 3,211 —3 Suffolk … … … 298 1,425 —1,127 Surrey … … … 817 4,060 —3,243 Warwickshire … … … — 1,708 —1,708 West Sussex … … … 1,253 2,155 —902 Wiltshire … … … 111 1,530 —1,419 Clwyd … … … 964 1,384 —420 Dyfed … … … 912 1,165 —253 Gvvent … … … 986 1,575 —589 Gwynedd … … … 323 738 —415 Mid-Glamorgan … … … 2,301 1,479 822 Powys … … … — 369 —369 South Glamorgan … … … 1,546 1,427 119 West Glamorgan … … … 381 1,125 —744

The difference of 26,350 between the totals for columns (a) and (b) is accounted for by students enrolled at establishments in England and Wales who are not the responsibility of a local education authority in England and Wales. The number is made up as follows: Students from the remainder of the United Kingdom 5,136 Students from overseas 21,214

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were, for the latest available 12-month period, the total financial costs, including administration, of the Cranfield institute of technology, the amount disbursed by that body, the number of persons, including secretaries, involved with the body, the amount of payment for, respectively, members of the body by way of salary or equivalent, expenses of members and secretarial salaries and expenses; and what were the figures in all the above categories in each of the past five years, respectively.

I have written to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his Department's current estimate of the number of (a) 16-year-olds and (b) 18-year-olds who are expected to leave school at the end of the current academic year.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, South-West (Mr. Cormack) on 14 March 1980.—[Vol. 980, c. 771.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will specify the powers under which a local education authority can ban the consumption, on school premises, of non-alcoholic liquid refreshments; and if he will consider representations made to him by persons aggrieved by such decisions.

There are no specific powers governing this. Articles of government of a school generally provide that matters of internal administration, organisation and discipline are delegated to the headteacher. A person aggrieved by a decision of a head teacher should raise the matter with the local education authority; if a decision of the authority is involved, representations can be made to the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider launching a public campaign in schools to point out to schoolchildren the dangers of glue sniffling.

No. As I indicated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Brown) on 7 May, I believe that this matter is best left to local action by teachers and others in positions of responsibility.—[Vol. 984, c. 125.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set up a working party, together with representatives of the universities, to examine the role of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies in British higher education.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence he has that there is a growing level of arrears of fees due from Iranian students; and if he will take special steps to alleviate the problems being faced, in consequence, by institutions of higher education, in view of the special circumstances.

There is some evidence of non-payment of fees by Iranian students. Action on this is the responsibility of institutions and local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students in higher education coming from EEC countries other than Great Britain will enjoy home-student status in respect of full-cost fees; and what effect this provision will have on the policy of Her Majesty's Government of reducing public expenditure.

In 1978–79 there were 2,270 students from other EEC countries following courses of higher education in Great Britain. It is estimated that if the same number of students were on such courses in 1980–81 the cost to public funds of charging the home rate of fee would be about £1.3 million in the financial years 1980–81 rising to about £3.6 million by 1983–84.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his Department's policy towards the use of the initial teaching alphabet as a method of teaching children to read.

The choice of particular methods of teaching reading is a matter for the professional judgment of those responsible in the schools and local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children, in how many schools, are currently being taught to read by the use of the initial teaching alphabet; and what are the figures for each of the last 15 years.

My Department does not collect this information. A sample survey conducted for the Bullock committee in 1973 indicated that the initial teaching alphabet was then used in about 10 per cent, of primary schools containing infants. There are grounds for supposing that this figure has since decreased.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost of producing all Welsh language programmes on the proposed fourth television channel.

The report of the Home Office working party on the Welsh television fourth channel project in 1978 estimated that the additional programmes of some 6½ hours a week necessary to achieve a service of some 20 hours within three years would cost—at 1978 prices—£3.8 million in revenue costs and £2.5 million in capital costs. These estimates assumed that there would be no additions to existing and planned studio capacity. The report did not quantify the full cost of a Welsh language fourth channel, but noted that it would be much greater. The need to produce programmes to replace those taken from the existing BBC and IB A channels and the loss of potential advertising revenue to the fourth channel would also have to be taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will recommend changes in the identification laws along the lines of the report of Lord Devlin's committee of inquiry published in April 1976; and if he will make a statement.

On the committee's recommendation concerning the trial judge's summing-up, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Paddington (Mr. Wheeler) on 17 April.—(Vol 982, c. 709.] On other matters about which the committee made recommendations, we will give further thought to the need for legislation when we receive the report of the Royal Commission on criminal procedure. Meanwhile, a number of the committee's proposals have been implemented by administrative means.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what procedures exist to ensure that the police do not have unauthorised weapons; and whether he plans to change the procedures;

(2) if he will hold a public inquiry into the events at Southall on 23 April 1979;

(3) if he will make a statement following the verdict of misadventure in the Blair Peach inquest and the riders added by the jury.

In the course of my statement of 27 June 1979 on the events which had occurred at Southall on 23 April 1979, I indicated that I did not think that there were any significant gaps in the various inquiries which were then in hand which a public inquiry could usefully fill. That remains my view. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the jury's verdict in the inquest on the death of Mr. Blair Peach until all judicial proceedings which might arise from it have been completed.

The jury's rider about the organisation and supervision of the Special Patrol Group was covered in the answer I gave on 10 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Sproat).—[Vol. 980, c. 395–96]. The other two riders are matters for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. The holding or use of unauthorised weapons by police officers is already under review by the Commissioner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations for a public inquiry into the events at Southall on 23 April 1979 and the death of Blair Peach he has received; and if he will list the organisations concerned.

Representations have been received from some 130 organisations, including the national executive committee of the Labour Party, the Trades Union Congress, and the National Council for Civil Liberties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, how many robberies there have been where it is known or suspected that the offenders had sawn-off shotguns and other such weapons; and whether he will introduce legislation to provide the death penalty for illegal possession of sawn-off shotguns, whether used or not.

The statistical information requested is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales "—table 3.4 of the volume for 1978, Cmnd. 7670. The use of the death penalty is an issue on which this House expressed its view as recently as 19 July 1979, and in the light of that decision the Government have no plans to introduce legislation such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to invite comments on the report of the interdepartmental working party on the repatriation of prisoners.

I am sending copies of the report to hon. Members who have indicated a particular interest in the repatriation of prisoners, and I am putting copies in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies are also being sent to other individuals and organisations likely to have an interest in the subject. In considering the report in consultation with my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland, I shall be glad to take account of any views that hon. Members or others may wish to express.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish figures showing the number of Iranians who have been admitted to the United Kingdom since September 1979 and the purposes for which leave to enter was granted.

[ pursuant to his reply , 15 May 1980, c. 643 ]: The information is as follows: Iranians admitted to the United Kingdom by purpose of journey—first quarter 1980.

Number of Journeys Total admitted 27,164 Visitors given leave to enter for less than 12 months ordinary 15,683 business 2,259 Passengers in transit 3,749 Diplomats and dependants 35 Work permit holders and dependants 14 Others given leave to enter 56 Those admitted for marriage 11 Accepted for settlement on arrival 28 Returning from temporary absence abroad 4,668 Students 661

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the position of the Channel Islands and the British Crown colony of Hong Kong in relation to the policy of economic sanctions against Iran.

The Iran (Trading Sanctions) Order 1980 extends to the Channel Islands and United Kingdom dependent territories—including Hong Kong—as well as the United Kingdom. The Export of Goods (Control) (Iran Sanctions) Order 1980 applies to the United Kingdom only, but parallel action is being taken in Hong Kong, and the other dependent territories and the authorities in the Channel Islands have also been asked to take such action.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to allow the United States Government to dictate the timing, style and content of any new Middle East peace initiative; and he will make a statement.

Our policy towards the Middle East is dictated by our desire for a just and lasting comprehensive peace settlement. The European Council will consider at its meeting on 12–13 June what role Europe can play in helping to bring this about.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what will be the additional costs to the United Kingdom of the accession of Greece to the EEC for each of the next three years.

Preliminary calculations of the additional budgetary cost to the United Kingdom of Greek accession indicated that the cost—at 1980 prices—would have been of the order of £15 million in 1981, £30 million in 1982 and £50 million in 1983. As a result of the new budgetary arrangements worked out for the United Kingdom the total cost to the United Kingdom of Greek accession over this period will be substantially reduced, but it is too early to make precise estimates of the eventual outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to introduce the current cost accounting methods to each public body under his control; and to what extent these bodies' financial positions will be worsened by such a change of method in accounting.

Public bodies under my control will produce current cost accounting information where appropriate in line with the Statement of Standard Accounting Practice No. 16 issued on 31 March 1980 by the accountancy bodies represented on the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies. The extent to which the standard will be applied to each body involved is still under consideration. Current cost accounting will be adopted if thereby more realistic financial information about the body concerned would be provided. Presentation of financial information in current cost terms will neither worsen nor improve the financial position of the organisation involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many slaughterhouses there are in Wales; what were the corresponding figures for the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Eighty-three. Corresponding figures for the last 10 years are as follows: 1970 126 1971 124 1972 123 1973 119 1974 116 1975 113 1976 110 1977 105 1978 98 1979 80

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of restoring income tax relief on employer and employee medical insurance schemes.

The cost of the provision of private medical insurance for any person by virtue of his office or employment has been assessable on him as a benefit since 1976–77. If the benefits were not taxable the cost would be about £30 million, assuming that relief continued to be given against profits for corporation tax purposes. Prior to 1976–77 such benefits were taxable only when received by directors or higher-paid employees, but the cost of returning to that position is not known.

If, in addition, tax relief were given on private medical insurance premiums and group schemes not run by employers, the total cost would increase to some £50 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will estimate how many more invalidity pensioners would pay tax if invalidity benefits were treated as taxable income; and whether he will explain the basis for any estimates he may give;

(2) whether he will estimate how many invalidity pensioners currently pay income tax.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 12 May 1980.—[Vol. 984, c. 382.] That reply quotes a very rough estimate of 400,000 as the possible order of magnitude of numbers of invalidity benefit recipients whose annual income would not exceed their personal tax allowance if the benefit were brought into tax this year. That estimate had to be made without knowledge of the numbers who are already taxpayers. It is mainly the lack of knowledge of the other income over the tax year of invalidity benefit recipients which subjects the estimate of 400,000 to the wide margin of error referred to in the earlier reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention in 1982 or subsequently to defer the payment of income tax rebates to those on strike until the end of a strike.

Yes. As my right hon. and learned Friend announced in his Budget Statement on 26 March, we intend to bring into tax in 1982 benefits paid to strikers in respect of their dependants. This will be done in such a way that claimants will not suffer deductions of tax until they return to work, and the payment of tax refunds to strikers generally will be similarly deferred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion, taking both tax reductions and increases in personal and family allowances together, of those combined benefits was received by the 5 per cent with the highest incomes, the next 15 per cent, and the remaining 80 per cent, in the last two Budgets, in money and percentage terms.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 15 May.—[Vol. 984, c. 653 – 54. ]

That reply shows the figures for the last two Budgets in respect of income tax for 1979–80 and 1980–81 respectively, for taxpayers with incomes in the top 1 per cent. and the next 9 per cent., the next 10 per cent. and the lowest 80 per cent. of incomes subject to tax.

No changes in child benefit rates were announced in the June 1979 Budget, but the child benefit increase for one-parent families was uprated in November 1979. It was announced in the March 1980 Budget speech that child benefit, and the one-parent premium, would rise again in November 1980.

Since the dates of increase in child benefit over this period have been changed from April to November, there are some difficulties in combining child benefit increases and tax changes.

The first table below shows the effect of including with income tax the changes in child benefit actually received in 1980–81 compared with 1979–80 levels.

1980 BUDGET Group Cost £ million Percentage Top 1 per cent. 123 7.1 Next 9 per cent. 323 18.7 Next 10 per cent. 196 11.4 Next 80 per cent. 1,083 62.8 1,725 100.0

As regards the 1979 Budget, the figures remain as in the reply I have referred to, as the increase in November 1979 in the premium for single-parent families makes a negligible difference to the figures in that answer.

Such a presentation will not show the true effect of changes in child benefit when these occur regularly in November. If, alternatively, changes in the child benefit level for the 12-month period November 1980 to November 1981 are added to the tax changes for the financial year 1980–81, the figures in the following table are obtained: 1980 BUDGET Group Cost £ million Percentage Top 1 per cent. 129 6.2 Next 9 per cent. 367 17.7 Next 10 per cent. 245 118 Next 80 per cent. 1,337 64.3 2,078 100.0

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax relief was received by charities in each year as from and including 1975–76 through covenanted donations at current prices and at March 1980 prices; whether he will estimate the comparable figures for 1980–81; and how much the recent tax concessions on covenanted income will amount to in a full year.

The amount of income tax repaid in respect of deeds under covenant to charities is estimated as follows: £ million 1975–76 30 1976–77 35 1977–78 40 1978–79 45 1979–80 55 1980–81 (estimate) 65 £ million at March 1980 prices 1975–76 50 1976–77 55 1977–78 55 1978–79 60 1979–80 60 1980–81 (estimate) 60

The full-year cost of the tax concessions on covenanted income proposed in the Budget is estimated to be some £25 million. The cost in 1980–81 is negligible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that section B of Customs and Excise press notice No. 602 dated 26 March is consistent with section 33 of the Finance Act 1972.

Yes. Section B of Customs and Excise press notice No. 602 outlines the proposals for changes in the maximum penalty which can be imposed by a court for breaches of the regulations about the furnishing of VAT returns and the payment of tax when due. Proceedings taken in respect of such breaches of the regulations are not intended to, nor can they, recover a specific tax debt. Recovery of value added tax debts is a separate issue, which is dealt with in section 33(1) of the Finance Act 1972.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what instances a tax at present is payable on another tax.

Under the Finance Act 1972, value added tax is applied to the value of goods including the following taxes: Car tax, hydrocarbon oil duties, alcoholic liquor duties, tobacco products duty, duties on matches and mechanical lighters and customs duties.

The value may also include elements of cost attributable to intermediate taxes such as the national insurance surcharge and vehicle excise duty on business vehicles.

Value added tax is chargeable on the net take of gaming machines and on admissions to bingo clubs. It may therefore be considered to be charged on the gaming machine licence duty element in the net take of gaming machines and on any part of bingo club admission charges which is liable to bingo duty because it is used to enhance prize money.

In addition, since under the Tobacco Products Duty Act 1979 the ad valorem element of the tobacco products duty on cigarettes is charged as a percentage of the retail price, it may be regarded as falling on both the specific element of that duty and on the value added tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why value added tax is levied on the car tax payable on new cars.

VAT is payable on the car tax because under sections 10 and 11 of the Finance Act 1972 the value for VAT is that which together with the VAT itself equals the full price charged to the customer including elements of duty or other taxation which the price may cover.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table for each year since 1974—1974 equalling 100—comparing movements in the retail price index with indices of ( a ) income tax, less family allowance or child benefit where appropriate, ( b ) national insurance contribution and ( c ) average unrebated local authority rates, for each of a single person, a married couple and couples with two and four children, including teenage children, assuming in each case earnings equal to 100 per cent., 75 per cent. and 50 per cent, of average male manual earnings; and if he will include estimates for the current financial year.

Figures relating to financial years are as follows:

TABLE 1 Indices , 1974 – 75 = 100 National Insurance Contributions Retail prices index 50 per cent. of average manual earnings 75 per cent. of average manual earnings 100 per cent. of average manual earnings Rates 1974–75 … … … … 100 100 100 100 100 1975–76 … … … … 125 102 109 113 140 1976–77 … … … … 144 121 129 133 152 1977–78 … … … … 164 135 144 148 171 1978–79 … … … … 177 174 185 191 188 1979–80 … … … … 205 203 216 223 218 TABLE 2 Indices , 1974 – 75 = 100 INCOME TAX MINUS FAMILY ALLOWANCE/CHILD BENEFIT Single person Married couple Married with 2 children under 11 Married with 4 children aged 16, 14,12 and 9 50 75 100 50 75 100 50 75 100 50 75 100 per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings per cent. average manual earnings 1974–75† … 100 100 100 100 100 100 —100* 100 100 —100* —100* 100 1975–76 … 143 136 134 153 139 135 46 160 143 —155 1 183 1976–77 … 166 156 153 172 156 152 —2 171 158 —155 —21 192 1977–78 … 160 159 159 127 145 150 —238 144 151 —190 —100 179 1978–79 … 164 169 171 129 156 163 —426 120 150 —323 —278 137 1979–80t … 183 184 185 148 171 176 —649 103 148 —414 —399 107 *A min us sign indicates that the family allowance/child benefit exceeded the tax. † As a percentage of earnings, tax less benefits were: Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 1974–75 … 17 22 25 11 18 22 —2 9 15 6 —3 —12 1979–80 … 15 20 23 8 15 19 —8 5 11 3 —6 —24

For 1974–75 to 1978–79 the figures are based on the averages of the new earnings survey estimates of the average earnings of full-time adult male manual workers at the start and finish of each tax year. To give an estimate for 1979–80 the April 1979, NES figure have been updated to October 1979 by the monthly index of average earnings. Figures of average earnings and the retail price index in 1980—81 are not yet available.

It has been assumed that the employees were not contracted out of the earnings-related or graduated pension schemes.

The figures for rates are the local rates and water rates component of the retail prices index. Figures for rates appropriate to the earnings levels and family types specified are not available.

asked the the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total revenue from the investment income surcharge in a full year.

About £320 million at 1980–81 income levels.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of abolishing the investment income surcharge for those aged over 65 years in a full year.

About £180 million at 1980–81 income levels.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his

Thousands Families with children Single persons Marginal rate Total Men Women Married couples Childless people Total 30 … … … 480 230 250 5,980 14,130 20,590 40 … … … 120 150 280 45 … … … 90 110 200 50 … … … 10 10 Negligible 50 70 120 55 … … … 20 30 50 60 … … … 20 50 70 Total … … 490 240 250 6,280 14,540 21,310

Notes: 1. The numbers are given before rounding for convenience, but are not accurate to the detail shown. They include small revisions to the figures given to the hon. Member on 3 April.—[Vol. 982, c. 327.] 2. Childless people are single persons and married couples without dependent children. 3. Married couples are counted as one. 4. Figures for families with children are based on those claiming child tax allowances in 1977–78, projected forward to 1980–81. 5. Where a husband and wife elect to be taxed separately, the marginal rate has been rated to be the husband's marginal rate.

intention when short-term benefits are brought into taxation to keep the dependant's additions, payable for children, free of tax; if not, how taxing them will affect the relationship between these benefits and child benefit; and what are his intentions with regard to the taxation of supplementary benefit scale rates for children amongst people who also claim short-term benefits.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 20 May—[Vol. 985, c. 128–29]—and to the hon. Member for Barking (Miss Richardson) on 15 April.—[Vol. 982, c. 613.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many ( a ) one-parent families, ( b ) two-parent families and ( c ) childless people pay tax at a marginal rate of 30 per cent., 40 per cent., 45 per cent., 50 per cent., 55 per cent., 60 per cent.; and in each case how many families are headed by (i) a man and (ii) a woman;

(2) how many ( a ) one-parent families ( b ) two-parent families and ( c ) childless people had their marginal tax liability changed by the Budget from (i) 25 per cent, to 0 per cent., (ii) 25 per cent, to 30 per cent., (iii) 30 per cent, to 0 per cent, (iv) 40 per cent, to 30 per cent, and (v) from one higher rate to a lower one.

The estimates of numbers with different marginal rates at 1980–81 income levels are as follows:

Comparing estimates of numbers of different marginal rates in 1980–81 with the marginal rates applicable if there

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN Numbers (' 000 ) Change Single Married couples Childless people Total (i) 25 per cent, to 0 per cent 20 80 680 780 (ii) 25 per cent, to 30 per cent 30 110 1,210 1,350 (iii) 30 per cent, to 0 per cent 0 0 0 0 (iv) 40 per cent, to 30 per cent Negligible 180 210 390 (v) One rate higher than 40 per cent, to a lower one Negligible 130 180 310

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the light of the high level of salaries of top civil servants who receive free travel by car to and from railway stations and their offices when travelling to and from home tax-free, if he will take steps to tax these benefits in kind in a way similar to that used for other taxpayers.

The tax treatment of cars provided for top civil servants is exactly the same as that of cars provided for employees generally. If a pooled car is provided for any employee, and its use for home-to-work travel is incidental to its official or business use, there is no liability to tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the increased fines relating to value added tax outlined in the Finance Bill 1980 are fines for either ( a ) the non-return of the value added tax quarterly return or ( b ) the non-payment of value added tax or both.

The proposed maximum penalties contained in the Finance (No. 2) Bill 1980 relate to both failure to furnish a VAT return and failure to pay VAT within the time specified by regulations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for the last year for which records are available, ( a ) how many value added tax payments were made later than the required one month, expressed both numerically and as a percentage of the whole, ( b ) how many late payments of value added tax were charged a had been no changes from 1979–80 allowances and thresholds, the further information required is as follows:

penalty, expressed both numerically and as a percentage of the whole, ( c ) what was the total amount raised in penalties from late payment of value added tax and ( d ) what was the cost of collection of late payments of value added tax.

During the last seven months of the year ended 31 March 1980 1,857,000 returns were issued to payment traders. Of these some 1,533,500 or 82.6 per cent. were received back after the due date. Figures for the first five months of the year were distorted by industrial action by VAT computer staff.

Customs and Excise has no powers to impose administrative penalties for late payment, but there were 92 prosecutions before the courts, which imposed penalties in every case. Total penalties and costs amounted to £38,044.

I regret that it is not practicable to isolate the cost of collection of late payments from the cost of administering VAT as a whole.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what statutory powers Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has powers to prosecute value added tax registered traders for ( a ) the non-return of the value added tax quarterly return and ( b ) the non-payment of value added tax.

The powers are contained in section 38(7) of the Finance Act 1972. The regulations referred to in that section include regulations 51—relating to the furnishing of returns—and 53—relating to payment of tax—of the Value Added Tax (General) Regulations 1977.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases in each of the past seven years Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has prosecuted value added tax registered traders for ( a ) the non-return of the value added tax quarterly return and ( b ) the non-payment

Year Failure to furnish return Failure to pay tax 1 April 1973—31 March 1974 … … … … Nil Nil 1 April 1974—31 March 1975 … … … … 328 Nil 1 April 1975—31 March 1976 … … … … 1,426 Nil 1 April 1976—31 March 1977 … … … … 4,023 Nil 1 April 1977—31 March 1978 … … … … 4,669 6 1 April 1978—31 March 1979 … … … … 5,415 43 1 April 1979—31 March 1980 … … … … 2,030* 92* *Prosecutions were not undertaken during and immediately after the period of industrial action by VAT computer staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in furtherance of the Government's policy of support for the arts, he will now zero rate value added tax on the theatre.

No. To do so would be inconsistent with the nature and purpose of value added tax.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what effect a shortage of health physicists will have on the current and future work of the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston; and if he will make a statement.

Currently, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment's programme is not adversely affected by shortage of health physics staff, but to sustain the programme with confidence for the future it is important both to increase their strength and to continue recruitment of other staff, like skilled craftsmen, in short supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approved establishment for health physicists at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston; how many are currently in post; and what steps are being taken to fill vacancies.

The approved establishment of health physicists at or above

of value added tax.

The information requested is as follows:

the grade of higher scientific officer or equivalent is 38. The number in post is 19, which compares with the figure of seven given in the Pochin report. Vigorous efforts are being made to continue to fill the vacancies by recruitment, transfer and training, and currently eight offers are being processed. Overall manning of health physics posts, including supervisors and surveyors, is now 97 compared with the Pochin figure of 43 in post in 1978, although many are still under training.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if any of the 7,500 staff savings in his Department announced on 6 December 1979 have yet been made; and, if not, when he expects them to be achieved and in what divisions, at what grades and in what geographical regions.

About 200 to 300 staff savings have already been made, mainly in the London area and including staff up to deputy secretary level. The remaining savings are expected to be made by 1 April 1982 but I am unable to forceast in which grades and geographical areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in which divisions, at what grades and in what geographical area the 1,163 posts by which the staff in post in the Royal ordnance factories contracted between 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980 were employed.

The number of staff and employees of the Royal ordnance factories decreased by approximately 1,200

Geographical Area Professional, technical and scientific officers Administrative grades Other non-industrials Industrials and apprentices Total Northern … —1 —1 + 6 —68 Yorkshire and Humberside … —58 —46 —10 —656 East Midlands … + 1 —9 —6 —179 East Anglia … — — — — South-East (Outer London) … +6 + 17 —2 —6 South-West … + 12 +5 + 12 +41 West Midlands … — — — — North-West … +35 +9 +6 —251 Wales … +6 —1 +11 —68 Scotland … +8 + 19 — —40 Northern Ireland … — — — — Increase … +68 — 50 +35 +41 + 194 Decrease … —59 —57 —18 —1,268 —1,402 TOTAL … +9 —7 + 17 —1,227 —1,208

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff vacancies there are at present in his Department's establishments in London.

The latest available figures show that during May 1980 there were some 1,100 civilian staff vacancies both industrial and non-industrial, in the Ministry of Defence and Service establishments in central London.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will bring forward proposals designed to ensure that the widows of former Service men who married after their husbands had left the Armed Services should enjoy the same pension arrangements that they would enjoy if the marriage had occurred whilst their husband was still a serving member.

The widows of Service men serving on or after 6 April 1978 are, subject to the normal conditions, eligible for widow's pensions in respect of service since that date, regardless of the date of marriage. Because of the general principle that improvements in pensions are not made retrospective, and the very high cost otherwise, widows of Service men who retired before 6 April 1978 are not eligible for a widow's pension where the marriage took place after the husband had left the Services.

during that year. The detailed figures by grades and geographical areas are set out in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest figure for imported coal as compared with the previous years 1977, 1978 and 1979.

I have been asked to reply.

The value and tonnage of coal imports is published in 1977 against SITC (Rev 1) Sub-group 321.4 and from 1978 onwards against SITC (Rev 2) Sub-groups 322.1 and 322.2 in Table III of the " Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom ". Copies of this publication are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the total number of persons employed in electricity showrooms and sales offices in England and Wales;

(2) what is the total number of electricity showrooms and sales offices in England and Wales;

(3) what are the total annual maintenance and running costs of electricity showrooms and sales offices in England and Wales in terms of heating, lighting, rent, rates, wages, repairs, sales and marketing activities;

(4) what is the total number of electricity showrooms and sales offices owned under freehold; and what is the estimated market value of those properties.

There are 955 electricity showrooms in England and Wales. I am asking the chairman of the Electricity Council to write to my hon. Friend on his other questions, which are matters for the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the total number of gas showrooms and sales offices owned under freehold; and what is the estimated market value of those properties;

(2) if he will publish in the Official Report the total number of gas showrooms and sales offices in the United Kingdom;

(3) what is the total number of persons employed in gas showrooms and sales offices in the United Kingdom;

(4) what are the total annual maintenance and running costs of gas showrooms

Electorate Rates per Elector District Council Area ( 1980 ) Regional District Total £ £ £ Antrim … … … 26,574 100.75 44.00 144.75 Ards … … … 40,415 85.41 47.24 132.65 Armagh … … … 33,147 66.01 26.29 92.30 Ballymena … … … 37,380 91.51 37.54 129.05 Ballymoney … … … 15,761 69.89 27.27 97.16 Banbridge … … … 21,219 71.30 30.47 101.77 Belfast … … … 232,905 121–31 71.88 193.19 Carrickfergus … … … 19,731 90.94 52.08 143.02 Castlereagh … … … 44,972 84.67 36.40 121.07 Coleraine … … … 31,923 109.38 57.01 166.39 Cookstown … … … 19,177 67.47 23.11 90.58 Craigavon … … … 48,748 94.82 52.99 147.81 Down … … … 34,038 78.79 36.11 114.90 Dungannon … … … 29,576 65.03 26–14 91.17 Fermanagh … … … 36,566 62.54 27.90 90.44 Larne … … … 20,366 94.14 49.68 143.82 Limavady … … … 15,619 79.50 29.63 109.13 Lisburn … … … 54,643 96.57 41.39 137.96 Londonderry … … … 52,545 101.03 59.64 160.67 Magherafelt … … … 21,916 62.64 18.21 80.85 Moyle … … … 9,645 69.21 34.26 103.47 Nevvry and Mourne … … … 50,110 68.67 28.30 96.97 Newtownabbey … … … 51,528 96.68 55.77 152.45 North Down … … … 45,960 97.91 48.78 146.69 Omagh … … … 28,347 66.64 23.64 90.28 Strabane … … … 22,753 58.72 27.86 86.58

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report the rateable value of each district council area in Northern Ireland, the rates for this financial year

and sales offices in terms of heating, lighting, rent, rates, wages, repairs, sales and marketing activities.

The number of gas showrooms in Great Britain is 931. The other issues raised are matters for the British Gas Corporation, and I have asked the chairman to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report the electorate in each district council area in Northern Ireland on the 1980 register, and indicate the sum per elector which is to be raised in the current financial year in respect of ( a ) the regional rate, ( b ) the district rate and ( c ) the total for the combined rates.

The information is as follows:

and the sums raised in each area from ( a ) domestic property and ( b ) commercial property and also indicate on the same basis the sums for each area raised for the district rates and the regional rates, respectively.

The information is as follows: Estimated total yield District Rateable value £ million Rate poundages 1980–81 * Pence Estimated sums from domestic property £ million Estimated sums from commercial property † £ million Regional £ million District £ million Total £ million Antrim … 4.03 100.7 1.58 1.69 2.68 1.17 3.85 Ards … 5.30 107.7 2.80 2.23 3.45 1.91 5.36 Armagh … 3.35 97.7 1.54 1.20 2.19 0.87 3.06 Ballymena … 5.20 98.7 2.21 2.19 3.42 1.40 4.82 Ballymoney … 1.69 97.2 0.76 0.64 1.10 0.43 1.53 Banbridge … 2.31 99.7 1.05 0.95 1.51 0.65 2.16 Belfast … 41.75 111.8 14.10 25.98 28.25 16.74 45.00 Carrickfergus … 2.74 109.2 1.38 1.26 1.79 1.03 2.82 Castlereagh … 5.85 99.7 2.81 1.90 3.81 1.64 5.45 Coleraine … 5.28 106.2 2.29 2.73 3.49 1.82 5.31 Cookstown … 1.97 94.2 0.81 0.80 1.29 0.44 1.74 Craigavon … 6.98 108.7 3.09 3.33 4.62 2.58 7.21 Down … 4.10 101.7 1.92 1.57 2.68 1.23 3.91 Dungannon … 2.92 98.2 1.21 1.27 1.92 0.77 2.70 Fermanagh … 3.46 101.2 1.43 1.56 2.29 1.02 3.31 Lame … 2.89 106.7 1.23 1.57 1.92 1.01 2.93 Limavady … 1.89 96.2 0.79 0.72 1.24 0.46 1.70 Lisburn … 8.06 99.76 3.68 3.27 5.28 2.26 7.54 Londonderry … 7.93 111.2 3.14 4.36 5.31 3.13 8.44 Magherafelt … 2.10 90.7 0.88 0.77 1.37 0.40 1.77 Moyle … 1.03 103.7 0.56 0.38 0.67 0.33 1.00 Newry and Mourne … 5.25 98.7 2.35 2.25 3.44 1.42 4.86 Newtownabbey … 7.56 109.7 3.59 3.94 4.98 2.87 7.86 North Down … 7.01 103.7 4.00 2.39 4.50 2.42 6.74 Omagh … 2.85 95.2 1.08 1.10 1.89 0.67 2.56 Strabane … 2.05 102.7 0.99 0.90 1.34 0.63 1.97 *The rate poundages given are for non-domestic property. The rate poundages for domestic property are 12p less. †Commercial property, as such, is not separated in rates records. The figures quoted are the figures for non-domestic rated property excluding Crown property—which includes premises such as schools, hospitals, and so on.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many places are available in each of the controlled primary schools in Limavady; and what are the present numbers;

(2) what are the projections for the number of pupils at each controlled primary school in Limavady for the next three years;

(3) whether cloakrooms at the Limavady primary school are now used as classrooms;

Controlled Primary School Accommodation ( number of pupils ) Number of pupils enrolled * Number of temporary classrooms Limavady Central … 552 542 5 Drumachose … 549 472 0 *April 1980.

Present enrolment levels are not expected to change significantly over the next three years.

One of two cloakroom spaces at Limavady central primary school has been converted for use as a classroom and the canteen was converted about 10 years

(4) whether the former canteen at the Limavady central primary school is now used as a classroom;

(5) whether there is an assembly hall in each of the controlled primary schools in Limavady.

(6) how many temporary classrooms are in use at each of the controlled primary schools in Limavady.

The information is as follows:

ago to provide two classrooms. Pupils use the nearby dining facilities at the central meals kitchen which also serves the adjacent secondary intermediate school.

Drumachose primary school has an assembly hall, but approval was given

some years ago at the request of the local education authority for that at the Limavady central primary school to be partitioned to provide two teaching spaces

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when it was first decided to erect a new controlled primary school in Limavady to replace the central primary school; what has been the cause of the delay; and when he now expects this school to be provided.