asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many persons have been convicted on charges under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Property Act 1875 in each year since 1971.

I regret that statistics for convictions under section 7 of the Conspiracy and Property Act 1875 are not recorded separately and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his Department maintains a list of developing countries to which it is not the policy of Her Majesty's Government to give aid; and if he will publish it.

No such list is maintained.

asked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent the aid programme exceeded or fell short of the estimates of the last White Paper for the financial year 1980–81.

Final expenditure figures for 1980–81 will not be available for some months, because accounts are still coming in from overseas, Present indications are that the outturn for the aid programme will be close to the public expenditure allocation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, further to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove on 10 April relating to the acceptance by the Crown Agents of the tender for power station generators, whether he is now able to announce the results of his consideration of the points raised.

European Community Intra-Trade in 1979
OTS basis
	Exports		Imports
	To other EC countries		From other EC countries
	$ billion	Percentage of total intra-exports	$ billion	Percentage of total intra-imports
Belgium/Luxembourg	41·1	13	40·7	13
Denmark	7·0	2	9·2	3
France	52·7	17	53·8	17
Federal Republic of Germany	84·8	27	78·4	25
Greece	1·9	½	4·3	1½
Irish Republic	5·6	2	7·1	2½
Italy	36·9	12	35·0	11
Netherlands	46·5	15	38·1	12

I am advised that there has been a new development during the past week. The matter is now being reconsidered by Ministers, and a letter will be sent to my hon. Friend as soon as a decision has been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, following the informal inquiries conducted in the area of electrical production, the Director General of Fair Trading has initiated a formal investigation under the Competition Act 1980 of any domestic manufacturer of electrical products.

I understand that certain informal inquiries are still being made. The Director General has not initiated a formal investigation under the Competition Act 1980.

asked the Secretary for Trade if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the cover provided after the recent reductions in Coastguard establishment along the North Devon and other Bristol Channel coastlines

There has been no reduction in the Coastguard establishment along these coasts in recent years: The Hartland district—which extends from Port Issac in Cornwall to Watchet in Somerset—had 16 regular officers in post on 1 April 1979 and 1980. There were 15 in post on 1 April 1981 but two are about to be added. In this period, more of the regular officers have been concentrated in the rescue co-ordination centre at Hartland, thus increasing the effectiveness of the surveillance throughout the district. In addition, the number of Coastguard auxiliary units in the district has been increased and their equipment improved.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value and proportion of visible trade between member States of the European Economic Community attributable to each member State in 1979.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the duty on United Kingdom cars exported to Spain and the duty imposed on vehicles manufactured in Spain and imported into the United Kingdom; and if he will take steps to bring the two rates into alignment.

36·7 and 4·3 per cent., respectively. These rates result from the terms of the Community's current trade agreement with Spain, and apply to other Community countries as much as they do to the United Kingdom. Spain's prospective membership of the Community will bring an end to both duties. Meanwhile we continue to emphasise to the Spanish authorities our desire to see early progress in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Battersea, South, 16 April, Official Report, column 280, which of the seven complaints on the content of postal advertising material related to Readers Digest, Leisure Arts and the Joy of Knowledge, respectively; and what action was taken by the Advertising Standards Authority and the Mail Order Publishers Authority as a result of the complaints that he referred to them.

On the first part of the question, one, four and two respectively. I understand that corrective steps were taken in five of these cases, which I referred to the authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to receive the report by the Office of Fair Trading on small builders and home improvements; what is the reason for the delay in publishing it; and when it was ready to be printed.

The Director General of Fair Trading has completed much of his preliminary work on consumer problems in the home improvements sector. I understand that he hopes to issue a discussion paper on this difficult area by the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received regarding the closure of the Office of Fair Trading in Scotland; if he will take steps to retain this service in Scotland, in view of the protection it provides for the consumer; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will direct the Office of Fair Trading to keep open its Scottish office in Edinburgh; and what criteria were used by the office to justify the closure in Scotland, where a separate legal and commercial system operates.

My right hon. Friend has received a small number of representations about closure of the Edinburgh office. As the internal organisation of the office's resources is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading, such representations should be addressed to him. He has assured me that the interests of consumers in Scotland will continue to be safeguarded.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the names and addresses of the Abbey National Building Society together with the occupations, professional qualifications and the dates on which they became directors; how many initially were co-opted on to the board and how many were nominated by ordinary members of the society.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 7 May 1981.—[Vol. 4, c. 112.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the 82 proposed amendments to the Building Societies Act 1962 submitted by the Building Societies Association to the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies.

No. There is in existence no list of firm proposals such as the question suggests. I assume that what my hon. Friend has in mind is a communication sent in confidence in March 1979 by the Building Societies Association to the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies. This consisted, for the most part, of a summary of all proposals, whether emanating from the Building Societies Association or otherwise, which had at various times been the subject of previous discussion between the Building Societies Association and the Chief Registrar since 1962. It no longer reflects the current position which those discussions have reached, nor does it necessarily reflect the Government's views on the nature of the amendments required should new building society legislation be introduced.As regards proposals for amending building society legislation currently under consideration, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Weetch) on 5 February 1981.—[Vol. 998, c.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many widows have found themselves obliged to pay tax who were previously exempt, as a result of his Budget proposals.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an estimate of the cost per certificate to public funds that would be involved in issuing exemption certificates so that "certified" agency workers operating through companies could receive payment gross.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to bring the law of England and Wales into line with that of Scotland with respect to private prosecutions.

The arrangements for prosecuting offenders, including the right of private prosecution, were among the matters examined by the Royal Commission on criminal procedure. As I said in reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 7 May, the Government think it right to allow more time for discussion and consulation before reaching conclusions on the Royal Commission's recommendations.

asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress has been made on the grading review of the House of Commons staff; whether the staff side will have the opportunity to submit comments on the draft report; and if he will make a statement.

The consultants engaged on the grading review commenced their examination on the staffing structure in October 1979. Frequent discussions on procedures and possible revised gradings between offical and trade union representatives and the consultants have been held since that date. In view of the lapse of time since the review was started, which greatly exceeds the original estimate, the Commission last week asked the consultants to bring these discussions to an end and to submit their final report in mid-June. When the final report is received, it will be for the Commission to decide what furher consultations are necessary.

asked the Prime Minister how many non-departmental public bodies have been abolished since December last year; and what has been the consequent saving to public funds.

I list below the bodies which have been abolished since my last announcement on this subject on 3 December 1980.—[Vol. 995, c. 222–28.] The net effect is to eliminate a further 158 non-departmental public bodies, with a total annual saving which will approach £1½m in a full year.

Department and Bodies wound up
	Approximate Annual Saving £
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Regional panels—reduced from 7 to 5*	7,000
Experimental centres advisory committees—reduced from 22 to 21*	10,000
Department of Employment group
Disablement advisory committees (220)—replaced by 87 committees for the employment of disabled people	60–100,000
Standing Commission on Pay Comparability	600,000
Department of the Environment
Harlow development corporation	40,000
Runcorn development corporation	10,000
Noise Advisory Council	75,000
Scientific Authority for Animals	10,000
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Overseas Development Administration)
Inter-University Council*	300,000 by 1982–83
Technical Education and Training Organisation for Overseas Countries
Department of Health and Social Security
Training Council for Orthotists	17,000
Home Office
New town licensed premises committees—reduced from 17 to 11	—
Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure	200,000
Department of Industry
Waste Management Advisory Council*	30,000
Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments
Community Education Forum	5,000
Visiting Committees—reduced from 6 to 5*	—
Scottish Office
Scottish Horticultural Research Institute†	—
Scottish Society for Research in Plant Breeding†	—
Committee of Inquiry into Local Government in Scotland*	36,000
Department of Transport
Inquiry on Lorries, People and the Environment	60,000
* The decisions to abolish these bodies have been announced since 3 December 1980
† Amalgamated to form Scottish Crop Research Institute

In addition to the changes which I announced on 3 December and those recorded above, the following six bodies are to be wound up in due course.

Department and Bodies to be wound up
	Approximate Annual Saving £
Department of the Environment
Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds for England and Wales	10,000

	Approximate Annual Saving £
Home Office
2 further licensing planning committees	—
Scottish Office
Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds for Scotland	2,000
Advisory Council on Social Work	23,000
Committee on National Museums and Galleries	3,000

asked the Prime Minister what is the total amount of money offered by the Government to Courtaulds Ltd. in order that it could keep open its Aintree factory.

In July 1980 Courtaulds Ltd. was offered selective assistance of £1·1 million under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 towards the partial modernisation of its Aintree factory. The offer was not taken up because of adverse changes in market circumstances. It is not Government policy to provide assistance to companies to keep factories open against their commercial judgment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a regional breakdown of the youth opportunities programme for the last full year for which figures are available, showing the expenditure and the number of places provided.

The provisional estimate of expenditure on the youth opportunities programme for the year 1980–81 is some £215 million. The regional breakdown of this figure is as follows:

	Numbers of registered disabled people unemployed	Percentage of registered disabled people who are unemployed	Numbers of unregistered disabled people unemployed
1980
April	61,068	13·0	81,780
May	60,552	12·9	81,605
June	60,395	12·8	83,602
July	61,323	13·0	86,240
August	62,962	13·4	88,992
September	63,908	13·6	90,720
October	64,958	13·8	92,122
November	66,887	14·2	94,657
December	68,660	14·6	96,964
1981
January	70,343	14·9	100,319
February	71,428	15·2	101,931
March	72,183	15·3	102,965

As the number of unregistered disabled people in the total population is not known the unemployment rate

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number and percentage of register and unregistered disabled people unemployed in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available.

The numbers and percentages of registered disabled people unemployed and the numbers of unregistered disabled people unemployed are set out as follows:amongst unregistered disabled people cannot be calculated. The increase in unemployment among registered and unregistered disabled people has been significantly less in percentage terms than for the working population as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the undertaking given to Easter school leavers in 1980 was met in the West Midlands and London; and whether he will make a statement.

The estimated number of school leavers in the 1980–81 undertaking group without an offer by Easter 1981 was 1,900 in London and 1,350 in the MSC Midlands region. The MSC will do its best to offer a place on the programme to these young people as soon as possible.In 1980–81 the MSC provided opportunities for 234,000 school leavers, leaving some 5,300 still to be offered a place by Easter 1981. This represents a major achievement on the part of the MSC.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give an estimate of the cost per head of public funds of school leavers 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. What can be stated is that

(a) The cost to the education budget of students in non-advanced further education in England and wales in maintained further education establishments other than Polytechnics in 1979–80, when revalued to November 1980 price levels, was some £1,850 per head.

(b) The average gross cost of maintaining a young person on the youth opportunities programme is £38 per week. After taking into account the benefits that participants would otherwise have claimed and other tax and national insurance effects, the net weekly cost is approximately two-thirds of this figure.

(c) The scale rate of supplementary benefit for a 16 or 17-year-old non-householder, together with housing addition, is £15·25 a week. The total cost to public funds would be dependent on the duration of registered unemployment and for school leavers will also be affected by recent changes in the entitlement of school leavers for supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have been unemployed in the Liverpool 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.

The following table gives the numbers registered as unemployed at 9 April in the Liverpool travel-to-work area for the lengths of time specified.

Up to 13 weeks	16,828
Over 13 and up to 26 weeks	12,997
over 26 and up to 39 weeks	11,174
Over 39 and up to 52 weeks	7,802
Over 52 and up to 78 weeks	8,269
Over 78 and up to 104 weeks	5,107
Over 104 weeks	14,855

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what increases in numbers and percentages of unemployed have taken place on Merseyside since the Government took office.

Between May 1979 and April 1981 the numbers registered as unemployed in the Merseyside special development area rose by 32,329, an increase of 41·3 per cent. The figures on which the increase is based include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will arrange for the Manpower Services Commission to fund the provision of teaching staff for short-term training courses for young unemployed on a longer term than a one-year-at-a-time basis at Ac ton technical college and Southall college of technology.

Short training courses are run as part of the youth opportunities programme. The programme is reviewed annually in the light of the level of youth unemployment, and to ensure a flexible and rapid response to changing local needs it is not the commission's policy to enter into agreements to fund for more than one year the provision of short term training courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the total number of disabled people who are registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 for each of the employment service districts in Hampshire; how many in each case are unemployed; what percentage of the registered disabled the unemployed represents; and how these percentages compare with the similar figures for the non-disabled unemployed.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many conferences held in Monte Carlo in each of the last five years have been eligible for grants to delegates from the Road Transport Industry Training Board; and at what cost;(2) what agreement was reached between the Road Transport Industry Training Board and the Mobil Oil Company Ltd. convention co-ordinator on the grant that could be claimed from public funds in respect of attendance by delegates at a Mobil Oil conference held at Loew's hotel, Monte Carlo, from 12 to 15 March 1981; and what was the cost per head;(3) what profit was made, and what funds in total were received, from the sale of training material by the Road Transport Industry Training Board at the Mobil Oil Company conference at Loew's hotel, Monte Carlo, from 12 to 15 March 1981; and what was the total cost of an employee of the board attending the conference;(4) what was the profit to the Road Transport Industry Training Board from the sale of training materials in the last financial year.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many handicapped school leavers have registered as unemployed for each year since 1974.

Statistics are available from 1974 for the number of disabled young people who were registered as unemployed at careers offices in Great Britain each month—although the figures available for the years 1974–1976 relate only to unemployed young people registered as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944. Statistics are also available of the number of school leavers registered at careers offices on a similar basis. However, a separate count of disabled school leavers is not made, and these statistics could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many handicapped school leavers have entered the Manpower Services Commission youth opportunities programme for each year since its inception.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies have been filled in the Welwyn Garden City-Hatfield-St. Albans area since May 1979.

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

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 May 1981]: The aim of my Department and the Manpower Services Commission is to transfer, at the earliest opportunity, financial and management responsibility for this centre to the offshore industry. On this basis, discussions with the industry, including consideration of the ownership of the centre's assets, are at an advanced stage but are not yet complete. I intend to make a statement on the outcome of these negotiations when they are concluded.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the cost of the operations of the Pay Research Unit in each of the last 10 years.

The following table lists the cost of operating the Pay Research Unit for each of the last 10 financial years:

Year	Cost (£)
1971–72	115,500
1972–73	148,200
1973–74	165,200

Year	Cost (£)
1974–75	242,440
1975–76	308,820
1976–77	237,370
1977–78	182,000
1978–79	474,400
1979–80	794,000
1980–81	1,020,000

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if discussions took place in 1980 with the Civil Service unions on the possibility of replacing the Pay Research Unit; and, if so, what was the outcome.

At a meeting with the Civil Service unions on 1 August 1980, my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord President of the Council proposed a number of improvements to the Civil Service pay arrangements, including changes in the staffing and operation of the Pay Research Unit. Discussions about these changes and about changes which the union side had also put forward made little progress. We informed the unions in February this year that we had concluded that there should be a thoroughgoing review of the arrangements for determining Civil Service pay.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether the proposed independent inquiry into Civil Service pay is wholly dependent on the agreement of the Civil Service trade unions; when it will be set up; and under whose chairmanship.

No, but we have offered to consult the Civil Service unions about our proposal to set up an independent inquiry, and I hope that talks will be held soon.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what has been the total amount saved by Her Majesty's Treasury since 27 March as a result of the deductions made from the pay of those civil servants taking part in the campaign of disruption.

The total deductions from the pay of those non-industrial civil servants who took part in industrial action between 28 March and 13 May, both dates inclusive, are estimated at some £7 million. The estimated total deductions between 9 March—the start of the current industrial action—and 13 May are nearly £16 million.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when her Department intends to publish the White Paper describing the past and future work of the Civil Service Department promised in Cmnd. 8170.

As soon as we can.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service by how much the number of civil servants has increased or decreased in each Department since 1979.

Figures are not available centrally for May 1979. The table below shows the staff in post at 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1981 in each Department by Ministerial responsibility and the changes in each case.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the outcome of the initiative to export pulpwood from the United Kingdom to Scandinavia; what has been the volume increase of such exports over the past year; and if he will make a statement as to future prospects for such exports.

I am satisfied with the speedy and effective development of export markets for pulpwood, which have increased from an annual average of under 50,000 tonnes in 1975–9 to about 230,000 tonnes in 1980. This is expected to further increase to about 525,000 tonnes in 1981. Although future prospects are good, exports are regarded as an interim measure pending the establishment of new wood-processing industries in Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would be the price difference between those operating in the market and those set for the social institutional buying of beef if the United Kingdom took advantage of the possibilities under EEC regulation 2374/79; and what the cost would be to the United Kingdom Government and the EEC.

The wholesale price difference would be about £1,200 per tonne. The full cost of operating a social beef scheme would depend on its uptake.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what trials have been made of the purchasing of beef by social institutions in the United Kingdom; and what assessment was made of the result.

A pilot social beef scheme was operated in the United Kingdom in 1978, when 1,000 tonnes of intervention stocks of boneless beef were put on offer to social institutions. The hospitals made greater use of the scheme than did local authority institutions. To a large extent, the beef bought by the social institutions under this scheme replaced normal purchases of meat and other products. The net extra sales were therfore small. In contrast the costs of the scheme, including administration, were extremely large.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for South Shields on 13 April, Official Report, c. 27, whether it would be possible to allow schools and hospitals to purchase beef at greatly reduced prices under EEC regulation No. 2374/79 as well as operating the variable beef scheme.

Yes, it would be possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the Welfare of Livestock (Intensive Units) Regulations 1978 are being adhered to by farmers; and if there have been any prosecutions for non-adherence to the Welfare of Livestock (Intensive Units) Regulations 1978 since their introduction.

The requirements of these regulations form a normal part of good husbandry practice in this country, and I am satisfied that they are observed by the great majority of farmers. My Department has assisted in two prosecutions taken under these regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of criminals convicted of terrorist offences since May 1979.

The available information relates to persons convicted on indictment at Belfast Crown Court of offences scheduled under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978. During the period 1 May 1979 to 31 March 1981, 1,312 persons were convicted.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce legislation to provide for a system of permits for foreign journalists working in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Reports of recent events in Northern Ireland indicate that some, and I emphasise some, foreign journalists have acted in ways which fall far short of the standards which we are entitled to expect.Nevertheless, the principle of the freedom of the press is not one which can be abandoned or indeed, infringed without the most serious and careful consideration. I cannot see a present need for the course suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the number of district heating schemes in Wales and the total number of houses heated by such schemes; and if he will give details of the fuel used in each case.

There are 14 district heating schemes in Wales serving 7,112 dwellings. Six are fuelled by oil, six by coal and two by natural gas.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the allocation granted to the Housing Corporation in Wales for each year since 1976; and what has been the allocation granted to each housing association for 1979, 1980 and the current year.

The following allocations have been made to the Housing Corporation in Wales since 1976:

	£ million
1976–77	14·8
1977–78	20·1
1978–79	30·7
1979–80	24·8
1980–81	28·9
1981–82	30·4

Allocations are not made by the Department to individual Associations.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will introduce a system of water rate rebates in Wales, similar to the rebate scheme for the general rate.

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Hughes) on 2 March 1981.—[Vol. 1,000, c. 45].

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the level of water rate increases in Wales.

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomery (Mr. Williams) on 2 March 1981.—[Vol. 1,000, c. 44].

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what funds he has directed to developing new materials for industry; and what development and trials he is now sponsoring in the field of betasialons, materials based on silicon, aluminium, oxygen and nitrogen.

The Department provides substantial support for R and D on industrial materials, their processing and application, including a small proportion specifically on new materials. The Department's spending on materials and materials processing R and D in 1980–81 was around £12 million.Several years ago the Department provided significant support for the early stages of industrial development of sialons leading towards their commercialisation. No development or trials of sialons are currently being supported by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a study of the implication for industry of a reduction in the levels of lead content in petrol.

Full consideration was given to the implications for industry of imposing a reduced maximum permitted level of lead in petrol in advance of the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services last Monday.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what estimates he has made of the effect on the motor industry of a reduction in the lead content level in petrol.

The effect on the motor industry was taken into account in arriving at the decision announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services last week.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to hold the first meeting of the industrial space consultative committee.

The space consultative committee held its first meeting on 29 April.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will introduce further measures to promote industrial awareness of the benefits of information technology.

I am pleased to announce that as part of our continuing strategy to promote a wider appreciation in industry and among the general public of the opportunities and benefits offered by information technology, the Government intend to introduce a major information technology awareness campaign next year. Details will be announced later.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will arrange an early meeting with his counterparts in the other European Economic Community member States to discuss the formation of a Community-wide industrial recovery plan.

No. Industrial recovery will result from bringing inflation under control and from co-operation between entrepreneurial managements and adaptable work forces in the profitable production of manufactured goods at low unit costs which beat the competition and please the customer.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what response he has received from small firms to the recently announced measures designed to help this sector of industry.

The measures announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to stimulate the birth of new firms and the growth of existing businesses have been warmly welcomed by small firms and the organisations which represent them.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the present level of manufacturing output.

The latest information currently available for manufacturing output is for February. The index of industrial production for March will be published on 19 May. In the latest three months, manufacturing production was 3 per cent. lower than in the previous three months and some 18 per cent. below its 1979 peak. The February estimate, however, was 1 per cent. higher than the January one, so it is possible that a recovery is now under way. A sustained increase in industrial activity can be achieved only through improved competitiveness, wage moderation, good management and co-operative working practices.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total amount of loans made at favourable interest rates under article 56·2 (a) of the European Coal and Steel Community Treaty to firms wishing to create new job opportunities in steel and coal redundancy areas in each region of the United Kingdom since the United Kingdom joined the Community; and what has been the effect on employment of these loans.

To date, article 56 loans worth over £128 million have been advanced to firms in the United Kingdom. The projects concerned are expected to create over 25,000 new jobs in coal and steel closure areas. The regional analysis of these loans is shown below. In addition, loans worth £160 million have been approved by the ESCS and are awaiting disbursement or are currently under consideration. The projects concerned are expected to provide 35,000 jobs. It is not possible to estimate the net effect on employment of these loans.

Regional Breakdown
Area	Total Value of Loans (£m)	Estimated Job Creation
Scotland	24·9	4,960
Wales	69·3	13,860
North	23·7	4,740
East Midlands	6·1	1,220
Yorks & Humberside	4·1	820
TOTAL	128·1	25,600

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has been made by Nissan in establishing a vehicle manufacturing plant within the United Kingdom.

The company is currently conducting a feasibility study into the proposed car plant. The study covers a number of aspects of the project including the United Kingdom car market, the supply of automotive components and possible sites for the factory, and it has involved Nissan in exploratory discussions with companies, unions and local authorities. Nissan will not be making a final decision on whether to go ahead with the project, and if so where, until the feasibility study is completed. This could be well into the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has been made in the negotiations between the European steel manufacturing countries.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given this afternoon to my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhill (Mr. Shepherd).

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the effect upon the United Kingdom steel industry of the compulsory steel production quotas imposed through the measures introduced by the European Coal and Steel Community in November 1980; how well the United Kingdom's arrangements under this regime are operating; and if he will make a statement on the negotiation of a new regime for the period after 30 June 1981.

Because of the low level of demand for steel, production of most British producers has been below their quota level. In a few cases where firms have wished to produce more than their quota, additional tonnage has been made available by other producers or by the Commission using the flexibility allowed them in the article 58 decision. The regime has worked reasonably well, although the recovery of steel prices from the very low levels prevailing last autumn has been less than hoped for. For information about negotiations for a new regime after 30 June I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the expected saving to public funds of the closure of the Glasgow outstation of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.

There will be a saving of 3½, or possibly 4½, Civil Service posts with consequent savings in wages and overheads, of about £20,000 per annum, and a saving to LGC management of the cost of administering the outstation, together with the costs of heating, lighting, telephone, postage and travelling and, in due course, the cost of the accommodation itself. After the closure of the Glasgow outstation its work can be diverted to other parts of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist where it can be done much more cheaply. The precise amount saved in this way will depend on the amount of business thus diverted, but the direct cost to the Department may be approximately halved.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what scrutiny he has given to the report of the Select Committee on Industry and Trade regarding the continuing costs of Concorde; and if he will make a statement.

The Select Committee's observations and recommendations, which cover many aspects of Concorde, are being studied in detail; and, in accordance with normal practice, the Government's final and considered reply will be delivered to Parliament as soon as possible. However, I cannot at present anticipate when this will be, or the form or content of the Government's response.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the total steel production capacity in the United Kingdom on 1 May 1979; and what he estimates capacity is at the present time.

Steel capacity figures are not available on a monthly basis. In 1979 installed steelmaking capacity in the United Kingdom averaged 28·9 million tonnes of crude steel per annum. The comparable figure for 1981 was estimated in January this year as 25·4 million crude tonnes. Not all this capacity is being used; manned capacity is currently estimated to be about 17·5 million crude tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for Industryhow many applications under the clothing scheme are still in dispute and how many were outstanding at the expiry of the scheme; what funds are still allocated for meeting any claims resulting from outstanding applications; and what was the comparable figure at 30 April 1980.

At 30 March 1981, the latest date for submission of applications for final payment under the provisions of the clothing scheme, 63 applications were still under consideration by the Department.There is only one case in which the Department's final decision, taken in the full knowledge of all the relevant facts, has been the subject of continuing challenge.Payments of some £13·4 million out of a total commitment of almost £21 million had been made by 30 March 1981, leaving adequate funds to meet outstanding commitments. By 30 April 1980 payments of just over £11 million had been made against the same total commitment of almost £21 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will provide aid to the United Kingdom textile industry similar to that which other European Economic Community countries are providing.

The United Kingdom textile industry already receives aid, which since May 1979 has amounted to some £71 million under the Industry Act 1972 and short-time working compensation; it also benefits from the protection provided by the multi-fibre arrangement and from tax savings on account of first year 100 per cent. free depreciation and stock relief. I do not believe that additional aid—which could then be matched by other member States—is the right or the only answer to the industry's problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the Association of Independent Contract Research Organisations to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall for the week commencing Monday 22 June 1981.

Yes. Arrangements have been made for such an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to take place from Monday 22 June to Friday 26 June 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether difficulties over mineral rights affect tin operations in Cornwall; and if he will introduce legislation to resolve the problems involved.

I am aware that there are mineral rights difficulties in Cornwall, but legislation in the form of the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1966 already exists and I have not received convincing evidence to show that this Act is unsatisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will take steps to promote investment in engineering industry in the city of Leicester.

The Government's economic and other policies, which include substantial incentives for investors, are designed to create conditions in which firms, given appropriate attitudes on the part of both management and work forces, can become more competitive. That is the best way to encourage investment in industry, including the engineering industry, in Leicester and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what plans he has for the provision of further assistance to small businesses.

The most important immediate task is to promote a wider understanding of the many incentives we have introduced for small firms so that more people will take advantage of them, particularly as the recession clears. This is the objective of the business opportunities programme which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer launched on 5 May.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take steps to change the designated areas for assistance in order to qualify for increased European Economic Community financial support.

No. We would not increase the amount of Community financial support for this country merely by adding to designated areas. So an increase in the areas eligible for aid from the Community would simply spread the available aid more thinly. This would dilute Government regional policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the changes to its corporate plan announced by BL Ltd.

I do not consider that a statement would be appropriate. BL Ltd. must itself face up to the realities of a highly competitive vehicle market. Painful decisions which have to be taken as a result are for BL to decide upon and then to implement.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will restore special development area status to areas in Mid-Glamorgan, in view of the increase of 80 per cent. in unemployment since May 1979; and if he will give particular consideration to the Aberdare area because of the male unemployment in excess of 17 per cent. which exists there.

The Government's policy is to concentrate regional assistance on the areas of greatest need. All Mid-Glamorgan has either special development or development area status, and I am satisfied that this gives appropriate recognition to the particular circumstances of the county relative to the rest of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the North Sea gas-gathering system.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 27 April—[Vol. 3, c. 510–11]—to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet).

asked the Secretary of State for Energy why it has taken so long to arrange the financing of the gas-gathering pipe line in the North Sea; what volume of gas will be flared for each month of delay; and what is the loss of revenue resulting from the omission to provide facilities.

The financing of the gas-gathering pipeline is taking time to arrange because of the size of the project and the number of interests involved. The organising group has had to examine a number of matters in developing financing proposals which preserve the integrated gas-gathering concept while avoiding needless calls on the public purse. This process has however not held back work on physical aspects of the project, and there has therefore been no delay or omission to provide facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what conclusions have been reached on the request for short-term assistance with fuel costs made by officers of the central horticultural committee of the National Farmers Union and the West Sussex Growers Association at their meeting with the hon. Member for Kingston upon Thames (Mr. Lamont) on 25 November 1980.

I am pleased to say that, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food told my hon. Friend on 30 April, the Government propose to introduce a short-term adaptation aid to enable growers of heated protected crops to adjust to the distortions of competition caused by the preferential gas tariff to horticulturists in the Netherlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has regarding the increase in arrears of fuel payments.

This is a matter for the industries and I am asking the chairmen of the British Gas Corporation and Electricity Council to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in view of the fact that the increase in agricultural electricity charges in Wales during the last financial year has been appreciably greater than the corresponding increase in general inflation, he will appoint an independent inquiry to investigate all such increases in charges by both the Merseyside and North Wales electricity board and the South Wales electricity board.

No. Existing statutes already require the boards to consult their respective area electricity consultative councils on tariff changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in the light of the electricity charges borne by rural consumers and the high connection charges to new rural consumers, if he will set up an investigation into the running of the two electricity boards which serve Wales.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in the light of the criticism of the Central Electricity Generating Board made by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission over its serious mistakes in forecasting of costs and charges, whether he will make a statement; what action is proposed in connection with this matter; and whether this will include the dismissal of the generating board.

Responsibility for publication of the report on the Central Electricity Generating Board by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade, who will be making a statement shortly. I am considering the commission's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he proposes to authorise the construction of the 2,000 megawatt oil-fired power station at Connah's Quay in Clwyd.

The Central Electricity Generating Board withdrew its application for the Secretary of State's consent to construct this proposed power station in May 1980.

asked the Attorney-General what criteria are used for prosecuting Service men and ex-Service men who may have been involved in the commission of crimes while serving in the British Forces (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad.

The Director of Public Prosecutions uses the same basic criteria in all cases, whether they involve Service men or ex-Service men and whether they are cases arising out of the commission of crimes in the United Kingdom or those committed abroad where our courts have jurisdiction.

asked the Attorney-General when the Government will be responding to the findings of the Benson committee, Cmnd. 7648, of October 1979 and in particular to the committee's recommendation that law centres be nationally funded.

The Royal Commission on legal services' recommendations represent a long-term programme. They must be considered in the light of prevailing circumstances, including the availability of resources: decisions are being taken whenever these permit. In particular, responsibility for criminal legal aid has been transferred to the Lord Chancellor. No decision has been taken on the funding of law centres.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing starts were made in Cumbria, the Northern region, the North-West region and the rest of England for the last month for which statistics are available.

Following are the available estimates for the latest quarter:

New dwellings started: 1st Quarter 1981
	Public sector	Private sector	Total
Cumbria	78	159	237
North*	700	1,220	1,920
North-West*	720	2,480	3,200
Rest of England*	3,900	18,460	22,360
* Provisional: subject to revision.

Comparisons are not normally made on periods of less than three months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council dwellings have been started so far in 1981 in the United Kingdom, West Yorkshire, and Kirkless, respectively.

Following are the available estimates:

New Dwellings Started for Local Authorities*:	1st Quarter 1981
Kirklees	—
West Yorkshire metropolitan county †	230
Great Britain†	4,900
Northern Ireland	‡213
United Kingdom†	‡3,310
* Including housebuilding for Scottish Special Housing Association and Northern Ireland Housing Executive excluding new towns.
† Provisional: subject to revision.
‡ January-February only.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his assessment of the number of people who are currently making the wrong choice as between claiming supplementary benefit and local authority housing benefits; and how many of these have wrongly chosen housing benefits.

There is no reliable estimate available of those currently choosing wrongly between claiming supplementary benefit and local authority housing assistance, but, in February 1979, para 4·5 of the "Response of the Supplementary Benefits Commission to `Social Assistance: A Review of the Supplementary Benefits Scheme in Great Britain'" suggested, on the basis of earlier data, that 400,000 people were getting less help than they were entitled to because they had made the wrong choice. This figure included 300,000 who were receiving assistance with housing costs from local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report those countries to which his Department has given advice on the establishment of new towns.

Since the British Urban Development Services Unit was wound up in 1978, my Department has arranged for advice on new town development to be given to Trinidad, and discussions are now proceeding about advice to Algeria and Venezuela. In addition, there have been requests from overseas to individual new town development corporations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines are issued concerning a councillor's right to speak on local authority committee on a planning matter where the councillor lives next to the development site under discussion.

A local authority member with a pecuniary interest in a matter under consideration by a committee of the council must act in accordance with the requirements of sections 94–96 and 105 of the Local Government Act 1972. In the case of a personal interest which does not constitute a pecuniary interest, the National Code of Local Government Conduct (promulgated in DOE circular 94/75) gives guidance to councillors.