asked the Attorney-General how many criminal cases emanating from the areas of Macclesfield and Congleton have been heard in the Mold crown court since 1 January.

Fifteen cases committed for trial from the petty sessions areas of Macclesfield and Congleton, five cases committed for sentence and seven appeals have been heard this year at the crown court at Mold.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the granting of licences to export arms to Robert Cherrett and Leonard Hammond whilst awaiting trial on charges of illegally exporting arms.

All applications for licences to export arms are considered individually on their merits. Any information casting doubt on the legitimacy of a transaction would be taken into account. The fact that an applicant faced charges relating to alleged offences concerning exports would not, however, necessarily lead to the refusal of a licence in an unrelated case, provided there was no objection to the export on national policy grounds and Departments were satisfied that the application and supporting documentation were in order.

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement about the outcome of the 1981 diving survey on the wreck of the munition ship SS "Richard Montgomery".

I have considered the report of the diving survey carried out by the Royal Navy in July and August 1981, and the subsequent expert analysis of its findings. The condition of the hull shows some deterioration since the survey that was undertaken in 1978, but it continues to contain the ammunition, all of which is now embedded in heavy silt. No attempt was made to remove the ammunition during the diving survey. The report recommended that an external survey of the wreck, together with some work on the derricks, should be undertaken in 1983 and arrangements are being made for this. The ammunition will continue to be left undisturbed.I am satisfied that all reasonable precautions are being taken to safeguard the wreck and its cargo.

asked the Minister for Trade how many blank audio tapes having a running time exceeding 15 minutes are sold annually.

The only information is published by the British Phonographic Industry Ltd., which estimates, on the basis of extensive research, that 73·4 million blank audio tapes with a running time exceeding 15 minutes were sold in the United Kingdom in 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he intends to introduce legislation recommended in the youth service review "Experience and Participation" during the course of the present Session of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 11 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) and to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Edge Hill (Mr. Alton).—[Vol. 31, c. 231.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of 16, 17 and 18-year-old youths in the Northern region and Bishop Auckland constituency are participating in full-time education in schools and colleges of further education; and what is the corresponding national figure.

Statistics are readily available by local education authority but not by parliamentary constituency. The percentage of young people aged 16, 17 and 18 participating in full-time education in schools and colleges of further education in Durham—which includes the Bishop Auckland constituency—was 17 per cent. in 1980–81, the latest year for which information is available. The corresponding figures for the Northern region and for England were 19·8 per cent. and 23·8 per cent., respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the distribution of religious teacher education places under the revised arrangements for teacher education recently announced; and if he will make a statement.

The final decisions announced by my right hon. Friend on 8 November 1982 provided for annual admissions to secondary courses for specialised teachers of religious education as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold an inquiry into the replacement of college lecturers by police officers for some of the sessions on multicultural subjects at the Hendon police college; and if he will make a statement.

No; the management of cadet training at Hendon is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his practice as a general rule not to grant permission of entry and settlement into the United Kingdom to any foreign national on any grounds where a person has criminal convictions against him until such time as those awaiting entry without such convictions are first allowed in and settled.

No. The immigration rules already provide that a passenger, other than the wife or child under 18 of a person settled here, is to be refused entry if he has been convicted of a serious criminal offence, or if—for instance, because of his character, conduct or associations—his exclusion appears to be conducive to the public good.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 17 countries referred to in his answer of 11 November to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Cunningham), Official Report, c. 219, setting out which countries permit as of right (a) the entry of husbands and fiancés of citizens and (b) the entry of wives and fiancés of citizens.

I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the sequence and methodology used in assessing the agreement of a United Kingdom-based fiancée or wife to the entry clearance of her fiancé or husband.

There is no standard sequence or methodology. The purpose of interviews with wives or fiancées, which are normally conducted by immigration officers, is to establish whether or not an application satisfies the requirements of the immigration rules, and all relevant matters will be covered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in considering the question of control of distribution of the psilocybe mushroom.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will be considering the need for and practicability of further controls on psilocybe mushrooms once the results of certain outstanding court cases which are relevant to this question are known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into the case of Leslie Catterson, who received extensive injuries whilst in police custody in February 1978, including injuries to his ribs and back, and to his left eye requiring nine stitches, and who at Newcastle Crown court in November 1982 was awarded damages following a civil action against Cleveland police; and if in particular he will request the inquiry to investigate whether, as the judge said he believed, the police committed perjury regarding the cause of his injuries whilst in custody.

I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total industrial investment by (a) the United States of America and (b) Japanese companies in (i) the European Community and (ii) Western Europe came to the United Kingdom in 1981.

Industrial investment overseas is recorded as overseas direct investment. However overseas direct investment includes loans to companies from branches, subsidiaries or affiliated companies overseas. Last year United States companies were large net borrowers from United Kingdom subsidiaries and as a result direct investment in the United Kingdom—excluding oil—is estimated by the United States Department of Commerce to be minus $61 million in 1981 compared to an annual investment in the European Community of $873 million and $2,303 million in Western Europe as a whole. The other proportions requested are given in the following table, together with the comparable figures for 1980.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the costs of freeing widows pensions from income tax and retirement pensions from income tax.

In a full year, at 1982–83 levels of income, the cost of exempting national insurance widows benefits from income tax would be about £120 million; and that of exempting national insurance retirement pensions, including those paid to widows, would be about £1·3 billion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present overall cost of (a) basic pay and (b) incremental pay in the Civil Service; if he will show total incremental pay as a percentage of pay generally; and if he will compare the cost and percentage appertaining at present with the likely cost of the merit pay schemes proposed in the Megaw report at present rates.

As in a wide range of employments, increments are not an addition to basic pay, the scale as a whole represents the rate for the job. Increments are thus included in the non-industrial Civil Service pay bill which currently stands at about £3·5 billion, excluding over-time payments, allowances and employers' national insurance contributions. The cost of paying additional increments due in the current financial year is estimated to be about £80 million. But the effect on the pay bill should be less than this, due to changes in the Civil Service population during the financial year; new entrants to the Civil Service will be paid on lower incremental points than those they replace.Following the recommendations of the Megaw report, the Government are considering a number of options for performance-related pay in the Civil Service. However, no decisions have yet been taken and no comparisons can therefore be made between the present cost of increments and the cost of a possible system of merit pay.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants are in receipt of incremental pay; and what percentage of the total of civil service staff this represents.

The number of non-industrial civil servants on incremental scales is about 516,000 and this represents over 98 per cent. of the total. But many of these will not in fact be receiving any further increments because they are already on the maximum of their scale. Thus, the number of non-industrial civil servants due to receive an increment in the current financial year is about 235,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if wage increases are applied to each point on the incremental scales of Civil Service pay; and, if so, how the amount of each increment has increased over the past five years for clerical officer and assistant secretary grades.

Pay awards apply to all points on incremental scales because it is the scale as a whole which is the rate for the job, but the percentage added on at each incremental point will depend on the particular award. The amounts by which the value of increments have changed over the past five years are shown in the following table for the two grades referred to.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the policy of Her Majesty's Government at the sixth United Nations conference on trade and development at Belgrade in June 1983 relating to the involvement of beneficiary nations in the management of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Her Majesty's Government do not consider that the management of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank is an appropriate subject for discussion at the United Nations conference on trade and development. We support the present arrangements for determining voting power in those institutions under which a member country's voting rights reflect its relative economic strength and financial contributions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the Budget Council held on 22 November.

I represented the United Kingdom at the Budget Council on 22 November which met to consider the European Parliament's amendments and modifications to the draft 1983 Community budget.The Council was preceded by a meeting with a delegation from the European Parliament. The delegation explained the Parliament's overall approach to the 1983 Community budget and its priorities within it. Its main priorities are action to combat unemployment and action on hunger in the world. Ministers explained their Government's general attitudes to the Parliament's proposals; a number of them said that the Community budget could not be considered in isolation from the priorities and constraints reflected in national budgets.The Council then met to consider the Parliament's amendments and modifications. There was prolonged discussion on the extent of the provision for non-obligatory expenditure. The margin available to the Parliament within the maximum rate amounted, in the Council's view to 331 million ecu for commitments and 261 million ecu for payments. The amendments to non-obligatory expenditure adopted by the Parliament amounted to 1457 million ecu for commitments and 674 million ecu for payments. I urged the Council to agree to an increase in the maximum rate in order to allow significant further increases in the provision for the social fund and the regional development fund.The Council eventually agreed to a margin for the Parliament of 88 million ecu for commitments and 64 million ecu for payments in addition to the margin already available according to the Council's calculation. Within the total the Council agreed to increases for the social fund compared with the draft budget of 248·5 million ecu in commitments and 192·6 million ecu in payments; and for the regional development fund of 100 million ecu in commitments and 80 million ecu in payments.The Government's approach to the discussion reflects both a desire to see Community finance playing an effective role in helping to alleviate the effects of unemployment; and the need, after the experience of a series of disputed budgets in recent years, to reach an acceptable accommodation with the European Parliament on the 1983 budget and the 1982 supplementary budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that the imposition of value added tax on sanitary wear for women causes considerable concern, he will now review his policy regarding value added tax on such matters; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware that many people feel strongly about this issue, but in a broadly based tax like VAT many essential goods and services are taxed, and it would not be appropriate to single out sanitary protection for special treatment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loss of stamp duty revenue on house purchase transactions would occur in 1983–84 if (a) the present thresholds were each increased by £5,000 and (b) the present thresholds were each increased by £5,000 and the present system were to be replaced by one in which stamp duty is levied at the appropriate rate only on that part of the house price which exceeds each threshold.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated cost in tax revenue lost in raising the ceiling on the amount of a mortgage for which interest payments are allowable against income for personal taxation from £25,000 to £35,000, at estimated 1982–83 outturn prices and at estimated 1983–84 outturn prices.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why those local authorities represented on the joint management committee of Telford opportunities centre are individually exempted from value-added tax liability but when operating jointly through the joint management committee they are not.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 November 1982, c. 417–18.]: The activities of local authorities are not in principle exempt from VAT.Section 15 of the Finance Act 1972 enables local authorities to claim refunds of the VAT they incur on their non-business expenditure. As constituted at present the joint management committee of Telford opportunities centre is not regarded as a local authority within the meaning of section 15(6). Customs and Excise has already advised officers of the joint management committee of the requirements to be met so as to secure the benefits of section 15.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, following the representations made to him by Wrekin district council, he will make an order specifying the joint management committee of Telford Opportunities Centre as a body falling within the provisions of section 15 of the Finance Act 1972.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 November 1982, c. 418.]: No. I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I have given today to his other question about Telford Opportunities Centre.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will estimate the proportion of the components of domestically produced motor cars which was manufactured abroad in the most recent period for which figures are available and for a similar period five years previously.

I regret that no official estimates of this kind are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will increase the level of support given by his Department to car component supplier companies.

The automotive components sector is able to take advantage of various departmental schemes of assistance made available generally to manufacturing industry. I am encouraged that the sector has made growing use of the particular facilities offered under the "support for innovation" programme where, for applications received until 31 May 1983, the maximum level of grant for approved projects has been increased from 25 per cent. to 33⅓ per cent. Component companies have also derived benefit from the special assistance the Government have made available to BL.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the prospects for the United Kingdom pulp, paper and board industry.

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

asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, how many visits have been made by each of

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom will give or encourage practical help to improve educational, medical and social facilities in Namibia. the departmental Select Committees (a) abroad and (b) within the United Kingdom in each Session since their appointment; and what was the cost of such visits to each committee.

[pursuant to his reply 17 November 1982, c. 178]: The information is set out in the following tables.

Substantial assistance is already being provided to Namibians. In reply to a question from my hon. Friend on 17 November—[Vol. 32, c. 193–94]—my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State described the help that we are giving in the teaching of English. Training is also being provided for Namibians in child care, nursing, pharmacy and a number of other vocational and technical subjects. Opportunities for work within Namibia itself are obviously limited by the absence of a settlement within the terms of Security Council resolution 435; as has already been stated, the British Government would certainly consider offering development assistance to Namibia after independence achieved in accordance with that resolution.

asked the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to Rugby.

I have at present no plans to do so.

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

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister what are her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 25 November.

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 be having further meetings later today.

asked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex on 9 November, Official Report, column 104. whether she will, after the end of Information Technology Year, consider continuing means of encouraging the investment in, and development of, new technologies in Great Britain.

Yes, and I hope to refer to this when I address the IT82 end of year conference on 8 December at the Barbican conference centre.

asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will institute a published analysis of what food, clothing, heating, cleaning materials and other necessities may be afforded by those at particular levels of elegibility, and of the amounts remaining for expenditure on such items as travel to relatives and presents to children.

There already exists, in the family expenditure survey a detailed analysis of household expenditure. Analysis of the FES data shows how households at different levels of income, including retired households mainly dependent on State pensions, spend their money.A copy of the latest report, "Family Expenditure Survey 1980", is in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister how many hon. Members she has met to discuss factory closures since she last answered oral questions; and how many job losses were involved.

I have had no such meetings since 23 November.

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the activity of Her Majesty's Government to safeguard the well-being of old people whose lives may be in jeopardy through exposure to cold during the coming winter.

We are currently spending over £300 million annually on supplementary benefit heating additions. That is more than any previous Government. Over 2 million claimants benefit from this help, and from this week the heating addition rates have been increased to reflect the expected rise in fuel prices to November 1982. Further help is available in the form of loft insulation grants covering 90 per cent. of the cost for elderly people on low incomes. There are also grants available for people entitiled to supplementary benefit for simple draft proofing and hot water cylinder jackets. In addition the Health Education Council recently launched a "Winter Warmth" campaign to draw attention to the part which can be played by families, friends and neighbours. This will complement the activities of the statutory and voluntary services.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on her visit to Scotland on 1 September.

In Glasgow I met a delegation from the Scottish TUC. Later I attended a reception and working dinner with members of the Scottish CBI.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet President Reagan.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet President Reagan.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet President Reagan.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet President Reagan.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet President Reagan.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet President Reagan.

asked the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet President Reagan.

On present plans, at the next economic summit in May 1983.

asked the Prime Minister whether, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 9 November, Official Report c. 105, she will now outline the specific action which the United Kingdom has asked the European Community to undertake regarding the new French domestic protection campaign; and within what specific time scale she asked for action to be taken.

I made our concern very clear during the recent Anglo-French summit; we could not accept measures which would disrupt our exports to France. The Commission is now preparing proceedings against the French Government for possible breach of the Treaty of Rome, and we expect the matter to be treated urgently.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to Blackburn in North-East Lancashire.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister what are the reasons for the increase in the number of staff employed directly by her office since May 1979.

asked the Prime Minister if she has increased the staff at 10 Downing Street since May 1979.

At present the number of staff employed by my office is two higher than on 1 May 1979. There has been a small increase in the policy unit partly offset by a reduction elsewhere. However, the total is subject to temporary fluctuations as a result of factors such as vacancies or overlaps between departing staff and their successors.

asked the Prime Minister how many (a) chauffeurs and (b) kitchen staff were employed at 10 Downing Street in May 1979 and at the latest date.

The numbers of staff in the categories specified, both at 1 May 1979 and 1 November 1982, were (a) none (b) one part-time senior cook, who prepares working lunches for the staff of the office twice a week. Drivers for the Prime Minister are provided by the Department of the Environment's Government car service.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the interest of consumers, retailers, workers, local authorities and others into the issues raised by possible amendment of the Shops Act 1950, she will set up an inquiry into its operation particularly as regards Sunday trading.

No. The relevant considerations are already well known and I do not believe that an inquiry would make the issues any easier to resolve.

asked the Prime Minister if she will take steps to prohibit the export from the United Kingdom by British companies subcontracting to Societé Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale of components for Exocet missiles as long as a state of hostilities exists in the South Atlantic.

No. A number of British companies manufacture components for Exocet under a collaborative arrangement negotiated in 1971 to offset the purchase of the ship-launched version for the Royal Navy. Deliveries to the Royal Navy are continuing and in addition Exocet in either the ship or air-launched version has been sold to some 30 countries. A general embargo would prejudice our own programme for the Royal Navy and impede exports to third parties. Moreover, the French already have sufficient components to complete their deliveries to Argentina under existing contracts which were interrupted at the time of the Falklands conflict.

asked the Prime Minister when most recently a new car was provided for her official use.

One is expected to be delivered this month. A 3½ litre Rover saloon purchased in 1972 will be given up.

asked the Prime Minister if she will take steps to ensure that no British equipment capable of military application reaches Argentina.

Our own embargo on the direct supply of military equipment to Argentina remains in force. Some of our allies have felt obliged to lift their own embargoes and honour existing contracts. Where these contracts incorporate British equipment it has not always proved feasible or appropriate to embargo them.

asked the Prime Minister if she will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to enter into any arrangement with the Government of the Irish Republic to enable jurisdiction to be more widely shared in the whole of Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

This issue has been the subject of some controversy during the Irish election campaign. It would be wrong to comment on it before the electoral process is complete and a new Irish Government have been formed.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to simplify building regulations in Northern Ireland and to bring them into line with those applying to other parts of the United Kingdom.

The building regulations in Northern Ireland already follow closely the pattern of controls in England and Wales. The building control system in Northern Ireland is currently being reviewed in the light of changes and simplifications being considered in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he now expects to make a statement about the future of teacher training in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Education has this week published, for consultation, a paper "Teacher Training: Working Paper on Future Trends". I expect to be able to make an announcement on the future structure of the teacher training system in Northern Ireland at the turn of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the working of the Northern Ireland Assembly to date.

I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham).

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further talks are planned with the leaders of the Social Democratic Labour Party concerning the future of the Assembly.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer earlier today to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, Central (Mr. McNamara).

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has proposals for amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1982.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how he proposes to define widespread acceptance throughout the community for the purpose of exercising his discretion under the Northern Ireland Act 1982.

Paragraph 42 of the White Paper "Northern Ireland: A Framework for Devolution" (Cmnd. 8541) states that the Government would only consider that the Assembly's proposals for devolution commanded widespread support throughout the community if it appeared to them that those proposals were acceptable to both sides of the community. Following submission by the Assembly of devolution proposals, it would be for Parliament to decide whether this criterion was met.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has yet taken a decision on the Kinsale gas pipeline project.

Consideration of the proposal to supply natural gas to Northern Ireland from the Kinsale field is at an advanced stage, and I hope to make an announcement in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that in Northern Ireland only rubber, rather than plastic bullets are used, and that their use is permitted only if expressly ordered by a senior officer.

No. The plastic baton rounds currently available to the security forces in Northern Ireland are more suited to the circumstances than the rubber baton rounds they replaced.The use of baton rounds is governed by clearly defined instructions issued by the chief constable and the general officer commanding, and they strictly monitor their use to ensure that these instructions are complied with. It is not the Government's practice to disclose detailed operational instructions used by the security forces in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the receivership and liquidation of the De Lorean Motor Company, Belfast.

I understand that the joint receivers and managers have granted an option to Consolidated International Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, and Associated Investors Corporation, Delaware, in respect of the purchase of the assets of DSQ Property Company Limited—formerly De Lorean Motor Cars Limited—in receivership, exercisable within 45 days from 9 November 1982. The joint receivers have also agreed to sell to the named companies the stocks of cars held by the receivers in Belfast.Joint liquidators of DSQ Property Company Limited, in receivership, were appointed on 10 November 1982 following the decision of the courts to order the winding up of the company as the result of a petition by one of its creditors.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of the proposed merger between the New University of Ulster and the polytechnic.

A steering group, which was set up in June, is proceeding with the work of planning the new institution, which will be created by the merger of the New University of Ulster and the Ulster Polytechnic. The steering group decided to give early attention to the choice of vice-chancellor designate, and Mr. Derek Birley, the present rector of the polytechnic, has been so designated. I am pleased to say that both existing institutions are now actively involved with the steering group in detailed consideration of constitutional and academic structures for the new institution.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the quality of weapons and equipment available to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and its reserves.

The primary responsibility for determining what weapons and equipment should be provided for the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the RUC Reserve rests with the police authority for Northern Ireland. I am, however, satisfied with the quality of what is currently available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to reduce the present number of 14,000 unfit homes in Belfast.

I have authorised the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to commence the largest ever programme for repair, improvement and construction of homes in the Belfast area. Some 2,500 new homes are now under construction in the city on 60 different sites.I have also substantially increased allocations to housing associations operating in Belfast and am maintaining renovation grant expenditure in the city at a very high level. As a result there will be a substantial reduction in the number of unfit houses in Belfast over the next few years.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.

Since my reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange (Mr. Parry) on 8 November—[Vol. 31, c. 66]—12 people have died in incidents arising from the security situation in the Province. Four of these were members of the security forces and eight were civilians. Another person has been kidnapped and efforts to establish his whereabouts have so far proved fruitless.The Government are determined to defeat terrorism through the resolute and impartial enforcement of the law. They will continue to provide the security forces with the necessary resources. The security forces will not be deterred from doing everything in their power to prevent such senseless acts of terrorism and to bring those responsible to justice. So far this year 650 persons have been charged with terrorist-type offences, including 42 with murder and 91 with attempted murder, and 287 weapons, 35,949 rounds of ammunition, together with 4,1621b of explosives have been recovered.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the United States of America.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley).

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library a transcript of the press conference which he held in Washington on 16 November.

A full transcript has today been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of margarine is provided by animal fat.

Returns from manufacturers indicate that in 1981, the latest year for which information is available, animal fats represented 13·3 per cent. of all oils and fats used in the manufacture of margarine in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many maintained nursery schools there are in each local educational authority in Wales; how many children attend such schools; and what percentage this is of all children in Wales in this age group.

In January 1982, the latest date for which information is available, the number of full-time and part-time pupils attending maintained nursery schools in Wales was 4,120, representing a little over 6 per cent. of the 3 and 4-year-old age group. The numbers of schools and pupils in each local education authority are shown in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of pupils leaving Welsh secondary schools during the last academic year for which figures are available had no formal examination qualifications; if he will give the figures for each local education authority; and how the average and overall figures compare with England and English local education authorities.

The following table gives the information for maintained secondary schools in Wales for 1980–81, the latest year for which figures are available. Information for English local education authorities is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that medical, nursing and other supportive staff at the St David's hospital Carmarthen, have amongst their numbers sufficient people who are Welsh speakers in order to be able to deal effectively through the medium of the Welsh language with patients who prefer being interviewed and given psychotherapy through their native language.

This is a matter for the health authority. All authorities in Wales are aware of the importance of the use of the Welsh language, where appropriate, in the treatment of patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the current year's price review for agriculture; and if he will make a statement.

None. Welsh Office officials are meeting representatives of the two farming unions today and the Country Landowners Association on 3 December in the context of the annual review.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the rate of increase between April 1979 and October 1982 in the number of persons registered as unemployed for more than two years for (a) Wales and (b) each county in Wales, ranked from highest to lowest.

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of dwellings in Wales are considered to be unfit.

8·8 per cent. For more information on this subject I refer the hon. Member to the report on the Welsh house condition survey 1981, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the net migration rate from Wales to other parts of the United Kingdom for each year since 1979.

Migration within the United Kingdom is estimated from a variety of sources and these estimates can of course be taken only as a very rough guide to the true position. With these reservations in mind, the following table contains the latest information relevant to the question:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the infant mortality rate for Wales for each year since 1979.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the figures for starts by local housing authorities for the year to the latest available month and for the three previous years on the same basis.

1,476 local authority dwellings were started in the first nine months of 1982. The comparable figures for the same periods in 1979, 1980 and 1981 are 2,287, 1,964 and 866, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the contribution of the current speed regulations covering motor coaches on motorways in reducing accidents.

I am satisfied that in normal conditions passenger coaches on motorways can travel safely at up to 70 mph, the legal speed limit. However, I have observed numerous violations of this speed limit and, where possible, this matter will be taken up with the companies concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet completed his investigation into the work necessary to repair the A19 viaduct over the River Tees and the southbound carriageways; how much the total repair works will cost; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

The investigations which are being carried out are of a highly complex and technical nature. They are taking longer than expected, but I hope to make a full statement in the new year.Resurfacing of the A19 south of the Tees bridge was completed on the southbound carriageway last year at a cost of £600,000. Similar works to a longer length of the northbound carriageway and four slip roads are now nearing completion at a cost of £838,000. Work to seal cracks in the concrete substructure of the bridge has been carried out and together with routine maintenance work has cost about £300,000. The extent and cost of any further works which may be necessary will not be known until the investigations have been completed.