asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of the refit of HMS "Fife" at the Portsmouth dockyard; and how this compares with the original estimate.

The estimated forecast of outturn at current prices of the total production cost of HMS "Fife's" major refit is £57 million. This is some £8 million in excess of the pre-refit estimate: most of the increase in cost is due to the effects of inflation and the disruption occasioned by the 1981 non-industrial staff dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details of the costs to Her Majesty's dockyards, on an individual dockyard basis, of outside contracted cleaning.

The introduction of contract cleaning has been authorised at two dockyards so far: Devonport and Rosyth. As I explained on 18 January in my answer to the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright)—[Vol. 16, c. 37]—I am unable to give details of contract costs because to do so would involve the disclosure of commercially confidential information.However, I can assure the hon. Member that no change to contract cleaning is agreed unless proven to be no more expensive than the existing arrangements. At the 131 establishments where the introduction of contract cleaning has so far been approved, some 3,900 complemented posts will be saved at an estimated annual saving of about £6.7 million.

asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will give estimates in detail of the costs incurred by the commissioners in providing information to the Partners in Mission Consultation, covering in particular (a) staff and time involved, (b) entertainment, (c) the number of Partners in Mission people present and (d) the length of the actual consultation at No. 1 Millbank.

The following is the information:

(a) 15 members of staff and seven commissioners took part in the two visits to No. 1 Millbank by the partners and Church of England representatives which involved approximately 31/2 hours of staff time, the total cost of which would have been approximately £620. This excludes the time taken in preparation.

(b) A buffet lunch was provided on 24 June 1981 at a cost of £68.

(c) Four external partners and two Church of England representatives.

(d) The visit lasted from 2 pm to 4 pm Tuesday 23 June and from 10 am to about 1.45 pm Wednesday 24 June 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial assistance he will pay to shipping services to the Scottish islands in 1982–83.

I propose to offer the following revenue grants in the forthcoming financial year:

Caledonian MacBrayne Limited	£6.12 million
Orkney Islands Shipping Company Ltd	£1.05 million

The corresponding sums offered last year were £5.8 million and £0.85 million respectively.I also propose to increase from £1.9 million to £2.4 million the assistance I give to traffic on the roll-on/roll-off service to Orkney and Shetland operated from Aberdeen and Scrabster by P & 0 Ferries Ltd. Early discussions will take place with Orkney and Shetland islands councils on the application of this level of assistance within the present broad arrangements for reducing freight and passenger charges.In addition, I intend to offer assistance of up to £1.05 million to the bulk shipping companies to allow them to continue making tariff reductions on their North Isles and West Coast rates and charges. In the case of P0 and the bulk shipping companies, actual grant disbursed wall depend on the level of demand for their services.In total, I would expect Government revenue support in 1982–83 to amount to just over £10.6 million, an increase of 16.5 pe cent. over the corresponding sum £9.1 million—which I estimate will be disbursed this year. This increase represents further progress in the fulfilment of our commitment to increase in real terms Government assistance to sea transport services to the islands communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what conclusions he has reached on the operation of ferry services between Gourock and Dunoon; and if he will make a statement.

In responding to the recommendation of the Scottish Transport Users Consultative Committee on Caledonian MacBrayne's proposed withdrawal from the route, I announced on 12 October 1981 that a passenger service would continue to be provided by Caledonian MacBrayne between Gourock and Dunoon piers. I asked Caledonian MacBrayne to consider how best to provide such a service. In the light of its examination and following discussions with those concerned I now propose that Caledonian MacBrayne should continue to operate an hourly passenger and vehicle service between Gourock and Dunoon. Future subsidy for this service is now intended to be in respect only of carrying foot passengers and will be less than in previous years.The draft undertaking with Western Ferries will not now be implemented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the concern felt by the general public at the rapid growth in crime in general and that of armed robbery, muggings and attacks on the person in particular, he will arrange for a national conference to be called under the auspices of his Department to ascertain what action could be taken to reduce the present level of crime.

No. The Home Office is in constant touch with the police and other services which, with the Government's full support, are directly engaged in action against crime.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which county authorities in England and Wales have informed him that they have directed their emergency planning teams to plan only for peace-time emergencies on the grounds that they have declared their areas to be nuclear-free areas.

None. County councils are aware of their obligations under the Civil Defence (Planning) Regulations 1974 (SI 1974/70) to plan against the effects of a hostile attack.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what types of documents containing management instructions to prison governors, if any, are not placed in the Library.

Headquarters memoranda to governors, which contain information or instructions confidential to governors of prison department establishments, are not placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that owners of dogs have to pay a licence fee whereas owners of cats, horses, donkeys, or any other domestic animal do not, he will consider introducing a licence system for other domestic animals.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce such a licensing system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish his Department's guidelines on telephone bugging; and if he will make a statement.

The arrangements for the interception of telephone communications are set out in the White Paper "The Interception of Communications in Great Britain' (Cmnd. 7873). The guidelines on the use of surveillance equipment by the police are currently under review; as part of that review I am considering whether they should be published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to issue for public comment his Criminal Law Revision Committee's working paper on the subject of prostitution.

I understand that the Criminal Law Revision Committee hopes to publish this working paper within the first half of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children in attendance at the primary schools which are to be replaced by the new school at Killinchy live more than two miles from their present school; and how many live more than two miles away from the location of the proposed new school.

There are 69 children at the five primary schools which are to be replaced by the new school at Killinchy who live more than 2 miles from their present schools. Of the children at present enrolled in the five schools 131 live more than 2 miles from the location of the proposed new school.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many teachers and head teachers are employed at the schools which are to be replaced by the proposed new school at Killinchy.

There are five Principals, six full-time assistant teachers and one part-time teacher employed in the five schools which are to be replaced by the proposed new school at Killinchy.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of the proposed new primary school at Killinchy; what accommodation is to be provided; how many pupils are expected to be in attendance; and how many teachers are expected to be employed.

The estimated cost of the proposed new primary school at Killinchy is £482,000 and the following accommodation is being provided: nine classrooms; remedial teaching room; assembly/dining hall; kitchen; normal ancillary accommodation.The school has been planned for an estimated enrolment of 223–255 pupils, which would entitle it to a basic staff of principal and eight assistant teachers. Staffing allocations for the 1983–84 school year will not however be determined until early in 1983, and so it is not possible now to state how many teachers will be employed.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any scaling down of the accommodation at the new primary school in Kircubbin is to take place as a consequence of the decision to keep the Ballycran primary school open.

The new primary school in Kircubbin has been completed and it came into operation on 1 September 1981. The question of scaling down the accommodation provided does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums of money are expected to be returned to the Exchequer from the sale of primary schools as a consequence of the building of a new primary school in Kircubbin; and how this has been affected by the decision not to dispose of Ballycran primary school.

The new school in Kircubbin was built to replace St. Mary's primary school, Kircubbin, and St. Joseph's primary school, Ballycranbeg. The amount to be paid to the Department of Education in respect of the former is under consideration and I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as it has been determined. The latter was permitted, as an exceptional measure, to remain in operation for the school year 1981–82, and a development proposal that it should continue in operation was published on 18 January 1982. If that proposal is approved no payment will be due to the Department of Education in respect of that school.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the scrutiny of the Northern Ireland employment service carried out last year by Sir Derek Rayner.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money the Welsh water authority has received in each of the last three years in respect of leasing water rights, filter beds and pipelines at the Elan Valley reservoirs to the Severn-Trent authority; and for how long this lease runs.

No formal lease exists between the Welsh water authority and the Severn-Trent water authority over the use by the latter authority of the Foel tower and tunnel, filters, treatment works and that part of the aqueduct within the WWA's area. In the meantime, the Severn-Trent water authority is paying all the costs associated with this property, such as rates, maintenance and loan charges and, in addition, have paid to the Welsh water authority over the last three years the sum of £1.3 million a year for the water it takes from the reservoirs.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what Government assistance is available to householders in seaside resorts in order to encourage them to provide holiday accommodation to improve the tourist industry.

Householders offering, or wishing to offer, holiday accommodation in any part of the assisted areas may be eligible for financial assistance towards capital costs under the scheme operated by the national tourist boards under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969. In addition, in certain parts of Scotland assistance may be available under the Highlands and Islands Development (Scotland) Act 1965 and the Crofters (Scotland) Act 19.55. Householders throughout Britain may take advantage of the tourist boards' advisory services.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many representations he has received about the proposal to moor a liquid petroleum gas tanker in the Solent just off the Isle of Wight; and what steps he proposes to take.

I have had representations from the Royal Yachting Association, and the British Transport Docks Board has consulted me on the marine safety aspects of the proposal. I understand that the board, which is the responsible Authority, still has the matter under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the Government's policy regarding the mooring of liquid petroleum tankers in British inshore waters for use as floating storage.

[pursuant to the reply, 11 February, c. 443]: I am advised that under English common law any vessel may anchor in tidal waters subject only to such conditions as port or harbour authorities or conservancies may have power to impose and to such legal redress as owners of underwater pipelines and cables may be able to secure in the courts. Where a vessel uses a permanent mooring buoy in tidal waters that may be a danger or obstruction to navigation then the laying of the buoy may require my consent under section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949, and such conditions as I may impose in giving that consent may take account of the size of the vessel using the buoy. But I have no powers to regulate any moorings in relation to the type or cargo of the vessels using them.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in anticipation of legislation to amend the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, he will authorise the publication of a Bill in draft form for consideration by interested bodies based on the review of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 by an inter-departmental committee announced on 8 February 1974, Official Report, column 472.

As was made clear on 22 January in the debate on the Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Bill, we have no plans at present for new legislation on these lines.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is yet in a position to announce the 19824 3 grant-in-aid to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.

No; but we shall do so as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn and Hatfield (Mr. Murphy) on 16 November 1981, Official Report, column 12, what steps he is taking to encourage authorities to support citizens advice bureaux.

I take every appropriate opportunity of publicly emphasising the value of the CAB service; its dependence on local authority support; and, as I made clear in the reply to which the hon. Member refers, our hope is that local authorities will do all they can to support it within current financial constraints.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the figures for imported steel over the past five years, indicating the countries of origin; and what are his forecasts for the coming year.

I prefer not to make an estimate for 1982. The available information on the value of steel imports for earlier years is as follows:

£ million cif
1977	808.2
1978	882.5
1979	997.6
1980	1,275.6
*1981	480.2
* Six months

asked the Secretary of State for Trade in which companies registered in the United Kingdom Sir Freddie Laker has a beneficial holding of more than 5 per cent.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate the pricing policy and structure of the pharmaceutical industry.

I have been asked to reply.The United Kingdom based pharmaceutical industry, for which the Department has sponsorship responsibility within government, supplies by far the greater part of medicines used in the National Health Service and will continue to do so within the foreseeable future. It maintains an impressive record of innovation and productivity, and its exports make a significant contribution to the balance of payments. Manufacturers prices for National Health Service medicines are already subject to the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will examine the implications of the judgment of the honourable Sir Basil Neild in Blasdale v Coventry District Council as to its effect on ancillary staffing requirements in the classroom during a wet dinner break; and if he will give new guidance to local authorities in the light of this judgment.

It is the responsibility of the local education authority, in conjunction with the head teacher, to ensure that adequate provision is made for the supervision of children while on the school premises, in particular, arrangements for pupils during the dinner break in wet weather.Guidance on midday supervision is contained in circular 16/68. It will take some time to consider what implications, if any, flow from the Blasdale v. Coventry District Council judgment and I shall write to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the annual costs of running the pomology department at Long Ashton for each of the last three years; and how these costs have been met.

The annual costs, in cash prices, for each of the last three years is as follows:

Year	Costs £000
1979–80	240
1980–81	309
*1981–82	345
* Estimated.

With the exception of the amounts listed below, the costs have been met from the station's grant-in-aid from the Agricultural Research Council, which in turn derives from the council's grant-in-aid from the science budget of the Department of Education and Science:

Year	Amount (£)	provided by
1979–80	11,000	Cider and Perry Foundation
	2,000	I. C. I.
1980–81	9,000	Cider and Perry Foundation
	1,000	National Seed Development Organisation (NSDO)
	8,000	B.P. International
1981–82*	12,000	Cider and Perry Foundation
	1,000	N.S.D.O
	1,000	Bord-Na-Mona,Irish Republic
	1,500	International Energy Agency
* Estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what income has been derived from research undertaken on behalf of foreign Governments and organisations at the Pomology Department at Long Ashton.

The following income has been derived from research undertaken on behalf of foreign Governments and organisations—including multinational companies—at the Pomology Department at Long Ashton research station.

Year	Amount	Source of Income
	£
1980–81	8,000	B.P. International
1981–82*	1,000	Bord-Na-Mona,Irish Republic
	1,500	International Energy Agency
* Estimated

There was no such income in 1979–80.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many employees were working at the Pomology Department, Long Ashton at the end of each of the last five years; and how many of these were under 20 years old.

The number of employees working at the Pomology Department Long Ashton on 1 April of each of the last five years—and the number of these who were under age 20 years—was:

(a)	(b)	(c)
Date	No. of Employees	No. of (b) under age 20 years
1 April 1977	28	2
1 April 1978	28	2
1 April 1979	33	—
1 April 1980	32	—
1 April 1981	31	—

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how group training schemes outlined in "A Programme for Action", paragraph 52, will be financed.

The Manpower Services Commission's policy since 1975 has been that group training schemes should move towards financial self-sufficency, though it has been prepared to offer limited funds on a selective basis to help groups establish themselves. There are currently no proposals for major changes in this policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if there are any arrangements under which the Eamid training group, based in Ashfied, can obtain from Government sources the financial support necessary to enable its continuance until the national training programme is established; and, if so, how and to whom it applies.

The Manpower Services Commission has recently written to industrial training boards indicating that in sectors where the boards are to be wound up, some transitional support from Exchequer funds is to be made available to help groups that otherwise would have received financial assistance in the next financial year from their training boards. The boards have been asked to discuss the matter urgently with the commission, and the Eamid training group should contact the furniture and timber industrial training board to find out its position.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the proposals put forward by the Commission for Racial Equality for the introduction of positive discrimination in employment; and if he will make a statement.

I assume that the question refers to the draft code of practice which was formally submitted to my right hon. Friend by the Commission for Racial Equality on 21 December 1981. This provides guidance aimed at the elimination of racial discrimination and the promotion of equality of opportunity in employment, which in relation to discrimination in favour of minority groups or individuals does not go beyond the existing provisions for encouragement and training contained in the Race Relations Act 1976. It is not my right hon. Friend's intention to seek any extension of those provisions of the Act. As regards the draft code itself, my right hon. Friend is now considering what action to take on it, in accordance with section 47 of the 1976 Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of those becoming unemployed from May 1979 onwards received redundancy pay and what was the average amount (a) from May 1979 to May 1980, (b) from May 1980 to May 1981 and (c) from May 1981 to November 1981; and what, for each period, were the total sums paid.

It is not known how many of the people who became unemployed during this time received redundancy pay. The following information relates to those who received statutory redundancy payments:

	Satutory redundancy payments	Amount received	Average payment
		£	£
1 May 1979–31
May 1980	327,953	299.5m	913
1 June 1980–31
May 1981	659,478	691.3m	1,048
1 June 1981–30
November 1981	439,637	534.4m	1,215
Totals	1,427,068	1,525.2m	1,069

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why Giro payments were not made to a number of claimants at the Liverpool, Parthenon Drive office of his Department over the weekend of 6 and 7 February.

Claimants at a number of unemployment benefit offices in the Liverpool area were affected by the misplacement of two mailbags containing Girobank cheques for benefits, due for delivery on Friday 5 February. They were traced by the Post Office too late for delivery on Friday 5 February, but should have been delivered the next day. In cases where hardship was represented, cheques were replaced on 5 February.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled persons were unemployed and what was the percentage in Sunderland at the latest available date.

At 14 January 1982, the latest date available, there were 833 disabled people unemployed in Sunderland. It is not possible to calculate the percentage of disabled people unemployed as the total number of disabled people in the work force is unknown.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the survey he is carrying out of different nationalities among unemployed non-white claimants; what consultations he had and with whom prior to deciding on such a survey; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to her question on 13 November 1981—[Vol. 12, c. 203]. Information about the ethnic origin of unemployed people from the Commonwealth has been collected by the Department of Employment since 1963, and published regularly in the Employment Gazette. With the ending this year of compulsory registration in jobcentres it will no longer be possible to obtain the same information from these offices. Unemployment benefit offices seem to be the best available alternative source of such information. The pilot tests shortly to begin in 14 local offices are intended solely to establish the best way of continuing this important series of statistics. It will be made clear to both claimants and staff in the offices involved that cooperation in the tests is entirely voluntary and they have no bearing on entitlement to unemployment benefit.These developments have been discussed with the Commission for Racial Equality and with the trade union representatives of the staff concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether any studies are taking place, or whether any consideration is being given, into hiving off work that his Department currently undertakes in providing services for the unemployed to private job agencies.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on the current review of the employment service on 8 December—[Vol. 14, c. 344–45]—and to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Employment, on 23 December on the future of professional and executive recruitment—[Vol. 15, c. 455–56].

asked the Lord Privy Seal what contribution to disarmament will be made by Her Majesty's Government at the United Nations special session on disarmament in June.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 3 February to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun).

asked the Secretary of State for Environment (1) what representations he has received about the future of the Building Research Establishment; and what has been his response;(2) if he proposes to take steps to remove the Building Research Establishment from the public sector.

Various representations have been received from people associated with the construction industry and also from Members of Parliament following letters from constituents. The responses have set out the present position in the Government's consideration of the future of the establishment, and I will send a copy of the relevant letter to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Environment what investigations he has commissioned into ways of increasing the contributions made by the construction industry towards the costs of the Building Research Establishment; and what were the results.

A study was undertaken by consultants in 1980 to determine the scope for increasing cost recovery by the Building Research Establishment. It concluded that there might be potential for getting industry, through cost recovery, to pay 16 per cent. of the total BRE costs instead of the present 11/2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will set out at constant prices the value of repair and maintenance work to council-owned properties carried out by (a) their direct labour departments and (b) contractors, for each of the last three financial years;(2) if he will set out at constant prices the value of new construction work by local authorities carried out by

The following are estimates of the total value of new construction work and repair and maintenance work carried out by direct labour departments of local authorities in outturn prices and revalued at 1975 price levels.

£ million
	All new work		Repair and Maintenance
			Housing		Non-Housing
Year	Outturn Prices	1975 Prices	Outturn Prices	1975 Prices	Outturn Prices	1975 Prices
1978–79	220	145	550	365	650	430
1979–80	230	130	675	385	775	435
1980–81	240	115	805	385	900	425

Similar information of work done by contractors on behalf of local authorities is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council dwellings were (a) started and (b) completed in (i) Norwich and (ii) North Norfolk district council areas in 1979, 1980 and 1981; and how many are planned for 1982 and 1983.

Numbers of dwellings started and completed for Norwich and North Norfolk district councils in 1979 and 1980 are published in table 4 of "Local Housing Statistics" issues 53 and 57, respectively. Corresponding figures for 1981 are:

Dwellings for Local Authorities: 1981
	Starts	Completions
Norwich	111	231
North Norfolk	29	63

The number of dwellings to be built in 1982 and 1983 is a matter for the district councils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities employ contractors to provide (a) street cleaning, (b) maintenance and cleaning of street lighting, (c) cleaning of offices and other public buildings, (d) maintenance of parks, gardens and open spaces, (e) catering, including school meals and meals on wheels, and (f) laundry services.

I regret that comprehensive information on the number of local authorities that have employed private contractors to provide the various different services is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, for each local authority in England that is a housing authority, the number of local authority housing starts in the calendar year 1981, together with comparable figures for each year from 1971 to 1980, inclusive.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe on 9 February, if he was able to offer assistance with regard to any of the points raised with him at his recent meeting with representatives of Manchester city council.

The council's requests have implications for local authorities generally and need further consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set up a review to estimate the cost of delays on motorways by lane closures, and in particular to examine ways of eliminating wasteful delays by better management of traffic and sign posting when lanes are reduced to two or to one lane.

I am very conscious of the delays caused to traffic by maintenance work on motorways and we are constantly striving to find ways of reducing them. A number of new measures are being introduced this year, including improved arrangements for managing the traffic when lanes have to be closed.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to conclude the joint study with Cambridgeshire county council of junctions and crossings in that county; and if he will set out the objectives of this review.

My Department has asked the county council as its agent to study the Al trunk road in Cambridgeshire in order to identify any need for improvement, particularly at junctions and gaps in the central reservation. This is a continuing study which will be reviewed regularly as part of the Department's management of the trunk toad network. Any improvements found to be justified will be included in a works programme as early as possible, subject to the availability of funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects that noise insulation works to houses in and adjacent to Western Avenue, Perivale may be put in hand; and whether, in view of the noise associated with road works at the Perivale underpass, he will take steps to expedite matters.

One contract for insulation of properties has already been let and work is expected to start next month. A contract for the remaining eligible properties will be let as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the study he has commissioned about the potential for converting disused railway lines into cycle tracks.

The study is being published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office today, and I have placed copies of it in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if his Department will consider making assistance available to help develop the British Broadcasting Corporation's Carfax radio information service for motorists.

Yes, subject to the resolution of the difficulties that have been encountered in relation to the allocation of frequencies for the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what information he has as to the number of small businesses started between (a) May 1979 and May 1980, (b) May 1980 and May 1981 and (c) May 1981 and November 1981 which were started with the aid of redundancy money; (2) how many small businesses started business (a) from May 1979 to May 1980, (b) from May 1980 to May 1981 and (c) from May 1981 to November 1981.

I regret that this information is not available in the form requested. Information on start-ups of businesses relating to 1980 was published in "British Business" on 29 January 1982. A copy is available in the Library. The statistics do not distinguish businesses started with the aid of redundancy money.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is satisfied with the availability and supply of nursery factory units to industries in the servicing sector.

I am satisfied that the stock of small premises has considerably increased as a result of action taken by the Government. There are some problems remaining and these are being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry in respect of what matters his Department maintains contacts with oil companies.

My Department maintains close contacts with the oil companies on a wide range of industrial matters for which it is responsible. These cover the oil companies' involvement in a number of industries including chemicals, textiles, mining and vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he next intends to meet the French Transport Minister to discuss the future of the Concorde project.

I hope to meet M. Fiterman before Easter so that we may reach conclusions on the options being jointly studied at our request by British and French officials.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what arrangements are being made by the British Standards Institution to consult the public on drafts of the first standards for telecommunications attachments.

The Department of Industry has compiled a mailing list of people and organisations known to it who have a close interest in telecommunications. This mailing list is being used to circulate a series of notes designed to give early information about important steps towards the full implementation of the Government's policy for the liberalisation of telecommunications. These notes will also fill in the background with explanations of the way in which the new arrangements will work. The British Standards Institution recently asked for advance orders for copies of draft standards that will soon be made available for public comment. This request, which has been widely distributed through the institution's own publication "BSI News", has also been passed on, together with the background information, through the Department's mailing list. I have arranged for copies of this note to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and to be distributed to the press.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to be able to respond to the initiatives of local hon. Members, local government and industry to his re-consideration of removal of development status from Bolton.

[pursuant to the reply, 11 February 1982]: Representations that Bolton should retain intermediate area status were put to me by a deputation from Bolton in October last year. With the agreement of the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mrs. Taylor), who led the deputation, I deferred my decision until I had considered representations from the Greater Manchester Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the North West Industrial Development Association which had a bearing on Bolton's case. I have now received the latter representations and I wish to give further consideration to those made by the deputation from Bolton.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, pursuant to the second paragraph of his reply on 8 February to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, whether he now accepts that the Manchester/Salford partnership area should be designated as a development area.

[pursuant to the reply, 11 February 1982]: No. I regret that the second paragraph of my reply on 8 February to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) was misleading as printed. The words "for the whole county" should have read "for the Partnership Area" and my earlier reply should be read accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy concerning the disposal of organs referred to the pneumoconiosis medical panels for examination.

Organs sent to the pneumoconiosis medical 'panels for examination are retained until the statutory inquiries into the cause of death have been concluded and any claim for benefit under the industrial injuries scheme has been determined.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prosecutions there have been under the Abortion Act since 1973; how many and what charges have been brought; how many persons convicted; and what penalties were imposed.

There have been five prosecutions, involving 108 summonses since 1973 for failure to give notice of termination of a pregnancy as required by regulation 4(1) of the Abortion Regulations 1968 (as amended), (contrary to section 2(1)(b) and 2(3) of the Abortion Act 1967). Four of those prosecuted were convicted. The penalties imposed were:

i. absolute discharge plus £75 costs;

ii. £2,100 fine plus £100 costs;

iii. £650 fine plus £200 costs;

iv. £fine plus £fine plus £50 costs;

One case, involving 15 summonses, was not proceeded with.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many staff are employed to supervise the non-National Health Service sector of abortion provision; what their job titles are; at what salary grades they are employed; and what the total salary bill for the last five years has been for each year;(2) how supervision of the non-National Health Service sector of the abortion field compares with the supervision of the private sector in general, in terms of:

The information requested could not be obtained for the last five years without disproportionate expense.In 1981 one senior investigator—senior executive officer grade—and three investigators—higher executive officer grade—were employed specifically to supervise the private sector of abortion, at a total salary bill of approximately £42,000. A number of administrative, medical, nursing and legal staff also engage in this work as a part of their wider duties at a further salary bill in 1981

North Staffordshire Health District
Year	Urgent		Non-Urgent		Total All Cares
	All cases	Cases on List for over one month	All cases	Cases on List for over one month
1980	321	258	9,447	3,584	9,768

Data on average waiting times is not collected.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he can yet update to 1981 the information provided in table 34.31 of the "Social Security Statistics."

I regret that this information will not be available until about the middle of the year. I shall write to my hon. Friend then.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were on waiting lists for inpatient treatment in Shropshire on 31 December in each year from 1974 to 1981.

The information requested is as follows:

Salop Area Health Authority
Total number of cases on waiting list as at 31 December
Year	All cases
1974	4,525
1975	4,857
1976	5,240
1977	5,739
1978	6,403

of approximately £50,000. The total expenditure on supervision in 1981 is estimated at £180000, including salaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure adequate provision of out-of-hours pharmaceutical services in Newcastle upon Tyne following the action of the Guild of Hospital Pharmacists which began on 1 February.

The provision of out-of-hours pharmaceutical services is a matter for the health authority. I have been assured that although pharmacists in Newcastle upon Tyne have withdrawn from formal schemes, adequate arrangements to cover emergencies, have been made by NHS management locally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are on waiting lists for admission to North Staffordshire hospitals; how long on average they have spent on the waiting list; and whether he will make a statement.

The latest available figures held centrally show the position at 31 March 1981 to be as follows:

Year	All cases
1979	6,658
1980	6,923
1981	*
* Not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the reply of 3 February, Official Report, c. 143, to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Edge Hill, when he expects the necessary resources for implementation of section 64 of the Children Act 1975 10 become available.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 21 January 1982 to the hon. Member for Stockport, North (Mr. Bennett)—[Vol. 16, c. 168]. I cannot say when it will be possible fully to implement section 65 of the Children; Act 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider issuing further guidelines to hospital authorities regarding the possibility of contracting-out catering and laundry services with the object of releasing resources for improvements in patient care.

We are currently reviewing the need for further guidance to assist health authorities in letting out to private enterprise a range of service contracts, including catering and laundry services.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he has made any assessment of the effect of the state of the United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry on present and future supplying of the National Health Service;(2) if he will make a statement on the present condition of and prospects for the pharmaceutical industry.

I have been asked to reply.The United Kingdom-based pharmaceutical industry, for which the Department has sponsorship responsibility within government, supplies by far the greater part of medicines used in the National Health Service and will continue to do so within the foreseeable future. It maintains an impressive record of innovation and productivity, and its exports make a significant contribution to the balance of payments. Manufacturers prices for National Health Service medicines are already subject to the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the Mental Health Foundation to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

I am happy to make arrangements for an exhibition relating to the Mental Health Foundation to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall from 1 to 5 March 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many qualified nurses are registered unemployed.

This information is not collected by the Department. The Department of Employment provides quarterly returns of the number of nurses and midwives registered as unemployed and on the basis of those returns, in December 1981 5,631 qualified nurses and midwives were registered as unemployed in England.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest total number of officers engaged in tracing individuals fraudulently drawing social security benefits; and at what total annual cost (a) in salaries and (b) in other costs.

All staff are of course concerned with preventing fraud. However, the number of officers specialising in fraud duties at the end of 1981 was estimated at 2,250. The estimated total annual costs of those officers at that time were:

(a) salaries: £.18–1 millions

(b) other costs (superannuation, accommodation, travelling etc.): £15.3 millions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what revised guidelines he has issued concerning the payment of supplementary benefit to unemployed teenagers who are attending part-time education designed to increase their qualifications; what changes these guidelines represent; if he will publish them in the Official Report; and if he will make a statement.

Regulation 7 of the Supplementary Benefit (Conditions of Entitlement) Regulations 1981 allows unemployed people who undertake an education or training course to receive supplementary benefit in certain circumstances. The course must be for not more than 21 hours a week and the claimant must be prepared to terminate the course immediately if a suitable vacancy becomes available to him. The aim of this provision is to encourage unemployed people to spend their time usefully. The supplementary benefits scheme is not intended to provide education support as such. The general rule is that teenagers in non-advanced education are treated as dependent upon their parents, who are entitled to child benefit and, where relevant, one parent benefit in respect of them. Depending on their circumstances, the parents may also receive family income supplement, dependency additions and educational maintenance allowances.It is for the chief supplementary benefits officer, not my right hon. Friend, to issue guidance to supplementary benefit officers on the interpretation of the regulations. He is shortly to issue revised guidance on this regulation, and I shall arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library. I understand that the only substantial change in the guidance will be on the interpretation of the reference to 21 hours in the regulation. As my hon. Friend explained to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 29 January—[Vol. 16, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the definition of suitable jobs in leaflets given to unemployed persons does not discourage them from applying for a wider range of positions; and if he will make a statement.

A person who refuses a suitable job may have his unemployment benefit disallowed for up to six weeks. In order to protect claimants from being penalised if they refuse to blackleg or take a job involving "sweated labour" the Social Security Act 1975 specifies types of employment—for example where wages and conditions are not as good as those generally paid—which will not be regarded as "suitable" for disqualification purposes; and the leaflet to which my hon. Friend refers merely reflects the provisions of the Act. I am satisfied that, in the limited context in which it is used, the definition in the leaflet does not discourage claimants from applying for a reasonable range of jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of total blood lead in (a) adults and (b) children he estimates to result from lead in petrol.

In its report "Lead and Health" the Lawther working party estimated that, in the city dwelling population as a whole, lead derived from vehicle emissions may account for between 10 and 20 per cent. of blood lead.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the shortfall of geriatric beds in each of the East Anglian health districts; and if he will make a statement about the non-implementation of his original recommendations in respect of his geriatric unit in King's Lynn

The health authority is in the best position to decide the appropriate distribution of services locally. The East Anglian regional health authority is currently considering the geriatric services in King's Lynn. If there is a particular problem, the hon. Member may wish to raise the matter with the regional chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what decision he has made about the future of his Department's regional office in Newcastle.

As part of the Government's plan to reduce the number of social security regions from 12 to seven, and to reorganise work so that a better service can be provided at local level to those claiming benefits, Leeds will become the headquarters of the new Northern and Yorkshire/Humberside social security region to be formed in April on the amalgamation of the two existing regions. Birmingham will be the headquarters of the new Midlands region to be formed in July on the amalgamation of part of the East Midland region—the counties of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire—with the existing West Midlands region.The reduction in the number of social security regions was one of the main recommendations contained in the report of a study of the social security organisation which was carried out by a team of departmental officials. Ministers accepted the main thrust of the report which was towards greater delegation of authority from headquarters to regions and from regions to local offices.It remains to be decided whether a presence will be needed in the long term in Newcastle or Nottingham. On the basis of present information, it seems likely that there will be a need for staff there for the foreseeable future. In the case of Newcastle, the Department will continue to have a very large presence in the North-East as the Newcastle central office employs around 12,000 staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received regarding the level of petroleum tax; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a number of representations about the level of excise duty on petrol, derv, heavy fuel oil and aviation gasoline. My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will bear these in mind when he makes his Budget decisions. The representations on the future structure of the North Sea tax regime which I have received from the oil industry's representative bodies and from individual oil companies have included calls for a reduction in the general level of North Sea oil taxation. These comments are being carefully considered in my review of North Sea taxation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in theOfficial Report in regional form the number of foreclosures on mortgages granted on private residential accommodation by building societies and other lending agencies in 1980 and 1931.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what level value added tax is levied on repairs to historic buildings and monuments in the other countries of the European Economic Community.

The latest available information is as follows:

• Belgium—17 per cent. (standard rate)
• Denmark—22 per cent. (standard rate)
• France—17.6 per cent. (standard rate) with exceptions^*
• Germany-13 per cent.(standard rate)
• Greece—VAT not yet introduced
• Ireland—10 per cent. (reduced rate on 30 per cent. of ihe taxable amount)
• Italy—15 per cent. (standard rate)
• Luxembourg—10 per cent. (standard rate)
• Netherlands—18 per cent. (standard rate)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the difference to the total of public expenditure if unemployment were at the same level in 1982–83 as it was in 1981–82.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the effect on Public expenditure and the effect on retail prices if the demand for the output of nationalised industries were to rise by 3 per cent. in 1982–83 compared with 1981–82.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's expenditure plans for 1982–83, as announced on 2 December 1981, imply for the volume of expenditure as compared with 1981–82; and on what inflation assumptions the revised public expenditure figures were based.

I announced on 15 September the inflation factors which were used to revalue to cash the plans in the March 1981 White Paper, as a starting point for the 1981 public expenditure survey. Subsequent decisions took into account both proposed changes in policy and proposals to allow, in the provision for particular programmes, for exceptional movements in costs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what in each of the past 10 years, has been the fixed sum basis determined by the Bournemouth tax office in respect of the adjustment for board and lodging for hotel and guest house proprietors where owners are resident on the premises; and how this compares with the retail price index in each of the years concerned.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he gives to the Commissioners for Inland Revenue concerning the adjustment for board and lodging of hotel and guest house proprietors who are resident on the premises; and to what extent tax commissioners have discretion.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ensure that the Bournemouth tax commissioner makes adjustment for board and lodging of hotel and guest house proprietors where the owners are resident on the premises, on the same basis as is done in Torbay where there is a sliding scale relating to the size of the hotel, a married couple rate, and special provision for family.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he expects general Government current revenue to exceed general Government current expenditure in 1981–82; and, if so, by how much.

[pursuant to his reply, 11 February 1982]: I ask my hon. Friend to await the Financial Statement and Budget Report to be published on Budget day.