asked the Lord President of the Council if he intends to seek the reintroduction of the Standing Order relating to Special Standing Committees which lapsed on the end of last Session.

As I explained to the House yesterday, it is not my present intention to re-introduce the Standing Order relating to Special Standing Committees, but I would be prepared to do so if the Government identified a suitable Bill for the use of this procedure in either this or a future Session.

asked the Lord President of the Council how many minutes each year, from 1965 to 1981, have been spent on the Floor of the House on Welsh business.

The information requested is as follows:

Session	Total time		Average per sitting day
	hours	minutes	minutes
1965–66	Nil		Nil
1966–67	15	51	4
1967–68	5	45	2
1968–69	11	52	4
1969–70	1	38	1
1970–71	9	53	4
1971–72	14	43	5
1972–73	1	39	1
1973–74		7
1974	5	34	4
1974–75	17	20	5
1975–76	8	55	3
1976–77	*136	52	55
1977–78	†115	55	41
1978–79	2	4	1
1979–80	21	33	5
1980–81	13	6	5
* Of which 134 hours 9 minutes is accounted for by the Scotland and Wales Bill.
† Of which 110 hours 3 minutes is accounted for by the Wales Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money Her Majesty's Government expect to save by cutting 20,000 student places in universities; what consideration he gave in deciding on the level of cuts in university funding to the social implications of the reduction in opportunity to school leavers seeking university places; and if he will make a statement.

On the assumption that the universities will bear a proportionate share of the reduction in current expenditure on higher education generally, the provision for universities' current expenditure underlying Cmnd 8175—including the Open University and other institutions financed from the universities Vote—implies savings at 1980 survey prices of £40 million in 1981–82, £74 million in 1982–83 and £98 million in 1983–84 compared with provision in 1980–81. Some of this saving is attributable to the withdrawal of the subsidy for overseas students.My right hon. Friend is aware of the social implications of the reduction in opportunity for school leavers, and regrets this consequence of the urgent need to restrain public expenditure in the interests of economic recovery.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, having regard to the continued shartage of properly qualified religious education teachers, he will take urgent steps to rectify the situation.

Information supplied to the Department by local education authorities about unfilled vacancies for secondary teachers does not suggest that they are finding difficulty in appointing suitably qualified teachers to vacant posts for religious education specialists. However, I recognise that a significant amount of teaching in religious education is being carried out by teachers who have no formal qualifications in the subject. I look to local authorities to seek, through a careful deployment of their teachers, to ensure that religious education teaching is placed in good hands and, within the resources available, to provide in-service training where appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State Education and Science how many pupils there were in sixth form colleges in each year from 1977 to 1981.

The information requested for England is as follows:

January	Pupils in sixth form colleges
1977	42,172
1978	45,848
1979	51,693
1980	56,214
1981	60,099

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give a breakdown of Open University students according to social class for each of the last five years.

This information is not available. However, details of the occupations of Open University students at the commencement of their studies are given in the "Digest of Statistics" published annually by the university, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much currently is being spent on sponsoring the use of computers for handicapped children; and if he will give details of the work being done.

Subject to the identification of suitable projects, it is expected that between £0·5 million and £1 million—current prices—will be spent on work in the field of special education under the microelectronics education programme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland on curriculum development and on the establishment of four regional resource centres. Projects so far commissioned or agreed in principle^* include work on the development of computer-based materials for the deaf—university of Hull—and the severely subnormal—Huddersfield polytechnic—and a programme of work by local education authorities in the West Midlands concerned with the role of microcomputers in assisting perceptual development.

^* at a total estimated cost of £0·15 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is now in a position to announce the grants to arts bodies for 1982.

Yes. I am glad that I am now able, earlier than in any recent year, to announce details of proposed arts and libraries expenditure for 1982–83. The Government's expenditure plans for arts and libraries are intended to enable the programme to go on without fundamental change. Some economies will continue to be necessary in this as in all other fields, but I believe that the increased allocations I am proposing are fair and reasonable. Estimates to be submitted in due course for parliamentary approval will provide for the grant to the Arts Council of Great Britain to be increased to £86 million, and for increased provision for the British Library, the national museums and galleries and the other institutions for which I am responsible. Provision will be made in the usual way in the Estimates for expenditure by the Property Services Agency on the buildings of the national museums and galleries, and also for the first year's work on the new Euston Road building of the British Library. Details of what I propose are as follows:

Financial Provision for the Arts 1981–82 and 1982–83.
Institution	1981–82 Cash (£m)	1982–83 Cash (£m)
The Living Arts
Arts Council	80·000	86·000
British Film Institute	6·400	7·014
National Film School	0·740	0·840
Crafts Council	1·400	1·600
South Bank Theatre Board	0·800	0·650
Public Lending Right	0·293	0·300
Support for National Museums (including Purchase Grants)
British Museum	11·116	11·722
Imperial War Museum	3·844	4·130

Institution	1981–82 Cash (£m)	1982–83 Cash (£m)
National Gallery	5·697	6·041
National Portrait Gallery	1·606	1·699
National Maritime Museum	3·622	3·855
Tate Gallery	4·708	5·025
Wallace Collection	0·671	0·765
Science Museum	*6·448	7·041
Victoria and Albert Museum	*8·850	8·376
Support for other Museums etc.
Government Art Collection: Purchases	0·155	0·100
Museum of London	1·168	1·203
Sir John Soane's Museum	0·153	0·159
Local Purchase Grant Assistance Funds	*—	1·150
Area Museum Councils	1·730	1·907
Museums and Galleries Commission	0·250	0·318
Libraries etc.
British Library	38·463	42·961
British Institute of Recorded Sound	0·440	0·466
Royal Geographical Society	0·045	0·048
Research etc. Projects	0·120	0·190
Total	178·719	193·560
* Local purchase grants for 1981–82 are included in the figures for the Science Museum—£0·15 million—and the Victoria and Albert museum—£1·0 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of purchases there have been of agricultural land in Scotland by (a) institutions and pension funds and (b) non-British interests, respectively, and the total acreage involved in each category since the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries began maintaining such records consequent on the recommendations of the Northfield committee.

Since monitoring began in 1980 there has been recorded a total of 51 purchases of agricultural land in Scotland by financial institutions, including pension funds, involving approximately 19,000 hectares, and 11 purchases by foreign nationals involving 13,000 hectares.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the rate of house building per head of population in Scotland for each of the last 10 years.

The latest estimates of the rate of house building are given the following table.

Year	Number
1971	7·8
1972	6·1
1973	5·8
1974	5·4
1975	6·6

Year	Number
1976	7·0
1977	5·3
1978	5·0
1979	4·6
1980	4·0

asked the Prime Minister to what extent and in what precise respects the Government propose to implement the Brandt recommendations in the immediate future.

The following is a list of Government activity in fields covered by the Brandt report, arranged under the four headings of the "Emergency Programme".A.

asked the Prime Minister if she will consider setting up a central authority to evaluate and distribute all technical aids to the disabled which is independent of individual Government Departments.

I do not consider that such a change would be helpful in terms of distribution arrangements. So far as evaluation of aids is concerned I understand that discussions have been going on for some time within the voluntary sector to examine the possibility of setting up a handicap institute modelled on the Swedish Institute. No definite proposals have yet emerged. If such a body were established and wished to evaluate aids, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services would consider providing financial support.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many registered disabled people were employed in each department under his responsibility in 1979, 1980 and 1981; and what percentage this was of total staff in post.

The following table shows the number of registered disabled people employed in Northern Ireland departments, the Northern Ireland Office and the Police Authority for Northern Ireland at 1 January for each of the three years 1979, 1980 and 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the rate of house building per head of population for Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years.

The information is as follows:

Year	No. of Completions per 1,000 population
1970	8
1971	9
1972	7
1973	7
1974	6
1975	6
1976	6
1977	7
1978	6
1979	5
1980	4

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many temporary visitor's passports had to be issued due to the delay in processing permanent passports as a result of the recent Civil Service industrial action; and what was the additional cost to passport applicants.

There was an increase of approximately half a million in the number of British visitor's passports issued during the period of the Civil Service industrial action over the number issued during the same period of 1980.It was not possible to keep a record of those applicants who had to obtain British visitor's passports from post offices because their applications for standard passport facilities were delayed due to the industrial action.All applicants for a British visitor's passport are required to pay £5·50 which is the statutory fee for issuing such a document.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why Sir Probyn Innis was dimissed from the Governorship of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla.

Sir Probyn Innis was dismissed as Governor of the Associated State of St. Kitts-Nevis—formerly St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla—with effect from 26 November, following a request from the Premier for his removal. The working relationship between the Governor and the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis had broken down irretrievably and the conduct of official business was being obstructed.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the dispute over the 1981 European Economic Community budget has yet been resolved by the European Court.

France, Germany and Belgium agreed, when the 1981 amending budget No 1 was adopted, to pay the full amount of contributions to the 1980 supplementary budget and the 1981 budget which they had been withholding. The dispute has therefore been resolved.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what responsibilities are accepted by her Majesty's Government to care for the interests of British subjects in difficulty abroad as the result of participating in mercenary operations.

While there is no statutory right to consular assistance or protection, we do our best within the limits of our resources to provide, on request, advice and assistance, excluding legal advice or aid, which is appropriate to the circumstances to any of our nationals in difficulty overseas regardless of the origin of the problem.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has received any representations or communications from the relatives or friends of British subjects involved as mercenaries in a recent military operation against the Seychelles; and what action he has taken to discover whether any British subjects are still in the Seychelles and whether any of them were among the casualties suffered.

We have received two enquiries from relatives of two United Kingdom citizens detained in the Seychelles following the attempted coup. I understand that one of the two British subjects has been injured.We estimate that there are 800 British residents and up to 300 tourists in the Seychelles. We have no reports of any casualties among them, and all are believed to be well.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make inquiries to ascertain how many British subjects are at present in custody in South Africa following their involvement as mercenaries in a military operation against the Seychelles; and if he will make a statement.

Inquiries were made earlier this week, but there are now no British subjects in custody in South Africa in connection with that event.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient period of time, the number of directors of gambling clubs and casinos who have been prosecuted for contravening the Gaining Acts.

The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to establish the number of occasions where the police have produced prima facie evidence of offences relating to the Gaming Acts by directors of gambling clubs where prosecutions have not ensued; whether and if so, how many of the company directors concerned have admitted to offences in contravention of the Gaming Acts and whether he will make a statement.

No. My right hon. Friend has no authority to intervene in or review prosecution decisions in individual cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the location of bunkers in Wales.

It is not in the public interest to disclose the location of protected accommodation provided for war-time purposes.

asked the Secondary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish his response to the second report of the Select Committee on Welsh Affairs.

My right hon. Friend expects to do so shortly after the Christmas Recess.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in a full year of an increase in the threshold for income tax and each of the taxation bands by an amount required to compensate for inflation since the enactment of section 22(2) of the Finance Act 1977.

There would be a revenue yield—not a cost—of about £800 million if the current levels of allowances, basic and higher rate band widths and investment income surcharge threshold were replaced by those specified in sections 22(1) and 17 of the Finance Act 1977, revalued from 1977–78 to 1981–82 levels by reference to movements in prices over the relevant period, leading to an increase of 64 per cent.Allowance levels for 1977–78 were later increased—by the Finance (Income Tax Reliefs) Act 1977. However, for the purposes of the indexation provision in section 22(2) of the Finance Act 1977, the original levels specified in Section 22(1) of that Act continue to apply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date he estimates the Inland Revenue's new computer could run a local income tax.

Some time after 1987, depending on the precise form of the local income tax, and the progress which has been made with the PAYE computerisation programme at the time the decision to introduce a local income tax was taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the stocks, shares and bonds held by the Treasury in overseas railways.

No such investments are held outside the exchange equalisation account. It is not the practice to publish investments of foreign exchange reserves held in the exchange equalisation account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what stocks, bonds or shares in the Commercial Bank of Siberia are still held by the Treasury; whether any recent disposals have been made; and if he will make a statement.

No stocks, bonds or shares in the Commercial Bank of Siberia are held by the Treasury.During an examination of old documents held by the Treasury in the autumn of 1979 a number of packets were discovered containing share certificates of the Commercial Bank of Siberia. The share certificates were in denominations of 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 units, each unit valued 250 roubles and all issued between 1905 and 1912. There was no record of how the share certificates came into the possession of the Treasury.As part of our policy for the disposal of publicly owned assets Stanley Gibbons Currency Ltd. were approached who made an offer for 1,000 of the certificates at 20p each which was accepted. An approach was then made to the London Scripophily Centre Ltd. who purchased the remaining share certificates at prices ranging from £1 to 37p.The total amount received from the sales of the share certificates was £1,445 and this sum was brought to account as a Consolidated Fund extra receipt in the Vote for economic and financial administration: Treasury 1980–81.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much of their single block housing investment programme allocations for 1980–81 each of the Welsh districts has spent.

The following table expresses each district council's net expenditure on housing in 1980–81 as a percentage of its block housing investment programme allocation. The data are based on provisional outturn figures and are therefore subject to revision.

Welsh Districts	Net expenditure as a percentage of allocation
Alyn and Deeside	48·8
Colwyn	95·3
Delyn	20·2
Glyndwr	109·4
Rhuddlan	81·5
Wrexham Maelor	93·7
Carmarthen	123·4
Ceredigion	112·1
Dinefwr	101·9
Llanelli	90·4
Preseli	81·3
South Pembrokeshire	86·1
Blaenau Gwent	138·0
Islwyn	105·4
Monmouth	68·8
Newport	93·9
Torfaen	88·3
Aberconwy	99·1
Arfon	90·1
Dwyfor	99·1
Meirionnydd	101·2
Ynys Mon	119·7
Cynon Valley	92·8
Merthyr Tydfil	101·3
Ogwr	101·7
Rhondda	100·6
Rhymney Valley	95·4
Taff-Ely	81·2
Brecknock	87·1
Montgomery	108·6
Radnor	84·1
Cardiff	85·0
Vale of Glamorgan	61·5
Afan	84·8
Lliw Valley	92·2
Neath	87·2
Swansea	100·4

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many emergency planning staff are employed by each Welsh local authority.

Each Welsh county council employs a full-time emergency planning officer. Details of other staff employed by local authorities on emergency planning are not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage of unemployed people for each travel-to-work area in Wales for November 1981 and for May 1979.

The information is as follows:

Travel-to-work Area	Rates of Unemployment
	November 1981	May 1979
Ebbw Vale	21·0	12·2
Abertillery
Brynmawr
Tredegar
Monmouth	15·3	8·5
Newport	15·0	6·6
Newbridge
Risca
Chepstow
Pontypool	15·1	7·1
Abergavenny
Blaenavon
Cwmbran
Aberdare	17·2	9·0
Bargoed	20·2	11·5
Blackwood
Pontlottyn
Ystrad Mynach
Merthyr Tydfil	14·5	6·6
Treharris
Pontypridd	15·7	7·9
Ferndale
Llantrisant
Tonypandy
Tonyrefail
Treorchy
Cardiff	13·7	7·3
Barry
Llantwit Major
Penarth
Caerphilly
Neath	17·3	7·9
Resolven
Port Talbot	15·9	6·4
Bridgend
Cymmer
Maesteg
Porthcawl
Cardigan	20·7	12·2
Carmarthen	6·9	3·5
Fishguard	14·7	9·5
Llandeilo	14·8	7·4
Llanelli	17·5	6·6
Kidwelly
Tumble
Ammanford
Gamant
Lampeter	23·3	13·2
Llandysul
Milford Haven	14·6	7·5
Haverfordwest

Travel-to-work Area	Rates of Unemployment
	November 1981	May 1979
Pembroke Dock	18·6	9·1
Tenby	24·9	9·7
Barmouth	12·7	3·9
Blaenau	16·7	9·0
Ffestiniog
Caeraarfon	17·4	8·8
Bangor
Bethesda
Penygroes
Colwyn Bay	12·5	6·6
Conwy
Llandudno
Holyhead	21·5	12·3
Amlwch
Beaumaris
Llangefni
Llanrwst	14·9	6·3
Pwllheli	18·0	7·7
Porthmadog
Rhyl	19·9	11·5
Swansea	15·6	7·5
Gorseinon
Morriston
Pontardawe
Ystradgynlais
Aberystwyth	11·7	5·8
Wrexham	19·0	10·2
Cefn Mawr
Brecon	8·8	4·9
Llandrindod Wells	11·7	5·5
Machynlleth	12·0	6·0
Tywyn	18·6	9·6
Newtown	13·5	4·1
Welshpool	11·6	4·9
Denbigh	9·9	5·7
Llangollen	14·0	7·6
Shotton	17·7	6·6
Flint
Holywell
Mold

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for (a) male unemployment, (b) female unemployment and (c) total unemployment for each travel-to-work area in Gwynedd; and what is the unemployment figure for all three categories in Gwynedd, Wales and Great Britain, respectively.

On 12 November 1981 the figures were as follows:

	Registered Unemployed
	Males	Females	Total
Holyhead	2,858	1,179	4,037
Amlwch
Beaumaris
Llangefni
Caernarvon	2,854	1,070	3,924
Bangor
Bethesda
Penygroes
Conwy	2,347	1,022	3,369
Llandudno
Colwyn Bay
Pwllheli	1,131	480	1,611
Porthmadog
Barmouth	294	143	437
Blaenau Ffestiniog	269	115	384
Llanrwst	276	122	398
Machynlleth	165	61	226
Tywyn	126	52	178

	Registered Unemployed
	Males	Females	Total
Gwynedd	9,044	3,706	12,750
Wales	119,669	50,552	170,221
Great Britain	2,020,826	824,063	2,844,889

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has received a copy of the National Economic Development Council report "Industrial Trends: the Regional Dimension"; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The paper released in May 1981 relates primarily to the period up to 1979, a period in which employment in Wales was weighted towards declining industries. The present policy is to broaden the industrial base and develop areas with growth potential, such as high technology industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many private beds there are in each hospital in Wales; and what plans he has to increase the number of private beds available.

The authorised numbers of pay beds in Welsh hospitals at 1 December 1981 are shown in the following table. Since then we have authorised pay beds for South Glamorgan hospitals: seven at University hospital of Wales, five at Llandough hospital and four at Cardiff Royal infirmary subject to an overall maximum of 10 beds in use at any time with two additional beds for emergency admissions only. We are considering on their merits a number of applications made by other health. authorities.

Pay Beds in Welsh Hospitals at 1 December 81
Area	Hospital	Authorised No. of beds per hospital	Group maximum for beds in use at any time
Clwyd (North)	HM Stanley	3
	Colwyn Bay and West Denbigh	2
	Abergele	1	5
	Ysbyty Glan	4
	Clwyd
Clwyd (South)	Wrexham and East Denbigh	5	7
	Maelor	4
	General
Dyfed	West Wales	3
	General
	Withybush	3	9
	Bronglais	3
Gwent	Mount	1	1
	Pleasant
Gwynedd	Towyn and District War Memorial
	Eryri	1
	St. David's	2
	Llandudno	4	8
	General Caernarvon	1
	Eye and Cottage

Area	Hospital	Authorised No. of beds per hospital	Group maximum for beds in use at any time
	Caernarvon and Anglesey	4
Mid Glamorgan	Mountain Ash	1
	General
	East	1	3
	Glamorgan
	Bridgend	1
	General
Powys	—	—	—
South Glamorgan	Prince of Wales, Rhydlafar	1	1
West Glamorgan	Singleton	2
	Morrison	1	2
Wales Total			36

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average proportion of car owners in each of the Welsh counties; what percentage of tourists travel into Gwynedd by car; and what proportion of the total rate support grant settlement is allocated to increase fuel costs.

The latest estimates of car ownership in Wales are given in the following table. They are derived from a survey carried out in 1978 and 1979.

County	Percentage of households having a car available for private use
Clwyd	64·3
Dyfed	64·3
Gwent	56·2
Gwynedd	62·3
Mid Glamorgan	51·2
Powys	69·8
South Glamorgan	56·2
West Glamorgan	55·6

It is not possible to give a reliable estimate of the percentage of tourists who travel into Gwynedd by car.No specific provision is made in the rate support grant settlement for changes in fuel costs. The 1982–83 settlement will assume that the overall increase in the prices element of revenue expenditure will be 9 per cent. between 1981–82 and 1982–83.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were employed in Wales in overseas companies or their branches in 1970, 1975 and May 1979, respectively; and how many people are at present employed by these companies or their branches.

Figures on a comparable basis are not available for these dates. The figures for 1979 in the series produced by the business statistics office for years since 1976 are expected to be published early next year. Figures for this year can be estimated only on information available from a variety of sources. At present it is estimated that between 50,000 and 55,000 are employed in manufacturing units owned or controlled by foreign companies, in addition to a number employed in non-manufacturing concerns. Several overseas companies are actively recruiting at the present time

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the extent to which housing in Wales is overcrowded.

There is no universally accepted definition of overcrowding, but a commonly accepted standard is that of households living at a density of more than one and a half persons per room. It is estimated that about ¼ per cent. of households in Wales fall into this category.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the rate of house building per head of population for Wales for each of the last 10 years.

The information requested is contained in the following table:

Dwellings completed per 1,000 population
1971	5·5
1972	5·4
1973	5·2
1974	4·3
1975	6·2
1976	5·5
1977	5·2
1978	4·6
1979	4·1
1980	3·7

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to answer the submission sent to him by Gwynedd county council on the question of second homes; when he received that submission; and what has been the cause of the delay.

The memorandum from Gwynedd county council was received on 25 March this year. As has been made clear, it is being taken into account in the Government's consideration of the complex issues raised by second homes in rural areas. A final response will be sent to the county council when that consideration is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the question of second homes in Wales; and from whom.

In addition to the memoranda from the Gwynedd county council and Plaid Cymru, my right hon. Friend has, in the last year, received representations from the hon. Member, the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley), my hon. Friend the Member for Anglesey (Mr. Best), the Welsh Weavers Association, the Merioneth Conservative and Unionist Association, and three members of the public. Some of the representations point to the problems caused by second homes and urge action along specific lines; others refer to the benefits which second homes bring to rural areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what proportion of houses in Wales are (a) sub-standard and (b) unfit.

The latest available information on this topic is contained in the report of the Welsh house condition survey of 1976, a copy of which is in the Library. The results of the 1981 survey are currently being processed.

£ million cash prices
1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81
19·9	32·9	43·3	48·7	48·1	56·0	67·8

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money local authorities have received for the sale of council houses since May 1979.

£24·3 million between May 1979 and the end of September 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the shortfall in the provision of housing in Wales.

The most recent Welsh housing and dwelling survey—that for 1978–79—indicated that there were an estimated 1,041,000 dwellings in Wales in April 1979, against which there were an estimated 971,400 resident households. However, in assessing the housing needs of Wales many factors must be taken into account, notably the number of dwellings which are unfit or lack essential amenities, or both.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether Her Majesty's Government have yet made a decision on the package of measures concerning restructuring, grading and annual leave put forward by the employers' side of the Whitley Council for the staffs of the Industrial Estates Corporation and development agencies; and when he expects the implementation of the pay settlement in respect of agencies in Wales.

The 7½per cent. Pay increase has been implemented by all bodies covered by the Whitley Council—Welsh Development Agency, Development Board for Rural Wales, Scottish Development Agency and the English Industrial Estates Corporation.The package of measures concerning restructuring, grading and annual leave remains under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what would be the additional cost of damage to

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money Welsh district councils have received for housing for each financial year from 1974 onwards.

The Welsh Office has paid the following sums of money, by way of council house subsidies—excluding rent rebates—to district councils in Wales:underground services, as described in paragraphs 17, 18 and 19 of his departmental note on heavy lorries, if lorry weights are increased without any commensurate reduction in the size of the lorry fleet.

The increases in maximum gross weights for lorries proposed in the Government's White Paper would in themselves have no significant effects on underground services. There is no evidence that heavy traffic is primarily responsible for damage to underground services. At any given level of economic activity, there will be a smaller heavy vehicle fleet and a smaller total axle loading than would be the case if maximum weights remain unchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if in calculating the saving of £150 million which could be achieved under his proposals for heavier lorries, any account has been taken of any Government expenditure on roads and bridges.

The estimated savings of around £150 million per year relate solely to transport operating costs. Heavier lorries should lead to a reduction of about 5 per cent. in road damage from heavy articulated road transport and there will be no significant additional effect on bridges with spans of less than about 75 metres. Longer span structures will be examined individually to see what may need to be done to ensure that they can be used safely by all lorries, including those of 40 tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many road bridges over British Rail lines have been designated as having a weight limit per lorry of 32 tonnes; what advice he has received from British Railways about the cost of strengthening these bridges if lorry weights are increased; what steps are being taken to check all these structures; and at what cost.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if his heavier lorry proposals would allow all existing low axle lorries currently limited to 32·52 tonnes to be increased to 34 tonnes without alteration; and what would be the additional track cost of such an increase if applied to all such vehicles.

Technically suitable motor vehicles first used after 1 April 1973, with a design train weight of 34 tonnes or higher, could be operated at 34 tonnes with a suitable two-axle trailer. The share of total track costs allocated to such a vehicle would be about 12 per cent more than that allocated to a 32·5 tonne four-axle vehicle, assuming the same average mileage and load factor for the two classes of vehicle. For the reasons set out in my Department's published note on the effects of increasing lorry weights, 34-tonne vehicles are likely to represent only about 10 per cent. of the national fleet of vehicles of 32·5 tonnes and the higher weights up to 40 tonnes now proposed. The overall effect of the proposal would be to reduce road damage by about 5 per cent. thus having a favourable effect on total track costs in the longer term.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the cost of assessing individually the 200 trunk road bridges, indicated in paragraph 22 of his departmental note circulated with the draft regulations on heavier lorries, in order to test their ability to withstand the possible 14 per cent. greater loading resulting from his heavier lorry proposals.

The 200 trunk road bridges are of various forms of construction and degrees of complexity.Until each bridge has been examined to see what detailed assessment work is required it is not possible to say what costs may arise. They are not expected to be large in relation to the £150 million a year savings in industry's transport costs resulting from the introduction of the heavier lorries, and they will be spread over a number of years.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many bridges come within the range of 2 metres to 75 metres loaded length as described in his departmental note circulated with his draft heavy lorry regulations; what study has been undertaken of all such bridges; and how many will require strengthening to cope with heavier lorries.

The vast majority of the road bridges—about 155,000—in Great Britain are within this range. On trunk roads, including motorways, in England there are about 9,600 such bridges.The effects of axles, groups of axles, and vehicles, both singly and in combination, have been compared for the proposed heavier lorries and those permitted by the current construction and use regulations. The results of the comparison are reported in paragraph 21 of the departmental note. No strenghtening on account of the heavier lorry weights now proposed by the Government is envisaged for bridges with loaded lengths 2 to 75 metres.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether his Department has taken steps to monitor the implementation of the Companies (Directors' Report) (Employment of Disabled Persons) Regulations 1980; and if he will make a statement.

In accordance with its policy on other matters required to be contained in company accounts and reports, my Department will consider any evidence that the regulations are not being complied with.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) whether, in view of the recent redundancies at the Thorn factory in Merthyr Tydfil, he will take immediate steps to reduce the import of electric light bulbs;(2) whether he will introduce measures to safeguard the British electric lamp industry, in view of the substantial imports to the British market which will take place from the Tunsgram manufacturing plant in Cork in the next 12 months;(3) if, in view of the threatened dislocation of the British electric lamp market likely to be caused by the coming into production of the Tunsgram manufacturing plant in Cork, with a capacity of 30 million lamps per year, he will enter into negotiations with the Government of the Republic of Ireland to secure a voluntary limitation of imports of lamps into the United Kingdom;(4) if he will investigate whether the Tunsgram electric lamp manufacturing plant in Cork is dumping electric lamps on the British market.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 December 1981, c. 115]: Several hon. Members have already written to me about the prospect that light bulbs from the new factory near Cork may be sold in substantial numbers in the United Kingdom. I cannot forecast to what extent imports from the Irish Republic may in fact come to displace home production or, alternatively, other imports. In 1980 a total of 24·5 million bulbs were imported from all sources compared with estimated sales in the United Kingdom of 200 million.Restrictions on trade between European Community countries are legally possible only in limited circumstances, which on present information do not appear to apply in this case and which would not permit a voluntary limitation on exports from the Republic. In particular, there is no provision for anti-dumping against intra-Community trade.Equally, of course, British-made goods in this and other industries enjoy similarly open access to all other European Community markets.In respect of imports of bulbs from outside the Community, I shall keep the situation under review; but here also restrictions can be introduced only in conformity with our international trading obligations. Anti-dumping action, however, is possible here, and in fact price undertakings were successfully negotiated by the Commission with certain Eastern European countries in 1980. Recent on-the-spot monitoring has confirmed that these undertakings are being adhered to.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to alter the basis under which grants under the Industry Acts are made so as to give greater emphasis to discretionary grants to particular industries and to areas not covered by regional schemes other than predominantly on a regional basis.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider ways in which assistance could respond to the needs of particular industries within our overall economic policies. However, there are no plans to discontinue any of the existing forms of regional support.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received concerning the effectiveness, or otherwise, of the stop notice provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts of 1971 and 1977; and if he will make a statement.

Guildford borough council has recently complained that these provisions are inadequate. It proposes abolition of the right to trial in a Crown Court when proceedings are taken for contravention of a notice, and removal of the general limitation of the stop notices procedure to activities started within the last 12 months. My right hon. Friend is not convinced that such changes would be justified, but he is consulting the Lord Chancellor to see if it is possible to reduce delays in Crown court proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the outcome of the Council of Environment Ministers' meeting on 3 December.

I chaired the Council of Environment Ministers which took place in Brussels on 3 December. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State led the United Kingdom delegation. This was a successful meeting at which agreement was reached on a number of proposals including two important issues which have been before the Council for a considerable period but which it has not previously been possible to agree.The first of these was the directive on major industrial hazards—the so-called Seveso directive. This had been held up previously by a failure to agree on the question of consultation in cases with transfrontier implications. A solution was reached which recognises the obligation to consult other interested States within the framework of bilateral relations. This agreement will enable the Health and Safety Executive to make progress with its proposed regulations on this subject.The second was the directive on mercury discharges from the chloralkali electrolysis industry—the first directive implementing the provisions of the framework directive (76/464/EEC) on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment. This proposal was settled as a result of our agreement, in accordance with the principles of the framework directive, on the controls to be applied to discharges from new plant.Agreement in principle was also reached on a decision establishing an exchange of information on air pollution. This agreement is subject to any views to be received from the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee, which have not yet reported on the proposal.A decision concerning Community accession to the Berne convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats was also adopted.Good progress was made on clearing outstanding points on a draft resolution concerning Community implementation of the Washington convention on international trade in endangered species including a provision concerning the right of member States to take stricter national measures in certain circumstances. Final agreement was prevented by a lack of unanimity on the legal form and basis to be adopted, but hopes are expressed that it would be possible to resolve all outstanding difficulties during the next Presidency.The Council took note of the discussions that had taken place on the draft directive on an air quality standard for lead, and important reservations were removed. The Council emphasised the desirability of moving quickly to adoption of the measure when necessary technical investigation of measurement methods has been completed early next year.There was a useful further exchange of views on the future direction of Community environmnet policy, in which there was a considerable measure of agreement on the general principles to be incorporated in the programme for the years 1982 to 1986. It is hoped that future work can be done at official level during the remaining weeks of our Presidency, and that the new programme can be agreed under the Belgian Presidency.Other matters discussed were Community policy on the production and use of chlorofluorocarbons and vehicle emissions.There was general agreement among the members of the Council that this meeting represented an important step forward in the development of the Community's environment policy both in the decisions taken on specific measures and in laying the foundations for action in the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the rate of house building per head of population for England for each of the last 10 years.

The number of dwellings completed per 1,000 population in England in 1980 was 4·4. Corresponding figures for 1971 to 1979 are in table 77 of "Housing and Construction Statistics: 1970–80", a copy of which will be placed in the Library on Monday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the new towns and indicate in each case the total value of industrial and commercial assets formerly owned by the New Towns Commission or development corporations which have now been sold.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave to his questions on 17 June 1980 and 27 July 1981 when I said that to publish this information town by town might prejudice the negotiating position of the development corporations and the Commission for the New Towns.—[Vol. 986, c. 497; Vol. 9, c. 351.] Between 1 April 1979 and 30 September 1981 £212 million had been realised from the sale of industrial and commercial assets in the English new towns.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the new towns and indicate in each case the total value of industrial and commercial assets formerly owned by the New Towns Commission or development corporations which have now been sold to owner-occupiers.

The information collected by the Department on the receipts of development corporations and the commission from the sales of industrial and commercial assets do not distinguish between sales to sitting lessees and sales to other parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people are currently employed on farms under Manpower Services Commission schemes, and under schemes other than those funded by the agricultural training board.

Information in the precise form requested is not available. However, in November there were around 9,000 trainees in the youth opportunities programme occupying places in agriculture, forestry and fishing schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department takes any steps to publish his policy on trades union membership; and whether he considers there are advantages in membership which should be drawn to the attention of workers.

The Government support the right of employees to be members of trade unions and to participate in trade union activities. Our recently published proposals for industrial relations legislation would reinforce the current statutory protection of these rights by substantially increasing the amounts of compensation payable to employees dismissed because of their trade union membership or activities. The existing rights in these respects are clearly set out in my Department's published leaflets on employment legislation. Within the context of these rights the Government believe that it should be for individual employees to decide themselves on the advantages or otherwise of trade union membership.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the progress on worker involvement in industry; and if he will make a statement.

Although some encouraging developments have been taking place, I wish to see far more progress, because of the benefit for the economy of improved communication and consultation arrangements in industry. My right hon. Friend and I will therefore continue to take every opportunity to encourage employers to recognise the vital need for change.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will publish for the latest date available the numbers of unemployed people registered under section 2 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 and the percentage that represents of the total section 2 register who have been unemployed for (a) up to two weeks, (b) over two and up to four weeks, (c) over four and up to six weeks, (d) over six and up to eight weeks, (e) over eight and up to 13 weeks, (f) over 13 and up to 26 weeks, (g) over 26 and up to 52 weeks and (h) over 52 weeks;(2) what is the number of places in sheltered employment and the number of section 2 registered disabled people for the latest available date for each year since 1976; and what is the projected number of places to be offered in sheltered employment schemes for the next five years.

The numbers of severely disabled people working in sheltered employment on 31 March 1981—the latest available figures—and on the same date in each of the five preceding years are given in the following table 1.The overall number of places provided by these establishments in the future will depend upon the nature of the operations upon which they are engaged and the demand for goods and services they provide. MSC plans include provision for a modest number of new developments over the next few years.Table 2 shows, also for March 1981 and the five preceding years, the numbers included in the list maintained by the disablement resettlement service who are likely to be capable only of work in sheltered conditions. Not all of them are in fact registered as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.Table 3 sets out an analysis of unemployed severely disabled people at the latest available date—8 October 1981—by duration of unemployment.

TABLE 1
Numbers of severely disabled people working in sheltered employment as at 31 March in the following years:
Year	Number
1976	13,755
1977	13,345
1978	13,311
1979	13,899
1980	13,872
1981	13,839

TABLE 2
Numbers of severely disabled people who were unemployed, in March, in the following years:
Year	*Registered severely disabled people	†Unregistered severely disabled people
1976	11,634	‡
1977	11,425	‡
1978	10,376	4,094
1979	8,709	3,799
1980	7,944	3,658
1981	7,796	3,890
* "Registered" indicates people who are registered as disabled under section 6 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.
† "Unregistered" indicates those severely disabled people who are not registered in this way.
‡ Records not maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish for the latest available date

Duration of unemployment	Registered disabled people		Total Great Britain workforce
(a) up to two weeks	2,091	(2·7%)	135,901	(5·3%)
(b) over two and up to four weeks	2,019	(2·6%)	136,123	(5·3%)
(c) over four and up to six weeks	1,784	(2·3%)	128,274	(5·0%)
(d) over six and up to eight weeks	1,627	(2·1%)	108,360	(4·2%)
(e) over eight and up to 13 weeks	3,817	(5·0%)	235,370	(9·1%)
(f) over 13 and up to 26 weeks	9,259	(12·0%)	470,660	(18·2%)
(g) over 26 and up to 52 weeks	14,831	(19·3%)	635,843	(24·7%)
(h) over 52 weeks	41,628	(54·0%)	727,472	(28·2%)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to make a final decision on the Manpower Services Commission's proposals on the future of the quota scheme; if he will make it his policy not to introduce any changes until they have been conclusively shown to increase the employment opportunities for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have announced that they are giving interested parties and individuals until the end of the year to comment on the commission's proposals. We will consider very carefully the comments received and the issues involved before coming to decisions on the future of the quota scheme.

Placings of Registered and Unregistered Disabled People (Percentage comparisons with the previous year)
	Registered	Unregistered	Total
1978
January	1,944 (—)	1,261 (—)	3,205 (—)
February	2,756 (-9·8)	1,780 (—)	4,536 (—)
March	2,724 (-14·2)	1,830 (—)	4,554 (—)
April	3,461 (-1·5)	2,268 (+19·7)	5,729 (+5·9)
May	3,315 (-5·0)	2,192 (+24·7)	5,307 (+5·3)
June	3,159 (+2·8)	2,079 (+26·2)	5,328 (+11·0)
July	2,955 (-7·4)	2,013 (+11·1)	4,968 (-0·7)
August	2,982 (+28·6)	2,030 (+45·2)	5,012 (+34·9)
September	3,043 (+21·9)	2,266 (+67·7)	5,309 (+38·0)
October	2,997 (-5·9)	2,027 (+6·8)	5,024 (-1·1)
November	2,946 (+6·3)	2,085 (+19·6)	5,031 (+11·4)
December	2,663 (+1·9)	2,070 (+29·1)	4,733 (+12·3)
1979
January	1,855 (-4·6)	1,451 (+15·1)	3,306 (+3·1)
February	2,437 (-11·6)	1,929 (+8·4)	4,366 (-3·7)
March	2,635 (-3·3)	2,080 (+13·7)	4,715 (+3·5)
April	3,037 (-12·3)	2,432 (+7·2)	5,469 (-4·5)

The numbers unemployed and the unemployment percentages amongst registered disabled people and the total work force in Great Britain within the periods requested is set out as follows. The information is not available for the United Kingdom as a whole. The information relates to 8 October 1981, the latest date for which comparative figures showing the duration of unemployment are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered and unregistered disabled people have been placed in employment by disablement resettlement officers for each month in the years 1978, 1979, 1980 and the latest available date; and what was the percentage increase in placements over the previous year.

The information requested is set out as follows. Statistics of unregistered disabled people placed were not maintained prior to April 1977. Figures to calculate a percentage comparison for January 1978 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the numbers of disabled people employed in (a) sheltered workshops employed by local authorities, (b) sheltered workshops administered by voluntary bodies, (c) Remploy factories and (d) industrial enclaves in Wales, Scotland, the South-East, South-West, East Anglia, West Midlands, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside, North-West, the North and the United Kingdom for each of the last five years.

The numbers of severely disabled people employed during each of the last five years in (a) local authority workshops (b) voluntary body workshops (c) Remploy factories and (d) industrial enclaves (now known as "Sheltered Industrial Groups") are set out in the following tables.The figures are shown by the Manpower Services Commission's employment service division areas. A key is provided to show how these areas equate with the Department of Employment regions named in the question. Because of boundary adjustments, it is not possible to reconcile the two accurately except at considerable expense.The totals for Great Britain are also shown. Figures for Northern Ireland are not included as the provision of sheltered employment there is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Table 1	Local Authority Sheltered Workshops
ESD Area	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981
1. North-West	96	92	85	85	84
2. Manchester	234	230	228	170	167
3. Merseyside	184	155	186	162	144

ESD Area	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981
4. Wales	393	425	476	464	444
5. Western	327	363	371	355	335
6. South-West	243	248	269	250	258
7. Scotland East and North	403	394	395	388	384
8. Scotland West	187	180	193	186	188
9. North-East	194	192	192	207	198
10. East Pennine	305	401	369	372	364
11. East Midlands	285	237	253	319	236
12. West Midlands	340	342	351	344	315
13. Eastern	192	198	200	215	206
14. Southern	189	102	119	124	118
15. London South	216	247	253	262	253
16. London North-East	134	101	110	131	179
17. London North-West	86	89	91	93	97
18. South-East	54	139	115	116	110
Totals for Great Britain	4,062	4,135	4,256	4,243	4,080

Table 2	Voluntary Body Sheltered Workshops
ESD Area	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981
1. North-West	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL
2. Manchester	NIL	NIL	NIL	50	48
3. Merseyside	60	46	49	61	53
4. Wales	39	17	13	NIL	NIL
5. Western	86	57	97	105	104
6. South-West	12	10	15	14	19
7. Scotland East and North	155	175	172	165	188
8. Scotland West	189	193	200	199	168
9. North-East	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL
10. East Pennine	136	155	151	203	206
11. East Midlands	NIL	9	9	11	NIL
12. West Midlands	95	95	87	89	94
13. Eastern	98	92	137	129	142
14. Southem	56	73	86	84	84

ESD Area	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981
15. London South	129	66	73	79	85
16. London North-East	NIL	NIL	15	NIL	NIL
17. London North-West	15	13	11	11	NIL
18. South-East	122	122	110	68	73
Totals for Great Britain	1,192	1,123	1,225	1,268	1,264

Table 3	Remploy Factories
ESD Area	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981
1. North-West	703	488	524	513	500
2. Manchester	396	641	667	663	664
3. Merseyside	195	131	197	183	202
4. Wales	1,318	1,328	1,323	1,302	1,270
5. Western	331	323	310	307	314
6. South-West	262	256	260	240	291
7. Scotland East and North	437	416	433	424	433
8. Scotland West	414	401	444	432	463
9. North-East	1,057	982	1,071	1,062	1,025
10. East Pennine	713	947	1,027	1,014	1,003
11. East Midlands	555	329	333	359	412
12. West Midlands	581	599	587	580	589
13. Eastern	179	178	181	164	166
14. Southern	124	138	131	131	134
15. London South	228	221	242	260	257
16. London North-East	310	340	331	337	343
17. London North-West	169	176	180	167	183
18. South-East	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL
Totals for Great Britain	7,972	7,894	8241	8,138	8,249

Table 4
Industrial Enclaves (Now Known as "Sheltered Industrial Groups")
ESD Area	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981
1. North-West	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL
2. Manchester	26	27	27	27	29
3. Merseyside	6	7	7	6	6
4. Wales	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	7
5. Western	17	18	17	21	11
6. South-West	NIL	NIL	NIL	3	8
7. Scotland East and North	NTL	7	9	24	44
8. Scotland West	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL
9. North-East	NIL	11	11	20	20
10. East Pennine	26	25	43	41	43
11. East Midlands	25	29	17	17	15
12. West Midlands	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL
13. Eastern	2	16	26	35	33
14. Southern	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL
15. London South	11	9	13	19	19
16. London North-East	6	10	7	10	10
17. London North-West	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL
18. South-East	NIL	NIL	NIL	NIL	1
Totals for Great Britain	119	159	177	223	246