Written Answers To Questions
Friday 15 May 1981
Prime Minister
Pay Review Bodies (Reports)
asked the Prime Minister whether she will now publish the latest reports from the review bodies on Armed Forces' pay, doctors' and dentists' remuneration and top salaries; and if she will make a statement.
I have received reports from the Review Body on Armed Forces Pay, the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration, and from the Review Body on Top Salaries both on top salaries and on the remuneration of Ministers and Members of Parliament. All these reports are being published today, and copies are available in the Vote Office. The Government are extremely grateful to the members of the review bodies for these reports, and for the time and care which they have put into their preparation. Even though the Government are proposing that the recommendation of the review bodies should not all be implemented in full, I should like to make clear that they attach great importance to their continuing role and independence.The Government have considered the reports and reached the following decisions.
The Armed Forces
The Review Body on Armed Forces Pay, which covers all ranks (other than medical ranks) up to and including Brigadier, has made its recommendations against a background of constraints on public expenditure, but also in the light of the Government's confirmed commitment to keep the pay of members of the Armed Forces at levels comparable with those of their civilian counterparts. The Government stand by that commitment and will accordingly implement the Review Body's recommendations. These represent an increase of 10·3 per cent., or 9·4 per cent. net, after taking account of increases in food and accommodation charges. The relevant cash limits will be adjusted to accommodate this increase.
NHS Doctors and Dentists
The pay of NHS doctors and dentists was brought fully up to date last year, when the Government implemented the review body's recommendations in full. The recommendations which the review body has made this year would add some 9 per cent. to the present level of expenditure on doctors' and dentists' remuneration, though because the review body proposes a deferred implementation date for the new level of target average net income for general dental practitioners the net cost in 1981–82 would be 8·3 per cent.
The Government considers that, when most groups of public servants other than the police and the Armed Forces are being expected to accept increases in the cost of their remuneration within a cash limit of 6 per cent., they are bound to ask the doctors and dentists to accept a similar limitation. The review body's recommendations could be accommodated within cash limits only at the cost of significant compensating reductions in the expenditure on the National Health Service which would entail an unacceptable reduction in the standards of health care.
Accordingly the Government will implement increases for NHS doctors and dentists within an average of 6 per cent. The scales and rates recommended by the review body will be scaled down accordingly: proposals will be put to the representation of the medical and dental professions.
Top Salaries
Last year the Government decided not to implement in full the Top Salaries Review Body's recommendations on the salaries of the judiciary, the higher Civil Service and senior officers of the Armed Forces. In view of that decision, the review body has reached the conclusion that no useful purpose would be served by its recommending this year new salary levels beyond that which still remain to be implemented from last year. Instead, it has produced an interim report which urges the Government to implement its last recommendations in full and as soon as possible; and has given notice of its intention to submit a comprehensive report by 1 April 1982, containing recommendations on the salary levels which are appropriate at that date.
The review body points out that to implement last year's recommendations in full from 1 April 1981 would add about 12 per cent. to the salary bill of the groups concerned for 1981–82. The Government believe that it would not be right to increase the salaries of these senior people by more than the amount which has been offered for the non-industrial Civil Service as a whole.
The salaries of these groups will accordingly be increased by 7 per cent. This increase will, so far as the higher Civil Service is concerned and others affected by the 6 per cent. cash limit are concerned, be accommodated within that limit. The salaries and rates to be implemented are set out in one of the schedules following. So far as the judiciary is concerned, the distribution of the increases has been designed, in consultation with the review body, to move towards the relativities recommended by the review body's sub-committee which has examined those matters. The review body will be giving further consideration to the sub-committee's findings in its comprehensive report next year.
Ministers and Members of Parliament
Ministers and Members of Parliament are unique in that they still have to receive the third and final stage of the increases recommended for them by the Top Salaries Review Body in 1979. Last year the Government felt compelled to propose, and the House approved, second stage increases which fell short of those recommended by the review body; the House also approved revised rates for the third stage, to come into effect in June 1981, which were less than the rates which had been recommended by the review body.
These were embodied in. a Resolution of this House and an Order in Council approved by each House. But my right hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. JohnStevas), then the Leader of the House, undertook that the review body would be asked to review the third stage increase due in 1981, and he said that the Government would implement the results of the third stage review unless there were clear and compelling reasons not to do so.
In the event, the review body has taken the same course with the pay of Ministers and Members of Parliament as with the other groups which come within its remit; it has not recommended new rates for this year, but has urged the implementation in full and as soon as possible of its recommendations for the third stage. It has, however, advised on the increase of the various Parliamentary allowances which are within its remit.
The Government proposes that the abated salary rates approved by the House last year to come into effect on 13 June 1981—which reflected last year's circumstances—should be increased by 6 per cent. This would bring the Parliamentary salary up to £13,950 with effect from 13 June next. The proposed new rates of Ministerial salaries are set out in one of the schedules following.
For Members of Parliament and Ministers outside the Cabinet these increases will just overtake the salary levels recommended by the Top Salaries Review Body in 1980 to come into effect in June 1981. The salaries of Cabinet Ministers and of the Attorney-General will still be slightly below those levels. The salary rates shown in the schedule for the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor are the rates approved by the House last year for pension purposes increased by 6 per cent; but my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and I have decided that we will continue this year as last year to draw the same salary as our colleagues in the Cabinet.
Parliamentary Allowances
The Government accepts the review body's recommendation that supplementary provision, pro rata to the secretarial and research allowance, should if necessary be made available where an hon. Member continues to pay his secretary or research assistant for a period of absence of more than four weeks and needs to secure temporary help; and the recommendation that the secretarial allowance should continue to be available during periods of dissolution.
As to the amounts of the Parliamentary allowances, the Government considers that, at a time when pay increases for other groups of public servants are being held within cash limits of 6 per cent. and hon. Members themselves are being asked to limit to 6 per cent. the amount by which the rates approved last year are increased, increases in Parliamentary allowances should be kept within the same limit. The Government will accordingly invite the House to approve the following new rates for the allowances, in place of those recommended by the review body:
£
| |
| MPs' secretarial and research allowance | 8,480 |
| Peers' secretarial allowance | 1,250 |
| Peers' expense allowances (per diem) | |
| Overnight subsistence | 24·40 |
| Day subsistence and incidental travel | 11·65 |
| Secretarial costs, postage and certain additional expenses | 10·60 |
Junior Ministers in the House of Lords
In announcing last year's increases in Ministerial salaries, I drew attention to the special problem which arises for Ministers of State, Parliamentary Secretaries and other office holders in the House of Lords from the fact that they do not receive any salary specifically in respect of their Parliamentary duties, and I told the House that the Government proposed to consider how the arrangements for their remuneration should be revised to take account of this problem.
The Government now proposes to make arrangements for the Ministerial salaries of Ministers of State, Parliamentary Secretaries and other office holders in the House of Lords to be increased by £3,500 over and above the general increases which I have already described. This addition to their remuneration, in lieu of a Parliamentary salary, is rather less than half the amount of the Parliamentary salary payable to Ministers in the House of Commons. In the case of Ministers of State, this will be achieved by my exercising my discretion under paragraph 1(1) of part V of schedule 1 of the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975, to secure that Ministers of State in the House of Lords are paid at the top of the new range of salaries for Ministers of State, which from 13 June will run from £19,775 to £23,275.
Ministers of State in the House of Commons will continue to be paid at the bottom of this range. In the case of Parliamentary Secretaries, a similar result will be achieved by increasing the maximum salary prescribed under the Act to £18,600; that will be the rate paid to Parliamentary Secretaries in the House of Lords, while, under the discretion given by section 4(2) of the 1975 Act, Parliamentary Secretaries in the House of Commons will receive £15,100. The salaries of Law Officers and Whips in the House of Lords, of the Leader of the Opposition in that House, and of the Chairman and Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees will be set £3,500 above the third-stage levels as approved last year and increased by 6 percent.
Implementation
The new rates for the Armed Forces (including senior officers), NHS doctors and dentists, the judiciary, and the higher Civil Service will be implemented with effect from 1 April 1981. The House will be invited to approve Resolutions and an Order in Council to implement the proposals for Members of Parliament, Peers and Ministers.
Following are the schedules:
Top Salaries
| |
Senior Grades of the Higher Civil Service
| New Salary rates £
|
| Head of Home Civil Service | 35,845 |
| Permanent Secretary to the Treasury | |
| Secretary of the Cabinet | |
| Permanent Secretary | 33,170 |
| Second Permanent Secretary | 30,495 |
| Deputy Secretary | 26,215 |
| Under Secretary | 21,935 |
Senior Officers in the Armed Forces
| New Salary rates £
|
| Admiral of the Fleet | 35,845 |
| Field Marshal | |
| Marshal of the Royal Air Force | |
| Admiral | 33,170 |
| General | |
| Air Chief Marshal | |
| Vice Admiral | 26,215 |
| Lieutenant General | |
| Air Marshal | |
| Rear Admiral* | 21,935 |
| Major General* | |
| Air Vice Marshal* | |
*The rate for the medical equivalents of these officers will be decided in the light of the recommendations awaited in the supplementary report of the AFPRB on the pay of Service medical and dental officers. | |
Salary implemented at 1 April 1980
| Suggested salary payable from 1 April 1981
| |
£
| £
| |
| Lord Chief Justice | 40,000 | 44,500 |
| Master of the Rolls | 37,000 | 41,000 |
| Lord of Appeal | ||
| Lord President of the Court of Session (Scotland) | ||
| Lord Chief Justice (Northern Ireland) | 35,500 | 39,000 |
| President of the Family Division | ||
| Lord Justice of Appeal | 33,500 | 37,500 |
| Lord Justice Clerk (Scotland) | ||
| Lord Justice of Appeal (Northern Ireland) | ||
| Vice-Chancellor | 33,000 | 37,500 |
| High Court Judge | 32,000 | 35,000 |
| Judge of the Court of Session (Scotland) | ||
| Puisne Judge (Northern Ireland) | ||
| President, Lands Tribunal (England and Wales) | 24,000 | 25,500 |
| President, Transport Tribunal | ||
| Chief Social Security Commissioner (England, Wales and Scotland) | ||
| President, Industrial Tribunals (England and Wales) | ||
| President, Industrial Tribunals (Scotland) | 23,250 | 24,750 |
| Sheriff Principal (Scotland) | ||
| Chairman, Scottish Land Court | ||
| President, Lands Tribunal (Scotland) | ||
| Official Referee (London) | 22,500 | 24,500 |
| Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster | ||
| Recorder of Liverpool | ||
| Recorder of Manchester | ||
| Senior Circuit Judge, Newington Causeway | ||
| Recorder of Belfast (Northern Ireland) | ||
| President of the Lands Tribunal (Northern Ireland)* | ||
| Chief Social Security Commissioner (Northern Ireland)* | ||
| Circuit Judge | 22,000 | 23,250 |
| Chief Metropolitan Magistrate | ||
| Member, Lands Tribunal (England, Wales and Scotland) | ||
| Social Security Commissioner (England, Wales and Scotland) | ||
| Judge Advocate General | ||
| Sheriff A (Scotland) | ||
| County Court Judge (Northern Ireland) | ||
| Master of the Court of Protection | ||
| Senior and Chief Masters and Registrars of the Supreme Court | ||
| Registrar of the Court of Criminal Appeal | ||
| President, Industrial Tribunal (Northern Ireland)* | ||
| Member, Lands Tribunal (Northern Ireland)* | ||
| Social Security Commissioner (Northern Ireland)* | ||
| Sheriff B (Scotland) | 21,500 | 23,250 |
| Regional Chairmen, Industrial Tribunals (England, Wales and Scotland) | 21,500 | 22,750 |
| Chairman, Foreign Compensation Commission | ||
| Vice-Judge Advocate General | 19,500 | 22,000 |
Salary implemented at 1 April 1980
| Suggested salary payable from 1 April 1981
| |
£
| £
| |
| Masters and Registrars of the Supreme Court | 19,500 | 20,750 |
| Metropolitan Magistrate | ||
| Chairmen, Industrial Tribunals (England, Wales and Scotland) | ||
| Provincial Stipendiary Magistrate | ||
| Resident Magistrate (Northern Ireland) | ||
| Chairman, Industrial Tribunal (Northern Ireland)* | ||
| Master, Supreme Court (Northern Ireland)* | ||
| County Court Registrars and District Registrars of the High Court | 19,250 | 20,500 |
*These appointments have been added to the remit since Report No. 14. | ||
Ministerial Salaries
| |
Ministers and other office holders
| Proposed new rates
|
£
| |
| Prime Minister | *36,725 |
| Lord Chancellor | *44,500 |
| Mr. Speaker | 29,150 |
| Cabinet Ministers | 27,825 |
| Ministers of State (Commons) | 19,775 |
| Ministers of State (Lords) | 23,275 |
| Parliamentary Secretaries (Commons) | 15,100 |
| Parliamentary Secretaries (Lords) | 18,600 |
| Attorney-General | 29,525 |
| Solicitor-General | 24,375 |
| Lord Advocate | 27,875 |
| Solicitor-General for Scotland | 20,925 |
House of Commons
| |
| Leader of the Opposition | 25,550 |
| Parliamentary Secretary to The Treasury (Chief Whip) | 23,225 |
| Deputy Chief Whip | 19,775 |
| Opposition Chief Whip | 19,775 |
| Government Whips | 12,775 |
| Opposition Deputy Chief Whip | 12,775 |
| Chairman, Ways and Means | 19,775 |
| Deputy Chairman, Ways and Means | 17,425 |
House of Lords
| |
| Chief Whip | 23,275 |
| Deputy Chief Whip | 18,600 |
| Government Whips | 16,275 |
| Opposition Chief Whip | 16,275 |
| Chairman of Committees | 23,275 |
| Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees | 20,925 |
| Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords | 18,600 |
Ministers Parliamentary Salary
| 8,130 |
* The salaries shown are those applicable for pension purposes. As last year the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor have decided to draw no more than the salary payable to other Cabinet Ministers (£27,825). | |
State Corporations (Chairmen)
asked the Prime Minister if she will list the chairmen of all the State corporations, giving dates of appointment and dates upon which their contracts terminate.
The information requested is to be found in the 1980 White Paper on Public Boards (Cmnd. 8114). The White Paper lists the chairmen of public boards of a commercial character as at 1 December 1980. Since then the following changes have occurred:
| Date of appointment | Date of expiry of appointment | |
| United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority | ||
| Dr. W. Marshall | 21 February 1981 | 20 February 1986 |
| Electricity Council | ||
| Mr. A. W. Bunch | 1 January 1981 | 31 March 1982 |
| Highlands and Islands Development Board | ||
| An interim chairman, Rear-Admiral D. A. Dunbar-Naismith was appointed on 1 February 1981. A full-time successor to Sir Kenneth Alexander has not yet been appointed. | ||
| Scottish Transport Group | ||
| W. T. Stevenson | 1 January 1981 | 1 January 1984 |
| British Transport Docks Board | ||
| Sir Humphrey Browne | 1 May 1981 | 31 October 1981 |
| British Airways | ||
| Sir John King | 1 February 1981 | 31 January 1984 |
Departmental Information (Co-Ordination)
asked the Prime Minister what co-ordination of computer-held information currently exists between officials of the Department of Transport and officials of the Department of Health and Social Security.
The Department of Transport has no access to computer-held information of the Department of Health and Social Security and there are no computer links between the two Departments. The Department of Health and Social Security is not allowed access to any driver's records held by the Department of Transport.However, the Secretary of State for Transport does have a statutory obligation under regulation 15 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 to supply details of a vehicle from his Department's vehicle records to anyone who can show reasonable cause. On the basis of this legal obligation, nominated officials in the Department of Health and Social Security are allowed to request information from vehicle records for the purpose of investigating possible criminal offences.
Wales
Energy Group
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider the establishment of a Wales energy group with aims and objectives on the lines adopted by the South-West energy group in England.
No
Defence
Cruise Missiles
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many cruise missiles have been tested; how many were successful; and whether any missiles have been tested from the United Kingdom.
I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 6 May.—[Vol. 4, c. 88.]
Apprentices (Training Costs)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government are reimbursed in any way for the training costs of Ministry of Defence apprentices who leave for other jobs soon after finishing their training.
In common with other employers, the answer is "No".
Armed Forces (University Students)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the number of university students recruited annually by Her Majesty's Armed Forces is increasing or decreasing.
The number of undergraduates and graduates entering the Armed Forces has increased by about 65 per cent. over the last five years.
Royal Dockyards (Management)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence by what number the management at the Royal dockyards has been reduced in response to the recent study recommending such action.
Firm decisions on the recommendations in the dockyard study report, including that on the management structure, await the completion of further detailed work now proceeding.
Research And Development
asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on research and development in the year 1980–81; and how much it intends to spend in 1981–82.
Estimated net expenditure on research and development in 1980–81 was £1,493 million at 1980–81 Estimates prices. A final figure for the actual outturn is not yet available. The corresponding estimate for 1981–82 at this year's Estimates prices is £1,683 million.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Arms Control
asked the Lord Privy Seal what amount is spent annually in the pursuit of arms control.
Arms control activities are carried out by personnel in both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence as well as in the major diplomatic missions and delegations to international organisations dealing with arms control issues. Many of those involved have other duties, often connected with other aspects of the Government's security policy. It is not therefore practical to provide a precise estimate of the amount spent annually on arms control. But the high reputation of the United Kingdom in this field demonstrates the importance of our contribution.
East Timor
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make representations to the Indonesian Government to seek permission for the International Red Cross to resume its relief activities in East Timor.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will ask the Indonesian Government to allow the International Red Cross to review its relief activities in East Timor.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has indicated that its participation in the relief operation was satisfactorily completed by 15 April this year and responsibility handed over to the local authorities and the Indonesian Red Cross.
Indonesia
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give consideration to the reports of repression and systematic torture by the Government of Indonesia when considering the sale of arms to that country.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will take account of the systematic use of torture by the Indonesian Government when considering any requests for arms supplies by the Government.
We do not have such reports relating to Indonesia. All relevant factors, including human rights considerations, are however, taken into account in reaching decisions on defence sales.
El Salvador
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he intends to have further discussions with the United States of America as a result of developments in El Salvador; and if he will raise at the United Nations the possibility of international mediation.
We continue to be in touch with the United States and many other Governments about the situation in El Salvador. International mediation could work only if both Government and opposition in El Salvador accepted it. We do not consider that it would be appropriate to raise the subject in the United Nations.
Taoiseach (Discussions)
asked the Lord Privy Seal how many meetings have taken place between Her Majesty's ambassador in Dublin and the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic during the last month; and what matters were discussed.
In the course of frequent contacts with the authorities of the Republic of Ireland over the last month, Her Majesty's ambassador in Dublin has met the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland on three occasions. The contents of the discussions were confidential.
Maze Prison (Overseas Briefings)
asked the Lord Privy Seal how many British embassies and posts abroad have provided briefings to interested individuals and organisations on the hunger strike at the Maze prison in Northern Ireland since 1 March.
The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Many of our posts abroad are providing such briefings and disseminating information every day.
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received representations from individuals and organisations criticising the activities of British embassies and posts abroad in combating the propaganda disseminated by the Irish Republican Army and its supporters.
No.
Employment
Job Sharing
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the Government's policy on job sharing.
It is for individual employers, in consultation with their workers, to decide whether such practices suit their own circumstances. In doing so they should consider the consequences for efficiency and productivity, as well as the immediate effect on the numbers they employ.
Lawrence Scott Electromotors Limited
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total amount paid to Lawrence Scott Electromotors Limited of Openshaw, Manchester in short-time working compensation during the period 8 February to 8 April.
All applications are treated as confidential, and for that reason, I regret that the information requested cannot be divulged.
Canvey Island (Methane Gas Terminal)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment when the current inquiries into control of risk at the methane gas terminal at Canvey, conducted by the Health and Safety Executive, will be completed; and whether he will ensure that the Castle Point district council and the hon. Member for Essex, South-East are informed of any conclusions reached or recommendations made.
It is not known when these current inquiries will be completed, but the Health and Safety Executive plans to submit a detailed report on the safety of the operations and the management arrangements at the methan terminal at the forthcoming public inquiry. The Executive's area director for East Anglia will advise both the hon. Member and the district council of any action arising from these inquiries.The Health and Safety Executive is also preparing a report detailing the changes which have been made since the Canvey Island investigation report was published by the executive in 1978. This report will be published before the public inquiry is held and copies will be sent to the hon. Member and to the district council.
Underwater Training Centre, Fort William
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what changes he intends to make to the management and ownership of the assets of the Fort William underwater training centre; when he intends to make the changes; and if he will make a statement.
I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Training Opportunities Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of participants in the training opportunities scheme for each year since 1976, for each region and for the United Kingdom as a whole;
| Entrants to Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS) | |||||
| Region | 1976/77* | 1977/78* | 1978/79 | 1979/80 | 1980/81† |
| Scotland | 13,505 | 14,529 | 12,116 | 11,166 | 10,725 |
| Northern | 17,305 | 17,308 | 7,265 | 6,972 | 6,749 |
| Y & H | 7,045 | 6,884 | 6,220 | ||
| North West | 20,408 | 17,663 | 15,301 | 14,086 | 11,981 |
| Midlands | 18,873 | 16,531 | 12,134 | 11,337 | 11,526 |
| Wales | 16,823 | 15,250 | 6,035 | 5,230 | 5,275 |
| South West | 5,969 | 6,060 | 5,863 | ||
| South East | 17,570 | 16,227 | 13,669 | 12,782 | 12,418 |
| London | 17,500 | 15,059 | 13,849 | 13,342 | 11,801 |
| Great Britain‡ | 121,984 | 112,567 | 93,668 | 87,841 | 82,558 |
| * Figures for 1976/77 and 1977/78 include young people. | |||||
| † Provisional. | |||||
| ‡ The Training Opportunities Scheme is restricted to Great Britain. | |||||
| Proportion of Received Applications to TOPS that were Rejected | |||||
| Region | 1976/77* | 1977/78* | 1978/79 | 1979/80 | 1980/81† |
| % | % | % | % | % | |
| Scotland | 8·2 | 7·0 | 6·0 | 5·8 | 7·5 |
| Northern | 21·9 | 12·0 | 6·8 | 5·2 | 7·2 |
| Y & H | 11·0 | 7·6 | 10·2 | ||
| North West | 14·0 | 10·1 | 10·0 | 11·1 | 12·9 |
| Midlands | 16·9 | 9·2 | 8·1 | 9·2 | 10·7 |
| Wales | 17·5 | 7·8 | 4·8 | 5·0 | 9·4 |
| South West | 8·8 | 5·7 | 7·7 | ||
| South East | 22·0 | 11·4 | 9·3 | 8·9 | 10·3 |
| London | 28·2 | 17·9 | 12·7 | 14·4 | 9·8 |
| Great Britain | 18·7 | 10·8 | 8·9 | 8·9 | 9·7 |
| * Includes Young People. | |||||
| † Figures for 1980/81 are based on only the first six months of the year. | |||||
Unemployed Persons (Keighley)
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have been unemployed in the Keighley travel-to-work area for (a) up to three months, (b) up to six months, (c) up to nine months, (d) up to 12 months, (e) up to 18 months, (f) up to two years, and (g) over two years.
[pursuant to his reply 6 May 1981, c. 66]: The following table gives the numbers of people registered as unemployed at 9 April for the lengths of time specified in the Keighley employment office area.
| Up to 13 weeks | 1,098 |
| Over 13 and up to 26 weeks | 836 |
| Over 26 and up to 39 weeks | 588 |
| Over 39 and up to 52 weeks | 284 |
what is the proportion of applicants rejected in each cases; and, of these, what proportion was rejected because of failing the English test.
[pursuant to his reply, 6 May, c. 64]:
| Over 52 and up to 78 weeks | 224 |
| Over 78 and up to 104 weeks | 114 |
| Over 104 weeks | 194 |
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many adult males, females and young persons aged 16 to 18 years are currently unemployed in the Keighley travel-to-work area, in total and as a percentage in each category; and what is the current total percentage unemployment for the area.
[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1981, c. 66]: At 9 April there were 2,332 males and 997 females aged 18 years and over registered as unemployed at the Keighley employment office, and nine young people aged under 18. 197 young people were registered as unemployed at the Keighley careers office; some of these were aged 18 or over, but their number is not separately available. Percentage rates of unemployment by age are not calculated for local areas. The total rate of unemployment at 9 April in the Keighley employment office was 11·5 per cent.
Education And Science
Modern Languages (State Schools)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what approximate proportion of modern language teaching time in State schools is taken up by sixth form work.
In England and Wales in 1977 approximately 16 per cent. of modern language teaching time to age groups 11 and over in maintained secondary schools was taken up by sixth form work. Welsh, and English as a second language, have been excluded from the calculations.
Scotland
School Leavers
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the cost per head to public funds of school leavers in Scotland who (a) go into further education, (b) take places in the youth opportunities programme and (c) become unemployed.
Comparable information in reply to parts (a), (b) and (c) is not available. The information which is available is as follows:
Surgical Operations
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish patients were given coronary artery and other surgical operations in England in 1979 and 1980 by arrangement with the Scottish National Health Service; and what funding of the costs, including travel and subsistence, was made by his Department or other agencies as a consequence.
This information is not available centrally.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current estimated average cost of coronary artery surgery.
Separate costs of the various medical and surgical procedures undertaken in hospitals are not available centrally.
Eastbank Academy
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that Eastbank Academy, Shettleston, has been planned to be replaced since 1933, he will announce a definite date for approval of works to commence on the building of a new school.
This is a matter in the first instance for Strthclyde regional council, taking into account educational provision in the east end of Glasgow and financial commitments.
District Fishery Boards
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue a circular to the district and regional councils proposing that the financing of the district fishery boards be paid from the rates at present paid to the local authorities and not funded by way of rod licences.
No.
asked the Secretary of State:for Scotland whether he intends to reconstitute the district fishery boards; if he will include in them members from trout angling associations, the riparian owners and commercial fisheries; and if he will make a statement.
District salmon fishery boards are set up under the Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Acts 1862–68. I have no powers to adjust the membership. The question of a new management structure for both salmon and freshwater fisheries is at pre sent being considered in the light of a discussion document issued in December 1979.
Enclosed Waters
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy, when exercising his powers under the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976, to have particular regard to the protection of lochs and reservoirs within catchment areas and of other enclosed waters coming within more than one water course.
I have already decided that proposals in respect of a complete though small catchment area should not be refused solely on the grounds that the catchment area is not substantial. Each set of proposals is considered on its merits.
Fisheries (Consultative Body)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to announce the names of the members of the consultative body to be appointed under the Freshwater and the Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976.
I am at present considering appointments to the consultative committee and I hope to make an announcement in the near future.
Trade
Accidents In The Home
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what amount per annum is allocated for campaigns to prevent accidents in the home.
Annual expenditure for the last three years by my Department on publicity to prevent accidents at home has been:
| 1980–81 | 1979–80 | 1978–79 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Department of Trade Publicity | 82,000 | 38,000 | 52,000 |
| Grant-in-aid to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) | 45,000 | 36,000 | 33,000 |
| Total | 127,000 | 74,000 | 85,000 |
Exports To Developing Countries
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value of exports from the United Kingdom and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to developing countries in 1979.
United Kingdom exports to developing countries in 1979 were valued at £9 billion; OECD exports to developing countries in the same year were around £112 billion.
Organisation For Economic Co-Operation And Development
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what percentage of United Kingdom imports and exports, respectively, is with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development members, centrally planned economies and less developed countries.
The information for 1980 is as follows:
| Proportion of United Kingdom Trade with Selected Country Groupings, 1980 | ||
| Imports cif Per cent. | Exports fob Per cent. | |
| OECD member countries | 76 | 72 |
| Centrally planned economies | 2 | 3 |
| Developing countries | 20 | 22 |
Sources: Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, and United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics.
Companies (Overseas Employees)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many employees of United Kingdom companies work overseas; and what approximate proportion of them work in countries where English is not the official language.
I regret that the information is not available.
Overseas Trade
asked the Secretary of State for Trade with how many countries the United Kingdom conducts trade.
The "Overseas Trade Statistics" of the United Kingdom currently give details of trade with 202 countries or territories.
Business Names (Registration)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many letters have been received by the office of the Registrar of Business Names in the last nine weeks.
Approximately 32,000.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the current functioning of the Registry of Business Names; and if he will make a statement.
Proposals for the repeal of the Registration of Business Names Act 1916 are contained in the Companies (No. 2) Bill which is before the House. The Bill would replace the present requirement for central registration, with its acknowledged deficiencies, by an obligation on businesses concerned on demand to disclose relevant information to persons with whom they have business dealings, to display it at business premises and to publish it on business documents. Until the 1916 Act is repealed registration is still required. Subject to industrial action the registry will continue to endeavour to carry out its normal functions and the public will have access to registered information. The disruption due to industrial action is much regretted.
Research And Development
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what proportion of the £4 million he intends spending on research and development in 1980–81 and the £5·5 million in 1981–82 will be allocated to firms employing less than 200 people.
For 1980–81 the proportion of the Department's expenditure on research and development allocated to firms employing less than 200 people is estimated at just under 9 per cent. and for 1981–82 just over 12 per cent.
Viewdata And Teletext (Controls)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will relax the hire purchase and hiring controls on television sets equipped with Viewdata or Teletext equipment.
I have made an order which will reduce the initial down payments on such sets. The relaxation reflects the importance the Government attach to encouraging the development of Teletext and Viewdata. This change does not signal any lessening in the Government's determination to maintain strict control of the money supply.
Social Services
Coronary Artery Surgery
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current estimated average cost of coronary artery surgery.
This information is not available centrally.
Mobility Allowance
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of giving a mobility allowance to those registered as disabled before reaching the age of 65 years irrespective of the fact that they may now be over 65 years of age.
Since registration as a disabled person is voluntary, it would not be appropriate to use it as the basis for entitlement to a social security benefit for which medical criteria are already laid down. The cost of
| Perinatal Mortality | ||||||
| 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | |
| West Yorkshire MC | ||||||
| Number | 634 | 592 | 506 | 450 | 454 | 487 |
| Rate | 22·4 | 22·0 | 19·5 | 18·1 | 17·1 | 17·4 |
| Bradford AHA | ||||||
| Number | 158 | 140 | 135 | 126 | 113 | 132 |
| Rate | 23·7 | 21·9 | 20·8 | 19·6 | 16·5 | 18·0 |
| Calderdale AHA | ||||||
| Number | 56 | 46 | 43 | 51 | 46 | 48 |
| Rate | 21·1 | 18·6 | 19·0 | 22·1 | 18·9 | 18·7 |
| Kirklees AHA | ||||||
| Number | 117 | 117 | 110 | 77 | 76 | 83 |
| Rate | 21·9 | 23·5 | 22·3 | 16·7 | 15·1 | 15·8 |
| Leeds AHA | ||||||
| Number | 216 | 176 | 156 | 137 | 147 | 153 |
| Rate | 22·6 | 19·4 | 18·2 | 17·0 | 17·3 | 17·3 |
| Wakefield AHA | ||||||
| Number | 87 | 113 | 62 | 59 | 72 | 71 |
| Rate | 21·2 | 28·4 | 17·0 | 16·9 | 19·1 | 17·6 |
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest available figures for baby deaths in west Yorkshire; and how these figures compare to other area health authority areas of the United Kingdom.
The latest available perinatal death rates (stillbirths and deaths under 1week) per 1000 total births are for 1979, and are as follows:
| Area health authorities in | Rate |
| West Yorkshire Bradford | 18·0 |
| Perinatal rate per 100o total births in 1979 | ||||||
| 9·0–9·9 | 10·0–10·9 | 11·0–11·9 | 12·0–12·9 | 13·0–13·9 | 14·0–14·9 | |
| Number of area health authorities | 1 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 12 |
| 15·0–15·9 | 16·0–16·9 | 17·0–17·9 | 18·0–18·9 | 19·0–19·9 | 20·0 and over | |
| Number of area health authorities | 16 | 17 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| Total | 98 |
extending mobility allowance to people who satisfied these criteria and were still under 65 at its introduction in 1976, but who were excluded by the phasing-in arrangements, is estimated at between £15 million and £20 million a year.
Baby Deaths (West Yorkshire)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the figures for baby deaths in West Yorkshire in the last 10 years; and if these figures can be broken down into the constituent areas of the West Yorkshire area health authority.
The numbers of perinatal deaths (stillbirths and deaths under one week) and rates per 1,000 total births for West Yorkshire metropolitan county and its constituent districts (which are co-terminous with area health authorities) are shown in the following table. Comparable figures for the years prior to 1974 are not available.
| Area health authorities in | Rate |
| Calderdale | 18·7 |
| Kirklees | 15·8 |
| Leeds | 17·3 |
| Wakefield | 17·6 |
| England and Wales | 14·7 |
| Scotland | 14·1 |
| Northern Ireland (1978) | 18·1 |
Police National Computer (Access)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether fraud investigators of his Department have access to the police national computer.
No.
Blind And Partially Sighted Persons
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the allowances for which blind and partially sighted people are eligible.
Following is the information:
Direct compensation for blindness or impared vision
War disablement pension and additional allowances.
Industrial disablement benefit and additional allowances.
Note: These are payable for disablement arising from, respectively, service in the Armed Forces and industrial injury. Total blindness is assessed at the 100 per cent. disablement rate.
General benefits of the social security scheme
Blindness or impared vision may be a contributory factor in causing a person to qualify for:
Unemployment benefit, Sickness benefit, Invalidity benefit, Non-contributory invalidity pension, Attendance Allowance, Supplementary benefit.
Special addition to supplementary benefit
An addition of £1·25 a week (£2·50 for a couple both of whom are blind) is payable to registered blind people receiving supplementary benefit.
Income tax
There is an allowance of £360 (£720 for a married couple both of whom are blind) for registered blind people in addition to their other personal allowances.
Other services and concessions
Services and concessions available to blind and partially sighted people from other agencies are described in leaflet HB1, "Help for Handicapped People", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of people in the United Kingdom who are registered as blind and as partially sighted.
At the latest date for which figures are available, the number of people registered as blind or partially sighted was:
| Registered with Local Authorities | ||
| England at March 1980 | Wales at March 1980 | |
| Blind | 107,765 | 7,384 |
| Partially Sighted | 51,426 | 3,928 |
| Registered with the Health and Social Services Boards | |
| Northern Ireland at 31 December 1979 | |
| Blind | 2,714 |
| Partially Sighted | 957 |
District Health Authorities (London)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet received the advice of the London advisory group on the four Thames regional health authorities' proposals for setting up new district health authorities in London; and if he will make a statement.
I am grateful to the London advisory group for its careful advice on the setting up of new health authorities in London. I am also grateful for the speed with which it has presented its report. In most cases it has confirmed the proposals made by the regional health authorities but in one important instance—the creation of a single district health authority including the Westminster and Charing Cross hospitals—it has introduced a new proposal in the light of the recent changes in medical education agreed by the University of London.The advisory group's recommendations are of great significance and it is important that its views should be made widely available. We are therefore publishing its report before announcing any decision. We will be considering the group's report, together with the formal proposals of the regional health authorities, most carefully. I hope, however, that final decisions on the future pattern of district health authorities in London will be announced within the next few weeks.Copies of the report are available in the Vote Office, and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Milk Production (International Comparisons)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total production of milk for France, Germany, Holland, and Denmark and the United Kingdom in the years 1978, 1979 and 1980.
The information requested is set out below:
| ('000 tonnes) | |||
| 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | |
| France | 25,550 | 26,450 | 27,720 |
| Germany | 23,296 | 23,907 | 24,778 |
| Holland | 11,367 | 11,592 | 11,775 |
| Denmark | 5,324 | 5,225 | 5,117 |
| United Kingdom | 15,812 | 15,821 | 15,874 |
Potatoes (Imports)
asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he will set out the volume and value of potatoes imported from the Republic of Egypt for the latest most convenient period.
Her Majesty's Customs and Excise returns for the month of January 1981 indicate that 8,115 tonnes of potatoes valued at £1·231 million were imported from Egypt in that month. Later Customs returns are not available, but the Potato Marketing Board estimates that a further 74,739 tonnes have since been imported and that arrivals from Egypt are now completed. The value of the latter quantity is not at present available.
European Community (Trade Statistics)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Northampton, North on 30 April, Official Report, c. 459, he will publish in the Official Reportthe table attached to his letter to the hon. Member on 8 May.
The following is the table referred to. I must make clear—as I have already done to my hon. Friend—that the figures set out in the table are not a reliable measure of the "cost" of our membership of the Community to the British housewife as the last part of my hon. Friend's earlier question appeared to imply, since the level of world prices in the absence of the common agricultural policy is a subject only for conjecture. Fluctuations in the price of sugar show what a totally unreliable guide this would be.
| (1) Net imports from other member States in 1980* | (2) Average United Kingdom import levy 1980 | (3) Col. (1)† Col. (2)‡ | |
| '000 tonnes | £ per tonne | £ million | |
| Common wheat | -482 | 48 | -23·0 |
| Barley | -365 | 41 | -15·0 |
| Maize | 833 | 51 | 42·8 |
| Rice | 90 | 69 | 6·2 |
| Other cereals | 45 | 39 | 1·7 |
| Beef | 89 | ‡572 | 50·8 |
| Pigmeat | 144 | 259 | 37·4 |
| Bacon | 287 | ‡250 | 71·6 |
| Lard | 183 | 83 | 15·2 |
| Poultrymeat | 19 | 161 | 3·0 |
| Eggs | -1 | 343 | -0·3 |
| Butter | 26 | **863 | 22·0 |
| Cheese | 94 | **658 | 61·7 |
| Other dairy products | -54 | 343 | -18·4 |
| 255·6 | |||
| less adjustments for monetary compensatory amounts†† | 35·4 | ||
| 220·2 | |||
| * Including the estimated quantities of the commodities concerned contained in composite food products, and the carcase equivalent of live animals. | |||
| † Figures in column (3) cannot be derived exactly from columns (1) and (2) owing to rounding in all columns. | |||
| ‡ For beef and bacon reduced rates of levy have been employed to take account of the fact that the greater part of beef imports take place at concessional rates of levy under special arrangements and because it is considered that the full rate of levy on bacon overstates the difference between Community and world prices. | |||
| ** For butter, and formerly for cheese, special arrangements exist for imports from New Zealand; the full rate of levy is considered to overstate the difference between Community and world price and the average rate of export refunds has been applied. | |||
| †† In order to avoid double counting with the calculation of the United Kingdom's net budgetary contribution to the EC the value of UK monetary compensatory amounts acting as levies on imports or exports have been subtracted from this trade cost and where they act as a subsidy on exports they have been added back to the trade cost. | |||
Forestry
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total area of forestry
| London Boroughs | 1976–77 | 1977–78 | 1978–79 | 1979–80 | 1980–81 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Barking | 40,183 | 39,365 | 42,338 | 35,252 | 70,573 |
| Barnet | 183,293 | 195,080 | 211,917 | 237,930 | 258,993 |
| Brent | 1,158,185 | 1,353,899 | 1,970,180 | 1,828,523 | 1,802,042 |
| Camden* | 19,259 | 8,624 | 13,186 | 20,812 | 67,322 |
| Croydon | 232,007 | 250,618 | 327,876 | 429,791 | 494,806 |
| Ealing | 1,057,673 | 1,265,893 | 1,441,649 | 1,722,296 | 1,736,842 |
| Enfield | 32,805 | 36,395 | 112,927 | 139,433 | 161,575 |
plantations in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) England; what is the current United Kingdom level of self-sufficiency of wood products and how much of this production is supplied from forests in Wales; whether the level of self-sufficiency is projected to increase and, if so, by how much; and what proportion of this increase is to be supplied from Wales.
The total area of productive woodland on 31 March 1980 was 200,000 hectares in Wales, 820,000 hectares in Scotland and 729,000 hectares in England. Home production in the year ended 31 December 1979 amounted to 4·3 million cubic metres (including 0·6 million cubic metres from Wales), representing a 9 per cent. level of self sufficiency. By the turn of the century home production is expected to reach 7·6 million cubic metres (including an estimated 1·1 million cubic metres from Wales), representing 15 percent. of the projected level of consumption.
Home Department
News Media (Payments)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation making it illegal for any newspaper or organisation connected with the news media to pay money to, or publish any statements from persons standing trial, or their friends or relatives, until five years after the completion of the trial, excepting evidence given at the trial which the judge may permit to be published.
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 11 May.—[Vol. 4, c. 171.]
Immigrant Population (Grants)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money, in cash and real terms, has been distributed to each local authority in England and Wales in respect of each relevant service under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 in each of the last five years.
The amounts listed below have been paid to local authorities in respect of each of the years 1976–77 to 1980–81. Figures for 1980–81 represent 90 per cent. of grant; 10 per cent. is retained pending receipt of final claims. Figures for earlier years may be subject to amendment on audit.Amounts in real terms and amounts in respect of each service could only be provided at disproportionate cost. It is estimated that on average over 80 per cent. of total grant is in respect of educational expenditure incurred by local authorities under section 11.
London Boroughs
| 1976–77
| 1977–78
| 1978–79
| 1979–80
| 1980–81
|
£
| £
| £
| £
| £
| |
| GLC* | Nil | 2,745 | 3,853 | 3,338 | Nil |
| Greenwich* | Nil | Nil | 9,410 | 95,169 | 112,671 |
| Hackney* | 24,806 | 10,460 | 81,713 | 122,655 | 117,996 |
| Hammersmith* | 56,338 | 46,340 | 29,639 | 20,097 | 25,244 |
| Haringey | 853,832 | 952,489 | 1,088,068 | 1,271,351 | 1,358,504 |
| Harrow | 67,246 | 74,458 | 123,858 | 192,507 | 212,703 |
| Hillingdon | 27,868 | 72,573 | 86,447 | 99,190 | 91,271 |
| Hounslow | 115,283 | 159,929 | 210,107 | 290,990 | 358,008 |
| I.L.E.A. | 5,690,189 | 5,959,019 | 6,701,804 | 7,589,693 | 8,672,599 |
| Islington* | 3,879 | 4,104 | 10,195 | 16,549 | 41,591 |
| Kensington & Chelsea* | 18,871 | 42,403 | 48,654 | 56,336 | 76,489 |
| Lambeth* | 15,092 | 4,928 | 5,248 | 29,824 | 98,611 |
| Lewisham* | 80,958 | 68,741 | 44,248 | 44,704 | 31,197 |
| Merton | 77,888 | 85,628 | 89,452 | 112,835 | 119,515 |
| Newham | 451,087 | 495,221 | 590,535 | 785,658 | 675,104 |
| Redbridge | 93,270 | 118,319 | 157,724 | 207,018 | 233,833 |
| Southwark* | 72,420 | 61,819 | 69,432 | 79,385 | 86,726 |
| Tower Hamlets* | 39,860 | 72,677 | 78,830 | 101,424 | 89,640 |
| Waltham Forest | 513,840 | 539,515 | 693,325 | 722,986 | 790,303 |
| Wandsworth* | 1,786 | 19,124 | 58,179 | 77,978 | 96,501 |
| Westminster* | 112,640 | 115,689 | 14,405 | 11,105 | 13,666 |
County Councils
| |||||
| Avon | 123,024 | 201,912 | 258,860 | 989,126 | 1,084,649 |
| Bedfordshire | 603.449 | 613,515 | 572,882 | 719,393 | 664,410 |
| Berkshire | 305,976 | 346,816 | 488,459 | 643,540 | 627,089 |
| Buckinghamshire | 138,448 | 181,032 | 192,415 | 228,260 | 196,159 |
| Cambridgeshire | 61,703 | 88,080 | 122,368 | 210,503 | 243,737 |
| Cleveland | — | — | — | 71,091 | 79,681 |
| Derbyshire | 275,934 | 309,555 | 339,738 | 380,246 | 448,402 |
| Gloucestershire | 41,127 | 40,802 | 50,810 | 56,918 | 50,929 |
| Hampshire | 52,262 | 52,770 | 57,628 | 35,566 | 41,915 |
| Hertfordshire | 78,788 | 106,214 | 109,587 | 129,146 | 147,010 |
| Kent | 49,312 | 53,355 | 64,236 | 95,493 | 108,642 |
| Lancashire | 513,830 | 552,677 | 604,801 | 728,060 | 918,000 |
| Leicestershire | 1,146,844 | 1,227,662 | 1,294,898 | 1,353,280 | 1,472,836 |
| Northamptonshire | 49,750 | 42,976 | 62,436 | 111,000 | 138,321 |
| Nottinghamshire | 398,974 | 451,784 | 498,713 | 578,200 | 692,214 |
| Nottinghamshire | 398,974 | 451,784 | 498,713 | 578,200 | 692,214 |
| Oxfordshire | 37,914 | 35,258 | 55,962 | 66,139 | 76,207 |
| Salop | 4,009 | 4,247 | 4,562 | 5,034 | 5,656 |
| Staffordshire | 2,339 | 20,181 | 28,002 | 61,395 | 59,994 |
| Suffolk | 10,390 | 11,021 | 11,463 | 12,845 | 14,985 |
| Warwickshire | 148,166 | 170,832 | 234,648 | 306,459 | 381,037 |
| West Sussex* | 1,437 | 2,608 | 2,053 | — | 2,815 |
Districts
| |||||
| Aylesbury Vale DC* | 453 | 317 | 184 | 422 | 166 |
| Birmingham City of | 1,745,679 | 1,957,853 | 1,810,512 | 2,047,577 | 1,632,727 |
| Blackburn Borough | 4,830 | 5,736 | 5,806 | 10,220 | 11,655 |
| Bolton MBC | 135,921 | 151,242 | 165,151 | 191,690 | 224,412 |
| Bradford City of | 924,950 | 1,087,403 | 1,261,157 | 1,604,408 | 1,737,848 |
| Bristol City of* | 4,967 | 5,613 | 6,186 | 7,037 | 8,977 |
| Calderdale MBC | 118,443 | 147,520 | 187,198 | 224,913 | 184,539 |
| Charnwood Borough* | 109 | 121 | — | — | — |
| Coventry City of | 253,323 | 369,682 | 533,636 | 653,219 | 780,861 |
| Derby City of* | 677 | 532 | 188 | 204 | 212 |
| Dudley MBC | 141,097 | 158,605 | 229,688 | 354,945 | 427,846 |
| Gloucester City of* | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gravesham Borough* | 677 | 400 | 285 | 116 | 158 |
| Ipswich Borough* | 794 | 586 | 655 | 1,044 | 1,174 |
| Kirklees Metropolitan C | 409,752 | 476,700 | 523,410 | 616,381 | 538,033 |
| Leeds City C | 249,355 | 415,267 | 551,078 | 617,535 | 797,925 |
| Leicester City C* | 9,011 | 5,633 | 4,782 | — | 9,067 |
| Luton Borough* | 2,240 | 2,723 | 3,020 | 2,741 | 3,091 |
| Manchester City of | 340,982 | 389,288 | 438,890 | 718,195 | 854,395 |
| Northampton Borough C* | 152 | 155 | 181 | 334 | 451 |
| North Beds. Borough C* | 8,659 | 8,661 | 13,968 | 14,414 | 16,504 |
| North Herts. DC* | 588 | 578 | 409 | 488 | 493 |
| Nottingham City of* | 1,869 | 409 | 428 | 273 | 166 |
| Oldham Metro. BC | 84,143 | 121,492 | 190,211 | 309,119 | 417,393 |
| Oxford City of* | 1,081 | 604 | 1,021 | 3,007 | 3,293 |
| Pendle District C* | 491 | 3,119 | 3,853 | 5,930 | 8,661 |
| Preston Borough* | 461 | 505 | 441 | 566 | 698 |
| Reading Borough* | 1,724 | 1,614 | 7,385 | 6,943 | 8,128 |
| Rochdale MBC | 137,411 | 180,396 | 247,112 | 299,267 | 331,545 |
| Rotherham Borough | 19,122 | 47,053 | 33,956 | 70,964 | 52,287 |
London Boroughs
| 1976–77
| 1977–78
| 1978–79
| 1979–80
| 1980–81
|
£
| £
| £
| £
| £
| |
| Rugby Borough* | 43 | 38 | 350 | 146 | 483 |
| Sandwell MBC | 508,325 | 712,394 | 812,875 | 1,134,510 | 811,989 |
| Sheffield City of | 163,319 | 159,794 | 183,236 | 207,219 | 243,418 |
| Slough District C* | 14,653 | 12,616 | 13,517 | 7,028 | 12,200 |
| Southampton City of* | 1,451 | 1,670 | 3,437 | 2,274 | 2,581 |
| Tameside MBC | 42,569 | 51,058 | 45,381 | 51,114 | 69,721 |
| Trafford Borough | 81,590 | 86,135 | 92,556 | 103,433 | 116,323 |
| Walsall MBC | 580,843 | 705,752 | 879,886 | 1,041,349 | 928,881 |
| Warwick District C* | 2,872 | 1,171 | 826 | 217 | 236 |
| Wellingborough BC* | 42 | 46 | 38 | 61 | 67 |
| Wolverhampton MBC | 879,743 | 1,023,158 | 1,126,667 | 1,274,693 | 1,538,873 |
| Wycombe District C* | 2,452 | 2,002 | 1,505 | 3,302 | 4,130 |
* L.A's which do not claim education expenditure. | |||||
Citizens Band Radio
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps have been taken to co-operate with other European countries as far as citizens band radio frequencies are concerned; and what information has been received from those countries;(2) if he will publish in the
Official Report his letter to the hon. Member for Haltemprice stating the reasons for choosing the particular frequencies for citizens band radio announced on 28 April.
The factors leading to our choice of frequencies for the 27 MHz citizens band service, which took account of the situation in other European countries, are set out in my letter to my hon. Friend. We have regular liaison about all radio regulatory matters, including citizens band radio, with other countries in Europe; and progress is being made through the medium of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication Administrations(CEPT) towards standardisation on frequencies for citizens band radio in the 900 MHz band.The letter to my hon. Friend is as follows:
When we met last week to discuss the Government's decision concerning the appropriate sub-bands for the new CB service at 27MHz FM I promised, in the light of the criticisms which this decision has attracted in some quarters, to write to you as leader of the All Party Group explaining the factors that shaped our final view. I should emphasise that by no means all the comments which we have received have been hostile but I know that you are concerned that the Home Office might be thought to have failed to take account of the interests of CB users who are anxious to take their equipment abroad, and I am glad to have the opportunity to put matters in perspective.
Some years ago the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) made a recommendation on standards for 27 MHz CB equipment. This applies to both AM and FM modulation systems. Some countries permit both, while France, Holland and Germany in particular allow only FM. The recommendation provides for 22 channels and a transmitter output of half a watt, as opposed to the 40 channels and 4 watt transmitter output of most of the illicit AM equipment in use in this country. But this recommendation is not binding on European Administrations, nor is there any obligation to conform to it arising out of our membership of the EEC. Most European countries which favour CB keep to the CEPT recommendation for 22 channels, but there are national variations which go beyond the half a watt transmitter power recommended by CEPT; in all cases, however, these are below the power available from American AM equipment. As a consequence of all this, much of the equipment used in Europe is confined solely to its own country and may not be taken into neighbouring countries. Equipment which meets the French specification, for example, where the permitted power is higher than anything so far allowed elsewhere in Europe, can be used only in France. The widespread idea that there is in practice a common standard in Europe is thus quite false.
Against this background, you will recall that I pointed out in the Adjournment Debate on 9th February that none of the illicit AM equipment of American origin used in this country was allowed anywhere in Europe. European countries which pennit CB do not prohibit FM, but the same is not always true of AM; so that any possibility that might open up of achieving commonality within Europe would be likely to rest upon the use of an FM system. This accords with our scientific findings that in this particular band, and given the pattern of use in this country, the performance of FM would be as good as that of AM while avoiding to a very large extent the serious interference problems of the latter.
It would, of course, have been possible to legalise a CB system which enabled CB users to take their equipment abroad had they been prepared to conform, in all respects,with the CEPT recommended specifications, and in particular, with the limits of only 22 channels and a maximum of half a watt transmitter power. Such a restriction on power would, however, materially reduce the performance of the equipment, and the CB lobby has made it quite clear to us that they would regard such a reduction as totally unacceptable. I need scarcely say that if the performance of the new service does not command public support, it would not meet our aim of providing a comparable alternative to the illicit AM equipment which is doing so much harm at present, and we therefore set out to provide the performance that is being demanded. We have thus allocated 40 channels and a transmitter output of 4 watts (precisely the same as the American AM system).
In these circumstances, the frequency band allocated becomes irrelevant as far as Europe is concerned. CB enthusiasts cannot demand twice the number of European channels and eight times the recommended power and still expect Europe to welcome them, whether some of their channels coincide with European ones or not. We therefore selected a sub-band which caused the minimum inconvenience to other users of radio in the United Kingdom. The CEPT band, for example, is already heavily used in this country by, among others, the paging services and model control enthusiasts. I would have considered locating our new CE; service there had this meant commonality with Europe; but since the performance requirements of CB enthusiasts had completely ruled that out, we should have been totally unjustified in putting existing authorised users—whose numbers run well into six figures—to expense and inconvenience for no purpose.
It is, of course, a matter for much regret that a degree of commonality with Europe cannot at present be achieved. if, however, there is a general move in Europe towards adoption for CB of higher power levels and more channels, we shall certainly be most anxious to explore the possibility of harmonisation with our European partners. Indeed, now that we have established a firm framework and produced a United Kingdom specification for more highly powered CB equipment, we should be well placed to play an active part in any future moves towards standardisation of such equipment. I should stress, however, that standardisation of CB within Europe is likely to require the most precise alignment, not only in relation to equipment specification and frequencies, but also in relation to such matters as testing and type approval of equipment.
I hope that in the light of this explanation it will be recognised that we have had very much in mind the interests of those who will use legalised CB. We have had some detailed comments from the Citizens Band Association on our specifications for the legalised CB equipment, which will shortly be published, and we shall be responding to these as soon as possible. In the meantime, I know that you will be particularly pleased to learn that we have already issued the first testing and development licences to British companies, some at least of whom have declared firmly their intention to manufacture CB equipment in this country.
I am making arrangements to release the text of this letter to the press. I am writing to you separately on the rather technical question which you raised at our meeting concerning the restrictions which will be placed on the height of the aerials to be used for CB.
R V Cheeseman
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the light of the case of John Cheeseman who was acquitted at Liverpool Crown Court of two charges of murder after a confession had been made by him without his parent present although he had a mental age of 10 years, if he will introduce legislation to make mandatory upon the police the present guidelines dealing with the interviewing of mentally subnormal suspected persons.
My right hon. Friend is giving careful consideration to the report of the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure, which has recommended that a statutory code of practice should regulate the conduct of interviews by the police.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call for a report from the chief constable of Merseyside on the conduct of the police investigation into the murders of Gary Miller and John Greenwood and on the action planned in the light of the verdict in the case of R. v. Cheeseman.
The chief constable of Merseyside has appointed a senior officer from another police force to carry out an investigation into the circumstances in which Mr Cheeseman was interviewed. The Home Office will receive a report in due course.
Motor Cyclists (Helmets)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest available figures for the number of motor cyclists convicted for not wearing helmets.
| Table 1 | |||
| Mortgage tax relief | |||
| Per mortgagor receiving tax relief* £ per head | Per mortgagor† £ per head | Per owner-occupied dwelling £ per head | |
| 1979/80 | |||
| England | 265 | 225 | 130 |
| Wales | 250 | — | 85 |
| Scotland | 280 | — | 110 |
| Great Britain | 265 | 220 | 125 |
| 1980/81 | |||
| England | 355 | 295 | 170 |
| Wales | 320 | — | 110 |
| Scotland | 390 | — | 145 |
| Great Britain | 355 | 290 | 165 |
| 1981/82 (on the basis of a 13 per cent, interest rate) | |||
| England | 335 | 275 | 160 |
Information on the numbers of findings of guilt for offences of driving or riding on a motor cycle without wearing protective headgear is published annually in 'Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales'. There were 12,239 such convictions in 1979.
Prisons (Alleged Offences)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the decisions to be made regarding prosecutions for alleged criminal offences at Wormwood Scrubs in 1979 and at Birmingham in 1981.
I have been asked to reply.I assume the hon. Member is referring to the disturbance at Wormwood Scrubs prison on 31 August 1979 and the death of Mr. Barry Dennis Prosser, an inmate of Winson Green prison, Birmingham, on 19 August 1980. Police inquiries into the disturbance at Wormwood Scrubs prison were commenced in March 1980 and have continued to date. A report has not yet been received by the director and none is expected for a considerable time.The Director of Public Prosecutions initiated proceedings against a prison officer for the murder of Mr. Prosser but these were dismissed on 12 February 1981 at Birmingham magistrates' court. The coroner's report of the inquest into the death of Mr. Prosser has not yet been received by the DPP. When that report has been received, the director, with counsel, will consider whether any additional evidence emerged at the inquest to justify any further criminal proceedings against anyone.
National Finance
Mortgage Relief
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his estimates, for 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82, for England, Wales, Scotland and Great Britain, respectively, for (a) mortgage tax relief per mortgagor and per owner-occupied dwelling, and (b) mortgage tax relief plus option mortgage subsidy per mortgagor and per owner-occupied dwelling.
The available information is as follows:
Per mortgagor receiving tax relief* £ per head
| Per mortgagor† £ per head
| Per owner-occupied dwelling £ per head
| |
| Wales | 295 | — | 100 |
| Scotland | 355 | — | 130 |
| Great Britain | 335 | 270 | 155 |
Table 2
| ||
Mortgage tax relief plus option mortgage subsidy‡
| ||
Per mortgagor†
| Per owner-occupied dwelling
| |
| Great Britain | ||
| 1979/80 | 250 | 145 |
| 1980/81 | 330 | 185 |
* Calculated by reference to taxpayers in receipt of tax relief on mortgage interest. | ||
| † Calculated by reference to all owner-occupiers with a mortgage—including those receiving tax relief, those receiving option mortgage subsidy, and some not in receipt of either. A reliable basis of estimation for Scotland and Wales taken separately is not available; the estimates for 1981–82 are based on the number of mortgagors at the end of 1980 and hence are subject to revision. | ||
| ‡ Estimates of the amount of option mortgage subsidy for 1981–82 are not available, nor is a breakdown by country. | ||
Department For National Savings
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider making the Department for National Savings a self-supporting operation with the cost of pay and administrative expenses being met by investors instead of by the taxpayer.
The DNS could become an explicitly self-supporting operation only if it were permitted—which it is not—a margin between the rate at which it borrows from the public and the rate at which it lends those funds to the National Loans Fund. This would be merely an accounting change of no practical significance. What matters to Her Majesty's Government is the total cost of borrowing through the DNS, comprising the interest cost plus adminstrative costs including pay, and this is kept under constant surveillance and is regularly compared with the total cost of borrowing by Her Majesty's Government by other means.
Building Societies Act 1962
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he expects to introduce legislation to amend the Building Societies Act 1962; and whether he proposes to publish a Green Paper.
The Government have no immediate plans for introducing legislation to amend the Building Societes Act 1962 other than by regulations to be made later this year for the limited purpose of implementing the European Community directive relatling to deposit-taking institutions. The question of any further amending legislation and of the desirability of issuing a Green Paper will be considered thereafter.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers exist for the prudential supervision of building societies; and what informal arrangement have been introduced by the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies.
Under the Building Societies Act 1962, the Chief Registrar has various powers and functions directed to the prudential supervision of societies. In particular, I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the function of receiving annual returns and account in the form prescribed by the Chief Registrar (sections 83 and 88) the power to impose an order to prevent a society from taking further funds (section 48); the power to require information from a society for the purposes of exercising that power (section 53); and the power to appoint an inspector or to call a special meeting (section 110). The chief registrar also has the function of designating a society as one in which trustees may invest and, should it be necessary, of removing such designation.Among the informal arrangements introduced by the Chief Registrar are: the requirement that all societies should submit monthly statements relating to their affairs: visits to societies by members of the staff of the registry, and discussions or societies' arrangements and operations with their boards and their auditors.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for monitoring the growth of term shares issued by building societies.
The annual returns which all societies are required to submit to the Chief Registrar and the monthly returns which they submit voluntarily contain the necessary information to enable the issue and growth of term shares to be monitored. I am satisfied that these arrangements are satisfactory.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many formal disputes have been dealt with each year by the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies since the passing of the Building Societies Act 1962.
Since the passing of the Building Societies Act 1962 a total of 20 disputes between building societies and their members has been determined by the Chief Registrar under the provisions for the arbitration of disputes contained in the Act. In a further eight cases, disputes were referred, but were later withdrawn CT settled. The following table shows the yearly breakdown of disputes.
| Year | Number of disputes determined | Number of disputes settled or withdrawn |
| 1962 | 2 | None |
| 1963 | 1 | 2 |
| 1964 | None | None |
| 1965 | None | None |
| 1966 | None | None |
| 1967 | 1 | None |
| 1968 | 2 | None |
| 1969 | None | None |
| 1970 | 2 | None |
| 1971 | 1 | 1 |
| 1972 | 2 | None |
| 1973 | 1 | None |
| 1974 | 1 | 2 |
Year
| Number of disputes determined
| Number of disputes settled or withdrawn
|
| 1975 | None | None |
| 1976 | 2 | 2 |
| 1977 | None | None |
| 1978 | : | 1 |
| 1979 | 2 | None |
| 1980 | 1 | None |
Family Income
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of earnings for a man on average earnings is available after tax and national insurance and with the addition of child benefit to (a) a single man, (b) a married man with one child and (c) a married man with two, three, four or five children, both in absolute terms and per head of members of the family.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Industry
Cable And Optical Fibres
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what he estimates are the comparative costs of one mile of coaxial copper cable and up to 10 strand cable of optical fibres of comparable performance.
I understand from British Telecom that the total cost per two-way circuit mile, including installation and equipment, is £6·8 for a coaxial cable system and £5·4 for an equivalent optical fiber system.
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what mileage of optical fibres has been laid in the United Kingdom to date; and what coverage is expected during the decade.
British Telecom informs me that to date it has laid 130 miles of optical fiber cable. BT is currently evaluating tenders for the supply of systems totaling 11,000 Km of fiber. Current plans envisage buying some 100,000 Km of fiber over the next decade, which, when installed, will connect all major cities in the United Kingdom.
British Shipbuilders (Finance Member)
asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he will announce the appointment of a finance member for the board of British Shipbuilders.
Mr. Phillip Hares, presently director of finance at British Shipbuilders, has accepted my right hon. Friend's invitation to become board member for finance for a term of three years from 7 May 1981.
Civil Service
Pensions
asked the Minister for the Civil Service what has been the percentage increase in Civil Service pensions in each year since index linking commenced; and what has been the total percentage increase in a Civil Service pension over the period involved.
The annual increases since 1971 in Civil Service and other public service pensions have been as follows:
| per cent. | |
| 1972 | 9·9 |
| 1973 | 9·3 |
| 1974 | 16·5 |
| 1975 | 26·1 |
| 1976 | 13·8 |
| 1977 | 17·7 |
| 1978 | 7·4 |
| 1979 | 16·0 |
| 1980 | 16·5 |
asked the Minister for the Civil Service when Her Majesty's Government's decisions on the recommendations in the Scott report on public service pensions will be announced.
The Government hope to be able to reach initial conclusions this summer.
Government Computers
asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what regulations exist concerning the access to, and use of, information stored on a Government computer; and whether he is satisfied with the present situation regarding the collation of such information from separate sources;(2) whether she will list in the
Official Report,the criteria under which information stored in a Government computer may be made available to an individual who is not an official of a Government Department.
There are no centrally laid down regulations or criteria concerning the collation, access to and use of information stored on Government computers. These are matters for the Departmental Minister concerned. The central computer and telecommunications agency of the Civil Service Department issues guidance on the protection of sensitive information processed by Government computer systems, which is adopted by Departments according to their circumstances. The statement to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs on 19 March dealt with the Government's approach to data protection generally.—[Vol. 1, c. 161–62.]
Transport
Carriage Of Passengers By Road Act 1974
asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to bring into force the provisions of the Carriage of Passengers by Road Act 1974.
The Carriage of Passengers by Road Act 1974 enables the United Kingdom to accede to the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Road, a convention of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Only two countries—Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia—have acceded as yet, and since the convention does not come into force until at least five countries have acceded, the Act has not been brought into operation.
Vehicle Licensing Computer (Access)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements are made for access to his Department's vehicle licensing computer-held information by other Departments; and what statutory authority governs the arrangements.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave today to the hon. Member for Isle of Ely (Mr. Freud).
Seat Belts
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much per annum he allocates for the campaigns now being run to persuade car drivers to use seat belts.
In 1979–80 two national publicity campaigns were carried out at a cost of £1·8 million. In the last financial year a campaign to test a new approach was carried out in the Midlands TV area at a cost of £341,000. I am still considering my future plans.
National Bus Company (Capital Debt)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek authority to write off the capital debt of the National Bus Company as recommended by the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries in 1978.
I have no reason to depart from the view, set out in the Government's reply to the Select Committee, that the NBC should operate on a sound commercial basis and meet all the costs of its operations, including interest charges. I am however giving further consideration to the question in the light of the concern expressed by the company about the way in which interest charges affect the circumstances of the individual operating companies. I will shortly be meeting NBC management and union representatives to hear their views on this and other issues.
Three-Wheeled Vehicles
asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many three-wheeled vehicles are currently licensed on British roads;(2) how many accidents have occurred according to the latest available figures amongst three-wheeled cars on United Kingdom roads.
Accident information is available for Great Britain in the form of numbers of vehicles involved and casualties among users:
| Three-wheeled vehicles licensed, and involved in injury accidents GB: 1979 and 1980 | ||
| 1979 | 1980 | |
| Invalid tricycles | ||
| licensed | 16,649 | 13,811 |
| involved | 343 | * |
| Other three-wheeled cars and vans | ||
| licensed | 97,610 | 93,011 |
| involved | 1,433 | * |
| Causualties to occupants of these vehicles were: | ||
| 1979†1980 | ||
| Invalid tricycle users | 263 | 233 |
1979
| 1980
| |
| Other three-wheeled vehicles | ||
| drivers | 712 | 690 |
| passengers | 655 | 642 |
*not yet available. | ||
| †provisional. | ||
Cars (1300 Cc)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars are in use above and below 1300 cc at the latest date for which figures are available; and what he expects the trend will be over the next five years.
At year end 1980, there were 15 million licensed private cars and vans in Great Britain. Of this total an estimated 6½ million were below 1300 cc, and an estimated 8½ million were above 1300 cc. Forecasts of the trend in licensed cars are not available separately for these two groups.
Motorways And Trunk Roads (Winter Maintenance)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to complete the review of winter maintenance methods on motorways and trunk roads.
Sir Derek Rayner expects to complete this review during July.
Land Compensation Act 1973
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied that the Land Compensation Act 1973 continues to provide a fair basis for compensation to those whose homes are required for the building of a road; and if he will make a statement.
The statutory provisions for compensation on compulsory acquisition do not distinguish between the purposes for which a property is bought. I believe that they provide a fair basis for compensation to those whose homes are needed for essential works.
Vehicle Licensing Centre
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the annual cost to public funds of the Vehicle Licensing Centre at Swansea; what is the number of persons currently there employed; and what was the cost of the service operated by local authorities prior to the establishment of the Swansea centre, revalued at 1981 survey prices.
I will answer this question shortly.
Research And Development (Departmental Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on research and development in the year 1980–81; and how much it intends to spend in 1981–82.
[pursuant to his reply, 12 May 1981, c. 266.]: In the year 1980–81 my Department spent £26,417,822 on research and development.
The Supply Estimates for the year 1981–82 provide for the expenditure of £28,523,000.
Environment
Post Office Restaurant Facilities
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much subsidy was paid by the Property Services Agency to the Post Office to cover Civil Service use of the Post Office restaurant facilities in the last financial year; how many civil servants this covered; what was the average subsidy per head per day, both in total and in respect of the Post Office restaurant in Ayr; and why staff of the Inland Revenue may not use the Post Office restaurant facilities in Ayr.
IN 1979–80, 1,987 civil servants used Post Office restaurants, and the average subsidy per head per day was £2·20. The cost of the subsidy in 1980–81 is expected to be about £1·2 million. Calculations are not made for individual restaurants and the subsidy for the restaurant at Ayr cannot readily be obtained.The PSA is not permitting more civil servants to use Post Office canteens at present because of the restraints on public expenditure. The Inland Revenue staff at Ayr already have a mess room available to them.
Unemployment Benefit Service
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to improve accommodation for the unemployment benefit service; and whether he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend, in consultation with the Secretary of State for Employment, has embarked on a programme to increase the accommodation available at over 200 unemployment benefit offices. This will be completed as soon as resources permit.
Sewers (Replacement)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has made any assessment of the comparative cost and efficiency of sewer replacement by the technique of pipejacking.
The pipe jacking system is in general use in the water industry in competition with other methods of installing sewers and underground conduits. Its cost and efficiency are dependent on local site circumstances and ground conditions and there are no central records of relative cost assessments.
Apartheid (Sporting Black List)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of Friday 10 April, whether he is now satisfied that despite the inclusion of the name of the chairman of the Sports Council on the black list of sportsmen as prepared by the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee the chairman will be able to perform his duties adequately.
Yes.
Noise Control
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider further legislation on noise control following the recent report of the Environmental Health Association; and if he will make a statement.
Noise from different sources is already widely controlled by existing legislation. The Government remain committed to containing and reducing noise nuisance wherever possible and new codes of practice covering several nuisances will be issued shortly.
Housing (Handicapped And Disabled Persons)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken in the building regulations for council houses to make greater provision for the handicapped and disabled.
The building regulations apply to building generally and do not include requirements for special facilities for the handicapped and disabled.Provisions for the handicapped and disabled in council dwellings is a matter for local authorities, but we have asked them, in making decisions on their housing programmes, to take full account of the requirements of those in special need.
Rent Rebates
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to amend the Housing Act 1980 so that rent rebates can be given where the tenant is a corporate body.
The rent assistance schemes help individuals to pay the rent of dwellings they occupy as their homes. Where the tenant is a corporate body that body is not eligible for assistance, but if it sub-lets the dwellings then its tenants would be eligible for assistance with rent in accordance with the normal rent rebates or rent allowance criteria.
Housing Development Directorate
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, following his reply on Tuesday 7 April, Official Report, c. 253, he is yet able to announce a decision on the future of his Department's Housing Development Directorate.
I have decided to wind up the directorate as part of a wider reorganisation of the housing group. Most of the architects and quantity surveyors will form part of two new divisions, undertaking administrative and professional work in the fields of project control, costs and contracts, and house building practice, including energy conservation respectively. The social research staff and some architects will be integrated into other relevant policy divisions. There will be 16 staff savings. The former head of the Housing Development Directorate will remain the senior architect, housing, will take charge of the central unit for the built environment and will advise more generally on architectural matters within the Department.
Urban Programme
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to publish information on schemes funded under the urban programme.
Yes. A brochure entitled "The Urban Programme: The Partnerships at Work" was launched earlier this week. It describes 40 schemes in the inner city partnership areas and shows something of the range and scope of urban programme projects. I have placed copies in the House of Commons Library.
Duchy Of Lancaster
7 Old Palace Yard
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, having regard to the amenity of 7 Old Palace Yard, he will have removed at no expense to the public the unnecessary "push", "pull", "toilet", and other notices recently put up.
I have been asked to reply.The notices, which were put up at the request of the House authorities, cannot be removed without incurring public expenditure.
Energy
Nuclear Fusion (United States)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a study of the recent steps taken by the United States to reduce expenditure on coal gasification and liquefaction in favour of expenditure on nuclear fusion projects; and if he will consider the relevance of these decisions to the situation in the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom development needs in coal conversion are strongly governed by our continental shelf reserves of oil and gas, and the United States Administration's proposal to reduce its funding has little effect on our position.
Government Role In Energy
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will take steps substantially to reduce the role of the Government in energy.
The Government are continuing to take measures to increase the role of market forces and competition within the energy sector.
Energy Strategies (United States)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a study of the relevance to the United Kingdom situation of the reductions made by the United States into research on alternative strategies and the concentration of resources on conventional energy and nuclear strategies.
In many respects the pattern of development of alternative energies is peculiar to individual countries by reason of, for example, differing climatic conditions, and energy supply situations. The United Kingdom's alternative energy resource programme is now well established and is appropriate to our needs. The reductions proposed by the United States Administration on Government-funded research into some forms of alternative energy will have little or no direct effect on the United Kingdom situation.
Oil Rigs
asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether his Department has initiated any investigation into employment conditions on oil rigs in the North Sea.
There has been no specific investigation into the employment conditions on oil installations in the North Sea. Offshore oil and gas installations are, however, regularly visited by inspectors of my Department who, amongst other matters, ensure compliance with the requirements of the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971, the regulations made thereunder, and the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 all of which deal with the safety, health and welfare of offshore workers.
Research And Development (Departmental Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much his Department spent on research and development in the year 1980–81; and how much it intends to spend in 1981–82.
Estimate provision on my Department's industrial support Vote—Class IV Vote 5—for expenditure on non-nuclear research and development in 1981–82 is £45 million compared with a forecast out-turn in 1980–81 of £33 million.In addition, Estimate provision for expenditure by the UKAEA on the scientific and technological assistance: nuclear energy Vote, Class IV Vote 7, in 1981–82 is £223 million net compared with a forecast out-turn in 1980–81 of £186 million net.
Wales (Electricity Supply)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what investigations have been carried out by the electricity authorities into the potential in Wales for (a) hydro-electric plants and (b) pumped storage schemes; and if he will give details of conclusions reached in these studies.
I am informed by the CEGB that a survey carried out in the early 1950s of the hydro-electric potential in North Wales showed that up to six schemes were technically feasible, of which the Rheidol scheme was subsequently built. The others were at that time found not to be economically attractive. These studies are currently being reviewed.Two potential sites for pumped storage schemes have been identified in North Wales besides the existing station at Ffestiniog and the one under construction at Dinorwic. These are at Bowydd near Dolwyddelan, and in the Croesor Valley. Studies have not shown any prospectively viable sites elsewhere in Wales. No need is seen at present for additional pumped storage capacity.
Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors
asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects that all the advanced gas-cooled reactor power stations of the first programme will be working to full capacity; and if he will give full details of what the current position is.
I am informed by the CEGB that it is intended to commence loading of fuel into these reactors by mid-1981 and output from the first generator on each station is expected during the current financial year. All reactors are expected to be fully commissioned by 1983. Progress towards full capacity will be assessed during the course of commissioning.
Electricity Supply (Cost Comparisons)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what conversion factors are used by his Department in order to express the energy supplied by (a) nuclear power stations and (b) hydro-electric power stations in terms of an equivalent weight of coal.
In energy statistics published by my Department the following factors are used for converting 1GWh of electricity supplied to tonnes of coal equivalent:408.2 for public supply nuclear power stations,
| GWh. | ||||||
| Sales | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 |
| Domestic premises | 3,704 | 3,601 | 3,710 | 3,684 | 3,868 | 3,755 |
| Farms | 253 | 252 | 272 | 274 | 292 | 283 |
| Domestic/commercial premises* | 44 | 45 | 43 | 44 | 46 | 143† |
| Shops, offices and other commercial premises | 1,485 | 1,553 | 1,616 | 1,667 | 1,801 | 1,707 |
| Factories and other industrial premises | 6,278 | 7,044 | 7,180 | 7,457 | 8,172 | 6,709 |
| Public lighting | 95 | 97 | 99 | 103 | 107 | 110 |
| Traction | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| All sales to consumers | 11,859 | 12,592 | 12,920 | 13,229 | 14,286 | 12,707 |
| *Premises used for domestic and commercial purposes having an combined tariff. | ||||||
| †Includes consumers in the south Wales Electricity Board area previously classified as Commercial. | ||||||
asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he will announce his plans regarding the structure of the electricity industry in the United Kingdom; and if he will create an all-Wales electricity board with the responsibility for the generating and retail of electricity.
I informed the House on 14 July 1980 of my policy for the organisation of the electricity supply industry in England and Wales: Scottish electricity matters are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. My proposals did not provide for a separate all-Wales electricity board.
Nuclear Power
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of generated electricity is produced by nuclear power; and what have been the percentages over the last 20 years.
The information is given in the following table:
457.7 for nuclear power stations operated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.
520.8 for natural flow hydro-electric stations.
Wales (Electricity Supply)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total quantity of electricity, in terawatt hours, supplied from Wales to the distribution system for every year since 1975; and what proportion of this electricity was sold to customers in Wales.
Figures For electricity generation, distribution and sales are published annually in the Digest of Welsh Statistics. for convenience the information requested is given in the following table:
| Electricity supplied to the distribution system. | TWh | ||||
| 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 |
| 18·6 | 21·6* | 23·0 | 23·7 | 25·5 | 20·6 |
| 63·7 | 58·3 | 56·3 | 55·7 | 56·1 | 61·7 |
| *53 week period | |||||
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the markets for electricity in Wales for every year since 1975.
Sales of electricity by category of consumer in Wales are published annually in the Digest of Welsh Statistics. For convenience the information is reproduced in the following table:
| Nuclear electricity generated as a percentage of total electricity generated by public supply power stations—United Kingdom | |||
| percentage | |||
| 1961 | — | ||
| 1962 | 0·7 | ||
| 1963 | 2·2 | ||
| 1964 | 3·2 | ||
| 1965 | 7·2 | ||
| 1966 | 9·7 | ||
| 1967 | 11·1 | ||
| 1968 | 11·8 | ||
| 1969 | 11·6 | ||
| 1970 | 9·6 | ||
| 1971 | 9·8 | ||
| 1972 | 10·4 | ||
| 1973 | 9·1 | ||
| 1974 | 11·7 | ||
| 1975 | 10·6 | ||
| 1976 | 12·7 | ||
| 1977 | 13·9 | ||
| 1978 | 12·5 | ||
| 1979 | 12·4 | ||
| 1980 | 12·6 | ||
Attorney-General
Law Society (Complaints Investigation)
asked the Attorney-General if there are any plans to strengthen the powers of the Law Society in investigating complaints referred to it, as recommended in the recent report of the lay observer.
My hon. Friend is to some extent not fully informed. The Law Society already has very wide powers on investigation in cases of professional malpractice, but questions of damages for negligence are for decision by the courts, as is the case with all similar actions against members of any other profession. All solicitors are required by law to carry insurance against liability for negligence, and the society is anxious that any domestic action it might take should not prejudice subsequent legal proceedings.The recent report by the Benson commission recommended that the society should investigate allegations of bad professional work regardless of any potential claim in law which the complainant might have. The society is urgently considering this recommendation. In paragraph 10 of his annual report, the lay observer has made some interesting observations on this subject which will be taken into account.Meanwhile, the society has arranged that a solicitor member of its negligence panel will give free professional advice on whether a client has good grounds for a claim against a solicitor, a service which is believed to be unique amongst the professions. The society has not yet had time to digest all the implications on the lay observer's report in which he comments on the limitations of the society's powers to require production by Solicitors of documents, or answers to questions. The Government have not at present any plans for primary legislation in this field.
asked the Attorney-General if he will invite the Law Society to devise a scheme which would enable it to arbitrate on small claims arising from complaints against solicitors which may be brought before it, as recommended in the recent report of the lay observer.
The lay observer's report was published on 27 April and this proposal is at present being considered by the Law Society, on which the responsibility for such measures lies.
Legal Aid Act 1974
asked the Attorney-General if he will made a statement on the remarks of the Master of the Rolls in the judgment in the case R. and T. Thew Ltd. v. Reeves urging the need to review the Legal Aid Act 1974 to ensure that aid is not used to take unfair advantage of the unassisted party.
A copy of the judgment in this case is being obtained and the Lord Chancellor will write to my hon. Friend. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Fraud Trials
asked the Attorney-General what consideration Her Majesty's Government are giving to the problems involved in very lengthy fraud trials with a view to saving costs and time, and if he will make a statement.
[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1981, c. 154]: The importance of reducing the time and cost of cases of this description is fully appreciated. Following the report of the Jardine working party in May 1979, I asked a small informal group to look more closely at this problem. Some of its recommendations have already been put into effect and I am confident that it will produce improvements in the investigation, as well as the prosecution, of complex fraud cases.Following the Maximum Number of Judges Order 1981, two additional High Court judges have been appointed. It is hoped to deploy the additional judge power thus created at the Central Criminal Court and elsewhere. Further decisions will be announced as and when they are taken.