asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will announce his proposals for the taxation of car and car fuel benefits for 1983–84.

For 1983–84 I propose to increase by approximately 20 per cent. the scales by which the benefit of having a car available for private use is measured. This increase is in line with that made in each of the last two years. The figures for 1983–84 are set out in the tables below and will be the subject of a Treasury order. Even after this proposed increase the car scales will of course remain far short of the value to an individual of having a car available.Section 69 of the Finance Act 1981 provides that a further scale charge shall apply where fuel is provided for private use in a company car. I announced last year my decision to postpone the introduction of such a scale until 1983–84 and I now propose that the scale for that first year will be as shown in the following tables.I have previously announced to the House my decision to postpone for one year to 1983–84 implementation of the proposal to require employers to apply PAYE directly to these benefits. The Inland Revenue has subsequently held extensive consultation with representatives of employers' organisations who have emphasised the problems their members would have faced in taking on this extra task. In the light of those consultations and in order to avoid imposing undue additional administrative burdens on industry and commerce I have now decided not to proceed with the proposal.Legislation to give effect to the proposals on car fuel and to the decision not to proceed with the direct application of PAYE will be introduced at Committee stage of the Finance Bill, which is published today and which, for technical reasons connected with the wording of Budget Resolution No. 32 passed by the House on 15 March, reflects my earlier decision to postpone these changes pending the further consultations.

Car Benefits for 1983–84
Table A
(The 1982–83 figures are shown in brackets)
Cars with original market value up to £14,000 (£11,500) having a cylinder capacity.
Cylinder capacity of car in cubic centimetres	Age of car at end of relevant year of assessment
	Under 4 years	4 years or more
1,300 or less	£325 (£270)	£225 (£180)
More than 1,300 but not more than 1,800	£425 (£360)	£300 (£240)
More than 1,800	£650 (£540)	£450 (£360)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer in a full year of lowering the duty on aviation gasoline from 32p per gallon to 3½p per gallon.

The current rate of duty on aviation gasoline is equivalent to 35·3p a gallon. Reducing the duty to 3½p a gallon would cost about £3 million in a full year. I should make it clear to my hon. Friend that the revenue implications were not decisive in determining the new rate of duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in determining the levels of duty on diesel and petrol he fixed in the Budget, he intended to ensure that the retail price of diesel became substantially less than that of petrol; and whether that effect has occurred.

The slight widening of the differential in the duties on petrol and on diesel oil for road use (derv), announced in the Budget speech, was intended to limit the impact of the duty increases on industrial and distribution costs. Pump prices are a matter for the trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has made any assessment of the difference in the economic and commercial effect on firms making internationally traded goods between an increase in the national insurance surcharge and an appreciation of the exchange rate.

An accurate assessment of such differences is impossible to make. It depends, among other things, on the size of the changes envisaged; how the increased revenue from the national insurance surcharge is used; and on the cause of the appreciation in the exchange rate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has reached a decision on the possible merger of the special commissioners of income tax and the value-added tax tribunals; and if he will make a statement.

A considerable number of comments were made in response to the consultative paper issued in October 1980. I am grateful for the amount of time and effort that many correspondents put into formulating their views. The comments did not show a clear consensus in favour of merger and I have decided that the proposed merger should not proceed, at least for the present.The evidence that was received in response to the consultative paper did suggest support for improvements which could usefully be made in relation to the special commissioners, and I am now considering them, in particular the questions of appointment and' status, with my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any proposals to amend section 41 of the Finance Act 1981 following the removal in his Budget of the restrictions on holding index-linked Government stocks.

Section 41 is still required to deal with income and gains arising from the original issue of restricted index-linked stocks which are held by insurance companies. However, the removal of the restrictions on holding these stocks means that the section is no longer appropriate in its present form. I propose, therefore, to table an amendment on the Committee stage of the Finance Bill which will provide that section 41 will no longer apply to purchases of the original stock made after today or where the stock is no longer held and applied solely towards pension liabilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men engaged on the refuelling and refit of SSN submarines have so far been transferred from Chatham to Devonport; to what extent workers at Devonport have been prepared to work with those transferred from Chatham; and whether any industrial action has resulted.

By the end of March 1982 24 non-industrial personnel, directly concerned with refuelling and refitting of SSNs, will have taken up duty at Devonport from Chatham.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the industrial action now taking place at Devonport is likely to affect the refuelling and refit programme for SSN submarines.

By re-arranging individual refit schedules it has been possible, so far, to contain the effects of the present industrial action without affecting SSN completion dates.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when preparatory work will commence at the sites where cruise missiles are to be deployed.

Preparatory site work at RAF Greenham Common began in January 1981 and was completed in June 1981. The main construction programme has been under way since November 1981. On current plans, work will not start at RAF Molesworth for several years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value in pounds sterling, and at constant prices, of the plutonium which was exchanged with the United States of America for other materials in each year from 1971 to the latest available date under the United States-United Kingdom defence agreement of 1958 as extended.

It has been the custom of successive Governments not to disclose details of transactions relating to special nuclear materials used for defence purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the percentage rate of inflation as assessed by the specific defence deflator, in the fiscal years 1979–80 and 1980–81; and what is the estimate for 1981–82.

The information requested is as follows:

Increase over previous years
	Per cent.
1979–80	19·5
1980–81	17·8
1981–82*	11·5
* Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how the inflation index, as mentioned in paragraph three of the letter of 11 March 1982 from the United States Secretary of Defence to the Secretary of State for Defence, (Cmnd. 8517), will be determined in respect of the total contribution to be paid by the United Kingdom to research and development of the Trident II system.

We shall be discussing with the United States authorities the detailed implementation of the agreements set out in Cmnd. 8517. The basis for the inflation index will be agreed in these discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he considers that an additional number of Russian SS20 missiles will be deployed to balance the Trident D5 missiles it is proposed to deploy as a replacement for Polaris; if so, if he will estimate that number; and if he will make a statement.

There is no direct correlation between the numbers of Soviet SS20 missiles, 300 of which have already been deployed, and the modernisation of the United Kingdom strategic nuclear deterrent force by the replacement of Polaris by Trident. The SS20 is an intermediate range land-based missile, and represents only one of a large range of Soviet nuclear capable systems, including both land and sea based missiles and aircraft, able to strike the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom Polaris/Trident force represents only a very small fraction of the nuclear weapons deployed by the Soviet Union. It is a last resort strategic deterrent capable of posing a threat of unacceptable damage against the Soviet Union in the event of an attack against us. The force of four submarines represents the minimum number necessary to maintain one boat on continuous patrol.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the Trident D5 missiles will be targeted on cities or military targets.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to disclose the targeting plans for our nuclear forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by how many times the Trident D5 missile fleet will be more powerful than the Polaris fleet currently deployed.

The operational capability of a nuclear delivery system is dependent on a number of factors, including numbers and yields of warheads, range and ability to penetrate enemy defences. The comparative "power" of different systems is not a concept which has any precise meaning. A comparison between Polaris, which came into service in the 1960s, when no anti-ballistic missile defences existed, and Trident which is due to enter United Kingdom service in the mid-1990s and last well into the next century, would thus be misleading.However the British Trident submarines will have sixteen missile tubes, as have the Polaris submarines. The number of missiles to be carried and the number of warheads per missile will be matters to be decided by the Government of the day.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will describe the improved accuracy of the Trident D5 missile over Polaris; and why he considers such accuracy necessary.

It is not the practice, for security reasons, to reveal the detailed operational characteristics, including accuracy, of weapon systems. Paragraph 31 of defence open government document 82/1—"The United Kingdom Trident Programme"—makes it clear that the increased accuracy of the Trident D5 system played no part in the Government's decision to opt for this system rather than the earlier C4 variant.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on local overseas allowance payable to Service men in Germany.

Local overseas allowance is a tax-free compensatory allowance paid to Service men and women overseas in addition to their pay to meet the essential extra cost to them of serving abroad rather than in the United Kingdom. This extra cost is bound to change, for example in response to different price movements at home and abroad, so rates of LOA must be kept under review. A recent review in Germany has shown clearly that LOA rates there are now too high. Because evidence then available already indicated that a reduction would be necessary the Forces in Germany were warned in February that reductions should be expected from 1st April 1982. The Forces in Germany are now being told that reductions are to be made, which range from 10 per cent. to 27 per cent. of the existing allowances. But because it would be unfair to Service men and women to impose a sudden and significant cut in their allowances, the reductions for those most affected will be phased over nine months, from April 1982 to January 1983. There will be a further review later in the the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the British Forces Broadcasting Service; and if he will make a statement.

The British Forces Broadcasting Service, presently part of the Ministry of Defence, will be merged with the Services Kinema Corporation on 1 April 1982 to form a new organisation to be known as the Services Sound and Vision Corporation. The new corporation will provide radio, television and cinema entertainment for the Service man and his family and will supply the Ministry of Defence with films and services in the field of training support. The present high standard of service will be provided at no extra cost; indeed, the Government see the merger as an opportunity for achieving savings by a rationalisation of the related activities.The constitution of the new corporation will be similar to that of the present SKC in that it will be incorporated under the Companies Acts and have charitable status. Its policy and activities will be controlled by a council and a board of management appointed by the Ministry of Defence.The present staff of BFBS, who are civil servants, will be loaned to the new corporation in the first instance but will be offered suitable contracts of employment, after discussions with staff and their trade union representatives, during the course of the year.Mr. John Grist, formerly with the BBC, is being appointed the Managing Director. Last year, Mr. Grist was asked by my department to conduct a study into the feasibility of a merger and his report formed the basis for the decision to merge the two organisations. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the future of the naval hovercraft trials unit at Lee-on-Solent.

The naval hovercraft trials unit will be run down over the next few months preparatory to its disbandment in October. The Royal Navy has learned as much as the current state of equipment technology permits about military roles for hovercraft; but hovercraft will continue to be considered against future naval requirements. It is planned to run on the unit's BH 7 hovercraft after the closure of the unit in order to assist the British Hovercraft Corporation's drive to sell these craft overseas.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what proportion of (a) total development aid and (b) food aid was granted to the Third world in 1981 by each of the following: the European Community and its member States, the United States of America, Japan, members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Soviet Union, respectively.

Figures for 1981 are not yet available. The percentages for 1980 disbursements, including flows to multilateral agencies, are:

	Total Development Aid† Per cent.	Food Aid Per cent.
European Community Member States*	35·6	27·3
USA	20·1	49·7
Japan	9·3	10·3
OPEC	19·6	—
USSR	4·4	—
Others	11·0	12·7
* Including that via Community institutions.
† Net official development assistance including food aid.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in the light of the deteriorating international situation in the Horn of Africa, Her Majesty's Government will consider redistributing resources within the overall total of overseas aid so as to provide greater assistance to the Somali Republic especially in view of that country's close links with the United Kingdom and the scale of the refugee problem which confronts it in consequence of military intervention by Cuban and Warsaw Pact forces.

The level of assistance to Somalia, as with other developing countries, is kept under close review, but there are no plans for any immediate increase. In addition to development assistance running at about £1·5 million a year, we have contributed some £4 million in cash and in kind over the past two years for refugee relief. We also contribute to multilateral agencies, such as the European Development Fund, the World Bank and United Nations agencies, through which Somalia receives substantial sums of aid: in 1979, the United Kingdom share of such assistance was estimated to be £2·8 million.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, if he will make a statement on the financial regime for the Crown Agents.

Under the provisions of section 13(2) of the Crown Agents Act 1979, with the approval of the Treasury and after consultation with the Crown Agents, I have determined financial targets for the Crown Agents for the years 1982 to 1985. The Government are looking for a progressive improvement in the Crown Agents' finances during the remainder of the initial period prescribed in the Act. For the years 1982 to 1984 taken together the rate of return will be a current cost operating surplus, before interest payable on the commencing capital debt, of ½ per cent. of total gross income over these years. For 1985 the target will be a surplus similarly defined of 6 per cent. of gross income. Within these targets Crown Agents should seek to achieve an increase of 2½ per cent. per annum in real gross income per head of staff employed.I have similarly determined under section 17(3) of the Act that the Crown Agents should repay to the National Loans Fund £9 million of the commencing capital debt of £30 million and have directed under section 16(3) of the Act that they should make from reserves a further payment of £1 million to Her Majesty's Government. I have also determined, in accordance with section 17(4) of the Act, with the approval of the Treasury, that in 1982 the interest payable on the amount of the debt outstanding to Government shall be 40 per cent. of the relevant NLF rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total capital expenditure envisaged on school premises in Wales in 1982–83; and how this figure compares with that for 1981–82.

For 1982–83 we have specified a total of £279 million for local authority capital expenditure in Wales. In determining this amount we have included a cash provision of £33·1 million in respect of capital expenditure on the education service as a whole.. Although this figure for education represents the level of expenditure that we consider appropriate in the next financial year, individual local authorities have the ability to vary this amount either by switching resources between individual services within their overall capital allocations or by supplementing their allocations by various permissible means. The comparable cash provision for 1981–82 was £30·8 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, of the letters he has received regarding the level of water charges in Wales since the recent increase was announced, how many have supported and how many have opposed the increased level.

Between 17 February when the Welsh Water Authority announced its increased charges for 1982–83, and midday on 25 March, the Welsh Office received 410 letters about water charges, including 263 on identical English and Welsh proformas. All of these were broadly critical of the increased charges or the basis on which they are calculated.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the unemployment rate in the building industry in Wales, broken down on a regional basis.

At 13 August 1981, the latest date for which information is available, the rate for Wales was 30·7 per cent. Information on a comparable basis is not readily available below the all-Wales level.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of unemployed males in Wales is classified as construction workers; and if he will give a regional breakdown of the figure.

At 13 August 1981, the latest date for which information is available, 26,151—22·6 per cent.—unemployed males were registered as having last worked in the construction industry. The breakdown of the total is:

	Number
South Glamorgan	3,707
Mid Glamorgan	5,345
West Glamorgan	3,728
Gwent	4,228
Dyfed	3,066
Powys	427
Gwynedd	2,619
Clwyd	3,031

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the index of net product for agriculture for each of the years 1979 to 1981.

The information requested is given in table 22 of the Annual Review of Agriculture 1982 White Paper, Cmnd 8491.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the wages and conditions of farm employees have benefited as a result of the common agricultural policy.

Farmworkers have shared in the general benefits which have accrued to United Kingdom agriculture from the operation of the common agricultural policy and their earnings and conditions have improved accordingly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has completed his spring review of liquid milk prices; and if he will make a statement about the level of the maximum wholesale price to apply during the summer months.

The Government have been considering the level of liquid milk prices that should apply during the coming months, having regard to all the relevant considerations including the data available from the costings system and the changes which I announced on 22 December 1981 following the Binder Hamlyn review. In the light of these considerations, and of the normal seasonal variations in cost factors, the Government have concluded that it would be right to reduce the maximum wholesale price by 0·2p per litre with effect from 1 April. The new prices, which in the case of Northern Ireland also reflect the consumer subsidy there, will be as follows:

	p/litre
England and Wales (expect London)	17·783
London	16·016
Northern Ireland	21·400

These prices will of course be further reviewed in the autumn when full account will be taken of the definitive costings data and of the position of milk producers. It is my wish to provide both milk producers and the dairy trade under the new costings system with a firmer basis for planning their commercial operations and to announce decisions promptly each spring and autumn. In conformity with this objective it is my intention to seek to announce before 1 October the prices to apply in the winter months.A statutory instrument giving effect to these new maximum wholesale prices will be laid before Parliament shortly.The maximum retail price will remain unchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the application by the Architectural Association School of Architecture for designation of its courses for mandatory awards purposes.

After careful consideration my right hon. Friend decided to designate courses at the Architectural Association School of Architecture for mandatory awards purposes with effect from 1 September 1982, in order to bring the distinguished teaching provided by the school within the reach of more British students. The maximum fee payable to the school by local education authorities under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations will be the same as that for university and maintained institutions—£480 in the academic year 1982–83.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is able to make a statement about redundancy compensation for non-academic staff in universities.

My right hon. Friend has told the University Grants Committee that he is prepared for the compensation that would otherwise be available for non-academic staff made redundant by universities whose service is terminated before 30 September 1984 to be improved as follows.Pensionable staff aged 50 and over not already covered by local government compensation arrangements may have their accrued pension and lump sum benefits paid immediately with reckonable service enhanced by the number of added years allowed under the local government scheme. The payment of statutory scheme payments to all staff may also follow the practice of local government, including the disapplication of the upper earnings limit applicable to the calculation of compensation.More detailed guidance will be issued to universities by the Universities Grants Committee.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in view of the relevance of the situation in Nicaragua to that in El Salvador, he has had any discussions about the military situation in that country with the United States of America.

When I was in the United States on 1 March I had discussions with senior United States officials at which all aspects of the situation in Central America were covered.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will support the Nicaraguan request to the United Nations Security Council for a declaration condemning the use of force or threats of military intervention against any of the countries in Central America.

We shall have to examine carefully any such request.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current price per barrel of North Sea oil.

The current price for term contracts sales of UKCS Forties oil is $31 per barrel: other UKCS oils attract different prices according to quality.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the number of laboratory tests in haematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry and histopathology provided by the Newcastle area health authority (teaching) for patients attending the Nuffield nursing home in Newcastle for the most recent year available;(2) what is the method of payment by the Nuffield nursing home in Newcastle for laboratory tests, haematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry and histopathology performed by the Newcastle area health authority (teaching); and if he will provide details of annual payments made between 1973 and the latest available date.

This sort of detailed local information is not collected by our Department. I suggest that the hon. Member should contact the Newcastle AHA(T) direct.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will withdraw his Department's recommendation of the approved sex book list published jointly by the Health Education Council and the Schools Council.

The Health Education Council is an independent body and does not require the approval or recommendation of the Department for its publications.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation making it mandatory for paramedical and fringe-medical therapists to inform the patient's medical practitioner if he is receiving treatment from them.

No. While it would be prudent for a patient to inform his own doctor if he was also receiving treatment from a non-medical practitioner, it would be an invasion of privacy to require such practitioners to give this information to the doctor irrespective of the patient's wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue ortho-kinetic chairs for mentally-handicapped patients where they have been prescribed by consultants and general practitioners; why such necessary mobility facilities are not available on prescription; and if he will make a statement.

I am sorry the resources currently available to finance the Department's wheelchair service do not permit the supply of this costly item.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why unemployment pay rates are still based on a six day working week; if he will change all payments to the basis of a five day week; and if he will make a statement.

A change of this kind, which would affect only people whose period of unemployment included a part-week or who were on short-time working, would have both advantages and disadvantages for those concerned. It would also have implications for other unemployment benefit rules and for incapacity benefits, which are also paid on a six-day week basis. There is no clear balance of advantage which would justify making a change and we have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what he estimates to be the average cost of hospital treatment for a victim of an accident at work.

Information in the form requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost to the Birmingham area health authority of the social function organised to celebrate the end of its existence; and if he will make a statement.

The Government do not collect information about expenditure in sufficient detail from health authorities to be able to give the cost of a social function in Birmingham. I am told that no public funds are involved although a contribution has been made from trust funds which allow money to be used for the benefit of staff. I understand that the Chairman of the Birmingham area health authority (teaching) has already written direct to the hon. Member about the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet received figures of National

NHS Directly Employed Staff: England, 30 September 1981
	Whole-time Equivalents
	1979	1981 provisional	Provisional change 1979–81
	wte	wte	wte	percentage
Nursing and Midwifery Staff	358,400	392,200	33,800	9·4
Medical and Dental Staff	37,100	39,000	1,900	5·1
Professional and Technical	60,100	63,300	3,200	5·3
Works	5,600	6,100	500	8·1
Maintenance	20.100	21,000	900	4·4
Administrative and Clerical	103,000	108,600	5,600	5·4
Ambulance (including Officers)	17,100	18,200	1,100	6·5
Ancillary	171,900	172,400	500	0·3
All Staff	773,400	820,700	47,400	6·1

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fat pan fires were reported to him in each of the past 10 years; how many elderly people, how many children and how many others died or were severely injured, respectively, as a result of such fires; and what percentage such deaths and personal injuries represent of those caused by fires generally during that period.

The number of fires in occupied buildings attended by local authority fire brigades in which the source of ignition was a cooking appliance and the material first ignited was fat is published annually in "Fire Statistics United Kingdom", copies of which are in the Library of the House; the latest available figure is in table 42 of the publication for 1980. Numbers of casualties and the age distribution of casualties from such fires could be

The table which follows gives provisional figures in whole-time equivalent terms, for all the main National Health Service staff groups for September 1981, compared with the numbers employed in 1979. As explained in the footnotes to the table the differences between the figures are partly accounted for by reductions in the nurses working week.The provisional overall increase in staff over the period was just over 47,000. Nurses and midwives accounted for about 34,000 of this increase. This reflects Government policy to improve our health services and in particular to increase expenditure on direct services to patients.provided only at disproportionate cost but numbers of fatal and non-fatal casualties from all fires in occupied buildings in which a cooking appliance was the source of ignition and are published in "Fire Statistics United Kingdom" for 1979 onwards; the latest available figures are in table 26 of the publication for 1980. No information is available on the severity of non-fatal injuries. In 1979 and 1980 together, 21 per cent. of non-fatal casualties and 5 per cent. of deaths from fires in occupied buildings resulted from fires in which a cooking appliance was the source of ignition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total numbers of prisoners in receipt of prison education in each of the last five years.

The total numbers of prisoners in receipt of prison education during sample weeks in each of the last five academic years were as follows:

		Prisons		RCs		Borstals		DCS		Total
Academic Year	Sample Week	Number	Per cent.*	Number	Per cent.†	Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.
1976–77	26/11/76	15,102	48·11	1,613	46·77	7,253	100	3,152	100	27,120	63·84
1977–78	7/10/77	16,038	51·02	868	43·75	6,669	100	2,935	100	26,510	65·09
1978–79	6/10/78	14,629	45·27	972	45·60	7,185	100	3,178	100	25,964	61·97
1979–80	19/10/79	14,125	45·81	985	39·61	5,856	100	3,037	100	24,003	59·30
1980–81	18/10/80	15,070	49·63	875	39·71	6,964	100	3,445	100	26,354	61·32
* Average percentage over the 5-year period = 48 per cent.
† Average percentage over the 5-year period = 43 per cent.

Registers of prisoners who take part in education classes are maintained in each prison service establishment. For reasons of economy, a summary is made for the purpose of the prison department's annual statistical return of prisoners' education services only on the basis of a sample in each academic year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the last amnesty was held to enable the surrender of firearms, air weapons, starting guns and imitation weapons, without prosecution; what was the result; and if he will consider a similar amnesty.

The last amnesty was held in 1968 when 25,088 firearms and 795,162 rounds of ammunition were surrendered. My right hon. Friend is not persuaded that there is any justification for a further amnesty at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the contribution out of public funds to the Police Federation in the current year; and what proportion it represents of total running costs of the Federation.

Some £47,000 is contributed towards the cost of premises, travelling expenses and salaries. This represents about 5 per cent. of the Police Federation's total expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out in the Official Report the maximum penalties available to the courts for those who commit serious criminal offences such as murder, armed robbery, assault, grievous bodily harm, burglary, theft, blackmail, rape and theft from a person in the street.

The information is as follows:

Offence	Maximum penalty
Murder	Life imprisonment (mandatory)
Robbery*	Life imprisonment
Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm	Life imprisonment

	DAFS	SDD	SEPD	SED	SHHD	CS
Open Structure	5	9	5	6	8	9
Middle executive Directing Band			1			1

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which police forces in Scotland are in possession of (a) riot helmets, (b) riot shields, (c) C S gas, (d) rubber bullets and (e) plastic bullets.

All eight Scottish forces are in possession of protective helmets and shields. CS gas is held by all forces with the exception of Dumfries and Galloway constabulary. No forces have rubber bullets for operational use; two have small residual supplies which are being disposed of; and only Strathclyde police are in possession of plastic bullets.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people hold Civil Service grades from, principal upwards within each Scottish Office Department; and, in each case, how many were educated at independent, grant-aided or direct-grant schools.

The number of staff employed in the five Scottish Office departments and central services in the administration group grades of principal and above including the open structure at 1 March 1982 was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the following work forces are unemployed in Dundee in (a) construction, (b) engineering and (c) textiles.

[pursuant to his reply, 22 March 1982, c. 280]: In August 1981, the latest date for which information is available, the numbers of people registered as unemployed in Dundee who last worked in the industries specified represented the following percentage of the labour forces in these industries locally:

	Per cent.
Construction	23·5
Engineering	13·1
Textiles	17·6

The percentages are based on the 1977 census of employment and are subject to revision when later census results become available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many heavy goods vehicle drivers received training on the Manpower Services Commission's training opportunities scheme in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

The following numbers of people qualified as heavy goods vehicle drivers following training under the training opportunities scheme:

	Number
1979	3,908
1980	3,479
1981	2,155

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the regions where the Manpower Services Commission is withdrawing training facilities for heavy goods vehicle drivers.

Support for heavy goods vehicle driver training under the Manpower Services Commission's training opportunities scheme is to be withdrawn from the following regions in 1982–83 because of the limited job prospects:

• Northern
• North West
• Midlands
• Wales
• London

There will still be private training facilities, which provide the bulk of heavy goods vehicle driver training in these regions.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many heavy goods vehicle drivers have been trained on the Manpower Services Commission's training opportunities scheme in the Midlands during the last 12 months.

A total of 364 people were trained in heavy goods vehicle driving under the training opportunities scheme in the Midlands between 1 March 1981 and 28 February 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of unemployed males in England are classified as construction workers.

At August 1981, the latest date for which an industrial analysis is available, 16·6 per cent. of all registered unemployed males in England had last worked in the construction industry. A further industrial analysis of the unemployed will be made in May 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current cost to public funds of grants made by his Department to the various functions of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

During this financial year, 1981–82, a grant of £382,000 has been paid by my Department towards the cost of certain agreed road safety activities undertaken by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in England.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 2 March, Official Report, c. 133–4, when he expects to introduce changes in regulations to require replacement tyres to meet international safety standards; and if he will take steps to ban roadside sales of remaining stock of cheap imported tyres.

I shall announce my decisions shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to his answer of 3 March, Official Report, c. 137, concerning the terms of trade and the relative export prices of manufactures, what is the reason for the difference between the two series; and if he will make a statement.

The terms of trade for manufactures is derived by dividing the United Kingdom export unit value index by the United Kingdom import unit value index. The relative export price index is derived by dividing the United Kingdom export unit value index by the weighted average of the export unit value indices of the main manufacturing countries. The United Kingdom export unit value index is common to both the terms of trade and relative prices indices so that differences between them reflect differences between the United Kingdom import unit value index and the export unit value indices of our competitors. These latter, however, attempt to measure different prices of different products in different markets. The United Kingdom import unit value index is weighted, of course, by United Kingdom imports. The index of our competitors' export prices, however, is weighted using the value of their exports which are in competition with United Kingdom exports in the world market. A further contributory factor to the difference between the indices of the terms of trade and relative prices is that the former is compiled in terms of sterling but the latter in terms of US dollars.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what provisional quotas have been granted to Korea in respect of (a) underwear garments, and (b) dresses; and what were the comparable figures for 1980.

The provisional quota on imports of undergarments—MFA Category 13—from South Korea in 1982 is 1,500,000 pieces. There is a substantive quota on imports of dresses—MFA Category 26—in 1982 of 430,000 pieces. There were no quotas on these products from South Korea in 1980, but actual imports of undergarments from Korea in 1980 amounted to just under 400,000 pieces; and of dresses to just over 200,000 pieces.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many tonnes of cotton yarn were imported into the United Kingdom from Turkey in 1981; by how many tonnes this exceeded the voluntary arrangement agreed between the United Kingdom and Turkey; what action has been taken; and if he will make a statement.

Imports of cotton yarn from Turkey during the eight months in 1981 for which statistics are available were 4,913 tonnes. There is no agreed voluntary arrangement on textiles between the Community or the United Kingdom and Turkey. However, a level of 2,940 tonnes was adopted by the Community as a "notified level" for imports of cotton yarn in to the United Kingdom in 1981 and as soon as it became clear that this level had been significantly exceeded the Government requested the Commission to take safeguard action under article 60(2) of the additional protocol to the EC-Turkey association agreement. This request was rejected by the Commission following its imposition of a provisional anti-dumping duty on 2 December 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take further steps to reduce counterfeiting by Taiwanese companies.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Trade gave on 22 March to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick). I understand that the authorities in Taiwan have already introduced some additional surveillance measures to discourage counterfeiting and propose soon to increase the penalties for this offence by providing for longer and mandatory prison sentences. This Government has made it clear that it will not be satisfied until the authorities in Taiwan put an end to this fraudulent practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the total value of exports to and imports from Malaysia in each of the past 10 years.

The information is as follows:

	United Kingdom
	Imports (cif) £ million	Exports (fob) £ million
1971	43	65
1972	47	62
1973	95	78
1974	128	114
1975	117	116
1976	157	119
1977	224	148
1978	200	186
1979	222	187
1980*	187	223
Note:
All figures are on the current (1981) basis of the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics.
* Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the nature of the complaints by the Government of Malaysia which led to the imposing of trade curbs against United Kingdom exports; and if he will make a statement.

The problems seen by the Malaysian Government in bilateral relations with the United Kingdom have been widely reported. My right hon. and noble Friend during his visit last month had a full discussion of them with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and it continues to be the Government's hope that that meeting will be the beginning of a better understanding.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is delaying the appointment of a new chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority.

I announced yesterday in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, East (Mr. Bright) that I am appointing Mr. John Dent, CBE, as chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is now in a position to issue the latest annual statistics for fireworks injuries.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will take measures to increase the degree of consumer protection given to airline passengers.

As I told the House on 1 March, I have instructed my officials to review the position to see whether there is any practicable way in which protection can be given to scheduled air travellers. This work is still under way.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many days have been lost through industrial action at British Airways in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

British Airways estimates that just under 60,000 man-days have been lost so far in 1982, because of industrial action within British Airways.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations Her Majesty's Government are making to the Government of Ecuador concerning measures recently announced by that country whereby Scotch whisky is subject to barter arrangements, particularly in exchange for bananas.

I understand that the regulations introduced by the Ecuadorian Government covering a range of luxury goods, which include Scotch whisky, are a response to current economic difficulties and are not intended to be permanent. Nevertheless, in a joint EEC approach concern has been expressed to the Ecuadorian Government about the effects of these regulations on external trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report a copy of the reply made to the letter addressed to the Minister for Consumer Affairs dated 16 February 1982 from the chairman of Arthur Price of England, cutlers and silversmiths.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 March 1982, c. 398]: A copy of the reply from my hon. Friend, the then Under-Secretary of State, has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has recently received from organisations representing the cutlers and silversmiths of imported items of hollow-ware being described as manufactured in England or manufactured in Sheffield, England; and whether he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 March 1982, c. 398]: In July last year the Cutlery and Silverware Association, with the support of other interests in the cutlery and silverware industries, proposed that orders on the lines of the Trade Descriptions (Origin Marking) (Miscellaneous Goods) Order 1981, and the Trade Descriptions (Country of Origin) (Cutlery) Order 1981 should be made in respect of silver plated hollow-ware. We have told the association that we see no case at present for new legislation of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied with the system of honest marking orders for table cutlery and hollow-ware; and whether he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 March 1982, c. 398]: The Trade Descriptions (Origin Marking) (Miscellaneous Goods) Order 1981, and the Trade Descriptions (Country of Origin) (Cutlery) Order 1981, which apply to metal cutlery but not to hollow-ware, came into effect on 1 January this year. I shall keep their operation under careful review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing imports of concentrated orange juice in 1980 from (a) the European Economic Community, (b) countries enjoying a preferential tariff and (c) other countries, together with details of the tariff and the level to which they are to be reduced in the Tokyo round of tariff negotiations.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 March 1982, c. 1]: I regret that the second footnote to the table was incorrect in stating that imports of concentrated orange juice from Zimbabwe and ACP and OCT countries are subject to a preferential duty of 12·6 per cent. Imports from all these countries are in fact currently free from duty. However, no imports into the United Kingdom in 1980 were consigned from these countries and the figures given in the table itself are therefore correct.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the housing investment programme allocations for each of the London boroughs and the Greater London Council for 1982–83 indicating the percentage variation compared with 1981–82 in each case.

The allocations and percentage changes are shown in the following table. Comparison of allocations does not, however, provide a reliable indication of the relative provision for expenditure because local authorities are free to increase their allocations by the amount of their housing and non-housing capital receipts—or by the prescribed proportions of these receipts. Allocations for 1982–83 will be further increased to take account of the £83 million made available in the Budget for intermediate and repair grants and homes insulation grants by local authorities in England; authorities have already been invited to bid for these extra resources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to improve the cleanliness and safety of British beaches.

The standard of cleanliness of individual beaches is a matter for the local authority concerned. However the Government are giving support to the "Keep Britain Tidy" group's programme of research into marine litter, which includes shoreline surveys. The report of the first survey, entitled "Litter on the Beaches of the British Isles", was published in November 1980, and a second survey is under way.As regards sewage pollution, water authorities have a number of major schemes to improve or replace inadequate sewage outfalls. A detailed note on this subject was placed in the Library in August last year; it explains how the United Kingdom is complying with the EC directive on bathing water.More generally, I announced on 15 February our plans to implement part H of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. This will extend the powers of water authorities to control polluting discharges to all coastal waters, up to a three-mile limit.With regard to oil pollution on beaches, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 1 February by my hon.

Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Dover) about the Paris conference on maritime safety.—[Vol. 17, c.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any Government Department has purchased Turkish fabric for sheeting.

PSA Supplies buys textiles on behalf of some Government Departments and has not purchased sheeting from Turkey. There would be a disproportionate effort involved in questioning all Government Departments, but as far as major purchasers of textiles in central Government are concerned, only the Home Office—prison department—has purchased such sheeting after going out to tender. I am informed that their decision took account of the Government's public purchasing policy and procedures and represents the best value for money.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the control of stray dogs by the introduction of a dog warden service on a national basis.

Numerous representations have been received from all quarters both for and against such a measure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are operating and financing their own dog warden services.

About 100, as far as we are aware.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation during the present Parliament to introduce a national dog warden service financed by an increase in the dog licence fee.

The Government have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total wage and salary bill of local authorities in England in each of the past five years; and if he will give an estimate for 1981–82.

The available information has been published in the "all services" line of table 25 of "Local Government Financial Statistics 1979–80." Estimates for 1980–81 and 1981–82 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a breakdown of local authority wage and salary costs for 1980–81 and estimates for 1981–82 in a form consistent with table 24 of the Local Government Financial Statistics 1978–79.

I shall answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the total of local authorities' gross current expenditure underlying the answer to a written question on Friday 19 March, Official Report, c. 219, in each year from 1976–77 to 1980–81.

Following are the available estimates of local authorities' gross current expenditure in England together with the corrected proportions of wages and salaries and of running expenses, consistent with the Public Expenditure Survey.

	Gross Current Expenditure*	Wages and Salaries as proportion† Per cent.	Running Expenses as Proportion‡ Per cent.
1976–77	9,859	73·6	26·4
1977–78	10,622	73·9	26·1
1978–79	11,983	73·5	26·5
1979–80	14,179	72·0	28·0
1980–81	17,127	73·1	26·9
* Gross current expenditure is wages and salaries and running expenses (ie gross of sales, charges, general administration recharged outside current expenditure etc.).
† These are corrections to the figures given in the Answer to Written Question No. 42 on Friday 19 March, Official Report Column 219.
‡ These are corrections to the figures given in the Answer to Written Question No. 44 on Friday 19 March, Official Report Column 219.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer to written question on Friday 19 March, Official Report, column 219, he will publish the total number of full-time equivalent employees implicit in that answer for each year from 1976–77 to 1979–80.

Following are the estimates for England:

	Full-time equivalent employees (all services) thousands
1976–77	1,960
1977–78	1,940
1978–79	1,945
1979–80	1,970

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to remove the current differences in the burial cost of children as between cemeteries in different local authority areas.

No. Since 1974, burial authorities have had complete discretion to determine charges for burial in their cemeteries as they think fit.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total amount of money allocated in the various expenditure programmes for developments associated with public authority housing projects in the Down, North constituency, including housing, welfare, health, education and community development; which public expenditure programmes are concerned; and what funds are involved.

I regret that no comprehensive analysis is available to show the allocation within the expenditure programmes for development associated with public authority housing projects in the Down, North constituency. Such an analysis would involve disproportionate costs.