asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements on Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May 1981.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements on 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 14 May.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the present situation in Northern Ireland; and whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to strengthen the security forces further following the recent serious increase in murder and violence.

During the last few weeks there has been continued though intermittent rioting in various parts of Northern Ireland, most of it in Belfast. The media have sometimes created the impression that the situation is out of control. In fact, the security forces are well on top of the situation and I appeal to people to leave the maintenance of law and order in their capable hands. The security forces also remain very much on the alert for further terrorist attacks. They are doing their utmost to thwart such activity and to bring to justice those who have engaged in it.The Spearhead battalion has recently been sent to the Province and both the GOC and the Chief Constable of the RUC are confident that they have sufficient resources to cope with the situation. There are, consequently, no present plans for further troop reinforcements.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the right hon. Member for Worthing, Official Report, 28 April, when she understood a letter from the chairman of the National Coal Board was dispatched, if she is satisfied that this case has been dealt with with suitable expedition, in view of the fact that the right hon. Member has not received the reply.

I am sorry that I gave my right hon. Friend incorrect information in an earlier answer. I understand that the chairman of the National Coal Board did not sign his letter to my right hon. Friend until 30 April. I understand that the chairman of the National Coal Board has now offered to arrange a meeting to pursue the points raised by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to visit Dyfed.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit the city of Leeds.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will introduce the necessary legislation to prevent any former Minister of the Crown from publishing in any form his memoirs or stories of activities whilst a Minister until he has left office for a period exceeding five years.

No. Former Ministers are expected to conform to the principles and procedures recommended in January 1976 in the "Report of the Committee of Privy Counsellors on Ministerial Memoirs"—Cmnd. 6386—which was accepted by the Government and by the Opposition at that time, but I share the view of that Committee that legislation is not an appropriate way of protecting the State's interest in these matters.

asked the Prime Minister how many hon. Members she has seen on matters relating to factory closures since she last answered oral questions; and how many jobs are expected to be lost in the closures discussed.

I have had no such meetings since 12 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will set up an inquiry into the leak of Government decisions regarding the Armed Forces' pay increase; or if not, for what reasons.

I do not believe that an inquiry would serve any useful purpose in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his reply of 16 April to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan on the Glasgow liaison committee on alcohol, if he will provide the names and professions of the members of the committee, where it meets, when the next meeting is and who chairs the committee; if he will ensure that the issue which was the subject of the hon. Member's question is included on the agenda of the next meeting; and if he will make a statement on this issue.

The chairman of the Glasgow liaison committee, Dr. Desmond Reilly, community medicine specialist, Greater Glasgow health board, is being asked to provide the hon. Member with the detailed information requested and to arrange for the issue raised by him to be considered as soon as possible. I am asking to be informed of the result of this review of the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what number and percentage of people in Scotland earned £10,000 a year and over in 1979 and 1980.

The percentage and estimated number of male full-time employees—aged 21 and over—in Scotland with average weekly earnings equal to or greater than £200 is set out in the following table. Corresponding information on annual earnings is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the policy on admission dates to primary school of each of the education authorities in Scotland; whether they operate any appeal procedures in borderline cases; and if so, on what criteria.

With the exception of Orkney Islands council, all regional and islands councils have one commencement date at the beginning of the school session in August and admit children then whose fifth birthday falls between the preceding February and the following February. In Orkney, two commencement dates operate at the beginning of the autumn and summer terms when children are admitted whose fifth birthday falls on or before the following 15 October and 15 July, respectively.I understand that in the case of five regional and islands councils—Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, Orkney, Strathclyde and Western Isles—there is no formal appeals machinery; the remaining authorities arrange for parental applications for exception to the authority's normal admission arrangements to be considered either at committee or official level. No details are held centrally of the criteria adopted in considering such applications: this is a matter for the education authority concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in the interests of preserving the marriages of inmates, he will review the number of visits and the times allocated to visitors to prisoners in Scottish prisons; and if he will make improvements to the visitors' halls in those prisons.

The minimum of ordinary visits for convicted inmates serving two months or more in Scottish prisons is three half-hour visits every two months: additional visits are allowed for special purposes. There are no immediate plans to increase this minimum scale but governors have a general discretion, and are encouraged, to improve on it wherever suitable accommodation and staff coverage are available. In many cases, governors have used this discretion to extend the length of visits, particularly for long-term prisoners.Improvements in accommodation used for visiting, where these are needed, are already included in the agreed building programmes for a number of prisons and improvements will continue to be made as quickly as available resources allow this to be done.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many registered teachers employed by Scottish local authorities were dismissed in 1978, 1979 and 1980.

This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many registered teachers were employed by Scottish local authorities in 1978, 1979 and 1980.

The full-time equivalent numbers of registered teachers employed in education authority nursery, primary, secondary and special schools at September 1978 and September 1979 were 56,985 and 57,646 respectively. Completely comparable information about the position at September 1980 is not yet available, but the number of teachers in full-time equivalent terms employed at that date in education authority primary and secondary schools is provisionally assessed as 53,989.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to approve the proposal to close Newlands primary school, Springfield Road, Glasgow; and on what date it is proposed that it will close.

My right hon. Friend has not yet completed his consideration of Strathclyde regional council's proposal to close Newlands primary school, Glasgow, with effect from 26 June 1981. In accordance with his normal practice in cases of this kind, my right hon. Friend will write to the hon. Member to ascertain his views on the authority's proposal before he comes to his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the explosion at Sullom Voe on Saturday 9 May.

At about 12.05 hours on Saturday 9 May an explosion occurred in the power station within the Sullom Voe oil terminal during the inauguration of the terminal by Her Majesty the Queen. A boiler, which was not in use at the time, was damaged, as also were girders in the vicinity. No one was injured and neither the operation of the terminal nor the inaguration ceremony was affected. The building concerned was not on the route taken by the Queen inside the terminal.Messages purporting to come from IRA sources and warning of the presence of a bomb were received on the same day, the first at about the time of the explosion. Detailed investigations were put in hand immediately by police and explosive experts, and subsequent forensic examination of material has confirmed that the damage was caused by an explosive device. Police inquiries are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up an inquiry into the incident involving high security risk prisoner Mone at Perth prison; and if he will make a statement.

At 1.35 pm on 11 May Robert Francis Mone, a prisoner serving a life sentence in Perth prison, who is continuously under special surveillance, eluded his escort while working in the prison laundry, and climbed on to its roof. He remained on the roof until 9.35 pm when he was "talked down" by a prison officer. He caused damage to the roof but did not threaten or offer violence to staff. At no time during the incident was there any risk of the prisoner making an escape from the prison. The governor is at present conducting an inquiry into the incident and his findings will be reported to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for each year from 1976 to 1980, how many persons were sentenced to imprisonment, borstal training or detention centres for the offences of possession of cannabis, cultivation of cannabis, possession with intent to supply cannabis, supplying cannabis, Customs and Excise Act offences involving cannabis and allowing premises to be used for smoking cannabis; what were the lengths of the sentences; how many persons were sentenced to a suspended term of imprisonment for these offences where the suspension was subsequently removed and a term of imprisonment served; what were the lengths of these terms of imprisonment; how many persons were sentenced to a fine for these offences where non-payment of the fine resulted in the offender serving a term of imprisonment; and what were the lengths of these terms of imprisonment.

The information available on sentencing in 1976 to 1979 is given in table 1; figures for 1980 are not yet available. Statistics of length of sentence of immediate imprisonement for principal drugs offences involving cannabis are given in table 2. The other information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Home Department whether, in the light of the decision not to prosecute or to bring disciplinary charges against

Proof that allegations about events some time in the past do or do not have any foundation in fact is inherently difficult to establish with certainty. The evidence from police investigations was not found to justify either prosecutions or disciplinary charges against members of the staff of Dartmoor prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make available the survey of prisoners' pre-release training in social skills made last year; what plans he has to extend the successful pre-release courses at Ashwell and Ranby prisons; and whether he will ensure that neither staff nor inmates suffer a financial disincentive to participating in such courses.

The survey of selected local training schemes was conducted to facilitate a general review of experience in social skills training that will be completed later this year, and was not in a form suitable for publication. At this stage no statement can be made about possible extension of present arrangements. The factors making for staff and inmate interest in such training are being studied as part of the review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the annual salary and emoluments received by the Welsh governor of the BBC in respect of that office; what his duties entail and approximately how much time per week he is expected to devote to them; and what is the period of his appointment.

The members of the board of governors of the BBC are appointed as trustees of the public interest in broadcasting and their duties are contained in the corporation's Royal Charter and licence and agreement—as amended—and involve the overall supervision of the corporation's activities. These duties include, for example, the appointment of senior staff, settling the broad pattern of capital and current expenditure, giving general guidance on and regularly reviewing programme output and standards, and seeking to ascertain the views of the public on the whole range of the BBC's output. The board of governors—and committees of the board—generally meet once a fortnight and also visit the BBC's centres throughout the country. In addition to his duties as a member of the board of governors, the national governor for Wales is also ex-officio chairman of the BBC's Broadcasting Council for Wales whose functions and powers are laid down in articles 10 and 11 of the Royal Charter—Cmnd. 2385.The present national governor for Wales was appointed on 20 October 1979 for the period until 31 July 1981, when the current charter expires. He receives a salary of £5,000 a year—plus expenses—which is calculated on the basis of work for the BBC of one and a half days a week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether immigration statistics include those granted asylum; and, if so, under what category.

People granted asylum are included in the control of immigration statistics, though not as a separate category. Such people are included on their arrival in this country in the statistics of persons admitted to this country, and those who later apply for and are granted settlement are included in the statistics for settlement on removal of time limit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iranian citizens have been granted asylum in each of the last 10 years.

458 and 917 Iranians were granted asylum in 1979 and 1980 respectively, the only years for which figures are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with the chief fire officer of Essex about the trials on the behaviour of liquefied gases carried out by the Shell Oil Company at Maplin; what part the chief fire officer plays in trials of this kind; and if he will make a statement.

In view of my hon. Friend's questions on the trials conducted by the Shell Oil Company at Maplin, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services recently consulted the chief fire officer of Essex about the matter. The involvement of chief fire officers in trials of this kind is a matter for local determination on the part of those concerned. We believe that chief fire officers are often consulted by organisations undertaking activities that might have a relevance either to the fire authority's general responsibility for the provision of fire cover in their area or to their interest in matters concerned with fire, but there is no obligation on them to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those involved in the Brixton riots have since been charged and tried; how many have been found guilty; and what penalties have been imposed.

By 11 May, 40 of 316 persons so far arrested for offences committed during the serious disorder in Brixton on 10 to 12 April had had their cases dealt with by the courts. All were found guilty. One received a sentence of six months' imprisonment, one a suspended sentence of six months' imprisonment, two received detention centre orders for three months, three received community service orders, five attendance centre orders, 19 had fines imposed on them, ranging from £2 to £200, one was bound over to keep the peace for 12 months, seven were conditionally discharged for 12 months and one was given an absolute discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the review of parole; and if he will make a statement.

The review of the parole system in England and Wales which has been carried out by my Department is published today. This review looks at the way the system has been working since it came into operation in 1968 and examines some possible changes in its scope and method of operation. In particular, it suggests how some equivalent of parole might be provided for shorter-term prisoners who are not eligible for release under the present parole system.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people registered as unemployed there were in Newcastle-under-Lyme at 9 April 1981; how that number compares with the figures for April 1979 and 1980; and what was the number of outstanding vacancies.

The following table gives the numbers registered as unemployed in the Necastle-under-Lyme employment office area at the dates specified. It also gives the numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled at the employment office and careers office. Vacancies notified to employment offices are estimated to be about one-third of all vacancies in the country as a whole. Because of possible duplication the figures for employment offices and careers offices should not be added together. The number of vacancies unfilled on a particular date takes no account of the flow of vacancies being notified, filled, or withdrawn during the preceding month, which may reflect activity more closely.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers in Merseyside are on short time; and how many factories have made workers redundant since May 1979.

The information requested concerning short-time is not available.The information concerning redundancies is not available in the form requested, except at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from Allerdale district council on matters relating to unemployment in West Cumbria.

My right hon. Friend received a letter from Allerdale district council on 23 March about the employment situation both in Allerdale and in the country generally. A reply has now been sent to the council.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is yet ready to publish proposals on an Open Tech.

A consultative document containing proposals for an Open Tech programme is being published by the Manpower Services Commission today. A copy is being placed in the Library. This is an important initiative calling for close co-operation between industry and the education service. I am pleased to say that the Secretary of State for Education and Science and I on behalf of colleagues have been able to commend the proposals for discussion. Further development is subject to comments received by the end of September this year and to the availability of resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply on 6 April, Official Report, column 199, to the hon. Member for Barking, if he is now in a position to publish the report of Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive and the Radiochemical Inspectorate of the Department of the Environment into the incident at the Containerway and Roadferry Depot in Dagenham on 10 March.

[pursuant to his reply, 6 April 1981, c. 199]: I have written to the hon. Member outlining the results of the investigation by the Health and Safety Executive and the Radiochemical Inspectorate of the Department of the Environment into the incident at the Containerway and Roadferry depot in Dagenham on 10 March 1981.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that the £44 a day tax-free attendance allowance now paid to Members of the House of Lords is worth to most of these Members £110 a day on a taxed basis, he will, in support of the Government's policy of reducing public expenditure, arrange for these payments to be made on (a) a taxed basis or (b) a means-tested basis similar to that adopted for social security benefits.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his most recent estimate of the extra revenue that will be raised as a result of the proposal to make benefits for the unemployed and those involved in a trade dispute taxable; and how many claimants (a) who are unemployed and (b) who are involved in trade disputes this estimate assumes will be affected.

The proposals will not have effect until 1982–83 but at 1981–82 unemployment, benefit and income levels the yield would be about £370 million. This figure is based on an average number of unemployed of 2·6 million—excluding school leavers, and so on—consistent with the assumptions in the public expenditure White Paper, Cmnd 8175. Not all of these would in fact have a tax liability. The contribution from tax on benefits paid to dependants of those involved in trade disputes will be small and the overall estimate does not depend critically on the numbers involved.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what purposes loans are available under the so-called Ortoli facility; how much money was available through this facility in loans in 1979 and 1980 in the Community; and if he is satisfied that the United Kingdom has been taking full advantage of the opportunities which it presents.

Loans are available from this facility in accordance with Council decisions 79/486/EEC, 80/739/EEC and 80/1103/EEC to finance investment projects which are carried out on Community territory and are consistent with priority Community objectives in the infrastructure and energy sectors. Loan contracts signed totalled £148 million in 1979, and £106 million in 1980. The United Kingdom has so far borrowed for two large projects under the facility, which together account for some 22 per cent. of total funds lent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning any proposed further increases in tobacco duty; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend has been urged by the Tobacco Advisory Council and the Tobacco Workers Union to make no further increase in tobacco products duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the increase in duty on tobacco since May 1979 in the United Kingdom; and what this is as a percentage.

The duty on cigarettes has increased by the equivalent of about 20p on a packet of 20 king size, or 57 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much duty was imposed on tobacco by European Economic Community countries; and how this compares with the United Kingdom.

The rates of specific and ad valorem duties, and also the rates of value added tax, applicable to tobacco products are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will increase the allocation already announced for housing associations in Northern Ireland.

I have increased the allocation to the voluntary housing movement by nearly 50 per cent. over the previous year's allocation to a total of £19 million for 1981–82.I have done this because I attach great importance to the contribution which voluntary housing associations make, but I have no further money available at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement on the security situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest security position.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement on the current security situation in Northern Ireland.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Biggs-Davison) earlier this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civilians have been killed in Northern Ireland during the last three months.

Since 14 February, 14 civilians have been killed or fatally injured as a result of terrorist violence or during the course of rioting.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for the Province.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer).

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he intends to introduce any further changes to the prison system in the Province.

The Government's policy remains to maintain and where practicable to improve the humane and enlightened system which already exists. As a part of this policy a number of purpose-built workshops are being opened at Maze and Magilligan prisons. These and any further improvements apply to prisoners generally and are made for proper reasons of penal policy, and not in response to hunger strikes or other forms of pressure.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) youths and (b) others have been arrested while rioting in (i) Londonderry and (ii) other parts of Northern Ireland during (a) the last fortnight and (b) the last month.

This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, during the period 28 April to 11 May 1981 inclusive, one youth and 32 adults were arrested in connection with rioting in Londonderry. The corresponding figures for the period 12 April to 11 May inclusive were 10 youths and 50 adults. A youth is classed as a person under 17 years of age.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been arrested and charged with serious offences arising out of disturbances in the province since 5 May.

It is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to identify all those charged with serious offences as a direct result of recent disturbances in the Province. However, the following table shows the number of people charged since 5 May in connection with terrorist-type offences in Northern Ireland:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent policy in Northern Ireland is affected by possible reaction in the United States of America or the Republic of Ireland.

In deciding policy on Northern Ireland, the Government's paramount concern is the welfare of all the people of Northern Ireland. I know that many people in the United States and the Republic of Ireland follow developments in Northern Ireland with interest, and I am fully aware of the range of opinions expressed in those countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary as to the numbers of those publicly wearing paramilitary uniforms and firing volleys in Northern Ireland last week who have since been arrested, and when he expects further arrests to be made.

I understand that no one has yet been arrested in connection with such offences last week, although three people in Londonderry were recently charged with the unlawful wearing of masks. The Royal Ulster Constabulary, which is responsible for the maintenance of law and order, is continuing its investigations into the other incidents in question. I do not consider that it would be appropriate for me to call for a report from the Chief Constable.

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the system of arbitration in farm rental disputes using estate agents as arbitrators allows objective arbitration.

I am satisfied that the present system allows objective arbitration.In the majority of farm rent disputes arbitrators are chosen by agreement between the parties, but when they cannot agree the Minister of Agriculture may be asked by either party to make an appointment from the Lord Chancellor's panel of arbitrators. Those chosen are from the principal professional bodies in the field and are experienced in landlord and tenant matters. Their professional training and standards of conduct, and their agricultural experience, make them well qualified to carry out the task with integrity and impartiality.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the volume and estimated value of tomatoes imported into the United Kingdom from 1 January 1981 compared to equivalent periods for 1980 and 1979.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the value of flowers imported into the United Kingdom from January 1981 and for equivalent periods for 1980 and 1979.

The informantion, which covers cut flowers, is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if further discussions took place on the renegotiation of the common fisheries policy at the meeting of the European Community Council of Ministers in Brussels on 12 May 1981; and if he will make a statement.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers in Brussels on 12 May 1981 was an Agricultural Council only and fisheries policy was not discussed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further progress was made in the renegotiation of the common agricultural policy at the meeting of the European Community Council of Ministers held in Brussels on 12 May 1981; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hereford (Mr. Shepherd) yesterday.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department spent on research and development in the year 1980–81; and how much it intends to spend in 1981–82.

My Department spent approximately £72 million on research and development in 1980–81 and expects to spend approximately £85 million in 1981–82. The figures include the costs of in-house research and development which are based on notional allocations of the costs of manpower and other resources.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the operation of section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968 in relation to internal drainage boards.

Responsibility for observing the requirements of section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968 rests with the individual authority concerned. Internal drainage boards are "public bodies" for the purpose of this section and are required to have due regard to its provisions.Before carrying out any grant-aided capital works which might have an adverse effect on conservation, internal drainage boards have to satisfy my Department that there has been full consultation with conservation interests.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current surplus of potatoes in the United Kingdom; and if he will ensure the availability of the surplus crop at reduced prices to the housewife.

It is not yet possible to predict the exact size of the United Kingdom surplus. Approximately 478,000 tonnes of potatoes have been sold for stockfeed. In Great Britain, the Potato Marketing Board has approximately a further 160,000 tonnes under contract, some of which are currently being released back for human consumption.The aim of support buying is to balance supply and demand in such a way that, for a crop whose yield can fluctuate widely from year to year, adequate supplies are ensured for consumers and at the same time producers receive not less than the guaranteed price. If the surplus were to be sold to consumers at reduced prices this would frustrate the purpose of the market support operations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give the annual rates of house building in the public and private sectors on 4 May 1979 and 4 May 1981.

Following are the available estimates:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of people (a) entitled to and (b) receiving housing rebates, distinguishing between people in paid work, people in receipt of short-term national insurance benefit and people in receipt of long-term national insurance benefit.

About 1.2 million households in England and Wales received a rent rebate or allowance in April 1980; of that number it is estimated that 16 per cent. of heads of households were in paid work, either part or full time. About 1.8 million households were entitled to a rebate or allowance; some 28 per cent. of the heads of these households were in paid work. These estimates are subject to a wide margin of error. I regret that estimates of those in receipt of long or short term national insurance benefits are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact the council house rents are the main source of income to local authorities, if he will consider special financial assistance to local authorities in the event of the majority of housing stock being sold to the occupiers.

The hon. Member will wish to take account of the fact that, though rent payment ceases and housing subsidy is reduced if a council dwelling is sold, the authority receives instead payment from the purchaser. This may be a capital payment if the purchase is privately financed; or payments of capital and interest if the purchaser has taken a local authority mortgage. In addition, the local authority will no longer have liability for maintenance, repair and management expenses in respect of the dwelling concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to ensure that the owners of Barlaston Hall are not allowed to demolish it.

Stafford borough council has recently referred to me an application from the owners for listed building consent to demolish Barlaston Hall. The building is sufficiently important to justify the holding of a public inquiry into the matter and, as arrangements for this are now in hand, I cannot therefore comment on the merits of the application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to legislate to restrict commercial and industrial rate rises to the rate of inflation.

This is one of many suggestions which have been made to assist commercial and industrial ratepayers, and which we are considering in conjunction with our review of the rating system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to limit increases in rate rebates to the level of increases in the retail price index.

I have no plans to do so. The principle of the rebate scheme is to assist people with their actual rate bills according to an assessment of their means. It is to be expected that, for many reasons, increases in rates and in the retail price index will differ.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the factors taken into account in his recent review of the lists of partnership and programme authorities and areas designated under the Inner Urban Areas Act.

In my statement of 9 February—[Vol. 998, c. 603–10.]—I said that I had decided not to make any changes now in the list of authorities with partnership or programme status or designated under the Inner Urban Areas Act. The data on which the original selection of partnership, programme and designated districts was made were drawn mainly from the 1971 census as published in Hansard on 13 June 1978. [Vol. 951, c. 468.]—For the present review, comparable data for much the same factors have been assembled from more recent sources of information, notably the national dwelling and housing survey which was a sample survey conducted in 1977–79. These indicators, which underlay our decision, are set out in the attached tables. They cover a variety of social, economic and housing problems. Some, but not all, of them relate to whole local authority areas, and are therefore of the same nature as those included in the list of grant-related expenditure indicators.