Written Answers Toquestions
Tuesday 2 March 1982
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Civil Defence
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give a detailed breakdown of the £8,429,000 being spent by his Department, in the current year on civil defence.
The expenditure referred to is for the maintenance of food stocks held for emergency purposes.
Greenland Fisheries
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the disposal of fisheries in the territorial waters of Greenland were discussed in the negotiations about a revised common fisheries policy; and what consequences the withdrawal of Greenland from the EEC would have on the negotiations.
The utilisation of the fisheries within that part of Danish fishery limits generated by Greenland has been considered in the discussions for a revised common fisheries policy. The possible withdrawal of Greenland from the Community is unlikely to have a major impact on the negotiations.
Denmark (Herring Catches)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Her Majesty's Government will be seeking compensation from Denmark following the action of that country in extracting 11,000 tons of herring from the North Sea under the terms of an agreement which permitted Denmark to extract 1,000 tons.
The herring quotas proposed by the European Commission for the Southern North Sea for 1981–82 were not agreed by the Council of Ministers and in the view of Her Majesty's Government therefore have no legal force. The question of compensation, consequently, does not arise. However, we deplore the unsatisfactory behaviour by Denmark in this fishery and have made our views known.
| Table 1: European Community Intervention by Public Storage End of Year Stock Volumes | |||||||||
| '000 Tonnes | |||||||||
| 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | |
| Butter | |||||||||
| European Community | 117 | 53 | 71 | 176 | 117 | 231 | 271 | 128 | 9 |
| United Kingdom | 12 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 39 | 48 | 20 | 0 |
| Skimmed milk powder | |||||||||
| European Community | 166 | 365 | 1,112 | 1,135 | 965 | 674 | 227 | 230 | 286 |
| United Kingdom | 28 | 29 | 28 | 9 | 81 | 60 | 2 | 3 | 30 |
| Wheat | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | 1,799 | 1,377 | 981 | 1,053 | 1,821 | 4,914 | 2,978 |
European Community (Exports To Russia)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, pursuant to his reply of 19 February in which he stated that the intervention board for agriculture produce had paid £7,671,555·59p in export rebates for food sent to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from the United Kingdom in 1981, he will seek to obtain the equivalent information for other member States in the European Economic Community.
The information provided in my reply of 19 February was produced by the United Kingdom intervention board after a special interrogation of its computers. Neither MAFF nor the board held equivalent data for other member States. I am asking the Commission if it can provide the information.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will propose to the Council of Ministers that no further increase in European Economic Community guaranteed prices be agreed until the European Economic Community suspends the subsidising of food and wine exports to the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics.
No. Since the restrictions on European Community sales of food and wine to the USSR were lifted in April 1981, apart from butter where export restitutions remain suspended, the USSR has been treated in the same way as any other third country for the purpose of European Community sales. Thus, where Community prices exceed those prevailing on the world market, export restitutions are generally available to Community exporters to bridge the gap and to enable them to compete with other suppliers. Apart from the application of export restitutions, which are a normal part of the Community's commercial practice under the common agricultural policy, there has been no subsidisation of such sales.
European Community (Intervention Stores)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount of foodstuffs held in European Economic Community intervention stores, expressed in tons, at the most recent date for which comprehensive figures are available; and what were the comparable totals for each of the previous 10 years.
The following table gives the information required, in tonnes, for foodstuffs held in European Community public intervention stores at the end of each year since 1973. I regret that information for 1971 and 1972 is not readily available.
1973
| 1974
| 1975
| 1976
| 1977
| 1978
| 1979
| 1980
| 1981
| |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 79 |
| Barley | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | 523 | 210 | 64 | 177 | 69 | 1,086 | 740 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 533 | 363 |
| Rye | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | 264 | 161 | 422 | 597 | 549 | 513 | 321 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Durum | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | 67 | 365 | 212 | 141 | 143 | 157 | 307 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Beef | |||||||||
| European Community | 22 | 253 | 252 | 262 | 323 | 208 | 275 | 302 | 181 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 26 | 11 |
| Olive Oil | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | na | 99 | 63 | 67 | 132 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oilseeds | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 92 | 19 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
Food Prices
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would be the effect on the price of foodstuffs purchased retail, such as bread, butter, beef and sugar, if the current proposals of the European Economic Community Commission were accepted in their entirety, with no change in the green pound level.
As I have explained on a number of occasions, retail food prices are affected by many factors, of which common agricultural policy support prices is only one. It is possible therefore to provide only a general indication of the effect and it should be noted that any price increases which would result would, of course, take place over a period of time.For bread, cereal raw material costs account for only one quarter of the retail price, which inevitably will be much more affected by the costs relating to the remaining three quarters than by the price fixing for wheat. The effect of proposed rise in the support prices of between 5·3 per cent. and 7·05 per cent., if fully reflected in market prices, would be less than ¾p on a standard loaf.For butter, there is a proposal to increase the intervention price by 8·58 per cent. But in practice the market price depends upon market circumstances, including changes in commercial stocks, opportunities for export, the price levels of competing products such as margarine, and, of course, the figure that is agreed upon for the future level of the consumer butter subsidy. Therefore, whilst a straight increase of 8·58 per cent. could represent 7½p per pound on butter, there are many other factors that will determine the price in the shops. We currently enjoy a consumer subsidy of 13p per pound paid for by the Community.There are no direct support prices for cheese, and it is likely that any increase in the manufacturing price paid for milk would result in a somewhat smaller increase than the equivalent price effect for butter.For sugar, the Commission has proposed an increase of 9 per cent. in the minimum price of beet. If reflected in the first hand selling price of refined sugar, this would be about 3p per kilogram. But it must be recalled that such are the violent fluctuations of world sugar prices that, as we saw in 1980, the Community price can protect Community consumers from the effect of world price fluctuations.
On present marketing conditions it is unlikely that the Commission's proposals for beef and lamb will have any impact upon the market price. There is therefore no immediate retail price effect that can be identified.
There is no price fixing as such for pork, bacon, poultry and eggs and prices fluctuate according to supply and demand circumstances, although it can be argued that any increases in cereal feed costs would have an impact on the input costs of these producers.
As far as the overall impact of the Common Agricultural Policy on food prices is concerned, I would point out that of the 37 per cent. rise in food prices between December 1978 and December 1981, some 24 per cent. was attributable to the rise in labour and other costs and the margins of processors, distributors and retailers. Only 13 per cent. was due to the rise in the cost of the basic products, and only the smaller proportion of this 13 per cent. can be directly attributable to changes in the Common Agricutural Policy prices. The reason is that much of the 13 per cent. was due to increases in the price of foodstuffs not affected by Common Agricultural Policy price fixing; in fact not much more than one quarter of the retail cost of food is directly affected by Common Agricultural Policy support mechanism, and the quarter that is controlled by Common Agricultural Policy price mechanisms have tended to rise less rapidly than other main elements in the retail cost of food.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the average percentage rise in the retail price of bread, butter, beef, lamb and sugar from a date 12 months before the United Kingdom introduced the levy system until the present time.
I refer my hon. Friend to the detailed information on retail prices of food items published in monthly issues of Employment Gazette, previously The Department of Employment Gazette.
Agricultural Land
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a description by categories of the 25·6 thousand acres lost to farmland during the five years to June 1980 and referred to in his previous answer, Official Report, 10 February, c. 405, as other adjustments.
No breakdown of the figure 25,600 acres is available. Information on loss of agricultural land is obtained as a by-product of the agricultural census and is known to be incomplete. This matter is discussed in the paper "Agricultural land losses in the United Kingdom" published in Statistical News No. 55, November 1981, a copy of which I shall send my hon. Friend.
Surplus Food
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total quantity and
| Table 1: European Community Intervention by Public Storage End of Year Stock Volumes | |||||||||
| '000 Tonnes | |||||||||
| 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | |
| Butter | |||||||||
| European Community | 117 | 53 | 71 | 176 | 117 | 231 | 271 | 128 | 9 |
| United Kingdom | 12 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 39 | 48 | 20 | 0 |
| Skimmed milk powder | |||||||||
| European Community | 166 | 365 | 1,112 | 1,135 | 965 | 674 | 227 | 230 | 286 |
| United Kingdom | 28 | 29 | 28 | 9 | 81 | 60 | 2 | 3 | 30 |
| Wheat | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | 1,799 | 1,377 | 981 | 1,053 | 1,821 | 4,914 | 2,978 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 79 |
| Barley | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | 523 | 210 | 64 | 177 | 69 | 1,086 | 740 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 533 | 363 |
| Rye | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | 264 | 161 | 422 | 597 | 549 | 513 | 321 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Durum | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | 67 | 365 | 212 | 141 | 143 | 157 | 307 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Beef | |||||||||
| European Community | 22 | 253 | 252 | 262 | 323 | 208 | 275 | 302 | 181 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 26 | 11 |
| Olive Oil | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | na | 99 | 63 | 67 | 132 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oilseeds | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 92 | 19 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Table 2 | |||||||||
| European Community intervention by public storage End of year stock values End of year stock values | |||||||||
| £'000s | |||||||||
| 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1978 | 1980 | 1981 | |
| Butter | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | 148,355 | 351,473 | 430,918 | 164,450 | 11,144 |
| United Kingdom | 4,504 | 0 | 0 | 5,175 | 12,019 | 44,303 | 65,720 | 20,111 | 0 |
| Skimmed Milk Powder | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | 518,405 | 435,927 | 157,195 | 144,262 | 186,823 |
| United Kingdom | 8,551 | 12,057 | 13,929 | 4,939 | 44,175 | 29,199 | 969 | 1,649 | 20,450 |
| Wheat | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | 85,340 | 125,415 | 201,716 | 471,813 | 289,179 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8,900 | 8,004 |
| Barley | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | 4,740 | 19,598 | 7,392 | 103,770 | 63,702 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,684 | 0 | 51,423 | 32,522 |
| Rye | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | 33,582 | 74,383 | 66,144 | 53,003 | 33,561 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oiiseeds | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | 170 | 0 | 283 | 14,612 | 3,107 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 283 | 1,500 | 0 |
| Durum | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | 28,066 | 17,378 | 17,947 | 16,965 | 36,944 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Beef | |||||||||
value of surplus food and the storage costs thereof (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the whole European Economic Community for each year since the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community.
[pursuant to his reply, 1 February 1982, c. 170]: The following tables give available details of the stocks, value and the storage costs of foodstuffs held in public intervention stores at the end of each year. It should be recognised that not all of the quantities shown can be regarded as surplus as they include those stocks which may have subsequently been sold for normal use on both Community and world markets.
1973
| 1974
| 1975
| 1976
| 1977
| 1978
| 1978
| 1980
| 1981
| |
| European Community | na | na | na | na | 369,852 | 274,054 | 363,047 | 374,919 | 238,231 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 766 | 6,094 | 15,572 | 17,898 | 14,235 | 38,320 | 16,770 |
| Olive Oil | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | na | na | 68,822 | 47,515 | 49,660 | 125,898 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Table 3.
| |||||||||
European Community Intervention by Public Storage
| |||||||||
£000s
| |||||||||
1973
| 1974
| 1975
| 1976
| 1977
| 1978
| 1979
| 1980
| 1981
| |
| Cereals | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | 30,594 | 12,196 | 28,569 | 57,652 | 122,137 | 189,308 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 34 | 984 | 3,099 |
| Milk products | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | 349,367 | 252,353 | 535,659 | 483,616 | 246,273 | 137,107 |
| United Kingdom | 468 | 203 | 120 | 658 | 934 | 2,185 | 3,850 | 2,516 | 508 |
| Olive Oil | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | 7,287 | 5,301 | 18,347 | 14,671 | 12,421 | 25,157 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oilseeds | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | 70 | 1 | 32 | 182 | 5,423 | 3,145 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 16 |
| Beef | |||||||||
| European Community | na | na | na | 150,109 | 102,768 | 187,489 | 245,346 | 281,879 | 266,667 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 4 | 24 | 674 | 533 | 1,214 | 922 | 1,844 | 1,910 |
Notes:
(a) na=not available.
(b) Sources: EC figures derived from information produced by European Commission. United Kingdom figures supplied by Intervention borad for Agricultural Produce.
(c) EC stock figures in table 1 are for dates as close as posible to the end of the year, except those for olive oil which are for end October—end of marketing vear.
Trade
Footwear
asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will set out the value and quantity of leather shoes manufactured in the United Kingdom and exported to Taiwan for the latest convenient period, and the prevailing rates of import duties paid;(2) if he will set out the value and numbers of non-leather shoes imported into the United Kingdom from Taiwan for the latest most convenient period compared with the previous period, and the rate and amounts of import duty levied.
| £ thousand cif | Thousand pairs | Rate of import duty percentage | |
| Footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or artificial plastic material | |||
| (SITC/R2 Item 851.01): | |||
| 1981 (five months) | 1,922 | 941 | 20 |
| 1980 (calendar year) | 5,862 | 3,279 | 20 |
| Footwear with outer soles of leather or composition leather or rubber or artificial plastic material; excluding footwear with uppers of leather | |||
| (Ex SITC/R2 Item 851.02, tariff code numbers 6402–6000 6402–9900): | |||
| 1981 (five months) | 2,211 | 1,104 | 20 |
| 1980 (calendar year) | 4,511 | 2,334 | 20 |
Note: Figures for 1981 relate to January, February and September to November.
Pharmaceuticals
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the balance of trade in
Footwear imported into Taiwan with outer soles of leather, composition leather, rubber or artificial plastic material and with uppers of leather is liable to a Customs duty of 65 per cent., applicable to the cif value of the goods plus 15 per cent., and is also liable to a harbour construction tax of 4 per cent. of the total duty-paying value. In the six months, January, February and September to December 1981, exports of footwear of all kinds from the United Kingdom to Taiwan were valued at less than £500 fob.The relevant information about imports from Taiwan is as follows:pharmaceuticals between the United Kingdom and the other member States of the European Community in each year since 1970; if he will express this in both money terms and by giving the export to import ratios; and by how much British pharmaceuticals exports to the Community have grown in real and notional terms in this period.
The available information is as follows:
| United Kingdom trade with the rest of the European Community in Pharmaceuticals | |||
| Crude Balance (£ million) | Export:Import Ratio (Per cent.) | Exports (£ million fob) | |
| 1970 | +21 | 228 | 38 |
| 1971 | +26 | 251 | 44 |
| 1972 | +31 | 242 | 52 |
| 1973 | +32 | 200 | 64 |
| 1974 | +45 | 203 | 90 |
| 1975 | +55 | 212 | 104 |
| 1976 | +61 | 188 | 130 |
| 1977 | +58 | 160 | 156 |
| 1978 | +96 | 187 | 205 |
| 1979 | +107 | 184 | 233 |
| 1980 | +114 | 188 | 244 |
Notes:
Free Ports
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has received any representations regarding the recommendation in the report by the Adam Smith Institute for the introduction of free ports in the United Kingdom; and when he expects his consideration of this recommendation to be completed.
Both Members of this House and representatives of certain local authorities concerned to promote further economic activity and employment in their area have shown interest in this report. My Department's own consideration is now in its final stages.
European Community
asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will set out any evidence that the volume of United Kingdom imports of manufactures from other EEC countries is less sensitive to changes in price than the volume of United Kingdom exports of manufactures to the EEC.
There is no information available on whether the volume of United Kingdom imports of manufactures from other EEC countries is less sensitive to changes in price than the volume of United Kingdom exports of manufactures to the EEC.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what were the United Kingdom deficits in manufactured and semi-manufactured goods with other European Economic Community countries for 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981.
Data for the whole of 1981 are not yet available. The remaining information is as follows:
| United Kingdom Crude Balance of Overseas Trade in Manufactures* and Semi-manufactures† with the European Community‡ | ||
| £ million | ||
| Manufactures | Semi-Manufactures | |
| 1973 | -416 | -38 |
| 1974 | -750 | -408 |
| 1975 | -639 | -338 |
| 1976 | -666 | -223 |
| 1977 | -910 | -376 |
| 1978 | -2,029 | -767 |
| 1979 | -3,081 | -806 |
| 1980 | -1,765 | -702 |
| * Taken as SITC 5 to 8. | ||
| † Taken as SITC 5 and 6. | ||
| ‡ Including Greece, Denmark and Ireland throughout. | ||
Clothing Imports
asked the Secretary of State for Trade why the provisional import quota for undergarments from South Korea has been fixed at 1,500,000 pieces when imports into the United Kingdom in 1980 were 399,000 pieces.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Man-Made Fibres (Imports)
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what assessment he has made of the man-made fibre industry sector working party report published in November 1981; and, in particular, of its judgment that the industry in the United Kingdom is being severely adversely affected by an acceleration of dumped or subsidised imports, particularly from the United States of America, by unfair subsidies to the industry elsewhere within the European Economic Community, and by the inadequacy of the present general agreement on tariffs and trade rules on anti-dumping.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Scotland
Doctors (Deputising Services)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Carmarthen on 10 February, Official Report, column 378–79, for those areas of Scotland in which night and weekend deputising services are used, how many doctors are on duty at the time for every 50,000 of the population on the lists of the practices employing such services.
The information requested is not available.
Birth Weights
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of the percentage of birth weights in Dundee and Scotland by social occupational class in the latest year in the following categories: (a) less than 2,500 grams and (b) greater than 3,000 grams.
The information for 1979 is as follows:
| Social Class* | Birth weight less than 2,500 grams† per cent. Dundee/ | Birth weight over 3,000 grams†per cent. Dundee/ | ||
| Scotland | Scotland | |||
| I | 2·0 | 4·0 | 86·1 | 81·6 |
| II | 7·0 | 4·9 | 76·7 | 80·7 |
| III | 5·9 | 6·2 | 75·6 | 75·9 |
| IV | 9·4 | 7·1 | 72·6 | 74·5 |
| V | 10·3 | 8·8 | 64·5 | 68·5 |
| Not known | 9·6 | 9·1 | 68·4 | 69·4 |
| Notes: | ||||
| * OPCS Classification of Occupations, HMSO 1970. | ||||
| † The percentages are based upon total births in each social class grouping. | ||||
Mortality Rates
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide information on childhood mortality for the years 1 to 14 for both Dundee and Scotland in the latest year.
Figures for 1980 are given in the following table:
| Deaths of Children Aged 1 to 14 in Scotland and Dundee, 1980 | ||
| Age | Scotland | Dundee |
| 1–4 | 144 | 1 |
| 5–9 | 106 | 3 |
| 10–14 | 122 | 7 |
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was (a) the infant mortality rate and (b) the standardised mortality rate for retired males for both Dundee and Scotland in the latest available year.
The infant mortality rates for Dundee and Scotland in 1980 were, respectively, 6·5 and 12·1 per 1000 live births. The crude mortality rates for males aged 65 or over were, respectively, 74 and 78 per 1000 population. Standardising to the Scotland population 1980 leaves the crude rates unchanged.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was (a) the death rate by social occupational class I to V for ages 15 to 64 years for both Dundee and Scotland in the latest year;(2) what was the standard mortality ratio for classes I to V for retired men in Dundee and Scotland in the latest year.
The latest available information for Scotland is contained in "Occupational Mortality 1969–73" published by the Registrar General for Scotland, a copy of which is in the Library. Mortality ratios for males by social occupational class and age group—including 65 years of age or over—are contained in table 5(a).Information for Dundee is not readily available.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the infant and neo-natal mortality rates for Scotland and Sweden in the latest year; and if he will investigate the differences with a view to securing a reduction in the Scottish rate.
Figures for 1980 are given in the following table:
| Infant and neo-natal mortality rates, 1980—rate per 1000 live births | ||
| Infant mortality* | neonatal mortality† | |
| Scotland | 12·1 | 7·8 |
| Sweden | 6·9 | 4·9 |
| * Deaths in the first year of life. | ||
| † Deaths in the first 4 weeks of life. | ||
Health And Unemployment
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to make a statement on an investigation into the relationship between health and unemployment in Dundee.
My Department and the Department of Health and Social Services are continuing to explore the opportunities for research work in this field generally.
National Health Service
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on the reorganisation of administrative and finance officer grades in the Health Service; how many persons in those grades were employed in the years 1980 and 1981; and how many will be employed in 1982.
The grading of these staff is negotiated through the Administrative and Clerical Staffs Whitley council and it is the responsibility of employing authorities to ensure that they are deployed as efficiently as possible. The total number of officers in the administrative and clerical staff group in and above the grade of general administrative assistant, including ambulance officers and managerial staff in hospital catering, domestic and laundry services—in whole-time equivalents—was 2,971 at September 1980 and 3,058 one year later. The numbers employed in 1982 will depend upon the decision taken by health boards and the Common Services Agency in the light of the resources available to them and other factors, including ceilings imposed on their management costs.
Teacher Training
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has taken a decision on the number of students to be admitted to courses of teacher training in Scottish colleges of education in session 1982–83; and if he will make a statement.
I am glad to be able to say that it has been possible to reach decisions on this matter substantially earlier than in previous years.I have decided that the total intake to pre-service courses of teacher training in session 1982–83 should not exceed 480 students for the primary diploma course, 100 for the primary post-graduate course and 1,000 for secondary courses—including BEd degree courses. I have taken these decisions after carefully considering comments made by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the General Teaching Council for Scotland and the Joint Committee of Colleges of Education in Scotland on the provisional arrangements for intake as set out in a consultative paper which was issued to them in December as a basis for discussion. I have also taken account of views expressed by some individual colleges of education and of estimates by education authorities of their secondary school staffing requirements.I am now required to consult the governing body of each college before issuing directions regarding the number of students of different categories to be admitted to the college; and I am proposing to the colleges that for session 1982–83 the allocation of the overall levels of intake mentioned above should be as in the following table:
| College | Primary Intake | Secondary Intake | |
| Proposed Diploma Course Quotas | Proposed Post-graduate Course Quotas | Proposed Quotas | |
| Aberdeen | 75 | 18 | 110 |
| Craigie | 55 | 12 | — |
| Dundee | 40 | 10 | 70 |
| Dunfermline | — | — | 50 |
| Jordanhill | 120 | 22 | 420 |
| Moray House | 95 | 18 | 190 |
| St. Andrew's | 95 | 20 | 160 |
| Total | 480 | 160 | 1,000 |
Wales
M4 (Road Signs)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to improve the accuracy and clarity of directional and place signs on the M4 motorway between Lon Las and the western end of the road at Pont Abraham, and to ensure that such signs are bilingual.
The bilingual traffic signs between Pont Abraham and Llangyfelach are relatively new and are still in a satisfactory condition. The signs between Llangyfelach and Lon Las are older and bilingual replacements are already being manufactured. The destinations shown on the signs have been worked out in consultation with the local highway authorities.
Pay Beds
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the estimated income from National Health Service pay beds in Wales in the last year for which figures are available.
Actual income in 1980–81 from private resident patients was £416,079; from private outpatients it was £25,305.The estimated income from all private patients for 1981–82 is £475,000.
Paymaster General
Departmental Staff
asked the Paymaster General how many civil servants were employed by his Department in May 1979; how many are employed in February 1982; and what has been the percentage change; in each case how many were first division civil servants; and what has been the percentage change in their numbers.
[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1982, c. 326]: In May 1979 my Department employed 869 civil servants; in February 1982 the total was 918, an increase of 5·6 per cent. The 1982 total includes the three civil servants employed in my private office whereas, because of the different responsibilities of the then Paymaster General, the 1979 total does not.Although the term "first division civil servants". is not recognised Civil Service terminology, my Department employed 11 civil servants at principal level and above in February 1982 as against nine in May 1979. The increase of two is wholly attributable to the inclusion in the 1982 figures of my private office staff.During the period covered by these figures the number of pensions paid by my office increased by 14 per cent. and the number of cheques processed increased by 16 per cent.
Home Department
Criminal Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were arrested for personal assault, burglary and vandalism during 1980 and 1981 in (a) the United Kingdom as a whole, (b) in the Metropolitan Police area, and (c) in each police district of the Metropolitan Police area; what information he has as to the number of persons of West Indian or African appearance arrested for such offences during the same period; and if he will express these numbers as a percentage of the total figures.
| Persons Arrested* for Selected Offences by Ethnic Appearance | |||||||||
| Metropolitan Police District, 1980 | Number of Persons | ||||||||
| All persons | Black skinned persons (including West Indian/African) | Black skinned persons as a percentage of all persons | |||||||
| District | Assault† | Burg-lary‡ | Criminal damage | Assault† | Burg-lary‡ | Criminal damage | Assault† | Burg-lary‡ | Criminal damage |
| A—(Part) Westminster | 148 | 122 | 212 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| B—Kensington and Chelsea | 316 | 378 | 347 | 60 | 66 | 38 | 19 | 17 | 11 |
| C—(Part) Westminster | 297 | 218 | 323 | 41 | 31 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 7 |
| D—(Part) Westminster | 266 | 402 | 250 | 51 | 68 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 9 |
| E—Camden | 371 | 456 | 506 | 53 | 67 | 34 | 14 | 15 | 7 |
| F—Hammersmith | 346 | 381 | 348 | 67 | 57 | 45 | 19 | 15 | 13 |
| G—Hackney | 358 | 733 | 347 | 135 | 291 | 93 | 38 | 40 | 27 |
| H—Tower Hamlets | 306 | 400 | 330 | 44 | 48 | 37 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
| I—Heathrow, etc. | 175 | 133 | 169 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| J—Waltham Forest, Redbridge, etc. | 508 | 636 | 589 | 61 | 116 | 54 | 12 | 18 | 9 |
| K—Havering, Barking and Newham | 754 | 853 | 822 | 107 | 120 | 55 | 14 | 14 | 7 |
| L—Lambeth | 489 | 706 | 519 | 200 | 281 | 122 | 41 | 40 | 24 |
| M—Southwark | 408 | 735 | 393 | 108 | 178 | 44 | 26 | 24 | 11 |
| N—Islington | 252 | 448 | 318 | 48 | 78 | 31 | 19 | 17 | 10 |
| P—Lewisham and Bromley | 558 | 872 | 682 | 118 | 174 | 58 | 21 | 20 | 9 |
| Q—Brent and Harrow | 452 | 632 | 491 | 175 | 202 | 92 | 39 | 32 | 19 |
| R—Greenwich and Bexley | 463 | 748 | 398 | 44 | 74 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 6 |
| S—Barnet and Hertsmere | 272 | 426 | 370 | 23 | 32 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 4 |
| T—Richmond-upon-Thames and Hounslow | 396 | 535 | 521 | 24 | 44 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| V—Kingston-upon-Thames, Merton etc. | 210 | 399 | 339 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| W—Wandsworth | 310 | 615 | 422 | 87 | 200 | 69 | 28 | 33 | 16 |
| X—Ealing and Hillingdon | 363 | 553 | 435 | 37 | 59 | 24 | 10 | 11 | 6 |
| Y—Haringey and Enfield, etc. | 450 | 666 | 525 | 97 | 194 | 64 | 22 | 29 | 12 |
| Z—Croydon and Sutton, etc. | 378 | 599 | 591 | 33 | 69 | 29 | 9 | 12 | 5 |
| MPD Total | 8,846 | 12,646 | 10,247 | 1,651 | 2,428 | 1,020 | 19 | 20 | 10 |
| * Persons proceeded against by means of a charge, referral to a juvenile bureau, a caution or in some way; arrests not followed by any action are not included. | |||||||||
| † Metropolitan Police Office classification includes arrests for homicide and violent sexual offences. | |||||||||
| ‡ Metropolitan Police Office classification excludes a small number of arrests for burglaries involving violence. | |||||||||
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for each of the calendar years 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1980 the total number of serious offences, that is to say offences which before 1979 would have been known as indictable, known to the police and the percentage of those convicted by any court of such offences who were sentenced to immediate imprisonment; and if he will further give the percentage of those convicted by any court of such offences who were given suspended sentences in 1970 and 1980.
[pursuant to his reply, 22 February 1982, c. 278]: The number of serious offences recorded by the police in each of the years requested is given in table 2.2 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1980", Cmnd. 8376. Information on sentencing for indictable offences in the years 1970 to 1980 is to be found in table 7.4 of the same publication. The percentages of those sentenced for indictable offences who were sentenced to immediate imprisonment were: 17, 14, nine and nine, respectively in 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1980. The corresponding percentages given suspended sentences were eight and seven respectively in 1970 and 1980.
The detailed information requested is not collected centrally for all police force areas. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the information available for the Metropolitan Police district is as given in the following table.
Street Crimes
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Macclesfield of 18 February, Official Report, column 189, he will publish in the Official Report a comprehensive table of the number of persons arrested during 1980 and 1981 for offences of stealing most likely to have occurred in the street for each police district within the Metropolitan Police area; if in addition he will list the numbers of persons of West Indian or African appearance arrested for such offences; and if he will express these numbers as a percentage of the total figures.
The detailed information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give figures for the number of street crimes, including the ethnic breakdown of those convicted for 1980 and 1981 in Greater London divided by police authority area, indicating which London boroughs are contained within which police areas.
[pursuant to his reply, 11 February 1982, c. 427]: We understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that it is not possible to identify separately all those recorded offences which occurred in the street. The only information available relates to those types of offences of stealing most likely to occur in the street and is given in the following table; corresponding information for 1981 is not yet available.
| Certain serious offences* recorded by the police | |
| Metropolitan Police District, 1980 | Number of offences |
| Police District | |
| A—(Part) Westminster | 2,581 |
| B—Kensington and Chelsea | 7,325 |
| C—(Part) Westminster | 6,079 |
| D—(Part) Westminster | 6,197 |
| E—Camden | 8,632 |
| F—Hammersmith | 4,945 |
| G—Hackney | 6,922 |
| H—Tower Hamlets | 7,070 |
| I—Heathrow, etc. | 3,021 |
| J—Waltham Forest, Redbridge, etc. | 8,744 |
| K—Havering, Barking and Newham | 13,877 |
| L—Lambeth | 12,800 |
| M—Southwark | 11,050 |
| N—Islington | 6,687 |
| P—Lewisham and Bromley | 13,606 |
| Q—Brent and Harrow | 8,555 |
| R—Greenwich and Bexley | 11,647 |
| S—Barnet and Hertsmere | 5,834 |
| T—Richmond-upon-Thames and Hounslow | 7,417 |
| V—Kingston-upon-Thames, Merton, etc. | 6,643 |
| W—Wandsworth | 8,516 |
| X—Ealing and Hillingdon | 9,434 |
| Y—Haringey and Enfield | 12,585 |
| Z—Croydon and Sutton, etc. | 10,547 |
| TA—Thames | 42 |
| Total | 200,756 |
| * Those types of offences of stealing most likely to occur in the street: theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle, theft from a vehicle, theft of pedal cycle, theft from a person of another and robbery. | |
Strangeways Prison
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has studied the report by the prison officers' board of visitors regarding conditions in Strangeways prison, Manchester; and if he will make a visit to the prison.
The annual report of the board of visitors for Manchester prison for 1981 was received on 22 February and is being considered. My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit the prison at present.
Criminals (Deportation)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will discuss with the Government of the Republic of Ireland a system of deportation of convicted criminals of each country to the convicted criminal's country of origin on a basis of reciprocity.
My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.
Police Service
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to increase the current strength of the police force in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the Metropolitan Police area.
I can answer only for England and Wales. I expect the total strength of the police service, which was 119,575 at the end of 1981, to increase to 120,750 by March 1983. Forces outside London have filled most of the 2,349 additional posts I have authorised since May 1979. I expect the strength of the Metropolitan Police—which was 22,225 at the end of April 1979—to reach its authorised establishment of 26,615 in 1983.
Racially Sensitive Areas
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will study the operation of the practice by certain police forces of designating certain areas or premises as racially sensitive, with special regard to (a) the efficacy of the practice in the prevention of crime and (b) the operation of the principle of equality before law; and if he will make a statement.
It is in the interests of effective law enforcement for special precautions to be taken in respect of certain premises and localities, which may in some cases be those of the ethnic minorities. I know that chief officers are determined to enforce the law firmly and impartially.
Grand National
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to the answer of 2 December, Official Report, column 168, if he will examine, in conjunction with the Betting Levy Board, the Jockey Club and other interested parties whether it would be feasible to establish a national lottery, or several nation-wide lotteries, to preserve the Grand National at Aintree as a national institution.
I have no plans to do so.
Resettlement Of Offenders
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will study the report made by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders on homeless young offenders; and if he wall consider making a statement on its findings.
My right hon. Friend has read the report with interest. In the first instance officials in the various Departments concerned will be considering the implications of the recommendations and discussing them with NACRO.
Satellite Broadcasting
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in his current consideration of direct broadcasting by satellite he will consult the House on the allocation of the two television channels and on the technical standards to be adopted before coming to any final decision.
My right hon. Friend will be making a statement to the House about direct broadcasting by satellite very shortly.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold discussions with the European Space Agency, the European Broadcasting Union, the Commission of the European Economic Community and European Governments about his proposals for direct broadcasting by satellite, with a view to ensuring in the long-term, better picture definition, cheaper services, agreement on technical standards to break down non-tariff barriers in this field, and viewing on a European scale, before making any immediate decisions affecting the United Kingdom alone.
If a decision were taken in favour of direct broadcasting by satellite for the United Kingdom, there are a number of issues, including those mentioned in my hon. Friend's question, which would require further consideration in consultation as necessary with other European countries. My right hon. Friend will be making a statement about direct broadcasting by satellite very shortly.
Citizens Band Radio
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider monthly publication of the number of citizens band licences sold.
I do not consider that she publication of monthly figures would be justified; but the figure up till 19 February was 169,494.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that a sum equivalent to the receipts from citizens band radio licence sales is spent on ensuring trouble-free reception for licence holders.
Interference to the legal citizens band service is almost wholly caused by the use of illegal AM equipment. Once the costs of the licensing system are met, the remaining revenue is used to offset the increased costs of the radio interference service in investigating interference to other authorised radio services and unlicensed CB use.
Energy
Sellafield (Radioactivity)
52.
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what reason has been given to the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Commission for the two-day delay in reporting the abnormally high increase of radioactivity from the stack at Sellafield on 4 October 1981; and whether this has been found satisfactory by the inspectorate.
I am advised by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that BNFL's explanation to the NII was that the time was needed to assess with sufficient confidence the activity released and its possible effects on the environment. The inspectorate considers that BNFL should have reported to it at an earlier stage. As I announced to the House on 19 October 1981, procedures for the reporting of nuclear incidents are currently being reviewed by the NH.
Oil Resources (Depletion)
asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in view of the drop in the world oil prices, if he will make a statement as to the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the depletion of the United Kingdom's indigenous oil resources.
I shall answer my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Attorney-General
Mr Jack Lundin
51.
asked the Attorney-General whether he will give the actual or estimated costs to the taxpayer of the Crown prosecutions of Mr. Jack Lundin, a reporter on The Observer; what were the results of those prosecutions; and whether he will make a statement.
The actual costs to the taxpayer are not yet available and it is not possible to estimate the costs at this stage. Jack Lundin was found not to have been in contempt of court. No.
Prime Minister
Engagements
Q5.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q6.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q7.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q16.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q18.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q19.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q20.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q21.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q22.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q23.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q24.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q25.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q27.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q28.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q29.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q30.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q31.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q32.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q35.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q37.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q38.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q39.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q40.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q42.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q43.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q44.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q45.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q46.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q47.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q48.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q49.
asked the Prime Minister if she will state her official duties for Tuesday 2 March.
Q50.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q51.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q52.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q53.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
Q54.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q56.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q58.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q59.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q60.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q62.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q63.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements .for 2 March.
Q64.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
Q65.
asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 2 March.
asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 2 March.
This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, including one with the Saudi Arabian Minister of Planning. 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.
Mr T Stuttaford
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her answer on 11 February, Official Report, column 1110, Her Majesty's Government have received any reply from the Zimbabwe Government to representations made in respect of Mr. T. Stuttaford by the high commissioner.
My answer on 11 February referred to representations received by Her Majesty's Government. I went on to explain that, because Mr. Stuttaford is not a United Kingdon citizen, it was not possible for Her Majesty's Government to intervene on his behalf. However, during his discussions with the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe last week in Salisbury, my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told Mr. Mugabe of the anxiety which was felt in this country about the detention of persons without trial, particularly Mr. Stuttaford.
Secretary Of State For Employment
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister if she will dismiss the Secretary of State for Employment.
No. The hon. Member may assume that I do not intend to make any changes in ministerial appointments or responsibilities unless or until I make a statement to the contrary.
Factory Closures
Q13.
asked the Prime Minister how many hon. Members she has seen on matters relating to factory closures since she last answered oral questions; and how many jobs were expected to be lost in the closures discussed.
I have had no such meetings since 25 February.
Turkey
Q14.
asked the Prime Minister what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Turkish Government to release political detainees, hold free elections and restore democracy to Turkey.
We continue to ensure that the Turkish Government are aware of our concern that their commitments to restore democracy and respect human rights should be given effect rapidly and in full. We welcome General Evren's recent announcement of a timetable for a constitutional referendum and elections. We shall continue to watch developments closely.
President Reagan
Q15.
asked the Prime Minister what arrangements have been made by Her Majesty's Government for President Reagan's visit to the United Kingdom.
Preliminary discussions about the arrangements for the visit have been held with President Reagan's staff, but detailed planning is at a very early stage.
National And Local Government (Privatisation)
Q17.
asked the Prime Minister if she will recommend the establishment of a Royal Commission to investigate the scope for privatisation in national and local government.
No. We have made progress with contracting out services to the private sector, and are continuing to do so.
Warsaw
Q26.
asked the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to visit Warsaw.
I have no plans to do so.
Bedfordshire
Q33.
asked, the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Bedfordshire.
I hope to be in Bedfordshire in the course of the year.
Wales
Q34.
asked the Prime Minister whether she has any proposals for improving the government of Wales.
I am satisfied with the present arrangements whereby the interests of Wales are represented within the Government, particularly by the Secretary of State for Wales as a Cabinet Minister with a wide range of responsibilities.
Turriff, Aberdeenshire
Q36.
asked the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to Turriff in the constituency of Aberdeenshire, East.The Prime Minister I have at present no plans to do so.
Oral Questions (London)
Q41.
asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will bring forward proposals for a separate period of oral questions relating specifically to London.
This is a matter for the House, but the Government have no such proposals.
Trades Union Congress
Q55.
asked the Prime Minister when she last met the general council of the Trades Union Congress.
On 14 October 1980.
Civil Defence
Q57.
asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in arrangements for civil defence since the statement of 7 August 1980, Official Report, columns 790–93.
Good progress has been made in most of the areas mentioned in my right hon. Friend's statement, including the modernisation of the equipment of the warning and monitoring organisation, the extension of training facilities, the co-ordination of voluntary effort and the provision of information to the public.
Oil Production
Q61.
asked the Prime Minister if she will take measures to stimulate the production of oil in the United Kingdom and investment in facilities for extraction.
Last year we produced more oil than we consumed. The substantial number of new petroleum licences issued over the past two years for both onshore and offshore areas are already providing a stimulus to further exploration—as is well illustrated by the recent award of production licences covering part of my hon. Friend's constituency.
Scottish Grand Committee
asked the Prime Minister how many Bills it is proposed to transfer to the Scottish Grand Committee sitting in Edinburgh in the current Session.
In pursuance of the sessional order approved by the House on 5 November 1981, it is intended that one of the sittings of the Scottish Grand Committee being held in Edinburgh on an experimental basis this Session should be devoted to a Second Reading debate on a major Scottish Bill.
Members' Correspondence
asked the Prime Minister how many letters were received from, and written to, hon. Members by her in January.
I reply to all the letters I receive from right hon. and hon. Members. In January I sent about 70 such replies.
Minister For Consumer Affairs
asked the Prime Minister if she has yet decided whether to appoint another Minister for Consumer Affairs.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 25 February.
Council Of Europe
asked the Prime Minister what changes have been made in the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.
I have appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Hill) as a Full Member in place of my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Sir A. Kershaw). I have also appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeenshire, West (Sir R. Fairgrieve) as a Substitute Member.
Industry
British Leyland
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the assurances given by his predecessor in connection with the first corporate plan and subsequently in relation to British Leyland loans and credit apply to Land Rover United Kingdom Ltd. and Unipart Group Ltd. established under British Leyland's corporate restructuring.
The answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Industry on 31 March 1981—[Vol. 2, c. 80]—about the Government's position in relation to the obligations of the BL group still applies. The new companies Land Rover United Kingdom Limited and Unipart Group Ltd. are part of the BL group.
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has any plans for establishing some form of outside scrutiny to monitor the efficiency of British Leyland.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 17 December 1981 to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls)—[Vol. 15, c. 199]—in which I said that I was satisfied with the current arrangements for monitoring BL Ltd.
British Telecom
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has any plans for establishing some form of outside scrutiny of the efficiency of British Telecom.
I believe that the best spur to British Telecom efficiency is the introduction of competition under the British Telecommunications Act 1981.
Machine Tool Industry
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage share of the home market in machine tools was held by United Kingdom manufacturers in 1970 and 1980.
The percentage share of the home market in machine tools held by United Kingdom manufacturers in 1970 and 1980 was 61 per cent. and 51 per cent. respectively.
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage share of the world market was held by the United Kingdom machine tool industry in 1970 and 1980.
No estimates are available from official sources. However estimates of the world market share held by the United Kingdom machine tool industry published by the American Machinist are 6 per cent. in 1970 and 5 per cent. in 1980.
Labour Productivity
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the census of production has figures of labour productivity for manufacturing industry as a whole and by sectors in terms of value added per unit of time or some other criterion; and if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing (a) the median and upper and lower quartiles and (b) the average of the whole and the average of the top 80 per cent.
Estimates from the census of production for 1979 of average gross value added per head for all manufacturing and for individual sectors are shown in the following table. Information relating to the medians and quartiles of productivity measures will become available later this year.
| Order; Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1968) | Gross value added per head |
| £ | |
| III—Food, drink and tobacco | 9,259 |
| IV—Coal and petroleum products | 73,011 |
| V—Chemicals and allied industries | 12,216 |
| VI—Metal manufacture | 6,529 |
| VII—Mechanical engineering | 8,213 |
| VIII—Instrument engineering | 6,643 |
| IX—Electrical engineering | 7,664 |
| X—Shipbuilding and marine engineering | 6,358 |
| XI—Vehicles | 7,784 |
| XII—Metal goods not elsewhere specified | 7,043 |
| XIII—Textiles | 5,594 |
| XIV—Leather goods and fur | 5,919 |
| XV—Clothing and footwear | 4,626 |
| XVI—Bricks, pottery, glass, cement, etc. | 8,856 |
| XVII—Timber, furniture, etc. | 7,053 |
| XVIII—Paper, printing and publishing | 8,523 |
| XlX—Other manufacturing industries | 7,177 |
| III—XIX—AH manufacturing industries | 8,154 |
Note:
The extreme value of gross value of gross added per head quoted for Order IV, coal and petroleum products, reflects the very high value of the output and the relatively low employment of the mineral oil refiniag industry.
Manchester And Salford
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what further representations the Minister of Stale has now received from the town clerk of Manchester with regard to the granting of development area status to the Manchester and Salford partnership area; what reply he Ls sending; and if he will make a statement.
I have received further evidence about the Manchester-Salford partnership area' s circumstances under cover of a letter of 17 February from the town clerk of the city of Manchester council and will be replying in due course.
Keighley
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total amount of grant aid given in the Keighley intermediate area for 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981, and the estimated number of jobs retained and created for each year by such aid.
Assistance has been made available to industry in the Keighley intermediate area under parts I and II of the Industry Act 1972 as follows:
| Part I. Payments of regional development grant in amounts over £25,000 | |||
| £'000 | Safeguarded employment | New employment | |
| 1976 | 58 | — | — |
| 1977 | — | — | — |
| 1978 | 43 | — | — |
| 1979 | 67 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — |
| 1981 | 273 | — | — |
| Part II. Section 7: Offers of regional selective assistance | |||
| £'000 | Safeguarded employment | New employment | |
| 1976 | 187 | — | 182 |
| 1977 | 54 | — | 76 |
| 1978 | 45 | — | 127 |
| 1979 | 150 | 48 | 243 |
| 1980 | 201 | 128 | 122 |
| 1981 | 46 | — | 17 |
| Part II. Section 8: Offers of selective financial assistance | |||
| £'000 | Safeguarded employment | New employment | |
| 1976 | 279 | — | — |
| 1977 | 567 | — | —. |
| 1978 | 482 | — | — |
| 1979 | 70 | — | — |
| 1980 | 175 | — | — |
| 1981 | — | — | — |
Electronics Industry
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what schemes he is considering introducing to encourage electronics companies to use advanced computer techniques to design, make and test their products; how much is involved; and what publicity will be given to this.
On 24 February I announced a £9 million, three-year scheme to promote greater use of computer aided design, manufacture and test—CADMAT—techniques in electronics. Details of the scheme have appeared in the press and I have placed copies of the illustrated brochure covering the support available in the Library.
Man-Made Fibres Industry
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what assessment he has made of the forecast of the National Economic Development Council sector working party of the man-made fibres industry that if present trends continue the output of the industry will decline to 395,000 tonnes in 1983 with inevitable further closures.
The man-made fibres sector working party's forecast is based on assumptions about the growth of consumer demand and on the trading performance of the textile and clothing industries. In drawing up the forecast, the sector working party recognised that quite small changes in these assumptions can make significant differences for man-made fibre output. Much will also depend on the business environment.In these circumstances, it is not particularly fruitful for me to speculate about the size of the industry in 1983.
Engineering Council
asked the Secretary of State for Industry, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Bebington and Ellesmere Port (Mr. Porter) on 10 December 1981, Official Report, column 453, if he has made any further appointments to the Engineering Council; and if he will make a statement on the council's work to date.
My right hon. Friend has made no further appointments to the Engineering Council. The council is required by its Royal charter to prepare and publish an annual report on its activities.
New Technology
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list all the schemes that his Department is currently sponsoring to encourage the use of new technology in industry; how much is involved in each case; and how much has been committed in each case in the current financial year.
I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs
Israel
asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps the Foreign Secretary intends to take during his forthcoming visit to Israel to improve relations between the United Kingdom and Israel.
During his visit to Israel, my right hon. and noble Friend will be examining with the Israeli Foreign Minister ways in which relations between the United Kingdom and Israel might be further improved.
Hong Kong
asked the Lord Privy Seal if the Hong Kong Government will create a post of ombudsman; and if he will make a statement.
No. Existing channels for dealing with individual grievances or appeals against Government decisions are considered satisfactory.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied with the progress towards democratic reform in Hong Kong; and what plans the Hong Kong Government have to extend democratic representation.
Yes. Public representation is maintained through a network of councils, boards and committees. The implementation of the policies in the 1981 White Paper on district administration to extend local representation is progressing well. There are no plans to go beyond these policies.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if the Hong Kong Government have any plans to extend human rights and civil liberties in the colony.
Hong Kong legislation in these areas is kept under regular review.
Maclennan Inquiry
asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total cost of the Maclennan inquiry; and if he will make a statement.
The total direct expenditure is HK$16 million.
El Salvador
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the talks between the Minister of State and members of the United States Administration held in Washington concerning the proposed elections in El Salvador and Central America generally on 1 March.
I took advantage of my visit to New York for discussions with the Argentine Government about the Falkland Islands to call on senior officials of the United States Government in Washington on 1 March for an exchange of views. The topics discussed included Central America.
Falkland Islands
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement concerning the talks between the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Foreign Minister of the Argentine held in New York on 26 February concerning the future of the Falkland Islands.
I refer the hon. Member to the following communiqué which was issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at 12.30 pm on 1 March:
The British and Argentine Governments held a meeting at ministerial level in New York on 26 and 27 February 1982 to discuss the Falkland Islands question within the negotiating framework referred to in the relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly.
The British and Argentine delegations were led respectively by Mr. Richard Luce MP, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, and Ambassador Enrique Ros, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship in Buenos Aires.
The meeting took place in a cordial and positive spirit. The two sides reaffirmed their resolve to find a solution to the sovereignty dispute and considered in detail an Argentine proposal for procedures to make better progress in this sense. They agreed to inform their Governments accordingly.
Employment
Unemployment Statistics
14.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many (a) men and (b) women at the most recent available date had been out of work for more than (i) six months, (ii) 12 months, (iii) 18 months and (iv) two years, respectively.
At 14 January the figures for the United Kingdom were:
| Male | Female | |
| Unemployed for over 26 and up to 52 weeks | 494,646 | 203,819 |
| Unemployed for over 52 and up to 78 weeks | 322,899 | 92,043 |
| Unemployed for over 78 and up to 104 weeks | 150,829 | 40,604 |
| Unemployed for over 104 weeks | 243,173 | 55,557 |
16.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered unemployed persons there are now for every registered job vacancy; and what were the comparable figures in May 1979.
In February 1982, the number of people registered as unemployed was 3,045,000; there were 99,000 unfilled vacancies at employment offices on the day of the count and 5,000 at careers offices. The corresponding figures in May 1979 were 1,299,000 unemployed; 268,000 vacancies at employment offices; and 41,000 vacancies at careers offices. However. vacancies at employment offices account for only about one-third of all vacancies in the economy.
18.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest number of registered unemployed in the United Kingdom; what was the comparable number in the same month last year; and what is the increase in percentage terms.
The numbers of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom were 3,044,878 at February 1982 and 2,463,294 at February 1981. The increase between the two dates was 23·6 per cent.
21.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the rate of increase of unemployed people in the latter half of 1981.
Between June and December 1981 the numbers of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom, seasonally adjusted and excluding school leavers, increased by 9 per cent.
23.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the latest figures for unemployment.
28.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure and percentage of unemployment.
At 11 February, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 3,044,878, and the unemployment rate was 12·6 per cent.
25.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the 1979 and latest unemployment figures for men and women, and the number of job vacancies in North-East Lancashire.
At February 1979 there were 7,282 males and 3,283 females registered as unemployed in North-East Lancashire. The corresponding figures at February 1982 were 18,585 males and 9,074 females.The numbers of vacancies remaining unfilled in the area at February 1979 were 1,716 at employment offices and 170 at careers offices. The corresponding figures at February 1982 were 839 at employment offices and 18 at careers offices. The vacancy figures relate only to those notified to employment offices and careers offices; vacancies notified to employment offices are estimated to be about one-third of all vacancies in the country as a whole. Because of possible duplication the figures for employment offices and careers offices should not be added together. The number of vacancies unfilled at a particular date takes no account of the flow of vacancies being notified, filled or withdrawn which would reflect activity more closely. For example, during the 12-month period to December 1981, 47,903 people were placed in jobs by employment offices in the county of Lancashire. It is estimated that the public employment service accounts for about one in four of all placings.
27.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the number of registered unemployed persons.
At 11 February, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 3,044,878.
46.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest level of unemployment, in figures and per cent., in the United Kingdom; what were the corresponding figures in May 1979; and by what factor these figures have increased since that date.
At February 1982, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom, seasonally adjusted and excluding school leavers, was 2,836,000 and the unemployment rate was 11·7 per cent. The corresponging figures at May 1979 were 1,312,000 and 5·4 per cent. The increase between the two dates was 116·2 per cent.
47.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of persons who have been made unemployed since May 1979; and what is the total number of jobs provided in the same period, excluding the various schemes of temporary employment made under the auspices of the Manpower Services Commission.
Unemployment, seasonally adjusted, excluding school leavers, increased from 1,312,000 in May 1979 to 2,836,000 in February 1982.Information on the employed labour force is not available for May 1979. In June 1979, the employed labour force of the United Kingdom was 25·1 million, seasonally adjusted. The corresponding figure for September 1981, the latest for which information is available, is 23·2 million, seasonally adjusted.
Employment returns do not identify separately jobs provided through the initiatives of the Manpower Services Commission.
48.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the percentages of unemployment for males and females, respectively, in the travel-to-work areas which include the Mexborough and Wombwell employment exchanges at the latest available date; and what were the figures for May 1979.
The following is the information:
| Percentage rate of unemployment | ||||
| May 1979 | February 1982* | |||
| Male | Female | Male | Female | |
| Mexborough travel-to-work area (Mexborough and Goldthorpe employment office areas) | 9·2 | 10·1 | 21·8 | 19·5 |
| Barnsley travel-to-work area (Barnsley, Hoyland and Wombwell employment office areas) | 7·1 | 5·2 | 15·9 | 11·3 |
| * Provisional. | ||||
50.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for employment, nationally and regionally; and if he will make a statement.
The latest figures, which are for September 1981, were published in table 1.5 of the labour market data section of the January 1982 issue of Employment Gazette.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment, what are the highest and lowest current figures for unemployment in an assisted area; and what is the average figure for all areas.
At 14 January, the highest unemployment rate for a local area within assisted areas was 28·3 per cent. and the lowest was 5·5 per cent. The rate for assisted areas as a whole was 15·1 per cent.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of offices in assisted areas record rates of unemployment which are: (a) 90 to 100 per cent., (b) 80 to 90 per cent. and (c) 80 per cent. of the average rate for all assisted areas; and how many and what percentage of offices in the West Midlands register unemployment rates in the same categories.
Unemployment rates are calculated for employment office areas either singly or grouped to form travel-to-work areas which vary very considerably in size. The following table gives at 14 January the proportions of these rates falling within the ranges specified and provides similar information for areas in the West Midlands region.
Assisted areas in Great Britain Percentage of total areas
| West Midlands region
| ||
Number
| Percentage of total areas
| ||
| Proportion of rate for all assisted areas: | |||
(a) Over 90 and up to 100 per cent. | 15·1 | 5 | 18·5 |
(b) Over 80 and up to 90 per cent. | 13·3 | 3 | 11·1 |
(c) Up to 80 per cent. | 24·3 | 10 | 37·0 |
Trade Unions (Political Levy)
15.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment, further to the reply to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 2 February, Official Report, c. 114, if he proposes to introduce legislation during the remainder of this Parliament to require trade unions' political levy to be optional.
I have no proposals to announce at present with regard to the system of contracting out.
Manpower Services Commission (Chairman)
17.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment upon what date the appointment of Mr. David Young as chairman of the Manpower Services Commission commences.
Mr. Young's appointment as chairman of the Manpower Services Commission will commence on 15 April when Sir Richard O'Brien's current term of appointment ends.
Farm Workers
19.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current number of unemployed farm workers in England and Wales.
At 10 December 1981, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 16,724 unemployed people in England and Wales who were registered at employment offices for employment as farm workers.
Wandsworth
20.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present number of people registered as unemployed in the London borough of Wandsworth.
At 11 February, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Clapham Junction and Tooting employment offices, which corresponds closely to the London borough of Wandsworth, was 13,320.
Young Workers' Scheme
22.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what response there has been to date to the young workers' scheme.
Up to last Friday there have been about 33,000 applications for support under the scheme.
Enterprise Allowance (North-West)
24.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the progress of the enterprise allowance scheme in North-East Lancashire; and if he will consider extending it to other areas of North-West England.
I am satisfied that the pilot scheme in North-East Lancashire is making satisfactory progress. Before consideration can be given to extending it to other areas we would need to be satisfied that the necessary finance was available and that there was a need for a new pilot scheme in that area.
Redundant Persons
26.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce proposals to secure the employment of persons over 50 years of age who are made redundant and are unable to obtain alternative employment.
The only real way to secure employment for older workers, as for others, is to restore competitiveness so that more jobs will be created as Britain moves out of the recession. Meanwhile the Government have made it easier for those nearing retirement age who wish to retire early to do so.
Long-Term Unemployment
29.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to introduce further measures to assist the long-term unemployed.
The Government are already giving special help to long-term unemployed people through the community enterprise programme, the expansion of which my right hon. Friend announced before Christmas. We keep this and our other special employment and training measures under review. The main way, however, in which we can help unemployed people, including the long-term unemployed, is by tackling this country's fundamental economic problems and providing an environment in which more permanent jobs can be created.
Benefit And Redundancy Payments
30.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much was paid out in (a) unemployment benefit and (b) redundancy payments in 1980 and in 1981, respectively.
Expenditure on unemployment benefit was about £1,056 million in 1980 and about £1,880 million in 1981. Payments from the redundancy fund in rebates to employers and direct payments to employees totalled £221 million in 1980 and £416 million in 1981.
West Yorkshire
31.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to reduce unemployment in West Yorkshire in the light of the current unemployment levels in that area.
The Government's policies are aimed at developing a soundly based economy, which means, among other things, bringing inflation steadily down. As inflation is reduced, and productivity continues to improve, British firms will become more competitive and so be in a position to offer goods and services at home and abroad which people want to buy at prices they are prepared to pay. This is the only way to create the new and secure jobs which we all seek, both in West Yorkshire and throughout the country. There is no alternative to these policies, least of all in a period of world recession.Meanwhile, as we progress towards our objectives, West Yorkshire will continue to benefit from the Government's programme of special employment measures. Some 11,200 people in West Yorkshire are currently benefiting from the job release scheme, community industry, the temporary short time working compensation scheme and the community enterprise programme. Since April 1981, over 14,000 people have entered the youth opportunities programme.
Industrial Training Boards
32.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many staff of the industrial training boards have been made redundant so far.
The 16 boards that are to be abolished have announced 334 redundancies to take effect before 26 February. A further 33 staff have been declared redundant by boards that are to be retained.
43.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of his plans for the industrial training boards.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mr. Jones).—[Vol. 19, c. 43.]
Enterprise Allowance Scheme
33.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the areas selected for the new enterprise allowance scheme.
As only limited resources were available for this pilot scheme it was decided to concentrate the experiment in three areas so that the need for such an employment measure could be thoroughly evaluated. A number of factors including the level of unemployment and earlier Government support were taken into account when selecting the areas to be used.
Applications Registers (Company Practice)
34.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what evidence he has of the extent to which companies have adopted the technique of notifying and advertising non-existent vacancies for the purpose of keeping an active applications register; and to what extent this is reflected in the vacancy statistics.
There are cases of companies compiling waiting lists of potential employees against future, rather than current vacancies, but it is not possible to draw general conclusions as to the extent of the practice.The Manpower Services Commission's jobcentres and employment offices do not knowingly accept vacancies notified by employers solely for the purpose of keeping up waiting lists.Official vacancy statistics, which are estimated to reflect about one-third of all vacancies in the economy, cover only vacancies accepted by jobcentres, employment offices and careers offices.
Disabled Persons
35.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from disablement organisations regarding proposed changes in the quota sytem; and if he will make a statement.
I have nothing to add as yet to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Leominster on 18 January.—[Vol. 16, c. 3–4.]
Youth Training
36.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on youth training.
My right hon. Friend announced the Government's plans last December and published the details in the White Paper "A New Training Initiative: A Programme for Action" (Cmnd. 8455). As I said in my reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) on 2 February—[Vol. 17, c. 96–97.]—the response has generally been welcoming and positive.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the total funds to be made available for the youth training scheme to show how they are to be apportioned.
In the first full year of its operation, 1984–85, the youth training scheme will cost over £1 billion. Of this amount, and assuming the level of allowance given in the White Paper, I should expect around 60 per cent. to be spent on training, about 30 per cent. on the allowance paid to trainees, and at most 10 per cent. on the cost to the MSC of running the scheme.
European Community
37.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet his European Community colleagues to consider the level of unemployment in the Community.
The Belgian Presidency of the EC has proposed the following dates for Ministerial meetings which I or my right hon. Friend the Minister of State propose to attend:
County Durham
38.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking to reduce unemployment in County Durham.
The Government's policies are aimed at developing a soundly based economy, which means among other things bringing inflation steadily down. As inflation is reduced, and productivity continues to improve, British firms will become more competitive and so he in a position to offer goods and services at home and abroad which people want to buy at prices they are prepared to pay. This is the only way to create the new and secure jobs which we all seek, both in County Durham and throughout the country. There is no alternative to these policies, least of all in a world recession.Meanwhile, as we progress towards our objectives, County Durham will continue to benefit from the Government's programme of special employment measures. Some 1,930 people in County Durham are currently benefiting from the job release scheme, community industry, the temporary short time working compensation scheme and the community enterprise programme. And since April 1981 over 9,800 young people have entered the youth opportunities programme.
Youth Opportunities Programme
39.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what conclusions he was able to draw from his personal inspection of the scheme at Cammell Laird's shipyard, Birkenhead, where young workers on the youth opportunities programme are building longboats for use by mentally and physically handicapped young people.
I very much enjoyed my visit to Cammell Laird's shipyard to see the scheme set up by the company. I was impressed by the breadth of skills that young people are learning on the scheme. I concluded that it demonstrated how such companies can undertake very worthwhile projects under the youth opportunities programme.
49.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied with the time taken from receipt of an application from an employer to place a young person under the youth opportunities programme.
I am satisfied that the delay between receipt of a sponsor's application and the placing of a young person on a scheme is kept to a minimum and can be a little as four weeks.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, further to his hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Consett on 23 February, he can make any estimate of the percentage of youth opportunities programme places provided in Consett and Stanley in 1981 which developed into permanent jobs; and if he can make any broad estimate of the percentage likely to do so in 1982.
I regret the information is not available in this form, and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost. Such statistics as exist are collected only on a national basis.
Short-Time Working Compensation Scheme
40.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will review the lutes governing payment of short-time working compensation scheme employment subsidies.
The temporary short-time working compensation scheme is reviewed annually. On 15 December 1981, my right hon. Friend announced, in a statement on training and special employment measures, certain changes affecting the scheme. These are that the scheme will be extended by two years and will then close, with the last application being taken in March 1984; and that from July 1982 the maximum period of support will be six months.We have no plans to alter the conditions of the scheme before this year's annual review.
Business And Professional Sector
41.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of people employed in the business and professional sector in the last month for which figures are available; and how this compares with 10 years previously.
The following is the available information:
| Employees in Employment*, Great Britain (per thousand) | ||
| Insurance, banking, finance and business services | Professional and scientific services† | |
| June 1971 | 963 | 2,916 |
| June 1981 | 1,213 | 3,586 |
| September 1981 | 1,220 | 3,532 |
| * Not seasonally adjusted. | ||
| † Includes education and health services. | ||
Training
42.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment when next he plans to meet the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss progress on the new training initiative; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend meets the Chairman of the Manpower Services Commission regularly to discuss issues of mutual concern including progress on our training plans, and he expects to see ham again later this month.
Engineering Industry Training Board
44.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the Manpower Services Commission has made adequate provision to the Engineering Industry Training Board to maintain in apprenticeships trainees who would otherwise have been made redundant.
The Manpower Services Commission has made available to the Engineering Industry Training Board £4·5 million from public funds in the current financial year to enable the board to make arrangements for apprentices who have been made redundant to continue their training. The board does so either by making grants available to employers prepared to adopt redundant apprentices for the remainder of their training or, where this is not possible, by providing continued training itself at a college or training centre. The board has not yet exhausted the funds provided for this purpose.
Humberside
45.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for reducing unemployment on Humberside.
The Government's policies are aimed at developing a soundly based economy, which means among other things bringing inflation steadily down. As inflation is reduced, and productivity continues to improve, British firms will become more competitive and so be in a position to offer goods and services at home and abroad which people want to buy at prices they are prepared to pay. This is the only way to create the new and secure jobs which we all seek, both on Humberside and throughout the country. There is no alternative to these policies, least of all in a period of world recession.Meanwhile, as we progress towards our objectives, Humberside will continue to benefit from the Government's programme of special employment measures. Some 2,500 people in Humberside are currently benefiting from the job release scheme, community industry, the temporary short time working compensation scheme and the community enterprise programme. Since April 1981, 10,360 young people have entered the youth opportunities programme.
Industrial Democracy
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy towards industrial democracy in the public and private sector on a two-tier board basis.
The Government are opposed to the imposition of any inflexible system of employee involvement. Our policy is to encourage employers to develop information and consultation arrangements which suit the circumstances of their particular enterprise.
Cumbria
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the monthly increase and the total number of persons employed by community industry in West Cumbria during the last month for which statistics are available.
In February 1982 there were 113 young employees in community industry places in West Cumbria, an increase of 11 young employees compared with January. In addition, 18 adult staff are employed at the community industry unit in West Cumbria.
Departmental Staff
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the increase in the number of staff in his Department engaged on unemployment benefit in each of the last three years; and what increase is visualised for the year 1982–83.
The changes in total—permanent and casual—staff engaged on unemployment benefit work in each of the last three years were as follows:
| Change | |
| 1 April 1979 to 1 April 1980 | -2,229 |
| 1 April 1980 to 1 April 1981 | +6,249 |
| 1 April 1981 to 1 April 1982 (estimated) | +5,695 |
Weekly Earnings
asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what he attributes the decline in the proportion of weekly earnings of men manual workers in manufacturing industries in 1980 and 1981 compared with non-manual men in the same sector.
The decline in the proportion of average weekly earnings of men manual workers to those of men non-manual workers in manufacturing between April 1980 and April 1981, as shown in the results of the new earnings survey, was mainly due to a substantial fall in overtime hours worked by manual workers. For full-time manual men aged 21 and over, whose pay in the survey week was not affected by absence, average overtime hours fell by 1½ during this period, compared with a fall of about ½ hour for corresponding non-manual workers.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what he attributes the decline in the proportion of weekly earnings by full-time women manual workers in all industries and services in 1981 compared with non-manual women workers in the same sector.
The decline in the proportion of average weekly earnings of full-time manual women to those of full-time non-manual women between April 1980 and April 1981, as recorded in the new earnings survey, mainly reflects a temporary change in the incidence of pay settlements during this period. A number of non-manual groups in the public services, where women form a substantial proportion of total employment, received more than one annual pay settlement in the 12 months to April 1981. For example, teachers received both the delayed 1980 pay settlement and the 1981 pay settlement, together with the final instalment of the staged award from the 1979 pay settlement.Also, to the extent that non-manual workers tend to have pay settlement dates slightly later in the annual pay round than manual workers, the change in average earnings between April 1980 and April 1981 for non-manual workers will reflect relatively more settlements in the 1979–80 pay round, ending in July 1980, when pay settlements were higher than in the succeeding 1980–81 pay round.
Occupational Hazards
asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Government intend to sign the International Labour Organisation convention 139 concerning the prevention and control of occupational hazards caused by carcinogenic substances and agents.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Openshaw (Mr. Morris) on 16 January 1981—[Vol. 996, c. 663]—where it was stated that work is proceeding on the preparation of regulations to control exposure of workpeople to all toxic substances, including carcinogens, and that completion of this work would enable Her Majesty's Government to ratify the convention. This work is still in progress and until it is completed I regret it is still not possible to give a date for ratification of the convention.
Education And Science
Class Sizes
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any evidence that a reduction in class sizes leads to an improvement in the learning of pupils in primary and secondary schools.
No. It has not been established that a general reduction in class sizes within the range relevant to public policy leads to an improvement in learning.
Items In Lieu Of Tax
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, further to his written answer to the hon. Member for Warley, East on 19 January, Official Report, columns 99–100, allocations have now been made
| Housing Associations | Permanent Staff Employed | Number of units of Accommodation completed | ||||||
| 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | |
| 1. Fold | 8 | 10 | 17 | 16 | 38 | 162 | 75 | — |
| 2. James Butcher | 5 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 28 | 125 | — | — |
| 3. Belfast Improved Houses | 15 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 63 | 34 | 140 | 6 |
| 4. Botanic | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 5 | 11 | — |
| 5. Ballynafeigh | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 12 | 23 | 1 |
| 6. Presbyterian | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 10 | — | — |
| 7. Convenanter Residential | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 24 | — | — | — |
| 8. Connswater | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 8 | 8 | 1 |
| 9. Shankill Road Mission Housing Trust Ltd. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 10. Dungannon & District | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 12 | — |
| 11. Royal British Legion | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 123 | — | 41 | — |
| 12. Willowfield Parish Church | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 2 | — |
| 13. Newington | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 23 | 11 | — |
| 14. Grove | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 16 | 28 | 1 |
| 15. Woodvale and Shankill | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 17 | — |
| 16. Masonic | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 17. Habinteg | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 14 |
| 18. St Matthew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 1 |
| 19. Nih | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 8 | — |
| 20. McGarel | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 21 | — | — |
| 21. Lismagarvey | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | — | — |
| 22. Donacloney | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 3 | — |
| 23. Derry | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — |
| 24. Church of Ireland | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 25. Students Housing Association Co-operative | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 14 | — |
| 26. Belfast Community | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | 7 | — |
| 27. Craigowen | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | — | — |
| 28. Family | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 29. Gosford | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — |
| 30. Hearth | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | — | — |
| 31. Ulidia | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 9 | 13 | — |
| 32. Triangle Women's | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 14 | — | — |
| 33. Northern Ireland Co-Ownership | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 120 | 281 | 679 | 120 |
of certain objects, namely (a) a painting by Elsheimer of "The Death of Coronis" from the Methuen collection, accepted in satisfaction of tax on 25 July 1979 and (b) the Ormonde collection of eighteenth and nineteenth century silver, silver-gilt and gold plate, accepted in satisfaction of tax on 30 April 1980.
Work on the allocation of these objects is in progress. Once the formalities have been completed the allocations will be announced.
Northern Ireland
Housing Associations
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in each of the last three years and the present year, or if the figures may be more conveniently obtained, the last three financial years and the present financial year, how many permanent staff were employed by each housing association in Northern Ireland; what are the average salaries in each association; how many houses each association built in each of those years; and what was the cost of staff salaries per house.
Information on average salaries and salary costs per unit is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. The remaining information is as follows:
Housing Associations
| Permanent Staff Employed
| Number of units of Accommodation completed
| ||||||
1979
| 1980
| 1981
| 1982
| 1979
| 1980
| 1981
| 1982
| |
| 34. Clonard | 1 | 1 | 2
| 2
| 2
| — | — | — |
| 35. Latharna | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 36. Ben Madigan | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — |
| 37. Open Door | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 38. Coral Crescent | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 39. Abbeyfield (Lurgan) Society Ltd | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 40. Ballymacarrett | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — |
| 41. North Belfast Mission Housing Society Ltd | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | — | — | — | 8 |
| 42. Tennant Street District | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 43. Portadown | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 9 | 4 |
| 44. Broadway | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 45. Malone | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 46. Abbeyfield (NI) Development Society | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Totals | 89 | 107 | 118 | 111 | 447 | 801 | 1126 | 156 |
Suckled Calves
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing in actual and constant sums the prices paid for suckled calves at the principal markets in Northern
| Actual Prices £/head | Constant Prices* £/head | |||||||
| September | October | November | December | September | October | November | December | |
| 1974 | No Sales | 34 | 30 | 30 | No Sales | 34 | 29 | 29 |
| 1975 | 64 | 73 | 74 | 78 | 52 | 58 | 58 | 61 |
| 1976 | No Sales | 172 | 174 | 174 | No Sales | 119 | 119 | 117 |
| 1977 | No Sales | 164 | 165 | 178 | No Sales | 99 | 100 | 107 |
| 1978 | 226 | 211 | 205 | 208 | 128 | 119 | 114 | 115 |
| 1979 | No Sales | 179 | 171 | No Sales | No Sales | 86 | 81 | No Sales |
| 1980 | No Sales | 157 | 164 | 166 | No Sales | 65 | 68 | 68 |
| 1981 | No Sales | 229 | 224 | No Sales | No Sales | 85 | 82 | No Sales |
| * Adjusted according to changes in the United Kingdom general index of retail prices re-based to October 1974=100. | ||||||||
Housing Executive
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in each of the last three years and the present year, or in the relevant financial year if the information is more conveniently obtained, how many permanent staff were employed by the Housing Executive; what was the average salary; how many houses were built in each of those years; and what was the cost of staff salaries per house.
This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but the chairman has provided the following information:
| Year | Staff | Average Salary | Houses Completed |
| 1978–79 | 4,922 | £3,292 | 5,136 |
| 1979–80 | 5,301 | £3,582 | 2,962 |
| 1980–81 | 4,882 | £4,970 | 2,719 |
| 1981–82* | 4,834 | £5,499 | †2,625 |
Ireland for each of the months of September, October, November and December in each of the years 1974 to 1981.
Estimates of prices paid for suckled calves in the principal markets in Northern Ireland for the months of September, November and December in each of the years 1974 to 1981 are given in both actual and constant sums.
Notes:
* to 31 December 1981.
† estimated.
Information on the salary costs directly attributable to new houses built is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Murders
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many murders there have been in each police division in Northern Ireland in each of the last 18 months; and of these, in each case, how many were attributed to the Irish Republican Army, the Irish National Liberation Army, the Ulster Volunteer Force, the Ulster Freedom Fighters and the Ulster Defence Association, and how many to other terrorist organisations; and how many were regarded as not being connected to terrorism.
133 deaths occurring between 1 August 1980 and 31 January 1982 are regarded by the police as cases of murder.Details are as follows:
Police Division
| ||||||||||||||||
A
| B
| C | D
| E
| F
| G | H
| J
| K
| L
| M
| N
| O
| P
| R
| |
1980
| ||||||||||||||||
| August | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | I | — |
| September | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| October | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| November | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| December | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
1981
| ||||||||||||||||
| January | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| February | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| March | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| April | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| May | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| June | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| July | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| August | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 |
| September | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 |
| October | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| November | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — |
| December | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
1982
| ||||||||||||||||
| January | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
It is believed that 92 of these murders were carried out by Republican terrorists, 18 by Loyalist terrorists and that 23 were unconnected with terrorism. It is not possible to give a more detailed breakdown by reference to individual organisations.
Unemployment (16 To 19-Year-Olds)
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many 16 to 19-year-olds are unemployed with in the East Belfast, Dundonald and Castlereagh area.
The number of 16 to 19-year-olds—that is those under 19 years—registered as unemployed on 11 February 1982, the latest date for which figures are available, within the East Belfast, Dundonald and Castlereagh area was 807.
Liverpool-Belfast Ferry Service
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress being made towards the restoration of a ferry service between Liverpool and Belfast.
| 1975–76 per cent. | 1976–77 per cent. | 1977–78 per cent. | 1978–79 per cent. | 1979–80 per cent. | 1980–81 per cent. | |
| Queen's University Belfast | 2·6 | 2·5 | 2·5 | 2·5 | 2·2 | 2·3 |
| New University of Ulster | 0·7 | 0·6 | 0·5 | 0·5 | 0·5 | 0·5 |
| Ulster Polytechnic | 1·7 | 1·9 | 1·8 | 1·9 | 1·7 | 2·0 |
| Stranmillis College | 0·5 | 0·5 | 0·3 | 0·3 | 0·3 | 0·2 |
| St. Joseph's College | 0·1 | 0·1 | 0·1 | 0·1 | 0·1 | Less than 0·1 |
| St. Mary's College | 0·2 | 0·2 | 0·2 | 0·2 | 0·2 | 0·1 |
De Lorean Cars Ltd
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the work so far of the receiver of De Lorean Cars Ltd., Dunmurry.
Sir Kenneth Cork and Mr. P. F. Shewell were appointed joint receivers and managers of
I understand that Belfast Car Ferries Ltd., a new company started by Irish Continental lines but also backed by financial interests in Belfast and London plan to operate a car, passenger and freight ferry service on this route commencing on 31 March. The service is due to start with one vessel sailing from Belfast overnight and from Liverpool during the day. I hope that it will be well supported and wish it success.
Higher Education
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of all 18-year-olds entered each of the institutions of higher education in Northern Ireland for each of the years 1975 to 1981 inclusive.
The following table sets out the percentage of the estimated total population aged 18 who were enrolled at each of the institutions of higher education.De Lorean Motor Cars Ltd. on 19 February 1982. On appointment they made it clear that it would be their objective, through a reconstruction of the business, to maintain an operation to manufacture De Lorean motor cars in Belfast. I understand that they have concentrated' initially upon securing a continuation of limited' production in the factory and of sales of cars in the United States of America, developing existing opportunities for sales elsewhere and talking to all parties who have expressed any interest in the business of the company.
National Finance
Ex-Prisoners Of War
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the speech of the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces on 9 February, Official Report, c. 953–54, in what circumstances Treasury records were lost relating to the money paid into the Treasury in 1950 which represented the money held back from salaries of officer prisoners of war.
Treasury records have not been lost. The only specific records which can be identified covering payments into the Treasury refer to special receipts in the Appropriation Account, Air Services, 1950–51. These papers are available for inspection at the Public Record Office. Other general papers have also been deposited at the Public Record Office, or will be made public in due course, in accordance with the 30-year rule.
Riding Horses
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any estimate available of (a) the loss of revenue as a result of classifying riding horses as agricultural animals and (b) the increase in revenue as a result of increased ownership of riding horses classified as agricultural animals.
Riding horses would not normally be classified as agricultural animals. Stud farmers are able to claim stock relief on the value of horses held as trading stock but no estimates are available of the amount of relief claimed.
Tax Revenues
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the revenue from (a) corporation tax, (b) income tax, (c) value added tax and (d) capital transfer tax for the financial years 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81, based on 1980 levels of money value.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Prices
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will set out in tabular form for each year since 1962, taking 1962 as 100, the constant real price, including excise duties, of (a) beer, (b) spirits, (c) wine and (d) cigarettes.
I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
Self-Employed Persons
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will extend the requirements relating to T15 certificates for the self-employed in the building industry to other areas of self-employment; and if he will make a statement.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
Income Tax
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will set out the starting point of the higher rate income tax bands as a proportion of average manual and non-manual earnings in each of the past four years;(2) if he will list the numbers given in each of his Budget Statements since assuming office in respect of the numbers taken out of income tax; and if he will give the number of taxpayers for each of those years;(3) how many taxpayers have paid the higher rates of income tax in each of the past four years.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the reply to the hon. Member for Kensington, of 25 January, Official Report, column 227, what is the total estimated 1981–82 income in each of the following income categories; and what is the total anticipated income tax payable by each category on that income (a) between £15,000 and £25,000, (b) between £25,000 and £40,000 and (c) above £40,000 per annum.
[pursuant to his reply, 26 February 1982, c. 524]: The estimates are as follows, together with figures for the income ranges listed in my previous reply. These have been revised from the earlier provisional figures, on the receipt of further information. The estimates relate to tax units; that is, married couples are counted as one and their incomes combined.
| Range of Total Income (£) | Total Income (£ billion) | Income Tax (£ billion) |
| Under 5,000 | 30¾ | 3¾ |
| 5,000 to 9,999 | 66¾ | 12¾ |
| 10,000 to 14,999 | 36 | 7½ |
| 15,000 to 24,999 | 16¼ | 4¼ |
| 25,000 to 39,999 | 6¼ | 2 |
| over 40,000 | 3¾ | 1¾ |
Government Departments (Costs)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the estimated costs of pay, accommodation, and other similar services for each central Government Department in 1981–82.
The following table shows provision for current expenditure in 1981–82—together with certain notional costs—for each Department:
Department
| Wages and Salaries
| Personnel Overheads
| Accommodation Costs
| Office Services
| Agency Services
| Total Provision
| |||||
£m
| Per cent of total costs
| £m
| Per cent of total costs
| £m
| Per cent of total costs
| £m
| Per cent of total costs
| £m
| Per cent of total costs
| £m
| |
| Defence | 5,352·4 | 74·3 | 506·3 | 7·0 | 1,152·4 | 16·0 | 171·6 | 2·4 | 18·8 | 0·3 | 7,201·5 |
| Foreign and Commonwealth Office | 177·8 | 60·4 | 23·8 | 8·1 | 57·1 | 19·4 | 27·8 | 9·4 | 8·1 | 2·7 | 294·6 |
| Overseas Development Administration | 24·6 | 58·6 | 2·8 | 6·7 | 6·0 | 14·2 | 2·5 | 6·0 | 61 | 14·6 | 42·1 |
| Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | 131·2 | 58·7 | 15·1 | 6·8 | 26·7 | 11·9 | 11·1 | 5·0 | 39·4 | 17·7 | 223·5 |
| Industry | 87·7 | 62·2 | 4·9 | 3·5 | 21·2 | 15·1 | 15·0 | 10·6 | 12·3 | 8·7 | 141·1 |
| Energy | 15·1 | 50·9 | 1·5 | 5·2 | 3·8 | 12·8 | 2·1 | 7·2 | 7·1 | 24·0 | 29·8 |
| Trade | 73·2 | 45·9 | 4·7 | 2·9 | 35·7 | 22·3 | 17·6 | 11·0 | 28·4 | 17·8 | 159·6 |
| Employment | 226·1 | 76·2 | 6·5 | 2·2 | 34·0 | 11·5 | 17·5 | 5·9 | 12·6 | 4·3 | 296·8 |
| Manpower Services Commission | 194·8 | 62·5 | 13·6 | 4·4 | 60·1 | 19·3 | 33·3 | 10·7 | 9·7 | 3·1 | 311·5 |
| Transport | 116·4 | 59·3 | 6·7 | 3·4 | 23·9 | 12·2 | 20·7 | 10·6 | 28·6 | 14·6 | 196·3 |
| Environment | 106·9 | 65·8 | 6·4 | 3·9 | 23·2 | 14·3 | 18·0 | 11·1 | 8·1 | 5·0 | 162·5 |
| Property Services Agency | 303·4 | 69·3 | 16·0 | 3·7 | 35·0 | 8·0 | 12·6 | 2·9 | 71·2 | 16·2 | 438·1 |
| Home Office | 443·8 | 71·5 | 19·6 | 3·1 | 135·6 | 21·8 | 17·8 | 2·9 | 4·3 | 0·7 | 621·0 |
| Lord Chancellor's Department | 89·0 | 61·4 | 5·9 | 4·1 | 28·5 | 19·7 | 12·5 | 8·6 | 9·0 | 6·2 | 144·9 |
| Education and Science | 41·0 | 65·5 | 2·7 | 4·3 | 12·3 | 19·7 | 5·7 | 9·2 | 0·9 | 1·4 | 62·6 |
| Health and Social Security | 774·9 | 59·4 | 24·2 | 1·9 | 113·2 | 8·7 | 113·8 | 8·7 | 277·6 | 21·3 | 1,303·7 |
| Treasury | 13·7 | 67·1 | 0·4 | 1·9 | 3·2 | 15·7 | 1·6 | 7·9 | 1·5 | 7·5 | 20·5 |
| Customs and Excise | 256·0 | 75·5 | 17·9 | 5·3 | 38·2 | 11·3 | 19·7 | 5·8 | 7·2 | 2·1 | 339·1 |
| Inland Revenue | 605·6 | 74·7 | 19·5 | 2·4 | 111·5 | 13·8 | 64·8 | 8·0 | 8·9 | 1·1 | 810·4 |
| National Savings | 64·6 | 40·5 | 1·0 | 0·6 | 8·7 | 5·4 | 19·3 | 12·1 | 65·9 | 41·3 | 159·5 |
| Civil Service Department | 35·2 | 56·9 | 3·7 | 5·9 | 9·0 | 14·6 | 8·5 | 13·8 | 5·5 | 8·8 | 61·9 |
| Paymaster General's Office | 6·5 | 55·2 | 0·1 | 0·8 | 1·0 | 8·5 | 2·7 | 22·6 | 1·5 | 12·9 | 11 8 |
| Scottish Office | 109·1 | 70·3 | 6·2 | 4·0 | 22·8 | 14·7 | 10·0 | 6·4 | 7·1 | 4·6 | 155·2 |
| Welsh Office | 22·4 | 48·5 | 1·5 | 3·2 | 3·3 | 7·1 | 3·7 | 7·9 | 15·4 | 33·4 | 46·3 |
| Northern Ireland Departments and Services | 202·0 | 72·0 | 11·3 | 4·0 | 37·6 | 13·4 | 15·3 | 5·5 | 14·5 | 5·2 | 280·7 |
| Total Main Departments | 9,473·6 | 70·1 | 722·2 | 5·3 | 2,004·1 | 14·8 | 645·2 | 4·8 | 669·6 | 5·0 | 13,514·8 |
| Other Departments | 242·9 | 62·4 | 17·8 | 4·6 | 48·5 | 12·5 | 29·7 | 7·6 | 50·0 | 12·9 | 389·0 |
| Total | 9,716·5 | 69·9 | 740·0 | 5·3 | 2,052·7 | 14·8 | 674·9 | 4·9 | 719·7 | 5·2 | 13,903·8 |
NB. In some instances where rounded figures give distorted results, percentages have been based on actual figures. Calculations and totals are based on actual, not rounded, figures.
Notes
Wages and Salaries=Wages. salaries, overtime payments, employers' National Insurance contributions, and notional cost of accruing liability for pensions of serving staff;
Personnel Overheads=Travel, subsistence, entertainment, removals, catering subsidies, protective clothing and external training:
Accommodation costs=Rates, heating, lighting, utilities, furniture and fittings, and notional market rental values for Crown and leased property;
Office Services=Postage, printing and publications, telecommunications, publicity and advertising, and administrative computers;
Agency Costs =Services provided by the Post Office and other agencies.
The coverage of the table above differs from the table relating to costs in 1980–81 which was published as an annex to Cmnd. 8293. The 1981–82 costs include current expendiure for the Armed Forces and Northern Ireland departments.
Housing Costs
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the effect on the retail prices index at some recent convenient date if housing costs were removed.
[pursuant to his reply, 1 March 1982, c. 32]: If the housing component were excluded from the retail prices index, the level would have stood at 304·3 in January 1982 compared with 100 in January 1974. This is 10·3 per cent. higher than in January 1981.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the retail prices index is formed by housing costs; and if this has changed over the past two years.
[pursuant to his reply, 1 March 1982, c. 32]: The published weights for the retail prices index refer to January of each year. Thus, in January 1981 housing costs formed 13·5 per cent. of the index, while in January 1980 they accounted for 12·4 per cent. The weights for January 1982 will be published in the March edition of Employment Gazette.
Defence
Trident
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total expenditure to date by Her Majesty's Government on the Trident C4 warhead programme.
It has been the practice of successive Governments not to reveal cost information about nuclear warheads. However, virtually none of the expenditure to date is attributable exclusively to the Trident C4 programme.
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of the design and development work so far undertaken on provision for the C4 Trident missile; what is the value of this work which would have to be written off if the D5 Trident missile is purchased; and if he will make a statement.
Acquisition of the Trident C4 missile from the United States is governed by the Polaris sales agreement, which provides for the United Kingdom to contribute to United States research and development costs through a surcharge on the cost of missiles and equipment. No direct design and development costs are therefore payable.
Sting Ray
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the original estimate and the current cost so far of the Sting Ray lightweight torpedo.
The total cost of the Sting Ray programme estimated at the end of the project definition stage, and as reported to the Public Accounts Committee in 1979, was £923 million at September 1979 prices. Development programmes cannot be reliably costed before the end of project definition. Expenditure on Sting Ray to the end of the current financial year is estimated at £283 million, including VAT, at outturn prices.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Herring Catches
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he will make or invite the European Commission to make to the Government of the Irish Republic regarding the excess of the herring catch by boats of that country over the quota proposed by the Commission for the Irish Sea excluding Mourne; and when the Commission expects to receive the relevant reports by France on the 1981 herring catch by French boats.
The herring quotas proposed by the European Commission for the Irish Sea for 1981 were not agreed by the Council of Ministers and therefore, in the view of Her Majesty's Government, have no legal force. Consequently, this provides no legal basis for representations on the level of catches. However, I hope that all member States will conduct their fishing operations in a responsible manner, taking account of the need for conservation and other relevant factors, and I take every suitable opportunity to draw the attention of Community Fisheries Ministers and the European Commission to this view.The European Commission has now received a further report of French herring catches in 1981 stating that up to 30 September no catches were taken in the Irish Sea.
Food (Ingredients)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department has any plans to extend the range of foods for which there is a legally enforceable requirement to carry a list of ingredients; and if he will make a statement.
No. I have no plans at present to extend the requirement to list ingredients beyond the foods covered by the Food Labelling Regulations 1980.
Environment
Homes Insulation
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider more generous financial incentives to local authorities, owner-occupiers and private landlords in order to encourage improving insulation on existing dwellings to cut high energy and heating costs.
Owner-occupiers, private sector landlords and tenants and local authority tenants are eligible for grants under the homes insulation scheme, which is constantly under review. The elderly and severely disabled on low incomes are already entitled to 90 per cent. grants, and others to 66 per cent. grants under the scheme.My right hon. Friend is currently considering increasing the thickness of loft insulation material eligible for grant under the scheme to come into line with the new building regulation requirements. Local authorities are free to carry out insulation work on their own dwellings within their gross capital allocation and such expenditure may be taken into account in calculating their housing subsidy entitlement.
Southampton (Western Esplanade)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the findings of the public inquiry into the Western Esplanade scheme in Southampton will be made public; and if he will make a statement.
The compulsory purchase order relating to the Western Esplanade scheme in Southampton is still under consideration. A decision will be issued as soon as possible, when the inspector's report on the local inquiry will be made public.
Her Majesty's Stationery Office
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) why his Department has not asked Her Majesty's Stationery Office to tender for its requirements such as drytoner photocopying paper; and if he will list the organisations which have been asked to tender for these requirements;(2) if his Department and the Property Services Agency propose to enter into a customer agreement with Her Majesty's Stationery Office; and if they intend to ask Her Majesty's Stationery Office to tender for supplies in the coming financial year.
I am at present in consultation with my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Treasury, about supply arrangements for stationery goods for the coming year. An order for the photocopying paper mentioned has not yet been placed and I cannot make the details public at this stage.
Fluoride
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department requires to be notified of the intention of regional water authorities of adding fluoride to the public drinking water; and what recent notifications of such an intention he has received.
It is the practice of water undertakers who arrange fluoridation to satisfy my right hon. Friend on the technical aspects of their schemes before putting them into operation. No proposals for new fluoridation schemes are before my right hon. Friend at present, but I am aware that some are being prepared.
Rate Support Grant
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what expenditure has been incurred by him outside his Department for the purpose of calculating the rate support grant; and to whom any payments were made,.
Expenditure incurred by the Department of the Environment outside the Department for purposes of calculating the rate support grant during the calendar year 1981 was £458,758, exclusive of VAT. Payments were made to GEISCO Ltd., Comshare Ltd. and to the University of Kent.
Local Authorities (Manpower)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the overall changes in the levels of local authority manpower establishments during the present Parliament; whether he is satisfied with progress to date; and whether he envisages any further action.
Between June 1979 and September 1981, the latest published survey, the number of staff employed by local authorities in England, measured in full-time equivalents and taking account of seasonal factors, fell by 81,000—4·1 per cent. The annual reduction at September 1981 was 2·2 per cent. This rate of reduction is not enough to meet expenditure targets set by the Government and while the principal responsibility rests with the local authorities themselves, we shall continue to take all possible steps available to us to encourage the maximum economy and efficiency.
Departmental Staff
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date his answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 12 December 1980, Official Report, column 828, regarding the size and cost of his Department.
I shall answer this question shortly.
Departmentally Sponsored Organisations (Manpower)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the staffing levels of organisations sponsored by his Department since his answer to the hon. Member for Melton on 12 March 1981, Official Report, column 414.
I shall answer this question shortly.
Grant-Related Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be laying before the House the Blue Book on grant-related expenditure for 1982–83.
I have today placed copies of the Blue Book, which explains how the expenditure needs of local authorities are assessed for block grant, in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies are also available in the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office. I have also sent a copy to each local authority. This year's edition takes a new format and shows in tabular form how the GRE for each service is calculated. This is a further part of the Government's commitment to opening up to public scrutiny the calculation of block grant.
Local Authorities (Fiduciary Duty)
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he Will place in the Library a copy of the legal opinion on the fiduciary duty of local authorities published by him.
I have made available to the local authority associations copies of an opinion by my Department's legal advisers on this subject. I have today placed a copy in the Library. The opinion is couched in general terms and does not bear directly on the circumstances of any particular authority. It remains the responsibility of local authorities to satisfy themselves that their actions are lawful.
Social Services
Psychogeriatric Wards
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now provide additional funds for the establishment of psychogeriatric wards in National Health Service hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
The Government's policy is to give health authorities cash-limited sums of revenue and capital which they deploy in the light of national priorities and local circumstances. Current expenditure by health authorities in 1981–82 is planned to be 4 per cent. in real terms above the level for 1978–79, and further growth of 1·7 per cent. is planned for 1982–83. Both "Care in Action", our handbook of policies and priorities for the health and personal social services, and the White Paper "Growing Older" stressed the need for priority to be given to the provision in every district of enough suitable accommodation for the care of elderly people with psychiatric disorders.
Smoking And Drinking (Legislation)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his answer of 17 February relating to the estimate made by his Department that the annual cost to the National Health Service of diseases attributable to smoking and drinking is about £155 million and between £70 million and £95 million, respectively, why he will not introduce legislation along the lines of the compulsion to wear seat belts to prevent people smoking and drinking.
We believe it would not be sensible to proceed along these lines.
District Medical Officers
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the new district medical officers will be responsible for the day to day running and management of district scientific and related services such as pharmacy, laboratory imaging, physiological measurement audiology and orthoptics.
District health authorities determine the job descriptions of their district medical officers as for all their chief officers. The accountability of the heads of the departments who are responsible for the day-to-day running and management of district scientific and related services is a matter for authorities to determine in accordance with policy set out in the relevant circulars.
Alcohol And Malignant Disease
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider funding a detailed study on the relationship between excessive alcohol intake and the development of malignant disease in women.
Biomedical research in this field is appropriate to the Medical Research Council from funds provided by the Department of Education and Science. The health departments regularly review their priorities for biomedical research which are taken into account when the Medical Research Council are formulating their programmes. Misuse of alcohol and its effects have been identified as a priority but the Medical Research Council have not yet undertaken any work specifically aimed at women although they are ready to consider applications for support for scientifically sound research. The Department is at present reviewing the need for further attention to be given to this aspect.
Acupuncture
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will enable those wishing it to have acupuncture within the National Health Service, generally, and for childbirth in particular.
The choice of treatment for any patient is a matter for judgment by the doctor in clinical charge of the case. A patient is at liberty to express a desire for acupuncture or any other form of treatment; however the capacity of the National Health Service to provide acupuncture treatment or acupuncture anaesthesia is limited by the availability of staff able to perform it.
Housing Benefit Scheme
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will estimate the extent of losses and gains in bands of 20p (a) by pensioners and (b) by non-pensioners, subdivided by income bands, under his proposed housing benefit scheme (i) with a change in the taper above the needs allowance for all households to 20p, 19p, 18p and 17p, respectively, (ii) with a change in the taper below the needs allowance for non-pensioners to 30p, 35p, 40p, 45p and 50p, respectively, (iii) with an increase in the needs allowance for pensioners and non-pensioners separately of 25p, 50p and 75p, respectively and (iv) with a reduction in the taper for pensioners to 45p, 40p, 35p and 30p, respectively, giving the costs and savings in each case;
(2) how many (a) pensioners and (b) non-pensioners he estimates would be entitled to topping-up payments from his Department under his proposed housing benefit scheme (i) with a change in the taper above the needs allowance for all households to 20p, 19p, 18p and 17p, respectively, (ii) with a change in the taper below the needs allowance for non-pensioners to 30p, 35p, 40p and 50p, respectively, (iii) with an increase in the needs allowance for pensioners and non-pensioners separately of 25p, 50p and 75p, respectively, and (iv) with a reduction in the taper for pensioners to 45p, 40p, 35p and 30p, respectively, giving the costs and savings in each case;
(3) how many (a) gainers and (b) losers there would be, categorised separately for pensioners and non-pensioners, and subdivided as far as possible by income bands, under his proposed housing benefit scheme (i) with a change in the taper above the needs allowance for all households to 20p, 19p, 18p and 17p, respectively, (ii) with a change in the taper below the needs allowance for non-pensioners to 30p, 35p, 40p, 45p and 50p, respectively, (iii) with an increase in the needs allowance for pensioners and non-pensioners separately of 25p, 50p and 75p, respectively, and (iv) with a reduction in the taper for pensioners to 45p, 40p, 35p and 30p, respectively, giving the costs and savings in each case.
I regret that it is not possible to make estimates in the form required. I have written to the hon. Member setting out such information as is currently available.
Hearing Aids (Insurance Cover)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the issue of a commercial hearing aid under the National Health Service to a handicapped child is conditional upon the parent taking out an insurance policy to cover its loss or damage; what instructions he has issued to hospitals in this matter; and if he will make a statement.
All hearing aids provided under the National Health Service are issued on free loan to patients; they remain Crown property and should not be insured. An insurance policy may, however, be taken out to cover the risk of incurring charges for non-accidental damage to an aid, since if an aid needs to be repaired or replaced because of an act or omission of the patient or—in the case of a child—of his parent, a charge may be made to recover part or the whole of the cost. The Department will shortly be issuing an information sheet to health authorities clarifying the position on the insurance of hearing aids provided under the National Health Service.
Health Care Statistics
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the total numbers of people in the United Kingdom who were waiting for hospital operations under the National Health Service in 1960, 1970, 1980 and at the latest date available.
I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 18 January 1982—[Vol. 16, c. 49–50.] The figure at 31 March 1981 was 601,484.
Pay Beds
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the estimated income from National Health Service pay beds in England in the last year for which figures are available.
The income from private inpatients in 1980–81 was £42·6 million; and from private non-resident patients £3·8 million. The estimated total income from all private patients in 1982–83 is £52 million.
Waiting Times
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to review the Department's circular HSC (18) ICC issued in August 1975 relating to waiting times for in-patient admission and management arrangements.
No. I consider that Health Circular HSC (IS) 181, to which my hon. Friend presumably refers, still contains valid guidance but if he feels alterations are required I shall be glad to consider his suggestions.
Hospital Waiting Lists
asked the the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current total waiting list for hospital beds in the National Health Service hospitals.
On 31 March 1981, the most recent date for which figures are available, 628,333 persons in England were waiting for admission to hospital as NHS patients.
Vaccine Damage
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the current value of the £10,000 vaccine damage payment had it been inflation proofed since the inception of the vaccine damage payments scheme.
The figure is £14,800.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken or intends to take regarding the recommendation of the panel under Professor Dudgeon which examined vaccine damaged children, that full clinical, pathological and other relevant data be collected by the Committee on Safety of Medicines as soon as possible after a vaccine reaction was reported; and whether he has had further discussions with the Committee on Safety of Medicines regarding its recommendation in the light of the committee's support for it; and what was the outcome of those discussions.
I have had no discussions with the Committee on Safety of Medicines on this recommendation. Since its report was published the committee has considered the recommendation again. It agreed that it would be impracticable to seek additional data relating to all reports. Reports of reactions, however, which are serious, severe, or unusual, or when further information appears to be desirable for clinical reasons, are followed up either by correspondence with the reporting doctor or by arranging an interview with the reporting doctor by one of the committee's part-time medical officers.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up a review by some members of the tribunal review panels of a sample of the cases of vaccine damage claimants who had their claims rejected at the initial stage and did not apply for a review.
We have no plans to do so. When my right hon. Friend's decision on a vaccine damage claim is conveyed to a claimant, he is advised of his right to request a review of the determination by an independent vaccine damage tribunal. The Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 does not set any time limit on these requests.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that when a vaccine damage payment is refused, either at the initial stage, or by a tribunal, the detailed reasons for the refusal are given to the parents.
If a claim is refused at the initial stage the claimant is informed of the grounds on which my right hon. Friend reached his decision—most commonly because it is not accepted that the disablement was due to the vaccination. Tribunals are of course independent bodies but the Vaccine Damage Payments Regulations require them to record their decision in writing and include in the record a statement of the reasons for their decision. The claimant must be given written notice of the decision with a summary of the record which will include the reasons.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases his Department has assisted claimants for vaccine damage payments by obtaining further medical records or other evidence at their request to support the original submission to the tribunal; if he will take steps to ensure that all claimants are told that the Department is willing to help them in this way; and if he will ask claimants to inform him if they have difficulty in getting medical evidence.
The Department has always been prepared to assist in this way and has done so on many occasions, but there is no record of the number of cases concerned. However we have recently made it clear to all claimants requesting a tribunal review that the Department will apply on their behalf for any additional relevant evidence.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give, for each of the vaccine damage payment tribunals in different parts of the United Kingdom, the percentage of the cases reviewed which were awarded a payment; and if he will give details about the tribunals still operating including their location and the frequency of their sitting.
The locations of the vaccine damage tribunals and the percentages of cases reviewed by them up to 8 January 1982 where an award has been made, are:
| Percentage | |
| Belfast | 20 |
| Cardiff | 26 |
| Edinburgh | 18 |
| Leeds | 26 |
| London | 27 |
| Manchester | 32 |
| Nottingham | 38 |
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the medical qualifications of those who are currently assessing claims for vaccine damage payments at the initial stage, and the medical qualifications of those currently sitting on tribunals for vaccine damage payments.
Tribunal members are usually consultant physicians, neurologists and paediatricians and are members or fellows of the Royal College of Physicians. Occasionally, where relevant, a consultant surgeon, fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, might serve. Departmental medical staff involved in the initial level of adjudication are not categorised in the same way and the composition of the unit changes from time to time; they do however have access to consultants' opinions on claims where required.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give figures showing the percentage of those rejected at the initial stage of the vaccine damage tribunal who requested a review, for each six-month period since the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 came into operation.
Available information is as follows:
| Number of medical disallowances at initial stage | Number of reviews requested | |
| 9 May 1978–11 December 1978 | Nil | Nil |
| 1 January 1979–30 June 1979 | 1,267 | 488 |
| 1 July 1979–31 December 1979 | 840 | 719 |
| 1 January 1980–30 June 1980 | 91 | 97 |
| 1 July 1980–31 December 1980 | 42 | 42 |
| 1 January 1981–30 June 1981 | 39 | 17 |
| 1 July 1981–31 December 1981 | 30 | 27 |
| Total | 2,309 | * 1,390 |
| * 60 per cent. | ||
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for vaccine damage payment have been rejected because there was insufficient medical evidence to support the claim; and if he will institute an independent inquiry into the quality and availability of medical records related to vaccine damage claims.
Figures are not available, but it is rare for sufficient records not to be obtained to enable a proper decision to be made.In 1980 new guidance on retention of records was issued asking health authorities to retain children's records, including vaccination records, until the patients reach their twenty-fifth birthday or eight years after the last entry whichever is the longer period. This guidance should be increasingly effective in respect of new claims. An inquiry into the availability of records in respect of older claims would serve no useful purpose.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the latest total figures relating to the vaccine damage payments scheme, giving information about the claims, the decisions, the pending cases and the future; if he will give separate figures for claims and their subsequent history for each of the complete years that the scheme has been in operation; and if he will include percentage success figures for claimants at the initial stage and at the review tribunals.
Information, up to 5 February 1982, is as follows:
| Awards | |||
| 1. Claims—received | 2,764 | ||
| —withdrawn | 7 | ||
| Effective claims | 2,757 | ||
| 2. Claims initially determined: | |||
| (a) awards made | 347 | 347 | |
| (b) claims disallowed because the Secretary of State is not satisfied that— | |||
| (i) the statutory conditions under Section 2 of the Act are fulfilled | 83 | ||
| (ii) the disabled person was severely damaged as a result of vaccination | 2,314 | ||
| 3. Claims not yet determined: | 13 | ||
| 2,757 | |||
| 4. Awards made after original disallowance | 3 | ||
| 5. Requests for review | 1,395 | ||
| withdrawn | 89 | ||
| Effective requests | 1,306 | ||
| 6. Reviews determined of which— | 1,178 | ||
| Awards made | 331 | 331 | |
| Disallowances upheld | 847 | ||
| 1,178 | |||
| 7. Reviews not yet decided | 128 | ||
| 8. Total Awards | 1,306 | 681 | |
Pertussis Vaccine
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of reports of possible adverse reactions to the pertussis vaccine made to the Committee on Safety of Medicines using the yellow card system for each year since 1975 for which figures are available; and if he will give the number of children receiving a vaccine with a pertussis element in the same years.
The number of reports of suspected adverse reactions to pertussis vaccine received by the Committee on Safety of medicines from all sources in the United Kingdom, and the number of children in the United Kingdom who received vaccination including a pertussis element are shown in the following table:
Number of reports
| Number of children
| |
| 1975 | —* | 312,503 |
| 1976 | —* | 299,164 |
| 1977 | 158 | 242,811 |
| 1978 | 165 | 246,386 |
| 1979 | 165 | 303,058 |
| 1980 | 197 | 339,445 |
| 1981 | 123 | —† |
* Figures for reports received in each of the years 1975 and 1976 separately are not readily available. | ||
| † Figures for 1981 are not yet available. | ||
These figures, which relate to voluntary reporting, should not be used to attempt to calculate incidence of adverse effects of pertussis vaccination; they cannot be regarded as comprehensive, and include clinically minor effects, such as injection site reaction, as well as those which are clinically severe.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an average annual figure for the decades 1948 to 1957, 1958 to 1967 and 1968 to 1977, and separate figures for the years 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981 for the number of payments for vaccine damage made to people vaccinated in the year or decade; if he will give separate figures for damage arising from a vaccine with a pertussis element; and if he will express the latter figure as a proportion of the number of children in the year or decade who were vaccinated with a vaccine with a pertussis element.
The information is as follows:
| Decade/Year of Vaccination | Number of Vaccine Damage Payments | Number with a pertussis element | In relation to (3) - rates per 100,000 completed primary courses |
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) |
| 1948–57 | *9·6 | *6·4 | See Note (i) |
| 1958–67 | *32·0 | *25·7 | 3·6 |
| 1968–77 | *25·5 | *19·6 | 3·6 |
| 1978 | 1 | 1 | 0·4 |
| 1979 | 6 | 4 | 1·3 |
| * Annual average. | |||
Notes:
Whooping Cough Vaccine
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider the introduction of a comprehensive compensation scheme for the children who are likely to suffer permanent neurological damage after having the whooping cough vaccination recommended by his Department.
I refer the right hon. Member to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes) on 21 July 1981.—[Vol. 9, c. 89–90.]
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken or intends to take regarding the recommendation of the Committee on Safety of Medicines in the Department of Health and Social Security publication "Whooping Cough", that the health departments should publicise further the contra-indications associated with immunisation and consider making available to the parents more information on the benefits and risks involved.
The latest advice from the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation on the contraindications to whooping cough vaccine was sent to health authorities and all general practitioners on 2 December 1981. Prior to that the Health Education Council made available a leaflet for parents on immunisation which includes facts about whooping cough vaccine. It is of course for the doctor concerned to discuss with the parents whether there are any special factors for or against immunisation in a particular case.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ask the Committee on Safety of Medicines to assess the risks attached to the disease whooping cough to complement its recent study of the vaccine.
I am advised in these matters by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation. In reaching the conclusion last year that the benefits of vaccination against whooping cough outweigh the risks, the joint committee carefully considered the effect, both in terms of mortality and morbidity, of the 1977–79 outbreak, including information from a number of local surveys; it will continue to monitor the position.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the titles and authors of the research studies which led the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation to conclude in its statement "Whooping Cough Vaccination 1981', included in the Department of Health and Social Security publication "Whooping Cough", that "the benefits cif vaccination against whooping cough outweighs the risks".
There have been a number of papers dealing with the benefits and possible risks associated with whooping cough vaccine. The following is a list of some of the more recent ones that would have been considered by the Committee.
Child Deaths
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the major causes of death of children aged (a) under one year, (b) under two years and (c) under five years old, giving their risk in order of their current importance; if he will give the number who have died in each age group from each cause in the last year for which
| Major causes of child mortality in England and Wales in 1980 | ||||
| ICD | Cause | Age Under 1 Year | Age Under 2 Years | Age Under 5 Years |
| 760–779 | Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period | 3,133 | 3,137 | 3,140 |
| 740–759 | Congenital anomalies | 2,113 | 2,218 | 2,339 |
| 780–799 | Signs, Symptoms and ill-defined conditions | 1,035 | 1,064 | 1,065 |
| of which | ||||
| 798·0 | Sudden infant death syndrome | 1,021 | 1,047 | 1,048 |
| 480–487 | Pneumonia and influenza | 458 | 496 | 538 |
| 460–466 | Acute respiratory infections | 224 | 252 | 282 |
| 800–999 | Injury and poisoning | 191 | 277 | 495 |
| 320–389 | Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs | 152 | 202 | 250 |
| 001–139 | Infectious and parasitic diseases | 126 | 166 | 202 |
| 033 | Whooping cough | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| All causes | 7,899 | 8,395 | 9,085 | |
Vaccine Reactions Survey
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects results to be published from the north-west Thames regional surveillance of vaccine reactions.
The public health laboratory service is completing the studies and it is hoped that the report will be submitted for publication as soon as possible.
Nurses' Pay
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the money value of the basic pay of a staff nurse; and what are the comparable figures for each of the last three years.
Staff Nurses in the National Health Service are paid on an incremental scale. The minimum and maximum of the scale currently in payment, that is, effective from 1 April 1981, are as follows, together with those for the scales paid from 1 April 1978 to 1 April 1980, inclusive. The figures for 1978 and 1979 relate to a 40-hour working week: those for 1980 and 1981 to a 37½-hour week. Various additional payments, including premium rates 'for conditioned hours worked at night, at weekends or on bank holidays, and a wide range of allowances were also increased in the same period.
| Nursing pay grade | Maximum of basic pay scale at 1 April 1975 | Maximum of basic pay scale in payment at March 1982 (ie with effect from 1 April 1981) | Percentage movement 1975–1981 |
| £ | £ | ||
| Regional Nursing Officer—R1 | 9,276 | 21,924 | 136 |
| Area Nursing Officer—AT(1) | 8,754 | 20,793 | 138 |
| District Nursing Officer—DT | 8,463 | 19,127 | 126 |
figures are available; and if he will include the number in each age group who have died from (i) all infectious disease and (ii) whooping cough.
The information requested is as follows:
| Pay Scale Staff Nurse—SRN | ||
| Effective from: | Minimum £ | Maximum £ |
| 1 April 1978 | 2,776 | 3,385 |
| 1 April 1979 | 3,020 | 3,683 |
| 1 April 1980 | 4,198 | *5,119 |
| 1 April 1981 | 4,450 | *5,426 |
| * 37½ hour week. | ||
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much nurses' earnings would have to be increased in April 1982 to retain the real value of the earnings at the April 1975 level, assuming the level of inflation in the current year to be 12 per cent.
I regret that information about earnings is not available for the earliest years requested. The effects of pay settlements negotiated for nurses and midwives differ according to the particular grade of staff concerned. The table below shows, for a variety of nursing grades, the maximum of the basic salary scale in payment from 1 April 1975 and currently, that is, from 1 April 1981, and the cumulative effect of the pay settlements reached in the intervening years for each of the grades given. In addition, from 1980–81 nurses' working hours were reduced from 40 to 37½ per week, which is equivalent to a further 6½ per cent. increase in pay.Percentage movements in the retail price indices—for all items recorded—over the relevant period (April 1975-April 1981) were 126: movements since 1 April 1981 (to 1 March 1982) were 9 per cent.
Nursing pay grade
| Maximum of basic pay scale at 1 April 1975
| Maximum of basic pay scale in payment at March 1982 (ie with effect from 1 April 1981)
| Percentage movement 1975–1981
|
£
| £
| ||
| Senior Nursing Officer I | 4,416 | 8,462 | 92 |
| Senior Nursing Officer II | 4,242 | 8,148 | 92 |
| Nursing Officer I | 4,044 | 7,791 | 95 |
| Nursing Officer II | 3,894 | 7,551 | 94 |
| Nursing Sister n | 3,552 | 7,215 | 103 |
| Deputy Nursing Sister | 3,030 | 6,234 | 106 |
| Staff Nurse | 2,646 | 5,426 | 105 |
| Enrolled Nurse | 2,340 | 4,835 | 107 |
| Nursing Auxiliary | 1,947 | 4,017 | 106 |
| Student—3rd year | 1,740 | 3,593 | 107 |
| Pupil—2nd year | 1,641 | 3,428 | 109 |
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was nurses' pay, expressed as a percentage of all earnings, in April 1975, April 1979 and April 1981.
The information requested for the years 1975 or 1979 is not available centrally, nor is precise information about individual nurses' earnings. The following table sets out the average basic pay of nurses in
| Average annual earnings* at 1 April 1981 | Average basic pay at 1 April 1981 | Average basic pay as percentage of average earnings | |
| Grade | £ | £ | |
| Regional Nursing Officer | 21,073 | As for average earnings | 100 |
| Area Nursing Officer | 18,389 | ||
| District Nursing Officer | 15,982 | ||
| Regional Nurse | 15,135 | ||
| Area Nurse | 13,182 | ||
| Divisional Nursing Officer | 11,016 | ||
| Senior Nursing Officer | 8,067 | 7,831 | 97 |
| Nursing Officer I | 7,664 | 7,234 | 94 |
| Nursing Sister (Ward Sister) II | 7,650 | 6,702 | 88 |
| Staff Nurse—SRN | 5,826 | 4,993 | 86 |
| Enrolled Nurse | 5,299 | 4,477 | 84 |
| Nursing Auxiliary | 4,477 | 3,729 | 83 |
| Student Nurse | 3,788 | 3,428 | 90 |
| * i.e. Average basic pay plus average special duty and excess hours payments. | |||
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the percentage change in the real earnings of nurses in the period April 1975 to April 1981; and how this compares with the equivalent figure for earnings generally.
I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. However, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him earlier today.
Hospital Beds
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds have been closed in each hospital region from 1 January 1980 to the last date for which figures are available; and how many closures are contemplated for the financial year 1982–83.
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
various grades as a percentage of their average earnings at 1 April 1981. Average earnings have been calculated from average basic pay plus average special duty payments—for unsocial hours working—and average excess hours payments, but excluding flat rate pay leads, standard or miscellaneous allowances and London weighting. All the figures shown below exclude employers' National Insurance or superannuation payments.
"Care In The Community"
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the consultation period on the document "Care in the Community" was completed; when he will be able to complete his consideration of the representations made during the consultation period ; arid when he expects to be able to make a statement.
The consultation document invited comments up to 30 November but many were received after that date and are being taken into account. I hope it will be possible to make an announcement fairly soon.
Spectacles
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take immediate steps to review and improve the standards of spectacle frames for spectacles issued by the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
We have already reviewed the National Health Service range of spectacle frames and as a result have had discussions with the profession and industry with a view to achieving some improvements. I hope it will be possible to make an announcement about new frames very soon.
Supplementary Benefit
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of newly-unemployed people are claiming and receiving a supplementary benefit, compared with the proportion a year earlier.
I regret that information is currently available only from the Department's annual statistical inquiry, which takes place towards the end of each year. Information from the December 1981 inquiry will not be available for some time yet. Therefore, the most recent comparison I can offer is between November 1979 and December 1980. Over this period, there did not appear to be a change in the proportions claiming supplementary benefit during the first month of unemployment.Arrangements have, however, been made to collect additional information on a quarterly basis from February of this year, which will enable me to let the hon. Member have a comparison between February 1982 and December 1981 as soon as possible in the next few months.
Claimants (Computer Assistance)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the scheme he is proposing to help social security claimants work out their benefits using a computer; where this will take place; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.
The Department is currently developing an experimental micro-computer system, designed to be used directly by members of the public to ascertain their possible entitlement to a number of welfare benefits. The system is based on one designed by the University of Surrey which with the Applied Psychology Unit (Cambridge), is helping with the development work. If the present work is successful we intend to evaluate the system by running it in a small number of varying locations, from about July. Final decisions have not yet been reached on the precise number or location of the sites, the hardware to be used or the research contract. It is therefore not possible to give precise costings, but I expect the total cost of the development and experimentation phases to be of the order of £80,000, not including DHSS staff time.
Tobacco (Health Warning)
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he decided to propose a change in the official wording of the warning on cigarette packets, and for what reason.
The change to three different warnings appearing simultaneously on cigarette packets was introduced in the voluntary agreement with the tobacco industry announced on 21 November 1980 and was intended to give greater impact to the health warning.
Transport
Continental Lorries (Overloading)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many Continental lorry loads were overweight on arrival at Plymouth docks from Roscoff in the years 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981;(2) how many Continental lorry loads have been offloaded at Plymouth for being overweight on arrival from Roscoff in the years 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981;(3) how many Continental lorry owners were prosecuted for overweight loads at Plymouth during 1981.
The following are the numbers of foreign-registered goods vehicles which were found to be overweight within the dock area and were consequently prohibited from proceeding until the excess weight had been off-loaded or re-distributed to conform with our axle loading regulations:
| Year | Prohibited |
| 1978 | 132 |
| 1979 | 105 |
| 1980 | 189 |
| 1981 | 220 |
Roads (Expenditure)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what factors have led to the estimated underspend in the motorway and trunk road construction budget for 1981–82; and what part of the underspend is attributable to mis-estimated tender prices.
The main factors are a substantially smaller rise in construction costs than anticipated and the actual fall in tender price levels from those experienced in 1980, together with lower expdenditure than expected on the preparation of future schemes, on the acquisition of land, and on the settlement of contractors' claims on schemes completed earlier. Some large schemes were also unexpectedly delayed, but this was partially offset by bringing forward schemes from the reserve list and from next year's programme. Details of the estimated and actual tender prices were set out in my reply on 25 November 1981 to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Whitlock)—[Vol. 13, c. 401] Three contracts have been let since then but will not have any significant impact on spending in 1981–82.
Heavy Goods Vehicles (Side Guards)
asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will estimate how many fatalities of pedestrians and of two-wheeler riders could have been prevented, according to the Transport and Road Research Laboratory's study of accidents involving heavy goods vehicles in the year 1976, if the vehicles had been fitted with side guards;
(2) why the proposal of his Department for the fitting of side guards to vehicles was confined to vehicles over 32·5 tonnes;
(3) if he will take steps to require the fitting of side guards as speedily as is practicable to all heavy goods vehicles.
The TRRL report (LR 1033) claims a potential reduction of 39 fatalities and 14 fatalities in the case of two wheeler riders and pedestrians respectively.The proposed increase in permitted weights provides an opportunity to make additional constructional requirements that can practicably be met by any existing equipment modified to operate at weights higher than 32·52 tonnes.The Department will be circulating very shortly a draft regulation requiring the fitting of side guards to all new heavy goods vehicles.
Tyres
asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what number of people are employed by his Department in ensuring that imports of motor vehicle tyres conform to all necessary safety standards before such tyres are placed on sale in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will take steps to ban the import of all tyres into the United Kingdom which do not carry a clearly legible maximum speed marking; and if he will make a statement.
At the moment, no Departmental staff are employed to check imported tyres before they are sold. I am urgently considering the need for changes in our regulations to require replacement tyres to meet the appropriate international safety standards, which include maximum speed markings.
Seat Belts
asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the Medical Commission on Accident Prevention will publish its advice to the medical profession on medical exemption from the compulsory wearing of spat belts.
I understand that the Medical Commission on Accident Prevention has published its advice today, and that copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses. Further copies are available from the commission at 50 Old Brompton Road, London SW7.