asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is intended to continue flying at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough: and if he will make a statement.

Following the recommendations of the steering group on R and D establishments under Lord Strathcona which reported last year, a working group was set up to recommend which of the major MOD(PE) airfields at Boscombe Down, Bedford and Farnborough could be closed with least disadvantage. The group concluded that the closure of any of the airfields would take several years but that the closure of Farnborough airfield was the option which showed the least disadvantage, although it would involve severe problems.In the light of this study, it has been decided that Boscombe Down and Bedford airfields should continue as at present. No decision has been taken to close Farnborough airfield for flying. But it has been decided to widen the consideration of the future of this airfield and in particular to examine by what means and to what extent Farnborough airfield could be opened up to general aviation use. To this end the Ministry of Defence will be consulting other interests concerned. In these studies full account will he taken of the need to safeguard the facilities of the Farnborough International Air Show.

asked the Attorney-General whether, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West of 18 February, Official Report col. 164, and further to his letter of 27 February to the hon. Member explaining that incorrect information had been given due to a clerical error, he will now correct his answer.

I regret that my reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis) on 18 February omitted certain fees in respect of three hon. and learned Members in 1975–76. The correct figures are as follows:

	£
E. L. Gardner, Q.C.	1,500
W. G. O. Morgan, Q.C.	2,520
The Right Honourable P. J. Thomas, Q.C.	420

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects the draft EEC directive on non-life insurance services to be adopted.

The draft directive is being considered today by the Council of Ministers but I do not expect adoption at this stage. We are doing all we can to reach early agreement on a satisfactory text.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will investigate the extent to which outward processed trade already exists in the United Kingdom textile and clothing industries, in view of the significance of the European Commission's proposed regulation on outward processing to the United Kingdom industries, in order to provide the necessary objective information to assess the effects of the proposal on the United Kingdom textile and clothing industries.

The United Kingdom has no special quotas for outward processed goods, and the Commission's proposed regulation would, therefore, have no direct effect upon the United Kingdom textile and clothing industry. Thus, no special administrative arrangements will be required. Since there is no special quota regime, comprehensive statistics for outward processing trade from the United Kingdom are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of the speech on commercial aviation by the Under-Secretary to the Royal Aeronautical Society on 25 February.

I have already done so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what reduction in the number of staff employed in his Department's anti-dumping services has been made since primary responsibility for this sector was transferred to the European Commission on 1 July 1977.

The Department's anti-dumping unit, from assistant-secretary to clerical staff, consists of 25 staff, compared with 27 in July 1977. Because of the interrelationship between anti-dumping and other measures on steel, the unit also handles the external trade aspects of the Community's steel anti-crisis measures.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many bankruptcies and insolvencies, respectively, there were for each of the years 1978, 1979 and 1980, and for the first two months of 1981.

In 1978 there were 3,902 bankruptcies and 5,086 company liquidations in England and Wales. The figures for 1979 were 3,500 and 4,537, and for last year 4,000 and 6,891. In the first two months of 1981 there were 847 bankruptcies and 1,717 company liquidations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the change in the number of overseas visitors to the United Kingdom in the first 11 months of 1980 over the equivalent period of 1979.

Estimates for the whole of 1980 are now available. Nearly 12½ million visitors came to the United Kingdom in 1980, which is virtually the same number as in 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the operation of section 11 of the Competition Act 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the operation of section 11 of the Competition Act 1980.

Yes; the commission's reports so far have been very useful. We intend to make further references in due course.

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 9 March 1981, c. 232]: The information is as follows:

Imports (by value) of Textiles and Clothing, 1977–80
	£ million c.i.f.	Percentage change from previous year
1977	1,922
1978	2,387	+24·2
1979	2,885	+20·8
1980	2,763	-4·2

The ten countries from which the highest values of textiles and clothing were consigned to the United Kingdom in 1980 were:

	£ million c.i.f.
Hong Kong	349
Italy	268
Federal Republic of Germany	236
USA	216
Irish Republic	207
Belgium-Luxembourg	158
France	146
Portugal	146
India	99
Netherlands	91

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will arrange to meet the Director General of Fair Trading to discuss refusal to supply.

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will introduce legislation to increase the provision for statutory advertising control with the aim of providing a central mechanism more accountable to the consumer viewpoint.

We are examining the case for new legislation in the light of the report of the working party on self-regulatory systems of advertising control, and will announce our conclusions in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied that safety was not at risk during the recent breakdown of air traffic control at West Drayton.

The temporary failure of electrical power supplies at London air traffic control centre on 11 February 1981 deprived controllers of the ability to control aircraft by radar. A contingency plan to cover such an event was immediately brought into operation and all pilots affected were advised by radio telephone links which remained in operation. The LATCC radar services were promptly restored and normal control resumed in well under one hour. I am satisfied that aircraft safety was not prejudiced by the incident.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in view of the report of the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies, he will introduce legislation making parent companies liable for the debts of subsidiaries unless they register their intention not to be so.

The most recent memorandum from the consultative committee of accountancy bodies recommended that parent companies should not be made liable for the debts of their subsidiaries. The Law Society's standing committee on company law and the Confederation of British Industry have expressed similar views. The insolvency law review Committee is expected to advise on this issue.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he intends to treat The Observer newspaper in a similar way to The Sunday Times by changing its memorandum of association and introducing national directors with nominal shareholdings in the company.

As I told the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 6 March, no application for my consent has been received and it is therefore premature to speculate about the conditions that might be attached. [Vol. 1000, c. 215–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he is taking to assist small firms with their exports.

The Government, through the British Overseas Trade Board, provide a wide range of services for exporters, which are available to all United Kingdom firms regardless of size, and very many small and medium sized firms use them regularly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he has taken to identify the extent of existing outward processed trade in textiles and clothing goods and to suggest amendments to import forms and production inquiries for the textiles and clothing industries, and importers, prior to the approval of the European Commission's draft regulation on outward processing.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given earlier today to the hon. Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Ford).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has any plans to extend the sectors covered by the Origin Marking Order (S.I., 1981, No. 121).

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighouse and Spenborough (Mr. Waller).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will seek to amend the Development of Tourism Act 1969 to facilitate the giving of grants to tourist projects.

This is not necessary. If we decided to change the present policy, which restricts tourism grants to the assisted areas, this could be done without amendment of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many jobs he estimates to have been lost as a result of the recent industrial action by seamen.

The industrial dispute between the seamen and their employers, and its later consequences, may be expected to lead to job losses by weakening the trading position and labour-cost competitiveness of the shipping industry. However, it is not possible to predict the extent to which this will occur.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make representations to the United States Government about free entry of United Kingdom-produced books into the United States of America.

The United States Administration are well aware of our concern about the effects on United Kingdom book exports to the United States of the manufacturing clause of the Copyright Act 1976. This provision expires on 30 June 1982 and we shall shortly be making further representations to the United States Administration pressing them to ensure that it does so.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when the investigation into possible central security operations at Heathrow will be complete.

In the written answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 13 November 1980, I said that the Department had accepted the proposals to centralise passenger searching in terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport, and that its implementation was a matter for the British Airports Authority. I am glad to say now that the preparations necessary to change the procedures in terminal 3 are nearing completion and it is expected that centralised passenger searching will be introduced in the near future.—[Vol. 991, c. 319.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the total deficit or surplus in trade in manufactured goods with the European Economic Community and with the rest of the world, respectively, from the date of the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community to the most recent date for which figures are available.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 13 March.—[Vol. 1000, c. 437–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he is taking to protect the British electrical appliance manufacturing industry from severe and unfair competition.

Officials in my Department's antidumping unit are helping the domestic electrical appliance industry through its trade association to bring a number of anti-dumping complaints before the European Commission. We shall press for a speedy investigation of each case as soon as the industry, with our help, has been able to assemble the necessary prima facie evidence.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in the light of the statement by the board of the Bristol Evening Post Ltd. on 17 February, he has anything to add to the answer given by the Minister for Consumer Affairs on 16 February, Official Report, column 10.

Associated Newspapers Group Ltd. is already the proprietor of newspapers run by Bristol United Press Ltd. by virtue of its 25·1 per cent. shareholding in that company. The 60 per cent. shareholding which I referred to on 16 February should have been to The Bristol Evening Post Ltd's holding in Bristol United Press Ltd, and not to Associated Newspapers Group Ltd's holding in The Bristol Evening Post Ltd itself as was implied.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many pianos, country by country, were imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last three years; what evidence he has received that such imports are supported by State subsidy or are otherwise dumped; and whether he proposes to take any action to safeguard the interests of the domestic piano manufacturing industry.

Following is the information:

United Kingdom Imports of New and Second-Hand Pianos (In Units)
Country of Consignment	1978	1979	1980
EAST GERMANY	1,134	1,736	1,391
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA	1,214	2,100	1,271
JAPAN	924	700	1,036
NETHERLANDS	204	429	409
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY	291	507	393
SOUTH KOREA	67	286	323
FINLAND	103	41	201
CZECHOSLOVAKIA	2	63	185
ISRAEL	—	—	146
POLAND	25	183	144
IRISH REPUBLIC	11	29	76
SWEDEN	9	5	72
SOVIET UNION	123	12	35
AUSTRIA	16	22	22
CHINA	22	12	12
FRANCE	4	143	10
BELGIUM-LUXEMBURG	12	2	2
HONG KONG	1	14	5
SWITZERLAND	6	11	5
SOUTH AFRICA	21	31	1
ITALY	23	20	6
HUNGARY	25	1	—
OTHERS	5	10	10
TOTAL	4,242	6,357	5,755

The power to take action against subsidised or dumped imports lies with the European Commission. Officials of this Department's anti-dumping unit have assisted the British Piano Manufacturers Association in submitting an anti-dumping application to the European Commission on behalf of the Community piano industry alleging dumping of upright pianos from East Germany and Poland. This complaint is now being formally investigated by the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the total volume of (a) computer and (b) computer component imports into the United Kingdom in each year from 1975 to 1980;(2) if he will list in the

Information on the value and, where appropriate, the quantity of imports of computers and computer components in the period 1975 to 1980 is contained in table 3 of Business Monitor PQ 366, "Electronic Computers" for the fourth quarters of 1976, 1978 and 1980. Copies of this publication are in the Library.The principal countries of consignment of United Kingdom imports of the above items in 1980 were the USA, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, the Irish Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Sweden.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what evidence he has of vessels discharging oil in the area in which the German ferry, "Ems", sank off the Norfolk coast a month ago; and if his Department has the area under surveillance;(2) if his Department will take emergency action to deal with the increased damage to bird life caused by oil pollution on the Norfolk coast.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 March 1981, c. 436.]: In addition to the aerial surveys which were undertaken following the sinking of the "Ems", there are standing arrangements whereby British ships and aircraft, both civil and military, are instructed to report to my Department all sightings of oil and ships discharging oil at sea. Under this procedure, my Department has received a number of reports, mainly from helicopter pilots, of sightings of oil in the general area of the wreck, some of which appeared to be of a type not carried by the "Ems". In addition, one tanker was reported as stationary and discharging oil near the wreck, but in bad visibility could not be identified. No sightings of ships discharging oil or oily mixtures were made during the Department's surveillance flights.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take further measures to reduce the threat to wildlife and coastal amenities on the Norfolk coast in view of continuing pollution from the wreck of the vessel "Ems".

Such oil as has been escaping from the wreck of the "Ems" has been dispersing rapidly, and aerial surveys have found no oiled seabirds in that area. My Department has co-operated with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Norfolk county council to facilitate rapid analysis of oil samples taken from beaches and from oiled birds washed ashore. The results show that a variety of oils caused the damage, none of them of the types carried by the "Ems".

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will declare Anglesey a tourist industry development area;(2) what criteria will be taken into account in determining tourist industry development areas; and when he expects to make an announcement of his decisions.

Together with the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland, my right hon. Friend is currently considering the coverage of the tourism assistance scheme from August 1982 when the assisted areas (to which the scheme is at present confined) are scheduled to be reduced. An announcement will be made in due course. The creation of tourism development areas is one of the options being considered. The Secretary of State for Wales will be taking account of the needs of Anglesey and other areas of Wales as part of this general review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many jobs his Department estimates were saved in the British textile industry as a result of the multi-fibre arrangement negotiated through the European Community.

No estimate can be given, because it is impossible to assess how many more jobs would have been lost had there been no quotas under the multi-fibre arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the problems inherent in the adoption of the draft EEC directive on insurance contract law.

The main problems raised by the draft directive are likely to be the definition of the policyholder's duty of disclosure; the consequences of breaking that duty; the implications of the directive for our system of warranties; and the proper level of statutory protection which member States should be able to give policyholders. Present practice differs widely on these matters in the Community and agreement on the draft directive may therefore take some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will make a study of the impact of premium merchandising on competition; and if he will make a statement;(2) what representations he has received about the quality and availability of premiums advertised with consumer products; and if he will make a statement;(3) whether he has had discussions with the British Premium Merchandising Association and other interested bodies as to the quality of goods offered as premiums with consumer products; and if he will make a statement;(4) if he will take steps to make goods offered as premiums with consumer products subject to the Sale of Goods Act in order to ensure merchantable quality;(5) if he will make a study of the effect on competition of the use of premiums by component and raw material sellers to induce purchases by manufacturers; what information he has, as to the extent of such practices; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no representations on these matters and therefore have held no discussions. I do not think a general study of the effects of premium offers on competition is necessary. Where a particular scheme appears likely to restrict competition, the Director General of Fair Trading may investigate it under the Competition Act 1980. Premium offers are briefly considered in the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on "Full-line Forcing and Tie-in Sales" which I have received and will publish shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has received a copy of the report submitted to the Health and Safety Executive by the National Union of Seamen dealing with the qualifications and competence of those employed in shipping with responsibility for the safety of seafarers and the role of the relevant public authorities; and what is his response.

The report has been received and the National Union of Seamen has been told that in our view the best way forward is for my Department to implement the recommendations of the steering committee on the safety of merchant seamen at work. As the hon. Member will know, these recommendations were endorsed by that union and by the previous Administration. We are pressing ahead with the detailed implementation of the recommendations and in so doing particular emphasis is being placed upon the responsibility of the employer for all aspects of seafarers' safety. In this work we are keeping in close touch with the Health and Safety Executive.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will institute a Department of Trade inquiry into the affairs of Norton Warburg, following disclosure to creditors of the use of funds by members of the family of a director and charges made to the company by other companies in which the directors have an interest.

The affairs of Norton Warburg Group Ltd. and 4 subsidiary companies, which are now all in voluntary liquidation, are being investigated by the City of London Police, and there would be no advantage in duplicating those enquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate the misleading practice by firms of advertising extensively on items such as television sets promising delivery within four to six weeks, but failing to carry out their promise of such early delivery after having taken the orders and deposits for the goods.

No. the Director General of Fair Trading already has powers under the Fair Trading Act 1973 to act against traders persisting in courses of conduct which are detrimental to consumers. Furthemore, intending buyers may take action under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 against sellers who fail to deliver goods.Consumers also have additional protection under certain voluntary codes of practice. The Advertising Standards Authority's British code of advertising practice contains detailed provisions regarding the delivery of advertised mail order goods, and the Independent Broadcasting Authority's code of advertising standards and practices requires advertisers to give an undertaking that money will be refunded in full to buyers who can show justifiable cause for dissatisfaction with delays in delivery.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many British merchant vessels are registered in open registry countries; and how this figure compares with each of the years 1974 to 1980.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of juveniles cautioned or convicted for indictable and either way offences in 1979 had committed offences of (a) theft and handling, (b) burgarly and (c) violence, sex or robbery;(2) what percentage of young adults cautioned or convicted for indictable and either way offences in 1979 had committed offences of

The numbers of persons cautioned or found guilty of offences in 1979 are published by offence groups and. by age groups in Table 5.10 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1979" (Cmnd. 8098). The percentages requested are given in the following table:

Percentage of total juveniles and total young adults found guilty at all courts or cautioned for indictable/triable-either-way offences who were guilty of various offences
England and Wales	Percentages
	Aged 10 and under 17	Aged 17 and under 21
Theft and handling stolen goods	67	53
Burglary	20	16
Violence against the person, sexual offences or robbery	8	16
Other offences	5	15
Total indictable/ triable-either-way offences (= 100%)	164,178	110,593

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what revised instructions he has given to immigration officers as a result of the ruling of the European Court in R. v. Stanislaus Pieck, 1980; and if he will make a statement.

No such instructions have yet been issued to the Immigration Service, but we are considering the implications of the judgment and we have been in touch with the European Commission. Chief officers of police have been informed of the judgment's implications in so far as they have a bearing on offences under the Immigration Act 1971.

asked the Prime Minister if she will institute an inquiry into the leaking of substantial details of the Budget to certain Sunday newspapers on 8 March.

This is already in hand.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government on aid to Grenada.

Project commitments under the 1974 aid agreements are being met. Most of the £2·25 million is spent, but expenditure in 1980 was £259,000, excluding aid provided through multilateral institutions. No new aid agreement is proposed, but we shall keep this under review.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what pledge of aid Her Majesty's Government are proposing to make at the donors' conference about Zimbabwe due to take place towards the end of the current month.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what proposals he expects Her Majesty's Government to make at the Zimbabwe donors' conference.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals for the Zimbabwe donors' conference.

Our delegation to the Zimbabwe donors' conference will be led by my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord President of the Council, who will announce at the conference what further assistance we may be able to provide in addition to the £96 million already pledged.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what plans he has for increasing the aid programme.

The Government's expenditure plans were published in the White Paper on 10 March.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will raise the issue of the European development fund at the next meeting of the Development Council of the EEC on 31 March.

The agenda for the next council is a matter largely for the Presidency, but I would expect to refer to the role of the EDF along with other Community aid instruments if, as I foresee, we continue to discuss such issues as the problems of world hunger.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how much of the British aid programme he classifies as producing development from which the United Kingdom receives benefits; and how much is being received by the recipient country without such corresponding benefit to the United Kingdom.

All our aid spending aims to assist the development of the recipient country and we believe that this serves our own interests, seen in a broad perspective. Also, about three quarters of the British aid programme, including both bilateral and multilateral aid, is spent in Britain.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what provision Her Majesty's Government will be making to the United Nations aid agencies for 1981–82; and how that figure compares with each of the years 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81, measured in constant prices.

The 1981–82 Estimates for overseas aid—Class II, 10—seek provision for contributions to United Nations agencies totalling £45·368 million—£42·4 million in 1980 survey prices. Aid programme contributions for previous years, expressed on the same price basis, are as follows:

£m: 1980 survey prices
1978–79 outturn	1979–80 outturn	1980–81 provisional outturn
79·580	58·710	50·090

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the social background of members of children's panels in Scotland, expressed in terms of social classes 1 to 5.

Information in this form is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report his forecast of primary and secondary school rolls for 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985, in respect of each education authority.

The figures were published on 23 April 1980 in my Department's Statistical Bulletin "Pupil projections", copies of which were placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the percentage of the population over 16 years of age at work in Scotland at the latest date for which figures are available.

Estimates for 1979, the latest date for which information is available, show that 58·5 per cent. of the population aged 16 and over in Scotland were in work, either as employees in employment or as employers or self-employed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by company, amount and date let, the contracts already let on the construction of Torness; and what are the penalty clauses applicable for cancellation of contract or late completion of contract, by company and amount.

These are matters for winch the South of Scotland Electricity Board is responsible. I shall ask the chairman of the board to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report his forecast of local authority manpower in respect of administrative, professional and technical staffs for the next five years.

My right hon. Friend has made no such forecast. He had made clear his view that the total number of local authority staff must be reduced if our expenditure targets are to be met. It is for authorities themselves to decide what reductions are necessary in the various groups of staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will define, either in geographical terms or in terms of present local authority areas, the meaning at the present time of the phrase "Gaelic-speaking areas" as specified in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

No. It is the responsibility of education authorities to carry out their statutory obligations, which my right hon. Friend has no power to define.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report, in the same format as in the latest expenditure White Paper, a table showing those items of the roads and transport budget for which he has responsibility.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 11 March—[Vol. 1000, c. 369–72.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet able to appoint a co-ordinator of volunteer effort in the civil defence field in Scotland.

I am glad to say that Mr. Frank G. Armstrong, the present chief executive of Highland region, has accepted my invitation to serve part-time as Scottish co-ordinator of volunteer effort in civil defence. He will take up his new duties on 6 July, on retirement from his present post.Mr. Armstrong's terms of reference will be to advise on, co-ordinate and stimulate the harnessing of voluntary effort at all levels in relation to civil home defence preparedness in Scotland, by liaison with appropriate voluntary organisations and with local authorities and their staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the pneumoconiosis research unit at Llandough hospital near Cardiff will continue; and whether its programme will be abandoned in order to combine it with thoracic and respiratory research carried on at the university teachers hospital, Heath, Cardiff.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) on 4 February.—[Vol. 998 c. 125.] I understand from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that there are no plans to abandon the research programme of the pneumoconiosis unit in order to combine it with the thoracic and respiratory research carried on at the University hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Anglesey on Monday 9 March 1981, whether the £1·5 million for the improvement for sale scheme is additional to existing housing allocations.

The £1·5 million is in addition to the 1981–82 capital block allocation already notified to local authorities. It is for the specific purpose of pump-priming improvement for sale schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Anglesey on Monday 9 March 1981, if he will list those local authorities which have (a) expressed an interest, and (b) made firm applications for a share of the £1·5 million reserved in connection with the improvement for sale scheme.

The following local authorities have made firm application for a share of the £.1·5 million reserve:

• Alyn and Deeside
• Neath
• Newport
• Rhynmey Valley
• Preseli

Taff Ely council also showed an interest in the scheme. At showings of the film "A First Home" to groups of local authorities some tentative interest has been shown by a number of others.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the percentage of the population over 16 years of age at work at the latest date for which figures are available in Wales.

On the basis of the 1979 labour force survey it is estimated that 54 per cent. of the population over 16 years of age in Wales were then at work.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the effect of the Budget proposals on employment in Wales.

The Budget is aimed at achieving sustainable long-term economic growth and secure prospects, in which Wales will share.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the 1979 employee population in each travel-to-work aea in Wales was unemployed in February.

The following table gives the percentage rates of unemployment at 12 February 1981. The rates are based on the number of employees—employed and unemployed—at June 1977, the latest date for which numbers of employees in local areas are available.

Travel-to-work area	Per cent.
Ebbw Vale	17·9
Abertillery
Brynmawr
Tredegar
Monmouth	11·9
Newport	12·9
Newbridge
Risca
Chepstow
Pontypool	13·4
Abergavenny
Blaenavon
Cwmbran
Aberdare	15·6
Bargoed	17·1
Blackwood
Pontlottyn
Ystrad Mynach
Merthyr Tydfil	12·2
Treharris
Pontypridd	13·8
Ferndale
Llantrisant
Tonypandy
Tonyrefail
Treorchy
Cardiff	11·7
Barry
Llantwit Major
Penarth
Caerphilly
Neath	14·4
Resolven
Port Talbot	13·9
Bridgend
Cymmer
Maesteg
Porthcawl
Swansea	12·9
Gorseinon
Morriston
Pontardawe
Ystradgynlais
Aberystwyth	9·4
Cardigan	19·2
Carmarthen	5·5
Fishguard	12·3
Llandeilo	14·5
Llanelli	14·5
Kidwelly
Tumble
Ammanford
Garnant

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the projects which have received grants under the European regional fund in each of the counties of Wales for each year since 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the loans granted to projects by the European Investment Bank in each of the counties of Wales for each year since 1974.

The identifiable loans from the European Investment Bank are as follows:

The total number of schemes and their grant commitment value is given below. It is not practicable to list all the projects individually in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what effect the reduction in teaching staff in the colleges of technology in Wales will have on the curricular opportunities available to students.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to make a decision on the future of Government support for Concorde.

The Government have no present intention of discontinuing support for Concorde. However, as hon. Members will be aware, the Select Committee on Industry and Trade is currently inquiring into the operating and associated costs of Concorde. It is not for me to estimate the timing of the Committee's report; nor can I anticipate the form, content, or timing of the Government's response to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will direct the Post Office and British Telecom to operate a purchasing policy of buying British products.

My right hon. Friend will not direct the Post Office and British Telecom to buy British products, but I understand that the two bodies make over 95 per cent. of their purchases with British industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many powers to enter private premises were uncovered during his recent review of powers of entry.

This review was concerned with powers to enter business premises and it would be disproportionately costly to establish how many of these powers apply also to private premises. A list of powers of entry into private premises in England and Wales was published as annex 4 to the supplementary paper, "Investigation and prosecution in England and Wales", to the report of the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure (Cmnd. 8092).

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many civil servants will be needed to operate the loan guarantee scheme announced on 10 March.

Three. These posts will be filled by staff already employed in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what consultation has taken place between his Department and the trade unions concerned in talks on the joint venture Phoenix II;(2) at what stage before the public announcement of a conclusion to the negotiations on the joint venture Phoenix II he expects the management and unions concerned to be notified;(3) when he expects to announce a conclusion to current talks between public and private steel firms on the joint venture Phoenix II; and if he will make a statement;(4) which private steel firms in the east end of Sheffield are involved in talks on the Phoenix II joint venture with the British Steel Corporation.

Discussions on Phoenix II between interested parties are at an early stage and will take some time to reach a conclusion. I do not think it would be right to disclose the names of all the firms involved in the current informal discussions. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry explained on 9 March., these are delicate commercial negotiations and widespread consultation could jeopardise jobs. It is therefore unlikely to be possible to notify management and unions concerned much in advance of a public announcement of a new joint company, if one can be negotiated.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his estimate, on the basis of his most recent information, of the number of people who will be employed by the British Steel Corporation in Wales, Scotland, and England, respectively, in one, two and three years' time.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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 providing such a service.

The Treasury has one Government car, which is provided for the exclusive use of the Economic Minister at the British Embassy in Washington. The car is used only for journeys on official business, and the total annual cost, including driver, is about £10,000. Apart from this, there are no Government cars available to officials of the Chancellor's Department other than those provided from the Government car-pool service which is operated by the Property Services Agency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the tax treatment of rights issues in employee profit sharing schemes.

We have received a number of representations about the administrative implications of rights issues for the trustees of approved profit sharing schemes. We are giving these careful consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current expenditure by Her Majesty's Government per capita in Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, respectively, on housing, health, education, industry, roads and agriculture for the current year and each of the next three years.

I regret that the information requested by the right hon. and learned Member is not available. The White Paper on public expenditure published on 10 March (Cmnd. 8175), shows total expenditure planned under the responsibilities of the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales, and for Northern Ireland as programmes 15, 16, and 17. These cover both current and capital expenditure, and do not include expenditure occurring in those countries which is not within the responsibility of he appropriate Secretary of State. Such expenditure is significant in the cases of agriculture, industry and further education. However, table 4.2 of Cmnd. 8175 shows planned local authority current expenditure by prograrmne in England, Scotland and Wales for 1980–81 and 1981–82, and some more detail is in tables 2.15.1 and 2.16.1.A full territorial analysis is only undertaken after the end of the full year in question. Figures showing expenditure per head in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for years prior to 1980–81 have been published in Social Trends and Regional Trends. A current/capital split is not published but is available on request. Figures for 1980–81 will not be available until the autumn.