asked the Minister for Trade how long consumer credit licence class C and D applications are taking; what provisions exist to ensure prompt processing of applications; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Minister for Trade what is his latest estimate of the effect of the economic sanctions placed upon the Argentine by the United Kingdom's partners in the European Economic Community, by the Commonwealth and by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 May 1982, c. 6.]: It is not possible to make an accurate assessment of the effect of these measures on the Argentine economy. About 28 per cent. of the Argentine's exports are affected by import bans and an even higher percentage of its imports by the suspension of export credit. These measures have already had an immediate impact on the Argentine economy and international confidence in it.

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has any evidence to show that restrictions imposed by the multi-fibre arrangement increase the cost of clothes available in British shops; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply,17 May 1982, c. 6.]: I am aware of a report by the Consumers' Association in August 1979 which stated that prices of clothing had risen as a result of the multi-fibre arrangement. This report was subsequently challenged by the textile industry on the ground that it had not succeeded in isolating the effect of quotas on prices from other factors.

asked the Prime Minister whether she can yet make a statement about the recent report by the Security Commission into security procedures and practices in the public service; and whether the Commission's report will be published.

In my statement to the House on 26 March 1981 I announced that, after consultation with the right hon. Gentleman, the Leader of the Opposition, I had asked the Security Commission to conduct a review of security procedures and practices in the public service and to consider what changes, if any, were required.The commission has completed its task and submitted its report. I am most grateful to Lord Diplock and his colleagues, Lord Bridge of Harwich and Lord Allen of Abbeydale, for their thorough and painstaking work. After careful consideration, I have concluded, albeit with some regret, that it would not be in the national interest to publish this report since substantial portions of it concern the most sensitive aspects of security procedures. By the same token, an expurgated version of the report would give a misleading impression of it. I therefore propose to publish tomorrow, as a Command Paper, as full a statement as possible, consistent with national security, about the commission's findings. I am authorised to Bay that Lord Diplock and his colleagues are content with this course, and they believe it to be the right course to follow in the circumstances.This is the first comprehensive review of security procedures that has taken place since the report of the committee on security procedures in the public service, known as the Radcliffe Report, was published in April 1962. Like Radcliffe, the commission has taken "security" in its terms of reference to mean the safeguarding of such information in the possession of the Government as would by its unauthorised disclosure cause injury to the interests of the country. This report does not cover the protection of Government buildings or their contents or vital installations against sabotage or terrorist attack, although it does cover physical precautions for denying access to classified information by unauthorised persons.The report is generally reassuring. Subject to the commission's views about the need for an urgent evaluation of the risks involved in electronic information processing and the means of countering them, Lord Diplock and his colleagues conclude that the security procedures, as they have been applied since Radcliffe and considerably modified and updated since, have worked well and can be relied upon to prevent infiltration of any of those bodies dealing with particularly sensitive security issues of that which took place in the 1930s and 1940s.Nevertheless they make a number of recommendations which the Government accept—subject in a few instances to further necessary inquiries—and will implement as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for the latest available date a top salary in free enterprise companies and the ratio between such remuneration and average earnings; and if he will compare figures with those given by the right hon. Member for Ashton under Lyne (Mr. Sheldon) when Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 11 May 1976, Official Report, c. 367–369.

I regret that information is not available on which to base a reliable estimate, for a recent period, of the gross salary that is comparable with the figure of £30,000 quoted in 1976.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were not liable to income tax on 1 January 1952, and at the same date in 1962, 1972, and 1982, respectively, or at the earliest and latest convenient dates if this information is not available.

The available information is given in the table below. The "number of tax units" covers all people above the school leaving age who are not at school. The numbers paying income tax cover people with income tax records and exclude those whose only liability to tax is on building society interest. Married couples are counted as one throughout.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the changes in the percentage of income paid in tax and national insurance between 1979–80 and the latest available year for the following groups: (a) a single person, (b) a childless couple, (c) a couple with two children under 11 years of age, (d) a couple with one child under 11 and one 11 to 16 years, (e) a couple with two children under 11 and two 11 to 16 years in the following income categories (i) half average earnings, (ii) three quarters average earnings, (iii) average earnings, (iv) one and a half times average earnings and (v) twice average earnings.

The information requested for the couple with four children is given in the table attached. Comparable figures for the other family types, together with notes setting out the basis of the calculations, have been given in answers to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on 3 December 1981—[Vol. 14, c. 188–192]—and 18 March 1982—[Vol. 20, c. 199–201.] In neither of the years did the age of the children affect tax payments or benefit receipts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will abolish stamp duty levied on adoption agreements in connection with (a) section 38 of Highways Act 1980 and (b) with sewer adoption agreements in connection with section 18 of the Public Health Act 1936.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 May 1982, c. 11]: I shall keep my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is still the Government's intention to tax invalidity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the proposed timing of the necessary legislation if it is still intended to tax the benefit.

[pursuant to his reply, 17 May, 1982, c. 11]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 January to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mr. Pawsey).—[Vol. 16, c. 84.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the significance of the Argentine grain trade to the Soviet Union and other countries and the importance in the remittance of funds to the Argentine, steps have been taken to ensure that Bunge and Co., owned by Argentine nationals through the holding company Tauretan N.V. registered in the Netherlands Antilles and owned by Bunge and Born of Buenos Aires, has been brought within the scope of the control of the Gold, Securities, Payments and Credits (Argentine Republic) Directions 1982 (S.I. 1982, No. 512); and if he will give details of any restrictions placed upon that company.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 May 1982, c. 60]: The Gold, Payments and Credits (Argentine Republic) Directions 1982 apply to Bunge and Company Ltd. in precisely the same way as to any other person or company in the United Kingdom. No special restrictions have been placed on this company.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the numbers of approaches he has received from persons and organisations requesting an investigation into matters connected with the legal profession, especially regarding alleged excessive waste of time and high costs, and the steps he has taken or intends taking.

From time to time my Department receives letters from members of the public complaining about matters connected with the legal professions. Some of these complaints relate to alleged delays and high costs. The writers are usually informed of the remedies available to them in the courts or through the respective professional bodies. I do not think that it would be helpful to attempt to identify all such letters over a particular period and to give the numbers; in any event such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Attorney-General whether he proposes to bring forward in the next Session of Parliament legislation to implement the recommendations of the Law Commission as set out in paragraphs 45(5) and (6) of its report on divorce law reform.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Hill) on 13 May.—[Vol. 23, c. 311.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the total inclusive costs on an actual or estimated basis of all matters pertaining to the case of David White of Stoke Newington, the police costs of investigation prior to the costs of the court case, including the plaintiffs' and defendants' costs, and the damages awarded against the police; and who will meet the costs.

The general position under section 48 of the Police Act 1964 is that damages or costs awarded by a court against a chief officer of police fall on the local police fund. It is too early to assess the costs related to this case that may fall on the Metropolitan Police fund.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people now in prison had previous convictions; and what proportion they represent of the total prison population.

The most comprehensive information readily available is that for 30 June 1980, published in table 1(f) of "Prison statistics, England and Wales 1980" (Cmnd. 8372). Information on previous convictions is collected centrally only for sentenced prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for the regular publication of the total numbers of firearm and shotgun certificates valid at a fixed date annually.

We shall continue to make this information available on request, but are not persuaded that special arrangements for publishing it would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of firearm and shotgun certificates, respectively, which were valid at 31 December 1981; and what were the equivalent figures for the three previous years.

The figures for 1981 are not yet available, but my noble Friend will write to the hon. Member as soon as they are. No information was collected centrally for 1978, but the figures for 1979 and 1980 are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why there is a two-tier system of prison discharge grants; if any consideration has been given to making the same discharge grant for all released prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

The grant is designed to meet a discharged prisoner's reasonable needs for his maintenance during his first week after release. While the standard grant of £21·15 is considered to be sufficient to meet the immediate requirements of those returning home, homeless ex-prisoners are judged to need additional financial help, and they receive a higher grant of £50·85. The introduction of a flat-rate grant would not therefore be consistent with the objects of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugee centres for Vietnamese refugees remain open; how many such centres have been closed; when the remaining centres will close; and what steps have been taken for the aftercare of refugees in the community.

Eight reception centres for Vietnamese refugees remain open. Thirty-seven such centres have already been closed. It is expected that two of the remaining centres will close at the end of this month, that four will close during the next two months and that the remaining two will close later in the year.Care for Vietnamese refugees who have left reception centres falls within the normal responsibilities of the various statutory services. Before any refugee leaves a centre, a settlement officer of the refugee agency which manages the centre will have made appropriate arrangements with the relevant services in the area of proposed resettlement, and, where possible, with one of the local voluntary support groups established to assist refugees to resettle into the community. As an exceptional measure, the Government are providing funds to enable the three refugee agencies conducting the Vietnamese refugee programme to provide specialist support to these refugees for a limited period after they have left the reception centres.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the text of the description of the conditions in which refunds of television licence fees are made under section 3(3) of the Post Office Act 1969 as printed on the licence form referred to in his reply to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury on 12 May.

The text is as follows:

"Refunds are given only when (a) an unexpired monochrome licence is surrendered on the issue of a colour licence: (b) a new licence is not needed within 28 days of issue or when a renewal licence is not needed within 28 days of the expiry of the previous licence; application for the refund must be made during the period of the validity of the licence: (c) two licences are held but one was obtained in error."

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the capital expenditure at High Point prison in Suffolk since 1977 has been spent on staff accommodation, cells and other accommodation for inmates, physical security arrangements and facilities for the education and recreation of inmates, respectively.

We regret that financial information on capital projects is not kept on the basis sought in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total amount of public funds spent on capital works of all kinds at High Point prison in Suffolk over the period since the Prison Department took over responsibility from the Royal Air Force.

To date some £7 million has been spent on capital works for the High Point and Northridge projects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were killed or injured as a result of fires in residential homes for the elderly during 1981; and how many such fires were reported.

Statistics relating to 1981 are not yet available. Figures for 1980 can be found in table 24 of "Fire Statistics United Kingdom 1980", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fire certificate applications have been made under the Fire Precautions (Hotels and Boarding Houses) Order 1972 (a) since the order came into force and (b) for the year ended 31 December 1981; and, in respect of 1981, if he will give (i) the total number of inspections carried out, (ii) the number of certificates issued and (iii) the number of premises awaiting inspection both nationally and for East Sussex.

According to information provided by fire authorities in England and Wales, 28,903 applications for a fire certificate had been received by 31 December 1981 in respect of premises covered by the Fire Precautions (Hotels and Boarding Houses) Order 1972. In 1981 1,484 applications were received, 1,993 premises—17 in East Sussex—were inspected and 2,670 fire certificates—31 in East Sussex—were issued. At 31 December 1981 944 premises—13 in East Sussex—were awaiting inspection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons convicted of murder since 1957 were sentenced to life imprisonment; and what length of sentence was served by those who have since been released.

The numbers suspected of homicide who were convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—tables 4.7 and 4.8 of the issue for 1980, Cmnd. 8376. For the information available on the time served under sentence by such prisoners I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton (Mr. Forman) on 20 April 1982.—[Vol. 22, c. 72.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for the longest convenient period details of persons convicted in British courts of murder who were released and then convicted again for murder.

The available information is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—table 4.10 of the volume for 1980, Cmnd. 8376. Since last year's publication was prepared one further case has been recorded, bringing the provisional total for 1970 to 1981 to three.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the number of persons that have been registered as unemployed for more than two years for each of the counties of Wales for each month for the following years: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981.

The information is not available in the form requested. Before the last quarter in 1978 figures were produced on a half-yearly basis and related to those unemployed for more than 52 weeks. Since April 1979 quarterly figures for more than 104 weeks are available and on this basis are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy for the management and funding of local authority higher education in Wales.

With the agreement of the local authorities in Wales and after consultation with other interested parties I have decided to establish a new advisory body in Wales for the management of local authority higher education. The advice this body will provide will assist me in the performance of my statutory duties in relation to the apportionment of the advanced further education pool, the approval of advanced courses and teacher training and such other aspects of higher education in Wales outside the universities as may be decided.The advisory body will comprise a committee supported by a board and appropriate advisory panels. The secretariat will be provided jointly by the Welsh Office and the local authorities. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, the Member for Cardiff, North-West (Mr. Roberts) will chair the committee, which will otherwise consist of representatives of the local authorities.The terms of reference of both the committee and the board are as follows. I hope that the committee will meet next month and that the board will begin its work shortly afterwards.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what courses are currently offered for (a) adults and (b) young people at the Charlton skillcentre; and which of these are fully taken up.

Following is the information requested:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many (a) adults and (b) young people have been entered for each course at the Charlton skillcentre since it opened; and how many have successfully completed training.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated number of (a) adults and (b) young people who have been placed in jobs after successfully completing training at the Charlton skillcentre.

Since training commenced at Charlton skillcentre 142 adult trainees and 373 young people have been placed in employment. A further 28 young people were placed in employment during the assessment period.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what have been the estimated annual running costs for the Charlton skillcentre for each year of its operation.

The estimated annual running costs for Charlton skillcentre since it became fully operational in late 1979 are as follows:

• 1980–81—£.570,000
• 1981–82—£630,000

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places for (a) adults and (b) young people are currently available at the Charlton skillcentre; and how many of these are filled.

There are currently 52 adult places and 72 young persons' places, of which 50 and 61 are filled respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current estimated cost per trainee at the Charlton skillcentre; and how this compares with the average for skillcentres in Greater London.

The current estimated cost per trainee place at Charlton skillcentre is £5,350 per annum compared with an estimated average cost of £4,700 for skillcentres in Greater London. Both figures exclude trainee allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places for (a) adults and (b) young people will be available at the Deptford skillcentre when it is fully in operation.

When Deptford skillcentre is fully operational it will have 182 adult places and 40 places for young people. If Charlton skillcentre is merged with it there will be 246 adult places and 100 places for young people.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what courses will be offered for (a) adults and (b) young people at the Deptford skillcentre when it is fully in operation.

The information is a follows. Column A shows the courses available if Charlton is merged with Deptford: column B shows planned provision if the classes from Charlton are excluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated annual running cost of the Deptford skillcentre when it is fully in operation; and what is the estimated cost per trainee.

The estimated annual running cost for Deptford when fully operational and the estimated cost per trainee are £990,000 and £4,500 respectively. If Charlton skillcentre were merged with it these costs are estimated to be £1,200,000 and £3,500 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places are now available in skillcentres in Greater London; and how many of these are currently filled.

There are 1,762 places available for training in Greater London, of which 1,437 are currently filled.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies for skillcentre instructors in Greater London remained unfilled at the most recent convenient date; and which were the main shortage skills.

On 30 April 1982 there were 14 unfilled instructor posts in Greater London. Eight of these vacancies were in construction trades including four for carpentry and joinery.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons altogether were employed in mid-1980 and at the latest available date in Rolls-Royce, British Leyland and the other publicly owned trading bodies included in category 4 as set out in appendix 18 to the Minutes of Evidence attached to the eighth report of the Treasury and Civil Service Committee in Session 1980–81.

The number of persons employed in the United Kingdom by the four companies mentioned in category 4 of appendix 18 were about 210,000 in 1980 and about 165,000 at the end of 1981. Following the disposal of Amersham International Ltd. in February, the company is no longer connected in any way with the public sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many (a) men and (b) women he has appointed to public bodies in the past year; and what is the total number of men and women appointed by his Department to serve on public bodies.

I have appointed 350 men and 66 women to public bodies in the year ended 30 April 1982. 2,352 men and 531 women serve on public bodies to which appointments are made by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on what grounds he has authorised a change and revision in the guidelines under which community enterprise programmes are administered in inner city areas.

There has been no change in the criteria governing approval of community enterprise programme projects in either inner city areas or other parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, and on what grounds, he considers that Elephant Jobs Ltd. has put at risk permanent jobs in the local community or the London area.

Part of the activities of Elephant Jobs Ltd., for which funding is at present received from the Manpower Services Commission under the community enterprise programme, involves the production of goods for sale. Any private sector competitor in the same market would have to fund all his costs from the receipts arising from the sale of the goods. Since the wage costs incurred by Elephant Jobs Ltd. in the production of these goods as well as a contribution towards operating costs are currently paid for by the Manpower Services Commission, Elephant Jobs Ltd. is at a distinct advantage, which could put existing jobs at risk or prevent the creation of potential new jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on what grounds he bases his proposal to close the activities undertaken by Elephant Jobs Ltd.; and whether there has been any change in community enterprise programme guidelines relevant to this firm.

Elephant Jobs Ltd. has secured the approval of the Manpower Services Commission to fund 150 places in various activities under both the community enterprise programme and the youth opportunities programme. Of these 150 places, about 40 are involved in activities which do not fall squarely within the guidelines for the community enterprise programme. Since there is now no shortage of sponsors in the London area who are applying for places under the community enterprise programme, the Manpower Services Commission feels it is no longer justified in funding places with Elephant Jobs Ltd. which do not fall squarely within the existing criteria. Moreover, the Manpower Services Commission is not satisfied that Elephant Jobs Ltd. has followed all the necessary procedures designed to safeguard public money. Until it is so satisfied, there can be no question of any funding for any of the places approved for Elephant Jobs Ltd., after the present agreement expires.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied that Elephant Jobs Ltd. will be able to remain operational if community enterprise programme funding is withdrawn.

That is a matter which Elephant Jobs Ltd. alone can decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of the number of persons who may be made redundant as a result of the withdrawal of community enterprise programme funding from Elephant Jobs Ltd.; and what is his estimate of the net cost to the Exchequer of. (a) their employment with community enterprise programme funding and (b) their unemployment.

There are currently 150 places under both the community enterprise programme and the youth opportunities programme approved with Elephant Jobs Ltd. Of these, 111 are temporary jobs funded under the community enterprise programme. There are currently more than enough sponsors prepared to put forward projects, in the London region, for funding under the community enterprise programme. Any reduction in the number of jobs provided by Elephant Jobs Ltd. will therefore be fully compensated by an increase in the number of jobs provided elsewhere in the London region. A decision by MSC not to renew funding in the case of some community enterprise programme places sponsored by Elephant Jobs therefore would have virtually no effect on net costs to the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the fact that Elephant Jobs Ltd. may be refused re-funding for projects which previously received community enterprise programme funds, if he is satisfied that the rules for granting such funding have been fairly applied to this firm.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when the Health and Safety Commission intends to publish its proposals for regulations and guidance on the manual handling of loads.

These proposals are to be published tomorrow and a copy of the consultative document will be placed in the Library. Comments on the proposals should reach the Health and Safety Executive by 11 November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table on local government finance in Scotland showing for each of the

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the allocation of funds to different sectors of agricultural research; and if he will make a statement.

I have responsibility for the commissioning and funding of agricultural research at the following seven research institutes in Scotland:

• Animal Diseases Research Association
• Hannah Research Institute
• Hill Farming Research Organisation
• Macaulay Institute for Soil Research
• Rowett Research Institute
• Scottish Crop Research Institute
• Scottish Institute of Agricultural Engineering

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department has conducted any research work on (a) the effect of deploying more policemen on the beat upon the level of crime, and (b) the increase in the expenditure required to assure the success of such a policy.

No, but I am aware that research into the effect of beat patrolling has been undertaken elsewhere.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of cases made known to the police in Scotland in 1981; and in what percentage of these cases persons were not traced in the following categories (a) vandalism, (b) malicious damage and (c) embezzlement.

The information requested is set out in the following table. Figures for embezzlement are not separately identified.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any National Health Service hospitals in Scotland are using ultrasonic scanning techniques in preference to X-ray methods to detect breast cancer; and if he will make a statement.

Research is still being carried out into the use of ultrasonic scanning techniques to detect breast cancer, and the process is not used as a matter of routine in any NHS hospitals in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were admitted to hospital in Scotland in each of the past three years for treatment for anorexia nervosa.

The number of such patients discharged from hospitals in Scotland during the last three years for which information is available is as follows:

• 1977–168
• 1978–164
• 1979–196

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will study the research work being performed at the Royal Edinburgh hospital and Edinburgh Royal infirmary on anorexia nervosa with respect to gut motility and possible hormonal disorders within the hypothalamus for possible therapy applicable within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many crofts in Scotland have been sold since the passing of the Crofting Act 1976; and what has been the total acreage involved and the price paid in each case.

In the period 10 June 1976 to 31 December 1981, the sale to sitting tenants of 487 croft house sites, 58 part crofts and 992 whole crofts had been reported to the Crofters Commission. The commission does not maintain specific records of crofts sold other than to sitting tenants, nor has it information on the prices paid for crofts. Details of acreage are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

My Department has already studied this research work. While the findings of the researchers in Edinburgh are interesting, they represent only one more step towards a complete understanding of this difficult condition, and much further work will be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of the number and percentage of the total number of families in Glasgow and Scotland with (a) one child, (b) two children, (c) three children, (d) four children and (e) five or more children.

The latest available figures, which are based on a 10 per cent. sample from the 1971 Census and relate to children in families under 15 years of ay or between 15 and 24 years of age and classified as "student" on the census return, are shown in the following table. Figures from the 1981 census should be available next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list in the Official Report the names of the chairmen of all the health boards in Scotland; how long they have (a) served on the health board and (b) how long they have served in the capacity of chairman;(2) if he will list in the

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what organisations and trade unions were consulted by him before he made the recent appointment of a new chairman to the Grampian health board; what was the nature of the inquiry to these organisations; and on what date the inquiries were sent to the organisations that were consulted.

No separate formal consultations take place before the appointment of chairmen of health boards: but as I indicated in my reply of 4 May,—[Vol. 23, c. 43–4]—chairmen are normally chosen by my right hon. Friend from among existing members whose appointments to the board follow extensive consultations with a large variety of representative and other bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the amount of public funds which were allocated to the Scottish health boards and give individual figures for each board for the years 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and the latest figure for 1982.

The information requested is as follows, by financial years from 1978. The figures are for allocations of funds to meet the boards' recurrent expenditure commitments and locally managed capital programmes. Major building projects are financed directly by the Scottish Home and Health Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what methods are adopted by Scottish health

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the amounts paid to chairmen of Scottish health boards for each individual health board in the years 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and the latest figures for 1982.

The remuneration of chairmen of health boards is as follows:boards to monitor the expenses, loss of earnings and other outlays by the chairmen of these boards; and if he will make a statement.

Monitoring arrangements are matters for individual health boards. Chairmen of boards receive fixed remuneration and are not eligible for loss of earnings allowance. Rates of payment and general conditions of eligibility for travel expenses and subsistence allowances are determined centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the machinery for ensuring accountability to him by Scottish health boards for the public funds which are granted annually to these boards; and if he will make a statement.

The final allocations made to health boards for revenue and ordinary capital expenditure purposes are cash limited and may not be exceeded. Boards are required to produce accounts annually; these are inspected by the statutory auditor who reports to my right hon. Friend, and may also be inspected by the Comptroller and Auditor General. There are also direct controls on management costs, on senior medical and dental staff appointments and on major capital projects. My Department is developing measures to enable it to monitor more extensively the attainment and performance of boards while leaving them free to determine their expenditure priorities.In a more general context, accountability for the NHS is exercised through the maintenance of a sensible balance between oversight of the service by my Department and its management under delegation by health authorities. My right hon. Friend and I and the Department are able to maintain in Scotland a range of contacts, both formal and informal, with health authorities. These allow for discussion and deliberation on all matters which affect the provision of health services and their standards, including the better use of resources, forward planning, and the more efficient delivery of services, and the achievement of value for public money spent. Nonetheless, it is for boards themselves, which have full knowledge of local circumstances, to make decisions on how to spend the funds allocated to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will investigate the circumstances in which four prison officers were injured at Peterhead prison on Friday 7 May; and if he will publish the result of his investigation in the Official Report.

I have received a detailed report on the incident in Peterhead prison on Friday, 7 May, in the course of which I regret that four members of the staff were injured. I am glad that none of the injuries, though painful, were such as to require the officers to be detained in hospital. Thanks to the prompt and resolute actions of the governor and his staff, the incident was quickly brought under control. I see no need for any further investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there is a shortage of prison officers at the Peterhead prison; and if he will make a statement.

The present staff complement of Peterhead prison is 213, and on 1 May 1982 there were 211 staff in post. Discussions are presently proceeding between the governor and the local branch of the Scottish Prison Officers Association on a new roster which would provide for an increase in the manning level of the prison.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the £1 million improvement project at Peterhead prison will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

The £1 million improvement programme at Peterhead prison is well advanced and should be completed by the end of 1983. The upgrading of the cell blocks by the extension and modernisation of toilet facilities and the provision of showers, the improvement of heating and the installation of roof light security grilles and gallery safety nets, to protect staff as well as to improve security, has reached the halfway stage: one hall has been completely upgraded, work in the second hall is 50 per cent. complete and a third hall remains to be done. Rehabilitation of the main workshed, including installation of new heating, toilets and dust extraction equipment was completed last year. A new utility hall which serves as a sports hall and cinema was also completed in 1981. New centralised boiler plant has been installed, and the improved heating system will be in operation by October 1982. Upgrading and extension of the kitchen is well advanced and is expected to be completed by September 1982. The security wall for the new 10 cell unit has been completed and work on the unit itself is scheduled to begin next month with completion in mid-1983.Within the constraints imposed by the design of a prison built in the last century, the improvements we are undertaking will go a significant way towards making living conditions more satisfactory for inmates as well as providing better working conditions for staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures are taken at Peterhead prison to protect prison officers from attack by dangerous inmates of the prison; and if he will make a statement.

Staff are trained in the handling of dangerous prisoners and are deployed by the governor in such a way as to guard, so far as is possible, against the possibility of attack. Thes deployments and the security procedures followed are always kept under review. En addition, protective equipment is available to the governor for issue when circumstances warrant, and staff are regularly trained in its use.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to pay an official visit to Peterhead prison to inspect the improvement project there.

The Secretary of State hopes to visit Peterhead prison during the summer recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will undertake research on whether the incidence of ischaemic heart disease mortality is affected by economic recession.

My Department has no specific proposals to undertake such research. However, because of the particular burden of ischaemic heart disease in Scotland in recent years very considerable resources have been devoted by my. Department for wide-ranging research into this condition. As an outcome, a new cardiovascular disease epidemiology unit was established in the University of Dundee last year; and more recently agreement was reached for Scottish participation in a major multinational long-term prospective study of trends and determinants of the disease being organised by the World Health Organisation. It is to be hoped that these initiatives, together with other research supported by my Department and research organisations such as the Medical Research Council and the British Heart Foundation will throw further light on the causation of the condition.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will undertake research on whether there is any relationship between the level of infant mortality in Scotland and the level of female unemployment.

My Department has no specific proposals to undertake such research. However it currently supports a number of research projects designed to study the wider aspects of infant mortality. In recent years there has been a notable decline in the infant mortality rate in Scotland and this encouraging trend continues to be closely monitored.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any evidence that local authority eventide homes are having to admit marginal psycho-geriatric cases owing to the pressure on hospital accommodation for those elderly persons.

My Department has no such evidence, nor have representations been made to my right hon. Friend about individual cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans are contained in the draft integrated development programme for the Western Isles to safeguard sites of special scientific interest and areas meeting the requirements of article 4 of EEC directive 79/409/EEC

The provisions relating to the protection of the environment are contained in chapter 10 and annex VII of the integrated development programme, copies of which were lodged in the Library on 30 March.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the Nature Conservancy Council's written comments to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland on the proposed integrated development programme for the Western Isles.

Representatives of the council attended all meetings of the steering committee of officials which drafted the programme and I understand that its proposals on protection of the environment reflect the Nature Conservancy Council's views. My Department has received no subsequent comments on the programme from the council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his most recent estimate of simultaneous maximum demand for electricity in Scotland in 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85.

The forecasting of electricity demand is the responsibility in the first instance of the Scottish electricity boards. I am asking the chairmen to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received the estimated repair bills from district councils as a consequence of the winter's severe weather which caused broken pipes, flooding and other damage to council homes; and if he will list individually such estimated cost of the councils.

[pursuant to his reply, 14 May, c. 333]: My right hon. Friend has not yet received any formal claims from district councils in response to Scottish Office finance circular No. 4/1982, issued on 22 February, which describes the Government's scheme of financial assistance to local authorities which incurred exceptional expenditure as a result of the severe winter weather.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the 1981 annual report and accounts of the Crown Agents for overseas Governments and Administrations are to be published.

The 1981 report and accounts are being published today and copies have been laid before the House. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, prior to the proposed inquiry into the handling by Her Majesty's Government of the Falklands issue, he will publish a factual account of the length of time, dates and all information regarding the steps taken and attempts made to resolve the Falkland Islands problems prior to the unprovoked aggression by Argentina.

Successive Governments held a series of talks with successive Argentine Governments between 1965 and 1982 in an effort to resolve the Falklands Islands dispute.The main parliamentary announcements regarding these talks were as follows: