asked the Lord Privy Seal what information he has of the amount of aid already given to St. Lucia following the recent hurricane by (a) Her Majesty's Government, (b) the European Economic Community, (c) the United Nations Organisations and (d) any other individual countries or international organisations; if he is satisfied with the amount of aid given; if his Department has received representations for additional aid; if such additional aid will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement.

The immediate aid given by Her Majesty's Government was set out in my reply of 7 August to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short)—[Vol. 990, c. 245]. The European Community gave £182,000 worth of food, Canada £30,000 for medical and other supplies, and the United States made available USS "Patterson" and £10,000 for relief supplies.We are providing an extra grant of £750,000, mainly for the rehabilitation, in co-operation with other donors, of St. Lucia's devastated banana crop, and for the services of a Royal Engineers team to restore electricity and repair public buildings. We do not yet have full information about other donors' aid but substantial rehabilitation aid has been promised by the European development fund, the United States and Canada. The Prime Minister of St. Lucia on his recent visit to this country has expressed his gratitude for the help that has been given.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government in reducing inflation, if he will refer to the Director General of Fair Trading with a view to investigation, the practice of petrol companies in increasing petrol prices to consumers immediately there is an increase in oil prices but maintaining petrol prices at the same level when general oil prices decline.

No. Under the pressure of competition and reduced growth in demand, petrol prices have fallen in recent months, both at the wholesale and at the retail level, and I see no justification for such an investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will discuss with his European colleagues the overdue re-examination of the EEC-Israel trade agreement, which was set for 1978, in the light of the possible restrictions to Israel's citrus and other food exports to the United Kingdom consequential on the proposed enlargement of the EEC.

The Government share the hon. and learned Member's concern at the delay to the review of the European Community's co-operation agreement with Israel. However, at a meeting of the EEC/Israel Co-operation Council held on 7 October, the two parties agreed that a rapid conclusion to the negotiations was needed. The Community has agreed to take into account the special preoccupations of its Mediterranean partners, including Israel, in considering the possible effects of enlargement on third countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received regarding the adverse effects of capital expenditure controls on the development of Manchester airport; if he is satisfied that the proposed restrictions will not have severe and adverse effects on industrial development in the North-West; and if he will make a statement.

I received representations from the Greater Manchester council in January and April this year regarding the implications of the proposed capital expenditure controls for the development of Manchester airport and have discussed the issue with representatives of all the regional airports. Officials from my Department and the Treasury also visited the airport on 19 August to discuss these matters and have been in close contact since that date.The Government have recognised the special needs of regional airports by agreeing to make direct capital expenditure allocations for specific airport projects of national or regional importance. I am satisfied that the arrangements we have made will enable major developments at airports like Manchester to be implemented and will not have adverse effects on the industrial development of the North-West.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will now make a further statement about the accident involving the Dan Air Boeing 727 aircraft at Tenerife on 25 April.

A team of investigators from the accidents investigation branch of my Department is in Madrid this week discussing the progress of the investigation with the Spanish authorities. The timing of the production of a report by the Spanish commission of investigation will, to a large extent, depend on the degree of agreement reached during the current meeting.I am well aware of the degree of concern regarding the outcome of the investigation into this accident. However it is imperative that the accident is properly investigated and that the ensuing report is fair and accurate. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further until the Spanish authorities have published their report.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied that all class I trawlers sailing from Hull with mackerel licences are carrying qualified trawler radio officers.

The provision and qualifications of radio operators on board fishing vessels are inspected at the time of survey. Declarations of radio surveys will not be made, and United Kingdom fishing vessel certificates will not be issued, if vessels do not comply with the require- ments of the Merchant Shipping (Radio) (Fishing Vessel) Rules 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) how many trawler owners of class 1 vessels have informed his Department of their vessels putting to sea without qualified trawler radio officers; and what steps his Department has taken to ensure that qualified trawler radio officers were carried, or the necessary steps were taken to seal the wireless telegraphy equipment on such vessels, or that such vessels classified were carrying two persons qualified to use the radio telephone long-distance equipment;(2) what advice was given by his Department to trawler firms despatching class I vessels from Hull without qualified trawler radio officers;(3) how many requests have been made to his Department for class 1 trawlers to be reclassified as class II in the current year; and how many of those vessels sail or have sailed from the port of Hull.

My Department has become aware of two class I trawlers, owned by the same company, putting to sea without qualified radio-telegraph operators. The owners were advised of the requirements of the Merchant Shipping (Radio) (Fishing Vessel) Rules 1974 and advised either to put qualified radio-telegraph operators on board or, provided they remain within the area specified in the rules, to install additional radio-telephone equipment appropriate to class II fishing vessels.It is understood that additional radiotelephone equipment has been installed on board both vessels. The vessels will be resurveyed at the earliest opportunity to ensure that they comply with the provisions of the 1974 rules and advice will be given about action regarding the existing radio-telegraph installations.My Department has received no requests for class I trawlers to be reclassified as class II in the current year with the exception of the two trawlers in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report the penalties which fall upon trawler owners and skippers of vessels sailing without qualified trawler radio officers where appropriate; and whether he will take steps to draw such penalties to the attention of trawler owners.

The owner or master of a ship which sails in contravention of the Merchant Shipping (Radio) (Fishing Vessel) Rules 1974 is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £500 or on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100. These penalties will be drawn to the attention of the industry at the next meeting of the Department's fishing industry safety consultative group.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the monthly balance of trade in manufactured and semi-manufactured items between the United Kingdom and the EEC eight since 1 January 1979; and what are the predictions until 31 December 1980.

The information is given in the table below. My Department does not make predictions of the kind requested.

UNITED KINGDOM CRUDE BALANCE OF TRADE IN MANUFACTURES WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
		Total manufactures*	£million OTS basis Of which semi-manufactures†
1979—
January	…	−201	−61
February	…	−240	−18
March	…	−258	−51
April	…	−291	−71
May	…	−247	−59
June	…	−155	+ 37
July	…	−216	−78
August	…	−197	−54
September	…	−240	−44
October	…	−281	+8
November	…	−213	+31
December	…	−133	+46
1980—
January	…	−223	−36
February	…	−324	−115
March	…	−283	−95
April	…	−203	−123
May	…	−185	−73
June	…	−198	−62
July	…	−119	−57
August	…	−58	−58
September	…	−63	−13
* SITC 5 to 8.
† SITC 5 and 6.
Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether it is the Govern- ment's view that the subsidisation of energy costs by some of the United Kingdom's trading partners, including EEC nations, contravenes the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; and if so, what steps he proposes to take.

Subsidies, other than certain export subsidies, do not contravene the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. However, the Government consider that the under-pricing of energy is both wasteful in resource terms and distorts world trade in an unfair and unacceptable way. We shall continue vigorously to press this view on our major trading partners, both in the Community and more generally, and to take up particular issues as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in any year since the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, his Department failed to take up any portions of the Community funds that were available as a part of any allocation scheme between member States; and whether there was any category of funds for which the United Kingdom could have applied but did not.

It has been the policy of this Government to claim from the Community all the receipts to which we are entitled.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what provisions are envisaged concerning the legal requirements with regard to selling petrol by metric quantity; and when these are to come into effect.

It has been legal to sell petrol by metric quantity since 1897. On the question of display of prices the Price Marking (Petrol) Order comes into operation on 1 January 1981. It provides that where petrol is dispensed at any garage by reference to metric measure both the cash price per litre and the equivalent price per gallon for each grade sold will have to be indicated in close proximity at the pump. Where there is also a voluntary display of price at the roadside dual price in- formation may alternatively be provided in the form of a chart at the pump: the roadside display will have to show both the metric and imperial cash prices for one grade of petrol (normally four star).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions on air services matters his Department has recently had with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and what was the outcome.

Delegations from the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union completed a review of the bilateral air services arrangements on 22 October. The result is a more balanced agreement under which the designated airlines of the two countries will operate equivalent capacity between London and Moscow related to the needs of the travelling public on that route. This has been set at four flights a week each; there is provision for the airlines to agree increases if justified. At present British Airways and Aeroflot operate five and nine services a week respectively on the route. The agreement also provides for one service a week each between London and Leningrad.Aeroflot is entitled to continue to extend two of its London-Moscow services to Tokyo but British Airways does not wish to do so beyond 31 October. The new arrangements however give British Airways the right to introduce a Boeing 747 service to Tokyo on the trans-Siberian route at a time of its choosing. Aeroflot would then be allowed to increase its capacity between London and Moscow to retain equality with British Airways.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects publication of the bound volumes of the Official Report to proceed beyond volume 967.

Production of the bound volumes of the Official Report beyond volume 967 is proceeding, with publication of volume 968 expected during the first week of November 1980.

asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the total annualised employment cost of the 70 full-time staff working for House of Commons Select Committees; what the status and appointments of the 70 are; and what individual appointments are held by each of the 25 employees earning more than hon. Members

The total annual salaries of the 70 full-time staff working for House of Commons Select Committees is £708,882. All are members of the staff of the Department of the Clerk of the House who are allocated to one or more of the committees, ranging from principal clerks (Class I) to personal secretaries. The salary scales of these staff, which in accordance with section 2(2) of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978 have to be kept broadly in line with those operating in the Home Civil Service, are listed on page 27 of the second annual report of the Commission (HC 1979–80, 600).

asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, how many staff of the House receive overtime payments or special duty allowances in respect of work done when the House sits after midnight.

In general, night duty allowances payable to staff working late do not vary according to the time of rising of the House. The allowances payable and the numbers of staff receiving them are listed by Department in statement C annexed to the Commission's second annual report (HC 1979–80, 600, pp. 26–35).

Ross asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage of school children remaining beyond statutory leaving age in Wales.

The information for pupils in maintained secondary schools in January 1980 is as follows:

Age at the beginning of January 1980	Percentage staying-on rate*
16	28·0
17	20·0
18	6·8
19	0·7
* The number of 16-year-old pupils with birthdays falling in the period 1 January to 31 August, expressed as a percentage of the number of 15-year-old pupils with birthdays in the same period one year earlier. The numbers of pupils aged 17, 18 and 19 as percentages of the number of 15-year-old pupils two, three and four years previously.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were registered as unemployed on 30 April 1979 and 21 October 1980.

The numbers registered as unemployed are counted monthly, generally on the second Thursday. At 10 May 1979 and 9 October 1980, the dates nearest to those specified, the numbers registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom were 1,299,282 and 2,062,866 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of (a) men and (b) women registered as unemployed in the London borough of Wandsworth on 21 October 1980.

At 9 October the monthly count indicated that there were 5,841 males and 2,336 females registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Clapham Junction and Tooting employment offices, which closely corresponds to the London borough of Wandsworth. The figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many school leavers in each region of the United Kingdom have been unemployed since leaving school.

The following table gives for the areas specified the provisional numbers of registered unemployed young people under 18 years of age who, at 9 October, had not been in employment since completing full-time education.

South-East	…	…	23,499
East Anglia	…	…	2,801
South-West	…	…	7,079
West Midlands	…	…	18,162
East Midlands	…	…	8,176
Yorkshire and Humberside			16,537
North-West	…	…	21,072
North	…	…	13,304
Wales	…	…	9,995
Scotland	…	…	16,404
Northern Ireland	…	…	8,628

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average period for processing a claim under the temporary short time working compensation scheme.

Because payments are made four weeks in arrears, there is in any case a period of some seven weeks between the time of receipt of an application and the first payment. However, the number of applications to join the scheme has increased very considerably in the last four months and as a result a period of some 13 weeks on average has elapsed before payments have been made to industry. We have already taken steps to speed up payments, and we are keeping the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total value of benefits paid so far this year to the unemployed on Merseyside.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security is responsible for the statistics of benefits paid to unemployed people. I understand that the information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total cost so far in the current year of temporary employment measures on Merseyside.

I regret that the figures are not available in the form requested. I am, however, able to confirm that from the commencement of the current financial year to 30 September 1980 the estimated cost for special employment measures for the North-West region as a whole was as follows:

	£m
Special temporary employment programme	4·2
Community industry	1·4
Temporary short time working compensation scheme	10·5
Job release scheme (up to 21 October 1980)	12·7
Youth opportunities programme	16·4
Small firms employment subsidy	1·6

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the Under-Secretary of State's recent visit to Merseyside and the port of Liverpool.

The visit was one of a series being undertaken by me in connection with my ministerial responsibility for the regulation of dock work. I have also visited the ports of Felixstowe, Ipswich, Sheerness, Bristol, Falmouth, Aberdeen, Peterhead, Montrose and London. Visits to other ports are being arranged.During these visits I have had discussions with representatives of port employers, shop stewards, full-time union officials and the local dock labour boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is proposing to assist those made redundant in the West Midlands to obtain alternative employment.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disablement resettlement officers were in post in April 1979 and how many at the latest date for which figures are available.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 October 1980, c. 146]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission (MSC) that precise information on the number of posts in the preceding five years is not available. Before 1 April 1980 there was a national total of 516 disablement resettlement officer (DRO) posts.A recent examination has shown that following a redistribution between areas and a revised system for determining staffing levels, the total number of DROs was 490.I learn from the MSC that it is now implementing further changes with a view to ensuring that there will be a total of around 520 DRO posts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list any additions to the collection, presentation or publication of statistics which his Department has made since May 1979.

In the Scottish Office there have been additions to the collection of statistics on:The granting of bail under the Bail (Scotland) Act 1980 Extensions to permitted licensing hours under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976.There have been extensions to:Coverage of the return on first destination of graduates and diplomates from further education colleges.Scheme for notification of outbreaks of food poisoning (to meet requirements of World Health Organisation).The range of information published in "Criminal Statistics, Scotland" has been increased and figures of crimes and offences made known to the police are now published quarterly instead of annually.Information on energy conservation in housing and on public sector house sales has been published.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made towards establishing a task force to deal with unemployment in Dundee.

My right hon. Friend has asked the Scottish Development Agency to pay particular attention to the needs of the area, and it has established an office in Dundee with the specific remit of co-ordinating its activities in the area and encouraging development of small businesses. In addition to its environmental work, it plans to spend some £6 million in the city on an extensive programme of factory building and renovation; and in consultation with the local authorities, it is developing strategic plans for development in the longer term on the waterfront and at Blackness.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet received proposals from Tayside region on its plans for the future of primary schooling in the west end of Dundee; and if he will make a statement.

Tayside regional council applied to the Secretary of State for approval to close Hawkhill primary school, Dundee, with effect from August 1980, and to change the site of Blackness primary school, Dundee, from its present premises to the Hawkhill building, with effect from August 1981. These proposals were approved on 3 September 1980. No further proposals affecting primary schools in the west end of Dundee have been submitted for the approval of the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he anticipates an increase in the number of Gaelic speakers when the 1981 census is compiled.

No forecast has been made of the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland at 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the number of those taking school meals in Scotland has been affected since the Education (No. 2) Act became law.

A school meals census—the first since the new arrangements came into operation—is being carried out this week. The results are expected to be available before the end of the year and I shall send the hon. Member the information then.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the statutory provisions under which a local authority may hold a local referendum on matters related to its functions.

I know of no specific powers. It would in the first instance be for the local authority contemplating such action to decide whether any general powers were appropriate for such a purpose.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list any additions to the collection, presentation or publication of statistics which his Department has made since May 1979.

Since May 1979 the Civil Service Department has published two additional tables in the 1980 edition of "Civil Service Statistics".These are:

Table 10:	Analysis of leavers in certain Civil Service groups and classes by main cause of leaving.
Table 11:	Voluntary leavers and age retirement from the administration group by age group.

In addition, statistics on the age distribution of senior civil servants were published in the 1979 issue of "Social Trends" (published by CSO) and a table of statistics on the length of service of civil servants located in Wales was published in the 1980 issue of the Welsh digest of statistics. A review of Government statistical services is at present under way but is not yet complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what would be the effect on industrial gas pricing if the gas price was related to fuel oil rather than gas oil for firm contracts; and which European Community States in fact relate industrial energy prices to fuel oil.

The effects of relating the price of firm gas supply contracts generally to fuel oil, rather than gas oil, would include lowering the price; increasing demand; and reducing the British Gas Corporation's revenues.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when supplies of Namibian uranium to Great Britain are to be completed according to the terms of the existing British Nuclear Fuels contract.

Details of the uranium supply contract between Rossing Uranium Ltd. and the Central Electricity Generating Board—to which British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. has assigned its interest in the contract—are commercially confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment has been made by the energy technology support unit of the cost per unit of electricity generated by each of the wave energy devices currently receiving support from public funds.

The most recent assessments made for the Department indicate a unit cost for all the main devices currently receiving support in the range 5–15p/kwh. The technical uncertainties and judgments involved in making such estimates make it unrealistic to give a narrower range at the present stage of development.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will specify which devices for exploiting wave energy are currently being supported by allocations of public funds in the present financial year; for which devices is support likely to be discontinued, and on what grounds.

The current programme on wave energy research and development includes work on the Lancaster flexible bag, the Bristol oscillating cylinder and various forms of the oscillating water column, with some additional basic work on spines, the use of phase control techniques and on gyroscopes as a frame of reference as well as work common to all, or most, of these devices.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the aggregate disbursement from public funds over the past five years in support of research and development of each of the main forms of exploitation of wave energy including, in particular, the Cockerel] raft and Salteduck devices.

The figures are not readily available in the form requested. The work on the various forms of exploitation is closely interrelated and it would not be meaningful to attempt to separate expenditure in this way.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report the actual disbursement from public funds in support of wave energy in each financial year from 1975–76 to 1979–80.

Figures for total disbursements from public funds are not readily available but the major part of the expenditure has fallen on my Department's R&D budget. Expenditure by my Department for the years in question is:

1975/76	…	…	…	£83,000
1976/77	…	…	…	£187,000
1977/78	…	…	…	£0·94M
1978/79	…	…	…	£1·46M
1979/80	…	…	…	£3·0M

The expenditure for 1980–81 is expected to be £4·0 million.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, whether the Government intend to support the proposal, made by the Foreign Minister of West Germany in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on 24 September, that the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe follow-up meeting in Madrid should decide on the establishment of a European conference on disarmament.

The Government support the adoption at Madrid of a mandate, as part of a balanced outcome of the review conference, for negotiations linked to the CSCE on mandatory, militarily significant and verifiable confidence-building measures applicable to the entire continent of Europe. This approach is based on the French proposal for the first phase of a conference on disarmament in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he received the communication from the hon. Member for Newham, North-West concerning Mr. Mustafa Mehmet, of Stratford, East London; why it took him until 7 August to send in effect a formal acknowledgement letter saying the matter was receiving attention; and whether he will expedite his replies in future.

The hon. Member's undated letter reached us on 25 July and was acknowledged the same day. He was sent a further letter on 7 August informing him that arrangements were being made to interview the parties concerned. After the two interviews had taken place and the information had been assessed, a substantive reply was sent to him on 18 August. It will continue to be our aim to reply to correspondence from hon. Members as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he is having with the Metropolitan Police on improving the protection given to black or Asian people living in London.

Both I and my officials are in close and frequent contact with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and his office about matters of common concern, and I know that the Commissioner attaches very great importance, as I do, to protecting all sections of our community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he proposes to make to prison rules in relation to prisoners' mail.

We are considering changes in the regulations on correspondence to and from prisoners in England and Wales in the light of discussions with the European Commission of Human Rights which are confidential to the parties involved. At this stage it would be premature to publish details.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the gross overcrowding at Strangeways prison, Manchester, now publicly revealed by the British Broadcasting Corporation's television documentary entitled "Strangeways: A Human Warehouse," facilities for which were provided in co-operation with his Department, what plans he has to increase the number of alternatives to prison available to magistrates in the Manchester area; and if he will make a statement.

I am concerned to encourage the development and use of alternatives to prison wherever they may be required. There are plans to extend the already substantial number of residential, day care and supported work projects in the Greater Manchester area, all of which, either separately or in combination are available for use as alternatives to custody.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet completed his examination of the restraints which the Shops Act 1950 places upon shopping hours and trading on Sundays; and when he expects to announce his findings.

The examination has not yet been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his intentions concerning the future of the Commission for Racial Equality and the community relations councils.

We see a continuing role for the commission and for community relations councils in working towards the elimination of racial discrimination and in promoting equality of opportunity and good race relations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Welsh television channel will be funded.

The Broadcasting Bill will establish a Welsh Fourth Channel Authority to run the fourth channel in Wales. Clause 11 of the Broadcasting Bill, as amended in the House of Lords, provides for the BBC to supply the authority with Welsh language programmes free of charge. Clause 15 provides for the remainder of the Welsh authority's outgoing to be met by payment from the IBA to the authority of agreed sums raised from the ITV contractors. Essentially these outgoings will be the costs of acquisition of Welsh language programmes from the IBA Welsh contractors and from independent producers, and of the acquisition of English language programmes to make up the service, and of administration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in any year since the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, his Department failed to take up any portions of the Community funds that were available as a part of any allocation scheme between member States; and whether there was any category of funds for which the United Kingdom could have applied but did not.

It has been the policy of this Government to claim from the Community all the receipts to which we are entitled.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the effect of the exchange rate value of the £sterling upon the textile industry's performance.

The performance of the textile industry depends on the interaction of many factors, of which the exchange rate is only one. A major factor affecting the industry's current performance is the recession which has reduced the demand for its products quite substantially. Although a strong exchange rate has adversely affected the industry's short-term competitiveness, it should help to contain inflation. Success on this front is essential for the future prospects of all industries, including textiles.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take urgent action to help the British papermaking industry in the United Kingdom to meet its rapidly increasing costs caused by enlarged fuel bills, to avoid closures and to fend off injurious foreign import penetration.

Through their policies to reduce inflation the Government are already acting to restrain cost increases. As regards fuel costs, manufacturers overseas are also facing increases but the Government will consider very carefully the results of the CBI's current study of comparative energy prices, which we hope to receive shortly. I would add that studies of the paper and board industry suggest that there remains scope for the industry to make energy savings, though I acknowledge the efforts it is making in this regard.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if, in any year since the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, his Department failed to take up any portions of the Community funds that were available as a part of any allocation scheme between member States; and whether there was any category of funds for which the United Kingdom could have applied but did not.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether his Department plans to establish a loan guarantee scheme for small businesses.

A loan guarantee scheme is one of a number of options we are considering to improve the flow of funds to small firms, but we have yet to reach any firm conclusions about the introduction of such a measure.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he has any plans to examine at first hand the current state of industry in the Black Country;(2) what recent representation he has received over the position of industry in the West Midlands and in the Black Country;(3) what steps it is now intended to take to reverse the increasing number of redundancies and closures in the West Midlands.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science for what purpose the Technical Change Centre has been formed; and what is the total commitment of public funds earmarked for the centre in the current financial year and in 1981–82.

The Technical Change Centre has been formed by the Leverhulme Trust, the Science Research Council and the Social Science Research Council to promote technical change in the interests of the national economy and of, in particular, industry and commerce, by study and by research. The organising committee consisted of:

• Sir Michael Swann, FRS FRSE, provost of Oriel College, Oxford (chairman)
• Sir Geoffrey Allen, FRS chairman of Science Research Council
• Mr. Donald Broadbent, CBE, FRS, psychologist, University of Oxford
• Dr. Duncan Davies, chief scientist and engineer, Department of Industry
• Sir Lionel Pilkington, FRS Formerly chairman, Pilkington Bros. Ltd.
• Mr. Michael Posner, chairman, Social Science Research Council
• Dr. Alfred Spinks, CBE FRS, chairman, Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development, and
• Dr. Ronald Tress, CBE, director, Leverhulme Trust

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list any additions to the collection, presentation or publication of statistics which his Department has made since May 1979.

Some extra information concerning enrolments to adult education courses was collected from local education authorities in autumn 1979. Apart from that there has been no addition to the collection, presentation or publication of statistics by my Department since May 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in any year since the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, his Department failed to take up any portions of the Community funds that were available as a part of any allocation scheme between member States; and whether there was any category of funds for which the United Kingdom could have applied but did not.

It has been the policy of this Government to claim from the Community all the receipts to which we are entitled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list any additions to the collection, presentation or publication of statistics which his Department has made since May 1979.

There have been no additions to the collection of statistics by my Department since May 1979. Additions to the statistics published include:Short period indicators of planning applications, appeals and progress reports on structure plans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a full and comprehensive list of all workers for whom he is responsible within the Palace of Westminster who, additionally to hon. Members, have settled their salary or wage claims for 9–6 per cent. or less during the current year.

None of the 236 workers for whom my right hon. Friend is responsible within the Palace of Westminster have settled their salary or wage claims for 9·6 per cent. or less during the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why copies of Housing Booklet No. 2 "The Right to Buy" were distributed before the section of the Housing Act 1980, relating to the sale of public housing, became law.

This booklet was distributed shortly before the right to buy provisions came into effect so that millions of council, new town and housing association tenants could be properly informed about their important new rights which commenced on 3 October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to which organisations, individuals or public authorities copies of the Housing Booklet No. 2 "The Right to Buy" have been circulated; how many copies have been printed; at what cost to public funds; and for what purpose.

Two million copies of Housing Booklet No. 2 have been printed at a cost of £45,000. Copies were circulated to:

• Members of Parliament with constituencies in England and Wales
• District and county councils in England and Wales
• London borough councils
• The City of London
• The Greater London Council
• The council of the Isles of Scilly
• Local authority associations
• New town development corporations in England and Wales
• The Development Board for Rural Wales
• The Commission for New Towns
• The Housing Corporation
• National Federation of Housing Associations
• National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and local Citizens Advice Bureaux
• Law centres
• Local Government Training Board
• Government Departments
• Countryside Commission
• House of Commons Library

The purpose of the booklet is to provide council, new town and housing association tenants with information and guidance on their important new right to buy their homes and on how to exercise it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he now intends to transfer back to social services authorities the central Government grant for adaptations to council housing for disabled tenants, following his decision to impose a moratorium on housing authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Authorities have been asked, in view of possible overspend this year, not to enter into further commitments in housing investment except where statutory obligations are involved, until further notice. They have also been asked to provide revised estimates of expenditure by the end of this week. My right hon. Friend will then consider what further action might be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much Government grant was transferred from social services authorities to housing authorities under the terms of paragraph 19 of circular 59/78 in 1979–80 and 1980–81, respectively.

An increase of £1·0 million—at 1979 survey prices—was made in the Department of the Environment's PESC provision for this purpose for each of the years in question and that for the Department of Health and Social Services was correspondingly reduced. These amounts were included in the total of housing investment programme allocations made to local authorities, as foreshadowed in circular 59/78. Expenditure under the terms of paragraph 19 of that circular attracts housing subsidy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the director of the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation on the consequences for disabled people of his announcement of a moratorium on housing expenditure; what reply he is sending; what action he is taking to protect disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

A letter from the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation has recently been received and is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the district councils which are not collecting water charges from their council house tenants.

I regret that no central records are kept of such arrangements. These are matters entirely for the water undertakers and district councils to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in any year since the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, his Department failed to take up any portions of the Community funds that were available as a part of any allocation scheme between member States; and whether there was any category of funds for which the United Kingdom could have applied but did not.

No; there is no Community fund from which possible United Kingdom receipts are primarily my responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when it is likely that Walsall council will be notified of its application to be designated under the Inner Urban Areas Act.

I still cannot say but hope it will not be too long delayed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to announce the date and the rate of payment of the 1980 Christmas bonus.

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget Statement on 26 March, this year's Christmas bonus will be £10.—[Vol. 981, c. 1458.] It will be paid to people who satisfy the relevant conditions in week beginning 1 December, as provided by the Pensioners' Lump Sum Payments Order, SI 1980 No. 1169, which was approved by this House on 28 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the death grant benefit was last increased.

In October 1967, when the standard rate of death grant was increased to £30.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what the rate of payment of the death grant has been since it was first introduced.

The death grant was introduced in July 1949 at the standard rate of £20. It was increased to £25 in January 1958 and to £30, the current level, in October 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present value of the death grant compared to that at the date it was first introduced.

The death grant was introduced in July 1949 at the standard rate of £20. Based on the movement of the general index of retail prices between July 1949 and September 1980, the latest month for which figures are available, the present £30 death grant is worth £3·60 in July 1949 terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many men and women who have died in each of the last five years have not qualified for the death grant because of age.

I regret that this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the value of the death grant was last increased; by how much it would need to be increased to bring it into line with current prices; and if he will consider increasing the death grant by that amount.

The standard rate of death grant was increased from £25 to its present level of £30 in October 1967. Based on the movement of the general index of retail prices up to September 1980, the latest month for which figures are available, the £30 grant would need to be increased by £99·88 to restore the value it had in October 1967. My ministerial colleagues and I are actively considering the whole question of the grant and we shall make a statement as soon as we are in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration his Department has given to the cost of funerals; and if he expects to make any consequential announcement on an uprating of the death grant.

The Department keeps in touch with trends in funeral costs. With regard to an announcement on the national insurance death grant, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the distribution of leaflet Mill Jan 80; what steps he is taking to improve its circulation; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied with the circulation of leaflet M11/Jan 80. It was distributed in the usual way through DHSS local offices, post offices, citizens advice bureaux, family practitioner committees and area health authorities. Over six million copies were printed. Arrangements have been made to offer the November 1980 edition to chemists as well.If the hon. Member knows of any distribution or other problems about the leaflet, I would be grateful if he would tell me so that they can be investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total value of benefits paid so far this year to the unemployed on Merseyside.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if any new research findings have been published to alter his calculated average figures based on existing research showing that 70 per cent. of women receiving Depo Provera suffered menstrual disturbances; if, following the information regarding adverse reaction, he remains satisfied that the use of short term Depo Provera should continue; and if his Department or the Committee on Safety of Medicines will publish a statement to clarify the position;(2) if a 70 per cent. adverse menstrual reaction to Depo Provera is acceptable to his Department; what percentage adverse reaction would cause the Committee on Safety of Medicines to withdraw its approval; if the Committee on Safety of Medicines or his Department possess information on this drug which has not been made available in parliamentary answers; and if he will make a statement;(3) if he will publish in the

I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he is satisfied that he has always been properly informed about conditions and circumstances at Rampton hospital;(2) if he is satisfied with the managerial and clinical aspects of psychiatry at Rampton hospital; and if not, what change he is proposing.

It was because, on the information I had, I was not satisfied with some aspects of Rampton hospital that, following the Yorkshire TV programme on the hospital, I appointed a team chaired by Sir John Boynton to carry out a wide-ranging review of the hospital. I now have the report of the review team and intend to publish it shortly. I shall make a further statement then.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what action was taken at Rampton hospital following the report of the joint committee on higher psychiatric training; and, if there was none, why;(2) if he will now publish the report on Rampton hospital made by the joint committee on higher psychiatric training; and if not, why not.

Reports of this nature are made on the understanding that they are to be treated as confidential to the limited number of people directly concerned. The main purpose of such visits is to gain acceptance of improvements of conditions for medical training purposes and I understand that the joint committee considers that publication of its reports might prejudice an accepted system of approval of training facilities.The report was forwarded to my Department at the end of April 1979. It suggested that the managerial and clinical aspects of psychiatry at the hospital needed urgent review; I therefore arranged for a copy of the report to be made available to the Rampton hospital management review team.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out in the Official Report the work so far completed and the decisions taken by the London Advisory Group under the chairmanship of Sir John Habakkuk.

The London Advisory Group put forward advice on specific criteria for restructuring districts in London which my right hon. Friend accepted and published with circular HC(80)8.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received regarding the discrepancy in salaries for chiropody teaching staff; if he will undertake to remove any anomalies as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement.

I have received representations from the hon. Member and from one area health authority about differences in salaries between teaching staff in NHS chiropody schools and those employed in other institutions of higher and further education. In my replies I have made clear that the negotiation of salaries for NHS chiropodists, including teaching staff, are matters for the professional and technical A Whitley council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the percentage award of disablement benefit in the last 20 cases of prescribed disease No. 39 (a) where a cystectomy has been performed, and (b) where a cysto-urethrectomy has been performed; if he will give the dates of the awards; and whether the awards were provisional or assessments for life.

I regret that the information requested is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate expense.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements he is making to enable social services authorities to comply with their statutory duty to arrange for adaptations under section 2(1)(e) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 for disabled tenants of council housing, following the moratorium on housing expenditure announced by the Secretary of State for the Environment; and if he will make a statement.

The recently announced moratorium does not affect the statutory duties of social services authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in any year since the United Kingdom joined the EEC, his Department failed to take up any portion of the Community funds that were available as a part of any allocation scheme between member States; and whether there was any category of funds for which the United Kingdom could have applied but did not.

It has been the policy of this Government to claim from the Community all the receipts to which we are entitled.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list any additions to the collection, presentation or publication of statistics which his Department has made since May 1979.

The additions are as follows:

• Collection
• International road haulage survey.
• Quarterly survey of business conditions in international road haulage.
• Publications
• National Travel Survey: 1975/6 Report.
• 1979 National Road Maintenance Condition Survey.
• Inland Origins and Destinations of UK International Trade 1978.
• From October 1980 the regular quarterly press notice on road accident statistics contains a new table giving road accident by severity, type of area and road class.
• Preliminary results from a study of trends in rail travel in London and the South-East between 1973 and 1979 were released by press notice in July 1980.

The Department's annual publication "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1968–78" included new material from the national travel survey and the long distance travel survey as well as additional tables on road traffic.In the same period there have been a number of reductions in the statistics collected by the Department.