asked the Minister for Trade whether he will extend the present reduction in the rate of the aviation security levy.

The aviation security fund remains in surplus. I attach great importance to keeping costs to the air transport industry to a minimum, and have therefore decided, subject to the approval of Parliament, to extend the reduction of 40p in the aviation security levy from 31 August 1982 until 31 March 1983; the levy will then revert to £1·50 on 1 April 1983. Draft Amendment Regulations to give effect to this will be laid shortly.

asked the Minister for Trade when the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of trading check services is to be published; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to the reply, 10 December 1981, c. 445.]: I am now able to give the House further information pursuant to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mrs. Oppenheim) on 10 December 1981 when the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report was published. In its report the commission concluded that the practice of Provident Financial Group companies of continuing to include in their agreements with retailers, other than "scheme operators," a restriction on dealings with other suppliers of reference services, operated against the public interest. The Commission argued that although Provident might not actively enforce the restriction it might be regarded by retailers in whose agreements it appears as still binding upon them and so have the effect of leading them to restrict their use of the services of other suppliers of trading check franchise services and reduce competition in the supply of these services.On 11 March the Secretary of State for Trade received and accepted undertakings from Provident Financial Group plc in the following terms:

asked the Minister for Trade in how many cases in each year since section 9 of the Insolvency Act 1976 came into force particulars of directors of insolvent companies have been referred to him under the Act for consideration of their being debarred from acting as directors of companies; how many cases are still under consideration and in how many cases directors have been debarred.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 May 1982, c. 178]: Since 1 October 1977, when Section 9 of the Insolvency Act 1976 came into operation, reports solely concerned with consideration of applications for disqualifying Orders against 82 directors have been submitted to the Department, as follows:

asked the Minister for Trade in how many cases in each of the last five years official receivers have submitted reports suggesting that (a) directors of limited companies and (b) bankrupts have (i) committed offences under the insolvency laws and (ii) committed other offences; how many prosecutions have been brought in each year in each category and how many convictions resulted.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 May 1982, c. 178]: Official receivers submitted reports alleging the commission of criminal offences by bankrupts and by officers of limited companies in the following number of cases:

asked the Minister for Trade when British Midland Airways appealed to him against the Civil Aviation Authority's refusal to grant a licence to compete with British Airways on the Heathrow to Glasgow and Heathrow to Edinburgh trunk routes.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 May 1982, c. 178]: On 6 November 1981.

asked the Minister for Trade when British Midland Airways applied to the Civil Aviation Authority for permission to compete with British Airways on the Heathrow to Glasgow and Heathrow to Edinburgh trunk routes of which British Airways currently holds the monopoly.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 May 1982, c. 178]: On 16 February 1981.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply dated 23 April, Official Report, c. 157–58, concerning the interest payable on special deposits, whether his figures included supplementary special deposits levied under the corset form of control; and if he will publish the information for these deposits separately.

No; and I refer the hon. Member to an article on the supplementary special deposits scheme in the March 1982 edition of the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase in the velocity of circulation of money in the decades ended in 1963, 1973 and 1980 and in the period 1973 to 1980; how these figures compare with the increase in manufacturing output; and what information he has as to the comparable figures for the Federal Republic of Germany.

Percentage increases in the velocity of circulation of sterling M3 in the decades ending in 1963, 1973 and 1980, and in the period 1973 to 1980, may be derived from the table given in my reply of 21 April, Official Report, c. 91–92. Figures of velocity for the Federal Republic of Germany may be derived from the IMF publication, International Financial Statistics.To compare the increases in United Kingdom velocity with increases in manufacturing output, I refer the hon. Member to the manufacturing industry component of the index of production, published in the

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply of 21 April, Official Report, c. 91–2, concerning the velocity of circulation of money, what was the percentage increase in velocity between 1974 and 1980; what was the reason for the increase; and what information he has as to how the figures compare with those of other industrial countries over this period.

The percentage increase in velocity of circulation of sterling M3 between 1974 and 1980 may be derived from the table given in my reply of 21 April, Official Report, c. 91–2. The reasons for the increase were given in my reply of 10 May, Official Report, c. 186–7. Figures for the velocity of circulation of money in other industrial countries may be derived by taking the ratio of the figures for gross national product to those for money, seasonally adjusted, given in the country tables of the monthly IMF publication, "International Financial Statistics."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the reasons for incremental salary scales for some non-industrial civil servants and not for others.

Over 98 per cent. of non-industrial civil servants are paid on incremental salary scales with about half on the maximum of their scale. Pay scales or ranges are a means of recognising increasing skill and experience in the job and are widely used outside the Civil Service. A small number of Civil Service staff are paid on flat rates where incremental scales are not appropriate. They include senior staff at under-secretary level and above, and some staff at more junior levels such as cleaners and those on short-term engagements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average size of the increments to be received by civil servants in the current financial year; and what percentage increase such increments represent.

In the current financial year just under half of non-industrial civil servants will be eligible for increments worth on average £300 per annum. The average value of these increments to recipients will be about 4·6 per cent. of salary or about 2·3 per cent. across the non-industrial Civil Service as a whole.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has reached agreement with nationalised industry chairmen on proposals for changes in the relationship between the industries and the Government; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry on 15 March.—[Vol. 20, c. 24–5.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table updating for 1982–83 on the same price bases the answer of 18 January 1982 to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire, Official Report, c. 78, on the disposal of public industrial interests.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 May 1982, c. 187]: The latest Financial Statement and Budget Report estimated that total receipts from special sales of assets were likely to be £700 million in 1982–83. Deflated by the change in the GDP deflator, this is equivalent to about £500 million in 1979–80 prices. As in previous years, the estimate represents a broad forecast of the value of special sales of assets as a whole. It is not practicable to give detailed advance estimates of receipts from individual disposals, given uncertainties of timing and future market conditions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any figures available for average occupational pension rises over the past three years; and whether he will consider limiting future Civil Service pension increases to the level of increase provided by an index of private sector occupational pensions.

The most recent information available to the Government is that summarised in chapter 10 of the Government Actuary's sixth survey of occupational pension schemes 1979—HMSO 1981—which related to increases in 1979; tha summarised in the Government Actuary's review of the adjustment for differences in superannuation benefits—HMSO 1980—which formed part of the 1980 Civil Service pay research exercise and related to increases over periods of up to the previous five years; and that published—with qualifications—in the 1981 National Association of Pension Funds survey. The Government are reviewing the question of inflation-proofed public sector pensions in the light of the Scott report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to give a substantive reply to the question of the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland of 29 April, Official Report, c. 314, concerning Customs and Excise clearance facilities at the airport, Wick, Caithness; and if he will set out the reasons why it was not possible for him to take a decision on this matter in time to allow the scheduled air service between Wick and Vagar, Faroe Islands, to begin as planned on 4 May, in view of the prior notice given to him of the need for these facilities.

As the hon. Member will be aware, his question was answered on 6 May. The delay in answering is regretted but this matter required the most careful consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what were the annual administration costs of the development land tax office in each of the last three years;(2) what proportion of the yield from development land tax in 1981–82 was attributable to deemed disposals; and what was the yield from actual disposals;(3) what is the expected total yield from development land tax in the financial years

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proceeds from special sales of assets in 1981–82.

The 1981–82 gross proceeds from sales of assets have now been computed and amount to £481 million, compared with the target of £500 million set in Cmnd. 8175, paragraph 1.29. This figure was made up as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been recovered by the Inland Revenue and the value added tax authorities in each of the last five years from insolvent companies and individuals by way of preferential debts under the insolvency laws.

The information requested in respect of value added tax is on record only for the last two financial years. In respect of the year 1979–80 the preferential element has been estimated from the total debts recovered. Information in respect of previous years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Attorney-General what bodies or organisations, for the day-to-day work or administration of which he does not answer parliamentary questions, receive finance from his Department's Vote, or that of the Lord Chancellor.

My own Department does not finance any bodies or organisations. The Lord Chancellor's Department sponsors a number of advisory bodies and tribunals which are listed in "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Facts and Figures 1981". While answering questions on the general principles underlying these grants, he does not answer for their detailed administration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Stroud may expect an answer to his letter dated 19 October 1981 about residence permits for Mr. and Mrs. Karas.

I hope to write to my hon. Friend within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has given to the Equal Opportunities Commission following his consideration of proposed amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act submitted to him by the commission.

The commission submitted revised proposals for amending the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 on 7 May. These will be considered in detail, but the commission is aware that there is no early prospect of amending legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to reply to the proposals sent to him by the chairman of the advisory committee on the supply and education of teachers in relation to the new training initiative for young people; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend welcomes the advice of the advisory committee on this matter, and is writing to the chairman informing him of this. He is now considering the most appropriate ways of implementing the recommendations and, in particular, of promoting the dialogue with regional advisory councils and local education authorities which the committee recommends.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what bodies or organisations, for the day-to-day work or administration of which he does not answer parliamentary questions, receive finance from his Department's Vote.

In addition to a wide variety of nonofficial bodies to which my Department gives grants, it is the sponsor Department for a number of executive bodies listed in "Non-Departmental Public Bodies; Facts and Figures 1981" which receive finance from my votes. While I answer questions on the general principles underlying these grants, I do not answer for their detailed administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the purpose and scope of the proposed informal meeting of Education Ministers of the European Economic Community on 24 May; and what items are on the agenda.

At their meeting on 24 May the Ministers will receive two reports from the Education Committee of the European Economic Community on the academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study, and on education and training in the context of unemployment. They will be asked to adopt a resolution for a new phase of the existing programme of pilot projects on the transition from school to work. Also on the agenda will be a note on recent discussions between member States on the effects of demographic change on education systems, and a statement by the Commission on the implications of new technology for education and training systems.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report those local authorities that still operate grammar schools.

In January 1981, the latest date for which information is available, the following 36 local education authorities in England had one or more grammar

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any further examples of teachers salaries being paid for partly or wholly by parental contributions since his reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East on 3 March, Official Report, c. 154.

No further examples have come to my Department's attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will publish a reply to the second report, Session 1981–82, from the Education, Science and Arts Committee, "The Secondary School Curriculum and Examinations".

The Government's initial responses to the report has been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office. The Government's response to the remaining recommendations will be given in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on education in Toxteth.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools today issued a report on education in Toxteth to the Liverpool education authority and I am arranging for copies to be made available in the Vote Office. Based upon HMI's inspections, visits and general work in the area, the report examines the educational provision made in Toxteth within its social and economic context. The report identifies a number of matters requiring attention and I am inviting the new authority to discuss their implications with me as a matter of urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to privatise any of the National Coal Board's present operations.

I have nothing to add to what I told the House in the Adjournment debate on 23 November 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will invite Lord Sieff or some other director of Marks and Spencer to become chairman of the National Coal Board.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) on Monday, 21 December 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what bodies or organisations, for the day-to-day work or administration of which he does not answer parliamentary questions, receive finance from his Department's Vote.

In addition to the non-official bodies to which my Department gives grants, it is the sponsor Department for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, listed as an executive body in "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Facts and Figures 1981", and for the nationalised coal, gas and electricity industries which receive finance from or through my Votes. While I answer questions on the general principles underlying the provision of finance to these bodies, I do not answer for their detailed administration.My Department also makes contributions to various international organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Energy Agency.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will invite Lord Sieff or some other director of Marks and Spencer to become chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board.

The names of candidates for the chairmanship of the Central Electricity Generating Board are confidential. I am considering the position and will make a statement in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East on 6 April, Official Repot,c. 286, if he has yet considered the advice of the Advisory Council on Research and Development for Fuel and Power regarding wave energy; if he will publish this advice; and if he will make a statement.

As I announced on 27 April in reply to the hon. Member for Brighouse and Spenborough (Mr. Waller), I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses a summary of the advice of the advisory council on research and development for fuel and power on the renewable energy programmes. This includes advice on wave energy. My right hon. Friend will announce decisions on the future programme shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the number of cot deaths in Wales in each of the past three years.

The numbers of deaths of children under one year of age in Wales where the term "sudden unexpected death in infancy" or "cot death" or other synonym was mentioned on the death certificate, were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total expenditure, analysed by current and capital expenditure, by each of the local authorities in Wales, together with a corresponding analysis of the revenue and borrowing which funds such expenditure, analysed between domestic rates, non-domestic rates, grants, fees, borrowing and other categories of income.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether it is the view of Her Majesty's Government that clause 4, as amended, of the Local Government Finance (No. 2) Bill applies to Welsh local authorities; and whether it is his intention that there should be a selective holdback of grant penalising individual local authorities.

The Local Government Finance (No. 2) Bill applies to local authorities in Wales. The way in which clause 4 would apply in Wales in 1982–83 is a matter for discussion with the Welsh local authority associations. We have made no decisions in advance of such discussions being concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what, on the latest estimates available to him, is the total overspend of Welsh local authorities for 1981–82; and what action he proposes in respect thereof.

The 1981–82 Welsh rate support grant settlement provided for total local authority current expenditure of £1,034 million in cash terms—£966 at November 1980 prices. The latest estimate is that this will have been exceeded by 5·1 per cent—£52 million—in cash terms—2·2 per cent. or £20·8 million at November 1980 prices. We have made no decisions yet on the action we might take in the light of these figures and will be discussing them with the local authority associations later this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consult the Wales Council for the Disabled on the production of a Welsh language version of the publication by the disabilities study unit entitled "The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act: A Brief Guide to Services", and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security to the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 26 February 1982—[Vol. 18, c. 519–20.] The possible publication of further versions of this leaflet is a matter for the disabilities study unit to consider.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall have further meetings later today. This evening I shall be dining with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals.

asked the Prime Minister what percentage of average male earnings was unemployment benefit for a man who had been out of work for two months and was married with two children in May 1979; and how this compares with May 1980, 1981 and 1982.

In May 1979 a married man with two children who had previously been on average male earnings would have received unemployment benefit, earnings-related supplement and child benefit which amounted to 59·7 per cent.—£48·49—of the net income of his employed counter-part—a more relevant comparison than with his gross earnings. The corresponding figure for May 1980 is 55·9 per cent.—£55·85; and the provisional figure for May 1981 is 52·2 per cent.—£57·50. A comparable figure for May 1982 will not be available until mid-July. This situation changes significantly if one takes into account the supplementary benefit position. Assuming the two children were under age 5, supplementary benefit scale rates with heating addition and an average rent addition for an unemployed claimant amounted to 53·8 per cent., 54 per cent. and 60·8 per cent. of that net income at May 1979, May 1980 and May 1981 respectively.

asked the Prime Minister how many hon. Members she has seen on matters relating to factory closures since she last answered oral questions; and how many jobs were expected to be lost in the closures mentioned.

I have had no such meetings since 8 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will ensure that rubber or plastic bullets may no longer be used by security forces anywhere in the United Kingdom.

No.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the latest developments over the Falkland Islands.

We are continuing serious and intensive efforts to arrive at a peaceful solution through the negotiations being conducted by the Secretary General of the United Nations. At the same time we are maintaining the exclusion zone around the Falkland Islands, and keeping up the diplomatic and economic, as well as military, pressures on the Argentines. Our objective remains, in accordance with Security Council resolution 502, to end the unlawful Argentine occupation and to create the conditions for genuine negotiations on the future of the islands. It is Argentine intransigence which has so far prevented this.

asked the Prime Minister who were the privy councillors to whom she extended an invitation to join her to discuss matters connected with the Falkland Islands difficulties; whether the leaders of all of the political parties were included; and if she will give reasons for her choice.

At their request, I have held meetings on privy councillor terms with the right hon. Members for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. Steel) and Plymouth Devonport (Dr. Owen); the right hon. Member for Down, South (Mr. Powell); and the right hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Stewart). The right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Oppostion declined my invitation to join the first of these meetings.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the current situation in South Georgia.

As I reported to the House on 26 April, British authority was re-established in South Georgia on 25 April. The Argentine troops and civilians captured there have now been taken off the island, as have the British Antarctic survey personnel and the two wild-life photographers. A British presence remains on the islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what bodies or organisations, for the day-to-day work or administration of which he does not answer parliamentary questions, receive finance from his Department's Vote.

In addition to the non-official bodies and local authorities to which the Northern Ireland Departments give grants, they are sponsors for a number of executive bodies listed in "Non-Departmental Public Bodies; Facts and Figures 1981". In addition the Northern Ireland electricity service, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the Northern Ireland fire authority, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, and its subsidiary public transport companies, and Harland and Wolff Ltd. and Short Brothers Ltd., which are publicly owned, receive finance from my Votes, and while I answer questions on the general principles underlying grants made, I do not answer for their detailed administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider applying to charges levied for residential accommodation for the elderly criteria that will permit elderly persons who have saved money during their working lives to retain it and not be called upon by the health boards to contribute towards the cost of such accommodation.

In Northern Ireland the assessment of the ability of elderly people to pay for statutory residential accommodation is made on the same basis as the rest of the United Kingdom. The rules applied are based on the supplementary benefit scheme rules, and any change would have to be applied throughout the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to the reply of 5 May to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West, Official Report, c. 82, whether he had had detailed discussions with the various organisations representing small firms as part of his preliminary review of the loan guarantee scheme.

I have not arranged discussions with the small firms organisations specifically on my review of

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the current position on aid from the European regional development fund to United Kingdom steel and shipbuilding closure areas.

I am pleased to report that the special programme of Community aid to certain United Kingdom steel closure areas has now been formally approved by the Commission of the European Communities. The programme represents a valuable contribution by the Community towards over-coming the worst effects of the closure of steel works in Strathclyde, Cleveland, Clwyd, Gwent, South and West Glamorgan, and Corby.It provides 33 million European Currency Units—over £18 million—to be made available over the period 1981–85 to help the development of new employment-creating activities in these areas. Her Majesty's Government had decided that the potential growth of small and medium-sized enterprises is best assured by devoting most of this aid—£14·7 million—towards the improvement of run-down areas and the conversion of disused buildings into suitable new premises which will allow a total expenditure of almost £30 million for this purpose. The enterprises will at the same time be able to benefit from the remaining £3·7 million aid which has been set aside for the provision of consultancy and common services, help on technical innovation and information and on facilitating access to risk capital.The following table indicates the amounts to be made available to the steel closure areas covered by the programme. The United Kingdom shipbuilding programme is currently awaiting Commission approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many in-patients were treated in National Health Service hospitals in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

The most recent figure is for 1980, when the total number completing in-patient treatment in England was 5,670,001, which was a 5 per cent. increase on the year before.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost to the Department of negotiating with the Hounslow hospital community project for the lease of Hounslow hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will receive a deputation from the Hounslow hospital community project to discuss the sale of Hounslow hospital.

The cost of such a lease would depend on its terms and on the amount which might otherwise be gained for the NHS through sale of the site. I have asked the new Hounslow and Spelthorne health authority to review the future use of Hounslow hospital and in the meantime to consider the possibility of an immediate short-term concessionary lease. If agreement on this cannot be reached locally I should then be willing to receive a deputation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has studied "Children and Poverty" by the Child Poverty Action Group; and what is his policy towards the recommendations contained therein.

I have studied the report with interest. Within the supplementary benefit scheme, the Government have made a point of channelling extra resources towards families with children. But I cannot endorse the basis of the report's argument. Successive Governments have agreed with the view of the Supplementary Benefits Commission that the supplementary benefit scale rates should not be based on a list of requirements which is bound to be arbitrary in nature.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service patients have been sent to other European Economic Community countries for specialist medical treatment in recent years.

Since the United Kingdom joined the European Community in 1973, about 120 people have been referred to other member States specifically to receive medical treatment under the provisions of the Community social security regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the proposals contained in the Child Care Bill and the Child Care (No. 2) Bill [Lords].

We are concerned that proper attention should be paid to the rights of families with children in care. There are already substantial safeguards and we are not convinced that further legislation is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there is sufficient whole blood available for use within the National Health Service.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the replies to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East on 29 October, Official Report, c. 450, and on 3 March 1982, Official Report, c. 171, if he has yet completed the discussions he is holding with representatives of the National Health Service and the private sector with a view to introducing charges to cover the handling and processing costs incurred by the national blood transfusion service in supplying blood to private hospitals and clinics.

I expect to complete them shortly and then to make an announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations on the future pay structure of ancillary staff and nurses of the National Health Service.

I discussed the development of permanent arrangements for nurses pay with the Nurses and Midwives Whitley council on 17 March. As a result I have asked my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health to chair a small working group, on which both sides of the Whitley council will be represented, to produce more detailed proposals. We are anxious to move forward on this complex issue and I hope the working group will meet shortly. No long-term change in the pay structure of ancillary staff is under negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement concerning the progress of negotiations on Health Service pay.

I refer the hon. Member to ray right hon. Friend's reply to him on 6 April.—[Vol. 21, c. 294.] These offers remain on the table.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the dispute in the hospital service.

I very much regret that some industrial action is taking place in some parts of the Health Service. It is the responsibility of district health authorities to respond to this action at local level.The Government have given clear general guidance on the handling of industrial action and I look to regional health authorities, in the exercise of their general management responsibilities, to follow this guidance when they are assisting to resolve local problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to issue fresh guidance to the new district health authorities in relation to small cottage hospitals such as the Victoria hospital, Romford.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he proposes to issue fresh guidance to the new district health authorities in the South-West of England in relation to small cottage hospitals such as Torrington hospital and Okehampton; and if he will make a statement.

I am still considering and consulting on the important question of general guidance on hospital services. I hope to reach conclusions in the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement as to the future use to be made of the dental school at St. George's hospital, Tooting, London SW17.

The use of the Royal Dental Hospital of London School of Dental Surgery facilities at Tooting is a matter for the University of London, for which the Department is not responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to introducing flexible ages for eligibility for retirement benefit; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to the considerations set out in chapter 3 of the Government's White Paper "Growing Older", Cmnd. 8173, and in the published oral and written evidence submitted by the Department to the Social Services Committee for its current study of the age of retirement. The Government's view is that arrangements for flexible retirement are a desirable long-term objective but that the cost of any worthwhile changes, the need to safeguard pensioner incomes on retirement, and the need to give occupational pension schemes and other interested parties lengthy advance notice of any change in present provisions preclude any early prospect of change in this direction. We shall be giving further consideration to the whole question of retirement age in the light of the Select Committee's report, which should be published later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the figures for those of working age receiving supplementary benefit in May 1979 at the latest available date; and if he will also state the percentage increase.

In May 1979, 1·16 million people were receiving supplementary allowance, compared with 1·99 million in December 1981. This is an increase of 72 per cent.Source: "Quarterly Statistical Enquiries" May 1979 and December 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action is being taken to reduce delays in dealing with applications for mobility, attendance and disablement benefit.

I am aware that there is some delay in clearing claims to mobility allowance and attendance allowance because of the increase in the number of claims to these benefits. I have asked that efforts be made to improve clearance times. I am not aware of any general delay in dealing with claims to disablement benefit, but if the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I should be glad to have details.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will bring in measures to enable all unemployed persons to receive the long-term rate of supplementary benefits.

We have recently extended entitlement to the long-term rate to unemployed supplementary beneficiaries aged 60 and over who have been receiving benefit for a year. We are well aware of the case for wider extensions of entitlement but cannot go further in present economic circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what problems are being experienced by the Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley health authorities in providing sufficient places in secure units for mentally handicapped persons in each of those areas.

I am not aware of any current problems being experienced by the Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster health authorities in placing mentally handicapped people in need of secure facilities. The Department has been aware of problems regarding the placement of some individual patients during the past year, but, so far as I am aware, all of these cases have now been satisfactorily resolved. However, if the hon. Member knows of any particular difficulties which cannot be resolved locally perhaps he will write to me giving details and I will look into them.At present Trent regional health authority has a 40-place unit providing medium secure accommodation for seriously disturbed mentally handicapped patients at Aston Hall hospital near Derby.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will ensure that administrative measures are taken in 1982 that will avoid a repetition of the previous year's delays in paying the Christmas bonus to many retirement pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure that the 1982 Christmas bonus is paid to everyone on time.

Yes. Procedures for payment of the bonus have been reviewed in the light of the 1981 exercise and, where necessary, instructions on payment arrangements are being strengthened.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance he has issued to district health authorities on the organisation of midwifery services.

I refer the hon. Member to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Members for Harlow (Mr. Newens), and for Pontefract and Castleford (Mr. Lofthouse) earlier today. I am sending him a copy of the circular mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he met the Royal College of Midwives to discuss the organisation of the midwifery service.

My right hon. Friend last met representatives of the Royal College of Midwives, together with a number of organisations representing nursing interests, on 1 March 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has issued any guidance to regional health authorities about the information that should be recorded by doctors or midwives and retained in the records of the regional health authorities.

Information recorded by doctors and midwives and other health care staff is required primarily for the care and treatment of patients. Selected information is also used for the planning and provision of services, and for research and statistical purposes. The Department has issued no recent guidance on this, but advice is given as necessary on the recording of information for particular purposes. The steering group on health services information, chaired by Mrs. Körner, vice-chairman of the South-Western regional health authority, is reviewing many aspects of NHS information arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department has requested the regional health authorities to record the ethnic origin of women who have given birth.

Data on ethnic origin are not required in current national health statistical systems, nor is there any proposal to include them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of gross national product is currently devoted to the National Health Service; and how this compares with 1979.

In 1979 total expenditure on the National Health Service represented 4·8 per cent. of the gross national product at market prices. It is provisionally estimated that the corresponding figure for 1982 will be 5·5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will make a statement on the alternative funding of the National Health Service.

I am still considering with colleagues the exploratory material provided by the interdepartmental working party.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what he estimates the cost of community health councils to be in England and Wales in 1982–83.

Information is not held centrally about community health council budgets in England. Budgets are determined by regional health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for private patients in National Health Service hospitals.

Broadly yes, but individual health authorities are responsible for the management of private practice within the hospitals in their district.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given on the considerations to be borne in mind in appointing members of district health authorities.

Guidance to regional health authorities and local authorities with the right to make appointments to district health authorities was set out in circular HC(81) 6/LAC(81)3 issued in May 1981. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the minimum standards of obstetric and neonatal care will be established.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the minimum standards of obstetric and neonatal care will be established.

We are still considering the content of minimum standards in obstetrics and neonatal care.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with administrative arrangements in local social security offices.

We are constantly seeking to improve our administrative arrangements. If my hon. Friend has any specific points in mind, I should be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is now able to report on the inquiry carried out by the chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority following the representations made by the Mid-Staffordshire branch of the Royal College of Nursing into the impact of Government expenditure cuts on the funding of the Mid-Staffordshire health authority and the nurse staffing situation at St. George's hospital, Stafford.

The Government have increased expenditure on the National Health Service and have made no expenditure cuts. The allocation of funds with the West Midlands is a matter for the West Midlands regional health authority. That authority has increased its allocation to the Mid-Staffordshire health authority this year by £950,000. Problems of nurse staffing at any individual hospital have to be left to local discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and women, respectively, have completed form UB671 as part of the pilot trial of work availability.

During the pilot scheme at unemployment benefit offices, which was designed to try out procedures for testing the availability for work of people claiming unemployment benefit, 866 completed forms UB671 were received. Separate figures were not kept for men and women.