asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the balance of trade in commercial vehicles between the United Kingdom and the other member States of the European Community in 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980; how this compares with the balance

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will direct the Civil Aviation Authority, in the national interest, to expedite its hearings on the reallocation of the London-Los Angeles air route to ensure that a British carrier is able to resume service without delay.

No, but without prejudice to the outcome of the hearing I have directed the authority to exempt British Caledonian Airways temporarily from the licensing requirements, so that a service can be provided while its own and other applications for the route are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects the consultative period over his green paper "Copyright" to end; and how he proposes to proceed in the light of information and comment submitted.

No date has yet been fixed for the termination of the consultative period following publication of the Green Paper on copyright, designs and performers' protection. Numerous comments have already been received, but more are still coming in, and some important organisations have yet to respond. It would be, impractical at this stage to set a limit to the consultative process, but on its completion the Government will proceed to formulate new legislative proposals as quickly as the parliamentary timetable and the complexities of the subject allow.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many motor vehicles were exported by the United Kingdom to Australia in 1970 and in 1980.

In 1970, 63,660 motor vehicles were exported to Australia from the United Kingdom; the corresponding figure in 1980 was 9,440.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value of manufactured goods exported by the United Kingdom to Australia in 1970 and 1980.

In 1970 manufactured goods to the value of £318 million fob were exported from the United Kingdom to Australia; the corresponding value in 1980 was £721 million fob.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, pursuant to his answer of 1 February, Official Report, c. 5, any recent discussions have taken place within the EEC about steel exports to the United States of America; what conclusions have been reached; whether any new initiatives are planned; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will carry out an investigation into the circumstances in which over 500 oil-covered sea birds were washed ashore on the beaches of Buchan between Fraserburgh and Peterhead in the Aberdeenshire, East constituency during the period 7 and 8 March, most of whom were dead when washed ashore due to contact with oil which had been leaked on to the sea; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he has received a report from Her Majesty's Costguard of an oil slick which was observed 38 miles east of Aberdeen on 7 March; and what steps are being taken on this matter.

Over the weekend 6–7 March, some 500 oiled birds, mainly guillemots, were reported to the Coastguard as having been found on the shoreline between Peterhead and Fraserburgh. Few of the birds were still alive. The shoreline was not itself polluted by oil. As a result, the Coastguard repeated standing instructions to all ships and aircraft in the area to watch for oil at sea. A helicopter subsequently reported an oil slick 2 miles long by ½ mile wide some 30 miles due east of Aberdeen. In view of its distance offshore, it was adjudged unlikely to have been the oil which affected the birds.On 8 March, in co-operation with the Nature Conservancy Council, a special flight was undertaken over the sea off Peterhead-Fraserburgh. As no oil was then found and no further reports have been received, it would seem probable that both the sighted slick and the oil which destroyed the sea birds has now dispersed naturally.A sample of the oil found on the birds has been sent to Aberdeen for laboratory analysis and the results of the tests are awaited. However, without specific evidence as to the source of the pollution, it is unlikely that further action can be taken in this instance.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in view of the falling oil price, he will take steps to restrict the sale of petrol to imperial measures.

No. The voluntary programme of change to selling petrol by the litre is in full accord with the Government's policy of leaving to industry and the trade decisions whether, and over what period, to metricate retail sales.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what proportion of petrol pumps have been converted to litre scales.

Exact figures are not available. My information is that nearly one half of all pumps in Great Britain are now dispensing petrol by the litre.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many insurance agencies which have carried on business as insurance brokers for a period of not less than five years have been refused registration by the Insurance Brokers Registration Council.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 March 1982, c. 406]: This is a matter for the Insurance Brokers Registration Council but I understand from the chairman that the council could not readily provide this information.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 11 March.

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today including one with the Speaker of the Peruvian Parliament.

asked the Prime Minister if. following the recent judgments under the European Convention on Human Rights, the United Kingdom will withdraw from the Council of Europe.

No. The Government believe that human rights should be protected. We therefore renewed last year for a further five years the right of individuals to petition the European Commission of Human Rights. Certain recent findings that the United Kingdom has been in breach of particular provisions of the convention do not in the Government's opinion justify either denunciation of the convention or withdrawal from membership of the Council of Europe.

asked the Prime Minister when she next expects to visit Hull.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister when next she expects to meet the Trades Union Congress.

I have no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister how many hon. Members she has seen on matters relating to factory closures since she last answered oral questions.

I have had no such meetings since 9 March.

asked the Prime Minister what consideration was given to the fact that 7 June is the opening day of the special session on disarmament of the United Nations when Her Majesty's Government recommended the dates of President Reagan's State visit to the United Kingdom; and if she will recommend the date of the visit be altered.

The Government welcome the fact that it has proved possible to find dates for President Reagan to come to Britain in the course of his European tour this summer. I see no reason why the President's visit should affect the importance of the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the performance of the nationalised industries towards the fulfilment of the targets set by Her Majesty's Government.

There is always room for improvement.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to designate a Minister in each Department as specifically responsible for race relations; and if she will make a statement.

No. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is responsible for these matters in so far as the Government have a role. Ministers in charge of some other Departments have an interest, and I leave it to my Cabinet colleagues to make their own arrangements for the allocation of work between junior Ministers in their Departments.

asked the Prime Minister which Government Department has responsibility for United Kingdom participation in the common agricultural policy regimes for tobacco, cotton, flax, hemp and silkworms.

The Agriculture Ministers have, with effect from 5 March 1982, assumed responsibility for the EC common agricultural policy regimes in these commodities, and will act as sponsor Department for United Kingdom producers, if any. The Secretary of State for Industry will continue to have general policy responsibility for these commodities and there will be close liaison between all the Departments to ensure that full account is taken of the interests both of any United Kingdom producers and of the user industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many gas explosions have occurred in homes and commercial industrial premises which were attributable to the use of natural gas.

For the five years from 1977 to 1981, a total of 484 explosions attributable to the use of natural gas occurred in homes and commercial and industrial premises, of which 146 were caused by gas leaking into the premises from outside.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what changes he proposes to make to the gas levy and to the British Gas Corporation's external financing limit in respect of the freeze on industrial gas prices announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget.

I intend to lay before the House shortly an order under the Gas Levy Act 1981 to reduce the rate of the levy by 1p per therm in 1982–83. This reduction will compensate the British Gas Corporation for the effect on its profits of both the freeze on industrial contract prices announced on 9 March, and the similar freeze announced in last year's Budget. The corporation's external financing limit for 1982–83 is being reduced by £73 million to minus £75 million to allow for the adjustment in respect of the earlier freeze.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made on the development of combined heat and power since the publication of energy paper No. 35.

Government action following the recommendations of the Marshall group contained in energy paper No. 35 was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 2 April 1980. Further announcements about progress with the combined heat and power district heating feasibility programme were made by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State on 7 August 1980, 12 March 1981 and 23 June 1981. Work on the feasibility programme is taking a little longer than originally envisaged, but our lead consultants on the programme now expect to present their report in April 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many citizens of the Republic of Ireland are currently serving in Her Majesty's Forces.

There are 687 Service personnel who, at the time of their entry to the Army and Royal Air Force, held citizenship of the Irish Republic and no other citizenship. Figures for the Royal Navy are not available. All citizens of the Republic of Ireland who join the British Armed Forces are required to register as citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies on entry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of RAF Kemble.

The studies into the feasibility of transferring tasks from RAF Kemble have been completed and the findings were made available to the trade unions sides, with whom full consultations have taken place, and other interested parties on 1 December 1981.It has now been concluded that it would be feasible to redeploy the aircraft sevicing and storage tasks carried out by No. 5 maintenance unit from RAF Kemble at RAF Abingdon, RAF St. Athan and RAF Shawbury. A decision about the new location for the RAF aerobatic display team must await the outcome of other deployment studies, but no difficulty is foreseen about finding a suitable alternative base. It is therefore planned to close RAF Kemble by 31 March 1983. Considerable financial savings will accrue as a result of closure.Every effort will be made to minimise the number of redundancies resulting from the closure and also actively to encourage other potential uses for the facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what impact a decision to acquire the Trident D5 missile would have on the proposed Trident armament depot at Loch Long.

In planning for the Loch Long depot we have taken account of the possibility that D5 might at some point supersede C4. On present planning assumptions, the depot will, therefore, be able to accommodate the D5 missile. Some changes may, however, be required to its design and layout as our planning develops. The environmental impact of such changes will, of course, be an important consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made to him regarding glue sniffing; what has been his reply; and if he will make a statement.

Home Office Ministers have, in the last year, answered five questions on this subject. In addition to letters from members of the public, about 40 letters have been received from hon. Members, some of which have enclosed petitions.My right hon. Friend's responsibilities relate chiefly to proposals that the criminal law should be changed; he does not consider that such changes would make an effective contribution to the reduction of solvent abuse. The approach favoured by the Government, and supported by people experienced in helping those who abuse solvents, relies more on persuasion and education.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates of Bullwood Hall borstal on the most recent convenient date had dependent children.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates at Bullwood Hall borstal on the most recent convenient date were aged 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 years, respectively.

The information available is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the breakdown of the main categories of offence committed by the inmates of Bullwood Hall borstal on the most recent convenient date.

The information available is given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates of Bullwood Hall borstal on the most recent convenient date had no previous convictions, one or two previous convictions, three to five previous convictions, and six or more previous convictions, respectively.

The information available is given in the following table population of Bullwood Hall at 31 December 1981 by number of previous convictions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of inmates of Bullwood Hall borstal on the most recent convenient date had had previous supervision or probation orders, care orders, fines and community service orders, respectively.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of inmates of Bullwood Hall borstal on the most recent convenient date were from the North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West and Midlands, respectively.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unconvicted persons were in prison awaiting trial at the most recent convenient date for which figures are available.

On 31 January 1982 there were 4,800 untried prisoners in prison department establishments in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were imprisoned in 1980 for failing to pay fines originally imposed for not possessing a television licence.

The information requested is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the incident in Brixton prison in which hydraulic jacks were used to break down a barricaded door.

On Monday 25 January 1982 three prisoners at Brixton prison barricaded themselves in two cells in protest against their impending transfer to Wormwood Scrubs prison. They were armed with a razor blade and chair legs. After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade them to remove the barricades and come out peacefully, a hydraulic jack was used to open the cell doors. The three prisoners continued to resist and, in removing them from their cells, three prison officers were injured, two of them being required to go off duty. Two of the prisoners received bruises and abrasions and one of them suffered a cut to the head; these received medical attention on arrival at Wormwood Scrubs prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has any estimate of the number of "over-stayers" and others from the Indian Sub-continent who no longer have a valid reason for residence in the United Kingdom, but who still remain;(2) how many cases are now pending in his Department where people of non-British origin are resident in the United Kingdom and have had their status challenged by hon. Members or others on an official basis;(3) how many non-British people have been deported over the last 12 months after complaints had been made officially that they no longer satisfied the necessary requirements for residence in the United Kingdom;(4) how long, on average, it takes to decide, in the case of individuals against whom complaints are made that they do not have a prescriptive right to residence in the United Kingdom, whether they may stay, or if they are to be deported.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why it has not yet been possible to reach a decision whether or not to deport Mr. Vijay Kumar Bagga to India in view of the fact that consideration of this matter began in June 1978;(2) if he will deport Mr. Vijay Kumar Bagga, last known to be resident in the Southall district, in view of the evidence conveyed to him by the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington.

Since June 1978, Mr. Bagga has twice exercised his right of appeal under the Immigration Act and numerous representations on his behalf have had to be considered. His marriage has been dissolved and he has remarried. A decision on his case will be taken shortly and I shall write to my hon. Friend to let him know the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what categories of payment or support are, for the purposes of administering the immigration rules, regarded by him as recourse to public funds.

Any recourse to public funds may be taken into account, but the most significant categories are likely to be receipt of supplementary benefit and accommodation by a local authority under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977. Whether or not a person would on this ground be refused further stay would depend upon his status here, and the nature and degree of his recourse to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he applies a time limit for the guarantee required of a liable relative in pursuance of the immigration rules to maintain and accommodate an immigrant.

No. It would be for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to decide in what circumstances to take recovery proceedings against a person who had given such an undertaking.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last 12 months his Department has used social security data in reviewing the immigration status of an entrant.

Social security data may be used in some individual cases in reviewing a person's immigration status. No record is kept of the number of such cases which arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, further to his answer of 8 March relating to Metropolitan Police statistics, he will list the categories of statistics the Metropolitan Police collects; whether they are collected together, and, if so, in what form; and if he will identify those statistics which are published, and the documents in which they are published.

We shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in agreeing common dates for the application of summer time throughout the European Community from 1983 onwards.

It is proposed by the Council Presidency that each member State should extend its current summer time arrangements to cover the period 1983–85. This would mean that there should be a common starting date on the last Sunday in March, but that summer time should finish in the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland on the day following the fourth Saturday in October, while in the other member States of the European Community it should finish on the last Sunday in September. The changeover time should continue to be 1 a.m. Greenwich mean time. The Government accept these proposals and will, in due course, seek the approval of Parliament to the draft of an Order in Council to implement them under the terms of the Summer Time Act 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the names of all television relay companies operating in Wales, indicating (a) the areas they serve, (b) the methods of transmission they use, and (c) the number of viewers or television sets in each area which receive their service.

This information is not readily available from licensing records and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Some relevant information from private sources was however published as appendix 15 to the minutes of evidence about broadcasting in the Welsh language taken before the Select Committee on Welsh Affairs.—[H.C. 28-XVi Session 1980–81]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many viewers in Wales will not be able to receive Sianel 4 Cymru when the new service commences transmission in November 1982; in what areas these viewers are located; and if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to ensure they are able to receive the new service.

I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as I can giving such information as is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is yet in a position to announce complete proposals for statutory training arrangements for the road transport industry; and whether he will make a further statement on the future role of the Road Transport Industry Training Board.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mr. Craigen) on 8 March—[Vol. 19, c. 322.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied that the training needs of the road passenger transport industry will be adequately met; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has asked the Manpower Services Commission to discuss with organisations in the industry the development of non-statutory training arrangements; he expects to be in a position shortly to make a decision whether the industry's proposals are sufficiently advanced to enable him to lay the order to remove the industry from the scope of the Road Transport Industry Training Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many people were unemployed in the seven inner city partnerships areas at the latest available date; if he will give the figures by age and sex ; and what percentage these represent in each case;(2) what were the numbers of

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what surveys have been carried out into the subsequent job prospects of those school leavers who take part in the youth opportunities programme; and if he will give details.

The information is not available in the exact form requested. Quarterly surveys are conducted to find out what happens to young people leaving work experience and work preparation schemes. School leavers are not separately identified. Results available to date are as follows.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how the percentages of those who took part in work experience schemes under the youth opportunities programme in 1981 and subsequently obtained full-time employment compare with those who took part in other training programmes and those who took part in none.

The information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take steps to establish a noise and hearing protection consultancy service of the Health and Safety Executive to investigate complaints and make recommendations about excessive noise in places of work, and to issue codes and standards of best practice in this regard;(2) if he will seek to enable factory inspectors to issue noise prevention orders in respect of relevant processes or equipment which an employer cannot or will not adapt to reduce the level of noise to less than 90 decibels; and if he will introduce legislation to make failure to comply with such an order an offence, and to determine penalties for such an offence;(3) if he will introduce legislation to require employers to ensure that no worker may be exposed to a level of noise at or exceeding 90 decibels, and to provide noise meters; and if he will arrange for the level of noise in places of work to be subject to inspection and report by factory inspectors.

Inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive already concern themselves with excessive noise in places of work; in particular, they investigate complaints, make recommendations and where necessary take enforcement action under the general provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.The Health and Safety Commission is preparing proposals for regulations and a supporting code of practice about the protection of hearing at work. To this end, it published in August 1981 a consultative document "Protection of Hearing at Work" outlining such proposals together with a background document "Some aspects of noise and hearing loss" and has invited comments by 30 April 1982. The commission will then review the proposals in the light of comments received with a view to further consultation and eventual submission to me. I have asked the chairman of the commission to ensure that the points raised by the hon. Member are taken into account.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for the inspection of slaughterhouses licensed to carry out ritual slaughter.

Slaughterhouses do not require special licences in order to be able to carry out religious slaughter. Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of slaughterhouse legislation and it is for them to determine the degree of inspection required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughterhouses in England and Wales are licensed for ritual slaughter.

Religious slaughter may take place at any slaughterhouse which holds a normal operating licence issued by a local authority, or at any slaughterhouse operated by a local authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many qualified inspectors of licensed slaughterhouses there are in England and Wales.

As the enforcement of slaughterhouse legislation is a mattter for local authorities, I regret that I am not able to provide this information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of licensed slaughterhouses in England and Wales.

The total number of red meat slaughterhouses in England and Wales is approximately 990, including those operated by local authorities which are not subject to licensing requirements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which denominations have slaughterhouses licensed to carry out ritual slaughter.

Jews and Muslims are permitted to slaughter animals by their religious methods, subject to the conditions laid down in the Slaughterhouses Act 1974.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of total spending under the common agricultural policy has come to the United Kingdom in each year since accession.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many animals were slaughtered using methods required by the Jewish religion in 1980 and 1981; and how many were pre-stunned before slaughter;(2) how many animals were slaughtered using methods required by the Muslim religion in 1980 and 1981; and how many were pre-stunned before slaughter.

I regret that this information cannot be provided as my Department does not keep records of the number of animals slaughtered by different methods.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pints of blood are given without charge by the National Health Service to private hospitals; if he will estimate the cost of lost revenue; and if he will take steps to end the practice.

The information requested is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to classify hearing loss at any place of work as an industrial disease as defined in the Social Security Act 1975.

Industrial injuries benefits for occupational deafness are at present available only for workers in certain prescribed occupations, set out in paragraph 48 of part I of schedule 1 to the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1980 (SI 1980, No. 377). When the scheme was introduced in 1974 occupational restrictions were imposed on the advice of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council—the independent body which advises the Secretary of State for Social Services on industrial injuries matters—because the NHS audiological services could take on no more than a limited number of examinations for benefit purposes if they were not to be diverted from their primary tasks of diagnosing and treating all hearing-impaired people. However, the council is currently reviewing the provisions to see what scope there is for extension and what form any extensions should take. I expect its report later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress he is making towards the establishment of training courses in dental hospitals for dental therapists.

We are having discussions with several health authorities and dental schools with a view to setting up training courses for dental therapists. I aim to announce before the Summer Recess agreed plans to mount such courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will make new appointments to regional health authorities; and if he will make a statement.

The term of office of half the current members of regional health authorities ends on 30 September, and in accordance with the Health Services Act 1977 we are now seeking nominations for new members. We are reviewing the balance between members from different backgrounds and will consult as appropriate on any changes proposed. If hon. Members wish to recommend any individuals for membership I invite there to write to me by the end of March. Re-appointments and changes will be announced during the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is yet able to make a statement on the independent audit of district health authorities.

I have decided to appoint six firms of accountants to audit the accounts of eight selected district health authorities. The appointments will be for a trial period of three to five years starting with the accounts for the year ending 31 March 1983.Health authority audits are normally conducted by staff of the audit directorate of the Department of Health and Social Security. In August 1981 the Department advertised in the professional press inviting the submission of tenders by interested independent firms of accountants. The move followed an approach by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, suggesting that commercial auditors could make a valuable contribution to the quality of financial audit and to value for money audit in the NHS.After consideration of the tenders, I have approved the offer of appointments as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to ensure that health authorities identify, and where appropriate dispose of, land and property that are surplus to requirements.

Many health authorities have already disposed of surplus land and property with advantage and others have plans in the pipeline. It is important, however, that all health authorities should do as much as they can to rationalise the estate and realise its value, and apply an adequately commercial approach to estate management. Accordingly I have decided to appoint an inquiry team, two of whose members will have relevant private commercial experience.The terms of reference and the membership of the inquiry are as follows:Terms of reference

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the main items on which the Health Education Council spent the public funds allocated to it in 1981–82; what amount was spent in each case; what are the comparable purposes and figures for 1982–83; whether the additional £2 million proposed in the allocation for 1981–82 will be spent on a specific purpose; and, if so, what that purpose is.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 March 1982, c. 444]: I understand the Health Education Council will be pleased to provide the hon. Member with the information requested, all of which will be published in due course in the council's annual reports, which are placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has assessed the extent to which there would be obstacles to future industrial investment in Northern Ireland if different tax laws are brought to apply in that part of the United Kingdom.

The impact on industrial investment in Northern Ireland of different tax laws from those in other parts of the United Kingdom would depend upon the nature of the differences. Any changes in tax laws are, of course, matters for my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I am currently examining the incentives for industrial investment in Northern Ireland to see if further measures can be taken to attract more investment and create additional employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Orders in Council relevant to Northern Ireland have been passed during each year of direct rule.

Any Order in Council that extends throughout the United Kingdom may be described as relevant to Northern Ireland. However, if the hon. Gentleman has in mind Orders in Council made under the two Acts providing for direct rule, the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 and the Northern Ireland Act 1974, on matters that were previously within the competence of the Northern Ireland Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly respectively, the figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table to show the annual growth rates of (a) rainbow trout and (b) brown trout in each water controlled by the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland.

The annual growth rates of brown trout or rainbow trout are not monitored in the form necessary to produce the table requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any investigations have been carried out into the influence that afforestation has had on the acidity of rivers in Northern Ireland

The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland carries our regular tests of water quality at River sampling stations. These indicate no statistically significant variations in acidity between forested and unforested catchments.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has received the seventh annual report of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.

The Report has been published today and copies have been laid before Parliament. It covers the period from 1 November 1980 to 31 October 1981.The Report makes recommendations and observations on the Representation of the People Act 1981. It also contains substantial sections on the Commission's work between 1973 and 1981 and its response to the Labour Party Study Group on Northern Ireland. Other matters included in the Report which the Commission have considered are consultation with the Government on legislation, Emergency Legislation, the disabled, and the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976.I should like to take the opportunity to thank the Commission for their efforts during the year covered by the Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will introduce legislation to enable investment grants to be paid to employers to cover a proportion of the costs of reducing the level of noise in the workplace.

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

asked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent the South African Government have any diplomatic representation and offices in the United Kingdom; and to what extent any of the officials from his Department liaise with any representatives from that Government.

The South African Government maintain a diplomatic mission and a consulate-general's office in London and a consulate-general's office in Glasgow. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has normal contacts with them.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish the names of hon. Members who have visited Hong Kong at the invitation of the Hong Kong Government over the past three years; and if he will identify the number of occasions in respect of each hon. Member.

The following right hon. and hon. Members have each visited Hong Kong once since January 1979 at the Hong Kong Government's invitation:

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the cost to the Hong Kong taxpayer of the cost of air travel, hotel charges and food and entertainment to hon. Members who have visited the colony over the past three years at the invitation of the Hong Kong Government.

Directly chargeable costs for the three years including hospitality offered to those who visited Hong Kong privately, was Hong Kong $402,000, equivalent to £37,570 at current conversion rates.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether President Mitterrand's requirements for a Palestinian State expressed in Jerusalem is consistent with the European initiative and thus with United Kingdom policy in the Middle East.

The position set out in the Venice declaration is that the Palestinian people must be placed in a position, within the framework of a comprehensive peace settlement, to exercise fully their right to self-determination. This logically includes the right to a State if that is what the Palestinians determine for themselves, and we see no inconsistency between this and President Mitterand's remarks in the Knesset.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the future of the Social Science Research Council and its funding.

As my right hon. Friend said in answer to a question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 22 December 1981, he has asked Lord Rothschild to conduct an independent review of the work of the Social Science Research Council. That review is now in progress. The report of the review will be published later this year and my right hon. Friend intends to consider its findings and recommendations in the light of such public comments as may then emerge. The council's allocation from the science budget for 1982–83 is £20·9 million—as already stated by my right hon. Friend in answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn and Hatfield (Mr. Murphy) on 23 December 1981. Decisions on public expenditure for the years beyond 1982–83 have not yet been made.