asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list those recommendations of the Building Societies Association to its members which have been abandoned and those which have been amended in light of discussions with the Office of Fair Trading; and if he will list those yet to be dealt with satisfactorily.

This is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. I understand, however, that he has registered a large number of recommendations of the Building Societies Association under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 and that some of these are still the subject of discussions. If my hon. Friend has some particular aspect of building society practice in mind, perhaps he would write to the Director General.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing exports of manufactures to and imports from the United Kingdom by each of the European Economic Community Six in the first eight months of 1981 compared with the corresponding period in 1980.

The information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether it is the present practice that the availability of section 4 aid under the Development of Tourism Act 1969 is conditional upon the existence of a statutory development board for a given region.

No. Section 4 aid is at present available only in the assisted areas. Its availability from August 1982 is currently under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is reviewing the 1977 statement of insurance practice.

At the request of the Government, British insurers have recently completed a review of the practices set out in the statements of practice adopted in 1977. It was found that in general they had been closely followed. The insurers have decided to confirm two further points in the statements. These relate to the clarity of insurance documents and the prompt payment of claims when they have been accepted and, in the appropriate cases, where the title has been established. Although insurers continue to receive complaints from policyholders, the insurance associations and Lloyd's emphasise that the number is small in relation to the millions of policies in operation. A further review of the statements may be appropriate in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the power, due to expire in March 1982, under which the Export Credits Guarantee Department operates the cost escalation scheme, is to be renewed.

I intend to recommend to the House an extension to 26 March 1983 of this power, which is granted under section 5 of the Export Guarantees and Overseas Investment Act 1978. The necessary draft order will be laid before the House in due course.I have also decided to raise the minimum United Kingdom contract value which qualifies for access to the scheme, in view of the changes in real money values since its introduction in 1975. The £2 million minimum contract value will be raised to £5 million and, where the contract involves the supply of a number of individual units of equipment, the minimum qualifying value per unit will be raised from £500,000 to £1 million. These revised minimum values will apply to new applications for cover received by ECGD as from today.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he is taking to prevent adverse effects on United Kingdom trade from the extra-territorial application of United States laws concerned with trade embargoes and boycotts which purport to apply to British companies by reason of a United States shareholding; and whether he will use the powers in the Protection of Trading Interests Act to counter the effects of those laws.

This is a matter of concern. The Government do not accept that these United States laws can properly apply to the activities outside the United States of British companies. Talks with the United States Government were held last October and are to be resumed early in the new year. I very much hope that we shall then have a substantive response from the American side to our proposals. In these circumstances, the use of the Protection of Trading Interests Act does not arise at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in view of the implications of the recent North Atlantic shipping litigation in the United States of America, he will make a statement regarding his policy on the use of his powers under section 2 of the Protection of Trading Interests Act.

The House is aware of Her Majesty's Government's concern about this case, which was in part extra-territorial, and indeed involved proceedings against United Kingdom citizens before a United States court on account of their business dealings with other United Kingdom citizens within the United Kingdom. My predecessor made it clear to the House that the main object of the Protection of Trading Interests Act was to reinforce the defences of the United Kingdom against attempts by other countries to enforce their economic policies unilaterally upon us, especially by the extra-territorial application of domestic law—[Vol. 973, c. 1533.]Section 2 of the Act empowers the Secretary of State to give directions to persons in the United Kingdom prohibiting them from complying with certain requirements to produce to any court, tribunal or authority of an overseas country, commercial documents or information not within the territorial jurisdiction of that country. It applies, among other cases, where such requirements infringe the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom or are otherwise prejudicial to the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.The Government certainly view such jurisdictional infringements seriously and I expect any person in the United Kingdom to notify me in the event of any such infringement. I expect to issue a direction under section 2 of the Act in any case coming to my attention involving proceedings in an overseas court, tribunal or authority, against a person in the United Kingdom, on account of his conduct within the United Kingdom and outside the proper jurisdiction of that overseas body.

asked the Attorney-General, how many cases remain under consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions following complaints about the police raid in Railton Road in July.

None. The Director of Public Prosecutions has fully considered the evidence following complaints relating to the searches of two houses in Railton Road and has decided that the evidence is insufficient to justify the institution of criminal proceedings against any police officer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the annual expenditure on the running of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland fishery protection service for each of the last 10 years.

The direct costs of operating and maintaining the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland fishery protection service for each of the last 10 years is set out in column 1. Estimated crew costs are readily available only for the last three years of the series and are shown in column 2. The figures do not include capital costs or depreciation of vessels.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many attacks have been made upon prison officers in Scotland since April 1980; what was the punishment given to each offender in each case; and what was the compensation paid to the injured officer in each case.

Since April 1980 there have been 101 assaults by inmates on prison officers in Scotland.Those guilty of committing the assaults were dealt with either by the courts, which imposed custodial sentences ranging from 12 months to 30 days; by the visiting committees, which awarded a variety of punishments, ranging from loss of 90 days remission to the loss of privileges for varying periods—not exceeding 28 days; or the governors, who awarded a variety of punishments, ranging from loss of 14 days remission to loss of privileges for varying periods—not exceeding 14 days.It is open to any officer who has been injured in this way to seek compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The Department does not hold records of any such claims.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inmates are contained in each Scottish borstal establishment at present; and what were the comparable figures 12 months ago.

The following table shows the number of inmates in each Scottish borstal institution at lock-up on Tuesday, 15 December 1981, and the comparable figures for Tuesday, 16 December 1980:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement about the level of milk prices in Scotland.

I propose shortly to lay an order which will raise the maximum boards' firsthand selling price to 17·983 per litre, and the ex-dairy price to 124p per gallon in Scotland with effect from the beginning of January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reports he has received from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland has submitted to me reports on his inspection of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Inverness prisons. I have today placed copies of the reports in the Library, together in each case with my response to the recommendations which he has made; and I have sent copies to the Members in whose constituencies the prisons are located, to the Chairman of the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, and other interested bodies. Copies may also be purchased from my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to extend registration of title under the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 to further areas of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

I intend to make an order in to new year effecting the next extension of the land register to the county of Dunbarton—and not Glasgow as earlier announced—as from October 1982. This modification of the planned programme has been necessitated by other heavy demands on the staff resources of the Department of Registers of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his plans for the replacement of the National Museum of Antiquities building in Edinburgh.

My right hon. Friend has no plans for the replacement of the building in Queen Street, Edinburgh, which the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland shares with the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The future accommodation requirements of the museum were the subject of recommendations made recently by the committee on the national museums and galleries in Scotland under the chairmanship of Dr. Alwyn Williams. My right hon. Friend is currently seeking views on these recommendations from the bodies most closely concerned and will take account of them in his consideration of the committee's report. The space available to the museum will be considerably increased next year as a result of the reconstruction of another building in Queen Street.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current proportions of children undergoing primary and secondary education who are obtaining remedial teaching; and whether any trends are appearing.

The provisional figures for session 1980–81 show that 8·6 per cent. of children in primary schools and 7·9 per cent. in secondary schools were receiving remedial education. There is no evidence of any trend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the projected annual growth of electricity demand for the next five years.

I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer that my right hon. Friend gave to the right hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Stewart) on 3 December.—[Vol. 14, c. 204–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to bring up to motorway standard the section of the A8 Glasgow to Edinburgh road fronting the towns of Coatbridge and Airdrie; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 8 April 1981. Preparatory work is continuing but I cannot forecast when it will be possible for construction work to start. [Vol. 2, c. 292.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will pay an early visit to see the developments at the several National Health Service centres in Glasgow involved in the introduction of disposable pocket syringes for diabetics.

I am aware of this development but will consider whether a visit from myself or officials would be useful.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what bypass projects in Scotland are to be advanced following the decision of the Government on the axle weight of lorries.

The 26 bypasses in the trunk road programme will be constructed as quickly as funds and statutory procedures allow. It is not intended to give additional priority to particular bypasses, but three have been started since June this year and a further eight are at an advanced stage of preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many reports were made to reporters and how many referrals to children's hearings in 1980.

The number of referrals to reporters in 1980 was 28,331. Of these, 22,303 were offence referrals and 6,028 on grounds other than offences. Referrals by reporters to hearings numbered 15,053, of which 10,786 related to offences and 4,267 to grounds other than offences.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the waiting period for chiropody in Dundee and Scotland, respectively; and if he is satisfied with the availability of chiropodists under the National Health Service.

Information about waiting times for chiropody is not held centrally. The demand for chiropody services within the National Health Service is greater than can be fully met by the existing number of chiropodists and various options to increase the number are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many attacks have been made upon borstal staff in Scotland so far in 1981; and what was the punishment given to each offender in each case.

So far this year there have been five assaults on borstal staff in Scotland. All five cases were dealt with by the governor. The punishment given in each case was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make funds available for a free travel-to-work scheme for all staff employed at Ashludie, Royal Dundee, Liff and Strathmartine hospitals as a measure to recruit and retain staff at these hospitals.

The hon. Member wrote to my right hon. Friend and I shall be replying shortly. There are no plans to reintroduce a free travel concession for hospital staff. The present arrangements do not appear to be a significant deterrent to recruitment or retention of staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will direct the Crown Estate Commissioners under section 1 of the Crown Estate Act 1961 to have regard to the requirements laid upon public bodies by section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968; and if he will make a statement.

The Countryside Act 1968 does not apply to Scotland. A comparable statutory requirement in respect of Scotland is, however, placed upon the commissioners by section 66 of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967. Since the commissioners must comply with that requirement, a direction under section 1 of the 1961 Act would be inappropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what records are kept of significant corrosion on offshore structures; and of how many cases he is aware in each of the last three years;(2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Dundee, East of 16 May 1980, if there has been any change in the frequency of inspections for, or in the pattern of, corrosion encountered in relation to offshore structures and related equipment.

Records of corrosion on offshore structures and related equipment are kept in the reports of the annual and five-yearly major surveys made by the certifying authorities.There have been no significant cases of corrosion in the past three years and no changes in the pattern observed. The frequency of inspection has not been changed.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the United Kingdom annual contribution to the joint research centre fusion research project at Culham, Oxfordshire; and what was the annual expenditure of the Department on its own independent research on fusion.

Nuclear fusion research is carried out in the United Kingdom by the Atomic Energy Authority whose fusion work forms part of a collaborative programme with partner organisations of Western Europe and is partly funded by Euratom. In addition, the authority is host organisation to the Joint European Torus—JET—project, a Euratom fusion experiment which is sited at Culham and towards which a direct financial contribution is made by the authority. The Government help to finance the Euratom fusion programme through their contribution to the Community budget. The United Kingdom's total contribution to the cost of fusion research is expected to be around £30 million in the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will seek powers to ensure that the electricity boards pay the full market rate for deposits that they require from new small firms seeking a supply of electricity.

No. While the electricity area boards are required by statute to pay interest on deposits at a rate of only 4 per cent. per annum, they do, by agreement among themselves, pay interest at a higher rate. The rate paid is kept under review by the industry and is currently 10 per cent. per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether there have been any decisions on payment of royalties for the advanced gas-cooled reactor technology by the electricity boards to the Atomic Energy Authority.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 9 June 1980.—[Vol. 986, c. 41.]

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will arrange to review, in conjunction with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers, the question of improving compensation provisions for the widows of coal miners who died before 1970.

The coal industry's arrangements for paying compensation in respect of coal miners to whose deaths pneumoconiosis contributed are set out in an agreement made in 1974 between the National Coal Board and the three mining unions. In March 1981 this agreement was amended so as to increase the payments made in respect of miners who died before 26 January 1970. Using powers taken under section 7 of the Coal Industry Act 1980, the Government are reimbursing the cost of the increased payments. Any question of further amendments is for the board and the unions to consider in the first instance.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes that the private sector should be permitted to set up liquid natural gas facilities in the United Kingdom and dispose of the products derived from the plant.

I refer my hon. Friend to the provisions in clause 12 of the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Bill now before the House. Under the Secretary of State's proposals, the supply through pipes of gas derived from liquid natural gas will be subject to the same arrangements as gas derived from any other source. Schedule 3 to the Bill, however, retains the requirement in the Energy Act 1976 that the Secretary of State's consent be obtained for the liquefaction of offshore natural gas to produce liquid methane or ethane. The setting up of facilities for handling liquid natural gas will continue to be subject to the normal planning procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy in the 62 participation and associated agreements made between private sector companies, his Department and the British National Oil Corporation, how many make provision to preclude the export of crude oil except following consultation with the Secretary of State.

None. However, all companies currently producing United Kingdom North Sea oil consult my Department regularly about their disposal plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes that the private sector should be permitted to construct works under the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975, distribute gas through their own system and market gas without reference to the Secretary of State.

The Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Bill now before the House would permit the private sector to market gas to all consumers whom British Gas is not under a statutory obligation to supply on request. The private supplier would require my consent before supplying premises taking less than 1 million therms a year. Above that rate the ability to supply would be subject only to a notification procedure. It will be for the private supplier to decide whether to distribute gas by building his own pipelines or by seeking access to British Gas pipelines—or by a combination of the two. In the former case he is free to apply for authorisation under the Pipe-lines Act 1962 or the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975, as appropriate. In the latter case he will under our proposals be able to apply to me for a direction if his negotiations with British Gas are unsuccessful.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes that his Department or a separate body should settle on appeal the tariffs of pipelines designated as part of the common carrier system.

Under the provisions of the Oil arid Gas (Enterprise) Bill, I shall be able to make directions for regulating charges for the carriage of other people's gas by the British Gas Corporation. At present, it is intended that the Department will advise me on this matter, but the situation will be kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he proposes that the use of the British Gas Corporation pipeline network will begin with the enactment of the petroleum Bill shortly to be laid before the House or at a later date to be specified in a commencement order made under regulations under that Act.

The provisions of the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Bill, which will enable persons other than the British Gas Corporation to apply to me with a view to securing access to the Corporation's pipelines, will take effect according to the arrangements set out in clause 36 of the Bill. I expect that these will come into force shortly after the passage of the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will direct the British National Oil Corporation to reduce the marker price for North Sea oil to $35·50 a barrel to accommodate market considerations.

No. North Sea oil prices are determined through commercial negotiations between the parties concerned, including the British National Oil Corporation, in the light of market circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions royalties have been reduced by the Government under section 41(3) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-Lines Act 1975 to facilitate the development of marginal North Sea oilfields in the national interest.

No repayments of royalty under section 41(3) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-Lines Act 1975 have been agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make provision in the petroleum Bill to amend section 12 of the Pipe-Lines Act 1962 for the renewal of a right to a pipeline where the original right has lapsed and no compulsory powers exist to deal with an obdurate owner.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy through what agency the British National Oil Corporation disposes of its entitlement of natural gas liquids.

The British National Oil Corporation disposes of its natural gas liquids not through an agency, but directly to its several customers.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future of the advisory council for energy conservation.

The advisory council on energy conservation has made a significant contribution to increasing the nation's awareness of the crucial role of energy conservation in our energy policy. The Government see a continuing role for the council in its valuable work. My right hon. Friend is therefore extending its mandate for a futher two years from 1 January 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether any further decisions have been made concerning the disposal of Amersham International Ltd.

Yes. In July, Parliament passed the Atomic Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1981 which gives the Government powers to dispose of all the shares in Amersham International Limited.Following discussions with the company and with representatives of the trade unions and staff associations concerned, I am pleased to announce that the Government have decided to offer shares in Amersham International Ltd. for sale to the general public by means of a flotation on the Stock Exchange next year. The Government believe that it will be in the best interests of the nation and of the company for Amersham to continue its development as an independent private sector company with a wide spread of ownership by the public. The articles of association of the company will therefore be drawn up with this in mind.Each of Amerham's United Kingdom-based employees is to receive preference in the allocation of shares for which they have applied. It is the Government's intention that each of them will be offered shares in the company free of charge, and they will be offered further free shares, the amount depending on the number that they themselves buy.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 22 December.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

asked the Prime Minister if she will visit Bexley.

I have at present no plans to do so.

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 are expected to be lost in the closures discussed.

I have had no such meetings since 17 December.

asked the Prime Minister if she will introduce legislation to require that an order subject to affirmative resolution be laid before the House on any occasion when the disposal of substantial assets is contemplated by British Leyland, such as the proposed sale of the British Leyland tractor assembly line at Bathgate.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 17 December 1981.—[Vol. 15, c. 189.] I do not consider there is any need for the procedures suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether she plans to visit Poland.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what action has so far been taken with regard to the charter for the 1980s for disabled people which was presented to her on 11 November; and whether the full text of the charter has been made available to all Ministers with responsibilities in the fields covered by its aims and recommendations.

Copies of the charter have been made available to all Ministers with responsibilities in the field covered by its aims and recommendations and these will be taken into account in the formulation of policies which affect disabled people.

asked the Prime Minister what change has been made in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the consultative assembly of the Council of Europe.

I have appointed the right hon. and learned Member for Aberavon (Mr. Morris) as a substitute Member, in place of the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Coleman).

asked the Prime Minister, why the Government have decided not to meet the shortfall in benefit for one-parent families on long-term supplementary allowance.

One-parent families have received particular help from this Government. In addition to improvements in supplementary benefit the family income supplement prescribed income levels haw gone up by between 60 per cent. and 70 per cent. and special one-parent benefit by 65 per cent. since the Government took office. Both these increases are well ahead of price rises. As far as the shortfall in supplementary benefit is concerned, my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already made it clear that final decisions on next year's uprating of benefits will be taken, as usual, next spring.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he anticipates that it will he possible to make the estimates of public expenditure on the papal visit referred to in the reply of the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services to the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell) on 26 November, Official Report, column 465.

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services will not be in a position to estimate extra local authority expenditure arising the Pope's visit before the programme for the visit is announced, which may not be for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the certified normal accommodation for Wandsworth prison; what is the latest figure for the prison's population; and how many baths, showers and toilets, classrooms, square feet of exercise space and workshop places are available to the prisoners.

The present CNA at Wandsworth is 1,258; the population on 30 November 1981 was 1,435. The prison has 54 baths, 9 showers, 310 toilets and urinals, 14 classrooms and approximately 7,000 square metres of outside exercise yards. There are 13 workshops which can accommodate up to 800 prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many hours the workshops in Wandsworth prison were open during the week ending 18 December or other recent typical week; what was the average number of prisoners employed; how many classes took place and for how many hours; what was the average number of inmates in each class; and how much time on average each prisoner spent out of his cell during that week.

During the week ending 12 December each of the workshops at Wandsworth prison was open on average for just over 12 hours employing a total of 651 prisoners. In addition, 29 prisoners segregated under rule 43 were employed on industrial work for 11 hours and a further 329 were employed on domestic services, maintenance and orderlies' duties.Seventy-eight classes were held during the week with total class hours of 143; the average number of prisoners attending the classes each day was 115 and most classes comprised eight to 10.The average time spent out of cells cannot be calculated with any accuracy because of the variety of activities involved but every effort is made to provide such opportunities within the constraints of the available resources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the rights and privileges which citizens of the Republic of Ireland enjoy in the United Kingdom but which citizens of the United Kingdom do not enjoy in the Republic.

Comprehensive information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Some differences are described in the report of the Joint Study Group on Citizenship Rights, one of the Anglo-Irish joint studies published as Cmnd. 8414.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the midday meal allowance for a person who is resident in a probation hostel receiving bed, breakfast and evening meal.

£2·80 a week is allowed for the purchase of midday snacks on Mondays to Fridays.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of his longstanding excellent police record prior to his drinking and driving conviction at Peterborough on 17 November and his dismissal from the police force, he will reinstate Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Muirhead of the Cambridgeshire Criminal Investigation Department.

Mr. Muirhead has a right of appeal to me against his dismissal by his chief constable. It would not therefore be appropriate for me otherwise to comment on the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance has been given by the Government to marriage guidance councils in the past year.

In the current financial year I am making the following grants towards the training and headquarters expenses of marriage guidance organisations:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last carried out an overall review of the need for retaining unchanged the Gaming Board for Great Britain if he also considered the advisability of varying the period of tenure of office of its chairman and members in that review; and if he will make a statement.

A review of the Gaming Board in October this year concluded that it should continue to exist in its present form. The chairman and hoard members hold office in accordance with the terms of their appointment, the length of which already varies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last carried out an overall review of the need for retaining unchanged the Community Projects Foundation; whether he considered alternative methods of meeting the requirement; and if he will make a statement.

A major review of the Community Projects Foundation with particular emphasis on its central demonstration role was undertaken during 1980 by the Voluntary Services Unit. As a result some important changes in the foundation's method of working have been agreed with the trustees. We do not consider that any alternative arrangements would provide the national focus and lead for other organisations in the community work field which the Community Projects Foundation is capable of giving.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet approved the Housing (Control of Occupation) (Guernsey) Law 1981; and if he is satisfied that it meets the criteria set out in his reply to the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright) on 6 March 1980, Official Report, c. 289–90.

No; the Law is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish his forecast for each quarter for 1982 of the change in demand for (a) new motor vehicles, (b) new commercial vehicles and (c) replacement parts for vehicles on which his economic forecasts for 1982 depend.

There are no official forecasts. Provisional forecasts as are available from the Society of Motor manufactures and Traders suggest small increases—of up to 5 per cent.—between 1981 and 1982 in the number of registrations of new cars and new commercial vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether a region's qualification for assisted area status in the European Community is dependent on the existence of a statutory regional development board for that region.

No; the Council regulation establishing the European regional development fund—EEC No. 724/75—contains no reference to statutory regional development boards; nor are EIB or ECSC loans dependent on the existence of such boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement on British Leyland's corporate plan.

I am making available in the Library of the House and in the Vote Office a report by BL on its recent performance and details of the corporate plan.The plan is essentially an updating of the strategy contained in the 1981 corporate plan for returning the company's businesses to viability in the medium term, though it includes radical measures to adjust the scale of the Leyland Trucks business to meet the problems experienced in the past year. The funding requirements in the plan are unchanged.In his statement to the House of 26 January 1981 my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State announced that the Government had agreed to fund the first two years of the the 1981 corporate plan—that is, £620 million in 1981–82 and £370 million in 1982–83—subject to the regular monitoring of progress in achieving the plan. In the light of a review of BL's recent performance and prospects, the Government have decided to approve the 1982 corporate plan as a basis for the continued funding of the company up to the end of 1982–83. The BL board and the Government will, of cours, continue to monitor progress.Sir Michael Edwardes has told me that his letter of 26 January, which was published with my right hon. Friend's statement of that date is still an accurate reflection of the risks that BL faces and of the board's position in the event that its recovery strategy is blown off course.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when the changes in the regional development grant system outlined in the reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Mr. Beaumont-Dark) Official Report, 31 March 1981, column 81, are to be introduced.

The two changes in question are to come into effect on 1 January 1982. An explanatory memorandum giving the full details is available in the Libraries of the Houses. The memorandum also outlines other, administrative, changes to be introduced in the new year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received the latest Binder Hamlyn report on the liquid milk costings system; and if he will make a statement on milk prices.

On 16 April 1981 I made an interim statement setting out the Government's basic conclusions on the review which an independent firm of accountants, Binder Hamlyn, had undertaken of the way in which the dairy trade's costs are measured and taken into account under the system of control of maximum prices for liquid milk. In particular, I indicated that the Government had accepted one of Binder Hamlyn's major recommendations, that it would be right in principle to determine the dairy trade's target rate of profit by reference to the rate of return in other industries.I subsequently commissioned Binder Hamlyn to carry out a further detailed study to see how this principle might best be applied in practice and I have now received its report. This recommends that a basic target rate of profit for the dairy trade should be established on the basis of comparisons with two similar groups of industries. For the processing part of the dairying industry, it recommends a comparison with the rate of return on capital in a specified reference group of food manufacturers: for the retail part, the comparison would be with the rate of profit on turnover in a specified group of food retailers. Binder Hamlyn also recommended that the current convention on depreciation—which allows writing off in one year on the basis of tax allowances—should he replaced by one on a basis consistent with the calculation of the reference rates of profit, and adopting the conventions used by companies in drawing up their accounts.The Government have decided that these and the other recommendations by Binder Hamlyn which they have accepted should take effect from 1 October 1980, and that CCA depreciation should be applied during the 1980–81 and 1981–82 costings years by scaling up the historic cost charge. After due allowance has been made in the calculated rate of return, this will result in a target rate of profit for the dairy trade of 0·724p per litre in 1980–81 and 0·784p per litre in 1981–82. Further studies of the capital employed in the processing and distribution of liquid milk and in the relevant reference groups will be undertaken next year and annually thereafter to determine the target rate of profit for 1982–83 and subsequent years. From 1982–83 the Government's aim is to use actual CCA depreciation data provided by the dairies, failing which it will assess depreciation charges and the target rate of profit for the costings on an historic cost basis.As a consequence of these latest changes, the Government have now implemented virtually all the detailed recommendations of Binder Hamlyn. In taking these steps, it has been my objective to encourage the provision of a full and efficient service to consumers, especially through the maintenance of a viable doorstep delivery system, and the continued health and competitiveness of the dairying industry and of the milk production industry which depends to so large an extent on returns from the liquid milk market. In particular, I have sought to shape the costings system in such a way as to maximise the spur to efficiency it provides, and I am confident that the revised system is well adapted to this end.I recognise, however, that the need to carry out this fundamental and thorough review of the costings system has inevitably created a period of uncertainty and some delay in initiating the usual autumn review of costings and prices. I also realise that both these important industries now look for a period of greater stability and regularity in the operation of the system so that they have a firmer basis for planning their commercial operations over the year as a whole. It will be my intention in operating the revised price control and costing system to seek to provide that firmer basis, and in normal circumstances to take and announce decisions promptly each spring and autumn regarding adjustments to the maximum wholesale price so as to contribute to the fullest possible extent to the objective I have stated above.Having assessed the effect which the implementation of the changes to the costings system recommended by Binder Hamlyn will have upon the measured level of costs and profits in the dairy industry, the Government have also given consideration to the levels of the maximum prices for milk to apply this winter. They have decided to increase the maximum retail price for ordinary pasteurised milk by 1½p per pint, to 20p per pint on 10 January 1982. At the same time, the maximum retail prices for Channel Islands milk and sterilised milk will be increased by 2p per pint, to 22½p per pint and 21½p per pint respectively. The maximum retail price for untreated milk will be increased by just ½p per pint to bring it into line with the price for ordinary pasteurised milk, in accordance with the decision announced on 1 December 1980.These changes mean that the maximum wholesale prices in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be increased as follows with effect from 1 January 1982 (in p per litre):

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the size and distribution of the potato yield in the United Kingdom; and whether he considers that production is excessive.

The trend for potato yield is upwards. However, this year, because of poor growing conditions yield is below this trend and there appears to be no danger of excessive production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to requiring calves in the United Kingdom to be immunised against lung-worm.

A requirement that calves be immunised against lung-worm would not be justified. The use of vaccine is not always appropriate. Farmers should seek advice from their veterinary surgeon on appropriate management and husbandry practices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes to take further action to protect the exposed and fragile sections of British agriculture from the effects of the recent increase in subsidisation by the French Government to their agriculture industry to the extent of over £500 million.

The Commission is responsible for implementing the Community's state aid rules. At the Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting on 15 December I had the support of a number of other member States in urging the Commission to investigate promptly the recently announced aid package for French farmers and to take swift and effective action to prevent payment of any illegal aids. I will continue my efforts to see that the interests of our farmers are not undermined by unfair and illegal national aids.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the effectiveness with which badger tuberculosis is being tackled in the West Country; and whether there is any risk of a spread to human beings.

I cannot be satisfied until the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle is reduced to minimum levels. It is not possible to assess the risk of tuberculosis spreading directly or indirectly from badgers to human beings.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his reply dated 8 December, Official Report, columns 367 to 370, to a written question from the hon. Member for Grimsby concerning prices compared with levies on common agricultural policy products, whether he will publish in the Official Report (a) the conversion factor used for sterling, (b) a revised table showing the first three columns in terms of sterling using the conversion factor, (c) his estimate of the amount by which United Kingdom consumption would increase if United Kingdom prices fell to the current world level and (d) any evidence he has that supplies currently obtained from other European Economic Community countries would not be obtainable at world prices if the United Kingdom left the Common Market.

(a) and (b): In compiling the information contained in the reply to which the hon. Member refers it was not necessary to make use of a conversio factor for sterling. The sterling equivalents of the first two columns of the reply are set out in the following table, together with the conversion factors used to derive them. The common levy has no direct sterling equivalent; the method of calculating the United Kingdom net levy from the common levy is explained in the reply to the hon. Member's later question.(c) No reliable estimates can be made of the amount by which United Kingdom consumption of the products in question would increase if United Kingdom prices fell to the current world level.(d) The quantities of the products in question which we would want to or be able to obtain from European Community countries if the United Kingdom left the Community, and the terms on which they would be obtainable, would depend on a variety of factors including whatever arrangements on whithdrawal were negotiated between the Community and the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his reply dated 8 December, Official Report, c. 366, to a written question from the hon. Member for Grimsby concerning the consumption of basic foodstuffs, whether he will publish in the Official Report (a) the conversion factor used in calculating the levies, (b) a revised table showing the figures in the two final columns on the nearest comparable basis to exclude in particular sugar beets, liveweights and dozens, (c) an approximate milk conversion factor for butter and cheese, and (d) an additional column showing in cash terms the additional duties payable on imports from third countries at the representative rate, or, in the case of a wide range of duties, the average incidence of the duties at the most favoured nation rate collected on imports dutiable at that rate.

(a) There is no explicit conversion factor. The United Kingdom levy is calculated from the common levy by the following method. The common levy rate expressed in ECU is converted into sterling at the representative—green—rate of exchange; this is then adjusted by multiplying by the monetary co-efficient, and the sterling value of the monetary compensatory amount is then added; on 23 November the monetary co-efficient was 0·942 and the MCA percentage was +5·8.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he has refused to agree to the European Commission's proposal that the guaranteed price for raw sugar imported into the European Community from the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries during 1981–82 should be increased by 8½ per cent. compared with 1980–81.

The guaranteed price is the price at which the Community itself would purchase ACP sugar if there were no commercial purchaser. Actual prices are negotiated between the sellers and Community refiners, and may exceed the guaranteed price.The Council of Ministers agreed earlier this year that the intervention prices for Community-produced raw and white sugar, which determine the market prices for these sugars within the Community, should increase by 7½ and 8½ per cent. respectively. The Council also agreed that the guaranteed price for raw ACP sugar should increase by 7½ per cent. The effect of this was to widen the margin available to the refiners, of whom Tate and Lyle is the most important, between the cost of raw sugar and the selling price of refined sugar.The volume of United Kingdom sugar refining has fallen in recent years and several refineries have closed, the most recent closure being the Liverpool refinery earlier this year. An increase in the margin is desirable to guard against further contraction in the industry. Further reductions in capacity would be contrary to the interests of the ACP countries themselves.I regard the 7½ per cent. increase offered to the ACP countries as reasonable. It is the largest increase since the arrangements were introduced and produces a price some £50 per tonne above the current world price. It is 1 per cent. more than the increase in the guaranteed return to Community sugar beet growers and processors, which in net terms is 6½ per cent., since the increase of 8½ per cent. in the white sugar intervention price was partly offset by the introduction of a co-responsibility levy of 2 per cent.Even so, I have made it clear that I can agree to the 8½ per cent. increase for which the ACP countries have asked, provided the refiners are compensated for the resulting reduction in their margins. The Commission has proposed compensation through the abolition of the storage levy and refund scheme for ACP sugar, which involves Tate and Lyle in making a net contribution to Community funds. The scheme, which is alleged to ensure even marketing of ACP sugar, is not needed for this purpose and its abolition would involve no cost to Community funds. I can accept this compromise, but other member States have so far been unwilling to accept the Commission's proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions during the last 10 years he or his predecessors have made orders subject to parliamentary proceedings to allow registered common land to be used for other purposes.

Information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what amendments he required of the Gwynedd county council to make to its county structure plan before it was ratified by the Welsh Office at the time of its original submission; and what changes have been made to it subsequently.

The Gwynedd structure plan comprises three separate plans—one for each of the former counties of Anglesey and Caernarvonshire, and one for the remaining area of the present county of Gwynedd, that is Meirionydd and Duffryn Conwy.In approving the plans on 29 July 1977 my predecessor made 110 modifications. I shall send the hon. Member lists of these, together with the notices of approval. No alterations have been nade to the approved plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those communities in Gwynedd in which it is necessary for those buying council houses to be required to offer them back to the district housing authority if they are to be resold, if the local authority so determines.

Section 19 of the Housing Act 1980 permits local authorities to apply either of two alternative limitations, only one of which involves a right of repurchase to the resale of council houses in areas to which the section applies. A general consent has been issued under the terms of section 19(4) which makes it unnecessary for the Welsh Office to be involved in the choice between the two alternatives, and I regret that the required information is accordingly not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the numbers and grades of training staff who were the responsibility of his Department, and who were involved in the initial training of young people aged 16 years to 19 years leading to technical, trade or craft qualifications for the years 1979 1980 and 1981.

Training leading to technical, trade or craft qualification for people below the age of 19 is the responsibility of industry. I understand however that by arrangement with a group training association the Manpower Services Commission ran a course at one skillcentre for first year apprentices in 1979–80 and again in 1980–81. This course was supported by the equivalent of one instructional officer grade III.An unquantifiable, but small, input from instructional officers grade III in skillcentres has also been given to continuing the training of redundant apprentices on a temporary basis while new employers are found for them.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take steps to ensure that no industrial training board will run down its staff or wind up its capacity to provide service to industry in advance of a winding-up order;(2) if he will take steps to ensure that there will be no winding-up order for an industrial training board until any alternative schemes for performing training in its industry have been examined by him, together with the advice upon them from the Manpower Services Commission.

I shall want to be satisfied that adequate progress has been made towards establishing alternative arrangements before making an order to abolish a board or reduce its scope. I have asked the Manpower Services Commission to take forward the process of abolition or reduction in scope urgently and in parallel with action to establish or develop effective voluntary arrangements. If we are to achieve an orderly transition it will be necessary to run down some of the activities of boards in advance of orders winding them up.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many establishments were visited in 1980 by the Wages Inspectorate in Scotland; how many of those visited were found to be paying less than the minimum rates laid down by the wages councils; how much money was recovered in arrears as a result of the findings of the Wages Inspectorate in Scotland; and what was the approximate number of workers in Scotland covered by wages council rates.

In 1980 the Wages Inspectorate visited 3,847 establishments in Scotland; underpayments of wages or holiday remuneration were found at 1,437 and arrears totalling £287,969 were collected on behalf of the workers concerned. Statistics relating to the numbers of workers in Scotland covered by wages council rates are not collected by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why figures for quota compliance by Government Departments, local authorities, health authorities, nationalised industries and other public bodies were not included in the November 1981 edition of the Employment Gazette as in previous years; if he will publish figures in the Official Report; and if he will make a statement.

The collection of quota compliance figures for individual employers in the public sector has been delayed by industrial action in the Civil Service earlier this year. However, the data are now being assembled for publication in the Employment Gazette early in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether any sheltered workshops are to be closed in the near future; and whether any closures are expected before May 1984.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when, having regard to the improvement in the underlying trends of various economic indicators, he expects a significant improvement in the unemployment situation in the British clothing and textile industries; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's economic policies are designed to establish a favourable climate for industry which will lead to the creation of new and secure jobs. The United Kingdom is operating in a difficult economic environment and prospects for employment depend on a number of factors including productivity, competitiveness and a recovery in world trade This applies as much to textiles and clothing as to other industries. It is not possible to say when the decline in employment in textiles and clothing will be reversed although it is encouraging that the rate of job losses has eased very significantly during 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether employers will be able to claim under the young workers scheme for young people recruited before the announcement of the scheme on 27 July.

In the light of consultations with the European Commission—whose formal approval of the scheme is necessary under the Treaty of Rome—I have decided that the scheme will apply only to young people recruited after the Prime Minister first announced the scheme on 27 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in the proposals to sell or lease Royal Navy Sea Harriers to the Royal Australian Navy; and what effects any such deal will have upon the proposed sale of HMS "Invincible".

We understand that if the Australians buy "Invincible" the Royal Australian Navy plans only to operate anti-submarine helicopters from the ship. It is continuing to monitor the development of vertical take-off and landing aircraft of the Harrier type in order to decide whether to acquire this capability. We believe the capability of the ship will be much enhanced by the acquisition of Sea Harriers and will continue to press the virtues of such a solution.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the operational complement of a Royal Navy type 22 frigate; and what information he has as to that for the Dutch S—Kortenaer—class vessel.

Excluding the ship helicopter flights the complement of the Type 22s now in service is 207 officers and men. I understand that the complement of a Dutch Standard class ship is about 170 officers and men.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the deployment of Her Majesty's ships on a regular basis to the Indian Ocean began; and which of Her Majesty's ships and Royal Fleet auxiliaries have since taken part in the deployment.

In October 1980. Since then the following vessels have been deployed on the Gulf of Oman Patrol: