asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the report of the Occupational Pensions Board on the greater security for occupational pension rights and expectations.

The Occupational Pensions Board has sent me its report on greater security for the rights and expectations of members of occupational pension schemes: its report is being published today.I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the board for what is clearly a very thorough examination of the issues. In particular I should like to express my appreciation to the former chairman of the board, Lord Brimelow, for his achievement in securing the delivery of this valuable report to me before he retired, within the time limit originally envisaged for the report.The Government welcome the recommendations in the board's report, in particular those concerning the disclosure of information to members. This is one of the most important ways of helping pension scheme members themselves to ensure that their schemes are managed in their best interests—a matter to which the Government attach the utmost importance. The Government therefore accept in principle the need for legislation to regulate this aspect of pension scheme management, and I shall be consulting interested parties about the content of such legislation. In addition, a working party of officials is being set up to examine the law and conventions governing the conduct of pension funds. The Government will welcome representations from the public and from any organisation with an interest in the matters mentioned above and discussed fully in the board's report. It would be helpful if representations could be sent to my Department by the end of December 1982.I should like to take this opportunity to say something about the Government's view on the previous board report on early leavers. We have had a considerable number of representations and comments, for which we are most grateful. There is a clear recognition, which the Government share, that the rules of private sector occupational pension schemes do not always give a fair deal to early leavers, who suffer in comparison with the pension rights available for those who stay in a single pensionable employment up to pension age. To legislate so as to compel employers to improve provision for early leavers would, however, inevitably impose extra cost on industry, and—as the OPB recognised—the crucial question is how and to what extent this extra burden could reasonably be imposed. We must bear in mind that there will be wide differences in the abilities of different companies to afford improvements in their pension schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the reasons why it took him until 18 August to write to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West stating that the Member's communication of 5 August with correspondence from Ms M. Savage-Jones of the waste transport campaign was one to be dealt with by the Department of Energy; and whether he will take steps to ensure that there is a more efficient and expeditious method adopted by his Department for dealing with correspondence.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained to the hon. Member in her letter of 7 September, the issues raised in the letter to which he refers affected the interests of a number of Government Departments and it was necessary to establish where the primary responsibility lay. I regret that the hon. Member was not told sooner that he would be receiving a reply from another Department. The handling of members' correspondence is kept under close scrutiny and whenever possible steps are taken to bring about improvements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the statement by the Director of Public Prosecutions on 6 August in which he called for any judicial inquiry into corruption in the Metropolitan Police to encompass the way that his Department handled the results of the Countryman inquiry and xsaid that he would welcome a judge with a judicial inquiry committee to go through his files and confidential papers, whether he will implement such an inquiry.

I hope to be able to make known my conclusion on this matter shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the actual or estimated costs to public funds involved in enabling the imprisoned Kray twins to attend their late mother's funeral, such costs to include the time spent on actual payment to the security men, cost of conveyances, petrol and so on and other stated costs.

The escorts for Reginald Kray from Parkhurst prison and for Ronald Kray from Broadmoor hospital were provided by staff in the normal course of their duties. The estimated costs incurred by the Prison Department in respect of Reginald Kray were £300 in staff time and £50 for transport. The cost of Ronald Kray's attendance was borne by the Department of Health and Social Security. The estimated cost of staff time was £160 and of transport £40Information about the cost of the police operation could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends holding a public inquiry into the manner in which CS gas projectiles were used on the night on 6 July 1981 in Liverpool.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Liverpool Scotland Exchange (Mr. Parry) on 27 July this year.—[Vol. 28,c.446.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Liverpool city council concerning the use of CS gas during the Toxteth disturbances in July 1981; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no such representations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on the possibility of establishing a licensing system for crossbows pursuant to his answer of 18 May to the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Brown),Official Report,c. 58.

I have nothing to add to the answer given on 18 May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the number of applications for visitors' visas received by the Home Office from Polish nationals since the imposition of martial law in Poland and the number of visas issued during the same period.

During the period from 1 January to 30 September the British embassy in Warsaw received 8,947 applications for visit visas of which 2,120 have either still to be referred to the Home Office or are awaiting decision. A total of 5,285 visas has been issued during this period. There is no central record of visa applications made by Polish nationals outside Poland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the courses of vocational education and training at present being conducted in adult prisons in England and Wales, indicating which are conducted under the chief education officer's branch, which under the directorate of industries and farms, and which under the directorate of works; and if he will list those courses which have been closed or suspended during the last three years.

No courses have been conducted under the directorate of industries and farms during the last three years. The courses at present being conducted under the chief education officer's branch and under the directorate of works are tabulated as follows. The courses which have been closed or suspended during the last three years are indicated by an asterisk.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list prison workshops which have been out of service for more than six months during each of the past three years, or have been working at less than half capacity;(2) if he will list prison workshops which have operated for less than half the time, or at less than half capacity, during each of the last three years.

Information relating to the last three years is not readily available. But in the financial year 1981–82, out of a total of 305 operational industrial workshops in penal establishments, 210 workshops operated for less than half a working week of 37 hours or at below half capacity. One workshop was closed for more than six months in the year because it was required for an alternative use. My noble Friend is sending the hon. Member a list of the workshops concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the percentage cuts in expenditure, and the periods of embargo on the recruitment of staff to fill vacant posts, which have been applied to the education service in adult prisons in England and Wales in each of the last four years.

The information requested is not readily available, but we will reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost effectiveness of prison industry and education in prison respectively, and indicate the basic of the computations.

The cost effectiveness of prison industries and education cannot be directly measured. But in the financial year 1981–82, 14,725 inmates of penal establishments worked in industries and farms for a total of approximately 17·25 million hours and produced goods and services to the value of £44·44 million. These activities resulted in a trading deficit of £9·78 million. The average annual net cost of employing an inmate on industrial or farming work was therefore £664 or 57p per inmate hour worked. These figures include various notional charges for rent, rates and administration: if they are excluded, the cost was £413 per annum or 35p per inmate hour worked.During the academic year 1980–81, 9,323 inmates took part in daytime education, 2,452 in daytime vocational training, and 2,640 in daytime construction industry training. These figures cannot be aggregated, because they are based on enrolments, and some inmates attended more than one class. Nor do they take account of supervised cell study, for which no figures are available. Inmates spent a total of approximately 11·19 million hours in education, vocational training and construction industry training. The approximate cost of the staff salaries, equipment and materials, excluding various notional charges for rent, rates and administration, was £11·7 million in the financial year 1980–81. The cost per student hour was therefore about El ·05 p .

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made with a treaty to ban the production, deployment and use of chemical weapons.

The use of chemical weapons is banned by the 1925 Geneva protocol. Some progress was made in the Committee on Disarmament in Geneva this year on the elaboration of a convention to ban the development, production and stockpiling of these weapons. However, substantial problems remain, in particular over verification. The United Kingdom tabled a working paper on these problems and played an active part in later discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will now initiate discussions within the United Nations Committee on Disarmament for a global treaty on "no first use" of nuclear weapons.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has pledged never to be the first to use any weapon, nuclear or conventional, except in response to attack. The Government do not believe that a global treaty on "no first use" of nuclear weapons would increase international security. In times of tension no reliance could be placed on the provisions of such a treaty. Verification would be impossible. It is better to reduce the number of nuclear weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether new initiatives will be taken by the United Kingdom to achieve a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty, following the United Nations special session on disarmament.

We worked hard with others to set up a working group in the Committee on Disarmament to consider the problems of test ban verification and compliance. We should now give priority to the work of this group.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to establish a consulate in Shanghai; and if he will make a statement.

In August we reached agreement with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to open a consulate-general in Shanghai. China will open a consulate-general in a city in the United Kingdom still to be decided. Detailed negotiations are still in progress. Our consulate-general will open as soon as possible but we have not yet decided the exact date. This will be our first official representation in Shanghai since 1967. Our decision to open a consulate-general in Shanghai reflects the growing substance of Sino-British relations. The main activity of the post will be commercial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the text of the address given by his Minister of State to the Belgian Royal Institute of International Relations entitled "Europe, the British Commitment".

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the availability of long-term mortgages in Hong Kong

Loans against the security of property are normally provided by banks and other deposit-taking institutions in Hong Kong; 10 years is the period for most loans, but some are for up to 15 years. Fifteen years is the standard period for loans to purchasers of flats under the Hong Kong Government's home ownership scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if agreement has been reached between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Mauritius over assistance to the Ibis resettled in Mauritius from the Chagos Archipelago; and whether he will make a statement.

[pursuant to the reply, 13 July c. 356–57]: The agreement comes into effect as soon as each Government have notified the other that the necessary internal procedures have been completed. We expect to exchange letters with Mauritius, constituting such notification on 20 October. Thereupon an ex gratia payment of £4 million in full and final settlement of all Ilois claims will be made to the Government of Mauritius. Parliamentary approval will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the International Subscriptions, Special Payments etc. (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) Vote. Pending that approval, the necessary expenditure will be met by a repayable advance from the Coontingencies Fund.

asked the Lord President of the Council what arrangements exist for hon. Members to make their views known to the Top Salaries Review Body in its current review of parliamentary salaries and allowances.

I understand that, besides planning to hear oral evidence, the review body has sent a questionnaire to all hon. Members seeking information and views. In addition, I understand that the review body has commissioned management consultants, who also plan to carry out a number of interviews. I am sure that hon. Members will wish to co-operate in these approaches.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the State opening of Parliament on 3 November will be televised.

Following previous precedents, arrangements are being made for the opening ceremony on 3 November 1982 to be televised.

asked the Minister for Trade whether he will conduct an official investigation into the Alexander Howden accounts and trading practices of certain of its directors; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and noble Friend appointed Mr. Ian Glendinning Watt, chartered accountant, and Mr. Robert Alexander Gatehouse, QC, on 24 September 1982 and 1 October 1982 respectively as joint inspectors under section 165(1)(b)of the Companies Act 1948, as amended, to investigate and report on the affairs of Alexander Howden Group plc.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on his imposition in September 1981 of the ban on the import of poultry to protect the United Kingdom flock from Newcastle disease, in the light of the European Court's decision on this subject; and whether he will maintain the ban.

Details of the revised health measures which the Government intend to apply shortly to imports of fresh and frozen poultry meat, and eggs for human consumption, have recently been sent to other member States of the European Community. These measures represent the outcome of discussions with the Commission and some member States over recent weeks, in the light of the judgment of the European Court. They are designed to safeguard the health of the national flock, whilst permitting the resumption of trade.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain the reason why it took the Director of Public Prosecutions so long to deal with the reports of the Countryman inquiry into alleged police corruption in the Metropolitan Police and why by 5 August 1982 he had taken no action on the reports submitted to him last March concerning alleged irregularities in the West Yorkshire and Kent police forces.

In some of the cases investigated by the Operation Countryman team, final decisions could not be taken by the Director until other, related criminal proceedings had been concluded. In other cases, further inquiries were requested by the Director after he received the initial report. I know of no case in which unacceptable delays occurred, but if the hon. Member wishes to draw a specific case to my notice I shall look into it.The papers submitted to the Director in March concerning the investigation of allegations against officers of the West Yorkshire Metropolitan police and the Kent constabulary were not complete. Further reports have been submitted at intervals since March and the matter is currently receiving urgent consideration.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will explain how and why it took his Department until 3 September to send a formal acknowledgement card of receipt stating that the matter raised with him on 26 August by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West, concerning a Mr. W. W., affecting the district auditor, was receiving attention; and whether he will ensure that all letters received by his Department are dealt with more expeditiously, particularly those from hon. Members.

The hon. Member's letter dated 26 August 1982 was received at the Law Officers' Department on 1 September. The acknowledgement card was dispatched on the same day.

asked the Attorney-General if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to introduce legislation following the report in 1975 of the Faulks committee on defamation.

No such legislation is at present contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what response he will make to the recommendations in the Gregson report on local authority responsibility for waste disposal.

I have today issued a consultation paper, a copy of which has been sent to all right hon. and hon. Members representing Welsh constituencies. I have also placed a copy in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage and what number of the total number of assisted places in the current school session have been awarded to pupils at present attending fee-paying schools.

I regret that the information requested is not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the actual contribution of civil servants to their pension funds compares with that paid by the police, fire, health and local government employees; and whether he will arrange to put civil servants' contributions to their pension funds on the same or a similar basis to other public service employees.

On the first part of his question, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn and Hatfield (Mr. Murphy). On the second, putting the principal Civil Service pension scheme on to a fully contributory basis is one of the recommendations in the report of the Megaw inquiry into Civil Service pay, which the Government are at present considering.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any proposals to exercise the option for the Treasury to top up the bonus on the second index-linked National Savings "grannie" bonds, in view of the fall in the rate of inflation and the consequent impairment of the competitiveness of this investment in relation to other savings schemes.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in accordance with the note by the Treasury at appendix 5 of the Treasury and Civil Service Committee Report, session 1981–82, on "The Government's Economic Policy: Autumn Review", he will update the figures for 1982–83 and also for 1983–84 on the basis of announced changes, for those on 75 per cent., 100 per cent., 200 per cent. and 500 per cent. of national average earnings, for single, married, and married plus two children families, including data on gross earnings, income tax, national insurance contributions, child benefit net earnings and indirect taxes in each case.

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will detail the main pension schemes in the public sector whose benefits are fully protected against increases in the general level of prices.

The Pension (Increase) Act 1971, as amended, provides for annual increases in line with increases in the general level of prices, for pensions payable under the schemes listed in schedule 2 to that Act. The largest such schemes are the principal Civil Service pension scheme, the local government superannuation scheme, the teachers' superannuation scheme, the National Health Service superannuation scheme, the police pension scheme, and the fire service pension scheme. The Armed Forces pension scheme follows these arrangements by analogy. Other schemes covered directly by the Act include the parliamentary contributory pension scheme, pensions payable under the Judicial Pensions (Consolidation) Act 1981, and those payable to former holders of certain public offices such as the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and the Comptroller and Auditor General. A wide variety of pensions paid to former overseas officers, such as the expatriate staff who served colonial Governments, are also increased under the Act.The financing arrangements for the main schemes in Great Britain covered by the Act—including, for these purposes, the Armed Forces Pension Scheme—are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how changes in the general level of prices since 1970 compare with changes over the same period in national average earnings and gross domestic product.

The following table compares movements in the retail prices index, national average earnings and gross domestic product since 1970.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 19 October.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, including one with the Chief of the Defence Staff. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I shall be having talks with the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

asked the Prime Minister when she now expects the Franks committee on the Falklands to report.

At this stage I cannot say when it will report, but I continue to hope that the report can be completed within six months from the date on which it began its work.

asked the Prime Minister when she intends to publish the report on the inquiry relating to the Falkland Islands.

Until the Committee of Privy Counsellors has reported, no date for publication can be fixed. It remains my hope that its report will be completed within six months from the date on which it began its work.

asked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the latest progress in reconstruction on the Falkland Islands.

My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow), visited the islands earlier this month to review the situation. Considerable progress has been achieved but many problems remain. About £8.5 million has been committed from the initial rehabilitation allocation of £10 million.Much has been done to restore essential services. The power station is in full operation and can meet the demands of Port Stanley. Preparations are in hand to install a new generator. The water filtration plant is also just meeting demands and extra pumps are on order. As regards mines, the area of Stanley common has been cleared and the Stanley to Darwin road is open. Other mined areas have been fenced off and clearly marked. A map showing progress with mine clearance is regularly revised and made available to the civil population.The present airport has been repaired and extended so that regular supplies of urgent reconstruction material can be delivered by Hercules flights. The runway has been extended to 6,100 feet and can also now be used by Phantom aircraft.Large quantities of building materials are being ordered and shipped. They are being used to repair private and Government-owned houses which were damaged during the occupation, and will also be used to repair public buildings. A project for 54 new houses has been launched to replace homes destroyed during the occupation and to house additional personnel attached to the Falkland Islands Government.Replacement vehicles and plant for various departments of the Falkland Islands Government have been ordered and shipped. Large consignments of solid fuel, kerosene, gas and aviation fuel have been sent to the islands. Three replacement aircraft for the islands' internal air service have been shipped. Thirty-four additional personnel for the Falkland Islands Government have been recruited.Longer term rehabilitation requirements, such as the more permanent restoration and expansion of water, power, sewerage and road systems, and the harbour facilities and internal communications, are now being actively considered.

asked the Prime Minister if she has any plans to visit Scotland.

I hope to do so later this year.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to visit Northampton.

Not at present.

asked the Prime Minister how many women are now registered as unemployed; how many others are estimated to be looking for work; and if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to improve their job prospects.

At 9 September 1982 the number of women registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 1,003,741. This figure includes school leavers and is not seasonally adjusted.It is estimated that in 1979, the last year for which complete information is available, about a quarter of a million women were seeking work but were not registered as unemployed. Later information suggests that the number was similar in 1980 and rose only slightly in 1981.Women's interests are best served by the Government's policies aimed at creating the right economic climate for an effective and competitive industry. They can and do make use of Government employment and training services which are open on equal terms to men and women. In addition the Government have set up the new training initiative, at an annual cost of £1·5 billion—from 1983–84—which includes a £1 billion a year youth training scheme. Women as well as men will benefit from the opportunities offered.The Government recognise that in some circumstances women have special needs and in those cases we encourage special provision. For example, the Manpower Services Commission has a small programme of training for women only, in skills where women are under-. represented and for women returning to the labour market after a period of absence.

asked the Prime Minister if she will introduce a definition of poverty in the United Kingdom along the lines of that used in the United States of America.

No.

asked the Prime Minister what was the cost to public funds of the two bodyguards who flew to New York to accompany her son; and if she will make a statement.

The additional cost of providing protection for this visit was about £3,000. It is not the practice to disclose details of arrangements of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister what groups or organisations she met on her recent visit to Hong Kong.

During my visit to Hong Kong I met the following groups and organisations or their representatives:The Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with democratic reform in Hong Kong, particularly as it affects the poorer sections of the community.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Atkins) on 2 March 1982. Since then, district boards elections have been held successfully in the New Territories on 4 March 1982 and in the urban areas on 23 September 1982.

asked the Prime Minister whether she has received a copy of the report on women and public bodies by the Equal Opportunities Commission; and if she will make a statement.

I welcome the two reports recently issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and hope that initiatives taken by this Government and the Equal Opportunities Commission to encourage more women to allow their names to go forward for appointment to public bodies will lead to faster progress being made.Departmental Ministers, to whom the reports have also been copied, are considering the statistics relating to the bodies to which they make appointments and will be responding directly to the commission. My noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal is in touch with the Equal Opportunities Commission to discuss issues raised in the reports and to consider possible improvements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what flags are flown, regularly and on which special occasions, on Ulster Defence Regiment headquarters and bases; and whether there has been any change; and, if so, what are the changes and why they have been made.

The regimental flag is flown at all times at the Ulster Defence Regiment headquarters in Lisburn. At other Ulster Defence Regiment locations either the battalion flag or the Union flag or both may be flown. It is, however, for the battalion commanding officer to decide which flag or flags are flown at the bases under his command, and when they are flown. There has been no change in this policy.