asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he take action to stimulate a greater interest by British firms in commercial opportunities arising out of European development fund procurement.

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

1 April 1980 by grade is not yet complete and a similar industrial comparison is not readily available. For non-industrial staff, a breakdown of numbers into United Kingdom geographical areas is prepared only in relation to 1 January strength while for both non-industrial and industrial staff a break-down of grades into geographic areas could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

The reductions in terms of main management areas are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the outcome to date of the meetings in Madrid between the accident investigation team from his Department and the Spanish Commission of Investigation into the crash of the Dan-Air Boeing 727 at Tenerife on 25 April.

As a result of the meetings in Madrid between the accident investigation team from the Department of Trade and the Spanish commission of investigation, it is expected that a statement will be made to the House about the Tenerife accident in a few days time.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the grants made annually to each voluntary organisation active in the health and social services field in Wales since 1969.

The information is given in the following table:

1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 £ £ £ £ £ £ Council of Social Service for Wales … … … 2,350 3,054 5,210 8,009 25,666 44,863 Wales Council for the Blind … … … 349 428 290 710 441 – Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin … … … 5,500 15,000 Pre-School Playgroups Association (Wales Region) … … … 4,500 8,500 South Wales Council on Alcoholism … … … 5,587 44,607 National Association for Mental Health (MIND) … … … 4,000 7,500 National Children's Home … … … Boys and Girls Welfare Society … … … St. John Ambulance Brigade … … … Family Planning Association … … … Action on Smoking and Health … … … Welsh Women's Aid … … … Age Concern (Wales) … … … . . . . . . Wales Council for Disabled … … … . . . . . . Welsh Institute for Mental Subnormality … … … National Council on Alcoholism … … … Swansea Association for the Single Homeless … … … The Employment Fellowship … … … International Year of the Child … … … Motability … … …

1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 Council of Social Service for Wales … … … … … 32,300 35,700 50,000 62,500 70,000 Wales Council for the Blind … … … … … 1,973 2,290 3,132 4,657 6,666 Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin … … … … … 24,400 36,200 46,375 80,000* 70,000 Pre-School Playgroups Association (Wales Region) … … … … … 11,364 17,450 28,000 56,000* 43,000 South Wales Council on Alcoholism … … … … … 42,491 32,528 22,125 36,250 40,867 National Association for Mental Health (MIND) … … … … … 10,000 9,000 18,500 17,500 18,500 National Children's Home … … … … … 23,235 40,000 — — — Boys and Girls Welfare Society … … … … … 7,450 — — — — St. John Ambulance Brigade … … … … … 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,500 2,500 Family Planning Association … … … … … 1,250 5,000 6,250 6,225 Action on Smoking and Health … … … … … 750 750 1,000 1,250 Welsh Women's Aid … … … … … 3,500 8,000 13,750 Age Concern (Wales) … … … … … . . 11,000 12,500 15,000 Wales Council for Disabled … … … … … . . 18,500 20,000 26,000 Welsh Institute for Mental Subnormality … … … … … 500 — — National Council on Alcoholism … … … … … 30,000 — Swansea Association for the Single Homeless … … … … … 9,106 — The Employment Fellowship … … … … … 2,500 International Year of the Child … … … … … 3,125 Motability … … … … … 11,140 14,256 * These figures include special additional grants of £20,000 to each organisation .Grants for these organisations for 1969–70—1976–77 were included in the grants to the Council of Social Service for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for the latest 12-month period available the total financial costs, including administration, of the rent assessment panels for Wales.

For the financial year ended 31 March 1980, the provisional outturn of the total financial cost, including administration, of the rent assessment panel service in Wales is £69,905.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing the local authorities' total housing investment programme bids as received by him for the years 1980 to 1984.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 12 March. Information from the new round of HIP submissions soon to be made will be placed in the Library of the House. [Vol. 980, c. 606 .]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Grimsby on 22 May, what action he intends to take to implement the framework scheme for decasualisation of fishing agreed in 1977.

Responsibility for maintaining progress towards the implementation of a decasualisation scheme rests with the representatives of the industry. My right hon. Friend is of course prepared to consider any representations the industry may make in respect of those specific issues which are the responsibility of this Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the rise in average earnings for each year since 1970 as a percentage.

The percentage increases in average earnings between successive calendar years have been as follows:

Change on previous calendar year Production industries and some services Whole economy 1970 12.1 . . 1971 11.3 . . 1972 12.9 . . 1973 13.5 . . 1974 17.8 . . 1975 26.5 . . 1976 15.6 . . 1977 10.2 9.1 1978 14.4 13.0 1979 15.6 15.5

Source Department of Employment Gazette April 1980.

. . = Not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many firms in the Jarrow constituency are in receipt of temporary employment subsidy; how many employees are covered by these payments; and how many of these employees are male, and female, respectively.

There are no firms in the Jarrow constituency still in receipt of temporary employment subsidy, which closed for applications on 31 March 1979. There are, also, no firms in the constituency currently in receipt of compensation under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies his Department has been notified of in the Jarrow constituency since May 1979; and how many were redundancies of men and of women, respectively.

The number of proposed redundancies notified to my Department under the redundancy-handling provisions of the Employment Protection Act 1975 for the Jarrow constituency since May 1979 involved 1,422 employees employed at 12 establishments. During the same period, 16 redundancies at one establishment were formally withdrawn. There is no statutory requirement to notify my Department when proposed redundancies do not take place.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the number of redundancies notified to it as due to occur in the Jarrow constituency area since May 1979 involved 1,108 workers at four establishments.

Separate figures for men and women are not available.

asked the Secretary of State of Employment, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Keighley of 20 May, if the written instrument, a warrant, specifies the particular regulations which the health and safety inspector is entitled to apply or whether a member of the nuclear inspectorate is entitled to enforce the application of agricultural regulations and vice versa; and, if so, how an occupier of premises subject to an inspection is able to distinguish one from another.

[ pursuant to his reply, 3 June 1980, c. 684 ]: The warrant issued to a health and safety inspector does not specify particular regulations. The warrant specifies the powers inspectors are entitled to exercise, which are conferred on them by the relevant statutory provisions. The majority of inspectors hold full warrants authorising them to exercise all the powers conferred on inspectors by section 19 of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974. Occupiers may check the inspector's warrant when an inspection visit is made. Administrative arrangements are made by the Health and Safety Executive so that a member of one inspectorate does not do the work of another inspectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is Government policy on pre-school education;

(2) what is the Government policy in relation to the admission of rising-fives to primary schools.

The Government's policy is to encourage local authorities to provide pre-school education for the under-fives in nursery schools and nursery classes in primary schools, and to admit rising fives to reception classes in primary schools whenever resources permit.

We have provided in the rate support grant settlement for 1980–81 for expenditure on the under-fives to remain broadly at the present level, and we are retaining a modest nursery education building programme, which should provide over 2,000 additional nursery places during the current financial year.

Expenditure plans for the period 1980–81 to 1983–84 provide for a reduction of 5 per cent. in expenditure on the education of under-fives, which is expected to result in a reduction of between 5 and 10 per cent. in the number of under-fives in school. It has been assumed that the reduction in numbers will fall mainly on younger children in reception classes rather than on those in nursery schools and classes, although this is a matter on which each local education authority is free to make its own decision. The Education Act 1980 requires the approval of the Secretary of State for the closure of nursery schools or nursery classes attached to primary schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Association of Head Teachers regarding the staffing assumptions of the public expenditure White Paper and their effect upon the curriculum and educational standards.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will respond to the joint salary proposals of the university authorities and the Association of University Teachers which are now before him.

These proposals are currently under consideration and a response will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether the European Economic Community Budget proposals which the United Kingdom Government rejected included any provision for the arrangements now agreed for sheepmeat and wine; and, if not, whether what has now been agreed for the United Kingdom contribution to the European Economic Community budget in 1980 and in 1981 will, all other things being equal, cost more than what she was offered at the earlier date.

The European Community Commission did not give a detailed breakdown of its estimates of Community expenditure in 1980 and 1981 when earlier proposals on the budget issue were being discussed. In view of the margin of uncertainty over estimates of agricultural support spending, it is impossible to state categorically whether or not particular items were included.

The agreement last week on wine distillation will not however add to European Community budget expenditure in 1980 or 1981. Moreover, the agreement on sheepmeat now negotiated is an excellent bargain for the United Kingdom.

asked the Prime Minister whether any reduction will be made in the United Kingdom contribution to the European Economic Community budget in the current year; whether so far as the public sector borrowing requirement is concerned the United Kingdom will not benefit from the agreement reached with other European Economic Community countries in respect of payments in 1980 until 1981; and, if so, how the agreement is expected to operate in the event of the European Economic Community running out of money in 1981 under the own resources system under a 1 per cent. value added tax.

We expect the bulk of the refund which is due in respect of 1980 to be paid before the end of the United Kingdom's 1980–81 financial year. The public sector borrowing requirement will benefit accordingly.

The exhaustion of the Community's own resources, if and when it occurs, will be a Community problem, to which a Community solution will have to be found. But the Community is committed to financing our refund.

asked the Prime Minister what is the timetable for the review of the United Kingdom contribution to the European Economic Community budget for 1982; and what there is in the terms agreed to prevent any Government delaying action on this until they have secured what they want on farm prices.

As the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 29/30 May make clear, the review will take place in 1981. Member States have undertaken to do their best during the period of review to ensure that decisions on agricultural prices are taken expeditiously. No link has been established between the review and the timing of these decisions.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, following the decision to move a substantial part of the personnel department of the Overseas Development Administration to East Kilbride, he expects the work of that Department to be substantially more efficient and cost-effective; and what is his estimate of the cost to public funds of visits by staff in that department to interview elsewhere in the United Kingdom or by applicants for jobs for interview in East Kilbride.

I do not expect the work of the overseas manpower division to be more efficient and cost-effective at least in the early stages of the move to East Kilbride. Although the recruitment executive will move to East Kilbride, a small proportion of its staff will remain in London after dispersal solely for interviewing candidates for overseas appointments. The present recruitment interviewing arrangements in London will stand, and therefore there will be no cost to public funds in terms of travelling to East Kilbride.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a detailed inquiry into the possible toxic effects upon the health of individuals residing in locations in proximity to forested areas that have and are being sprayed with the herbicide 2,4,5-T.

Reviews are already being carried out by the advisory committee on pesticides and the advisory committee on toxic substances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if there is a tree-planting programme in operation for the national parks of England; 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 English national parks.

The Government's policy is to encourage planting of trees for amenity purposes in all suitable places, including national parks, but tree-planting programmes within the parks are the

National Park Area ( acres ) Grant 1979–80 £ Grant 1980–81 £ Dartmoor … … … 233,600 399,300 393,800 Exmoor … … … 169,600 261,800 306,800 Lake District … … … 554,200 709,500 701,300 Northumberland … … … 255,600 250,800 192,700 North Yorkshire Moors … … … 353,900 369,600 411,700 Peak Districts … … … 346,900 908,600 948,700 Yorkshire Dales … … … 435,200 448,800 455,300

The grant figures for 1980–81 are provisional. They do not reflect the benefit of the rate support grant increase order for the current year, which has yet to be determined.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to announce the creation of any new national parks in England.

National parks are designated by order made by the Countryside Commission subject to my right hon. Friend's confirmation. No such orders are currently before him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with local housing authorities regarding the use of solid fuel or the inclusion of chimneys in newly constructed dwellings.

None. The choice of heating fuels and the decision whether or not to include a flue in newly-constructed local authority dwellings is responsibility of the national park boards and committees. Their policies in this respect are published in the national park plans.

Commercial afforestation is undertaken and promoted by the Forestry Commission under my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Proposals in national parks are subject to agreed consultation procedures which ensure that proper account is taken of the park interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the present sizes in acres of every national park in England; what was the grant to each park in 1979; and what is the grant for 1980 for each park.

The figures are:

a matter for each housing authority in the light of its knowledge of local needs and circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps so that the chairmen of water authorities are elected by the membership rather than appointed by the Minister.

No, we see no advantage in that proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the additional cost to the consumers in the Severn Trent water authority area if current cost accounting were introduced in one year.

Detailed arrangements and their implications are still being considered but the introduction of current-cost accounting need not in itself add to costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is his intention to require water authorities to introduce current cost accounting.

Yes, for 1981–82 onwards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current average annual domestic rates payment per household, excluding households receiving rate rebates; and what is the current average annual domestic rates payment per adult, excluding those in households receiving rate rebates.

I will answer this question shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will publish the Government's response to the Foster report on road haulage operators' licensing.

I have now completed my assessment of this detailed report in the light of the large number of comments that have been received by my Department since it was published. I have been impressed by the thoroughness with which Professor Foster and his colleagues carried out their task. I welcome in particular their general endorsement of the present road haulage licensing system with its triple objectives of promoting road safety, helping to protect the environment and preventing undue damage to the roads.

I accept that the system could be improved in a number of detailed respects, and I am taking steps where this can be done without legislation, for example, the introduction of roadside checks at nights and at weekends. Other enforcement measures will require legislation.

Finally, there are the difficult environmental problems. The Foster Committee recommended a much wider and deeper scrutiny of such issues than its terms of reference allowed. I appointed Sir Arthur Armitage to conduct just such an inquiry, and I look forward to receiving his report in the autumn. In these circumstances, it would clearly be right to consider all the inter-related environmental issues together in the wider perspective that will be provided soon by Sir Arthur Armitage's inquiry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will announce the guarantee price for potatoes.

The Government have decided that the guaranteed price for 1980–81 should be kept at the existing level of £44.64 per ton (£43.94 per tonne).

To ensure stability in the market throughout the season, the Potato Marketing Board is again being asked to offer producers a contract for a proportion of their crop. The aim will be to remove up to 500,000 tonnes from the market in Great Britain should this prove necessary. Consideration will be given to the need for market support along traditional lines in Northern Ireland if neccesary.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has of cancer of the skin being caused by sun tan creams or lotions that contain oil of bergamot or 5-methoxypsoralen; if he will take steps to warn the public of possible dangers of cancer through the use of such lotions; if he will have discussions with the manufacturers of the lotions concerning the possible dangers of cancer; what research has been carried out to ascertain the danger of cancer; and if he will make a statement.

I am advised that there is no medical evidence that cancer of the skin is caused by sun-tan creams or lotions that contain oil of bergamot or 5-methoxypsoralen. The research data that are available demonstrate no carcinogenic effects. However, 5-methoxypsoralen, which is a constituent of natural bergamot oil, can cause dermatitis, and manufacturers of sun-tan products use distilled bergamot oil to obviate this risk.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many widows will draw supplementary benefit result of the abolition of the earnings-related supplement in 1982.

It is not possible to give a precise figure in view of the few cases which have arisen in recent statistical samples, but it is not expected that there will be more than a few hundred at any one time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of revenue raised by death duties; and if he will also show this as a percentage of the total revenue.

The net receipts from estate duty and capital transfer tax charged on death in 1979–80 are shown below together with the percentage of the total revenue they constitute.

1979–80 Estate duty and CTT (death) £408.4 million Percentage of total revenue* 0.65 *Total revenue is taken to be the aggregate of total central government taxation and national insurance contributions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the domestic

Full year revenue yield Approximate increase in retail price of typical item Budget proposal £ million To maintain real value since 1977 *£ million Budget proposal To maintain real value since 1977* Cigarettes … 195 490† 5p 13½p on 20 cigarettes Cigars … 5p 10p on 5 wiffs Handrolling tobacco … 6½p 22p per 25 grams Pipe tobacco … 4p 20½p per 25 grams Beer … 205 400 2p 4p per pint Spirits … 40 50 50p £1.60 per bottle of whisky Wine … 40 120 8p 25p per 70 cl. bottle of table wine Total … 480 1,060 * Based on the movement of the retail prices index between January or April 1977 and February 1980. The February index was the latest available at the time of the Budget. †Since the last substantive increase in duty rates in April 1977, the duty on cigarettes has been restructured and its specific and ad valorem elements subsequently varied. Comparisons over the whole period are complicated also by the interaction of VAT with the tobacco duty. For the purpose of this question, it has been assumed that the specific duty on cigarettes in April 1977 was at the level actually fixed in August 1979.

economic consequences of the 18 per cent. increase in real terms, allowing for inflation differentials with the rest of the world, of sterling's trade weighted exchange rate in the past 12 months.

The rise in the exchange rate over the last year has had and will continue to have a direct impact on domestic prices, both by reducing the cost of imports and also by putting pressure on domestic producers to price competitively and to hold down the growth in their costs. To the extent that costs are not held down, there will also be a reduction in profits and in the level of output.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what percentages the specific duties on tobacco and alcoholic drinks would have had to have been increased in the Budget to restore them in real terms to their level when last increased in 1977; how much additional revenue would have been obtained and what would have been the effects on the prices of typical items; and how these figures compare with the actual increases announced in the Budget.

For the percentage increases in the specific duties I refer my hon. Friend to answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington (Sir B. Rhys Williams) on 15 April, [c. 615–16 .] The other information is:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East, Official Report, 1 May, columns 594–95, whether the Fleet Street tax amnesty was a remission founded on a fixed principle of general application affecting classes or a remission made in favour of individuals from motives of equity or compassion.

In the Fleet Street case, a decision on how far to pursue the investigation of possible tax liabilities for past years was taken by the Inland Revenue with due regard to its responsibility for the care and management of the direct taxes under section 1 of the Taxes Management Act 1970. As the Treasury minute to which my hon. Friend refers is concerned with assessed or known liabilities, it was not in point when the decision was taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fall in the value of the £ sterling, he will now arrange for the issuing of a £1 coin.

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead) on 21 February.—[Vol. 927, c. 327 .]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will consult the authorities of the Isle of Man concerning the effect of the introduction of £1 coins in the Isle of Man in 1978;

(2) whether he will instruct the Royal Mint to consult the Manx authorities regarding problems raised by their issue of a £1 coin.

Any problems experienced by the Manx authorities by their issue of a £1 coin are solely matters for those authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will hold consultations with the Bank of England concerning the issue of a £1 coin.

The Bank of England has been associated with the consideration already given to this matter but no decision has been reached.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long he estimates that a £1 coin will remain in circulation; and how long he estimates that a £1 note is likely to remain in circulation.

The £1 note continues to play a useful role in our currency, and although its replacement by a £1 coin is under consideration no decision has been reached and no early action is contemplated. No £1 coin is at present in general circulation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much would be needed to buy in 1980 goods which could have been purchased for £1 in 1950, 1960 and 1970, respectively.

The amounts required in April 1980 to purchase goods that could have been purchased for £1 in 1950, 1960 and 1970 are approximately £7.30; £5.30 and £3.60 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for a married man, with two children, earning average male earnings in the relevant year, and after taking into account tax liability and national insurance contributions, the length of time he would have to work in order to pay for the following items in each year since 1964 to the latest year for which information is available ( a ) 1 ¾ lb unwrapped, unsliced loaf, ( b ) one pint of milk, ( c ) six standard eggs, ( d ) 5 cwt high quality coal, ( e ) one lb rump steak and ( f ) a man's two-piece woollen suit.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to amend section 226 of the Finance Act 1970 to enable persons leaving employment to

pay their accumulated pensions contributions from their employer into a self-employed pension fund and to enable such schemes to receive and accept such transfers.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing

REAL PERSONAL DISPOSABLE INCOME* 1965–100† 1970–100 United Kingdom United States Japan‡ Austria§ West Germany France‡ 1964 … 97.7 94.3 N.A. 96.4 93.3 N.A. 1965 … 100.0 100.0 1000 100.0 100.0 N.A. 1966 … 102.3 105.0 108.3 105.7 101.6 N.A. 1967 … 103.8 109.4 121.2 109.2 102.4 N.A. 1968 … 105.5 113.9 1351 114.1 108.8 N.A. 1969 … 106.3 117.1 148.9 118.4 115.4 N.A. 1970 … 110.2 121.9 160.8 124.3 127.5 100.0 1971 … 112.3 126.8 170.3 132.9 132.8 106.7 1972 … 121.1 132.1 188.4 139.1 135.2 113.2 1973 … 127.7 140.8 212.6 143.6 135.8 120.5 1974 … 128.5 139.1 223.1 146.6 136.7 124.1 1975 … 128.1 142.5 229.6 152.3 140.9 130.3 1976 … 127.5 147.5 240.3 161.0 144.3 133.3 1977 … 126.2 153.5 247.5 165.8 N.A. 138.4 1978 … 135.0 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.—Not available. * Before deducting depreciation but after deducting stock appreciation. †11965base used because no 1964 data available for Japan, ‡Excluding private non- profit-making institutions serving persons. §After deducting depreciation and stock appreciation.

Sources: United kingdom: Latest estimates, adjusted to international definitions. Other countries: Derived from " National Accounts of OECD Countries 1960–77 Volume II ".

The comparisons may be affected by the different economic structures in the countries concerned. In particular there are substantial differences among countries in the proportion of the working population which is self-employed. These differences affect the levels of personal disposable incomes and may also affect the year-to-year changes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East on 22 May, why it is difficult to distinguish between various articles which might be regarded as hygienic necessities by women or men.

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

real personal disposable income in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Japan, France, Austria, West Germany, East Germany and Czechoslovakia, in each year since 1964, taking 1964 as being equal to 100 as the base year.

The latest information available from international sources is given in the table below. No estimates are available for East Germany or Czechoslovakia and estimates for France on a comparable basis are only available from 1970 onwards.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the figures for the United Kingdom's EEC budget contribution will be affected by each percentage point rise in the value of the £ sterling above the present level to a maximum 10 per cent. revalution.

[ pursuant to his reply, 5 June 1980, c. 810 ]: A one-percentage point rise in the value of £ sterling against the unit of account will broadly produce a one-percentage point fall in our budget contribution when expressed in £ sterling. The Commission has estimated that our adjusted net contribution in respect of the 1980 budget would be about 610 million units of account. At the present exchange rate of 1.65 units of account to the pound, this would amount to £370 milion. A 1 per cent. rise in sterling would reduce this to about £366 million while a 10 per cent. rise would reduce it to about £336 million.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has agreed that the EEC should join the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.

No; but we do not wish to reach any final view until there has been wider public debate on the subject, and an opportunity for discussion with our Community partners and in the European Parliament. We also await with interest the report from the House of Lords Select Committee which has been giving careful thought to the question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any plans to visit Brazil in the near future; and if any members of his Department have met representatives from the Brazilian Embassy for general discussions since 3 May 1979.

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to visit Brazil. We have regular contact in the course of day-to-day business with representatives of the Brazilian Embassy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has any plans to pay a visit to Norway in the near future; and if officials of his Department have met representatives of the Norwegian Embassy for general discussions since 3 May 1979.

I have no plans to visit Norway. However, my noble Friend visited Oslo for talks with the Norwegian Foreign Minister from 26 to 28 October last year. He hopes to be able to receive the Norwegian Foreign Minister in Britain for return talks soon. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are in frequent touch with the Norwegian Embassy in London.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has any plans to visit Chile in the near future; and whether officials of his Department have met representatives of the Chilean Embassy for general discussions since 1 January.

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to visit Chile. We have regular contact in the course of day-to-day business with representatives of the Chilean Embassy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many times since 3 May 1979 his Department has had contact with the Paraguayan Embassy; whether he has any plans to visit Paraguay; and if so, when.

My right hon Friend has at present no plans to visit Paraguay. We have regular contact in the course of day-to-day business with representatives of the Paraguayan Embassy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he intends to visit Argentina; and if he will approach the Argentinian Embassy to arrange a visit by officials of the Argentinian Government to foster friendly relations with the Government of Argentina.

My right hon Friend has at present no plans to visit Argentina. We already have good relations with Argentina and Argentine officials visit the United Kingdom regularly on business.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards resolution 301 of the United Nations Security Council as it relates to existing contracts for the supply of uranium from Namibia.

The United Kingdom abstained in the vote on Security Council resolution 301. In accordance with the reply I gave to the hon. Member for York (Mr. Lyon) on 31 March, Her Majesty's Government do not regard that resolution as requiring member States to interfere with existing contracts for the supply of uranium from Namibia.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is Her Majesty's Government's current involvement in negotiations for the legitimate independence of Namibia.

Her Majesty's Government are working with their Western partners and the United Nations Secretary-General for implementation of the United Nations plan for elections in Namibia leading to internationally-recognised independence.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if Her Majesty's Government have endorsed resolution 2145 of the General Assembly of the United Nations; how this affects the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards Namibia; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government, like their predecessors, have not endorsed General Assembly resolution 2145. They however consider that the South African presence in Namibia is unlawful and should be withdrawn.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will specify the Government measures taken against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in respect of its invasion of Afghanistan.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Anglesey (Mr. Best) on 23 May.—[Vol. 985, c. 385 .]

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what protests have been made by Her Majesty's Government to diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James concerning their use and abuse of diplomatic privilege during each of the last five years for which records are available; which are the countries involved in each of the protests made in the last five years by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office concerning the abuse of diplomatic immunity; and what was the nature of the abuse;

(2) what was the response of each of the countries whose personnel were accused of a breach of diplomatic immunity of whatever nature as recorded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office during the last five years.

The details requested form part of confidential exchanges with diplomatic missions. Such matters are firmly dealt with.

asked the Lord Privy Seal on how many occasions the Government have requested diplomats or those claiming diplomatic immunity to leave the United Kingdom during the last five years; what were the alleged offences on each occasion; and what countries' nationals were involved.

The information required is not available within the time allowed to answer this question. I shall circulate a reply in the Official Report.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will publish list of all the institutions and organisations to which the United Kingdom accords privileges and immunities.

The diplomatic missions and those international organisations in the United Kingdom to which privileges and immunities are granted in accordance with international agreements are shown in the London Diplomatic List which is published quarterly. To this list should be added the recently-established International Maritime Satellite Orgaanisation.

In addition, the United Kingdom is party to agreements with number of other international organisations which are not based in this country; with the approval of Parliament their officials and the representatives of the member States are accorded certain privileges and immunities when on official business in this country.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has made to ambassadors, high commissioners and those who claim diplomatic immunity, in the light of the recent killings and the Iranian Embassy siege, concerning the abuse of the conventions of diplomatic privilege.

All missions in London have been made aware of the Government's views on this subject. On 9 May a circular was issued to the Diplomatic Corps outlining the grave view which would be taken of any breaches of the United Kingdom firearms regulations.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will list the number of diplomats and the number of members of families of diplomats and

JUNE1980 EMBASSIES/HIGH COMMISSIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM Diplomatic Administrative and technical Afghanistan, Republic of … 2 — Algeria … 7 3 Argentina, Republic of … 21 22 Australia … 50 98 Austria … 13 16 Bahamas, Commonwealth of the … 1 — Bahrain, State of … 6 — Bangladesh, People's Republic of … 15 39 Barbados … 13 2 Belgium … 12 33 Benin, People's Republic of (non resident) … 6 — Bolivia … 12 — Botswana … 3 1 Brazil … 36 114 Bulgaria, People's Republic of … 13 27 Burma, Socialist Republic of the Union of … 4 15 Burundi, Republic of (non resident) … 5 — Cameroon, United Republic of … 15 16 Canada … 55 62 Central African Empire (non resident) … 4 — Chad Republic of (non resident) … 2 2 Chile … 16 16 China, People's Republic of … 49 63 Colombia … 13 7 Congo, People's Republic of (non resident) … 12 — Costa Rica … 6 1 Cuba, Republic of … 13 9 Cyprus … 21 9 Czechoslovakia, Socialist Republic of … 15 48 Denmark … 18 21 Djibouti (non resident) … 2 — Dominica, Commonwealth of … 2 — Dominican Republic … 7 4 Ecuador … 6 1 Egypt, Arab Republic of … 79 78 El Salvador … 1 4 Ethiopia, Provisional Military Government of Socialist … 7 4 Fiji … 5 — Finland … 16 22 France … 46 182 Gabon, Republic of … 4 — The Gambia … 6 7 Federal Republic of Germany … 48 88 German Democratic Republic … 16 16 Ghana … 36 19 Greece … 21 26 Grenada … 3 — Guinea, Republic of (non resident) … 8 — Guyana … 18 — Haiti, Republic of … 1 — Honduras … 5 1 Hungary, People's Republic of … 15 20

the number of other persons with diplomatic immunity in each diplomatic mission currently represented in Great Britain.

The numbers of diplomats and other staff of diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom are in the attached list. It would involve a disproportionate effort to count the individual members of the families of the persons listed. It is estimated that their total number is approximately 16,400.

Diplomatic Administrative and technical Iceland 3 2 india 75 336 indonesia 15 46 Iran, Provisional, Revolutionary and Islamic Goverment of 17 5 Iraq, Republic of 45 64 Republic of Ireland 13 44 Israel 36 23 Italy 20 70 Ivory Coast 8 8 Jamaica 28 5 Japan 48 4 Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of 23 59 Kenya 23 2 Korea, Republic of 20 6 Kuwait, State of 16 — Laos, People's Democratic Republic of 2 2 Lebanon 4 7 Lesotho, Kingdom of 2 2 Liberia 6 3 Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 10 5 Luxembourg 2 — Madagascar (non resident) 2 — Malawi, Republic of 9 — Malaysia 43 21 Mali, Republic of (non resident) 1 1 Malta, Republic of 8 2 Mauritania, Islamic Republic of (non resident) 6 — Mauritius 9 7 Mexico 28 13 Mongolia, People's Republic of 3 — Morocco, Kingdom of 14 12 Nepal 4 1 Netherlands 19 59 New Zealand 23 14 Nicaragua 2 Niger, Republic of (non resident) 4 — Nigeria, Federal Republic of 101 — Norway 18 23 Oman, Sultanate of 12 — Pakistan 31 54 Panama, Republic of 13 1 Papua New Guinea 3 — Paraguay 5 — Peru 19 29 Philippines 13 21 Poland, People's Republic of 28 30 Portugal 14 46 Qatar, State of 7 — Romania, Socialist Republic of 9 23 Rwanda, Republic of (non resident) 4 — Saint Lucia 2 — Saint Vincent 1 — Saudi Arabia 42 5 Senegal, Republic of 10 3 Seychelles 4 1 Sierra Leone 27 2 Singapore, Republic of 4 3 Solomon Islands (non resident) 1 — Somali Democratic Republic 4 1 South Africa, Republic of 28 19 Soviet Union 43 45 Spain 27 123 Sri Lanka, Republic of 12 20 Sudan, Democratic Republic of 47 — Swaziland 5 2 Sweden 24 17 Switzerland 14 27 Syrian Arab Republic 21 3 Tanzania, United Republic of 12 — Thailand 27 28 Togo 5 2 Tonga 3 5

Diplomatic Administrative and technical Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of … … … 16 4 Tunisia … … … 4 — Turkey … … … 39 27 Uganda … … … 10 2 United Arab Emirates … … … 13 — United States … … … 116 213 Upper Volta, Republic of (non resident) … … … 7 — Uruguay … … … 5 — Venezuela … … … 18 26 Socialist Republic of Vietnam … … … 6 7 People's Democratic Republic of Yemen … … … 7 1 Yemen Arab Republic … … … 9 1 Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of … … … 14 30 Zaire, Republic of … … … 10 3 Zambia, Republic of … … … 18 — Commonwealth Secretariat … … … 55 311 Total … … … 2,388 3,077

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) whether he will make representations to those Governments who have ratified the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations but who either are known to have or are suspected of having abused the spirit or letter of the convention; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) whether he will initiate talks with Foreign Ministers of those countries which have acceded to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations with a view to reconvening the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities to discuss amendments to the aforesaid convention which will tighten loopholes and abuses of diplomatic immunity;

(3) what recommendations he has made concerning diplomatic immunity and kindred problems consequential on the recent killings in London and the Iranian Embassy siege,

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made in the Adjournment debate of 2 June.

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what types of firearms, explosives and kindred devices have been found on inspection of diplomatic bags, premises occupied by diplomats or those claiming diplomatic immunity in each of the last five years; and what nationality was claimed in each instance;

(2) what proposals he intends to introduce to enable electronic surveillance of diplomatic baggage;

(3) what procedures are adopted when items contrary to the conventions concerning diplomatic mail are found; and what is the nature of representations made by the country concerned.

Article 27 of the Vienna Convention lays down that diplomatic bags should not be opened or detained. Article 22 gives inviolability to diplomatic premises. On the principles involved and the practice of Her Majesty's Government I would refer to the statement which I made in the Adjournment debate of 2 June.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources recently concluded in Canberra involves an extension of the Antarctic Treaty to the Falkland Islands and their dependencies; whether the convention has any effect on British sovereignty over these territories; and whether the convention has any effect on British rights to control fishing around these territories.

The convention does not extend the Antarctic Treaty. The Falkland Islands and their waters lie entirely outside the scope of the convention. It does apply to the waters around the Dependencies (South Georgia and South Sandwich) but it has no effect on British territorial sovereignty there.

The convention establishes conservation principles and does not affect our right to control fishing within existing or future national fishery limits. The convention specifically provides that nothing in it and no acts taking place while it is in force shall be interpreted as a renunciation or diminution by any contracting party of its right to exercise coastal State jurisdiction under international law.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make available to the House copies of the Green Paper on district administration in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

Copies of the Green Paper will be placed in the Vote Office of the House by 13 June. It has been published as a basis for discussion of the pattern of district administration in Hong Kong. The proposals can be summarised as follows:

For the New Territories ( a ) To introduce an elected element to the district advisory boards. ( b ) Each elected member to represent a separate constituency in the area served by the district advisory board. ( c ) Election to be by all adults over the age of 21 residing in the New Territories with more than three years' residence in Hong Kong.

For the urban area

( a ) The district management committee system, established experimentally in Kwun Tong, to be extended to other urbandistricts. ( b ) District boards comprising officials and appointed unofficials to be established in the urban area with terms of reference slightly narrower than those of the district advisory boards in the New Territories.

Implications for the urban council:

These proposals are primarily concerned with district administration, but if adopted it is suggested that consequent changes for the urban council might be:

( a ) Substitute adult suffrage for the present franchise. ( b ) Have elections on a constituency basis—hopefully this would make the urban council more accountable about the more mundane aspects of its work. The urban area would be divided into eight districts, one of which would have one constituency and the rest two, returning 15 elected members in all. The number of appointed members would be increased to 15. ( c ) Reserve seats on district boards for urban council members elected for constituencies within the district, if they wish to participate in the board's work. ( d ) Similarly reserve seats for appointed members on district boards of their choice.

I welcome these proposals and the opportunity which has been given for

public opinion in Hong Kong to give its views on them.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he intends to end the provision of all financial support to Inmos Limited in the near future; and whether it is proposed to dispose of the company to private industry.

The National Enterprise Board is contractually committed to subscribe £25 million for shares in Inmos International Ltd. The board has drawn £20.5 million from my Department for this purpose so far and will draw the balance when it is required: the timing is a matter for the board. My right hon. Friend will consider any proposals the board may recommend for the disposal to private ownership of its shares in this company: this is a matter for the board in the first instance but no such proposals have yet been put to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement in regard to the document submitted by Manchester city council on 14 January relating to Manchester's applications to be declared a derelict land clearance area.

[ pursuant to his reply, 5 June 1980, c- 782 ]: The Department of Industry is still considering, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, which of those areas due to become non-assisted areas in 1982 should be declared derelict land clearance areas. While I recognise the argument in favour of any early announcement, I cannot yet say when it will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry 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.

The Department has already made considerable progress in the achievement of its programme to reduce State ownership and the role of the National Enterprise Board, to expose nationalised industries to the forces of competition, to focus Government assistance to industry more accurately on the areas most in need, and to foster the development of the small-firms sector.

These measures have been complemented by equivalent progress in the programmes of the Government as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the longest and most convenient period, how many persons were deported and how many ( a ) were Arabians; ( b ) originated from Libya and ( c ) originated from Iran.

The Department's records show the nationality, which is not necessarily the country of origin, of those who are deported.

The available information for the year from 1 May 1979 to 30 April 1980 is that in all 964 persons were deported, of whom eight were Libyans and 39 Iranians. It is not clear who the hon. Member has in mind as Arabians.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now conduct a public inquiry into the death of Blair Peach; and whether he will now disband the Special Patrol Group in view of recent disclosures relating to the death of Blair Peach.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 4 June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which recommendations of the Salmon report on " Standards of Conduct in Public Life 1974 to 1976 ", Cmnd. 5524, have so far been implemented.

New police procedures, based on recommendations 33 to 35 of the Royal Commission for receiving and investigating allegations of corruption were introduced in 1978. Action has also been taken on some other recommendations not requiring legislation. The recommendations about local authority procedures relating to conflicts of interest, the role of the ombudsmen, the use of Inland Revenue records and the proposals for amendment and extension of the existing law on the prevention of corruption, are under consideration. Most of these recommendations would require legislation, for which there is not time during the current Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will investigate alternative methods of dealing with young offenders, with a view to placing more emphasis on community service.

The community service order is already available for young offenders aged 17 and over; for juveniles, intermediate treatment activities under a supervision order can involve community work. It is for the courts to decide in each case whether such disposals are appropriate, but we are concerned to encourage their use by promoting the development of the necessary facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to establish an independent democratically-elected body empowered to investigate all complaints by the public against the police; and if he will make a statement.

I am considering the present arrangements for dealing with complaints against the police in the light of the first triennial review report of the Police Complaints Board, an independent body established by the Police Act 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following the evidence at the inquest on Blair Peach about the keeping of unauthorised objects which could be used as weapons in the lockers of members of the Special Patrol Group of the Metropolitan Police, orders have been issued for this practice to cease.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to questions from the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 4 June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now implement the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 so that juveniles can no longer be sent to prison.

Juveniles are not subject to prison sentences. Full exercise of the power in the 1969 Act to preclude the remand of unruly young persons to prison will not be possible until there is adequate alternative local authority provision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many times and in connection with what offences each of the diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James have claimed dipolmatic privilege in each of the last five years for which records are available;

(2) in how many theft cases during each of the past five years diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James have invoked diplomatic privilege;

(3) in how many cases involving violence during each of the past five years diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James have invoked diplomatic privilege;

(4) in how many cases involving sexual offences during each of the past five years

OFFENCES ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED BY PERSONS ENTITLED TO DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Violence against the person … 3 3 7 1 4 Sexual offences … 1 2 3 0 3 Firearms and explosives … — — 1 — — Offences against the Theft Act 1968 (including shoplifting) … 22 25 24 23 34 Drugs offences … — — 1 3 2 Drink offences (e.g. drunk and disorderly) … 4 1 1 2 6 Road traffic offences involving drink … 15 13 18 27 13 Other road traffic offences* … 210 235 259 305 215 Other offences … 1 1 2 5 7 256 280 316 366 284 * Excluding those dealt with by fixed penalty notices.

diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James have invoked diplomatic privilege;

(5) in how many cases involving firearms and explosives during each of the past five years diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James have invoked diplomatic privilege;

(6) in how many cases involving drugs during each of the past five years diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James have invoked diplomatic privilege;

(7) in how many cases, other than those involving theft, violence, sexual offences, firearms, explosives, drink and drugs, during each of the past five years diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James have invoked diplomatic privilege;

(8) in how many cases involving shoplifting during each of the past five years diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James have invoked diplomatic immunity;

(9) in how many cases involving drink during each of the past five years diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James have invoked diplomatic immunity.

The following table shows, in categories corresponding as nearly as possible to those requested, the number of offences alleged to have been committed in the five-year period 1975–1979 inclusive by persons entitled to diplomatic immunity where the possibility of criminal proceedings was not pursued in consequence of that entitlement. Since all these " offences " are, by definition, unproved, we do not consider that it would be appropriate to relate allegations to particular missions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of the fixed penalty notice cancelled on grounds of diplomatic immunity during the six months ended 30 September 1979 and 31 March 1980, respectively, how many and what percentage were cancelled in respect of each of the diplomatic missions accredited to the Court of St. James.

FIXED PENALTY NOTICES CANCELLED ON GROUNDS OF DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY April to September 1979 October 1979 to March 1980 Number Per cent. Number Per cent. Afganistan … … … 21 0.07 15 0.06 Algeria … … … 92 0.32 102 0.41 Argentine Republic … … … 327 1.14 372 1.48 Australia … … … 7 0.02 11 0.04 Austria … … … 83 0.29 53 0.12 Bahamas … … … 1 — 5 – Bahrain … … … 105 0.37 48 o.l9 Bangladesh … … … 85 0.30 96 0.38 Barbados … … … 83 0.28 72 0.29 Belgium … … … 105 0.37 112 0.45 Bolivia … … … 41 0.14 18 0.07 Botswana … … … 19 0.07 11 0.04 Brazil … … … 355 1.24 292 1.16 Bulgaria … … … 687 2.40 727 2.89 Burma … … … 43 0.15 23 0.09 Cameroon … … … 254 0.89 164 0.65 Canada … … … 31 0.11 37 0.15 Chile … … … 28 0.10 24 0.10 China … … … 90 0.31 79 0.13 Colombia … … … 188 0.66 188 0.75 Costa Rica … … … 26 0.09 54 0.21 Cuba … … … 598 2.09 524 2.10 Cyprus … … … 795 2.77 634 2.52 Czechoslovakia … … … 58 0.20 102 0.41 Denmark … … … 16 0.06 26 0.10 Dominican Republic … … … 62 0.22 70 0.28 Commonwealth of Dominica … … … 2 0.01 4 0.02 Ecuador … … … 99 0.35 68 0.2/ Egypt … … … 1,615 5.65 1,006 4.00 El Salvador … … … 13 0.05 9 0.04 Ethiopia … … … 68 0.24 62 0.25 Fiji … … … 1 — 1 — Finland … … … 245 0.86 268 1.07 France … … … 1,063 3.72 1,078 4.29 Gabon … … … 71 0.25 78 0.31 Gambia … … … 96 0.34 62 0.25 German Democratic Rep … … … 125 0.44 95 0.38 Germany, Federal Repub. of … … … 68 0.24 94 0.37 Ghana … … … 745 2.60 537 2.02 Greece … … … 336 1.17 338 1.34 Grenada … … … 4 0.01 4 0.02 Guyana … … … 78 0.27 129 0.15 Haiti … … … 9 0.03 3 0.01 Honduras … … … 61 0.21 46 0.18 Hungary … … … 347 1.21 255 1.01 Iceland … … … 8 0.03 1 — India … … … 255 0.89 422 1.68 Indonesia … … … 289 1.01 319 1.27 Iran … … … 330 1.15 247 0.98 Iraq … … … 609 2.12 535 2.13 Ireland, Republic of … … … 48 0.17 69 0.27 Israel … … … 266 0.92 184 0.73 Italy … … … 203 0.71 288 1.15 Ivory Coast … … … 240 0.84 157 0.62 Jamaica … … … 724 2.53 547 2.18 Japan … … … 216 0.75 183 0.73 Jordan … … … 893 3.12 697 2.78

The following table, compiled from provisional figures made available by the Metropolitan Police, gives particulars of the total number of fixed penalty notices cancelled on grounds of diplomatic immunity during the six months ended 30 September 1979 and 31 March 1980, respectively, and the percentage relating to each mission. Apirl to September 1979 October 1979 to March 1980 Number Per cent. Number Per cent. Kenya … … 367 1.28 444 1.77 Korea … … 415 1.45 336 1.34 Kuwait … … 542 1.89 428 1.70 Laos … … 6 0.02 2 0.08 Lebanon … … 46 0.16 22 0.90 Lesotho … … 18 0.06 20 0.08 Liberia … … 49 0.17 50 0.20 Libya … … 940 3.29 821 3.27 Luxembourg … … 11 0.04 6 0.02 Malawi … … 21 0.07 10 0.04 Malaysia … … 697 2.44 634 2.52 Malta, Rep. of … … 141 0.49 83 0.33 Mauritius … … 69 0.24 48 0.19 Mexico … … 144 0.50 115 0.46 Mongolia … … 4 0.01 3 0.01 Morocco … … 161 0.56 213 0.85 Nepal … … 13 0.05 27 0.11 Netherlands … … 16 0.06 23 0.09 New Zealand … … — — 1 — Nicaragua … … — — — — Nigeria … … 2,739 9.59 2,361 9.40 Norway … … 32 0.11 23 0.09 Oman … … 265 0.93 144 0.57 Pakistan … … 680 2.38 433 1.73 Panama … … 108 0.38 216 0.86 Papua New Guinea … … 3 0.01 15 0.06 Paraguay … … 82 0.29 86 0.34 Peru … … 276 0.96 322 1.28 Philippines … … 99 0.35 136 0.54 Poland … … 300 1.05 199 0.79 Portugal … … 306 1.07 273 1.09 Qatar … … 317 1.11 271 1.08 Romania … … 371 1.30 279 1.11 Rwanda … … — — — — Saudi Arabia … … 1,067 3.73 963 3.83 Senegal … … 97 0.34 71 0.28 Seychelles … … 54 0.19 35 0.14 Sierra Leone … … 149 0.52 109 0.43 Singapore … … 28 0.10 30 0.12 Somali Democratic Rep … … 46 0.16 26 0.10 South Africa … … — — 15 0.06 Soviet Union … … 379 1.32 359 1.43 Spain … … 392 1.37 594 2.36 Sri Lanka … … 137 0.48 76 0.30 Sudan … … 354 1.23 227 0.90 Swaziland … … 60 0.21 12 0.05 Sweden … … 55 0.19 43 0.17 Switzerland … … 7 0.02 19 0.08 Syrian Arab Rep … … 150 0.52 139 0.55 Tanzania … … 145 0.51 161 0.64 Thailand … … 517 1.81 417 1.66 Togo … … 34 0.12 28 0.11 Tonga … … 1 — 1 — Trinidad and Tobago … … 98 0.34 81 0.32 Tunisia … … 76 0.26 115 0.46 Turkey … … 389 1.35 282 1.12 Uganda … … 6 0.02 54 0.21 United Arab Emirates … … 360 1.26 282 1.12 United States of America … … 98 0.34 68 0.27 Uruguay … … 21 0.07 32 0.13 Venezuela … … 254 0.89 183 0.73 Vietnam … … 4 0.01 1 — Yemen Arab Republic … … 55 0.19 114 0.45 Yemen—People's Democratic Rep. … … 90 0.3£ 56 0.22 Yugoslavia … … 348 1.21 436 1.74 Zaire … … 242 0.85 147 0.59 Zambia … … 274 0.96 224 0.89 Commonwealth Secretariat … … 23 0.08 41 0.16 Eastern Caribbean Commission … … — — 1 — EEC Commission … … 5 0.02 1 — International Cocoa Organisation … … 3 0.01 4 0.02

Apirl to September 1979 October 1979 to March 1980 International Coffee Organisation … … 1 — — — Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation … … 19 0.07 1 — Western European Union … … 1 0.03 8 0.03 United Nations … … — — — — NATO … … — — — — Totals … … 28,601 25,112

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will outline the current procedure employed by the Government when a fixed penalty notice ticket is left unpaid by an embassy, commission or other institution claiming diplomatic immunity; and, in view of the widespread abuse, if he will consider further steps towards the collection of sums involved.

A fixed penalty notice affixed to a vehicle owned or kept by a person entitled to diplomatic immunity is cancelled automatically if it is not paid within the prescribed period of 21 days. This necessarily involves the cancellation of any debt which would otherwise be due as a result of the notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list, country by country, the amounts of unpaid parking fines accumulated in the year 1979 by those claiming diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom; and what percentage the unpaid amount represents out of the total fines recorded.

The amount specified in a fixed penalty notice is £6, but since the cancellation of a penalty notice on grounds of diplomatic immunity necessarily involves the cancellation of any debt which would otherwise be due as a result of it, the question of unpaid parking fines accumulating does not arise.

The total number of fixed penalty notices cancelled on the grounds of diplomatic immunity represents 6.15 per cent.

AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME SPENT IN CUSTODY* BY THOSE IN CERTAIN CATEGORIES DISCHARGED FROM PRISON DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHMENTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES IN 1978 All establishments in England and Wales Average number of days Establishments in Greater London Drunkenness offences … … … 10 8 Offences relating to prostitution … … … 95 73 Fine defaulters … … … 17 15 * From date of sentence to date of discharge.

of the total number of notices issued in 1979 by the Metropolitan Police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the inclusion of unpaid parking fines with the accounts for rates which are levied on building and land used by diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licences for holding firearms, pistols and shotguns, repectively, have been issued to holders of diplomatic immunity during each of the past five years; and which countries they represent.

Firearms and shotgun certificates are issued by chief officers of police. The information requested is not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time spent in custody of ( a ) drunks, ( b ) mentally subnormals, ( c ) prostitutes and ( d ) defaulters in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) Greater London.

[ pursuant to his reply, 12 May 1980, c. 346 ]: The information requested about mentally subnormals is not available and the numbers of drunks and prostitutes in custody are not recorded. The available information is given in the following table.