asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has considered the question of the unfair overseas competition facing both the public and private sectors of the steel industry; and if he will take action to protect the national interest.

Yes. The action already being taken was set out in the reply given to the hon. Member on Monday, 16 November—[Vol. 13, c. 15].

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will extend the cost escalation insurance scheme to cover the exports of small firms; and if he will make a statemen.

No. The scheme is designed to assist the special problems of exporters undertaking large and lengthy capital projects overseas. But I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the fact that as a result it benefits indirectly many classes of small firms acting as suppliers and sub-contractors to the principal exporters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the amount of the trade deficit or surplus for electronics products for each year since 1974.

Exact information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following figures for the crude balance of trade include most electronics products together with related electrical and other equipment.

	Crude deficit (£ million)
1974	218
1975	11
1976	48
1977	85
1978	232
1979	440
1980	379

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has considered seeking to amend the Restrictive Trade Practices Act to encourage companies that have complementary information to collaborate in the production of new products in the electronics industry.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on the near miss between a Boeing 747 jumbo jet and an Andover of the Queen's Flight on Friday 27 November near Heathrow; and what action is being taken to avoid a repetition.

No. Reports of investigations undertaken by the joint airmiss working group (JAWG) of the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) contain references to information obtained from pilots, air traffic controllers and others closely concerned. In order that the greatest possible safety benefit can flow from such investigations it is essential that those involved provide full and frank descriptions of the circumstances which led to the incident. To achieve this objective, statements are given in confidence and contributors are aware that this degree of protection is provided.It is considered by NATS that the release of these reports would prejudice the working of the system and could lead to a future lack of co-operation from interested parties without which the development of air safety measures would be hampered. The conclusions and recommendations of JAWG investigations are already widely disseminated to members of the aviation community. All reports of JAWG investigations are forwarded to the Controller NATS who considers, in consultation with the Ministry of Defence and the Civil Aviation Authority when appropriate, what remedial action is desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in any consideration given to providing assistance to Laker Airways, he will exclude any action which would damage the interests of British Airways.

It is always my aim to avoid damaging the interests of British Airways.

asked the Prime Minister what response she intends to make to the request put to her by the European Trades Union Congress representatives on 25 November for a reduction of working time to be coordinated on a Community basis.

When I met representatives of the ETUC on 25 November in my capacity as President of the European Council, I undertook to pass on their views to the European Council the following day. I also met representatives of UNICE, the employers organisation. At the European Council I drew attention to the views expressed to me on behalf of these organisations representing the social partners in the European Community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department holds information on the numbers of authorised firearms held by members of diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom; and whether any restrictions are imposed on the carrying of such weapons outside diplomatic premises.

Members of diplomatic missions must hold a firearms certificate in respect of any firearm or ammunition which is used or carried outside the confines of an embassy, legation, consulate or similar establishment, but the number of weapons so authorised is not recorded centrally. No special restrictions are imposed on such certificates, but the holders are subject to the provisions of the Firearms Act 1968 relating to the possession of weapons in a public place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, from the date of commencement of the British Nationality Act, he will seek to notify all parents of new-born children as to how they can establish their child's citizen status; if he will take steps to inform these people, who retain an existing entitlement to citizenship, of their rights and of the time limit pertaining to these rights; and if Her Majesty's Government will provide assistance with payments of the substantial fees required for registration or naturalisation to people on unemployment benefit, social security or low wages and those with higher family commitments.

The possibility of issuing a leaflet to all parents of new-born children is being carefully considered. There will be publicity about the Act's provisions, including those which preserve existing rights for a transitional period. There are no plans at present to provide assistance with payments of fees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what licence fee is charged for the phonic ear; what increase there has been in the last 12 months; what are the reasons for the increase; and if he will abolish the licence charge in view of the importance of the device to the health of deaf people.

A fee of £12·50 is charged for a licence to operate a phonic ear. It was increased from £5·60 on 1 January. The fee is levied to cover the cost of issuing the licence and the associated regulatory costs. My right hon. Friend is not at present able to agree to exempt the use of this equipment from the licence requirement under the Wireless Telegraphy Act but this Department can issue a single licence to cover all the equipment used by an education authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would be the loss of revenue to the BBC if retirement pensioners living alone or with their spouses were not subject to the recent increase in television licence fees.

The information on which to make such an estimate is not readily available but if the television licence fees were to remain at £34 for colour and £12 for monochrome for households of one or two pensioners but were at the new higher figures for other households containing a pensioner, the loss of licence fee revenue would be some £35 million to £40 million a year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average grant from the agricultural training board paid to a farmer employing an apprentice; and what is the comparative average figure paid to a farmer by the Manpower Services Commission for taking on a young person under a work experience on employers' premises scheme; and whether he will make a statement.

The average annual grant paid by the agricultural training board to a farmer employing an apprentice is £145. A payment of £23.50 per week is made to participants in the work experience scheme which is reclaimed by the employer from the Manpower Services Commission. The latter scheme is part of the Government's measures under the youth opportunities programme and the financial arrangements are not directly comparable with the training grant payments made by the board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received recently asking that consideration be given to the matter of the agricultural training board's finances in general.

Representatives of the agricultural industry have from time to time expressed views on the role and financial structure of the agricultural training board and these are always carefully considered. My noble Friend the Minister of State recently met the chairman of the board to discuss future operating arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has recently received in connection with the reductions in the current Agricultural Training Board budget and the proposed reduction in staffing levels; and if he will make a statement.

A number of representations have been received about the reduction in the board's grant in aid for the current financial year. The board is wholly funded by the tax payer and the resources, which are made available to it, must accord with the Government's overall policy of reducing public expenditure. Few representations have been received about the reduction in staffing levels, which is being made in the interests of efficiency and a more streamlined organisation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what funds from central Government have been made available to the agricultural training board in each of the past 10 years; and what is the estimate of the grants for 1982–83.

Since Agricultural Ministers assumed responsibility for the agricultural training board in April 1975 the grant in aid has been as follows:

Year and Grant in Aid
	£
1975–76	3,261,000
1976–77	4,227,000
1977–78	4,642,000
1978–79	5,257,000
1979–80	6,357,000
1980–81	7,115,000
1981–82	7,000,000

The grant in aid for 1982–83 will be determined in the light of the Government's overall policy on public expenditure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list in the Official Report, for each county in England and Wales, the total number of full-time apprentices and craft skills trainees in agricultural industry expressed as a percentage of the full-time agricultural work force in each county.

Such information as is available is as follows:

County	Total number whole-time workers	Number of whole-time apprentices	Per cent. of workforce
England and Wales
Bedfordshire	1,724	43	2·5
Cambridgeshire	4,983	119	2·4
Essex	5,266	63	1·2
Hertfordshire	2,107	75	3·6
Norfolk	9,097	66	0·7
Suffolk	5,943	174	2·9
Berkshire	1,443	47	3·6
Buckinghamshire	1,751	33	1·9
East Sussex	1,834	42	2·3
Hampshire	4,521	180	4·0
Isle of Wight	520	47	7·9
Kent	6,868	107	1·6
Oxfordshire	2,784	72	2·6
Surrey	2,438	57	2·3
West Sussex	4,040	54	1·3
Derbyshire	1,671	48	2·9
Leicestershire	2,207	93	4·2
Lincolnshire	10,321	260	2·5
Northamptonshire	1,876	48	2·6
Nottinghamshire	2,573	110	4·3
Cheshire	4,741	255	5·4
Hereford and Worcester	4,783	164	3·4
Salop	3,820	240	6·3
Staffordshire	2,710	157	5·8
Warwickshire	2,248	133	5·9
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly	3,046	79	2·6
Devon	4,990	257	5·2
Dorset	3,070	119	3·9
Gloucester/Somerset and Avon	8,111	213	2·6
Wiltshire	3,845	39	1·0
Cumbria	2,968	139	4·7
Durham (and Tyne/Wear/Cleveland)	2,041	33	1·6
North Yorkshire	6,783	258	3·8
Humberside	5,095	93	1·8
Lancashire	3,485	128	3·7
South and West Yorkshire	2,477	115	4·6
Northumberland	2,555	101	4·0
Clwyd	1,593	80	5·0
Dyfed	2,983	179	6·0
Gwent	677	28	4·1
Gwynedd	1,106	129	11·7

County	Total number whole-time workers	Number of whole-time apprentices	Per cent. of workforce
Glamorgan	635	37	5·8
Powys	1,485	188	12·7
TOTAL	149,214	4,986	3·3

I regret that information on craft skills scheme trainees is not available in the form requested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the current wage levels set by the agricultural wages board; and what has been the level of increases over the last five years.

Current agricultural wages board minimum rates for adult agricultural workers in England and Wales are £64.00 (ordinary rate), £73.60 (craftsman rate), £80.00 (appointment grade II) and £86.40 (appointment grade I) for a 40-hour week.Increases in the minimum ordinary rate for adult workers over the past five years have been:

	per cent.
1977	7
1978	10
1979	13
1980	20
1981	10·3

An increase of 10 per cent. is proposed for 1982.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals his Department is considering for improving on-farm training and the number of apprentices in agriculture.

It is for the agriculture training board to use its resources as effectively as possible in order to ensure that the training needs of the industry are met.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the main provisions of the agricultural apprenticeship scheme.

The agricultural apprenticeship scheme, which is the responsibility of the agricultural training board, is one part of an overall scheme to enable new entrants to reach craftsman status. Its main provisions include formal training on an employer's premises, attendence at further education classes and proficiency testing in necessary skills.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the level of apprenticeship and training schemes in agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement.

We are satisfied that the level of training schemes in the agricultural industry provide adequate opportunities for young people to acquire the necessary skills.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards forestry in the context of importance of timber to various sectors of British industry and, particularly, to the paper and board industry.

The Government's policy remains as set out in the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 10 December 1980.—[Vol. 995, c. 1405–17.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of trees were felled in England and Wales in 1980 and so far in 1981.

Precise figures are available only for the Forestry Commission's plantations and by financial years. In the year ended 31 March 1981, the Commission felled 2,900 Ha (7,200 acres) in England and Wales. It is estimated that felling in private woodlands amounted to some 3,200 Ha (7,900 acres) in the same period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any evidence of local education authorities in receipt of milk subsidies selling milk at a price above that of the unit subsidy and the unit bought-in price combined.

Authorities selling subsidised milk to schoolchildren are permitted to recover reasonable distribution costs provided they do not charge more than a maximum price of 18½ pence per pint.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why Her Majesty's Government limited European Economic Community negotiations on special arrangements for milk subsidy to whole milk rather than the four standardised grades of milk covered by the European Economic Community regulation.

The special arrangements on school milk which I negotiated with the Commission apply only to whole milk because the aim was to derive maximum benefit from the Community subsidy already being generated by authorities providing such milk free of charge.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what safeguards exist, having regard to the present structure of school milk subsidy arrangements, to prevent local authorities exploiting the scheme by obtaining the full European Economic Community subsidy on milk which is then sold at regular prices in schools.

After negotiations with the Commission of the European Communities, I have set a maximum price of 18½ per pint at which milk may be sold to schoolchildren by those local authorities which receive subsidy. As I made clear in my written reply to the hon. Member for Preston, South (Mr. Thorne) on 26 October, I am satisfied that this price is reasonable, given the level of the subsidy and the authorities' needs to cover their costs.—[Vol. 10, c. 224.]

asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the United Kingdom programme for the payment of the European Economic Community subsidy on school milk does not include skimmed and semi-skimmed fresh pasteurised milks.

The categories of milk included in the United Kingdom programme under the EEC school milk scheme are those which have applied since the Community subsidy was introduced in 1977, and reflect the preponderance of whole milk supplied by local authorities. However, we are at present considering whether to add certain kinds of semi-skimmed milk to the United Kingdom programme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much European Economic Community produced butter and butter oil was sold to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at advantageous terms during 1980; and what is the estimated quantity likely to be so exported during 1981.

In 1980, 103,559 tonnes of butter and 43,623 tonnes of butter oil were exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by the European Community subject to export refunds.There were no exports of butter during the period 1 January to 30 September 1981. Exports of butter oil amounted to 95 tonnes between 1 January to 30 June (the latest date for which information is available). Since export refunds for these products were fixed at zero for this destination as from 1 January 1981, additional quantities of butter or butter oil are unlikely to be exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the remainder of the year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further evidence he requires of the commitment of Alnwick district council to repair the Amble north pier breakwater in order that he can take decisions on grant aid towards the fish quay and ice plant works.

I understand that on 4 December the Department of the Environment gave written approval under section 5(5) of the Coast Protection Act 1949 to the repairs to the North Pier Breakwater at Amble. In the light of this very recent development it is now for the Alnwick district council to arrange appropriate financial provisions. The decision on grant aid towards the fish quay and ice plant works at Amble will be taken when there is evidence of a contractual arrangement for the execution of the approved Breakwater Scheme.

asked the Attorney-General what are the procedures for the appointment of bailiffs in the county court.

County court bailiffs are recruited by the Lord Chancellor's Department in accordance with the normal Civil Service Commission regulations.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about his meeting with the Attorney-General of the Republic of Ireland.

The Attorney-General has had a first meeting with the Attorney-General of the Republic of Ireland to consider what further improvements might be made to the existing arrangements to ensure that those who commit crimes in one country cannot escape prosecution and conviction by seeking refuge in the other.

asked the Attorney-General if he proposes to make legal aid available in cases of libel and slander.

No.

asked the Attorney-General if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to provide legal aid for persons seeking to be legally represented at hearings by tribunals, as distinct from the courts of law, on such matters as wrongful dismissal, release from mental hospitals and final claims for supplementary and other benefits; and what estimates have been made of the cost of providing such additional services.

There are at present no plans to provide legal aid for representation before tribunals, though the the green form scheme is available for those who have occasion to appear before them, in order to provide assistance in the preparation of their case. It has been estimated that the cost of applying legal aid generally to tribunals, based on a number of assumptions about legibility, demand and price, would not be less than £6 million at November 1979 prices.

asked the Attorney-General if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the cost to the Exchequer of legal aid in the years 1970 to 1980, respectively.

Net expenditure on legal aid in England and Wales, inclusive of the Law Society's administrative costs, in the financial years 1970–71 to 1980–81 was as follows:

	£ million
1970–71	17·4
1971–72	20·7
1972–73	27·7
1973–74	31·5
1974–75	43·3
1975–76	59·3
1976–77	69·4
1977–78	81·8
1978–79	92·6
1979–80	109·8
1980–81	151·5

asked the Attorney-General what steps are taken to monitor the granting of legal aid so as to ensure that it is used in a manner that does not cause other parties to law suits who must pay their own costs onerous extra costs that they cannot afford to pay.

The Legal Aid Act 1974 and regulations made under it contain machinery to prevent legal aid being used to fund unmeritorious litigation which causes unassisted parties to incur onerous extra costs. That machinery is complex. The Lord Chancellor will write to my hon. Friend explaining it in detail and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales in which parts of Wales domiciliary dental services are provided for handicapped people.

There is no central record of the provision of domiciliary dental services for handicapped people.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether health authorities are advised by him to provide emergency dental services; and whether they are expected to provide this service on a 24-hours-a-day basis.

Health authorities have been asked to assess the need locally for emergency dental services and to provide what they consider is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will approve urgently the proposed redevelopment of St. Tydfil's hospital submitted to his Department by the Mid-Glamorgan area health authority.

We will consider the authority's proposals urgently and thoroughly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate his Department has of the number of beds available for geriatric patients in the Merthyr area; and what estimate he has of the need in the area for such beds.

144 and 192 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many consultant geriatric psychiatrists are employed by each of the area health authorities in Wales for the treatment of elderly people suffering from dementia and other related diseases.

Geriatric psychiatry is not recognised as an independent specialty. Psychiatrists treat persons of all ages.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the population covered by each health authority in Wales.

The information is given in the following table:

1980 Mid-Year Estimates of Home Population by Health Authority
	thousands
Clwyd	385·1
Dyfed	325·6
Gwent	435·9
Gwynedd	226·3
Mid Glamorgan	537·5
Powys	107·1
South Glamorgan	390·6
West Glamorgan	366·6

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many nurses at the latest convenient date were registered as unemployed in Wales; and how many vacancies there were at the same date.

On 10 September 1981 the numbers of nurses registered in Wales as unemployed were:

Qualified	—	537
Others	—	607

There is a central record only of vacancies notified to the employment offices of the Manpower Services Commission which, on 4 September 1981, were:

Qualified	—	187
Others	—	21

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each district in Wales the latest estimates for domestic rate increases in the current financial year, the rate in the £, and the average rate bill.

The information requested is detailed in the following table:

Welsh Districts	Percentage Domestic Rate Increase 1980–81 to 1981–82	Domestic Rate P. in the £ 1981–82	Average Domestic Rate Bill £ 1981–82
Alyn & Deeside	21·39	132·40	203·19
Colwyn	30·65	147·01	187·32
Delyn	14·08	130·56	189·86
Glyndwr	24·02	138·80	166·39
Rhuddlan	18·41	144·36	197·54
Wrexham Maelor	21·99	142·03	182·81
Carmarthen	11·92	109·16	108·19
Ceredigion	13·29	104·10	111·30
Dinefwr	8·62	105·16	90·95
Llanelli	19·47	116·30	117·94
Preseli	14·89	104·40	108·62
South Pembroke	12·81	104·95	120·76
Blaenau Gwent	17·86	131·39	120·67
Islwyn	13·79	121·00	124·00
Monmouth	12·92	117·03	167·22
Newport	15·89	123·58	186·10
Torfaen	16·11	132·95	162·66
Aberconwy	20·64	122·38	168·81
Arfon	23·34	120·24	112·36
Dwyfor	24·23	121·28	126·23
Merionydd	21·68	123·29	133·12
Yns Mon	27·17	120·66	144·67

Welsh Districts	Percentage Domestic Rate Increase 1980–81 to 1981–82	Domestic Rate P. in the £ 1981–82	Average Domestic Rate Bill £ 1981–82
Cynon Valley	24·43	135·36	105·99
Merthyr Tydfll	29·02	152·48	133·51
Ogwr	26·02	140·03	165·14
Rhondda	19·66	141·00	88·86
Rhymney Valley	23·31	140·91	145·18
Taff-Ely	22·97	139·11	153·44
Brecknock	14·80	101·27	111·31
Montgomery	24·46	104·40	111·24
Radnor	20·05	98·40	106·03
Cardiff	21·80	104·31	180·05
Vale of Glamorgan	22·17	99·40	162·03
Afan	22·83	161·30	172·57
Lliw Valley	22·96	148·10	143·05
Neath	21·18	143·86	153·05
Swansea	21·92	153·75	203·93

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions he has used his default powers under section 36 of the National Assistance Act 1948 to force local authorities in Wales to comply with the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take urgent action in respect of pollution of sea water off the Gower coast in view of the findings made in a survey by Swansea city council.

Swansea city council has not told me the results of its survey, but my own understanding is that pollution in Swansea Bay has not worsened since a Welsh Office working party reported on it in 1974. Remedial action is a matter for the Welsh Water Authority and its capital investment programme includes, among other things, expenditure of £1·2 million on the Mumbles sewage outfall and storm overflows at Swansea Docks.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he has taken to help Hong Kong in view of the expiry of the multi-fibre arrangement at the end of this year; and if he will make a statement on the future of the Hong Kong textile and clothing exports.

We have, during consideration of the multi-fibre arrangement by the European Community Council of Ministers, stressed the need for recognition of Hong Kong's open market system. It is too early to speculate on the outcome of the negotiation and its implications.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in the light of Recommendation 922 (1981) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the situation of refugees from Afghanistan, Her Majesty's Government intend to take any additional measures.

Her Majesty's Government continue to play their full part in the programme of assistance to the Afghan refugees. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in Pakistan on 8 October the allocation of a further £2 million for this purpose. The Government continue to work for a peaceful settlement which will enable the Afghan refugees to return to their homes in safety and honour.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is his policy towards the organisation of an international conference on the Afghanistan crisis.

Her Majesty's Government consider that the European Council proposals of 30 June for holding an international conference on Afghanistan continue to offer a reasonable and practical means of moving towards a political settlement.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish details in the Official Report of the political and financial support the Government have given to the programmes of international organisations involved in the assistance of refugees from Afghanistan and for the Government of Pakistan's programme of assistance.

Since January 1980 Her Majesty's Government have given or pledged some £7·8 million for the Afghan refugees, including some £4·25 million through the European Community. This assistance has been in cash, emergency supplies, and food aid, given mainly to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees programme. It also includes a cash pledge to the Pakistan Government of £1·5 million, which is subject to Parliamentary approval. The Government fully support the work of international organisations in giving assistance to the Afghan refugees.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what were the status and purpose of his Department's consultations with the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America on Northern Ireland.

My meeting with the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America was one of the regular series of informal meetings which Ministers have with colleagues in other countries to exchange views on matters of common interest. During a discussion covering a number of topics, Judge Clark raised that of Northern Ireland. I expressed the appreciation of Her Majesty's Government for the helpful attitude adopted by the United States Government and informed him of the discussions which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had with Dr. FitzGerald at the beginning of November.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if Her Majesty's Government will support in the General Assembly of the United Nations the joint Franco-Mexican declaration on the political situation in El Salvador.

The declaration, which is a bilateral initiative of the two countries concerned, has not been raised in the United Nations General Assembly.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if the report of the Foreign Ministers of the European Economic Community on European political co-operation has been published; and, if the text has not yet been generally released, if he will now do so on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

The London report on European political co-operation was agreed by Foreign Ministers of the Ten at their meeting in London on 13 October. Copies were placed in the Library of the House on 22 October, while preparations were made for the Report's publication as a White Paper. This was published on 20 November as Cmnd. 8424.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Economic Community are likely to discuss imports of manioc at their meetings on 7 and 8 December next; and why this topic is not to be discussed at the meeting of the Agricultural Council on 15 December.

This item is no longer on the agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council on 7–8 December.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider extending the pilot scheme on the enterprise allowance to the whole country; and whether he will make a statement.

The Manpower Services Commission will operate the enterprise allowance scheme in limited areas to test the demand for such a scheme and its potential effectiveness. Any extension of the scheme will depend on the results of the evaluation study we intend to undertake. Full details of the pilot scheme will be announced shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all those organisations which have made submissions concerning the future of the road transport industry training board; and which organisations have supported the retention of statutory powers for the board.

The following organisations made submissions either to the Government or to the Manpower Services Commission about the future of the road transport industry training board.

• Road Haulage Association
• Motor Agents Association
• Scottish Motor Trade Association
• Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association
• Co-operative Union
• British Association of Removers
• Freight Transport Association
• British Security Industry Association
• Confederation of British Road Passenger Tranport
• Federation of Public Passenger Transport Employers
• Motor Factors Association
• National Association of Warehouse Keepers
• British Public Warehousekeepers Committee
• British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association
• Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
• The Association of Professional, Executive and Clerical and Computer Staff
• Transport and General Workers Union
• General and Municipal Workers Union
• United Road Transport Union
• National Union of Railwaymen

Of these the following supported retention of statutory powers for the board:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of community projects currently being pursued in each Manpower Services Commission area, giving, in each case the number of jobs involved and the type of work according to attachment to hospitals, personal social service, voluntary bodies and other such categorisations.

Nationally, there are some 2,000 community projects currently running under the youth opportunities programme which are providing places for about 50,000 unemployed young people as well as a further 10,000 jobs for adults who are running the schemes.The work experience provided by community projects schemes is varied and will often include opportunities for young people to participate in placements with organisations caring for the sick, the aged and the young and meeting other community needs. Detailed information about the number of community projects schemes, their places and activities by each Manpower Services Commission area is not however available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the response he has received to "A New Training Initiative".

There was a large response to "A New Training Initiative", which showed overwhelming support for the three major objectives contained in the document. I hope to make a statement before the recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people in the Ormskirk travel-to-work area have been offered work under the youth opportunities programme in each of the last 12 months.

Information is not available in the form requested. Between the beginning of April and the end of October 1981 some 1500 young people took up places on the youth opportunities programme in West Lancashire local authority district. This includes Ormskirk.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will agree to the request of the trade unions which met the Minister of State, Department of Employment on 26 November and give active support to the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service recommendation that voluntary industry-wide collective bargaining machinery should be established in the contract cleaning industry.

I am at present considering the representations which unions, employers and other parties have made on the report and its recommendations with a view to making early decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of persons of each sex who took courses under the training opportunities scheme in each of the last five years; and what numbers he is expecting to take such courses in each of the next five years.

The number of people completing courses under the training opportunities programme by sex, for each of the past five years is as follows:

Year	Male	Female	Total
1976–77	49,772	39,879	89,651
1977–78	55,760	43,204	98,964
1978–79	42,033	28,332	70,365
1979–80	42,875	32,442	75,317
1980–81	41,175	25,135	66,310

The 1976–77 figures include 15,001 young people; figures for 1977–78 include 20,294 young people. Since 1978 when the youth opportunities programme was introduced, training for young people has been linked to this programme rather than TOPS. In the current financial year 61,000 people are expected to complete TOPS courses of whom about 35 per cent. are expected to be females. Detailed plans for the next five years are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking to correct the serious shortfall of persons entering into engineering apprenticeships.

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Latham), published in the Official Report for 19 November 1981 [Vol. 13, c. 70].

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he proposes to lay the orders for the abolition of industrial training boards; and if this will be done in every case before March 1982.

We have asked the Manpower Services Commission to pursue the process of abolition of the boards urgently, and in parallel with the action to establish or develop effective voluntary arrangements so as to bring about an orderly transition. We want to complete the winding up process as quickly as practicable but some orders may well be laid after March 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many job vacancies there are in the Hull and Beverley areas, respectively.

The following table gives the numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled at employment offices and careers offices in the areas specified at 6 November.

	At employment offices	At careers offices
Hull employment office area	445	26
Beverley employment office area	35	3

The statistics relate only to vacancies notified to employment offices and careers offices; vacancies notified to employment offices are estimated to be about one-third of all vacancies in the country as a whole. Because of possible duplication the figures for employment offices and careers offices should not be added together.The number of vacancies unfilled at a particular date takes no account of the flow of vacancies being notified, filled or withdrawn during the preceding month, which would reflect activity more closely. For example, during the twelve month period to 4 September 7,947 people were placed in jobs by employment offices and 767 by careers offices in the Hull and Beverley employment office areas. It is estimated that the public employment service accounts for about one in four of all placings.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many construction workers were registered as unemployed at the latest available date; what were the figures for November 1978, 1979 and 1980; and what percentage of the total registered unemployed this represents in each case.

The following table gives the numbers of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom who last worked in the construction industry (minimum list heading 500 of the standard industrial clasaification) and expresses these as a percentage of total unemployed for the dates specified.

	Number	Percentage
November 1978	179,524	12·9
November 1979	165,128	12·2
November 1980	294,538	13·6
August 1981	380,698	12·9

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places there were under the youth opportunities scheme with private employers for each year since the programme started to the latest available date.

[pursuant to his reply, 30 November 1981, c. 87.]: Information is not available in the form requested. The number of new work experience places approved with private employers was as follows:

	Number
In financial year 1978–79	55,000
In financial year 1979–80	35,000
In financial year 1980–81	85,000
1 April to end September 1981	50,000

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he has received any proposals from the construction industry training board for a levy in excess of one per cent.; and, if he has received such proposals, if he will lay them before Parliament;(2) what proposals have been made to him by the construction industry training board for a training levy in excess of one per cent.; and when he proposes to lay the necessary order.

[pursuant to his reply, 3 December 1981, c. 184.]: My right hon. Friend has received levy proposals from the construction industry training board which include a proposal that the limit on the amount of levy an employer may pay should be raised from one per cent. of pay roll to 1·5 per cent. of pay roll. In present circumstances he is not prepared to make a levy order with a limit at this level. In other respects the proposals are acceptable and my right hon. Friend expects to lay an order before Parliament shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the percentage increase in unemployment in (a) the Wolverhampton travel-to-work area and (b) the West Midlands since May 1979 to the latest available date.

[pursuant to his reply, 3 December 1981, Vol. 14, c. 184] Between May 1979 and November 1981 the numbers registered as unemployed in the Wolverhampton travel-to-work area and the West Midlands region increased by 194·6 per cent. and 190·7 per cent., respectively. The figures on which the increase is based include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.

	1979 (period 1/5/79 to 31/12/79)	1980	1981 (to date)	Maximum annual sums payable (effective from 1/7/80)
	£	£	£	£
Labour Party	139,698·00	227,500·00	217,500·00	290,000·00
Liberal Party	20,317·73	40,941·84	39,080·85	52,107·83
Scottish National Party	2,735·97	5,325·50	5,083·44	6,777·93
Plaid Cymru	1,252·51	2,513·75	1,599·65	3,199·35
Ulster Unionist Party	2,750·00	5,704·00	5,445·00	7,261·10
Ulster Democratic Unionist Party	1,352·15	2,804·18	2,676·69	3,568·95
Totals	168,106·36	284,789·27	271,385·63	362,915·16

No other party at present represented in the House qualifies for financial assistance under the terms of the resolutions of the House of 20 March 1975, 13 February 1978 and 12 November 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what legislative provision he proposes to make for Northern Ireland corresponding to part II of the Social Security and Housing Benefits Bill.

In view of the differences between the law and administrative arrangements in the housing, rating and social security fields in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, it would not be practicable to provide in the Bill for the introduction of the housing benefit in Northern Ireland. I propose, therefore, to proceed by means of an Order in Council subject to affirmative resolution, and plan to publish a proposal for a draft order in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons wanted in connection with serious crimes committed in Northern Ireland have been caught and subsequently released by authorities in the Republic of Ireland over the past 10 years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons known or thought to be currently in the Republic of Ireland are wanted in connection with murders committed in Northern Ireland.

A number of persons who are wanted by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in connection with murders

asked the Lord President of the Council how much was paid by way of financial assistance to each of the Opposition parties since the General Election of 1979 on an appropriate annual basis.

Financial assistance payments made to Opposition parties since the General Election of 1979 on a calendar year basis are as follows:in Northern Ireland, or whom the Royal Ulster Constabulary would like to interview in relation to murders, are believed by the police to be living in the Republic of Ireland. It is not possible, however, to give precise estimates of the numbers in either case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress there has been in finding an effective vaccine to combat pasteurella pneumonia in sheep.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 13 November to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Dr. Thomas).—[Vol. 12, c. 126.]

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has been made with the liberalisation of the postal monopoly.

On 7 November this year the postal monopoly was suspended in respect of time-sensitive mail subject only to a minimum charge of £1 per item. On 25 November a general licence was issued permitting charities to deliver Christmas cards between 25 November and 1 January the following year, and provides for similar relaxations each year until 1 January 2007. A further general licence is being prepared, which will allow the transfer of mail between document exchanges. I hope to publish this licence early in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for industry whether he was consulted before British Leyland wok its decision to dispose of Guy Motors Ltd. in Wolverhampton.

Responsibility for taking decisions on commercial matters rests with the board of BL. On this basis the company made its decision to close the Guy Motors plant at Wolverhampton and neither my right hon. Friend nor I was consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take steps to encourage new industries to locate in the industrial estate of Park Royal, London, by means of assistance under section 8 of the Industry Act.

There is already a wide range of Government assistance available to industries which are planning to locate in the Park Royal industrial estate, or in any other non-assisted area.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what assistance is available to single-plant small firms in city areas.

Help is available through the Department of Industry's small firms service and from the many measures taken by this Government aimed at assisting small businesses. Grants and selective financial assistance are also available under the Industry Act to qualifying firms in cities and in the assisted areas. In addition local authorities for selected inner city areas are given loans and grants under the Inner Urban Areas Act to help businesses to remain and expand in their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what studies he is making of ways of improving public sector purchasing from small firms.

As part of the current initiative on public purchasing, I have set in hand a review of possible improvements in the access of small firms to Government contracts. In carrying out this review, we shall be taking account of a helpful recent report on the subject by the CBI.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what further consideration has now been given to the review of those areas granted special development area status and to the restoration of this status to those areas, such as Aberdare, which have had that status taken away from them despite a considerable increase in unemployment in the last two years.

The Government have always made it clear that they are willing to examine the position of any individual travel-to-work area where there is evidence of longstanding structural change relative to other parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give the monthly figures of output and investment in the private sector of manufacturing industry since May 1979.

Quarterly estimates of investment and monthly estimates of output in manufacturing industry are published in British Business copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.Separate figures for the private sector are not available, but as the public sector represents only a small proportion of manufacturing industry the figures would not be materially different from those for manufacturing as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the percentage decline in British manufacturing industry over each of the past two years.

During the year to the third quarter of 1980 and the year to the third quarter of 1981, manufacturing output declined by 9½ per cent. and 4 per cent. respectively. However, the decline was halted this year and in the third quarter manufacturing output increased by 1½ per cent. compared with the second quarter; changes in total United Kingdom industrial production compare favourbly with those for other major industrial countries.

asked the the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the current level of investment in United Kingdom manufacturing industry.

Manufacturing investment including assets leased from the service industries, was about £3,700 million at 1975 prices in the twelve months up to September, 14 per cent. below the level of the previous twelve months.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what level of public funding has been made available through the EEC regional fund to build new factories through the English Industrial Estates Corporation.

In all, some £6·56 million has been contributed by the European regional development fund for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the response to the current range of business incentive schemes.

The Government operate a wide range of business incentive schemes, including measures to assist small businesses and to encourage the use of high technology. I have taken steps to monitor these as much as is feasible, and generally I am encouraged by the level of interest shown and take-up of the schemes. It is important however that we should do everything we can to increase awareness of the full range of assistance available, which is the purpose of the business opportunities programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what study he has made of the policy options on the future of BL which involve closing the company if it is not viable within three years, or selling off profitable parts of the company.

The Government look fully at the various options concerning BL in the context of consideration of the company's corporate plan.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has yet made any decision regarding the British Leyland corporate plan.

The Government are considering BL's 1982 corporate plan. A decision will be announced in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had, or proposes to have, with the chairman of British Leyland following the announcement on 20 November concerning further redundancies.

BL's decision to introduce cost-cutting measures and consequent redundancies at Leyland Group plants was made on a commercial basis and the Government were not involved. My right hon. Friend and I have had meetings with the chairman of BL at which these matters, among others, were discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has given any encouragement to British Leyland as part of the privatisation policy of Her Majesty's Government to prepare parts of British Leyland Vehicles as packages for sale in optimum condition.

My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Industry said in his statement of 26 January 1981, announcing the Government's approval of BL's 1981 corporate plan, that the Government supported the BL board's intention of creating viable businesses and of attracting private capital into them. That situation has not changed. It has also long been BL's policy to dispose of its non-mainstream businesses, and we agree with this policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will review his industrial strategy so far as it affects the county of Cumbria, in view of the demographic changes now taking place in the Northern region.

No. All the Northern region, including Cumbria, benefits substantially under the Government's regional industrial policy, which, among other factors, takes account of demographic changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what role the small firms service will play in the administration of the new pilot scheme for enterprise allowances.

Successful applicants will be offered confidential and impartial advice on their business plans from counsellors of the small firms service who are all experienced businessmen.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the current performance of British industry.

There is always scope forimprovement but it is encouraging that productivity— manufacturing output per employee—rose 10 per cent. between the last quarter of 1980 and the third quarter of 1981. In marked contrast to earlier periods unit labour costs remained stable in the first half of 1981. The outlook for exports is the brightest for nearly five years. This is good news.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has had any recent discussions with the chairman of the British Steel Corporation concerning possible job losses in the corporation.

As my right hon. Friend said in the House on 9 November, the corporation is discussing further reductions in manpower involving about 15,000 job losses throughout the corporation. This is being pursued through local negotiations at each plant.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received from companies whose premises are adjacent or near to the area covered by the London Docklands Development Corporation.

I have not received any representations from such companies. However I am aware that some representations were made to the London Docklands Development Corporation earlier this year by firms located outside the proposed enterprise zone on the Isle of Dogs—which lies entirely within the LDDC area—and that some consequential modifications were made to the proposed boundary of the zone.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's view in the Council of Ministers on the proposed textile carpet and clothing industry aid schemes in Belgium and France; and if he will introduce similar proposals to assist the United Kingdom textiles clothing and carpet industries.

It is the responsibility of the Commission to judge whether or not schemes of assistance are compatible with the state aid provisions of the Treaty of Rome. We have made it clear to the Commission that the introduction of new sectoral aid schemes for textiles and clothing by some member States could adversely affect the competitive position of the textile and clothing industries of other member States.The textile and clothing industries in the United Kingdom already receive financial assistance under existing schemes. I have no plans to introduce any additional assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is satisfied with the effectiveness of industrial and regional policy in the Northern region.

A substantial range of policies is available to assist industrial regeneration in the Northern region. When the final stage of the Government's regional policy decisions is implemented on 1 August 1982, the more selective approach will give even greater priority to the needs of the North.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has been made towards providing British Telecommunications with access to private sector sources of finance.

We are considering British Telecom's proposals for a profit-linked bond sympathetically and I would hope to make a statement about this in the not too distant future.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish in the Official Report a breakdown of expenditure within the £1,500 million investment programme of British Telecom, so far as this involves public expenditure.

British Telecom's net additions to fixed assets in 1980–81, after taking account of assets written out during the year and certain other adjustments, was £1,554 million. The breakdown of gross additions to fixed assets, given in statement A4 in the British Telecom accounts, is as follows: (figures in millions):

	Number
Land and buildings	134
Inland cables and transmission equipment	329
Inland telephones and related equipment	369
Inland exchange equipment	594