asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the export to import ratios that the United Kingdom achieved in trade in manufactured goods, excluding trade in precious stones, with each of the following countries or groupings: (a) Japan, (b) North America, (c) other European Community member States excluding Greece and (d) Spain, Portugal and Greece for each year since 1973.

The information is as follows:

United Kingdom Export/Import Ratio of Trade in Manufactures✶ Less Precious Stones†
	Japan	North America	European Community‡	Spain, Portugal and Greece
1973	48	96	87	191
1974	47	82	84	180
1975	38	86	87	174
1976||	37	88	90	187
1977	36	83	90	207
1978	34	88	83	135
1979	32	81	79	116
1980	28	66	86	117
✶SITC sections 5 to 8.
† Taken as SITC division 66 (Non-metallic mineral manufactures nes) as full details of trade in precious stones are not published.
‡ Excluding Greece.
|| Figures up to 1976 are on an SITC rev 1 basis and subsequently on a rev 2 (1981) basis. The effect of the difference is very small.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the average annual deficit or surplus in trade in manufactured goods with the European Economic Community and with the rest of the world, respectively, since the date of the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community; and if he will also publish the average annual deficits or surpluses, respectively, for a comparable period of years before accession.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many orders he has made under section 2(3) of the Competition Act 1980; and how many directions he has issued under section 3(5) of that Act.

One order has been made under section 2(3) of the Competition Act 1980: The Anti-Competitive Practices (Exclusions) Order 1980, SI 1980 No. 979. No directions have been issued under section 3(5) of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the total value of United Kingdom oil exports to the EEC and to the rest of the world, respectively, in 1980.

The value of United Kingdom exports of oil, to the rest of the European Community and in total, is published against division 33—petroleum, petroleum products and related materials—on pages 1 and 2 of table V—exports—of the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, copies of which are in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps are being taken through the European Economic Community to limit United States exports of knitted fabric socks, underwear and outerwear, to the United Kingdom, which benefit from artificially low American energy prices.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has considered seeking to exempt the 50 poorest countries from inclusion in the next multi-fibre arrangement and to impose stronger controls on imports from industrialised countries.

Differential treatment of the poorer and more highly industrialised low-cost textile producing countries is one of the many possibilities under consideration by the Government for the new multi-fibre arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value of imports of textiles and clothing in each year since 1976; what was the percentage increase or decrease from one year to the next: and if he will break down the figures to show the individual countries concerned and the percentage increase or decrease and values in each case.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to receive the report of the inquiry into the grounding of the fishing vessel"Junella".

The mfv"Junella" grounded off the north coast of the Isle of Skye on 28 September 1980 and my Department appointed an inspector to inquire into the circumstances. The inspector's report has been considered and acted upon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider improvements to procedures at magistrates' courts.

My right hon. Friend is always ready to consider such improvement. If the right hon. and learned Member has suggestions to make he will be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the Commonwealth and, so far as known to him, foreign countries of which the nationality law is equivalent to that of India in the aspect of dual citizenship to which the Minister of State referred in his letter of 2 March to the right hon. Member for Down, South.

The following Commonwealth countries have provisions broadly similar to those of India for preventing dual nationality in that they withdraw citizenship from their nationals if they exercise any rights and duties which are accorded only to the citizens of another country—example given acquiring a passport.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the total number of persons arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act to the latest available date;(2) how many persons have been convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act to the latest available date;(3) if he will list the offences of which persons who have been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act have been convicted;(4) what is the total number of persons arrested on Mersyside under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act to the latest available date.

The information available relates to the period from 29 November 1974 to 31 December 1980 and is published in tables 1, 2, 4 and 5 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin 1/81, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the offences under which persons who have been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provision) Act have been convicted on Mersey side;(2) how many persons have been convicted on Merseyside under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act to the latest available date.

The information requested is given in the following table together with figures of persons detained in Merseyside but found guilty elsewhere; no one was found guilty in Merseyside after having been detained elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the names of organisations which have made representations calling for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act over the past two years.

In the past two years the following organisations have written objecting to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act or to the way in which it operates in general:

• Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers, North West Divisional Conference.
• Communist Party of Great Britain.
• Council of Irish County Associations.
• Ealing Community Relations Council,
• Keele University Students Union.
• National Union of Journalists, Athlone Branch.
• National Union of Journalists, East London Branch.
• Oxford Student Liberal Society.
• Stalybridge and Hyde Constituency Labour Party.
• Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act; and if he will make a statement.

The Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976 is due to lapse on 25 March, unless renewed. On 24 February I laid a draft continuance order before Parliament. Renewal of the Act will require affirmative resolution by both Houses of Parliament, and I shall make a statement at the appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now agree that fingerprints taken of people arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, but later released without charges being made, be now destroyed.

No. The fingerprints of persons arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976 are retained centrally while the Act remains in force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role he sees for data transmission via police and fire brigades' radio communications networks, bearing in mind the need for confidentiality to be protected.

Such transmissions still represent a very small proportion of messages, and, so far as we are aware, do not involve questions of confidentiality. An increase in the use of these techniques depends upon a number of considerations, including cost, which are likely to be limiting factors in the immediate future. The question of confidentiality will also weigh heavily.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the Government intend to sign the European convention on privacy and data protection;(2) why Her Majesty's Government did not sign the European convention on privacy and data protection in January.

As the United Kingdom representative indicated when voting in favour of the adoption of the text of this convention, Her Majesty's Government will need to take a decision on the principle of having data protection arrangements in this country, consistent with the provisions of the Commission, before a decision to sign, and in due course ratify, the convention can be taken. My right hon. Friend will make an announcement about the Government's policy shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all those organisations and individuals that have made representations to Her Majesty's Government in favour of signing the European Convention on Privacy and Data Protection.

The Government have received some 25 representations, almost all on behalf of commercial interests. It would not be appropriate to publish their names without their permission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Merseyside on the reasons why he declined to release information held by the police relating to the murder of Julia Wallace in 1931; and if he will make a statement.

No. This is a matter for the chief constable of Merseyside.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal sets of citizens band radio equipment have been seized by (a) police and (b) Customs and Excise officials in each of the last three months.

Information on the first point is not available; information on the second point could not be obtained without disproportionate expense.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to reduce or abolish the annual licensing fee for the"aid call" system used by the elderly and the housebound.

We have under consideration the possibility of exempting certain low-powered radio devices from the licensing requirement under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. The kind of system described by my hon. Friend falls within this category. While the licensing requirement remains, however, we must continue to charge the appropriate fee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what deputations he has received as to application for bail procedures following the decision in Regina v. Nottingham Justices; and whether he will review the need for legislation.

Following the decision in Regina v. Nottingham Justices ex parte Davies my right hon. Friend has received representations from two hon. Members. I understand that my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has received a number of representations to enlist his support for a draft Bill designed, as recommended by the Royal Commission on legal services, to enable defendants remanded in custody by magistrates' courts to apply to the Crown court for bail, and to make criminal legal aid available for the purpose. The public expenditure implications of this proposal are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he proposes to take to arrest the deterioration in the condition of rented houses in Northern Ireland.

I am particularly anxious to arrest the decline in the condition of many houses in the private rented sector and to take positive steps to bring about an improvement. Accordingly, I am publishing the results of the review of private sector housing instituted by my predecessor and placing copies in the Library of the House of Commons. Among its recommendations are proposals to bring about an upgrading of the condition of many"restricted" tenancies.In addition, I have decided to increase private sector regulated tenancy rents as provided by the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 broadly in line with the increase recently announced for Housing Executive dwellings, and this will amount to 37½ per cent., coming into effect on 4 May 1981.I also propose to increase the eligible expenses limits for improvement, intermediate and repairs grants available for the renovation of privately owned houses as from 1 May 1981.I anticipate that this package of proposals will make a significant contribution to arresting the deterioration in the condition of rented housing in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider publishing more information about school examination results so that parents can be better informed about the results achieved at different schools.

We have no plans to publish information about the examination results of individual schools. At present it is a matter for the school authorities to decide what information should be published about individual schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils in non-grammar secondary schools took A-levels and obtained pass grades in each of the last three years; and how this compares with the success rate in the grammar schools.

The numbers of candidates from secondary and grammar schools in Northern Ireland for GCE A-level summer examinations, in the last three academic years for which information is available, were as follows:

	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
Secondary intermediate schools	1,091	1,232	1,398
Grammar schools	5,645	5,933	5,990
All schools	6,736	7,165	7,388

The numbers of A-level entries from Northern Ireland candidates and of passes achieved by them were as follows:

	Subject Entries	Passes (Grades A-E)	Pass Rate per cent.
1976–77	18,622	13,671	73·4
1977–78	19,872	14,667	73·8
1978–79	20,333	14,972	73·6

Details of entries and passes by school type are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average size of class in primary and in secondary schools, respectively, in Northern Ireland; and how this compares with primary and secondary schools in England, Wales and Scotland.

The average size of classes in schools in the Northern Ireland maintained sector in January 1980 was as follows:

Primary

26·5

Secondary

20·1

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, consequent upon the failure of the Soviet authorities to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Islington, Central to the Soviet Ambassador of 3 January 1981 on the case of Mr. G. J. A. Raffé and his wish to leave the Soviet Union, he will now make further representations to the Soviet authorities on this matter.

The British Government make regular representations to the Soviet authorities about a number of individuals, including Mr. Raffé, who have repeatedly been refused exit visas from the Soviet Union. Our most recent approaches were in London and Moscow last month. Action is also being taken with the Soviet delegation at the CSCE review conference in Madrid. We hope that the Soviet authorities will respond speedily and positively to these representations.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make representations to the Uruguayan Government about the case of Ariel Garcia Nunez, who is imprisoned by the Uruguayan authorities.

As Senor Ariel Garcia Nunez is a Uruguayan national, Her Majesty's Government have no standing to take the case up officially with the Uruguayan authorities. Our embassy has, however, made informal inquiries about his situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many Government cars are available to officials and civil servants in his Department; what are the rules governing their use; and what is the total cost per annum for providing such a service.

At the present time my Department has 45 cars—all self-drive—available for official use; such use is authorised only when it will facilitate the efficient discharge of public business, subject to prior approval being obtained from a nominated officer; the operating cost to the Department for the 1979–80 financial year was £64,576.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish his inspectors' reports on the careers service in Leicestershire; and whether he will make a statement.

Inspections of local education authority careers services are carried out on the basis of co-operation and mutual confidence between my careers service inspectors and the authorities. Reports on individual inspections are sent to the authority concerned and it is not the practice to publish them.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of employees in the Calderdale metropolitan district working short-time under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme during January and February 1981.

There were 5,578 potentially redundant employees being supported by the temporary short-time working compensation scheme in the Calderdale metropolitan district in January 1981. The figures for February are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the reason for the fall in the contribution by the European social fund to employment rehabilitation centres from 29 per cent. in 1978–79 to 18 per cent. in 1979–80.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the numbers and percentages of unemployed persons in the United Kingdom, Austria, Norway and Spain, respectively, in 1973; and if he will also publish the most recent numbers and percentages of unemployed persons in these nations respectively, at the most recent date for which figures are available.

The annual numbers and percentage rates of unemployment in 1973 and 1980 are given below for the United Kingdom, Austria, Norway and Spain. The figures are not directly comparable because of differences in concepts, coverage and methods of compilation.

	1973		1980
	Thous ands	Percentage rate	Thous ands	Percentage rate
United Kingdom	619	2·7	1,795	7·4
Austria	41	1·6	53	1·9
Noway	13	0·8	22	1·2
Spain	150	†	✶ 1,265	✶9·7
✶average of first 11 months.
†not available or a comparable basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average cost of a place on the youth opportunities programme (a) including overhead administrative costs and (b) excluding those costs.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from organisations seeking the introduction of a non-discrimination clause in contracts of employment affecting the disabled.

[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1981, c. 170]: None.I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, as part of its current review of statutory employment protection for disabled people, a discussion document was issued in May 1979 to which over 300 responses were received from a wide range of organisations, none of which advocated the introduction of a non-discrimination clause in contracts of employment for disabled people.I am, however, aware that the Committee on Restrictions Against Disabled People is inquiring into discrimination against disabled people in all fields and I will give serious consideration to any evidence it may obtain on employment discrimination.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing the European Economic Community exports of various foodstuffs to the Soviet Union for the year 1980, and previous years, on the same basis as he provided figures for the first 10 months of 1980 and previous years on 8 December 1980, Official Report, c. 521–22.

I refer my hon. Friend to the figures for previous years in the reply I gave to him on 8 December last. The latest provisional estimates for 1980, relating to the full year and supplied by the European Commission unless otherwise indicated, are as follows:

Exports of Agricultural Produce from the European Community to the Soviet Union: Provisional figures for 1980
	('000 tonnes)
i. Wheat	576·0
ii. Barley	221·9
iii. Flour (wheat equivalent)	481·0
iv. Malt	167·1
v. Butter	103·559
vi. Butter oil	43·623
vii. Skimmed milk powder	—
viii. Beef (January-September)	83·877
ix. Pigmeat	negligible
x. Poultrymeat	67·74
xi. Sugar (January-August)	✶662·823
xii. Wine'000 hl	1,490·263

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he estimates will be the average producer price per kilogram of wool during 1981; and how that figure will compare, in percentage terms, with the corresponding figure for 1980.

The amount which producers will obtain for the 1981 wool clip will depend on the level of the guaranteed price and the British Wool Marketing Board's deduction for marketing costs, which have yet to be determined.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to increase the guaranteed price for wool in order to compensate producers, as far as possible, for increased production costs and general inflation during the last year.

We are considering the level of the guaranteed price for wool in 1981, and the factors mentioned are among those which we shall take into account.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that current regulations ensure that the consumer knows the genuine meat content of sausages, hamburgers and beefburgers, respectively, from the appropriate package labelling.

Regulations made under the Food and Drugs Act 1955 prescribe a minimum meat content for sausages and for canned hamburgers and beefburgers. We are considering a recommendation by the Food Standards Committee that the packaging of all meat products should bear a declaration of meat content.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many police reports on convictions and on character were made on (a) teachers, including former teachers and student teachers, and (b) proprietors of independent schools in the last year for which figures are available; and how many of the individuals concerned were informed about the reports on them.

292 police reports of convictions of teachers and one of a conviction of a proprietor of an independent school were received by the Department in the year ended 28 February 1981. The figure for teachers includes convictions of former teachers, teachers in training, teachers in independent schools and youth service and community workers. Specific reports on the character of teachers are not received, although a report of a conviction may refer to an individual's character. All individuals concerned are notified by the Department that it is aware of their convictions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make an assessment of the effect of the increase in overseas students' fees on the numbers enrolling at the London medical schools; and what he estimates the reduction in the medical schools' revenue has been as a result of the drop in overseas student numbers.

The numbers of overseas students admitted to the university's medical schools and institutes in 1979 were 43 undergraduates and 292 postgraduates; the provisional figures for admissions in 1980 are 49 undergraduates and 282 postgraduates. My right hon. and learned Friend will continue to monitor the situation.My right hon. and learned Friend is unable to estimate the effect of the overseas students' fees policy on the university's revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has held up approval from the Welsh Office for the compulsory purchase order for Arfon borough council to secure land at Cwm-y-Glo for the provision of new bungalows for elderly persons; and if he will seek to expedite this matter.

We have delayed a public local inquiry into the Arfon borough council Bodlondeb (Cwm-y-Glo) Compulsory Purchase Order 1980 until certain legal issues involving High Court litigation concerning the order land have been clarified.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from district councils in Wales regarding the need for a change in legislation concerning the adoption of sewers; and what discussions he has had on this matter with the Welsh water authority.

I have received representations from one district council through an hon. Member. I have not had any discussions with the Welsh water authority on this matter, but, because the relevant legislation applies to England and Wales, Welsh Office officials are in touch with the Department of the Environment, which has received similar representations from a number of sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales from how many local housing authorities in Wales he has received applications to date for funds to undertake improvement for sales schemes and homesteading schemes, respectively; and how many housing units are involved in each case.

Six local authorities have either expressed an interest or have made firm application for a share of the £1·5 million reserved for pump-priming improvement for sale schemes. Some 60 units of accommodation are involved. No applications have been received for homesteading schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what response he has received from district councils in Wales concerning the lower than expected level of receipts from the charges set for building regulations.

I have received none specifically from Welsh district councils, but comments from the Association of District Councils representing local authorities in England and Wales have been received by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, and these are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report those companies, including nationalised industries, employing more than 200 people in Wales, together with the sites of their main operations.

The disclosure provisions of the Statistics of Trade Act do not allow me to provide the information requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales which road schemes in Wales have been delayed as a result of Government policy, identifying them by name and length of delay.

I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to my hon. Friend's answer to his question of 18 February.—fVol 999, c. 147.] The following schemes were delayed in 1980–81 to keep within the cash limit for the year but are now proceeding:

Name of Scheme	Length of delay
A470: Improvement at Carno (Contract E)	7 months
A483: Maeslan Bends, Llanbister	7 months
A494:Improvement at Iwerddon	7½months
A494: Improvement East of junction with B5430 near Llanferres	8 months

Non-trunk road schemes are the responsibility of local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many days per annum each head of the agricultural department at Aberystwyth spends in Cardiff advising Ministers in the Welsh Office on current agricultural matters; and if he will make a statement.

I am not prepared to give details of when and where I see my own advisers; in any case, such records are not kept. The purpose of the transfer is to improve the management and efficiency of the Welsh Office and to facilitate the provision of advice to Ministers on commodities and animal health matters, in particular by bringing together the staff dealing with the inter-related subjects of commodities and the common agricultural policy who are presently located in both Aberystwyth and Cardiff.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the development of the Margam coalfield will involve any expenditure from the Welsh Office budget.

I am not aware of any requirement for such expenditure in respect of this project.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what response there has been from each local housing authority in Wales to the Government's scheme for renovation for sale.

Six local authorities so far have either expressed an interest or have made firm applications for a share of the £1·5 million reserved for pump-priming improvement for sale scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he proposes to take, in view of the National Economic Development Council report, to provide cheaper energy for industry, particularly those industries that are heavy users.

The Government will take this report fully into account in considering possible measures to help industry with its energy costs. We shall announce our decisions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make funds available for the development of the Margam coalfield.

It is for the National Coal Board to decide its policy on specific projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what support and encouragement for the conversion of appliances to increase the use of coal by industry and commerce he expects to provide in each of the next three financial years.

Current fuel price relativities already provide industry with a clear incentive to switch from coal to oil in many uses. The need for further encouragement and support for the conversion of appliances used by industry and commerce is being kept under review in the light of all relevant developments.

asked the Prime Minister on what criteria some reports of Rayner investigations are deposited in the Library; and if she will ensure that all such reports are deposited there.

The reports referred to are prepared by departmental officials for their Ministers. It is for the Minister of the Department concerned to decide whether to make them more widely available.

asked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government are yet able to announce a decision on the signing of the Council of Europe convention on data protection.

Her Majesty's Government are not yet able to sign the convention, but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will shortly be making a statement on the Government's policy on data protection.

asked the Prime Minister what was the cost to public funds of her visit to the United States of America; and who was responsible for paying the cost of the visit of Mr. Denis Thatcher.

The cost to public funds of the visit was approximately £45,000. My husband was a guest of the United States Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will place in the Library a copy of her Lenten address at the Church of St. Lawrence Jewry.

I did so on 6 March.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many police reports on convictions and on character were made on civil servants in the last year for which figures are available; and how many of the individuals concerned were informed about the report on them.

Under the arrangements announced by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 14 June 1973, chief officers of police provide reports on convictions of civil servants in the interests of security. These are received by the Civil Service Department, and in 1980 205 such reports were passed on to the appropriate employing Departments. Individuals are informed that reports have been received unless they have already reported the conviction.As far as the Civil Service is concerned the 1973 arrangements allow for reports on character to be provided only in the respect of applicants for posts in Ministry of Defence police.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many copies of the Government reply to the first report from the Social Services Committee, Session 1979–80, on arrangements for paying social security benefits (Cmnd. 8106) have been printed; at what estimated cost; and how many copies have been distributed without charge.

A total of 6,000 copies were published at an estimated cost of £24,700. Her Majesty's Stationery Office charges for all copies it issues.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many copies of the Serpell report on the Ordnance Survey have been printed; how many have been sold; and what is the expected revenue from sales.

A total of 1,537 copies were printed, of 547 to the value of £10,940 have so far been issued by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of maintaining a British military contribution to the NATO force in South Korea.

There is no NATO force in South Korea.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the degree of take-up of British Aerospace shares by employees.

I am delighted with the response of employees under the special arrangements for them to acquire shares. Almost 90 per cent. of those eligible took up the offer of free shares and over 40 per cent. bought shares in the company. Over 6 per cent. of the shares on offer are now held by the employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether any costs have been incurred since the reply to the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Huckfield), Official Report, 16 February, c. 54, in connection with the flotation of British Aerospace; and whether he expects any future costs to arise.

A total of £3,604,482.43—including value added tax—was paid between 16 February and 5 March to meet costs incurred in connection with the flotation of the British Aerospace public limited company, the largest item being the underwriting commission of 1¾percent. of the price of the offered shares. The estimated total costs remain as set out in my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Huckfield). No significant costs have been incurred since applications for shares were dealt with or are likely to be incurred in future.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is satisfied with the progress of British Shipbuilders towards viability.

Substantial improvements in productivity are required if British Shipbuilders is to become viable; I am satisfied that this is recognised by the management.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received about the Government's current industrial strategy.

I receive representations from a wide range of organisations and individuals on all industrial aspects of the Government's economic policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received concerning the current state of the textile industry in the city of Leicester.

We have received numerous representations about difficulties facing the textile industry in many parts of the country, including Leicester.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he will give his response to the corporate plan for the future of the British Steel Corporation.

My right hon. Friend gave the Government's response in a statement on 24 February.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what consideration he has given to the implication of the British Steel Corporation corporate plan for the continuance of ingot moulding and related manufacturing by the corporation.

The proposed reduction in ingot mould foundry capacity, which is a consequence of the reduction in steel output, is a matter for the corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will consult his European Economic Community colleagues with a view to achieving closer industrial co-operation in Europe.

I am satisfied that adequate arrangements already exist for discussion of industrial issues in the Community and have no plans to institute specific consultations on closer industrial co-operation with my Community colleagues. The Treaties of Paris and Rome seek to bring about a state of free and fair competition and to improve the working of the market. My consultations with colleagues in the EEC are directed to these ends.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of non-defence research and development is financed by the Government; and how this compares with Japan, France and West Germany.

Following is the information:

Table 1: Percentage of GERD in 1977 financed by Government✶
	Percentage
United Kingdom	†49
France	44
Germany, Federal Republic	44
Japan	30

✶ Including R&D content of general university funds.

† 1978 for United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is planning any new initiatives to assist manufacturing industry.

Our present policies are creating the right long-term environment for a return to industrial prosperity. The real need is for greater competitiveness based on realistic working practices, sensible wage settlements and improved productivity, which can be achieved only by industry itself. The Government are playing their part by reducing inflation, restoring the incentive to enterprise, and creating the framework for that competitiveness to be re-established.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on progress on initiatives by his Department to assist small firms.

The Government have already taken a considerable number of measures to help small firms, and others will follow. A recent example is the provision of exchange rate cover for further EIB and ECSC loans to small manufacturing firms in the assisted areas and steel closure areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received on the effect of the level of interest rates on manufacturing industry.

We have received many representations on this subject, both from individual companies and from representative bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects his discussions with the Council of Engineering Institutions on his proposed Royal Charter for the establishment of an Engineering Council to be completed.

We are seeking the broad agreement of all concerned, including the Council of Engineering Institutions. This inevitably taks a little time, but I am still hoping that we can reach agreement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many copies of Form V4366 on engineering sales have been sent out by his Department; and what is the purpose of the exercise.

433 of the questionnaires given the identification code of V4366 were sent out to selected establishments in the engineering sector in November 1980. A further 289 of the questionnaires—but with the integral covering letter couched as a reminder instead of an introduction to the inquiry—were sent out to those of the original addressees who had not answered by 23 January 1981.The prime purpose of the exercise is—as stated in the introductory letter—to obtain data to allow the Department to take into account the effects of differing valuations for sales and their related orders in the calculation of constant price index numbers. These effects arise because sales figures frequently reflect prices that differ from those quoted at the time of ordering—the usual basis for wholesale price indices.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, pursuant to his answer of 3 March to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Edge Hill, how many of the 22 companies which visited the Northern region decided to base themselves there.

None have yet decided to locate in the Northern region, but discussions are still proceeding with nine of the companies concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the total area of industrial floor space in the Workington travel-to-work area, the county of Cumbria and the Northern region available through organisations sponsored by his Department allocated for industrial or service trade occupancy during the last month.

During the month of February 1981 the English Industrial Estates Corporation allocated the following floor space, subject to contract:

	Units	Square metres
Workington TTA		None
Cumbria	1	225
Northern Region	13	2595

Roberts asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make it a condition of his future financial assistance to BL that all components of its vehicles shall be of British manufacture.

No. BL says that it buys about 95 per cent, of all its purchases, including components, in the United Kingdom and that it buys from domestic suppliers wherever it makes technical and commercial sense to do so. The Government welcome this, but also recognise that BL's purchasing policy is a commercial matter for the company to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take steps to ensure that the nationalised industries for which he is responsible do not use public funds to subsidise prices of products competing directly with those manufactured by private industry.

The Government's policy is to create an economic climate in which all industry can succeed without assistance from the taxpayer. Public finance to the nationalised industries is not intended to subsidise competition with the private sector.The chairmen of the nationalised industries for which I am responsible are aware of these views, and that we expect their corporations to compete fairly with private firms. In the case of the British Steel Corporation, as I announced on 24 February 1981, Mr. MacGregor has undertaken personally to investigate any specific allegations of unfair pricing that are put to him by companies or by hon. Members. I have also asked my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State to monitor these complaints as a conciliator and to report to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what estimate he has made of the indirect effects on United Kingdom textile and clothing industries of the implementation of the European Commission's outward processing proposal; and whether he has plans to alleviate any adverse indirect effects on those industries.

It is not possible to estimate the indirect effects on the United Kingdom textile and clothing industries of the outward processing activities of member States or of the Commission's proposals to harmonise member States' arrangements for the administration of special outward processing quotas for textiles and clothing. To the extent that any new arrangements would permit closer monitoring and control of outward processing outside normal restraint levels we should be in a better position eventually to evaluate the effects on United Kingdom industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish details of the performance criteria against which his committee will judge the performance of the chairman of the British Steel Corporation, Mr. Ian MacGregor.

Yes, we expect to publish these shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to his reply of 4 March to the hon. Member for Dartford (1) what are the establishment and salary levels of those employed in his Department's industry education unit;(2) what are the terms under which his Department's industry education unit awards grants; and if he will list the recipients of grants in each of the last two years.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take steps to denationalise or sell Redpath Dorman Long.

The British Steel Corporation is currently reviewing the possibility of introducing private capital into a number of its activities, and I do not consider that it would be helpful at this stage to use powers of direction to require the corporation to dispose of particular assets, such as Redpath Dorman Long Ltd.

REDPATH DORMAN LONG
	1970–71✶	1971–72✶	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80
	£ million
Turnover	92·7	55·0	52·8	59·1	93·6	138·7	127·0	105·7	109·1	118
Profit/(Loss)	0·3	0·7	0·5	(4·6)	(11·2)	(2·0)	2·3	(5·4)	(5·4)	(16)
Net Assets	23·0	17·7	9·7	20·4	8·6	33·2	16·6	10·8	24·0	17
✶ Before April 1972 RDL formed the Structural or Constructional Engineering Division of the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many letters were sent at the first step from the United Kingdom to each other Community member State in 1973 and for the latest convenient year.

That is a matter for the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of restoring the 5 per cent, cut to invalidity pensioners in the tax year 1981–82.

About £50 million in a full year.

asked the Secretary of Slate for Social Services what consideration he has given to the findings of the Social Security Commissioner in the case of Paul Campbell; how in his view they will affect unresolved cases concerning mobility allowance which are still on appeal; and if he will make a statement.

I shall consider the implications of this case further when the commissioner has given decisions on other pending cases which involve interpretation of the same regulation.It is for the independent adjudicating authorities to decide claims for mobility allowance, but departmental representatives and medical appeal tribunal hearings have been advised to suggest that the tribunal should consider adjourning any similar cases until the decisions are known.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many police reports on conviction and on character were made on (a) persons employed in the care of children in residential homes, (b) community homes, (c) children's homes, (d) probation hostels or probation

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what have been the turnover, profit or loss and net assets of Redpath Dorman Long in each year since 1970.

Following is the information, which has been abstracted from the annual reports of the British Steel Corporation:homes and

During 1980 the police drew the Department's attention to 73 instances where a person engaged in residential social work with children or a youth leader was convicted of a criminal offence. This information is used by the Department only to direct potential employers in the child care field, on a specific request from them, to relevent referees. Police reports on character are not received.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the disposal of the building and site of St. George's hospital, London SW1;(2) whether he has investigated the possibility of alternative uses for the site of the former St. George's hospital, London SW1; and whether he will give preference to its disposal within the public sector.

The position is still as in my hon. Friend's reply to the right hon. Member for Brent, East (Mr. Freeson) on 6 February—[Vol. 998, c. 229.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received in respect of the reply to the first report from the Social Services Committee on arrangements for paying social security benefits (Cmnd. 8106); and whether he is satisfied that adequate distribution and consultation in response to the paper have been achieved.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) on 3 March.—[Vol. 1000, c. 81–82.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the number of persons successfully prosecuted for social security fraud in each of the last five years and place against each set of figures the number of inspectors appointed to secure such prosecutions.

The number of persons convicted for social security fraud in the five years 1975 to 1979 inclusive were:

1975	1976	1977	1978	1979
15,006	18.711	25,615	28,575	25,672

The 1980 figures are not yet available.Information about the numbers of full or part-time staff engaged on fraud duties during these five years is not available. However, the bulk of their work is concerned with detecting, investigating and stopping fraud. There is no question of"inspectors" being appointed"to secure prosecutions".

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Stockport, North on 5 March, how many of the persons fined for offences for which the penalty is to be increased under the Social Security Bill were subsequently imprisoned for non-payment of the fine.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many of the 1,241 persons given a suspended prison sentence in 1979 for social security offences were eventually imprisoned;2. how many of the 630 persons who were imprisoned in 1979 for social security offences were women with children of school age or under;3.if he will provide the figures for the latest available month of the sex, offence and sentence of those people convicted of offences for which the fines and imprisonment terms are being increased in the Social Security Bill now before the House;4. what was the average length of sentence of the 630 persons imprisoned in 1979 for social security offences.

None of this material is readily available, and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action his Department took in the case of a self-confessed drug addict whose name has been supplied to him and who publicly admitted to obtaining £77 per week social security benefits, to ascertain whether during this period he was willing and available for work before paying him social security benefits; and why his common law wife also drew social security benefits.

If the hon. Member will let me have the information I will look into the matter.

asked the Attorney-General if he proposes to make any changes in the remuneration and conditions of service of Her Majesty's judges.

I understand that the Top Salaries Review Body will be reporting to the Prime Minister in due course. No proposals will be made in advance of its report.

asked the Attorney-General when he anticipates microfilms of birth, marriage and death certificates will be available to the public for research purposes; and if he will make a statement.