Written Answers To Questions
Tuesday 25 November 1980
Employment
Craft Apprenticeship Training
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what his Department estimates would be the cost to public funds if all first year of craft apprenticeship training and remuneration were to be met by the State in place of individual employers.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that first-year craft apprentice training and remuneration costs depend on many variable factors and that there are no complete statistics of total apprentice intakes. The information requested is therefore not available.
Construction Workers
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many construction workers were unemployed at the latest convenient date in (a) Wolverhampton, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England and Wales as a whole; and what percentage of (i) those unemployed and (ii) the available work force this represents in each case.
The following table gives the numbers registered as unemployed at 14 August who last worked in the construction industry. This is the latest date for which an industrial analysis of the unemployed is available. These figures are expressed as percentages of all unemployed and of the estimated numbers of construction employees — employed and unemployed—in the areas specified.
| Numbers/unemployed who last worked in the construction industry | Percentage of all unemployed in the area | Percentage of the numbers of employees (employed and unemployed) in construction in the area | |
| Wolverhampton travel-to-work area | 1,085 | 6·7 | 11·8 |
| West Midlands region | 17,093 | 8·1 | 14·6 |
| England and Wales | 178,183 | 10·7 | 14·6 |
Wolverhampton And The West Midlands
asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many people were unemployed in manufacturing industry in (a) the Wolverhampton travel-to-work area and (b) the West Midlands in May 1979; and what is the latest available figure;
(2) what have been the total registered unemployed and what percentage this represents in the Wolverhampton area and the West Midlands area for each of the past 10 years;
(3) what have been the number of unfilled vacancies at employment offices and careers offices in ( a) Wolverhampton and ( b) the West Midlands for each of the past 10 years.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation Centres
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many rehabilitation centres, and where, are currently run by the Manpower Services Commission; and if he will give an assurance that none of these will have to close in the next financial year.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Manpower Services Commission
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the funding of the Manpower Services Commission for the next financial year; and if he will give an assurance that its funds will not be reduced but increased to take account of increased unemployment and inflation.
I shall reply to the hon Member as soon as possible.
Redundancy Payments
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will seek to reduce the special redundancy payments to dock workers to the average level obtainable by all redundant workers.
Existing severance arrangements for registered dock workers are agreed by the port employers and trade unions in the National Joint Council for the Port Transport Industry.
Temporary Short-Time Working Compensation Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the changes to the temporary short-time working compensation scheme he announced on Friday 21 November.
The temporary short-time working compensation scheme has been extended to enable jobs to be supported for a maximum period of nine months instead of six months as hitherto. At the sme time, to finance the extension, the rate of reimbursement has been reduced from 75 per cent. to 50 per cent. of normal pay for workless days, and holiday pay credits will no longer be reimbursed; however, employers' national insurance contributions related to the days without work will continue to be reimbursed.These changes took effect on the date of the announcement — 21 November. The scheme has also been renewed for a further year so that it is now open for application until 31 March 1982.
The Government will stand by their commitment to firms whose applications are still current. All applications received by Friday 21 November, which had not expired on or before Wednesday 19 November, will continue to receive reimbursement at the 75 per cent. rate —including holiday pay credits where appropriate—for the remainder of their six month period of support. They will then be eligible for a further three months support—at the new rate and with no reimbursement for holiday pay credits. However, since it is an essential condition of the scheme that the period of support should be continuous and that firms can apply only once for the same jobs, it will not be possible to provide any further support for jobs covered by applications which expired on or before Wednesday 19 November.
All applications received after the date of the announcement will be eligible for up to nine months support at the 50 per cent. rate.
The Department of Employment will contact all employers with current applications to explain how the changes will affect them.
Cannock And Rugeley
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are currently being supported by the temporary short-time working scheme in the Cannock and Rugeley employment office areas.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1980, c. 280]: There were 731 potentially redundant employees being supported under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme in the Cannock and Rugeley employment office areas in September 1980.
Overseas Development
Cameroon
asked the Lord Privy Seal what further aid is planned for Cameroon.
We are offering a £10 million loan to the Government of Cameroon for expenditure from 1982–83 onwards on development projects to be agreed with them in due course.
Trade
Foreign Airlines
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what restrictions are placed on foreign airlines under bilateral agreements which would restrict those airlines from operating routes to British regional airports.
It is our policy to encourage air services from regional airports within the context of our bilateral air services relations which we expect to result in fair opportunities for the airlines of both sides. We have initiated within the European Community work on proposals aimed at liberalising air services between the regional airports of Community States.
Polyester Filament And Nylon Carpet Yarns
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action, if any, the European Commission has taken to prevent polyester filament yarns and nylon carpet yarns from the United States of America entering the United Kingdom by free circulation from other member States, in excess of the quotas recently set by his Department and the Commission.
[pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1980]: None. We applied to the Commission for authority under article 115 to refuse two licence applications for nylon carpet yarn, but the Commission took the view that the sums involved were too small to justify such action.
Social Services
National Insurance Contributions
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what change in national insurance contributions he proposes for 1981–82.
As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced yesterday, the Government propose:
Changes In Contribution Rates
Employees and Employers
The class 1 employee contribution rate—not contracted out—is increased from 6·75 per cent. to 7·75 per cent. 0·5 per cent. of this increase is on account of the reduction in the Treasury supplement, 0·25 per cent. for the NHS, and 0·25 per cent to avoid a deficit in the national insurance fund. The same increases are being made in the employee contracted-out rate. The reduced contribution payable by opted-out married women and widows is increased from 2 per cent to 2·75 per cent. There will be no increase in the contribution rate for employers, which will continue at 10 per cent—not contracted out—plus 0·2 per cent. for the redundancy and maternity pay funds and 3·5 per cent. national insurance surcharge.
These contributions are payable on all earnings up to an upper limit provided that the earnings reach a lower limit. In line with the requirements of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975, the lower earnings limit will be increased to £27 a week, just below the new basic retirement pension, and the upper earnings limit will be increased to £200 a week. The present limits are £23 and £165 a week respectively.
The self-employed
The flat-rate class 2 contribution is raised from £2·50 a week to £3·40 a week; 45p of this increase reflects inflation, in particular the movement in earnings and benefit rates, 15p is for the NHS, and 30p is on account of the reduced Treasury supplement. The annual limit of earnings below which a self-employed person may apply for exception from liability for class 2 contributions is raised from £1,250 to £1,475.
The weekly class 2 contribution rate for share fishermen — who are eligible for unemployment benefit — is increased from £3·90 a week to £5·15 a week
The rate of class 4 contributions payable in respect of profits is increased from 5 per cent. to 5·75 per cent—0·25 per cent for the NHS, 0·5 per cent on account of the reduced Treasury supplement—and the limits of annual Profits between which class 4 contributions are paid are raised from £2,650 and £8,300 to £3,150 and £10,000.
Voluntary contributions
The rate of the class 3 (voluntary) contributions is increased from £2·40 to £3·30 a week.
Effect of all the changes
The table below sets out all the changes, distinguishing those due to inflation and the extra increases now proposed. For those with earnings or profits between the
| CHANGES IN CONTRIBUTION RATES PROPOSED FOR 1981–82 | ||||
1980–81
| Changes on account of inflation*
| Increases on account of the national insurance fund, changes in NHS allocation and Treasury supplement
| 1981–82
| |
| Class 1 | ||||
| Lower earnings limit (LEL) | £23 a week | £4 | — | £27 a week |
| Upper earnings limit (UEL) | £165 a week | £35 | — | £200 a week |
| Employed earner's rate: | ||||
| Not contracted out | 6·75 per cent. | — | 1 per cent. | 7·75 per cent. |
| Contracted out | 6·75 per cent, to LEL | — | 1 per cent. | 7·75 per cent. to LEL |
| Reduced rate | 4.25 per cent, between LEL and UEL | — | 1 per cent. | 5·25 per cent. between LEL and UEL |
| Employer's rate:† | 2 per cent. | — | 0·75 per cent. | 2·75 per cent |
| Not contracted out | 13·7 per cent. | — | — | No change |
| Contracted out | 13·7 percent to LEL | — | — | No change |
| 9·2 per cent, between | — | — | No change | |
| LEL and UEL | ||||
| Class 2 rate | £2.50 a week | 45p | 45p | £3·40 a week |
| Small earnings exception— | ||||
| Where earnings below | £1,250 a year | £225 | — | £1,475 a year |
| Class 4 rate | 5 per cent | — | 0·75 per cent | 5·75 per cent. |
| Lower limit of profits or gains | £2,650 a year | £500 | — | £3,150 a year |
| Upper limit of profits or gains | £8,300 a year | £1,700 | — | £10,000 a year |
| Class 3 rate | £2·40 a week | 45p | 45p | £3·30 a week |
* In particular, the movements in earnings and benefit rates. | ||||
| † Inclusive of surcharge—3·5 per cent.—payable under the National Insurance Surcharge Act 1976 as amended by the Finance Act 1978, and redundancy and maternity pay fund allocation—0·2 per cent. | ||||
National Health Service (Financing)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is intended to make charges to patients instead of the present basis of the National Health Service.
My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday announced our plans for financing National Health Service expenditure in 1981–82. These do not include any new extension of patient charges. Instead, from next April, arid subject to Parliament passing the necessary legislation, most employees will pay an extra 0·25 per cent. in their NHS
lower and upper limits, class 1 or class 4 contributions rise automatically with earnings or profits. Inflation increases therefore affect only the flat-rate contributions and class 1 and class 4 contributions on earnings and profits above the old upper limits.
For someone earning £130 a week — about the average for men—and not contracted-out, the class 1 contribution would rise by £1.30 a week. For the self-employed person with profits of this amount, the combined class 2 and class 4 contribution would rise by 94p a week. The maximum increase in the class 1 contribution—for those earning £200 a week or more—would be £9·16 a week. £7·16 of this is due to the increase in the upper earnings limit — this increase is for the employer and employee jointly—and £2 is due to the increase in the rate. For the self-employed the maximum increase would be £3·04p a week, £1·60 due to the higher profits limit and inflation element in the class 2 increase and £1·44 due to the extra increase in rates.
contribution. The Government believe that people are prepared to pay a bit more to maintain the growth of spending on the NHS.
Death Grant
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of restoring the death grant to its original 1949 value.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what level the death grant would have to be increased to restore it to its original 1949 value.
Based on the movement of the general index of retail prices up to October 1980, the latest month for which figures are available, the £30 grant would need to be increased to £167·58 to restore the value the grant had in 1949, when it was £20. This would cost £78 million a year extra.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of abolishing the age restriction on payment of the death grant.
I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Somerset, North (Mr. Dean) on 19 March.—[Vol. 981, c. 242.]
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimates are available of the number of elderly people who do not qualify for the death grant.
It is estimated that in 1980–81 there will be about 20,000 deaths among people for whom no grant is payable because they were over 65 (men) or 60 (women) on 5 July 1948.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the average cost of a funeral the present death grant of £30 now represents compared with its value in the year when it was first introduced.
The £20 death grant, introduced in 1949, represented about 60 per cent. of the average cost of a funeral at that time. As regards the proportion of funeral costs represented by the present £30 grant, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts) on 11 November.— [Vol. 992, c. 185–86.]
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received from organisations and individuals on the current level of the death grant.
Since we came into office about 880 representations have been received about the death grant. A large proportion of these have concerned the current level of the grant, but I regret that a precise figure is not available.
Funeral Costs
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures available for average funeral costs.
The costs vary widely; but, on average, funeral cost figures might be in the range £250-£300.
Unemployment Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the amount of unemployment benefit paid in (a) Wolverhampton, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England and Wales as a whole at the latest available date to the following age groups (i) 16 to 19 years, (ii) 20 to 24 years and (iii) over 24 years.
Based on statistical information for early November 1979, it is estimated that the weekly amount of unemployment benefit paid in England to those aged 16 to 19 years was about £885,000; to those aged 20 to 24 years, it was about £1,835,000; and to those aged over 24, it was £6,410,000. I regret that comparable information for Wolverhampton and the West Midlands is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Lomotil
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence has persuaded the Committee on Safety of Medicines that the drug Lomotil may be safely prescribed to infants aged one year, in view of the fact that this drug is contra-indicated for use in the age group in both Australia and the United States of America due to the decreased margin of safety.
[pursuant to the reply, 13 November 1980, c. 431]: Lomotil was marketed in the United Kingdom before the implementation of the Medicines Act 1968 in 1971; consequently, it has not been the subject of scrutiny by the Committee on Safety of Medicines, though the adverse reactions reports are regularly monitored by the professional secretariat. Lomotil is available only on prescription and is contra-indicated for children under 1 year old; the manufacturer's data sheet includes the express warning that the drug should be used with caution in children over the age of one year
I am advised that the adverse reactions reports do not indicate any significant hazard to young children treated with Lomotil, provided that it is used in accordance with the indications, dosage and precautions currently recommended."because of the variability of response in this age group".
Monthly Index Of Medical Specialties
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the conclusions of the report "Drug Disinformation", he will further comment on his statement that it is the responsibility of companies concerned to ensure that entries in MIMS relating to their products are correct; and on what basis this statement was made.
[pursuant to the reply, 13 November 1980, c. 432]: In normal circumstances, a medicinal product may be advertised in the United Kingdom only with the consent of the product licence holder who is, therefore, responsible for the accuracy of the advertisement. However, in the exceptional circumstances where an entry, which comes within the Medicines Act 1968 definition of an advertisement, is made in a publication, such as the "Monthly Index of Medical Specialties", by a person who falls outside the Act's definition of a "commercially interested party", there is no requirement for the consent of the product licence holder to be obtained; in such circumstances, the product licence holder cannot be held accountable for the advertisement but I would expect such publications to take a responsible attitude to the contents of any advertisement which is not agreed by the product licence holder.
Home Department
Mental Patients (Electoral Franchise)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he still intends to take action regarding the position of those patients in mental hospitals who are disenfranchised because they are not allowed to use the hospital address for voting purposes.
My right hon. Friend has been considering this matter as part of a general review of electoral law and procedures and hopes to make a statement about the conclusions before long.
Metropolitan Police (Special Branch)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the number of terrorist incidents in the last year, he is satisfied that the strength of the Metropolitan Police special branch is sufficient to enable it to counter the threat from terrorism.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Paddington (Mr. Wheeler) on 24 November.
Prisons (Cash Limits)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, arising out of the prisons emergency, any changes have been made to the cash limit on the Prisons Vote for 1980–81.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Paddington (Mr. Wheeler) on 24 November.
Election Deposits
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will examine the possibility of amending the law so as to provide for different deposits at general elections and by-elections.
As I said in my reply to a question by my hon. Friend on 13 November—[Vol. 992, c. 359]—I have been considering this matter as part of my general review of electoral law and procedures and hope to make a statement about my conclusions before long.
Juvenile Courts (Legal Aid)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the provision of legal aid to parents for care proceedings in juvenile courts.
[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1980, c. 370–1]: The cost of implementing the remainder of section 64 of the Children Act 1975, which would enable parents to qualify for legal aid in care proceedings, is one of a number of costings made in the report of the working party which has been estimating the costs of operating the unimplemented provisions of the 1975 Act. The report was published recently and will provide a basis for discussions during the coming months about further implementation of the Act. A copy of the report is in the Library and copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office.
Operation Square Leg
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of Operation Square Leg.
I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 3 November 1980.—[Vol. 991, c.
480.]
Industry
Pentachlorophenol
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether pentachlorophenol (PCP) is manufactured in the United Kingdom; and by whom.
I know of no current manufacturer of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the United Kingdom.
Deindustrialisation
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the increasing deindustrialisation of the British economy; and what steps he intends to take to halt it.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Leicester, South (Mr. Marshall).
Nexos
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has yet received a request from the National Enterprise Board for a further £20 million for Nexos; and if he will make a statement.
The provision of funds to individual companies is a matter of commercial confidentiality.
National Enterprise Board
asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much additional public money is to be provided to the National Enterprise Board, in each financial year, to enable it to pursue the initiatives contained in the National Enterprise Board corporate plan 1981 to 1983.
My right hon. Friend has not yet received the NEB's corporate plan for the period 1981 to 1983.
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report a complete list of all the shareholdings of the National Enterprise Board, the number and type of shares held, the percentage of the total equity this represents, the total cost of the shares, the principal business activity of each company and, where appropriate, the market value of the shares as at 18 November.
The information is not available in the form requested and can only be provided at disproportionate cost. Except for the share prices, all the information is, however, contained in the NEB's monthly list, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The latest list indicated the board's shareholdings on 31 October 1980. As at 18 November there had been changes in the following items:
Company
| Number and description of shares held by NEB
| Percentage of nominal value of total equity
| Cost £'000
| |
| Celltech Ltd | 22,000 | £1 ordinary | 44.0 | 222·0 |
| 5,060,000 | £1 preferred ordinary (4p paid) | |||
| Not equity | 202·4 | |||
| Nexos Office Systems Ltd. | 907,000 | £1 redeemable preference | Not equity | 907·0 |
The only shares held by the board which are publicly quoted are its holding of BL 50p ordinary shares which stood at 21p on 18 November.
British Shipbuilders
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has made a determination of the financial duties of British Shipbuilders for 1981–82, as outlined in the statement of 13 November.
Yes. As announced in my statement of 13 November, British Shipbuilders has a duty in the financial year to 31 March 1982 to limit any trading loss to £25 million after intervention fund assistance. A copy of the determination has been placed before each House of Parliament.
Small Firms (Liquidation)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many firms employing fewer than 200 people have gone into liquidation since May 1979.
[pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1980, c. 53]: Figures of company liquidations are not available by size of firm, but the total number from May 1979 to October 1980 inclusive was 8,480 in England and Wales.
British Leyland
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if, pursuant to his statement to the House on 20 December 1979, he will confirm that the British Leyland 1980 corporate plan requested £297 million for 1980 with a further £133 million between 1981 and 1983; and if his statement committed the Government to provide a total of £300 million extra money up to the end of 1981.
[pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1980, c. 53]: BL's 1980 corporate plan envisaged a requirement for £297 million of public funds in 1980 with a further requirement for £133 million between 1981 and 1983. BL only sought approval in the context of that plan for its 1980 requirements. In my right hon. Friend's statement of 20 December 1979, he recorded the Government's decision to fund BL's 1980 corporate plan by the provision of a total of £300 million which covered the company's requirements, for the financial year 1980–81.
Wales
Welsh Housing Survey
asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the next Welsh housing survey to be published.
Spring 1982.
Welsh Language Education (Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what applications he has had for the use of the £500,000 made available for Welsh language education in the Education Act 1980; and when he expects to allocate that money.
Applications have been received for grant in respect of 97 projects for 1980–81. My right hon. Friend will allocate the grant shortly.
15-Year-Olds (Mathematical Skills)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales, in view of the evidence published in Mathematical Development: Secondary Survey Report No. 1 on the basic mathematical skills of 15-year-olds that in the Principality have attained the lowest mean scores of any region within the United Kingdom, if he will take action to remedy this position.
It is primarily for local education authorities and schools to ensure that their provision for mathematical teaching is adequate. The Mathematical Development: Secondary Survey Report No. 1 records the results of the first of a series of surveys to be carried out by the Assessment of Performance Unit and it would be wrong to draw firm conclusions from it.
South Wales (Integrated Operations)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he had during his recent visit to the European Economic Community Commission about the future of integrated operations in South Wales; and if he will make a statement.
During my visit to Brussels on 21 October I discussed with European Community Commissioners progress on the possibility of designating industrial South Wales as an integrated operations area. This followed the submission by the Welsh Office in June 1980 of a pilot study for discussion with the Commission.Commissioner Giolitti told me that no additional resources were available for expenditure in integrated operations areas. The Commission saw integrated operations as a means of implementing the existing Community aids in a more coherent and concerted manner in specific areas with serious economic problems, and felt that accordingly there would be advantage in their continuing to explore how the application of such aids could be more effectively co-ordinated.I took note and look forward to further discussions with the Commission so far as South Wales is concerned, based on the preparatory work already put to the Commission. In the meantime, my Department will be working to ensure that Wales continues to derive the maximum benefit from the Community.
House Of Commons
Parliamentary Questions
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the average cost of providing the answer to a written parliamentary question.
The current estimated average cost of written answers is £30.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Food And Agricultural Commodities (European Community Trade)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the net volume of trade between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community Eight in each major food or agricultural commodity; what is the difference between the European Economic Community price and the world price in each case; and by computation and addition what is the cost to the British housewife over and above the cost of United Kingdom agricultural support.
I shall provide a substantive answer as soon as possible.
Education And Science
Student Unions
12.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will announce his plans for the financing of student unions and their facilities
My right hon. and learned Friend announced his plans on 5 February 1980.
36.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Union of Students on the financing of student unions in universities and colleges.
I have received many representations, the main ones being about the arithmetic of the change to the new system, their desire to delay its implementation by another year and their wish to retain some mention of student unions in the awards regulations.We have now agreed the arithmetic but I cannot agree to delay the introduction of the new system. The question of a mention in the awards regulations is being examined.
48.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further discussions he is having with the National Union of Students on the payment of student union subscriptions.
I have arranged none since our last meeting on Tuesday 18 November at which we reached a measure of agreement.
50.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much has been the average drop in percentage terms of the finance made available to student unions for the financial year 1980–81 as compared with the year 1979–80; and if he is satisfied that student unions will be able to maintain essential services.
I understand that the overall increase has exceeded the 14 per cent. guideline suggested as a maximum by my right hon. and learned Friend. I have no evidence to suggest that they are not able to maintain essential services.
Examination Results
13.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when each school will be required to publish its examination results.
I expect the requirement to take effect in the school year 1981–82.
A-Levels (Science And Mathematics)
14.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of pupils studying for GCE A-levels in schools in England followed mathematics or science courses in the most recent year for which figures are available; and how this compares with the figure in 1975.
In January 1980, 57 per cent. of pupils in maintained and non-maintained schools following A-level courses were taking at least one of the subjects in the maths/science group compared with 51 per cent. in 1975. The proportions for those following only maths/science subjects for A-levels were 30 per cent, in 1980 compared with 27 per cent. in 1975.
Computer Programmes And Textbooks
16.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the shortage, in those schools which have been helped by the Government to purchase microcomputers at about £1,500, of computer programmes and textbooks on computing, due to financial constraints.
The microelectronics in education programme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland does not assist individual schools to buy microcomputers, but it will assist the development and dissemination of software, including computer programmes.
New College, Northampton
17.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will review the decision to refuse New College, Northampton, permission to run a Technician Education Council higher diploma in technology.
Yes. As I said in my recent letter to my hon. Friend, my right hon, and learned Friend will be reviewing this decision next year as part of the annual course approval procedure.
Assisted Places Scheme
18.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding the assisted places scheme.
My right hon. and learned Friend has received representations about various aspects of the assisted places scheme from Members of both Houses of Parliament, from schools and their organisations, parents, local education authorities, teachers' associations and members of the public.
Expenditure Cuts
19.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will carry out a study of the implications of the education cuts demonstrations at Siddick and make a statement on the effects of the reduction of education expenditure on low-income group families.
It is for each local authority to determine its budget according to the availability of resources, and in the light of its statutory duties, priorities and needs.
17-Plus Examination
20.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the proposed 17-plus examination will be introduced.
I hope that the design of syllabuses for the new examination will be completed within two or three years and that the first candidates will be taking the examination a year later.
Common Examination System
21.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made towards the amalgamation of the GCE O-level and CSE examinations into a single examination system at the age of 16 years.
The GCE and CSE examination boards have estabished a joint council to supervise the drafting of national criteria for syllabuses and assessment procedures and a number of boards have begun to consider joint working arrangements for the administration of a single examination system.
Voluntary Schools
22.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what his policy is towards the establishment of voluntary schools in areas where it can be shown that there is sufficient demand for them.
Any proposal to establish a voluntary school requires the approval of my right hon. and learned Friend under section 13 of the Education Act 1980. Each proposal must be decided on its merits and evidence of demand would be one of a number of factors he would take into account.
Parents' Charter
23.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the implementation of the various aspects of the parents' charter in the Education Act 1980.
The provisions of the Education Act 1980 relating to the admission of pupils to schools and to parental appeals were brought into effect on 1 October 1980 and will first apply to admissions in the autumn term of 1982.Regulations which my right hon. and learned Friend hopes to lay before the House by Easter 1981 will provide for the publication of information about schools including public examination results.The provisions of the Act relating to school government, including the representation of parents and teachers on school governing bodies will be brought into effect in the early part of 1981. They will apply initially to new schools and to schools for which a new instrument of government is made after the appointed day As my right hon. and learned Friend explained on Second Reading of the Bill last year—[Vol. 973, c. 32.]—there will be no statutory requirement to change instruments of government already in force until he makes an order to that effect.
Comprehensive Schools
24.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he considers that additional funds on a per capita basis are required to maintain both standards and choice of subject in comprehensive schools with falling rolls; and if he will make a statement.
It is for local education authorities to judge the levels of expenditure in individual schools necessary to maintain standards. In our consultations on the school curriculum, we have emphasised the need for authorities to develop local curriculum policies which take account of the implications of falling rolls.
Animals (Scientific Education)
25.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the current use of animals for scientific education.
Decisions about the use of animals in educational establishments are for the local education authorities and the establishments themselves. I should deplore any practices which might cause suffering to animals: any use of live animals for scientific education involving experiment is controlled nationally by Act of Parliament and licences giving authority for work of this kind are issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. I have no reason to suppose that those concerned are not fully aware of the need to ensure that animals used for educational purposes are properly cared for.
Primary Schools (Admissions)
26.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many education authorities are admitting 6-year-olds and rising fives to primary schools.
The annual statistical returns for January 1980 show that all English local education authorities admitted 6-year-olds, including rising fives, to maintained primary schools.
Provision For Youth (Review Body)
27.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made by him towards the setting up of the review body on provision for youth.
My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly.
Discretionary Awards
28.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue guidance to local education authorities on the level of discretionary awards to students on degree and degree-equivalent courses.
Discretionary awards made under section 1(6) of the Education Act 1962 to students on degree or designated comparable courses who do not satisfy the normal requirements for mandatory awards must, once made, be at the same rates and conditions as those applying to mandatory awards.
Integrated Sandwich Courses
29.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for integrated sandwich courses.
The Government will do what is possible to help sustain the provision of these courses which embody in a practical and effective way the co-operation between industry and higher and further education which is so necessary.
Further Education
30.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what additional incentives will be offered in 1981 to encourage boys and girls in the 16 to 19 age group to remain at school or enter full-time courses in further education colleges.
In deciding whether to continue in full-time education, young people are mainly concerned about whether it meets their needs and expectations. A wide range of academic and vocational courses is already available to the age-group and local education authorities do well in responding to changing requirements. So far as financial support is concerned, I have no plans to change the present discretionary basis of local authority awards to young people in post-compulsory education.
Student Grants
31.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the efficiency of local education authorities in paying student grants on time.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Huddersfield, East (Mr. Sheerman) earlier today.
School Meals
32.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local authorities in England and Wales have now (a) stopped serving all school meals and (b) stopped serving a hot school meal.
None. In England, Dorset discontinued the provision of school meals for paying pupils in primary schools at the beginning of the present term. Questions about authorities in Wales should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
Student Loans
33.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will introduce a system of student loans to replace parental contributions to over-eighteens.
46.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he is giving to proposals for introducing student loans rather than student grants.
I refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) and for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) and the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes) earlier today.
Teachers (Conditions Of Service)
34.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is considering issuing any further circular pursuant to DES circular 16/68 in relation to teachers' conditions of service; and if he will make a statement.
No. Teachers' conditions of service are at present the subject of discussion between representatives of the local authorities and the teachers.
Truro
35.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the proposed arrangements for secondary education in Truro.
Proposals approved by the then Secretary of State for Education and Science in 1975 will be fully implemented in 1983. My right hon. and learned Friend is satisfied that these will provide a suitable and efficient pattern of secondary education for the area.
Inner London Education Authority
37.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has considered the report by Her Majesty's inspectors of schools in the Inner London Education Authority; and if he will make a statement.
The report recently submitted to me by Her Majesty's inspectors on the education provided by the Inner London Education Authority was made public on 12 November at the request of the authority it is for the authority to consider what action it needs to take as a result of the report. However, my Department will discuss its findings with the authority and account will be taken of its assessments in the current Government review of the arrangements for education in Inner London.
45.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the Government's plans for the Inner London Education Authority, and publish the report of the committee on the same subject chaired by the Minister of State.
I will make a statement when the Government's review of the arrangements for education in inner London is complete.
Education Advisers
38.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will review the function of education advisers.
It is for local education authorities themselves to determine the function of the advisory staff in their employment.
Education System (Industrial Demands)
39.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that the British educational system meets better the needs of British industry.
Substantial attention has already been given to this matter. My Department is currently giving it particular prominence through a series of regional meetings, chaired by Ministers with representatives of both education and industry, which are concerned with the relevance and implications of current educational policies to working life. The first two of these meetings were held at Birmingham on 20 October and at Newcastle on 19 November respectively, and eight further meetings are planned over the coming months. In addition, I have had discussions on the matter with a number of representative bodies, including the CBI and the ABCC, and my Department is associated in various ways with many other interests and agencies working in this field—notably the Department of Industry, the Schools Council, the Standing Conference on Schools Science and Technology, Understanding British Industry, Project Trident, the Industrial Society, the engineering institutions, and industrial training boards.
Assisted Places Scheme
40.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he plans to take over those local education authorities which have given a blanket refusal for children from their maintained schools to transfer to the sixth form of independent schools within the assisted places scheme.
I very much regret the hostility shown by some local education authorities towards the additional opportunities being offered to children by the assisted places scheme. The Education (Assisted Places) Regulations 1980, which the House approved on 29 October, provide that at sixth form level transfer to an assisted place from a local maintained school will normally require the agreement of the maintaining authority. But if it appeared that a substantial number of authorities were refusing to allow children to move to assisted places regardless of individual circumstances I should be prepared to consider amending the regulations to remove the power of veto. I shall be keeping this point under review.
School Curriculum
41.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the outcome of the present consultations on the framework for the school curriculum will be known.
43.
asked the Secretaryof State for Education and Science what progress has been made towards the establishment of an agreed school curriculum.
I intend to publish a statement on the school curriculum early in the new year.
General Teachers' Council
42.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to support the establishment of a general teachers' council.
My right hon. and Learned Friend has consistently supported the establishment of a general teachers' council, but for the teaching to become a self-governing profession agreement must first be reached by the parties involved on the terms of reference and composition of a teachers' council. To date such agreement has not been forthcoming, but my right hon. and learned Friend is ready to listen to suggestions from the interested parties as to how the Department might help to take the matter forward.
Overseas Students
44.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what have been the respective proportions of overseas students from OPEC countries and less developed countries outside OPEC coming to the United Kingdom over the past three years.
The information is as follows:
Percentage of all Overseas Students in UK from:
1976–7
| 1977–8
| 1978–9
| |
| (a) OPEC Countries | 25 | 27 | 26 |
| (b) Developing Countries | 59 | 57 | 58 |
Complete information for 1979–80 is not yet available.
Universities (Finance)
47.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to improve the long-term management of finance for British universities.
Within the framework of national financial policies it is the Government's continuing intention to give the universities the maximum possible notice of the resources that are likely to be made available to them in order that they may manage their affairs efficiently and effectively.
Sex Education
49.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to enable parents to withdraw their children from sex education in schools if those parents disapprove of the sex education proposed.
No. My right hon. and learned Friend does not believe that the answer lies in further legislation.
Engineering Research
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money has been allocated by the Science Research Council for engineering research for each of the last five years at constant prices; and how much is being allocated for the current financial year.
The Science Research Council has allocated the following sums, at 1980–81 outturn prices, to its engineering board:
| FinancialYear | £ Million |
| 1975–76 | 19·734 |
| 1976–77 | 25·894 |
| 1977–78 | 27·473 |
| 1978–79 | 27·459 |
| 1979–80 | 30·761 |
| 1980–81 | 31·821 |
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the engineering research that has ben carried out by the Science Research Council for the past five years; and what projects have been stopped in the current financial year.
Particulars of such research are given in the Science Research Council's annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library. No engineering research projects have been stopped in the current financial year.
Independent Schools (Fees)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current estimate of the total annual payments now made to parents as school fees to independent schools.
The Department of education and Science does not make such an estimate.
Religious Instruction
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is now in a position to give further guidance to local education authorities on how they should discharge their legal duties under the Education Act 1944 regarding religious instruction and collective acts of worship.
The Government statement on the curriculum, which will be issued early in the new year, will remind the authorities of the need to observe the statutory requirements and stress the importance of religious education in the curriculum.
Human Rights
Q4.
asked the Prime Minister whether she intends to renew the right of individual petition to the European Human Rights Commission, which lapses, if not renewed, on 15 January 1981; and whether she will renew this right for an indefinite period.
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister (1) whether she intends to renew the right of individual petition to the European Human Rights Commission which lapses, if not renewed, on 15 January 1981; and whether she will renew this right for an indefinite period;
(2) Whether the United Kingdom will renew its adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister whether she intends to renew the right of individual petition to the European Human Rights Commission, which lapses, if not renewed, on 15 January 1981; and whether she will renew this right for an indefinite period.
Q47.
asked the Prime Minister whether she intends to renew the right of individual petition to the European Human Rights Commission, which lapses, if not renewed, on 15 January 1981; and whether she will renew this right for an indefinite period.
Q64.
asked the Prime Minister whether she intends to renew the right of individual petition to the European Human Rights Commission, which lapses, if not renewed, on 15 January 1981; and whether she will renew this right for an indefinite period.
The Government have decided that our acceptance of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights, and the right of individual petition to the European Commission of Human Rights, will be renewed for a period of five years from January 1981.
Prime Minister (Engagements)
Q5.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q6.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for25 November.
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q33.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q34.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q36.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q37.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q39.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q41.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q42.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q43.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q44.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q45.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q46.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q48.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q49.
asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements on 25 November.
Q50.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q51.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q52.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q54.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q56.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q57.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q58.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q59.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q60.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q61.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q62.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q63.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.
Q65.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
Q66.
the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 25 November.
I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, North (Mr. Baker).
Slough
Q7.
asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Slough.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Information Technology
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the steps taken so far by all Departments to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Applied Research and Development report on information technology.
The recommendations are at present being considered, and a statement will be made in due course.
Bingham Inquiry
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made by the current inquiry by Mr. Tom Bingham into unauthorised disclosure of information.
There are from time to time inquiries into the unauthorised disclosure of information, but I do not propose to publish details about such inquiries.
Castlemilk, Glasgow
Q16.
asked the Prime Minister when she intends to visit the Castlemilk area of Glasgow.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Common Agricultural Policy
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the co-ordination of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in arrangements for the administration of the common agricultural policy.
Yes.
President-Elect Reagan
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister when she expects to meet President-elect Reagan.
I hope there will be an early apportunity to renew my acquaintance with President-elect Reagan.
European Community
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister what is the total cost of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community including the net budget contribution and the cost of net imports to the United Kingdom of European Economic Community food and feedstuffs over and above the world market prices.
The latest year for which estimates of both these costs are available is 1979, when the United Kingdom's net contribution to the Community budget was £947 million. The cost of net imports of food and feedstuffs from the rest of the Community at Community rather than world prices cannot be established with precision but was of the order of £200 million to £250 million.
West Germany
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on her recent discussions with West German leaders.
Q40.
asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement concerning her recent consultations with Chancellor Schmidt.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, Central (Mr. McNamara).
Cbi
Q31.
asked the Prime Minister when she last met the president and director-general of the Confederation of British Industry.
I have no immediate plans to do so.
Public Service Pensions
Q32.
asked the Prime Minister when she expects the independent inquiry which she set up in May, on the index linking of public service pensions, to report.
I understand that the inquiry under Sir Bernard Scott's chairmanship expects to report in December.
Incomes Policy
Q35.
asked the Prime Minister what is the Government's incomes policy.
Our policy is that we should make clear our conclusions about what the nation can afford to pay employees in the public services, and that companies should be free to do the same for their own employees.
Scotland
Q38.
asked the Prime Minister, when next she will make an official visit to Scotland.
I have no immediate plans to do so.
Yorkshire
Q53.
asked the Prime Minister when next she expects to visit Yorkshire.
I have at present no plans to do so.
Industry (Energy Costs)
Q55.
asked the Prime Minister if she will initiate an inter-departmental inquiry into the allegation that British industry suffers from higher energy costs than many overseas competitors; and if she will make a statement.
The Government are considering representations on energy prices from industry, and in particular from the CBI.
Secretary Of State For Industry
Q67.
asked the Prime Minister if she will ask for the resignation of the Secretary of State for Industry.
No. The hon. Member may assume that I do not intend to make any changes in Ministerial appointments or responsibilities unless or until I make a statement to the contrary.
Economic Adviser
asked the Prime Minister whether she has appointed an economic adviser to her staff; and, if so, on what terms and at what cost to public funds.
I have invited Professor Alan Walters to join my staff in the new year. The detailed terms of his appointment are not yet finalised.
Service Personnel (Education Grants)
asked the Prime Minister why Service personnel do not receive the same grants for their children's education as are given to Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service.
The boarding school allowances paid to Service men are lower than those for members of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service because their circumstances are different. In particular, the Service man has an element of choice available through the provision of Service schools at most military stations overseas. The Service scheme of boarding school allowances is currently under review by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.
Public Sector Employees (Salary Payments)
asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to encourage more public sector employees to receive their pay through banks or similar institutions rather than in cash.
So far none, but the matter is being actively considered.
Defence
Rapier Missile
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that the Rapier missile manufactured by British Aerospace is properly considered by the Japanese procurement agency; and whether he would be prepared to retaliate against Japanese exports to the United Kingdom if it is not.
Every opportunity has been taken to stress the advantages of Rapier to the Japanese, and the Government are in touch with the Japanese authorities to seek to ensure that its merits are given proper consideration.
National Finance
Joint Stock Banks
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish information in the Official Report showing the extent to which senior and other staff, respectively, employed by the joint stock banks enjoy (a) the use of a car at the bank's expense and (b) loans at a reduced rate of interest.
No. The joint stock banks are private sector institutions which are responsible themselves for the conditions of service of their staff.
Commission Of The European Communities
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the Government will take to prevent the European Economic Community Commission from borrowing money.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the European Economic Community Commission would borrow money in the same market as Her Majesty's Government, therefore tending to force up the rate of interest.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
North Sea Oil Revenues
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the setting up of a special Scottish development fund from the spin-off profits from North Sea oil revenues for the purpose of regenerating those industries which have been affected by the oil and gas developments in the North Sea and also for the training and re-training of persons who have lost their employment in traditional industries in Scotland.
[pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1980]: In their note of dissent to the report of the Committee to Review the Functioning of Financial Institutions (Cmnd 7937) the right hon. Member for Huyton (Sir H. Wilson) and several other members of the committee proposed that the Government should set up a United Kingdom North Sea oil and development fund. The present Government, like their predecessors, have yet to be convinced there is a case for setting up such a fund. Nevertheless, the Government have agreed that this and other proposals put forward in the Wilson report should be examined by the NEDO's newly reconstituted Committee on Finance for Industry.
£ Sterling
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, on the basis of the index of retail prices, is the purchasing power of the £ sterling now, taking it as 100 on 3 May 1979.
[pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1980]: Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ sterling as 100p in May 1979, its value in October 1980, the latest period for which information is available, was 79p.
Scotland
Miss Margaret Ralley
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when Miss Margaret Ralley of Ardantrae, 5a Racecourse Road, Ayr, can expect a reply to her letter of 15 October; and if he will explain the delay in replying.
I have received no such letter. In any case, my correspondence with my own constituents is no concern of the hon. Member.
Alcohol Studies Centre (Paisley College Of Technology)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the size and duration of grants from the Scottish Office to the alcohol studies centre at Paisley college of technology.
My Department is funding the alcohol studies centre for a three-year period, starting January 1979. The cost to the end of the second year will be about £70,000.
Scottish Seed Potato Association
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he hopes to announce a decision about granting consultative council status to the Scottish Seed Potato Association; and if he will make a statement.
I have at present nothing to add to my reply of 13 November to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes)—[Vol. 992, c. 382–83.]
Fox Hunting
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement about the amount of public money spent to support fox hunting; and if he will stop such public expenditure.
The sport of fox hunting is not supported from public funds. Fox destruction clubs, whose aim is systematic control of foxes to protect sheep may qualify for 50 per cent. grant, and £20,633 was paid in 1979–80.
Rate Support Grant
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the provision for rate support grants which he will be seeking in the forthcoming Supplementary Estimates.
The details are as follows:XVII 3A Rate Support Grants (1979–80) to Local Revenues, Scotland £19·0m.(new vote)XVII 6 Rate Rebate Grants and Additional Rate Support Grants to Local Revenues, Scotland £15·5m.The need for these additional provisions was explained in paragraphs 7 and 31 of my report on the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1979 (HC 295). The provision of £15·5 million for rate support grant in respect of increases in interest charges—£5·5 million in 1979–80 and £10 million in 1980–81. Any subsequent provision which I may seek for 1980–81 will depend on movements in interest rates on the remainder of the current financial year.Vote 3A is treated as a cash limit, while Vote 6 is not.>
Civil Service
Maternity Retention Pay Scheme
asked the Minister for the Civil Service how the maternity retention pay scheme operates in the Civil Service; how many payments have been made in each of the last three years; and what is the value per annum to the average female employee.
The maternity leave scheme in the Civil Service allows 13 weeks' paid leave provided the applicant has a minimum of one year's service and has undertaken to return to work. As central records of maternity leave are not kept, I am unable to provide the details requested.
Transport
A45 Weedon To M1 (Lighting)
asked the Minister of Transport what was the state of the A45 Weedon to M1 lighting contract on 19 September; whether or not the lights will be switched on, in which case at what hourly cost and over what hourly period; and what was the accident record by night and day in this stretch of road adjusted in each case according to movements by night and day.
By 19 September, out of a total of 80 lighting columns required for the scheme, 78 had been erected and all the cables had been laid. It would be wasteful not to use the lights. The scheme will cost 76p per hour to run and it will be lit daily from sunset to sunrise. During the three years to the end of 1978, by day there was one accident for each 1·45 million vehicle movements and by night there was one accident for each 21,500 vehicle movements.
M11 (Service Areas)
asked the Mininter of Transport whether he believes Birchanger to be the only possible site for a sevice area on the M11 motorway; and if he will consider alternative plans.
Birchanger appears to be the best site for a service area on the M11, but we would have to be satisfied that it was compatible with the Stansted airport road proposals. We would welcome alternative proposals for a service area and consider any received with care.
Stansted Airport
asked the Minister of Transport whether he has approved proposals from the British Airports Authority for road links between the M11 motorway and the proposed airport development at Stansted.
My Department has been considering with the British Airports Authority the requirements for road access to Stansted airport which its proposed development would generate. The intention is to, publish within the next few months the draft schemes and orders for those road links and improvements which would be undertaken as trunk road schemes if planning permission for expansion of the airport is granted. The local authorities concerned are at present being consulted on these proposals.
asked the Minister of Transport whether he has approved plans from the British Airports Authority to make St. Pancras the London rail terminal for the proposed airport at Stansted: and if he will now give the estimated cost of this project.
We have received no such plans from the British Airports Authority, but it is taking part in discussions with Government Departments, the Railways Board and others about the possible future requirements for rail access to Stansted airport, including a suitable London terminal, and the costs involved.
Roads (Cash Limit)
asked the Minister of Transport whether the Roads etc., England cash limit for 1980–81 has yet been finalised; and if he will make a statement.
Expenditure against this cash block in 1979–80 was £454·271 million. This was £3·852 million—0·86 per cent.—in excess of the cash limit. For the current year the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 3 published in the Supply Estimates (HC 470) will accordingly be reduced by this amount.Parliament has already approved an increase in this cash limit of £0·248 million in respect of the Civil Service pay award 1980 (Class XIII, Vote 31, HC 643). A Supplementary Estimate will shortly be submitted for the approval of the House which would have the effect of increasing the cash limit by £0·250 million. These funds will be required under section 113 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, to pay claims for compensation for depreciation of property values.Subject to parliamentary approval to the Supplementary Estimate, the Roads etc. England cash limit for 1980–81 will be £548·360 million. This figure supersedes the one given in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Rost) on 25 July.—[Vol. 989, c. 420.]
Environment
Local Government Staff
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are currently employed in local government who are over the official retiring age.
This information is not available centrally.
| 1976–77 £m | 1977–78 £m | 1978–79 £m | 1979–80 £m | 1980–81 £m | |
| Clwyd | 38·4 | 35·4 | 34·1 | 34·0 | 34·2 |
| Dyfed | 39·8 | 36·3 | 35·6 | 33·6 | 33·8 |
| Gwent | 47·9 | 44·2 | 43·5 | 43·1 | 43·4 |
| Gwynedd | 28·5 | 26·7 | 25·3 | 23·9 | 24·5 |
| Mid Glamorgan | 57·0 | 55·1 | 55·3 | 55·1 | 55·9 |
| Powys | 20·7 | 20·2 | 19·5 | 18·2 | 18·0 |
| South Glamorgan | 42·4 | 41·1 | 40·5 | 39·9 | 41·1 |
| West Glamorgan | 37·6 | 34·3 | 33·2 | 33·0 | 33·1 |
Housing Subsidy System
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to issue to the local authority associations consultation papers on the new housing subsidy system.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I are re-issuing the two consultation papers today. One sets out proposals for the calculation of the amount of the local contribution which local authorities may be expected to make in 1981–82; the other gives proposals for calculating the amount of management and maintenance expenditure to be treated as reckonable for the same year. Copies of the papers have been placed in the Vote Office and in the Libraries of both Houses. I shall seek an opportunity in the Debate on the Address today to set out our proposals.
Chief Inspector Of Audit (Report)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the report of the Chief Inspector for Audit for 1979–80 is to be published.
The chief inspector's report is being published today and copies have been placed in the Library.
Building Regulations
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from the chairman of the Committee on Restrictions Against Disabled People with regard to the recasting of the building regulations; what action he has taken; and if he will make a statement.
I have written to the chairman of the Committee on Restrictions Against Disabled People confirming our support for the principle of freedom of access for the disabled, and assuring him that in our review of the building control system we shall be keeping the interests of disabled people in mind.
Rate Support Grant
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table indicating the amount of rate support grant for each county for 1980–81, and comparative tables for each year from 1976–77 to 1979–80 at 1980–81 prices.
It is not yet possible to give figures for all five years on a comparable basis at 1980–81 prices. The estimated amounts of the needs element of rate support grant paid at November 1979 prices are as follows:I welcome the report which highlights important areas where better value for money could be achieved in local government services.Copies of the report are being sent to every local authority in England and Wales. It is being considered by the Advisory Committee on Local Government Audit which will be inviting responses to it and, in due course, making recommendations to the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance.
Council House Sales
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he gives local authorities as to whether, in respect of sales of council houses where the right to buy is exercised before 3 April 1981, the value of any improvements carried out by the local authority between 8 August 1980 and the date of exercise of the right to buy should be taken into account in the valuation of the dwelling; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
The valuation of a house which is being sold under the right to buy is a matter for the valuer who carries out that work on behalf of the landlord, subject to any decision of the courts on the interpretation of the relevant provisions. Advice given to the district valuers on making a determination or re-determination under section 11 of the Housing Act is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.