asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many staff were employed by the companies registration office on the last day of February in every year since 1979.

The information is as follows:

	1979	1980	1981	1982
Companies Registration
Cardiff	872½	804½	773½	770
London	223	216½	216½	199½
Edinburgh	54	44	47	42
Registry of Business Names
London	69	64½	66½	65
Edinburgh	2	2	2	0

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many posts were abolished as a result of ending the telephone inquiries office for registered office addresses; and whether the staff concerned were made redundant or redeployed within the companies registration office or any connected department.

Four: the staff concerned were redeployed within the companies registration office.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will implement the policy of providing a delayed service at the companies registration office search rooms, as suggested in paragraph 29 of the consultative document 1980 "Companies registration and business names".

By arrangement with the agents who make up the bulk of searches, applications are processed by batch rather than on presentation and the Registrar intends to extend the system where possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many posts were abolished arising from the closure of the Registry of Business Names on 26 February; and whether the staff concerned were made redundant or redeployed within the companies registration office or any connected department.

A total of 66½ posts were abolished on the closure of the Registry of Business Names: all of the staff were redeployed within the companies registration office or elsewhere within the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many posts were abolished as a consequence of the ending of the checking of company name applications; and whether the staff concerned were made redundant or redeployed within the companies registration office or any connected department.

A total of 15½: The staff concerned are being redeployed within the companies registration office.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many posts were abolished as a result of the terminating of the examination of applications for exemptions from the previous requirement to state directors' names on certain stationery; and whether the staff concerned were made redundant or redeployed within the companies registration office or any connected department.

Two: The staff concerned are being redeployed within the companies registration office.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many posts were abolished in the companies registration office by the reduction in the amount of information to be supplied to the registrar under the Companies Act 1980; and whether the staff were made redundant or redeployed within the companies registration office or any connected department.

None: the Companies Act 1980 made no provision for any reduction in the amount of information to be supplied to the registrar.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many posts were abolished as a result of the termination of examination of applications for exemptions from putting "Limited" after company names; and whether the staff concerned were made redundant or redeployed within the companies registration office or any connected department.

Four: the staff concerned are being redeployed within the companies registration office.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the increase in the volume of United Kingdom exports of manufactures in the fourth quarter of 1981 as a percentage of 1975, using trade in that quarter as weight instead of trade in 1975.

The increase is 14 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what measures he is now taking to prevent the import of counterfeited locks into the United Kingdom; and what contacts are taking place with the authorities in Taiwan over this matter.

It is for companies to protect their rights in the first place by registration of their trade marks, patents and designs. Companies whose goods appear to be counterfeited in Taiwan are strongly advised to register their trade marks there in order to obtain the protection afforded by Taiwanese law. Representations can be made in Taiwan either directly by firms or through the Anglo-Taiwan trade committee.The authorities in Taiwan have set up recently a "Counterfeiting prevention task force" whose task it is to investigate complaints and to send the evidence to court. I hope that United Kingdom firms will see that any available evidence is brought to the notice of this Task Force, either directly or through the Anglo-Taiwan trade committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will introduce consumer safety regulations for replacement doors and windows; and if he will make a statement.

I am concerned over the serious injuries, particularly to children, from accidents in the home involving glass in doors and windows. However, before considering the case for any consumer safety regulations, I intend to await the publication, due later this year, by the British Standards Institution, of the new code of practice for glazing in buildings. I propose to consult widely on the adequacy of the Code and the likely degree of compliance with its provisions in supplying made up doors and windows for replacement purposes in the home. In the meantime, I shall be considering the case for a campaign to publicise the risks.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make inquiries into the emergency landing of two S76 helicopters operated by Bristow's in the Aberdeen area on Friday 12 March; and if he will make a statement.

I will reply to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what are the definitions adopted by his Department of a national line and a shipper for the purposes of the United Nations liner code;(2) if ships owned by a British company registered at the British companies registry but controlled from Hong Kong are regarded by his Department as a British national line within the terms of the United Nations liner code.

It is intended that legislation to enable the United Kingdom to accede to the Convention will contain provisions to enable regulations to be made to clarify the definitions of national shipping lines and shippers contained in the code, or add additional criteria if necessary. The Department will consult interested parties before making any regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how he proposes to dispose of the documentation held by the now defunct Registry of Business Names; and if he will ensure that the documentation will not be sold to private individuals or firms.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether it remains the policy of his Department that social service departments are to take over responsibility for an increasing number of patients in the community; whether any extra funding is to be made available; and what regard he has given to the disquiet expressed by doctors.

The Government's policy is that care should be provided in the community unless there is a specific medical or nursing need for hospital treatment. My right hon. Friend has undertaken to provide an additional and accumulative £1 million each year for an initial period of 5 years beginning in 1983–84 to promote the development of community care for mentally-handicapped people. The Government are considering comments from a wide range of interests, including representative medical organisations, on the consultation document "Care in the Community". More than three-quarters of the respondents favoured the principle of shifting the balance of care towards the community.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total expenditure on new hospital buildings over £2 million planned, designed and under construction; and how many schemes are involved.

Total expenditure on new hospital building schemes in Wales costing over £2 million planned, in design, out to tender and under construction at 31 January 1982, excluding the costs of fees and equipment, is £105,163,000. Eleven schemes are involved.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the police forces outside London are having no difficulty in finding suitable recruits, she will ensure that no pay increases are awarded to police constables outside London so long as this situation continues.

No. Increases in pay are a matter in the first instance for the police negotiating board, which makes a recommendation to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. For the Government's policy on police pay, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) on 11 March.—[Vol. 19, c. 968].

asked the Prime Minister how Scottish interests are being represented in the negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and the tobacco industry about cigarette advertising.

The Scottish Office is a party to these negotiations and is represented, as necessary, in the Government team.

asked the Prime Minister in what circumstances a payment of £500,000 was made to N. M. Rothschild in connection with the sale of the British National Oil Corporation before the legislation authorising the sale had been approved by Parliament.

N. M. Rothschild and Sons Ltd. is advising the British National Oil Corporation, and such matters would therefore be the responsibility of the corporation. But I understand that no such payment has been made.

asked the Prime Minister if she will ensure that no fees are paid to merchant banks in connection with privatisation schemes until the Royal Assent has been given to the legislation authorising the privatisation.

No. Ministers are bound to take advice on the feasibility and possible method of privatisation, before committing themselves to legislation, and in some circumstances this might require fees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the increase in criminal activity and law-breaking, he will set up an investigation as to why this has happened despite the fact that the numbers, conditions of work, salaries and equipment of the police force are at their best ever levels.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now able to publish the information on offences and offenders involved in the civil disturbances of summer 1981, referred to in his reply to the hon. Member for Barking (Miss Richardson) on 30 November, Official Report, column 5.

A report will be published when the analysis is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will draw to the attention of

Salary scales (minimum and maximum by rank)
	With effect from 1 September 1980		With effect from 1 September 1981
	Minimum £	Maximum £	Minimum £	Maximum £
Constable	4,956	7,848	5,610	8,883
Sergeant	7,503	8,607	8,493	9,744
Inspector	8,607	10,242	9,744	11,595
Chief Inspector	9,774	11,340	11,064	12,837
Superintendent	13,494	14,745	15,276	16,692
Chief Superintendent	14,863	16,212	16,830	18,351
Assistant Chief Constable	17,001	—	19,101	—
Deputy Chief Constable	17,502	20,943	19,602	22,794
Chief Constable	21,195	26,175	23,046	28,203
Senior officers in the Metropolitan Police
Commander	17,289	—	19,428	—
Deputy Assistant Commissioner	19,791	—	21,681	—
Assistant Commissioner	24,738	—	26,694	—
Deputy Commissioner	27,216	—	29,364	—
Senior officers in the City of London Police
Commander	17,289	—	19,428	—
Assistant Commissioner	21,000	—	22,890	—
Commissioner	27,216	—	29,364	—

No. My right hon. Friend is confident that fire officers investigating a fire would not discount the possibility of polyurethane foam having been involved because they found no remains of it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report a table of figures giving as much detailed information as may be readily available showing, for the period covered by the metropolitan and national police announcement of crime statistics in the week ended 13 March, the numbers of police, vehicles, two-way radios and other stated aids, their wage and salary scales and total costs for the same period; and how these compare with the previous year.

The information available centrally for the police service in England and Wales is set out as follows:

	Total strength
31 December 1980	117,423
31 December 1981	119,575

Police Equipment
	31 December 1980	31 December 1981
Motor vehicles	19,658	19,381
Motor cycles	2,901	2,841
Helicopters	1	2
Radios	*75,000	*77,000
Major computer systems†	15	17
* Approximate figures.
† All forces in England and Wales now have access to computers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the categories of reservists are ineligible to join the special constabulary and why.

The categories of reservists who are ineligible to join the special constabulary are set out in appendix A to Home Office circular No. 110/1980, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The restrictions on reservists are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current annual inclusive cost of a police officer in the Metropolitan Police area; what the projected cost of employing a further 5,000 would be at current prices; and what the impact would be on the Metropolitan Police precept.

The estimated total net cost of the Metropolitan Police for the financial year 1981–82 divided by the estimated average total strength—all ranks—over the year, produces an annual inclusive cost of £23,260 per officer.In terms of pay and allowances, the annual cost of a police constable with less than one year's service in the Metropolitan Police is about £10,000. On this basis, the cost of employing a further 5,000 officers would be £50 million and the consequent increase in the Metropolitan Police precept 1·4p. To these costs would have to be added an element to cover overheads including accommodation and support. This cannot be accurately assessed without knowing such facts as the rate of recruitment and method of deployment of the additional personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider a scheme of modest financial incentives to domestic householders who follow the advice of the police crime prevention officers so as to assist in the control of residential burglary.

We are looking into this suggestion and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of the Republic of Ireland are currently on the register of electors for parliamentary and local government elections in Great Britain.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many constituencies the number of persons on the register of electors who are citizens of the Republic of Ireland represents 5 per cent., 10 per cent., 15 per cent. and 20 per cent. or more of the total register for the constituency; and what are the names of the constituencies.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there has been an increase or decrease in the size of the Irish vote since the enactment of schedule 2, paragraph 1(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1969.

The information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the task and membership of his Department's study group on ethnic minority recruitment into the police.

The group will examine the measures which have already been taken to increase ethnic minority recruitment into the police service and consider what might be done to improve recruitment and to involve the ethnic minorities in police related activities, such as the special constabulary. The members of the group include representatives of the ethnic minority communities, the Association of County Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Metropolitan Police, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Police Superintendents' Association and the Police Federation as well as Home Office officials. It will hold its first meetings on 23 March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have made applications for naturalisation on which no decision has yet been reached; and what is the average length of time between submissions and decisions on such applications.

At the end of February 1982 there were about 12,800 applications for naturalisation awaiting decision. The average length of time between receipt of an application and issue of the certificate of naturalisation is currently about two years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to make a statement about the results of his investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Paul Worrel in Brixton prison.

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State wrote to the hon. Member on 19 March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have applied for assistance for voluntary repatriation to their countries of origin under the international social services scheme for each of the past 10 years; and, of these applications, how many have been refused.

The number of applications received by International Social Service of Great Britain and the number of cases approved in each of the past ten years are as follows:

	Applications Received	Cases Approved
1972–73	244	38
1973–74	238	78
1974–75	171	65
1975–76	181	74
1976–77	240	67
1977–78	207	75
1978–79	217	92
1979–80	132	78
1980–81	163	70
1981–82	418	119
(To 28 February)

Separate figures are not available for the numbers of applications that are ineligible, withdrawn or refused.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what programmes for charities his Department has sponsored in 1982; how much has been allocated for this and how much has been spent; what criteria the charities applying for assistance have to fulfill; if it is intended to run such programmes in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Grants amounting to about £12 million have been made this year towards the costs of a wide range of organisations which provide services of many kinds and where there is usually a substantial voluntary involvement. These include the following:

	£
Women's Royal Voluntary Service	3,778,000
National Council for Voluntary Organisations	742,000
Community Projects Foundation	695,000
United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service	652,000
Volunteer Centre	514,000
Community Service Volunteers	473,200
National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders	420,000

together with £1,034,000 to marriage guidance organisations, and £3,266,000 to organisations concerned with the re-habilitation and after care of offenders.The criteria depend on the sphere of work involved. Many of these organisations have charitable status but this is not a condition of funding.These grants will continue next year at broadly the same level.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in order to preserve standards of safety, he will ensure that there are no cuts in the fire service.

It is my policy to encourage fire authorities to make expenditure savings only where this can be done without endangering the safety of the public, and not to approve reductions in fire brigade establishments which would reduce fire cover provision below the minimum standards recommended by the Home Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to announce the names of the members of the Alcohol Education and Research Council.

On 29 October I announced that I had appointed my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Windlesham to serve as the council's first chairman. I have now appointed the following persons to serve as members of the council for a period of three years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to make a statement about the future role of cable in broadcasting.

In my statement to the House on 4 March about direct broadcasting by satellite (DBS), I promised a further statement on the future role of cable systems in transmitting these and other services.—[Vol. 19, c. 414–420]. In addition to the Government's decisions regarding DBS, a number of other developments indicate the need for urgent decisions about the the future role of cable—sooner than the time-scale implicit in the subscription television pilot schemes would permit. Marty of these developments are brought out in the report of the information technology advisory panel (ITAP) on cable systems which is published today.As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply on 19 March to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for New Forest (Mr. McNair-Wilson)., the Government recognise the importance of the arguments in the ITAP report and wish to secure the benefits of this new technology for the United Kingdom. I have therefore decided that, in parallel with the urgent studies which the Departments concerned will be carrying out into the economic, technical and telecommunications policy issues related to the expansion of cable there should be an independent inquiry into the important broadcasting policy aspects.Some of these were identified in the panel's reports as requiring further consideration. They include such matters as: whether cable oprators should both control cable systems and provide programme services; programme standards, and range and balance of programme content; the obligation on cable systems to relay United Kingdom broadasting services; whether advertising should be permitted; and the appropriate supervisory framework.I am glad to be able to announce that Lord Hunt of Tanworth has agreed to serve as the chairman of the inquiry. I plan to appoint two other members with relevant experience whose names I shall announce as soon as possible.The terms of reference of the inquiry will be as follows:

asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions with the Attorney-General of the Republic of Ireland concerning extradition arrangements between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

I had two encouraging discussions with the then Attorney-General of the Republic of Ireland, Mr. Sutherland. These were followed up by discussions between our officials. Because of the General Election in the Republic, there then had to be a pause. The new Attorney-General, Mr. Connolly, has only just taken over but I hope that as soon as he has had time to come to grips with this problem, we and our officials will be able to get down again to substantive discussions.

asked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on his policy towards entering a nolle prosequi in prosecutions brought in respect of theatrical performances, such as that in the case of R v. Bogdanov.

There is no policy in such prosecutions. Every case in which a nolle prosequi may be appropriate is considered separately.In the case of R

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how much (a) milk, (b) cereals and (c) sugar were consumed in the United Kingdom in each year from 1970 to the present day;(2) how much

Data on supply, usage and self-sufficiency—production as a percentage of total new supply in the United Kingdom—may be found in successive issues of the White Paper "Annual Review of Agriculture", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. For the latest issue, see tables 7, 10, 15 and 16 of Cmnd. 8491. Complete information is still not available for 1981.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had about the import of tomatoes from the Canary Islands; whether he will take steps to protect home producers from the import of cheap, poor quality tomatoes; and whether he will make a statement.

We have received representations on behalf of tomato growers. Home production is protected by a common customs tariff of 11 per cent. and by the Community rules on quality standards which apply to imports. It will be strengthened on 1 April by the minimum import price arrangements and will be further strengthened on 15 May, when the tariff will go up to 18 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that the terms and spirit of the Calshot Oyster Fishery Several Order which came into force on 8 March are upheld, in view of the application currently before the Secretary of State for Trade for the siting of 24 fish farming cages at Calshot Spit.

I understand that the application currently before the Secretary of State for Trade relates to a different site from that covered by the Calshot Oyster Fishery Order 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the further denationalisation of British Aerospace.

British Aerospace is now a Companies Act company and firmly in the private sector, but the Government made it clear, in the prospectus issued at the time of the offer for sale of shares in British Aerospace PLC last year, that they did not intend to sell any more of their shareholding in the company for the forseeable future.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will indicate the outcome of his latest departmental study of the provision of small factory units.

We have reviewed the effects of the improved industrial building allowance for small industrial premises announced in the 1980 Budget. The measure has been extremely effective in bringing back private investment to that market and, as a consequence, we estimate that it has tripled the supply. There remains a shortage of smaller units below 1,250 square feet.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the full criteria taken into account when deciding whether to grant special development area status.

Section 1(4) of the Industry Act 1972 specifies the criteria as

"all the circumstances actual and expected, including the state of employment and unemployment, population changes, migration and the objectives of regional policies".

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what arrangements he is making to ensure that British industry responds to the Government's intention to proceed with direct broadcasting by satellite.

We have already encouraged a keen and expert consortium to provide the satellite system. We have also had useful preparatory discussions with industry on the supply and installation of direct broadcasting by satellite dishes and receivers.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement about the Rolls-Royce RJ 500 engine.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement about the Rolls-Royce RJ 500 engine.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement about the Rolls-Royce RJ 500 engine.

As I explained to the Select Committee on 24 February, Rolls-Royce Limited is continuing with its Japanese partners to define and design the RJ 500 engine. It is also actively exploring, with the Government's encouragement, the possibility of widening the collaboration to include partners other than the Japanese.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what recent meeting he has had with the chairman of British Shipbuilders, Mr. Robert Atkinson; and if he is satisfied that sufficient investment funds are available to meet the plans of the company.

I have met the chairman of BS three times this month. Capital investment is increasing, and I hope that this will help BS achieve the further improvements in productivity which are needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the investment plans of British Shipbuilders.

BS expects to spend £34 million in the current year and £49 million next year. I hope that this higher level of investment will help BS achieve the further improvements in productivity which are needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry for what schemes of assistance available through his Department the area covered by the London Docklands Development Corporation is eligible; and what requests he has received for such assistance.

Firms in the London Docklands Development Corporation's area are eligible for selective financial assistance under section 8 of the Industry Act 1972, including that available under the microelectronics support programme, the coal-fired boiler scheme, the private sector iron and steel scheme and the small firms loan guarantee scheme. They are also eligible for assistance through various schemes under the Science and Technology Act 1965, including the microprocessor application project, the product and process development scheme and the fibre optics, robotics and cadcam schemes, all of which are operated by the Department of Industry. Firms may also seek development support from the Department's requirement boards.Since May 1979 the Department has made offers of £145,000 for projects costing £991,000 under section 8 of the Industry Act—other than for projects under specific schemes under this Act—and grants of £29,000 for projects totalling £115,000 have been approved for the AP. Information on the amount of assistance provided under the various other schemes to firms in the LDDC areas is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the total investment for industrial robots in the United Kingdom for the years 1980 and 1981.

According to the British Robot Association, about 170 robots were installed in Britain in 1980. In 1981 the figure was 342 and the total investment in robot systems £20 million. The current robot population rose from 371 in late 1980 to 713 in late 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many satellites are being built in the United Kingdom; and for how many there are firm plans over the next three years.

The United Kingdom space industry is the prime contractor for nine satellites currently under construction, of which seven are for the European Space Agency and two are Skynet-IV satellites ordered by the Ministry of Defence. Orders obtained over the next three years will depend on the industry's ability to compete for national and international market opportunities.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in view of the representations made to him by the hon. Member for Bedforshire, South he will site an information technology centre in South Bedfordshire; and if he will make a statement.

I announced the first 30 information technology centres to the House on 21 December, and I also announced our intention to extend the scheme to a total of about 100 centres during the course of this year. This is a joint Department of Industry/Manpower Services Commission initiative and the MSC is identifying the likely locations for the extended programme. We shall seek to achieve a geographical balance, and I hope to announce further locations shortly.It is not possible at this stage, however, to say whether South Bedfordshire will have a centre, but I have taken note of my hon. Friend's interest, and the MSC is currently dealing directly with the college concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of manufacturing industries' costs are due to manpower charges; and what was the figure for 1979.

It is not possible to give the figures in precisely the form requested. But according to the national income and expenditure statistics labour costs, including fringe benefits, accounted for 83 per cent. of manufacturing industries' gross domestic product in 1980. The corresponding figure for 1979 was 79 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations have recently been made to him about improving co-ordination between the organisations which provide help and advice to small businesses.

Some representations have been made about the growing number of organisations providing support for small firms. The Department of Industry has recently completed a series of conferences in each region, three of which I have chaired myself, to encourage better communication and co-operation between the various agencies and with the small firms service. In doing so we have regarded as paramount the interests of the client, the small business itself. I am now evaluating the conclusions.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the approximate increase or decrease in output of the engineering industry in 1981 over 1980, in percentage terms.

In 1981 the output of the engineering industry was approximately 7½ per cent. lower than in 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will review the decision to withdraw assisted area status from the city of Manchester and Oldham.

In response to representations from the Greater Manchester Association of Metropolitan Authorities and others, my hon. Friend the Minister of State has reviewed the decision but he has not found sufficient evidence to justify reversing it.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the future of British Telecom.

The Government attach high priority to British Telecom's role in enabling Britain to respond to the opportunities presented by the new technology. We believe that private capital has an important part to play and have accordingly authorised work on a new BT bond. Other possible ways of developing partnership between BT and the private sector are also under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement on the effects on postal services of the British Airways ramp dispute.

Operational matters of this kind fall squarely within the responsibility of the Post Office, but I understand that the mails, particularly letters and air parcels to and from Europe, have been subjected to delays averaging 24 hours as a result of the British Airways loaders' dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department will investigate the availability and supply of skilled manpower in the microelectronics industry.

We receive regular reports from the Manpower Services Commission on any shortages of skilled manpower in particular occupations. The commission is currently giving priority to an assessment of the level of demand for computer related skills.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish for the West Midlands region (a) the number and percentage of wages council firms inspected and found to be infringing wages council orders, (b) the numbers and percentages of workers inspected and affected and (c) the number of workers paid arrears and the amount for 1981.

The information is not available in the precise form requested. However, the following figures are available for inspections by visit which were completed in 1981 in the West Midlands division of the wages inspectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether a work permit has been issued to Janet Johnstone, an American citizen, at present secretary of Amnesty International.

Yes. On 2 June 1981 a short-term permit was issued in respect of temporary employment as acting director of the British section of Amnesty International.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out his criteria for the granting of work permits.

In general, an application for a work permit is considered only if the vacancy is in an occupation serviced by the professional and executive recruitment service (PER) and with the exceptions referred to later, permits are available only for workers between 23 and 54 year of age in the following categories who can satisfy the Department of Employment that they possess the necessary qualifications and experience which should normally have been acquired outside the United Kingdom:

(a) those holding recognised professional qualifications;

(b) administrative and executive staff;

(c) highly-qualified technicians having specialised experience;

and

(d) other key workers with a high or scarce qualification in an industry or occupation requiring specific expert knowledge or skills.

The worker is also expected to have an adequate command of the English language.The prospective employer must satisfy the Department of Employment that a genuine vacancy exists, that no suitable resident labour is available and that he has made adequate efforts to find a worker from that source and from the EEC.Permits are available for entertainers and sportsmen, who meet the appropriate skills criteria. The lower age limit referred to above does not apply to these permits.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees were in employment in the iron and steel industry in May 1979 and in December 1981.

In May 1979 there were 254,400 employees in employment in Great Britain in the iron and steel industry—minimum list headings 311 and 312 of the standard industrial classification—compared with 161,700 in December 1981. The figures are provisional and are riot seasonally adjusted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the construction industry on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a package of measures in his Budget Statement on 9 March which should stimulate the construction industry throughout the country.On Merseyside, the creation of the urban development corporation and the enterprise zone at Speke will create employment opportunities in the industry. And a substantial proportion of the additional £95 million which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has made available for expenditure in inner city areas is to go to Merseyside.Furthermore, the Merseyside task force is pressing ahead with a number of initiatives, including the refurbishing of industrial estates, which should create additional jobs, many of them in construction. Ultimately, however, employment in construction, as in other industries, will depend on the development of a sound and competitive economy which the Government's policies are designed to promote.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the number of construction workers unemployed in the Merseyside special development area at the latest date; and how these figures compare with March 1979;(2) if he will list the numbers of unemployed in the construction industry in the special development areas in England and Wales at the latest date and the figures for March 1979.

In August 1981, the latest date for which information is available, there were 17,813 registered unemployed people in the Merseyside special development area who last worked in the construction industry compared with 11,316 in February 1979. The corresponding figures for the special development areas in England and Wales were 44,680 at August 1981 and 30,671 at February 1979. A further industrial analysis of the unemployed will be made in May 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many construction workers were unemployed at the most recent date for which figures are available in England and Wales; and what the comparable figures were for March 1979;(2) how many unemployed construction workers there were in the Liverpool travel-to-work area at the latest date; and what the comparable figures were for March 1979.

The following table gives the numbers of people registered as unemployed who last worked in the construction industry at August 1981, the latest date for which information is available, and February 1979. A further industrial analysis of the unemployed will be made in May 1982.

	February 1979	August 1981
England and Wales	174,572	308,218
Liverpool travel-to-work area	8,071	12,241

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the percentage of unemployed construction workers in England and Wales compared with the number registered as employed in the industry at the latest date; and what the respective percentage figures were for March 1979;(2) what is the percentage of unemployed construction workers in the Liverpool travel-to-work area compared with the number of registered employees in the industry at the latest date; and what the percentages were in March 1979;(3) what is the percentage of unemployed construction workers in the Merseyside special development area compared with the number of registered employees in the industry; and what the comparable percentages were in March 1979.

The following table gives the percentage rates of unemployment in the construction industry at August 1981, the latest date for which figures are available, and at February 1979 for the areas specified. A further industrial analysis of the unemployed will be made in May 1982.

	February 1979	August 1981
	Per cent.	Per cent.
England and Wales	14·2	25·1
Liverpool travel-to-work area	30·6	46·4
Merseyside special development area	26·1	41·1

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from trade unions and employers' organisations concerning unemployment in the construction industry; and what replies he has sent.

My right hon. Friend receives representations from time to time from trade unions and employers' organisations about measures to assist the construction industry. He has pointed out in reply that, within the overall constraints on public expenditure, the Government have taken a number of steps to help the industry. We have, for instance, speeded up the planning process, increased the amount of land available for development and introduced a number of tax changes, all of which have been of benefit to construction. Further measures aimed directly at stimulating the industry were announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement on 9 March.In the longer term, however, job prospects in construction, as in other industries, depend on the development of a sound and competitive economy which the Government's policies are designed to achieve.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a breakdown of the number of unemployed in the different trades in the building industry for Merseyside and Liverpool, respectively; and if he will give comparable figures for March 1979;(2) if he will publish in the

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures for the Liverpool travel-to-work area; and what the comparable figures were in March 1979.

At February 1982, the number of people registered as unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 88,820 compared with 57,494 at March 1979. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest number of unemployed in the Liverpool, Scotland Exchange, constituency; and what were the comparative figures for March 1979.

Unemployment figures are available for employment office areas but not for parliamentary constituencies. At February 1982 the number of people registered as unemployed in the Liverpool employment office area, which is larger than the constituency, was 19,847 compared with 15,789 at March 1979. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest number of unemployed young people in the Liverpool travel-to-work area aged 18 years or under; and what were the figures in March 1979.

The numbers registered as unemployed are analysed by age in January, April, July and October. At January 1982 there were 11,043 young people aged 18 years and under registered as unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to-work area compared with 8,093 at April 1979. The figures include school leavers. The youth opportunities programme exists to help young people with appropriate courses of work experience and training that will help them find jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated number of young people unemployed in inner Liverpool at the latest date; and what is the percentage of the registered unemployed in the area.

At 14 January, the latest date for which an age analysis is available, there were 5,310 young people under 20 years of age registered as unemployed in the Liverpool employment office area representing 26·3 per cent. of all registered unemployed people in the area. The youth opportunities programme exists to help unemployed young people with courses of work experience and training appropriate to their needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures for the Merseyside special development area; what were the comparable figures in March 1979; and if he will make a statement.

At February 1982, the number of people registered as unemployed in the Merseyside special

Notified vacancies remaining unfilled
	March 1979		February 1982
	At employment offices	At careers offices	At employment offices	At careers offices
Liverpool travel-to-work area	1,906	60	1,525	27
Merseyside Special Development Area	2,899	98	2,250	45

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of unemployed young people in the Merseyside special development area aged 21 years and 18 years, respectively, at the latest date; and what were the figures in March 1979.

The numbers registered as unemployed are analysed by age in January, April, July and October and the following table gives the available information for April 1979 and January 1982 for the area specified. The figures, which include school leavers, do not separately identify those aged 21 years.

Age	April 1979	January 1982
18 years	4,761	7,557
19 years	4,899	9,090
20–24 years	15,669	28,186

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many job vacancies there were in the Liverpool travel-to-work area at the most recent date; and what the figures were for March 1979;(2) how many job vacancies there were in the Merseyside special development area at the most recent date; and how many vacancies there were in March 1979.

The following table gives the numbers of vacancies remaining unfilled at employment offices and careers offices in the areas specified at February 1982 and March 1979. The figures relate only to vacancies 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 carreers 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 twelve month period to December 1981, 37,052 people were placed in jobs by employment offices in the Merseyside special development area. It is estimated that the public employment service accounts for about one in four of all placings.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to reduce unemployment among young people in Liverpool and Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

Unemployment, including youth unemployment, will fall in Liverpool and elsewhere with the success of the Government's economic policies designed to increase the competitiveness of British industry and promote growth. In the meantime, the youth opportunities programme aims to help unemployed young people with appropriate courses of work experience and training.The Government have announced their proposals for training all young people in their White Paper "A New Training Initiative: A Programme for Action"—Cmnd. 8455.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he proposes to lay orders before Parliament regarding the abolition of 16 industrial training boards; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report those statutory industrial training boards scheduled for abolition and indicate the number of training officers each industrial training board had in 1979, 1980, 1981 and February 1982; and if he will make a statement.

The following industrial training boards are scheduled for abolition:

• Air transport and travel;
• Carpet;
• Ceramics, glass and mineral products;
• Chemical and allied products;
• Cotton and allied textiles;
• Distributive;
• Food, drink and tobacco;
• Furniture and timber;
• Footwear, leather and fur skin;
• Iron and steel;
• Knitting, lace and net;
• Man-made fibres producing;
• Paper and paper products;
• Printing and publishing;
• Shipbuilding;
• Wool, jute and flax

Information on the number of "training officers" employed by each board is not readily available and could be obtained from the boards only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list his Department's criteria for those prospective voluntary bodies to take the place of those statutory industrial training boards which are scheduled for abolition; and if he will make a statement.

We have deliberately avoided setting specific requirements for the training organisations which are to replace statutory industrial training boards. The objective is that they should be capable of meeting the training needs of their industries, which are bound to vary, rather than conform to some rigid institutional model.As a general rule, we expect non-statutory training organisations to set up adequate machinery to monitor the quantity of training to ensure that skill shortages do not develop, to check that standards of training are being maintained and to keep those standards up to date to meet changing needs. The organisations should have the active support of their industries and should be appropriately financed and staffed.We also expect non-statutory training organisations to work with the. trade union and educational interests. We will want to be sure that non-statutory training organisations will be able to play their part in implementing the objectives of the new training initiative.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a section progress report on the work so far completed by his Department regarding the setting up of voluntary training boards pursuant to his Department's policy of abolishing statutory industrial training boards; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many voluntary associations are proposed in the industrial training board sphere to replace the 16 industrial training boards scheduled for abolition; how many voluntary associations have so far failed to satisfy the Manpower Services Commission and his Department in their first examination of the proposals of voluntary associations; how many are satisfactory; in which sector; if they are satisfactorily representative of the interests of trade unions employees; if staffing ratios are deemed sufficient; and if he will make a statement.

Officials of the Manpower Services Commission have had discussions with almost 100 employer organisations in industries where statutory training boards are to be abolished or reduced in scope. Whilst most employer organisations are making good progress towards setting up alternative arrangements, these are still subject to further detailed discussion with the commission and it is too early to make final judgments about their effectiveness.It will be for my right hon. Friend to decide when alternative arrangements are adequate. We have made it clear that orders abolishing boards will be moved only where we are satisfied with the progress towards establishing effective alternative arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places currently are provided under the community enterprise programme; what were the figures for each three-monthly period since the programme started; what is the future estimated demand and provisional number; and if he will make a statement.

At the end of February 26,624 places were provided under the community enterprise programme. The programme began in April 1981 replacing the special temporary employment programme, which at the end of March 1981 was providing 12,874 places. The number of places since then are as follows:

	Number
June 1981	15,599
September 1981	19,203
December 1981	23,566

The Manpower Services Commission is being given resources under the community enterprise programme to support 30,000 places at any one time in 1982–83.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will authorise the expansion of the community enterprise programme in order to avoid the long-term unemployed losing their positions in April.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement of 15 December—[Vol. 15, c. 153]—when he announced that provision for the community enterprise programme is to be expanded in 1982–83 to 30,000 places.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications have been made under the job search scheme of the Manpower Services Commission during the last 12 months in Mid-Glamorgan; and how many of those applications have been successful.

The number of applications made under the job search scheme in Mid-Glamorgan during the 12 months from 1 March 1981 to 28 February 1982 was 177. Of these 71 were successful.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications have been made under the employment transfer scheme of the Manpower Services Commission in the last 12 months in Mid-Glamorgan; and how many of these applications have been successful.

The number of applications made under the employment transfer scheme in Mid-Glamorgan during the 12 months from 1 March 1981 to 28 February 1982 was 98. Of these 67 were successful.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of registered unemployed in the United Kingdom; and what is the latest estimate of the number of unemployed who are not registered.

At 11 February, the number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 3,044,878. As to estimates of the non-registered unemployed, I have nothing to add to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 15 December 1981.—[Vol. 15, c. 79.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what prosecutions, if any, have resulted under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, resulting from the improper handling or use of the chemical polychlorinated biphenyl.

From the records available it is not possible to separate prosecutions resulting from the improper handling or use of the chemical polychlorinated biphenyl from those involving other toxic substances without a disproportionate use of resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the relative change in wage differentials for 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20-year-old males and females compared with the average adult wages in each year from 1970 to 1982.

Information on the relative earnings of young people at various ages under 21, for each year between 1970 and 1981, was given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fareham (Mr. Lloyd) on 21 December 1981.—[Vol. 15, c. 280–282.] Information for 1982 will not be available until later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what comparative information is available to him of the wage levels of (a) young workers and (b) adult workers in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

Recent information is available only for Great Britain and the United States and is as follows:

Weekly earnings of full-time employees aged 16 to 24 years as a percentage of the corresponding figures for those aged 25 years and over
	Males	Females
(a) Great Britain	64	15
(b) United States	60	77

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the ratio between average wages of adult workers and young workers in (a) non-wages council industries and (b) industries where wage councils exist.

The following information relates to full-time employees whose pay was not affected by absence in the new earnings survey for April 1981:

	Average gross weekly earnings (£)			Average gross weekly earnings (£)
	Males aged 21 and over (1)	Males aged under 21 (2)	(1) as a ratio of (2) (3)	Females aged 18 and over (4)	Females aged under 18 (5)	(4) as a ratio of (5) (6)
Not within scope of a Wages Board or Council	142·4	75·0	1·90	94·5	52·4	1·80
Within scope of a Wages Board or Council	10·25	67·5	1·52	68·0	46·0	1·48

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made with the proposal to utilise the craft training centre at Her Majesty's dockyard, Devonport for the youth training programme.

Discussions are continuing on the proposal with both the local authority and the Devonport dockyard. Every effort is being made to reach a final decision expeditiously. I will inform my hon. Friend of the outcome as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the £150 million programme for 100,000 people announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget speech; how it will work; how it will be organised; what changes in benefit regulations it will involve; and if he will make a statement.

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget speech, my right hon. Friend has asked the Manpower Services Commission to work out the details of a new voluntary scheme to help those who have been unemployed for some time to do work of benefit to their community, with a view to introducing the scheme in early summer. I regret, therefore, that the detailed information requested by the hon. Member is not yet available. A further statement will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what schemes his Department is sponsoring concerning voluntary work programmes; how much is involved in the current and next financial years; how much has been spent to date; how many volunteers are involved; and if he will make a statement.