asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums have been borrowed through the new Community instrument for lending and borrowing—the Ortoli facility—to finance investment

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in (a) the real exchange rate and (b) the nominal exchange rate of the £ sterling since December 1976 as against (i) the German mark, (ii) the French franc, (iii) the Swiss franc, (iv) the yen and (v) the United States dollar.

The difficulty in calculating "real" exchange rates was explained in my reply of 11 December 1981.—[Official Report, c. 511–12.] The increases in the nominal exchange rates can be calculated from the data published in "Financial Statistics", table 13.1.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from the president of the Manchester chamber of commerce and industry; what reply he is sending; if there is any action he will be taking with regard to the suggestions made to him; and if he will make a statement.

The information is as follows:

I received a letter from the president of the Manchester chamber of commerce on 14 October concerning the problems facing the regional economy in the North-West. I have since addressed the chamber on the occasion of its annual dinner and have also replied to the president's letter. I will arrange for a copy of the press release of my address and a copy of the letter to be sent to the right hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures in the Official Report to show, for each of the Her Majesty's Stationery Office printing works in the United Kingdom, the value of orders placed, the volume of work carried out, the manpower employed and the net profit or loss for the financial year 1981–82; and if he will give estimated figures for net profit or loss for the year 1982–83.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the average price of a pint of beer consisted of duty in 1965, in 1975, and at the latest available date.

The ratios of the amounts of the duty on beer to the prices typically charged for draught beer served in a public bar were as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the table he published in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 27 November 1981, Official Report, c. 495–8, in respect of the proportions of earnings taken by income tax and national insurance contributions.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update for the 1983–84 tax year the information on the cost of various fiscal measures provided in his reply of 17 December 1981 to the hon. Member for Thurrock, Official Report, c. 222.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update to 1982–83 the information on the cost of tax reliefs at actual and constant prices provided in his reply of 14 January 1981 to the hon. Member for Barking (Miss Richardson), Official Report, c. 546.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update to 1982–83 the information on the value of personal tax allowances provided in his reply of 14 December 1981 to the hon. Member for Thurrock, Official Report, c. 63–4.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if, further to his reply to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North, Official Report, 27 October, c. 411, he will publish in the Official Report a table comparing quarterly changes in the retail price index and the pensioner price index for 1981 and 1982;(2) if he will publish the pensioner price index on a monthly basis in future; and if he will examine the possibility of introducing more sensitive and regular indices of changes in the pensioner's cost of living.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider introducing a system of differential capital allowances favouring British manufacturers.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if, further to his reply to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North, Official Report, 27 October, c. 407,he will estimate the average gain to pensioners who (a) rely solely on electricity, (b) use electricity and a solid fuel or paraffin, (c) use electricity for lighting and gas for cooking and heating, (d) use electricity for lighting and heating and gas for cooking and (e) use gas for heating and electricity for cooking and lighting, if standing charges were limited to no more than 50 per cent. of a quarterly fuel bill;(2) if, further to his reply to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North,

It is not possible to provide reliable estimates of the benefits beyond those given in my previous answer to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he is to publish his response on the recent study into the problems of coalmining subsidence and restitution.

The Government's response to the coal study report by the Commission on Energy and the Environment will address all the commission's many recommendations, including those dealing with subsidence and related compensation. We intend to publish our response by the end of the year.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a further statement on progress towards establishing freeports in the United Kingdom.

We have decided that there should be a comprehensive review of the potential advantages of freeports. We shall be seeking advice from a wide range of interested bodies and individuals. We should be glad to hear from anyone who has views to contribute.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will consider the establishment of a freeport zone in the Grampian region and particularly in the constituency of East Aberdeenshire.

We have decided that there should be a comprehensive review of the potential advantages of freeports. We shall be asking a wide range of bodies and individuals for their advice, and we should be glad to hear from anyone who has views to contribute. We shall be glad to consider the possible advantages of a freeport in Grampian, as in other locations.

asked the Minister for Trade if he has made a decision about the establishment of freeport duty-free areas at air and sea ports following his consideration of the views of the Institute of Directors; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Minister for Trade if he will take initiatives with his European Economic Community colleagues to promote discussions with the United States of America aimed at avoiding the drift towards protectionism in trade between the Community and the United States of America.

There are and have been continuing exchanges between Ministers of the European Community, including the United Kingdom and members of the European Commission, with members of the United States Administration about the present trade situation. In particular, I and other European community Ministers will hope to meet our United States counterparts at the GATT Ministerial meeting in Geneva later this month. A main purpose of this meeting will be to reinforce the open trading system.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on trade relationships with the United States of America.

It is Her Majesty's Government's policy that the trade relationships of the United Kingdom and the other countries of the European Community with the United States of America should be conducted on the basis of an open trading system reinforced by the obligations assumed under the GATT.

asked the Minister for Trade whether he will report on the recent visit made to the United States of America by the Under-Secretary of State from his Department, in particular as to his assessment of the effects of airline deregulation.

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

asked the Minister for Trade if he will introduce measures for consumer protection in the current Session.

This Government have introduced a number of measures to help consumers. Although I have no plans for further primary legislation during the present session, I will be making a number of statutory instruments and taking other measures to help consumers.

asked the Minister for Trade what recent discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority.

My right hon. and noble Friend and I and our officials are in regular contact with the authority.

asked the Minister for Trade what is the average tariff imposed on a Spanish-made motor car when imported into the United Kingdom; and how it compares with the average tariff imposed on a British-made motor car when exported to Spain.

The duty on cars imported into the Community from Spain is 4·2 per cent.; Spain imposes a duty of 36·7 per cent. on cars from the Community.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will challenge the validity under Community law of the decision of the French Government to insist that all trade documentation must be in the French language; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and noble Friend expressed his serious concern to the French Minister for External Trade last Friday. The precise details of how this measure is to be applied are not yet clear, nor whether it will extend to British or other Community exports to France. The Commission has sought details and I understand it is to take action against the French Government under article 169 of the Treaty of Rome. We shall of course continue to monitor the situation closely.

asked the Minister for Trade what is his latest estimate of the United Kingdom balance of trade on visibles and invisibles, respectively, in 1982.

There was a surplus on visible trade of £794 million and a surplus on invisibles of £1,781 million in the first nine months of the year. The current account surplus of £2,575 million in this period is one of the largest in the country's history.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will take steps to prevent the import of household electrical plugs which do not meet British Standards Institution criteria.

Despite the regulations under the Consumer Protection Act and the Consumer Safety Act unsafe plugs are finding their way on to the market. This is clearly unsatisfactory and I am considering the introduction of regulations to deal with this.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will introduce legislative proposals to protect the public from those who fraudulently trade as limited companies.

In July, under the Companies Act 1981, we extended the power of a Crown court to disqualify directors from five years to 15 years; and for the first time for a magistrates' court to disqualify for up to five years. I am now considering the possibility of taking up the Cork committee recommendation for the introduction of civil liability for wrongful trading and also further provisions about the disqualification of directors.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on trade with Chile.

Our exports to Chile are worth about £50 million a year. We import from Chile rather more than twice that amount, mostly in copper and metalliferous ores.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement concerning the recent visit to Chile by the Minister of State, Department of Trade.

My visit, on which I was accompanied by a team of business men, was designed to support British exporters in that market.

asked the Minister for Trade if Her Majesty's Government will support the proposals now before the Council of Ministers of the European Communities to establish a European system for testing imports from the rest of the world to Europe to make certain that they comply with laws on safety, health and environmental and consumer protection.

The Government support the European Community's programme of harmonisation of laws and regulations that are intended to protect health, the environment and the consumer. The programme, under article 100 of the EEC treaty, provides common testing and certification procedures with which products from within and outside the Community must comply before they can be placed on the market. The programme is about half-way complete, and the Government hopes that recent Commission ideas on the treatment of products from outside the Community will lead to agreement on how it can progress.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement about his discussions with British Caledonian Airlines about its £6 million loss, as a result of the South Atlantic war, and the denial of Argentinian air space.

I have regular contact with British Caledonian Airlines and am well aware of the adverse financial and operational impact upon the airline of the Falkland crisis. For our part, we should like to see normal air links between the United Kingdom and Argentina resumed.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will outline the main outstanding issues in the negotiations on the multi-fibre arrangement in the trading of textiles and clothing.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the current state of negotiations on the multi-fibre arrangement in trade in textiles and clothing.

Eighteen supplying countries have initialled new bilateral agreements with the Community on terms which are consistent with the Commission's negotiating mandate. Most of the nine remaining countries who have not yet concluded bilateral agreements are opposed to the provisions for unilateral action in the Community's proposals for the basket extractor mechanism for introducing new quotas and the procedures for dealing with fraud, and to the anti-surge mechanism. In addition the ASEAN countries who have not concluded have objected to the procedure for breaking down Community quotas amongst the member States; and the three dominant suppliers (Hong Kong, South Korea and Macao) are opposed to the Community's proposed cut-backs in the quotas for the five most sensitive clothing categories in group 1.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will establish a full inquiry into the recent alleged financial irregularities in companies involved in the Lloyd's insurance market.

My right hon. and noble Friend has already appointed 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.On 4 November 1982, I announced that it was intended to appoint Inspectors to investigate the affairs of Minet Holdings PLC.

asked the Minister for Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the future of British merchant shipping.

The Government wish to see a thriving British merchant navy, and are naturally very concerned at the continuing decline of the United Kingdom-registered fleet in the face of depressed world shipping markets. I have recently received from the General Council of British Shipping detailed representations on the position, and I also have the views of the maritime unions. I shall be considering, in consultation with the council and the unions, the defence and wider economic implications of the situation.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will seek to ensure parity in trade barriers between the United Kingdom motor industry and foreign competitors like those in Spain.

The Government consider that it is unreasonable that our exporters should be denied a fair chance to compete in countries, such as Spain, to whose products we offer a relatively open market here. We will neglect no opportunity to secure access on more equal terms.

asked the Minister for Trade what is the current annual value of United Kingdom imports of manganese, vanadium, platinum and chrome.

The available information for 1981 is:

asked the Minister for Trade what has been the percentage change in the volume of non-oil imports and of oil imports over the latest available 12 month period; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister for Trade what has been the percentage change in the volume of non-oil exports and of oil exports over the latest available 12 month period; and if he will make a statement.

In September 1982, compared with a year earlier, the volume of imports of goods other than oil rose by 2 per cent. and the volume of oil imports fell by 9½ per cent. The volume of exports of goods other than oil increased by 1 per cent. and the volume of oil exports increased by 6 per cent. The underlying trend suggests that the level of imports has changed little during 1982. Whilst indicators of exports are more volatile, our exporters appear to be maintaining their position.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement of the proposed sale of shares in British Airways.

It remains the Government's firm intention to sell a substantial stake in British Airways to the private sector as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister for Trade if he intends to bring forward proposals for providing public funds for reducing the debts of British Airways.

The Government are considering British Airways' proposals for a reconstruction of the airline's capital and debt structure.

asked the Minister for Trade what further meetings he has had with European Economic Community Ministers, and the Commission, as well as his opposite number in Spain, about the imbalances of trade in tools, special steel, and steel products including drop forging and springs between the respective countries, the low tariff barriers to Spanish exports to the United Kingdom, and high tariff barriers facing British exporters to Spain.

The Government's dissatisfaction with the tariff imbalance between Spain and the Community and the associated problems for industry has been made plain to Community Ministers, the Commission and to Spanish Ministers.

asked the Minister for Trade how many glass bottles were imported into the United Kingdom during each of the past three years , and what percentage of the market is represented by imports.

Complete annual data are only available up to 1980. In 1978 the United Kingdom imported 585,000 glass bottles, in 1979 618,000 and in 1980 421,000.Figures for the United Kingdom's consumption of glass bottles are not separately available but are included within data for glass containers. In both 1978 and 1979 the value of imported glass containers was equivalent to about 9 per cent. of United Kingdom consumption. The proportion fell to about 7 per cent. in 1980 and more recently has maintained that level in the six months ending March 1982.

asked the Minister for Trade if the Government now intend to take measures against those countries that do not offer the United Kingdom reciprocity in trading conditions.

The Government believe that this country, as a major exporter, benefits from a fair and open trading system.

asked the Minister for Trade what was the value of exports of manufactured goods from the United Kingdom in the past three months.

asked the Minister for Trade how many ships and what total tonnage have been transferred from the British flag to flags of convenience and foreign flags since 1 January 1980.

The following table gives information on all transfers of ships from United Kingdom registry to other countries and United Kingdom dependent territories for further trading. The available statistics do not distinguish outright sales from cases in which a British owner retains beneficial ownership, but most of these transfers are believed to have been outright sales.

In the third quarter of this year, exports of manufactured goods, on an Overseas Trade Statistics basis, amounted to £9 billion.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will review the level of Government and Government agency cost components in the charges for United Kingdom domestic air fares.

Domestic air fares are a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority. The only Government cost component is the aviation security fund. This is to be wound up from 31 March 1983. But the Government's policy is that the air transport industry should pay for the services it receives. Clearly these costs will be reflected in the fares charged by the airlines, but British Airports Authority charges are reviewed annually in consultation with the airlines and my Department. Some of the Civil Aviation Authority's activities are being referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. I have also asked the new chairman, Mr. John Dent, to undertake his own review of the organisation. This review, which is now under way, includes the CAA's charging policy.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will estimate the deficit in trade in manufactured goods between the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Economic Community for the year 1982 and the actual figure for the first six months of the year.

The crude deficit on the United Kingdom's trade in manufactures with other countries of the European Community in the first six months of this year amounted to £2·4 billion; in the first three quarters it was £3·6 billion. Estimates for the rest of the year are not available. In the crude balance the valuation of imports includes insurance and transport costs not included in the export figures.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate the bid by Alcan Aluminium (U.K.) Ltd. for the British Aluminium Company (Baco) Ltd. with a view to referring the bid to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

My right hon. and noble Friend expects shortly to receive the director general's advice on this merger. He will then announce his decision as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister for Trade whether, in 1981 and 1982 to date, the United Kingdom is a net manufacturing importer.

Figures on the preferred balance of payments basis for 1981 show that United Kingdom trade in manufactures was in surplus by almost £5 billion. In the first nine months of 1982 the surplus was about £1·5 billion.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the consequences for the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community if agreements with (a) Argentina, (b) Brazil, (c) Hong Kong, (d) Indonesia, (e) Korea, (f) Macao, (g) Malaysia, (h) the Philippines and (i) Singapore that do not exceed the limits set in the Commission's negotiating mandate are not reached.

If agreements are not reached with these countries the Council of Ministers will have to decide upon alternative measures to apply to imports from them from 1 January 1983 in the light of the preparatory work which the Council has instructed the Commission to carry out.

asked the Minister for Trade if he has any plans to bring unauthorised insurance companies within the ambit and control of the Insurance Companies Acts; and if he will make a statement.

I have no plans at present to extend the scope of the Insurance Companies Acts. It is already an offence under these Acts to carry on insurance business in the United Kingdom without authorisation. Certain provisions of the Insurance Companies Act 1974 relating to the conduct of insurance business apply to unauthorised insurance companies. I am nevertheless ready to consider representations or specific proposals for further legislation in respect of unauthorised insurance companies.

asked the Minister for Trade if he has any plans to extend the control of reinsurance companies under the Insurance Companies Acts to include offshore companies; and if he will make a statement.

There are no plans to extend the supervision of reinsurance companies under the Insurance Companies Acts to companies which do not carry on business within the United Kingdom.United Kingdom insurance companies make extensive use of the capacity of overseas reinsurers, many of which are not authorised in this country. It is essential that this practice should continue in order to ensure a satisfactory spread of risk and to avoid a dangerous concentration of United Kingdom risks in the London market. It would be impracticable, however, for my Department to supervise all the overseas reinsurers with which United Kingdom companies do business.I intend to introduce regulations next month requiring every insurance company to disclose the names of their major reinsurers. Links with the reinsurer will also have to be disclosed. As a result, it will be possible to identify any reinsurer on which an insurance company relies for a significant amount of its reinsurance protection. Further inquiries into any such arrangements, including those made with overseas reinsurers, can then be made as necessary.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will strengthen the statutory disclaimer required when policies issued by unauthorised companies are being marketed or alternately bring such policies into the scope of the Policyholders Protection Act 1975.

I shall shortly be laying before Parliament fresh regulations under the Insurance Companies Act 1974 which will strengthen this disclaimer.

asked the Minister for Trade if he is imposing any preconditions on the resumption of trade with Argentina.

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

asked the Minister for Trade what is his latest cost estimate for building a third London airport.

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

asked the Minister for Trade if he is satisfied that European Economic Community directive (73/23/EEC) relating to electrical appliances will effectively guarantee high safety standards for low voltage electrical equipment sold in the United Kingdom.

The directive requires member States to ensure that electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits shall not be placed on the market unless it is constructed in accordance with good engineering practice in safety matters in force in the Community, and to ensure that the free movement of equipment so constructed is not impeded for reasons of safety. So far this has given the United Kingdom Government the necessary basis on which to provide for the safety of electrical appliances. I am however considering whether the standards relied on under the directive will in future meet our safety requirements.

asked the Minister for Trade (1) what is now the level of British exports to Spain; and how this compares with the exports of each European Economic Community country, respectively, and total exports to Spain, indicating what proportion this is of total Spanish imports;(2) what is now the level of Spanish exports to the United Kingdom; and how this compares with exports to each European Economic Community country, respectively, and total exports to European Economic Community countries, indicating what proportion this represents of total Spanish exports.

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

asked the Minister for Trade if he will list the visits made by (a) the Secretary of State and (b) other Ministers in his Department to Nigeria since May 1979 and the dates of any proposed visits to that country by himself or other departmental Ministers.

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

asked the Minister for Trade if he will support the European Parliament decision to ban the import of sealskin products when a draft regulation is considered at the next meeting of Environment Ministers.

The Government are considering urgently the proposals put forward by the European Commission.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a further statement on his proposals for selective control of imports.

I have no immediate plans for new controls on imports.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the monthly tonnage and cash value, itemising the various categories, and country of origin, of steel imported into the United Kingdom for the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Minister for Trade when the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the sewerage functions of the Anglian and North-West water authorities will be published; and if he will make a statement.

The report is published today. The commission has examined the efficiency and costs of the sewerage functions of the two named water authorities. In doing this the commission has also considered the efficiency of the arrangements under section 15 of the Water Act 1973, whereby district councils undertake sewerage work on behalf of water authorities. It concludes that these arrangements should generally continue, but should be altered to ensure better control by water authorities.The Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services and I intend that the detailed recommendations about the efficiency of the two authorities will be followed up in the near future. My right hon. Friend will be consulting about the recommendations for changes to the section 15 arrangements. We have also noted the commission's recommendation that representation of consumers' interests should be improved and there is provision on this point in the newly-introduced Water Bill.On the question of public interest the commission concluded that neither the Angliam water authority or the North-West water authority was pursuing a course of conduct against the public interest.

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has considered the possible dangers to children from erasers that resemble sweets and other food; and what conclusions he has reached.

Many people are worried about these erasers. Children of primary school age and upwards are the ones who buy them and they are old enough to realise the dangers. It is the very small children who are most at risk in mistaking the erasers for food. I feel it is for parents to ensure that children are kept from them. I am of course concerned about the dangers but do not at present consider that a ban would be justified. I am issuing an appeal to suppliers to withdraw smaller sized erasers from the market and to attach where possible warning labels to those on sale. I am keeping the problem under review and will not hesitate to take any steps that may prove necessary.

asked the Minister for Trade what measures he intends to take to ensure that British firms obtain a fair share of contracts in developing countries financed by Community funds.

The European development fund is the main Community aid instrument. Under the fourth cycle of that fund, which has yet to be fully disbursed and to which the United Kingdom contributes 18·7 per cent., the United Kingdom has obtained 13·51 per cent. of contracts placed up to 30 June 1982, and that share is rising. There are also smaller aid programmes for the Mediterranean and non-associated countries from which we have obtained 7·1 per cent. of all contracts up to 30 June 1982.Advance information on contracts and guidance for exporters on EDF matters is provided by the world aid section of my Department, which has also produced a business guide on how to obtain contracts under the European development fund. A publicity campaign about multilateral lending agency opportunities, including those of the EDF, is about to be launched. In addition, improvements in working practices are being sought from the Commission in a number of areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning the incidents of public disorder which took place in Brixton, London, on the day of Monday, 1 November; and if he will make a statement.

I understand from the Commissioner that at 5.30 am police officers assisted the under-sheriff of Greater London in the execution of a writ of possession in respect of nine properties in Railton Road, Brixton. This exercise was completed by 6.55 am without incident. There was a light police presence in the area throughout the morning. About 12.40 pm about 80 people gathered in Railton Road and decided to march to Lambeth town hall in protest at the evictions. The group moved off at 1.00 pm, calling first at Brixton police station, where they stayed for only a few minutes and where there were no incidents. The group then went to Lambeth town hall, accompanied by a small number of police officers, where they were refused entry to the building but were seen by the leader of the council. Mobile police units arrived and the crowd dispersed at 1.50 pm, most of them going to Railton Road.The area was relatively quiet until about 3.00 pm when a number of youths entered a semi-derelict property in Mayall Road. It appears that the property had previously been used as a club and the youths were demanding that the local authority should reconnect the electricity supply. The youths eventually left the building and, whilst they remained in Railton Road and showed signs of hostility, none was violent. At about 5.30 pm bricks and three petrol bombs were thrown at police officers in Railton Road and additional units were brought in to disperse the crowd. A little later, two portacabins and some diesel fuel in a council yard in Railton Road were set alight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has received about car passes allowing unauthorised persons to drive into Buckingham Palace being made available to unauthorised persons via unauthorised channels; if he is satisfied, as police authority, that the Metropolitan Police have now taken all the necessary precautions to prevent any further breach of the arrangements for the Royal Family's personal security; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a preliminary account from the police about the claim by journalists in the Daily Mirror of 3 November that they had made an unauthorised entry to the Royal Mews. It is already clear that there was no unauthorised entry into Buckingham Palace and that the personal safety of members of the Royal Family was not put in jeopardy. I understand that the Palace authorities have made inquiries and I expect to be informed of the outcome in due course.Since 9 July many steps have been taken by the Metropolitan Police, by other police forces and by Royal Households in the interests of the safety of members of the Royal Family. These included the allocation temporarily of a number of additional officers to uniform duty at Buckingham Palace. Today the Metropolitan Police's Royalty Protection Department has been re-organised to include 138 more officers for uniform duties at Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, Kensington Palace and Windsor Castle. This is 81 per cent. more than the number of officers allocated to these duties in July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the total number of citizens of the New Commonwealth and Pakistan who were accepted for settlement on arrival and by revocation of conditions in each of the years 1976 to 1981, the number of dependants admitted for settlement in the same period and the percentage of the total they represent in each year.

The total numbers of citizens of the New Commonwealth and Pakistan accepted for settlement on arrival and on removal of time limit are published in table 13 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics 1981" (Cmnd. 8533). The information requested for dependants is given in the following table.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death by hanging of James Heather-Hayes, at Ashford remand centre on 7 July, since the coroner's inquest jury returned a verdict on 21 October of death through lack of care on the grounds that although he exhibited all the Home Office criteria for suicide risks the warning signs laid down in the Home Office standing orders had been ignored; and if he will consider changes in the monitoring of these procedures to prevent any repetition.

We shall consider the transcript of the inquest when it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory requirements oblige him to introduce new immigration rules by 1 January 1983.

The provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981 come into force on 1 January 1983. Under section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1971 I am required to lay before Parliament statements of the rules laid down by me as to the practice to be followed in the administration of that Act. Since the present rules contain terms which will be altered by the British Nationality Act and make no provision for children born here, not all of whom after 1 January 1983 will be British citizens, it is necessary to change the rules. I made clear to the House on 30 July 1980 that it would be necessary to review the rules when the British Nationality Act was passed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the powers that he possesses with regard to immigration procedures which he can exercise without parliamentary scrutiny or approval (a) indefinitely and (b) over specified periods, in the latter case setting out the periods over which he can exercise such powers.

I am required to lay before Parliament a statement of the rules laid down by me as to the practice to be followed in the administration of the Immigration Act 1971. That statement and the exercise of other powers conferred by the Act relating to categories of person are subject to a parliamentary procedure. The Home Secretary has a discretion, which is recognised in section 19(2) of the Act, to grant an individual application outside the rules. The special voucher scheme for certain United Kingdom passport holders is extra-statutory and not subject to a parliamentary procedure, but the total quota of vouchers is announced in Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost of police protection afforded to Mr. Mark Thatcher since 1979, and the total cost of providing similar protection to other private citizens in the same period.

I do not intend to depart from the practice of not disclosing either total or comparative information about the cost of police protection of an individual or a group of individuals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has issued guidelines to the police about the Arwen 37 gun which can fire either plastic bullets, gas grenades or a combination of both, or any similar weapons; and whether he has information as to the number of such weapons held by each police force.

The guidelines which I have issued to the police about the use of CS and baton rounds do not authorise the use of this gun or any similar weapon. It is not, I am informed, in the possession of any police force in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the representations he received relating to the Rediffusion list of subscribers on the fourth Welsh Channel; and what was the nature of each of those representations.

Before reaching the conclusion which I announced on 28 October—[Vol. 29, c. 546–7]—I had received 40 letters from local bodies and individuals, including four from hon. Members of this House, and four petitions signed by over 1,000 people in all. The representations made were to the effect that the result of the ballot of subscribers carried out by Rediffusion was not wholly reliable and that permission to Rediffusion to relay the United Kingdom Channel Four service should be either refused, or not decided on in advance of the launching of the Welsh Fourth Channel.As regards the future, I confirm that Rediffusion may, if it wishes, hold a fresh ballot and that I should be ready to consider, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, a fresh application from it in due course when subscribers have had the opportunity to judge S4C's output for themselves; my Department will be in touch with it about how matters might be carried forward.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce his decision on the tertiary reorganisation scheme submitted to him by Humberside county council for Grimsby and Cleethorpes division.

My right hon. Friend is well aware that it is in the interests of all concerned that he should decide these proposals at the earliest practicable date. He will do so once he has considered the views of those who have asked to make representations; I recently met the third of the hon. Member's deputations and have still to meet two other deputations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what sums from public funds have been received in fees and other income by St. George's School, Stowmarket, Suffolk, in 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82, respectively.

No public funds have been paid direct to this school. The parents of some pupils at the school receive the allowance generally available from their employers, the Ministry of Defence, to assist with the cost of boarding education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the privatisation of higher education in Great Britain.

The Government have no such proposals under consideration, but would like to see publicly funded higher education institutions increasingly seeking ways of diversifying their sources of income.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to introduce a mixed system of student grants and loans; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is at present considering this possibility. He is not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many village schools in Norfolk have been closed since May 1979; and how many applications for closure are awaiting the Secretary of State's decision for the county of Norfolk.

Since May 1979 the Norfolk local education authority has ceased to maintain 20 village primary schools. Additionally, proposals in respect of a further six village schools have been approved or determined under section 12 of the Education Act 1980 and are due to be implemented in July 1983 or July 1984. Three proposals to cease to maintain village schools in Norfolk are currently awaiting my right hon. Friend's decision; if approved they will involve the net closure of four schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether paragraph 6 of schedule 3 to the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1982 makes expenditure on life insurance premiums deductible in calculating residual income for the purposes of calculating parental contributions to student grants.

Further detailed consideration is being given to whether the provisions of paragraph 6 of schedule 3 to the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1982 satisfactorily achieve the intention that payments of life insurance premiums which are subject to income tax relief will be deducted in calculating residual income for the purposes of assessing the parental contribution to a mandatory award. I shall write to the hon. Member when this work is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support for costs towards training courses available through the European Community his Department claims in respect of City and Guilds of London Institute courses.

None. Support from the European social fund for training in this country is directed primarily to the training of the unemployed through the programmes of the Manpower Services Commission. Assistance is given to programmes in general and although some of this provision includes opportunities to undertake courses under the aegis of the City and Guilds of London Institute, no information is available about specific courses which might indirectly benefit from such support.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide additional money to the British Antartic Survey to compensate for the animal, plant, climatic, and the technological research destroyed at Grytviken.

While no amount of money can fully compensate for losses in, for instance, continuous meteorological data series at Grytviken, South Georgia, my right hon. Friend has announced this afternoon in a written reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Colvin) that special provision is being made, within the science budget for 1983–84, for an increase of £4 million in the programme of the British Antarctic Survey, through the Natural Environment Research Council. It will be for the British Antarctic Survey to decide how to apportion the additional money as between the replacement of lost and damaged scientific and other equipment at Grytviken, where I understand that the extent of the losses is still being evaluated and to survey other activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he set aside the advice of the advisory committee for the supply and education of teachers and of the national advisory body in respect of the number of secondary teacher training places to be made available.

In its initial advice in 1981 the advisory committee on the supply and education of teachers offered as a desideratum that there should be a reasonable match between the output of the teacher training system and the employment prospects of newly trained teachers, and we accepted this. The committee's subsequent advice, in May 1982, recommended levels of entry to secondary courses in 1983, 1984 and 1985 which would have produced an average annual output of some 8,000 secondary teachers seeking jobs in a period for which the committee had projected an average annual demand of about 4,700.The proposals we have made would result in an average annual output of some 7,100 newly trained secondary teachers seeking jobs, a more than adequate safety margin. It would be quite wrong for the teacher training system to preempt a much greater share of limited resources for higher education than can be justified by the needs of the schools. The national advisory body did not offer advice on the overall number of secondary places which should be made available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has yet reached final decisions about the allocation of entry targets in 1983, 1984 and 1985 to institutions concerned with initial teacher training; and if he will make a statement.

In May the Secretary of State for Wales and I received advice from the advisory committee on the supply and education of teachers about the initial teacher-training system. We were grateful for the care with which the committee examined the issues and the clarity with which they set out their recommendations. We accepted the committee's conclusions that there should be a rapid expansion of admissions to primary training in 1983, 1984 and 1985, accompanied by a reduction in entry to secondary courses. We proposed, subject to satisfactory translation into institutional terms, that total planned entries to initial teacher training in England and Wales should be reduced from 20,200 in 1981 to 15,200 in 1983, 16,300 in 1984 and 16,900 in 1985.These proposed totals were distributed between undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and between the university and publicly maintained sectors. The University Grants Committee is considering the allocation of intake targets to individual universities. In relation to public sector institutions in England my Department made provisional proposals on 6 August subject to a period of consultation with institutions and other interests. I am grateful to institutions and their maintaining authorities or voluntary bodies for their co-operation during this period.I have now decided that the allocation of intake targets to public sector institutions in England should be as set out below. These decisions differ from the provisional proposals in a number of respects, principally that initial teacher training should continue at the Polytechnic of North London, Bishop Grosseteste college and Newman college, and for the training of secondary art teachers at Leicester polytechnic. The Secretary of State for Wales and I have concluded that there should be consequent changes to the overall entry targets for the public sector in England but not for Wales or the universities.Total planned admissions for England and Wales will now be: