asked the Minister for Trade what was the amount invested in the United Kingdom by

asked the Minister for Trade how many complaints he has received relating to alleged manufacture of counterfeit goods, in particular cosmetics and consumer goods, within the United Kingdom.

We have received complaints about the marketing of counterfeit goods both in this country and abroad but none that we can trace relating specifically to counterfeits manufactured in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will press for an agreement on counterfeiting in his negotiations with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade at the ministerial meeting in November 1982; and whether, if agreement can be secured between the main European Community countries, he will seek to implement that agreement, even if this is opposed by Third world countries.

The opening for signature in GATT of an agreement on measures to discourage international trade in counterfeit merchandise would only be possible with the collective agreement of the contracting parties to the general agreement on tariffs and trade, which include many from the developing world. It would then be for each country to decide whether or not to adhere to it. With our Community partners and the United States, we are pressing the case for consideration of this problem at the GATT ministerial meeting in November 1982. An agreement between European Community countries only would not need to involve the GATT but would be of much less value since most counterfeiting problems originate elsewhere.

asked the Minister for Trade how negotiations on the draft European Economic Community directive on product liability are proceeding; what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards this directive; and if he will make a statement.

Detailed figures of the components and level of inward direct investment were given in table 6 of the article "Overseas net direct investment in 1980", a copy of which is in the library. The articles also gives on pages 79 and 80 a rough indication of the effects of the change in accounting for deferred tax; precise estimates are not available. Figures for inward direct investment in manufacturing for 1978 and 1979 corresponding to table 6 are as follows:

The Government's attitude to the draft directive remains as set out by my right hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mrs. Oppenheim) during the debate in the House on 4 November 1980. The Government have noted the support that many of our partners have given to the principle underlining the draft directive and accept that there would be advantages in establishing a common system of liability throughout the Community. They are therefore prepared to negotiate constructively on the basis of the Commission's draft. This did not, however, strike a proper balance between the interests of injured victims and of producers. The Government have therefore reserved their position on the draft and are seeking improvements. One of the most important of these is a "state of the art" defence under which a producer would not be liable for a defect which could not have been detected by a producer of the type of goods in question in the light of the scientific and technological knowledge at the time when the product was put into circulation.The Committee of Permanent Representatives is at present discussing certain fundamental questions arising from the draft including the question of a "state of the art" defence. When these questions have been resolved we expect the Council working party to resume its detailed examination of the draft.

asked the Minister for Trade, pursuant to the reply of 24 February, Official Report, column 381, to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds, approximately what percentage of the £30·25 per hour plus travel expenses which he intends to charge for weights and measures inspectors examining weighing machines arises from each of the following categories of staff costs: (a) support staff, (b) accommodation costs, (c) telephone and stationery, (d) materials and consumable stores, (e) depreciation and interest charges on fixed capital etc. as well as a share of the general departmental overheads.

The Government are still considering certain aspects of these charges and I shall give my hon. Friend further information as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Trade how many firms in (a) West Yorkshire, (b) Greater Manchester and (c) England went into liquidation in 1979, 1980 and 1981; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that figures of company liquidations are not available by area nor for England separately. Following are the numbers of bankruptcies. The figures cover all individuals and partnerships but, for England and Wales as a whole, the self-employed account for between 75 and 80 per cent. of the total.

asked the Minister for Trade, following the United Kingdom ban on trade with Argentina and the decision of other countries of the European Economic Community to resume trading with Argentina, how goods exported from Argentina to countries of the European Community will be prevented from being re-exported to the United Kingdom.

The origin of goods imported into the United Kingdom from other member States of the European Community has to be disclosed in the Customs entry document. Since 7 April all imports of goods exported from Argentina have required the authority of import licences issued by my Department. In order to obtain licences traders have been required to prove that the goods were en route for the United Kingdom before midnight on 6 April. This position remains unchanged. Customs enforce these import licence requirements regardless of the country of consignment whether or not the goods are in free circulation. Our community partners are aware of our intention to retain our national measures against Argentina for the time being.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will publish a table showing the profit or deficit in manufacturing trade with other countries of the European Economic Community and the rest of the world, respectively, over the most recent six-monthly period for which figures are available; and if he will provide comparable figures for the same periods in each of the previous 20 years.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1982, c. 168]: Figures prior to 1970 could be produced only at disproportionate cost. For subsequent years the balances of trade in manufactures are given in the table.

asked the Minister for Trade what steps he is taking to advise purchasers of citizens' band equipment which is imported in a substandard or dangerous condition, or to restrict imports of such equipment in such condition; and if, in particular, his attention has been drawn to the products of the Phihong Manufacturing Organisation of Taiwan in this connection.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 June 1982, c. 202.]: Following action by my Department, purchasers of citizen band equipment have already been warned about dangerous imports, including Phihong units, by the trading standards departments of local authorities in whose areas these goods have been sold. Warnings have also appeared in most national newspapers and on television programmes such as Nationwide and Thames television news. Suppliers of Phihong citizen band equipment are being prosecuted by the Greater Manchester Council; other local authorities are also considering prosecution. I hope that most supplies of dangerous CB equipment have now been removed from the market. The Consumer Safety Act does not contain a power to prohibit unsafe imports but it is an offence to supply within the United Kingdom any goods that do not comply with safety regulations.

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 June 1982, c. 209.]: Forgings having the character of a finished article—the vast majority—are classified for Customs purposes as that article and not separately as forgings. It follows that no separate trade statistics for forgings are available, and that the rates of import duty are those for the finished articles. Examples of Spanish duties on imports from European Community countries are 16·3 per cent. for engine parts—CCCN 84.06 D II b—and between 16·3 and 18·7 per cent. for transmission shafts, crankshafts, gearboxes, and so on—CCCN 84.63.Spanish import duties on tools—CCCN 82—from European Community countries vary between 0·75 per cent. and 17·6 per cent.; most lie between 9·9 per cent. and 14·3 per cent. In 1980 the United Kingdom imported tools worth £4·2 million from Spain.

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 June 1982, c. 209.]: The available information is as follows:

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 June 1982, c. 209.]: The present disparity of tariffs is in accordance with the agreement of 1970; I refer the hon. Member to my answer to her question for 28 June 1982.

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 June 1982, c. 210.]: The most effective remedy to the current imbalance of trading opportunity between the Community and Spain will be Spain's early accession to the Community. Negotiations to this end are in progress; there are no separate negotiations to revise the 1970 agreement.

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;

[pursuant to his reply, 28 June 1982, c. 210.]: British Airways have operated twice a week with Boeing 747 aircraft between London and Antigua since April 1981. The frequency of BA services is a matter for the airline, but I understand that before reducing from three to two flights a week BA did consult United Kingdom travel agents and tour operators.At a meeting on 9 June the Minister without Portfolio of Antigua and Barbuda, whose responsibilities cover tourism, represented to me that existing air services between the United Kingdom and Antigua were insufficient for Antigua's growing tourist needs. I repeated an offer made by my Department last November, that Trinidad and Tobago—British West Indian Airways International—Airways could pick up passengers at Antigua on their twice weekly services to London from Port of Spain and Barbados, or replace either of these services by a Port of Spain-Antigua-London service. That offer remains on the table.I have also drawn the attention of British Airways to the concerns of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. I understand that British Airways will be prepared to increase capacity between London and Antigua if they can be satisfied that the demand exists.

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 June 1982, c. 211]: The Government have decided that from 1 August 1982 suitable projects throughout England, Scotland and Wales will be eligible for consideration for selective aid. An announcement on the detailed arrangements will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Trade whether, in the light of his answers to the right 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 Supplies 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.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 June 1982, c. 211.]: No. It is policy to announce such decisions at the opening of business on the Stock Exchange. Present arrangements ensure that as many interested parties as possible are informed at the same time. Nevertheless, I regret that my reply of 27 May failed to make it clear that an announcement of my right hon. and noble Friend's decision not to refer the bid for Allied Supplies Ltd. to the Commission had been made on that day.

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will report on the outcome of the Dundee small claims scheme; and whether he has any proposals for permanent introduction of easier and cheaper small claims procedures.

The central research unit of the Scottish Office is at present compiling its final report on the operation of the Dundee small claims experiment. It would be unwise to make any proposals relating to small claims procedure before all interested parties have had an opportunity to study an analyse this report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of collecting value added tax in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what percentage of the revenue this represented.

The cost of VAT administration in 1980–81, the latest year for which figures are available, was £128·8 million. This equalled 1·2 per cent. of the revenue collected.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules will be followed by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in preventing the import of goods from the Argentine following the decision of the EEC to resume trading with Argentina.

Her Majesty's Customs and Excise will continue to enforce the import prohibition on goods from Argentina which is provided under national legislation and which is unaffected by the EEC decision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the revenue from stamp duty on the purchase or sale of share contracts (a) under £100, (b) under £200 and (c) under £500.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 June 1982, c. 190]: I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made with the review of supporting services in Government research and development establishments announced on 25 February 1981; and if he will make a statement.

The examining officers in Departments have now reported to their Ministers. Sir Derek Rayner has presented my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal with a report on the wider management issues. His report is being published today.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what he estimates will be the revised United Kingdom coal production figures for the years 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000, respectively.

Any estimate of coal output made for several years ahead is subject to great uncertainty because it depends on a great number of factors. It must take into account the likely level of coal demand together with the level of coal costs and prices, both in the United Kingdom and overseas.As I have already indicated to the House I shall shortly be publishing a revised set of energy projections, and these considerations will form an integral part of the analysis.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will introduce legislation to provide that electricity boards shall charge charitable groups with premises for the electricity they receive on a domestic rather than on a commercial tariff.

No. The electricity tariffs applied to particular classes of consumer should reflect the costs of supplying each class, and existing legislation already provides for this.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what changes, if any, have been made, or are about to be made, to the agreement entered into with the Central Electricity Generating Board, when Anglesey Aluminium smelter was established, concerning the transfer of plutonium from Dungeness 'B' power station to the Department of Energy; and if he will make a statement on future policy on this matter, with particular regard to the effects on fuel costs for Anglesey Aluminium and on the control over plutonium produced at Central Electricity Generating Board owned reactors.

Discussions are taking place with the board about the arrangements that would be necessary to transfer the Government's share of the plutonium to it. Any such transfer would have no effect on the position of Anglesey Aluminium. The board would then have full control over all plutonium produced in its reactors.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy why his Department's recently published "Summary of Advice on the Research and Development Programme on Renewable Energy Sources" made no mention of tidal power.

Tidal power is being treated separately in the light of the Bondi report.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many applications have been made for grant aid under the conversion from oil to coal burning boiler scheme; how many have been approved; and what has been the total amount of grants paid since the inception of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list by category those travel-to-work areas in Great Britain which will be assisted areas from 1 August 1982.

Following is the information:

By 24 June, 126 applications for grant assistance under the coal firing scheme had been received; 91 offers of grant sent; and grant payments totalling £124,744 made.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many loans have been guaranteed to date under the loan guarantee scheme; what is the total value of such loans; how many guarantees have been called upon, with the total value; what plans he has for extending or ending the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

By 31 May 1982, the most recent date for which figures are available, 4,440 guarantees had been issued in respect of £149·1 million of bank lending. To date 35 claims have been paid under the terms of the Government's guarantee, to a total value of £752,033. A number of further claims are being processed. My preliminary review of the scheme is nearing completion, but at present there are no plans to introduce significant changes. The future of the scheme will be considered in the light of continuing monitoring and appraisal of its operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proportion of (a) United States and (b) Japanese new inward investment, excluding retained profits and so on in the United Kingdom in each of the past three years was allocated to manufacturing production in the United Kingdom; how much to the service and distribution of imports, and how much to service industries.

I have been asked to reply.The figures for the latest available three years are as follows. Separate figures relating to only the service and distribution of imports are not available.

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.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 June 1982, c. 215]: I refer the right hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement yesterday to the House on regional industrial policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures for the average cost of training a secondary school teacher.

Most trainee secondary teachers take one-year courses leading to the postgraduate certificate of education, having first completed a degree course. Others take three or four-year courses leading to the Bachelor of Education. There is a wide variation in costs and these costs are not precisely distinguishable within higher education. However the average gross institutional cost, including the first degree for PGCE students, of training a secondary teacher at 1980–81 outturn prices is estimated to be in the region of £15,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures for the number of pupils taking school meals and receiving free school meals, respectively; and what were the comparable figures for 1979.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 April to the hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts).—[20 April 1982, c. 113.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has about the social class of the families of pupils successful in A-level examinations.

This information will take time to prepare, and I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many graduate and non-graduate teachers have been unemployed for periods of more than three months in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what is the percentage increase or decrease for each group over that period and what were the number of people entering training as teachers during each of these years.

The first two parts of the question would be matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. However, his Department has confirmed that the information is not available. Figures for admissions to courses of initial training in England and Wales for the past five academic years are:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons were registered as unemployed for each of the counties of Wales for January, April, July and October for each of the years 1979, 1980 and 198 l and for January and April 1982.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about industrial action in hospitals in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

I have received one letter, on behalf of chairmen of health authorities in Wales; I share their concern at the effect industrial action is having on the Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present number of qualified teachers registered as unemployed in Wales; what were the corresponding figures for the past 10 years; and if he will a statement.

The latest available information relates to March 1982 and is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the companies now operative on Engineer Park industrial estate, Deeside, Clwyd; how many jobs are provided; what has been the total cost of development of the site by the Welsh Development Agency; what is the total number of proposed advance factories on the site, let and unlet, completed and in process of erection; how many jobs are expected to be provided; how many workers are at present employed in the park; and if he will make a statement.

I have asked the Welsh Development Agency to provide the information to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the requirements on local authorities for the provision of personal accident insurance for firemen in their employment.

There are no requirements on fire authorities to provide personal accident insurance for firemen. In the event of a fireman's retirement or death caused by an injury on duty fire authorities are required to meet the statutory entitlements of firemen or their dependents under the Firemen's Pension Scheme 1973.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent Members of the European Assembly receive pensions and redundancy payments; and whether British Members of Parliament who are also Members of the Assembly are able to claim dual pension and redundancy payments.

Pension and severance arrangements for Members of the European Parliament are a matter for individual member States. United Kingdom MEPs belong to a pension scheme which is in most respects the same as that for hon. Members. Under this scheme, an MEP who is at the same time a Member of Parliament earns one-third the pension of an MEP who is not also a Member of Parliament. This reflects the difference in the respective salaries payable to them. The pension entitlements of Members of Parliament are not, however, affected by membership of the European Parliament.No severance arrangements analogous to those for Members of Parliament are extended to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many convictions there were for dangerous driving in England and Wales in each of the past five years;(2) how many people were convicted of traffic associated offences in each of the past five years.

The information available for the years 1971–80 is published in table 5 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin No. 23/81 "Offences relating to motor vehicles England and Wales 1980", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Information for 1981 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to take any steps to encourage younger voters to exercise their rights to vote.

As part of an advertising campaign later this year, timed to coincide with the canvass for the next electoral register, the young voter will be asked to ensure that his or her name is included in the electoral registration return, as a prerequisite to voting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider seeking to amend section 29 of the Sex Discrimination Act in order to make it unlawful for mixed clubs to discriminate against members of one sex.

We are already considering such an amendment, which has been put to us, together with several other proposed amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equal Pay Act 1970, by the Equal Opportunities Commission; but we cannot say when it might be possible to introduce legislation which would take account of any of these proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the reply to the hon. and learned Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 28 May, Official Report, c. 433, what progress has been made in exploring the possiblity of improving the compensation payable under the police pension scheme for death or incapacitating injury sustained on duty.

The possibility of improving the compensation payable under the police pension scheme for death or incapacitating injury sustained on duty is being considered by the Police Negotiating Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases his Department has on record where a man recommended for deportation from the United Kingdom has subsequently evaded that decision by marrying a woman born in the United Kingdom who would have had to follow him to his country of origin to maintain the marriage.

I regret that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men from the New Commonwealth, recommended for deportation by the authorities, have subsequently been allowed to remain as a result of an appeal decision, or as a result of a ministerial decision, over the past five years.

Information in the form requested is not readily available. Information about recommendations for deportation under the Immigration Act 1971 in respect of all Commonwealth citizens is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has completed his consideration of the proposals made by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales in his report for 1981.

The position of the Government on the main issues raised in the report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector and the action being taken to resolve them is set out in the foreword to the report. Consideration of the report's detailed proposals has now been completed and I am placing in the Library of the House a commentary by the prison department on each of the points raised by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply of 17 June, Official Report, c. 315, how often the sum, presently £100.000, referred to as the minimum level of capital normally necessary for an applicant seeking entry as a person of independent means, is reviewed; what factors are taken into account in fixing the appropriate sum; and what form of proof is normally required and to cover what period.

The minimum level of capital normally necessary for an applicant to come here as a person of independent means is revised from time to time. The present figure of £100,000 was introduced in Immigration Rules laid before Parliament on 20 February 1980. The figure is laid down as an indication of the minimum sum expected of an applicant who is to be able to maintain himself and his dependants indefinitely without working or recourse to public funds. Any suitable documentary evidence is acceptable as proof that the financial requirements are met but there is no time limit: the applicant is expected to rely on his own resources indefinitely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is intended to give bargaining recognition to the new Immigration Service Union; and if he will make a statement.

The Immigration Service Union has submitted a claim for recognition at departmental and national level in respect of Immigration Service grades. This is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his proposals for legislation on part I of the report of the Royal Commission on criminal procedure.

As I said in the House on 25 March—[Vol. 20, c. 11181—Parliament has a duty to ensure both that the police are provided with the legal powers they need and that those powers are accompanied by due safeguards for the citizen. Last year I produced a consultative memorandum on the Royal Commission's report generally, and as a result of considering the response I seek to carry the process of consultation further by preparing, as recommended by the Royal Commission, two draft codes of practice with a view to legislation. The first deals with the questioning of persons suspected of crime and their treatment if in police custody, and would supersede the Judges' Rules; and the second with identification parades and other identification procedures. We have placed copies in the Library and will be sending others to the same wide range of bodies who received the consultative memorandum last year. In addition, copies will be available on request from Room 528, Home Office, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT.The legislation I intend, subject to the availability of resources, to bring before the House would be accompanied by draft codes of practice, revised as necessary in the light of the consultations, so that Parliament may be aware of the duties I would propose to lay on the police in consequence of the legislation.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 29 June.

This morning I attended a meeting of the European Council in Brussels. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

asked the Prime Minister when she last met the leaders of the Trades Union Congress.

At NEDC on 3 February.

asked the Prime Minister what Government policy is towards the privatisation of local authority managed refuse collecting and other municipally employed labour activities.

Our policy continues to be to encourage local authorities to provide services by the most economical and cost-effective means available, including the use of private sector contractors where this presents the best option.

asked the Prime Minister if she will tour the areas of the United Kingdom dependent on the fishing industry.

I have at present no plans to make such a tour though I have visited a number of areas where the fishing industry is long established.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to the village of Maud in the East Aberdeenshire constituency.

I have at present no plans to do so.

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

We have received no official confirmation of reports in the Argentine press that Argentina is ready to agree to a complete cessation of hostilities, though that would be a very welcome development.The civil commissioner has now provided us with his assessment of conditions in Port Stanley, where the major rehabilitation requirement appears likely to lie. The Armed Services have already done extremely valuable work in the emergency restoration of most essential services. The civil commissioner has given us his list of high priorities, which is receiving immediate attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of recent military events, he will review defence policy so as to give greater priority to conventional defence and less to the development and deployment of nuclear weapons.

The strategic nuclear deterrent, which successive Governments have retained and strengthened as the ultimate safeguard of the peace and the liberty of our people, accounts for only a very small proportion of the defence budget. No alternative use of these funds could possibly contribute as much to our security, and I have no plans to reduce expenditure in this vital area.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what reappraisal of equipment procurement he has undertaken following the Falkland Islands conflict.

The process of evaluating the lessons to be learned from the Falklands operation is already well under way but it would be premature for me to make a statement on this subject until we have had an opportunity to examine fully all aspects of the crisis. We shall then be in a position to take reasoned and considered decisions on what adjustments need to be made to the defence programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his intention to make use of the facilities at the Gibraltar dockyard for the repairing and refitting of vessels which will be returning from the task force in the South Atlantic.

We intend to use the facilities at Gibraltar dockyard for the repair or refit of some naval vessels, for example, Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, when they can be released from their current duties in the South Atlantic.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the total extra expenditure involved in the Falklands task force and of maintaining a force of aircraft, Rapiers, submarines and ships there for the remainder of the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now state the cost of the battle of the Falklands.

I refer the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Fraser).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the defence of the Falkland Islands and dependencies.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, (Mr. Beith) and other hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service personnel who had been served with redundancy notices were either killed or wounded in recent operations in the South Atlantic and Falkland Islands.

About 50 naval personnel serving with the task force are expected to leave the Service under redundancy terms; almost all of these have volunteered to do so.None of these were killed; two naval ratings who had volunteered for redundancy were wounded. No redundancy notices have been issued to any Army or RAF personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the current and proposed level of Service pensions for Gurkha soldiers.

The 1981 review of pensions for Gurkha soldiers resulted in significant percentage increases, and current levels are considered satisfactory. They will be reviewed and adjusted annually.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to reduce the vulnerability of the surface fleet.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to improve the Royal Navy's ability to cope with surface skimming missiles and over-the-horizon low-flying hostile aircraft.

As indicated in the foreword to the Defence White Paper (Cmnd. 8529) we shall be taking full account of the experience gained as a result of recent operations in the South Atlantic. In the meantime, plans are already in hand to fit all type 22 frigates on build or at refit with an improved version of the Sea Wolf missile system designed to enhance its low-level capabilities. HMS "Illustrious" has also been fitted with a close-in rapid fire gun system. A programme of improvements to passive defence systems is also in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any consideration has been given to the possibility and the strategy of a localised nuclear war confined to Europe in discussions with representatives of the Pentagon and Supreme Headquarters Allied Command Europe.

No. NATO's primary aim is to prevent war by the strategy of deterrence. For deterrence to be effective a potential aggressor must be persuaded that if subjected to attack NATO would be willing to use its weapons, conventional or nuclear, but we have no plans to fight a limited nuclear war in Europe or anywhere else. In such a war there could be no winners.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has now reached a decision on whether he will replace the ships lost during the Falkland Islands fighting.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the replacement of Her Majesty's ships lost during the Falklands conflict.

I have nothing to add at this stage to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Sir P. Wall) on 11 June 1982.—[Vol. 25, c. 171.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to varying the date when Vulcan aircraft are taken out of service with the Royal Air Force.

Vulcan aircraft have been used in the conventional role during the operations in the South Atlantic. The timing of the rundown of the force is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to propose any changes in the United Kingdom role in, and contribution to, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as a result of the Falklands conflict.

There are defence lessons to be learnt from the Falklands crisis and in the coming months we shall be working to identify the key issues. However, I expect the overall shape of Britain's role in, and contribution to, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to remain unchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the reasons for the decrease in the proposed participation by British industry in the Trident missile project; and if he will make a statement about remaining British industrial opportunities.

There is no question of a decrease. The position remains, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 11 March 1982, that United Kingdom firms will be allowed to compete on the same terms as United States industry for sub-contracts for the weapon system components for the programme as a whole.—[Vol. 19, c. 975.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will attempt to negotiate an offset agreement in connection with the purchase of the Trident missile system to supplement the provision already made for tendering by British sub-contractors.

No. The existing arrangements allow United Kingdom firms to compete on equal terms with their United States counterparts for work to meet both United States and United Kingdom requirements for the missile system. There can be no question, given the strategic importance of the system, of guaranteeing United Kingdom industry a specific proportion of the work, and firms must win orders on merit. Outside the Trident programme, the two-way street arrangements continue to provide wide ranging opportunities for United Kingdom industry to compete for other United States defence business. Recent successes on Hawk, AV8B and Rapier indicate that United Kingdom firms are making the most of these opportunities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Nimrod airborne early warning system aircraft have been ordered; when they will be delivered; and whether he is satisfied that there will be sufficient to provide continuous long-range radar coverage in any theatre.

Eleven aircraft have been ordered; deliveries are expected to begin in 1983, and to be completed in 1986; their primary role will be to contribute to NATO's airborne early warning force, particularly in the United Kingdom air defence region, although the aircraft will have the capability to operate elsewhere.