asked the Minister for Trade if he will refer the takeover of Redpath, Dorman Long by the Trafalgar House group to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under section 51 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 to discover whether a monopolies situation exists; whether it is in the public interest; and whether it will augment competition in the United Kingdom Market.

My right hon. and noble Friend's decision not to refer this merger to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission was based on a careful consideration of the factors involved. He concluded that the acquisition did not raise issues of competition or other matters of public interest sufficient to justify an investigation by the Commission.Contrary to comments suggesting larger percentages, it is estimated that the combined company would have no more than 10 per cent. of the total United Kingdom market for structural steel work, including bridges. Even in the narrower market for the larger kinds of heavy construction work, where the firms are stronger, their share is unlikely to exceed 15 per cent. In the United Kingdom piling market, their combined share would be around 20 per cent. In each market there are numerous United Kingdom competitors. The merger is thus likely to have only limited effect on competition within the United Kingdom; but it should give the combined group extra strength in international tendering.My right hon. and noble Friend's decision was in accordance with the recommendation of the Director General of Fair Trading.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will arrange for the publication of the report by the Director General of Fair Trading on the takeover of Redpath, Dorman Long by the Trafalgar House group.

No. It is not the Government's practice to publish the Director General's advice to Ministers on proposed mergers. This advice is confidential, and often draws on commercially confidential information provided by the companies concerned. Publication would discourage companies from co-operating with the Director General and inhibit him in the performance of his duties.

asked the Minister for Trade if he makes any assessment of the advantage to the United Kingdom of having an increasing proportion of its foreign trade with the European Economic Community.

It is not possible to make a confident judgment of the relative advantage to the United Kingdom of trade with one country rather than another.It is for the commercial judgment of exporters which markets they concentrate on.

asked the Minister for Trade why Personal Port John Services Ltd. of Rotherham, Yorkshire, which is now being wound up under the Companies Act 1967, had not filed company reports with Companies House since 1975; how many other companies have not filed their returns for one, two, three, four and five years or more; and whether he will make a statement.

There is no company registered as "Personal Port John Services Limited". A company named "Personal Portfolio Services Limited" has it registered office in Rotherham and was wound up by order of the court on 22 March 1982. Following a complaint in August 1981, the company was reminded of its obligations to file annual returns and accounts and, subsequently, all outstanding annual returns were delivered on 25 November 1981. Reminder action in respect of outstanding accounts was discontinued on notification of the winding up order, in accordance with normal practice, on the grounds that the preparation of such documents might involve expenditure to the detriment of the interests of creditors.Information is not maintained as to the number of companies in default for particular periods. On 10 May 1982, 427,509 companies were in default of their obligation to deliver accounts and 381,531 in respect of annual returns. It is estimated that at least 25 per cent. of the companies concerned are no longer in business or in operation. These should be struck off the register under the terms of section 353 of the Companies Act 1948 in due course.

asked the Minister for Trade whether Beaumonde Ltd. and Beaumonde House Parties Ltd. have filed their company returns to date.

No company is currently registered under the name Beaumonde Limited.Beaumonde House Parties Limited was incorporated on 16 October 1981. It has until 27 May 1983 to deliver its first annual return, and its first accounts should be filed by 31 August 1983.

asked the Minister for Trade whether, following the case of Westminster Council v Ray Alan (Manshops) Ltd., he will introduce legislation to make it an offence falsely to claim that a sale is a closing down sale.

I see no immediate need for legislation, but shall keep the position under review.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) what is his latest estimate of the proportion of United Kingdom exports which go to countries using the metric system;(2) what is his latest estimate of the proportion of United Kingdom exports which go to countries with current plans for changing to the metric system.

Countries using the metric system, according to information available at the beginning of 1980 when the Metrication Board was disbanded, accounted for 82 per cent. of United Kingdom exports in 1980, and those which have announced an intention to adopt it for 18 per cent.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will publish a breakdown of the latest published trade figures showing the change between January and February in invisibles and visibles, and in the import and export of raw materials and finished manufactures, respectively.

This information can be derived from the press notice containing the monthly trade figures published on 10 May 1982, a copy of which is available in the Library.

asked the Minister for Trade whether he will give urgent consideration to facilitating the opening of a scheduled air service between London and St. Kitts to be operated either by British Airways or by British West Indian Airways.

The opening of a direct scheduled air service between London and St. Kitts—which, for air

asked the Minister for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the value of each European Economic Community country's imports from Argentina in each Standard International Tariff Classification division in the latest year for which figures are available.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister for Trade how many company liquidations in the vehicle component manufacturing sector have occurred during the past five years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister for Trade if he proposes to recognise the Association of Authorised Public Accountants under section 13 of the Companies Act 1976.

asked the Minister for Trade if he has decided to recognise the Association of Authorised Public Accountants under the terms of section 13(2) of the Companies Act 1976.

I have an application from the association under consideration.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) if the continuing delays in the availability of statistics on imports of textiles and clothing has affected his ability to assess if action under an anti-surge mechanism is required;(2) what assessment he has made of increased levels of imports of textiles and clothing since mid-1981 as part of his policy of implementing an anti-surge mechanism should the need arise.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 May 1982, c. 261]: The new EC bilateral agreements to be negotiated under the extended MFA, which it is intended should include the proposed anti-surge mechanism, should not come into force until 1 January 1983.In the meantime, import statistics for 1982 are now becoming available and I expect the necessary figures for both 1981 and 1982 to be available in time should extraordinary action be necessary later this year to counter any exceptional surge of imports in 1982.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) on what dates statistics on imports of textiles and clothing for each of the months from September 1980 to June 1981 were made available to the British Textile Confederation;(2) on what dates statistics on imports of textiles and clothing for each of the months since September 1981 were made available to the British Textile Confederation;(3) if he has received any representations concerning the delays in publishing statistics on the imports of textiles and clothing products;(4) what is now the latest month for which data are available on imports of textiles and clothing products.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 May 1982, c. 261]: A number of representations relating to the delayed availability of these statistics have been received in this and other Departments concerned. The dates when the computer tapes containing the detailed statistics were made available by the Statistical Office of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise were as follows:

asked the Minister for Trade what was the percentage change in value and in volume of imports of textiles and clothing from (a) low cost sources, (b) the European Economic Community and (c) other

asked the Minister for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the balance of trade in machine tools for 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 to the most recent practicable date.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 May 1982, c. 261.]: Such information as is available is given in the following table:

asked the Minister for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the balance of trade in textile goods for 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 to the most recent practicable date.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 May 1982, c. 261]: The available information is as follows:

[pursuant to his reply, 25 May 1982, c. 261.]: The information which can be made available within acceptable cost limits is set out as follows. It should be noted that the definition of textiles and clothing is less precise than that normally used. Figures for volume are not available by geographical or economic area.

asked the Minister for Trade when the Secretary of State for Trade now expects to announce whether he has decided to refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the bid for Allied Supplies Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 26 May 1982, c. 310]: My right hon. and noble Friend will announce his decision as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the Rayner scrutiny of the Victoria and Albert museum and the Science museum.

The report of the Rayner scrutiny of the Victoria and Albert museum and the Science museum was received last week. I have decided to publish it at the earliest opportunity, today, and copies are available to Members of both Houses of Parliament.I shall be consulting all those concerned, including of course the directors of the two museums, their advisory councils and representatives of the staff concerned, about the contents of the report. It will be helpful if all comments on the report can be received by the Office of Arts and Libraries by the beginning of August.There are, however, some recommendations in the report involving major issues on which, in order to remove uncertainty, the Government have taken decisions which I would like to announce now.First, the report makes a strong case for providing the Victoria and Albert museum and the Science museum with a high degree of independence and recommends that both museums should cease to be departmental museums. The Government accept this recommendation, and will seek an early opportunity to introduce legislation to establish separate bodies of trustees to be responsible for the management and control of each museum. This will bring them into line with the other national museums in England and Wales. Steps will be taken to safeguard the interests of the staff concerned.Secondly, the report also contains recommendations concerning the introduction of admission charges for the two museums. The Government do not intend to impose charges for general admission to the main collections of the museums, nor to change the well-established practice of charging for entry to some outstations and special exhibitions. But the Government would not, at this stage, wish to prejudge any proposals which the future trustees may in due course put forward as part of their policy for good management of the museums.I should like to put on record the Government's appreciation of the efforts which those responsible for the scrutiny have made, and to thank them for the very substantial help which they have provided as a basis for the formulation of future policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the additional recurrent costs of implementing the James report's proposals on induction and in-service teacher training.

The most recent comprehensive data that we have had on the cost and volume of induction and in-service training derives from the survey of local education authorities' provision conducted in 1979 and relates to the financial and academic year 1978–79. In those years local education authorities in England and Wales spent some £70 million on INIST for teachers in schools and further education, releasing the equivalent of 5,730 school teachers and 1,250 FE teachers. This was about 1·2 per cent. of the number of school teachers and 1·6 per cent. of the number of FE teachers then in regular service compared with the 3 per cent. of the teaching force implied by the James committee recommendations. On this basis, if local authorities were currently providing the same volume of in-service training as in 1978–79, the additional recurrent cost of implementing the James report's proposals might be some £125 million at current prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to announce the appointment of the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board.

[pursuant to his oral reply, 17 May 1982, c. 11]: I am appointing Dr. Walter Marshall, at present chairman of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, as chairman of the CEGB for five years from 1 July 1982.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the growing costs of travel to and from work, whether he will now consider some form of tax relief on these costs.

I do not think it would be right to give tax relief for this type of personal expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of foreign securities purchased by pension funds and other City institutions in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

I refer the hon. Member to tables S2 and S4 of "Financial Statistics April 1982", available in the Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will place in the Library a copy of his speech to the Building Societies Association on 18 May.

Yes. A copy was placed in the Library on 20 May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received following his speech to the annual dinner of the Building Societies Association; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received no formal representations. But the chairman of the Building Societies Association, in responding to the speech, expressed his gratitude for the calm and constructive manner in which the Chancellor conveyed his advice, commented that it bore scant resemblance to some reports anticipating it in the press, and promised that the association would study carefully what he had said.A copy of the full speech has already been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the £13·6 million lost to the Inland Revenue in the year ended October 1980 due to persons and companies declaring bankruptcies, he will give the most recent comparable figures and figures for the previous five years; what was the loss over the same year:, due to income tax collected by employers from their employees under the Pay-As-You-Earn and not forwarded to the Inland Revenue; and if he will take steps to ensure that tax is paid when due and before such persons or individuals declare bankruptcies.

The amounts written off by the Inland Revenue on grounds of the insolvency of individuals and companies are given in the following table:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the reasons why he will not introduce proposals to tax income derived from either Argentina or as a direct result of the Falklands dispute from sources in the United Kingdom such as the broadcasting authorities for commentary on the dispute, or from institutions in Argentina.

Such income will be liable to tax in the normal way. I see no purpose in the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in an attempt to recover taxes lost through the black economy in Northern Ireland; if he is able to estimate the loss to the Revenue; and what additional measures he has taken to deal with this matter.

[pursuant to his reply, 26 May 1982, c. 312 ]: The Inland Revenue is constantly revising its procedures for the prevention and detection of tax evasion in all parts of the United Kingdom. It is not possible to estimate the loss of revenue due to the black economy in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what arrangements are being made to allow private sector suppliers of subscribers' telephone apparatus to obtain approval for their apparatus to be supplied in competition with British Telecom before it is possible for apparatus to be submitted to the new independent approval authority.

The Government intend the private sector to have complete freedom to compete with BT in the supply and maintenance of all telecommunications apparatus except the first telephone on each direct exchange line, certain wiring and certain private automatic branch exchanges. Standards are being written to which all this apparatus will have to conform. Once these standards have been approved by the Secretary of State, apparatus may be submitted for independent testing and approval to the newly established British Approvals Board for Telecommunications.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much was spent by United Kingdom manufacturing industry on new capital investment in the United Kingdom in 1981.

Figures were published in British Business on 26 March 1982, pp 613 and 614. Revised figures will be published in this week's British Business.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry 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.

During the calendar year 1981, 89 men and one woman were appointed to public bodies by my Department. The total number of people appointed by my Department was 262 men and five women, as at 31 December 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what have been the levels of (a) domestic manufacturing

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the loan guarantee scheme.

The high level of demand for loans under the scheme is being maintained. At the end of April, the lastest period for which figures are available, 3,913 had been issued in respect of £131·8 million of bank lending. About half of the loans have gone to new businesses. My preliminary review of the scheme should be completed fairly soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) following the acquisition of Redpath, Dorman Long by the Trafalgar House group, what percentage of the total investment in the United Kingdom and (b) direct manufacturing investment overseas in each year since 1960; and what has been the percentage annual change in both services.

Figures of United Kingdom manufacturing investment are in the following table. There are no comparable figures available for the capital expenditure by overseas affiliates of United Kingdom companies. The only data available relate to net direct investment by United Kingdom companies in their overseas affiliates engaged in manufacturing. These figures are also shown in the table and consist of the net amount invested in the share and loan capital, short-term loans, trade credit and unremitted profits of overseas affiliates. These affiliates use this to finance increases in working capital, repay loans, and so on, as well as to purchase fixed assets.market for bridge building is controlled by the new group; and what is the relative size of the next largest United Kingdom competitors;(2) following the acquisition of Redpath, Dorman Long by the Trafalgar House group, what percentage of the market for heavy construction projects and structural steel work is controlled by the new group; and what is the relative size of the next largest United Kingdom competitor;(3) following the acquisition of Redpath, Dorman Long by the Trafalgar House group, what percentage of the total market for heavy piling is controlled by the new group; and what is the relative size of the next largest United Kingdom competitor.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. and noble Friend's decision not to refer this merger to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission was based on a careful consideration of the factors involved. He concluded that the acquisition did not raise issues of competition or other matters of public interest sufficient to justify an investigation by the commission.Contrary to comments suggesting larger percentages, it is estimated that the combined company would have no more than 10 per cent. of the total United Kingdom market for structural steel work, including bridges. Even in the narrower market for the larger kinds of heavy construction work where the firms are stronger, its share is unlikely to exceed 15 per cent. In the United Kingdom piling market, its combined share would be around 20 per cent. In each market there are numerous United Kingdom competitors. The merger is thus likely to have only limited effect on competition within the United Kingdom; but it should give the combined group extra strength in international tendering.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the 59 escapes from Sudbury open prison in 1980, and the 51 in 1981, what action he has taken or intends taking to prevent such escapes in 1982 and in future years.

We regard these as absconds rather than escapes, since Sudbury is an open prison. Every abscond is investigated to establish the reasons for it. My right hon. Friend considers that the existing arrangements for the allocation of prisoners to open prisons are broadly satisfactory, but he will continue to keep them under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations have taken place into alleged irregularities that there have been in the past three years, and with what result, in the operation in the Sudbury open prison, near Derby; and whether he proposes to hold any new inquiry as a result of further allegations.

A police investigation in 1980 into alleged corruption among staff at Sudbury resulted in the conviction of one former member of staff for offences of corruption and receiving stolen property. There have been no such allegations or inquiries subsequently.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the names of persons who have escaped from Sudbury open prison, near Derby; what were the crimes for which these persons were sentenced; and how many were still at large at the latest available date.

For the period from 1 January 1982 to 20 May 1982, the information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inspectors to supervise experiments on animals carried out under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 were employed in 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980 and 1981.

There were 5, 5, 5, 8, 13, 14, 15 and 15 inspectors, respectively, employed in those years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many university students were granted licences to carry out experiments on living animals so that they could obtain degrees in 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1981.

The information is not available in the form requested. A total of 705 short-term licences were granted to students, including undergraduates, in 1980, and 723 in 1981. The earlier figures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total expenditure on law and order and other protective services in Wales, at constant 1979 prices for each of the last five years; and what are the projected estimates for the years 1982–83 and 1983–84.

Figures for local authority expenditure at 1979 prices on law and order and other protective services in Wales were published in the White Paper "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1981–82 to 1983–84"—Cmnd. 8175—at table 2.16.1 under the heading "Home Office Services" and are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were deported for criminal acts in 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81.

A separate record is not kept of people deported specifically for criminal offences. The available information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present situation on consideration by the Government of the Brodrick report on coroners; and what are the Government's present intentions on implementation of the report's recommendations.

Of the 114 recommendations of the Brodrick report on death certification and coroners, eight required no action, 11 were rejected when the previous Administration announced the then Government's decisions on the report on 6 August 1975—[Vol. 897, c. 211]—10 were considered but not adopted by the working

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Abdul Kayyum Bhutt, a Pakistani politician, was refused political asylum on 24 May 1982 and ordered to leave the country before representations could be made on his behalf.

We considered that the United Kingdom was not the appropriate country of asylum for Mr. Bhutt and accordingly directed his removal to Malta on the next available flight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the age, sex, location and length of time so far held on remand of all those prisoners who are currently on remand in custody and have been so held for over one year.

[pursuant to the reply, 27 April 1982, c. 230]: The information recorded centrally and readily available is given in the following table.

asked the Attorney-General if he will ensure that the increase in the limits of county court jurisdiction is not brought into effect in the Province until adequate resources in terms of premises and personnel exist to cope with the anticipated increase in court business.

I am assured that there are sufficient premises and staff to cope with this increase when it comes into effect on 1 June.

asked the Attorney-General when the Lord Chancellor expects to have the booklet, "Small Claims in a County Court", available for distribution.

It is expected that a revised edition will be ready for distribution by the end of June.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will consider seeking to remove from defendants the right of peremptory challenge to jurors.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if the study being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive's employment medical advisory service into the evidence relating to the health effects of chrysoidine in an occupational context is now complete; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will ask the Health and Safety Executive to carry out a study into the possible carcinogenicity of chrysoidine in animals and humans and to report on the matter;(3) if he will ask the Health and Safety Executive's medical advisory service to conduct a full epidemiological study with a control population to establish whether there is a link between bladder cancer and chrysoidine dye.

The Health and Safety Executive's employment medical advisory service has now collected and appraised the very limited published evidence relating to the health effects of chrysoidine. It has found that the evidence is inadequate for any firm conclusions on carcinogenicity or toxicity in humans to be drawn. The Health and Safety Executive is now seeking the view of the Department of Health and Social Security's committee on carcinogenicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment about the potential human carcinogenicity of the dye. Further action will depend on the result of this consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many community enterprise programme places were available in Greater London during 1981–82; and whether he plans to increase the numbers during 1982–83.

Between April 1981 and March 1982 the number of places planned for Greater London under the community enterprise programme was increased from 800 to 1,990. During 1982–83 the Manpower Services Commission plans to provide 1,715 places at any time in London.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people in (a) Hull, (b) North Humberside, (c) Humberside and (d) Humberside and Yorkshire have never had a full-time job since leaving school.

The following table gives, for 13 May, the provisional numbers of unemployed young

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of persons including young persons, engaged in the Manpower Services Commission schemes in (a) the Hull travel-to-work area, (b) North Humberside, (c) Humberside and (d) Yorkshire and Humberside.

The information is not available in the exact form requested. The schemes run by the Manpower Services Commission are administered on different geographical areas. The following tables give details of MSC schemes broken down into areas coinciding as closely as possible with the areas requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that his Department's form UBL 37 gives satisfactory information for unemployed women in respect of benefit entitlement.

Yes. Leaflet UBL 37 highlights the main changes in benefit rates in a short and simple fashion. It gives the source of more detailed information—leaflet NI 196. If UBL 37 detailed the position of women and that of many other claimant groups it would be lengthy, complex and of little value to the majority of unemployed people for whom it is intended.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how, in respect of the Manchester area, the number of community enterprise programme approvals for the current year is expected to compare with that for the previous year; if he will explain any difference in numbers; and if he will supply comparable figures for Merseyside.

The numbers of places available under the community enterprise programme in both Manchester and Merseyside for 1981–82 and 1982–83 are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now consider introducing a £90 minimum wage; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Government believe that pay is in general a matter best left to negotiations between employers and employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many women workers were made redundant in (a) the tobacco industry and (b) the textile industry during 1980, 1981 and to the nearest available date in 1982.

The information requested is not available as statistics of redundancies occurring do not distinguish between male and female employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies in Bury and Radcliffe have been notified to the Manpower Services Commission since May 1979; and how many firms were involved.

There are no comprehensive statistics of redundancies. The numbers of redundancies, in groups of 10 or more employees, reported to the Manpower Services Commission as due to occur in the Bury and Radcliffe local office areas between May 1979 and April 1982, inclusive, are 2,900 and 1,835, respectively, including provisional figures for March and April 1982.The number of firms in which these redundancies occurred is not available except at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs in total are supported by the temporary short-time working compensation scheme in the Bury and Radcliffe travel-to-work areas; and in what categories of employment.

The total number of potentially redundant jobs supported in April 1982 in the Bury travel-to-work area, which comprises the Bury, Radcliffe and Heywood employment office areas, is 584.The following—which are based on the claims paid—give the categories of employment involved in the three areas:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement setting out the cost of postage per annum in sending benefits from the National Computer Centre; and how much would be saved by handing the Girocheques to claimants as they sign on.

At current levels of unemployment the cost of postage and stationery per annum in sending benefits from the national computer centres is £9·72 million. No savings would accrue from handing the Girocheques to claimants as they sign on because of additional staff and common services costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now abolish the availability for work tests being implemented in 12 pilot areas throughout Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

Availability for work is one of the basic conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit. The task of establishing whether the availability condition is satisfied is being transferred from jobcentres to unemployment benefit offices because, from October this year, registration for work at a jobcentre will be voluntary. A pilot scheme to try out the necessary procedures comprising the availability test was run in 20 unemployment benefit offices. The pilot scheme lasted for three months and ended on 8 April 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in sheltered workshops in the East Sussex county council area in 1976, 1978, 1980 and 1981.

The numbers of severely disabled people employed in sheltered workshops in the East Sussex county council area on 31 March 1976 and at the same date in 1978, 1980 and 1981 are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered and unregistered disabled people were placed in employment by disablement resettlement officers in 1979, 1980 and 1981 in the Brighton area.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the new scheme for encouraging voluntary work by unemployed people, as announced by the Prime Minister on 27 July 1981, Official Report, c. 836.

I have approved a scheme proposed by the Manpower Services Commission after consultation with voluntary organisations. This voluntary service scheme, which will be run by the Manpower Services Commission under its powers in the Employment and Training Act, is designed to generate a variety of voluntary activities. These activities, directed to training for or obtaining work, include local community work projects which could be undertaken without affecting an unemployed person's entitlement to benefit, and adult education classes for unemployed people, including literacy and basic skills. As announced by the Prime Minister, £8 million is available for this scheme in 1982–83. Future support will be decided in the light of the response to the scheme.The Manpower Services Commission will announce further details shortly.