asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the reserves of coal (a) in volume, (b) in calorific value in (i) the South Wales coalfield, and (ii) the Margam area.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what effect the withdrawal of British Petroleum from the coal liquefaction project at Point of Ayr, North Wales, will have on the viability of the project.

The National Coal Board has been seeking financial support for the Point of Ayr project from a variety of sources. I have received no formal report on the progress which has been made or the extent to which participation by BP is crucial to the viability of the project.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much public money has been spent on the coal liquefaction project at Point of Ayr, North Wales; how much has been committed; and whether the Government are prepared to fund the contribution formerly provided by the National Coal Board's partners.

The Government have committed £860,000 to the National Coal Board's research and development programme on coal liquefaction since 1979, and that programme has included design studies on the pilot plant proposed for Point of Ayr. Five million pounds has also been made available for the construction of the Point of Ayr plant. That offer is still open, but is still contingent upon the National Coal Board securing a significant contribution from private industry. The board will now no doubt wish to look carefully at the possibility of finding new private sector partners.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when, and for how long, he estimates the United Kingdom continental shelf will peak in oil production; what rate of drilling will be required to maintain self-sufficiency; how this compares with exploration and appraisal drilling over the past five years; and what he estimates the daily output of oil will be in the year 2000.

There are considerable uncertainties in forecasting oil production from the United Kingdom Continental Shelf for even a few years ahead, as was indicated by the production forecast ranges given in my reply to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) on 4 March.—[Vol. 19, c. 198.] It seems likely that a peak in our oil production will occur some time in the mid-1980s. Thereafter I can only say that I expect production to decline.My report to Parliament "Development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom 1982" gave details of past drilling activity and the resulting success ratios. Future rates of production cannot be reliably related to the level of drilling.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the public expenditure figures on research and development for the past five years at constant prices.

There is no unique way of expressing cash expenditure in constant prices. One way is to deflate the expenditure by the change in the gross domestic product deflated at market prices thus removing the general effect of inflation. On this basis, expenditure by my Department on research and development over the last five financial years at 1977–78 prices has been as follows:

	£ millions
1977–78	137·3
1978–79	135·9
1979–80	133·6
1980–81	143·4
1981–82	*145·6
* estimated outturn

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current status of the application by the National Coal Board for an opencast coal mining site near Grendon in North Warwickshire; and if he will make a statement.

There are a number of objections to the National Coal Board's application to work the Orchard site, near Grendon, by opencast methods. I understand that the board is still considering those objections to see whether a generally acceptable plan for opencast operations at the site might be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many gas explosions have been reported by gas boards to his Department's gas safety branch in each financial year since 1978–79; in how many cases in each year prosecutions were mounted by the police; how many such prosecutions succeeded; in how many cases prosecutions were initiated by his Department; and how many of these were successful.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 May, c. 169]: The number of gas explosions reported—in most cases by the British Gas Corporation—to my Department's gas standards branch was as follows:

	Number
1978	93
1979	81
1980	110
1981	107

The number of prosecutions was as follows:

Prosecutions initiated by Police
	Number
1978	—
1979	1
1980	1
1981	1

Prosecutions initiated by my Department
	Number
1978	1
1979	—
1980	1
1981	1

All of the above prosecutions were successful. In addition 16 warning letters were issued over the 4 years in question and 11 cases are still under investigation. Of the remainder, there was either no prima facie contravention of the gas safety regulations or no case on which to mount a prosecution. The figures are related to calendar years in accordance with the Department's statistical records.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list for each financial year since 1978–79 the mean average time taken by his Department from the receipt of gas board reports into explosions before deciding whether or not to prosecute and the longest and shortest times taken by his Department in each year.

[pursuant to his reply, 10 May 1982, c. 169]: In the majority of gas explosions there is either no contravention of the Gas Safety Regulations 1972 or no case on which to mount a prosecution: the cost of obtaining precise information on the time taken to reach a decision in these cases would be disproportionate, but in most cases the decision is quickly reached.In those cases where my Department mounted a prosecution or issued a warning letter the time taken to complete their investigations and to decide whether or not to prosecute was as follows:

Tine in months	1978	1979	1980	1981
Average	6*	3½	3	2
Shortest	—	2	2	0¼
Longest	—	5	4	6
* 1 case.

The figures are related to calendar years in accordance with the Department's statistical records.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the most recent month's average percentage of unemployment in the area covered by the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

On 15 April 1982 the unemployment percentage rate in the area covered by the Highlands and Islands Development Board, excluding Arran and the Cumbraes for which separate unemployment figures are not available, was 13·5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will amplify the information announced already about assistance to Scotland from the non-quota section of the European regional development fund to develop small and medium sized firms in the Strathclyde region and to convert disused industrial buildings; whether workers' co-operatives will be eligible; and if publicity is being given to this.

Strathclyde region is one of the areas within the European Community which will be eligible for aid under the special measures programme of the non-quota section of the European regional development fund recently approved by the European Commission. This means that the following activities, in areas of Strathclyde which have been adversely affected by the restructuring of the steel industry, may qualify for assistance:

(a) The improvement of the environment—this involves the reclamation of certain industrial and urban sites.

(b) The promotion of industrial innovation—this includes the improved collection and diffusion of information on both products and technology and the contribution of financial assistance towards the cost of feasibility studies, which are often a major constraint on firms' decision-making.

(c) Access, by small and medium sized enterprises to the services which allow them to enlarge their potential—consultancy firms specialising in the management and organisation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises' may be eligible for assistance. The creation of common services for several SMEs and risk evaluation studies designed to facilitate access to risk capital may also be aided.

As already announced, of the total sum which has been allocated to the United Kingdom for the period 1981–85, some £4 million will come to Scotland. Local and public authorities will receive over £3 million with the remainder going directly to assist small and medium sized enterprises.Workers' co-operatives engaging in activities which qualify for assistance will be eligible for Community aid.The various forms of assistance which may be available will be publicised shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the most recent estimate of the number of alcoholics in Scotland, taking into account mortality from liver cirrhosis.

No such estimate is made by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were admitted to psychiatric hospitals in (a) Glasgow and (b) Scotland in each year since 1975 with a diagnosis of alcoholic psychosis; and if he will provide a breakdown of the figures by sex.

Admissions to psychiatric hospitals and units with a diagnosis of alcoholic psychosis between 1975 and 1979, the latest year for which information is available centrally were:

(a) Glasgow
	1975		1976		1977		1978		1979
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
First admissions
Alcoholic Psychosis	30	16	28	13	19	12	31	16	34	11
Re-admissions
Alcoholic Psychosis	52	10	36	17	33	10	30	13	40	10

(b) Scotland
	1975		1976		1977		1978		1979
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
First admissions
Alcoholic Psychosis	106	38	95	28	89	30	85	30	87	23
Re-admissions
Alcoholic Psychosis	110	32	96	37	79	38	66	39	93	25

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will make a statement on the Under-Secretary of State's recent meeting with representatives of the Transport and General Workers Union concerning the question of the extension of the 1967 dock labour scheme;(2) what representations he has received for the extension of the 1967 dock labour scheme; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Brown) on 10 May.—[Vol. 23, c. 182.] I have received no representations favouring extension of the dock labour scheme apart from those referred to in that reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many areas the Manpower Services Commission does not allow young people on the youth opportunities programme to work on Saturdays.

Saturday working by young people is permitted in all areas subject to the limitations laid down by statute and local byelaws and the criteria governing schemes administered by the commission. These criteria normally allow Saturday morning working, but require the need for Saturday afternoon work to be demonstrated by the sponsor.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is his estimate of the number of firms, and the number of workers involved, in which the occupational noise level exceeds 80 decibels;(2) if he will introduce legislation to oblige employers to take all possible steps to reduce occupational noise to an 80 decibel level;(3) if he will recommend occupational health control limits which guarantee the prevention of severe health handicap; and if he will define 80 decibels as an acceptable threshold of harm in future noise regulations.

The Health and Safety Commission consultative document "Protection of Hearing at Work" contains Health and Safety Executive estimates of the numbers exposed to noise at work. These suggest that, in United Kingdom manufacturing industry, more than 2½ million production workers are exposed above an eight-hour equivalent continuous sound level of 80 decibels. I regret that similar information in respect of other industries, and on the number of firms involved, is not available.The Commission is preparing proposals for regulations and a supporting code of practice about the protection of hearing at work for submission to my right hon. Friend. I understand that these are likely to define the actions which employers and others should take to reduce noise exposure.The Commission will establish its proposals in the light of comments received from interested bodies on the consultative document. I understand that many of these comments relate to the question of what limit value the regulations should contain. I do not know what value will be recommended, but it is bound to take into account the reduced risks of hearing loss at the lower levels of sound exposure, and the costs to industry of protective measures for the much larger numbers of people involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give financial support to the self-help project groups which are assisting the unemployed in obtaining help, and which are developing in many areas an information and resource network.

I do not consider that these project groups, which appear to duplicate the work of the staff of the public employment and benefit service to some extent, merit special help from public funds.Nevertheless, I recognise that there is room for various kinds of provision which take account of local circumstances and needs. It may be that locally sponsored projects of this nature could qualify for funding under the community enterprise programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a yearly breakdown, since 1979, of how many young people have been registered with the youth opportunities programme scheme in (a) Accrington, (b) North-East Lancashire and (c) on a national basis; how many of these completing their first scheme have (i) found employment, (ii) returned to education or joined another youth opportunities programme scheme and, (iii) were registered as unemployed during this period.

	Youth Opportunities Programme Entrants 1 April 1979 to 31 March 1980	Youth Opportunities Programme Entrants 1 April 1980 to 31 March 1981	Youth Opportunities Programme Entrants 1 April 1981 to 31 March 1982
Hyndborn Local Authority District (Including Accrington)	60	320	960
Manpower Services Commission's Preston Area Office District (Which includes the whole of Lancashire County)	5,100	11,100	19,990
Great Britain	216,400	360,000	553,000

The following gives an indication of the further information requested, in part two of the question, on a national basis; sample survey figures for Accrington and

Youth Opportunities Programme Work Experience Follow-Up Surveys (Percentage of entrants)
Entrants in:—		Activity immediately on leaving
	Employed	Another Scheme	Full time education	Registered unemployed
1. September to October 1978	68	7	—	22
2. January 1979	55	7	2	31
3. March to April 1979	54	7	1	33
4. June to July 1979	51	9	1	35
5. September to October 1979	56	6	3	30
6. January 1980	37	12	2	46
7. March 1980	36	11	2	47
8. April to June 1980	30	10	2	53
9. July to September 1980	47	10	2	37

asked the Minister for Trade what use is made of Companies House records by other Government Departments.

It is expected that over 200,000 searches of company records will be made by other Government Departments this year. Among the larger users are Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise, Department of Health and Social Security and Departments of Trade and Industry.In addition, some 8,000 searches per annum are undertaken by police forces in England, Wales and Scotland.

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has decided on further water industry references to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if, in light of its decision to supply 200 cars to its top executives, he will give priority to referring the Anglian water authority to the commission.

The Monopolies and Mergers Commission is already examining the sewerage functions

[pursuant to his reply, 18 May, c. 77]: The information is not available in the exact form requested. The following table shows the number of young people participating in the youth opportunities programme broken down into areas which coincide as closely as possible with the areas requested.North-East Lancashire are not available. The following survey information relates to all entrants whether on a first or subsequent scheme.of the Anglian and North-West water authorities. It is intended that there should be further water industry references in due course.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) what progress has been made on the code now being established by his Department to monitor the labelling of goods.(2) if, in considering the code for the labelling of garments, he will make it obligatory for the origin of the material to be specified, on any label attached to the garment itself; and if he will make a statement.

The new origin marking order came into effect on 1 January, and I shall be keeping its operation under careful review. But as explained in last year's debate on the order in Standing Committee, it would be difficult to extend it to the origin of fabric in garments.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the possibility of introducing private funding into the British Airports Authority.

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

asked the Minister for Trade why he has refused to alter the present salary gradings of secretaries to the electricity industry consumer councils.

[pursuant to the reply, 18 May 1982, c. 65]: The present grading of the posts is appropriate for the work being undertaken.

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.

[pursuant to the reply, 19 May 1982, c. 99]: Under the Act the Director General of Fair Trading has the duty of administering the licensing system; I am asking him to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to be able to make a statement about a new financial structure for the Royal ordnance factories.

[pursuant to the reply, 23 March 1982, Vol. 20 c. 320]: During recent months, the Government have considered carefully the best way of making changes to the constitution of the Royal ordnance factories, in order to ease the existing constraints on their operations and to allow them to function more competitively.We have now decided that, subject to parliamentary approval, the ROFs should no longer operate under the Government Trading Funds Act, 1973, but in a more commercial environment under the Companies Acts. This will, of course, require legislation and it is the Government's intention to introduce this when the Parliamentary timetable allows. Initially thereafter Government ownership will continue but with the intention in due course of involving private capital directly—either through sale to the private sector, joint venture or flotation of shares. Meanwhile, in line with the recommendations of the 1981 study group report, relevant MOD design and development capabilities and sales functions will be transferred to ROF control as soon as possible. The Government believe that this represents a constructive and purposeful programme for the development of the Royal ordnance factories beyond their present status.The co-operation of existing staff at all levels is vital for the success of the ROFs both during the transitional period and when Companies Act status is achieved; and the need is well recognised for early discussions with the trade unions concerned on the terms and conditions of service to apply on the change of status. Further details will be made available as soon as possible to ensure that the transition is effected smoothly and that, in the meantime, the business of the ROFs is carried out and developed efficienty and energetically.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the total cost of constructing shelters for the military aircraft at Leuchars, Lossiemouth and Stornoway; and if, in future, he will make a public announcement before work on any similar shelters is begun.

The cost of constructing hardened shelters for military aircraft at Leuchars, Lossiemouth ar d Stornoway is estimated to be about £29 million. It is expected that NATO will contribute about £24 million of this sum. A public announcement about particular projects will be made only if the circumstances warrant it.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 20 May.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 20 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 be having further meetings later today.

asked the Prime Minister if she intends to meet the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

I hope to meet the Secretary-General during my planned visit to New York to address the United Nations special session on disarmament on 16 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the latest position in the Falkland Islands.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the Falkland Islands.

I shall be bringing the House up to date at the beginning of the debate in the House this afternoon.

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Heaton Chapel.

I have no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the future of Gibraltar.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Member for Mid-Oxon (Mr. Hurd), to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Silvester) on 20 April. In joining in the negotiations envisaged in the Lisbon statement, we shall, of course, maintain our commitment to honour the freely and democratically expressed wishes of the people of Gibraltar as set out in the preamble to the Gibraltar constitution.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet leaders of the Trades Union Congress.

I have no immediate plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the decision by one of the Civil Service unions to affiliate with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, if she will make a statement of the Government's policy towards officials of the Defence Department continuing to belong to that union.

All civil servants are required to implement the policies of the Government of the day. This clear duty is independent of any policies or affiliations of unions to which they may belong.

asked the Prime Minister pursuant to her answer of 22 April, Official Report, c. 123 to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) if she will now list the countries to whom Her Majesty's Government considered selling arms, but decided against doing so, on account of the human rights record of the Government concerned.

In the case of countries with bad human rights records, our policy is not to sell types of equipment which, in our judgment, are likely to be used for the purpose of internal repression. This policy is carefully applied, but it would not in our view be in the national interest to give details.

asked the Prime Minister whether it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government that any European Economic Community country shall have the right to veto proposals in the Council of Ministers.

As I made clear in the House on 18 May—[Vol. 24 c. 188]—the developments in the Agriculture Council that morning—whereby the farm price package was approved by majority vote, despite our objections—were quite without precedent. They raise very serious issues which the Government will be urgently considering. I would not wish to prejudge the outcome of that consideration.

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

The number of discharges from Welsh hospitals with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa were 73 in 1979, 79 in 1980 and 83 in 1981. The 1981 figure is provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for Wales all those expansion projects and, new projects announced since the present Government took office, the number of jobs they are expected to create and over what time scale.

New projects and the expansion of existing undertakings for which offers of regional selective assistance have been accepted, or which have been allocated Government factories, since May 1979, were expected at the time to provide about 32,000 jobs in Wales over a three to four-year period. A full list of the projects in question could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but it includes:

	Location	Employment
Golden Limited	Llantrisant	130
ITT Components Limited	Wrexham	100
Matsushita Electric (UK) Limited	Cardiff	230
Hotpoint Limited	Rhyl	940
Sony (UK) Limited	Bridgend	220
Ferranti Computer Systems Limited	Cwmbran	340
Davies and Field Limited	Caernarfon	200
Daniel Doncaster and Sons Limited	Blaenavon	100
John J. Dunster and Son Limited	Cardiff	140
Alfred Teves Limited	Ebbw Vale	400
Aiwa Sales and Service (UK) Ltd	Newbridge	100
Control Data Limited	Blaenau Gwent	400
Merryweather and Sons Limited	Blaenau Gwent	500
Plessey Co. Limited	Newport	110
Mitel Telecommunications Limited	Caldicot, Gwent	1,700
Smiths Industries Limited	Ystradgynlais	300
Inmos	Newport	1,000
IMI Titanium Limited	Shotton	280
BICC/Corning Limited	Shotton	150
Kimberley Clark Limited	Shotton	180
Abingdon Carpets Limited	Newbridge	120
Thomas Lloyd Limited	Treorchy	100
Universal Furniture Limited	Hirwaun	160
Tetra Pak Rausing Limited	Wrexham	120
Intermagnetics (Wales) Limited	Wrexham	140
Chemical Bank	Cardiff	350
Squibb Surgicare Limited	Shotton	175
Yuasa Battery Company Limited	Rassau	265

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he plans to hold a conference on the implementation of the Education Act 1981; and which bodies he intends to invite to attend.

My right hon. Friend has not fixed a date.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received objecting to the proposed closure of Liverpool Croxteth comprehensive school.

Seventy-three statutory objections containing 6,481 signatures were made in respect of the proposals published on 10 February 1981 to cease to maintain this school. My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Runcorn (Mr. Carlisle) also received two deputations objecting to the proposals. Thirty-nine letters were received in support of the authority's request for a modified implementation date; and two parliamentary questions have been asked since the announcement of my right hon. Friend's decision not to make such a modification.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will meet a deputation including hon. Members to discuss the proposed closure of Liverpool Croxteth comprehensive school.

My right hon. Friend and I are are always available to hon. Members. In this case, however, try right hon. Friend approved on 30 November 1981 the authority's proposals to close Croxteth school from September this year and has already informed it, following careful consideration of a request for a delay in implementation, that he is not prepared to make such a modification.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received following Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools report on education in Toxteth.

Four questions, including this one, have been asked in Parliament and one letter has been received in my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to visit Liverpool to meet parents, teachers and educationists following the recent report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools.

My right hon. Friend will consider the possibility of visiting Liverpool in the light of his meeting on 26 May with representatives of the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now state the Government's policy on examinations at 17-plus years.

The Government are today publishing a statement describing the new prevocational qualification which they intend to establish in England and Wales with the aim of helping more young people to improve their job prospects and their performance in employment. This initiative will bring greater coherence to the courses and qualifications available to young people continuing their full-time education, whether in schools or colleges of further education, beyond the age of 16. Its success depends on the co-operation of all the examining and validating bodies which at present offer competing qualifications. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I believe that this co-operation will be readily forthcoming, in the interest of the many young people concerned. We are inviting these bodies to join as equal partners in a consortium, with representatives of the local authorities, and under an independent chairman, to establish and manage the new qualification. The Government will grant-aid the consortium for an initial period, provided that its members accept the guidelines set out in the statement. Copies of the statement are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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.

My right hon. Friend's Departments sponsor the following eight bodies in the United Kingdom listed in "Non-departmental Public Bodies; Facts and Figures 1981" which receive finance from his Votes. In addition Customs and Excise pay a subscription for United Kingdom membership of the Customs Co-operation Council. While he answers questions on the general principles underlying the payments he does not answer for their detailed administration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the companies which to his knowledge have deferred development of North Sea fields due to the United Kingdom tax regime.

We know of no instance in which the development of a Department of Energy approved North Sea oilfield has been deferred, whether for tax or any other reason. As regards projects which have not yet received approval, the Department of Energy has been informed of one recent case of a decision to defer a field development where tax is cited by the companies as a contributory factor; other factors cited include technical risks and oil price changes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue raised through duty on aviation gasoline in the financial year 1981–82.

It is estimated that receipts were about £5 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an estimate of the consequences for the expenditure and receipt of funds to the United Kingdom Treasury if the common agricultural policy were replaced with a system of agricultural support whereby levies were retained at present levels but the revenue was collected and retained by the United Kingdom Government.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of United Kingdom private investment abroad in 1981.

First estimates of United Kingdom private investment overseas in 1981 were published in table 9 of the article entitled "United Kingdom balance of payments in the fourth quarter and year 1981" in Economic Trends, March 1982, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. Revised estimates of the direct investment component were published in British Business, 14 May 1982, which is also available in the House of Commons Library. Revised estimates for total United Kingdom private investment overseas in 1981 will be published in the next quarterly balance of payments press notice, due on 8 June, and in the June 1982 edition of Economic Trends.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for the minting of a special commemorative 20 pence coin to mark the issue of this new coin.

Yes. Her Majesty made a proclamation on 18 May 1982 under the Coinage Act 1971 giving details of such a coin.It will be a silver Piedfort version struck to proof standard and will be available by mail order direct from the Royal Mint. The price and date of issue will be announced later by the Royal Mint.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will estimate the total annual income in 1980–81 from 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. 12]: I regret that information on which to base an estimate cannot be extracted from the statistics that are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role he foresees for smaller companies in eventual applications for cable and satellite television licences and sub-licences.

The Government attach importance to the involvement of the private sector in direct broadcasting by satellite but no decisions have yet been reached on the nature or timing of such involvement. The way in which cable television services might develop will depend on decisions to be taken after Lord Hunt's inquiry has reported at the end of September.

Hamilton asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to public funds of police pay and emoluments in each of the last three years; and what percentage increase there has been since April 1979.

The cost in England and Wales was £934 million in 1979–80, and £1,139 million in 1980–81. The estimated cost in 1981–82 was £1,395 million—an increase of 49·4 per cent. on expenditure in 1979–80. This reflects not only the increase in pay levels but also the increase in police numbers by nearly 8,500 since the Government took office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the clarity of the procedures for handling complaints about citizens band radio abuse, as between his Department, the police and British Telecom; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, but if my hon. Friend has a particular point in mind, perhaps he would let me know of it.

Wall asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on citizens band radio.

Over a quarter of a million CB licences have now been issued, and in general users of the new service appear satisfied with it. Regulations have been laid before Parliament which place on manufacturers and importers of CB equipment the same requirements as regards interference as those already applying to users through their licence, and an order has also been made to bring up to date the control of manufacture and importation. Regrettably, illicit AM transmissions continue to cause widespread interference to the emergency services and broadcasting reception as well as to licensed CB operators. We intend to bring forward legislation to strengthen the enforcement powers available and to provide powers to ban the sale of illicit equipment as soon as parliamentary time permits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the working of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Acts, with a view to ensuring that the authority has adequate powers to ensure political impartiality in the broadcasting of independent radio stations.

We are satisfied that the Independent Broadcasting Authority's statutory powers are adequate in this respect and that no review is called for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has held any recent discussions on the funding of the Commission for Racial Equality.

No, but the cash limit set for this financial year will enable the commission to continue at broadly its previous level of activity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces operate voluntary cadet units; and what steps his Department is taking to encourage others.

There are well-established volunteer cadet schemes in Gloucestershire, Northumbria and Sussex. Thames Valley police have just launched a scheme. Last summer my right hon. Friend drew the attention of chief constables and police authorities to existing schemes which, we believe, are an excellent way of promoting better understanding between the police and young people, and contribute to diverting youngsters from crime. We should welcome more volunteer cadet schemes wherever chief constables and police authorities believe this would suit local needs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the allegations made by Douglas Heyes about the treatment he received while serving a prison sentence at Her Majesty's prison, Liverpool, and later on at Her Majesty's prison, Hull, in particular that he was refused access to prison standing orders and to the courts, and was restricted to half an hour's exercise a day; and if he will make a statement

Mr. Heyes' complaints have already been investigated and were for the most part answered in the letter my noble Friend wrote to the hon. Gentleman on 21 April. There is nothing to support his allegation that he was denied access to the courts. As regards standing orders, he could at any time have seen standing order 5 if he wished; the remainder are not available to prisoners. If the hon. Gentleman requires further details, my noble Friend will write to him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have entered the United Kingdom from the Falkland Islands since the start of the emergency.

One hundred and eighty-eight, of whom 46 are permanent residents of the Falkland Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what means are employed by the Metropolitan Police to promote a greater understanding of its work by the people of London.

It is the responsibility of all members of the force to promote a greater understanding of its work. Specific means include talks and meetings with all sections of the community, press conferences and briefing, television and radio programmes, and the publication of the Commissioner's annual report and other informative literature. Planned new consultation arrangements at local level should do much to improve public knowledge of the Metropolitan Police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to raise the approved establishment of the Metropolitan Police.

At present rates of recruitment, the Metropolitan Police is not expected to reach its establishment before next year. I shall be considering with the Commissioner whether an increase in establishment would then be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to his reply of 4 May, Official Report, c. 10, what are the main factors which account for the variation in clear-up rates for serious crime between police forces.

The factors, which are complex, include the pattern of recorded crime and the way in which offences come to the notice of the police. A study by the Home Office research and planning unit of variations in clear-up rates is well advanced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the work of International Social Service is adequate to fulfil Government policy with regard to assisted repatriation under the terms of the Immigration Act 1971; and if he will make a statement.

We are satisfied that the administration of the repatriation scheme under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971 by International Social Service of Great Britain on the Government's behalf, is consistent with the Government's policy towards repatriation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make his decision on the future of Moor Court open prison, Oakamoor.

After consultations with the staff and trade unions concerned have been concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on moving prisoners from top security prisons to prisons nearer their homes.

It is desirable that a prisoner should be as near to his home as possible; but this is only one of a number of important factors which need to be taken into account whenever a transfer is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not introduce legislation to provide that where a police officer is found guilty of any wrongdoing for which the courts award costs or damages against the officer, such costs and damages should be paid for by the officer concerned and not out of public funds.

Under section 48(4) of the Police Act 1964, a police authority may, in such cases and to such extent as it thinks fit, pay any damages or costs awarded against a member of the police force maintained by them. We are satisfied that this discretion is right.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the promised consultative document on the future of the licensed taxi trade will be published.

Work on this review is continuing, but we regret that we are still not in a position to say when the outcome will be ready for publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the numbers of firearm and shotgun certificates issued as at 31 December 1981, showing separate figures for England and Wales and for the Metropolitan Police district.

We understand from the commissioner that the numbers of firearm and shotgun certificates in force on 31 December 1981 in the Metropolitan Police district were 8,981 and 29,528 respectively. Figures for the rest of England and Wales are still being collected and my noble Friend will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to call for a report from the chief constable concerned following any case of a judge passing adverse comments upon the actions of the police in carrying out their duties; and if he will lay such reports before the House.

No. These are matters normally best left as appropriate either to the ordinary legal processes or to direct communication between the judges and chief officers concerned. In addition, my Department is ready to make any inquiries necessary should a judge choose to approach it direct.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why 41 out of the 87 married quarters provided for staff at Highpoint prison in Suffolk are unoccupied.

I do not think that I can usefully add to my earlier reply of 20 May 1981.—[Vol. 5, c. 88.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will visit Highpoint prison in Suffolk.

My noble Friend the then Under-Secretary of State visited Her Majesty's Prison Highpoint on 14 August 1981. I have no plans at present to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what review and investigation his Department has made of the methods and results of the Federal Republic of Germany in dealing with the problem of homeless tramps and their use of arbeiterkolonies or worker communes.

None. Policy on the problems associated with homelessness is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the negotiations for an agreed European convention upon the use of animals in research and product testing; and when he expects to be able to introduce legislation on the subject.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright) on 21 April.—[Vol. 22, c. 96–97.] The Government intend to improve and modernise the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 when parliamentary time permits and preferably when the outcome of the discussions on the convention is known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pending the introduction of legislation to increase the maximum prizes for gaming machines in public houses, he will exercise his existing statutory powers to permit the present prize levels to be increased in line with inflation.

In February 1981 the maximum money prize payable by gaming machines in public houses was increased from 50p to £1 and the maximum non-monetary prize from £1 to £2. These changes took account of inflation and I have no plans for a further increase at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many widows and divorcees of Commonwealth citizens have applied for registration as citizens of the United Kingdom (a) since 30 October 1981, (b) in the six months preceding 30 October 1981 and (c)in 1980.

We regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were admitted for

	Capital expenditure	Estimated volume of assets leased from service industries	£ million 1975 prices Total expenditure plus leased assets
1974	3,782	200	3,982
1975	3,522	188	3,710
1976	3,326	204	3,530
1977	3,476	266	3,742
1978	3,769	368	4,137
1979	3,969	470	4,439
1980	3,573	580	4,153
1981	2,945	655	3,600

The total numbers from the New Commonwealth accepted for settlement on arrival are published annually, together with figures for previous years, in the Command Paper "Control of Immigration Statistics, United Kingdom"—table 12 of the issue for 1981—Cmnd. 8533—and in quarterly Home Office Statistical Bulletins "Control of Immigration Statistics"—table 2 of issue 3/82.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will review his support for the ship repairing activities of British Shipbuilders in the light of article 92 of the Treaty of Rome;(2) if he will seek to make changes in the aid arrangements to British Shipbuilders which would enable him in figures published relating to aid given by his Department to distinguish aid spent on ship repairing, including the provision of unremunerative public dividend capital, from aid spent in respect of British Shipbuilders other activities.

No Government support is given specifically to ship repair. Public dividend capital is one source of cash among several for meeting the needs of the corporation as a whole and it is not feasible to determine how much of it goes into individual activities of the corporation. However, the House of Commons Select Committee on Industry and Trade, in its first report for 1981–82, published evidence supplied by British Shipbuilders which included a breakdown of profit and loss in 1980–81 for each activity within each subsidiary. The Committee recommended that a similar breakdown by activity be included in British Shipbuilders annual accounts. The Government's reply to this recommendation will be sent to the Committee very shortly.The European Commission is currently looking into a complaint by the Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Independent Association about British Shipbuilders ship repair activities. I have nothing further to say at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the level of investment in manufacturing industry, at constant prices, for each year from 1974.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement on the Anglo-French ministerial discussions on aeronautical cooperation which took place on 6 May.

As agreed at our previous meeting on 29 October 1981, I met M. Charles Fiterman, French Minister of State and Minister of Transport, on 6 May to discuss Concorde and Airbus matters. The results of the meeting were set out in a joint communiqué, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give the total number of reports commissioned by his Department in each of the last five years.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 May 1982, c. 98]: I regret that collection of data would involve disproportionate cost. I will, however, do my best to assist if my hon. Friend will let me know more precisely the kind of reports he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has indicated to the Secretary-General of the United Nations that at the commencement of an agreed and supervised withdrawal of Argentine forces from the Falkland Islands, Her Majesty's Government would be willing to start withdrawing certain elements of the British task force.

I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in his international discussions on the Falkland Islands, he is making a clear distinction between the islands and the dependencies.

I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances Her Majesty's Government issue passports to young men for a single year rather than full 10-year passports which have been applied for.

Passports are occasionally issued for periods of validity of less than 10 years, but this does not apply in particular to young men, who are dealt with on the same basis as all other applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has obtained from the European Commission or from member States of the European Economic Community an assessment of the broad percentage of their imports from the Argentine which is covered by continuing contracts and thereby excluded from the ban on imports under the European Economic Community agreement on sanctions.

We have not obtained any such assessment. It would be difficult in free market economies to obtain this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will obtain from the European Economic Community an estimate of the effect on the volume of Argentine exports to the European Economic Community since the policy of sanctions on imports, excepting goods in transit and continuing contracts, was agreed by the European Economic Community.

We have no plans to seek such an estimate. The information on which a meaningful estimate would be based would in any case not be available for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much local authorities spent to implement the introduction of planning charges.

Implementation in England and Wales of the scheme for charging for planning applications is estimated to have cost of the order of £2 million in the first year. We do not have detailed evidence of costs either form CIPFA or other sources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether additional public expenditure would be necessary to restore to 1979 levels the capital programmes of the areas defined as inner city areas; and, if so, how much.

The capital expenditure allocations for all designated inner city partnership and programme authorities for 1982–83 for all services under the new capital control system are £810 million. These authorities will also receive the major proportion of the resources, some £228 million, available for urban programme and derelic land reclamation schemes. They can augment these allocations in a number of ways, particularly by using capital receipts, including 50 per cent. of receipts from council house sales.In 1979–80 the total capital expenditure for the same authorities was £1,086 million; however, this also includes expenditure on law and order services which is not covered by the capital control system and which could not be taken out of the 1979–80 figures except at undue expense.