asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to introduce legislation giving a statutory definition of duty free shops.

No. Duty free shops are approved under existing legal provisions as warehouses for the storage and subsequent exportation of goods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will institute an independent investigation into the proposed timetable for the computerisation of the PAYE system.

Independent expert advice was obtained on the plans for the computerisation of PAYE. The most recent independent advice on the timetable is that it is adequate but tight. I do not see that a further review now would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the European Commission has made available to Her Majesty's Government estimates of the net contributions of each member State in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981; and if he will publish these in the Official Report.

The Commission has made available the following estimates of net contributions (-) and receipts in respect of the Community budgets for 1980 and 1981:

million ecus
	1980	1981
Germany	-1,540	-1,647
France	423	624
Netherlands	441	223
Belgium	255	388
Denmark	331	302
Luxembourg	232	282
United Kingdom	-1,521	-1,505
Italy	735	619
Ireland	644	591
Greece	na	123

These estimates—which the Government are studying—are intended to be on the basis used in the agreement of 30 May 1980 on United Kingdom budget refunds. The figures do not take account of the agreement itself, which gave the United Kingdom net refunds of 1,175 million ecus in respect of 1980 and 1,420 million ecus in respect of 1981. The Commission has not, to our knowledge, provided comparable estimates for 1978 and 1979.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of tax relief on mortgage interest for owner-occupiers in 1980–81, 1981–82 and 1982–83.

The available information is:

	Cost of tax relief on mortgage interest
	£ million
1980–81	1,960
1981–82	1,950

No estimate is available for 1982–83, as this will depend on income tax rates and allowances, and on the amounts of allowable mortgage interest in that year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his best estimate of the amounts of income tax revenue lost to public funds during the financial year 1980–81 on account of unemployment.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. and learned Friend the then Minister of State on 8 July to a question from the hon. Member for Bolton, East (Mr. Young). [Vol. 8, c. 126].

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there has been any significant change in the last decade in the proportion of gross domestic product taken up by wages and salaries.

The proportion of gross domestic product taken up by wages and salaries varies according to the stage in the economic cycle. In each of the years 1970 to 1980 it was as follows:

	Per cent.*
1970	61·5
1971	60·4
1972	59·4
1973	58·7
1974	61·1
1975	62·9
1976	60·2
1977	58·0
1978	57·5
1979	58·3
1980	59·9
* Proportion of income based measure of gross domestic product at factor cost. Wages and salaries exclude the pay of Her Majesty's Forces..

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to repeal section 482 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 and to redefine company residence.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to take action following the publication of the Inland Revenue consultative documents "Tax Havens and the Corporate Sector" and "Company Residence"; and if he will publish a list of those persons and bodies who have made representations on these documents, distinguishing those resident in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, for each of the last five years, the total amounts of tax loss estimated under information item 28 of Treasury circular of 1975 regarding application for special consent under section 482 of Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, for each of the last five years, the locations of the non-resident bodies corporate which have applied for specific consent under section 482 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970, in accordance with the procedure set out in the Treasury memorandum of 1975.

I regret that the information requested cannot be supplied except at disproportionate cost. In the last five years approximately 10,000 applications have been made for consent under section 482 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to impose on companies operating in the United Kingdom but resident in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man a surcharge equivalent to the amount of tax which would have been paid by them had they been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the annual tax forgone by the Exchequer in respect of companies operating essentially as companies registered in the United Kingdom but registered in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider allowing a higher limit of relief on self-employed retirement annuities for those born before 1936.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest estimates of the net European Economic Community budget deficit for 1980 and 1981, showing the likely and recorded monthly net cash flows for each year.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the practice of providing loan facilities under personal pension policies is acceptable to the Inland Revenue.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1981]: Retirement annuity contracts and occupational pension schemes are approved for tax purposes by the Inland Revenue if they meet the conditions, especially those relating to the sole or main object or purpose of the contract or scheme, provided for in the Taxes Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the loss of revenue if payments to child minders by one-parent families were to be deducted from gross income before tax.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1981]: I regret that information on which to base an estimate is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he has any plans to withdraw life assurance tax relief from policies containing a guaranteed surrender value;(2) if he has any plans to withdraw life assurance tax relief from bond contracts linked to building society investments;(3) if he has any plans to extend the clawback period from four years in respect of guaranteed income bonds on which life assurance tax relief is claimed.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1981]: We are keeping these and other aspects of the life assurance relief under review.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many officials of the Overseas Development Administration were present at the international meeting for co-operation and development at Cancun.

Of the four official advisers at Cancun, one was from the Overseas Development Administration.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how he intends to accommodate the increased aid for agricultural development undertaken at the Cancun conference within the overall aid budget.

The Cancun participants met for a wide-ranging exchange of views rather than to negotiate specific commitments. My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal announced to the House in July a new initiative to strengthen agricultural research in Africa. We are ready to give greater priority to agricultural development in our country aid programmes if that is what recipient countries want. [Vol. 9, c. 731.]

asked the Lord Privy Seal what specific initiatives Her Majesty's Government expect to take upon the conference at Cancun, Mexico.

Those present at Cancun agreed that their discussions should be followed up in the United Nations and its specialised agencies. The President of the General Assembly has already taken the initiative in undertaking informal consultations with a number of countries.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what proportions of the total development aid granted to the poorest developing countries come from the following sources: (a) the member States of the European Community both individually and through the Lomé Convention, (b) the United States of America, (c) the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and (d) the Arab countries in membership of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

In 1979, the latest year for which complete figures are available, the proportion of total net official development assistance provided to the least developed countries and others with a 1978 GNP per capita of $450 or less by each donor was:

	per cent.
(a) European Community (EC)
Belgium	2·7
Denmark	1·7
France	5·4
Germany, FR	8·2
Italy	0·1
Netherlands	4·4
United Kingdom	6·4
Bilateral total	29·0
Through the EC	5·9
EC Total	34·8
(b) United States of America	12·0
(c) USSR	6·0
(d) Arab members of OPEC	7·3
The balance of the poorest countries' receipts came from other OECD members and from multilateral agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what were the values of exported manufactured goods during each of the past six years; and what were the corresponding figures for imported manufactured goods.

Figures on the preferred balance of payments basis for 1980 show exports of manufactured goods valued at £34·9 billion and imports at £29·4 billion. The rest of the information is as follows:

United Kingdom Visible Trade in Manufactures
	£ billion BOP basis
	Exports FOB	Imports FOB
1975	15·8	12·1
1976	20·6	15·7
1977	25·6	19·7
1978	27·7	22·7
1979	31·0	28·3

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will introduce additional measures which will have the effect of safeguarding the interest of the British textile industry.

The multi-fibre arrangement, together with the related arrangements for limiting imports of textiles and clothing from other low-cost sources, remains the Government's primary instrument to safeguard the interest of the British textile industry against foreign competition.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will review the pool agreements of airlines operating to and from the United Kingdom with a view to the abolition of these agreements and the consequential reduction of air fares.

No. Fares are not governed by pool agreements and their abolition would not lead directly to any reduction.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when next he expects to meet the chairman of the British Airports Authority.

I meet the chairman of the British Airports Authority regularly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will take action to control the import of trucks into the United Kingdom.

There are no plans to introduce import controls on trucks. But it has been made clear that we are seriously concerned about the excessive level of imports of light commercial vehicles from Japan and that we expect Japanese manufacturers to reduce the level of these exports significantly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he now expects the publication of trade data for March to August 1981 to be completed.

Figures for total imports in March and April 1981 have already been published. Of the remainder, each month's figures will be published as they become available. We expect the work on the backlog to be completed by the middle of 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he intends to introduce any new measures in connection with the finding of the National Economic Development Corporation, in its report "Industrial Performance—a review", that too many companies are apathetic towards exports.

The fact that the United Kingdom exports a greater proportion of its GDP than any other major manufacturing country shows that many companies are committed to exporting. The thrust of the Government's comprehensive range of export services is being maintained, but I have no plans for new measures at present. Government policy is directed to creating the right conditions to enable all firms to compete more effectively at home and abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he intends to take any action in the multi-fibre arrangement discussions in the light of the Cancun summit.

We shall continue to take very careful account of the needs of the developing countries, and particularly those of the poorest countries, in deciding our overall policies towards textile imports. The Community has already decided that the arrangements to be negotiated under the new MFA should, where possible, differentiate in favour of the poorest countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement on the renewal of the Anglo-Lebanese civil air transport services agreement.

At talks in early November with the Lebanese authorities new procedures were agreed for determining the capacity to be mounted by the airlines and specific entitlements were settled for a period of two years beginning next April. The talks were cordial and there are no outstanding problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will report separately the latest figures for imports of motor cars and light commercial vehicles from Japan this year.

Owing to the Civil Service pay dispute, detailed statistics of overseas trade are available only for three months of the year to date. Vehicle registrations in the period from January to October 1981 included 151,514 passenger cars and 27,365 light commercial vehicles from Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what efforts are being made to stimulate trade between the United Kingdom and Romania and Yugoslavia.

There have been several visits by Ministers in both directions between the United Kingdom and Romania and Yugoslavia in the last two years. A wide range of opportunities for the development of trade were identified during these visits and are being pursued. The United Kingdom-Romania Joint commission and the Anglo-Yugoslav trade council meet annually to review the scope for developing trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps Her Majesty's Government plan in the light of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce's recent statement that if British companies invest in Israel they will be placed on the Arab boycott list.

None. I understand that the statement in question relates to the proposed Israeli project to construct a canal between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, made clear to the House on 30 July, the Government consider this project unlawful in international law.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many representations he has received from airlines concerning the current level of air fares.

Fare levels for British airlines are of course primarily a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority. However, my right hon. Friend and I are in frequent touch with British airlines and we discuss fares amongst other subjects. I have not had any direct representations from foreign airlines on this subject in recent months, but when new fares for foreign airlines are filed my officials are as necessary in touch with both the airlines and their governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what recent negotiations he has had with his European counterparts with a view to reducing European air fares.

The Government lose no opportunity to impress upon our European colleagues what we see as an urgent need to Introduce more liberal arrangements for setting air fares in Europe. During the course of this year we have pressed this issue at a number of bilateral and multilateral gatherings. In particular, I have recently travelled to Brussels and Rome to visit my counterparts in the Governments of those countries to discuss with them both inter-regional air services and fares, and I plan to make a similar visit to Copenhagen early in December.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has taken any initiative to reduce air fares within the European Community.

Yes. It was as a result of an initiative by the United Kingdom that the Commission was asked to report on air fares and have now put a draft directive before the Council of Ministers. On 8 October my right hon. Friend and I held a press conference to make public our reply to the Commission's letter on air fares and competition. We made it clear that we are not satisfied with progress and believe that changes are urgently needed to bring about a more liberal system for approval of fares.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the recent trade agreement with Brazil, particularly the proposed purchase of container ships and containers.

Under the memorandum of understanding, ECGD-backed credits totalling £380 million are to be made available to Brazil provided firm contracts for export orders to that amount are signed by 30 April 1982. The orders for ships—four roll-on-roll-off and two container ships—will be worth about £120 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to ensure that British industry, in particular the steel industry, is not harmed by the unfair importation of goods which purport to be of equivalent quality and which may not receive adequate testing and assessment on entry into the United Kingdom.

There are in general no legal requirements for steels to be tested and assessed on entry to the United Kingdom. However, any goods bearing a false trade description within the meaning of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 may be the subject of a prosecution. Enforcement of the Act is the responsibility of the local weights and measures authorities, though other persons may institute proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the current level of imports of vacuum cleaners.

The available information for 1981 is given as follows:

United Kingdom Imports of Vacuum Cleaners, 1981
	Number	Value cif (£ thousand)
January	50,548	1,049
February	59,223	1,384
September	104,522	2,901
Monthly average
1980	97,905	1,758

asked the Secretary of State for Trade on how many occasions he has used the powers under section 13 of the Competition Act; and to which commodity the price increase concerned related.

These powers have not yet been used.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what percentage of British trade is conducted with less developed countries.

The information for exports and imports may be derived from tables 11 and 15 respectively of the press notice on the current account of the United Kingdom balance of payments for September 1981. A copy of the press notice is available in the House of Commons library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he is taking to ensure the continued existence of the College of Air Training at Hamble.

I hope that a means will be found of preserving the college as a flying training school, but I do not believe that the Government should take over responsibility for the college.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that the Restrictive Trade Practices Act does not impede the ability of British firms to meet foreign competition.

I have no evidence that the Act impeded the British firms' competitiveness.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the number of blank audio cassettes imported into the United Kingdom in each month since January 1981.

The available information may be found in table IV of the Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom for January, February and September 1981 against Code No. 9212–1111, under SITC (R2) item 898.31. A copy of this publication is available in the Library. Figures for the intervening months are not yet available because of the Civil Service pay dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many new companies were registered for each month in the current year compared with the corresponding months in 1980.

The number of new companies registered in England, Wales and Scotland for the months January-October 1980 and 1981 is as follows:

	England/Wales		Scotland
	1980	1981	1980	1981
January	6,139	5,767	201	164
February	5,754	5,280	257	234
March	6,271	6,226	269	358
April	5,958	4,938	281	299
May	4,664	5,699	351	360
June	5,677	6,455	322	409
July	5,198	6,185	194	262
August	4,665	5,466	258	233
September	4,672	5,266	215	210
October	6,224	6,158	344	302
Total	55,222	57,440	2,692	2,831

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will estimate the revenue lost to the British phonographic industry by illegal home taping of radio broadcasts during the year ended 31 December 1980 or for the latest 12-month period for which estimates are available.

The effect of illegal home taping of broadcasts on the sales of sound recordings is considered in detail in chapter 3 of the Green Paper published in July—Reform of the Law relating to Copyright, Designs and Performers' Protection—A Consultative Document: Cmnd. 8302. The conclusion reached in the paper is that the sales lost as a direct consequence of private copying cannot be precisely quantified. Nevertheless, the paper invites public comment on the whole question of home taping and doubtless the extent of this loss will be one of the matters on which further comment will be submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied with the level of financial support planned for citizens advice bureaux.

The financing of individual citizens advice bureaux is primarily a matter for local authorities, which I hope will do everything possible to support the CAB service within current financial constraints. I am satisfied with the current level of Government support for the Citizens Advice Bureaux' national association, which we have increased from £1·852 million in 1979–80 to £4·963 million in the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, what regulations govern the passage of crude oil tankers (a) in the Minch and (b) in the Sound of Mull; and if he is satisfied that they are sufficient to prevent an accident resulting in oil spillage.

There are no special regulations governing the passage of crude oil tankers in the Minch and the Sound of Mull: under international law all vessels enjoy the right of innocent passage in these waters. I am not aware of any accident in this area resulting in a crude oil spillage. The provisions of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971 apply and I do not envisage, at present, seeking further powers: regulations of themselves will not prevent accidents. But my Department keeps the position under continual review, in consultation with local interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many press and public relations officers are currently employed in his Department; what is the total cost per annum; and what were the comparable figures for May 1979 and May 1980.

The number and cost of pay and national insurance contributions of Information Officer Group staff in my Department's Press Office on these dates was as follows:

	Number	Cost £000
May 1979	16	151
May 1980	16	198
November 1981	14	187

The figures for May 1979 include staff in the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection which has since been absorbed in the Department of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations have been made to him on the financial damage being caused to the music industry by the illegal taping of pre-recorded music; and if he will make a statement.

Estimates of the financial damage being caused to the music industry were discussed at a series of meetings with representatives of the British phonographic industry prior to the publication in July of the Green Paper—Reform of the Law relating to Copyright, Designs and Performers' Protection: Cmnd. 8302, and these estimates are considered in detail in chapter 3. Since publication further representations have been received and I have met representatives of the industry again. I still consider that the conclusion reached in chapter 3 of the Green Paper—that the sales of pre-recorded music lost as a direct consequence of private copying cannot be precisely quantified—is correct.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the balance of trade for (a) Syria, (b) Jordan, (c) Iraq, (d) Iran, (e) Saudi Arabia, (f) Egypt, (g) Israel, (h) Kuwait, (i) United Arab Emirates and (j) Libya over the first nine months of this year and the preceding five years; and what were the percentage changes in imports and exports with each of these countries for the nine-month period and the aye-year period.

The information which can be provided within acceptable limits of cost is as follows:

United Kingdom Crude Balances of Trade (Exports Valued FOB less Imports Valued CIF) with Selected Countries, 1976 to 1980
(£ million).
	1976	1980
Syria	+56·8	+69·3
Jordan	+55·3	+88·8
Iraq	-127·4	-210·6
Iran	-531·2	+286·2
Saudi Arabia	-577·1	-935·4
Egypt	+104·8	-9·5
Israel	+124·4	-3·4
Kuwait	-440·6	-397·1
United Arab Emirates	+124·9	+17·9
Libya	-31·7	+241·9

Change in Value of United Kingdom Trade (at Current Prices) with Selected Countries, 1980 Compared with 1976
(per cent.)
	Exports	Imports
Syria	+26·6	+59·5
Jordan	+69·5	+659·0
Iraq	+111·7	+90·6
Iran	-23·7	-89·8
Saudi Arabia	+136·1	+92·4
Egypt	+88·7	+395·8
Israel	-7·9	+86·0
Kuwait	+71·0	+10·3
United Arab Emirates	+54·0	+141·3
Libya	+113·8	-72·1

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what were the findings of the survey carried out earlier this year into the wreck of the munitions ship "Richard Montgomery"; what steps he proposes to take to dispose of the contents of the wreck; and if he will make a statement.

I expect to receive the report on the survey fairly soon. It will take some time to consider.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, following the accession of Greece to the European Economic Community, he is satisfied that that country complies with operational and navigational maritime standards according to European Economic Community requirements.

The main standards relating to maritime safety and the prevention of pollution are set by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. Greece has ratified the most recent convention on the safety of life at sea and its related protocol and, in company with certain other members of the European Economic Community, has undertaken to initiate the necessary procedures leading to the ratification of all the outstanding conventions in this field, including those relating to marine pollution and the standards of training, certification and watchkeeping.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what tests are carried out on imported goods to ensure that these meet the standards which may be claimed in respect of quality and durability.

The Trade Descriptions Act prohibits false or misleading trade descriptions, including false or misleading claims about standards, in respect of imported and domestically produced goods alike. No central record is kept of tests carried out in the enforcement of these requirements, which is a matter for local authority trading standards departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he is taking to protect the public and private sectors of the steel industry from unfair overseas competition; and if he will study the prices charged for imported steel and compare these with production costs.

We have given—and continue to give—strong support to the Community's steel anti-crisis measures which aim inter alia to restore the steel industry to stability and profitability and to ward off the adverse effects of unfair competition. The measures include mandatory quotas for Community production of certain steels and voluntary production restraints for others, voluntary restraint arrangements between the Community and major steel exporting countries and a basic import price scheme designed to facilitate anti-dumping action against other suppliers.There is also a system of surveillance licensing for most ECSC steels which enables us to monitor the price and volume of imports from third countries. The overall effect of these measures has been greatly to reduce damage to the United Kingdom from unfair competition.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he intends implementing the recent resolution on the use of flight voice recorders on all fixed wing aircraft over a certain minimum weight and whether he will include helicopters under the same regulations.

I await advice from the Civil Aviation Authority on this matter. I understand however that the authority has recently consulted the industry on a proposal to extend the fit of cockpit voice recorders to aircraft not at present covered by the requirements of the Air Navigation Order 1980.Following this consultation, the Civil Aviation Authority is expected to recommend that these requirements be amended in respect of the carriage of cockpit voice recorders to include turbine powered aeroplanes having a maximum authorised weight between 11,400 kg and 27,000 kg. Helicopters present particular technical problems and the CAA consider they should be treated as a separate case. The Authority has been in discussion with my Department about requirements for the carriage of recording apparatus in helicopters and will shortly be consulting the industry on this matter before coming forward with proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what evidence he has that export sales of tractors are being lost to the United Kingdom due to the practices of other European Economic Community member States which are contrary to European Economic Community regulations;(2) if he will devise incentives in order to put the British tractor industry on an equal basis with competitors in the European Economic Community; and if he will take steps to ensure that British tractor producers can compete on a fair basis with other European companies;(3) what evidence there is that other members of the European Economic Community are breaking the Community regulations by subsidising tractor sales of domestic producers;(4) what evidence there is of lost export orders by British tractor producers due to unfair competition contrary to European Economic Community regulations in markets outside the European Economic Community.

I have no such evidence, but if the hon. Member has some my Department will certainly consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will bring forward proposals to enable excess capacity for tractors in the United Kingdom to be sold to Third world countries in need of these products.

The Government provides a wide range of services to exporters of tractors, as for other goods and services, to pursue available opportunities.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what information he has on the passenger loading of aircraft as a proportion of capacity on main routes into and out of the United Kingdom.

The Civil Aviation Authority publishes statistics of seat-kilometres used as a proportion of those available on scheduled international services operated by United Kingdom airlines. The figure for 1980 was 62·6 per cent. It does not include traffic by foreign airlines flying on the same routes. However, the authority is monitoring scheduled traffic by both British and United States airlines between London and the United States, and I understand that on these routes the passenger load factor for the 12 months up to 1 April 1981 was 70·6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how much coal was imported during the first nine months of 1981 by country of origin; and what was the average price per tonne of coal imported from each country.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what further action is proposed to increase the protection of the consumer and to improve information in the field of consumer education.

The record of this Government shows that we have already taken a number of important steps to protect the consumer in various ways. Indeed, we have introduced measures on a wide range of consumer issues. I am proposing a number of future measures which include new safety regulations on hazardous domestic chemical products, VAT inclusive pricing, further regulations under the Consumer Credit Act, and steps to reinforce competition.In addition the Director-General of Fair Trading is monitoring and keeping under review the behaviour of certain sectors which have given cause for concern, I shall take any additional action that proves necessary and practical.On the question of consumer education I have recently published a consumer education pack for schools which has been extremely well received. It has been circulated to secondary schools and we have had requests for a further 3,050 copies from schools and the general public. To meet this demand, the pack is to be reprinted and we are now considering offering copies for sale to members of the public.

asked the Prime Minister if she will respond to reports of the lack of medicine, drugs and surgical equipment in the Polish hospital services which have led to secondary infection and the deaths of children, by arranging for the shipment of equipment to Poland during the current crisis and destabilisation to relieve the pressures that arise in the Polish medical services.

The Government have demonstrated our support for the efforts of the Polish people to overcome their difficulties, both by our prompt response to the requests of the Polish Government for economic assistance and, through the European Community, by providing urgently needed supplies of food.We shall continue to respond to specific requests as far as it lies within our power to help. But we believe that, in the first instance, it is for the Polish Government to decide their priorities for assistance and to determine what best responds to Poland's needs. I am aware that many of the voluntary agencies in Britain have concentrated their efforts on raising funds for the supply of medicine and medical equipment to Poland to help meet the need to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Prime Minister which Departments of State will be represented by witnesses and which solely by written statements of evidence at the inquiry into a third London airport; for what reasons the decision was taken to represent different Departments in a different manner; and if she is satisfied that those who wish to contest Government evidence orally at the inquiry will have adequate opportunity to do so if that evidence is given in writing.

The Departments concerned have submitted written statements to the inquiry. A list of witnesses that the Government propose to call to give oral evidence is being made available to all concerned. Where it is clear that a witness might be of material assistance his name has been included on the list. Where, on the application of any party, the inspector considers that other Government witnesses might be of material assistance, the Department concerned would provide them. I am sending the right hon. Member a copy of the list of witnesses.

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish the letter received by the Treasury Solicitor conducting the Government's case at the inquiry into a third London airport from the North of England regional consortium; what response has been made to that letter; and if she will publish the Treasury Solicitor's reply in the Official Report.

The Consortium's letter of 3 November 1981 is receiving careful consideration and will be answered as soon as possible. As it relates to matters raised at the Stansted public inquiry, I think it would be more appropriate for the letter and the reply to it to be published as inquiry documents. I will arrange for the right hon. Member to receive copies when they are available.

asked the Prime Minister whether, pursuant to her reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, she will publish in the Official Report the letter and enclosure she received from the Director of the Spastics Society acting on behalf of the Reform VAT Group, together with the text of her reply.

I am grateful to the right hon. Member for his suggestion, but I do not publish letters which are sent to me. The writers of those letters are free to publish if they wish.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the measures currently available to local authorities in order to control street trading.

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was introduced on 6 November, contains a new code of controls over street trading, which we believe will prove satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training or information will be made available to police forces in order to deal with the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

The Home Office and the Scottish Home and Health Department are to issue guidance to chief officers of police about the Act; this will include a list of local sources of expert advice and assistance. In addition, a tape and slide training package is being prepared for use by the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the measures available to the police to contain illegal gambling; and what training is given to the police to cope with this problem.

The Royal Commission on Gambling recommended some minor extensions of police powers, but in general I am satisfied that the police have adequate powers to deal with illegal gambling. Police training centres and individual forces, with the assistance of Gaming Board inspectors, give probationer police constables training in the laws relating to gambling. Further in-force training is at the discretion of chief officers of police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the numbers of convictions for illegal gambling for the years 1978, 1979 and 1980.

Information collected centrally does not distinguish all offences relating solely to illegal gambling. Information on the number of offenders found guilty of any offence against the betting, gaming and lotteries legislation is published annually in the 'Criminal Statistics, England and Wales'—offence classification 75 for indictable offences and offence classification 106 for summary offences in tables S1.1(A) of 'Supplementary tables 1980, Vol. 1' for magistrates' courts and offence classification 75 in table S2.1(A) of Vol. 2 for the Crown Court. Corresponding information for 1978 and 1979 was published in table 1(a) and 5(a) of Cmnd. 7670 and 8098 respectively. In 1978 offence classification 75 was not applicable to proceedings at magistrates' courts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, when he examines the evidence pertinent to the dispute between the Horserace Levy Board and the bookmakers' committee of the Horserace Levy Board, he will take into consideration the possible resurgence of illegal gambling should small bookmakers be faced with an exceptionally high levy.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whom he proposes to consult before adjudicating in the dispute between the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the bookmakers' committee of the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

I will consult the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the bookmakers' committee and I am also willing to receive any representations which other interested parties may wish to make to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce his determination on the dispute between the bookmakers' committee of the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

I shall announce my determination as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will provide the latest figures for oil exports to each of the European Economic Community countries from Great Britain.

Figures for the period January to August 1981 are as follows:

United Kingdom shipments of crude oil, process and refined petroleum products to the European Community
	Crude and process oils	Refined petroleum products
	January to August 1981‡ (thousand tonnes)
United Kingdom shipments* to European Community,	16,584	6,134
of which to:
Belgium	334	529
Denmark	1,641	450
France	1,796	624
Germany, Federal Republic	7,093	376
Greece	—	5
Irish Republic	268	1,915
Italy	154	220
Luxembourg	—	—
Netherlands†	5,298	2,015

asked the Secretary of State for Energy why, before embarking on legislation in relation to making fundamental changes in the working of the British National Oil Corporation, he has decided not to publish and lay before the House detailed articles of association; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State proposes to follow the normal course of introducing legislation before embarking on detailed discussion of its implementation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what relative level of importance he gives in his policy on energy conservation to (a) the price mechanism and (b) taking positive steps to reduce usage.

The single most effective instrument of energy conservation policy is the economic pricing of energy, but the policy also requires a range of positive measures to promote more efficient energy use.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to reduce the cost of industrial fuel by 20 per cent. in order to give an incentive to British industry; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Government remain committed to the economic pricing of energy. The price of each fuel must reflect its costs and scarcity value in use. We shall continue to do all we can to enhance the day-to-day operational efficiency of the supply industries and to ensure that United Kingdom energy is produced at the lowest possible cost. This must also involve a sustained effort over time to improve the nation's supply structure and bring investment in competitive new supplies to fruition.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the cost of the damage done by the use of airguns in acts of vandalism or of damage attributable to airguns, to the property of the electricity boards in each of the last five years; and if he will give the figures for each board area.

Teachers in service with LEAs at major establishments of further and higher education
	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81
Full-time teachers	3,443*	3,546*	3,588*	3,717	3,816	3,778
Part-time teachers†	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	583	541
Total†	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	4,399	4,319
Student/staff ratio	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	7·6	8·1
* Includes full-time, teachers at adult education centres in addition to those at major establishments of further and higher education.
†Full-time equivalents.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) primary and (b) secondary teachers are currently unemployed in each authority area in Wales; and what is the ratio of pupils to teachers in each authority area at the latest date for which information is available, and at comparable dates for each of the last five years.

I am advised by the Electricity Council that this information could only be obtained by boards at disproportionate expense.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to encourage householders who are not owner-occupiers to insulate their homes.

The Government's policy of economic energy pricing provides an incentive to all householders to insulate their homes. These price signals are supported by an advertising campaign and information and advice leaflets which tell householders about particular measures they can adopt to save energy. In addition, grants are made available towards the cost of insulating lofts through the Homes Insulation Scheme administered by the Department of the Environment. Householders who are not owner-occupiers can also apply under the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many teaching staff were employed in the polytechnics and colleges of further education which offer degree courses in Wales in October 1981, and on a comparable date each year for the last five years; and what is the ratio of pupils to teachers in these colleges al the latest date for which information is available, and at comparable dates for each of the last five years;(2) how many teaching staff were employed in the non-advanced colleges of further education in Wales in October 1981; how many were employed on a comparable date in each of the last five years; and what is the ratio of pupils to teachers in these colleges at the latest date for which information is available, and at comparable dates for each of the last five years.

Information is not available separately for those colleges of further and higher education which offer degree courses and the figures below relate to all maintained colleges of further and higher education in Wales. Figures for October 1981 are not yet available and the series following relates to counts made in January of each year.

The information is given in the following tables:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, further to the answer to the hon. Member for Ogmore Official Report, 22 May, c. 223, and the reply of the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security, Official Report, Vol. 994, c. 139, when the consultative proposals on the registration and inspection of private homes for the elderly will be published.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the ten contractors which have received the largest share of motorway and trunk road construction contracts in the last three years, giving for each contractor the total value of contracts received.

During the three years ended 31 October 1981 the ten companies securing the greatest value of work on trunk road and motorway new construction and improvement schemes in Wales costing over £0·1 million were:

	£ million
Norwest Hoist Civil Engineering Ltd.	17·3
Reed & Mallik Ltd.	11·6
Sir Alfred McAlpine & Son Ltd.	11·1
Brunswick Contractor (Cardiff) Ltd.	4·3
Maenex Construction Co. Ltd.	3·8

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the number of jobs in the pipeline for the Deeside travel-to-work area; how many of these are expected to be provided from the area of the Deeside industrial park; and if he will make a statement.

Some 1,300 manufacturing jobs are estimated to be in the pipeline for the Shotton travel-to-work area, of which just over 500 are expected from projects secured for the Deeside industrial park.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many press and public relations officers are currently employed in his Department; what is the total cost per annum; and what were the comparable figures for May 1979 and May 1980.

There are now 12 officers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's news department. The total cost is £175,000. The comparable figures for May 1979 were 12 and £126,000, and for May 1980, 12 and £167,000. The relevant figures for the Overseas Development Administration are four and £63,000 now, four and £44,000 in May 1979, and three and £44,000 in May 1980.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he proposes to continue the practice of requiring counter-signatures of passport applications by a British subject; and, if so, which of the two meanings of "British subject" created by the British Nationality Act 1981 will apply for this purpose.

The definition of a Commonwealth citizen contained in part V of the British Nationality Act 1981 includes all the categories of British subjects who are currently qualified, on nationality grounds, to countersign passport applications made in the United Kingdom. When the 1981 Act comes into force, the counter-signature section of the passport application form will refer to "a Commonwealth citizen" rather than "a British subject".

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has made any representations to the Government of Brunei seeking the release of Lisa bin Lamat and Sulaiman bin Ahmad; and, if so, what has been the outcome.

The matter is an internal one and as such the responsibility of the Government of Brunei. But Her Majesty's Government continue to urge the Government of Brunei to consider releasing all those at present detained without trial.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in view of the fact that the new President, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence in Iran are hard-line Marxists, he has made any reassessment of the degree of influence of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in Iran and its effects upon security in the Gulf.

We recognise the right of the Iranian people to be governed by whatever regime they choose for themselves. The situation in Iran, together with all its implications, including those involving the Soviet Union, is kept under continual review.