asked the Minister for Trade if, following a recent fatality, he will consider the need for safety regulations covering the manufacture and use of go-karts.

I do not believe that I would be justified on the present information in using my powers under the Consumer Safety Act to prohibit the supply of go-karts. If, however, my hon. Friend has evidence that accidents are widespread or that there are potentially serious faults in the design and manufacture of these products, I would be glad to look into this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many applications which were repayable by the Tour Operators' Study Group Trust Ltd. Fund were outstanding on 1 June; and what is the average length of time taken in the settlement of such claims.

The administration of bonds held by the Tour Operators' Study Group Trust Fund Limited is a matter for that body and my Department does not hold the information requested. Nevertheless, I understand from TOSG that there are currently some 28,000 claims outstanding. Some 30 people are employed on examination duties but the resolution of individual claims is apparently proving more difficult than expected. I am told that a typical claim has been taking some two to three months to be settled but it is hoped that this period will be reduced.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will publish a table showing the United Kingdom's balance of trade with Spain for each year since 1965.

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

asked the Minister for Trade what is the import duty imposed by Spain on the import of forgings and tools into that country; and what are the figures for imports into the United Kingdom from Spain.

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

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has had discussions with his colleagues in the European Economic Community about requiring Spain to reduce its import duties on forgings and tools to levels similar to those imposed by the European Economic Community or, conversely, raising import duties on Spanish goods to an equivalent level to those imposed by Spain; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Minister for Trade what progress is being made to renegotiate the trading agreement signed between Spain and the European Economic Community in 1970 which gave Spain preferential treatment.

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

asked the Minister for Trade (1) how many flights into Antigua from the United Kingdom will operate each week; and whether there have been consultations with the Government of Antigua about the effects of this on their tourist industry;(2) why the application of the Government of Antigua to operate flights by British West Indian Airways between the United Kingdom and Antigua and Barbados has been refused;(3) what consultations were held with tour operators and travel agents in the United Kingdom before the number of flights to Antigua was reduced; and what representations he has had from Antigua since the changes were made.

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

asked the Minister for Trade (1) what were the considerations which caused his Department to suspend the time limits for further submissions as originally requested on 21 May in relation to the appeal against the decision of the Civil Aviation Authority not to allow British Midland Airways to compete on the Heathrow-Glasgow and Heathrow-Edinburgh routes; if he will now set new time limits; and if he will make a statement;(2) if, when fixing a new time table for submissions relating to British Midland Airways' application for licences to fly Heathrow—Glasgow/Heathrow —Edinburgh, he will have regard to the delay of nearly nine months since the appeal was lodged with the Secretary of State, and that the original application to the Civil Aviation Authority was made in February 1981.

The time limits were suspended because, in response to the Department's letter of 21 May, a number of parties made legal points rather than addressing the substance of the letter. In fairness to all those involved it was decided to suspend the time limits. The arguments put forward by the parties are under urgent consideration.

asked the Minister for Trade when he expects the Office of Fair Trading's investigation involving the annual percentage rate of interest and building societies to be completed.

I understand that the Director General is planning to submit his report next month.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will now announce his proposals for giving financial assistance through tourist boards, in accordance with section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the availability of grants after 1 August for assistance to tourism projects by the English Tourist Board under section 4 of the Tourist Development Act 1969.

The Government place great importance on the development of the tourist industry which makes a valuable contribution to the national economy and to our balance of payments.Hitherto aid under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 has been confined to assisted areas. Following the decision on the review of assisted areas announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry, the Government have decided that support for tourism projects should no longer be tied specifically to assisted areas, but should be based on considerations more directly related to the needs of tourism. Accordingly suitable projects throughout the country will become eligible for consideration for this selective aid. An announcement on the detailed arrangements will be made as soon as possible. We are notifying the European Commission of this change in accordance with our Community obligations.

asked the Minister for Trade whether in the light of his answers to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe of 21 June, Official Report, c. 3, and 27 May, Official Report, c. 360, concerning the decision not to refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the bid for Allied Suppliers Ltd. his right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State will make it his policy to announce such decisions, so far as is possible, to Parliament before they are announced elsewhere.

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

Numbers of Employees in Employment, Unemployed and Percentage Unemployed for Wales by Industrial Group*
thousands, per cent.
Industry	Number of Employees in Employment	Number Unemployed	Percentage Unemployed
All industries	908·0	124·6	12·1
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	24·0	2·0	7·7
Mining and quarrying	35·0	2·7	7·2
Total all manufacturing industries	238·0	45·2	16·0
Food, drink and tobacco	16·0	3·0	18·8
Coal, petroleum and chemical products	19·0	2·2	10·4
Metal manufacture	40·0	14·6	26·7
Engineering and allied industries	96·0	14·1	12·8

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the existing unmarked Anglo-Welsh boundary in the River Dee, close to the Wirral, Cheshire, shore remains the definitive national boundary for the purposes of industrial development and local government planning decisions of his Department; whether his Department have made any studies of the border; and whether consultations have taken place with Alyn and Deeside council.

The line of the border between England and Wales in the Dee estuary has been uncertain for many years. The local government boundary commissions of England and Wales are jointly conducting a review of this part of the England—Wales border with a view to removing the uncertainty and establishing a legal boundary.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish in the Official Report a list of redundancies in Wales since May 1979 involving more than 100 workers, showing the numbers made redundant, the operative date and the industrial group.

Information in the form requested is notified by individual firms on a confidential basis and could not be disclosed without breaching confidentiality.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for Wales the numbers employed in each industrial group at the latest available date and the percentage of unemployed in each group.

The latest figures, relating to December 1981, for employees in employment in Wales by industrial groups are available in the Department of Employment Gazette—April 1982, Volume 90, No. 4.The following figures show the relationship between the numbers of employees in employment in each industrial group for September 1981 and the numbers unemployed in those groups in August of that year.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the most recent figures for the average weekly earnings of agricultural workers in Wales; how it compares with workers in other industries; and if he will make a statement.

The latest date for which comparable figures are available is April 1981. In the quarter, April to June 1981, the average total weekly earnings of hired regular whole-time men in agriculture in Wales—including payments in kind—was £96·84p.In April 1981, the average gross weekly earnings for full-time manual men in all industries and services in Wales was £120·30p.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many deaths by accident have been recorded on farms in Wales during 1982; what were the corresponding figures for the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Complete figures for 1982 are not available. Figures for the number of deaths by accident—including those from disease—for each of the 10 years, 1972 to 1981, are as follows:

	Number
1972	17
1973	13
1974	20
1975	13
1976	18
1977	17
1978	10
1979	11
1980	13
1981	7

Four accidental deaths are so far recorded in agriculture in Wales in 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what assistance to economic development will henceforth be available in those travel-to-work areas within the area of the Development Board for Rural Wales which are to cease to be assisted areas; and if he will make a statement.

In an announcement today my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry is confirming that certain areas in Great Britain will cease to be assisted areas on 1 August next, as planned. Mid Wales, however, suffers from a particularly difficult combination of adverse factors—sparsity of population, difficulties arising from remoteness and poor communications, restricted range of employment opportunities—and the Development Board for Rural Wales is maintained in order to ameliorate them and promote economic development. Assistance will accordingly be made available within the board's area as follows:The Wales Tourist Board will continue to provide support for tourism through its promotional, marketing and project assistance activities. There will be revised arrangements under which grants under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 will in future be available in non-assisted areas in Wales. Grants will thus be available throughout the whole of Mid Wales, reflecting the high priority which is placed ors the development of tourism as a means of strengthening the rural economy.The Development Board for Rural Wales will also continue to carry out its full range of functions in its area, and will be able to offer rent-free periods for advance factories at discretion in the growth areas, special towns and key towns that the board has already, with my endorsement, identified as those on which its efforts should be concentrated. Concessionary loans for small businesses in rural areas will be available under existing guidelines. In addition, discretionary grants will be provided within the DBRW's area under powers contained in the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 in respect of industrial projects which will create or safeguard jobs in de-scheduled travel-to-work areas. The criteria applied in offering these grants will be identical to those which apply to selective financial assistance in intermediate areas, though the rate of grant will be lower. The precise arrangements will be formalised as soon as possible. Up to £350,000 will be made available for this purpose within the first full year. These measures will enable the board to maintain significant assistance for the promotion of appropriate industrial development in those rural areas which will no longer receive the regional incentives which are available in intermediate areas.The European Commission is being notified in accordance with our Community obligations.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has received a report from the economic development committee serving the textile and clothing industries showing sectoral aids to the textile and clothing industries overseas; and if he will make a statement.

I have seen copies of the reports in question, which were prepared by my Department at the request of the cotton and allied textiles economic development committee. The Government share the concern expressed by the textile and clothing industries that such aid schemes can distort competition. In so far as they are operated by other members of the European Community, my right hon. Friend has urged the Commission to reconsider the effectiveness of the existing machinery for controlling aids in this sector.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, having regard to the levels of unemployment in the West Midlands, he will now consider the introduction of special area status so as to provide the West Midlands area with extra financial aid equivalent to that enjoyed by other regions with comparable levels of unemployment.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East on 2 March, Official Report, c. 92, if he has made any further appointments to the Engineering Council; if he will list the up to date membership of the council; and if he will make a statement on their work.

My right hon. Friend has made no further appointments to the Engineering Council. The initial members of the council are as follows:

• Sir Kenneth Corfield (Chairman)
• Professor G. S. G. Beveridge
• Viscount Caldecote
• G. A. Drain
• Professor D. M. Embrey
• J. W. Fairclough
• Sir Alistair Frame
• G. R. Hall
• Professor Sir Alan Harris
• G. M. A. Harrison
• R. G. Hooker
• Dr. J. H. Horlock
• J. Lyons
• P. L. Martin
• Baroness Platt of Writtle
• D. A. S. Plastow
• R. N. Quartano
• D. H. Roberts

The council has recently announced that it has appointed Dr. Kenneth Miller as director general and that he will take up his appointment on 1 July. Since the council was set up to operate independently of Government, it is itself responsible for deciding how to pursue the objects set out in its Royal charter. Under the charter the council is required to publish an annual report and, in view of the widespread interest in its work, I propose to place a copy of these reports, as they are published, in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of the Kirkby skillcentre.

The Manpower Services Commission discussed the future of the Kirkby annex to the St. Helen's skillcentre at its meeting on 25 May and decided that further consultations should take place with local interests. The Commission will discuss the matter again when they meet in July.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether Her Majesty's Government plan to take any measures, other than the new tenants' exchange scheme, to improve worker mobility.

The employment transfer scheme and the job search scheme are run by the Manpower Services Commission to help workers move to jobs which cannot be filled by local people. The weekly earnings limit for these schemes was raised on 1 April 1982 from £140 to £190 a week so that moves to jobs requiring greater skills and experience would attract assistance under the schemes.In the housing field the Government have taken a number of important steps to aid mobility, in addition to the tenants exchange scheme. These were outlined in the Government's reply to the second report 1980–81 from the Environment Committee, Session 1980–81, Cmnd. 8377.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the workings of the Dock Work Regulation Act 1976.

The only substantive sections of the 1976 Act which are effectively operational are those reconstituting the National Dock Labour Board and dealing with the board's finances—sections 1, 3 and 13. I am satisfied with the working of these sections.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what have been the effects of the Manpower Services Commission's cutbacks in support for schemes jointly funded by the commission and the urban programme; and if he will make extra finance available through the community enterprise programme for these schemes to proceed.

On 15 December 1981 my right hon. Friend announced the expansion of the community enterprise programme in 1982–83 from 25,000 to 30,000 places.—Vol. 15, c. 153. I am not aware of any particular cutbacks affecting schemes jointly funded by the commission and the urban programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a breakdown by number and percentage of those in (a) Wolverhampton and (b) the West Midlands who have been unemployed for one year or over by age group.

The following is the information at 15 April, the latest date for which the quarterly analysis by age and by duration of unemployment is available.

Unemployed for over 52 weeks
	Wolverhampton employment office area		West Midlands region
Age	Number	As a percentage of total for all ages	Number	As a percentage of total for all ages
Under 18	93	1·2	1,218	0·9
18	205	2·8	3,054	2·3
19	358	4·8	5,543	4·2
20–24	1,446	19·4	24,422	18·4
25–29	906	12·2	16,515	12·5
30–34	735	9·9	13,221	10·0
35–44	1,170	15·7	20,626	15·6
45–49	548	7·4	9,685	7·3
50–54	628	8·4	11,499	8·7
55–59	701	9·4	12,917	9·8
60 and over	658	8·8	13,749	10·4
Total, all ages	7,448	100	132,449	100

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs in total are supported by the temporary short-time working compensation scheme for (a) Wolverhampton and (b) the West Midlands for the last month for which figures are available.

The number of potentially redundant jobs for which reimbursement for support was claimed under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme in May 1982 in the Wolverhampton employment office area was 230. The figure for the West Midlands as a whole was 14,030.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of persons unemployed, the percentage rate of unemployment and the total number of vacancies for (a) Wolverhampton and (b) the West Midlands for the latest date for which figures are available.

The following table gives the provisional figures at June 1982. As unemployment rates can be calculated only for complete travel-to-work areas all of the information for Wolverhampton has been given on this basis.

	Wolverhampton travel-to-work area	West Midlands region
Number registered as unemployed	24,238	350,526
Percentage rate of unemployment	16·6	15·3
Number of vacancies remaining unfilled

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the number registered as unemployed in (a) Wolverhampton and (b) the West Midlands for each of the following dates; (i) June 1979, (ii) June 1980, (iii) June 1981 and (iv) June 1982.

The following is the information for the Wolverhampton employment office area and the West Midlands region at the dates specified.

	Wolverhampton employment office area	West Midlands region
June 1979	7,605	121,521
June 1980	9,830	159,079
June 1981	16,749	305,650
June 1982*	18,511	350,526
* Provisional

asked the Secretary of Stale for Employment if he will provide a breakdown by number and percentage of those who have been unemployed for one year and over per Standard Industrial Classification in (a) Wolverhampton and (b) the West Midlands.

The information is not available. The numbers registered as unemployed are not cross-analysed by both duration of unemployment and industrial classification.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of economically active persons in (a) the North West, (b) the South East, (c) the East Midlands, (d) the West Midlands and (e) Yorkshire and Humberside; how many were out of employment in the second quarter of 1981; and if he will express the latter as a percentage of the former in each case.

Estimates for the second quarter of 1981 of the numbers of economically active persons and of these the numbers and proportions out of employment are given in the following table.

asked the Prime Minister if she will specify the powers of the civil commissioner and the military commissioner in the Falkland Islands.

The powers of the civil commissioner and the military commissioner in the Falkland Islands and the dependencies are specified in the Falkland Islands and Dependencies (Interim Administration) Order 1982, which was made on 18 June 1982 and laid before Parliament on the same day. Broadly speaking, the civil commissioner will exercise the functions formerely exercised by the governor, except that on matters of defence or internal security he will act in accordance with the advice given by the military commissioner.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply on 15 June, Official Report, c. 727, if she will list the 140 conventional wars that have taken place in the world since 1945.

In quoting a figure I drew on a work of academic research and on an official estimate. It will take time to draw up a single list, but I will see that the information is placed in the Library of the House as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list all the persons and bodies who made representations to her against the withdrawal of HMS "Endurance" from the South Atlantic.

The information the hon. Member requests could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the consistent practice of Her Majesty's Government to refer to the Assembly of the European Communities, as defined in section one of the European Assembly Elections Act 1978, as the European Parliament; whether this practice was under the present Administration and, if so, when; and what are her reasons for adopting this practice.

The term "Assembly" appears in the treaties, but the institution has described itself since 1962 as the "European Parliament" and this term is generally in use throughout the Community. We accepted this usuage on taking office, as did the previous Conservative Administration. Whatever terminology is used, the nature of the institution is not in doubt. We will continue to use the term "Assembly" in legal texts or where it is necessary to distinguish that institution from Parliament in Westminster.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the approximate percentage discrepancy range which differences in the bases for the assessment of rateable value of dwelling-houses in Scotland from those followed in Wales and England cause between dwelling-houses in Scotland and identical ones in Wales and England.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the Inland Revenue is now having to write off bad debts of approximately £12 million per annum due to uncollected PAYE income tax, whether he will indicate what proportion of these are debts allowed to accumulate over periods in excess of the statutory time limit covering payment of this personal tax; in cases where legal proceedings have not been taken to obtain payment whether this has been done either by consent or direction of his Department; and in the absence of such legal proceedings failing to be taken immediately after the statutory time limit has expired for payment, whether it is his policy that the Inland Revenue should forfeit its rights as a preferential creditor in cases of bankruptcy or liquidation; and if he will now take steps to withdraw this right in such cases in future.

The Inland Revenue estimates that approximately 90 per cent. of PAYE tax is paid within a very short time of when it becomes due. Every effort is made to secure payment as soon as possible from employers who fail to meet their obligations on time and tax is written off only after all the possibilities of collection action have been exhausted. Where necessary legal proceedings to recover what is owing are instituted but the timing of proceedings must depend on the facts of each individual case. The Inland Revenue is responsible for collecting tax in accordance with the law; in cases of insolvency its claims will be made in accordance with the limited priority for such debts that the law provides.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) from information available from international sources, what was the gross domestic product per head at factor cost in each of the other European Community countries for the most recent year for which figures are available; and how this compares with the figure for the United Kingdom;(2) from information available from international sources, what was the gross domestic product per head at factor cost in Canada for the most recent year for which information is available; and how this compares with the figure for the United Kingdom.

It is convenient to take these two questions together.The latest available information is given in the table below. The figures are valued at current market prices, the basis used in international sources.

Gross domestic product at market prices, per capita, in 1980.
	US Dollars
	Based on exchange rates	Based on purchasing power parities
Canada	10582	na
Belgium	11816	8724
Denmark	12952	9087
France	12136	9040
W. Germany	13305	9428
Greece	4210	4683
Irish Republic	5193	5066
Italy	6906	7202
Luxembourg	12570	9822
Netherlands	11851	8614
United Kingdom	9335	7629

na = not available.Source: National Accounts of OECD Countries 1951–1980 Volume 1.It is well recognised that the use of market exchange rates to convert GDP estimates to a common unit of measurement can give very misleading results because the rates do not necessarily reflect the relative purchasing power of the national currencies in terms of the goods and services available in the countries being compared. A more realistic assessment is given by the use of purchasing power parities to convert to a common unit. Estimates on this basis are available for the EC countries and are given above.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of foreign investment in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1979, 1980 and 1981; and if he will estimate the effect the inflow of capital had on the rate of exchange for sterling.

The most recent figures for overseas investment were published on 8 June in table I of the CSO press notice on the 'United Kingdom balance of payments in the first quarter of 1982'. It is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the exchange rate effect of overseas investment, which will be influenced by many factors including the type of funds used to finance the investment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of fraudulently imported textiles and clothing seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in 1981; and if he will make a statement.

Since my reply to my hon. Friend on 23 March—[Vol. 20, c. 329]—the figure has been revised and the total seizures of textiles and clothing for 1981 now stand at £1·9 million. I am satisfied with the effectiveness of the overall measures applied by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise within the resources available to it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the sum of money that is currently required to provide the purchasing power that was provided by £1 in 1971 and 1973 respectively.

The sums of money currently required to provide the same purchasing power as the sterling did in 1971 and in 1973 would be £4.02 and £3.44 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are the latest figures available indicating (a) the size of the capital stock of the nationalised industries and (b) what percentage return was earned on that stock.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1982, c. 149–150]: The size of the nationalised industries net capital stock at the end of 1980 is estimated at £93,990 million. The pre-tax real rate of return on that capital, including subsidies, was —1 per cent. The basis of the calculation and comparable figures for the years 1970 to 1979 were supplied by the Treasury in evidence to the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee last year. These have been published as appendix 12 in volume III of its report "Financing of the Nationalised Industries", HC 348-III.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what proportion of senior civil servants of each grade, principal and above, have been prematurely retired in each of the years 1979, 1980 and 1981; and what has been the average age, the average lump sum payment and the average pension in each case.

[pursuant to his reply, 11 June 1982, c. 174]: The following table sets out the information about grades and ages which is available centrally. Information about average lump sums and pensions could only be provided at disproportionate cost: the rules governing the size of these payments are, however, contained in the principal civil service pension scheme, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Attorney-General whether he can give any estimate of the cost to public funds over 1980–81 of those prosecutions dismissed in court through lack of evidence.

Prosecutions are conducted by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the police and some Government Departments. The Director of Public Prosecutions does not have separate figures for the cost to public funds of these prosecutions dismissed in court through lack of evidence which are conducted by him. The Lord Chancellor's Department does not have such figures either.

asked the Attorney-General if he has any change to make in the cash limits for Class IX, Vote 1.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised Estimate, the cash limit for Class IX Vote 1 will be reduced by £25,000 from £54,840,000 to £54,815,000. This reduction reflects the increased receipts from the hiring of the Law Society computer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the light of recent events in the Falkland Islands, he will review the provisions of the Nationality Act with a view to providing full British citizenship for dependencies, such as the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Sir N. Fisher) on 24 June.—[Vol. 26, c. 156.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current length of the delay in issuing new radio amateur licences after application; why cheques enclosed with applications are cashed immediately on recipt despite the delay; and if he will either obviate the delay or defer encashment of cheques until the issue of the licence.

The current delay is 3½months. Between 1978 and 1982, the demand for amateur radio licences has increased approximately four-fold. It is, however, our hope in due course to reduce the delays in this area of licensing. It is Government accounting policy that all receipts should be banked promptly, and we are unable to agree to an exception in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the 1982 total electorate for the borough of Eastleigh; what is the similar figure for the Woolston ward of the city of Southampton; and what is the 1982 electoral quota for the English parliamentary constituencies;(2) if he will publish in the

The 1982 total electorate for the district of Eastleigh—71,126—was published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on 4 May in the OPCS Monitor "Electoral Statistics—Local Government"—reference EL82/1—which is in the Library of the House. I understand that the corresponding figure for Woolston ward of the city of Southampton is 11,071. The provisional number of parliamentary electors in the 1982 register for parliamentary constituencies and the 1982 electoral quotas will be published early in July by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys in the OPCS Monitor "Electoral Statistics—Parliamentary"—reference EL 82/2—copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the committee of inquiry which has been set up relating to cable and broadcasting has invited the various religious denominations in Scotland to make submissions: and if he will consider extending the closing date for submissions from 30 September to 31 December.

The inquiry into cable expansion and broadcasting policy has been anxious to receive evidence from all organisations and individuals wishing to offer views on the issues which it is studing. I understand that among those who have made submissions is the British Council of Churches, of which the Baptist Union of Scotland, the Church of Scotland, the Congregational Union of Scotland, the Episcopal Church in Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland are members, and the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland is a consultant observer.I have asked for the inquiry's report by 30 September so that the Government can be in a position to take decisions on these important issues by about the end of this year. The inquiry asked for submissions by 31 May, if possible. I understand that it will be willing to consider any further written evidence which is sent to it reasonably soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon, of 18 June, Official Report, c. 358, if he will list in the Official Report the eight police authorities where he has approved additional posts for 1982–83; how many additional posts he has approved in each case; and if he will make a statement.

The eight police authorities which were reformed recently that my right hon. Friend would be prepared to approve additional posts are as follows:

	Number of posts
Bedfordshire	5
Essex	10
Leicestershire	3
Greater Manchester	2
Thames Valley	10
Warwickshire	5
West Mercia	2
Wiltshire	7

Approval has since been given to the additional posts in Essex, Warwickshire and West Mercia. Between May 1979 and the end of March 1982 my right hon. Friend approved 2,402 new posts for forces in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of the Torry research station in Aberdeen.

It is recommended in the draft Rayner report on fisheries research and development that my Department should investigate the possibility of transferring responsibility for the Torry research station to the Sea Fish Industry Authority. Before taking a decision on this proposal and on all the other recommendations in the draft report, I shall take account of the views of representatives of the industries concerned and of the trade union side of my Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors he has considered in reaching his decision not to increase the dog licence fee.

The Government have made it clear that it has not been able to accord a high priority to consideration of this and other questions arising from the report of the working party on dogs.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the recent hostilities in the South Atlantic, the Government will now provide educational facilities in the United Kingdom as required to replace the facilities previously offered to the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands by Argentina.

Educational facilities are already provided in the United Kingdom for inhabitants of the Falkland Islands, but the Government would readily consider ways of meeting increased requirements if they arose. I understand that in recent years it has been unusual for islanders to go to Argentina for their education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the teacher to pupil ratio in secondary and primary schools in each local education authority in England in January 1982.

The information requested will not be available until the autumn. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Statistical Bulletin 2/82 which gives pupil-teacher ratios for each local education authority for January 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he has obtained a copy of the report of the United States National Research Council on the link between the consumption of fatty foods and milk products and the incidence of cancer; and to what extent these findings coincide with United Kingdom health research;(2) if medical research in the United Kingdom has shown any link between the consumption of saturated and unsaturated fats and the incidence of cancer; and if he will make a statement.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any plans to meet the president of the National Union of Mineworkers to discuss capital investment in the coal industry.

The Secretary of State and I meet regularly with the leaders of the NUM to discuss matters affecting their industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take an early opportunity of discussing with the new chairman of the National Coal Board new investment in the industry, with particular reference to the South Wales coalfield.

I have had and shall have meetings with Sir Derek Ezra and Mr. Siddall on all aspects of the board's activities, including investment. I am sure the House will want to join me in wishing Sir Derek Ezra well following his retirement on 2 July after 11 years as chairman of the National Coal Board. During this period he has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the industry and has been its most eloquent advocate. The House will also wish to join me in welcoming Mr. Siddal to his vital and challenging new appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to receive the report on the combined heat and power scheme for Sheffield and other cities.

I have now received the report of the lead consultants on the combined heat and power feasibility programme. This is at present being studied by the streering group administering the programme and will be circulated to other interested parties shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the daily production rate of oil from the 26 fields in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea in the calendar year 1990.

Our current estimate is that oil production in 1990 from the 26 existing developments in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea is likely to be between 1·4 and 2 million barrels per day.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of development in the North Sea.

Oil production from the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea is currently slightly in excess of 2 million barrels per day; 20 oil fields are in production and a further six under development. The United Kingdom should remain at least self-sufficient into the 1990s on current expectations of demand and production from existing developments. The eighth round of licensing, announced on 17 May, is designed to open up previously unexplored areas to provide opportunities for further gas exploration in the southern North Sea.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied that the summary of advice proposed by the Advisory Council on Research and Development accurately reflects the views of those serving on the council; and whether the views of those involved in renewable energy projects were excluded from the council's consideration.

Yes. There was no question of excluding the views of those involved in my Department's renewable energy projects. The reports of all the renewable energy steering committees were made available in full to the council and the chairmen of the committees attended and took part in the discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received concerning the Government's intention to remove barriers to the private generation of electricity.

I propose to remove the statutory bar on the private supply of electricity as a main business and generally to improve relations between private suppliers and the public system. I have consulted interested organisations and will take their replies into account when preparing detailed proposals for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will outline his proposed legislation for the reorganisation of the electricity supply industry.

I have no present plans to reorganise the structure of the electricity supply industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the current stocks of British coal; and what has been the cost in the last 12 months to the National Coal Board of maintaining stocks above market requirements.

Undistributed stocks of coal at the end of May were 23·8 million tonnes. I am informed by the National Coal Board that the cost to its revenue account of putting coal to stock rather than selling it is some £6 to £7 per tonne, including interest in the first year. The subsequent cost of maintaining coal in stock would depend on the length of time for which stocks are held, and the interest charges for financing them.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the total coal stocks, distributed and at pitheads, at the latest date.

The latest available information is as follows:

Stocks of coal at end of May, 1982: Great Britain
	Million tonnes
Distributed	22·2
Undistributed:
At collieries	19·3
At opencast sites	4·5
Total stocks	46·0

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the intentions of the Government in relation to the report of the Bondi committee on the Severn barrage.

A statement will be made as soon as a decision is taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what response he has had from the oil industry to his announcement on oil depletion policy on 8 June.

The industry has generally welcomed the Government's decision not to impose production cuts, at least to the end of 1984.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the countries from which coal has been imported in 1979, 1980, 1981 and in 1982 to the latest available date, together with the tonnage from each of those countries.

The information requested is given in the following table.

Coal Imports (million tonnes)
	1979(1)	1980(1)	1981(2)	*1982(1)
Federal Republic of Germany	0·2	0·1	<0·1	—
Australia	2·2	2·8	2·3	0·3
Poland	0·7	0·4	0·2	—
South Africa	<0·1	0·1	0·1	—
United States of America	1·0	3·7	1·6	0·4
Others	0·3	0·2	0·2	—
Total	4·4	7·3	4·4	0·7
* January and February only.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the price index for domestic electricity on 1 January in each of the past five years, taking the price on 1 January 1970 as 100.

The price of domestic electricity forms a component of the general index of retail prices published by the Department of Employment. Data from this source yield the following index values:

20 January 1970 = 100
Date	Index value
17 January 1978	313·9
16 January 1979	338·0
15 January 1980	402·8
13 January 1981	522·7
12 January 1982	549·6

Data that would enable a corresponding index with 1 January 1970 = 100 to be derived are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will provide additional finance to the National Coal Board in order that it can implement the mineworkers' early retirement scheme in respect of surface workers.

The mineworkers' voluntary early retirement scheme is negotiated between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers, and is wholly financed by the board. It is for the board and the NUM to consider any amendments to the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many pit closures took place in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

Five in 1979, seven in 1980, and 10 in 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total amount of opencast coal mined in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

NCB opencast coal production, including coal from licensed opencast sites delivered to the NCB for sale, was as follows:

	million tonnes
1979	13·8
1980	13·0
1981	15·3

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total amount of coke stocks at the latest date.

The latest available information is for the end of March, 1982, when recorded stocks of coke, including coke breeze, amounted to 2 million tonnes.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what information is being provided to prospective purchasers by the British Gas Corporation in order to enable the sale of its interest in Wytch Farm oilfield to proceed.

I understand the the British Gas Corporation will make available to prospective purchasers of its interest in licence No. PL 089 a selling document setting out details of the interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will enter into discussions with the major oil companies with a view to framing proposals for the exploration of the British waters surrounding the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands to reassess the availability of hydrocarbon resources; and if he will make a statement.

It would be premature for me to do so at present. So far as the Falkland Islands are concerned, Lord Shackleton is currently updating his economic survey which covers the potential for hydrocarbon exploration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of general practitioners work single-handedly in Inner London and in England and Wales.

In inner London at 1 October 1981 some 30 per cent. of general medical practitioners worked single-handedly compared with 11 per cent. in England and Wales as a whole.Inner London comprises the family practitioner committees of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, Camdem and Islington, City and East London and Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) men and (b) women are serving on each of the regional health authorities.

The numbers are as follows:

	men	women
Northern	16	3
Yorkshire	12	4
Trent	18	4
East Anglian	12	5
North West Thames	14	6
North East Thames	13	3
South East Thames	15	6
South West Thames	16	4
Wessex	16	2
Oxford	17	2
South Western	14	5
West Midlands	15	5
Mersey	15	4
North Western	11	5

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women were refused the housewives non-contributory invalidity pension because they failed the household duties test in the most recent year for which the figures are available; how many women appealed against the decision; and how many decisions were reversed.

The information is as follows:

Non-contributory invalidity pension for married women (1981)
	Total number decided	Successful	Unsuccessful
Claims	12,383	7,121	5,262
Appeals to local tribunal	1,509	595	914
Appeals to Social Security Commissioner	219	64	155

The details relate to claims and appeals decided in 1981, the latest figures available, and some of the decisions may have resulted from claims or appealable decisions made in 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the requirements on health authorities with regard to the provision of personal accident insurance for ambulance personnel in their employment.

There are no requirements on health authorities to provide personal accident insurance for ambulance personnel. Arrangements for paid sick leave and payment of injury benefit, under the NHS Superannuation (Injury Benefits) Regulations 1974, to ambulance and other National Health Service Staff apply to cases of personal injury occurring in the course of employment. Third party claims are normally met by NHS employing authorities who may be held to be vicariously liable for the negligence, other than criminal negligence, of their employees in the course of the employment. Such claims are met from voted moneys and no insurance arrangements are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which hospitals in the county of Derbyshire provide speech therapy services for the mentally handicapped.

This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the North Derbyshire and Southern Derbyshire health authorities, which should have the information.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many publicly funded hospices for the care of the terminally ill are in operation in the East Midlands; and where they are located.

This information is not held centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has had in the past 12 months from local health authorities, on increasing the level of the death grant.

I have had no representations from any area or district health authority but have had nine representations from community health councils—local health councils in Scotland—of which three favoured one of the options set out in the consultative document on death grant and six favoured a general increase in the level of grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Service if he will list the numbers of hospital beds available, by regional health authority, for the years 1970 until the latest available date.

The numbers are shown in the following table: