asked the Attorney-General if, on the basis of the information sent to him by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, he will prosecute Mr. B. E. Calvert, of Sheffield, in connection with his activities in the case of A. Devery and Company Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

I have passed the information sent to me by the right hon. Member to the inspectors who are investigating this matter. I can do no more at this stage.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Stockport, South on 11 June, Official Report, c. 544, in the light of the Government's underestimate of the November rate of inflation by more than 2 per cent., if she remains committed to keep pensions in line with inflation.

Yes. Any shortfall in this month's uprating of national insurance retirement pensions will be made good at the next uprating.

asked the Prime Minister (1) what representations she has received from the tobacco industry relating to sports sponsorship and the advertising of their products:(2) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the sponsorship of sporting events by the tobacco industry.

I have received no representations from the tobacco industry. Government policy is to deal with such sponsorship by means of a voluntary agreement with that industry.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list in the Official Report the amount of official aid given by the United Kingdom in 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, and his estimate for 1981–82 to each of the least developed countries whose problems were the subject of the recent Paris conference.

The information is normally published on a calendar year basis. It is not the Government's practice to publish forecasts for levels of aid to particular countries in the current year.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the progress of the European initiative to solve the crisis in the Middle East.

The Ten remain committed to work energetically for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of the Venice declaration. As the Presidency for this six months we have continued to impress upon all sides in public statements and private diplomacy the need for the recognition by Palestinians and Israelis of each other's legitimate rights. As part of his effort my right hon. and noble Friend paid the visit to Saudi Arabia on which I have just answered questions.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has held discussions with General Alexander Haig regarding further progress to implement the Camp David agreements following the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.

My right hon. Friend has not discussed the Camp David agreements with Mr. Haig.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what efforts Her Majesty's Government are making to support and further the talks between Israel and Egypt.

Her Majesty's Government fully support the Egypt-Israel peace treaty. We are not involved in the talks between Egypt and Israel on autonomy for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but would welcome any progress they make towards a settlement acceptable to the Palestinian people.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will raise with the Soviet Government the question of that Government's compliance with its undertakings in the Helsinki agreement relating to human rights.

When my right hon. and noble Friend was in Moscow in July he reminded the Soviet Foreign Minister of the importance which we attach to human rights and of the strong feelings in the United Kingdom. During the CSCE review meeting in Madrid, which has recently resumed its work, our views on the inadequacy of Soviet performance in this field have been made abundantly clear.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what progress there has been since the resumption of discussions on the Helsinki agreement in Madrid.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the Helsinki review conference in Madrid.

The Madrid review meeting reconvened on 27 October. Work is continuing on a concluding document, but the main issues of military security and human rights remain unresolved. We are continuing to seek a substantial and balanced outcome which we believe could be obtained before Christmas.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations have been made to the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to limit and reduce long-range theatre nuclear forces.

Her Majesty's Government have from the outset been closely involved in the consultations within the alliance to prepare for the negotiations on theatre nuclear forces which the United States will undertake with the Russians from 30 November. We welcome these negotiations. We have repeatedly impressed upon the Russians the seriousness of our wish for arms limitations and reductions of long range theatre nuclear forces, most recently in the present session of the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when next he intends to visit Cyprus.

I have no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has received on behalf of the Cypriot Government requesting British and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation withdrawal from the Crown bases in Cyprus.

None. There is no NATO presence in the Sovereign base areas.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make it his policy not to hold meetings or negotiations with Yasser Arafat as long as the Palestine Liberation Organisation's public stated policy remains the non-acceptance of Israel and refusal to renounce terrorism as a legitimate method of pursuing its goals.

My right hon. and noble Friend has made it clear on many occasions since he took over the Presidency of the Ten that he is ready to meet Yasser Arafat if such a meeting would contribute to the cause of peace. The same applies to meetings between other ministers and PLO representatives. We continue to urge the PLO to accept Israel's right to live in peace and security and to end any association with terrorism.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many meetings with representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organisation have been held officially and unofficially at ministerial or other levels since the United Kingdom assumed Presidency of the European Economic Community.

There have been no ministerial meetings with representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. However, officials maintain regular contacts with PLO representatives in this country as well as abroad.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement about the Foreign Secretary's visit to Saudi Arabia.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor).

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement about the situation in Namibia.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will report on the recent negotiations of the five Western powers with South Africa and the internal parties of Namibia and South-West Africa on the progress to independence of Namibia.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley).

asked the Lord Privy Seal what initiatives Her Majesty's Government are preparing for the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament to be held in New York in June 1982.

The Government see the special session as an important opportunity for the international community to review progress in disarmament. It will not of course itself be a forum for negotiation. A comprehensive programme for disarmament, on which we and four other Governments recently took an initiative, will be one of the principal subjects for discussion.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many days Mr. Andrew Pike has now been detained in Iran without being brought to trial.

Mr. Andrew Pike has been detained in Iran for 449 days. In mid-September he was moved to Karaj prison from Evin prison. We are pressing energetically through different channels for the resumption of consular visits at the earliest opportunity and for a speedy resolution of his case. Meanwhile, Mr. Pike receives fortnightly deliveries of letters, money and reading material, and is able to talk to other English-speaking prisoners. According to the information we have received he is in good health.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on representations he has received and on the action he has taken to press the Soviet Government for the granting of exit visas for the seven Siberian Christians.

A large number of letters from hon. Members and from members of the public have been received about this sad case. The ultimate responsibility for the resolution of their plight lies squarely with the Soviet Government. The United States authorities have been seeking to help these families to leave the Soviet Union for many years. I doubt whether any additional approach which we might make to the Soviet authorities would lead to a more positive outcome.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what was discussed at, and what were the results of, the meeting of officials concerned with the Euro-Arab dialogue held in London on 27 and 28 October.

European and Arab officials continued their preparatory work for a meeting of the Euro-Arab dialogue at the ministerial level. No date for that has been set. Both sides agreed that much work remains to be done before the Minister's meeting is held. The Presidencies of the European and Arab side will be in touch over the next steps.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he plans to have any discussions with the Soviet Foreign Minister.

Not at present.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if any discussions are planned to take place before the end of 1981 between officials of his Department and officials of the Foreign Office of Argentina regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I have on 9 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby)—[Vol. 12, c. 13–14.]

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on further initiatives by his Department arising from the Cancun conference.

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 when the Foreign Secretary last met representatives of the Ethiopian Government.

My right hon. and noble Friend has not met any representatives of the Ethiopian Government.The Ethiopian Minister of Justice headed a delegation to several European countries, including Britain, in 1980. He was seen by my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Sir I. Gilmour).

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will intercede with the Government of Zimbabwe on behalf of British citizens wishing to leave that country, so that they may be permitted to take their own furniture and belongings with them.

Last September the Zimbabwe Government introduced regulations restricting the export by emigrants of certain household effects. When announcing these restrictions the Zimbabwe authorities stated that some emigrants had been evading the exchange controls on currency by buying large quantities of new furniture and household effects prior to emigration for subsequent sale abroad.The new regulations permit the export of furniture and effects in reasonable quantities according to a family's basic requirements. The Zimbabwe authorities have also said that they will sympathetically consider applications for the export of antiques, family heirlooms and furniture which can be shown to have been previously imported into Zimbabwe.It would not be appropriate for Her Majesty's Government to make formal representations to the Zimbabwe Government on the question of the exchange controls which apply to British citizens resident in that country. We have, however, expressed our concern to the Zimbabweans on several occasions, and they have assured us that they will relax the controls as soon as their circumstances permit. The Zimbabwe government inherited exchange control restrictions from the previous regime and have made some significant relaxations to them since independence.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the Israeli proposal to build a canal between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea.

The project as planned is contrary to international law, as it involves unlawful works in occupied territory and infringes Jordan's legal rights in the Dead Sea and neighbouring regions. No official support will be given by Her Majesty's Government in respect of the project.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the objectives of the United Kingdom Government which they hope to pursue during their Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe which is due to begin on 19 November.

Her Majesty's Government continue to attach great importance to the Council of Europe. In particular, it serves a useful purpose in bringing together the Ten and the non-Ten member States of Democratic Europe at ministerial, parliamentary and official level. It has proved a valuable forum for exchanges of views on CSCE matters and as Presidency we shall seek to enhance the Council's political importance by encouraging discussion of other major current topics.The Secretary-General of the Council will be visiting this country early in the new year as the guest of Her Majesty's Government.Her Majesty's Government will continue to support activities of the Council of Europe in the fields of human rights, social affairs, education, culture and sport, youth, public health, regional and municipal matters, regional planning and legal affairs.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions with the Governments of the dependent territories on bringing their immigration ordinances into line with the British Nationality Act 1981.

The Act is still with the printers and it will therefore be several weeks before the Governments of the dependent territories can study in detail the sections which provide for acquisition of British dependent territories citizenship. Once they have done so we shall, as Ministers have indicated in Parliament, formally ask them to review their immigration laws in the light of the provisions of the Act.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the European Parliament to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I plan to open a display on the work and role of the European Parliament in the Upper Waiting Hall on Monday 23 November at 11.30 a.m. The display, provided by the European Parliament Office in London, will remain there until Friday 27 November.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has sought legal advice outside his Department as to any liability of the Government of the Republic of Ireland to Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom for public loss or costs incurred as result of activities in the United Kingdom of terrorists based in the territory of the Republic of Ireland.

No.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his Department is giving any assistance to those organising a United Kingdom presence at the 1982 World Fair in the United States of America.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is sponsoring United Kingdom participation at the International Energy Exposition at Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1982. The theme is "Energy Turns the World". The Central Office of Information, in collaboration with the Department of Energy, will prepare the British contribution. A number of leading British companies have been invited to contribute exhibits.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister plans to visit South Africa within the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relationship with South Africa.

There are no plans at present for a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister to visit South Africa. I visitied South Africa in September 1980. We have normal relations with South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to set up an independent body to review complaints against the police now that the Police Federation has withdrawn its opposition.

As I have informed the House, we are considering, in consultation with the Police Advisory Board, what changes in the present system may be necessary. A working group under the chairmanship of my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State is expected to report back to the board shortly. I shall take into account the various proposals that have been put forward, including those by the Police Federation and any that may be made in the Scarman report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, following the recent suggestion of Sir Cyril Philips, he has considered establishing an ombudsman to investigate complaints against the police.

I understand that Sir Cyril Philips had in mind a non-police supervisor to provide an independent element in the investigation of complaints against the police, as envisaged in the report of the Plowden working party—Cmnd. 8193. As indicated in reply to another question by the hon. Member, this is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has given to submissions made to him to authorise community radio.

Those who have sent in comments on community radio, including proposals for the establishment of community radio stations, have been told that their views will be taken into account in the further consideration which, as I explained in my statement on 14 July—[Vol. 8, c. 330–31]—I am giving to the subject following the publication last December of the third report of the Home Office local radio working party.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, together with the Independent Broadcasting Authority, he will look again at the financial advertising section of the code of advertising standards and practice with a view to ending some of the restrictions.

The Independent Broadcasting Authority has a statutory duty to undertake periodic reviews of its advertising code and I understand that it recently embarked on a review of the code's financial advertising section. It will be for the authority to decide in the light of that review whether to propose changes to the section, consulting my right hon. Friend, as it is required to do, about any such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports have been prepared by his Department in the last three years on vivisection; and when these will be published.

The following reports about experiments on living animals have been prepared in the Home Office in the last three years:

• Statistics of experiments on living animals: Great Britain 1978, published as Cmnd. 7628 in 1979; 1979, Cmnd. 8069 in 1980; and 1980, Cmnd. 8301 in 1981.
• Report on the LD50 test presented to the Secretary of State by the Advisory Committee on the Administration of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, published 1979.
• Report to the Secretary of State by the Advisory Committee on Animal Experiments on the Framework of Legislation to Replace the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, published September 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to provide that Members of Parliament shall be given access to constituents held in custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Access to a person detained under the Act is governed by the same provisions as for any other person detained by the police. Special provision for hon. Members would not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many information officers are currently employed by his Department; at what cost; and if he will give these figures in respect of each of the last four years.

The number and cost of information officer group staff employed by my Department in providing information to the press and broadcasting organisations and on publicity work on the dates below were as follows:

	Staff-in-post	Estimated Annual salary cost
		(£000s)
1 Janaury 1977	27	188
1 Janaury 1978	25	191
1 Janaury 1979	26	237
1 Janaury 1980	26	260
1 November 1981	25	327

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires spread from agricultural stubble burning in each of the last three years; and how much damage was caused by burning stubble in each year.

The only information which can be made available without disproportionate cost is the number of fires in 1979 originating in grassland, gorse, stubble and so on, which spread beyond the original location, or involved casualties, rescues or escapes, or were attended by five or more fire appliances. 236 such fires were attended by United Kingdom fire brigades in 1979. Information is not collected centrally on the value of damage caused.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently held in custody in England and Wales who have been so held for more than 18 months awaiting trial.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1981 c. 123]: Precise information could be made available only at disproportionate cost. It is estimated that on 30 September 1981 about 20 persons awaiting trial in prison department establishments in England and Wales had been first remanded in custody more than 18 months earlier; some of them had spent some time on bail.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he plans to redesignate any higher education courses so as to remove their mandatory grant status.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he intends to increase grants of students in higher education in line with inflation;(2) whether he intends to cut the normal duration of grants of students in higher education from three years to two years; and, if so, by what means;(3) whether he has any plans to abolish the £410 minimum grant of students in higher education;(4) if he intends to alter the size of parental contributions to grants of students in higher education.

My right hon. Friend has not yet reached decisions on student grants for the academic year 1882–83. In considering the range of possibilities he will take into account, amongst other relevant factors, the Government's overall commitment to restrain public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what plans he has for changing the size of parental contribution to student grant;(2) what plans he has for lowering or abolishing the minimum grant now standing at £410;(3) What consideration he has given to shortening the basic student award from three to two years.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Edge Hill (Mr. Alton) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the total number of students refused a place at a university between September 1981 and September 1983 as a result of his new financial objectives.

No estimate of the kind requested is available.The University Grants Committee has set universities in Great Britain targets for home and European Community students for 1983–84 or 1984–85. For these targets to be reached by 1984–85 it can be estimated that the number of home students admitted to Great Britain universities would have to follow approximately the following course:

Great Britain universities, home students, initial entrants
	Thousands
1979–80 (actual)	75·2
1980–81 (actual)	76·9
1981–82	74·5
1982–83	72
1983–84	69·5
1984–85	67

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many information officers are currently employed by his Department; at what cost; and if he will give these figures in respect of each of the last four years.

The number and total cost of information officer group staff employed by the Department at the beginning of each of the last four years and on 1 November 1981 was as follows:

	Number	Total Cost
		(£)
1 January 1977	19	136,000
1 January 1978	18	140,000
1 January 1979	19	176,000
1 January 1980	18	182,000
1 November 1981	14	179,000

The information officer group in my Department comprises staff employed on press, publication, exhibitions and paid publicity.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary schools have been closed in each of the last three years; and how many primary schools are currently subject to section 13 orders (a) in East Anglia and (b) in the United Kingdom.

Information is available only in respect of numbers of primary schools approved for closure:

	England	East Anglia
1978	77	9
1979	61	7
1980	83	6

Of the proposals of all types under consideration at the beginning of this month under sections 12 and 13 of the Education Act, 208 are in respect of primary schools in England; six of these are in East Anglia, of which three involve closure.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans Her Majesty's Government have for changing the regulations concerning mandatory awards for higher national certificate courses.

Her Majesty's Government have no such plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now introduce proper disciplinary and complaints procedures into the youth opportunities programme; and if he will make a statement.

Responsibility for operating disciplinary and complaints procedures is a matter for sponsors. Sponsors undertake to set out a formal disciplinary procedure in writing and to inform all scheme participants.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied with the average delay between applications by employers to take part in the youth opportunities programme and approval of their schemes; and if he has plans to speed up this process.

The average delay between sponsors' applications and the approval of schemes is now about four weeks. The commission has temporarily transferred staff from its employment service to help with backlogs of applications, and I am satisfied that this measure will be effective in reducing delays.A Rayner scrutiny of the commission's special programmes procedures at regional and area offices has recently been completed and the recommendations in the report—some of which cover the speeding up of scheme approvals—are now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many 16 to 19-year-olds are currently in the youth opportunities programme; and what is the average length of such courses.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 November 1981]: On 30 September, the latest date for which figures are available, there were approximately 259,000 young people taking part in the youth opportunities programme. The average length of stay of young people on the various elements of the programme is estimated to be as follows:

Average of Length of Stay 1981–82
Scheme type	Estimated number of weeks
Work Experience on Employers Premises	23
Community Projects	33
Training Workshops	32
Short Courses	13

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Liverpool; and what were the figures for April 1979.

At 8 October 1981, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the Liverpool employment office area was 22,277. The comparable figure for April 1979 was 15,251.The Government are very much aware of the problems facing Liverpool and are committed to doing all they can to help solve them. As the hon. Member will know, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has been asked by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to bring together and concentrate the activities of central Government Departments in Merseyside and to work with local government and the private sector to find ways of strengthening its economy and improving its environment.Also, as part of a special development area, Liverpool will continue to benefit from the full range of regional incentives at the highest level available in Great Britain. These, together with Liverpool's designation as an inner city partnership area and an urban development corporation, and our programme of special employment and training measures, which has recently been expanded, show our determination to do all we can in the short term to help Liverpool. In the longer term, however, a lasting improvement in the employment situation there will depend upon the creation of a sound and competitive economy which the Government's policies aim to achieve.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans Her Majesty's Government have for reducing unemployment amongst young people aged 18 years and under on Merseyside.

Jobs will come to Merseyside when companies produce goods which customers will buy. I have great confidence that the people of Merseyside will rise to this challenge. Meanwhile, the Government provide the special employment measures to alleviate the effects of unemployment. The youth opportunities programme will this year provide courses of work experience and training to 550,000 young people, and at the end of September 17,000 of these had been on Merseyside. In addition, there are 860 young employees at community industry units in Merseyside. My right hon. Friend will shortly be announcing details of a new training scheme for unemployed young people.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total of unemployed in the North-West region at the latest date; and how these figures compare with April 1979.

At October 1981, the number of people registered as unemployed in the North-West region, seasonally adjusted and excluding school leavers, was 392,600. The corresponding figure at April 1979 was 189,400.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest total of unemployed amongst young people aged 18 years and under on Merseyside and in Liverpool, respectively; and what were the comparable figures for April 1979.

At October 1981, the numbers of young people aged 18 years and under registered as unemployed in the Merseyside special development area and the Liverpool travel-to-work area were 20,377 and 14,227, respectively.The corresponding figures at April 1979 were 10,619 and 8,093. The figures for October include some of this year's summer school leavers, whereas the April 1979 figures do not include even the Easter school leavers in that year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been unemployed on Merseyside and in Liverpool, respectively, for more than one, two or three years; and how the figures compare with April 1979.

The following table gives the numbers registered as unemployed at April 1979 and October 1981 in the Merseyside special development area and the Liverpool travel-to-work area for the lengths of time specified.

	Merseyside Special Development Area		Liverpool travel-to-work area
Duration in weeks	April 1979	October 1981	April 1979	October 1981
Over 52 and up to 104 weeks	13,310	25,419	10,363	17,884
Over 104 and up to 156 weeks	5,717	8,542	4,417	6,510
Over 156 weeks	10,141	14,034	8,002	11,141

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated number of people unemployed in the Toxteth and Vauxhall areas of Liverpool at the latest date.

Unemployment statistics are available only for whole employment office areas and not for parts of these areas. Toxteth and Vauxhall are parts of the Liverpool employment office area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of persons unemployed in the Liverpool, Scotland Exchange constituency at the latest date; and what percentage of the population of the constituency this represents.

Unemployment statistics are collected for employment office areas but not for parliamentary constituencies. At 8 October, the number of people registered as unemployed in the Liverpool employment office area was 22,277. This area differs considerably in size from the Liverpool, Scotland Exhange constituency and the numbers unemployed could not be expressed as a percentage of the population of the constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what was the percentage of male and female unemployment, respectively, in the (a) Wolverhampton area and (b) the West Midlands in October 1974, October 1979, October 1980 and October 1981;(2) if he will give a breakdown of the number out of work in

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated loss of jobs following the closure of the Liverpool to Belfast ferry.

At the present time it is not possible to give a realistic estimate of the total number of jobs likely to be lost as a result of the closure of the Liverpool to Belfast ferry service.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to introduce a new training scheme in the electrical contracting industry; how much this will cost; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects the Health and Safety Executive to report to him the findings of the experiments with liquefied energy gases carried out on the Maplin sands in 1980; and if he will arrange for such findings to be made available to the hon. Member for Essex, South East, the Essex fire authority and the Castle Point district council.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in his review of the functions of industrial training boards, he will ensure the continuation of the footwear, leather and fur skin industry training board; and if he will take into consideration the possibility of combining the board with the clothing and allied products industry training board.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 November 1981]: I refer the right hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on Monday 16 November about industrial training boards.—[Vol. 13, c. 30.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many 16 to 19-year-olds, and what proportion of the age group are (a) in full-time work and (b) unemployed.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 November 1981]: It is estimated that in Great Britain about a half of all 16 to 19-year-olds are in full-time employment; more precise information is not available. On 8 October 586,460 persons aged 16 to 19, or 16 per cent. of the age group, were registered as unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many information officers are currently employed by his Department; at what cost; and if he will give these figures in respect of each of the last four years.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to carry out his review of regional aids for areas due to lose intermediate area status in August 1982, having lost development area status in August 1980.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 November 1981]: In announcing certain changes in regional policy on 17 July 1979 my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State said that areas due to become non-assisted on 1 August 1982 having been downgraded by more than one step would be the subject of a special review before such descheduling took final effect. That remains the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give further details of the relevant factors he described in his answer to the hon. Member for West Lothian on 12 November in relation to the Clyde oilfield development; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the representations made by the licensees.

The relevant factors referred to in my reply to the hon. Member on 12 November were the extent to which delaying Clyde would defer oil production from the 1980s to the 1990s, public expenditure and other economic considerations, the interests of the BNOC and its co-licensees, and the timing of orders in relation to the offshore industry's need for a continuing programme of work.The licensees' representations were made on a commercially confidential basis and cannot therefore be disclosed.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will list those licences in which acreage will be available for relinquishment within the next five years; how much will be available under each licence; and how many exploration wells have been sunk in each of these licensed areas.

I have taken the question as referring to seaward production licences. Under the terms of these, licensees are required at the end of a specified number of years to surrender a proportion of the acreage initially licensed to them. The following table lists seaward production licences which will reach this stage before 11 November 1986. In each case the relevant proportion required to be surrendered is not less than two-thirds.

Licences on which compulsory surrender of part of the licensed acreage is due before 11 November 1986
Licence No. (P)	Acreage initially licensed (sq. kms.)	Number of exploration wells drilled, or being drilled, at 11 November 1981
251	488·6	2
259	217·0	1
260	238·0	2
261	750·5	2
262	217·0	—
263	217·0	2
264	360·3	1
265	503·8	—
266	570·5	4
267	267·2	—
268	288·6	—
269	669·1	—
270	216·0	1
271	254·3	1
272	221·1	1
273	220·1	1
274	238·0	—
275	434·0	1
276	155·9	1
277	177·0	1
278	217·0	2
279	216·0	—
280	216·0	1
281	84·4	—
282	221·1	2
283	216·0	2
284	81·5	1
285	536·2	1
286	910·4	—
287	242·8	—
288	698·5	2
289	541·6	2
290	801·6	3
293	102·9	—
297	219·0	1
298	221·1	1
299	216·0	1
300	439·1	2
301	196·2	1
302	621·0	—
303	200·4	—
304	271·7	—
305	221·1	—
306	200·4	—
307	219·0	—
308	818·7	—
310	219·0	1
311	272·6	—
312	515·3	1
313	165·1	—
315	272·6	—
318	1,626·5	—
319	197·3	1
320	599·3	—
322	220·1	—

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current estimated value of offshore and onshore work servicing the North Sea; what percentage is taken by British companies; and what percentage is taken by (a) Americans, (b) Scandinavians, (c) Japanese and (d) others.

Figures for 1981 are not yet available but will be published in the Secretary of State's report to Parliament on the "Development of, oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom" 1982. The total value of orders placed in the United Kingdom during 1980 for goods and services for developments on the United Kingdom continental shelf was £2,380 million, of which the United Kingdom share was £1,679 million—71 per cent. Details are not available by country of the value of orders placed abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of equipment orders in the United Kingdom offshore oil and gas industry has been placed with British companies in 1981; and if he will give comparable figures for 1980 and 1979.

Figures for 1981 are not yet available but will be published in the Secretary of State's report to Parliament on the "Development of oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom" 1982. The value of orders placed in the United Kingdom for goods and services for developments on the United Kingdom continental shelf in 1979 and 1980 were:

Value of orders placed £ million
	Total	United Kingdom	United Kingdom
		Share*	per cent.
1979	2,679	2,111	79
1980	2,380	1,679	71
* The United Kingdom share represents the value of the contracts and main subcontracts placed with companies which, through employment, manufacturing or subcontracting, make a substantial contribution to the United Kingdom economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy 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 information group staff engaged in my Department's press relations work on the dates specified were:

	Number	Cost
		£
May 1979	11	105,000
May 1980	11	146,000
November 1981	10	147,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he recognises any difference between public and private capital investment in industry in terms of inflationary effects.

The inflationary consequences of both public and private capital investment in industry depend on the nature and timing of the particular project concerned and how it is financed. It is not possible to say in general terms whether public or private sector investment is more inflationary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the income tax age allowance for women is fixed at 65 rather than at the retirement age of 60 years.

The justification for age allowance is not retirement as such, but the reduction in taxable capacity that comes with old age, because of the extra costs and expenses that the elderly incur compared with other taxpayers. As there is no evidence that this happens at an earlier age for women than for men, successive Governments have taken the view that the qualifying age of 65 should be the same for both.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will regard the sums involved in the provision of indemnities to private sector financiers against future cancellation of projects such as the Channel tunnel as not adding to the public sector borrowing requirement.

When the Government guarantee borrowing by a private sector institution the PSBR is affected only if and when the guarantee is called. Guarantee borrowing by a public sector body scores when the borrowing takes place.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, if interests rates remain high, he proposes to impose a further windfall tax on bank profits.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what figures he has on total public sector purchasing; and if he is satisfied that Government procurement practices are operating fairly in the deployment of purchasing throughout the parts of the United Kingdom.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's estimate of the current cost of financing each additional 100,000 unemployed in the United Kingdom including the loss of tax, income and insurance contributions.

[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1981, c. 199]: I estimate that an increase of 100,000 in registered unemployment—excluding school leavers—would cost about £165 million in benefits, rent and rate rebates and administrative costs in 1981–82.There would in addition be losses of income tax, national insurance contributions and national insurance surcharge. Estimates of these losses depend on assumptions, for example, about what the unemployed would have earned had they been in work.If the loss of employment had occurred in the public sector, the fall in wages and salaries would of itself reduce public expenditure and there may be associated "non-employment" savings.Thus the overall effect on the balance of public finances would depend on a range of assumptions. There can be no uniquely "right" figure.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prescriptions were issued in Northern Ireland in 1980 and so far in 1981 for the drugs cannabis and heroin.

No prescriptions for cannabis were issued. The number of prescriptions issued for diamorphine hydrochloride—heroin—injections during 1980 was 365, and in the period 1 January to 30 April 1981—latest available figures—the number of such prescriptions was 115, and none were for the treatment of addiction.Diamorphine Hydrochloride is used as an ingredient in certain preparations, for example in the treatment of cancer, but the number of prescriptions for such preparations is not recorded and could be ascertained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to implement the proposals of the Chilvers report on teacher-training in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made on 5 November, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many youth opportunities programme appointments have been taken up in the Glasgow area; how many of these are in the Govan area of the city of Glasgow; and, of the total, how many have resulted in offers by employers of a full-time engagement.

At the end of August 1981—the latest date for which information is available-5,500 young people were taking part in the youth opportunities programme in the Glasgow education division of Strathclyde. Information on the numbers in specific areas of Glasgow and on the subsequent employment of participants is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prawn creel fishermen operate from ports in Argyll.

The number is estimated to be 54.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland 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 information officer group staff in my Department engaged in public and press relations at the dates in question were as follows:

	Number	Cost
1 May 1979	25	£209,000
1 May 1980	24	£263,000
1 November 1981	21	£265,000

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received in support of changes in local government in Scotland since the publication of the Stodart committee recommendations.

Around 170 local authorities, organisations and individuals commented on the Stodart committee recommendations. Most were in favour of at least some of the changes recommended. Only some 25 expressed support for any fundamental change in the existing two-tier structure of local government in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent he takes account for planning purposes of the possibility of a nuclear exchange in Europe which involves neither the United States of America nor the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Edge Hill (Mr. Alton) on 10 November—[Vol. 12, c. 71.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence 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 of MOD press and public relations officers working in headquarters and commands in this country and abroad is currently 103. The total cost of these personnel, based on annual salaries and employer's national insurance contributions, is approximately £1,247,000 per annum. The comparable figures for May 1979 were 104—£894,000—and for May 1980 were 101 £1,159,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement amplifying his statement on 7 July, Official Report, column 283, that Devonport's programme provides for accelerating SSN refit with start dates inititially at 16 months, closing gradually to 12 months down to 10 months.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence stated that, prior to the defence review, Devonport's programme provided for accelerating SSN refits.—[Vol. 8, c. 283.] The closure of Chatham dockyard means that it will be necessary to achieve the 10-month start date interval earlier than originally planned. This will be achieved by extending refit intervals following the fitting of the long life reactor core; by discontinuing mid-life modernisations of surface ships, which will enable a greater proportion of dockyard effort to be devoted to SSNs; and by the increase planned in the work force. The new refitting-refuelling complex, which will shortly be brought into use for SSN refitting, will also be a significant factor in achieving a successful programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the fact that the estimate for the earliest completion of the refuelling and refit of HMS "Swiftsure" at Devonport is mid-1983, which will be three and a half years after the work began, when it is believed that the work force and facilities at Devonport will be able to match the two years average operated on two streams which has been accomplished at Chatham over the last seven years.

Work on HMS "Swiftsure" began in April 1980 and completion is at present scheduled for the second half of 1982. The future programme of SSN refits at Devonport is based upon planned refit times averaging two years.

asked the Secretary o f State for Defence how many SSN nuclear submarines are awaiting refuelling and refit operations at Devonport.

Apart from HMS "Sovereign", which is at present at Devonport undergoing normal pre-refit trials and work, no SSNs are awaiting refuelling or refit at Devonport.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence where it is intended to carry out the refuelling and refit of HMS "Dreadnought", now lying at Chatham, in view of the fact that it would be possible for work on her there to commence in January 1982.

I cannot at present add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Mr. Moate) on 11 November.—[Vol. 12, c. 91.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when, if he decides to send HMS "Dreadnought" for refuelling and refit to Devonport, work on her will start there.

There is no intention to send HMS "Dreadnought" to Devonport.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether HMS "Courageous" is in dock; and, if so, where.

HMS "Courageous" is not in dock.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what backlog there will be in the refuelling and refit of SSN submarines in 1986 if no more are sent to Chatham, in view of the fact that the second facility is not yet in use at Devonport and the one now in use will be occupied by HMS "Swiftsure" until mid-1983.