asked the Secretary of State for the Home. Department if he will establish clear guidelines about the intervention of the police in industrial disputes.

The police have a duty to enforce the law and maintain the peace whether in the context of an industrial dispute or otherwise. The role of the police in relation to picketing is set out clearly in the code of practice on picketing published last year by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to increase the grant by his Department to the Commission for Racial Equality in the financial year 1982–83; and, if so, by how much.

The provision for the commission in 1982–83 will be published in the Supply Estimates in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received from the indigenous community with regard to the operation of the Commission for Racial Equality; and if he will make a statement;(2) what representations he has received from the ethnic minorities with regard to the efficiency and operation of the Commission for Racial Equality; and if he will make a statement.

I receive correspondence expressing a variety of opinions about the commission. The Home Affairs Committee's report on the operation and effectiveness of the commission has been published today, and I shall be studying its findings and recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to uprate and index-link the baggage allowance of £150 for the voluntary repatriation scheme under the Immigration Act 1971; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Proctor) on 10 December.—[Vol. 14, c. 455.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the procedures by which a person may apply under the voluntary repatriation scheme to return to his country of origin and the address to which such persons should apply.

There are two schemes under which assistance with travel and incidental expenses is available from Government funds for immigrants to this country who wish to return permanently overseas but lack the means. One is operated under the supplementary benefits legislation. Would-be applicants in receipt of supplementary benefit should approach their local supplementary benefits office in the first instance. The other scheme is operated on the Government's behalf by the International Social Service of Great Britain, Cranmer House, 39 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DD to which those who are interested, and not receiving supplementary benefit, should apply. Resettlement grants are not payable under either scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications to join the Metropolitan Police force were received in each of the last 12 months from members of ethnic minorities; and what proportion of these was accepted.

It is not possible at the application stage to distinguish applicants from the ethnic minorities. The numbers recruited by the Metropolitan Police (luring each of the last 12 months were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Rugby on 30 October, Official Report, c. 486, on what basis he arrived at the figure of £144,375 as unaudited expenditure by Cheshire eligible for civil defence grant in 1980–81; and if he will provide a detailed breakdown of that figure.

The figure of £144,375 expenditure by Cheshire county council eligible for civil defence grant in 1980–81 has now been audited. A detailed breakdown of that figure is shown as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to his answer of 27 November, Official Report, column 473, which bodies he intends to consult about his proposed system of medical examination overseas of those who come to the United Kingdom for settlement.

This is still being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the Equal Opportunities Commission in the last financial year; and what will be the expected final cost for the current financial year.

The commission's net expenditure in 1980–81 was £2·54 million. The provision made in the Supply Estimates for the present financial year is £2·911 million. I have no reason to expect any overspending or significant underspending.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many serious offences in 1980 firearms, including air weapons, were known to be used; how many of these were (a) offences of violence against the person, (b) offences of criminal damage and (c) offences of robbery; and what was the average annual increase or decrease in these types of offences during the preceding nine years.

Numbers of serious offences recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used in England and Wales in 1980 were published by type of offence in tables 3.1 and 3.4 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1980"—Cmnd 8376—which also includes commentary on changes over the period specified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OfficialReport the detailed lists of police court proceedings, sentencing, use of police bail and court remand and legal aid as requested by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West in his letter of 4 December.

All the information quoted in the article in the November issue of the "Police Federation Journal" referred to in the hon. Member's letter of 4 December is published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1980"—Cmnd. 8376.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet received the Byford report on the police inquiry into the "Yorkshire Ripper" murders; and if he intends to make a statement to the House before the Christmas Recess.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he was informed about the incident that occurred at Windscale on 4 October; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 October 1981, c. 80–81]: I have now received the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate's report on the results of its investigations into the circumstances of the release of radioactive iodine from the Sellafield site of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. on 4 October 1981. A copy of the full text of the report has been placed in the Library of the House. I informed the House of this incident in the reply given to the hon. Member on 19 October.—[Vol. 10, c. 80–81.]It has now been estimated that the total iodine 131 released to the atmosphere between 4 and 23 October, when the levels of iodine in milk had declined to normal, was about 8 curies. This, and calculations based on measurements of iodine 131 in milk, confirms the original estimates that the maximum radiation dose which could have been received by a member of the public was a small percentage of the annual limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The actual doses received are likely to have been very much less. I can therefore confirm that this incident caused no significant hazard to public health.Investigations by both BNFL and the Central Electricity Generating Board have established that the cause of the release was the processing of six irradiated fuel rods only 27 days after they had been discharged from a reactor at the CEGB's Oldbury nuclear power station. Such fuel is not expected to arrive at the Sellafield fuel storage ponds if it has had less than a 90-day cooling period since being discharged from a nuclear reactor. This period allows radioactive iodine to decay to an acceptably low level. On 7 September seven fuel elements were taken in error from a fuel skip at Oldbury containing newly discharged fuel and sent in two skips to Sellafield with other fuel identified as adequately cooled after removal from the reactor. The documentation of the two Oldbury skips showed no record of the seven "short-cooled" fuel rods.At Sellafield, BNFL relies on the accuracy of the documentation and the fuel from one of the skips, containing six short-cooled rods, was sent for reprocessing in the normal way, but following the detection of abnormal levels of iodine the seventh short-cooled rod was identified in the second skip and retrieved. Before the first stage of processing at Sellafield, fuel rods pass through an installed monitoring device designed as an additional precaution to detect short-cooled fuel. Subsequent checks on this device, which is still in the development stage, showed that although it appeared to be in working order at the time of the incident it was not correctly positioned, and therefore allowed the short-cooled fuel to pass undetected.The incident revealed shortcomings in the measures adopted by both the CEGB and BNFL to ensure that unacceptable releases of radioactivity do not occur in the course of reprocessing. The CEGB has formulated a number of proposals, which the NII endorses, for improving the control of operations at the power stations and which are to be applied, where necessary, at all commercial nuclear power stations. The main purpose of these proposals is to simplify where possible the procedures and instructions for all work in station cooling ponds and to strengthen the existing arrangements for ensuring its effective supervision. In addition, the CEGB has proposed the development of further independent technical safeguards to assist with the management of irradiated fuel in cooling ponds, including a monitoring device for recently discharged fuel for use at power stations.Immediately following the incident BNFL placed an embargo on the processing of any fuel which could not be proved to be adequately cooled, either by having originated from a reactor which had not been in operation during the previous 100 days, or by having been in the Sellafield ponds for at least 60 days, or by independent gamma spectroscopy for each fuel rod. These checks are additional to the installed monitoring device at Sellafield, which as a result of the incident is now subjected to an increased frequency of testing and functional checks. Whilst these measures are essentially interim arrangements, the NII report emphasises that BNFL must continue to store for an additional 60 days any irradiated fuel delivered for processing, irrespective of the evidence of documentary records, until improved methods have been installed for measuring the cooling period of fuel after discharge from the reactor. BNFL will also be required to complete the development of monitoring equipment and to install the optimised system at Sellafield as soon as practicable.The NII report draws attention to its view that BNFL should have informed the NII, the Radiochemical Inspectorate and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the incident before deciding to restart the plant. That is an important finding, and will be taken into account in the review of the procedures for reporting incidents to which I referred in my earlier reply. I fully recognise the concern and anxiety which incidents of this kind cause to the local community, however insignificant they may be in radiological terms. I intend to report further to the House on this matter in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of oil refining capacity in Scotland; and how this compares with the level of demand and oil production off Scottish shores.

Crude oil refining capacity in Scotland for the year 1980 amounted to about 8 million tonnes. Product demand for the same period was about 7 million tonnes, but technical, commercial and geographical factors make it impossible for the required product mix to be supplied solely from Scottish refineries.Crude oil production from the United Kingdom continental shelf is shown on a field-by-field basis in appendix 1 of the report to Parliament on the "Development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom" dated April 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is giving any consideration to making it a statutory requirement for persons working on oil and gas installations in the British sector of the North Sea to complete offshore survival courses.

Yes, I am giving this matter consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he remains satisfied with the measures now in operation to control the incidence and to limit the spread of outbreaks of Aujeszky's disease in pigs; if he is satisfied that these will lead to the eradication of the disease; and what contribution he believes vaccines can make.

The Government's policy on this disease was described in my statement of June last year.—[Vol. 987, c. 112–14.] As this made clear, I had concluded that an eradication policy with compensation payable at Government expense would not be justified.Discussions have recently taken place with representative organisations of the industry, within this policy framework, on the means by which further control of the disease might be achieved. We are now developing proposals based upon continuance of the preventive measures already taken under guidance from the veterinary service. Consideration is also being given to arrangements which would control the movement of pigs from herds infected with clinical symptoms of the disease. We do not envisage the use of vaccine in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 12 November, Official Report, column 179, when he expects to complete his consideration of the proposals relating to succession to agricultural tenancies and methods of assessing agricultural rents.

I have nothing to add to the replyI gave to the hon. Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 12 November.—[Vol. 12, c.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much agricultural land in Great Britain was owned by (a) companies and institutions and (b) individuals not resident in Great Britain in each of the last five years; and what proportion this represents of total agricultural land.

A number of landowners, including farming owner-occupiers, operate their agricultural businesses as companies. The acquisition of agricultural land by financial institutions and overseas buyers was investigated in depth by the Northfield committee, the report of which was published in July 1979. At that time the committee's best estimate of the extent of ownership in Great Britain was that 1·2 per cent. was owned by financial institutions and about 1 per cent. by overseas buyers. Since that time the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has monitored data relating to sales and purchases of land in England and the indications are that the proportions have risen only slightly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much agricultural land was in the tenanted sector, excluding partnerships, for each of the last five years; and what proportion this represents of total agricultural land.

Following is the information requested for England and Wales:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest rate of unemployment in Wales as a whole and in Newport, Gwent.

On 12 November 1981 15·7 per cent. in Wales as a whole and 15·0 per cent. in the Newport travel-to-work area.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing at constant costs the level of Welsh Office current expenditure under different control headings for each year since 1973–74, the estimated turnout spending for 1981–82, and the budgeted spending for 1982–83.

I regret that this information is not available in the form requested. The only information available in constant prices is the planning data contained in the Government's expenditure plans, the latest of which was published as Cmnd. 8175. Particulars of expenditure are shown in the Appropriation Accounts, but current expenditure is not distinguished. The total expenditure year by year shown in the Appropriation Accounts for all Welsh Office Votes is as follows:

asked the Prime Minister whether she will consider means of removing viable capital expenditure by the public sector from the public sector borrowing requirement.

Whether borrowing adds to the PSBR—which is of course financed from private funds—depends on whether a body is in or out of the public sector. Since 1971 the real return on total nationalised industry investment has never been above zero. In some industries, notably coal, steel and rail, returns over the period have been significantly worse.Nevertheless, as the Chancellor has made clear on several occasions the Government are attracted to the idea of allowing nationalised industries to borrow direct from the market, provided certain conditions can be met.I refer my hon. Friend to the Chief Secretary's speech on 8 December on State industry finance and private capital, which examines the questions involved. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister if she will state her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 December.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall have further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen. Later I shall attend a dinner to celebrate the 220th anniversary of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the overall continuity and consistency of the implementation of Government policies by the principal Departments of State.

I am broadly content in respect of the present Government's period of office, but I am always ready to consider ways of securing greater continuity and consistency.

asked the Prime Minister what impact she expects Government policy to have on the numbers of homeless over the next five years; and to what extent this policy takes into account the increasing numbers of people in the age group 18 to 25 years.

The measures taken by the Government which will be of assistance to the homeless, including young single homeless, were included in the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment to my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) on 17 November.—[Vol. 13, c. 117–18.]

asked the Prime Minister how many hon. Members she has seen on matters relating to factory closures since she last answered oral questions; and how many jobs were expected to be lost in the closures discussed.

I have had no such meetings since 10 December 1981.

asked the Prime Minister when she expects to be able to announce firm decisions regarding major reform of the domestic rating system; and whether she envisages that they should be carried into law during the life of this Parliament.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment said on 2 December, a Green Paper on alternatives to domestic rates will be published later this month probably this week. Consultation will be completed in the early spring of next year, and, as I told my hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mr. Chapman) on 24 November, I believe it would be advisable to bring forward a Bill during the present Parliament if it is possible.

asked the Prime Minister on how many occasions in 1980 and 1981 Government legislative draftsmen, officials or Ministers met individuals or bodies as a result of arrangements entered into through commercial parliamentary lobbying organisations; and if she will make a statement.

No such information is available.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will introduce legislation to require all persons lobbying Parliament for personal financial gain to register their interest in a register of lobbying interests; and if he will make a statement.

I have no such proposals.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will introduce legislation to enable the House of Commons Commission to require registration of all-party groups which (a) charge a fee for membership or (b) arrange meetings and seminars for a charge within the precincts of the House.

If the hon. Member considers that the present procedures for the arrangement of meetings within the precincts of the House are being abused, perhaps he would let me have the details.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report a statement showing for each chapter of the Standard Industrial Trade Classification sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 the estimated reduction in the EEC tariff agreed in the course of the Tokyo round.

Information is not available in the form requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The average trade-weighted reduction in the EEC tariff is from 9·8 per cent. to 7·5 per cent. The tariff agreements reached in the Tokyo round negotiations are described in the White Paper "The Multilateral Trade Negotiations 1973–79", Cmnd 7724, and the outcome for important products in these sections is generally described in paragraphs 10, 15, 17, 19 and 21. Full details of the EC's tariff concessions are in its schedule to the Geneva (1979) protocol to the GATT, which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the EEC countries are bound individually as well as collectively by the tariff reductions made in the Tokyo round of tariff negotiations.

Yes. The individual member States of the Community as well as the European Economic Community itself are signatories to the Geneva (1979) Protocol to the GATT, because it affects, as well as others, coal and steel products covered by the treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community. The signatures of Belgium and Greece are still subject to ratification. The member States are in any case bound individually by agreements concluded by the EEC by virtue of article 228 of the EC Treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report the timetable for the tariff reductions agreed in the Tokyo Round.

Most of the cuts in industrial tariffs will be implemented in eight equal annual stages between 1 January 1980 and 1 January 1987. There are, however, a number of exceptions. For the European Community certain sensitive tariff cuts will not begin until 1982: these are on steel, textiles—other than silk—ceramic products, titanium and a few chemical products. In addition, the reduction on most types of kraft paper and board will not begin until 1 January 1983. The European Community has reserved its right to stop the tariff cuts after five stages in 1984 without proceeding to the last three stages, if it judges that the economic or other circumstances at the time require this.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that proposed scheduling results in no breach of night flying restrictions for Leeds-Bradford airport.

As Leeds-Bradford airport has not been designated under Section 29 of the Civil Aviation Act 1971 this is a matter for the airport owners.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what estimate he has made of the balance of trade in manufactures with the European Economic Community and the rest of the world, respectively, in 1981 to date.

The available information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the total value of oil exported by the United Kingdom in the most recent year for which figures are available; and how much of the total was exported to the European Economic Community.

The United Kingdom's total exports of oil and oil products in 1980 were valued at £6,121 million, of which exports to the European Community were £4,090 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he will publish the consultative document on the options for nationalised industries consumer councils reform.

I have today published a consultative document on consumers' interests and the nationalised industries and have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will initiate a further investigation by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission into petrol, with particular reference to the position of licensees and tenants and their insecurity of tenure on petrol company-owned filling stations.

[pursuant to her reply, 10 December 1981 c. 451]: Tenants enjoy certain rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act. Following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on petrol in 1965 the oil companies gave undertakings about the minimum length of licences and tenancies; these are monitored by the Director General of Fair Trading. A further reference to the commission would be a matter for him. But it is questionable whether it would prove a suitable means of dealing with individual disputes between site owners and tenants or licensees over the terms of their tenancies or licences. There are existing procedures for resolving such disputes, including arbitration.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will change the method of presentation of employment statistics each month so as to include in the total of unemployed those who are working under the youth opportunities programme.

No. The estimated number of those who are working under the Youth Opportunities Programme is published separately in the special employment and training measures press notice which accompanies the unemployment press notice every month.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people find jobs each week.

Precise information is not available. However, it is estimated that, over the past year, an average of more than 100,000 people found a job each week.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Manpower Services Commission has carried out any studies into the costs of unemployment.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he makes of the number of unemployed persons who would be worse off by taking up employment.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services that no reliable estimate can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures; and if he will make a statement.

At 12 November, the number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 2,953,340. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Members for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) and Swindon (Mr. Stoddart) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the current unemployment figures.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave today to the hon. Members for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) and Swindon (Mr. Stoddart).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present rate of unemployment.

At 12 November the rate of unemployment in the United Kingdom was 12·2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the latest number who are registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom and the percentage increase in unemployment since June 1979.

At 12 November, the number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom, seasonally adjusted and excluding school leavers, was 2,764,300 representing an increase of 115·3 per cent. since June 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are registered unemployed in the United Kingdom; and if he will estimate the number of unemployed people who are not registered.

At 12 November, the number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 2,953,340. It is estimated that in 1979, the latest year for which data from all sources of information are available, about a third of a million people were seeking work but were not registered as unemployed. Later information from the general household survey suggests that the numbers may have been similar in 1980.Various surveys over the years—the latest in 1980—have also suggested that for one reason or another some of the registered unemployed are not actively looking for work or are not concerned about being out of work; estimates of the proportion range between 10 and 20 per cent., varying in part with the coverage and timing of the surveys. These survey estimates have a degree of uncertainty reflecting sampling errors and other survey difficulties, and are not necessarily representative of the position in 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the measures he has taken so far to reduce the levels of unemployment; and if he will estimate how successful each of these has been.

The Government's programme of special employment and training measures to reduce the level of unemployment includes the temporary short time working compensation scheme, the youth opportunities programme, the job release scheme, the community enterprise programme, the community industry scheme, the training for skills programme and, from 4 January 1982, the young workers scheme.At the end of October it was estimated that about 720,000 people were benefiting from these measures. The effect of each of the measures at this time is given in the table below.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current rate of unemployment in the Northern region.

At 12 November the rate of unemployment in the Northern region was 15·9 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to announce further details of the enterprise allowance scheme, which was announced by the Under-Secretary of State for Industry on 13 November in the House.

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce details of the scheme within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, before making a decision on the disablement quota system, he will study the West German system with a view to strengthening rather than abolishing the present United Kingdom 3 per cent. quota.

The Manpower Services Commission studied the West German system as part of its review of the quota scheme. Before reaching decisions on the future of the quota scheme we shall be considering carefully the Manpower Services Commission's report and comments from interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now announce the content of the Government's new training programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to be able to announce proposals for the attainment of the objectives outlined in the "New Training Initiative".

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) and to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received following the issue of his proposals for changes to the existing industrial relations legislation.

We have received 52 representations on our proposals for legislation so far. We have asked for comments to be submitted by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations on his proposals for industrial relations legislation he has received since his statement on 23 November.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Dover) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of participants in the youth opportunities programme have found full-time employment.

Information on what happens to young people on leaving the youth opportunities programme is obtained by means of special surveys. The surveys cover a sample of young people who enter work experience schemes on the programme. The results of the eight surveys now completed are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that those employed on youth opportunities programmes are adequately advised regarding health and safety risks; and if he will make a statement.

The procedures for advising trainees on schemes funded under the youth opportunities programme about health and safety risks are considered to be adequate. The number of young people participating in the programme is, however, increasing and the Manpower Services Commission is keeping under close review the question of health and safety in regard to the programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any proposals to increase the level of the allowance paid to those participating in the youth opportunities programme; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to make an announcement about the level of the allowance for youth opportunities programme participants.

I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend today.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people joined the youth opportunities programme in the first six months of the current financial year; and how many are expected to be accommodated if the "Christmas undertaking" is met.

It is estimated that some 320,000 young people entered the youth opportunities programme between the beginning of April and the end of September 1981. Around 440,000 young people are expected to enter the programme by Christmas 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have completed a youth opportunities programme in the last 12 months; how many of them have since found a permanent job; and how many are unemployed.

Information is not available on the numbers of young people who have completed a youth opportunities programme scheme in the last 12 months. However it is estimated some 320,000 young people entered the programme from 1 April to the end of October this year. Regular sample surveys are conducted to discover what happens to young people when they complete work experience schemes on the programme. The most recent survey, which covered a sample of young people who entered the youth opportunities programme in the period April to June 1980, showed that 30 per cent. went into employment immediately after leaving their schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received in connection with the provision of free travel for trainees under the youth opportunities programme; and if he will make a statement.

Many representations have been made to this Department about the youth opportunities programme allowance, and some of these have been about the travel costs incurred through participation. My right hon. Friend has now announced that the allowance will be raised to £25 a week from 1 January 1982; the threshold of £4 above which the MSC will reimburse travel costs remains unaltered.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to take steps to promote greater employment opportunities for ethnic minorities, as recommended in the Scarman report.

With regard to Lord Scarman's important report I shall be exploring what further steps can be taken by the Department of Employment group to assist the ethnic minorities to obtain full benefit from the wide range of employment and training services and special programmes now provided. In the main, however, improved employment opportunities for the ethnic minorities, as for others, can result only from the steps that the Government are taking to promote an improved national economic performance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the help of the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service has been sought in the dispute between registrars of births, marriages and deaths and the employers' side of the National Joint Council.

Since the dispute started on 5 May 1981 ACAS has initiated a number of separate meetings with the parties, but these have not led to sufficient common ground being found to make a joint meeting possible. ACAS continues to maintain contact with the parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to prevent the growth of the practice of engaging work people on a self-employed basis where this is contrary to the wishes of employees.

No. I believe this is a matter to be agreed between the parties concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the level of unemployment in Liverpool and on Merseyside, respectively.

At 12 November, the numbers of people registered as unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to work area and Merseyside special development area were 87,580 and 128,709, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the latest unemployment figures for the Leeds travel-to-work area.

At 12 November, the number of people registered as unemployed in the Leeds travel-to-work area was 38,478.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he plans to meet the general secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers to discuss changes in the apprenticeship system.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment at what rate the number of jobs in London has declined over the past 10 years.

Between June 1971 and June 1981 the number of employees in employment in Greater London fell by 451,000 or 11·4 per cent. The figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the current numbers of those employed in the Wages Council Inspectorate.

Yes. Wages inspectors are carrying out checks on pay rates at more than 37,000 establishments this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress to discuss industrial training.

My right hon. Friend and I met the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress on 2 December to discuss industrial training.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received regarding his proposals for legislation on the closed shop since his statement to the House on Monday 23 November.

We have so far received 18 representations on our specific proposals for legislation on the closed shop, but it would be premature to draw any general conclusions from these. We have asked for comments to be submitted by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment by whom the widespread public concern about the closed shops, referred to in his White Paper containing proposals for industrial relations legislation, has been expressed to him; and in what circumstances.

The reference in the document containing the Government's proposals for industrial relations legislation to

"widespread public concern about the closed shop"

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from or on behalf of management expressing concern about the operation of the closed shop rules.

Since taking office the Government have received numerous representations from employers and employers associations, including the CBI, expressing concern about the operation of closed shops, principally in response to their Green Paper on "Trade Union Immunities", Cmnd. 8128. The overwhelming majority of these have called for greater legislative safeguards in relation to the operation of such agreements.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many employees have applied for compensation alleging that they have been unreasonably excluded from or expelled by trade unions in closed shop situations; how many and what percentage of such applications have succeeded; and what compensation has been paid to such successful applicants;(2) how many applicants have applied for compensation for unfair dismissal in a closed shop situation or for trade union membership or activities, respectively; how many and what percentage of such applications have been successful; and what compensation has been paid to such successful applicants;(3) how many applications for interim relief have been made by employees dismissed due to trade union membership or activities requiring the employer to observe the employee's contract of employment until the full hearing of the dismissal complaint, during each period of 12 months since such interim relief became available;(4) in how many cases in which it has been alleged that an employer has dismissed a non-union employee as a result of pressure from a trade union the union has been joined as a party to the industrial tribunal proceedings, as provided for by the Employment Act 1980; and what was the result of such cases.

I regret that the comprehensive information requested is not readily available and could only be obtained now at disproportionate cost. I shall write to the hon. and learned Member as and when further information becomes available, which should be in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he plans soon to meet the Trades Union Congress.

My right hon. Friend will be meeting representatives of the Trades Union Congress tomorrow to discuss proposals for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress to discuss his industrial relations proposals.

My right hon. Friend will be meeting the general secretary and other representatives of the Trades Union Congress tomorrow to discuss his proposals for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the Confederation of British Industry to discuss his industrial relations proposals.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when, having regard to the improvement in the underlying trends of other economic indicators, he expects the trend in unemployment to decline substantially.

Unemployment always tends to follow the other economic indicators, which are now showing signs of recovery. A sustainable recovery in employment will depend largely on whether British industry can increase its competitiveness and continue to improve its productivity.