Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 29 July 1982

Scotland

Mrs Rachel Ross (Hunter Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report of Lord Hunter's inquiry into the murder of Mrs. Rachel Ross will be presented to the House; and when copies will be available to the public.

As a Return to the Order of the House made yesterday, I have arranged for the presentation in dummy this afternoon of the report of the inquiry by Lord Hunter into the whole circumstances of the murder of Mrs. Rachel Ross at Ayr in July 1969, and the action taken by the police, the Crown Office and the Scottish Home and Health Department relating to that case.The report, which will be in four volumes, will be published on Thursday 5 August; it will be priced at £47. It will be published in full subject only to a few minor excisions. I very much regret that, due mainly to the extended process of printing so lengthy a document, it has not proved possible to publish it before the House adjourns. Considerable time is required to read the report and reach a view on its contents. I look forward to hearing Members' views when the House returns, and those of the many others who have an interest in the report, as a necessary preliminary to deciding, in consultation with the Lord Advocate, what, if any, action may be called for in the light of Lord Hunter's findings.

Renewable Tacks (Title)

33.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to remove the disparity that has arisen between the position of holders of

Authority	Year
	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82
Regional Councils	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
Borders	3,062	11,136	15,182	7,756	1,518	†12,000	†7,000
Central	3,750	9,826	10,663	12,923	20,873	24,426	†20,000
Dumfries and Galloway	10,890	15,166	18,173	19,946	18,163	†24,000	†25,000
Fife	17,592	18,555	22,466	26,054	34,063	†34,000	†52,000
Grampian	9,154	30,047	10,831	1,444	5,203	†19,000	†20,000
Highlands	‡-217	551	7,022	7,039	8,723	†16,000	†26,000
Lothian	7,437	11,459	8,490	‡-287	‡-5,646	24,532	†21,000
Strathclyde	59,059	54,624	83,694	†87,000	†143,000	†l36,000	†168,000
Tayside	26,876	32,858	40,729	46,723	53,028	67,583	†99,000
Islands Area Councils
Orkney	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Shetland	702	1,776	2,173	1,837	949	†l,000	†1,000
Western Isles	464	109	—	—	—	—	—

renewable tacks, who are unable to acquire title, and the position of tenants at will, as set out in section 20 of the Land Registration Act 1979, who are able to acquire title.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to his question on 29 June.—[Vol. 26, c. 286.]

Civil Defence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there will still be a command post exercise in Scotland despite the postponement of Exercise Hard Rock.

There are no plans to hold such an exercise this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants were made to which authorities in Scotland under the Civil Defence (Grant) Regulations in the fiscal years 1970–71 to 1981–82, inclusive.

Grants towards expenditure incurred by Scottish local authorities in connection with their civil defence functions are made in terms of the Civil Defence (Grant) (Scotland) Regulations 1953. Since local authority reorganisation in 1975, primary responsibility for local civil defence planning has rested with regional and islands area councils. Before 1975 grants were paid annually to some 77 different authorities and detailed information about the payments made to them could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Accordingly, the following tables set out the total amount of grant paid in Scotland from 1970–71 to 1981–82 and the payments made to individual authorities from 1975–76.

Grants paid under Civil Defence (Grant) (Scotland) Regulations 1953^*
Year	Total grant
	£
1970–71	165,205
1971–72	277,166
1972–73	279,829
1973–74	101,164
1974–75	127,358
1975–76	148,603
1976–77	199,442
1977–78	231,493
1978–79	224,113
1979–80	296,104
1980–81	376,501
1981–82	453,248

Authority	Year
	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82
Police/Fire Authorities
Lothian and Borders Police Board	3,806	7,201	10,227	11,288	11,483	15,073	†8,000
Northern Joint Police Committee	535	1,388	1,303	2,071	3,381	2,023	†5,000
Lothian and Borders Fire Board	5,493	4,309	—	—	—	—	—
Northern Fire Board	—	—	—	91	105	65	—
District Councils║
Angus	—	—	—	175	133	254	231
Argyll and Bute	—	—	56	53	89	150	205
Banff and Buchan	—	198	—	—	229	—	—
Clackmannan	—	30	—	—	—	148	76
Dumbarton	—	—	—	—	55	—	64
Dunfermline	—	—	—	—	170	72	149
Falkirk	—	—	48	—	—	—	—
Hamilton	—	—	—	—	—	—	74
Inverclyde	—	—	—	—	174	—	154
Kincardine and Deeside	—	84	—	—	—	—	—
Kirkcaldy	—	—	—	—	324	—	72
Kyle and Carrick	—	—	—	—	—	—	71
Lanark	—	—	17	—	87	—	—
Midlothian	—	56	191	—	—	—	—
Nithsdale	—	28	—	—	—	—	—
North East Fife	—	—	160	—	—	175	—
Perth and Kinross	—	35	—	—	—	—	152
West Lothian	—	—	68	—	—	—	—
Notes:
^* Figures shown comprise final amounts due after adjustments for over or underpayments of advances of grant in previous years.
† Advance of grant pending receipt of final grant claims.
‡ Recovery in respect of grant overpaid in previous years.
║ Payments to district councils comprise costs of officials attending training courses.

Exercise Hard Rock

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether Exercise Hard Rock has been postponed in Scotland as well as in England and Wales.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those districts who refused to take part in Exercise Hard Rock.

Responsibility for involving district councils in such exercises rests with regional councils and no information is available centrally about any district councils which may have decided against participating in Exercise Hard Rock.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those regions and islands councils who refused to take part in Exercise Hard Rock.

At the time the exercise was postponed, the following councils had decided, for a variety of reasons, not to participate:

Borders regional council
Central regional council
Strathclyde regional council
Shetland Islands area council

Unemployment Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the rate of increase between July 1979 and July 1982 in the number of persons registered as unemployed for more than 52 weeks for (i) Scotland and (ii) each district in Scotland;

(2) what was the rate of increase between July 1979 and July 1982 in the number of persons registered as unemployed for more than two years for (a) Scotland and (b) each county in Scotland.

The results of the July 1982 analysis of the unemployment register by duration of unemployment are at present being processed. Information for Scotland and for each region and island authority area should be available shortly; information on duration of unemployment in each local authority district in Scotland is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. I shall reply to the hon. Member with the available information as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what percentage of the persons registered as unemployed had been unemployed for more than two years for each of the counties of Scotland for April, July and October 1979, and January, April, July and October for each of the years 1980, 1981 and January, April and July 1982;(2) what percentage of the persons registered as unemployed had been unemployed for more than 52 weeks for each of the counties of Scotland for April, July and October 1979, for January, April, July and October for each of the years 1980 and 1981 and for January, April and July 1982.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) nurses, (b) teachers and (c) building workers were unemployed in the Edinburgh travel-to-work area in each June of the last four years.

Information is not availale in the precise form requested. The following table I gives the numbers of unemployed people in the Edinburgh travel-to-work area who were registered for employment

Table 1
	June 1979	June 1980	June 1981	June 1982
Numbers registered in the Edinburgh travel-to-work area for employment as:
State-registered and State-enrolled nurses and State-certified midwives	31	23	45	56
Teachers (primary and secondary)	216	142	235	536

Table II
	May 1979	May 1980	May 1981	May 1982
Numbers registered in the Edinburgh travel-to-work area who last worked in the building industry	2,124	2,749	4,151	4,161

Hospital Waiting Lists

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were on hospital waiting lists in Scotland on 31 March 1970, 31 March 1974, 31 March 1978 and 31 March 1982.

The information is as follows:

Date	Nos. on Waiting Lists
31 March 1970	57,305
31 March 1974	57,399
31 March 1978	56,713

Figures for 31 March 1982 are not yet available.

Management Information And Accounting System

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a management information and accounting system is in use in his Department; whether the information adduced is received and analysed at ministerial level; whether it is publicly available; and whether any changes are proposed in the coming year.

Elements of such systems have been in use for a number of years. Reports are made to me for operational purposes as circumstances warrant. The information is not published. The operation of financial management systems throughout the Department is to be enlarged and extended in the coming year.

Mastectomies

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the number of mastectomies carried out in Dundee in each year since 1975.

Because of industrial action in the NHS, it is not possible to provide information on the number of mastectomies carried out in Dundee at present.

Job Creation (Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average cost of the creation of a new job based upon payments to companies in Scotland under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 in the latest year.

as nurses and teachers in each June since 1979 and table II the numbers of unemployed people in the same area in each May since 1979 who had last worked in the building industry.

In the financial year 1 April 1981 to 31 March 1982, the average offer of selective financial assistance under section 7 of Industry Act 1972 associated with the creation of a new job was £3,854. Information on regional development grants is not readily available.

Manufacturing Industry (Rates)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the total amount of rates payment by manufacturing industry in Scotland in each of the last three years for which figures are available; what percentage these payments were of total manufacturing costs in each case; and if he will provide similar information for the retail and service industry.

This information is not available in the form requested.

Clydebank Enterprise Zone

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number, and the number of males unemployed in the area covered by the Clydebank enterprise zone; what percentages of the work force they represent; and what were the corresponding figures at the time of the creation of the enterprise zone.

Information is not available in the form requested. The following table gives the number registered as unemployed in the Clydebank employment office area, of which the Clydebank enterprise zone forms part, in July 1982 and August 1981. Unemployment percentage rates are only available for the wider Glasgow travel-to-work area, which includes Clydebank.

	8 July 1982		13 August 1981
	Males	Total	Males	Total
Numbers registered as unemployed in Clydebank	4,352	6,265	4,439	6,193
Percentage rates (Glasgow travel-to-work area)	21·2	17·2	19·9	16·2

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new companies there are in the Clydebank enterprise zone with the following numbers of employees: (a) less than 10, (b) 11 to 20, (c) 21 to 50,(d) 51 to 100, (e) 101 to 500, (f) 501 to 1,000 and (g) over 1,000.

Forty-seven new companies have so far set up within the zone. Information about numbers employed is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many companies have established themselves within the Clydebank enterprise zone since its creation; and how many of these companies have moved from within a 10-mile radius, and a 20-mile radius to the zone.

One hundred and sixteen companies, including 34 which previously traded elsewhere, have so far set up within the zone. Information about relocations is not available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of jobs created by companies establishing themselves within the Clydebank enterprise zone.

Companies which have approached the Scottish Development Agency's task force at Clydebank about their plans to set up within the zone or expand their existing operations there have proposals which involve the creation of 1,300 jobs.

Nursery Staff

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of (a) nursery teachers and (b) nursery nurses and helpers registered as unemployed in (a) Dundee, (b) Tayside and (c) Scotland.

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

Industrial Expansion

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for Scotland all those expansion projects and new projects announced since May 1979; what is the number of jobs they are hoped to create; and over what time scale.

Comprehensive information on expansion and new projects is not available, although those projects receiving selective financial assistance of £5,000 or more under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 are listed quarterly in British Business. Since May 1979, 39,525 new jobs have been associated with offers of selective financial assistance, and these will arise over a number of years.

Tenant Management Co-Operatives

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of Scotland's housing authorities now have tenant management co-operatives operating in their areas; what is the total number of such co-operatives in Scotland at the latest count; and what guidance he has given within the past year to local authorities to encourage further developments of this type.

There are now six tenant management co-operatives in Scotland, all in Glasgow, and I hope to see further expansion. Guidance is available from the Tenant Participation Advisory Service, to which we give financial support.

Nursery Staffs (Certification)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost of training a successful applicant for an NNEB certificate.

The Scottish nursery nurses certificate is awarded by the Scottish Nursery Nurses Board to students who successfully complete a two-year course of combined further education and practical training. The further education component is provided at a number of further education colleges and the practical training in various kinds of nurseries maintained by education authorities and health boards. Costs of provision vary from one college to another and according to the kinds of establishment which contribute to the practical training. No information on standard unit costs is available centrally and such information could not be obtained except at disproportionate expense.

Nhs (Ancillary Workers)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the increase in the numbers of ancillary workers in hospitals in Scotland in the years 1979, 1980 and 1981; what is the latest figure for the current year; and if he will categorise such workers by occupation.

Figures for ancillary staff employed in the Scottish Health Service are set out in the following table, expressed as whole-time equivalents at 30 September in each year. Figures for 1982 are not available. An analysis of the categories of staff can be found in the publication "Scottish Health Statistics 1980", page 150.

	Numbers
1978	26,965
1979	27,281·5
1980	27,060·7
1981	27,339·4

Hospital Boards (Accommodation Costs)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the annual rental paid by each hospital board in Scotland for office accommodation except in hospitals, health centres and clinics, which are used exclusively for administrative or technical purposes and was previously located within hospitals.

Many of the administrative services now undertaken in health board offices were at one time or another undertaken in hospitals. If my hon. Friend has particular premises in mind, perhaps he will write to me.

Common Fisheries Policy

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will assess the effect which the Danish decison to defer agreement on the common fisheries policy will have on the Scottish fishing industry offshore and onshore; and if he will make a statement.

The continuing uncertainty resulting from lack of agreement on the major aspects of the common fisheries policy causes difficulties for the industry in planning its future operations. My right hon. Friend very much hopes that progress will be made when the Council of Ministers resumes discussions on 21 September.

Consumers (Rural Areas)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will study the Scottish Consumer Council's report on consumer problems in rural areas; if he will seek methods to improve the problems which are highlighted in the report; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend naturally welcomes any well-researched contribution to the examination of the problems of rural and remote areas, and will study the council's report against the background of the measures already taken by central and local government and other agencies to assist such communities.

National Finance

Departmental Staff

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of staff in post in central Government Departments on 1 July.

At 1 July 1982 there were 659,300 in post—523,200 non-industrial and 136,100 industrial; that is a reduction of 7,100 since 1 April 1982. Since the Government took office the number of civil servants has fallen by 73,000 or 10 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the review of senior posts in the Civil Service.

The review announced to the House on 1 December last has now been completed. All Departments have reviewed their senior posts. Copies are being placed in the library of a report by the Treasury summarising the proposals which have been made.The Government have adopted these proposals. Almost all will have been implemented by 1984. They will mean a reduction since the Government came into office of 156 in the number of posts in the Home Civil Service at under-secretary level and above. This represents nearly 20 per cent. more than matching the reduction in the total size of the Home Civil Service over the same period. Most of the reductions will be by natural wastage, but some early retirements are needed. Reductions which have been or will be made in equivalent posts in the Diplomatic Service in this country are six out of 31 such posts—nearly 20 per cent.—and in equivalent posts held by senior officers of the Armed Forces 36 out of 217—17 per cent.The Government intend to maintain the tauter staff structures established by this review. The report sets out arrangements for keeping senior posts under regular review in future.Implementation of these proposals will entail some changes in working practices, and will mean that Ministers and senior officials more frequently deal with and receive advice from people of middle or junior rank. The Government believe that besides reducing the number of senior civil servants, the changes should also bring benefits to efficiency and economy in administration by checking the tendency for business to be handled al a higher level than is warranted by its importance or difficulty.The Government wish to acknowledge the hard work and co-operation of senior civil servants of the open structure in this review and in the changes which it brings.

Prime Minister

Engagements

Q 4.

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

Q 5.

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

Q 6.

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

Q 7.

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

Q 8.

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

Q 9.

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

Q10.

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

Q11.

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

Q12.

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

Q13.

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

Q16.

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

Q17.

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

Q18.

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

Q19.

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

Q20.

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

Q21.

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

Q22.

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

Q23.

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

Q24.

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

Q25.

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

Q26.

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

Q27.

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

Q28.

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

Q29.

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

Q30.

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

Q31.

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

Q32.

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

Q33.

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

Q34.

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

Q35.

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

Q36.

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

Q37.

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

Q38.

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

Q39.

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

Q40.

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

Q41.

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

Q42.

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

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

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall have further meetings later today.

Trades Union Congress

Q14.

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

I met representatives of the Trades Union Congress on Tuesday and I have no immediate plans for a further meeting.

Maritime Policy

Q15.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of recent experiences in the South Atlantic, she will now bring forward complete and inter-departmental maritime policy for the United Kingdom, including closer co-ordination between civil and military policy planning.

I have no plans to change the current arrangements for formulating and co-ordinating policy on maritime matters, under which the Department of Trade takes the lead. The long-standing co-ordination between civil and military planners played a vital part in the rapid mobilisation of the merchant shipping support for the Falklands task force.

Victoria Tower (Union Flag)

Q43.

asked the Prime Minister when a new Union flag was last purchased to fly over the Victoria Tower of the Palace of Westminster.

Twenty-four flags were purchased in 1976, and that stock has not yet been fully used.

Nuclear Civil Defence

Q44.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the refusal of every county authority in Wales to participate in the nuclear civil defence Exercise Hard Rock, she will make it her policy not to request local authorities to participate in any future such exercise.

No. In fact three of the eight county councils in Wales took part in the planning for Exercise Hard Rock. It is sensible for all authorities responsible for emergency planning to have their plans exercised from time to time.

Argentine Air Force (Exocet Missiles)

Q45.

asked the Prime Minister if she will ask the Government of France for the results of their investigation into whether French technicians assisted the Argentine air force in fitting Exocet missiles after the commencement of hostilities.

The French Government communicated to us on 28 July the text of a statement, issued jointly by the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, reporting the findings of their inquiries. This concludes that

"the French Government totally fulfilled the obligations imposed on it by its solidarity with its British ally".

Falklands Operation (Compensation)

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether Her Majesty's Government propose to lodge a claim against the Republic of Argentina for compensation for the damage sustained by British ships, facilities and installations recently in and around the Falkland Islands dependencies;(2) if Her Majesty's Government will claim against the Republic of Argentina compensation payable into the South Atlantic Fund for loss of life sustained by British Service men in and within the vicinity of the Falkland Islands dependencies.

We reserve the right to claim compensation.

Middle East (Ministerial Visits)

asked the Prime Minister whether, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 20 July, Official Report, c. 111, she is satisfied with the balance of ministerial visits to the Middle East, in view of the fact that 14 Ministers, including the Prime Minister, visited 31 Arab countries including several visits to the same countries while two Ministers visited Israel over the past 12 months.

Yes. I am conscious of the need to maintain a balanced approach to the Middle East. This is one of the many factors which are taken into account in planning ministerial visits overseas.

asked the Prime Minister whether, prior to the recent hostilities in the Lebanon, it was the policy of Her Majesty's Government that Ministers should be discouraged from visiting Israel, in order to avoid offending Arab nations.

No. It was, and remains, our policy to maintain our friendly relations with Israel, as well as with the Arab countries.

Falkland Islands

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

I have nothing to add to the statement by the committee on 26 July in the following terms:

"The Committee held its first meeting today 26 July 1982. It has a further programme of meetings. It does not intend at this stage to issue further statements about the progress of its work. The Committee will in due course be taking oral evidence at its own invitation. But it also invites anyone who has information which might assist it in considering its remit to submit evidence in writing by 30 August 1982 to:

The Secretary
Falkland Islands Review Committee
Old Admiralty Building
Whitehall
SW1".

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish the terms of the assurances of support over the Falkland Islands issue given by the Government of France in April and May.

No. The exchanges were confidential, and it would be wrong to publish them. The French Government gave the most positive support throughout the Falklands conflict and have since reaffirmed their determination to maintain a complete arms embargo.

Falklands Islands (Disabled Service Men)

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Security with regard to estimating the number of Service men who have been disabled as a result of the Falklands conflict; and if she will seek to expedite the provision of details of the categories of injuries sustained.

It is not possible at this stage to make a reliable estimate of the number of Service personnel who will be found to have been permanently disabled as a result of recent operations in the South Atlantic. Numbers will depend upon clinical developments in individual cases. No one has yet been discharged from the Services as a result of injuries sustained in the Falklands operations, and all those who received such injuries are still in receipt of full pay. Details of Service personnel who sustained serious injuries were given to the House by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) on 8 July, and to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe on 28 July. The Ministry of Defence will complete the compilation of detailed statistics on the nature of injuries received as soon as possible. I am satisfied with these arrangements.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Krill

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scope exists for krill as a source of food.

The food potential of krill has been known for a number of years. The prospects for exploiting this species on a commercial basis depends on a number of factors, not the least of which would be the need to establish a market for krill products acceptable to the consumer.

Trout And Salmon

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the quantity and value of migratory trout and salmon which was caught in the Northumberland and Yorkshire drift net fishery in each of the past 10 years.

The declared quantity of migratory trout and salmon taken by licensed nets in the jurisdiction of the Northumbrian and Yorkshire water authorities is as follows:

	Salmon (including Grilse)		Migratory Trout
Year	Number	Weight (lbs)	Number	Weight (lbs)
1971	n.a.	477,400	n.a.	n a.
1972	n.a.	402,600	n.a.	n a.
1973	n.a.	499,400	n.a.	n a.
1974	52,747	395,558	36,114	163,136
1975	53,239	443,747	39,487	191,303
1976	15,703	121,407	40,137	172,854
1977	52,886	387,635	40,003	175,796
1978	51,640	416,575	37,591	154,953
1979	43,464	326,970	44,315	184,005
1980	45,790	377,946	66,055	271,867

Information is not available which would allow meaningful comparisons to be made of the annual value of the salmon and migratory trout caught in the fishery.

Marginal Land

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Government propose to submit the results of their survey of marginal land to the European Economic Community Commission.

We expect to be able to submit the case for extension of United Kingdom less favoured areas to the European Commission shortly after its summer break.

Israel (Ministerial Visit)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the visit of the Parliamentary Secretary to Israel between 2 and 4 January; what meetings she had there likely to be of benefit to British agriculture; and whether any further reciprocal visits are planned, in view of the substantial progress made by Israeli farmers and growers in reclaiming waste or desert land and exporting produce to Europe.

While my hon. Friend was in Israel she met both Mr. Ehrlich, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, and Mr. Patt, Minister for Industry and Trade. She saw all aspects of the production and dispatch of Israel's horticultural exports. During the visit she suggested that exchange visits by agricultural extension officers could be of mutual benefit.When Mr. Ehrlich subsequently visited Britain, from 23 to 25 May, I discussed with him the development of agriculture and Anglo-Israel trade in the agricultural and horticultural fields. We also signed and exchanged letters setting out the arrangements for exchange visits of up to 12 months duration, between officers of our agricultural development and advisory service and the extension service of the Israel Minister of Agriculture. The two Ministries are already in touch on the details of the first of these exchanges.I have arranged for copies of the letters exchanged to be placed in the Library of the House.

Fishing Industry

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the state of the distant water fishing industry, he will make a statement on interim aid for the restructuring of the industry.

Measures to encourage restructuring of the fishing industry are being considered in the context of the negotiations on the common fisheries policy.

Sheep

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the volume of exports of sheep and sheepmeat in the last six months and in the same period in 1981.

Because trade statistics are not yet available for the period March-August 1981, the comparison requested can be made only for the six months September-February. The figures—in tonnes carcase weight, including carcase equivalent of live exports—are as follows:

	tonnes
September 1980 - February 1981	23,112
September 1981 - February 1982	29,585

School Milk

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the provision of subsidised school milk in independent schools.

Following the improvements to the school milk arrangements secured at this year's price fixing, I have decided that local authorities should be allowed to admit independent schools, including those for children with special educational needs, to the aggregate scheme for whole milk. This would enable milk to be supplied free or at reduced prices to pupils in independent schools, on the same basis as those in State schools, and increase the take-up of the Community subsidy. Claims under the school milk programme are made at the discretion of local authorities and my officials are consulting the local authority associations on arrangements to enable local authorities to recover the cost of administering the independent schools' claims where necessary. The Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce will be sending out details of the extension to local authorities in the coming weeks with a view to independent schools joining the scheme next term.Similar arrangements are being considered for introduction in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Severn Trent Water Authority

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he proposes to implement the suggestion by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in its report on the Severn Trent water authority that the administration of local drainage should be reviewed.

My colleagues and I have now put in hand a review of the financial and administrative arrangements for land drainage and coast protection. We expect to issue a consultation paper early next year.

Trade

Irish Lights

15.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the financing of Irish lights.

Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 the management of lighthouses, other than local lighthouses, and other navigational aids in the seas around Ireland is vested in the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The expenses of the commissioners are met from the general lighthouse fund, the income for which is derived from light dues paid by ships calling at United Kingdom and Irish ports.

Airborne Advertising Displays

asked the Minister for Trade what progress he has made in formulative regulations to ease the restrictions on advertising balloon and on aircraft with advertising displays.

I have now completed my review of the regulations on aerial advertising, and I have decided that, in line with my continuing policy of liberalising aviation generally, the current ban on advertising by means of small captive balloons and banners towed behind aeroplanes should now be relaxed. I shall lay amending regulations before the House in the near future.

Manufactures

asked the Minister for Trade, further to the reply of 7 April, Official Report, c. 344, concerning the United Kingdom share of world trade in manufactures in terms of volume, whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the estimate for the first quarter of 1982 and the corresponding figures for 1979, 1977, 1970, 1960, and 1950.

Information for the first quarter of 1982 is not complete. Annual figures for the other years are as follows:

United Kingdom Share of Main Manufacturing Countries^*Exports of Manufactures†
	Per cent.
1950	26·7
1960	15·9
1970	10·1
1977	9·1
1979	8·2
^* United States of America, Canada, Japan, Belgium/Luxembourg, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom; these countries account for about three quarters of world exports of manufactures.
† Standard International Trade Classification Sections 5–8.

Sources: OECD Series B; United Nations Monthly Bulletin; United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics.

European Air Transport

asked the Minister for Trade whether Her Majesty's Government are considering the introduction of measures to promote greater freedom of competition between European internal air-services.

If my hon. Friend is referring to the draft EEC inter-regional air services directive, I can assure him that we are doing all we can to promote a measure which will provide a more liberal regulatory framework for flights between regional airports in the Community. Useful progress towards agreement was made at the last Transport Council meeting in June, as I outlined in an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 17 June 1982.—[Vol. 25, c. 314.] We believe this directive would represent a useful step towards air transport liberalisation in Europe, even though the practical benefits to the United Kingdom would be limited by virtue of the wide range of route rights already available to our airlines under existing bilateral agreements.

Gls Lamps

asked the Minister for Trade whether the import of foreign GLS lamps complies with standards set by the British Standards Institute for safety requirements.

GLS lamps, whether imported or manufactured in the United Kingdom, are not required to comply with British standards as this would be contrary to the European Communities Council directive of 19 February 1973 73/23/EEC

"On the harmonisation of the laws of member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits".

GLS lamps must, however, satisfy the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1975 and 1976. I am not aware of any imported lamps that fail to do so, but if my hon. Friend has evidence of this I shall look into the matter.

Light Bulbs (Imports)

asked the Minister for Trade whether, in his discussions with the European Commission on the import of domestic light bulbs manufactured in the Republic of Ireland by a Hungarian company, he will raise the question of the trend in value added in the Republic of Ireland factory, and the extent to which the firm concerned is self-financing and pricing is at arm's length from any parent organisation outside the European Economic Community.

My Department's discussions with the European Commission have related to the position in relation to the Community's competition rules. I have no new information about financial structure or pricing policy to draw to the Commission's attention, but if my hon. Friend has further evidence to suggest a possible breach of Community or international trading rules I shall be glad to consider it.Value added, or the precise percentage composition of the bulbs, does not appear to be a relevant issue. Community origin is conferred by regulation (EEC) 802/68 on products on which the

"last substantial process or operation that is economically justified"

was performed in the Community.

Canada

asked the Minister for Trade what has been the value of British exports to Canada in each of the past 10 years, at constant prices.

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to him of 19 July.—[Vol. 28, c. 12.]

Comecon Countries (Exports)

asked the Minister for Trade what has been the value of exports to the member countries of Comecon in each of the past three years.

The information is as follows:

Exports to Comecon countries, 1979–1981
(£ million fob)
Country of destination	1979	1980	January-February, September-December 1981
Soviet Union	416·2	452·4	173·4
German Democratic Republic	57·0	94·1	41·0
Poland	260·1	296·3	83·9
Czechoslovakia	73·8	81·0	33·5
Hungary	60·8	69·0	42·9
Romania	70·3	98·9	79·1
Bulgaria	27·0	35·2	18·4
Vietnam	5·9	15·2	0·9
Mongolia	0·1	^*	^*
Cuba	36·1	35·3	12·9
Total Comecon	1,007·3	1,177·5	488·0
Source: Overseas Trade Statistics, 1981 statistical basis.
Notes:
^*=trade less than £50,000 fob.

Owing to last year's Civil Service strike, figures are not yet available for the period March-August 1981.

Textiles (Export To Import Ratio)

asked the Minister for Trade what is the United Kingdom's export to import ratio in textile trading with the rest of the European Economic Community.

For the period January-April 1982 the crude export:import ratio for the value of United Kingdom trade with the rest of the European Community in textiles was 0·56 to 1.

Argentine Goods (Imports)

asked the Minister for Trade what effect the current restrictions on the granting of licences for the importation of Argentine goods is having upon British companies, particularly those in the animal compound feed trade.

I am aware that companies, including those in the animal compound feed trade, which normally import goods from Argentina are regrettably suffering some adverse effects from the import ban. The effect cannot be precisely measured as statistics are not available.

asked the Minister for Trade when he expects the present restrictions on the granting of import licences for goods from Argentina to be removed.

The future of these measures is under consideration. It is not possible at this stage to say when they will be removed.

Corporate Management Planning Ltd

asked the Minister for Trade, pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe on 2 July, whether he has now had an interim and final report on the outcome of the investigations into Corporate Management Planning Ltd.; what action has been taken or is intended; and if he will make a statement.

The inspectors have not yet submitted a report. As I explained in my reply to the right hon. Member on 15 June 1982, it would not be in the public interest to disclose detailed information about inspectors' inquiries.

National Salvage Tug Service

asked the Minister for Trade if he will consider setting up a committee to establish the need for a national salvage tug service.

Following the recommendation of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution, my Department has undertaken a study of the availability of deep sea tugs in United Kingdom waters. In the light of that study, I shall consider, later this year, whether there is a need for a national tug service or any other measure.

Anglo American Venture Fund

asked the Minister for Trade whether the Anglo American Venture Fund, part of the National Enterprise Board, has filed its accounts for 1980 and 1981.

Yes. Anglo-American Venture Fund Limited was incorporated on 31 October 1980. Its accounting reference date is 31 December, and its first accounts must be for a period exceeding six months, but not exceeding 18 months. Accounts for the 14-month period ending 31 December 1981 were delivered to the Registrar of Companies on 3 July 1982, well within the 10-month period allowed for delivery.

Anglo American Venture Management Ltd

asked the Minister for Trade whether the Anglo American Venture Management Ltd. has filed accounts for 1980 and 1981.

Yes. Anglo-American Venture Management Ltd. was incorporated on 31 October 1980. Its accounting reference date is 31 December, and its first accounts must be for a period exceeding six months but not exceeding 18 months. Accounts for the 14-month period ending 31 December 1981 were delivered to the Registrar of Companies on 3 July 1982, well within the 10-month period allowed for delivery.

Steel Exports

asked the Minister for Trade what has been the level in volume and value terms of United Kingdom steel exports for each of the last four years and each month subsequent to the latest annual accounting period.

The available information is as follows:

Steel Exports, 1978–1982
	Weight, thousand tonnes	value,£ million fob
1978	4,246	924
1979	4,429	1,080
1980	2,674	770
January, February, September-December, 1981	1,836	507
April 1982	376	116
May 1982	315	99

Source:

Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC (R2) Groups 672–675 inclusive, Sub-groups 678.2-.4 inclusive and 679.3, Item 679.42 and parts of items 676.01, 02 and 791.99.

Notes

1. Owing to last year's Civil Service industrial strike figures for the period March to August 1981 are not available.

2. True volume (i.e., deflated value) data are not available at this level of detail.

Airport Security

asked the Minister for Trade what information he has as to the number of persons employed on security and luggage checking at each airport in the United Kingdom; how these numbers varied in the years 1979, 1980 and 1981; and what are the latest figures available for the current year.

The following table sets out details of the number of airport security personnel—excluding those not reimbursed by the aviation security fund—employed at those airports in the United Kingdom where the airport authority undertakes passenger searching with directly-employed staff:

Airport	Number of security staff employed at
	30 September 1979	30 September 1980	30 September 1981	31 May 1982
Heathrow	1,128	1,102	1,030	1,007
Gatwick	447	417	400	379
Manchester	234	230	240	241
Glasgow	130	128	127	121
Luton	79	90	88	93
Edinburgh	83	81	75	74
Aberdeen	67	66	67	65
East Midlands	38	42	42	^*42
Newcastle	39	39	42	†42+8
Stanstead	24	24	25	25
Prestwick	23	22	19	19
Norwich	‡	16	16	16
Teesside	23	23	23	║22
^* Additional seasonal staff are at present being recruited.
† Seasonal staff.
‡ Searching undertaken by airlines prior to December 1979.
║ All figures for Teesside include eight part-time staff.

These are the latest available figures. Details are not available for airports where searching is undertaken by private security companies.

asked the Minister for Trade what information he has as to the cost of security and luggage checking at each airport in the United Kingdom; and if he will detail these figures in the Official Report.

Total reimbursement from the avaiation security fund in respect of security measures undertaken at the main United Kingdom airports in 1981–82 will be approximately as follows:

	£
Heathrow	11,795,000
Gatwick	4,266,000
Manchester	2,651,000
Glasgow	1,293,000
Belfast	1,208,000
Luton	967,000
Edinburgh	714,000
Aberdeen	625,000
Birmingham	587,000
Newcastle	487,000
East Midlands	441,000
Liverpool	427,000
Leeds—Bradford	274,000
Stansted	269,000
Prestwick	222,000
Teesside	204,000
Sumburgh	204,000
Norwich	175,000
Bristol	155,000
Cardiff	124,000

Notes:

(1) Final figures for 1981–82 are not yet available because claims for reimbursement from the fund are sometimes submitted several months after the expenditure was incurred.

(2) The above figures exclude reimbursements in respect of the costs of the regular police at nine airports designated under the Policing of Airports Act 1974, and at Luton, totalling an estimated £7,276,000.

Manchester And Prestwick Airports (Freight)

asked the Minister for Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement about the future of air freight at Manchester international airport.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement about the licensing of the carrying of freight in charter aircraft flying out of Prestwick.

I am now giving most urgent consideration to this matter and hope to make a further announcement shortly.

Clothing Imports

asked the Minister for Trade (1) what were the actual imports of anoraks from Sri Lanka in 1979 and the quota fixed for such imports in 1982;(2) what were the actual imports of undergarments from Singapore and the quota fixed for such imports in 1982;(3) what were the actual imports of pyjamas and nightdresses from China in 1980 and the quota fixed for such imports for 1982;(4) what were the actual imports of undergarments from South Korea in 1980, and the quota fixed for such imports for 1982;(5) what were the actual imports of knitted and woven dresses from South Korea in 1980 and the quota fixed for such imports for 1982;(6) what were the actual imports of Turkish cotton fabrics for 1980 and the quota fixed for such imports for 1982;(7) whether he will identify the criteria used for determining the level of quotas for imports of textiles and textile finished goods for 1982.

I refer the right hon. Member to my reply of 6 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton).—[Vol. 27, c. 81–83.]

Aviation Security Fund Levy

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on his review of the aviation security fund levy.

In February this year, I invited all sides of the civil aviation industry to submit to the Department their comments on the present organisation and financing of aviation security in the United Kingdom, and to make recommendations on how the existing arrangements might be improved. The submissions received concentrated on the aviation security fund, with some recommending that it should be wound up, and others recommending that it should continue. The arguments for and against the fund are finely balanced, but, after weighing them all carefully, I have concluded that the financing of security would be more straightforward, bureaucracy would be substantially reduced, and the incentives to carry out security measures efficiently would be increased, if there were no fund, and airports and airlines simply financed security costs in the same way as their other operating expenditure. Accordingly, I have decided that the fund should be wound up with effect from 31 March next. Detailed arrangements will be announced as soon as possible. The Department will continue to set and monitor security standards at airports in the United Kingdom, and I am confident that we may continue to count on the co-operation of airports and airlines in the implementation of recommended measures. But if the need arose I would be prepared to use the powers conferred by the Protection of Aircraft Act 1973 to ensure that proper standards are maintained.

Steel Exports (United States)

asked the Minister for Trade what amount of steel the United States authorities were prepared to admit to their domestic market on the basis that the countervailing duties would be removed; and what relationship this total offer bore, for the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community, respectively, to the acutal amounts which they exported to the United States of America in 1980.

The countervailing duty and anti-dumping investigations undertaken by the United States Administration are the subject of negotiations between the United States and the Community, and it would not therefore be in the best interests of the Community steel producers concerned to give the information requested.

asked the Minister for Trade why the European Economic Community rejected the proposal from the United States of America to remove their tariff restrictions on European Economic Community steel imports if the level of these imports was contained.

The United States authorities were insisting on a level of imports which the Community found to be unacceptably low.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will explain the nature and consequences of the exclusive mandate given to the European Economic Community Commission to negotiate an agreement with the United States of America on steel imports; and if any such agreement negotiated by the Commission will be subject to the approval of Ministers or Parliament.

As I said in my statement to the House on 26 July, a mandate has been given by the Council for the European Commission to negotiate with the United States a settlement of this dispute on a comprehensive basis. The Community's negotiating position is in preparation. It is within the Commission's competence to negotiate a settlement subject to approval by the Council of Ministers.

asked the Minister for Trade what percentage of European Economic Community exports of steel to the United States of America in 1981 came from the United Kingdom; and if he will insist that any arrangements between the European Economic Community Commission and the United States authorities will guarantee the United Kingdom a similar share of European Economic Community steel exports to the United States of America.

About 8·8 per cent. by volume of total steel exports to the United States from the Community came from the United Kingdom. I cannot forecast what the Community's negotiating position in further discussions with the United States will be, but we shall ensure that the interests of the United Kingdom steel industry, both public and private, are taken fully into account.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) if he will publish a table showing the number of tons of steel which the United Kingdom exported to the United States of America in each of the past 10 years;(2) if he will publish a table showing the number of tons of steel which the European Economic Community exported to the United States of America in each of the past 10 years.

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

European Community (Steel Imports)

asked the Minister for Trade if there are any restrictions, quotas, or tariffs which fall to be applied to the import of steel into member States of the European Economic Community; and if he will publish a table or statement outlining the scope of such restraints.

The customs duties applicable to iron and steel products imported into the Community are set out in chapter 73 of the "Common Customs Tariff". Information about these rates is also available in "Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Tariff and Overseas Trade Classification", a copy of which is in the Library. Anti-dumping or countervailing duties are in force against a number of products from third country suppliers: part 13 of the "Tariff and Overseas Trade Classification" gives details of these duties. Voluntary restraint arrangements by which major suppliers to the Community undertake to limit their exports to traditional levels have been negotiated between the Community and Sweden, Finland, Norway, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Japan, Australia, Spain, South Korea and Brazil. These voluntary restraint arrangements incorporate a number of autonomous quotas on products from the CMEA countries of Eastern Europe imposed by individual member States prior to establishment of the European Communities and still maintained. In addition, the United Kingdom has quotas on certain products from the USSR and the GDR: details of these are set out in notice to importers, No. 1897, published in "British Business" on 21 May 1982.

Bargain Offers Order

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has considered the Director-General's report on the bargain offers order; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. I am grateful to the Director-General for his report, which provides a most valuable analysis of the history of bargain offers and the problems faced by consumers, traders and enforcement officers.It is clear that there is widespread support for the Director-General's view that there should be new primary legislation in this field. I have therefore instructed my officials to undertake a comprehensive review of section 11 of the Trade Descriptions Act and the bargain offers order and to prepare proposals for new legislation.It would not be appropriate to impose new burdens on traders in this field in advance of the results of this review, which is bound to take some time. I have decided therefore not now to proceed with the proposed VAT and ancillary charges order or, as regards the bargain offers order, to extend the present prohibition on comparisons with recommended retail prices. But I propose to make a few amendments to simplify the latter so that all concerned will understand the legal position. The most important will be to ensure that the order applies only to price and value claims where a trader quotes a comparative price or value or provides information from which such a price or value can be calculated. This should avoid the possibility of advertising slogans making general claims about value being interpreted as contrary to the order.I propose to issue a consultation document during the autumn giving full details of my proposals.

Standards And Quality Assurance

asked the Minister for Trade when he expects the proposals for raising the status of standards in the United Kingdom to be published.

A White Paper setting out the Government's proposals for making standards and quality assurance a more effective tool for strengthening the international competitiveness of British industry has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

British Airports Authority (Investment)

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has completed his consideration of a suggestion put forward by the chairman of the British Airports Authority for the involvement of private sector funds in the authority's future investment programme; and what are his conclusions.

I can now report that following my discussions with the chairman of the BAA, Mr. Norman Payne, I have asked him to set up a small working group, on which my Department and Treasury will be represented, to pursue urgently a detailed study of two options for the involvement of private sector funds in the authority's capital investment programme. These would include:

(a) A general performance bond, geared to overall profits or;

(b)Raising equity finance through a subsidiary company participating in the authority's concession income on a royalty basis.

The working group's main concern in considering these alternatives will be to determine whether a satisfactory scheme can be constructed which would meet the BAA's requirements and the Treasury's guidelines which were endorsed by the NEDC in October last year. Briefly, any arrangement would have to be under conditions of fair competition with private sector borrowers for available finance, and no greater degree of security for investors from Government guarantees. There would also be a need to demonstrate that benefits in terms of increased efficiency and profit from additional private sector investment would be commensurate with the cost of raising risk capital.

Consumer Credit Regulations

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has yet received the report from the Director General of Fair Trading about the operation of the exemptions from the Consumer Credit (Advertisements) Regulations 1980 and the Consumer Credit (Quotations) Regulations, to which he referred in his answer to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Weetch) on 28 June; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I am grateful to the Director-General for the thorough review which he has made of the working of these exemptions, and for his advice about what amendments should be made to the regulations. The Director-General is publishing his report today and I have placed copies in the Library. I shall consider the report and consult interested parties before deciding what action to take.

Exports And Imports

asked the minister for Trade if he will tabulate in the Official Report, for the half year ended 31 June and in terms of a money annual total (a) the total value of sales from the United Kingdom to each European country and (b) the total imports from these countries, respectively, and in total.

[pursuant to his reply, 19 July 1982, c. 12]: Information on the value of United Kingdom trade with other countries is contained in Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, which is available in the Library. Figures for the five months to May are in the current edition, and provisional figures for June will be published on Monday 2 August 1982 at 3.30 pm.

British Midland Airways (Appeal)

asked the Minister for Trade if he will now allow British Midland Airways' appeal against the Civil Aviation Authority in order that it may establish a scheduled service on the Heathrow to Glasgow and Heathrow to Edinburgh routes.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982, c. 524]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Upminister (Mr. Loveridge) on 26 July.—[Vol. 28, c. 362.].

Sequestrations (Dundee)

asked the Minister for Trade what has been the number of sequestrations in Dundee in each year since 1977 and in the first half of 1982.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982, c. 524]: The figures are as follows:

Number of sequestrations in Dundee
	Number
1977	4
1978	1
1979	1
1980	2
1981	2
^*1982	6
^* First half

Tourist Boards (Expenditure)

asked the Minister for Trade if he will list the expenditure of the English Tourist Board, by region, the Welsh Tourist Board, and the Scottish Tourist Board in each year since 1970.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982, c. 524]: Most of the English Tourist Board's expenditure is neither allocated nor analysed on a regional basis but certain information—including particulars of the board's subventions to the non-statutory regional tourist boards and a breakdown of the assistance given under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969—is included each year in the board's annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library. Expenditure by the Scottish and Wales Tourist Boards is a matter for the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales respectively.

Manchester International Airport

asked the Minister for Trade, further to the Under-Secretary of State's visit to Manchester international airport on 5 July, what consideration the Government have now given to increasing the capital expenditure authorisation in respect of the airport; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982, c. 524]: The details to which I referred in my reply of 14 July have now been received and are being considered in the normal way.

Management Information And Accounting System

asked the Minister for Trade whether a management information and accounting system is in use in his Department; whether the information adduced is received and analysed at ministerial level; whether it is publicly available; and whether any changes are proposed in the coming year.

[pursuant to the reply, 28 July 1982, c. 524]: I have been asked to reply.Management and accounting information is maintained in the Departments of Trade and Industry by a variety of means, and appropriate reports are regularly made to Ministers. Elements of this internal management information are made publicly available from time to time. The systems are currently being reviewed in detail with a view to extending their coverage and improving their structure.

Home Department

Unlawful Entry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward legislation to make unlawful entry an offence under criminal law.

It is already a criminal offence to gain entry to property, against the will of a person on the property, by the use or threat of violence; or to trespass on property in possession of a weapon without lawful authority or excuse. Moreover, anyone who trespasses on property with intent to steal or to inflict grievous bodily harm, or to commit rape or cause unlawful damage, is guilty of the offence of burglary. As I indicated, however, when replying to a supplementary question by my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Sir W. Clark) on 21 July—[Vol. 28 c. 402–403.]—I shall be considering the general state of the law in this field in consultation with my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.

Air Guns

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from individuals, organisations and coroners to increase the penalties contained in, or the effectiveness of, the law on air guns; and if he will make a statement.

During the past 12 months, we have received representations about air weapons from one coroner, 84 other individuals and 23 organisations. These figures include letters forwarded or written by Members of both Houses. In addition, one hon. Member forwarded a petition containing 342 signatures.Most of the representations suggest that air weapons should be subject to licensing control. While we recognise the concern over the misuse of air weapons, most incidents that come to our attention already involve the commission of offences under existing legislation, and we are not persuaded that the introduction of a licensing system would justify the substantial extra work load that would be created for the police. There is some evidence of a general lack of knowledge of the legislation and the dangers of misuse, and a national campaign designed to heighten public awareness is being planned.

Traffic Congestion (London)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the reasons for the traffic congestion in around around Northumberland Avenue and Trafalgar Square on Sunday 18 July.

The congestion in the area was caused by a rally and meeting held by the motor cyclists action group.

Illegal Clubs (London)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis a report on the illegal gambling clubs and drug clubs in and around the Soho area in view of the fire and deaths which occurred on Sunday 18 July.

I have already asked the Commissioner for a report on the incident which occurred in Gerrard Street on 18 July. At this stage it is not clear that a wider report is necessary.

Metropolitan Police

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in view of the communication sent to him by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West dated 22 July, giving details of further maladministration and neglect upon the part of the Metropolitan Police, he will request the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to improve greatly the administration of the Metropolitan Police so far as security arrangements for Her Majesty's subjects are concerned.

I am consulting the Commissioner about the matters referred to in the hon. Member's letter of 22 July and will reply as quickly as possible.

Illegal Immigrants

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what constitutes a joint operation as referred to in his reply to the hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Stanbrook) on 12 December 1980, Official Report, c. 844; and how many joint operations have been carried out by the immigration service and the police to apprehend people in the United Kingdom in breach of immigration laws in 1981 and in the first half of 1982 or at the latest convenient date.

The joint operations to which my right hon. Friend referred were major operations, as opposed to routine ones which most often involve the interview of only one person. Six such joint operations have been carried out since 1 January 1981.

Young Persons (Detention Centres)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual cost of keeping a young person in a detention centre; and if he will give figures for each of the past 10 years.

The average annual cost of keeping prisoners is contained in the report on the work of the Prison Department published each year. The average cost of keeping a detention centre trainee in each of the past 10 years was as follows:

	£
1971	1,532
1972	1,841
1973	1,969
1974	2,354
1975	3,057
1976	4,381
1977	4,987
1978	4,876
1979	5,638
1980	6,505
1981	8,110

Young Persons (Borstal)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual cost of keeping a young person in a borstal; and if he will give figures for each of the past 10 years.

The average annual cost of keeping prisoners is contained in the report on the work of the Prison Department published each year. The average cost of keeping a borstal trainee in each of the past 10 years was as follows:

	£
1971	1,530
1972	1,926
1973	2,156
1974	2,629
1975	3,571
1976	4,461
1977	4,892
1978	5,396

	£
1979	6,206
1980	7,823
1981	9,400

The cost in 1971 and 1972 covered both male and female borstal trainees. From 1973 onwards, the costs relate to male prisoners only in borstal and young prisoner centres; it is not possible to show borstal costs separately.

Radio Regulatory Department (Cattle Feeding, Systems)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money is raised each year by the radio regulatory department via the issue of radio licences for cattle feeding systems.

Information in this form is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Industrial Land, Riverway

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement explaining the purposes for which land classified as industrial at Riverway on the Greenwich peninsula is being used by the Metropolitan Police for training; and if he will list the activities it is proposed will be undertaken there.

The land is in temporary use by the Metropolitan Police under licence, pending the outcome of negotiations for a lease. In accordance with the relevant planning procedures, a planning consultation concerning the proposed change of use has been made to Greenwich borough council. The land is required for public order and other police training and for the assembly and feeding of police officers engaged on public order duties such as the policing of State ceremonial occasions and marches.

Commander Trestrail

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when former Commander Trestrail was positively vetted; and how long after taking up his duties as Queen's police officer this was.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the date when ex-Commander Trestrail was positively vetted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the dates of each occasion on which Mr. Michael Trestrail was positively vetted.

The positive vetting procedure was completed in April 1982. Mr. Trestrail was assigned as the Queen's police officer in July 1973.

Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary (Allowances)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what allowances are available to officers of the Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary in the rank of constable, sub-divisional officer, divisional officer, commandant and chief commandant; and when the allowances for each rank were last reviewed.

Metropolitan Police special constables up to the grade of divisional officer receive reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in the execution of their duties. An allowance of up to £21·50 per day may be paid for loss of earnings in the special constable's private employment while he is specifically required for duty; this level was set in Septmeber 1981. A refreshment allowance of up to £1·18 is payable for each tour of duty or training; and a boot allowance of £20 per year. These allowances are reviewed and revised when changes are made in the allowances paid to regular officers.These 25 district commandants and the chief commandant receive personal allowances of £480 and £850 per annum, respectively, which subsume out-of-pocket expenses and the allowances payable to other members of the special constabulary. The level of commandants' allowances was set in 1974.

Prisoners (Dental Treatment)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are any restrictions on the equipment which may be used by dentists treating people in prison.

Dentists who work in a prison department establishment have the use of dental surgeries and a wide range of equipment. The dentists also have discretion to refer patients for specialised treatment in NHS facilities.

Metropolitan Police

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if, in view of the call by the Police Federation for an independent investigation into the series of reported and proven neglects, failures and maladministration upon the part of the management of the Metropolitan Police, he will agree to ask the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to set up an external committee of inquiry to investigate all matters as known and already reported and those which hon. Members would be prepared to submit to such an independent investigating committee;(2) whether, in view of the series of events at Buckingham Palace, the Countryman inquiry, the pornography trials and so on, affecting the Metropolitan Police, he will discuss with the Commissioner the advisability of seeking to establish a House of Commons Select Committee which can deal with the reports of maladministration and neglect upon the part of the Metropolitan Police.

No. These are matters for the Commissioner and the police authority.

Energy

Seed Corn Grants

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many voluntary organisations are waiting for approval of seed corn grants by his Department under the scheme to assist voluntary organisations to set up energy conservation schemes using Manpower Services Commission funding; what is the average number of weeks it takes to approve such applications; and how many such grants have been approved to date.

There are 24 applications for seed corn grants awaiting approval by my Department and it is currently taking about 14 weeks to process new applications. 45 applications have been processed to date, 42 of which were approved.

Morecambe Bay

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated completion date for the development of the gas field off Morecambe Bay.

The British Gas Corporation expects to achieve the planned full level of output from the Morecambe gas field in 1986–87.

Oil Refining

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimates his Department has made concerning future employment trends in oil refining and associated petrochemical and downstream activities; and whether he will make a statement.

I have made no such estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what amounts of oil were refined in United Kingdom refineries in each of the last five years; and whether he will publish figures giving an indication of associated petrochemical and downstream activities and output for the same period.

Throughput of crude and process oil at United Kingdom refineries since 1977 is as follows:

	M tonnes
1977	93·6
1978	96·4
1979	97·9
1980	86·4
1981	78·3

Questions on the petrochemical industry are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry.

Wytch Farm

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether his Department has received a copy of the independent valuation report on Wytch Farm; and whether he will make this report available to the Select Committee on Energy, and to the Committee of Public Accounts prior to any final decision on the disposal of Wytch Farm.

My Department has seen, on a confidential basis, a copy of an independent report prepared by petroleum consultants on the prospects for PL.089. The report, which contains valuable commercial information, is the property of the British Gas Corporation, which commissioned it, and of its partners in the licence, British Petroleum. Decisions about its availability are a matter for the corporation and I shall ask the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

Coal (Overseas Sales)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board that it should not sell coal abroad at prices lower than those at which it is offered for sale to the electric power industry in the United Kingdom.

I intend to consult the NCB about its export policy.

Fuel Industries (Payment Of Bills)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when the gas and electricity industries propose to publish their new code of practice leaflet on the payment of bills.

Following the new arrangements for operation of their code of practice agreed by the gas and electricity industries that I announced to the House on 29 March, the industries have prepared a new code of practice leaflet incorporating these changes. This has been agreed with the gas and electricity consumer councils and will be published shortly. Copies will be made available in all the industries' showrooms and will be widely distributed to consumer bodies. The industries are also arranging to publicise the code in the coming months in advance of next winter. I have arranged for copies of the revised code to be placed in the Library of the House.

North Sea Oil (Depletion Policy)

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to reply to the Third Report (Session 1981–82) from the Select Committee on Energy on North Sea oil depletion policy, published on 18 May.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I have today sent a memorandum in response to the report to my hon. Friend the Member for Havant and Waterloo (Mr. Lloyd) as Chairman of the Select Committee. Copies of the memorandum have been place in the Library of the House.

Britoil

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement about the transfer of the British National Oil Corporation's oil-producing business to Britoil.

The British National Oil Corporation, acting under direction, made a scheme on 15 July to transfer its oil producing business to Britoil. I have approved the scheme with modifications and specified that it shall come into force on 1 August 1982.The scheme includes participation arrangements between Britoil and BNOC. I am placing in the Libraries of both Houses a summary of these arrangements, in accordance with my undertaking of 24 June.—[Vol. 26, c. 472.]I have also given consent to a guarantee by BNOC of Britoil's performance of its obligations under the forward oil purchase agreement entered into in 1977. This will cover the period before privatisation in which Britoil continues to be a wholly owned subsidiary of the corporation.

Electricity Prices

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he will make it his policy not to permit an increase in electricity prices between May 1982 and May 1983 which is in excess of the increase in the retail prices index;(2) to what causes he attributes the fact that electricity prices increased by 10 per cent. between May 1981 and May 1982 at a time when the retail price index rose by 9·5 per cent. and coal prices by 8 per cent.;(3) to what causes he attributes the fact that electricity prices increased by 22 per cent. between July 1980 and July 1981 at a time when the retail price index rose by 10·9 per cent. and coal prices by 9 per cent.

[pursuant to the reply, 28 July 1982, c. 545]: Price comparisons between one month and another can be distorted by the timing of tariff revisions. For example, whereas domestic electricity prices rose by 22 per cent. between July 1980 and July 1981, they rose by only 11 per cent. between August 1980 and August 1981.Taking the period from 1980–81 to 1982–83 as a whole, average electricity prices this financial year are expected to be about 26 per cent. higher than they were two years previously. The industry expects that over the same period the rise in the price of fossil fuel will be about 24 per cent., and that unit operating costs apart from fuel will increase by about 26 per cent. Part of the increase in unit operating costs is due to the decline in sales.I do not envisage any further tariff increases this financial year. In fixing future tariffs the industry will need to continue to take account of movements in its own costs.

Industry

Small Firms

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will publish his response to the report sponsored by his Department and Shell UK on aid for pump-priming shared service schemes for small businesses.

The recommendations for pump priming common service schemes contained in the recently published study are at present under consideration and an announcement will be made in due course.

Post Office

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in support of the Government's policy of cutting inflation and the fact that the Post Office has declared that it has made a profit of £96·2 million in 1981–82, which is almost double that of the profit target set by the Government, he will take whatever action may be open to him to reduce the Government's profit target.

The profit for the postal business of the Post Office in 1981–82 was £91·6 million The current profit target of the business, which expires at the end of 1982–83, is a return of 2 per cent. on turnover after interest. The additional profit over target achieved in 1981–82 was a result of better than expected mails volume and savings in costs and is not attributable to the target agreed wih the Government. Discussions are in progress on the form and level of a new target to take effect after 1982–83. Among the factors to be taken into account in setting the new target will be the implications for postal tariffs.

Anglo-American Venture Fund

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will arrange for the annual accounts of the Anglo American Venture Fund, and the Anglo American Venture Management Company to be placed in the Library;(2) whether any of the directors of the Anglo American Venture Fund have agreements whereby they can buy the Company's shares at par value; if he will name any directors who have such agreements; and if he will place copies of these agreements in the Library;(3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the management contract between the Anglo American Venture Fund and the Anglo American Venture Management Company.

No. These are matters for the NEB.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much public money, either by way of cash or loans, has been invested in (a) the Anglo American Venture Fund and (b) the Anglo American Venture Management Company; and what shareholding the National Enterprise Board has in each of these companies.

The National Enterprise Board has made a total of £2 million available for investments by the Anglo American Venture Fund, which it wholly owns. The board has also invested £500 for a 50 per cent. stake in the Anglo American Venture Management Company.

British Shipbuilders

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is prepared to approve a payment to British Shipbuilders from the intervention fund to enable it to tender for the replacement for the "Atlantic Conveyor" at a net price of 15 per cent. lower than otherwise.

Since British Shipbuilders has now got the order the need for this does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry to what extent and in which directions public money has been made available to British Shipbuilders (a) since its inception and (b) since May 1979.

Since its inception British Shipbuilders has received from public funds £691 million in loans, public dividend capital, and support from the intervention fund and under the shipbuilding redundancy payments scheme. About £600 million of this total was advanced from May 1979.

English Industrial Estates Corporation

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list (a) the total number of units and (b) the total floor space of empty factory units managed by the English Industrial Estates Corporation.

The English Industrial Estates Corporation has 881 empty factory units totalling 450,688 square metres available for letting.

British Telecom

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the fact that British Telecom charges are the highest in the Western world, if he will take steps to ensure that there are no further increases above the target set by the Government.

The setting of charges is the responsibility of the British Telecom board. I sympathise with my hon. Friend's wish that there should be no further increases, but he will have noted that British Telecom's recent proposal is for an average increase from 1 November 1982 of 3·3 per cent. which is fairly modest. Moreover, British Telecom is seeking savings in its running costs of the order of 25 per cent. over the next three years.

National Enterprise Board

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if it is within the National Enterprise Board's guidelines laid down by his Department for the board to invest in United States companies based in the United States of America.

This is not precluded in cases where the board judges it appropriate to the performance of its statutory functions, including disposal of its investments.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the value of the National Enterprise Board's investment of $3·8 million, representing a 13 per cent. shareholding in Britton-Lee Inc. of California.

This is a matter for the board.

Phoenix Ii

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to announce a conclusion to current talks between his Department and steel firms on the joint venture Phoenix II.

BSC and GKN announced earlier this year the suspension, subject to any change in market conditions, of talks on the proposed Phoenix II joint venture for the manufacture of engineering steels. The Department has been involved in no discussions on Phoenix II since that date.

European Community (Steel Capacity)

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish a table showing the steel capacity of each member State of the European Economic Community when the steel cartel was initiated; and what percentage reduction in steel capacity has been achieved by each member State since it was agreed that capacity should be reduced.

Figures for capacity are published in the ECSC annual survey of investment in the Community coalmining and iron and steel industries, but the 1982 version is not yet available. The Commission recently stated that the State aids decision 2320/81/ECSC and its predecessor have been instrumental in a fall of 4 million tonnes of finished product capacity over the past 18 months. The full effects of the Community decision have not, however, been felt and further reductions in capacity are expected to result from discussions presently taking place between the Commission and several member States on aid proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the powers available to Her Majesty's Government to prevent their steel market being undermined if member States of the European Economic Community steel cartel fail to carry out agreed reductions in steel producing capacity.

European Community steel policy does not embody agreed levels of capacity reduction. The Government are supporting the Commisson in its determination to apply strictly decision 2320/81/ECSC, under which aid to the steel industry must be tied to capacity reduction.The Government are keeping a close watch on developments in other member States in relation to this decision, and are regularly involved in multilateral discussions in Brussels of restructuring proposals made by them. It is premature to consider alternative options.

Loan Guarantee Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has completed his review of the small business loan guarantee scheme.

I have now completed the review of the first year's operation of the pilot loan guarantee scheme. I have held meetings with the London and Scottish clearing banks and some of the other participating banks, with representatives of small firms organisations and the small firms service, and I have also taken into account the many representations I have received from individual businesses. Department of Industry economists made an interim assessment of the working of the scheme based on a sample telephone survey of borrowers, discussion with the banks and a statistical survey; a summary was published in British Business on 16 July and copies of the full survey have been made available in the Library.There was general agreement among the small firms organisations and the banks that the pilot scheme was operating satisfactorily to meet the objectives originally set for it; and that it is having some catalytic effect on the attitudes of many bank managers towards assessing the financial needs of small firms. On the crucial question of additionality, the sample survey demonstrated that about 80 per cent. of the sample, by number, would either not have been able to raise the finance in the absence of the scheme on any terms, or only by pledging personal assets. Even where finance from elsewhere might have been available, in a further number of cases this would not have been on terms acceptable to the borrowers. This is a very high proportion and indicates that the banks have been generally most careful in their use of the scheme. It is, however, too early in the life of the scheme to be able to judge the longer term success of the scheme in terms of its economic benefits and the viability of businesses supported under it.I have therefore concluded that no major changes in the scheme are necessary at this stage, in view of the fact that there has been only one year's experience and that neither the vast majority of representations nor the evidence called for them. I shall, however, be taking a number of steps to improve the working of the scheme:

(a) The complaint most strongly expressed by small firms and their organisations is a lack of awareness of the scheme or a lack of knowledge of its details on the part of many bank managers. I am therefore asking the participating banks to reinforce their efforts to put this right.

(b) The scheme is intended to provide additional lending to the small business sector which would not otherwise have taken place. The banks are being asked to remind their managers that this is the objective when asked to refinance facilities already provided from elsewhere.

(c) The main purpose of the scheme is to provide lending for the start-up of new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses. I have had little evidence to suggest that "distress lending" is occurring to any significant extent under the scheme, but the banks will be taking further steps to ensure that it is fully understood that lending for this purpose only would not be in accordance with the scheme's intentions.

(d) I have had a number of representations that the requirement that scheme loans must be drawn down in one lump sum can be onerous to small firms. I have therefore decided to introduce a limited facility for staged draw-downs, which I hope will remove any difficulties in most cases.

(e) I am also setting up arrangements with the full co-operation of the banks for future monitoring of the scheme, and for analysis of the cases of failure, probably using outside consultants.

I am grateful to all those who have participated in this review for their constructive response.

Information Technology Centres

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many information technology centres have been approved; where they are situated; how many have students in situ; and how many are likely to be operational by the end of the year.

Forty-nine information technology centres have been approved by my Department and a further 13 are at an advanced stage of processing.Those approved are situated at:

Bolton	Falkirk
Bradford	Flint
Bristol^*	Gateshead^*
Burnley^*	Hanley
Calderdale	Harlow
Cannock	Inverclyde^*
Cardiff	Leeds
Cornwall	Leicester
Coventry^*	Lincoln
Dundee^*	Liverpool
London - Brent, Brixton, Camden Town^, Hackney, Haringey, Southwark^
Manchester
Manchester^*	Sandwell
Merseyside^*	Scunthorpe
Milton Keynes	Sheffield
Neath	Solihull
Newcastle-upon-Tyne^*	Stevenage
Newton Aycliffe	Sunderland
Portsmouth^*	Telford^*
Preston	Walsall^*
Reading	Warrington
Redhill	Wigan
Salford	Wirral^*
^* 15 centres have students in situ.

It is my intention that some 100 centres will be approved by the end of 1982.

Research And Development

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much of his Department's expenditure on research and development is spent directly with private sector firms; and whether that level of spending has been maintained over the last five years.

The Department of Industry spend £75 million in 1981–82, provisional outturn, on R & D carried out within private industry. In 1977–78 such expenditure was £17 million. The table shows how direct expenditure on R & D in the private sector has increased by more than two and a half times during the last five years in real terms.

Department of Industry expenditure on R & D in the private sector
Year	Current prices	Constant prices (Mid-1982)^*
	£ million	£ million
1977–78	17	31
1978–79	27	43
1979–80	52	69
1980–81	68	81
1981–82	†75	80
^* Figures have been corrected to mid-1982 prices by reference to an index of R & D costs.
The Department of Industry contributions to the European Space Agency are excluded, though most of this money returns to United Kingdom industry by way of contracts.
† Provisional.

West Midlands

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what consideration he has given to the latest unemployment figures for the West Midlands showing a rise to 16·2 per cent. of all employees; what initiatives he proposes to take to stimulate West Midlands industries, and to create the new industries required to reverse the unemployment trend and when he expects his policies to create new jobs.

[pursuant to his reply, 26 July 1982, c. 402]: The Government have already implemented a large number of measures of industrial support of benefit to industries in the West Midlands. Within the region we have established an enterprise zone at Dudley and an enterprise allowance pilot scheme at Coventry, the latter already helping 217 people to start their own businesses. We have suspended the last regional constraint on industrial development, the industrial development certificates. We have provided continued extensive support for BL, a large proportion of which has benefited BL plants in the West Midlands and component suppliers throughout the region. More generally firms in the region have benefited from national support schemes including the product and process development scheme, the microprocessor applications programme—£2·3 million since May 1979—and section 8 of the Industry Act 1972—offers of £24 million since May 1979. In the small firms field the region has taken up £14·7 million of loan guarantees under the loan guarantee scheme. Most recently the region has benefited substantially from the small engineering firms investment scheme; by 2 July 109 offers of assistance worth £2·46 million had been made.New jobs and firms are being created all the time in the region and throughout the United Kingdom. VAT-based information from 1980 suggests that there was a net increase of 1,400 firms in the West Midlands in that year alone. All our initiatives serve to reinforce this vital process of new firm formation and thus create much needed jobs.

Management Information And Accounting System

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether a managment information and accounting system is in use in his Department; whether the information adduced is received and analysed at ministerial level; whether it is publicly available; and whether any changes are proposed in the coming year.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982, c. 536]: Management and accounting information is maintained in the Department of Trade and Industry by a variety of means, and appropriate reports are regularly made to Ministers. Elements of this internal management information are made publicly available from time to time. The systems are currently being reviewed in detail with a view to extending their coverage and improving their structure.

Wales

Unemployment Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the rate of increase between April 1979 and April 1982 in the number of persons registered as unemployed for more than 52 weeks for (i) Wales and (ii) each county in Wales.

The information is as follows:

	Percentage Increase
South Glamorgan	140·2
Mid Glamorgan	183·0
West Glamorgan	282·0
Gwent	164·1
Dyfed	129·6
Powys	147·2
Gwynedd	81·7
Clwyd	138·3
Wales	161·8

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the rate of increase between April 1979 and April 1982 in the number of persons registered as unemployed for more than two years for (i) Wales and (ii) each county in Wales.

The information is as follows:

	Percentage Increase
South Glamorgan	117·4
Mid Glamorgan	112·5
West Glamorgan	175·3
Gwent	83·1
Dyfed	52·7
Powys	34·6
Gwynedd	21·3
Clwyd	65·3
Wales	89·5

St David's Hospital, Carmarthen

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his reply of 26 July, Official Report, c. 410, what conclusions were reached by his hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State when he visited St. David's hospital, Carmarthen, in January 1980; and whether any action was taken as a result of the visit.

My hon. Friend was very concerned about the poor conditions and standards of care at the hospital. Following his visit a succession of measures were taken to help the Dyfed health authority improve the situation. In March 1980 I increased the authority's recurrent revenue funding by £657,000 over and above its share of general revenue growth. In May of that year I approved expenditure of £2·3 million for replacement accommodation at St. David's hospital for 90 patients in three ward units, together with the upgrading of the central block to provide 44 beds of present-day standard. In September 1980 I approved expenditure of £2·7 million on improvements at Bryntirion hospital, Llanelli, including the provision of a 30-bed long-stay geriatric unit and a replacement 30-bed unit for the elderly mentally infirm, one aim of which is to relieve overcrowding at St. David's hospital.In March 1981 I increased the health authority's recurrent revenue funding by £678,000 over and above its share of general revenue growth. In November of that year arrangements were made for a visit by Welsh Office professional staff to visit St. David's hospital and report. The visit took place in January 1982 and their severely critical report led to the invitation to the Health Advisory Service to conduct an urgent review of psychiatric services in Dyfed. In February this year I allocated almost £160,000 for the upgrading of wards at St. David's hospital and I increased the health authority's recurring revenue funding by a further £542,000 over and above its share of general revenue growth.

Mental Handicap Services (Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what action he proposes to take on the report of the all-Wales working party on services for mentally handicapped people; and if he will make a statement.

I appointed this working party under the chairmanship of my Department last December. It comprised representatives of county and district councils, health authorities, professional advisory bodies, the voluntary sector and my Department. The working party's unanimous report was submitted to me earlier this month and I have today placed copies in the Library.I am grateful to the working party for its despatch in producing such a comprehensive study of the needs of mentally handicapped people in Wales, and for its far-reaching but realistic proposals for the development, over the next 10 years, of community based services. I should like to record my special thanks to those who joined with my officials in the working party and to the many individuals who contributed so freely to its studies.Substantial progress towards achievement of the working party's proposals would successfully transform the quality of life of mentally handicapped people and their families in Wales. I propose now to issue the report for public consultation and, as part of the process, to table it for discussion by the All-Wales Health Forum, the establishment of which I announced in the Welsh Grand Committee on 15 April 1981, c. 8.I have considered carefully the crucial question of resources. The working party, in an evaluation of need, calculated that the requirement for completely comprehensive services throughout Wales might ultimately be of the order of £100 million per annum. It recognised that this figure, being based on potential needs, extensive public provision and substantial support of existing family efforts rather than forecast demand, and on the unit cost of existing patterns of service, should be regarded as an ultimate objective rather than as an immediate programme of action. I commend the working party's proposal that authorities should concentrate on development over the next ten years.When I announced my proposals in Cardiff last November, I said:

"I envisage that, once an agreed strategy has been formulated initially some £1 million of extra cash should be provided from Health Service resources on a recurring basis each year, beginning in the financial year 1983–84 for an initial period of five years, with a stock-taking after three years".

The strategy recommended by the working party would involve the commitment by my Department of a higher level of resources throughout the proposed 10-year period. Annual expenditure would build up to £8 million by the end of the first five years, and by a further £15 million per annum in the following five years, making in all £23 million per annum additional expenditure after 10 years.

This recurring expenditure would represent a more than fourfold increase in the present level of spending by social services authorities in Wales on services for mentally handicapped people. There is no doubt that resources on this scale would enable very substantial progress to be made throughout Wales as well as intensive development towards self-sufficient community services in two vanguard localities to test the viability of the new patterns, as recommended by the working party.

If the local authorities in their response to consultation endorse the broad thrust of the strategy proposed by the working party, and in particular the rapid development of services in chosen vanguard localities, I will undertake to see that the necessary resources to launch a 10-year programme of development on the lines recommended by the working party are provided. In making this commitment I have regard to the working party's words:

"In an environment where overall levels of public expenditure are severely constrained, extra money for services for mentally handicapped people can only be found at the expense of growth—or indeed, in some circumstances, of existing levels of provision—in other services. However, the need to improve services for this client group is such as fully to justify its being given this priority."

We have to face the fact that the services we wish to develop are not free. We can pay for them only by foregoing developments elsewhere in the Health Service. But it is right that mentally handicapped people should be given their chance and that the health authorities should look to greater efficiency to finance improvements in their acute services.

Resources must be looked at again as part of the formal review of the strategy which I propose should be undertaken after three years of development. Meanwhile close control of expenditure will be essential.

As I announced yesterday in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Hooson), I propose to seek an early opportunity to introduce legislation which would enable me to grant-aid direct the development of community services by local authorities and voluntary organisations and I intend to use this power as the means by which to channel my Department's contribution to the development of community services for mentally handicapped people. Once the new services are substantially established, I propose to transfer the sums involved permanently to the local authorities through the rate support grant.

In accordance with the timetable I had in mind when I set up the working party, I hope that the first developments under the strategy will be launched in April 1983. While the consultation is going on, to the end of October, my Department will be in touch with the bodies which provide services, in order to work up proposals for these initial developments.

The success of this initiative will depend on the willingness of all those involved in the lives of mentally handicapped people to work together towards the common aims of developing community care and promoting integration. The working party's unanimous report gives cause for confidence in our ability to do just this. I look forward to a positive response to the recommendations of the report and a firm declaration of a common resolve to translate its proposals into the reality of new services over the next 10 years.

Overseas Development

Gibraltar

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes to make available official development assistance to Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement.

A grant of £4 million was agreed in December 1981 for urgent development projects in Gibraltar. Five projects have so far been approved for financing under this grant. The biggest project is the construction of a causeway to replace the existing viaduct bridge and provide a permanent link between the north mole and port area and the town of Gibraltar. Other projects approved are a new sewage pumping station and improvements and replacements to the systems of salt and potable water supply.

Crown Agents Holding And Realisation Board

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the 1981 report and accounts of the Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board will be laid before Parliament; and if he will make a further statement on the disposal of the board's Australian property assets.

The 1981 report and accounts are being laid before Parliament today. As soon as they are available, published copies of the report and accounts will be placed in the Library of both Houses.In my reply on 8 April 1982 to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson)—[Vol. 21, c. 453]—I said that the Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board had concluded with the Australian Mutual Provident Society a contract for the sale of its Australian properties. The sale was completed on 29 June. The final surplus payable to Government is subject to minor adjustment, but £12 million has already been paid in to the Consolidated Fund and further small amounts are expected in the coming months.

Falkland Islands

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial provision he will be making available to meet the cost of rehabilitation work on the Falkland Islands.

I intend to make up to £10 million available. Parliamentary approval for this new service will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Overseas Aid Vote. Pending that approval the necessary expenditure will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

Education And Science

Birkbeck College (Part-Time Students)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the cost of extending the mandatory awards scheme to cover the fees of undergraduate students of Birkbeck college, University of London who are not full-time students.

The cost is estimated at about £200,000, but my right hon. Friend has no power to extend mandatory awards to part-time degree courses.

Spina Bifida

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will institute an inquiry into the decision by the Medical Research Council to test the effect of a vitamin treatment on women who have already had spina bifida babies.

I refer the hon. Member to my written answer on 26 July to two questions by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short). My right hon. Friend does not propose to institute an inquiry.

Cytomegalovirus (Research)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Eccles on 22 June, who is funding the research into cytomegalovirus at Charing Cross medical school and St. Bartholomew's hospital; if he will give the dates of the research projects and the amount of the grants awarded; and if he will make a statement.

The research project at Charing Cross hospital medical school is supported by a grant for the Charity Action Research for the Crippled Child. An initial grant of £41,489 to cover three years was made in February 1979 to study the vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus—CMV —and its role in the causation of mental and physical handicap. A supplementary grant of £4,391 was made in November 1980 for additional clerical expenses. A further grant of £29,193 for a two-year extension was made in July 1982.The research being undertaken at St. Bartholomew's hospital is being supported by a grant from the Wellcome Trust. The project is to study the importance of intrauterine CMV infection as a cause of mental retardation and other childhood handicap. The grant is for three years from March 1980, but details of the amount of the award are not available.In 1980 the research workers at these two centres submitted a joint application to the Medical Research Council for a three-year project grant to follow up infants with congenital CMV infection in order to establish the frequency and nature of defects attributable to CMV. This was awarded by the council and the sum involved is approximately £40,000; the present currency of this grant is until 31 December 1983.

University Academic Staff (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much it will cost in the current financial year to pay increases of 5 per cent. to university academic staff.

The cost to the universities of a 5 per cent. increase in pay for non-clinical academic staff in the current financial year will depend on the number of staff in post over the period, but on the basis of present estimated pay costs for these staff such an increase would cost about £28 million.

Student Loans

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the saving to public funds of the introduction of a top-up loan scheme for students in higher education over the next 20 years; and if he will make a statement.

If a top-up loan scheme implies making resources available to supplement the present mandatory award, thereby increasing the total finance available to students, it would not provide savings to public funds.

School-Industry Links (Report)

asked the Secretary for Education and Science what conclusions he has come to in the light of the report on school-industry links schemes prepared by Mr. Neville Cooper; and if he will make a statement.

Schools and business need to understand each other better. Business should be helped to appreciate the aims of the schools and the context in which these seek to achieve them. Conversely, schools and pupils need to be helped to understand how the nation earns its living in the world. This involves helping pupils to understand how industry and commerce are organised; the relationships of producers and consumers; the process of wealth creation; the role played by choice, competition and profit; and the traditional liberal view of the interdependence of political and economic freedom, as well as rival theories of how production and distribution should be organised and the moral basis commonly adduced by those theories.Much progress has been made in recent years in stimulating a wide variety of school-industry link activities aimed at increasing mutual understanding and improving preparation for adult and working life in practical ways. Many of these activities have been the result of local initiatives; others have been prompted by the national bodies which are active in this area.In autumn 1980 the Department invited Mr. Neville Cooper, director of administration at Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd.

"to examine the nature and extent of school/industry link activities undertaken by the major organisations involved; and to consider how their total effectiveness might be improved at both local and national level."

Mr. Cooper submitted his report—a copy of which is in the Library—to my predecessor last autumn. The Department gave it a wide distribution and many comments have been received from the education service and from industry. I have myself had the benefit of a discussion with Mr. Cooper about his findings. I wish now to state my own conclusions on them.

I greatly welcome Mr. Cooper's emphasis on the central importance of the local education authority as a focus for school-industry link activities, and his practical suggestions for ways in which authorities can help. I also welcome his view that the present activities of the Department and the Department of Industry should continue, and that the Department of Education and Science should give a clear lead, at national level, to school-industry liaison. We can, and will, give such a lead, within available resources. I shall be reinforcing these points with a circular letter from the Department to chief education officers reaffirming the importance of authorities' responsibilities not only in offering information and advice, but also in acting as sources of inspiration and encouragement, in regard to school-industry link activities in their areas; drawing attention to the value of other agencies which are active in fostering school-industry links; and urging them, where they have not already done so and where appropriate, to take further steps to bring their schools and local firms closer together.

Mr. Cooper has suggested that the Department should have funds and powers commensurate with those of the Department of Industry's industry—education unit, in order to reinforce its lead by direct support of schools-industry liaison. I understand why he should make such a recommendation. However, I already have powers to give taxpayers' help to certain agencies in this field. For example, the taxpayer already directly supports the standing conference on schools' science and technology, which sponsors the steadily growing numbers of science and technology regional organisations; and Project Trident, which sponsors work experience schemes with the help of co-ordinators from industry and commerce; and the Department's support has recently been increased. I have not found support, however, either from the education service or from industry, for Mr. Cooper's suggestion for a competition between schools. The Department of Education and Science and the Department of Industry already have close working co-operation, and this will continue, for example, in taking forward and supporting the development of information technology in schools.

I further agree with Mr. Cooper, as do the great majority of the organisations consulted, that it is undesirable to set up a national bureaucracy to co-ordinate the support and funding of school-industry link activities. Mr. Cooper's idea of a group of senior industrialists, to focus industry's concern, is primarily a matter for industry itself. I shall, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry, be arranging for the recommendation to be discussed further with representatives of industry. Mr. Cooper is clearly right in urging that the various national bodies concerned with school-industry links need to collaborate as closely as possible. It is important that the bodies' complementary roles should be understood and properly valued. I am pleased to learn that the national bodies are already taking active steps to improve their collaboration both nationally and locally. An early fruit of this collaboration can be seen in the new edition of "Schools and Industry", a booklet which explains clearly and concisely the activities of the main schools-industry liaison bodies.

I express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Cooper, who carried out his study on a wholly voluntary basis; to Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd. for the support which it provided; and to Mr. D. P. J. Browning, chief education officer, Bedfordshire, who worked closely with Mr. Cooper. The report has helped to focus attention on the importance of developing links between schools and industry and commerce, and I endorse Mr. Cooper's view of the value of these links.

School Admissions (Parental Choice)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about parents' rights in the new school admission process introduced by the Education Act 1980.

Under section 6 of the Education Act 1980, every local education authority has to make arrangements whereby parents of children in their area may express preferences as to the schools their children are to attend. So that the choice is informed, section 8 of the Act requires certain relevant information to be published. These preferences may relate to any school, maintained or otherwise, within or outside the authority's area. Authorities—and, as the case may be, governors of county or voluntary schools—are under a duty to comply with these preferences unless at least one of the criteria specified in section 6(3) applies—namely, that compliance would

(a) prejudice the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources;

(b) be incompatible with particular arrangements for admission to an aided or special agreement school; or

(c) be incompatible with any arrangements for selection by reference to ability or aptitude.

Where such a preference is not met, parents have an unconditional right of appeal to a local appeal committee under section 7 of the Act. In the light of the cases advanced by the parents, on the one hand, and the authority or governors, on the other, the appeal committee is completely free to decide each appeal in the way it thinks best. That decision is then binding on the authority or governors.The Education Act 1980 gives the holder of my office no role in this appeals process. It remains open, though, for parents to complain—not appeal—to me and, if this is appropriate, for me to intervene under section 68 or 99 of the Education Act 1944 on school admission as on other questions. The scope for my intervention, however, is very limited and qualitatively different from the freedom of decision given to local appeal committees. Unlike those committees, I can formally intervene only in certain limited circumstances; that is, where the evidence satisfies me that the authority or governors have either exercised their powers, or performed their duties, "unreasonably"—which, in the strict legal sense of that word, implies a degree of perversity--or that they have failed to discharge a duty imposed on them under the Acts. These are very rigorous tests and, while each complaint would be properly considered, I would be likely to take the matter up only if there seemed a real possibility that I might be empowered to act. Since I expect local education authorities and school governors to exercise their functions properly, I believe that it is likely that I would take formal action under the sections only in a handful of cases

Schools Council

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the functions of the present schools council relating to curriculum and to examinations are to be separated; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have proposed the separation of these two functions because, being very different, they ought to be managed by people with largely different qualifications and background.The Government believe that examinations should be designed and used to serve the educational process. They should support it, not distort it. The examinations function, which it is proposed should be exercised by a separate examinations council and which was exercised by the Secondary Schools Examination Council from 1917 to 1964, has two main aspects: first, to supervise the system of examinations at 16-plus and 18-plus; second, to advise the Secretary of State for Wales and me on the way in which that system can best serve the curriculum, and meet the other needs of the clients of the education service. These are the tasks which we intend the proposed examinations council to perform.This examinations function is very different from the function which the Government propose in relation to curriculum development. That function relates to both primary and secondary education and to non-examinable as well as examinable parts of the curriculum. Its purpose is to help teachers and many others throughout the education service to discharge one of their main professional and practical tasks. Experience since 1964 has cast doubt on the wisdom of trying to integrate the two functions in a single body.But although the functions are best discharged separately because they are so different, there are some links between them. The Government intend that such links should be embodied in a practical way in the two bodies which they propose should replace the Schools Council.The Government's proposals for separating the two functions are fortified by practical experience in Scotland, where the consultative Committee on the Curriculum collaborates closely and effectively with the Scottish Certificate of Education Examining Board.

Microtechnology

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details in the Official Report of the progress which has been made in developing the use of microtechnology (a) in primary schools by pupils and teachers, (b) in secondary schools by pupils and teachers, (c) in further education by students and lecturers and (d) in higher education by students and lecturers; if he will outline the steps he is taking further to increase the use of microtechnology in each of these areas; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 July 1982, c. 308]: The microelectronics education programme, now in its third year, has established a regional network of centres at which primary and secondary school teachers can seek advice and obtain information about the use of microcomputers as an aid to teaching and learning and about the place of microelectronics in the curriculum. Over 3,000 primary and secondary school teachers have already taken part in pilot courses of in-service training with financial assistance from the programme, and during the course of 1982 a further 10,000 will be attending shorter courses provided by local education authorities in connection with the Department of Industry's scheme of financial assistance towards the cost of purchasing microcomputers for primary and secondary schools. The microelectronics education programme is also investing in the developing of software and curriculum materials for use in a number of subjects. Some of these materials have already been published or disseminated through the regional network of information centres. The programme was planned to cover a period of four years with annual expenditure of £3 million to £4 million. The Government have not yet decided whether to extend the current programme beyond 1983–84.In the non-advanced sector of further education and in the maintained sector of higher education there has been an encouraging increase in the number of students on courses associated with microtechnology. Further education colleges have also played a valuable role in providing courses under the Government's microelectronics application programme. The Department of Education and Science is currently considering the further needs of the non-advanced sector of further education.For the three years 1979–80 to 1981–82 the University Grants Committee earmarked part of universities' recurrent and equipment grants for microprocessor equipment and applications. The total earmarked in this way was about £5·5 million. In 1981, capital and recurrent expenditure by the computer board for the universities was £29·4 million compared with £27 million in 1980 and £15·6 million in 1976. In 1981–82 and 1982–83 the Department met all bids from local education authorities for prescribed expenditure allocations in respect of major items of computing equipment for maintained institutions of higher and further education. These allocations amounted to £2·5 million in 1981–82 and £4·3 million in 1982–83. For 1983–84, bids from LEAs for expenditure allocations in respect of computing equipment have been sought separately so that, if appropriate, these can be treated differently from other capital bids.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Negative Certificates Of Origin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 May to the hon. Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) whether he will now abandon the practice of his Department regarding the authentification of negative certificates or origin in view of the resentment of this practice in Israel, as expressed to British Ministers, and its abandonment by the Government of France.

The Departments concerned are again reviewing our policies towards the boycott, including the practice mentioned by my hon. Friend. This may take some time. We will let the House know the outcome.

Israel (Export Policy)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific steps are taken by his Department and by Her Majesty's ambassador in Tel Aviv to encourage British firms to export to Israel and to provide them with full commercial advice and normal diplomatic facilities.

The normal range of British Overseas Trade Board services is available to British exporters to Israel. The Embassy in Tel Aviv provides the same range of diplomatic facilities and commercial advice as other similarly sized posts. The British Overseas Trade Group for Israel has organised with the Department of Trade and our embassy in Tel Aviv one trade mission in March 1982 and two more are planned for October and November. The United Kingdom—Israeli joint committee comprising representatives from both sides continues to meet regularly to discuss bilateral trade matters.

United States Of America (Visas)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the progress that is being made in discussions with the United States Government directed towards the abolition of visas for British subjects visiting the United States of America.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Luce) gave on 8 February.—[Vol. 17, c. 280.] We continue to maintain frequent contact with the United States authorities on this matter. I can report that revised versions of Bills intended to abolish the visa requirement for visitors from certain countries, including the United Kingdom, have recently been introduced into the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Argentine Air Force (Exocet Missiles)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the French Government to make available the report of the inquiry they have initiated into the circumstances in which French experts from State-owned companies assisted the Argentine forces in the deployment of Exocet missiles during the Falkland Islands conflict; and if he will make a statement.

The French Government communicated to us on 28 July the text of a statement issued jointly by the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, reporting the findings of their inquiries. This concludes that the French Government totally fulfilled the obligations imposed on it by its solidarity with their British ally.

Employment

Unemployment Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the rate of increase between April 1979 and April 1982 in the number of persons registered as unemployed for more than 52 weeks for (i) England, (ii) each county in England and (iii) each of the economic regions.

The following is the information:

	Percentage increase
England	180
Counties
Bedfordshire	226
Berkshire	226
Buckinghamshire	358
East Sussex	136
Essex	193
Hampshire	130
Hertfordshire	281
Isle of Wight	100
Kent	176
Oxfordshire	158
Surrey	203
West Sussex	147
Cambridgeshire	185
Norfolk	152
Suffolk	150
Avon	110
Cornwall	86
Devon	94
Dorset	139
Gloucestershire	145
Somerset	132
Wiltshire	150
Hereford and Worcester	156
Shropshire	213
Staffordshire	322
Warwickshire	150
Derbyshire	199
Leicestershire	189
Lincolnshire	146
Northamptonshire	286
Nottinghamshire	174
Humberside	157
North Yorkshire	56
Cheshire	204
Lancashire	193
Cleveland	221
Cumbria	157
Durham	165
Northumberland	69
Greater London	219
West Midlands	328
South Yorkshire	217
West Yorkshire	216
Greater Manchester	227
Merseyside	90
Tyne and Wear	89
Regions
South-East	201
East Anglia	160
South-West	113
West Midlands	288
East Midlands	190
Yorkshire and Humberside	187
North-West	153
North	128

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the rate of increase between April 1979 and April 1982 in the number of persons registered as unemployed for more than two years for (i) England, (ii) each county in England and (iii) each of the economic regions.

The following is the information:

	Percentage increase
England	88
Counties
Bedfordshire	72
Berkshire	75
Buckinghamshire	180
East Sussex	58
Essex	74
Hampshire	35
Hertfordshire	67
Isle of Wight	32
Kent	69
Oxfordshire	50
Surrey	54
West Sussex	34
Cambridgeshire	61
Norfolk	54
Suffolk	48
Avon	53
Cornwall	37
Devon	69
Dorset	46
Gloucestershire	51
Somerset	54
Wiltshire	100
Hereford and Worcester	56
Shropshire	92
Staffordshire	130
Warwickshire	64
Derbyshire	84
Leicestershire	121
Lincolnshire	78
Northamptonshire	99
Nottinghamshire	117
Humberside	66
North Yorkshire	23
Cheshire	89
Lancashire	73
Cleveland	183
Cumbria	52
Durham	71
Northumberland	37
Greater London	106
West Midlands	176
South Yorkshire	113
West Yorkshire	100
Greater Manchester	111
Merseyside	66
Tyne and Wear	56
Regions
South-East	82
East Anglia	54
South-West	58
West Midlands	143
East Midlands	102
Yorkshire and Humberside	89
North-West	81
North	78

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the annual rate of change in the level of unemployment in every region of the United Kingdom in each year since 1960.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982]: Because of extensive boundary changes to regions in 1966, the attached table gives the percentage changes in the annual average numbers registered as unemployed in the areas specified only from that date. Relatively minor boundary changes occurred in 1974, and the changes between 1973 and 1974 should be treated with caution.

Percentage change

1966–1967

1967–1968

1968–1969

1969–1970

1970–1971

1971–1972

1972–1973

1973–1974

1974–1975

1975–1976

1976–1977

1977–1978

1978–1979

1979–1980

1980–1981

South East

+69·0

+0·6

-5·0

+3·2

+21·3

+6·0

-30·1

+2·2

+80·1

+51·9

+8·4

-7·0

-11·5

+28·7

+67·0

East Anglia

+42·5

-1·7

+1·5

+11·5

+44·0

-6·0

-33·1

+4·4

+84·6

+42·0

+11·4

-4·9

-9·6

+27·8

+58·0

South West

+40·0

-0·1

+6·7

+5·9

+20·8

+3-8

-27·3

+19·3

+82·9

+38·7

+8·6

-4·0

-11·1

+18·5

+46·8

West Midlands

+121-8

+6·6

-11·5

+10·7

+49·0

+21·0

-38·7

-2·3

+94·8

+41·8

+0·9

-2·9

-1·8

+41·8

+72·4

East Midlands

+61·2

+11·2

+4·0

+16·1

+27·8

+5·5

-31·2

+12·4

+65·8

+34·7

+8·5

+0-5

-6·1

+38·1

+58·4

Yorkshire and Humberside

+68·5

+29·5

+1·9

+9·8

+31·7

+9·2

-32·3

-3·4

+52·4

+40·5

+5·1

+4·2

-3·7

+35·1

+55·3

North West

+57·3

+3·4

-0·4

+9·8

+41·2

+23·4

-25·9

-4·3

+54·8

+32·1

+7·6

+0·7

-4·7

+30·0

+47·5

North

+52·3

+17·1

+2·9

-1·2

+20·7

+10·9

-25·8

-1·3

+31·8

+28·3

+12·8

+6·4

-2·2

+24·0

+38·0

Wales

+38·5

-1·2

-0·1

-4·0

+19-4

+10-4

-27-7

+7·9

+53·5

+32·9

+10·5

+6·0

-4·8

+27·9

+41·5

Scotland

+34·7

-0·2

-2·1

+14·8

+37·0

+9·8

-28-6

-11·1

+30·2

+37·3

+18·4

+1·0

-1·7

+24·4

+36·1

Northern Ireland

+25·1

-3·5

+1·3

-4·0

+14·0

+0·7

-23·5

-3·9

+40·3

+30·8

+11·0

+7·3

-0·7

+21·4

+33-7

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out the increase in unemployment in Liverpool, Toxteth and Brixton for each month since June 1981 and the increase in youth unemployment for the same period.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982]: The following table gives the, monthly changes in the total numbers registered as unemployed in the Liverpool and Brixton employment office areas from June 1981. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted. Separate unemployment statistics are not collected for Toxteth, which is part of the Liverpool employment office area. Some of the monthly changes in 1981 may reflect the effects of emergency procedures in benefit offices, following civil service industrial action.Between April 1981 and April 1982, the latest date for which the quarterly analysis by age is available, the numbers of registered unemployed under 18 years of age increased by 91 in the Liverpool employment office area, and by 83 in the Brixton employment office area. Easter school leavers are included in the April 1982 figures but not in those for April 1981.

	Liverpool employment office area Change from previous month	Brixton employment office area Change from previous month
1981
July	+311	+511
August	-78	+745
September	+855	+15
October	-178	+281
November	-1,702	-490
December	-663	+163
1982
January	+298	+344
February	-363	+97
March	-207	-39
April	-206	-51
May	-25	-247
June	+1,050	+233
July	+794	+68

Textile Industry (Lost Working Days)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days have been lost annually through stoppages in the textile industry since 1974.

The numbers of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in the textile industry are as follows:

Year	Working days lost
1974	236,000
1975	257,000
1976	39,000
1977	208,000
1978	131,000
1979	72,000
1980	36,000
1981	20,000

Macclesfield

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of 16, 17 and 18-year-olds in the constituency of Macclesfield have been unemployed for over six months at some time in 1981 or the current year.

This information is not available.

Agricultural Accidents (Children)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department will institute research into the causes of agricultural accidents among children and, in particular, as to whether the driving of tractors by children aged 13 years and over contributes to such accidents.

Since 1956 all fatal accidents to children arising from agricultural activities—558 in total from 1956 to 1981—have been reported to and investigated by HM Agricultural Inspectorate. The Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations introduced from 1 January 1981 a requirement to report incidents which also involve major injuries to children.All the various causes of accidents to children, which occur repeatedly, are well known to the industry as well as the inspectorate and I am satisfied that sufficient information already exists without further research.Seventeen children aged 13–15 have been killed in the period 1971–1979 as a result of driving tractors and other self-propelled machines. Fuller details of these and other accidents to children are included in discussion document "Proposal to review the minimum age at which children may drive or ride on agricultural machinery" recently published by the Health and Safety Commission and available from the Stationery Office.

Disabled Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the outcome of consultations on the proposals by the Manpower Services Commission on the future of the quotas scheme for the employment of disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

The commission's proposals, published last July, to replace the existing statutory quota scheme for the employment of disabled people by a code of practice backed by a more general statutory duty, met with broadly three types of response. A considerable body of opinion supported the commission's approach. Others took the view that a code of practice would best be promoted by entirely voluntary means, with no statutory requirements. A third and substantial group wanted the existing statutory scheme maintained or strengthened in various suggested ways. Many in this last group nevertheless supported elements of the commission's ideas, notably the proposal for a code of practice.The Select Committee on Employment in its report on the matter recognised that the commission's proposals could offer considerable attractions to the disabled, but considered that the commission needed to give further thought to certain aspects before the Committee could make a recommendation. It also suggested ways of improving the existing scheme should that be retained.Against this background, and to allow more time for debate, the Government have decided not to seek any change in the basic legislation for the time being. Since, however, there was wide support for a code of practice in some form we are asking the commission to press ahead with the drafting of a code, in consultation with interested parties and taking account of the comments received. This will enable its usefulness to be tested on a purely voluntary basis without prejudice to its ultimate status. We are also asking the commission within the framework of existing legislation to consider further the ways suggested by the Select Committee and others for improving the effectiveness of present arrangements. More generally, the commission will continue to develop its services for disabled people so as to secure the most effective use of available resources.The Government will keep the matter under review and I shall make a further statement in due course.

Open Tech

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made on the establishment of the Open Tech.

The Open Tech task group, which was set up last January to consider the management and direction of the Open Tech programme, recently submitted its report to the Manpower Services Commission. The commission, having considered the report, has endorsed the group's conclusions on the development, scope and management of the programme, and I understand it is proposed to publish the report shortly.

Severely Visually Handicapped Persons (Sheltered Workshops)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the numbers of severely visually handicapped people seeking employment is sheltered workshops for the blind each year between 1968 and 1982 inclusive, and the numbers of those people obtaining employment in sheltered workshops in each year throughout that period; and if he will make a statement.

The numbers of unemployed severely visually handicapped people in Great Britain suitable for and seeking sheltered employment are given in the attached table for the years 1968–1982. Comparable information for blind workshops is not available.No records are kept of people obtaining employment in sheltered workshops each year by category of disability.

TABLE
Numbers of unmployed registered and unregistered severely visually handicapped people for the period 1968–1982.
Year	Registered	Unregistered	Total
1968	749	^*	749
1969	836	^*	836
1970	804	^*	804
1971	892	^*	892
1972	939	^*	939
1973	891	^*	891
1974	788	^*	788
1975	790	^*	790
1976	840	^*	840
1977	831	^*	831
1978	750	^*	750
1979	658	^*	658
1980	556	172	728
1981	548	169	717
1982	511	181	692
^* Records not maintained.

Merseyside (Census Reports)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the recent reports for Liverpool and Merseyside as far as it affects his responsibilities.

The data from the census of population on the overall level of unemployment in Merseyside confirm the broad picture of unemployment already shown by my Department's own statistics. The further details available from the census of population on the characteristics of the unemployed and the employed, and the incidence of unemployment, contribute to my Department's knowledge of the employment situation in Liverpool and Merseyside.

Merseyside

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have been unemployed in Liverpool and Merseyside for more than one year at the latest date.

At April 1982 the number of people registered as unemployed for over 52 weeks in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 40,348. The corresponding figure for the Merseyside special development area was 55,599.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Liverpool and Merseyside.

At July 1982 the provisional number registered as unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 93,394 and in the Merseyside special development area the figure was 140,591. These figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 8 June.—[Vol. 25, c.

43.].

Liverpool, Scotland Exchange

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest level of unemployment in the Liverpool, Scotland Exchange constituency; and what is the percentage of unemployed.

The numbers registered as unemployed are compiled for employment office areas and not for parliamentary constituencies. At 15 July, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the Liverpool employment office area, which is larger than the Liverpool, Scotland Exchange constituency, was 21,253.Percentage rates of unemployment are calculated for complete travel-to-work areas and not for their constituent parts. At 15 July the provisional unemployment rate in the Liverpool travel-to-work area, of which the Liverpool employment office area is a part, was 19·6 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have been unemployed in the Liverpool, Scotland Exchange constituency for over one year at the latest date.

The numbers registered as unemployed are complied for employment office areas and not for parliamentary constituencies. At April 1982 the number of people registered as unemployed for over 52 weeks in the Liverpool employment office area, which is larger than the Liverpool, Scotland Exchange constituency was 9,350.

Everton Jobcentre, Liverpool

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will visit the Everton jobcentre in Liverpool.

My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to visit the Everton jobcentre.

National Health Service (Dispute)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment pursuant to the answer given on 21 July, Official Report, c. 166, how many in numbers of staff warned were represented by the very small proportion of Department of Employment group staff to which he refers; and what percentage of all staff in Department of Employment offices these numbers represented.

Warning letters were sent to 239 members of staff in the Department of Employment group. This represents 0·4 per cent. of the group's staff.

Jobcentres (Rayner Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to formulate recommendations arising from the Rayner report with regard to the operation of jobcentres; and if he will make a statement.

The report, as part of Sir Derek Rayner's programme of scrutinies, on the general employment service, was presented to the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission and published at the beginning of June. The commission has now considered its recommendations in the light of comments received and has reported its conclusions to me.The commission welcomes the report's general endorsement of the role of the public employment service, and accepts the broad approach of its recommendations for improving the efficiency and economy of the service. These include a reduction in the number of managerial and support staff above jobcentre level, savings on the present jobcentre network and the future modernisation programme, some regrading of jobcentre work, and some reduction in front line staff.The commission proposes now to put in hand more detailed reviews of various matters identified in the report to provide a firm basis for future action. These include a review of the viability and cost effectiveness of a number of local offices, with due regard to the effect of individual closures on local communities. The commission has also indicated its willingness to co-operate in the recommended review of the present division of responsibility for young people between the employment service and the careers service.The Government approve the general line of the commission's response, which indicates potential savings by 1 April 1984 of some £10 million a year—nearly 8 per cent. of current expenditure—and some 600 staff—including some 200 already planned. They welcome the proposed review of the local office network, subject to full account being taken in consultation with local interests of the need to maintain adequate geographical coverage and the particular problems of rural areas.The Government will give further consideration to the proposal for a review of the respective responsibilities for young people of the employment service and the careers service.

Construction Industry Employees

asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what he attributes the fall of 103,000 in the total number of employees in the construction industry in the year ended May 1982, though the rise in the number of registered unemployed in that industry was only 9,500.

Figures published by my Department for the construction industry in Great Britain show that in the year to May 1982, employment fell by 118,000 and unemployment rose by 9,500, whereas in the year to May 1981 employment fell by 116,000 and unemployment rose by 167,000. A number of factors, principally the nature of the industry itself, which includes substantial numbers of unskilled general labourers and self-employed workers, contribute to this apparent disparity.A fall in the number of employees could involve a change to self-employment or a switch to employment in another industry, which is common among both those with general skills and the unskilled. Moreover some people leaving employment may have left the labour force, for example on retirement. Consequently a fall in employment could occur without a corresponding rise in unemployment. Similarly, a rise in unemployment in the industry could reflect the inclusion of people who normally work in other industries but have experienced a short spell of employment in construction before becoming unemployed, or self-employed workers registering for employment. Thus, a rise in unemployment could occur without a corresponding fall in employment.The employment figures, which are based on a sample inquiry, are provisional estimates and have a different timing from that of the unemployment figures; this too could contribute to an explanation.

Voluntary Registration

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the changes in unemployment statistics resulting from the introduction of voluntary registration in October.

When voluntary registration is introduced in October, to improve the efficiency of the employment and benefit services, there will be consequential effects on the unemployment statistics. The unemployment count will then be based on computerised records of claimants rather than the clerical count of registrants.Although some seriously disabled unemployed people who are not in the present count will be included, the exclusion of non-claimants will cause a reduction in total, varying according to the time of year. The use of the computer records will also affect the count. An estimate of the net discontinuity will be made.A full account of the changes in the system will be published in the September issue of

Employment Gazette, a copy of which will be in the Library; the proposals were originally described in the Gazette of April 1981.

Job Losses

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list job losses in the shipbuilding, heavy engineering, textiles, motor manufacturing, coal mining, construction, agriculture and fisheries industries, respectively, for each year since May 1979; and what was the total number of manufacturing jobs lost in each year.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982]: Precise information about job gains and job losses is not available, but an indication of the net effect can be seen by comparing levels of employees in employment at different dates.The attached table gives, for Great Britain, the changes in the provisional numbers of employees in employment in the industries specified between March and March each year from 1979. Comprehensive information is not available for May.

Changes in the numbers of employees in employment
(thousands)
	March 1979 March 1980	March 1980 March 1981	March 1981 March 1982
Shipbuilding and marine engineering	-15·2	-7·7	-4·9
Mechanical and electrical engineering	-59·2	-171·5	-105·3
Textiles	-39·2	-59·7	-20·1
Motor vehicle manufacturing	-18·1	-74·9	-45·3
Coal mining	+0·9	-9·9	-14·3
Construction	-5·8	-98·8	-123·7

March 1979 March 1980

March 1980 March 1981

March 1981 March 1982

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

-4·7

+0·9

-8·8

All manufacturing industries

-236·5

-749·9

-386·7

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the total number of jobs lost in each region of the United Kingdom in each year since May 1979.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982]: Precise information about job gains and job losses is not available but an indication of the net effect can be seen by comparing levels of employees in employment at different dates.The attached table gives, for the areas specified, the decreases in the total numbers of employees in employment between March and March each year from 1979. The information, which is based on quarterly provisional figures, is not available for May.

Decreases in total numbers of employees in employment
(thousands)
	March 1979 March 1980	March 1980 March 1981	March 1981 March 1982
South-East	38·8	296·6	238·7
East Anglia	3·8	29·8	23·2
South-West	1·4	65·9	26·6
West Midlands	27·5	176·4	98·0
East Midlands	11·7	80·2	38·4
Yorkshire and Humberside	19·4	121·7	72·7
North-West	42·3	159·9	105·7
North	14·6	76·0	45·3
Wales	11·9	77·4	31·5
Scotland	17·0	104·2	76·8
Northern Ireland	4·3	29·7	^*12·0
^* The decrease is for the period March 1981 to December 1981, the latest date for which estimates for Northern Ireland are available.

Travel-To-Work Areas (Unemployment Statistics)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the unemployment rate in each of the travel-to-work areas which lost their assisted area status in his recent review.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982]: The following table gives the provisional rates of unemployment at 8 July for the areas specified in the recent review carried out by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry:

	Per cent.
South-West
Okehampton	10·5
East Midlands
Alfreton	16·5
Sutton in Ashfield	10·5
Worksop	12·8
^*Chesterfield	14·4
^*Buxton	11·8
Horncastle	11·2
Louth	11·7
West Midlands
Oswestry	12·5
Yorkshire and Humberside
Driffield	7·5

	Per cent.
Filey	5·4
Harrogate	8·4
Huddersfield	13·5
Keighley	13·3
Malton	6·9
Northallerton	10·6
Pickering	6·0
Ripon	9·2
Selby	11·0
Skipton	7·0
Thirsk	8·2
Todmorden	15·0
York	8·1
^*Castleford	13·6
^*Dewsbury	15·2
^*Halifax	13·1
^*Leeds	12·3
^*Sheffield	13·5
^*Wakefield	11·9
North West
^*Accrington	16·6
^*Ashton under Lyne	15·0
Barnoldswick	11·7
^*Blackburn	15·2
^*Burnley	13·6
^*Bury	14·8
Chester	13·2
Clitheroe	6·0
^*Crewe	10·9
Macclesfield	10·8
^*Manchester	14·0
^*Nelson	15·6
^*Oldham	15·8
^*†Ormskirk	23·8
^*Preston	13·0
^*Warrington	15·4
North
^*Furness	11·8
^*Kendal	7·3
Barnard Castle	11·7
Berwick	11·0
Carlisle	11·7
Hexham	9·8
Keswick	8·4
Penrith	9·8
Haltwhistle	13·6
Wales
Aberystwyth	10·7
Barmouth	11·3
Brecon	8·7
Carmarthen	7·2
Llandeilo	12·4
Llandrindod Wells	11·2
Machynlleth	13·0
Newtown	15·6
Tywyn	14·4
Welshpool	12·0
Scotland
Aberdeen	7·1
Banff	9·3
Buckie	16·2
Cupar	11·2
^*Dumfries	13·3
^*Edinburgh	11·8
Elgin	12·4
Eyemouth	14·2
Forfar	11·9
Fraserburgh	13·1
Galashiels	8·1
Haddington	9·2
Hawick	9·3
Huntley	9·5
Kelso	6·9
Montrose	10·3
Peebles	8·3

	Per cent.
Perth	9·7
Peterhead	11·0
St. Andrews	10·4
^* Travel-to-work area comprising two or more employment office areas.
† Skelmersdale New Town, which is part of the Ormskirk travel-to-work area, will retain Special Development Area Status.

Social Services

Patients' Rights

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider providing financial support to ensure the wide distribution and availability of the recently published National Consumer Council's pamphlet on patients' rights and the abridged version published in the minority languages spoken throughout Great Britain.

I have been asked to reply.We are doing so already. The cost of publishing 50,000 copies of a free summary of the NCC report "Patients' Rights" is being met from our grant-in-aid to the council. In England and Wales the summary is available from community health councils, which are themselves meeting the cost of a further 50,000 copies. A version is available in Welsh; and I understand that the report will be used in the preparation of a pamphlet by the BBC, in conjunction with the Health Education Council, which will be published in 12 ethnic minority languages.

Young Persons (Community Homes)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the rates of recidivism for young persons leaving community homes; and if he will give figures for each of the last 10 years.

The information requested is not available centrally. However, some information on re-offending by children in care may be found in paragraphs 75–78 of "Offending by Young People—A Survey of Recent Trends" (DHSS, 1981), a copy of which is available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual cost of keeping a young person in a community home; and if he will give figures for each of the last 10 years.

The cost of keeping a young person in a community home varies widely between individual local authorities. The information is not collected centrally but "Personal Social Services Statistics" published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy give the net cost per child week in community homes of different categories provided by each authority and national averages. Copies of these publications are in the Library.

Benefits

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are employed in offices dealing with social security benefits; and how this compares with the figure in June 1979.

I take it that my hon. Friend is referring to staff employed in local offices of the Department. The latest available figure is for 1 July 1982, when staff employed in local offices to deal with social security benefits was 62,145. The corresponding figure for 1 June 1979 was 63,367.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the fact that the more recent figures for persons unemployed who are in receipt of various categories of benefit referred to in his reply of 22 July to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North have not been placed in the Library, he will publish them in the Official Report.

Copies of the quarterly analysis of registered unemployed claimants for May 1982 were dispatched to the Libraries on 14 July, but may not have been received.Additional copies have today been placed in the Libraries.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the level of benefit savings achieved in 1980–81 by his Department's measures against fraud and abuse has been maintained.

Yes, the level of savings has not only been maintained but improved. In the operational year 1981–82 total benefit savings of £217 million were achieved by 5,500 staff, compared with £171 million saved by 5,640 staff in 1980–81.

"Opportunities For Volunteers"

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money has been made available in 1982–83 under the "Opportunities for Volunteers" scheme; and whether any of it has been given to local victim support schemes.

Of the £4 million which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 27 July 1981,—[Vol 9, c.836]—would be made available in 1982–83, the estimate provision for England is £3·3 million. The administration of the scheme is being handled by a network of 16 national voluntary organisations acting as agents and the Department will not receive detailed information concerning the individual local projects and organisations receiving grants, although arrangements have been made to monitor the scheme as a whole. The returns we have received from the agents do not so far show any grants have been made to a local victim support scheme.The provision for this special new scheme is additional to the substantial sums which the Department makes available to voluntary organisations under existing arrangements including a grant for the National Association of Victim Support Schemes.

Census Report (Merseyside)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the census report affecting Liverpool and Merseyside as far as it affects his responsibilities.

The census reports for these areas so far published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys are the County Report and Monitor for Merseyside—reference CEN 81 (M28)—and the Monitor for Liverpool special area—reference CEN 81(M28/5). These reports are used to provide information relevant to the work of the Department on the numbers and circumstances of the population in these areas.

Tranquillisers

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the benzodiazepine tranquillisers that have been introduced in the last five years; and if he will categorise them into short and long lasting tranquillisers; and if he will give for each the adverse reaction reports per million prescriptions for the first, second and third years of marketing, and for the first and second years combined;(2) how many reports of adverse reactions possibly associated with the drug Halcion the Committee on Safety of Medicines received during each month of 1982 for which figures are available; and if he will give comparable figures for the corresponding months of 1981;(3) pursuant to his reply of 27 May,

Official Report, c. 390, regarding adverse reactions to tranquillisers, whether he regards the drug Clonazepam as a short acting tranquilliser; and if he will seek to amend the entry for it in the British National Formulary where it is described as an anti-epileptic drug.

Benzodiazepine tranquillisers introduced since 1977 are as follows. Prescribing figures for individual drugs are confidential for commercial reasons. The figures requested are given in terms of the numbers of adverse reaction reports—where the drug was suspected of having caused the adverse reaction—per million prescriptions, expressed as a comparison with those for triazolam, using the figure for triazolam as the base, given value 1, in each case.

Drug	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Years 1 and 2 combined
Clobazom (long-acting)	1·1	1·2	0·6	1·2
Ketazolam (long-acting)	0·7	0·2	—	0·5
Temezepam (short-acting)	0·3	1·0	0·5	0·7
Triazolam (short-acting)	1·0	1·0	1·0	1·0

Figures for Lormetazepam, short-acting, are not available as it was only recently marketed.Adverse reaction figures for triazolam, Halcion, on a monthly basis for 1982 are not yet available. I shall let the right hon. Member have these as soon as possible.I regret that clonazepam was included in error in a previous reply on this subject on 27 May 1982.—[Vol. 24, c. 390–91.] It is one of the benzodiazepine group of drugs, but it is not indicated for use as a tranquilliser as was implied in that reply.

Nhs (Cash Allocations)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the assumed level of inflation for the financial years 1983–84 and 1984–85 used in determining the cash allocations for the Health Service referred to in his reply to the hon. Member for Cheadle (Mr. Normanton), 15 July, Official Report, c. 459.

The resource assumptions for regional health authorities for 1983–84 and 1984–85 set out in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Normanton) on 15 July are based on the cash plans for the hospital and community health services in table 2.11 of the Government's expenditure plans (Cmnd. 8494), and were determined as described in part 5 of Cmnd. 8494. Cash plans imply no specific assumptions about future inflation.The calculations to convert the previous White Paper plans into cash included allowances of 6 per cent. and 5 per cent. respectively for the years 1983–84 and 1984–85 respectively. These allowances were based on a broad political judgement of what the Government were at that stage prepared to provide and are not forecasts of actual pay and price movements.

Nhs (Pay)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many district health authorities have set up a pay reserve in anticipation of wage rises above the original four per cent. pay offer.

Health authorities are responsible for the financial management of their cash limits. Information on local budgetary arrangements is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Disabled Persons

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what observations the Minister with special responsibility for the disabled has had from the Chairman of the Committee on Restrictions Against Disabled People since the report of the committee was published; what reply he has sent; and if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library.

The chairman wrote to me on 26 June with observations on the Government's initial reactions to his committee's report. I have placed a copy of that letter and my reply to it in the Library of the House.

United States (Reciprocal Agreement)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress achieved in establishing a reciprocal agreement on social security with the United States of America; and which subjects it is likely to cover.

Negotiations are well advanced on a reciprocal agreement on social security between the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It is likely that the agreement will contain provisions covering long-term benefits and contribution liability.

Duthie Report

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report a note of the matters discussed in respect of the Duthie report by his Department's officials and representatives of the British Orthopaedic Association on Monday 26 July.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the association's proposals for a "self assessment form" intended to assist individual orthopaedic surgeons in measuring the performance of their own units. I understand that the association is now revising the form in the light of the discussion. I have met the association myself and I have welcomed its constructive response to the proposals of the Duthie working party. I have agreed that the Department will give any help it can with this work.

Derby City Hospital (Haematology)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how often the haematology laboratory at Derby City hospital has been used for tests on specimens from cats, dogs, cows and horses during the last two years; how many veterinary practices were involved; and who authorised National Health Service facilities to be used for such tests.

No such tests are now carried out at Derby city hospital. Statistics about tests performed in the past were not collected centrally and the hon. Member may wish to approach the Southern Derbyshire health authority which may have the information.The powers to provide services of this kind in NHS hospitals are provided in section 58 of the National Health Service Act 1977.

Nhs (Property Sales)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many sales of National Health Service property there have been, between April 1979 and April 1982, in the North-West Thames regional health authority; and if he will list the properties sold, the price paid for each and the buyer's name.

This information is not available centrally. I have asked the regional health authority for details, and I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mobility Allowance

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in the light of Social Security Commissioners' decision C.M.2/82, he will amend the guidance issued to medical practitioners to make it clear that someone who, when walking has to be controlled and guided, is eligible for mobility allowance.

No. This is one of a number of decisions which have cast doubt on the effect of the present law. The commissioner is looking for a case to be heard before a tribunal of commissioners to see if it is possible to resolve this doubt. We will review the guidance thereafter.

Contact Lenses

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the fact that a qualified optician, Mr. Edward Lescroodge of Charlotte Street, Bloomsbury was able to supply contact lenses at £55 per pair, compared with the £120-£170 paid by patients under the National Health Service, he will cause an investigation to be made into the prices charged by the suppliers of contact lenses and such goods to the National Health Service.

Contact lenses may be supplied to NHS patients only when they are prescribed for clinical reasons by a consultant ophthalmologist in the hospital eye service. The only charge to patients is at present £7·90 a lens which is not paid by school children and those exempted on low income grounds. The Office of Fair Trading is at present reviewing certain sections of the Opticians Act concerned with the supply of optical appliances. The Director General expects to report before the end of the year, and I do not consider that a further investigation is needed.

C P Unwin & Sons Ltd (Pension Fund)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information is still outstanding from his Department to Norwich Union, acting as trustees for the C. P. Unwin & Sons Ltd. (1977) Pension Fund, to enable the entitlement of redundant employees to pension to be calculated; and when all outstanding information will have been supplied.

The necessary information about entitlement to guaranteed minimum pensions was conveyed to Norwich Union in a letter from the Department's Newcastle central office dated 22 June 1982 and one from the executive office of the Occupational Pensions Board dated 30 June 1982.

Hearing Aids

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hearing aids with a switch for use with a telephone have been issued; and what is now the monthly average.

From the introduction of behind the ear aids into the NHS standard range in 1974 until November 1981, the most recent date for which figures are available, 1,620,348 aids with telephone switches were issued from the NHS standard range in England and Wales. This figure does not include the small number of BW81 aids supplied for named individuals for which figures are not immediately available. The monthly average for the 11 months of 1981 to which figures relate is 31,516.

Occupational Pensions

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet received the report of the occupational Pensions Board on further measures directed to providing greater security for occupational pension rights and expectations.

I received the board's report on 28 June and arrangements are being made for its publication.I shall make a further announcement as soon as I have had the opportunity to consider the board's recommendations.

Official Forms (Welsh Language)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what leaflets his Department make available in Welsh.

[pursuant to his reply,23 July 1982, c. 328]: I regret that the information I gave in my earlier reply was incorrect. Our central office in Cardiff makes available locally certain social security leaflets in Welsh. These are leaflets as follows:

SB1	How to claim Supplementary Benefit
FIS1	Family Income Supplement
NI146	Catalogue of Social Security Leaflets

Leaflets D11—dental treatment, G11—glasses, P11—prescriptions and MV11—milk and vitamins, are in preparation.

Unemployment Benefit

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average total benefit payment paid to a man, who has a non-working wife and two children under 16 years, becoming unemployed in June 1982 (i) per week and (ii) per year; and whether he will give the comparable figures for the year commencing June 1981.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982, c. 558]: Information at the dates requested is not available. However, the benefit payable to a married man with two children becoming unemployed in June 1981 and June 1982 who qualified for unemployment benefit at the standard rate was as follows:

	June 1981	June 1982
Unemployment benefit married rate	£33·40	£36·40
Addition for two children	£2·50	£1·60
Child Benefit	£9·50	£10·50

plus any rent and rate rebates to which he was entitled and, in the case of a man becoming unemployed in June 1981, an earnings-related supplement, dependent on his earnings in the relevant tax year.If the man qualified for supplementary benefit his income, assuming that the children were aged 8 and 12 would have been brough up to £52·80 in June 1981 and £57·55 in June 1982 plus his housing costs and any additional requirements to which he might have been entitled.

Attorney-General

Divorce

asked the Attorney-General if it is his intention to bring forward legislation to implement the recommendations for amendment of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1975 which are summarised in paragraph 46(5) and (6) of the report of the Law Commission on the financial consequences of divorce.

asked the Attorney-General whether it remains the intention of Her Majesty's Government to promote legislation to reform the law on ancillary relief upon divorce in accordance with the recommendations contained within the recent report of the Law Commission, No. 112; and whether he is in a position to give further information on his proposals.

I refer my hon. Friends to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Hill) on 13 May—[Vol. 23, c. 311]—to which I can add nothing at present.

Judicial Appointments

asked the Attorney-General whether he is required, or permitted, in the exercise of his functions as Attorney-General, to advise with regard to the appointment, or, where appropriate, reappointment of any of the following: (a) Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, (b) judges of the Court of Appeal, (c) puisne judges of the High court, (d) circuit judges, (e) Queen's counsel, (f) recorders of the Crown court, (g) deputy circuit judges, (h) masters and registrars of the High Court, and (i) registrars of the County court.

All these appointments are made by, or on the advice of, the Prime Minister or the Lord Chancellor and it is for them to decide whom to consult. Obviously the Attorney-General gives advice if he is consulted.

Crown Courts (Statistics)

asked the Attorney-General what percentage of contested criminal cases heard in the Crown court during the Michaelmas legal term, 1981, in which he was responsible for nominating prosecuting counsel, resulted in (a) the conviction of the full offence, or offences, for which the defendant was indicted, (b) the conviction of a lesser offence, or offences, than the one(s) for which the defendant was indicted, or (c) the total acquittal of the offence, or offences, for which the defendant was indicted.The Attorney-General I regret that the question can be answered only at disproportionate cost.

Metropolitan Police

asked the Attorney-General what evidence he received from hon. Members of corruption within the Metropolitan Police for submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the last four weeks; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no such evidence from hon. Members in the past four weeks. No.

Mr Michael Fagan

asked the Attorney-General whether any charges against Mr. Michael Fagan, who was charged with taking and driving a car away without a licence and insurance and was due to appear on remand at Clerkenwell court on 21 July and did not attend, have been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement.

The charges referred to have not been withdrawn; I do not intend to make a statement about this matter, which is now sub-judice.

Hms "Edinburgh"

asked the Attorney-General, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen, on 28 April, Official Report, c. 274, whether the Director of Public Prosecutions has completed his investigation into the award of the contract for the recovery of gold from HMS "Edinburgh"; and if he will make a statement.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has not yet received a report from the Metropolitan Police. I do not intend to make a statement about this matter.

Civil Service

Crown Agents

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 8 July, Official Report, c. 197, he will give details of specific disciplinary action, including any loss of pension rights, taken against those public servants or retired public servants found to have lapsed or who were criticised, by the tribunal of inquiry into the Crown Agents.

No specific disciplinary action has been taken against any of the public servants or former public servants referred to in my answer of 8 July.

Efficiency And Effectiveness (Select Committee Report)

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he expects to be in a position to reply to the Treasury and Civil Service Committee's report on efficiency and effectiveness in the Civil Service.

As soon as possible.

National Finance

Public Sector Employees

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on the same basis as his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 18 January, Official Report, c. 79, what are the latest figures available (a) for the annual total cost of the total public sector work force and (b) the average annual cost for each of the following: (i) a civil servant, (ii) a local government employee, (iii) a National Health Service employee and (iv) a public corporation employee;(2) when he proposes to reply to the question tabled for answer on 14 July.

I am sorry for the delay in replying to this question. Figures for the annual total cost of the total public sector work force comparable with the information given in the written answer on 18 January are not available. Information on the provision for pay and pension costs of central Government Departments, the Armed Forces, the National Health Service and other central Government bodies is given in table 5 of the memorandum by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, (Cmnd. 8512). The publication "National Income and Expenditure" shows expenditure on wages and salaries, including employers' contributions to national insurance, and so on, for central Government and local authorities in table 9.6, and for public corporations in table 6.1.Information on the number of employees, full and part-time, in each sector is given in an article in

Economic Trends, December 1981 edition.

Any broad averages of per capita remuneration costs derived from these sources must be interpreted with great caution. Cost and employment figures are subject to differences in definition and coverage and average costs are affected by the extent of part-time working.

Enterprise Zones

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase the number of enterprise zones; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. My right hon. and learned Friend announced in the House on 27 July that the Government intend to designate 11 additional enterprise zones, seven in England, two in Scotland and one each in Wales and Northern Ireland. Interested local authorities and other eligible bodies in England have been invited to submit applications to the Department of the Environment in respect of possible sites in their areas by 17 September. Separate arrangements will be made by the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in their own areas.

Married Women (Taxation)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of married women in employment are taxed separately from their husbands.

Information is not available centrally on the number of married couples with the wife in employment who have made the wife's earnings election or who have opted for separate assessment; in the latter case, the numbers involved are thought to be only a few thousand. It is estimated, however, that at 1982–83 income levels about 200,000 married couples would find it beneficial to make the wife's earnings election. In nearly all these cases the wife is in employment or self-employed. This number represents about 3 per cent. of married couples where the Inland Revenue knows that the wife has earnings; but as earnings below the threshold for the operation of PAYE may not be reported to the Revenue, it would be a smaller proportion of all married women in employment.

Mortgages

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider legislation to prevent institutional lenders from giving 100 per cent. mortgages to house purchasers, in order to control house price inflation.

I do not consider that this is a suitable subject for legislation; nor do I agree with my hon. Friend that 100 per cent. mortgages are a dominant or significant determinant of house price inflation.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Exchequer Contribution)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the Exchequer contribution made during the financial years 1980–81 and 1981–82, respectively, towards the cost of outgoing Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegations.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is financed almost entirely from Votes. As shown in their annual accounts the cost of outgoing delegations was £40,384 in 1980–81 and £49,360 in 1981–82.

Inter-Parliamentary Union (Exchequer Contribution)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the Exchequer contribution made during the financial years 1980–81 and 1981–82, respectively, towards the cost of outgoing Inter-Parliamentary Union delegations.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union is financed almost entirely from votes. The cost of outgoing delegations was £25,927 in 1980–81 and £32,483 in 1981–82.

Nationalised Industries

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the Inland Revenue makes it its practice, in assessing the tax liability of a private company which has disposed of assets to a nationalised undertaking or publicly owned company, to discover the extent to which such a disposal has reduced the tax liability of the nationalised undertaking or publicly owned company concerned and the agregate amount involved;(2) whether any gains or other earnings to publicly owned undertakings and companies arising from such undertakings and companies engaging in operations not in the normal course of their main business with other companies so that tax liability of these other companies is reduced, are taken into account when the external financing limits or amount of grant or loans are set: and, if so, to what extent.

I regret that in the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. I shall write to the hon. Member.

Value Added Tax

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost of collection of value added tax from registered traders having an annual turnover of (a) less than £50,000 and (b) less than £30,000; and what proportion each represents of the total cost of collection of value added tax.

The total cost to Customs and Excise of collecting VAT in 1980–81, averaged over the whole of the registered trading population, worked out at about £95 per registered person.No reliable information is available about the cost of administration related to different categories of businesses; but the cost of collecting VAT from a small firm is believed to be less than the average for all businesses.

Earnings-Savings Ratio

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish such information as is available to him as to the results of research into the earnings-savings ratio of the different United Kingdom regions; and if he will take steps to commission further such research.

I regret that in the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

Public Sector Pay

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report as much detailed information as may be readily available showing to what extent since October 1979 public servants generally of all classifications, including hon. Members, have been paid in accordance with, below, or above the various Government cash limits, or recommendations or requests on salary increase limits; how many were within each stated group; what were the payments made in excess or below the recommended amounts; and what has been the total annual cost of such increases per stated group of employees.

I regret that in the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. I shall write to the hon. Member.

Contingency Reserve

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, pursuant to his answer on 26 July, Official Report, c. 358, concerning the reasons for the high level of the Contingency Reserve for expenditure further ahead, if pay and movements are a great deal larger than estimated, he has in mind to use the Contingency Reserve to meet at least some of the difference.

I regret that in the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. I shall write to the right hon. Member.

Departmental Staff

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report the total establishment and the number of civil servants in post on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October 1980, 1981 and 1982 to date for each of the following Departments: Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Civil Service, Defence, Education and Science, Employment, Energy, Environment, Transport, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Health and Social Security, Home Office, Industry, Trade, Scottish Office, Welsh Office, Northern Ireland Office, Treasury and the Paymaster General's Department.

Information is not available centrally in terms of establishment, but staff-in-post figures are

Her Majesty's Treasury
	Pay and Allowances	Central	Chief Economic Adviser	Overseas Finance	Domestic Economy	Public Services	EOG	CCC	CCTA	CISCO	RGPD	Total
Senior Staff
Permanent Secretary	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
2nd Permanent Secretary	—	—	1	1	1	1	—	—	—	—	—	4
Deputy Secretary	—	1	1	2	2	2	—	—	—	—	—	8
Under Secretary	2	1	2	4	5	8	1	—	1	1	—	25
Administration Group
Assistant Secretary	6	2	—	7	12	14	2	—	3	—	—	46
Senior Principal	3	—	1	—	1	7	3	1	6	1	—	23
Principal	18	4	1	11	27	49	7	4	36	4	1	162
Senior Executive Officer	13	1	—	3	1	45	16	12	84	4	1	180
Higher Executive Officer	23	3	2	7	18	42	24½	33	91½	2	1	247
Executive Officer	37	13	3	8	21	40	45	113	130½	5	7	422½
Higher Executive Officer (D)	1	4	—	1	3	5	—	—	1	—	—	15
Administration Trainee	1	—	—	2	4	2	—	—	2	—	—	11
Clerical Officer	30	18	3	10	34	44½	116½	143½	51	15	16	481½
Clerical Assistant	13	11½	1	4	10	14	37½	32½	12	3½	2	141
Economics and Statistics Group
Chief Statistician/Senior Economic Adviser	—	1	4	1	1	2	1	—	—	—	—	10
Statistician/Economic Adviser	1	1	16	4	9	13½	—	—	—	—	—	44½

published in the Summary Quarterly Staff Return at 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October each year. Copies for previous quarters are available in the Library. The figures for staff-in-post at 1 July 1982 in each of the departments listed are as follows:

Department	Staff-in-post
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	12,326
Management and Personnel Office^*	1,307
Defence	213,903
Education and Science	2,411
Employment	30,992
Energy	1,127
Environment	8,649
Transport	12,945
Foreign and Commonwealth Office	9,093
Health and Social Security	94,608
Home Office	34,650
Industry	8,171
Trade	6,743
Scottish Office	10,481
Welsh Office	2,228
Northern Ireland Office	202
Treasury	2,553
Paymaster General's Office	901
^* Civil Service Department abolished wef 13 November 1981.

Overall the total number of civil servants at 1 July 1982 is 659,300, a reduction of 48,300 on the number at 1 January 1980.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants are employed by his Department in each functional job category; in each such category, how many are of each rank; and for each such rank, what are the maximum and minimum pay scales.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 July 1982, c. 181]: The numbers of civil servants, by grade and functional category employed in the Chancellor's Departments on 1 April 1982 are given in the following tables. Pay scales are given in the annexes to paragraph 1050 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code, a copy of which is in the main library. Pay scales for those grades not covered in the annexes are also given in the tables.

	Pay and Allowances	Central	Chief Economic Adviser	Overseas Finance	Domestic Economy	Public Services	EOG	CCC	CCTA	CISCO	RGPD	Total
Senior Assistant Statistician/Senior Economic Assistant	—	—	7	3	4	1	—	—	—	—	—	15
Assistant Statistician/Economic Assistant	—	1	3	—	—	6	—	—	—	—	—	10
Scientific Group
Chief Executive Officer	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	1	—	—	2
Deputy Chief Scientific Officer	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	1
Senior Principal Scientific Officer	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	1	—	—	3
Principal Scientific Officer	—	—	—	—	—	7	—	—	3	—	—	10
Senior Scientific Officer	—	—	1	—	—	6	—	—	3	—	—	10
Higher Scientific Officer	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	1	—	—	3
Scientific Officer	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	1
Assistant Scientific Officer	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	1
Professional and Technology Group
Directing Grades	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	1
Superintending Grades	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	2
PPTO	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	13	—	—	13
PTO I	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	40	1	—	41
PTO II	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	28	1	—	29
PTO III	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	2
PTO IV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	1
Other Technical	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	10	—	—	10
Catering Group
Regional Catering Officer	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	15	—	15
Catering Manager I	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	16	—	16
Catering Manager II	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	36	—	36
Catering Manger III	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	87	—	87
Catering Manager IV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	41	—	41
Chef I	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	—	6
Chef II	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	28	—	28
Treasury Valuers
Treasury Valuer	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1
Deputy Treasury Valuer	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1
Senior Assistant Valuer	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	8	8
Information Officer Group
Chief Information Officer (B)	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
Principal Information Officer	—	2	—	—.	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2
Senior Information Officer	—	9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	9
Librarian Group
Senior Librarian	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	1
Librarian	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	2
Assistant Librarian	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	2
Accountants
Chief Accountant	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
Senior Accountant	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	1
Programmers
Senior data programmer	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	23	23	—	—	47
Data programmer	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	50½	54	—	—	106½
Secretarial/Typing	12	19½	5	17	25	30	56½	—	29	4½	1	199½
Other Miscellaneous Grids	—	3	—	—	—	—	226	—	26	—	5	260
Industrial Grids	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	1,241	—	1,243
Total	160	97	51	85	181	349	541	412½	685	1,515	44	4,090½

Inland Revenue
	Policy	Technical	Finance	Management personnel& common services	Local tax offices	Local collection & accounts offices	Valuation	Capital taxes offices	Stamp Offices	Other specialist offices	Total
Senior Staff
Permanent Secretary	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
Deputy Secretary	2	1	—	2	—	—	1	—	—	—	6
Presiding Special Commissioner	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1
Undersecretary	8	2	½	7½	—	—	2	—	—	—	20
Controller CTO	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	1
Senior Principal Inspector	—	19	—	17	—	—	—	—	—	—	36
Chief Valuer (Scotland)	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
Special Commissioner	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	6
Assistant Chief Valuer	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	—	—	—	6
Solicitor (Scotland)	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
Administration Grades
Assistant Secretary	18	—	1	9	—	—	—	1	—	1	30
Senior Principal	1	4	1	10	—	2	1	1	—	6	26
Principal	26	11	6	44	—	1	4	2	2	18	114
Senior Executive Officer	6	15	16	78	—	3	38	14	13	60	243
Higher Executive Officer	40	58	43	212	—	5	—	57	47	185½	647½
Administration Trainee	5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	5
Executive Officer	22	35	92	305½	—	1	—	93½	112	294	955
Clerical Officer	19	9	200	276	—	—	—	138	143	214	999
Clerical Assistant	10½	147	62	588	14,157	1,625	1,032	107½	44	208½	17,981½

	Policy	Technical	Finance	Management personnel& common services	Local tax offices	Local collection & accounts offices	Valuation	Capital taxes offices	Stamp Offices	Other specialist offices	Total
Taxes Grades
Principal Inspector	4	17	—	62	60	—	—	—	—	—	143
Inspector (Senior Principal)	—	114½	—	65	522	—	—	—	—	—	701½
Inspector (Principal)	1	101	—	70	967½	—	—	—	—	—	1,139½
Inspector (Higher Grade)	—	4	—	81	17	—	—	—	—	—	102
Inspector (s)	—	23	—	71	267½	—	—	—	—	—	361½
Inspector	—	111	—	213	3,587	—	—	—	—	—	3,911
Tax Officer (Higher Grade)	—	210½	—	234	9,186½	—	—	—	—	—	3,631
Tax Officer	—	106	—	93	15,659	—	—	—	—	—	15,858
Collection Grades
Principal Collector	—	—	1	34	—	5	—	—	—	—	40
Regional Collector	—	—	5	86½	—	94	—	—	—	—	185½
Collector (Higher Grade)	—	—	21	175	—	395	—	—	—	—	591
Collector	—	—	28	133	—	1,880½	—	—	—	—	2,041½
Assistant Collector	—	—	30	58	—	5,207½	—	—	—	—	5,295½
Valuation Grades
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	—	—	—	6
Assistant Chief Valuer (Scotland)	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
Superintendent Valuer	—	—	—	—	—	—	31	—	—	—	31
1st Class Valuer	—	—	—	—	—	—	251	—	—	—	251
Senior Valuer/SRBS	—	—	—	—	—	—	349	—	—	—	349
Valuer (Main Grade)/RBS	—	—	—	—	—	—	907	—	—	—	907
Valuer	—	—	—	—	—	—	422	—	—	—	422
Mining Assistant	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
Cadet Valuer	—	—	—	—	—	—	165	—	—	—	165
Valuation Assistant	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
Staff Officer	—	—	—	6	—	—	200	—	—	—	206
Valuation Clerk (Higher Grade)	—	—	—	—	—	—	552½	—	—	—	552½
Senior Valuation Clerk	—	—	—	—	—	—	438	—	—	—	438
Valuation Clerk	—	—	—	—	—	—	1,504½	—	—	—	1,504½
Capital Taxes Office Grades
Deputy Controller	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	2
Registrar (Scotland)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	1
Controller (Northern Ireland)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	1
Assistant Controller	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	10	—	—	10
Deputy Registrar (Scotland)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	1
Assistant Controller (Northern Ireland)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	1
Chief Examiner	6	—	—	—	—	—	—	52	—	—	58
Actuary	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	1
Chief Examiner (Northern Ireland)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	—	—	3
Senior Examiner	2	1	—	1	—	—	—	128	—	—	132
Examiner	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	56	—	—	58
Assistant Examiner	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	1
Stamp Grades
Controller	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	1
Inspector (Engineering)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	1
Foreman Mechanist	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	1
Mechanist	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	4	—	4
Stamping Officer	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	43	—	43
Economics & Statistics Group
Senior Economic Adviser/Chief Statistician	1	—	—	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	5
Economic Adviser/Statistician	3	—	—	11	—	—	—	—	—	—	14
Senior Assistant Statistician	—	—	—	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	4
Assistant Statistician	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	2
Accountant Group
Senior Principal Accountant	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—		1
Principal Accountant	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2
Chief Accountant	—	13	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	14
Senior Accountant	—	15	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	15
Scientific Group
Senior Principal Scientific Officer	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	1
Senior Scientific Officer	—	—	—	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	4
Higher Scientific Officer	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	2
Scientific Officer	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	2
Solicitor
Assistant Solicitor	—	—	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	12
Senior Legal Assistant	—	—	—	31	—	—	—	—	—	—	31
Legal Assistant	—	—	—	9	—	—	—	—	—	—	9
Secretarial, Typing and Data Processor grades	—	78½	6½	890½	3,756	932	671	16	1	10½	6,362
Office Keeping Grades	—	8	54	271½	222	80	24	78	—	46	783½
Other Miscellaneous Grades	—	—	—	3	116	6	12	2	—	2	141
Cleaners	—	—	8½	6	259½	21	19	½	1	½	316
Industrials	—	—	—	8	19	—	—	—	—	—	27
Total	176½	1,105½	575½	4,197½	48,796	10,258	6,634	767½	413	1,053	73,976½

Pay scales not included in annexes to paragraph 1050 1 April 1982 scales
Grade	Minimum	Maximum
	£	£
Taxes
Senior Principal Inspector	Fixed Rate	23,436
Principal inspector	18,525	22,201
Inspector (SP)	15,723	19,927
Inspector (P)	11,912	15,948
Inspector (S)	9,671	11,969
Inspector	5,523	10,349
Tax Officer (HG)	4,262	8,166
Tax Officer	2,722	5,925
Collection
Principal Collector	11,912	15,948
Regional Collector	9,671	11,969
Collector (HG)	7,822	9,758
Collector	4,262	8,166
Assistant Collector	2,722	5,621
Valuation
Chief Valuer (Scotland)	Fixed Rate	23,436
Assistant Chief Valuer	Fixed Rate	23,097
Asst/Chief Valuer (Scotland)	20,767	22,201
S/Regional Building Surveyor	12,697	15,039
Regional Building Surveyor	9,671	11,628
Valuer (Range 1B)	6,291	8,240
Mining Assistant	6,291	8,240
Cadet Valuer	4,262	7,700
Valuation Assistant	5,449	6,285
Staff Officer	7,822	9,758
Valuation Clerk (HG)	6,574	7,833
Senior Valuation Clerk	5,271	6,863
Valuation Clerk	2,717	5,421
Controller of Stamps
Controller of Stamps	Fixed Rate	20,243
Inspector (Engineering)	7,348	9,241
Foreman Mechanist	6,196	7,194
Mechanist	5,557	6,285
Stamping Officer	2,717	5,421
Capital Taxes Office
Controller	Fixed Rate	24,077
Deputy Controller	Fixed Rate	22,044
Registrar (Scotland)	Fixed Rate	22,044
Controller (N. Ireland)	18,525	22,201
Assistant Controller	Fixed Rate	19,897
Deputy Registrar (Scotland)	Fixed Rate	19,897
Assistant Controller (N. I.)	15,723	19,927
Chief Examiner	11,912	16,076
Actuary	11,912	16,076
Chief Examiner (N. I.)	11,912	15,948
Senior Examiner	9,671	11,969
Examiner	7,822	9,758
Assistant Examiner	4,262	7,700
Special Commissioners
Presiding Special Commissioner	Fixed Rate	25,806
Special Commissioner	Fixed Rate	23,436

Her Majesty's Customs and Excise
	Headquarters	Outfield	Total
Senior Staff
Permanent Secretary	1	—	1
Deputy Secretary	3	—	3
Under Secretary	8	—	8
Executive Director	2	—	2
Administration Group
Assistant Secretary	37	28	65
Senior Principal	33	54	87
Principal	147	212	359

	Headquarters	Outfield	Total
Senior Executive Officer	230	1,112	1,342
Higher Executive Officer (D)	10	—	10
Higher Executive Officer	603	4,155	4,758
Executive Officer	1,132	7,662	8,794
Administration Trainee	5	—	5
Clerical Officer	1,447	3,979	5,426
Clerical Assistant	834½	1,278½	2,113
Professional and Technology Group
PTO I	1	1½	2½
PTO II	—	2	2
PTO III	—	4	4
PTO IV	—	5	5
Scientific Group
Senior Principal Scientific Officer	1	—	1
Principal Scientific Officer	2	—	2
Senior Scientific Officer	2	—	2
Higher Scientific Officer	3	—	3
Scientific Officer	1	—	1
Economics Group
Economic Adviser	1	—	1
Economic Assistant	1	—	1
Statistics Group
Chief Statistician	2	—	2
Statistician	4	—	4
Senior Assistant Statistician	2	—	2
Assistant Statistician	1	—	1
Information Officer Group
Principal Information Officer	1	—	1
Senior Information Officer	2	—	2
Information Officer	3	—	3
Solicitors
Assistant Solicitor	13	—	13
Senior Legal Assistant	48	—	48
Legal Assistant	16	—	16
Secretarial Group
Senior Personal Secretary	9	—	9
Personal Secretary	58	27	85
Chief Superintendent of Typists	2	—	2
Senior Superintendent of Typists	8	—	8
Superintendent of Typists	3	12	15
Specialist Typist	21½	—	21½
Typist	68	298	366
Messenger and Paperkeeper Grades
Chief Paperkeeper	1	—	1
Senior Paperkeeper	12	6	18
Paperkeeper	58	56	114
Senior Messenger	25	15	40
Messenger	121	224½	345½
Data Processing Group
Senior Data Processor	51	12	63
Data Processor	363	148	511
Office Keeper Grades
Office Keeper I	2	—	2
Office Keeper II	3	2	5
Stores Officer Grades
Stores Supervisor D	2	—	2
Photoprinting Grades
Chief Photoprinter	1	—	1
Assistant Chief Photoprinter	4	—	4
Photoprinter I	18	—	18

	Headquarters	Outfield	Total
Photoprinter II	24	1	25
Teleprinter Operator Class
Teleprinter Operator	8	1	9
Photographer Class
Principal Photographer	—	1	1
Senior Photographer	—	2	2
Photographer	—	1	1
Cleaner	11½	159½	171
Government Telephone Operator	5	58½	63½
Revenue Assistants^*	4	1,074	1,078

Department for National Savings
	HQ Administration	Management Personnel and Common Services	Savings Bank	Savings Bonds and Stock	Savings Certificates and Save As You Earn	Total
Senior Staff
Deputy Secretary	1	—	—	—	—	1
Under Secretary	1	—	—	—	—	1
Administration Group
Assistant Secretary	2	2	1	1	1	7
Senior Principal	—	—	1	1	1	3
Principal	5	9	5	5	5	29
Senior Executive Officer	7	49	20	20	3	99
Higher Executive Officer	17	57	68	67	64	273
Executive Officer	7	130	243	241	213	834
Clerical Officer	14	187	1,148	1,038	910	3,288
Clerical Assistant	7½	54½	1,051	1,178	889	3,180
Information Officer Group
Chief Information Officer (A)	1	—	—	—	—	1
Principal Information Officer	4	—	—	—	—	4
Senior Information Officer	2	—	—	—	—	2
Information Officer	3	—	—	—	—	3
Statistician Group
Statistician	1	—	—	—	—	1
Professional and Technology Group
Graphics Officer I	1	—	—	—	—	1
Graphics Officer II	2	—	—	—	—	2
Graphics Officer III	2	—	—	—	—	2
Graphics Officer IV	1	—	—	—	—	1
Secretarial, Typing and Data
Processor Grades	1	148	338	361	148	996
Office Service Grades	—	298	—	—	—	298
Other Miscellaneous Grades	—	4	—	—	—	4
Industrial Grades	—	111	—	—	—	111
TOTAL	79½	1,049½	2,875	2,912	2,225	9,141

HMSO
	Print Procurement	Publishing	Production	Supply	Central and Common Services	Total
Senior Staff
Deputy Secretary	—	—	—	—	1	1
Executive Director (Middle Band)	—	—	—	—	3	3

	Headquarters	Outfield	Total
Other Miscellaneous Grades	86	36	122
TOTAL	5,565½	20,627½	26,193
^* The maximum and minimum of the pay scales for Revenue Assistants, with effect form 1 April 1982, are £4,612 and £4,165 respectively.

Note: Many staff in the Department perform a multiplicity of tasks. On the last available analysis some 36 per cent. of the Department's staff effort was deployed on the collection and administration of VAT and Car Tax, 12 per cent. on revenue duties, 19 per cent. on customs duties and associated work, 16 per cent. on preventive and fraud work and 17 per cent. on general administration, e.g. accounting, personnel and common services.

	Print Procurement	Publishing	Production	Supply	Central and Common Services	Total
Administration Group
Assistant Secretary	1	1	1	1	1	5
Senior Principal	—	3	—	—	1	4
Principal	—	3	1	4	11	19
Senior Executive Officer	1	9	4	8	18	40
Higher Executive Officer	—	19	6	23	50	98
Executive Officer	5	45	23	52	67	192
Clerical Officer	30	120	107½	139½	144	541
Clerical Assistant	22½	50½	23½	41	42	179½
Technical Group
Senior Principal (T)	—	—	2	—	—	2
Principal (T)	3	1	5	—	3	12
Senior Executive Officer (T)	4½	1	20	½	8	34
Higher Technical Officer	24	6	23	—	18	71
Technical Officer	69	13	31	—	25	138
Printing Officer	129	—	36	—	20	185
Accountants Group
Director of Accounts	—	—	—	—	1	1
Chief Accountant	1	1	1	—	2	5
Senior Accountant	1	1	2	1	4	9
Accountant	—	1	5	—	—	6
Information Officer Group
Senior Information Officer	—	2	—	—	—	2
Information Officer	—	1	—	—	—	1
Assistant Information Officer	—	2	—	—	—	2
Science Group
Higher Scientific Officer	1	—	—	—	—	1
Assistant Scientific Officer	—	—	—	—	1	1
Laboratory Attendant	—	—	—	—	3	3
Librarian Group
Librarian	—	1	—	—	—	1
Professional and Technology Group
PPTO	—	—	1	—	1	2
PTO I	—	—	1	1	4	6
PTO II	—	—	—	1	—	1
Secretarial, Typing and Data Processor Grades	1	29½	376	2	91½	500
Messengerial Grades etc.	8	23½	3	12	88½	135
Stores Officers
SOG A	—	1	—	1	—	2
SOG B	—	1	—	4	1	6
SOG C	—	7	1	15	—	23
SOG D	—	9	6½	44½	1	61
Book-Selling Grades
Book-Shop Manager	—	1	—	—	—	1
Chief Book-Seller	—	5	—	—	—	5
Book-Seller	—	12	—	—	—	12
Assistant Book-Seller	—	30	—	—	—	30
Works Overseers
WO II	—	—	17	—	1	18
WO III	—	1	53	—	1	55
WO IV	—	—	38	—	—	38
Office Machinery Technical Service
Assistant Manager	—	—	—	1	—	1
Senior Foreman	—	—	—	4	—	4
Foreman	—	—	—	9	—	9
Miscellaneous Grades	1	—	5	2	41	49

Print Procurement

Publishing

Production

Supply

Central and Common Services

Total

Industrial Grades

—

345

1,612

703½

2,676½

Total

302

745½

2,404½

1,070

669

5,191

Pay Scales not included in Annexes to Paragraph 1050
Technical Officer	£6,665 – £8,027
Printing Officer	6,196 – 7,194
Chief Book-Seller	8,225 – 10,491
Book-Seller	6,981 – 8,343

Royal Mint
	Management Personnel and Common Services (including London Office) Procurement	Marketing and Sales (including London Office)	Production	Finance	Total
Non-Industrials
Senior Staff
Under Secretary	1	—	—	—	1
Admin Group
Senior Principal	2	—	—	—	2
Principal	2	1	—	—	3
Senior Executive Officer	2	4	1	3	10
Higher Executive Officer	5	3	1	8	17
Executive Officer	10	9	3	16	38
Clerical Officer	21	21	11	51	104
Clerical Assistant	7	17	6	5	35
Professional and Technology Group
Director Grade B	1	—	—	1	1
Superintendent Grade	1	—	—	—	1
PPTO	—	—	2	—	2
PTO I	—	—	7	—	7
proa	1	1	12	—	14
PTO III	—	—	32	—	32
PTO IV	—	—	39	—	39
Scientific Group
Principal Scientific Officer	1	—	1	—	2
Senior Scientific Officer	—		—	1	2
Higher Scientific Officer	—	—	3	—	3
Scientific Officer	—	—	9	—	9
Assistant Scientific Officer	—	—	4	—	4
Secretarial Category
Personal Secretary	2	—	—	1	3
Superintendent of Typists	1	—	—	—	1
Specialist Typist	3	—	—	—	3
Typist	2	—	—	—	2
Stores Officer Grades
Stores Officer Grade 'C'	1	—	—	—	1
Stores Officer Grade 'D'	1	—	—	—	1
Process and General Supervisory Grade
P & G S D	1	—	6	—	7
Messengerial Grades
Senior Messenger	2	—	—	—	2
Messenger	5	—	—	—	5
Photographic Grades
Senior Photographer	1	—	—	—	1
Assistant Photographer	1	—	—	—	1
Data Processor Grades
Senior Data Processor	—	—	—	1	1
Others

Assistant Book-Seller	6,028 - 7,308
Works Overseer 11	8,123 - 9,241
Works Overseer III	7,093 - 8,240
Works Overseer IV	6,196 - 7,217

	Management Personnel and Common Services (including London Office) Procurement	Marketing and Sales (including London Office)	Production	Finance	Total
Car driver	2	—	—	—	2
Cleaner	6	—	—	—	6
Non PO Telephonist	2	—	—	—	2
Departmental Grades
Chief Engraver	—	—	1	—	1
Engraver II	—	1	6	—	7
Student Engraver	—	—	1	—	1
NHS Grades
Nursing Sister/Charge Nurse	2	—	—	—	2
Totals	86	57	147	85	375
Industrials	(incl 9 CISCO) 28	7	754	2	791
	114	64	901	87	1,166

Pay Scales not included in Annexes to paragraph 1050

Chief Engraver: £11,464 to £13,588

Engraver II: £7,850 to £10,359

Student Engraver is set out in Annex 26 under 'O' level trainee

Central Office of Information Number of Permanent Staff in Post I April 1982
	Home Publicity	Overseas Publicity	Management Personnel and Common Services	Finance and Accounts	Total
Senior Staff
Director General	—	—	1	—	1
Controller	1	1	—	—	2
Administration Group
Assistant Secretary	—	—	1	1	2
Senior Principal	—	—	1	—	1
Principal	1½	½	3	2	7
Senior Executive Officer	1	3	11	4	19
Higher Executive Officer	4½	6½	11	3	25
Clerical Officer	45½	80	45	11	181½
Clerical Assistant	16	18	10	1	45
Information Group
Chief Information Officer A	2½	2½	1	—	6
Chief Information Officer B	9	3	—	—	12
Principle Information Officer	15½	18½	—	—	34
Senior Information Officer	57½	55½	—	—	113
Information Officer	91	140	1	—	232
Assistant Information Officer	21	47	—	—	68
Executive Officer	9½	12½	15	7	44
Secretarial Group
Chief Superintendent	—	—	1	—	1
Senior Superintendent	—	1	4	—	5
Superintendent	—	—	—	—	—
Senior Personal Secretary	—	—	1	—	1
Personal Secretary	4	3	2	1	10
Specialist Typist	4	1	10½	—	15½
Typist	10	7	22½	—	39½
Officer Keeper, Security, Paperkeeper and Messenger Groups
Office Keeper II	—	—	1	—	1
Senior Messenger	—	—	6	—	6
Messenger	—	—	22	—	22
Security Officer IV	—	—	3	—	3
Security Officer V	—	—	11	—	11
Senior Paperkeeper	—	—	10	—	10

	Home Publicity	Overseas Publicity	Management Personnel and Common Services	Finance and Accounts	Total
Paperkeeper	—	2	18	—	20
Senior Porter/Messenger	—	—	1	—	1
Porter/Messenger	—	—	4	—	4
Photographer Grades
Chief Photographer	—	1	—	—	1
Principal Photographer	—	1	—	—	1
Senior Photographer	2	2	—	—	4
Photographer	4	4	—	—	8
Assistant Photographer	—	1	—	—	1
Other Miscellaneous and Industrial Grades
	13	19	30	—	62
Total	312½	430	247	30	1,019½

Civil Servants (Pay And Pensions)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average redundancy pay and starting pension for a civil servant of average period of service retiring in the following circumstances: as an assistant secretary aged 56 years 11 months, as a senior principal aged 57 years 9 months, as a principal aged 56 years 10 months.

[pursuant to his reply, 28 July 1982]: Mobile civil servants of the ages specified, who are retired in the public interest with five or more years' reckonable service, may be paid their retirement lump sums immediately, annual compensation payments equal to their preserved pensions, and lump sum compensation payments of up to six months' pensionable pay. For the purposes of calculating their lump sums and preserved pensions, reckonable service may be increased by up to 6⅔ years, but may not exceed what they would have had by the normal retiring age. Assuming that those in question would have retired on 31 July 1982 on the maximum of their national pay scales and with 35 years' actual reckonable service, the amounts would be as follows:

	Retirement lump sum	Compensation lump sum	Annual compensation
	£	£	£
Assistant Secretary	31,707	10,665	10,569
Senior Principal	27,835	6,382	9,278
Principal	22,826	7,661	7,609

Architectural Heritage (Council Of Europe Recommendation)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, what financial arrangements he has made to ensure that in the centres of historic towns funding for the rehabilitation of old buildings shall be on a scale at least equal to that provided for the construction of new houses.

I have been asked to reply.I regret this information is not available, and cannot be obtained.

Defence

Greenfield Estate, Shettleston

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for how long the houses in the Greenfield estate, Shettleston, belonging to the Glasgow district council and allocated to the Army have been empty; when it is proposed to return the houses to the council; what is the current monthly cost to his Department; whether any claim for repairs has been received by his Department from the council; and for how much.

None of the houses in the Greenfield estate owned by the Glasgow district council are now allocated to the Army.

Autumn Forge 1982

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any part of the British or American contribution to Autumn Forge 1982 will take place on British soil or in British waters; and whether home defence structures will be mobilised.

Autumn Forge 1982 is the name given to an annual series of associated NATO maritime, land and air exercises. It is sponsored by the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Rogers. Ships of a number of NATO navies, including the United States and the Royal Navy, are to pass through and exercise in British waters. In addition British and American aircraft based in the United Kingdom are to take part in these exercises. United Kingdom home defence arrangements and personnel are not involved in Autumn Forge exercises.

Management Information And Accounting System

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether a management information and accounting system is in use in his Department; whether the information adduced is received and analysed at ministerial level; whether it is publicly available; and whether any changes are proposed in the coming year.

The Ministry of Defence has a wide variety of management information systems and a large number of accounts within a management accounting system—'ABC', Acquisition, Bufferstocks and Consumption—all designed to serve the diverse needs of Service and civilian establishments, higher organisations and MOD headquarters. Information from these systems is received by Ministers as necessary for their continuous review of programmes against resources. Much of the statistical information is published, for example, in part 2 of the statement on Defence Estimates, and some of the accounts are published. The management accounting system is being further developed within the ABC framework and consideration is being given to proposals for trials in a number of line management areas of responsibility budgets based on such accounts.

Medical Services

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the medical services available to Service men who suffered disfigurement in the Falklands conflict; and for how many cases provision is having to be made.

I am satisfied with the medical services available to all Service men who suffered injuries in the Falkland Islands conflict. It is not possible to say exactly how many have suffered or will suffer permanent disfigurement as a result of their injuries. Eighty men received burns, but it is not possible to say how many will be permanently scarred; 30 lost all or part of a limb; and four lost fingers.

Ssr Radar Facility

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in incorporating the SSR radar facility at Royal Air Force master airfields; and if he will make a statement.

As I informed my hon. Friend on 19 November 1981—[Vol. 13, c. 215]—the Ministry of Defence, in close consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority and the National Air Traffic Services, has been considering proposals for the introduction of secondary surveillance radars at master diversion and certain other Royal Air Force airfields. A statement of the operational requirement and a draft equipment specification have been circulated to industry for comment. A decision is expected to be taken in the near future.

Warships (Construction)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many warships at present under construction have aluminium hulls or superstructures; and whether he is satisfied with the precautions taken to deal with fire hazards on ships of this type of construction.

Of warships under construction, only the "Peacock" class of patrol craft for Hong Kong, five of which have been ordered, have aluminium alloy superstructures, as is common in fast patrol craft of this sort. I am satisfied that measures appropriate to each class of warship are already taken to minimise fire hazards, but we shall study very carefully the causes of our tragic losses in the South Atlantic to determine whether any lessons may be learned for our damage control and maritime safety techniques.

Woolwich Arsenal (Land Use)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects to announce the results of the Property Services Agency's study of land usage at Woolwich Arsenal, West and the possible construction of a new headquarters building for the Quality Assurance Directorate (Ordnance).

The studies carried out by the Property Services Agency have been completed and the findings are now under consideration. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as I can.

Dianetics Centre

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will refuse to co-operate with the organisation called the Dianetics Centre, in response to its request to be allowed to provide counselling services for the bereaved families of those who died in the Falklands conflict.

I am confident that the Service welfare organisations are able to cope with the situation, and do not envisage the need to seek help from the Dianetics Centre.

Baor (Medical Facilities)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely, Official Report, 19 July, c. 157, he will, when time permits, list the ratios per head of the medical care facilities available to dependants of personnel serving with the British Army of the Rhine.

The information requested in respect of the major medical facilities is as follows:

Hospital beds—220 per head (all personnel)
Doctors in primary health care—1 per 1,622 (all personnel)
Health visitors—1 per 988 dependants
Family Planning Clinics—1 per 253 wives per month
"Well women" clinics—1 per 274 wives per month
Antenatal Clinics—1 per 200 wives per month
"Well baby", immunisation and mothercraft clinics—1 per 50 babies per week
Special Clinics (obesity, smoking, post-natal etc.)—1 per 212 wives per month
Dental clinics—1 per 146 (all personnel) per week
Child Health Clinics—1 per 343 children per week
Radiography Special Session—1 per 926 (all personnel) per month
Obstetric and Gynaecology Clinics—1 per 375 wives per month
Opthalmic Clinics—1 per 417 (all personnel) per month
Ear, Nose and Throat Clinics—1 per 1,630 (all personnel) per month
Clinical Measurements Clinics—1 per 17,943 (all personnel) per month

Some of these facilities are provided jointly by the Army medical Service and nurses of the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen's Families Association under contract to the Ministry of Defence.

Warships (Orders)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place an order for one of the new warships with Harland and Wolff, Belfast.

As this yard is no longer suitable for the complex and specialised task of warship building, I have no plans to order any new warships from Harland and Wolff.

Meteorological Office (Rainfall Measurement)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Meteorological Office has taken, and over what period, to measure the pH value of rainfall in different parts of the United Kingdom.

The Meteorological Office has operated equipment to provide measurements of the pH of rainfall at Lerwick and Eskdalemuir since 1958 and at Bracknell since 1965. This is part of a national programme, and I refer the hon. Member to the Department of Industry Warren Springs laboratory publication "Acidity of Rainfall in the United Kingdom—a preliminary report" dated June 1982.

Sea Wolf

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the Sea Wolf system incorporating the new lightweight tracker radar will be ready for installation on Her Majesty's ships.

The improved Sea Wolf system will be in service in the mid-1980s.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to expedite the completion of the lightweight Sea Wolf missile system.

Improved Sea Wolf has a high priority in the naval equipment programme, and will be brought into service at the earliest possible date. The necessary remaining work will be completed before the mid-1980s.

Fire Protection

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if Service men currently on duty in the South Atlantic have all been issued with new protective overalls less susceptible to fire hazards.

Flame-resistant cotton overalls have been issued for all Fleet personnel in the South Atlantic.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if Royal Navy ships currently serving in the South Atlantic have been issued with interior sprung mattresses in place of the foam mattresses previously installed.

The foam mattresses in a number of Royal Navy ships designated for service in the South Atlantic have already been replaced by interior sprung ones, and the programme to provide replacement mattresses is being pursued as a matter of urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made with the replacement of clothing and mattresses found to be a fire risk during the Falklands campaign.

Some 4,500 interior-sprung mattresses will be fitted in Her Majesty's ships by the end of August. Flame-resistant cotton overalls have been supplied for all Fleet personnel in the South Atlantic and all remaining Fleet units will be equipped as supplies become available. The longer term need for replacements for clothing items will be urgently evaluated in the light of the reports of the relevant boards of inquiry.

Personal Possessions (Replacement)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the practice of his Department with regard to the replacement of personal possessions and clothing lost by Service men as a consequence of hostilities in the South Atlantic; and whether any of the cost of replacement is to be met from the South Atlantic fund.

Under long standing rules Ministry of Defence Votes can compensate all Service men who suffered loss of kit and personal possessions due to the hostilities in the South Atlantic. Claims submitted have already been, and any future claims will be, dealt with speedily and sympathetically. These are not connected with the South Atlantic fund.

Falkland Islands (Accommodation)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service men stationed in the Falkland Islands are still living in tented accommodation.

About 500.

Royal Navy Ships (Aluminium)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if studies are yet under way into the use of aluminium in ships of the Royal Navy.

The properties of aluminium as used in warships are well known. The findings of boards of inquiry now underway into Royal Navy warship losses will be studied closely by MOD for any fresh information on the behaviour of this material.

Falkland Islands Campaign (Categories Of Injuries)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out in the Official Report the reasons for the delay in providing details of the categories of injuries sustained by Service personnel in the Falklands conflict; and if he will make a statement on such information as is currently available to him.

There has been no unnecessary delay in assembling detailed information on injuries sustained by Service personnel in the Falkland Islands conflict. The full analysis of all injuries sustained, however minor, is a lengthy statistical exercise, requiring the sifting of a great deal of information from a variety of sources. It will be completed as soon as possible.Certain information is already available. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his question of 28 July and to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) on 8 July.

"Sir Galahad" And "Intrepid"

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the landing ship "Sir Galahad" is to be replaced;(2) if the lost landing craft from the assault ship "Intrepid" is to be replaced.

Plans for the replacement of equipment lost during the hostilities in the South Atlantic remain under active consideration. I have nothing to add at this stage.

Sting Ray

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether agreement has been reached with the United States of America over trials of Sting Ray and the Mark 46 Neartip torpedo; and when these trials will be carried out.

An understanding was reached with United States Navy officials that comparative trials would be conducted between Sting Ray and the most advanced version of the mark 46 torpedo in a simulator environment. Our proposals for the conduct of these trials are with the Americans and we await their response. We hope to commence these trials later this year.

Ships (Replacement)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when orders will be placed for the replacement of destroyers and frigates lost in the South Atlantic.

I have nothing to add at present to the answer I gave on this subject on 27 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Spicer).—[Vol. 28, c. 912.]

Argentine Prisoner Of War (South Georgia)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the inquiries into the death of the Argentine prisoner of war at Grytviken, South Georgia, on 26 April have been completed; and if he will make a statement.

The inquiries into the death of Suboficial Primero Felix Artuso on board the Argentine submarine "Sante Fe" on 26 April 1982 have been completed.During the repossession of South Georgia by a British task group the "Sante Fe" was damaged but was able to reach Grytviken where it berthed at the British Antarctic survey jetty. There was, however, a risk that the submarine might sink and block the only usable jetty. The senior British naval officer therefore surveyed the boat and discussed a possible move across the bay with the captain of the submarine. It was decided that it could be moved under battery power and the Argentine captain selected six of his crew to man the boat. Royal Marine armed guards were provided for security reasons. Two of them were with Suboficial Artuso in the control room of the submarine when, in the course of the journey across Grytviken Bay, it developed a list. The Argentine captain obtained permission to correct the list by using low pressure air and instructed Suboficial Artuso to operate the necessary controls. Unfortunately, these controls had been misidentified and the guards believed that they operated the main vents which would scuttle the submarine. When Suboficial Artuso made a fast and unexpected leap to the controls it was thought that he was making an attempt to sink the submarine and one of the guards shot him.The official inquiry, its findings and the supporting evidence, have been very carefully considered by the competent legal authorities and, in the light of their advice and the circumstances of the incident, it has been decided there are no grounds for any military disciplinary proceedings or proceedings in a civil court against any of the British Service personnel involved in the incident. In particular, it has been decided that the Royal Marine guard who shot Suboficial Artuso acted in self-defence and to protect the lives of those on board the submarine.A report has been prepared in accordance with article 121 of the Geneva convention on the treatment of prisoners of war. This report has been communicated to Brazil, as the protecting power, and a copy has also been passed to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The report includes statements from Argentine prisoners of war who were on board the submarine at the time of the incident. I have placed a copy of the report in the Library.

Environment

Gatwick Airport

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to make a decision on the planning application for the second passenger terminal at Gatwick airport.

My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and Trade have considered the representations made by the interested parties taking into account new air traffic forecasts. These representations are now being exchanged between parties to enable the latter to make any further observations they may wish before my right hon. Friends come to a decision. They will reach this decision as soon as possible, but it would be premature to say when this will be.

Car Park, New Palace Yard

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to grass the centre of the garden on top of the car park in New Palace Yard.

I hope that it will be possible to do this work during the Summer Recess.

Homes Insulation Scheme

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will detail for each individual local authority, the allocations made under the homes insulation scheme since 1978.

Copies of the homes insulation scheme allocations have been placed in the Library.

Liverpool City Council (District Auditor)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many matters have been referred to the district auditor appertaining to the Liverpool city council since May 1979; how many cases have been resolved; and how many are still outstanding.

In the period from May 1979 the district auditor has received 28 questions and objections from local electors about the accounts of Liverpool city council. Twenty one of these have been resolved. In five cases there is a possibility that the electors concerned will be following up their questions with objections in due course. The remaining two cases are still subject to correspondence.

Boothferry (Parish Reorganisation)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make an order to reorganise parishes in the borough of Boothferry.

Subject to my right hon. Friend's decision, we aim to make an order before the end of this year, to have full effect from 1 April 1983.

Water Space Amenity Commission

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations were held with the Water Space Amenity Commission prior to the Government's proposal for its abolition; and how he proposes to ensure that the statutory obligations exercised by the Water Space Amenity Commission, are to be replaced to the satisfaction of those who enjoy water-based recreation and leisure.

No consultation was held with the Water Space Amenity Commission prior to my right hon. Friend's announcement. Water authorities now have a full awareness of the importance of water recreation and amenity and there is no longer any need for a central statutory body to provide advice and guidance in the manner prescribed in section 23 of the Water Act 1973.

Construction Industry

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the National Federation of Building Trades Employers seeking recovery in the building industry; and what was the nature of his reply.

My right hon. Friend has received a copy of a letter which the president of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers wrote to the Prime Minister on 22 July pressing for an increase in public capital expenditure on construction. A reply will be sent in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the future prospects of the building industry in Great Britain in the light of the fact that 94,000 operatives left the industry in 1981; how many he estimates will return to that industry; and what assessment he has made of the number of skilled workmen among those who left the industry.

It is not our policy to make forward estimates of the kind requested by the hon. Member. However, there are encouraging signs of a recovery in the construction industry's fortunes. New orders for construction work during the last three months were 11 per cent. higher than a year ago, while over the same period total housing starts have increased by 42 per cent. No recent assessment has been made of the number of skilled workmen leaving the industry.

Imported Waste

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is ready to announce the results of his consultation on the revision of controls over imported waste.

On 17 December 1981 I announced that consultation would take place on three sets of measures to tighten controls over waste imported into the United Kingdom for disposal. The views of a wide range of organisations, including industry, the local authority associations, the waste disposal contractors' organisations and environmental groups have been carefully considered and I am now able to announce decisions.First, the Control of Pollution (Licensing of Waste Disposal) Regulations will be amended to limit the quantity of solid waste which may be stored temporarily without a licence in proper receptacles up to 45 cubic metres in total at any site. Liquid waste, including that imported into storage in large industrial tanks, will now require licensing. In particular the regulations will clarify the position with regard to poisonous, noxious or polluting waste to ensure that it may not be stored on unlicensed premises except where the producer is assembling consignments of his own waste with proper precautions in the normal way, and provided that it is to be disposed of elsewhere within a month. The regulations will also clarify the position of waste transfer activities to bring them clearly within the control of licensing or the equivalent local authority power of resolution.Secondly, we will seek to introduce legislation to provide local waste disposal authorities with a new discretionary power to bring material not admitted to be waste under the controls which are applicable to waste. Its introduction would be dependant on the availability of parliamentary time.There will be further consultation with the major interests in England and Wales on both of those topics and my right hon. Friend will be conducting similar consultations in Scotland.Thirdly, the Commission of the European Communities has produced a preliminary draft directive on the transfrontier shipment of waste. Consultations within the United Kingdom on its text have begun, and the Commission hopes to be ready to submit the directive to the Council of Ministers next year. The Government consider that the existing legitimate international trade in waste for disposal is responsibly operated in the United Kingdom but all firms and their associations are reminded of the importance the Government attach to the need for proper controls and consultation with the waste disposal authorities. The authorities concerned are also discussing arrangements for strengthening liaison at the ports. For these reasons, and in the light of the foregoing proposals, a standard model licence condition for pre-notification for waste imported from outside the United Kingdom is no longer necessary.None of these proposals is intended to affect the large legitimate trade in by-products intended for recovery.

Housing Rehabilitation (Council Of Europe Recommendation)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, what advice and encouragement he has given to local authorities to ensure that they allocate substantial funds for the rehabilitation of old buildings to aid the provision of housing accommodation;(2) in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which local authorities have allocated substantial funds for the rehabilitation of old buildings to aid the provision of housing accommodation.

DOE circular 12/81 advised local authorities to give due weight to the claims of conservation when taking decisions about the use of resources. So far as housing funds are concerned, local authorities are given an allocation by central Government which they are free to spend according to their own priorities. An increasing proportion of this allocation has been spent on housing rehabilitation in recent years.Details of individual cases in the form requested are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, what advice he has given to local authorities to encourage private persons or companies to purchase and rehabilitate old buildings not included in public works programmes.

DOE circular 12/81 makes it plain that historic buildings should be kept in use and repair, and urges local planning authorities to draw attention to the availability of such premises in their areas if they receive inquiries.

Architectural Heritage (Council Of Europe Recommendation)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, to what extent his policy accords with the recommendation that information about the conservation of the architectural heritage be collected and disseminated to interested bodies such as local authorities, professional institutes, commercial and industrial groups, tourist organisations and the media.

A large amount of information about all aspects of the conservation of the architectural heritage is available to a wide audience, and the Government contribute regularly to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, what steps he has taken to ensure that in the centres of historic towns funding for the rehabilitation of old buildings shall be on a scale at least equal to that provided for the construction of new houses.

I regret that this information is not available, and cannot be obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, what powers he has regarding the protection of architectural heritage to amend decisions by regional and local authorities where they have permitted incongruous new construction in areas of historic interest.

So far as decisions by local authorities are concerned, section 276 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 gives the Secretary of State powers to revoke or modify planning permission. Paragraph 11 of schedule II gives similar powers for the revocation of listed buildings consents. The reference to decisions by regional authorities does not apply in England.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, whether he will seek powers to order the suspension of any construction or demolition work which could adversely affect the architectural or archaeological heritage, whether or not the building or site has been listed.

No. I shall not seek powers for unlisted buildings. Where a building has been listed or is in designated conservation area, legislation already provides safeguards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, whether he has, or will take, powers to ensure that, as regards the architectural heritage in areas designated for special protection, local authorities consider action to enhance the quality of the environment, including measures to (a) divert traffic and restrict car parking, (b) create pedestrian areas, (c) secure the removal of unsightly overhead wires and (d) plant more trees in towns and villages.

The requirement has already been placed on local planning authorities by section 277(8) and 277(B) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 as amended by the Town and Country Amenities Act 1974.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, whether regular reports on the progress of architectural conservation in the United Kingdom are being made at set intervals by Her Majesty's Government to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Yes. The United Kingdom contributed to the 1978 report by the Council of Europe on the architectural heritage, and contributed again last year to the Council's project to update that report.

Development involving the installation of new shop-fronts is already subject to control by local planning authorities, which are under a statutory obligation in the case of a conservation area to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing its character and appearance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, whether planning authorities have been advised that new development proposals should be examined with due regard for their effect, not only upon the immediate surroundings, but also upon more distant views and skylines.

Planning authorities are already under a statutory obligation, when deciding planning applications, to have regard to the development plan and to any other material considerations. These considerations will certainly include any significant impact which a development would have on more distant views and skylines as well as the effects on the immediate surroundings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, what financial assistance is available to private owners for the maintenance of listed buildings by means of grants or loans at low-interest rates.

Grants are available for repairs to buildings of outstanding historic or architectural importance under section 4 of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 and for selected buildings in conservation areas under section 10 of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act 1972. In addition, local authorities can make grants or loans under the Local Authorities (Historic Buildings) Act 1962. The same Acts also give powers to make loans. Grants may also be made for buildings included in town schemes under section 10 B of the 1972 Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of Her Majesty's Government's endorsement of recommendation 880 (1979) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in respect of the architectural heritage, in how many cases those responsible for the unauthorised alteration or demolition of listed buildings have been required to restore or re-build the listed property so damaged.

I regret that this information is not available.Enforcement notices are served by local authorities, and if they are complied with, the Department is not informed.

Listed Buildings

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions there have been over the past five years for unauthorised alteration or demolition of listed buildings; what fines have been imposed in each case; and whether those fines were of sufficient severity to deprive the offenders of any financial benefits arising from their actions.

I regret that the information is not available.

Home Improvement Grants (Agricultural Holdings)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now extend the right to apply for home improvement grants to tenants of agricultural holdings.

An order under section 106 of the Housing Act 1980 will shortly be laid before Parliament which, subject to parliamentary approval, will extend the power of local authorities to entertain applications for home improvement grants from tenants of agricultural holdings with security of tenure under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1948. The order will come into operation on 26 August.

Tourism

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has considered the report "National Parks: a Study of Rural Economies" published by the tourism recreation research unit of Edinburgh university; and if he will make a statement.

I have noted the findings of the report, but will defer further comment pending the outcome of the broader review of upland policy which the Countryside Commission plans to undertake later this year.

Water Authorities (Performance Aids)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether performance aims have been agreed with the regional water authorities.

The purpose of performance aims agreed between the Government and nationalised industries is to set targets for improvements in an industry's efficiency. They are particularly important where an industry's monopoly position would enable it to meet financial targets by raising charges or lowering standards of service. The performance aims agreed with the regional water authorities are on the basis that operating costs in 1983–84, in 1979–80 prices, for water supply, sewerage and sewage disposal should not exceed the following figures:

Authority	Performance Aids
	£million
North West	104·7
Northumbrian	27·1
Severn-Trent	114·4
Yorkshire	68·5
Anglian	69·6
Thames	162·0
Southern	43·0
Wessex	26·5
South West	21·7

These figures represent lower costs in real terms in 1983–84 than in 1979–80, despite the increased output of water services. The Government welcome the efforts that these authorities are making to improve the efficiency of their operations which are reflected in these figures, and look to the authorities both to achieve and build on these improvements.

National Water Council (International Advisory Service)

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement to clarify the future of the national Water Council's international advisory service in the light of the decision to dissolve the council.

The international advisory service of the National Water Council has, with my full support, established a growing international consultancy business on a commercial footing to complement with its skills the export effort of the private sector. With the prospective abolition of the council new arrangements will be made in order that present and prospective customers can have complete confidence that all commitments entered into by the international advisory service will be honoured. The Government also intend to clarify at the earliest opportunity, the powers of water undertakers to do work overseas.

Rate Support Grant

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to use his powers under the Local Government Finance Act 1982 to reduce the rate support grant payable to local authorities in respect of 1981–82 and 1982–83.

The Rate Support Grant Supplementary Report (England) (No. 2) 1982 was laid yesterday. On approval this will give effect to the grant reductions previously proposed for authorities exceeding their expenditure guidance for 1981–82. Copies of the report, together with tables exemplifying the effects on individual authorities' grant entitlements, are available in the Vote Office.Our proposals for grant reductions in 1982–83 were published in February this year. I have today placed in the Library figures showing the prospective grant reductions for each authority in the light of our proposals and authorities' expenditure plans for the year. I would expect a supplementary rate support grant report for 1982–83 to be made later in the year, in the light of any representations on these proposals.

Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Countryside Commission's policy statement on areas of outstanding natural beauty.

The Countryside Commission's policy statement on areas of outstanding natural beauty reflects the outcome of the first major appraisal of AONBs since designation began in 1956. In arriving at its conclusions the commission considered evidence from several sources, principally the wide-ranging response to its own discussion paper published in 1978, and the findings of the two-year study by Mr. Kenneth Himsworth of the effects of designation on individual areas. The exercise has focussed attention on a key part of our landscape designation system, and I congratulate the commission on the thoroughness of its approach.It is clear from the commission's work that AONBs have gained a wide measure of public acceptance over the past 25 years, although there is a difference of opinion on the need for further designations. For its part, the commission has said that it proposes to continue with its designation programme in those six areas where the procedure has already begun, and orders designating three of these areas, in addition to one designating the North Pennines area made earlier, are now before us in accordance with the statutory procedures.In the case of six proposed areas where procedures for designation have not started the commission will now re-examine whether there is a case for proceeding. And it is being invited to review the boundaries of some of the 33 AONBs already designated.

Objectives

The Government believe the present legislation governing the aims and administration of AONBs provides a sound basis for the further development of policies towards them. Like the commission, we consider that the conservation of natural beauty should continue to be the primary object of such policies. Furthermore, the Government also endorse the commission's reminder that the latter should have full regard to the economic and social well-being of those areas. They take the view that recreation should not be an objective of the designation of AONBs, but that these areas when designated should be used to meet the demand for recreation so far as that is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other users.

Joint Advisory Committees

As the commission points out, the boundaries of most AONBs cross those of several district councils and in some cases county councils. This is a potential obstacle to the development of co-ordinated policies at local level for such areas. The Government therefore welcome the commission's proposal to encourage establishment of further joint advisory committees for those AONBs, bringing together local authorities, amenity groups, and land use interests. The Government also believe it would be a useful step forward if, as the commission recommend, local authorities were to agree on the identification of an officer in each area to have general responsibility for AONB matters, but this must depend on the availability of staff resources.

Planning, Management, Development Control

Confirmation of an AONB designation order confers formal recognition by the Government that the natural beauty of the landscape in the area identified is of national importance; and that we expect this to be reflected by local authorities in their preparation of structure and local plans and exercise of development control. Though development plans must remain the definitive means of setting out local policies for the development and other use of land, the Government believe that the "statements of intent" for AONBs which the Countryside Commission have encouraged authorities with such responsibilities to prepare, can, taking account of their special needs, be a worth while, informal aid to the planning and management of these areas. We have noted the commission's advocacy of the preparation of management plans for some areas. The Government accept that it may sometimes be useful for local authorities to play an active role in seeking to resolve conflicts of interest against the background of statements of intent, and consider that their existing powers are adequate for this purpose.

Major development

The Government agree with the commission's view that, in general, it would be inconsistent with the aims of designation to permit the siting of major industrial and commercial development in AONBs. Only proven national interest and lack of alternative sites can justify any exception. But each individual case must be determined on it merits—that is a fundamental rule or our planning system. We believe the environmental effects of new proposals should be a major consideration in all such circumstances.

In the case of the extractive industries it is a fact of geology that many deposits occur in some of the more beautiful parts of the countryside. We cannot dispense with these essential sources of supply; however, the Government believe that applications for substantial new mineral workings, or extensions to existing workings, in AONBs as well as in national parks, should be subject to the most rigorous examination.

A similar dilemma arises in respect of proposals for new road construction. Many existing trunk routes pass through AONBs and often there is little scope for developing alternative routes elsewhere. Some improvements may be essential—new bypasses, for example, to relieve the pressure on towns suffering severe disturbance from heavy lorry traffic. The methods of assessment used to appraise trunk road proposals already take account of the impact on the landscape, but schemes which affect AONBs will be examined with particular care to ensure that a new road is needed and that the route has been chosen to do as little damage to the environment as practicable.

Minor industrial development

In the AONB context the commission draws a distinction between the scope for large and small scale industrial development, and the Government endorse this approach. Modern agriculture is capital intensive and can no longer be looked to as a major source of employment in rural areas. Small industries have a vital role to play here, and the Government's wish to encourage such activities was stressed in a recent circular issued jointly by my Department and the Welsh Office. There may be opportunities for small businesses to take over existing premises—redundant farm buildings, for example—and we believe that, subject to certain safeguards, such opportunities should be seized. Where new building is required in a AONB the Government expect such development to be in sympathy with the architecture and landscape of the area.

Agricultural Operations

The Commission recommends that the special consultation procedures and safeguards for conservation provided under the farm capital grant arrangements operated in England by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and in Wales by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales should be extended to include AONBs as well as the present coverage of national parks, national nature reserves and sites of special scientific interest. The effect of modern agricultural methods on the traditional appearance and composition of our countryside is an emotive issue which provokes widespread controversy. In their initial proposals for the revised capital grant schemes introduced in October 1981, my right hon. Friends included AONBs in the procedures then foreshadowed. But following careful consideration of comments received during that consultation process, and having regard to the implications for local authority manpower resources, the Government concluded that the scope of the proposed arrangements should not, in the event, extend to AONBs. The evidence which has accumulated so far suggests that the present arrangements are working satisfactorily, and it is too soon, we believe, to consider revising this policy. However, my right hon. Friends, in accordance with the duty laid on all Ministers, Government Departments, and public bodies by section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968, will continue to have full regard to the importance of conservation when considering all applications for grant, and will make provision for giving conservation advice to persons carrying on agricultural businesses as required by section 41(1) and (2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Finally and more generally, it must be stressed that the prime responsibility for the day-to-day administration of AONBs rests with the local authorities concerned. Rightly, the commission's proposals focus on the importance of their role, and the scope for early implementation of some of the present recommendations will depend on the extent to which authorities can take action within planned future levels of resources availability. Equally the commission's own resources are constrained. But I am confident that their statement provides a sound general framework for future action; and I am pleased to place on record both the Government's recognition of the important part already played by AONBs in conserving our natural heritage, and our continued commitment to their safeguarding in the years ahead.

Empty Properties

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many empty properties were owned by each local authority and development corporation in England and Wales at the latest date for which figures are available; and how many have been empty for more than three months in each case.

[pursuant to his reply, 27 July 1982. c. 512–13.]: English local authorities' HIP returns include the numbers of dwellings they own which were unoccupied for any reason at 1 April each year. The numbers empty at 1 April 1981 are shown in the table I have placed in the Library today, which also shows the numbers of empty new town dwellings in England at 31 March 1982.I regret that information about the number of dwellings which have been empty for more than three months is not available, but the total number empty for more than a year, according to the authorities' returns, was given in my reply to the hon. Member for Battersea, South (Mr. Dubs) on 21 July 1982.—[Vol. 28, c. 395.]For information about empty properties in Wales, I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Transport

British Rail (Productivity And Efficiency)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his policy of increasing the productivity and efficiency of British Rail, he will seek to make arrangements to enable all British Rail employees to obtain experience outside of British Rail in private industry as a right on a similar basis to that allowed to the chairman and board members.

The Government support the British Railways Board in its efforts to increase productivity and efficiency. The question how this should be done is, however, entirely a matter for the board.

National Bus Company

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he can now report on the findings of the study undertaken by Touche Ross and Co. of the attribution of the debt of the National Bus Company to its subsidiary companies; and if he will make a statement.

Copies of a summary of the consultants' report and their conclusions have been placed in the Library today.The report, which was commissioned jointly by my Department and the National Bus Company, analyses the relationship between NBC's interest charges and the earning capacity of its subsidiaries, and discusses the effect of the company's capital structure and the attribution of debt on decision making. The consultants propose a new method of allocating interest between subsidiary companies, which they believe would provide NBC with a better framework for its future operations.The implications of these recommendations are wide-ranging and will call for careful consideration in the light of discussion with the company.

Light Railway Orders

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will tabulate the light railway orders that have been authorised by his Department, for each of the past 10 years.

The information is as follows:

Year and SI No.	Title
1971
1619	The British Railways Board (Totton Hythe and Fawley Light Railway) (Amendment) Order.
1129	British Railways Board (Whitby and Pickering) Light Railway Order.
1494	The Corringham Light Railway (Winding Up) Order.
1972
545	The British Railways Board (Central Wales Railway) Light Railway Order.
1541	The British Railways Board (Lakeside Branch) Light Railways Order
1051	The British Railways Board (Paignton and Kingswear) Light Railway Order.
1695	The British Railways Board (Paignton and Kingswear) Light Railway (Transfer) Order.
197	The Talyllyn Light Railway Order.
1973
1874	The British Railways Board (Kent and East Sussex) Light Railway (Transfer and Amendment) Order.
537	The Derwent Valley Light Railway Order.
785	The British Railways Board (Meon Valley) Light Railway Order.
357	The British Railways Board (Severn Valley) Light Railway Order.
998	The British Railways Board (Sheringham and Weybourne) Light Railway Order.
192	The British Railways Board (Lakeside Branch) Light Railway (Transfer) Order.
302	The British Railways Board (Whitby and Pickering) Light Railways (Transfer) Order.
1974
1933	The British Railways Board (Minehead Branch) Light Railway Order.
1857	The British Railways Board (Whitby and Pickering) Light Railway Order.
643	The British Railways Board (Severn Valley) Light Railway (Transfer) Order.
1024	The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Light Railway (Amendment) Order.
642	The Severn Valley Light Railway (Transfer) Order.
1975

Year and SI No.	Title
1449	The British Railways Board (Minehead Branch) Light Railway (Transfer and Amendment) Order.
1125	The British Railways Board (Whitby and Pickering) Light Railways (Transfer) Order.
962	The Conwy Mussel Fishery (Jetty Hoist) Light Railway Order.
1014	Festiniog Railway (Light Railway) (Amendment) Order.
1480	The GKN Tremorfa Works Light Railway Order.
1976
702	The British Railways Board (Sheringham and Weybourne) Light Railway (Transfer) Order.
1977
1741	The Abergwili and Llanpumsaint Light Railway Order.
519	The Alton and Arlesford Light Railway Order.
862	The Nene Valley Light Railway Order.
1978
1937	The Cranmore Light Railway Order.
1119	The Isle of Wight (Havenstreet and Wootton) Light Railway Order.
471	The Loughborough and Birstall Light Railway Order.
871	The Strathspey Light Railway Order.
952	The Whitby and Pickering Light Railway (Amendment) Order.
1979
317	The Steamtown Light Railway Order.
1091	The British Railways Board (Totton, Hythe and Fawley Light Railway) (Amendment) Order.
1270	The Yorkshire Dales Light Railway Order.
1421	The National Coal Board Butterwell Light Railway Order.
1980
667	The Beddgelert Siding Light Railway Order.
671	The Brecon Mountain Railway (Light Railway) Order.
607	The Corringham Light Railway (Amendment) Order.
1660	The Cowes and Newport Light Railway Order.
1969	The Newcastle Emlyn Branch Light Railway Order.
1981
62	The Blaenau Ffestiniog (Central Station) Light Railway Order.
512	The Shackerston and Bosworth Light Railway Order.
616	The Tyne and Wear County Council (Bowes Railway) Light Railway Order.
1083	The Midland Railway Centre Light Railway Order.
1982
521	The Wells and Walsingham Railway Light Railway Order.

Members' Correspondence

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now ensure that his Department complies with any instruction or request from the Prime Minister to enclose a copy with every letter from a Minister to an hon. Member.

We are happy in matters of this kind to extend the practice requested by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister with regard to copy letters for the use of constituents. We have supplied the hon. Member with an additional copy and regret that this was not done in the first instance.

Roads And Bridges (Rayner Review)

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he intends to take with regard to the Rayner study team review of standards and certification of roads and bridges.

This review was completed in February 1981. It raised a number of questions which required further study and Sir Derek Rayner agreed that a working group within my Department should carry out follow up appraisals with a view to producing a definitive report. That report has now been submitted and subject to points of detail I have accepted the recommendations which it contains. The trade union side of the departmental Whitley council have been consulted and they similarly accept the report.The recommendations are aimed at streamlining the procedures for standards and certification, in particular by some restructuring of the organisation which deals with them within my department. As a result responsibility for more of the work will pass from headquarters to the regional office. When implemented this and other changes will lead to annual savings of some £1 million in administrative costs. I expect the major organisational changes to take effect from 1 August this year though implementation of all the recommendations will not be completed until 1983. Copies of the follow-up appraisal report have been placed in the House of Commons library.

Northern Ireland

Alcoholism

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were admitted for treatment to Northern Ireland hospitals for alcoholism in the past five years; and if he has any figures which would enable him to estimate the persons treated for alcoholism by general practitioners, or of persons treated for other conditions where alcoholism was a factor.

The information requested is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the number of psychiatric admissions for treatment of alcoholism and alcoholic psychosis was as follows:

Year	Total
1976	1,972
1977	2,076
1978	2,187
1979	2,121
1980	1,795

Housing Executive

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present policy of his Department in regard to squatters and tenants in rent arrears when improvements are proposed for Housing Executive estates.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I understand from the chairman that the policy of the Housing Executive, which I support is, that where a dwelling is illegally occupied no works to improve the dwelling or its facilities will normally be carried out. Exceptionally, where the works are of such a nature that they must necessarily apply to a group of dwellings and the programme cannot otherwise proceed, illegally occupied dwellings may be included provided their numbers are not substantial.Dwellings occupied by tenants in rent arrears are normally included in improvement schemes: but the Executive reserves the right to withhold improvements for debtors who have made no serious attempt to reduce substantial arrears.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will publish the total income of all Northern Ireland Housing Executive house sales both completed and not yet completed and the total discount made available to tenants;(2) if he will publish the total income of all Northern Ireland Housing Executive house sales which have been completed to date and the estimated income from all sales not yet completed.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I understand from the chairman that at 30 June 1982 the estimated value net of discounts of sales completed, including cases with solicitors for completion, was £92·9 million. The total estimated discount allowed to tenants was £76 million.The estimated total value, net of discounts, of sales where offers had been accepted but solicitors had not been instructed was £10·6 million. Discounts in these cases are estimated to amount to £8·67 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants have applied to purchase their homes; how many sales are not yet completed; and what are the reasons for any delays.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I understand from the chairman that at 16 July 1982 the position was as shown in the table below:

	Numbers
Applications received	35,974
Applications invalid/withdrawn	4,087
Offers made	31,442
Offers accepted	15,878
Contracts completed/or currently with Solicitors	14,257

Earlier delays caused by large numbers of applications have now largely been overcome. Only short delays are now being experienced. A few cases remain where delay occurs because of difficulties in establishing title.I believe that the Executive have made commendable progress in house sales and have been able over the last year to speed up the processing of applications to a gratifying extent.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many empty properties were owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive at the latest date for which figures are available; if he will publish any geographical breakdown which is available; and if he will set out the figures for those properties which have been empty for more than three months in each case.

[pursuant to his reply, 27 July 1982, c. 494]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I understand from the chairman that at 31 March 1982 the Executive had 3,268 vacant properties outside redevelopment areas. The breakdown by Executive district offices was:

NIHE	Number of vacant properties	Number vacant over 14 weeks
Ballymena	119	103
Antrim	100	52
Newtownabbey 1	70	57
Newtownabbey 2	8	2
Carrickfergus	37	36
Larne	96	88
Ballycastle	7	2
Ballymoney	6	1
Belfast 1	45	45
Belfast 2	60	59
Belfast 3	42	42
Belfast 4	162	162
Belfast 5	618	592
Belfast 6	153	147
Belfast 7	96	90
Londonderry 1	41	40
Londonderry 2	13	11
Londonderry 3	3	0
Limavady	3	2
Coleraine	84	48
Magherafelt	4	2
Strabane	12	12
Banbridge	37	31
Newry 1	107	98
Newry 2	12	3
Kilkeel	2	0
Armagh	23	15
Craigavon	989	884
Lurgan	33	16
Portadown	127	125
Bangor	2	0
Newtownards 1	6	2
Newtownards 2	8	7
Dundonald	3	2
Newtownbreda	14	14
Lisburn	16	10
Dunmurry	13	7
Poleglass	1	1
Downpatrick	17	15
Omagh	4	1
Cookstown	4	2
Dungannon	57	55
Enniskillen	14	13
Total	3,268	2,889

Drunken Driving

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the effect of the Royal Ulster Constabulary campaign against drunken driving during the past year; and how this compares with the previous year.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary campaign against drunken driving began in November 1979. The number of accidents in which driving under the influence of alcohol is believed to have been the principal cause and the number of persons who died in these accidents is as follows:

	No. of accidents	No. of deaths
1979	323	34
1980	218	26
1981	232	31

As I have explained in my letter to the hon. Gentleman these figures replace those given him on 31 July 1981, which I regret have been found to be inaccurate.—[Vol. 9, c. 667.]

De Lorean Car Co Ltd

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the De Lorean Car Co. Ltd.

Discussions are continuing with a United Kingdom consortium and with Mr. De Lorean concerning the acquisition of the business and the eventual resumption of production at the Dunmurry factory.I am glad to say that former employees of De Lorean Motor Cars Limited have now called off their occupation and picketing of the factory premises.

Republic Of Ireland

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report all those undertakings given by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of the Republic of Ireland to which he referred in his remarks to members of the Friends of Ireland congressional group on Capitol Hill, Washington, on 20 July.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the communiqués published following meetings between members of the two Governments.

Discrimination (Complaints)

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints have been made to his office of discrimination by elected local authorities in Northern Ireland over the past five years; how many have been found to be (a) justified and (b) justified and remain uncorrected; and what is the total number of local authorities against which complaints of discrimination have been (i) made and (ii) sustained.

Complaints alleging discrimination by district councils in Northern Ireland are made to the Commissioner for Complaints, the Fair Employment Agency or the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland. The annual reports of these statutory bodies, copies of which are in the Library, detail the cases and their outcome.

Empty Houses

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest estimate of the number of vacant habitable houses owned by the public sector in Northern Ireland; and what is being done to find occupants for them.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive but I understand from the chairman that at 31 March 1982 it had about 1,430 vacant habitable properties, including 262 being allocated to tenants. Various methods are being used to find occupants; rehabilitation; improvement for sale and homesteading.

Seat Belts

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the proposals for compulsory seat belt wearing in Northern Ireland.

If the draft regulations which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport laid before Parliament on 13 July 1982 are approved, corresponding regulations will be made for Northern Ireland. They will come into force on the same day as those in Great Britain.The Northern Ireland regulations will exempt from the requirement to wear seat belts members of the security forces—army, police and prison officers—while on and off duty. Other exemptions will be similar to those in Great Britain. As in Great Britain arrangements will be made for those on low incomes and the disabled to obtain free examination for the issue of a medical certificate through the Department of Health and Social Service's medical referee service. Others who want to seek medical

	Fixed Engines				Net and Coble
Year	Salmon and Grilse		Sea Trout		Salmon and Grilse		Sea Trout
	Numbers	Weight (lbs)	Numbers	Weight (lbs)	Numbers	Weight (lbs)	Numbers	Weight (lbs)
1971	116,469	832,265	15,391	37,410	131,112	1,029,741	78,495	204,954
1972	129,270	951,380	18,409	41,319	138,694	1,235,318	71,621	181,842
1973	180,566	1,416,021	16,106	37,708	157,089	1,438,244	71,725	185,807
1974	135,610	1,038,870	16,709	37,670	128,479	1,118,110	79,708	206,398
1975	104,754	786,584	12,146	27,901	118,059	1,086,135	59,499	155,006
1976	75,425	507,511	9,778	22,282	61,599	509,333	54,968	141,146
1977	71,541	526,755	10,588	24,395	80,319	644,101	51,341	143,323
1978	85,019	620,235	10,447	23,104	76,858	685,296	58,268	150,365
1979	82,426	558,177	14,343	31,111	98,764	876,128	75,803	185,512
1980	60,056	496,948	19,704	42,887	70,824	636,508	84,052	227,198
1981	not available				not available

Comprehensive information about the value of salmon is not available centrally. The following table indicates the average price for the years shown.

Average price pence per lb
Year	Salmon	Grilse	Sea Trout
1971	71	45	40
1972	87	57	55
1973	77	58	60
1974	94	62	77
1975	115	86	78
1976	216	159	121
1977	225	135	124
1978	206	156	136
1979	310	205	169
1980	242	157	138
1981	196	149	126

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to protect the jobs of fishermen employed at trout and salmon netting stations on rivers and estuaries in Scotland.

My right hon. Friend is aware that over the years some Scottish netting stations have closed. The economics of such stations turn on a number of factors not directly within the Secretary of State's control, including the number of men employed at particular stations, the numbers of salmon caught and the price obtainable for wild salmon.

exemption will be able to obtain a certificate from their doctor on payment of the £19 fee recommended by the British Medical Association.

Scotland

Trout And Salmon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the quantity and value of migratory trout and salmon caught by nets on each of the major Scottish salmon rivers and estuaries in each of the last 10 years.

In view of undertakings given to the interests from whom the statistics are collected, it would not be possible to give information in the disaggregated way requested. Information on the catches by nets on the East Coast of Scotland from the Tweed to the Spey, which include the major Scottish salmon rivers with respect to netting, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fishermen were employed at net fisheries for migratory trout and salmon on each of the major Scottish salmon rivers and estuaries in each of the last 10 years.

Detailed information of the kind requested is not readily available. It is estimated that in 1973 about 1,300 people were employed at Scottish lawful fixed engines and in net and coble fishing. The corresponding estimate for 1981 is about 1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions have been made for poaching trout and salmon by means of poisons or explosives in Scotland; and how many prosecutions have been made for taking trout and salmon at sea illegally in each of the last 10 years.

I regret that this information is not available from the statistics collected by my Department.

Roads (Repair Grants)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will extend the deadline for the payment of grants to regional and islands councils towards the cost of repairing winter damage to roads in respect of major works such as bridge replacements which could not be completed before 1 May.

The deadline for the completion of work to be eligible for assistance under the special winter assistance scheme was 31 May; payments of grant may be made after the deadline. My right hon. Friend does not propose to extend the deadline since the scheme was intended to cover only emergency work needed to restore services.

Berwick And East Lothian (Unemployment)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the percentage and total number of people resident in the west sector of East Lothian who were unemployed at the beginning of July 1982.

On 8 July 1982, 3,291 people were registered as unemployed in the Musselburgh employment office area, which covers the western part of East Lothian district and the percentage rate for the wider Edinburgh travel-to-work area, of which Musselburgh forms part, was 11·8 per cent. Meaningful unemployment percentage rates can only be calculated for employment office areas, or groups of employment office areas, which form reasonably self-contained labour markets. Because of travel-to-work flows in the Edinburgh area the Dalkeith, Loanhead, Musselburgh and Penicuik employment office areas, together with the five employment office areas within Edinburgh city, are treated as a single labour market and unemployment percentage rates for the individual employment office areas are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were unemployed in the constituency of Berwick and East Lothian when he took office; how many are unemployed there now; and what percentage change this represents.

Unemployment statistics are compiled on the basis of employment office areas and the precise information requested is not available. However, the Berwick and East Lothian constituency comprises of Eyemouth and Haddington employment office areas and parts of the Musselburgh and Galashiels employment office areas. On 10 May 1979, 2,494 people were registered as unemployed in these areas compared with 5,655 on 8 July 1982, an increase of 126·7 per cent. The figures are not seasonally adjusted and include school leavers.

Electricity Standing Charges

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation in the next Session of Parliament to exempt pensioners from payment of standing charges or other fixed charges in connection with electricity consumption.

The Government are currently examining the impact of standing charges on low income consumers and I cannot at this stage comment on the likely outcome of this review.

Unemployment (Dundee)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average number of people in employment in Dundee in 1974 and 1979; if he will provide a breakdown of the figures by sex; and what are the latest available similar figures.

The most recent estimates of employees in employment in Dundee relate to mid-1978. Figures for the Dundee employment office area in June 1974 and June 1978 are given in the following table.

Employees in Employment in Dundee
	Males	Females	Total
June 1974	52,022	39,146	91,168
June 1978	49,758	39,654	89,412

Nhs (Expenditure)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department has estimated the percentage change required in National Health Service expenditure to (a) take account of the increased proportion of elderly in the population and (b) keep up with improvements in medical techniques; and if he will make a statement.

My Department estimated that for Scotland as a whole the cash provision made for current expenditure on the hospitals and community health services programme within the NHS in 1982–83 required to be increased by 0·5 per cent, over the previous year's level in order to meet demand for health services from the rising proportion of elderly people in the population; and to be increased by a further 0·5 per cent, to meet the cost of introducing advances in medical techniques.

Schoolchildren (Diet)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will undertake a survey of schoolchildren's dietary intake, with special emphasis upon school meals (a) in Scotland and (b) in Dundee.

A study of children's dietary intake, taking account of school meals provision, has been suggested by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy, following the Government's invitation to it to consider this matter. The possibility of a survey throughout Great Britain undertaken by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is under consideration: but no final decision on a survey or the particular areas it might cover will be taken until after the results of a recent small feasibility study are available.

Mastectomies

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the number of mastectomies performed in (a) each health board area and (b) Scotland overall in each year since 1975.

The number of mastectomies performed in each health board area and Scotland overall since 1975 is as follows:

	1975	1976	1977	1978	^*1979
Argyll and Clyde	328	335	343	315	338
Ayrshire and Arran	268	289	297	356	308

	1975	1976	1977	1978	^* 1979
Borders	50	52	30	81	59
Dumfries and Galloway	112	123	105	150	183
Fife	165	132	165	159	116
Forth Valley	262	299	317	294	275
Grampian	341	365	441	504	517
Greater Glasgow	1,117	1,156	994	966	964
Highland	197	185	204	199	269
Lanarkshire	121	167	259	243	256
Lothian	675	801	860	817	924
Orkney	13	10	8	4	1
Shetland	15	23	11	21	25
Tayside	408	398	381	407	400
Western Isles	24	12	18	11	14
Scotland	4,096	4,347	4,433	4,527	4,649
^* Latest date for which information is available.

Anti-Smoking Campaigns

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has been taking to evaluate and appraise the progress of the anti-smoking campaigns of the Scottish Health Education Group directed towards children and young people.

It is the normal practice of the group to have its campaigns evaluated and I am kept informed of the results. I see no need to change the existing arrangements.

Mr Michael Daube

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what public funds are to be paid by the Scottish Health Education Group to Mr. Michael Daube; and for what purposes.

The group has no plans to make any payments directly to Mr. Daube other than to reimburse any travelling and subsistence expenses incurred by him on any work he might undertake directly for the group.

Building Regulations (Kirkcaldy)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in the light of the continued opposition of the Kirkcaldy district council to the design of the Barratt-built `solo' type flats, he will refuse the granting to the builders of any relaxation of the building standards regulations.

No final decision will be taken on the application by Barratt Edinburgh Ltd. for relaxation of the space requirements for houses at Oriel Road, Kirkcaldy until the representations which have just been received from Kirkcaldy district council, together with those from other interested parties, have been studied.

Distemper Outbreak (North-East)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the outbreak of the disease of dogs known as distemper in the north-east of Scotland, particularly in the town of Fraserburgh and the village of New Pitsligo, he will arrange for veterinary officers in his Department to investigate the incidence of distemper in the area.

No. Distemper in dogs does not fall within the responsibility of the State Veterinary Service.

Housing Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total number of vacant houses in Scotland; and how many of these are privately-owned and how many are owned by local authorities, housing associations, new town development corporations and the Scottish Special Housing Association.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 July to the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross)—[Vol. 28, c. 179]. Of the figure of 32,000 public sector properties there quoted, 3,200 were housing association properties. No further disaggregation is available to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the numbers of public sector dwellings which consist of (a) one or two apartments, (b) three apartments and (c) five or more apartments.

The information requested is as follows:

Number of public sector dwellings at 30 September 1981
Size of dwelling	Number
1 or 2 apartments	150,407
3 apartments	510,147
4 apartments	335,096
5 or more apartments	41,299
TOTAL	1,036,949

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of houses in Scotland which lack the following amenities: (a) inside sanitation, (b) a fixed bath or shower or (c) a wash-hand basin.

The information is not available in precisely the form requested. In the 1981 census, 41,853 households were recorded as having no fixed bath or shower. 18,440 households had no flush toilet inside the dwelling. No question on availability of wash-hand basins was asked in the census.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total number of public sector dwellings improved by local authorities, new towns and the Scottish Special Housing Association each year since 1979; how many of these dwellings were built before 1946; and how many were non-traditional houses.

Information covering the improvement of public sector dwellings is published in Scottish Housing Statistics No. 16, table 18, for the period up to the end of 1981. This publication is available in the Library. The details available do not extend to the age and type of dwellings improved which is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the number of (a) publicly owned and (b) privately owned houses in Scotland which require treatment for (i) condensation and (ii) rising-penetrating damp.

Local authority returns for 1981 suggest that about 100,000 houses in Scotland may require some kind of treatment for condensation and about 25,000 for rising-penetrating damp. No estimates by tenure are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of houses improved and demolished in housing action areas each year since 1974.

The information requested is published in Scottish Housing Statistics No. 11, table 30, for the period April 1978 to March 1980 and No. 15, table 23, for 1980–81, but is not available for earlier years.

Housing Grants

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many repairs grants have been approved each year since 1974; and what was the total amount of repairs grants awarded in each financial year since 1974–75;(2) how many repairs grants have been awarded each year since 1974 in housing action areas; and what was the total amount of repairs grants awarded each financial year since 1974–75 in housing action areas.

The information available is as follows:

Grants approved
	Scotland		Housing Action Areas
Period	Number	Amount	Number	Amount
		£		£
1975^*	—	—	—	—
1976	8	2,301	8	2,301
1977	6	3,062	6	3,062
1978†	50	19,866	N/A	N/A
1979–80‡║	2,547	358,974	135	16,555
1980║	4,492	1,080,014	222	115,436
^* For the period 1 April to 31 December.
† Figures for 1978 and subsequent years include dwellings outside housing action areas, which became eligible for grants in respect of repair work on 25 June 1978. Separate figures for housing action areas are not available for 1978.
‡ Figures for 1979–80 refer to the financial year. Figures for the calendar year 1979 are not readily available.
║ The figures for 1979–80 and 1980 include grants for repairs associated with other improvement work, but the amount of grant relates to grants paid rather than to amounts approved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of improvement grants awarded for dwellings in housing action areas each year since 1974.

This information is not readily available for years prior to 1979. Details for 1979 and 1980 are published in Scottish Housing Statistics Nos. 11, table 26, and 14, table 19, respectively. These publications are available in the Library.Similar information for 1981 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of improvement grants for providing standard amenities, improvement grants for housing action areas, other improvement grants and repairs grants awarded each year since 1979 in (a) Edinburgh, (b) Glasgow, (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen.

The information requested is published in Scottish Housing Statistics No. 11, table 26, for the financial year 1979–80 and No. 14, table 19, for 1980. These publications are available in the Library.Similar information for 1981 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of improvement grants and repairs grants paid to private owners in each of the 56 island and district authorities in Scotland.

Information for 1979–80 is published in Scottish Housing Statistics No. 11, table 26, and for 1980 in No. 14, table 20. These publications are available in the Library.Similar information for 1981 is not yet available.

Holiday Caravans (Rates)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any proposals to introduce a reduction in the rateable value of holiday static caravans in Scotland.

No. My right hon. Friend has no power to make such reductions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to introduce a right of appeal for individual owner occupiers in relation to rating valuations on holiday static caravans in Scotland.

No. The same appeal rights exist for holiday caravans as for other lands and heritages.

Unemployment Statistics

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people came on to the unemployment register in Scotland for each month during the period June 1981 to May 1982.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 July 1982, c. 313]: The information is set out in the following table:

Numbers joining the unemployment register in Scotland
		numbers
1981
	June	39,920
	July	44,040
	August	41,146
	September	40,578
	October	39,227
	November	47,674
	December	36,404
1982
	January	39,750
	February	34,080
	March	32,504
	April	43,964
	May	32,581

Note 1: The figures are collected for four and five-week periods between unemployment count dates. They do not cover careers offices and therefore exclude most school leavers. The figures also exclude registrants with Professional and Executive Recruitment.

Note 2: The figures for August and November 1981 and for January and April 1982 relate to five-week months.

Volume 28: debated on Thursday 29 July 1982

Written Answers To Questions

Scotland

Mrs Rachel Ross (Hunter Report)

Renewable Tacks (Title)

Civil Defence

Exercise Hard Rock

Unemployment Statistics

Hospital Waiting Lists

Management Information And Accounting System

Mastectomies

Job Creation (Costs)

Manufacturing Industry (Rates)

Clydebank Enterprise Zone

Nursery Staff

Industrial Expansion

Tenant Management Co-Operatives

Nursery Staffs (Certification)

Nhs (Ancillary Workers)

Hospital Boards (Accommodation Costs)

Common Fisheries Policy

Consumers (Rural Areas)

National Finance

Departmental Staff

Prime Minister

Engagements

Trades Union Congress

Maritime Policy

Victoria Tower (Union Flag)

Nuclear Civil Defence

Argentine Air Force (Exocet Missiles)

Falklands Operation (Compensation)

Middle East (Ministerial Visits)

Falkland Islands

Falklands Islands (Disabled Service Men)

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Krill

Trout And Salmon

Marginal Land

Israel (Ministerial Visit)

Fishing Industry

Sheep

School Milk

Severn Trent Water Authority

Trade

Irish Lights

Airborne Advertising Displays

Manufactures

European Air Transport

Gls Lamps

Light Bulbs (Imports)

Canada

Comecon Countries (Exports)

Textiles (Export To Import Ratio)

Argentine Goods (Imports)

Corporate Management Planning Ltd

National Salvage Tug Service

Anglo American Venture Fund

Anglo American Venture Management Ltd

Steel Exports

Airport Security

Manchester And Prestwick Airports (Freight)

Clothing Imports

Aviation Security Fund Levy

Steel Exports (United States)

European Community (Steel Imports)

Bargain Offers Order

Standards And Quality Assurance

British Airports Authority (Investment)

Consumer Credit Regulations

Exports And Imports

British Midland Airways (Appeal)

Sequestrations (Dundee)

Tourist Boards (Expenditure)

Manchester International Airport

Management Information And Accounting System

Home Department

Unlawful Entry

Air Guns